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Top 22 Best Digital Pianos of 2024 – Reviews and Buying Guide
Welcome to the most complete guide on the internet on choosing the best digital piano with weighted keys for your budget. We reviewed the top 22 models, broke them down into categories, and put it all here as a resource to help you feel confident in your next purchase. Take a seat, stay awhile, and let us help you find the perfect match.In this guide, we will cover digital pianos, electric pianos, and electronic pianos. These are versions of electronic keyboards designed as an alternative to acoustic pianos. They have weighted keys and often times a full set of keys to really give the full acoustic piano experience.If you are looking for keyboard pianos, electronic keyboards, electric keyboards, or the other variety of keyboard-based instruments, see our keyboard piano guide. Keyboards are going to give you a more portable experience for a bit less money at the expense the real piano feel.
We split this electric piano guide up into sections to help you jump right to the category that is important to you. Just click the link below and you will jump down to our favorites in each section.
If you just want to see our overall favorites, here are the best ones for each category:
Here Are the Top 8 Best Digital Pianos of 2024:
- 1Roland RD-2000 – Best Digital Piano
- 2Roland FP-30 – Best Digital Piano Under $1000
- 3Lagrima Digital Piano – Best Digital Piano Under $300
- 4Artesia Harmony – Best Digital Piano Under $500
- 5Alesis Harmony Digital Piano – Best Budget Digital Piano
- 6Seame 61-Key Piano – Best Digital Piano for Beginners
- 7Artesia A-61 – Best Portable Digital Piano
- 8Roland F-140R – Best Digital Piano for Advanced Pianists
Product | Category | More Info | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Roland RD-2000 |
Best Digital Piano |
|
2. | Korg C1 |
#2 Overall |
|
3. | Kawai ES8 |
#3 Overall |
|
4. | Seame 61-Key Piano |
Best for Beginners |
|
5. | Joy KL-91M |
#2 for Beginners |
|
6. | Korg B1 |
#3 for Beginners |
|
7. | Artesia A-61 |
Best Portable |
|
8. | Yamaha P71 |
#2 Portable |
|
9. | Alesis Harmony digital piano |
Best Budget |
|
10. | Casio PX-770 BN Digital piano |
#2 Budget |
|
11. | Yamaha P125 |
#3 Budget |
|
12. | Roland F-140R |
Best for Advanced Pianists |
|
13. | Kawai KDP90 |
#2 for Advanced Pianists |
|
14. | Yamaha YDP 163 R |
#3 for Advanced Pianists |
|
15. | Casio CGP 700 BK |
#4 for Advanced Pianists |
|
16. | Lagrima Digital Piano |
Best under $300 |
|
17. | Artesia PE-88 |
#2 under $300 |
|
18. | Alesis Q88 |
#3 under $300 |
|
19. | Artesia Harmony |
Best under $500 |
|
20. | Tidyard Classic Electronic digital piano |
#2 under $500 |
|
21. | Roland FP-30 |
Best under $1000 |
|
22. | Casio PX350 |
#2 under $1000 |
Best Overall Electronic Pianos 2024
This category covers the ‘best digital piano overall’ section – these pianos might not necessarily be the most expensive ones, nor they are the most ‘capable’ ones per se. The pianos in this section are the most ‘well-rounded’ ones, as well as those which sport the best value for the money.
Read Related Article: Best Upright Piano
1. Roland RD-2000 – Best Electric Piano
Best 88 Key Digital Piano
[amazon fields=”B01MZDSWZE” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Roland RD-2000″ image_align=”center”]
Roland RD-2000
Over 1100 sounds you can add to your work, the RD-2000 is feature packed and our favorite in 2024. It is a bit pricey, but you won’t ever feel like you are missing out.
At first glance, Roland’s RD2000 digital piano might appear too ‘ordinary’, but the truth is – it’s all but. Roland’s a big brand, and they’re quite famous for making premium quality instruments, but it would be fair to say that they’ve outdone themselves with this particular model.
There are two sound engines onboard. The first delivers the most authentic acoustic piano details and sounds, whereas the second engine is based around 128 polyphony voicing, providing as much versatility as you need.
You can further customize how you want your sound to look like with eight control knobs and nine EQ sliders. What’s more, there are eight assignable zones you can use to combine internal and external sounds from software instruments.
As for the construction, this remarkable electric piano is made of hybrid wood materials and rocks a molded construction, providing excellent durability and a soft, authentic touch.
Anyhow, the thing that makes this one of the best electronic pianos you can find in 2024 is the fact that there are over 1100 sounds you can use, including strings, brass, synths, organs, strings, and numerous similar effect sounds.
Overall, it is a bit pricey, but it’s by far one of the most versatile pianos out there – most of the sounds are Roland exclusive, which means that you won’t be able to find that same feel and vibe anywhere else. We strongly suggest that you give it a shot, if you have the buck to spend, that is.
Pros:
- Thousands of non-piano sound effects
- Two sound engines
- Superb sound control with volume knobs and sliders
- Advanced piano which is beginner-friendly as well
- Outstanding feel
- Highly durable
Cons
- Very expensive
- You’ll need weeks to figure out only half of the effect sounds
2. Korg C1
Runner Up (Overall)
[amazon fields=”B075J6D5R7″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Korg C1″ image_align=”center”]
Korg C1
If you want something with a more traditional feel, the C1 has a lot of similarities to the acoustic version along with everything you would expect from an electric piano.
Korg is just one of the synonyms for ‘exquisite pianos’, and their C1 backs up this claim rather too easily.
In essence, this is a beautiful, rich-sounding piano which offers a decent compromise between old-fashioned and classy acoustic sounds and modern features.
It packs 88 weighted keys, a weighted RH3 hammer action, four types of adjustable sensitivity, a brightly lit LED screen, PCM stereo sound system, thirty instrument sounds, and forty preset songs you can practice along the way.
Furthermore, there are several playing modes, including dual, split, and partner mode, as well as 2-track MIDI recorder, a metronome, fine-tuning and transpose settings. What makes it so close to an actual acoustic piano is that it comes supplied with three pedals – sustain, sustenuto, and soft pedals.
