When it comes to choosing a keyboard, there are no fashion statements.
The top digital piano brands are all about function – that’s carefully quality-controlled technological excellence wrapped up in a product that has been honed through years of iterations and tweaks.
Of course, you then run the risk of developing bad finger technique to compensate for a poor action.
There are certainly digital piano brands to avoid – more on that later.
But today we will focus on the crème de la crème – the most reliable and trustworthy digital piano brands out there.
Let’s take a look at what the market has to offer.
Digital Piano Evolution: Then and Now
The idea of pianos being electric has been around since the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the late 50s when they truly became popular.
Artists like Ray Charles started digitally altering sounds and the concept of a lighter, more diverse alternative to a standard upright or grand was really born.
From then up until the 90s, the digital piano was a different instrument – a recognizably simulated sound, ready-made for synth and funk.
But as things changed, companies started being able to very closely replicate the sound of an acoustic instrument and the demand for straight-up piano imitations grew.
Fast forward to the present day and the amount of realism you get from a digital piano is exceptional – from the sound right down to the actual feel of the keys.
And with that option sitting alongside specialist synth models, 234,000 digital pianos were sold in the US alone in 2021.
But technological advances have got us to such a point now where you can actually have both – an instrument that looks, sounds and feels like a piano, while being digitally programmed to offer a wide range of sounds, connectivity and recording options, all in one.
And of course, as more companies pick up on this, competition increases and drives the price of entry-level models down.
There are also “true” hybrids now available; real acoustic pianos with strings and mechanisms like traditional pianos, but with embedded digital functionality.
They are expensive at the moment, but you can certainly keep track of them from the top digital piano brands (as long as you know who they are and what to look for!)
Best Digital Piano Brands
After doing some basic research on digital pianos and their features, you’ll quickly realize that there are dozens of different brands available on the market, and some of them you’ve probably never even heard of.
Do all digital piano brands offer the same level of quality and reliability?
Of course, not. In fact, there are some brands you should avoid at all costs.
To make it easier for you we’ll try to cover all the popular keyboard brands and talk about their strengths and weaknesses.
We’ll start with 7 most reliable and trustworthy brands that we recommend based on our and other people’s experience, and then we’ll move on to brands that are better be avoided (with some exceptions).
To get a bird’s eye view of these brands and their product lines, take a look at the comparison table below.
[Comparison Table of the Best Digital Piano Brands]
- CountryWhere the company is based.
Don't get it confused with the country of manufacturing! Most digital pianos and keyboards nowadays are made in China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Some higher-end models are made in Japan or Europe, but it's pretty rare. - On the Market SinceThe year when the company entered the digital piano market.
- Areas of
ExpertiseKey areas the company is known for. - Portable
KeyboardsPortable Keyboards (A.k.a portable arrangers, portable arranger keyboards) are entry-level instruments that usually come with 49, 61, or 73 non-weighted or semi-weighted keys, hundreds of sounds, styles, recording, and interactive features.
They don't aim to replace an acoustic piano but rather introduce you to the world of music.
They're most popular among beginners and kids in particular. - Portable DPsUnlike portable keyboards, portable digital pianos (a.k.a. slab pianos) come with 88 fully weighted hammer-action keys, which mimic the action of an acoustic piano, and use high-quality piano samples. They rarely have tons of built-in tones, styles, and other so-called "bells and whistles" as their main goal is to sound and feel as close as possible to a real acoustic piano.
- Home DPsHome Digital Pianos (a.k.a. Console DPs) are very similar to portable DPs with regard to their main concept, which is to provide a realistic piano playing experience (sound and touch being the most important).
The main difference, though, is that Home DPs have a furniture cabinet design and come with 3 piano pedals, which gives them a more acoustic-like look. - Premium Home DPsHigher-end Home Digital Pianos usually incorporate a more sophisticated hammer action, higher quality samples (with some modeled elements), multi-speaker sound system, and fancier, more acoustic-like cabinet.
- Hybrid DPsHybrid Digital Pianos are the most expensive type of digital pianos. They usually have highest quality samples, sophisticated sound system, and action that fully replicates the action of an acoustic piano.
Hybrid pianos come the closest (in all aspects) to real acoustic pianos. - Stage PianosStage Pianos are very similar to Portable DPs but the main difference is that they usually don't have any built-in speakers. Often, they're also lighter, and more compact, which makes them even easier to move around.
Portable DPs are often used as Stage Pianos as well. - Synths/Music WorkstationsSynthesizers are widely used in complex sound design and music production. They offer extensive options that allow you to synthesize, fine-tune, and control the sound in real time.
Music Workstations/Synth Workstations have much more options, and therefore more universal.
They allow you to do basically anything related to music production, starting from sound design, and ending with mixing and recording. - Arranger WorkstationsArranger workstations are similar to other types of workstations but come with additional features for songwriters, composers, and solo performers.
In particular, arrangers usually have hundreds of accompaniment styles that will back up your performance with various instruments, making you sound like a full band.
Compared to synth workstations, arranger workstations have fewer options for sound synthesis and editing. - Most Popular DPsMost popular digital pianos of each brand
- Japan
- 1980
- Digital & Hybrid Pianos, Portable Keyboards, Arrangers
- Market their portable PX, CDP & CGP keyboards as stage pianos as well
- Japan
- 1980
- Synths, Music Workstations, Arrangers, Production Tools
Yamaha
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue (2017) | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887 | Hamamatsu, Japan | Japan, China, Indonesia | 28 112 (2017) | 3673 million dollars (2017) | Musical Instruments, Audio Equipment, Electronics |
There is no discussion of the best digital piano manufacturers in the world without Yamaha.
They are the most popular, the oldest and have the largest, most versatile range out there. In fact, you have to go back to 1887 to find their first organ, built by Torakusu Yamaha himself.
A Japanese company, their acoustic and digital pianos are made in enormous factories across Japan, China, and Indonesia before being exported worldwide. In 2022, the company’s total revenue across all its musical products was over $2 billion.
The secret to Yamaha’s success stems from their foundations in acoustic pianos.
Their upright and grands are used everywhere from schools to concert halls and it is this attention to the mechanics of a “real” piano which has served them in such good stead when creating a digital sound.
Central to this is their piano-like graded hammer action, which is present in all their digital pianos, albeit at different levels of quality.
