Product Image & Name | Sound Quality & Key Action | Portability | Price |
![]() Yamaha YDP-184 (Best Choice) | - Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) - Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) action | - Traditional furniture - Not easily portable | |
![]() Roland FP-90X (Best for Advanced Players) | - PureAcoustic Piano Modeling - PHA-50 keyboard | - Heavy, not ideal for frequent movers | |
![]() Kawai ES920 (Best Budget Option) | - Harmonic Imaging XL sound - Responsive Hammer III keyboard | - Lightweight and portable | |
![]() Casio PX-S1100 (Best for Beginners) | - Enhanced speaker system - Smart Scaled Hammer Action | - Slim and lightweight design |
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Each of these digital pianos offers unique strengths tailored to different needs and preferences. The Yamaha Arius YDP-184 stands out as the top choice for its exceptional sound quality and authentic touch, making it ideal for those seeking a premium experience. The Roland FP-90X is perfect for advanced users desiring realistic tones and advanced features. For those on a budget, the Kawai ES920 provides excellent sound and portability. Beginners may find the Casio Privia PX-S1100‘s responsive key action and slim design particularly appealing.
Top 5 Best Digital Piano Reviews
Yamaha YDP-184 Review: A High-End Digital Piano for Home and Practice

The Yamaha Arius YDP-184 is a premium home digital piano that blends advanced features with an elegant design. As the flagship model of Yamaha’s Arius series, it offers a playing experience that closely mimics an acoustic piano, making it a top choice for serious learners, hobbyists, and even advanced players looking for a reliable practice instrument. Below, we’ll explore its key aspects, from design to performance, and see whether it justifies its price tag.
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Design: Classic Aesthetic with Modern Touches
The YDP-184 is designed to complement home interiors with its traditional upright-style cabinet, complete with a wood-grain finish and a sliding key cover. Unlike many stage pianos that prioritize portability, this model is built as a permanent fixture—ideal for home or studio use.
The three-pedal system is a significant plus, offering soft, sostenuto, and damper pedals, just like an acoustic grand piano. Yamaha has also integrated a half-pedal function, allowing for nuanced control over sustain, which is essential for expressive playing.
While the cabinet design leans toward the traditional, Yamaha hasn’t ignored modern conveniences: an LCD screen and a simple button layout make navigation and adjustments easy, without compromising the piano’s classic look.
Keyboard: Responsive and Natural Feel
One of the standout features of the YDP-184 is its Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) keyboard action, which provides an authentic grand piano feel. The keys have synthetic ebony and ivory keytops, improving grip and absorbing moisture—a big advantage for long playing sessions.
The graded hammer action mimics the weight variation of an acoustic piano, with heavier keys in the lower register and lighter keys in the upper register. This makes transitioning between an acoustic and digital piano seamless for those accustomed to traditional instruments.
The GH3 system also includes triple-sensor technology, which accurately captures rapid key repetitions, making it ideal for pieces that require delicate articulation and fast trills.
Sound: Grand Piano Realism with Yamaha’s CFX Sampling
Sound quality is where the Yamaha YDP-184 truly shines. It uses Yamaha’s CFX Premium Grand Piano sound engine, the same technology found in high-end Clavinova models. The Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) feature simulates the resonance of the strings, soundboard, and cabinet, adding an extra layer of realism.
The 256-note polyphony ensures that even complex pieces with sustained notes and layered sounds won’t suffer from note dropouts. This is especially useful for advanced players who need the full dynamic range of a grand piano.
Aside from the CFX grand piano voice, the YDP-184 includes 24 additional instrument voices, such as electric pianos, organs, strings, and harpsichords. While these are well-sampled, the primary attraction here is undoubtedly the rich, expressive piano tone.
Functions & Features: A Digital Piano with Acoustic-Level Expressiveness
Beyond its realistic sound and key action, the Yamaha YDP-184 includes several features that enhance the playing experience:
- Damper Resonance & Key-Off Samples – This mimics the natural sustain and release of acoustic pianos, adding more depth and realism.
- Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) – This balances the sound for a fuller tone, even at low volume, which is great for late-night practice.
- Built-in Recording – The YDP-184 can record two-track performances, allowing players to review and refine their playing.
- Metronome & Transpose Functions – Essential tools for practice and accompaniment.
