Do you want to know what digital pianos are available this year for less than $1000/£1000?
You can choose a digital piano that works for you, regardless of your budget!
Many excellent instruments with all the required capabilities are still available at this price point.
We’ve put together this article to help you discover the most affordable digital pianos because you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars of your hard-earned money to own a digital piano that you can enjoy.
In this article, we’ll examine the features and benefits of the top ten digital pianos available for less than $1000/£1000.
Then, we’ll go over the reasons why you might buy a digital piano, their quality at this price, what makes for a great digital piano, why you might think about buying used, which digital pianos you should buy for different ability levels, and the advantages and disadvantages of console-style versus portable.
10 Best Digital Pianos Under $1000/£1000 Reviewed
To ensure that only the best 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. Alesis Recital Grand / Prestige – Overall Best Digital Pianos Under $1000/£1000
One of the most affordable digital pianos available that doesn’t sacrifice quality is the Alesis Recital Grand/Prestige.
With a respectable maximum polyphony of 128 notes, it has eighty-eight full-size, weighted, graded hammer-action keys for fun and realistic play.
It has crimson felt accents around the top, which gives it a beautiful appearance, and the keys are tilted toward the player for added convenience.
Overall, this digital piano is quite expressive and expensive-looking without being pricey.
Additionally, it has sixteen sounds that sound fantastic through your two 25-watt speakers.
Additionally, it has a lot of connectivity options, including a USB-to-host connector, two stereo line outputs, two headphone outputs, a sustain pedal input, a pedalboard input, and a stereo aux input.
The variety of connecting possibilities makes it ideal for use as a stage piano.
It’s really simple to transport to performances because it only weighs about thirteen kilograms.
However, if you want a piano for your home, you can purchase a stand that will help it blend in flawlessly.
They are an inexpensive first digital piano, with prices ranging from $450 to $500 (£350 to £400).
2. Korg B2SP
The Korg B2SP is another great digital piano, with a full-sized, weighted keyboard with eighty-eight keys that use a Natural Weighted Hammer Action with a maximum polyphony of one hundred and twenty.
Beginners are able to quickly understand how to use the responsive keyboard, which has a gorgeously rich low end and brilliant high end.
It boasts quality above quantity while having only twelve sounds.
You can hear your work in high definition without spending a fortune with two fifteen-watt speakers.
It contains one headphone jack and a USB-to-host connection, so you’ll be able to practice in silence without disturbing people around you and, if you choose, follow along with a lesson.
Instead of the usual single pedal, it has three pedals: soft, sostenuto, and damper (with half-function), allowing you to practice as if on an actual acoustic piano.
Any home can accommodate its straightforward and efficient design.
It also comes with a stand, but you can easily take it apart if you want to use it somewhere else.
It also happens to be quite portable due to its relatively low weight of twenty-one kilograms.
Whether you want to take it around is entirely up to you, but it’s a reasonably priced approach to play using an authentic-sounding piano.
It’s a fantastic, straightforward instrument that causes you no fuss despite its lack of vast capabilities (such as effects and more sounds).
Overall, the Korg B2SP digital piano offers amazing value without sacrificing sound quality.
It’s excellent for individuals who are still discovering how to use digital pianos and want a hassle-free way to learn.
Depending on where you choose to buy it from and if you are getting the included stand, they can be purchased online for anywhere from $680 (or £479) and $860 (or £678).
It is thus firmly below the $1000/£1000 price point while yet being a high-quality digital piano.
3. Yamaha P-125
Yamaha‘s most popular portable model is the P-125 and for good reason!
It is the ideal instrument for taking to concerts or classes because it weighs under twelve kilograms.
If you want a console-style instrument for your house, you can buy an accompanying stand.
It gives you the experience of an actual acoustic piano without costing a fortune because of the graded hammer standard keyboard.
It is full-sized, has eighty-eight keys, and can play up to one hundred and ninety-two polyphonically, which is really astounding for a piano of this range.
It includes twenty-four high-quality sounds that are great for practicing while having fun.
They will sound fantastic thanks to Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine.
It’s a wonderful option for a performance piano thanks to the dual line inputs, two seven-watt speakers, USB to host, and sustain level input!
Although Bluetooth is not a feature, the numerous connectivity options more than make up for it.
It has earned its place as one of their most well-liked models and is one of the strongest lightweight digital pianos on this list.
It is an affordable investment, costing between $539 and $687 (£425 and £542).
It will last you for many years and demonstrates our belief that a fantastic digital piano doesn’t have to be expensive.
4. Roland FP-30X
A budget-friendly digital piano that prioritizes excellent performance is the Roland FP-30X.
The PHA-4 Standard Keyboard with Escapement and Ivory Feel, which has a maximum polyphony of 256 and eighty-eight weighted keys similar to an acoustic piano, is one of the best features.
