Best Digital Pianos Under $1000
By: The Gear Dude | Date: 11th September 2020
Buying a new instrument has never been easy. When you enter a store or visit a new website, you may feel overwhelmed by the wide range of products especially if you don’t have any experience with such an instrument. Music gear is especially more complicated as you have to know the specs of what you need prior to purchasing any instrument. Buying the wrong gear can be really disappointing to a point of being a tear-jerker for some.
When looking for the best digital piano, some may argue that an unweighted keyboard is better than a weighted one. But is it? With digital pianos, you get the best of both worlds. Not only are they easier to transport, but also, they deliver great-sounding music and the playing feeling is out of this world. Buying music gear should not be a nerve-racking experience. It should be exciting as it is the beginning of something exquisite. This review aims to make it easier for you to make the best decision. Let us get to it now, shall we?
Yamaha P-125 88-key
Weighted Action Digital PianoFor every pianist, whether you are a beginner or an expert, Yamaha P-125 has a clean and straightforward design that makes it amazingly approachable and user-friendly. You will find its sound and playing feel exemplary from the first time your fingers tickle the ivories on it. The experience itself is proof of why Yamaha digital pianos are well-known for having the best-feeling keys on the market. The P-125 sports Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard key bed which is fully weighted to provide you with light response in the upper register and progressively heavier action as you go lower. You wouldn't even be able to differentiate it from an acoustic piano.
Since a piano isn’t all about the feel, the P-125 has other extraordinary features which constitute to it being the beast it is. Yamaha equipped the P-125 with their Pure CF Sound Engine, which superbly recreates the sound of their renowned CFIIIS concert grand piano. Its portability allows you to take it home from live gigs, the recording studio or after getaways on the weekend with ease. You can easily load it into the back of a typical sedan and take this astounding combination of sound and feel with you anywhere.
Yamaha understands the importance of portability and convenience and therefore has got your back. They integrated a full stereo sound system into the YamahaP-125 digital piano. It doesn’t end there. The P-125 comes equipped with Yamaha’s Intelligent Acoustic Control, allowing its EQ to continuously adapt to your volume settings, giving you the ideal tone, you don’t have to babysit. You will appreciate Yamaha’s Stereophonic Optimizer when playing with headphones on, which adjusts the spatial distribution of sound in the headphones to create the perception that the sound is coming from outside rather than your phone.
When you are ready for a challenge, engage with the 50 built-in classical music masterpieces. With 24 great-sounding instrument voices, Split and Duo modes, and more than enough polyphony to handle it all, you can see that the P-125 is one of a kind.
FeaturesMatte black key tops absorb moisture and remain tactile after extended use Pure CF Sound Engine with 4-level sampling reproduces the tone of a Yamaha 9' concert grand Damper Resonance DSP re-creates the sound of the inside of a grand piano USB to host with MIDI and audio transfer for single-cable connectivity Split mode lets you play a different voice with each hand Duo mode splits the keyboard into two halves, each with its own middle C
Specifications
Number of Keys: 88 Type of Keys: Fully Weighted keys Polyphony: 192 Notes Pre-sets: 24 voices, 21 demos, 50 tracks, Pure CF Sound Engine Headphones: 2 x 1/4" USB: 1 x Type B MIDI I/O: USB Built-in Speakers: 2 x 4.7" woofer, 2 x 1.5" tweeter Amplifier: 2 x 7W Power Supply: 12V DC power supply (included) Height:56" Width: 52.18" Depth:62" Weight: 26 lbs.
Roland FP-30 88-key
Digital Piano with SpeakersIf you’re looking for the perfect piano for your home, then the Roland FP-30 is the best piano for you. This wonderful digital piano is compact enough to fit with ease into your living room or family room. What’s more, it offers the renowned Roland sound and playing feel along with other modern features.
If you play out, the FP-30’s portability makes it an excellent gigging keyboard. The FP-30 is also ideal for music education facilities where it can comfortably be moved from one classroom to another or to the auditorium for rehearsals or performances. The Roland FP-30 presents onboard practice and recording functionality as well as Bluetooth wireless for compatibility with popular music apps while being loaded with great-sounding pianos and other instruments. The FP-30 will easily become your favourite practice piano.
Features
- PHA-4 Standard 88-note key bed delivers realistic piano feel and expression
- Dual and split modes for duets and self-accompaniment.