Another great thing about C1 is the soft-closing mechanism, as it prevents accidental finger snapping.
So, in a nutshell, this is a decently expensive electric piano that bears much semblance to its acoustic counterparts. It’s very versatile due to the plethora of modes and sound banks, but even without them it offers a rather unique, warm tone. You simply can’t go wrong if you go with Korg, so we recommend that you give it a chance.
Pros:
- Looks absolutely stunning
- Exceptional value for the buck
- Unique acoustic sound signature
- Plenty of sound banks and playing modes
- Built to last
Cons
- Pricey
- Not exactly portable
3. Kawai ES8
Honorable Mention (Overall)
[amazon fields=”B0146W0UTS” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Kawai ES8″ image_align=”center”]
Kawai ES8
Not exactly portable, but a ton of features and exquisite sound if you are looking for something a bit cheaper to get started.
Here we’re looking at Kawai’s ES8 – a digital piano model from a very reputable brand. Kawai’s been in the business for nearly a century now, and it’s safe to say that their pianos can easily go toe to toe with some of the finest Yamaha, Korg, and Roland models.
The ES8 comes outfitted with 88 fully weighted keys, providing the most realistic experience possible. Due to its amazing graded-hammer action, it’s perfect for both beginner and advanced level pianists.
Speaking of which, the so called ‘hammer action’ changes the tension level when pressure is applied, meaning that the keys will practically mold to your playstyle.
Furthermore, it looks quite elegant and modern. The side panels being made from plastic are, perhaps, not as durable as the rest of the construction, but it’s quite sturdy altogether.
Let’s get down to more details. Kawai’s ES8 digital piano features 34 instrument sound models, a 2-track recorder which is ideal for making music on the go, USB audio compatibility, a music rack, and the F-10H damper pedal.
The only bad thing about the ES8 is that it’s not exactly portable. Namely, it weighs approximately 50 pounds, which is pretty heavy by all standards. Nevertheless, it brings a plethora of benefits onboard, such as loads of versatility, the exquisite action response, and simply being suitable for players at all skill levels makes it special.
Pros:
- Phenomenal action
- Great for both beginner and advanced pianists
- A decent amount of built-in sounds
- Exceptionally strong speakers
Cons
- Low portability
- Heavy
Best Digital Piano for Beginners 2024
We all have to start somewhere, now, don’t we? Digital pianos for beginners are basically those models which feature some kind of lessons, demonstrative songs, and generally pianos that can ‘act as a teacher’.
On a side note, beginner electric pianos tend to have a lighter action so that the keys can be pressed on relatively easier. Without any further ado, let’s look at the best electronic pianos for beginners.
4. Seame 61-Key Piano
Best for Beginners
Seame 61-Key Piano
No equalizers or sliders like some of the more advanced models, but that is the point. The Seame is simple and has a price tag to match.
Seame might not be as famous as Yamaha or some other world-class leader brand, but they’ve done a very fine job at replicating the industry standards and incorporating them into their own pianos.
In essence, this is a relatively basic piano, and its sheer simplicity is what makes it so good for beginners. There are 120 sound modes you can enjoy in, all of which are easily accessible via the clear interface.
There are no equalizers or sliders whatsoever, rather you’re provided with the option to choose which sound type you want, whether or not you want sustain, and control similar options with a few button pushes.
What’s more, there’s the double-play mode which virtually separates the piano board into two identical areas, making it absolutely great if you have a piano teacher.
So, basically, this keyboard looks (and feels) a lot like classical Yamaha models from the PSR series, but the catch is – it doesn’t cost as much. Regardless, it’s a beautiful instrument, and you should give it a go if you’re starting out and you feel like you’re low on cash.
Pros:
- Double-play mode ideal for piano lessons
- Approximately 120 sound presets
- Small and portable
- Decently good sound for the price
- Good action and feel
Cons
- Some sound modules are obscure traditional instruments you’re most likely to never use
- Flimsy sides
5. Joy KL-91M
Runner Up (For Beginners)
[amazon fields=”B01N12G81Z” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Joy KL-91M” image_align=”center”]
Joy KL-91M
Full bundle for beginners, the KL-91M includes a stand and chair. Great for learning the basics.
Next up is Joy’s KL-91M – the first ‘bundle’ in our review of the best piano for beginners . Although it doesn’t have the looks of Korg models or the performance of Roland’s or Yamahas, it’s a formidable digital piano which rocks a huge value for the buck.
It has only 61 keys which can light up for increased visibility, helping you figure out the basic, fundamental notes more easily.
Although there’s plenty of buttons onboard, the interface is actually pretty easy to use after some experience. There are numerous rhythms and demonstration songs that will help you learn the ropes as well.
Like most digital pianos, this one also comes with a huge number of preset sound effects, but what makes it so beginner friendly is the couple of convenience features, such as the metronome, chords, rhythm programming, and such. Though it doesn’t sound extraordinary in any respect, it’s versatility and practicality make it one of the finest beginner pianos out there.
Pros:
- Interface is easy to use
- The keys can light up for easier playing
- Plenty of preset effect sounds
- Hundreds of built-in rhythms and demonstration songs
Cons
- Average acoustic sound
- Speakers buzz a bit on higher volumes
6. Korg B1
Honorable Mention (For Beginners)
[amazon fields=”B01A5YDNU4″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Korg B1″ image_align=”center”]
Korg B1
The slightly more budget-friendly option of the C1 we reviewed above, the Korg B1 has enough built-in sounds to help get you started on the right path.
We’ve seen what Korg’s C1 can do, and now let’s take a step back and take a gander at the B1. Though it can be considered as C1’s “downgrade” of sorts, this is actually a more beginner-oriented piano which sounds just as awesome, but provides a different kind of benefits.
First and foremost, it has 88 weighted keys, just like C1, but it’s strikingly less versatile. Namely, there’s just eight sound effect types you can switch from. However, its low versatility is compensated for by awesome, exquisite sound signature.