From GHS in their entry-level range, to GH3X in some of the Clavinovas, right the way up to the state-of-the-art GrandTouch wooden action, Yamaha place a great deal of focus on touch – and it shows.
With such a great range of options and prices, it’s no surprise that they commanded a 50% market share for digital musical instruments in 2022.
The affordable, entry-level PSR-E range is immensely popular with kids and beginners, with some models available for less than $200.
Compare this to the world-renowned Clavinova range – one of the upright CLP models might set you up a couple of thousand dollars, but a digital grand like the incredible CVP-909GP is more like $15,000.
With their background in music technology, Yamaha also offer excellent stage and home portable pianos.
Their extremely popular compact P series models start at $400, but there are models with more functions and better realism, available all the way up the price range.
As with all of Yamaha’s digital pianos, they are seriously durable and reliable – one of the best features of the brand.
The Yamaha 3-year warranty covers the majority of their brands, but the Clavinova range benefits from 5 years, which reflects the engineering confidence that Yamaha have in the series.
The pro-standard PSR-S models are higher-end, but fully-focused arranger workstations, rather than entry-level keyboards.
Far more popular though is the Yamaha Montage range, which competes with the well-known Roland Fantom and Nord Stage 4 keyboards.
The main features are 6347 waveforms (twice as much compared to the MOXF series), over 10 000 arpeggios, Seamless Switching Sound (SSS) technology, and a 16-track MIDI sequencer.
Meanwhile, they are also at the forefront of the hybrid era, with their TransAcoustic pianos being true acoustic models with digital features such as headphone inputs and volume control, as well as the ability to replicate different grand piano models through an app.
Across their styles and ranges though, Yamaha products are used and endorsed by well-known musicians and studios worldwide.
From Stevie Wonder and Justin Timberlake in the mainstream world to Alberto Pizzo and HJ Lim on the classical side, the instruments are well-represented and highly regarded.
- Wide range of products for every budget, level, and need
- Extensive background in the field
- Yamaha’s signature sound
- Recognized all over the world
- Solid Customer Service
- Not the most realistic action (GHS) in their lower-end DPs
- (Arguably) Boring design of some of their instruments
- Quite conservative when it comes to new technologies
Casio
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue (2017) | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Tokyo, Japan | Japan, China, Thailand | 12 287 (2017) | 2953 million dollars (2017) | Calculators, Watches, Projectors, Electronic Musical Instruments |
Another major Japanese multinational, Casio are probably more well-known to you for watches, calculators and cameras than they are for digital pianos.
However, from that solid digital base has arisen one of the best brands out there, especially seeing as they’ve only really made a name for themselves in the market over the last 15-20 years.
While the company itself has been running from 1946, and the first marketable keyboard – the Casitone 201 – was released back in 1980, it was the launch of the Privia range in 2003 that really saw Casio make its mark on the industry.
Their pianos are well-known as being very budget-friendly and geared towards beginners and amateurs, but with release like the state-of-the-art PX-S7000, that’s definitely changing.
They don’t lag behind on technology as they used to, and some of the features on their pianos are only available on much higher-priced competitors.
Their Celviano range, for example, is a direct competitor to Yamaha’s Clavinova, with the top-notch AiR Grand Sound Source and multi-speaker acoustic sound simulation, but for over a thousand dollars cheaper all the way up the range.
Granted, you don’t get the same quality of action as with a Clavinova, as they use the same action in the Celviano range as they do in the Privia, but it’s a good choice if you’re on a tight budget.
Casio’s Grand Hybrid series is also a part of the Celviano family but these are completely different beasts.
The GP-310 and GP-510 models feature a meticulously designed hybrid key action that closely resembles that of an acoustic grand.
Casio’s Grand Hybrid key action
The keys are made of real wood and the onboard 6-speaker sound system is truly impressive.
These are the most advanced digital pianos you’ll find in Casio’s arsenal. They compete with Yamaha’s AvantGrand series and Kawai’s NV hybrid series.
Generally speaking though, there isn’t a great deal outside the Celviano range to interest a pro.
This means you don’t really see Casio models represented on stages or in studios, meaning that they don’t get a lot of airtime.
However, in keeping with their support for young musician programs through the Grammy Foundation, they work with several contemporary artists, including Earth Wind & Fire’s Larry Dunn and singer-songwriter Rachel Sage.
Of course, the flip side to this is that their prices remain some of the most competitive out there.
The warranties are also competitive, with 3 years on the Privia range and 5 on the Celvianos standing out from the crowd (their regular warranty offer is 12 months).
And while the compact buy room-filling PX series will cost between $700 for a PX-S1100 and $2500 for a studio-grade PX-S7000, the CDP-S pianos – their targeted beginner range are much cheaper, despite having a basic weighted action and excellent speakers.
The Privia line undoubtedly remains the most popular from Casio’s arsenal. It’s very versatile and includes digital pianos of different types (console, portable) and price ranges.
- Affordable
- Beginner friendly
- Great value for money
- Not limited to which acoustic pianos to sample (other major brands like Yamaha or Kawai tend to use their own pianos)
- A lot of features on Casio DPs are only available on much higher priced models of other brands
- Quite a limited product range
- Not a lot of products for pros
- Not particularly impressive key actions
Roland
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue (2017) | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Hamamatsu, Japan | Japan, Malaysia, China | 3060 (2013) | 788 million dollars (2014) | Electronic Musical Instruments (Pianos, Organs, Synths, Drums), Audio Equipment |
Unlike Yamaha and Casio, Roland’s main focus is music.
Founded in Japan in Osaka in 1972, the company still operates out of Japan and their keyboards are considered to be among the most important digital musical products ever released in terms of driving forward the market.
What you can expect from Roland is 40 years’ worth of honed digital piano.
The 3D video tour (drag your mouse to get a 360° view) below will walk you through all the ranges of musical instruments that Roland have been creating and improving over the years.
As you would expect then, their instrumental range is extensive; from stage pianos to console digitals and portable models, their branding is recognizable and their products are built to last.
The RD stage series is probably the toughest, most durable stage option out there.
In fact, Roland are so confident about their products, that the HP, LX, HPi, DP, KF and GP models all benefit from an astonishing 10-year warranty, that represents the best on the market.