- Broad selection of non-piano sounds, including strings, voices, organ, drums, and more
- Twin Piano mode lets student and teacher play side by side in identical octave range
- USB-to-device memory slot lets you:
- Save songs recorded with built-in SMF recorder
- Play along with favorite songs in WAV or SMF format
- USB-to-host port lets you connect with your computer
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Key touch with 5 sensitivities
- Pre-sets: 35 tones, 8 rhythms
- Polyphony: 128
- Effects Types: Ambiance, brilliance, resonance
- USB: 1 x Type A, 1 x Type B
- MIDI I/O: Bluetooth (for use with MIDI mobile apps)
- Bluetooth: 0
- Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (damper), 1 x 8-pin DIN (optional pedal)
- Amplifier: 2 x 11W
- Height: 87"
- Width: 18"
- Depth: 87"
- Weight: 31 lbs., 2 oz.
Roland GO: PIANO88
88-key Music Creation KeyboardThe Roland GO: PIANO88-note keyboard offers the ideal balance between performance and portability. Its 15.5 lbs make it lightweight and easily portable with optional battery power. It also offers a full-sized 88-note keyboard whose keys have authentic touch response and sounds derived from Roland’s finest digital pianos, which allows you to play with the accurate technique and expression which are vital for classical music or more complex pieces. You will hear the subtle tonal effects that your touch has and when you switch to a real piano, you’ll be more than prepared to play with dynamics and expression
The GO: PIANO88 is the perfect practice partner due to its built-in Bluetooth connectivity for audio and MIDI. All you need to do is to select a song in your device’s music library, stream it to your GO:PIANO88’s high-quality Bluetooth speakers, and you can jam along with your favourite songs and traverse free online content that makes learning a piece of cake; including online piano lessons, karaoke, and tutorial videos.
Features
- Perfect first piano for aspiring musicians
- 88-note keyboard with full-size keys and standard spacing
- Roland's acclaimed piano sounds deliver lifelike tone and realism
- Fully wireless operation with battery power and Bluetooth connectivity
- Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio from your smartphone or for wireless MIDI control
- Built-in recorder to capture your practice sessions and performances
- Metronome and transpose features support daily practice
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Full-size, 3 x key touch modes, fixed touch
- Polyphony: 128 Notes
- Pre-sets: Piano, E. Piano, Organ, Strings
- Effects: Reverb)
- USB: 1 x Micro-B (MIDI)
- MIDI I/O: USB/Bluetooth
- Built-in Speakers: 2 x 6"
- Amplifier: 2 x 10W
- Power Supply: AC adapter
- Height: 25"
- Width: 5"
- Depth: 6"
- Weight: 5 lbs.
Yamaha P-45 88-key
Digital Piano with SpeakersYamaha pianos are reputable for having the best-feeling keys on the market. Just like the P-125, the P-45 digital piano sports Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard key bed. This fully weighted key bed sure does provide you with light response in the upper register and progressively heavier action the lower you play just like an acoustic piano.
Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) sampling utilizes digital technology to record an instrument’s sound and proceeds to apply a high-quality digital filter to the recorded samples. AWM Stereo Sampling uses pairs of waveforms captured by two microphones for Left and Right to create a deeper, richer and more spacious soundstage. Yamaha P-45’s built-in speaker system will entice an appreciation out of you as you perform as you don't need to connect any other gear.
And if that weren’t enough for you, how lightweight it’s will pretty much seal the deal for you. It has a compact and contemporary design which gives you easy storage and effortless portability. It is user friendly too.
Features
- 88 Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keys provide realistic acoustic piano feel
- Add dimension to your sound with 4 reverb effect styles
- Keyboard layer mode lets you create more complex sounds
- Duo mode for partner practice/instructional use
- Sustain footswitch and a music rest included
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Weighted Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)
- Polyphony: 64 Notes
- Pre-sets: 10 x Demo, 10 x Piano
- Effects: Yes (Reverb)
- USB: 1 x Type B
- MIDI I/O: via USB
- Amplifier: 6W x 2
- Height: 6"
- Width: 25"
- Depth: 5"
- Weight: 35 lbs.
Casio CDP-S350
Compact Digital PianoThis Casio’s next-gen compact digital piano not only has an amazing stereo concert grand, but also 699 other onboard sounds for you to explore. There is more to the value-packed Casio CDP-S350 than just its onboard sound. You can use the pitch-bend wheel to realistically play various types of instruments, the studio-quality effects to add finishing pro touch, strike up the band with a library of 00 auto-accompaniment rhythms that cover a universe of genre from all over the world and the 6-track MIDI recorder to capture your ideas and save them to a USB thumb drive.