It has a whopping fifty-six sounds, making it perfect for both novice and expert players, whether you’re honing your playing skills and having fun while learning or composing your own piece.
For performances, there are two eleven-watt speakers, and it also functions as a home audio system owing to Bluetooth Audio and MIDI connectivity.
With Bluetooth Audio and MIDI, you can connect to GarageBand or Roland’s very own ZenBeats to play music through the FP-30X’s speakers.
With the Roland SuperNATURAL piano sound engine, which is renowned for being robust and powerful, it is certain to provide you with the sound you desire for a fraction of the cost of an actual acoustic piano.
Additionally, there are two different-sized headphone outputs, left and right line outputs, USB to host and USB to device ports, as well as two pedal input connectors.
It weighs only fourteen kilograms and is able to be used with the three-pedal unit and optional stand to create a digital piano in the console style.
It also has an option specifically designed to enhance the sound when used on a desktop.
At $722.31/£569, it is quite reasonably priced, making it a great digital piano that won’t break the budget.
5. Casio PX-S1100
The Casio PX-S1100 is an ideal option if you’re looking for a small, portable digital piano.
Its ultra-slim design—the slimmest of its kind on the market!—makes it a stylish complement to any area, and its weight of just over eleven kilograms makes it easy to transport.
Despite being portable and lightweight, the Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard has eighty-eight weighted keys that give it a feel and sound similar to an acoustic piano.
It contains two speakers with a combined power of sixteen watts, and a maximum polyphony of one hundred and ninety, which will provide you with the sound you want.
You can also experiment with eighteen various sounds, all of which sound fantastic when played back through the upgraded AiR sound engine.
In addition to Bluetooth audio and MIDI, it has USB-to-host/device connectors, two headphone outputs, two line outputs, a sustain pedal input, and a variety of other connectivity possibilities.
An integrated Bluetooth adapter enables the Bluetooth connection, allowing you to connect your device and use the Chordana Play App to help with editing and teaching.
Additionally, there are sixty songs already loaded that can be useful while learning and practicing.
The Active Touch Panel Display has been upgraded by Casio, becoming glossier, more robust, and easier to operate than earlier editions.
It can also run on six AA batteries, which means you can use it for up to four hours without plugging it in.
For $630/£500, you can buy the Casio PX-S1100.
It is one of the greatest digital pianos available today under $1000/£1000, and its versatility and affordability make it a must-have.
6. Roland RP-102
The RP-102 features the classic look of Roland’s digital pianos but in a compact package.
With a full-sized eighty-eight key, weighted keyboard, and a maximum polyphony of one hundred and twenty-eight, it’ll bring you all of your piano needs.
It features a PHA-4 Standard keyboard with Escapement and Ivory Feel with three pedals – damper with half pedal function, Sostenuto, and soft – making it extremely comparable to an acoustic in both feel and sound.
It also features Roland’s SuperNatural Piano tones and comes with over two hundred songs built in.
The fifteen built-in sounds will sound great through the two six-watt speakers, and you can also connect your device and headphones through the two headphone jacks, the USB to host, or the USB to device ports.
It weighs over thirty-seven kilograms so it isn’t exactly portable, but it looks great as a console-style with a streamlined look.
The way this differs from some of the other digital pianos at this price point is that it comes with the stand and pedals included.
So while this may not be ideal as a portable piano, it is handy if you’re looking for a digital piano that will live in your home.
So as not to clutter up the sleek look, the settings are mainly accessible via Roland’s Piano Partner 2 app.
The app, which will connect to your RP-102 via Bluetooth, allows you to view sheet music, play along to backing rhythms, and even access flash card note identification games.
This is perfect for anyone who is trying to learn and brush up on their piano knowledge.
You can get all of this for around $888/£700, making it just as good a deal as some of the less expensive portable digital pianos that don’t come with a stand or pedals.
The RP-102 is the ideal piano for a home pianist.
7. Casio AP-270
The Casio AP-270 is designed to fit right into your home with an elegant look and built-in stand.
The Tri-Sensor Smart Scale Hammer Action keyboard (with the full eighty-eight keys) gives it that lovely feel that all digital piano users are searching for.
It has a max polyphony of one hundred and ninety-two and comes with three pedals – damper, sostenuto, and soft.
The traditional design makes it the perfect home piano, but with the features that an acoustic just doesn’t have.
With twenty-two high-quality sounds and a huge library of sixty built-in songs, it’s great for learning and performing alike.
Your creations will sound excellent out of the two eight-watt speakers, and there are also two headphone jacks and a USB port in case you’d rather practice in silence.
It is also compatible with the Chordana Play Piano app, which allows you to play along with lessons and learn new skills with ease.
Just connect your device via Bluetooth or USB, and get started!