The corresponding product support is excellent too, with regular system updates and excellent terms on repair.
And their official sites are full of tutorials to help you get to grips with your new instrument.
Roland have also made substantial strides forward on their key actions.
Roland’s flagship key action – PHA-50
The PHA-4 Standard action includes keys that simulate ivory, preventing your fingers from slipping off the keys, while their flagship wood hybrid action, PHA-50, is available on the DP and HP ranges, as well as the FP-90X (flagship of the portable FP series) and the RD-2000 stage piano.
The centers of the keys are made from real wood, with the ivory feel of PHA-4 intact on the outside.
Along with this is their pedal system, which features the ability to reprogram the soft and sostenuto pedals to different weights and functions.
While there is no doubting the quality of the Roland brand though, their products are expensive.
In the portable range, the FP-90X is nearly $2200; the equivalent Yamaha P series is only $1599.
Roland FP-90X, the flagship of the FP series
The top-of-the-range V-Piano grand is just shy of $20,000. Bearing in mind you’re looking at the top of the range though, this isn’t really a surprise.
- Tech savvy (onboard Bluetooth support on most of their DPs, physical modeling, etc.)
- Trusted around the world
- PHA-4/PHA-50 key actions are among the best in their class
- Great Piano Partner 2 app (can be used via Bluetooth)
- Not limited to which acoustic pianos to sample
- Limited selection of beginner keyboards
- Some people find their piano tones a bit too bright
- On the expensive side
Kawai
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue (2017) | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | Hamamatsu, Japan | Japan, Indonesia, China | 2868 (2016) | 652 million dollars (2018) | Acoustic Pianos, Digital Pianos, Electronic Keyboards |
If you want to go even more focused than Roland, then Kawai are pure piano specialists – both acoustic and digital. They were founded in 1927 with its headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan – the same city that Roland now have their own HQ.
Despite being less well-known globally than Yamaha or Roland though, they have expanded massively in recent years, into Russia, America and China.
Their products are seriously good too, with their upright CN series winning the MMR Dealers’ Choice “Home Digital Piano Line of the Year” in 2017 and their subsequent products excelling at the same awards every year since.
Kawai are an expensive brand, but they know it and they market themselves as producing professional instruments for professional musicians.
Their MP11SE stage piano offers a range of digital customization features without compromising on the real sound, but you’ll pay somewhere around three grands for it.
Meanwhile, the lower-level portables – the ES110 and the pro-grade ES920 (a competitor of the Yamaha P-515 and the Roland FP-90X) are much more affordable.
If you’re going to buy Kawai – and there are several compelling reasons to do so – it makes sense to go for one of their higher-end models.
The CN-301 is their best middle-range digital, with Responsive Hammer III, 256-note polyphony, 13 piano sounds and a stunning finish, for just under $3000.
Meanwhile, the CA series (Concert Artist) focuses on powerful output without compromising sound quality and their Grand Feel III action is one of the most sophisticated key actions on the market today; but it will cost you well in excess of $5,000.
On the lower end of the spectrum, Kawai has also prepared a bunch of great instruments that are highly competitive and popular in their price ranges, the already mentioned ES120 (portable) and KDP120 (console) being among them.
Kawai ES120 – Portable Digital Piano
The main jewels in the Kawai crown are sound and touch – arguably the two most important areas.
The lower register across the ranges is excellent, with powerful output and Harmonic Imaging (HI) piano sound to boot.
The Grand Feel (GF) keys are wooden and operate on the same pivot system as Kawai’s uprights, while the plastic folded-type RHIII action operates with triple sensor key action.
On the hybrid side of things, Kawai offers the magnificent NOVUS NV10S Hybrid Digital Piano.
The NV10S individually weights every single key and is a complete recreation of an acoustic piano action, using precision optical sensors as well as a hybrid damper mechanism that claims to be unique on the market.
For under $15,000, that represents the best high-end digital piano that Kawai has to offer.
- Fully focused on acoustic and digital pianos (no other businesses)
- Highly praised instruments (for their realism) across all price ranges
- Known for their realistic sound and natural feeling key actions
- Great PianoRemote app (can be used via Bluetooth)
- Wide selection of home digital pianos
- Not much presence in the synth, arranger, and workstation department
- Few beginner keyboards (if any)
- Not as well-known worldwide as Yamaha or Roland (it’s changing though)
- Pricey
Korg
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Inagi, Japan | Japan, Italy, China, Vietnam | 290 | N/A | Electronic Musical Instruments, Audio Equipment |
Founded in Tokyo in 1962, Korg – formerly known as Keio Electronic Laboratories – are a digital only producer of pianos, pedals, recording equipment, synthesizers and guitars.
Their main focus is digital technology, and this is reflected in their product range, which is workstation and synth-heavy keyboards.
In fact, they are one of the most used brands worldwide for studio-based workstations and the most recognizable, along with Nord.
Korg G1 Air – The Flagship of Korg’s Home Series
Their entry into the digital piano market is relatively recent and certainly competitive, although lacking in a high-end range.
The G1 Air, for example – their flagship digital upright – retails for almost $2000.
And while it’s not as feature-heavy as more expensive models from Yamaha, Roland or Kawai, the RH3 hammer action is very competitive with other brands and the digital know-how that they have honed from their tech-heavy focus over the years is very much present.
The main draw for Korg’s digital piano range is sound.
Their newer models, such as the B2SP, benefit from 30w speakers and Motional Feedback Technology, which focuses on making the low range of the keyboard distortion-free.
Meanwhile, the G1 Air produces astonishing sound considering its size, going full blooded in its attempt to recreate stage grands despite being relatively affordable and compact compared with its competitors.
Because they are so sound-focused, you also get a range of input and outputs to cater for pretty much any situation. And design-wise, they’re also quite innovative.
The edges of their uprights are distinctively curved and instead of having sideboards as supports, they have separate front legs, which is looks gorgeous in my opinion.
This ultimately translates to a more lightweight product, but doesn’t make them less durable.
Over to the world of stage pianos though and you find Korg in its element.
The Kronos and Kronos LS (succeeded by Nautilus) are used all over the world, with keyboardists from superstar bands like Queen displaying the brand in massive stadia.
The joystick and touch-controlled screens offer an enormous range of live and recorded options, but the quality of the actual keyboard itself isn’t sacrificed in any way.