While it lacks advanced effects like reverb customization found in Clavinova models, the YDP-184 provides all the essentials needed for expressive, realistic playing.
Connectivity: Traditional Yet Practical
The Yamaha YDP-184 offers a mix of traditional and modern connectivity options:
- USB to Host – Allows connection to computers and music software like GarageBand and Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app.
- MIDI In/Out – Ideal for those integrating the piano into a home studio setup.
- Dual Headphone Jacks – Great for silent practice, duets, or teacher-student sessions.
- AUX Out – Enables connection to external speakers for a more powerful sound output.
However, one missing feature is Bluetooth connectivity, which is increasingly common in digital pianos in this price range.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✔ Authentic grand piano sound (CFX sampling & VRM modeling)
✔ GH3 keyboard with synthetic ivory/ebony keys for realistic touch
✔ 256-note polyphony for complex pieces without note dropout
✔ Three-pedal system with half-pedal functionality
✔ Elegant, sturdy cabinet design
✔ USB and MIDI connectivity for music production
Cons
✖ Lack of Bluetooth connectivity (a common feature in competing models)
✖ Heavy and not easily portable
✖ Limited built-in effects compared to Yamaha Clavinova models
Value for Money: Worth the Investment?
At around $2,000, the Yamaha YDP-184 sits in the mid-to-high range of digital pianos. While it is not the cheapest option, it offers an experience that comes very close to an acoustic grand piano, making it a solid investment for serious learners and advanced players.
If you’re a beginner, you might find more budget-friendly options with similar key action but fewer premium features (e.g., Yamaha YDP-145). However, if you’re looking for a long-term digital piano that can replace an acoustic, the YDP-184 is one of the best choices in its class.
Final Verdict: A Top Choice for Home and Practice
The Yamaha YDP-184 is an excellent digital piano for players who want a traditional playing experience with modern digital conveniences. It bridges the gap between beginner-friendly models and high-end Clavinovas, making it an ideal home practice instrument.
If you prioritize sound quality, realistic key feel, and a classic aesthetic, the YDP-184 will not disappoint. The lack of Bluetooth and portability might be drawbacks for some, but these are minor concerns when considering the overall playing experience and build quality.
Final Score: 9/10 – A superb digital piano that offers professional-level sound and playability at a reasonable price.
If you need more information on this digital piano, read my extended Yamaha YDP-184 digital piano review.
Roland FP-90X Review: A Premium Digital Piano for Stage and Home

The Roland FP-90X is the flagship model of Roland’s FP series, designed for musicians who demand top-tier sound, realistic touch, and versatile performance features. It’s an upgrade from the well-loved FP-90, offering improved Piano Reality Modeling, enhanced speaker systems, and better connectivity. But does it justify its premium price tag? Let’s dive into its key aspects to find out.
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Design: Elegant and Portable Yet Sturdy
The Roland FP-90X maintains the sleek, professional aesthetic that the FP series is known for. Unlike bulky console-style digital pianos, it features a compact, stage-friendly design, making it ideal for both home practice and live performances.
The high-quality matte black finish gives it a premium look, and despite being portable, it has a solid, sturdy build that feels durable. The control panel is streamlined, with a combination of physical knobs and a touch-based interface, making it intuitive to navigate settings, adjust tones, or tweak effects on the fly.
While it’s heavier than entry-level FP models (weighing around 52 lbs / 23.6 kg), it remains manageable for gigging musicians when paired with a dedicated stand like the Roland KSC-90 or KS-20X.
Keyboard: The PHA-50 Action – A Near-Acoustic Experience
The Roland FP-90X features the highly regarded PHA-50 key action, which is a hybrid wood-and-plastic construction with escapement and ivory/ebony-textured keytops. This results in a natural feel, providing the perfect balance between weight and responsiveness.
Key highlights of the PHA-50 action:
✔ Graded hammer action, mimicking the feel of an acoustic piano
✔ Triple-sensor system, ensuring fast, precise note repetition
✔ Escapement mechanism, giving a realistic “let-off” feel in soft playing
✔ Longer key pivot length, offering better control for advanced players
Compared to competing models like the Yamaha YDP-184 or Kawai ES920, the PHA-50 key action stands out for its expressive touch and durability. It closely replicates the feel of an acoustic grand, making it a great choice for classical, jazz, and contemporary pianists.
