Are you a beginner looking for the best digital pianos on the market this year?
A digital piano can be a great choice for beginners, and we’ll explain why in this article.
However, not all digital pianos will be suitable for those that are new to the skill.
Don’t worry – we’re here to help!
This article will talk you through the ten best digital pianos for beginners, including some of their key features, their price points, and their overall benefits.
We will then discuss what a digital piano is and how it’s different from a keyboard, why they’re a great idea for a beginner pianist, how to choose the best one for you, what features they have, what factors you should think about, and finally how much you should spend.
We hope that this article helps you on your journey to perfecting your piano skills and that you find a great digital piano in this list.
10 Best Digital Pianos for Beginners Reviewed
To ensure that only the best beginner digital pianos make it into our guide, we put each instrument through rigorous tests.
- Playability: The primary test evaluates the piano’s playability, focusing on key action and the physical feel of the keys. It’s crucial for the digital piano to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, not just a keyboard. The texture of the keys is also examined, with top digital pianos replicating the feel of real ivory and ebony for an authentic experience.
- Sound Quality: We assess the quality of inbuilt voices and the frequency range of the speakers. Although digital pianos can’t perfectly emulate the vast tonal range of acoustic pianos, with modern technology, they should come close. We also test the sound quality through headphones since many players use them for practice.
- Additional Features: The evaluation doesn’t stop at playability and sound. We also test other features like pedals, audio outputs, MIDI compatibility, and any associated apps to determine how they stack up against competitors in their price range.
Let’s begin!
1. Yamaha P145 – Overall Best Digital Piano for Beginners
The Yamaha P145 is one of the best digital pianos on the market for building technique and skill, making it perfect for beginners.
This has been verified by many piano teachers, and the Yamaha brand can always be trusted.
At only just over eleven kilograms, its compact design makes it extremely portable which is just what a beginner needs if they want to take it to lessons or school.
It doesn’t come with a stand, but this can easily be bought separately without breaking the bank.
The P145 features a Graded Hammer Compact – GHC – keyboard and eighty-eight keys, which essentially makes it feel just like an acoustic.
A GHC keyboard means that each of the keys has a hammer inside, just like an acoustic piano, and the hammers are also graded (i.e. they’re heavier on the low end and lighter on the high end).
This adds to the comfort while you play.
Its comparable nature to an acoustic is extremely beneficial for beginners who are trying to improve their technique and work their way up to the real thing.
When you do reach that point, you’ll be well-versed and it won’t feel alien to you.
It comes with many features despite its affordable price, including a Metronome, a sustain pedal, two modes (dual and duo), ten preset voices, four types of reverb effects, two seven-watt amplifiers, and two speakers.
As a beginner, the lack of connectivity options shouldn’t get in your way.
You may look at upgrading for this reason when you become an intermediate or advanced pianist, but for now, focus on technique with this great digital piano.
Yamaha’s attention to detail on this model didn’t waver!
The speakers have been angled precisely to replicate the sound reflection you’d hear on a grand piano’s soundboard.
There’s also a Sound Boost Function for adding a little extra power to your sound.
This along with the voices, which range from grand piano to vibraphone, keep it fun and exciting.
One of the best things about this digital piano is that it can connect to Yamaha’s Smart Piano app, which helps you control the piano while also giving you over three hundred classical pieces to practice.
The P145 costs around $450 to $550, which is a very reasonable price for your first digital piano but not so cheap that it’s weak and flimsy.
Yamaha got it right with this one and managed to balance affordability with high quality.
2. Kawai ES120
The Kawai ES120 caters to a slightly different range of needs than the above digital piano, but that doesn’t make it any less perfect for beginners.
It has been made for excellent sound quality but at an affordable price.
With a Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) Action keyboard, it feels just like an acoustic piano and allows you to get used to playing the real thing.
This authentically cushions the keys, reducing clunkiness.
If you want to take it a step further, it also has the premium tone of the SK-EX Grand Piano!