It doesn’t’ break the bank either, considering that you’re effectively buying a portable studio.
Another area where Korg excels at is pro-grade arranger workstations, and in particular, their Pa series, which could become your favorite songwriting and performance partner, providing you with the highest quality sounds and styles for virtually any genre.
- Some instruments are still produced in Japan
- Experts when it comes to pro-grade synths, keyboards, and workstations
- Not limited to which acoustic pianos to sample
- Put emphasis on the importance of high-quality speaker system onboard
- The RH3 key action used in their higher-end keyboards is very competitive
- Relatively small range of consumer grade digital pianos
- Some of their lower end digital pianos lack some of the popular features found in their competitors
- Limited selection of beginner keyboards
Nord
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Stockholm, Sweden | Sweden | 30 | 20 million dollars | Stage Pianos, Synthesizers |
As far as this list is concerned, you may as well consider Nord to be the opposite of Casio.
The only company on this list that isn’t Japanese, the Swedish company focuses on high-end, expensive professional or studio-only models, with features and quality to match.
The company has been running since 1983 under the name Clavia Digital Musical Instruments and has the smallest product range on this list; focusing purely on synthesizers and stage pianos.
The distinctive red finish that adorns the shells of their products makes them perhaps the most recognizable brand of stage keyboard on the market.
While you will get graded hammer action keys on the Nord Piano 5, for example, it’s a third-party designed action – Fatar – rather than one that has been developed in-house, as you get with their competitors.
That’s not to say it isn’t excellent – it is, but part of the reason you don’t see Nords outside of the stage and studio environments so much is that they aren’t focused on appeasing the classical pianist who has made a crossover into digital stage performance.
These are very much instruments of the technically-minded – people with significant synth expertise and a real interest in live digital performance. In fact, the array of knobs and buttons across their range covers almost every live eventuality you can think of; looping, sampling, you name it.
Their other stage models – the Electro 6 and the Stage 4 – are similarly kitted out and similarly expensive.
In terms of synthesizers, the Nord Lead A1 is certainly a market leader, offering wavetable synthesis, multiple stacking, and hard/soft synthesis. It is one of the more expensive on the market though.
The warranty for Nord products depends from distributor to distributor, but the company has built up a reputation for being the number 1 in terms of quality control.
And their list of artists is seemingly endless, albeit largely populated by session and touring musicians, showing their focus on the modern demands of touring and studio work.
- Handmade in Sweden
- Top notch quality
- Very popular among pros (gigs, studio work)
- Highly specialized (go deeper rather than wider)
- The RH3 key action used in their higher-end keyboards is very competitive
- Pricey
- Very limited range (pro grade keyboards only)
- Might not be the best choice for classically trained pianists
Dexibell
| Founded | Headquarters | Factories | Number of employees | Revenue | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Acquaviva Picena, Italy | Italy | <100 | n/a | Stage Pianos, Digital Pianos, Digital Organs |
Dexibell is a fairly new name in the business, though this Italian company has made a name for itself with consistently well-designed products that follow tried and true design cues from other established companies.
Most of the designers in Dexibell are actually ex-Roland employees, and that’s a solid pedigree to work with. We’ve already talked about Roland’s eye for design and innovation across their 40-year long legacy above, and Dexibell aims to recreate that magic.
Dexibell first entered the fray with their Vivo stage pianos, also known as the Vivo S-line. These pianos are still relatively unknown, but reviews and users are generally very happy with what’s on offer.
The ‘secret sauce’ to Dexibell’s instruments is the use of the CORTEX-Quadcore processor, which uses a similar architecture to those used in personal computers and laptops.
This is then coupled with sound engines optimized to use the multithreaded nature, namely the piano-focused True To Life (T2L) engine.
This sound engine uses 24-bit sampling bit depth, which allows for a larger dynamic range, and the fast processor reacts to the built-in sensors, adding noise and other details reactively.
The T2L sound engine operates somewhat similarly to Roland’s SuperNATURAL engine and allows players to modify parameters on demand. For example, the user can modify sounds by changing certain preset parameters.
Generally, Dexibell uses keybeds from Fatar, who are also responsible for the Nord-line from Clavia. While these aren’t exactly bad (the high-end TP/40 is quite good actually), they won’t be winning any awards for playability.
The Dexibell Vivo S-line might not share the same notoriety of their distantly related Nord counterparts, but it does take some design cues, such as the slanted pitch and mod wheels and individual sections.
Dexibell VIVO S9 (side view)
Dexibell also makes console-style home pianos, known as the Vivo H-line.
What’s interesting is that these console models use mostly the same tech as Dexibell stage pianos, which makes them expensive yet capable instruments.
Some of the features they inherited from Dexibell stage pianos include an expandable sound library with 1.5GB wave memory, a wide selection of reverb and DSP effects, and support for .wav, .aiff, .mp3, audio playback.
The H-line shows off Dexibell’s sampling and modeling techniques beautifully, and do compete with the more seasoned veterans in the field.
15-second long samples and modeled resonances, combined with decently tuned speakers, mean that Dexibell is a brand well worth considering if you get the chance to test it out.
Finally, Dexibell also produces organs, including the Classico L3 and the Combo J7, which emulate a church and jazz electric organ respectively.
While Nord probably still has the digital organ market on lock, the Combo J7 is the first digital organ to have motorized drawbar faders, which might appeal to players who want evolving sounds.
Digital Piano & Keyboard Brands to Avoid
Williams
On the face of it, you might have your head turned by Williams, who produce great-looking instruments with similar stats on paper to their competitors, but at a fraction of the price.
The Legato III – their beginner model – retails for well under $500, while the upright digital, the Overture 2, is around $800; But cost is where the positives end.
The bottom line is that these pianos don’t have the mechanics to back up their aesthetics.
The range and quality of sampling is quite disappointing and the speakers are powerful enough but the sound quality isn’t great. The main issues lie with playability though.
The touch-sensitive keys feel like they belong in the dark ages compared with the advanced hammer action offerings from the big names, and the lack of dynamic control is very worrying. It feels like you’re playing an old table-top from 30 years ago, no matter how high up their product range you go.
The brand itself is owned by Guitar Center, but the instruments are manufactured by an outsource company in China.
