8/7/2019 Best Digital Pianos
The best digital piano for students. The Yamaha YDP-181 was the top pick for half of our testers. The action feels like a grand piano, is easy to play, and allows for a significant amount of nuance. Our testers liked the default Grand Piano 1 sound, which closely resembles that of an acoustic piano. Top Keyboard & Digital Piano Reviews Casio PX-770. Yamaha P-115. Kawai ES 100. Yamaha PSR-EW300. Korg SP-170S. Yamaha PSR-E363. Casio PX-350. Yamaha P-125. Casio PX-860. Casio PX-160.
Your guide
After researching more than 80 digital console pianos and testing nine with a panel of professionals and amateurs, we think the Yamaha Arius YDP-181 is the best digital console piano for a student who doesn’t want an acoustic piano because of space or budget considerations. Its action has a good feel, the piano sounds are excellent, the control panel is well laid out and easy to navigate, and it comes with a bench. It’s an excellent choice for a beginning or intermediate student and should ease the transition to an acoustic instrument as they progress.
Our pickYamaha Arius YDP-181
The YDP-181 has accurate action, a great sound, and intuitive controls. It’s easy to use and plays enough like an acoustic piano to satisfy students.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,700.
The Yamaha YDP-181 was the top pick for half of our testers. The action feels like a grand piano, is easy to play, and allows for a significant amount of nuance. Our testers liked the default Grand Piano 1 sound, which closely resembles that of an acoustic piano. Clearly marked control selectors let you easily adjust tone, reverb, and other special effects and make it simple to record a piece for playback or practice. The finish looks nice, although it comes in only a dark-brown rosewood that might not be to everyone’s taste.
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Runner-upRoland RP501R
The RP501R’s sound is a bit more subdued than the Yamaha YDP-181’s, but it comes in a black finish and can connect with Bluetooth.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
The Roland RP501R was a firm runner-up choice among our panelists. Its sound is good, if a bit more muted than our top pick, and the onboard amplifier and speakers successfully envelop the player in sound. The added page-turn support for Bluetooth is an excellent bonus if you have music loaded onto a tablet. The feel of the simulated mechanical action might, however, be distracting for some players, so it’s good to try one in store if possible.
Budget pickKorg LP-380
The LP-380 piano trades some playing control and functionality for its lower price, but offers a good piano sound and reasonable feel for the money.
Buying Options
The action and key feel of the Korg LP-380 isn’t as good a representation of an acoustic piano as the Yamaha or Roland, but if you don’t want to spend over $1,000 it is still a good choice for beginners. The sounds are decent, and it plays pretty well, though not as well as our top picks.
Everything we recommendOur pickYamaha Arius YDP-181
The YDP-181 has accurate action, a great sound, and intuitive controls. It’s easy to use and plays enough like an acoustic piano to satisfy students.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,700.
Runner-upRoland RP501R
The RP501R’s sound is a bit more subdued than the Yamaha YDP-181’s, but it comes in a black finish and can connect with Bluetooth.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
Budget pickKorg LP-380
The LP-380 piano trades some playing control and functionality for its lower price, but offers a good piano sound and reasonable feel for the money.
Buying OptionsThe researchWhy you should trust us
I’ve been playing musical instruments since 1982. I have a bachelor of music with an audio production focus from Ithaca College and a master of music in keyboard collaborative arts from the University of Southern California. For the past 20 years, I have been a professional music director and performer in styles ranging from classical and opera in concert halls to pop and rock on the Sunset Strip. And for 10 years I taught at a private Los Angeles high school and music directed their productions.
The testers we brought in for this guide were a combination of professionals and students:
Who this is for
If someone in the household is showing an interest in the piano and wants to begin taking lessons, a digital piano is a great option. The biggest benefit over an acoustic piano is that regular tuning and maintenance is unnecessary. Acoustic pianos should be tuned at least once a year (most manufacturers recommend two times per year; this will likely be necessary if you live somewhere with big seasonal changes in humidity), and more affordable older pianos sometimes need work done to the hammer mechanisms, keys, or in the worst scenarios, the soundboard. Digital pianos are almost always smaller than an acoustic piano, even a spinet, and they are significantly lighter. It’s possible to move them around with a second person and without the need for a furniture dolly.
Another major benefit of digital pianos is the ability to play and practice without disturbing the rest of the house (or the neighbors). The volume can be controlled, and headphone outputs—usually two—defeat the built-in speakers when you’re plugged in.
Some more traditionally minded teachers, however, feel that digital pianos aren’t the best choice for serious study (in their opinion, the simulated piano action, along with the fact that you can control the volume with a knob, can make it more difficult for a student to develop proper touch), so you may want to check with your instructor before purchasing.
While these full-featured digital pianos may seem expensive, they are much less expensive than quality entry-level acoustic pianos; and while used acoustics may be cheaper up front, repair and maintenance costs will likely make up the difference in most cases. All things considered, a good digital makes a compelling first piano, and might be the only piano that someone with limited space needs.
How we picked and tested
Our goal was to recommend a digital piano that closely represents an acoustic piano in touch and sound and makes the transition for a student from digital to acoustic an easy one. In order to find options that best emulated a traditional piano playing experience, we first applied some required parameters:
We searched through company websites for currently available models and looked at online reviews from consumers and independent review websites to come up with a list of 89 models. We set the price limit of $2,000, which brought the number down to 64. Higher than $2,000, the differences in quality become more minute and it’s possible to find upright or spinet acoustic pianos in very good condition. After removing models without three pedals and trying samples at local Los Angeles music stores, our initial list of 89 models was narrowed down to nine digital pianos. All of them have headphone jacks that defeat the internal speakers when used. All can be connected to a computer, and some have Bluetooth connectivity.
