Artesia
PA-88H
$250
The cheapest hammer-action piano you can buy
4.4 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 4.9 Touch Reality 6.6 Value
88 11 kg
View Details Ringway
Ringway RP35 Review
A simple, affordable portable from the OEM giant
88 Keys 12 kg hammer action Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
5.7| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 10 | +0.3 |
| Sound Variety | 15 sounds | +0.3 |
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
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 12 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1330 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
4.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | hammer action (grade 5) | +3 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 64 notes | +0.4 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | plastic | +0 |
Our Verdict
Ringway — a major OEM keyboard manufacturer — offers the RP35 under their own name: a no-frills 88-key portable with recording capability and USB MIDI at a budget-friendly price.
Pros
- • Very affordable entry into 88-key weighted piano territory
- • Recording capability — unusual at this price point
- • USB MIDI for computer and DAW connectivity
- • Layer and split modes for sound combining
- • Lightweight at 12kg — easy to transport
- • Built by one of the world's largest keyboard OEM manufacturers
Cons
- • Only 64-note polyphony — limiting for pedal-heavy playing
- • No Bluetooth, lesson function, or app connectivity
- • Ringway brand has very low consumer recognition
- • Only 15 sounds
- • Plastic key surface with basic action feel
The Ringway RP35 is as no-nonsense as budget portables get. It gives you 88 weighted keys, basic recording, USB MIDI, and 20W speakers in a 12kg package at one of the lowest prices in the market. The Ringway name might not carry the recognition of Yamaha or Casio, but the company builds keyboards for many of those same brands behind the scenes. The 64-note polyphony is the biggest compromise — it limits the instrument's capability for anything beyond basic repertoire. If you need the cheapest possible entry point into weighted-key piano and you understand the limitations, the RP35 is a functional, honest tool for learning the basics.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The RP35 uses a standard hammer action that Ringway produces in their own factories — the same type of mechanism they supply to other budget brands. The weighted feel is basic but functional, with some grading from bass to treble. The plastic keys have a straightforward, smooth surface without any textured coating. The dynamic response is limited, with less difference between soft and loud playing than you would get from Yamaha or Casio actions. For someone learning basic pieces and developing initial finger coordination, the action is adequate. It will not inspire nuanced playing, but it will teach you the fundamentals of weighted-key technique.
Who Is This Piano For?
The RP35 is for the budget-conscious buyer who wants to know a hidden truth about the keyboard industry: Ringway is one of the largest OEM manufacturers in the world, building keyboards for many brands you already know. Their own-brand products like the RP35 cut out the middleman and pass the savings directly to you. If you are looking for a basic portable piano to learn on and you care more about value than brand prestige, the RP35 provides 88 weighted keys, recording, and USB MIDI at a price that is hard to argue with. The low polyphony is the main drawback — sustained pedal passages will cause note dropout. But for basic practice and learning, it gets the job done. Pair it with a budget X-stand and you have a complete beginner setup for remarkably little money.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 64 notes |
| Sounds | 15 |
| Weight | 12 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 | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 10 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1330×330×120 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
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
RP35 vs PA-88H
The RP35 scores higher in Beginner, while the PA-88H edges ahead in Portability. Choose the RP35 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Artesia PA-88H →RP35 vs SP201
The SP201 edges ahead in Beginner. Choose the SP201 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Medeli SP201 →RP35 vs DEP-60
The DEP-60 edges ahead in Beginner and Portability and Value. Choose the DEP-60 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Donner DEP-60 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ringway RP35 good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Ringway RP35 scores 5.7/10 on our Beginner scale — it covers the basics but may lack some advanced learning features found in higher-scoring models.
Does the Ringway RP35 have Bluetooth?
No, the Ringway RP35 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Ringway RP35?
The Ringway RP35 weighs 12 kg (26 lbs). It scores 5.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Can I use headphones with the Ringway RP35?
Yes. The Ringway RP35 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Ringway RP35 have?
The Ringway RP35 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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SP201
$300
Hammer-action 88 keys at a budget-breaking price
7.1 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 12 kg
View Details Donner
DEP-60
$250
88 weighted keys for under $250 — the budget king
6.6 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 10 kg
View Details