Therefore it should come as a surprise that Williams pianos are heavily promoted via the chain of Guitar Center stores and its affiliates (Musician’s Friend, Woodwind & Brasswind, etc.)
Artesia
In terms of pricing, Artesia are a similar brand to Williams, and they’re obviously aiming at the beginner range more than seasoned pros.
If you’re a Yamaha or Kawai aficionado, you’ll be astounded to note that you can pick up their digital grand – the AG-30 – for just about $1700.
The bottom line though is that it isn’t worth the admittedly massive saving.
The build quality on the Artesia instruments is average to say the least – they’re saving on parts left, right and center.
The PA table-top series, aimed at beginners, feel like they couldn’t withstand any kind of impact.
And mechanically, everything lags light years behind the big boys. The action is springy and mechanical, the sound is thin and pixelated, and the programming options are far too sparse.
These guys go a long way toward proving the old adage that you get what you pay for.
Others
It’s not just these three, though. There are several other minor brands out there that aren’t worth your money. Omega and Galileo are two such examples.
A potential banana skin though is Suzuki. They have built themselves into a world-famous piano brand in the far East, with their methods and their keyboards in thousands upon thousands of schools.
The bottom line though, is that their products just aren’t up to scratch.
Semi-Recommended Brands
There are two brands that I couldn’t include in either of the categories above. I don’t necessarily “not recommend” these brands but in many cases there are just better options out there from other brands.
Kurzweil
Rewind back to the 1980s, and the Kurtzweil brand was the market leader.
An unlikely partnership between Stevie Wonder and inventor Raymond Kurtzweil – who developed reading machines for the blind – saw them rise to the top thanks to the best replication of acoustic piano sound on the market by far.
Now, the sound that these machines generate is still pretty good, and they undoubtedly win the price war with their competitors (their main Clavinova competitor, the MP120, only costs around $1500).
However, they are let down by the action on their keyboards, which is clunky, heavy and reminiscent of the plastic keyboards of yesteryear.
In fact, to make it worth your while considering one of Kurzweil’s instruments, you need to be looking at their top end.
The CUP-410 – priced well above $2000 – boasts 70w of speaker output, upright-style design and lots of customization options.
For their flagship stage piano – Kurzweil Forte with 16GB of sounds and 23 programmable controllers – you’ll pay even more money.
The issue with the touch is less pronounced with these models, but if I was spending over $2000, I’d still want more.
Alesis
Alesis is another well-established brand that has been producing electronic musical instruments and audio equipment for over 30 years.
Nowadays they mostly specialize in making drum kits, multipads, MIDI-keyboards, and recording equipment, and they’re actually pretty good at what they’re doing.
However, if you’re looking for a high-quality digital piano, I’d recommend checking out the major brands first (the ones mentioned above).
Alesis just doesn’t have that much experience and know-how when it comes to pianos.
However, if you’re just starting out, an Alesis keyboard might be a good cost-efficient option that will get you off the ground playing the piano.
One of the best options models in their arsenal I can recommend is the Alesis Recital Pro, which unlike many other Alesis keyboards, features 88 fully weighted keys and offers pretty decent piano tones.
Final Thoughts
It’s a big market out there, but that doesn’t mean you have to get stuck with something you don’t want.
Ultimately, you want to choose a piano that matches your ability level first and foremost, but durability, reliability and warranty are all important no matter who you are or your reason for buying.
On the technology side, touch is everything if you’re coming from the acoustic world.
A good company should pay attention to how a piano feels, as well as its integration with modern technology.
So, over to you. Do you have any experiences with any of these brands – good or bad – that you’d like to share.
What makes and models work for you?
Let us know in the comments and let’s get a conversation going. And of course, if you’ve found this article useful, share it so that other people can get the benefit! Thanks for reading!
You might also like:
Yamaha Keyboards & Digital Pianos: The Definitive Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Digital Piano
Best Digital Pianos & Keyboards (All Price Points)
Digital Piano vs Keyboard vs Synthesizer (Full Comparison)
Best Digital Pianos for Beginners (Under $500)
Wow. Can tell you really spent the time to write this. Thanks!
Thanks Dono! Yeah it takes a ton of time, but seeing all these comments of appreciation make it all worth it. Thanks for your feedback guys
Hello, Lucas
Thank you for the post. It’s really helping me to decide what to buy. However, my budget doesn’t reach those ranges. Do you have any opinion about the Thomann Digital Pianos? Specifically about the models DP-26 and the SP-320?
I know I can’t expect much from them, but I’d like to buy a portable piano, to play as a hobby and learn to play some classical pieces. I already have some experience by playing acoustic guitar (pop songs) since 20 years ago, so I know I’ll need something more professional in 3 or 4 years. Do you think that Thomann Pianos could be useful during this time?
Thanks in Advance,
Rodrigo
Hey Rodrigo, while I don’t have any experience with Thomann products, you’re probably right in assuming that they’re not the most realistic digital pianos out there.
And while I do recommend sticking to the major brands covered in this article, I believe that one can learn and play on any keyboard (even on one of those cheap 61-key arrangers), so if your budget is very limited, I’d say go for it!
The key here is to start, and since you’re not making a huge investment here, you can always upgrade to a better piano in the future if you feel that you’re outgrowing your current instrument.
I also did a quick search online and it seems that the models you mentioned are not as cheap as I imagined, so I would definitely recommend checking out this guide where I listed the best digital piano options for beginners. There are a few worthy instruments there that are even more affordable that the ones you mentioned.
Hi Lucas,
This is the best global review that I’ve read about digital piano brands!
It’s really useful to help me to take mi final decision
Thanks a lot
Jose
Hey Jose, I’m glad it was helpful. Good luck on your musical journey!
Awesome article, quite timely as I am on the market for a piano/keyboard. My heart is leaning towards a Kawai VPC-1. Although not covered here (it’s only a MIDI keyboard, not really a piano), the Kawai touch is something I particularly apprciate. And the section on Kawai kind of matches what I understood.
I put my hands on a few digital pianos, and your analysis is very consistent with my (beginner) opinion. Thanks a bunch.
Any opinion on the VPC-1 ? I like the CA-78 quite a lot.