Once the pianos were delivered and assembled, we brought in our panelists individually to try them out and offer their opinions on each model.
Our pick: Yamaha Arius YDP-181Our pickYamaha Arius YDP-181
The YDP-181 has accurate action, a great sound, and intuitive controls. It’s easy to use and plays enough like an acoustic piano to satisfy students.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,700.
Of all the pianos we tested, the Yamaha Arius YDP-181 felt most like an acoustic piano. The keyboard action is firm and responsive, and the pedals have nice sensitivity. The default Grand Piano 1 sound is good with a sparkly high end; and the panel controls are clearly marked and easy to navigate. The speakers don’t envelop you in sound as much as some others we tested, and it comes in only a dark rosewood finish, but it’s the one piano I constantly go back to and would enjoy playing all day.
The YDP-181 has Yamaha’s Graded Hammer action, one of the company’s midrange quality actions. To emulate the feel on an acoustic grand piano, the key weight and response varies throughout the keyboard range. Lower-range keys have a heavier touch that gets lighter as you move up into the higher octaves. This replicates the difference in hammer weights on an acoustic grand piano, where the hammers are heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble.
Action affects playability, but—especially for experienced players—it is a personal choice. For both Liz Kinnon and I, the YDP-181 hit the sweet spot. It felt good to our fingers, and I found it to be the most enjoyable to play at length. Phil Metzler thought it played well, but it was a little stiff for his taste, while Rita Davis found the action to be too quick and didn’t have the weight she desired. But overall, it was the easiest to control chord voicing—manipulating the relative volumes of notes within chords—of any piano we tested, meaning a student can grow into understanding the nuance of touch and develop this skill as his or her musicianship blossoms.
A video comparison of our three picks using the middle section of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C-sharp minor.
The pedal sensitivity is impressive as well. The damper allows for half pedaling. On an acoustic piano it is possible to depress the right pedal so the dampers just lightly touch the strings and slightly alter the tone of the notes rather than creating a full sustain. When half pedaling was first introduced into digital pianos, the effect was pretty much on or off depending on your foot pedal position. With more recent pianos there are finer gradations of effect. The YDP-181 achieves this beautifully. The damper resonance is also adjustable. Turning this effect on adds the sounds that occur when the damper pedal is depressed on a piano and the dampers are released from the strings. It’s a nice touch, and allows for more advanced techniques as a student advances.
There are 14 sounds on the Yamaha YDP-181, including grand pianos, electric pianos, harpsichords, a vibraphone, organs, strings, a choir, and a guitar. Some of the samples, including the default Grand Piano 1, were created with Yamaha’s proprietary sampling system called AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) Dynamic Stereo Sampling. Multiple samples were recorded at various velocities, and those samples are played back depending on how quickly the keys are played. The Grand Piano 1 sound is comprised of newly recorded samples from a full-size concert grand piano. The result is an authentic-sounding instrument. While the piano sounds are great, some of the other sounds leave something to be desired, in particular the choir and strings. But since the primary purpose of the keyboard is to emulate a piano, we can accept the less-than-authentic chorus of ooohh’s.
The YDP-181 controls are well laid out, and selected buttons are clearly illuminated.Photo: Rozette Rago
The YDP-181 controls are well laid out, and selected buttons are clearly illuminated. Photo: Rozette Rago
The YDP-181 controls are well laid out, and selected buttons are clearly illuminated. Photo: Rozette Rago
The YDP-181 controls are well laid out, and selected buttons are clearly illuminated. Photo: Rozette Rago
The YDP-181 controls are well laid out, and selected buttons are clearly illuminated.Photo: Rozette Rago
The YDP-181 controls are well laid out, and selected buttons are clearly illuminated. Photo: Rozette Rago
The control panel layout is clear and easy to use. There are voice select buttons for each instrument so you don’t have to scroll through multiple instruments stored on one button. You can also press two at a time to combine the sounds. The sound buttons—for brilliance (brightness), reverb, and effects—have the options listed above them, and the selected option has a light illuminated next to it so there’s no confusion as to what is on. There is built-in data storage for recording songs. Songs can be recorded in two parts and saved to an external USB drive.
Under the console is a pair of In and Out MIDI connections for a MIDI device or interface to connect to your computer. The two headphone jacks are on the left end, under the key bed. There is also a three-way speaker toggle that turns the internal speakers off, on, or on as long as headphones are not connected. There is a headphone hanger next to the jacks to store your headphones, but there isn’t much clearance if they have a thick headband.
A bench is included, although it doesn’t have any storage for music books. Some reviews have mentioned that it’s thinner than they would like, but none of our testers had an issue. It certainly is not wide enough for more than one person. Also included is a music collection of piano pieces, 50 Greats for the Piano.
The Yamaha Arius YDP-181 comes with a three-year limited warranty. This covers parts and labor for any repairs that are necessary due to defective parts or malfunctions. If Yamaha decides the unit needs to be replaced, you will be responsible for any initial shipping charges if the piano must be shipped for warranty service. Yamaha will pay for return shipping in the United States.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Both Metzler and Davis had slight reservations about the sound of the piano. Metzler said it sounded a little anemic, and Davis thought the sound felt flat by comparison with an acoustic piano, but not enough to deter them from playing. Neither Kinnon nor I had the same experience. We both felt the piano sounded elegant and accurately captured the acoustic piano-playing experience.
When purchasing a console piano, you’re not just buying an instrument. You’re also getting a piece of furniture. The Yamaha Arius YDP-181 is available in only a dark rosewood finish. The build quality of the piano is great, but if a dark brown doesn’t fit the decor of your room, this might be a dealbreaker for you.