It also features the sound of the Kawai K-60, created using their impressive Harmonic Imaging Technology.
It comes with twenty-five preset voices, registration memories, a limited range of effects, damper resonance, dual, Smart mode, tuning, low volume balance, and speaker EQ among many more great functions.
It also includes a metronome and a sustain pedal, two ten-watt amplifiers, and two powerful speakers.
This makes it one of the best beginner digital pianos for high sound quality.
The speakers were redesigned to go from fourteen watts to twenty watts, which is pretty impressive and gives you a lot of scope.
But if you’d rather practice at a softer volume, their low-volume balance features have got you.
You can even practice with headphones, which ensures you have an open tone that doesn’t hurt or strain your ears.
It also includes Bluetooth, so you can play audio from your piano, connect to external speakers, practice along with a backing track on your phone, and watch tutorial videos wirelessly.
This model includes six reverbs; a small piano rehearsal room, a piano lounge, a small hall, a large concert hall for classical music, a large hall for live music performances, and a large cathedral.
Weighing in at twelve and a half kilograms, it’s pretty lightweight and compact so a beginner can carry it around wherever they need to!
It doesn’t come with a stand, though, so this may need to be bought separately if that’s what you want.
Essentially, it is an introductory piano that brings you some of the premium benefits of a more advanced model, at a fraction of the price.
Everything about the ES120 is sleek and streamlined, from the design and look down to the volume slider matching your finger shape.
It is a little more expensive than other beginner models, sitting at around $950.
However, the Kawai ES120 gives you several features that you only usually get on more advanced digital pianos.
These extra features aren’t totally necessary but can be very advantageous when it comes to practicing your skills and bettering yourself as a pianist.
3. SDP-1 by Gear4Music
If you’re looking for a portable piano, the SDP-1 is a great option! It’s significantly smaller and has fewer keys than many other versions, but it’ll suffice for a complete novice who’s just learning the instrument.
It contains 61 non-weighted keys and weighs only 5.5 kilograms, so you can just pick it up and carry it everywhere.
While the lack of weighted keys makes it difficult to compare to an acoustic piano, the full-sized keys do have six degrees of customizable sensitivity, allowing you to obtain a similar springy sensation.
It doesn’t have an abundance of features, but it does have eight sounds, several effects including Reverb, Chorus, Bass EQ, and Treble EQ, and a built-in metronome.
Because it is battery-powered, you can even use it outside if you want to practice in the sun or do some street busking!
It also comes with two ten-watt speakers, an adjustable X-frame, and a headphone jack.
This is an excellent alternative for complete novices and children who require a lightweight instrument to practice on, and the variety of sounds and instruments – two piano sounds, two electric pianos, rock and church organ, vibraphone, and harpsichord – make it enjoyable and simple to learn.
Priced between $190 and $250, it is an affordable way to get started on your piano journey.
4. Kawai KDP120
The Kawai KDP120 does a great job of replicating that authentic acoustic piano feel.
It has pretty extensive features for the first digital piano, and its Responsive Hammer Compact II full-sized keyboard with Improved Cushioning Material makes it largely comparable to an acoustic.
Thanks to Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging, you get the full sound of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand, ensuring that it both feels and sounds like a grand piano fit for a concert.
It comes with fifteen preset voices, and a plethora of functions and effects, including but not limited to: Damper resonance, reverb, touch, low volume balance, tuning, transpose, brilliance, spatial headphone sound, phones type, auto power off, Bluetooth MIDI, transmit program change number, MIDI channel, local control, multi-timbral mode, dual, four hands, and lesson.
It also includes a metronome and three pedals (sustain, soft, and sostenuto), two ten-watt amplifiers, and two speakers.
They really paid attention to the detail of an acoustic piano, with key-off effect, hammer delay, and top board simulation.
The reason that this digital piano is so great for beginners is that the lesson function supports you as you improve your skills, and you progress onwards as you improve.