There’s the motional-feedback technology which ensures the sound is always a kick above the average. Even the sounds at the lowest of frequencies will be reproduced without significant distortion.
You’ll also get Austin Bazaar’s Digital Piano quickstart guide which will hopefully hasten your learning curve of this instrument. The bottom line – it sounds great, and though it doesn’t offer hundreds of effects, it’s perfect for beginners who will still get to toy around with sound banks.
Pros:
- Superb acoustic sounds
- Authentic, original sound banks
- Motional feedback technology
- Durable and beautiful
- Instructional DVD & demonstration songs included
Cons
- Strikingly low versatility of sound effects
- Standup piano – not exactly compact or transportable
Best Portable Digital Piano 2024
If you travel a lot but simply can’t live without your piano, getting a portable one might be an awesome solution. Most portable pianos don’t cost a fortune, and they offer you means to practice, or even create music while you’re on the road. Nevermind the storage, as their huge portability means that they take up almost no space at all.
7. Artesia A-61
Best Portable Digital Piano
[amazon fields=”B07K2HHQKC” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Artesia A-61″ image_align=”center”]
Artesia A-61
At only 17 pounds, the A-61 provides a very authentic sounds in a form factor that is easy to take with you on the go.
The first portable digital piano in our review comes from Artesia and bears the name of A-61. Basically, it’s not the smallest piano out there, but it weighs only 17 pounds, making it very easy to transport from one place to the next.
The base sound of this electric piano comes from the three-layer acoustic grand piano, delivering a decently authentic sound. There’s also a high-quality built-in speaker which only augments the already great tone of A-61.
There’s also a built-in metronome onboard which is perfect for new players. The semi-weighted action delivers much authenticity, and you’re guaranteed to feel as if you were playing a regular acoustic piano.
Better yet, there’s a bunch of software applications you can use (Artesia, as well as Bitwig-based software mostly) that allow you to further customize your piano experience. You can create music, download additional voices, and record your tracks with the Bitwig software. Overall, this is a major electronic piano which just happens to be portable.
Pros:
- Quite inexpensive
- Authentic acoustic piano feel
- Semi-weighted action
- Great sound overall
- Weighs only 17 pounds
Cons
- It’s light, but it’s also quite big
8. Yamaha P71
Runner Up (Portable)
[amazon fields=”B01LY8OUQW” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Yamaha P71″ image_align=”center”]
Yamaha P71
Yamaha’s foray into the portable digital piano market is the P71. It looks basic, but is plenty versatile for your travel needs.
The first Yamaha digital piano on our list is the Yamaha’s P71. Yama is world class leader in piano industry, and we’ve picked their P71 as one of our top compact electric pianos in this review. It’s decently big since it packs a set of 88 weighted keys, but it’s surprisingly lightweight.
It comes supplied with ten authentic digitally sampled voices from actual Yamaha acoustic pianos, so you can rest assured that the tone is on point. What’s more, it’s not as ‘rigid’ as most compact digital pianos, boasting a huge level of versatility due to the ‘dual mode’ – using it allows you to easily combine several sound effects together.
Although it looks quite basic, this might be the ultimate compact digital piano in the price range – it borrows sounds from real Yamaha pianos, it’s decently versatile, and it sports a full rack of 88 keys.
Pros:
- Original Yamaha grand piano sound
- Ten different voices
- Dual mode combines several sound effects together
- Weighs only 25 pounds
- Slim design
Cons
- With a set of 88 keys, it’s slightly less beginner-friendly than some models we’ve reviewed so far
Best Budget Digital Piano 2024
Modern life surely is expensive, but the same can sadly be said for most digital pianos. That’s why we’ve scrounged the market for some of the most affordable options out there and came up with these picks.
9. Alesis Harmony
Best Budget Digital Piano
[amazon fields=”B01L77PE5A” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Alesis Harmony” image_align=”center”]
Alesis Harmony
Only 61 keys, compared to the 88 with some of the more expensive models, the Harmony still has 300 instruments and 100 rhythms as you play.
Alesis’ Harmony can be considered both as a budget and as a relatively inexpensive digital piano. It’s exceptionally versatile with over 300 instrument voices and 100 rhythms, but that’s not all – you will also be able to record your own tunes and backing tracks with it.
It’s smaller than a full sized electric piano since it comes with a set of 61 keys, but what’s good about it is that the touch response is adjustable, allowing you to easily customize your piano playing performance.
Additionally, it seems that Alesis wanted to make this piano suited for beginners more than most – there’s the ‘Lesson mode’ which provides the basic instructions regarding the fundamental techniques, as well as the chord dictionary on the LCD screen. Overall, this is a great deal at such a low price.
Pros:
- Bright, rich sound effects and voices
- Decently authentic acoustic sound signature
- Portable and beginner friendly
- Plenty of integrated instrument sounds
Cons
- Flimsy speaker guard
- Not exactly robust overall
10. Casio PX-770 BN
Runner Up (Budget)
[amazon fields=”B074FY98QG” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Casio PX-770″ image_align=”center”]
Casio PX-770
Great budget option with a grand piano feel, the PX-770 is surprisingly affordable for the aesthetics and sound quality.
Let’s see what Casio PX-770 BN can do. This is a relatively new model from a widely renowned brand, so don’t feel shy to expect quite a lot from it.
Basically, the PX-770BN is a 88-key piano with a weighted hammer action keys, and even though it might not seem like a bargain initially, it’s one of the cheapest digital pianos out there. It looks absolutely stunning due to simulated ebony & ivory textures, but never mind the attribute ‘simulated’ – this piano is tough as nails as far as durability is in question.
Apart from the authentic grand piano feel, you’ll have 18 other piano tones at your disposal to play with. This model comes outfitted with MIDI tools for recording too, so you can easily create your own backing tracks, or put down some of your own songs for that matter.
The punchline is that this might not be the most authentic or the most versatile digital pianos on the market, but it’s certainly one of the finest in the budget section.
