Artesia
DP-3
$500
Solid console piano basics at a budget price
8.4 Beginner 6.5 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 37 kg
View Details Alesis
Alesis Virtue Review
The most affordable console piano with 360 sounds
88 Keys 32 kg hammer action Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
8.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 50 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 360 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | hammer action | +0.5 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
3.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 32 kg | -1.5 |
| Width | 1368 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
5.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | hammer action (grade 5) | +3 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 128 notes | +0.8 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | plastic | +0 |
Our Verdict
The Alesis Virtue packs an astonishing 360 sounds into one of the cheapest console pianos available — a feature-rich option for beginners who want variety alongside their piano practice.
Pros
- • 360 built-in sounds — far more variety than any competitor at this price
- • Extremely affordable console piano with stand and three pedals included
- • Lesson function with 50 preset songs for guided learning
- • 128-note polyphony is solid for beginner and intermediate playing
- • Recording capability for tracking progress
- • USB MIDI for computer connectivity
Cons
- • 20W two-speaker system is underpowered for a console piano
- • No Bluetooth connectivity
- • No app connectivity for modern learning platforms
- • Plastic key surface feels budget — no ivory-feel texture
- • Only one headphone jack
The Alesis Virtue occupies an interesting niche — it is essentially the cheapest console piano you can buy, and it compensates for its limitations with sheer sound variety. Those 360 sounds are mostly novelty, but they make practice more engaging for beginners and add entertainment value for families. The core piano experience is adequate but unremarkable — decent action, modest speakers, serviceable sound. If you are shopping purely on budget and want a complete console package (stand, pedals, bench sometimes included in bundles), the Virtue checks the essential boxes. Just set your expectations accordingly — this is an entry-level instrument priced as such.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Virtue uses a standard hammer action with plastic key surfaces. The weighting is graded in the traditional pattern — heavier bass, lighter treble — and provides enough resistance for a beginner to develop proper technique. The action is similar to what Alesis uses in their Recital Pro portable, which means it is functional but not particularly refined. The plastic surface is smooth without any textured coating, which can lead to slipping during energetic passages. For the price of entry, the action is acceptable. Players who advance beyond the beginner level will likely outgrow it within a year or two.
Who Is This Piano For?
The Virtue is for the budget-conscious beginner who wants a console piano that does more than just piano. If you enjoy exploring different sounds — strings, organs, guitars, synths — alongside your piano practice, the 360-sound library gives you a playground that no other console piano at this price can match. It works well as a family instrument where different members might want different sounds, or for a beginner who wants to keep practice sessions interesting by experimenting with tones. The lesson function and preset songs provide structured learning support. The trade-off is audio quality — the 20W speakers are modest for a console, and the piano sound itself does not match Yamaha or Casio quality. But at under $400 with a stand and pedals included, the Virtue offers a unique combination of affordability and variety.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 128 notes |
| Sounds | 360 |
| Weight | 32 kg |
| Speakers | 20W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Plastic |
| Sound Modeling | — |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 50 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1368×400×780 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand included
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
Virtue vs DP-3
The DP-3 edges ahead in Night Practice. The Virtue costs $100 less. Choose the DP-3 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Artesia DP-3 →Virtue vs DDP-90
The DDP-90 edges ahead in Beginner. The Virtue costs $100 less. Choose the DDP-90 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Donner DDP-90 →Virtue vs DP-150e
The DP-150e edges ahead in Night Practice. The Virtue costs $100 less. Choose the DP-150e if you prioritize quiet practice.
Artesia DP-150e →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Alesis Virtue good for beginners?
Yes. The Alesis Virtue scores 8.6/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Alesis Virtue have Bluetooth?
No, the Alesis Virtue does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Alesis Virtue?
The Alesis Virtue weighs 32 kg (71 lbs). It scores 3/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Alesis Virtue?
Yes. The Alesis Virtue has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Alesis Virtue have?
The Alesis Virtue has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Read more →Similar Pianos
Donner
DDP-90
$500
Budget console piano with Bluetooth and app learning
10.0 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.4 Value
88 32 kg
View Details Artesia
DP-150e
$500
The $500 console that comes with everything — stand, pedals, and 200 sounds
8.6 Beginner 7.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.4 Value
88 36 kg
View Details