The Kawai VPC-1 is an awesome MIDI controller, one of the best out there as far as piano feel is concerned. I would definitely recommend it if you don’t need any built-in sounds and intend to use VST plugins from day one. It will also allow you to save a bunch of money, since Kawai’s full-fledged digital pianos with similar key action design (wooden, seesaw) are considerably more expensive including the CA-78 you mentioned.
Excellent reviews, Lucas! I think you are spot on with your assessments.
It may be time to add a link to the new Nord Grand to be at the top of their list (or bottom of the list in your case).
Thank you!
Thanks, Robert, appreciate your comment. That’s right, it’s time to make some updates to the article to reflect all the recent changes in the industry happened in the past several months. Thanks for letting me know.
Hello. This is a very helpful list, although I’m wondering as to why the Korg C1 and G1 air are listed as Intermediate? How does the G1 especially compare to the Roland FP-90? I’ve tried the FP-90 but I didn’t like it that much due to the sound.
Hi John, there’s no official classification on user levels, it’s just reference information. In fact, advanced players will have no problem playing “a beginner-friendly” digital piano and vice versa. These “levels” are just there to help you better understand and navigate the market. Usually, they are based on the price range and the feature set of each instrument. Entry-level digital pianos (Yamaha P-45, Casio CDP-S100, etc.) are usually considered “beginner” instruments, while the flagship models (e.g. Yamaha P-515, Roland FP-90, etc.) are geared more towards advanced players.
I don’t think a pro player will dislike playing the Korg G1 or C1 digital pianos (WHO plays the instrument and not the instrument itself is what really matters), but generally, console digital pianos in this price range and with this feature set are considered intermediate instruments.
Advanced console digital pianos will often have wooden keys, more simulated acoustic elements, more sound-shaping options, higher polyphony count, etc. (e.g. Kawai’s CA series, Roland’s HP & LX series, Yamaha’s CLP series).
Korg don’t really have any advanced digital pianos (not counting their synths, workstations, etc.).
Compared to the G1/C1, the FP-90 offers a much better sound selection, tons of adjustable sound elements, arguably more realistic hybrid wooden key action, and great connectivity.
When it comes to sound, it’s entirely subjective, and higher-end instruments don’t necessarily sound better to everyone.
I’d recommend checking out both of them, since chances are you’ll like the sounds on the Korg more than those on the FP-90 (if, as you say, you disliked those).
Excellent article, Lucas. I found the table and stats comparing the various companies (number of employees, revenue, product lines) helpful. Thanks for pulling all of that together!
Glad you found it helpful, Paul, I tried my best.
Hi,
I’m looking for a DP for my dauther that just sarted music school. I’m trying to decide, Yamaha ydp 144W set (DP, chair and headphones = 900$) or Kawai kdp 110 (1000$ just DP). I’d like to last not to have to buy another one in two years.
What whould you recomend.
THX.
Hey Katarina, either of these two will be fine for a beginner, and you’ll hardly need an upgrade in the nearest future (definitely more than in 2 years), considering your daughter is only starting out.
My personal preference would be the Kawai, as it has an arguably more realistic key action and the sound is very good as well. Overall, I’d consider it a better instrument than the YDP-144.
Also, I wouldn’t recommend using the headphones bundled with the piano, as they’re rarely of good quality. Check out my guide on how to choose the right headphones for your digital piano.
I hope this helps.
Very enjoyable and interesting read. Thank you.
I just began playing piano a couple of months ago, and it’s been both fun and challenging. It takes a lot of research to find the right keyboard for your needs, and it’s amazing how much difference there is in the action between all of them.
Best regards,
Hey Steven, glad you liked the article. Good luck on your musical journey!
Thank you Lucas for a very informative article which I’m sure will help many shoppers narrow down their choices. Once the choices have been narrowed down to 2, or 3, it is very important for people to actually sit down and play each model before making the final decision.
Until recently, I owned five different 88-note digital piano at the same time. I bought a Casio for about $1,200 15 years ago (which I still have) because I really liked its action. I bought a Yamaha MOXF8 5 years ago for $1,800 and absolutely hated everything about it (but kept it until recently). I bought a like-new 88-note Korg Kronos 4 years ago for $2,800 and wanted to love it but didn’t (but kept it until recently). I bought a like-new Casio PX-5S last year for $800 last year and liked it much better than the Yamaha or Korg. I bought a like-new Casio PX-560 for $600 a few months ago which I like better than the PX-5S because it’s simpler to use. One thing I learned from buying all these different digital pianos is: sometimes more is NOT better. Some keyboards are great if you are a programmer or sound designer but can be extremely frustrating to use if you are not. Some keyboards can weigh more than twice as much as another. Some keyboards may have 10,000 sounds but the one you really want. Some keyboards have great organ sounds but you find out you don’t really play organ on a piano action. I also own 8 other arrangers & synths (Yamaha, Korg, Roland) with awesome sounds & features so I don’t really need those features on my piano (more features also means more buttons and menus). Btw, Yamaha makes great arranger keyboards (I have the 76-note Tyros 5) but I don’t like playing piano/electric piano on them. I’m 99% sure my next purchase will be the Casio PXS3000 although it doesn’t have als many features as my PX-560. I find myself playing much less when I spend hours reading menus or pushing buttons.
I hope sharing my experience will help someone in their decision making.
Hey Hien, wow, that’s quite a collection you’ve had! Thanks for taking the time to share this. I’m sure it will be much appreciated by the community.
Hi Lucas, thank you for this helpful and extensive comparisons.
Have you had any experience with Dexibell? Want to hear what you think of them.
Their Vivo S9 looks and sounds fantastic from videos.
And have you tried the new Kurzweil PC4? What do you think of it?
Cheers.
Hi Yan, I will definitely add Dexibell to this list (this has been on my to-do list for a long time, just haven’t had a chance to do it). I have briefly played the Vivo S7 Pro, and listened to quite a few demos…The sound is what’s really impressive about their instruments.
As for the touch, not a big fan of Fatar actions, but hey, Nord use them as well, and for stage situations, portability and playability are probably more important than the authentic feel of wooden key actions (the Vivo S9, though, do have that).
All in all, I’d recommend looking at their top-of-the-line models that use the Fatar TP-40 or TP-400 key actions, which are considerably more realistic than the TP-100 action used in their more affordable models such as the Vivo H1 and Vivo H3.
