The 10 Best Digital Pianos and Keyboards (2023)
Digital pianos and keyboards are some of the most versatile instruments around and the offer on the market is huge. Although they all look similar, they are different in so many ways, starting from the price, size, technology, features, keys, and design.
My top recommended digital piano is the Casio Privia PX-S1000. This digital piano sounds very good, it’s playable, easy to use, and versatile enough.
My second recommended digital piano is the Yamaha PSR-E373. This affordable keyboard sounds good enough to satisfy even more demanding players, while its main strength is a full load of sounds and great overall functionality and usability.
Contents
- The Best Digital Pianos and Keyboards (2023) – At a Glance
- 1. Casio Privia PX-S1000
- 2. Yamaha PSR-E373
- 3. Roland FP-10
- 4. Kawai ES110
- 5. Casio Privia PX-770
- 6. Yamaha P-45
- 7. Roland RD-2000
- 8. Alesis Concert 88-Key Digital Piano
- 9. Yamaha P-125
- 10. Nord Stage 3
- How many keys should I get on my keyboard?
- Is it OK to learn piano on a keyboard?
- What’s the difference between a keyboard and a digital piano?
- What’s the difference between a keyboard and a synthesizer?
- Types of Digital Pianos
- Keyboards vs MIDI Keyboard Controllers
- Verdict
The Best Digital Pianos and Keyboards (2023) – At a Glance
And now onto the full list:
1. Casio Privia PX-S1000
The simplistic design of the Casio Privia is one of the main things that attract piano players, whether they are beginners or professionals.
Beginners will like its straightforward design, which includes just a few controls on the board. Professionals and more experienced players will be able to dial great sounds with ease. They will also like the ability to adjust touch sensitivity and adapt the keyboard to their unique playing style.
Pros
- Expressive, natural sound
- Super-easy to use
- 5-level adjustable touch sensitivity
Cons
- Not a lot of internal sounds
Casio designers focused on quality rather than on the number of sounds. So, even though there are just 18 sounds available, they all sound very expressive. Also, we can say that all the essentials are covered – 5 acoustic piano sounds, Rhodes and Wurlitzer-type electric pianos, string patches, vibes, organs, acoustic bass, etc.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action |
| Number of sounds | 18 (5 acoustic pianos) |
| Polyphony | 192-voice polyphony |
With less than 25 pounds in weight and relatively compact size, the PX-S1000 boasts high portability.
You will find most of the essential connectivity options, as well as a couple of extra features, specially designed for practicing. For example, there is a built-in metronome, as well as 50 built-in songs for practicing. You can connect it with the Chordana App, or play along with your favorite songs via Bluetooth speakers.
2. Yamaha PSR-E373
Budget options usually come with a lot of flaws but that’s not the case with the PSR-E373. Yamaha has improved its well-known E3x3 series in many aspects.
Pros
- Sounds great for the money
- Packed with features
- Can run on batteries
Cons
- Only 61 keys
- 48-note polyphony
One of the biggest improvements over the previous-generation E363 model is the new sound engine, which provides a much more natural sound. Besides the obvious quality improvement, there is an improvement regarding quantity. There are 622 sounds in total – some of them sound great, others sound decent enough.
The E373 comes packed with a full load of features that are important for beginners. It features dozens of effects (reverb, chorus, etc.), metronome, 154 preset songs, audio in, Keys to Success learning function, etc.
| Number of Keys | 61 |
| Type of Keys | Unweighted synth-action |
| Number of sounds | 622 |
| Polyphony | 48-voice polyphony |
One of the things I like about this keyboard is the ease of use. The board features numerous buttons, so you can dial any kind of tone you want without going through the menu and setting up various parameters.
Finally, there are several useful connectivity options, starting from USB-to-host input (audio and MIDI), headphones jack, audio in, sustain pedal jack, etc. Things like power supply and music holder are also included in the price.
3. Roland FP-10
The FP-10 is one of the newest additions to the well-known FP series of portable pianos. What I really like about this unit is that, even though it comes as a simplified version of the FP-30, it features the same sound engine as its bigger sibling.