At thirty-seven kilograms, it’s not very portable, however, it’s a sturdy, non-flimsy model.
It’s great for those who don’t want to have to upgrade their piano as they progress from beginner to intermediate and onwards to advanced.
It also supports Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and this is great to pair with Kawai’s PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps for settings, scores, and lessons to try out.
The only downside is that it’s one of the more expensive digital pianos on this list, at around $1,499.
However, this is a hardy piano that’ll stick with you as you progress and grow as a pianist and should be looked at as an investment.
5. Casio CDP S110
The Casio CDP S110 is a brilliant digital piano made to be portable for students.
Weighing in at just over ten kilograms and measuring two hundred and thirty-two millimeters deep, its lightweight design makes it great for beginners who want to bring it to lessons and school.
Despite its size, it boats eighty-eight keys and a Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II which gives it the authentic feel that you would get from an acoustic piano.
It also comes with a music stand, so you can practice songs and scales anytime.
It features ten preset voices, Reverb and Chorus effects, an included Metronome, a Sustain Pedal, two eight-watt amplifiers, and two speakers for great sound quality.
The most interesting thing about this model is that Casio asked over one hundred piano teachers what they believed to be the most important aspect of a digital piano.
Over eighty percent answered that it was the feel of the instrument, and they took this onboard to create the most authentic yet student-friendly digital piano they could.
The keys also have a fine-grained finish which reduces slippage and gives it a shiny, quality look.
It is MIDI enabled with USB connectivity and also works with the Casio Music Space App.
The app boasts a wide range of songs to support you on your learning journey.
It is priced affordably, ranging from $349 to $499, making it easy to fit into your budget for a first-time pianist.
6. VISIONKEY-200
The VISIONKEY-200 is a portable digital piano that hosts a huge number of sounds to play around with and learn from.
There are no effects to tailor your sound with, but the sheer number of them more than makes up for it.
There are a whopping one hundred and twenty-eight to choose from, with eighty-three built-in rhythms and sixty-one songs in various genres to play along to.
This is highly beneficial for beginners because it’s engaging and easy to follow.
It has a full-sized (eighty-eight key) velocity-sensitive keyboard, with two ten-watt amplifiers and a sustain pedal.
This gives it a feel that is comparable to an acoustic and creates that gorgeous sound.
Another reason that the VISIONKEY-200 is so great for beginners is the Bluetooth connectivity, as well as the quarter-inch Jack and five-pin DIN pedal connections.
Your opportunities are endless!
You can use your digital piano as a set of speakers, connect your phone to play along to your favorite songs and practice in silence if you’re in a busy atmosphere.
There are a couple of different modes to choose from, which is perfect for beginners and learners!
With Dual mode, you can layer two different sounds to create a symphony or practice at the same time as a teacher or friend.
Split mode allows you to assign a voice to each hand, which gives a similar effect but works if you’re playing solo.
It even has an intuitive recorder so that you can show off your skills, listen for imperfections, or layer your playing to create a song.
A lot of beginner digital pianos don’t have this feature, so this is pretty great!
The recording device also allows you to remember those moments of inspiration for budding songwriters.
You’ll never forget an idea again! And it’s easy to build on thanks to the multitude of sounds.
Priced between $200 and $250, this is an extremely affordable digital piano with extensive features that are handy for beginners.
7. Casio PX 770
The PX 770 by Casio sits at a slightly higher price point than some of the other digital pianos on this list, but it boasts a range of sounds and textures that are great for beginners.
The Tri-Sensor II Hammer Action keyboard, full-sized with eighty-eight keys, gives it that acoustic piano feel that we keep talking about using three sensors.
Paired with Casio’s acoustic and intelligent resonator technology, it sounds just like a grand piano.
They replicated the tunes of a nine-foot concert grand, creating a dynamic and satisfyingly realistic sound.
This keeps a learner inspired and will prepare you if you ever want to move on to a real acoustic grand piano.
