Are You Drowning In The Sea Of Digital Pianos? ... Feeling Overwhelmed With Choice?

"The most important thing you need from a digital piano is a realistic touch.
A good piano sound and minimum of 4 touch sensitivity levels are also important.
But other factors such as dimensions, weight, colour, 'bells and whistles', etc.
shouldn't factor so much in your purchase decision", Graham Howard, Piano Advisor and Author

If you need advice on digital pianos, send me an email: grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk or call 020 8367 2080.

Confused? Need some advice? - then check out piano questions.

Articles Worth Reading:
Digital Pianos - Which Brand Should I Buy
7 Things You MUST Know Before You Buy A Digital Piano

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Best Digital Piano Makes

Yamaha Digital Pianos 
The best and most popular by far! This is backed up by thousands of teachers around the world that not only own a Yamaha piano but usually recommend them to their students above all other makes. The most popular ranges are the CLP, CVP and YDP. The YDP offers nice sounding, budget models; the CLP Clavinova range offers the finest sounding digital pianos around; and the CVP Clavinovas offer additional instrumental voices, rhythms and advanced functions. Read reviews


            >> View all Yamaha pianos 
 YDP135     CLP430     CLP440     CLP470      CLP480  CLP-S406   CLP465GP 

Roland Digital Pianos
The Roland sound is quite unique. It's like Marmite: 'You either love it or hate it'. Personally, I love the sound. The touch feels a little too light though: I feel that my fingers start to run away with themselves when playing fast. The range of HP models is the most popular. These pianos offer a variety of sounds and functions similar to those you would find on a Yamaha CLP. The Roland is worth considering and comparing against the Yamaha, Kawai or Classenti. But the prices are quite high. Verdict: Very nice pianos with the latest technology, excellent build quality, reliable, a good name, but... a little pricey.
Read reviews

Kawai Digital Pianos
Because Kawai also manufacture upright pianos they claim to have superior 'piano knowledge' which enables them to build the best digital pianos. Well you'll find that Yamaha have been making uprights for a lot longer than Kawai. Classenti and Suzuki also produce them - So they're not the only ones! Kawai digitals have a pleasant sound, and a medium-weight, soft touch at the bottom of the key stroke. Their top end digital pianos from the CA range are their very best (they're definitely worth comparing against the equivalent Yamaha CLP models). Their budget models are their best sellers. This is mostly because of their compact size and affordable price. Kawai also have a big range of styles to choose from.
Read reviews

Interest free finance available on selected digital pianos and keyboards, click here.

Classenti Digital Pianos
There are 6 models in all: 5 digital pianos and 1 baby grand. The 1st models (P1 and CDP1) are designed for someone that wants a realistic piano sound and touch without the 'bells and whistles'. The next piano (CDP2) has a deeper, more resonant piano sound and is suitable for pianists of all abilities. The next piano (CDP3) looks, sounds and feels just like a traditional, acoustic piano. With Classenti you get a quality sound and a realistic, heavy-weighted touch. Unlike most other digital pianos, you don't get hundreds of gimmicks and flashing lights (otherwise known as 'bells and whistles'). Great value for money! Read reviews


           >> View all Classenti pianos
       P1             CDP1             CDP2            CDP3            GR1       CRYSTAL

Broadway
Some of the best value digital pianos around. Broadway pianos are priced at the lower end. You can choose from their budget model (EZ101), or perhaps a portable piano (BR1), or their most popular range (B1, B2 and B3) for all levels and abilities. There are also two baby grand pianos. If you're on a tight budget but at the same time want a piano that's good to learn and progress through the grades, then the Broadway range would be a very good choice.