While it is largely made to be an entry-level digital piano, it houses all of the features that anyone could wish for.
The AiR sound engine provides the piano sounds, and Concert Play brings ten orchestral pieces to learn.
It is an elegant, stylish model that features a sliding keyboard cover that keeps up the traditional look.
The Casio AP-270 brings you all of the above for just $950 or £750 (roundabout).
This makes it slightly more expensive than some other options in this list, but it’s still well within the budget and worth the spend!
8. Kawai KDP75
The Kawai KDP75 is perfect for an entry-level piano that feels just like an acoustic and has a lovely full sound.
It achieves this with a full-sized, eighty-eight key weighted Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and a max polyphony of one hundred and ninety-two, as well as featuring three pedals (damper, soft, and sostenuto).
It is great for beginners who are trying to learn since you have fifteen impressive sounds to practice along with.
It also has two nine-watt speakers which will complement your playing while you show off your skills to your family and friends!
The KDP75 proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy the tone of an acoustic piano.
It features the sound of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano, which proves that Kawai can make an affordable instrument without compromising the sound!
It is known to be a little basic, with very few connectivity options, but this generally isn’t a problem for beginners.
Besides, it makes up for it with sounds, songs, and general feel!
The KDP75 costs $999 or £787, which is just in the budget. This sleek and elegant piano is worth the spend.
9. Kawai ES120
The Kawai ES120 is a great portable piano that provides you with the experience of an acoustic piano, without the price tag.
The Responsive Hammer Compact key action with weighted and graded keys makes playing an absolute dream.
They focused on quality over quantity when it came to sounds.
There are only eight piano sounds to choose from, with one of them being the esteemed Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand Piano.
There are twenty-five other sounds, too, which will sound great out of the two ten-watt speakers.
This is a vast improvement to the previous models, and so the ES120 is a more sonically powerful digital piano for a fraction of the price.
If you prefer to use headphones, they’ve got you!
They used Spatial Headphone Sound technology, which essentially makes it sound more realistic and rich when cuts down on ear fatigue if you’re putting in long hours of practice.
You can reap all of the benefits of the ES120 for just $660/£520, which puts it at the low end of the price when compared to other models just like it.
10. Casio PX-S3100
The Casio PX-S3100 is an entry-level piano made for beginners and some intermediate players!
It’ll provide you with excellent touch response and very good sound quality, and this paired with its lightweight and portable style makes it perfect for gigging.
The PX-S3100 is a whopping forty-three percent smaller than its predecessors and weighs only twenty kilograms without surrendering quality.
It is one of the best and most popular portable Casio digital pianos.
There’s a whopping seven hundred tones to play around with, and two hundred rhythms which is pretty incredible for the price point.
Whether you’re traveling around and on the go or keeping it in one place, you’re sorted.
It runs by adapter, but can also be powered by six AA batteries which makes it even better as a portable digital piano.
Priced at just $842/£665, the PX-S3100 is an excellent choice for an affordable digital piano.
That ends our list of the ten best digital pianos under the $1000/£1000 price point!
Now, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about digital pianos on a budget.
Best Digital Pianos Under $1000/£1000 – Video Guide
Why Buy a Digital Piano?
There are lots of reasons why you would choose a digital piano over a keyboard, or even over an acoustic piano.
The biggest reason is that they are low maintenance (unlike their acoustic counterparts), while still maintaining a comparable sound and feel that a keyboard misses.
They also never need tuning, offer more than one piano sound, often come with a myriad of effects, and are usually portable and weigh very little.
They are much more affordable and space-saving than an acoustic piano, so it seems like a no-brainer.
They also come with connectivity options that an acoustic can’t offer, including headphone jacks and USB ports, and some even connect to various devices via Bluetooth and connect to apps.
Some can even be used as a sound system when they aren’t being played.
Digital pianos these days last for years, which used to be their main disadvantage over acoustic.
But not anymore!
Now you can use the same digital piano right through as you progress from beginner to advanced.
How Good Are Digital Pianos That Are Under $1000/£1000?
In today’s world, you can get an excellent quality digital piano for under $1000/£1000.
In fact, most teachers and websites will suggest that as a beginner, it’s not worth surpassing this budget.
For this price, you will get extensive sounds, increased polyphony, and a brilliant keyboard.
They’re also sturdy and non-flimsy, at the same time as being compact and made for carrying around.
They are often made with a sleek, streamlined look that will fit into any home without taking over the entire room.
The way that many manufacturers will keep costs down is by getting rid of large displays and instead creating an app that you can connect to via Bluetooth.
You can then control the settings of your digital piano from there, and you’re not paying for unnecessary hardware.
The apps are also super handy for learning skills and watching tutorials, which is an added bonus!
