The best digital pianos – from educational to professional instruments

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Nowadays, most concerts rarely use real pianos. These instruments are too heavy, which is why many musicians opt for digital models. Such devices make sounds using a special processor. You can customize them as you wish by choosing the desired timbre and style, and this provides very wide opportunities for writing your own music. In short, this collection will focus on digital pianos – the best models available in retail.

Ranking of the best digital pianos

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best digital pianos for learning	1	CASIO PX-750	RUB 51,990
	2	CASIO CDP-220R	RUB 35,490
	3	Yamaha NP-V80	RUB 40,000
The best portable digital pianos	1	CASIO PX-5S	RUB 61 800
	2	Roland RD-300NX	RUB 97 841
	3	Kurzweil KA110	RUB 58,700
	4	CASIO PX-350M	RUB 47 690
The best modern cabinet pianos	1	CASIO AP-650M	RUB 81,204
	2	Yamaha YDP-163B	79 184 RUB

The best digital pianos for learning

CASIO PX-750

Rating: 4.9

A device with a classic body with three built-in pedals. Its weight does not exceed 31.5 kg, which is quite tolerable during transportation. The product has built-in acoustics, which is practically invisible – its total power reaches 16 W. The digital piano can be painted in one of three different colors – for a beginner musician, this is a fairly wide choice.

The instrument includes 88 weighted, full-size, touch-sensitive keys. Sound processing is handled by quite a decent processor, which produces 128-voice polyphony. A total of 18 tones are available to the user, which is a good parameter for a digital piano. There are also 10 effects here. You can record a maximum of one song, consisting of one or two tracks. The instrument also got into the rating for the training mode available here, which includes 60 melodies.

Advantages

• Two headphone outputs;

• Relatively low cost (52 thousand rubles);

• 88 touch sensitive keys;

• The classic case has a keyboard cover;

• Polyphonic polyphony;

• Not a bad training regime;

• Three built-in pedals;

• There are USB ports for a computer and a flash drive;

disadvantages

• The number of timbres could be more;

• There are no line inputs and outputs;

• No auto accompaniment

CASIO CDP-220R

Rating: 4.8

A digital piano in a compact form factor. In fact, outwardly, the product hardly differs from synthesizers, which were considered by the experts of our site in a separate article. However, those instruments are noticeably smaller, the CASIO CDP-220R weighs 12 kg. This model got into our rating due to a very large number of timbres. It should be noted also 88 weighted keys, which synthesizers cannot boast of. All of these keys are, as expected, touch sensitive. The large weight of the device is due to the hammer system used here.

The AHL processor does an excellent job of reproducing sound. It is thanks to him that the effects of vibrato, reverberation and some others are realized here. Also, the user is waiting for 200 rhythms and a step-by-step training system. External sound sources such as a microphone or CD player can also be connected to this Digital Piano. The result of the game is saved to the SD card.

A wooden stand has been produced especially for this digital piano. However, it is sold separately. Without it, the device costs only 35 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• Fast switching between piano and piano sounds;

• There are microphone and line inputs as well as a headphone output.

• Connection of pedals is possible;

• 700 Voices, 200 Styles and 15 Effects

• Low weight;

• There is a slot for an SD card;

• Added display showing settings;

• There are acoustics with a total power of 16 W;

• Hammer action is used;

• 88 full-size, touch-sensitive keys

• Competently implemented training system;

disadvantages

• Delivered by default without wooden stand;

• Turning off resets the reverb and accompaniment volume settings;

• Only 48-voice polyphony;

Yamaha NP-V80

Rating: 4.7

Another digital piano made in the form of a synthesizer. The cost of the instrument is approximately 40 thousand rubles. Unfortunately, it can only be mounted on the humble L-2C stand made of metal, so it won't look like a mechanical piano. Also, not the largest number of keys, which are also semi-weighted, can upset.

Why is this digital piano included in our rating if it has such disadvantages? This is because the product is equipped with a high quality processor capable of producing a wide variety of effects and styles. Also, the musician has 500 timbres available, which is also a very decent amount. But the main distinguishing feature of the product is the ability to operate on batteries. That is, you can even learn music somewhere far from the power outlets! By default, training takes place on thirty built-in songs.