The Casio CDP-S350 is suitable for any room in your home and its compact, light chassis makes it easy to transport to live gigs, rehearsals, and studio sessions. The built-in stereo speaker system makes it stand out from other stage pianos, and operates on battery power for spontaneous busking in the park. You are always in command with the crisp backlit LCD display and streamlined top-panel controls and of course the headphone jack comes in handy for private practice sessions. Just download Casio’s free Chordana Play for Piano app and connect via USB to your iOS or Android device to change settings and play MIDI files. The USB port will easily connect to any Mac or PC with no drivers required.
Features
- Pitch Bend wheel; backlit LCD display
- Touch response: 3 sensitivity levels, Off Arpeggiator: 100 types
- Chordana Play for Piano v2 app (iOS and Android)
- Onboard Metronome2
- 5mm Headphones jack and Audio Input jack
- Operates on battery power or AC
- Power supply, music rest, and sustain pedal
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Scaled Hammer-Action
- Touch Sensitivity: 3 Levels, Off
- Pre-sets: 700 tones, 200 rhythms
- Polyphony: 64 Notes
- Effects Types: 10 x reverb, 4 x chorus
- MIDI I/O: USB
- Built-in Speakers: 2 x 5.1"
- Amplifier: 2 x 8W
- Power Source: AC Adapter
- Height: 4"
- Width: 52"
- Depth: 9"
- Weight: 24 lbs. (without batteries)
Korg D1 88-key
Stage Piano / ControllerIf you’re an on-the-go pianist, let us introduce you to an 88-key weighted hammer-action digital piano that you can take from home to rehearsal to the stage with minimal fret. Featuring a sound bank with 30 high-quality, expressive sounds arranged into 3 banks of 10, the Korg D1 digital piano’s onboard sounds include 5 acoustic pianos, an electric grand, 6 meticulously modelled vintage electric pianos, harpsichord, two clavinets, marimba, vibraphone, acoustic guitar, 3 jazz organs, 3 pipe organs, 3 lush string patches and 3 gorgeous choirs. The D1 offers 3 effects for customizing and enhancing your sounds: brilliance, reverb, and chorus.
The D1 gives you the connectivity you’ll need as you groove on that stage. The ¼” Line Out jacks can be connected directly to the Pa or recording equipment. Due to its compactness and lightweight, D1 also makes an ideal run-and-gun MIDI controller keyboard for external gear and your software instruments’ in/Out DIN connectors are provided for connection to sound modules or to your computer via a MIDI interface.
Features
- A compact digital piano/MIDI controller you can take anywhere
- Japanese-built Korg RH3 weighted hammer-action key bed
- Cutting-edge technology meticulously reproduces the resonances of a grand piano
- Metronome: Tempo, Time signature, Accent, Sound, and Volume controls
- Music rest and compact damper pedal included
- Included DC 9V AC adapter power supply
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: RH3 Weighted
- Polyphony: 120 Notes
- Pre-sets: Piano, E. Piano, Harpsi., Organ, Strings, Choir
- Effects: 3 x Brilliance, 3 x Reverb, 3 x Chorus
- MIDI I/O: In/Out
- Power Supply: 9V DC AC adapter power supply (included)
- Height: 04"
- Width: 24"
- Depth: 35"
- Weight: 27 lbs.
Korg B2
Digital PianoThe Korg B2 heads a new generation of Korg digital pianos. The incredibly-approachable and easy to use B2 delivers a total of 12 sounds that cover a diverse assortment of genres, including five opulent pianos from Korg’s new state-of-the art piano engine, and rich and distinctive electric piano, organ, harpsichord and string sounds. The world-class German grand is coveted by concert pianists for its massive, expressive power and its outstanding vibrancy and dynamic range, soaring highs and detailed lows. Korg includes a majestic German Concert Piano as well as Classic Piano with a complex, fragile complex temporality.
Korg gave the B2 their Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) keyboard that provides the life-like feel of the hammers on the real acoustic piano, in which the low register is heavier, and the high register is lighter. The key bed of the Korg B2 is sensitive and responds to nuanced touch, while three touch control settings let you adjust the action to your particular playing style. Straight away recognizable from decades of iconic records, Korg B2’s electric piano responds to your playing dynamics and even mimics key-off sounds. The organs sounds are perfect for rock and jazz; and as a perk, the Korg B2 offers the sublime sound of a real sampled pipe organ.