      >> View all Broadway pianos
      BR1          EZ101           B1              B2              B3            BG1           MK10

Casio Digital Pianos 
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the Yamaha or Roland, but at the same time having a reasonable piano sound and touch then Casio might be an option for you. You get to choose from two ranges: The Privia PX, and the AP range. The Privia pianos are modern/cool looking space savers, but their downside is a weak, bright tone, a light/springy touch and very noisy keys. The AP range is better, but still lacks a decent touch. Casio have made improvements over the past few years but they really need to focus more on quality.
Read reviews

Korg
Korg make excellent stage pianos (some of the best), but they only have a small selection of budget range digital pianos. These pianos are actually quite good for the price. Two In particular worth checking out are SP170S and SP250.
Read reviews

Kurzweil
If you need a top end, high performing stage piano then Kurzweil are certainly worth considering. Kurzweil's basic model can be compared against the Roland FP, and Yamaha P series. Kurzweil's top model is really something else.
Read reviews

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Best Pianos Under £500 

Best Pianos £700 - £1,000

Best Pianos £1,000 - £1,500

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Read questions and answers further down this page

If you want an instrument that sounds like a real piano, doesn't take up as much space, or requires any maintenance, then digital pianos are for you. Digital pianos are 100% electronic, and usually have a number of instrument sounds and functions. The most popular makes in the UK are: Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Classenti, Casio and Korg.

Advantages of digital pianos over upright pianos

• Saves space 
• Lots of instrument sounds and functions 
• Cheaper price than upright pianos 
• Headphone connections and volume level control 
• Easier to move around 
• No tuning required (£130 - £160 saving per year) 
• No maintenance needed 

Read this article which digital piano to buy - You'll find out how to save money on digital pianos, which shop to buy from, how much to pay and loads more piano buying tips.

 
~ New pianos launched: Broadway B1, Casio CDP120, CDP220, LX-15F

~ Classenti Digital Pianos Are Making A Big Splash In The UK...

Designed and engineered by Germans... French, German, Japanese and Chinese parts... Japanese sound technology...
 
The Classenti digital pianos have an EXCELLENT sound, 88 fully weighted keys, and they feel just like you're playing a real upright piano. The touch is slightly heavier than most digital pianos (which is good for all players - especially beginners). The slightly heavier key touch will strengthen your finger muscles so it'll be much easier when the time comes to play a real piano.
 
And, what's more... the price is competitive compared with the equivalent models from Yamaha (YDP135, CLP430 and CLP440), Roland (RP301, HP503 and HP507), Kawai (CN33, CN43 and CA93) and Casio (PX835 and AP620).

Classenti Models
Classenti P1
Classenti CDP1
Classenti CDP2
Classenti CDP3
Classenti GR1

"I personally recommend the Classenti digital pianos". Read more.
"The Classenti CDP2 is the best all-round piano I've seen under £1,000. Super value for money!"
 For more information, send Graham Howard an email: grahamhoward{AT}ukpianos.co.uk

Graham Howard,
Piano Advisor and Author

Buy or Sell a secondhand digital piano in the Market Place.

More Digital Piano Brands

Aura, Alesis, Amason, Baldwin, Behringer, Bentley, Berkeley, Bluthner, Broadway, Chase, Classenti, Classic Cantabile, Cool, Cranes, Delson, Digiano, Diginova, Dynatone, Eagletone, Ensoniq, Farfisa, Fujiyama, Galileo, Gear4Music, Gewa, Hammond, Hemingway, H.Star, Kaino, Ketron, Kingston, Kobrat, M-Audio, Mantova, Medeli, Melodic, Minster, Minueta, Orla, Pianonova, Rikter, Ringway, Robertson, Samick, Sejung, Studiologic, Sulinda, Suzuki, Technics, Thomann, Valdesta, Viscount, Williams, Winchester, Worlde, Wyman

What our customers say...

Questions and Comments

Want to ask Graham Howard a question? Send your email to: grahamhowardukpianos.co.uk

"I'm concerned about buying online"

Dear Graham,

Thank you very much for your advice which is much appreciated. My only concern about buying online is if a fault develops. Sending something of that size back by post is not usually a viable option.

All good wishes, Mark

Reply/ Hi Mark

When you buy a Yamaha or Classenti digital piano online you're covered by Yamaha's 3 year warranty and Classenti's 5 year warranty.

This warranty covers you for parts and labour. It's also an 'on-site' warranty. This means that all repairs are carried out in your home. You don't have to send your piano anywhere.

If you buy from a shop, then you'll most likely have to lug it back there to get it repaired.

You're far better off buying online.

Yours pianistically

Graham Howard

--

Hi Graham,
 
Have read through whole of website and your book about buying digital piano.
 