Advantages

• The weight of the device does not exceed 7.1 kg;

• Training mode available;

• Connection of pedals is possible;

• There is relatively good acoustics;

• 500 tones and 18 effects;

• There is a line-out and a headphone jack;

• Operation from batteries or accumulators is available;

• The case has USB Type A and USB Type B connectors.

disadvantages

• Only 32-voice polyphony;

• The number of keys may seem insufficient;

• Only one style from the USB stick is used at a time;

• No hammer action;

The best portable digital pianos

CASIO PX-5S

Rating: 4.9

A fairly original digital piano in a compact form factor. In our rating, it turned out to be not least due to the atypical black and white colors. However, the characteristics of the device are also quite impressive. In particular, 88 weighted keys are used here, created on the basis of hammer action. Each key features a triple sensor that provides three levels of touch sensitivity. A sound processor that supports 256-voice polyphony also speaks of the professional purpose of the digital piano.

The product offers a wide variety of keyboard sounds. And not only! There are also guitar, brass and organ tones. The drums are not forgotten either. In addition to the factory sets, the use of custom sets is available.

Of course, such a tool could not do without the possibility of audio recording. A maximum of 100 songs can be recorded here, even if each of them is 25 minutes long. Another undoubted advantage of the digital grand piano is the presence of a very large number of connectors.

There is nothing banal to scold this musical instrument. Some of the buyers blame the small display size. Others do not like the Russian-language instructions describing only the basic functionality. But these are more likely not flaws, but nit-picking. By the way, the device costs 65 thousand rubles. For that kind of money, this is the best choice! definitely recommends!

Advantages

• The processor uses 256-voice polyphony;

• Weight does not exceed 11 kg;

• There are 370 tones available;

• A large number of songs can be recorded;

• There are two headphone outputs, one line out and MIDI connectors;

• 88 quality keys with three sensitivity levels;

• Memorable design;

• Battery or rechargeable battery operation possible.

disadvantages

• In-depth instructions are written in English;

• Not the largest display

• No wooden rack.

Roland RD-300NX

Rating: 4.8

Another digital piano in a compact form factor. Some novice musicians may be taken aback by the cost of the device, which is 98 thousand rubles. The manufacturer primarily asks for such a lot of money for high-quality sound. Connoisseurs will admit that the sound of Roland's professional technology is very difficult to confuse with other digital pianos. This is despite the fact that only 128-voice polyphony is used here. Also, 90 effects, 200 auto accompaniment styles and the same number of styles do not cause much impression. However, there is always the option to download custom presets, so don't worry. It should be noted that there is a Sound Focus function here. To put it quite roughly, it allows you to focus the listener's attention on individual notes, having achieved their competent selection.

In the rating of the best digital pianos, this unit was included for its adequate set of connectors. When buying a tool, you need to take into account the fact that it weighs 17.5 kg. Thumbs up for a device without a wooden stand!

Advantages

• 88 keys with hammer action;

• The keyboard has an ivory imitation;

• The user interface is intuitive;

• Three-pedal module RPU-3 available;

• There is a unique Sound Focus function;

• A large number of connectors.

disadvantages

• Very high cost;

• The weight cannot be called small.

Kurzweil KA110

Rating: 4.7

Many of the digital pianos in this ranking do not sound too loud. This is due to the relatively weak acoustics used by such devices. The Kurzweil KA110 does not have this problem, this instrument has four speakers at its disposal. Two of them have a power of 15 W each, and two more have a power of 25 W. This number contributes not only to loud, but also to clear sound.

Of course, buying a digital piano isn't just worth buying because of the speaker system. The instrument will delight you with hammer action and 128-voice polyphony. When writing music, you can experiment with 583 presets and 235 auto accompaniment styles. The current settings are shown on a color display that is virtually distraction-free. Another thing to remember is the ability to play MIDI songs from an SD card – not every digital piano has it.

This model costs about 59 thousand rubles. It comes with a sustain pedal and a power adapter. A stand with three built-in pedals is available especially for this piano, but is sold separately.

Advantages

• Excellent processor with polyphonic polyphony;

• Rich connectivity for other devices;

• Very loud speakers;

• Full-size keyboard with touch sensitivity

• A large number of styles and timbres;

• There is a slot for an SD card.

disadvantages

• The pedal stand will have to be purchased separately;

• The tool weighs 20 kg;

• Sophisticated sequencer controls.