Runner-up: Roland RP501RRunner-upRoland RP501R
The RP501R’s sound is a bit more subdued than the Yamaha YDP-181’s, but it comes in a black finish and can connect with Bluetooth.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
The Roland RP501R is another great choice for a developing musician. The action is pretty good, with some minor issues, and the damper pedal has Progressive Damper Action, Roland’s name for its half pedaling response that is similar to the Yamaha’s. The piano sound was decent; Davis especially liked it, but it isn’t as realistic as the Yamaha’s. Some of the features are comparable—recording capabilities, dual headphone jacks with a hook—but the Roland has a slew of others that solidifies its place as our runner-up.
The action on the RP501R has a somewhat firm feel that is satisfying and easy to play. Davis found it so comfortable that she said she would play on it every day. Kinnon liked the control she had over the chord voicing, but didn’t like the slight vibration she felt when she pressed the key into the keybed. This is Roland’s emulation of the escapement mechanism in a grand piano. When a key is played on an acoustic piano, a felt-covered hammer strikes the string to cause it to vibrate and produce sound. The escapement mechanism is what allows for the hammer to immediately fall away from the string, even if the key stays depressed, so the string can continue to vibrate. Modern grand pianos have double escapement, which resets the hammer after the key is only partially lifted. This lets the note be repeated quickly without the hammer needing to fully reset to its rest position. On an acoustic grand piano the moment of escapement can be felt if you slowly depress the key, but when playing normally it falls into the natural motion of the key and isn’t distracting. Roland’s simulated escapement can be a little distracting, especially when playing gently, but not enough to take away from the overall playing experience.
The RP501R’s control panel isn’t quite as intuitive as that on the YDP-181, but it still manages to offer a good amount of options.Photo: Rozette Rago
The RP501R’s control panel isn’t quite as intuitive as that on the YDP-181, but it still manages to offer a good amount of options. Photo: Rozette Rago
The RP501R’s control panel isn’t quite as intuitive as that on the YDP-181, but it still manages to offer a good amount of options.Photo: Rozette Rago
The RP501R’s control panel isn’t quite as intuitive as that on the YDP-181, but it still manages to offer a good amount of options. Photo: Rozette Rago
Roland’s SuperNatural Piano sound technology and speakers do a good job filling the room with sound, but overall this piano doesn’t sound as natural as the Yamaha YDP-181. There are plenty of additional sounds to choose from. There are more than 300 sounds available, as well as 72 rhythm accompaniment styles, including pop, jazz, blues, Latin, and disco. These are a great way for a student to practice rhythmic timing or improvisation, or just have fun. Some panelists accidentally hit the start button while playing, but there is a panel lock option that disables all buttons except the volume to avoid this from happening.
Where the Roland does shine over the Yamaha is in its connectivity. Instead of using MIDI ports to connect to an external interface that then connects to your computer, the RP501R has an internal interface with a USB out that can plug directly into your computer. And an audio player can be connected through the input jack so you can play along with your favorite music.
If you use a music score display app on your device and connect to the RP501R, you can connect via Bluetooth and assign one of the keyboard pedals to turn pages (I recommend the middle pedal, assigned by default as a sostenuto pedal, since it has more limited use in everyday playing). There are products available that do this well already, but to have it integrated into the keyboard is fantastic. Roland also has a free app, Piano Partner 2, for both iOS and Android that can control the keyboard’s functions, display music, and help develop music skills with an interactive game.
Roland has a five-year parts and two-year labor warranty, but you must pay to ship the keyboard in its packaging to Roland for repair.
The RP501R is available in contemporary black, contemporary rosewood, and white. It comes with a matching bench that has storage space for music books.
Budget pick: Korg LP-380Budget pickKorg LP-380
The LP-380 piano trades some playing control and functionality for its lower price, but offers a good piano sound and reasonable feel for the money.
Buying Options
For around $700 cheaper than our Yamaha pick, the Korg LP-380 is a decent starter piano. For a more experienced player, it isn’t as good a choice as the Yamaha or the Roland due to its limitations in action and sound. It is easier to fit into a small space, however, since at 13.82 inches, it is not as physically deep as either the Yamaha (20.25 inches) or the Roland (16.69 inches), so it can be kept more out of the way.
Korg’s RH3 action is spongier than both the Yamaha and Roland actions and a bit harder to control. Since it doesn’t have as fine-grained sensitivity as the Yamaha or Roland it takes considerably more effort to control chord voicings precisely. And half pedaling isn’t as smooth as it is on the Yamaha, though that’s only noticeable with a slow release of the pedal.
The LP-380 control panel is a bit more basic than our other picks, and the pedal assembly is plasticky. Photo: Rozette Rago
The LP-380 control panel is a bit more basic than our other picks, and the pedal assembly is plasticky. Photo: Rozette Rago
The LP-380 control panel is a bit more basic than our other picks, and the pedal assembly is plasticky. Photo: Rozette Rago
The LP-380 control panel is a bit more basic than our other picks, and the pedal assembly is plasticky. Photo: Rozette Rago
The LP-380 comes with 30 internal sounds that are grouped three to a button on the control panel. The default piano sound is very good as are a couple of the electric keyboard sounds. Turning the volume up too high can cause some distortion in the internal speakers. There is a line out jack to connect to an amplifier or powered speakers.
The biggest flaw of the Korg is the design of its cover. In the open position, the cover becomes the music desk, but there are two problems. It doesn’t lean back quite far enough, so the music rests in a slightly forward position in comparison to the Yamaha, the Roland, and most acoustic pianos. This limits your ability to illuminate your music from above, and for Davis, the music was set at a slightly lower position than she is accustomed to, which made it less comfortable. There is also a lip to keep your music book from closing or sliding forward, but it’s too high and makes turning pages difficult, especially if you’re trying to do it quickly.
The Korg LP-380 is available in black, white, red, a rosewood grain finish, or black with red side panels and a red cover.