Sound: PureAcoustic Modeling for Grand Piano Authenticity
One of the most impressive features of the FP-90X is its use of Roland’s PureAcoustic Piano Modeling technology. Unlike many digital pianos that rely solely on sampled sounds, Roland employs physical modeling to recreate every nuance of an acoustic piano in real time.
Key Aspects of the FP-90X Sound Engine:
✔ PureAcoustic Piano Modeling – Provides an organic, resonant sound
✔ Unlimited polyphony on modeled pianos – Ensures no dropped notes
✔ Two premium grand piano tones – European and American variants for tonal variety
✔ SuperNATURAL sound engine – Used for non-piano sounds like electric pianos, organs, and strings
The FP-90X’s speaker system is significantly upgraded, featuring two 25W speakers and two tweeters, delivering a rich, immersive sound. This makes it suitable for home use without external amplification while still being powerful enough for small venue performances.
Functions & Features: Customization and Versatility
One of the biggest strengths of the FP-90X is its deep level of sound customization.
- Piano Designer – Allows you to adjust string resonance, key-off behavior, hammer noise, and even tuning characteristics
- Onboard Equalizer (EQ) – Lets you shape your tone for different environments
- Ambience Effects – Simulates the acoustics of various performance spaces
- Twin Piano Mode – Great for lessons or duets, splitting the keyboard into two identical ranges
Additionally, it offers intuitive layer and split functions, making it a great choice for musicians who want to blend multiple sounds seamlessly.
Connectivity: A Well-Equipped Modern Piano
The Roland FP-90X excels in connectivity, offering both wired and wireless options:
✔ Bluetooth Audio & MIDI – Stream music from your phone or connect to apps like GarageBand, Roland’s Piano Partner 2, or Simply Piano
✔ USB Audio Interface – Record high-quality digital audio directly to a DAW (a huge advantage for music producers)
✔ Dual Headphone Jacks – Perfect for silent practice or teacher-student sessions
✔ XLR and 1/4” Outputs – Enables connection to external speakers or PA systems
Unlike some Yamaha and Kawai models that lack Bluetooth audio, the FP-90X includes it, making it easier to play along with tracks or use it as a Bluetooth speaker.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✔ Authentic grand piano feel (PHA-50 key action)
✔ Realistic sound modeling (PureAcoustic & SuperNATURAL engines)
✔ Powerful built-in speaker system (ideal for home or small gigs)
✔ Extensive sound customization (Piano Designer, EQ, reverb settings)
✔ Bluetooth MIDI & audio support (seamless wireless connectivity)
✔ USB audio recording (great for producers and performers)
Cons
✖ Heavier than most stage pianos (not ideal for frequent gigging)
✖ Lacks built-in rhythm accompaniments (some competitors offer this)
✖ More expensive than other FP models (but justifies the price with premium features)
Value for Money: Is the Roland FP-90X Worth It?
The Roland FP-90X is a high-end digital piano, and its price reflects that. At around $2,200, it sits at a premium price point compared to competitors like the Kawai ES920 or Yamaha P-515. However, it delivers professional-level performance in a portable format.
If you’re a serious pianist, gigging musician, or a home player who wants the best, the FP-90X is worth the investment. The combination of realistic key action, modeled piano sound, and powerful speakers makes it a standout choice.
For those on a tighter budget, the Roland FP-60X or Yamaha P-225 might be better alternatives, though they lack the advanced sound engine and PHA-50 action.
Final Verdict: A Stage & Home Piano That Excels
The Roland FP-90X is one of the best digital pianos in its class, bridging the gap between high-end home pianos and professional stage instruments. With exceptional key feel, deeply customizable sound, and great connectivity, it’s a versatile and future-proof investment for serious musicians.
✔ Best for: Advanced players, performers, studio musicians
✔ Not ideal for: Beginners, those needing ultra-portability
Final Score: 9.5/10 – A near-perfect blend of realism, power, and flexibility.