It features nineteen preset voices, a few effects such as Reverb, Chorus, Brilliance, and DSP, a built-in metronome, and a sustain pedal.
These sound high quality with the two eight-watt amplifiers and two speakers.
The downside to this digital piano is that it’s not very portable, weighing in at over thirty-one kilograms.
However, it’s sturdier than some of the portable models so it really depends on personal preference!
It comes with a choice of ten classical melodies, which means you can play along with symphonies or even pretend you’re performing a duet!
The PX 770 also works with the Casio Music Space app, which includes lessons and exercises to help you learn.
Overall, this is a great mid-high-range digital piano for beginners if you can stretch your budget a little!
It costs around $700, which is still a pretty good price for a digital piano.
8. VISIONKEY-100
The VISIONKEY-100 is one of the best pianos for total beginners, and its easily portable nature makes it perfect for taking to class!
It weighs under five kilograms, making it the lightest digital piano on this list.
It’s essentially a more affordable, less extensive version of the VISIONKEY-200 (discussed above), and its streamlined design is also nice to look at and means it’ll fit into any environment.
It has a velocity-sensitive keyboard and eighty-eight keys, as well as a sustain pedal, so it should feel nice to play.
The most appealing thing about this digital piano is the huge range of one hundred and twenty-nine sounds.
It may not have the extensive features that some of the other models on this list do, but it makes up for it.
It’s user-friendly and easy to get used to, with a handy LED screen that displays all of the presets.
As well as the sounds, it has one hundred and twenty-eight rhythms and thirty songs.
This is beneficial for beginners, keeping your learning fun while also giving you something to practice.
It hosts a range of connectivity options, including a USB port and Bluetooth so that you can connect your phone, speaker, or microphone.
Priced at $165.99, the VISIONKEY-100 is an affordable starter digital piano that will support your learning and let you jam out to a bunch of songs, all in a neat, compact package!
9. Roland FP 10
This entry-level digital piano is a great choice for beginners thanks to its awesome keyboard and high-quality sound system.
The Roland FP 10 is also portable if you disconnected it from the stand, weighing just over twelve kilograms.
The keyboard that Roland chose to use is the PHA-4 Standard Keyboard with Escapement and Ivory Feel, with eighty-eight keys to help you feel like you’re playing a real grand piano which means you won’t pick up bad habits.
The hammer action mechanism is a lot quieter than it was in previous models, too.
This means you can focus on the beautiful sound instead of clunky keys.
It also features a SuperNATURAL sound system, which gives a realistic and detailed sound out of the two speakers and amplifiers.
This comes alongside a built-in metronome and sustain pedal.
With fifteen sounds, ambiance, and brilliance effects, as well as a twin piano mode for practicing with a friend or teacher.
Overall, the Roland FP 10 is a great way to learn piano in a pretty affordable and simple way!
Costing between $450 and $500, it isn’t the cheapest on this list but it’s still a decent, mid-ranged price for your first digital piano.
10. Korg SP-280
The Korg SP-280 is a digital piano for beginners with a unique aesthetic!
It features a rounded edge design that most other digital pianos don’t, so you can decide whether it fits into your environment.
One of the downsides is that it isn’t quite as portable as some of the other starter models, weighing almost twenty kilograms.
Still, this isn’t a deal breaker at all, as it’s still possible to take it to performances and classes.
The eighty-eight key, naturally weighted hammer action keyboard gives that smooth feeling that you get from an acoustic piano.
It also features thirty sounds and thirty demo songs, along with reverb, chorus, and brilliance effects.
The sustain pedal and metronome make it easy to practice your skills the way you want to.
It also features impressive twenty-two-watt amplifiers and two speakers, so the sound quality will be excellent.
Korg made the SP-280 with beginners in mind, so it’s definitely a great choice for a starter digital piano for beginners.
It’s relatively affordable, costing between $600 and $700.