11. Yamaha P125
Honorable Mention (Budget)
[amazon fields=”B07HFVFTK1″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Yamaha P125″ image_align=”center”]
Yamaha P125
Yamaha’s electric piano budget option won’t let you down. Full set of 88 keys and great quality from a well-known brand.
In essence, Yamaha’s P125 is pretty much one of the most bargains this brand has to offer. It packs a full set of 88 weighted piano keys, GHS-weighted action, and the special CF engine which delivers high-fidelity piano tone.
The GHS action falls a bit heaver on the low tones and lighter for higher ones, resembling the action of an average acoustic piano. As for the CF engine, it aims to provide the same sound as Yamaha’s CFIIIS grand piano.
So in essence, what makes this piano so special is the fact that it rocks Yamaha quality and technologies and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Pros:
- CF engine reproduces the sound of Yamaha’s CFIIIS grand acoustic piano
- GHS action makes it great for advanced players
- Remarkably good sound for a budget piano
- USB connection port
Cons
- Not so good for immediate beginners
Best Digital Piano for Advanced Pianists 2024
If you feel like you’ve mastered the basics and are ready to kick it up a notch, it’s time to find the right piano to do it. Here are some of the best digital pianos for advanced pianists.
12. Roland F-140R
Best Digital Piano for Advanced Pianists
[amazon fields=”B07CYGP7MP” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Roland F-140R” image_align=”center”]
Roland F-140R
Including 3 foot pedals, and a laundry list of features and piano voices, the F-140R is the perfect option if you want the best of the best.
Roland makes digital pianos of outstanding quality, and it’s only obvious that we’re opening up our ‘digital piano for advanced pianists’ section with one of their models. It is definitely one of the best upright digital pianos available.
The list of features of F-140R is as follows – there’s the PH4 keyboard, the onboard rhythm set following the player, headphone compatibility, Bluetooth Midi, and Roland’s patented SuperNATURAL engine. There are also 11 piano voices you’ll be able to switch between, but even the base (default) option has the warmth of a classic acoustic Grand piano.
On top of the piano voices, there are over 300 other effects you can enjoy in, some of which are drum set banks which can be combined with other sound effects for the ultimate practice or playing experience.
Although the action of this piano is pretty great altogether, the integrated touch-sensitivity sensors make it incredibly responsive and fun to play at the same time.
As for the foot pedals, there are three onboard. The soft, sostenuto, and the damper pedal. All of these pedals enhance the tonal range you can achieve with your piano.
Among the connectivity features it might be good to mention the headphone compatibility and Bluetooth, but there are also a few in & out socket jacks.
Overall, this is a wonderful piano for players who know what kind of sound they want, even though it costs quite a bit.
Pros:
- Astounding sound quality
- Numerous sound effects and modules
- Unique key action
- Amazing response due to integrated touch-sensitivity sensors
- Bluetooth and headphone compatible
Cons
- Looks relatively basic when compared to certain Korg models
- Light construction, although not very portable
13. Kawai KDP90
Runner Up (Advanced Pianists)
[amazon fields=”B00HK0WILM” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Kawai KDP90″ image_align=”center”]
Kawai KDP90
The advanced hammer action provides amazing play-ability and there are a ton of features and addons to make advanced pianists feel right at home with this digital grand piano.
If you’re even remotely familiar with Japanese pop culture, you might already know that the term ‘Kawai’ means ‘cute’. Well, Kawai’s KDP90 can be characterized as such, but the words that would better express its elegance are ‘pure beauty’.
If we are to look past the aesthetic part, we’d still be looking at a digital piano of massive quality that is practically tailored for advanced players. The default piano voice of KDP90 is entirely authentic, and there’s little, if any difference between this model and a traditional acoustic piano in that respect. Even the other sound effects provide as much fidelity as the default mode.
The special kind of action this electric piano has (the advanced Hammer IV-F hammer action) provides unparalleled playability while the integrated speaker system delivers your thoughts to reality without fail. There’s a total of fifteen instrument effect sounds onboard, which might not seem like much, but each of these effects is on par with the real deal.
Although there’s no Bluetooth connectivity, you’ll still get to make use of Midi in and outs, as well as two headphone jacks that are built into the base.
So, all things considered, Kawai’s KDP90 digital piano offers a rich tone, just about enough versatility, it looks extraordinary and amazing, it’s durable, and though it does come at a rather expensive price, it’s surely worth the money.
Pros:
- Unparalleled sound quality
- Durable construction
- Excels in aesthetics like no other
- Great action
- Authentic grand piano feel
Cons
- The brand has, perhaps, forgotten to include a bench
- No Bluetooth or similar software
14. Yamaha YDP163R
Honorable Mention (Advanced Pianist)
[amazon fields=”B01MQFG5XX” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Yamaha YDP163R” image_align=”center”]
Yamaha YDP163R
From the Arius line of Yamaha pianos, this model provides serious aesthetic appeal and is a blast to play.
The first thing that we should mention about Yamaha’s YDP163R electronic piano is that it belongs to the ‘Arius’ series – one of the most successful generations of pianos ever. What’s more, this is one of the best-looking Yamaha pianos too, and it also comes in two colour variations, including brown and black.
In short words, every piano from this series has authentic sound, feels great, rocks a phenomenal action, and generally packs a huge value for the buck – the YDP 163R is not an exception from this rule.
Just like most digital pianos from this generation, the YDP 163R sports the Pure CF engine which samples the authentic sound from original Yamaha grand pianos.
There’s the GHS-weighted action which is commonly used in a variety of Yamaha pianos. What it does is weigh the lowest keys down and light the higher keys up a bit, again delivering the feeling you’d get from playing an actual acoustic piano.
Now, as for the reason why this particular electronic piano model is so good for advanced players is because it comes outfitted with three quite extraordinary pedals, so let’s get into a bit more detail regarding that matter.
The most basic of the three is the classic sustain pedal which simply removes the dampers, meaning that the note will simply continue to gently ring after you press a key (or keys). The leftmost pedal is called ‘una corda’ which shuffles the hammers a bit, resulting in each hammer hitting a single string at a time (usually, a hammer would hit a whole group). In a parallel to guitar pedals, this one would be a ‘compressor’ of sorts.
