So you’re in the market for a new digital piano. Maybe you’re just starting out and are looking for a good keyboard to learn on. Or you play piano but don’t have easy access to one. Or maybe you’ve been playing on a cheap keyboard and are looking for a good upgrade.
Whatever your needs, sifting through all of the electric pianos out there to find the best one for your requirements and your budget can be an intimidating task. The digital piano market has exploded in recent years, and there are more quality models available than ever before.
No matter if you’re a beginner, intermediate or professional player, there is a piano out there that will meet your needs, be a joy to play, and give you the long term benefits of playing the piano. To help you in your search, we’ve compiled this buyer’s guide to the best piano keyboards. Included here are the types, features, and brands to look for, as well as reviews of our top 5 picks for the best digital pianos.
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Different Types of Digital Pianos
There are several types and styles of digital pianos out there, and each one is better for different uses and needs. Below are descriptions of the features and benefits of each type so you can decide what will work best for you.
Digital console pianos sit up against the wall and some are even designed to function as an elegant piece of furniture. Although much lighter and easier to move than acoustic pianos, console pianos are intended to remain stationary in your home. These pianos will have everything you need to replace the form and function of a traditional upright piano. They usually come with built in speakers, pedals, and base, and their realistic sound and weighted key action are intended to mimic a real piano.
Portable and stage pianos are designed for use on-the-go or with a live band. They can have many of the same features as console pianos including weighted keys and real piano sound, but they look more like keyboards or synthesizers than acoustic pianos. Portable and stage pianos do not have built in bases or pedals so you will need to get a separate pedal unit and folding stand. They may have built in speakers, but they are intended for use with amplifiers or PA systems.
Electronic keyboards have many more sound options than typical digital pianos and can produce a wide range of electronic tones. They can be used for stage performance or studio production. However, they aren’t always designed to mimic the true piano experience. Electronic keyboards may not have weighted keys and may have less than the full 88. Even though they have many sounds to play with, the piano sampling may not be as realistic as a dedicated digital piano.
The Best Piano Keyboard Brands
Walk into any music store and you’ll see an overwhelming number of digital piano brands, some very well-known and some you’ve never heard of. While almost every brand has some gems, these 5 companies are by far the best electric piano brands out there.
Yamaha
Yamaha is probably the most well-known digital piano brand, and one of the most highly-regarded manufacturers of all types of musical instruments. Yamaha produces a tremendous amount of different digital piano options, from professional digital grand pianos to beginner keyboards and everything in between. The best Yamaha digital pianos are known for their dependability, versatility, craftsmanship, and sound quality.
Kawai
Kawai has been making acoustic pianos for almost a century, and that experience translates to their digital pianos. Musicians love Kawai’s keyboards for their true-to-life piano feel and excellent sound quality. They also feature top notch craftsmanship and beautiful design. Kawai digital piano reviews are top notch, and Kawai pianos have won many awards for excellence over the years.
Korg
Since 1963, Korg has been dedicated to creating the next generation of digital instruments, and they build some of the most innovative and advanced digital pianos on the market today. They also have a long lineup of electronic keyboards and synthesizers, so if you want a good digital piano that can also help you out in the studio you should take a look at our Korg keyboard reviews.
Casio
Casio’s digital pianos offer some of the best bang-for-your-buck value out there. Casio’s models feature excellent weighted keys and great sound quality, and they come with features you’ll only find on more expensive digital pianos from other brands. If you want a solid piano but value is your primary concern, Casio keyboard reviews are a great place to start.
Roland
Roland makes a large variety of electronic instruments, but they really excel at the electric piano. Roland produces some of the most technologically advanced digital pianos on the market. Their stage pianos are prized by working musicians, and they also offer digital upright pianos and grand pianos for the home. Roland’s pianos have the sound and feel of an acoustic piano and are also packed with advanced recording and output features. If you’re looking for some of the best stage pianos out there, Roland digital piano reviews are a great starting point.
5 Best Digital Pianos: Our Reviews
All of our top rated piano keyboards offer unparalleled reproduction of the sound and feel of a real piano and are great blends of features, function and price. Our best keyboard piano reviews below will give you more information to help you decide on the best model for you.
1. Yamaha DGX-660 Graded Hammer Action Digital Piano
Top-rated and affordable with premium features to suit players of all levels
The Yamaha DGX-660 has just about everything you need in a digital piano, whether you are an advanced pianist or are just learning to play.
This piano features Yamaha’s excellent Pure CF Sound Engine, which uses samples from Yamaha’s prized concert grand piano, and Damper Resonance DSP, which reproduces the interactions between strings for an even more realistic sound. And with Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Action technology, the key feel is incredibly realistic to play.