Features
- Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) keyboard provides authentic acoustic piano feel
- Cutting-edge piano sound engine with 12 carefully selected sounds
- Versatile I/O for easy connectivity
- Included music rest for sheet music and mobile devices
- Multiple keyboard configurations to meet your needs
- Lightweight and portable
- Touch Control: 3 types
- Metronome: Tempo, Time signature, and Volume controls
- Pedal: Damper (half-pedalling supported with optional PU-2 pedal unit)
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Natural Weighted Hammer Action
- Touch Sensitivity: 3 Types
- Pre-sets: 12 Piano/Organ
- Polyphony: 120 Voices
- Effects Types: Reverb, Chorus
- MIDI I/O: USB
- Power Source: 15V DC power supply (included)
- Height: 61"
- Width: 65"
- Depth: 23"
- Weight: 13 lbs.
Kurzweil SP1
88-key Stage PianoAre you searching for a great-sounding, easy-to-use stage? The Kurzweil SP1 is the piano designed to fulfil your wishes by giving you Kurzweil’s world-class sonic mojo in an affordable, portable package. The Kurzweil SP1 makes available to the new generation of players the same sound set featured in Kurzweil’s acclaimedPC3 line of professional keyboards.
The SP1 weighs a willowy 27.25 pounds and its chassis leaves a small footprint which takes the spotlight from the keyboard, making you the star of the show. It has a WYSIWYG control panel which is user friendly so you can stay focused on your music instead of worrying about your gear. With its smooth -playing 88-note key bed, 16 great-sounding pre-sets and onboard FX, plus split and layer functionality, the Kurzweil SP1 is worth your money.
Features
- Kurzweil's introductory pro keyboard
- Streamlined WYSIWYG control panel lets you stay focused on your music
- 256-voice polyphony
- 16 programs in 4 instrument categories
- Features sounds from the Kurzweil Sound Library
- Dedicated external control section for sound sources connected via MIDI
- USB MIDI and MIDI, I/O
- Lightweight and portable — just 27.25 pounds
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Fully-weighted Hammer-action, Velocity Sensitive
- Polyphony: 256 Notes
- Pre-sets: 16 (4 pianos, 4 keyboards, 4 strings/pads, 4 others)
- Effects: Yes (reverb, chorus, tremolo, delay, EQ)
- USB: 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A
- MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
- Display: LED
- Power Supply: 15V DC power supply (included)
- Height: 75"
- Width: 5"
- Depth: 15"
- Weight: 25 lbs.
Kawai ES110 88-key
Digital Piano with SpeakersIf you’re in the market for a stage piano and the key concerns are performance and value, then you are in luck as we have the piano for you. The glossy black Kawai ES110 is the ideal digital gigging partner as its 26.5 pounds make it easily portable and compact. It has 19 amazing onboard sounds and the playing feel is just perfect due to Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Compact action, which gives the Kawai ES110 the feel of a real acoustic piano, complete with graded hammers. The action gives you a natural, smooth, piano playing experience due to its innovative springless design that provides consistent upward/downward motion. It also uses different hammer weights that are graded for each playing range.
The Kawai ES110 digital piano includes a 3-song recorder, which lets you record your performances to internal memory and play them back at the touch of a button. In addition, there's an awesome lesson feature that helps aspiring pianists to learn the piano using an onboard collection of Burgmuller etudes, as well as songs from the popular Alfred Basic Piano course. You can practice left and right-hand parts for each piece separately, and change the tempo to master the more difficult passages..
Features
- Harmonic Imaging sound technology
- 88-key piano sampling; 192-note polyphony
- Responsive Hammer Compact action for realistic grand piano touch
- 19 inspiring voices, including 8 exceptional piano sounds
- Dual and Split modes, dual headphone jacks for collaboration
- Onboard lessons include Burgmuller etudes and Alfred Basic Piano lessons
- Included F-10H damper pedal with half-damper support
- Built-in stereo speaker system
- Dedicated line-out jacks (speakers may remain enabled for local monitoring)
- Bluetooth and MIDI ports for connection to devices, computers, and other instruments
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type of Keys: Grade-weighted hammer action
- Polyphony: 192 Notes
- Pre-sets: 19 voices
- Effects: Room, Small Hall, Concert Hall
- MIDI I/O: In/Out
- Amplifier: 2 x 7W
- Height: 75"
- Width: 6"
- Depth: 3"
- Weight: 5 lbs.
As seen from the review above, these digital pianos are stunning products which can deliver great tones. They have modern features but they can still give you the vintage vibes if you wish. Your previous keyboard did not live up to your expectations? There is no reason to have that frown on your face. There are many digital pianos here at Sweetwater just for you. We have your best interests at heart and we try our best not to disappoint. All we ask of you is to make a decision and get a piano that best suits your sound and style. You can get more than one if you want. No human is limited. Happy shopping!