The last pedal is quite peculiar. It’s a type of sustain, but it will affect certain notes rather than all of them. You should play around with it and you’ll find it very useful for creating music, although it’s not exactly perfect for practice.
Overall, this is one of the most fun-to-play pianos for advanced pianists – beginners would find it as expensive and will have a tough time figuring the pedals out, so we highly advise you to start saving up, as this one’s a keeper.
Pros:
- Unique pedals
- Superb action and feel
- Exquisite sound
- Looks absolutely amazing
- Durable construction
Cons
- Two out of three pedals require some getting used to
- Big, you’ll need to make some space for it
15. Casio CGP-700BK
Honorable Mention (Advanced Pianist)
[amazon fields=”B0124Y99PQ” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Casio CGP-700BK” image_align=”center”]
Casio CGP-700BK
Customizable key action and over 700 tones and rhythms gives advanced pianists anything they could want from a digital piano.
Let’s take a look at another great upright digital piano from Casio – the CGP-700BK. Basically, this is a high-end boutique level piano that’s ideal for advanced pianists for numerous reasons, among which we’ll state the most notable ones.
First and foremost, it features tri-sensor hammer action with three levels of sensitivity – you can manipulate the action rather easily, ensuring a customized feel of the keys with as much as a push of a button.
Secondly, there are over 550 built-in tones and 200 built-in rhythms, which means that this is one of the most versatile digital pianos we’ve covered so far. Even if you don’t intend to play around with the sound effects so much, the default acoustic sound is simply amazing. It’s bright, it’s detailed and warm above all else.
The CGP-700BK is also pretty lightweight since it weighs only about 26 pounds, not to mention that its sleek design heavily contributes to its compactness and easy storage.
One of the best features of this outstanding digital piano is the four-piece speaker system (as opposed to the traditional 2-piece). The quality of sound emissions is impeccable, to say the very least.
Last, but certainly not least, there’s a neat little touchscreen that allows the player to browse through different piano settings for numerous music genres, such as rock, pop, jazz, and such. On a side note, this model is slightly less expensive than other digital pianos in this section, so it’s only fair to say that it rocks quite a value for the buck all things considered.
Pros:
- Unmatched versatility
- Powerful 4-piece 3-way speakers
- Exceptional default grand piano sound quality
- Adjustable action
- Decently affordable
Cons
- Too many settings and sound effects might overwhelm you
- Requires extra care due to flimsy touchscreen
Best Digital Piano under $300 2024
16. Lagrima
Best Digital Piano under $300
[amazon fields=”B078MNKZFX” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Lagrima” image_align=”center”]
Lagrima
Doesn’t cost and arm and a leg and has good sound for the price. Perfect if you don’t have a huge budget for your next digital piano.
Let’s open up our review of the best digital pianos under 300 bucks with Lagrima’s digital piano. So, basically this is not a model from a world-class brand, but the features, the tone, and the sheer versatility of this piano makes it more than just worth the money.
Talking about the sound, you’ll easily notice that it’s quite digitalized, even the default grand piano sound module. Nevertheless, the dream source technology brightens it up a bit, providing some extra richness to it. While we’re at the topic of sound effects, there are some 480 tones and 200 built-in rhythms for you to play with. Even though these effects aren’t direct replicas of traditional instruments, there’s a lot of semblance between them.
What’s more, the multi-functionality of this piano is pretty great, considering it doesn’t cost so much. It rocks multi-tone selection, its sound recording settings are relatively easy to use, and there’s several playing modes for you to choose from.
Although it doesn’t feature any sort of Bluetooth or similar technologies, there’s an USB jack for PC connectivity.
So, overall, Lagrima’s digital piano is pretty decent for a low-cost instrument. There aren’t many flaws altogether, it sounds pretty cool, and it’s decently versatile.
Pros:
- Looks great and is available in two colour variations
- Sounds pretty nice for a low-cost piano
- Headphone and USB jack connectivity
- Numerous tone and rhythm presets
Cons
- No Bluetooth or similar technologies
- Not really portable
17. Artesia PE-88
Runner Up (under $300)
[amazon fields=”B07K4GTXWX” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Artesia PE-88″ image_align=”center”]
Artesia PE-88
A great 88 key electric piano with over 200 sounds to accent your playing.
Next up is Artesia’s PE 88 digital piano. Essentially, it has everything a musician could want, only it doesn’t cost too much.
First up, it’s pretty versatile with over 130 built-in instrument sound effects, 100 rhythm accompaniments, and three layers of grand piano samples. There’s a lot of effects to choose from, that’s a given, but don’t expect too much in terms of high-fidelity audio emission.
Its portability is also great. The PE 88 packs a slim, sleek design, and its weight is below that of an average piano in the $300 price point range.
The keys feel quite awesome, and the semi weighted action is ‘responsible’ for that. They’re also velocity-sensitive, which means that the overall playability of this piano might not be top notch, but it’s pretty close to the real deal in this aspect.
Via a USB you can connect it to your PC, Mac, tablet, or a smartphone, where you can edit your tracks, introduce additional software, download more piano voices, and such.
So, connectivity’s great, versatility is beyond average, it’s portable, and the sound is rather nice for a low-cost digital piano. What’s more to like?
Pros:
- Superior versatility with over 130 built in instrument voices and 100 rhythm patterns
- Lightweight and portable
- Three layers of grand piano samples
- Great connectivity
- Outstanding action, pretty close to traditional acoustic piano action
Cons
- Volume knobs tend to be more responsive than volume sliders or buttons, which in this case isn’t necessarily a benefit. Mere millimetres form a gap between complete silence and window-breaking sound strength
18. Alesis Q88
Honorable Mention (under $300)
Alesis Q88
Plain, simple and inexpensive.
Simply put, Alesis’ Q88 is a relatively plain low-cost digital piano that promises quite a lot in terms of performance. Sadly, it’s one of the least versatile digital pianos in our review, but it might be the best digital piano ever if you are actually not looking to play around with other instrument modules and sound effects (since it comes with but a few).