What to look forward to
Yamaha showed off two new models at the recent National Association of Music Merchants trade show. The YDP-164 has the same Yamaha graded hammer action (GH3) as the YDP-163 we tested. It features newly sampled sounds of the Yamaha 9-foot CFX concert grand piano and is compatible with Smart Pianist V2.0, Yamaha’s iOS app that allows for piano configuration through the app and chord display integration with songs available on the iTunes Store. In the lower-priced YDP-144, the GHS hammer action isn’t quite as advanced as the GH3 found in the YDP-164, but this piano does have the same CFX concert grand sound samples and supports the Smart Pianist app on iOS devices.
The competition
At the top of Metzler’s list was the Kawai CE220. It felt and sounded exactly how he wanted, and he was inspired to play the instrument. For the rest of us, the action was a little stiff and we prefered the sounds of the less expensive Yamaha and Roland.
The Kawai CN27 wasn’t as easy to play as our picks. The action was a bit stiff and the controls were hard to navigate.
The Korg LP-180 has the same music desk design we dislike in our budget pick, and it feels less piano-like. The three-pedal controller has the tendency to move around a bit on a hardwood floor and needs to be secured with tape or museum gel to stay in place.
The Kurzweil MP-10 was the only gloss-finished piano brought in for testing, and overall was well-liked by our panel. The piano sound is great, and some of the extra sounds are fantastic, but selecting the sounds or making any changes requires a reference chart. And the action doesn’t allow for the fine control achievable by the Yamaha or Roland.
The Roland FP-30’s action was okay and had a consistent feel across the entire keyboard, but none of our panelists liked the sounds.
Everything about the Yamaha Arius YDP-163 was okay but not great. The piano sounds were muddy, the action wasn’t as responsive as the YDP-181’s, and the controls were difficult to use.
Some other models we considered on paper but didn’t hold up when we tried them in music stores.
The Casio CGP-700 has a great default grand piano sound and a nice color touchscreen display, but the action wasn’t impressive, the stand feels wobbly and it comes with only one pedal. A three-pedal option is available, but for an extra $75.
We tried the Williams Overture 2 and Symphony Grand at multiple Guitar Centers, and every sample had something wrong with one or two keys, which doesn’t give a good indication of overall quality and bodes ill for longevity.
Update: Updated on 6 March, 2019 with new design and additional buying notes.
The best digital pianos offer the perfect compromise between performance, price, and playability. The best ones can hold their own against $10,000 acoustic pianos. And unlike traditional acoustic pianos, digital pianos need no costly maintenance, no huge halls, and no year long training to play. So in this guide, we’ll look at the best digital piano you can buy right now.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably longed to own a huge concert piano sitting right in the middle of your living room. Maybe you’ve even fantasized about acoustically treating the room to create the perfect resonance as you hammer out your favorite Chopin pieces.
That’s fantasy. The reality is that acoustic pianos are extremely expensive, take up more space than a small car, and require more maintenance than a tree-lined yard in autumn. For the vast majority of musicians, they are neither practical, nor affordable.
This is why I recommend most piano players – beginners as well as experienced – to opt for digital pianos instead.
Digital pianos offer a wide range of prices and features. From entry level Williams to a $1,000+ Yamaha that’s indistinguishable from the real thing, there is a digital piano that fits your budget and needs.
Drilling down to find the right digital piano, however, can be difficult. Which is why we’ve compiled this extensive guide to help you find the best digital piano for your needs. Read on to see our top 5 recommended products, as well as an extensive buying guide.
Our 5 Most Recommended Digital Pianos
In a hurry and need some quick suggestions? Here are the five digital pianos we recommend the most:
Best PerformanceYamaha YDP-181
A high-end digital piano that looks, feels, and plays like the real thing – absolutely knockout performer.
Best ValueYamaha DGX660
Slightly on the expensive side, but a fantastic all-around piano for intermediate and advanced players alike.
Best PerformanceYamaha YPG-235
Tons of features and a friendly price make this one of the best picks for beginners and intermediate players.
Best Rack MountedRoland RD-800
Pricey, but packed with features and a fantastic keyboard. Great for serious musicians.
Casio Privia PX-860
A great upper-mid range buy for serious musicians looking to upgrade from “intermediate” status.
The 10 Best Digital Pianos: In-Depth Analysis
If you're serious about playing the piano, I highly recommend choosing a good digital piano as your first buy. The comfort, key-quality, and responsiveness of even a $400 digital piano will make it a pleasure to learn your music.
That said, not everyone needs an expensive digital piano. And not everyone will want to limit themselves to an entry-level piano.
Which is why I've divided this list of the best digital pianos into three categories - high-end, mid-range, and budget. Choose the category that fits your requirements and read on.
A note about prices: Digital pianos, unlike MIDI keyboards, tend to be expensive. Be ready to shell out at least a few hundred dollars for even the most basic beginner models. The piano-like keys and responsiveness adds to the price. As the key quality and features improve, prices shoot up. More on this in our buyer’s guide below.
Best High-End Digital Pianos
All offerings in this range are targeted towards serious musicians who have been playing for years and are looking for an upgrade to the next level. If you're a beginner or even an intermediate level player, I recommend choosing something from the mid or budget range.
In all honesty, the quality of most instruments in this segment is quite high. Even the piano with the lowest score in my shortlist (Suzuki MDG-300) is a splendid piece of machinery.
You can’t go wrong with any of the picks below. The only thing you have to look out for is not overshooting your budget.
Based on my analysis, feedback from musician friends and personal impressions, these are my top picks for high-end digital pianos:
1. Yamaha Arius YDP-181
The Yamaha Arius YDP-181 is one of the bestselling digital console pianos ever, and for good reason.
Based on a classic Yamaha upright piano, the YDP-181 has all the elements of a professional-grade digital piano. It has graded hammer action, fully-weighted keys and a rich tone borrowed from Yamaha’s acoustic piano making expertise.