Nowadays you don’t even necessarily need to spend money on lessons (unless you’re taking exams).
Instead, you can simply learn from home by finding a subscription online.
Each of the digital pianos in this list boasts full eighty-eight key weighted and graded keyboards which replicate the mechanism of an acoustic piano, so the affordable price doesn’t skimp on quality.
In general, digital pianos that don’t surpass this budget are high-quality instruments with extensive features, proving that you don’t need to stretch your budget for a great digital piano (especially if you’re it’s a starter piano!).
What Makes a Great Digital Piano Under 1000?
There are lots of things that make a digital piano great, but this can be subjective.
It depends on your aims, goals, and general needs.
Still, there are a few factors that will help you to work out whether a particular digital piano is great for you.
The first thing that may catch your eye is the design of the digital piano.
They’ll often come in a range of colors, and each model will have a unique look.
This isn’t just about how it looks, though!
Some digital pianos will be lightweight and compact, so you can take them with you to school, performances, and elsewhere.
Not all will be portable like this and are made for a console set up in your home.
It’s of course important to think about the cost of the instrument, so if you’re looking to set your budget at $1000/£1000, it’s important to do some research and find out what models will offer you the functions that you desire.
The best digital pianos in any budget will set themselves above others by finding a perfect mix of excellent quality sound from a keyboard comparable to that of an acoustic.
Many pianists look for weighted keys and hammer action technology, as well as technology that produces the sound of a real acoustic grand piano.
Luckily, this isn’t too hard to find, even on a budget.
Still, this is all subjective.
A great digital piano for one person may not be great for another, and it’s all about finding a model that suits your needs and requirements.
The main thing is that you work out what you want in a piano and go from there.
Should I Buy a Used Digital Piano?
Second-hand digital pianos can be great for those who are looking at a model that is slightly above their price range.
As with everything, it’s important to do your research.
A lot of used digital pianos will still be in good nick (and some near-perfect condition), but you don’t want to end up with one that’s broken or not fully functional because you didn’t properly check it out!
Buying second-hand may allow you to get a better model for a fraction of the price, so you can spring for the higher-range digital pianos without breaking the bank.
Beginner vs Intermediate vs Advanced
Different digital pianos will cater to different skill levels, so it’s worth thinking about whether you fit into the beginner, intermediate, or advanced category.
This doesn’t always directly correlate to price, but sometimes it does.
Beginner pianists will likely be looking for a portable digital piano that will support their learning journey, with lots of functions that will help them build their skills.
They probably won’t be as concerned about the sound quality and don’t need a huge range of functions.
This will usually translate to lower-priced digital pianos.
Intermediate players may be looking a little more at the quality of sound and comparability to an acoustic while wanting to incorporate sounds and effects.
This could increase the price point that they’re looking at.
Advanced and professional players are more likely to be performing and composing, which means they might need a top-of-the-range digital piano with sounds, effects, excellent speakers, and a recording function.
If you buy a digital piano that doesn’t fit your skill level, you may either find it too complicated for practice or, on the other hand, too simple and easy.
Make sure to do your research on which functions are necessary.
But remember – this is all subjective and personal to you.
Console vs Portable
Console-style digital pianos are designed to look and feel like acoustic pianos, with a cabinet-style body and built-in pedals.
A portable digital piano, on the other hand, doesn’t come with a base or stand for ease of moving it around.
You can still buy one separately, though.
There are pros and cons to both styles:
Pros of Console Style:
- It looks closer to an acoustic piano than a digital piano, which means it looks great in your home.
- There will be more resonance throughout the cabinet, so the sound could be better.
- They come with three pedals attached, which can save you money as you don’t have to buy them separately.
Cons of Console Style:
- They aren’t very portable.
They are typically large and heavy and can take up a lot of room in your home.
Pros of Portable Style:
- They are light and streamlined, so you can carry them wherever you need them, whether that’s lessons or school.
- They may have more connectivity options (Bluetooth, USB) because they are more likely to be used for gigging.
At the $1000/£1000 price point, it’s more likely that you’ll be going for a portable digital piano over a console.
You’ll get more bang for your buck this way, although you may end up spending a little more buying a stand and pedals separately.
Best Digital Pianos Under $1000/£1000 – Final thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our article, which listed the ten best digital pianos under $1000/£1000.
We also discussed why you would buy a digital piano, how good they are at this price point, what makes a great digital piano, why you could buy used, digital pianos for different skill levels, and console-style versus portable.
In today’s market, you can get a great digital piano no matter your budget.
At under $1000/£1000, you can get an affordable instrument that still has extensive functions and all of the features that you’ll need, whether you’re just beginning or you’ve been playing for a while.
You don’t need to break the bank to get the digital piano of your dreams.
So long as you can remember to do your research and think about your needs, you’ll find the perfect one for you.