First of all, let’s begin with that potential problem – the low versatility. It might be too harsh to say that Q88 is not versatile at all, rather it would be better put it as, perhaps, not as well-rounded as Aretsia’s PE-88 for instance, which features hundreds of sound modules and three layers of grand piano samples. This one features octave & transpose buttons and is compatible with sustain, as well as volume pedals (although these need to be purchased separately).
Connectivity is good given that you can connect it to any MAC and PC software via USB. There’s also the matter of MID out and DC in, allowing for completely standalone operation.
The reason why this digital piano is capable of going toe to toe with other models we’ve introduced in this category is because its default (and perhaps the only tone) is absolutely pristine clear. Namely, most people wouldn’t even feel the difference if their eyes were closed, assuming that the heard notes were played on a classical acoustic piano.
Furthermore, the Q88 is fairly portable due to its compact size and lightweight construction. So in a nutshell, the unparalleled sound quality albeit at the expense of versatility paired with decent connectivity and optional pedal inputs – that’s what Alesis’ Q88 is all about. Does a good bang for the buck if you’re looking for quality sound, that’s for sure.
Pros:
- Compatible with PCs and MACs
- Best sound quality available for the money
- Assignable modulation and volume control sliders and wheels
- Optional pedal inputs
Cons
- Surprisingly low versatility
Best Digital Piano under $500
19. Artesia Harmony
Best Digital Piano under $500
[amazon fields=”B07K4T62ZG” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Artesia Harmony” image_align=”center”]
Artesia Harmony
Not to be confused with our budget choice with the same Harmony name, the Artesia version has 16 instrument effects and a classic grand piano look.
Let’s open up our review of the best digital pianos under 500 bucks with Artesia’s Harmony. It might not be one of the most versatile digital pianos on the market, but it’s certainly one of those which sound as authentic as possible.
That being said, there are sixteen instrument effect sounds onboard, all of which sound strikingly different when compared to one another. Anyhow, each of these sound modules is based on the concept of how a grand acoustic piano sounds, so hi-fi audio quality is the least you should expect.
Since you’re going to adore the sound once you start playing on the Harmony, you also might be thrilled to hear that the action is top notch too. Namely, the Harmony packs the acoustic weighted-piano touch action which offers a significant bump to the already-awesome playability.
The aesthetic component of Harmony is quite exceptional as well. It certainly looks as good as it sounds.
So, all things considered, Artesia’s Harmony is best for people who don’t have the money to buy actual acoustic pianos, but want something that could replicate the sound. If that’s something you’d be interested in, the Harmony is what you’re looking for.
20. Tidyard Classic
Runner Up (Under $500)
[amazon fields=”B07MMPF9L5″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Tidyard Classic” image_align=”center”]
Tidyard Classic
If you look past some of the more well-known brands you can find some gems. The Tidyard is packed with features, has good sound, and doesn’t have the price tag that comes with Yamaha.
We’ve taken a gander at some of the less-renowned brands and stumbled across Tidyard’s electronic piano. It looks relatively ordinary, although classy nonetheless, it sound is pretty decent for its price range, and its versatility is pretty higher than that of an average $500 digital piano.
First things first, let’s talk about the sound effects, modules, and sound banks. There’s approximately 128 sound voices and 100 accompaniments for you to choose from, but there are also some 50 demo songs you can use to learn some fundamentals you’ve perhaps missed out on.
The construction of this digital piano can’t be characterized as compact per se, but it definitely looks quite great, sporting an elegant black finish and a robust construction.
Next up, let’s talk a bit about the interface. There aren’t too many buttons, so even beginners shouldn’t feel too overwhelmed. The buttons are backlit by LED lights, and the display is relatively bigger when compared to an average digital piano.
The only bad thing is that default sound sample feels a bit too bright to be considered as authentic. However, if that’s not what you’re after, it’s safe to say that that isn’t such a deal breaker after all. The action is relatively balanced, offering a great compromise between a decent feel and playability.
Overall, Tydyard’s electronic piano does a good bang for the buck. The sound is pretty good, all the sound effects provide a decent level of versatility, and its robustness makes it durable enough to withstand a couple of decades of use, if not more.
Pros:
- 128 sound effects and 100 accompaniment styles
- 50 pre-programmed demonstration songs for beginners
- Robust construction
- LED-lit display and easy to use interface
- Suitable for both advanced and beginner pianists
Cons
- The default sound is a bit too bright
- Not even remotely portable
Best Digital Piano under $1000
21. Roland FP-30
Best Digital Piano under $1000
[amazon fields=”B07G5MWGB6″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Roland FP-30″ image_align=”center”]
Roland FP-30
The FP-30 bundle has a great price tag and has everything you need to get started. We were impressed with the tone quality given the lower price tag than some of the other models we reviewed.
Here we’re looking at yet another wonder from Roland. The FP-30 is a compact digital piano with amazing sound characteristics and plenty of versatility to toy around with. Better yet, this is a bundle which contains gratis goodies which really come in handy for live performers, and even beginners.
Speaking of which, let’s have a quick rundown of the complementary features the FP-30 bundle is comprised of. There’s a convenient keyboard cover which will keep the dust away from your piano, the Austin Bazaar quickstart guide which is frankly only good if you’re starting out, an Austin Bazaar polishing cloth, perfect for maintenance, a piano bench, and a gratis adapter.
The aforementioned gratis features, however, aren’t the only reason why this digital piano is so good. Namely, its default tone is so authentic that you’ll feel as if you were playing on a real acoustic piano. Of course, Roland’s patented SuperNatural sound engine is ‘responsible’ for that.
Roland’s PF-30 has a lighted action which emphasizes on the feel without hindering playability, providing unique experience and maximum expression.
The speaker system integrated in the PF-30 is of staggering quality. There’s also a pre-amp built into it which provides immersive hi-fi sound at all times.
As for the connectivity, there’s Bluetooth, a headphone out, as well as the ultimate software compatibility – you can use various apps and software such as the PiaScore, GarageBand and the SheetMusic Direct.