I am a pianist of some 40 years experience and regularly do concerts, accompanying, recording, CDs etc. I have also been teaching for 28 years in schools as a Head of Music and Peripatetic piano tutor. I have recently separated from my wife and now live in a flat. Having got by with an Oberheim master KB connecetd to PC for Cubase and Sibelius, this has finally died and, in any case was not expressive enough. Whilst I have access to many Steinways and Bluthners to rehearse on, I need something here at the flat for note learning and enjoyment, teaching prob only up to grade 8 here as well as computer recording. Having been a Head of Music I have experienced (stepped in ?) most of the makes over the years - all the Yamahas, Rolands, Technics (very good at one time now dead I understand) a Kurzweil which systematically broke with class music use and shock horror a Casio Celviano !
 
OK - so I am looking to rent with a view to buy and have read all the blurb about that. Putting aside the fact that you may not rent all the pianos I am looking at, I need your expert unbiased opinion - your knowledge looks incredible :) on the following models:
 
Kawai CA63 - I have tried this in a shop and was quite impressed apart from bass
Kawai Ca93 - sadly not in the store although they said they had it - but am told its sonic 'largeness' is far superior
Classenti CDP3 - looks incredible (too good to be true ?)
 
I live in Surrey and it is not out of the question to come to Enfield and try out the Classenti.
 
Ultimately, I want a brilliant full piano sound, with maximum feel and acoustic behaviours.
 
Sorry for the dull email - prob like many you receive !!!
 
All best
 
Gareth

Reply/ Hi Gareth

The pianos I recommend for you are:

1) Yamaha CLP470
2) Kawai CA93
3) Roland HP307

The Roland has a lighter key touch and a round
sound throughout. The sound is particularly nice
and warm in the centre of the keyboard.

If you prefer more firmness to the keys then the
Yamaha or Kawai would be better for you.

My preference is the Yamaha’s solid feel,
especially at the bottom of the key’s downstroke.
The Yamaha’s sound is also richer.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

--

Hi Graham,

I used to play at a reasonable grade 7/8 standard but haven't touched a piano
in about 8 years and am keen to get back to playing. I've tried a couple of pianos
and the decision comes down to a Yamaha CLP 440 or Kawai CA63.

Do you have any thoughts on comparison of these two pianos?

Kind regards

Ben

Reply/ Hi Ben

They both have a good piano sound and a
touch that feels close to an acoustic
piano...

The CLP440 does have a slightly richer
tone... and the sound is a little more
mellow, especially in the central treble
region.

Another thing the Yamaha wins on is the
firmer key touch...

Although both pianos have an accurate
key weighting on the way down and on the
key's return, the Yamaha has a firmer
(harder) feel when the key reaches its
lowest point.

This gives you the feeling of having more
control under your fingers. More exactness.
And it enables you to put more feeling
into the piece you are playing.

Here's my overall scores out of 100.

Yamaha CLP440 (79)
Kawai CA63 (74)...

There's little to choose between the two.

Go with the one that feels right for you.
I appreciate it's difficult to find a
shop that stocks both.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

--

Hi Graham
 
Would you say that a new piano is superior over an old piano? And if so, for a beginner, what piano would you recommend. I notice that you seem to like the classenti? Would you go so far as to say that this is the best piano in terms of quality and value for money? Also which model would you recommend as being the best. Everywhere I look people are recommending yamaha but I can't help but think that this is pure marketing power? I would prefer a warm sounding piano and I've also read that yamaha can be a bit bright, is that true of kawai too?
 
Your advice would be gratefully received.
 
Regards, Dawn

Reply/ Hi Dawn

Questions I often get are:

Should I buy a cheap piano then upgrade it later
if I really take to it?

Should I spend a bit more so I won’t need to
upgrade the piano later?

Should I really splash out and get the very best
piano there is right away?

For a beginner I recommend keeping your budget
fairly low. The £600 - £900 price range gives you
quite a few decent digital pianos to choose from...

Classenti CDP1
Kawai CN23
Yamaha YDP161
Classenti CDP2
Roland RP201

You’re right about the brightness of Yamahas.
Kawais also have a bright tone in the treble.

If you prefer a warmer tone you’ be better off
with either a Classenti or Roland.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

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