Pros
- Sounds very similar to the more expensive models of the FP series
- Sleek and compact design
- Excellent Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Built-in speakers could be better
The number of total sounds counts to 15 and while that may seem like a modest number, all the essential sounds are included, starting from 4 pianos, 2 electric pianos, organ, strings, etc. All of them sound really good.
The overall layout is very simple. Practically, there are just a few buttons and controls at the top of the board but that doesn’t mean that FP-10 lacks features. It offers excellent Bluetooth connectivity for wireless MIDI, while a damper pedal is also included in the price.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action |
| Number of sounds | 15 |
| Polyphony | 96-voice polyphony |
All these things, along with well-designed 88 hammer action keys, make the FP-10 great for live gigs. However, things look even better from the beginner’s perspective. For example, the list of practicing features includes a built-in metronome, layer function, two split zones, etc. The power supply is also included.
4. Kawai ES110
The ES110 brings most of Kawai ES8’s features to the table, but at a relatively affordable price. This stylish digital piano sounds as it looks – elegant.
Pros
- Sounds close to the higher-end ES8
- Light key touch
- Intuitive recording features
Cons
- Could do with a display
With 88 hammer action keys that offer four levels of touch sensitivity, the ES110 is probably the most comfortable piano to play in this price range.
It’s super easy to play, while its advanced sound engine with 192-voice polyphony ensures an organic sound, no matter which of the sounds you choose.
Lovers of acoustic pianos will love the fact that there are 8 piano sounds on the offer, while the rest of the 19 available sounds go to common instruments like organ, strings, etc.
Also, you can count on three reverb modes – Room, Concert Hall, and Small Hall. Also, the ES110 features damper resonance, fall-back noise, damper noise, brilliance, and temperament sound settings, which all make this piano a very capable gig machine.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action, grade-weighted |
| Number of sounds | 19 |
| Polyphony | 192-voice polyphony |
This instrument has a metronome that includes 100 different rhythm styles, as well as split and dual modes. Also, there is the Lesson Function feature, which allows practicing each hand’s part separately. These are all very useful practice features.
5. Casio Privia PX-770
The Casio Privia PX-770 comes in the form of a piano console, with a cabinet and three pedals. Also, it is available in three colors – Black, White, and Brown Matte, so you can pick the one that matches your furniture best!
Pros
- Synthetic ivory and ebony keys
- The New Grand Piano tone sounds great
- Solid frame, including 3 pedals
Cons
- Could use more sound customization options
Sound-wise, there is nothing to complain about. The company’s well-known Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source sound engine does a fine job, and piano sounds are particularly good. However, I’m also pretty sure that most players would like to have more options for sound adjustments.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action, grade weighted |
| Number of sounds | 19 |
| Polyphony | 128-voice polyphony |
Overall, the Casio Privia PX-770 is a good-sounding piano console with high-quality keys, suitable for an immersive playing experience and great results.
6. Yamaha P-45
With the P-45, Yamaha has once again proved its reputation as a great maker of beginner piano keyboards (in addition to their more premium ranges).
Pros
- Adjustable keys sensitivity
- Good Grand Piano tone
- Lots of features for the money
Cons
- Sustain pedal isn’t amazing
- Lacks a built-in recorder
Compared to the competition, this model stands out in many ways. One of the first things that come to mind is that it features weighted keys, which are adjustable in terms of touch sensitivity. It is a full-sized 88-key piano, but still compact and portable enough to be carried around.
Its 64-voice polyphony may not sound impressive on paper but in reality, the P-45 offers a pretty good, organic sound, which emulates acoustic pianos pretty well.
The main reason is Yamaha’s well-known AWM dynamic sampling technology. Besides 2 acoustic piano sounds, you may also count on 2 digital piano sounds, strings, pipe organs, harpsichords, vibraphone, etc.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action, grade weighted |
| Number of sounds | 10 |
| Polyphony | 64-voice polyphony |
Even the built-in speakers sound okay, though they would use a little bit more power. Of course, there is some useful tools built-in, such as a metronome, demo songs, dual and duo modes, etc.