Kawai ES920 Review: A Top-Tier Portable Digital Piano for Serious Pianists

The Kawai ES920 is a premium portable digital piano, designed for home practice, stage performances, and studio use. As Kawai’s flagship model in the ES series, it offers an impressive balance of realistic touch, rich sound, and advanced features while remaining lightweight and portable. But how does it compare to competitors like the Yamaha P-515 or Roland FP-90X? Let’s explore its design, key action, sound quality, features, and overall value.
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Design: Lightweight Yet Sturdy
Unlike many high-end digital pianos, the Kawai ES920 is surprisingly lightweight, weighing just 37.5 lbs (17 kg). This makes it one of the most portable professional digital pianos in its class, a huge advantage for gigging musicians and those who need to move their instrument frequently.
The piano features a sleek, minimalistic design with a high-quality matte finish. The control panel is well-organized, featuring a high-contrast OLED display and intuitive buttons for adjusting settings, selecting sounds, and customizing effects.
While the plastic casing may not feel as premium as a wooden console-style digital piano, it’s sturdy and durable, making it ideal for both home and stage use.
Keyboard: Responsive and Expressive RHIII Action
Kawai is known for its industry-leading key actions, and the ES920 does not disappoint. It features the Responsive Hammer III (RHIII) action, which provides a highly realistic and expressive playing experience.
Key features of the RHIII action:
✔ Graded hammer weighting – Keys feel heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble, just like an acoustic piano.
✔ Triple-sensor system – Allows for accurate note repetition and smooth dynamic transitions.
✔ Let-off simulation – Provides a realistic escapement feel, useful for soft playing.
✔ Ivory-touch key surfaces – Enhances grip and absorbs moisture for long practice sessions.
While not quite as sophisticated as Kawai’s Grand Feel key action found in higher-end models like the MP11SE, the RHIII is one of the best key actions in a portable digital piano. Compared to competitors like the Roland FP-90X (PHA-50 action) and Yamaha P-515 (NWX action), it holds its own exceptionally well.
Sound: Harmonic Imaging XL for a Rich Grand Piano Tone
The Kawai ES920 features the Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) sound engine, using full 88-key stereo sampling from Kawai’s SK-EX and EX concert grand pianos. This results in a warm, expressive, and detailed piano tone.
Key sound features include:
✔ 256-note polyphony – Ensures seamless performance without note dropouts.
✔ Virtual Technician – Allows in-depth sound customization (string resonance, damper noise, voicing, and more).
✔ 40 high-quality sounds – Includes electric pianos, organs, strings, synths, and basses.
✔ High-quality onboard effects – Includes reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, and amp simulations.
Compared to Roland’s PureAcoustic Modeling (found in the FP-90X), Kawai uses sample-based synthesis, but the Harmonic Imaging XL engine is among the most natural and expressive on the market.
Functions & Features: Deep Customization and Versatility
One of the standout aspects of the Kawai ES920 is its Virtual Technician feature, which allows pianists to fine-tune various piano characteristics to match their playing style.
Key Features:
- Layer & Split Modes – Combine two sounds or split the keyboard for versatile performance setups.
- Dual headphone jacks – Ideal for silent practice and teacher-student sessions.
- Built-in drum rhythms & accompaniments – Great for solo performances or practice.
- 4-band EQ – Lets you shape your sound for different environments.
- Internal song recorder (with USB audio recording) – Allows for playback, analysis, and easy sharing.
These features make the ES920 an excellent choice for both solo pianists and gigging musicians.
Connectivity: Everything You Need for Performance and Recording
The Kawai ES920 offers a comprehensive set of connectivity options for both live performance and studio recording:
✔ Bluetooth Audio & MIDI – Wirelessly connect to apps like Kawai’s Virtual Technician, GarageBand, or educational software.
✔ USB to Host & USB to Device – Connect to computers for MIDI and audio recording.
✔ Stereo Line In/Out – Plug into an external sound system or mixer.
✔ MIDI In/Out Ports – Useful for integrating with other MIDI gear.