This is the first digital piano I recommend to anyone with a $1,500+ budget. It doesn’t have any gimmicks; just solid, classic piano sound. Ideal for serious amateurs and professionals alike.
What I like:
Who is it for?
The Yamaha YDP-181 is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade from a budget piano. Serious amateurs and professionals looking for a piano for their home will appreciate it a lot.
The rich, classic piano experience is also ideal for practicing. Since the experience - both in terms of key feel and sound - is similar to a real piano, it makes transitioning to an acoustic piano easier.
Although it isn’t cheap, the price is more than reasonable for an instrument of this quality. And frankly, in the top of the line bracket, it is even affordable
2. Roland RD-800
If there is any company that can match Yamaha’s expertise in crafting pianos, it is Roland.
And as far as Roland’s stage pianos go, the RD-800 is right at the top of the pack.
Roland RD-800 is a stage piano. This means it is designed for live performances (though it is equally at home in your practice room). It also gets a number of features to facilitate live play.
For example, you can create “live sets” to quickly switch between piano sounds based on the song. You can even layer and split tracks right from the piano.
Which is to say, the Roland RD-800 isn’t just a digital piano; it is a mini-workstation.
For the price, this is one of the best stage pianos you can buy.
I’ll cover its best features below.
What I like:
Who is it for?
The Roland RD-800 is a stage piano. I don’t recommend it if you don’t ever plan to play live. For a practice piano, this is just plain overkill.
I also don’t recommend the RD-800 if you are an amateur musician and only want to play the piano.
The Roland RD-800 is perfect for:
If this describes you, go ahead and choose the RD-800. It is expensive, but good value for money given the feature
3. Yamaha CP300 Stage Piano
The Yamaha CP300 is a beast. This is as close as you can get to an authentic piano sound in a package you can carry from your home to the stage with ease.
The keys have a graded hammer action and the same resistance as Yamaha’s upright acoustic pianos. The sound engine is based on Yamaha’s top of the line grand piano. Together, they create a playing experience that is unbeatable in this segment.
For experienced musicians looking to upgrade to a stage-ready instrument, this is the best buy on the market right now.
What I like:
Who is it for?
The ideal Yamaha CP300 buyer is someone who has a few years of playing experience, wants to play live, and is at an advanced enough level to take advantage of the multiple voicings. The keys are rock solid and the sound quality is great, but overkill for beginner musicians.
I would recommend it only for people who have been playing for a while and want to upgrade to professional-level equipment.
Best Mid-Range Digital Pianos
The mid-range covers a massive range of digital pianos. Most intermediate players upgrade to an instrument from this range after starting out with a budget piano.
As such, the field is dominated by well-rounded digital pianos that can hold their own in the practice room or the stage.
Here are my top picks for mid-range digital pianos:
1. Yamaha DGX660
The first time I played the Yamaha DGX-660, I couldn't believe my ears.
It had the same tone as much, much more expensive instruments. Yet, it was priced reasonably - as far as digital pianos go.
Later, I learned that the secret to DGX-660s exceptional sound quality is Yamaha's PureCF sound engine (the same engine used in its $1500+ instruments).
The PureCF sound engine uses samples from Yamaha's $150,000 (not a typo) CFIII grand acoustic piano. This gives the 660 its unmistakable rich tone.
But the tonal quality is just one reason why the DGX-660 is at the top of my list of mid-range instruments. As you'll see below, there is a lot else to like about this keyboard as well.
What I like:
Who is it for?
The DGX-660 is one of the most well-rounded digital piano packages around. It is flexible and powerful enough for a live, professional performance. Yet, it is also easy and affordable enough for a serious beginner to buy it as a first-time instrument.
I recommend the DGX-660 to anyone who wants to seriously take up piano playing. It is not so expensive to be beyond the reach of most buyers. In fact, it represents one of the best value-for-money buys on this list.
All this makes the Yamaha DGX-660 my top pick among mid-range digital pianos.
2. Yamaha YDP143R Arius Series
“Oh boy, a real piano!”
This was my 8 year old nephew when he first saw the YDP143R in my music room.
The YDP143R is cousin to the much acclaimed YDP-181. It boasts the same design, the same form factor, and for many players, even the same sound at a better price.
Little wonder that it’s my 2nd pick for the best mid-range digital piano.
Here’s why.
What I like:
Who is it for?
The Yamaha YDP-143R is perfect for an intermediate player making the switch from a cheap beginner's instrument to a serious piece of machinery. This is a gorgeous device that doesn't need to be hidden away in the back of your study room. You can place it up front and center in your living room.
This also one of the cheaper Yamaha Arius instruments you can buy.
The only thing I would be wary of is portability. This isn't a small or light instrument. If you plan to play at the local club, you'll do better with a portable alternative like the Yamaha DGX-650B above.
For rest all purposes, if you want an upgrade from a beginner-level piano and don't have the money for a $1500+ instrument, choose the Yamaha YDP-143R.
3. Casio Privia PX-860
As the successor to the bestselling PX-850, the Casio Privia PX-860 has big shoes to fill.
Like the Yamaha YDP-181, the PX-860 is a console digital piano in a wooden cabinet. The sound quality is similar as well. The untrained ear might not even be able to detect any differences between the PX-860 and a traditional acoustic piano.
Top all of this with Casio's proven build quality and value for money pricing and you have my third most recommended mid-range digital piano.
What I like:
Who is it for?
The Casio Privia PX-860 is best for students and their teachers. It is also good for intermediate-level players who want to upgrade from budget pianos to something better in quality.
The key quality is amazing (for the price) and the wooden cabinet looks good. The student-friendly features make it particularly attractive for beginners.