P.S Haven’t had a chance to try out the new Kurzweil, though it does look as if it was made in the 90s 🙂
THANKS FOR THE VERY HELPFUL REVIEW.
My pleasure!
Hi Lucas! I really enjoyed reading this. I’m originally a Juilliard-trained concert pianist, but I’ve also done quite a bit of studio, gigging, arranging, and orchestration . Currently I live in Paris where I work as a singer, conductor, and teacher. For a time I even sold pianos! I just wanted to thank you for the colossal effort, great organization, and spot-on critiques you’ve created here. I particularly appreciate how you’ve broken down the categories of instruments and given clear examples. Also, your writing is concise and informative. I wouldn’t hesitate to refer to you as THE source for anyone thinking of wading into the world of digital and electric keyboards. And you’re very kind to answer people’s questions . Where are you based? It’d be fun to meet you sometime. Thanks again for your hard work!
Hi Thomas, thanks so much for all the kind words. I’ve replied to your other message via email. I hope that’s fine.
Hi Lucas
Thanks so much for such an informative and detailed review on all these manufacturers. I’m learning about the various piano actions and this comes from buying a Roland FP-10 which developed a clicking sound only after 2 months. I returned it to the store and the repairer apparently re-greased the keys. They said this was the problem. However after getting it back, other keys started to click within days. I was told is was because I live in a warm climate but this didn’t sit right with me. After checking in with various forums, I find that even people in cold climates get the same problem and that it’s to do with the PHA4 action – that this is not a very good action at all.
I would love to hear your feedback on this. It’s such a shame as everything else about the Roland FP-10 is beautiful, so I’m quite disappointed about this issues. Thanks again Lucas.
Hi Rebecca, sorry to hear about your problem. To be honest, I’m surprised to hear about the noises on the PHA-4 Standard as it’s considered one of the quieter key actions out there. I also know a few people who own a Roland FP-30/FP-60, and they actually praised the keys and how relatively silent and reliable they were.
The only thing that comes to mind is that you got a defective unit. After you received the piano from repair, the keys were fine for a few days, and then they developed the noise gradually? Is the noise coming from all the keys or only a few of them? How would you describe the noise? Is it a clicking noise, scratching, thumping? Do you hear it when you play the piano (via headphones/onboard speakers)?
Hi Lucas
I have been playing 15 years classic music in a piano, now im moving a lot so i’m thinking of getting a digital one.
Which will you recommend between a Casio PX870 or a Yamaha YDP Arius ?
Hi Fernando, well, there are quite a few models in the Arius line, which particular models did you have in mind?
Generally, I prefer the YDP-164 or YDP-184 over the PX-870. But, the PX-870 beats the YDP-144 and YDP-103, in my opinion. Overall, I’d say the PX-870 is more comparable to the YDP-164 than to the YDP-144/YDP-103.
The YDP-164 has a heavier and slightly quieter key action. Soundwise, both sound beautiful, listen to the demos to decide which one you prefer (or better visit a store to play them in person).
Do you have any experience with comparing the actions in the Yamaha CP88 and CP73? Also, now that the Korg SV2 is out, will you consider putting it on your list?
Hi Alan, the difference in feel between these actions is pretty significant. Can’t say I was very impressed by the keys on the CP73.
The new Korg SV2 is definitely on the list. We’ll test and review it as soon as we get a chance.
I live in a area with very little access to sit down and try the different brands. How does a person pick one brand over another if they don’t have access? I am leaning towards the Roland FP30 but would like to test a Korg to feel the keys and hear the sound. I am not really sure whay to do.
Hi Doreen,
Yeah, that’s a pretty common problem for those living in more remote areas. I wouldn’t pick one brand, but instead, would focus on several models within your budget based on your needs. I don’t think it’s a good idea to stick to one particular brand because every recommended brand on this list has great models in almost every price range.
The Roland FP-30 is a good pick, and actually one of my personal favorites in its price range. May I ask what Korg model you’re also considering?
Hi! This was a very well written and informative article, but incredibly unfair and misguiding towards Kurzweil!
Many of their models share key beds with Dexibell and Nord models, yet they didn’t receive nearly as much criticism for their actions.
If you’re going to bash their lower end offers, you would still let your readers remember what they can offer on the high end. The Forte (from a synthesizer standpoint) is a MUCH more capable and advanced instrument compared to pretty much everything on this list, from every single manufacturer. Kronos, Montage and Fantom are the only other products that come close.
Compared to a Nord Stage for example, the Forte is the stage x 100 (not an exaggeration) in terms of capability and flexibility, the only upside to the red guy is in fact the color and the interface (which is highly subjective). It pains me to say it, as a native swede, but you don’t really get what you pay for with Nord. Superb instruments nontheless.
As a disclaimer, I have no affiliation with Kurzweil, and don’t even own a Kurzweil product.
Hi Adam,
Thanks so much for your insight. I agree, their top-of-the-range synths and stage piano are pretty good and competitive (despite feeling/looking a bit outdated). But when it comes to their lower-end and mid-range models, I just think that there are better digital pianos out there from the brands I mention in the ‘recommended’ section.
Lower-end Dexibell models are struggling with the same problem with their unimpressive TL/100 key actions, but the amazing sound and speakers partially make up for that. As for the high-end models, I’d pick a Nord or Dexibell over a Kurzweil any day, but I guess that’s just my personal preference. Also, considering the Nord Stage 3 can do and be so many things, I’m curious about what crazy features the Forte has to offer that make it so much more capable and flexible?
And yeah, I won’t lie, I haven’t had as much experience with Kurzweil instruments as with the other brands, so I appreciate you taking the time to point out that their instruments may actually be worth considering.
Considering the article is about keyboard brands as a whole, I don’t think that having 2-3 good models in the arsenal is good enough. That’s why I only put those keyboard brands in the “recommended” section that have proven to have many successful models, most of which I can recommend. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I can recommend most of Kurzweil products, that’s why it’s in the ‘semi-recommended’ section. Does this make sense?
I think you have a point regarding their middle of the class keyboards, but I still think people generally do themselves a disfavor by disregarding what the Kurzweils offer because of what I mainly think comes down to dull aesthetics and non aggressive marketing. And now with the SP6 and PC4, I think they should be even more regarded outside of the Forte.