So, all things considered, the PF-30 provides an excellent sound, excels in fields of versatility and aesthetics, as well as connectivity and playability.
Pros:
- Light action offers a great compromise between feel and playability
- Exceptional SuperNatural sound engine
- Authentic default tone
- Superb connectivity
- Powerful speakers and pre-amp
Cons
- Certain features are oriented around beginner’s experience, and this piano might be a bit too expensive for them
- There are more durable pianos in this price range
22. Casio PX350
Runner Up (under $1000)
[amazon fields=”B00GPW8964″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Casio PX350″ image_align=”center”]
Casio PX350
Casio’s sub-$1000 choice has a sleek design and tons of built-in features with a light and compact design (well more than some of the others…).
Let’s wrap things up with Casio’s PX350 – one of the best digital piano models Casio has in their store.
Basically, this piano has 88 keys and packs a weighted hammer action, offering an exquisite feel and loads of playability. Its versatility is top-shelf considering that there are 250 tone banks at your disposal. The built-in effects also include several reverb and chorus styles.
What’s really interesting about PX350 is that it’s a stand-up piano which sports a sleek design. It’s beautiful, but it’s also pretty compact and lightweight. Regardless, its durability is also on point, as it’s made of selected pressure-tested wood materials.
Among other features worth mentioning, there’s the built-in metronome and duet mode which allows two players to participate simultaneously. There are also three pedals at the base, the sustain, boost, and sustaineto. Considering the price, it’s well worth the buck.
23. Casio PX-870 BK Privia
Honorable Mention (under $1000)
[amazon fields=”B074FTLNK3″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Casio PX-870 BK Privia” image_align=”center”]
Casio PX-870 BK Privia
Grand piano styling with all the bonuses of electric digital pianos. The PX-870 is perfect if you have the space and don’t need all the features in the $1300+ models.
This is a wonderfully looking piano with 88 weighted hammer action keys, and it’s safe to say that it can be considered as one of the best works from this brand. It’s currently considered as Casio’s flagship digital piano.
Obviously, it employs the use of tri-sensor scaled-hammer technology, which is just the reason why it’s also one of the most playable digital pianos available for the money.
It has a powerful Sound projection four-speaker system which delivers powerful sound, which is however characterized with clarity and precision.
There’s also one reason why this particular model can go toe to toe with Yamha’s GHS action models. This model features the ‘acoustic simulator’ feature comprised of string resonance, lid simulator, action noise adjustment, damper resonance, hammer response, and similar controllable settings.
Among the playing modes at your disposal are split, dual, and duet play, but there are also lesson functions which make it suitable for beginners as well. Metronome, fine tuning, octave shift, and transpose functions are also available.
It falls down in the ‘under $1000’ price point category, so it’s true that it does cost quite a bit. Nevertheless, if you’re really looking for a digital piano with exceptional action, you should probably give this one a go.
Best Digital Piano Buying Guide
We’ve already established certain key points regarding what things you should consider when buying a certain kind of piano – beginner, advanced, budget, and so on.
Now it’s time to get into more detail about general things, such as which is Yamaha’s best digital piano, which brands are considered as world-class leaders, what is the best lighted digital piano for learning, and such.
If you’ve liked our picks and our buying guides so far, make sure to continue browsing, as we’ve prepared quite a few treats for the end.
What is the best Yamaha digital piano?
This is a very difficult question, as these guys have made tons of excellent pianos, both acoustic and digital. However, we can easily narrow down the object of our search to the generation of pianos by this brand that’s had the most success – the Arius series.
Basically, there are only seven models here. The YDP S34, 184, 181, 163, S52, and 143, each being of exceptional quality in its own right. Anyhow, in our objective opinion, the YPD-181 is one of the best Yamaha digital piano models.
It has only 14 built in tones, but each of them is based on Yamaha’s grand piano sample, which means that they’re authentic and rich in detail. These tone banks feature two electric pianos, two harpsichords, a vibraphone, two church organs, a jazz organ, two string voices, guitar, and one choir voice.
Its action is out of this world – the Graded-hammer-key action system makes the lowest keys heavier and the highest keys light, providing an authentic piano playing experience.
It might be considered as a boutique level digital piano since it belongs to the price point category of ‘over $1000’, but it’s well worth the money.
What is the best brand of digital piano?
The better question is – what ‘are’ the best digital piano brands? It’s hard to say which is better than which, so let’s settle on the fact that there are several brands that provide world-class digital piano models. Such are Yamaha, Korg, Kawai, Casio, and Roland.
Yamaha
Yamaha is one of the most famous brands ever, and we’re not talking just about pianos – they mainly deal with musical instruments in general, electronics, and sports equipment. They’ve been around for more than a century, and they’re still doing a very fine job. More precisely, they were founded in 1887, some 131 years ago by Torakusu Yamaha.
They started out with pianos and were the first to manufacture reed organs, so it’s only obvious that an entire century of honing their craft has resulted in some serious bleeding-edge technologies and trade secrets.
Their digital pianos are spread throughout several series – the Clavinova, P-Series, Arius/YDP, the J-series, Piaggero/NP, and Portable YPG series, although if you’re interested you should take a look at their organs, synthesizers, stage pianos, and workstations, they’re all top-notch.
Yamaha’s digital pianos still rely on the traditional concept of acoustics, so whoever is searching for authenticity should definitely at least consider Yamaha digital pianos.
Korg
Korg is a much younger brand from Yamaha, although they’re also Japanese. They were founded in 1962 by Tsutomu Katoh and Tadashi Osanai as Keio Electronic Labs. They’ve mainly dabbled with keyboards and electronic organs ever since.
Here’s a fun fact. The first product that was released by Korg back in 1963 was nothing else than an electro mechanical rhythm device which they called ‘Disc Rotary-Electric Auto-Rhythm machine’ (shortly called Donca Matic DA-20).
They started their production of synthesizers and keyboards in 1967 when the founder was persuaded to do it by a certain Fumio Meida (a Japanese engineer interested in building keyboards).