Best Budget Digital Pianos
The budget range of digital pianos is the hardest to pick from. This range is filled with me-too brands trying to cash in on clueless beginners buying their first piano. I had to filter out a number of instruments because they didn’t meet my quality standards.
However, price and not quality is often the deciding factor for budget buyers. When you’re just starting out, it doesn’t make sense to spend $1,000 on an instrument you might not play past a few months.
Consequently, I prioritized value for money when choosing budget digital pianos.
Ultimately, I ended up picking four pianos that, to me, offer the best value for money for budget buyers:
1. Yamaha YPG-235
I have a hard time being unbiased about the Yamaha YPG-235. Like so many aspiring musicians, this was the first piano I ever bought. I learned my first chord, my first song and first scale on this instrument.
But nostalgia isn’t the reason why I’ve placed it at the top of my list. In all objectivity, this is a fantastic piece of machinery. Pound-for-pound, it is probably the best digital piano ever made.
What makes the Yamaha YPG-235 such a fan favorite?
Let’s take a look:
What I like:
Who is it for?
I highly recommend the YPG-235 if you’re buying your first piano and aren’t sure if you’ll stick with it.
There are a bunch of features - the YEG6, six-track recorder, loud speakers, build-in sounds, etc. - but I consider them largely superfluous. If you are a beginner, your first and foremost criteria should be a good tone and key feel.
The YPG-235 excels in both these sounds. You get a rich piano sound and keys that feel 90% like an acoustic piano’s. Not perfect, but enough to give you a taste of the possibilities of digital pianos.
That it packs in all this at a price that is nothing short of remarkable.
Little wonder why it’s one of the best-selling digital pianos in history.
If there is anything I can complain about, it’s the 76-key keyboard as opposed to 88-keys. But as a beginner, you’ll hardly ever need the fully 7-octaves.
Note: Earlier in 2018, Yamaha launched the PSR-EW300 as a replacement to the YPG-235. I haven’t had a chance to review it yet. But if it’s available, I highly recommend checking it out as well.
2. Yamaha P71
The Yamaha P71 is one of the cheapest Yamahas you can buy with a full set of 88-weighted keys and the PureCF sound engine.
While the YPG-235 might look like a toy (even if it doesn’t sound like one), the P71 is undoubtedly a serious musical instrument. It looks, sounds and feels like one. There are no colorful buttons or superfluous features here. You get a beautiful instrument with 88 black and white keys and nothing else.
For serious beginners, this is one of the best value for money digital pianos on the market.
What I like:
Who is it for?
If you are serious about learning piano and can afford to spend an extra $$$, I would recommend the P71 over the YPG-235. It feels and plays far better but is still affordable.
Most beginners won’t need to upgrade from the P71 until they are ready to hit the semi-professional level. It’s a slightly higher investment but worth the price.
3. Casio CTK2400
Ah the Casio CTK2400.
Walk into any 8 year old kid taking his first music lesson and you’ll likely find the CTK2400 tucked away somewhere.
The Casio CTK2400 isn’t just one of the best-selling digital pianos. It is one of the best selling musical instruments of all time.
And for good reason too: the CTK2400 is fantastically well-rounded at a throwaway price.
Let’s take a better look at it.
What I like:
Who is it for?
With its price and learning-focused features, the CTK2400 is clearly meant for absolute beginners.
If you’ve never played music before and aren’t sure if you’ll even stick with it, I recommend the Casio CTK2400.
Even if you decide that piano isn’t for you, you won’t lose much with such a cheap instrument.
4. Williams Legato 88
I’m not a huge fan of Williams as a manufacturer, but the Williams Legato was a revelation.
I didn’t expect much from a budget instrument, but the Legato surprised me with the quality of the keys and the richness of the sound.
This is one of the cheapest 88-key digital pianos on the market. Not only does it offer a full 7-octave range, it also looks like a serious piece of equipment - no bright, friendly buttons and designs here.
For beginners who want the piano experience without the budget, the Williams Legato is a good option.
What I like:
Who is it for?
If you want a full-sized keyboard and don’t want to spend beyond $200, this is the digital piano for you. The semi-weighted keys feel good and the split mode adds a lot of flexibility. The build quality is nice as well.
This brings us to the next half of this guide: figuring out how to buy the best digital pianos.
In the next section, I'll do a deep dive into the features, capabilities, and performance metrics to look for in a digital piano.
How to Buy the Best Digital Pianos
Buying a digital piano is complicated business. There are a number of things you need to look out for.
I’ll clarify some of these doubts in this section.
Digital Piano vs. Synthesizers vs. MIDI Keyboards
One of the first questions first-time buyers ask is:
“Should I get a digital piano, a synthesizer or a MIDI (digital) keyboard?”
I can see why this question would bother beginners. The three instrument-types often look the same, and, with some tweaks, are even capable of performing the same functions.
Here’s what you should know about digital pianos, synthesizers and MIDI keyboards:
Digital Pianos
A digital piano is designed to replace or mimic an acoustic piano. The instrument produces sound on its own, i.e. it has built-in speakers. The keys are usually fully-weighted. This means that the keys have a built-in weight - just like acoustic pianos.
Most quality digital pianos also have a “graded hammer action”. That is, the keys progressively get lighter as you progress up the keyboard (again, like acoustic pianos).
Since they’re designed to replace acoustic pianos, digital pianos have a full-range of 88-keys (7 octaves). Some even have wooden cabinets to resemble upright or grand pianos, such as this Suzuki MDG-400:
Of course, you can connect the digital piano to your computer and use it to play MIDI notes. With some pianos, you can even program them to play other sounds and instruments such as accordions or guitars. However, the sound manipulation is limited. Digital pianos perform best when playing piano sounds.
Given the quality of the keys and intended purpose (replace acoustic pianos), digital pianos are expensive. Most decent instruments will cost you a minimum of $500.