Now, back to the Forte. What it offers is 16gb of flashplay samples, 3,3 GB of USER samples. An independent FM synthesizer (DX7) that can be used together with the other synthesis types. Virtual analog synth, tonewheel emulator. 16 CC step sequencers, 16 riff generators, 16 arpeggiators. 32 FX units with totally customizable effect routings.
The V.A.S.T synthesis architecture which really is “vast”. For example, a single ‘patch’ called program in kurzweil language can be made up of 32 layers of signal processing. Each layer can have independent settings in all of the various blocks, including different algorithms, pan positions, output mappings, etc. Modulation sources can be routed to almost all of these, and can be independently assigned within a layer and between layers. Thus using a particular modulation source in one “block” does not exclude it from being used elsewhere (for instance you could assign keystroke velocity to control, say, filter frequency cutoff and resonance in one layer, while in another it can be assigned to control pitch or pan position). And the Forte (and PC4) support 16 independent zones of these patches that can be layered and split in any way imaginable. To top it off, you have 23 programmable controllers many of which can act as macro controllers (ala montage superknob). Oh, and it’s also a 16 part fully fledged sequencer.
That’s a lot of stuff most other keyboards can’t even touch. And it’s barely scratching the surface of the Forte. Is it too complicated? For most people, definitely, for me too? Absolutely. But it needs to be recognized.
Put these stats side by side with a Nord Stage 3 and you would have to use so many subjectives to justify the red guys cost. You’re actually paying for swedish socialism and for expensive manual labor. Now, instruments should be chosen for subjective reasons too, but at least be fair toward the work Kurzweil has put into their product. And be transparent with Nord, and other overpriced products, like most things branded Apple. It’s okay to want overpriced products, but at least admit they are.
Sorry for sounding overly negative, I really do think this article was well written, and perhaps Kurzweil’s lack of good reputation comes down to their own lackluster marketing.
A little correction, you’re still limited to 128 notes of polyphony on the Forte, so while you can layer tons of stuff, it will of course limit the amount of notes that can be played simultaneously.
The PC4 is now 256 notes of polyphony, with the same layering/split options as the Forte, so as a pure synth that one is even more powerful.
Adam, thanks again for this. It’s great to have a new perspective on things. I’d love to see others sharing about the experiences they’ve had with different brands (good or bad) as well.
I’m sure your comments will be appreciated by many reading this article and those considering a Kurzweil instrument for purchase.
The Kurzweil PC4 makes any of the Casio keyboards sound like a toy made for children. If you get one you’ll wish you had stayed with their calculators as the touch on those keys can probably make you happier than spending more than about $59.99 on any Casio keyboard. I’m seriously wondering if you even play the keyboards? How you don’t have Hammond, Prophet, Moog, & throwback keys like Arps or Fender-Rhoades, Hohner, etc even listed makes me think you were paid by Casio, Yamaha, & Korg to write this article?!? The Roland’s & Kawai’s are definitely good but to not even understand how & why the Kurzweil PC2, PC3, PC4, PC4 SE, Forte, among others are far superior in sound, technology & most of them have 7 different settings you can manually choose from for the Semi-Weighted or Fully-Weighted, or Fully-Weighted with After Touch make your comment about the plastic 80’s keyboards question your true reason for writing this article. I can understand leaving out the classic models which are no longer produced but Kurzweil is Jimi Hendrix & the Hammond, Moog, & Prophet are the equivalent of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, & Jeff Beck on Guitars. Santana is like the Roland… Why did I use Guitar Players to associate these keyboards with; it’s because it’s as logical as you choosing Casio as a top7 keyboard – literally lmao! I wouldn’t let my 12 yr old play a Casio, although he did have one bro jump up & down with from Age 2-8
No, it makes no sense I listed 5 Kurzweil keyboards off the top of my head that are as Adam pointed out far superior to any of the brands you listed in an article named “The Best Digital Piano & Keyboard Brands Guide (of 2022).” Please call Stevie Wonder & Ray Kurzweil up & explain again how a company that’s best left to producing calculators is superior to any Kurzweil made since they first collaborated on the first keyboard to feel like you’re playing an acoustic while getting the benefits of everything digital. The PC2 from 20 yrs ago?!? Has 512 sounds programmed into the keyboard that are better than the best sound you can make from a Casio, except turning the power button off! Korg’s are Roland want to be’s…. Yamaha makes 2 keyboards: the Clavinova & the Motif which are worth playing if you’re looking for a 2 keyboard Brand to write about. I also don’t currently have any of the electronic keyboards or own stock in them; nor do I get reimbursed for naming a calculator brand as better than the Kurzweil. Please scroll down & read my further comments as I am just in shock at the contents of this article. If I was going to have an electronic keyboard it would probably be the Kurzweil or a Hammond & a Kurzweil but I’m roughing it on my 90 yr old nearly antique Baldwin which was completely redone by a Baldwin Floor Manager Technician 15 yrs ago & currently sales for around 60-70k, which is about the cheapest Baby Grand from that era which has been completely refinished to original factory standards costs. I realize it’s not a Steinway though… but just because Young Chang temporarily owned Kurzweil, the autonomous creation stayed in Boston, MA. They didn’t mess up anything or have anything to do with the manufacturing of any Kurzweil’s; so although I agree their piano’s are as important to the keyboard industry as the Casio calculators, you need to redo your math scoring system, maybe use a Texas Instruments calculator….
Thanks Lucas, found it all very informative, I think I will be looking for a Korg, but not sure if the polyphony also applies to recording, I have a cheap casio 61 key and thought I could record, but its only single notes. My old 65 yr old piano can’t be tuned, so will be looking for a Korg around $1000, Australian Dollars, hope to start playing a bit more but would like to record some of my creations so hope it can be done on the Korg, before I get too much older and forget.
Thanks for your comment, Richard. It depends on the model, but generally, if a keyboard has an onboard MIDI record you should be able to record with no problem. Or did you mean something else by “polyphony also applies to recording?”
Hey Lucas, before reading the article i was more inclined towards KORG LP380 Digital Piano for my daughter (7 years). She’s been learning from the past 1 year & this is gonna be the first purchase for her. After reading the article i feel i should go for YAMAHA but unsure about which one… Can you please light up.
Hi Ritesh,
Have you read our Yamaha guide? There, we cover many things about Yamaha and their product lineup.