One of the main contributions by Korg was the invention of the ‘transpose’ function, plus their models were the first to integrate the ‘sample & synthesis’ of sound. It’s quite obvious that their keyboards and digital pianos are pretty much on the modern side, and if you’re looking for versatility, don’t be shy to look them up.
Kawai
Older than Korg but younger than Yamaha, Kawai Musical Instruments corporation was founded by Koichi Kawai some 91 years ago. Their line of work mainly revolves around grand pianos and upright pianos.
Interestingly enough, the brand’s founder (Koichi) was a part of a team that sort of introduced the pianos in Japan. Around the time when Yamaha’s founder died (1916) was the time when KMI (Kawai Musical Instruments) began to thrive, as the industry practically halted during that particular year.
Kawai’s main contribution to the piano world is that they’ve used ‘alternative materials’ in their piano manufacturing processes, of which ABS is the most notable one (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
Although their classical and upright pianos are their biggest achievements, they also offer a wide variety of digital pianos with their ‘Classic’, ‘Concert Artist’, and ‘CN’ series (and more).
The reason why Kawai is the brand you want to give a shot is because their digital pianos are strikingly different from most regular digital pianos. Whether it’s a feature or two that are different, or the default piano sound sample, every piano they ever made is characterized with ingenuity at its finest.
Casio
Casio Computer Company is one of the best digital piano brands, although that particular instrument was not the department where their story began.
Namely, Tadao Kashio (brand’s founder) was a fabrication technology engineer back in the 20th century, and his first invention was the so-called Yubiwa Pipe – a simple contraption that would help a smoker hold down the cigarette in an easier way.
Somehow, that particular invention skyrocketed the brand upwards, and they used their newly acquisitioned profits to invest in a different line of production – calculators. To cut the story short, they’ve switched their main line of work several times before their line of budget instruments took the main stage.
Some of the most famous Casio digital pianos are Privia, Privia Pro Stage, Celviano, Celviano Hybrid, and CDP Compact piano.
It’s quite amazing that their digital pianos are spread throughout all price ranges, and every single one is a true representative of their quality.
Roland
Roland is the youngest piano company among the five – they were founded in 1972, only 46 years ago by Ikutaro Kakehashi. One of the most interesting stories about this brand is that the founder didn’t have any musical training, but still wanted to get in touch with musicians.
Roland’s biggest rivals at the time were ARP company and Moog – they had plenty of musical engineers and generally people who’ve studied music, so it was only obvious that they targeted musicians who wanted professional gear.
On the contrary, Ikutaro appealed to hobbyists while focusing on simple designs paired with cost effectiveness.
In the year of 1973, they’ve made the first electronic combo piano – the EP-10. After that, it was smooth sailing for the company. After came the HP-30, the HP-300 and 400. Some of them were the first digital pianos who had MIDI compatibility.
Fun fact – the EP-30 was the first digital piano which came with touch sensitive keyboard. Needless to say, Roland’s engineers were quite inventive and clever.
What is the best lighted digital piano for learning?
Without any doubt, it’s the Casio LK-175. It’s more affordable than the LK-190 variant, and it basically has the same features.
First of all, this piano is great for any number of things. It has 400 built in tones, 150 rhythms, and some 110 integrated demonstration songs, the latter being very important for beginner piano players.
Now, let’s not think about its versatility for a moment and focus on why it’s so good for beginners – the entire keyboard was built with one thing in mind. The Casio engineers wanted to make the keys as light as possible, so that even the immediate beginners can easily pull off a song or two after some practice.
The staggering number of demonstration songs means that there are a lot of lessons to be learned – with over a hundred demonstration songs, you can rest assured that you won’t even need a teacher, as you’ll get a grip on the basics and fundamental techniques in a couple of months.
Which digital piano has the best action?
This is a relatively straightforward question, but it could also be phrased as ‘which is better – Casio or Yamaha?’
Basically, these two brands have the best action technologies out there. The Casio has tri-sensor scaled-hammer action while Yamaha has graded-hammer standard technology. Let’s take a look at the two digital pianos with the best action, compare them, and then let’s have the final verdict.
GHS (graded-hammer standard) action technology
This particular technology was pioneered by Yamaha, and it basically means that the lowest keys feel heavier while the higher keys feel lighter. This is absolutely perfect for people who are looking for a real acoustic piano feel.
This type of action is also phenomenal for beginners who want to make the learning process a bit easy by playing on a digital piano but still get to seel how pressing on the ‘real keys’ feels like.
So basically, Yamaha’s piano with the best action is the P125. A 88-key fully-weighted piano with the standard GHS action.
Anyhow, it’s only obvious that you wouldn’t want to purchase a digital piano simply for its action – there are plenty of benefits to be had here too. Luckily, we already did the Yamaha P125 review in the ‘best budget digital piano’ section, so if you want to learn more about it, just scroll a bit up and check it out.
Tri-sensor scaled-hammer action technology
While Yamaha’s GHS technology is one of the best for people looking for a vivid piano feel, Casio’s TSSHA technology is for people who value responsiveness.
So, basically what this tri-sensor thingy does is that it implements three sensors under the hammers (as opposed to the conventional duo sensor hammer action). With this technology, you can press on a note more than just once, and the key won’t need to retract back to the original position.
The good thing about this type of action is that Casio divided them up into two generations (simply called tri-sensor hammered-action I & II). The first gen was used for the most part for upright pianos (Celviano series mostly) while you can see the upgraded series II in most Privia series digital pianos.
One of Casio’s models with the best action is the Casio Privia PX-870 BK digital piano. Since we didn’t cover it in our review, let’s have a quick look on what it has to offer.
Final Words
By now you probably have the impression that the electric piano market is huge. Well, that’s a bit of an understatement in truth – it’s incomprehensible how big it is, as world-class leaders simply add more and more models every month.
However, the year of 2024 is really a great time to be a piano player, as there are so many exquisite models for everyone’s pocket, for everyone’s skill level, and, quite frankly, for everyone’s fun. We hope you enjoyed our selection and buying guide, and we hope you find the best digital piano for you!
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