One of the biggest advantages over some competitors (like the Yamaha P-515) is the built-in Bluetooth Audio, which allows you to stream music wirelessly through the piano’s speakers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✔ Incredible key action (RHIII) for realistic touch
✔ Warm, expressive grand piano tones (SK-EX, EX sampling)
✔ 256-note polyphony for complex performances
✔ Lightweight and highly portable (only 37.5 lbs)
✔ Bluetooth Audio & MIDI for seamless connectivity
✔ Extensive sound customization (Virtual Technician, 4-band EQ)
✔ Powerful onboard speakers (40W output)
Cons
✖ Plastic casing feels less premium than some competitors
✖ Fewer built-in sounds compared to Roland FP-90X
✖ No dedicated XLR outputs (may need adapters for pro audio setups)
Value for Money: A Top-Tier Digital Piano at a Competitive Price
At around $1,800-$2,000, the Kawai ES920 offers professional-level performance at a competitive price. While it’s more expensive than mid-range options like the Yamaha P-225 or Roland FP-60X, it outperforms them in key action, sound quality, and overall versatility.
Compared to Roland FP-90X (~$2,200) and Yamaha P-515 (~$1,600-$1,800), the ES920 holds its own as one of the best stage pianos for serious pianists.
✔ Best for: Gigging musicians, home users who want a premium digital piano, players who value great key action.
✔ Not ideal for: Beginners looking for a budget-friendly option.
Final Verdict: One of the Best Portable Digital Pianos
The Kawai ES920 is one of the best portable digital pianos available today, thanks to its outstanding key action, rich piano tones, and deep customization options. It’s an excellent choice for serious pianists who need an expressive, lightweight, and powerful instrument.
Final Score: 9.5/10 – A near-perfect balance of realism, portability, and versatility.
Casio PX-S1100 Review: A Slim, Stylish, and Capable Digital Piano

The Casio Privia PX-S1100 is the successor to the highly popular PX-S1000, offering refinements in sound, key action, and connectivity while maintaining its sleek, ultra-slim design. As one of the most compact and affordable digital pianos in its class, it’s a great choice for beginners, home users, and musicians who need a portable instrument. But does it truly stand out among competitors like the Yamaha P-125, Roland FP-30X, or Korg D1? Let’s find out.
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Design: The Slimmest Digital Piano on the Market
One of the biggest selling points of the PX-S1100 is its incredibly slim and modern design. At just 4 inches (10 cm) deep, it is the world’s slimmest digital piano with fully weighted keys. Despite its compact frame, it still offers a full 88-key layout and an elegant, touch-based control panel.
Key design highlights:
✔ Available in black, white, and red to match different aesthetics
✔ Minimalist touch controls with LED indicators instead of physical buttons
✔ Weighs only 25.5 lbs (11.2 kg), making it highly portable
✔ Glossy finish adds a premium feel but can attract fingerprints
Compared to traditional digital pianos, the PX-S1100 looks sleek and futuristic, making it an ideal choice for small apartments, dorms, or musicians on the go. However, while the lightweight build is great for portability, it doesn’t feel as sturdy as heavier models like the Roland FP-30X.
Keyboard: Smart Scaled Hammer Action for Realism
The Casio PX-S1100 features Smart Scaled Hammer Action, designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano while fitting within its ultra-slim body.
✔ Graded hammer action – Heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble
✔ Triple-sensor key detection for accurate note repetition
✔ Simulated ivory and ebony key textures for enhanced grip
✔ Lighter feel compared to premium key actions (e.g., Yamaha P-515’s NWX or Roland FP-90X’s PHA-50)
While the PX-S1100’s key action is impressive for its size, it feels slightly lighter than real acoustic pianos. Advanced players who prefer a heavier, more resistant keybed may find it less satisfying than Roland’s PHA-4 Standard or Kawai’s RHCII.
That said, for beginners and intermediate players, the PX-S1100 offers an enjoyable and expressive playing experience.
Sound: Enhanced AiR Engine with Improved Clarity
The Casio PX-S1100 uses an updated version of Casio’s AiR Sound Engine, featuring:
✔ Improved grand piano tone with better clarity in mid and high frequencies
✔ 192-note polyphony, ensuring no note dropouts during complex pieces
✔ 18 instrument sounds, including electric pianos, organs, strings, and basses
✔ Enhanced speaker system (8W x 2), offering a more balanced and powerful sound
The PX-S1100’s grand piano tone is rich and detailed, with good dynamic expression. However, it lacks the deep resonance modeling found in more expensive models like the Roland FP-90X or Kawai ES920.
For home practice and casual playing, the built-in speakers are surprisingly good, but for live performances, an external amplifier or high-quality headphones will provide a better experience.