This is a mid-priced digital piano that you’re going to want to try out.
What Is a Digital Piano?
The main purpose of a digital piano is to replace an acoustic piano and to mimic its sound and feel.
It is an electronic keyboard instrument that utilizes technology to do this.
To make them sound as lifelike as possible, they frequently employ samples of real acoustic grand pianos.
What Is the Difference Between a Keyboard & a Digital Piano?
The fundamental distinction between keyboards and digital pianos is that the latter uses weighted keys, whilst the former has spring-loaded, bouncy keys that only allow for one level of volume.
While still electronic and utilizing technology, a digital piano can produce a variety of tones depending on how firmly the keys are pressed, making it similar to an acoustic piano.
Why Do Instructors Recommend Digital Pianos for Beginners?
As with learning any new skill, it can be easy to pick up bad habits when you first start learning piano.
A digital piano helps you build your technique as if you were playing an acoustic grand piano, without the poor technique that sometimes comes along with keyboards due to the different feel.
The weighted keys help with wrist posture and finger strength, which means that at examinations you won’t have any unwelcome surprises when you switch to an acoustic.
Many digital pianos also have dual and duet modes, which splits the keyboard in half so your teacher can practice right next to you.
This allows them to see what your fingers are doing while also playing along with you.
These points, along with all of the features of digital pianos that we’ve discussed, are why instructors recommend digital pianos for beginners.
They ensure that your skills are fully transferable to an acoustic, which is usually the goal.
How to Choose the Best Beginner’s Digital Piano for You
There are four major considerations when selecting a digital piano that will meet your demands and provide the greatest experience:
1. Budget
The price range of digital pianos on the market is significant, so this is an important consideration.
We’ll get into the specifics down below.
2. Features
A beginner may not require too much fancy technology or recording capabilities, but rather a working piano that allows them to practice their skills.
Below we’ll discuss what each feature means and why it may be important.
3. Goals
As a beginner who has taken up something new, a less expensive model may suffice for practicing and honing your talents.
Consider your objectives and keep them in mind.
4. Space
Are you looking for a compact digital piano for your flat, or do you have a little more space to experiment with?
This is an important factor to consider when browsing.
Fortunately, the digital pianos on our list vary in size and shape, so there’s something for everyone.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Digital Piano for a Beginner?
For a beginner, there are a few benefits to choosing a digital piano over an acoustic one.
Here are some of the main benefits of choosing a digital piano:
Most of them are more affordable than acoustic pianos
For a beginner, you’re unlikely to be paying more than $1,000 for a digital piano (unless you choose a higher-range instrument).
Even some of the more expensive digital pianos cost less than low-priced acoustic pianos, so it’s an affordable way to learn how to play.
They have a high-quality sound
As previously said, technological advancements have enabled digital piano makers to create instruments with exceptional sound quality as well as high-def speakers.
Almost every digital piano now includes a set of sounds designed to resemble some of the world’s most-known grand pianos, such as the Bösendorfer.
This means you could be experiencing a true grand piano sound right in your living room for a fraction of the price.
They can feel the same as an acoustic piano
Digital piano keyboards are no longer lifeless, owing to modern technologies.
They have been developed to simulate the sensation of playing an acoustic piano, complete with weighted keys.
This is one of the main reasons why pianists prefer digital pianos over acoustic ones – they now feel quite similar to play.
You don’t need to tune them
An acoustic piano will need to be tuned once it has moved into your home, and then around once a year following that.
This costs money and takes time, and there will be periods of time when your piano isn’t sounding its best.
Rather than having to hire a professional tuner, you can simply leave your digital piano alone.
They require little to no upkeep, making them perfect for beginners who just want to learn to play the simple way without spending extra money or time.
They save space
Acoustic pianos are large and take up a lot of space, which doesn’t work for everyone.
Most digital pianos, on the other hand, are compact and streamlined yet still have a full-sized keyboard.
