This little keyboard has one main strength: it's incredibly small. It slips easily into a messenger bag or backpack, so you can really take it just about anywhere. I bought it for writing and playing while traveling, and for the price it's a great little accessory for that purpose. I don't think there's any other keyboard on the market that puts 49 keys into such a small space.
The keys are full width, although they're not full length. They have no velocity sensitivity and very short travel with a clicky action, so the feel is somewhere between a piano and a synth controller. You can't use it for serious practice or performance, but it's decent for what it is. It plays comfortably on your lap or on a table.
Overall the build quality is quite good, especially the magnetic closure when folded. The included sustain pedal is nothing special, but it's a nice touch and works just fine.
The rechargeable battery and onboard speakers mean it can be totally standalone. Now the speakers are weak and tinny and clip above 70% volume on most patches, so they're not amazing... but it's nice to have them anyway. The sounds are a tad more passable when you can use headphones or an amp. Again, it's just good enough for casual play on the go. It has 128 general MIDI voices, but scrolling through them is such a hassle that I can't imagine I'll do it much. Still, kind of cool that they packed them in there. The built-in rhythms are also neat but honestly unlikely to get used, although the metronome could come in handy.
Finally, it's surprisingly great as a MIDI controller. It worked immediately with GarageBand and Cubase on my laptop. This really opens up the sound options without needing much extra gear. The lack of velocity sensitivity means you still can't capture authentic piano, but the software patches sound a lot better than the onboard ones, and are much easier to navigate.
All in all it's a worthwhile purchase with a few obvious shortcomings, but a lot of versatility if you know what you need it for.
Carry-On, 49-Key Portable Keyboard (FOLDPIANO49)
4.1 | 611 ratings
Price: 59.99
Last update: 08-03-2024
About this item
LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT 49 Key folding PORTABLE PIANO keyboard & MIDI controller that folds to 39cm weighing just 1.01kg for optimized portability, practicality and functionality
8 HOURS RECHARGABLE BATTERY LIFE WITH BUILT IN USB & MIDI to provide efficiency and convenience to traveling musicians and music enthusiasts
IDEAL FOR STUDENTS; PROFESSIONALS; who want to play, learn and perform piano with full size keys, realistic feel and soft touch keyboard design
MULTIPLE DIGITAL INTERFACE DEMO FEATURES including 6 metronome settings and 30 demo songs for wide practice range of accompaniments
INCLUDES SUSTAIN PEDAL for a full performing experience
8 HOURS RECHARGABLE BATTERY LIFE WITH BUILT IN USB & MIDI to provide efficiency and convenience to traveling musicians and music enthusiasts
IDEAL FOR STUDENTS; PROFESSIONALS; who want to play, learn and perform piano with full size keys, realistic feel and soft touch keyboard design
MULTIPLE DIGITAL INTERFACE DEMO FEATURES including 6 metronome settings and 30 demo songs for wide practice range of accompaniments
INCLUDES SUSTAIN PEDAL for a full performing experience
Product information
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 2.2 Pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 4.96"D x 30.51"W x 1.89"H |
| Style | Rhythms |
| Connector Type | usb |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Manufacturer | Carry-On |
| UPC | 845644006496 |
| Item Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Country of Origin | China |
| ASIN | B08WY6J7XQ |
| Item model number | FOLDPIANO49 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| Customer Reviews |
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars
584 ratings
4.2 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #3,397 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #37 in Portable & Arranger Keyboards |
| Date First Available | March 5, 2021 |
| Color Name | White |
| Hardware Interface | Micro USB Type B, 3.5mm Audio, Headphone |
| Output Wattage | 1.2 Watts |
| Battery type | Lithium Polymer |
| Voltage | 5 Volts (DC) |
| Wattage | 1.2 watts |
Top reviews from the United States
Andrew Richardson
Cool little keyboard for maximum portability
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023L
Fun and portable
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
L
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
The black keys are lower than a standard keyboard, and all keys are very sensitive so there may be extra notes bumped here and there (no charge for the extras!). I love that you can transpose it up and down to play along with transposed instruments. The sustain pedal is useless and clicks like a computer mouse. Just throw that piece out. I'm getting an audio jack adapter to use my other sustain pedal. It's awesome just to have a piano you can take with you wherever you go. Mine has stickers all over it to increase the awesomeness. Overall, this piano makes me smile.
Images in this review
Judi
Portable, convenient, USE HEADPHONES for better sound
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2023Suzanne Federman
nice little portable key board
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024