Functions & Features: More Than Just a Digital Piano
Despite being a budget-friendly model, the PX-S1100 includes several useful features:
- Layer and Split Modes – Play two sounds together (e.g., piano + strings) or assign different sounds to each hand.
- Duet Mode – Splits the keyboard into two equal ranges for teacher-student lessons.
- Built-in Metronome and Recording Function – Handy for practice sessions.
- Chordana Play App Compatibility – Allows deeper control over sound settings and built-in rhythms.
However, unlike some competitors like the Yamaha P-125, the PX-S1100 lacks built-in rhythm accompaniments, which could have added more versatility.
Connectivity: A Major Upgrade with Bluetooth Audio
One of the most exciting upgrades in the PX-S1100 is built-in Bluetooth Audio, allowing you to stream music directly through the piano’s speakers. This is a huge plus for casual playing and practice, setting it apart from Yamaha and Roland models in the same price range.
Other Connectivity Options:
✔ Bluetooth MIDI for wireless connection to music apps
✔ USB MIDI and Audio Interface – Record directly to a DAW without extra cables
✔ Dual headphone jacks – Great for silent practice or duets
✔ Sustain pedal input (included) & optional 3-pedal unit for a full piano experience
Compared to the PX-S1000, the PX-S1100 improves Bluetooth stability and sound transmission, making it more reliable for wireless use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✔ Sleek, ultra-slim design (world’s slimmest 88-key digital piano)
✔ Authentic key action with textured surfaces
✔ Improved AiR sound engine with rich piano tones
✔ Built-in Bluetooth Audio & MIDI for seamless wireless use
✔ Lightweight and highly portable (ideal for small spaces & gigging musicians)
✔ USB audio interface for direct DAW recording
✔ Affordable price with good value for features
Cons
✖ Key action feels slightly lighter than higher-end models
✖ Lacks built-in drum rhythms and accompaniments
✖ Speakers are good for home use but lack power for performances
✖ Glossy surface attracts fingerprints
Value for Money: Is the PX-S1100 Worth It?
At around $700-$800, the Casio PX-S1100 offers excellent value for what it provides. It’s one of the best digital pianos in its price range, offering a great balance of portability, sound, and features.
✔ Best for: Beginners, intermediate players, and musicians needing a slim, stylish, and portable digital piano.
✔ Not ideal for: Advanced players seeking the most realistic key action or those needing powerful built-in speakers for performances.
Compared to competitors:
- Roland FP-30X (~$800-$900) has a heavier, more realistic key action but lacks Bluetooth Audio.
- Yamaha P-125 (~$700-$800) offers great sounds but a more traditional, bulkier design.
For those prioritizing a modern, portable, and feature-rich digital piano, the PX-S1100 is an excellent choice.
Final Verdict: A Compact Powerhouse with Smart Features
The Casio PX-S1100 is a fantastic option for players who want a slim, stylish digital piano without compromising on sound and playability. While it may not have the most advanced key action or the most powerful speakers, it excels in portability, modern features, and overall value.
Final Score: 9/10 – A top-tier choice for home users, beginners, and musicians on the move.
Useful Tips on Choosing the Best Digital Piano
1. Number of keys
This is an important aspect when it comes to digital pianos, because they range from 88 keys down to 25 keys. For those people who are serious about learning to play the piano, buying an 88 keys model is be the best option. Yes, you can start out with a model with less keys, but you will ultimately have to upgrade to a full 88 key piano. So, financially wise, yous should go for a full model right from the start.
2. The sound that the keys often produce
You have to be careful at the sound that the keys produce when deciding on whether to buy the digital piano or not. Many people often ignore this important feature without knowing how it affects the quality of sound when playing the piano. Remember that the quality of music that you produce also depends on the type of keys that your piano has. Most models produce a certain “click” sound when pressed, but some of the better models, like the Casio PX850 and the Yamaha YDP-V240, have this problem taken care of.
3. Quality of the display
If you go for a digital piano with a display you should mind certain aspects. The display should always show you the functions and spelling when playing your piano. This will help you enhance the quality of sound that you produce, making it easy for you to compose better sounding music.