You can learn piano without compromising your home!
They have programmed-in sounds, instruments, and rhythms to help you learn
This is one of the most significant advantages for a newbie.
Whether you’re creating a song, learning how to play, or simply jamming along to a backing track, everything is at your fingertips, which an acoustic piano does not provide.
They feature new technology like headphones, Bluetooth, and speakers
This is a lifeline for today’s families.
If you want to practice without disturbing anyone around you, simply put in headphones and enjoy your artistic space.
When not in use, many individuals utilize their digital piano as a sound system, as most now include powerful speakers and the ability to connect to external speakers through Bluetooth.
You are able to link your phone via Bluetooth so you can tune in to a lesson while playing.
Of course, this isn’t a must, and it’s not a feature shared by all digital pianos, but it’s a nice bonus (particularly for kids).
They last a long time
People used to prefer acoustic pianos over digital pianos since they lasted much longer.
Digital pianos can now last anywhere from twenty to fifty years, so you won’t be racing to upgrade in a couple of years.
They come with additional accessories
This means you can personalize your experience!
They often come as full packages which include music stands, pedals, power supplies, and maybe even a headphone and a stool.
What Factors Should I Consider When Buying a Digital Piano for Beginners?
If you’re buying a digital piano for the first time, you should consider the keyboard that you choose.
Most teachers recommend one with eighty-eight keys, which is full-sized.
This ensures that you can transfer your skills to an acoustic.
Similarly, you likely want keys that are at least semi-weighted.
This is for the same reason as above and encourages good technique.
For a beginner, it’s beneficial to choose a digital piano with high-quality sounds and samples.
It’s best to go for quality over quantity, here, so you can hear what you should sound like and replicate it.
Finally, size is an important factor.
You need to make sure it fits into your home, and you need to decide whether you want it to be portable.
They come in a range of sizes and weights, so make sure to do your research.
Should I Order a Beginner’s Digital Piano Online?
In brief, ordering a digital piano online is safe.
But keep in mind that there are a few things you should think about before adding it to your shopping basket.
Keep in mind that it isn’t easy to return a piano through the mail!
You’ve now discovered your ideal digital piano online; it might even be one from our list!
If at all feasible, we do not recommend purchasing it immediately online.
It’s usually a good idea to walk into a store and try products out for comparison.
This isn’t always practicable, so it’s not essential.
You’re good to go as long as you’ve done all of your research and are certain about the size, color, and are satisfied with your pick.
There are benefits to purchasing a digital piano online.
You could come across one on sale, which saves you the trouble of going to every store in your neighborhood and checking their stock.
It’s always worth doing a quick Google search to get evaluations of your preferred model, and perhaps even watching a YouTube video to hear it in action.
What Are Weighted & Graded Keys?
Weighted keys are specially designed to simulate the resistance felt when touching the keys of an acoustic piano.
This is called action, and it indicates that they react smoothly to quick musical parts.
A graded keyboard means that, like an acoustic, the bass notes are heavier at the treble (right) end and lighter at the bass (left) end.
How Much Should I Spend on a Digital Piano?
For a starter piano, we recommend spending no more than $800.
This is easily doable with the wide range of models out there, and the low price point doesn’t affect the quality.
Of course, if you’re looking for a more hardy digital piano that’ll last longer as you progress, you could increase your budget to $1,000.
Which Digital Piano is Closest to an Acoustic Piano?
There are many digital pianos that are comparable to acoustic pianos.
The closest ones are the models that feature samples of real acoustic grand pianos, for example, the Kawai ES120 which samples the SK-EX Grand Piano.
Best Digital Pianos for Beginners – Final Thoughts
That concludes our article about the ten best digital pianos for beginners.
Digital pianos are a great way for beginners to get started with the skill, and each of these models is sure to support your learning.
We talked through some of the key pros and cons of each model and discussed price points as well as longevity.
We hope you found your dream instrument.
Enjoy playing!