CASIO PX-350M

Rating: 4.7

The body of this tool can be painted black or white. 88 full-size weighted keys are used for playing here. Sound is output from two 8W speakers. However, at any time you can connect external speakers to the digital piano – for this purpose, the line-out is used here. There are also two headphone jacks on the case, which is also important. The customer will find the right pedal included with the device. If you want to get a rack with three pedals, you will have to spend in addition to 65 thousand rubles. some more amount.

Despite the three-sensor hammer action used here, the tool only weighs 11.6 kg. This is a perfectly acceptable value, thanks to which the musician does not encounter problems when transporting the piano. The processor installed here should also be noted – its polyphony consists of 128 voices. You can use 180 Styles and 250 Voices when writing music. Maybe not the largest number, in our rating there are also richer instruments in this regard, but no one forbids loading custom presets.

Overall, the CASIO PX-350M seems like the best choice for those who don't want to spend too much money on a digital piano, but also don't want to buy an entry-level model.

Advantages

• Excellent keyboard with three-touch hammer action;

• Decent backlit display

• You can record up to 5 songs with 17 tracks each;

• A large number of connectors;

• Includes damper pedal;

• Optimal set of auto accompaniment styles and voices;

• There is a training mode;

• Work with a USB flash drive is possible.

disadvantages

• Stand with built-in pedals sold separately;

• Speakers do not reproduce bass frequencies well.

The best modern cabinet pianos

CASIO AP-650M

Rating: 4.9

This 50-kilogram monster is sold in Russia for about 92 thousand rubles. The instrument turned out to be very beautiful, an untrained person may well confuse it with a mechanical piano. But it's not just looks that made it to the top digital pianos. This instrument should satisfy the desires of the vast majority of musicians. Here, as expected, hammer action is used. At the bottom of the piano are three pedals that respond perfectly to foot movements. At rest, a dust cover is applied to the keyboard. Another important advantage is the acoustics, which consists of two speakers with a power of 30 W each.

Interestingly, the Japanese have introduced a training regime here. This is a rare guest in very expensive musical instruments. The device will also delight you with a large number of auto accompaniment styles and timbres. Finally, one cannot fail to note the connectors used here – among them there are two headphone jacks, line in and out, MIDI connectors, as well as USB Type B used for connecting to a computer.

Advantages

• Great appearance;

• All necessary connectors are present;

• Excellent acoustics;

• Decent processor with 256-voice polyphony;

• There are many helper functions;

• There is no lack of timbres and styles;

• Sophisticated hammer action;

• Added training mode.

disadvantages

• A very decent weight;

• There is only one color to choose from;

• Navigating the menus can be awkward;

• The game is recorded in WAV format only.

Yamaha YDP-163B

Rating: 4.8

Another digital piano with a classic body. For 90 thousand rubles. the Japanese manufacturer offers to purchase an instrument that includes 88 full-size keys – they are based on hammer action. The product also has three built-in pedals and a keyboard cover. When designing the piano, Yamaha tried to keep the weight down. For this, they slightly sacrificed the power of the speakers, and also made the case quite thin. Nevertheless, this does not interfere with the perception of the instrument.

In fact, the Yamaha YDP-163B is hardly a professional digital piano. There are, of course, a decent number of connectors here. But the number of functions is very limited. You can only store one song in the instrument, with a maximum of two tracks. 10 timbres and 5 effects are generally laughter. I am glad that at least the processor here uses a proprietary, perfectly conveying the sound of a real piano. Actually, it was for this purpose that the device was created. In fact, this is the only device in our ranking that is intended to simply replace a mechanical piano, and not turn it into a synthesizer.

Advantages

• Almost perfect hammer action is used;

• Chic processor with 192-voice polyphony;

• Metronome, transpose and reverb included;

• Classic design with keyboard cover and three pedals;

• The weight (42 kg) cannot be called gigantic;

• There are two line outputs and two headphone jacks;

• Five color options to choose from.

disadvantages

• The minimum number of tones;

• There is no auto accompaniment;

• Speakers are not for concerts;

• Not too many advanced settings and effects.

Conclusion

Digital pianos are specific instruments. That is why not a very large number of companies are involved in their creation. If you are thinking of buying a similar device for yourself, we recommend looking towards the products of CASIO, Yamaha and Roland. These are the pianos with the best sound processors and the widest arsenal of features.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.