A man enjoying the best digital piano that most fits his needs

Choosing the best digital piano can be overwhelming, especially with so many options on the market. But as someone who has experience researching the right piano for my own needs, my goal is to simplify the process for you.

In this guide, I’ll break down what you need to look for in a digital piano, compare top models to one another, and answer common questions to ensure you find the best piano for your needs.

How to Choose a Digital Piano as a Beginner

A man playing a digital piano for beginners

If you’re seeking a new digital piano, then it’s important to know where you stand when it comes to your skill level. 

If you’re a beginner, you need a piano or keyboard that’s good quality and easy to use.  You will also want a piano with semi or fully weighted keys, as well as a piano with built-in learning tools. 

Some good beginner digital pianos are:

Yamaha YPD-143 ($500, 64 Polyphony, Weighted Keys)

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Casio CDP-S360 ($500, 128 Polyphony, Weighted Keys)

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Roland FP-10 ($500, 96 Polyphony, Weighted Keys)

The Best Digital Pianos for Advanced Players

A man playing a digital piano for advanced pianists

Do you already have some piano playing experience? If you’re at the intermediate or advanced level, you’ll not only want a fully weighted keyboard, but also a piano with a high polyphony count and an improved sound engine as well. 

Here are the digital pianos that intermediate and advanced players will love:

Roland FP-30X ($700, Weighted Keys, 256 Polyphony)

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Casio PX-870 ($1,200, Weighted Keys, 256 Polyphony)

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Yamaha YDP-145 ($1,200, Weighted Keys, 192 Polyphony)

Selecting a Portable Piano for Gigging Musicians

A man playing a portable digital piano and enjoying himself.

Gigging musicians, on the other hand, must prioritize portability, connectivity options, and sound quality. Digital pianos for stage and digital pianos for church should be powerful enough to be heard by listeners at far distances.  At the same time, these portable pianos still must be light enough for the user to carry.

A few good portable pianos that I recommend are:

Yamaha DGX-670 ($750, Weighted Keys, 256 Polyphony)

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Kawai ES520 ($1,200, Weighted Keys, 192 Polyphony)

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Roland FP-90X ($2,000, Weighted Keys, 256 Polyphony)

How Much Does a Digital Piano Cost?

Your budget plays a key factor in finding the right digital piano. Here’s what to expect:

$200–$700 (Entry-Level): This price range is great for beginners. These models offer weighted keys, decent sound, and basic learning tools. Brands like Casio, Yamaha, and Alesis provide many good options here, though key action and sound quality may be limited.

$700–$1,500 (Mid-Range): This price range is ideal for serious piano students and intermediate players.  Pianos in this range feature improved key action, more expressive sound sampling, and better connectivity (MIDI, Bluetooth, audio interfaces). Pianos made by Yamaha, Roland, and Kawai are great options here.

$1,500 and more (High-End): Designed for professionals, these pianos offer wooden keys, advanced hammer-action mechanisms, and highly detailed sound engines with realistic resonance and touch response. Piano lines like the Yamaha Arius or Yamaha Clavinova are great options here.

What is the Best Digital Piano Brand?

The top brands for digital pianos are:

If you want a cheap digital piano, or simply a piano aimed at beginners, then a piano made by Alesis, Williams, Casio or Yamaha is ideal (such as the Alesis Recital Pro or the Casio CDP-S160).

If you’re looking for a higher quality digital piano, then I recommend buying a Roland or Kawai or a higher end Casio or Yamaha.  Roland stage pianos are very well built, and the Yamaha Arius and Yamaha Clavinova piano lines have satisfied pianists for years.

Digital Piano Features That Matter Most

How to Find the Right Key Action

When selecting a digital piano, finding one with the best piano key action is vital. In fact, it’s arguably one of the most important digital piano features to consider.

Weighted keys mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, providing necessary resistance that helps build finger strength and proper technique. 

Some models, like the Yamaha P-143, use graded hammer action, meaning the lower keys feel heavier than the higher ones—just like a traditional piano. This can significantly improve skill development, which is why most pianists prefer them.

With that said, the quality of the keys themselves matter too.  For example, the Yamaha P-525 features wooden white keys, which simulates the look and feel of an acoustic piano.

You can also read my breakdown of semi vs fully weighted keys, as well.

Why Sound Quality Matters

Sound quality is another key consideration. Higher-end digital pianos use advanced sound sampling technology, often capturing audio from renowned grand pianos. 

For example, Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine reproduces subtle nuances like string resonance and damper noise, offering a more immersive experience. On the other hand, many great Yamaha digital pianos utilize the Pure CF Sound engine, and has excellent sampling technology for increased realism in sound.

Ultimately, a digital piano with a high-quality sound engine will not only enhance musical expression but also keep practice sessions engaging and fun.

How Much Polyphony is Needed?

Polyphony determines how many notes can sound at once before earlier notes begin to decay.  To make this concept even simpler, think about it like this: the more complicated the musical piece being played, the higher amount of polyphony you will need.  

For basic practice, at least 64-note polyphony is sufficient.  For more advanced pieces that require a sustain pedal, 128-note polyphony or higher is needed. Many premium piano models offer 256-note polyphony, ensuring seamless layering of complex passages.

For more information on this topic, read my article on how much polyphony is needed for your new piano.

Portable or Console Digital Pianos

If you need a piano that’s easy to move, a portable model (like the Casio Privia PX-S3100) offers a lightweight, compact design while still maintaining weighted keys and good sound. 

However, if aesthetics and home integration matter, a console-style piano (such as the Kawai KDP120) provides a more traditional look, often including a built-in stand, pedals, and superior speaker systems.

For more on this unique topic, check out my detailed portable vs console digital piano breakdown. You can also learn about the key differences between stage pianos vs home pianos, as well.

Connectivity Options

Finally, digital piano connectivity options like USB, MIDI, and Bluetooth enhance versatility. These features allow integration with learning apps (such as Simply Piano or Flowkey), connection to DAWs for recording, and even wireless playback through external speakers. If you plan to compose, record, or take online lessons, these features can be invaluable.

Wrapping It Up

Ultimately, the best digital piano is one that aligns with your skill level, musical goals, and long-term aspirations. Whether you’re a beginner looking buy his or her first digital piano, or a professional seeking an advanced instrument for performance and recording, making an informed choice ensures you get the best piano for your needs and budget.