This piano is good enough to serve any level of piano player, but it really shines as a learning tool. The DGX-660 is optimized to play along with Yamaha’s XG learn-to-play song files that pairs your playing with songs from Elton John, Adele and more.
The Smart Chord feature creates chords around the notes that you are playing, so you can get started playing full songs right away. And the Style Recommender suggests styles for you based on your playing and allows you to add in accompanying parts.
If all that wasn’t enough, the DGX-660 also has the ability to record and play back music right through the unit, so you can create songs and even mix tunes right from the keyboard. For great piano sound and realistic feel with all the features you need to learn and enough to keep you busy as an advanced musician, the DGX-660 is a great choice.
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2. Kawai CA49 Digital Piano
Beautiful and versatile console piano that can easily replace an acoustic piano
The Kawai CA49 is a beautiful and versatile console piano that can easily take the place of an acoustic piano in your home. This piano shines with its stunningly realistic sound, keyboard feel and pedal response, and the solid construction and elegant styling will make this a stylish focal point in your living room.
Kawai digital pianos are legendary for the realistic feel of their keyboards, and the CA49 lives up to that reputation. The keyboard features Kawai’s “Grand Feel Compact” wooden-key action, which is the reason many people purchase this piano. Kawai does graduated hammer effect better than anyone else, and the wooden keys on this piano are nearly indistinguishable from an acoustic piano.
While it is packed with many other features you would expect in a digital keyboard, if you’re looking for something with a lot of digital effects and piano sound options you’ll be better off elsewhere. But the CA49 excels at just being a piano, and if that’s what you’re looking for then you’ll be hard pressed to find something better for the best digital piano for you.
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3. Casio Privia PX-870 Digital Console Piano
Feature-packed and affordable console piano with award-winning sound reproduction
The Casio PX-870 is the successor to their wildly popular Casio PX-860, and this upgrade doesn’t disappoint. Casio packed this digital piano with features that really enhance the feeling that you’re playing a genuine acoustic piano.
The acoustic piano sounds this model is capable of producing is absolutely stunning. The piano sampling in Casio’s AiR Sound Source sound engine sounds just like a vintage grand piano, and there are many little touches that enhance the authentic piano experience. The sound of this piano is even better through a good set of digital piano headphones.
The String Resonance feature reproduces the sounds surrounding the string vibrations, and the Key Off Simulator replicates the reverberations of releasing the keys. The Lid Simulator allows you to simulate the different sounds you get when adjusting the lid on an acoustic piano, and the Hall Simulator produces the booming sound of playing in a concert hall.
The graduated hammer weighted action keys with ivory and ebony feel are fantastic, and the Damper Resonance feature produces possibly the most natural-sounding damper pedal on any digital piano. The PX-870 offers one of the most realistic piano experiences out there, all in an affordable and great-looking package.
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4. Roland RD-2000 Digital Stage Piano
Easy-to-use and feature-packed stage piano that's perfect for live performances
Roland stage pianos are highly prized by performing musicians for their detailed acoustic piano sounds, great key feel and extensive feature set. But the Roland RD-2000 blows them all away.
This digital keyboard features sounds from their iconic V-Piano, combined with Roland’s famous SuperNATURAL sound engine. SuperNATURAL produces highly-detailed piano sounds with natural sounds and excellent dynamic response. The RD-2000 also features a wide variety of onboard effects, digital sounds and rhythm patterns, so you can sound exactly how you need to on stage.
This electric piano doesn’t skimp on the real piano experience either, with the hybrid wood/molded keyboard and graded hammer weighted action keys. If you need a keyboard that can sound like a grand piano or a synthesizer and is versatile and portable enough for stage performance, look no further than the Roland RD-2000.
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5. Korg SP-280 88-Key Digital Piano
Portable all-around performer with highly realistic sounds and key action
The Korg SP-280 is an affordable and portable digital piano that doesn’t skimp on features or quality. From its real acoustic piano feel and piano tones to its bold styling and lightweight, the Korg SP-280 is a piano you will be proud to own.
The SP-280 features samples from a Steinway grand piano, one of the most renowned pianos in the world. Coming out of the onboard 2-watt stereo speakers, the sound is very natural, and is loud enough to power you through a recital or even jamming with other musicians.
This piano also features Korg’s Natural Weighted Hammer (NH) keyboard action, which is one of the best graded hammer action systems on the market. You’ll find NH action on many of Korg’s more expensive high end models. With the excellent sound and real piano feel, the SP-280 is the complete package.