To sum it up, digital pianos:
Synthesizers
The term “synthesizer” covers a vast range of instruments. At its core, any device that helps you “synthesize” your own sounds can be called a synthesizer.
Thus, you can have synthesizers with keys, like this Yamaha REFACE DX Portable synthesizer:
A classic vintage analog synthesizer with a keyboard like the Korg MS20:
The purpose of a synthesizer is to create synthetic sounds by manipulating and modulating sound waves. Usually, the sound is controlled by keyboards, but you can also use knobs, drum pads, etc. to do it. Since the sound is artificial, you can mimic any instrument with it, though the replication of acoustic instruments (like a guitar or piano) is usually poor.
Classic synthesizers use analog processing to create sounds. These synths will have knobs, buttons, and dials to help you design the sound. The MOOG you saw above is the perfect example.
Modern synthesizers often use digital processing for sound creation. With digital processing, you might have one button controlling multiple, digitally created waveforms. The Yamaha DX is an example of this instrument-type.
Most synthesizers don’t have internal speakers. You have to hook them up to external speakers to hear any sound.
The cost of a synth can vary a lot. Classic vintage synths can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. They can range in size from small tabletop units to wall-spanning monstrosities like this unit used by Hans Zimmer:
To sum it up, synthesizers:
MIDI Keyboards
MIDI Keyboards fulfill an important role in music production: they help you enter MIDI notes in a digital audio workstation (DAW).
The MIDI keyboard cannot produce or create sound of its own. Instead, it can only help you control sounds produced by the DAW.
MIDI keyboards are useless unless they are connected to the DAW.
Once hooked up (via a MIDI interface), however, they become exceptionally powerful music making devices. You can control drum machines, electronic synths, FX, EQ, etc. all from the MIDI keyboard.
Most keyboards have drum pads, faders, knobs, etc. to control the above drum machines, synths, etc.
MIDI keyboards come in a range of flavors. There are “keyboard-focused” MIDI keyboards that have lots of keys (up to 88 keys), like the Nektar Impact LX88+:
There are “MIDI controllers” that don’t have keyboards. Instead, they give you access to a large number of pads for controlling the DAW, like the popular Ableton Push:
The most popular MIDI keyboards are hybrids like the Akai MPK. This combines semi-weighted keys along with 16 pads, faders and knobs:
Think of MIDI keyboards as a physical manifestation of the DAW. You don’t need them to make music with your DAW, but they make music production easier and more “tactile”.
Since MIDI keyboards have limited features, their prices are low as well.
You can get a cheap MIDI keyboard for $50. Some of the most popular variants (like the Akai Mini mentioned above) cost just about $100. Even the “high-end” instruments like the Akai MPK261 cost under $500.
To sum it up, MIDI keyboards:
What Instrument Should You Choose?
Based on your needs and budget, here’s what you should choose between synthesizers, digital pianos and MIDI keyboards:
Choose Digital Pianos If:
Choose Synthesizers If:
Choose MIDI Keyboards If:
Most of you reading this would want to choose a digital piano since it is the closest approximation of an acoustic piano (minus the price, size or maintenance).
With this key question out of the way, let’s look at a few things you should look for in a digital piano:
What to Look For in a Digital Piano
When buying digital pianos, here are a few important factors to consider:
I. Piano Type/Design
From compact practice pianos to elaborate stage-ready instruments, digital pianos come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Here’s a quick overview of different types of digital pianos:
Digital Console Piano
This is the most common design, especially in mid-range and higher-end pianos. The digital console piano resembles a conventional upright acoustic piano, except it has a more compact design for enhanced portability.
Yamaha’s Arius series is a good example of this console type. The Yamaha YDP103R is particularly well-loved.
Larger versions of console pianos are called “digital upright pianos”. These mimic the design of classic upright acoustic pianos.
The One Smart series is a good example of this design-type.
Both upright and digital console pianos are similar in design and capabilities. They usually have foot pedals for damping/sustaining keys (like acoustic pianos). Most come with benches.
It is common for upright and console pianos to have wooden enclosures to mimic the acoustic piano look and feel.
Pros
Cons
Digital Grand Piano
Digital grand pianos are rare except in high-end instruments.
As you might have guessed, these have the same design as acoustic grand pianos, except they’re smaller.
Understand that this grand piano design has no impact on the sound produced by the instrument. The extra embellishment is purely for aesthetic purposes.
I don’t recommend digital grand pianos unless you want to use it as a decor element. They cost a small fortune and don’t offer anything that console or stage pianos don’t have.
Pros
Cons
Digital Stage Pianos
For digital pianos, this is the most popular design. Stage pianos are smaller and can be placed on a tabletop or a stand. You can hook them up to a PA system for performing at large venues. Their small size also makes them very portable.
I recommend stage pianos to most new buyers. They might not look the part, but their lower cost and portability makes them far more versatile.
And this is a personal opinion, but I like my digital instruments to look like digital instruments. Wooden enclosures, grand piano designs, etc. look very gimmicky. f I wanted an instrument that looks like an acoustic piano, I’d buy an acoustic piano instead.
Plus, stage pianos usually have a lot more connectivity options.
Pros
Cons
For most users, I would recommend digital stage pianos. Choose grand or upright/console digital pianos only if you intend to use the instrument in a single room and want something that looks good.
II. Key Action
The keys are the most important part of any digital piano. More than anything else, the quality of the keys should have the biggest impact on your purchase decision.
Your barometer for quality here should be acoustic piano keys. If you’ve ever played one, you would know that acoustic piano keys have a sense of “weight” due to the hammer action. When you press down on them, you feel resistance. This resistance varies based on both the key location and the piano tuning.