4. Amplification process
The amplification process often determines the quality of sound that your piano produces, at the same time affecting the quality of music that you play. This is why it is important to take into consideration this important factor when buying a digital piano. Make sure you choose a piano with a good amplification technology, especially if you want to play for more people.
5. Action of the digital piano
The quality of sound that the weighted as well as semi-weighted keys of a piano produce should be another point when deciding which model to purchase. Some of the better models have fully weighted keys, which means the sound of the key depends on the way you press it down. Remember that weighted keys may sometimes be a little more costly when compared to the semi-weighted keys; however, this will result in a richer experience when playing the instrument, both for the pianists and audience.
6. Connectivity
Digital pianos come with a MIDI performance functionality. This feature enables you to connect you digital piano to different musical instruments, music players and even computers. Thanks to this feature it’s also possible to add new music and software to the digital piano. Some models also feature USB ports for added convenience.
7. Cost of piano & reputation of manufacturer
The price of the digital piano should help you make the best buying decision. Remember that you do not need to buy these pianos from expensive dealers when you can find similar pianos at a better price online. In addition, you should also do your research on the manufacturer’s reputation. This will always help you make the best choice whenever you’re looking for a high quality digital piano.
More Digital Piano Reviews
To answer the question “which is the best digital piano on the market?” we must sort out different aspects that make a difference, to give you, our reader, the best digital piano that will surely meet your needs and make you feel great about your choice.
Casio PX850 Privia Digital Piano

Our choice for the best digital piano must be Casio PX870 Privia. Apart from the fact that it has the best value for money ratio, it is the best choice for a piano between the small digital keyboard and the acoustic piano. It is the best choice for beginners as it offers the same features as an acoustic piano but at a much lower cost. It has a great design and dimensions that will fit even in smaller places. Weighing 81.4 lbs, it’s not necessarily the portable kind but moving it shouldn’t be a tremendous effort for two people. Built similar to an acoustic piano, it offers many more features that cannot be found in this price range at many models.
Roland RD-300NX Digital Piano

We selected the Roland RD-300NX Digital Piano for those of you who want to take it to the next level. This is a professional tool that is best suited for those who want to play to large crowds or take their piano lessons to the stage. It’s a fine musical instrument for people who are really serious about it, having a higher than average price tag. The good part is that the high price tag is perfectly justified. It’s a lot of technology packed in a portable size of only 38.2 lbs. It’s well suited for frequent change of location. Feeling and sounding like an acoustic piano, this is the perfect choice for musicians.
Yamaha P-105WH Digital Piano

We were very pleasantly surprised by Yamaha P-105WH Digital Piano. It’s portable and very easy to use, having many different functions, which makes it perfect for everyone, from beginners to the more advanced pianists. Besides the fact that it has the sound of a Yamaha grand piano which can be heard on many big stages, it also has a number of preset rhythms which can accompany you and make you sound great. It’s very fun and also has a nice design. It has many similar features from the ARIUS YDP-V240, a digital piano from Yamaha in a different price range. Compared between them, the ARIUS is playing in another league, but the P-105WH found its place in the top 3 because of its value for money and functionality.
Best Digital Piano Brands
Like every other industry, the world of digital pianos is also ripe with a multitude of brands. Each of them has a different background, and its own strengths and weaknesses. So, which brand you reckon would be the best in this ever growing industry? Pretty confusing right?
We took an initiative and decided to go a bit deeper to find out exactly which of these several digital piano makers, can be considered as the top ones. The result is laid before you, where we have assorted the best 4 digital piano brands in our opinion. Take a look!
1. Casio

There was a time when this Japanese brand was known only for its (somewhat low-quality) calculators, watches and children’s keyboards. But times (and technology) changed, and Casio is now known as one of the premier brands in the digital piano market. This, by no small means, has been made possible by Casio’s continuous quest for innovation and better quality in their digital pianos range.
Casio’s digital pianos are known not only for their versatility, but also for their high affordability that makes them a favorite among students and beginners. Casio offers plenty of options for quality digital pianos, for every price range. Each of its pianos features the graded hammer action technology, excellent key action and sound quality.