7. Roland RD-2000
If you’re looking for a capable onstage machine – search no more. The Roland RD-2000 has everything you’ll need, whether it’s about sound, recording, mixing or anything else!
Pros
- Tons of high-quality tones, effects, and customization options
- Excellent hybrid wood keys
- A full load of connectivity features
- It sounds amazing
Cons
- High-end price
- Could use a bigger display
Still, the strongest point of RD-2000 is its sound. It features two sound engines – V-Piano Technology and SuperNATURAL, which provide thousands of excellent sounds. There are more than 1100 preset tones, while you may also count on 10 acoustic piano tones, which all sound great. Naturally, there are also numerous effects with tons of presets, which you would guess by looking at this stage piano from across the room!
Excellent build quality can be noticed on every part of this stage piano, while I particularly like hybrid keys that combine wood and molded materials. They feel amazing under your fingers, while it’s also worth mentioning that there are five levels of touch sensitivity, plus an offset.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action, grade weighted |
| Number of sounds | 1100+ |
| Polyphony | 128-voice polyphony, unlimited for V-Piano |
Like any other professional stage keyboard, the RD-2000 doesn’t feature built-in speakers. On the other hand, it comes with a full load of connectivity features. Some of the highlights are firstly the USB ports – USB to Host (type B), USB to Device (type A), MIDI In/Out, Headphone jack (1/4″), Main Out 1/4″ jacks (R, L/Mono), Main Out balanced XLR jacks (L, R), Sub Out 1/4″ jacks (L, R), 4 Pedal jacks, Audio In, etc.
8. Alesis Concert 88-Key Digital Piano
The Alesis Concert 88-Key Digital Piano is a good choice for beginners on a budget. It offers all the necessary features for practicing, it sounds decent enough and, most importantly, it’s very affordable.
Pros
- Affordable full-sized keyboard
- Decent sound for the money
- Can run on batteries
Cons
- Build quality is not amazing
This is a full-size, 88-key digital piano, which may not feature the best build quality around but the most important parts are sturdy enough to provide convenient playing. Semi-weighted keys work well and I’m pretty sure that beginners and intermediate players will be more than satisfied with them.
The sound quality is decent. You may count on 10 voices in total – Acoustic Piano, Bright Piano, Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Drawbar Organ, Church Organ, Synth, Strings, Bass, and Clavi.
That’s plenty enough for most players but what’s more important is that none of them sound bad. Moreover, you can also split or layer two voices simultaneously.
Also, 128-voice polyphony and built-in 20-Watt speakers are additional reasons to pick this digital piano over some other similarly priced products.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Semi-weighted |
| Number of sounds | 10 |
| Polyphony | 128-voice polyphony |
For convenient practice, Alesis offers a full pack of useful features. Some of the things that come to mind are metronome with tap tempo, lesson mode that splits the keyboard into two areas with the same pitch and voice, headphone output that mutes speakers, etc.
9. Yamaha P-125
As the name suggests, this digital piano comes as a successor to the legendary P-115, and once again, Yamaha has done a fantastic job. Once again, it offered a well-designed, gig-friendly instrument, which sounds and plays in such a good way.
Pros
- Fantastic Grand Piano tone
- Large library of songs and rhythms
- Well-designed speakers
Cons
- Could use more sound settings
The power of P-125 comes from Yamaha Pure CF Piano Sound Engine, which emulates acoustic piano tones in such a nice way. This particularly refers to the legendary Yamaha CFIIIS Grand Piano, but you may count on 3 more acoustic piano sounds, as well as on 20 more instruments. So, the total number of sounds goes up to 24, which is more than you get from key rivals. More importantly, all of them sound very good.
Another great feature this model offers is graded action, which emulates the feel of a traditional acoustic piano. In other words, the action is heavier in low keys and lighter in high keys.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action, grade weighted |
| Number of sounds | 24 |
| Polyphony | 192-voice polyphony |
The Yamaha P-125 is a fantastic practicing tool. Besides classic metronome, it also offers 20 drums and bass styles. Intermediate players can play along with 50 classical music pieces.
