Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Piano - Semi-Weighted 88-Key

In this review the Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Piano is shown to be a practical choice for beginners and home players who want a full 88-key layout without a large price tag. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of full-sized semi-weighted keys and built-in learning tools, which make it easy to develop technique and practice quietly with headphones. The package also includes comfortable M-Audio HDH40 piano headphones, making it ready for immediate silent practice.

Key Features

• 88 Semi-weighted Keys: Full-sized keys with adjustable touch response help mimic acoustic feel and suit different playing styles and practice needs.
• Five Voices: Acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, synth, and bass provide a useful palette for lessons and simple performance setups.
• Built-in Effects and Speakers: Chorus and reverb plus two 20W speakers deliver clear, room-filling sound for practice without external amplification.
• Connections: Stereo headphone output for private practice and RCA outputs for connecting to external speakers or amplifiers for broader sound.
• Educational Tools: Standard, split, layer, and lesson modes with 128-note polyphony and bundled Skoove and Melodics lessons accelerate learning.
• Included Headphones: M-Audio HDH40 headphones with rotatable frame and padded headband provide comfortable, secure silent practice.

Who It's For

The Alesis Recital 88 is aimed at beginners, hobbyists and home learners who want a realistic 88-key layout with adjustable touch and built-in lesson features. It works well for students who need private practice options thanks to the headphone output and included headphones.

Players seeking a premium weighted action, highly detailed sampled grand piano, or a stage-ready instrument with advanced connectivity should look elsewhere; this model is optimized for value, education and home practice rather than pro studio use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good key feel for the price thanks to semi-weighted full-sized keys and touch adjustment.
• Five useful voices and built-in FX give tonal variety for practice and simple arrangements.
• 128-note polyphony and flexible modes (split, layer, lesson) support learning and basic performance.
• Includes comfortable M-Audio headphones for immediate silent practice.

Cons

• Sound quality and speaker depth are mixed for some listeners compared with higher-end digital pianos.
• Sustain pedal input is present but pedal is not included, so an extra purchase may be needed.

Specifications

Keys	88 full-sized semi-weighted keys with adjustable touch response
Voices	5 voices: Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Synth, Bass
Effects	Built-in chorus and reverb
Speakers	Two built-in 20W speakers
Polyphony	128-note max polyphony
Connections	Sustain pedal input, stereo headphone output, stereo RCA outputs
Included Accessories	M-Audio HDH40 headphones and lesson subscriptions

Our Verdict

The Alesis Recital 88 is a strong value for beginners and home players who need a full 88-key instrument with educational features and private practice capability. Its semi-weighted keys, bundled headphones and lesson subscriptions make it a practical starter digital piano, though advanced players seeking top-tier tone or heavier key action may prefer higher-end models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it include headphones?
Yes, the package includes M-Audio HDH40 headphones designed for comfortable, silent practice.

Can I use a sustain pedal?
The keyboard has a sustain pedal input, but the sustain pedal is not included and must be purchased separately.

Are there lessons included?
The Recital 88 includes a 3 month premium Skoove subscription and 60 free virtual lessons from Melodics to help with learning.