Higher keys in acoustic pianos feel lighter. Those in the lower octaves feel heavier. This is a feature of the way acoustic pianos are tuned. It is also aligned with the way higher/lower notes are played. You do a lot more complex improvisation and leads in higher registers. Lower (base) riffs are simpler, and hence, don’t require the same lightness of touch.
Keeping acoustic pianos in mind, here are a few key issues (heh!) to consider when buying digital pianos:
Fully-Weighted and Semi-Weighted Keys
A “fully-weighted” keyboard means that the keys are weighed down - the same as an acoustic piano. Fully-weighted keys have a richness and heft that mimics acoustic keys.
This is the gold standard for digital pianos. Most pianos in the $500+ range will have fully-weighted keys.
Semi-weighted keys, as the name describes, are only partially weighted. They have a sense of heft but it’s not as pronounced as fully-weighted keys.
Semi-weighted keys are common in lower-end instruments. Unless you are on a strict budget, I would avoid pianos with such keys.
Graded Hammer Action
A number of keyboards are advertised as having “graded hammer action”. This means that the keyboard mimics the hammer action of acoustic pianos.
That is, the weight of the keys changes as you progress from lower to higher octaves. Lower octaves have a heavier feel while higher registers are lighter for easier playing.
Each brand has its own variation of hammer action. Yamaha, for instance, has different types of hammer action such as GHS, GH, GH3, etc.
If it’s in your budget, always buy a piano with graded hammer action.
Touch Response
Touch response or velocity sensitivity describes how the keys behave when you touch them. A velocity sensitive key will change its volume depending on how hard you press down on it. Touch harder and the sound is louder - just like an acoustic piano.
Avoid pianos that have different volume levels. This means that the keys themselves aren’t touch-sensitive; the volume is entirely controlled externally. Most cheaper instruments don’t offer touch responsiveness.
If the keyboard has graded hammer action, it also means that it is velocity sensitive.
To sum it up:
III. Sound Quality
Digital pianos produce sound from a bank of digital samples. The quality of the samples determines the quality of the sound.
How the manufacturer recorded the original sample sound will greatly affect the sound quality. Yamaha, for instance, uses its own high-end acoustic pianos to record samples. Since Yamaha makes some terrific acoustic pianos, the sound quality is quite high.
It’s difficult to ascertain sound quality to the untrained ear. The difference between manufacturers is subtle but distinguishable. This is why you hear musicians talk about how they like the “Yamaha sound” or the “Korg sound”.
If it was possible, I would give you a quantifiable, objective analysis of sound quality, but I can’t. You can always tell bad sound quality from a good one, but the difference between good and great isn’t always clear. You will just have to try out different pianos and go by what sounds good to you (or just follow my reviews).
Polyphony (Number of Sounds)
Polyphony describes the number of notes the piano is capable of producing simultaneously. This figure is usually in multiples of 16. For digital pianos, you can get polyphonic ranges from 32 to 256.
Typically, the higher the range, the richer and more natural the sound.
At the bare minimum, look for 64-note polyphony. 128-notes is ideal.
IV. Number of Keys
The number of keys on the piano corresponds to the number of octaves. Each octave spans 12 keys. A standard acoustic piano has 88-keys, i.e. 7 octaves of range.
Having 88-keys is ideal. This will allow you to play every part of any piece of music.
However, some stage pianos have 76 (6 octaves) or 61 (5 octaves) keys to save space. They usually have buttons to shift octaves up/down on the fly.
Some practice pianos have as few as 49 keys (4 octaves). I don’t recommend this for anything other than practicing or using the piano as a MIDI instrument.
For most purposes, stick to 88-keys layouts.
V. Features to Avoid
The above covers the “core” the digital piano playing experience. As long as you have fully-weighted keys (preferably with hammer action) and 128-note polyphony, you’ll do well.
However, a number of manufacturers offer additional features such as LED lights, interactive piano, etc. to help you play. Usually, the less popular brands like Williams and The One do this in an effort to compete with Yamaha, Casio, etc.
Call me a purist, but I find that these features are little more than marketing gimmicks. You don’t need keys to light up to follow along to a song. In fact, these features actually hurt learning.
I’m also yet to find a piano that offers these gimmicky features and plays nicely as a piano. It seems like gimmicks and quality piano performance are mutually exclusive.
If a great piano has these gimmicky features, fine. But don’t buy a piano because it has these gimmicks.
Number of sounds
You’ll often see this referenced in digital piano marketing material - “with 4,000 built-in sounds!” (or something similar).
Since digital pianos produce sound from digital soundbanks or samples, they can, technically, produce any sound. If a piano’s manufacturer states that it can produce x,xxx sounds, it means that the manufacturer has loaded its soundbank with these additional sounds.
Again, this is a marketing gimmick. A good digital piano should first and foremost play piano sounds. Everything else is just bonus.
Moreover, few of these additional sounds are actually good. The quality of the sample determines the quality of the sound. Top manufacturers take great care in getting authentic piano samples. They don’t have the same care for getting authentic organ or accordion sounds.
So extra sounds - okay if you have them, okay if you don’t. Don’t buy a piano for one. Nor reject a great piano because of these sounds. Most good pianos won’t advertise these gimmicky features anyway).
That covers my buying guide for the best digital pianos. We'll do a quick recap of my top picks. Head over to the contact page to send over any questions or comments.
Final Words
Buying a digital piano isn’t easy. There are a range of options to choose from with little to differentiate them.
Generally speaking, the closer the instrument is to an acoustic piano, the higher its price. Full-sized keyboards that mimic acoustic key action cost more. Pianos with 5 or 6-octaves of range and lighter synth-action keys fall in the beginner bracket.
Based on your budget, these are my top three picks for the best digital pianos:
Questions, suggestions, or doubts?
Leave your comments below or send us an email.
Experts referenced for this article:
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