Do you love playing piano, but sometimes wish that you had one capable of traveling with you and taking up less space? A digital piano (a.k.a. weighted keyboard) may be exactly the solution you have been needing. Digital pianos are brilliantly engineered to simulate acoustic pianos – they also typically require less maintenance and are more affordable when compared to their acoustic counterparts.
For the amateur pianist, shopping for a digital piano can be overwhelming with the various types, features, and benefits available on the market today.
Pro tip: Most high-quality digital pianos will have between 76 and 88 keys, transposition software, headphone outputs, recording capabilities, and should be USB MIDI compatible.
Below you will find the ultimate buyer’s guide to the best five digital pianos available: an extensive breakdown of the features and capabilities for the best keyboards that money can buy. For ease of comparison, these five pianos have been divided into different price categories.
1. Under $300: Yamaha YPG-235
Amazon rating: 4.5 Stars
Accessories included: None
This digital piano effortlessly offers the most benefits for pianists on a budget – both novice and experienced. The impressive 76-key Yamaha YPG-235 is designed to be fully portable and only weighs in at a moderate 18 pounds. The elegant piano-style keys are weighted with a graded soft touch technology. A couple of favorite features include the built-in recorder and a pitch bend wheel.
Intermediate-level pianists can take advantage of the keyboards’ education software – the Yamaha Education Suite. In addition to intuitive lessons and other training materials, the Yamaha YPG-235 is equipped with Performance Assistant Technology that will sneakily help you “cheat” your way to an error-free performance.
With 361 different sound types (or voices) you will have plenty of room to grow and experiment with this digital piano. The extensive music database boasts 300 keyboard setups, all arranged by song title. A built-in sequencer allows you to record up to six tracks – great for students and amateur composers alike.
2. $300-$500: Casio CAS PX150BK
Amazon rating: 4.5 Stars
Accessories included: Power adapter, music stand, single pedal attachment
Along with Yamaha, Casio is one of the most renowned and reliable brands in modern digital pianos. The Casio CAS PX150BK trades in many of the “extras” such as LED screens and excessive sound effects for an affordable yet realistic acoustic sound and feel. The 88 weighted keys are craftily covered with rich Ebony and Ivory textures.
Each key is tri-sensor scaled, meaning that there are three individual sensors on each key to enable better and faster tone emulation. The sound source uses Casio’s revolutionary “Acoustic and intelligent Resonator,” or AiR, to replicate the effects of playing an acoustic piano. The Casio CAS PX150BK is even equipped with a Damper Resonance simulator to mimic the audible tone differentiations caused by pedal usage.
Weighing in at a mere 20 pounds, this digital piano is easily transportable and will fit in small apartments, studios, and vehicles. There are 18 built-in sound types and 60 preset songs to encourage experimentation. Also, there are ten recording tracks available – ideal for composers and the naturally curious.
3. $500-$700: Yamaha P Series P105B
Amazon rating: 4.5 Stars
Accessories included: Power adapter, single pedal attachment
A long-time favorite among professional pianists, the Yamaha P Series P105B boasts authentic sounds sampled from the notorious CFIIIS concert grand Yamaha piano. People who bought this digital piano claim it is the closest you can get to playing a concert-quality piano without breaking the bank. While most professionals typically use an external speaker system for performances, the built-in speakers offered with this unit are efficient enough to use at most small venues.
The Yamaha P Series P105B is also portable, weighing only 36 pounds. Make no mistake – shortcuts were not taken in making this digital piano travel-ready. Many musicians buy this model for the sound quality alone, and it is even high-end enough to use in a modest recording studio. In addition to the USB port that comes standard on most superior digital pianos, this model also includes an AUX port for easy connectivity to other devices.
The 88 gorgeous keys are weighted with Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action. This is one of the most noticeable differences when compared to the pianos in the previous price ranges. The weighted keys, combined with the life-like sound, provide a more realistic acoustic piano playing experience. If you are a die-hard fan of acoustic pianos, this digital version could be the one to change your mind.
4. $700-$900: Yamaha DGX650B
Amazon rating: 5 Stars
Accessories included: Power adapter, keyboard stand, music stand
Even though this digital piano is available only at a higher price point, it is still an excellent choice for novice pianists. The Yamaha DGX650B is packed full of features that any professional musician could appreciate but is also very beginner-friendly. This model is a piano that somebody just starting out could “grow” in to.
There are some play-along songs included with the Yamaha DGX650B, along with educational materials such as the “Smart Chord” technology – Smart Chord enables the playing of an entire chord while pressing only one key. The Style Recommender will offer personalized feedback based on the way you play by suggesting beat tracks and tone styles.
The sound quality is right on par with what you would expect from a digital piano in this price range: sound clips are sampled from the CFIIIS concert grand Yamaha piano. All 88 keys are weighted with GHS action and include Damper Resonance simulation. The Yamaha DGX650B weighs an impressive 83 pounds, which does pose a bit of an inconvenience when trying to transport from one place to another.
5. $900 and Up: Casio Privia PX-850 Bundle
Amazon rating: 4.5 Stars
Accessories included: Power adapter, three pedal attachments, playing bench, headphones, two instrument cables, polishing cloth, instructional DVD
If you are looking for the ultimate, happily ever after, top-of-the-line digital piano: the Casio Privia PX-850 is exactly what you have been looking for. This model is a serious investment, but the professional pianists who already own it say that they cannot imagine living without it. While this digital piano is the most expensive unit on this list, it wins first place in the categories of realism and quality.
The 88 weighted keys are luxuriously textured to feel like real Ivories and Ebonies. This model boasts the innovative Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR, complements of Casio. Weighing in at one pound shy of 100, including the life-like attached stand, the Casio Privia PX-850 is anything but travel-friendly (although it can be moved if necessary.)
A unique feature of this model is the grand piano lid simulation, which enables to a player to choose from open, partially open, closed, and removed sound effects. There are 18 various sound types included with the Casio Privia PX-850. This particular bundle pack also includes a bench, three pedals, headphones, two cables, a polishing cloth, and an instructional DVD.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
Many of the pianos included on this list may not come standard with many accessories you will likely need to make the most of your digital piano playing experience. If you are a beginner or are purchasing a digital piano for somebody else, make sure you also order the following accessories:
- Power adapter
- Keyboard stand
- Quality headphones
- Instrument cables
- External speakers
- Music holder/stand
- Bench seat
- Digital piano cover
- Pedal attachments
Digital Pianos are Investments
To get the most life from your digital piano, be sure to follow proper care and maintenance procedures:
Dusting: Always cover your keyboard when not in use. Over time, large accumulations of dust and other debris can cause serious damage to your instrument. Routinely wipe with a microfiber cloth and remove residual finger oils from the keys.
Placement: Do not place your digital piano near a window or in direct sunlight. Fluctuations in temperature and excessive UV rays will severely damage any digital piano (along with acoustic pianos.) If limited space dictates placement near a window, invest in an insulating curtain to protect your piano from the elements.
Behaviors: Use common sense when near your digital piano. Do not place drinks or any other liquids nearby. If expecting guests, take adequate precautions to protect your keyboard from accidental damage. Also, always unplug your unit when not in use.
When you invest in a new instrument, you naturally want to make sure you are getting the best possible quality your budget will allow. These five digital pianos represent the best of the best in every price category. While there may be cheaper or gimmicky versions on the market, it is smart to invest in an instrument that will serve you well for many years to come. If properly maintained, a good digital piano can last nearly a lifetime.