10. Nord Stage 3
Nord is a famous Swedish company that has been the favorite choice of many musicians for a reason, whether it’s about digital pianos, synthesizers, performance keyboards, or organs. Simply, we are talking about a leading company in the business, and Nord Stage 3 is one of its best-known products.
Pros
- 3 excellent sound engines
- Huge presets library
- Intuitive and easy to use
Cons
- Price
This stage keyboard came as a successor of the legendary Stage 2 model and it is even more impressive. The power of this keyboard comes from three separated sound engines – piano, organ, and synthesizer sound. All three are equally impressive, while the present library is huge. Thankfully, two OLED displays ensure easy interface navigation, while the keyboard is generally pretty intuitive.
The instrument selection is huge and includes all kinds of electric pianos, strings, voices, and other instruments. There are also hundreds of presents and what’s also great is that changes between patches, during live gigs, are very smooth.
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Hammer action |
| Number of sounds | 400 programs with 8 banks |
| Polyphony | 120-voice (Piano), 34-voice (Synth) |
Finally, a few words about keys. You may count on 88 keys that are weighted with Hammer Action. The playability is excellent, while the feel is natural, whether you pick acoustic piano, synth, or organ sounds.
How many keys should I get on my keyboard?
A full-size piano or keyboard features 88 keys and that’s the best number for most players. Still, that doesn’t mean that smaller numbers are bad. For example, many keyboards feature 61, which is enough for a beginner to learn to play.
Also, these keyboards are more compact and travel-friendly. However, it’s hard to imagine anyone playing classical or jazz music on less than 88 keys (Read our article on How Many Keys Are Needed For Beginner Piano/Keyboards).
Is it OK to learn piano on a keyboard?
Yes, but there are a few drawbacks. The biggest one is that keyboards, even though many of them feature hammer action that emulates keys of an acoustic piano, can’t provide the genuine feel of an acoustic piano. Still, if you don’t plan to learn classical music, a keyboard would do a great job.
The most important thing is that you get a good teacher, piano lessons, and get some good piano books.
What’s the difference between a keyboard and a digital piano?
Despite the similar look, these are different instruments in many ways. First of all, a digital piano emulates acoustic piano, not just in terms of the sound, but in terms of the playing feel as well. On the other hand, keyboards usually provide a much wider range of sounds and also act as an arranger. Furthermore, keyboard keys are usually smaller and lighter.
What’s the difference between a keyboard and a synthesizer?
To put in a few words – a keyboard makes its own sound, while a synthesizer mimics sounds that are made acoustically. Some would say that a synthesizer is not exactly an instrument, but rather a controller.
Types of Digital Pianos
There are three common types of digital pianos – portable, console, and digital grand pianos.
Portable digital pianos are the most common type. They come without a stand or any other kind of basis. The design is compact and allows them to be moved around in a gig bag, or stored when not playing.
A console digital piano resembles an acoustic piano. It features a cabinet and three pedals and looks like a piece of furniture, which can decorate a room in the same way a traditional piano does.
A digital grand piano looks pretty much the same as an acoustic grand piano and tends to provide the same feel while playing. However, the sound is digital and the main difference is that its resonant box features high-quality speakers instead of strings.
Keyboards vs MIDI Keyboard Controllers
A keyboard is an instrument that doesn’t need any other device to produce a sound. It can come packed with hundreds of built-in sounds.
On the other hand, a MIDI keyboard controller can’t produce sound internally. The only thing it does is transmit and receive MIDI information. It needs to be connected with another source of sound, and that’s usually DAW software on a computer or a similar piece of music gear (see our guide on MIDI keyboard software).
If you’re looking for a keyboard for electronic music, then check out our article on the Best Keyboards for Making Beats.
Verdict
Other models on the list are as impressive and you won’t go wrong with any of them. While none of these are real pianos, the sound is certainly very close, with the ability and capability of so much more with effects and connectivity. It all comes to personal taste and I hope this guide has helped you to determine your preferences. There are many others on platforms like Amazon and the like.
As you can see, the variety of products is huge and they stand out in different ways. Models like Yamaha PSR-E373 are great for beginners, while digital pianos like Casio Privia PX-S1000 and Roland FP-10 offer pretty impressive performance at a reasonable price.