Portability is also a big plus here. The SP-280 comes with a lightweight folding metal stand, so you can take it on the go and set it up anywhere. With its quality, features, and great price, the Korg SP-280 is easily one of the best digital keyboards available.
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5 More Great Digital Pianos Worth a Look
- Yamaha P125 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano. An excellent digital piano from Yamaha, complete with graded-action keyboard and Pure CF sound.
- Korg LP380 Lifestyle 88-Key Digital Piano. A beautifully-styled digital piano that plays great and fits discreetly into your home.
- Kawai ES110 Portable Digital Piano. Kawai’s best-in-class key action and beautiful sound in an affordable package.
- Roland FP-30 Digital Piano. A portable entry-level piano that provides a responsive and realistic piano experience.
- Kawai KDP110 Digital Piano. Another great digital piano from Kawai that feels great and sounds even better.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Digital Piano
Before deciding on a digital piano to buy, there are several things you should think about. What works best for one person may not work best for you. Our guide below goes over the different features and questions you should consider before pulling the trigger.
Should You Buy A Digital Piano or an Acoustic Piano?
There are many factors to consider here, but the keyboard vs piano debate often comes down to price. Acoustic pianos are much more expensive than digital pianos. If you’re just starting out or are on a budget, an electric piano may be your best option.
That doesn’t mean you need to skimp on quality. Today’s best digital pianos have graded hammer action weighted keys that feel astonishingly like real piano keys. And improvements in sound sampling and speaker technology mean that the top-rated digital pianos sound just as good as they feel.
Should You Buy A Digital Piano or an Electronic Keyboard?
The debate between digital piano vs keyboard comes down to how you want to use your instrument. A true digital piano is going to excel at mimicking the sound and feel of a real piano. This is your best option if you primarily want to play music that you would normally play on a piano.
Electronic keyboards may not feel like a real piano, and may have less than the full 88 keys. But the best digital keyboards typically have a greater array of sounds and effects to play around with, and can do things that a typical digital piano cannot.
What’s Your Price Range?
Digital pianos can range from as low as a few hundred dollars for an entry-level model to thousands of dollars for professional electric pianos with top notch sound and features. Don’t worry, there are great instruments available in all price ranges – including some great cheap keyboard pianos.
What’s Your Skill Level?
If you’re a complete beginner you’re going to have different needs than an intermediate or advanced player. There’s no sense dropping thousands on a professional stage piano when you’re just starting out. The best starter keyboards have a good mix of features and value, and are quality enough to grow with you as your playing improves.
How Many Keys?
A full piano keyboard has 88 keys. If you want to be able to play the most complex piano pieces, you’re going to want the full range of keys. But if you want something more portable there are digital pianos available that have less than the full 88.
What Does the Keyboard Feel Like?
Today’s top rated digital pianos feature weighted action keys that replicate the feel of an authentic acoustic piano. But not all weighted key systems are created equal.
If you want that real piano feel, you’ll want a keyboard with graded hammer action. This means the lower keys are heavier to play than the higher keys, just like on a real piano. Some models even feature wooden or imitation ivory keys that add to the feeling of authenticity.
Do You Need Portability?
Some digital pianos are set up console-style with an attached base, and are intended to be kept in one place. Others are much more portable, and allow you to take them on the go or even play them on stage. The best portable digital pianos are lightweight and easy to transport without sacrificing any of the high-end features found on the best console models.
What are the Sound Features?
The sampling technology used in today’s digital pianos is excellent, and some brands and models feature sampling taken from high quality vintage grand pianos. But there are other things to consider when it comes to the sound.
Polyphony is the amount of notes a digital piano can produce simultaneously, and pianos with higher polyphony will be able to play more complex pieces. The best sounding digital pianos may reproduce other piano sounds for a more realistic experience, including the sound of the keys and pedals being pressed and released.
Another thing to consider is number of voicings. Dedicated digital pianos may have only a handful of voicings that are limited to realistic piano and keyboard sounds. More advanced stage or recording pianos may have a wider variety of different voicings and digital sounds to play around with.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when searching for the best keyboard piano for you. Start by thinking about what you’ll be using the piano for and what kinds of music you want to play.
There are digital pianos specifically designed to mimic the sound, look and feel of an acoustic piano without too many extra features. There are also electric pianos that offer real piano sound and feel, but come with extra sounds and features and may even be portable.
It all comes down to your needs, preferences and budget. This buying guide and our other electronic piano reviews should give you a good start and point you to the best options out there for you.