Top Models Under $500: Casio PX150, Casio PX160
Top Models Under $1000: Casio CGP-700BK, Casio PX850, Casio PX750, Casio PX860
2. Yamaha

The best known of all digital piano brands. Yamaha offers digital pianos for everyone from beginners to professionals, and for both home and stage performances. They have been consisted over years, to constantly deliver quality digital pianos in their quest to make them sound as close as possible to the acoustic pianos.Their digital pianos are known for their reliable, sturdy and high performance.
Yamaha uses a CFIIIS 9-foot acoustic grand concert piano for retrieving their sound samples, which is the key to their amazing sound quality. Even with all their technological advancements and latest features, the Yamaha digital pianos remain quite affordable and provide excellent value for money.
Top Models Under $500: Yamaha P35B, Yamaha P45B
Top Models Under $1000: Yamaha DGX650B, Yamaha P105B, Yamaha P115B
Top Models Under $2000: Yamaha Arius YDP181
3. Roland

They are built to satisfy the professional pianists out there. Roland digital pianos are known for their very realistic sound and feel, and robust build. Whether it is an entry level or top of the line piano, Roland always delivers on the quality and durability front.
Roland’s stage piano range (RD and FP range) are constantly ranked among the best digital pianos, and are considered ideal for pros who have to travel a lot. This is due to the diligent effort put forth by the Roland to find innovations in sound sampling, tone selection and more. No matter the skill level, price or any other personal preference, Roland always delivers with a quality and reliable product.
Top Models Under $1000: Roland A-88, Roland F-20
Top Models Under $2000: Roland RD-300NX, Roland FP-80
4. Kawai

Kawai offers the best of both worlds in terms of quality and affordability. With an ever growing range of digital pianos, Kawai is known for setting high standards for the entire industry to follow. What’s more, you can easily find a cheaper Kawai that offers the same features as a Yamaha or a Roland, across various price ranges.
Using their grand and upright pianos, Kawai delivers a comparable performance quality in their digital variants, with precision and dedication. It emulates the touch and key action present in their acoustic pianos, to extract a similar performance along with modern features and looks. Wooden-key actions, Harmonic Imaging sound technology, USB digital audio and the unique Soundboard Speaker System are just a few of the innovations found in Kawai’s digital pianos and keyboards.
Top Models Under $1000: Kawai ES100
Top Models Under $2000: Kawai CE220, Kawai KDP90
Benefits of Choosing a Digital Piano
- Variety
Digital Pianos feature a great variety of sounds and sound effects, with the push of a button. From different piano sounds to chords, you can choose from a large number of options, your creativity being the only limit. On top of this, digital pianos don’t require tuning as acoustic pianos would, and need little to no maintenance.
- Price
This is one of the most important aspects when considering the purchase of a piano. The price of a high quality grand piano can climb up to tens of thousands of dollars. An average acoustic piano, for instance, may cost the same as a high quality digital piano. Over this, the cost of transporting an acoustic piano adds to the piano’s price, which may sometimes be higher than you would expect. A digital piano ships free, which is ultimately saving you money.
- Size
A typical piano is the largest musical instrument. Moving it would require a hiring a team for the job because it’s a very complicated task. Some of the larger pianos need to be taken apart as well. The bill would start from several hundreds of dollars upward. A digital piano, on the other hand, is a lightweight, portable instrument. Even some of the largest ones don’t exceed dimensions and weight that would be an obstacle for two people to move it more or less easily.
- Accessibility
This is an important aspect of digital pianos. Recording a song played on the piano used to be very difficult in the past. With technology dominating diverse fields, especially music, it is extremely easy for a pianist to connect to a PC or a Laptop and record all of his compositions. More than that, he can analyze his work and tailor his songs to perfection. Connecting as easy as using the USB ports, pianos can connect to many devices, such as sound systems.
Conclusion
Now that you have read our guide on choosing the best digital piano and have seen our top picks, it’s up to you to decide which one meets your needs, budget and lifestyle. You can also consult the comparison guide if you would like to see a broader selection of the best digital pianos. You can be sure of one thing, neither of the recommended pianos will disappoint you, the choice ultimately comes down to your personal needs. We hope we made your choosing process easier and that you can make an informed decision when purchasing a digital piano.
My nine-year-old son wants to have his own piano at home. Since I enrolled him to a piano lesson two months ago, it’s great that he already love it. Because of that, I had to look for good digital pianos online. It’s great to know that the digital types has push button feature with variety of sounds and effects.