In the rich and colorful history of music, pianos have played a major role in the development of wonderful melodies, as well as in making our lives brighter.
The digital piano is designed to mimic the look and feel of the normal acoustic piano.
It is very time-consuming to find the right digital piano with so many models and types in the market. There are so many digital pianos out there that it can be difficult to decide which one is the best option for you.
If you’re thinking about buying a digital piano but don’t know where to start, this guide is here to help.
Our digital piano reviews are designed to help you take the guesswork out of buying a good digital piano.
Best Digital Piano Must Have:
- A 88 key weighted and velocity-sensitive keyboard
- For creative purposes a lot of different sounds and tonalities
- A considerable memory space, plus an SD memory card slot
- Light and compact for portability, heavy and a grand piano-like for only home use
- A headphone jack
To help you find the right piano, we have researched the best piano and have a list below. I believe they are the best in their respective brands.
Top 10 Digital Pianos
1.Yamaha DGX650B – Best Beginner Digital Piano
If you are looking for a digital piano that is portable, affordable and has a huge amount of features, the Yamaha DGX 650B is an excellent choice.
The DGX 650B is Yamaha’s latest ensemble digital piano to feature various interactional features that make learning, sharing, and playing music enjoyment for everybody. It has exceptional sound quality while still retaining the feel of an acoustic piano.
This digital piano has the standard graded hammer action, but also provides the user with pitch bending capabilities, more than 200 digital effects, and more than 500 voices.
Yamaha has specially made the Yamaha DGX650B help intermediates, beginners and pros alike to get the most from a digital piano that was truly excellent. Yamaha has specially made sure that the Yamaha DGX650B comes packaged with various interactional features, which make using it an absolute joy.
In conclusion, DGX650B is a widely popular piano for both beginner and advanced musicians. It is fairly priced, has an exceptional sound quality, and its vital activity is amazing.
It undoubtedly provides excellent value for money. This is a great choice in digital pianos, and it is quite affordable considering all of the features that are included.
If you’re like a lot of people who want an acoustic piano but can’t buy one because of budget or space constraints, you should take a look at the Yamaha DGX650B Digital Piano.
It’s a portable digital piano, which makes it perfect for people with limited space for a piano. At just around $800, it’s perfect for those on a budget.
Its sound was upgraded to make it more like an acoustic piano. The recording and playback features are CD-quality. It’s a PureCF-sampled piano, which means that it was sampled from the CFIIIS concert grand, which is very popular all over the world. This is pleasantly surprising considering that this feature is commonly found on more expensive pianos.
Also, this means that you don’t have to buy the very expensive and large (at 9 feet) CFIIIS concert grand just to enjoy the sound that it produces. It has a full 128-note polyphony. This is twice more than the DGX640. Besides, it also has more voices at 543 voices and more styles at 195 styles.
There’s also a feature that allows you to easily find the right music style based on the keystrokes that you’re making. This is a highly intelligent feature and a highly accurate one at that. It has the Graded Hammer Standard action that provides you with a grand piano playing experience. This is because it provides a more natural touch response. It has large speakers that are directed to the front. Use it in front of an audience, and it wouldn’t matter. These speakers can easily fill a room with a grand piano level of music.
It’s Perfect for Beginners and Experts. Those looking to improve their musical skills can use this. It’s also perfect for those who dream of being a part of a band.
It’s Perfect for Showing Off. As mentioned, it has large speakers that can easily fill a room, which is helpful if you plan on performing in front of family, friends, or even a paying audience.
It also has good connectivity features that allow you to share your recordings with other people easily.
With its CD-quality recordings, you’ll be proud to share your recordings. Send them via email. Upload them on YouTube. Share your recordings with the world.
While you won’t be playing with popular artists, this has an optional series of songbooks aptly named “You are the Artist” that allows you to play along with songs of popular artists like Johnny Cash, Coldplay, Adele, Taylor Swift and more. You can also use this feature to learn from these popular artists.
With this feature, you can be part of the band, as this feature will get the keyboard part of the songs from the DGX650B while it plays the other parts.
Besides, you can slow down the songs if you want to learn better. You can just speed up the tempo as you improve. Soon enough, you’ll be playing as if you’re part of the band of your favorite artists.
This is a good buy since it’s affordable and has a long list of good features. It’s also made by Yamaha, which is a comforting thought.
2.Williams Allegro 2 Plus
The Williams allegro two 88-key digital piano is a great beginner piano with Decent for the cost and like a real piano.
The new radical model of William Allegro piano is crafted especially for the musicians and music enthusiasts with the look, feel, and sound of an acoustic piano.
The 88 key digital piano looks like a computer keyboard, which concluded with a matte color that is Black. The piano’s Class B components are extensively examined. The weight of the piano is 43.2 pounds, and this is a space economy model.
It’s very simple to use, which could be best used as a learning part. The piano meets William’s taglines. It is fashionable and worth the value.
The price is one of the final things you will have to worry about with this piano. It is one of the key reasons people are attracted to it.
This machine is a clear bargain, but I don’t desire to go so far as calling it cheap, because it may suit your needs all.
If you are looking for a weighted-key digital piano that could do serious practice on with headphones at times of the day that can’t play our regular piano without disturbing others, the Williams allegro two 88-key is the right choice.
The Williams Allegro is a great value for the price for beginners. But proceed with caution if you’re a serious piano player, you should buy the Yamaha dgx640w or p35b. This Williams allegro 88-key piano is pretty decent for the price. This is probably the cheapest 88 key piano on the site, but it doesn’t feel like the cheapest one.
It has a good quality of sound, easy to use, and it has some other features as well. It comes disassembled, so I have to assemble it by myself, but it doesn’t come with instruction, so you may need to have some DIY skill, lol. Anyway, I will still recommend it to you besides that.
It is one of the best “beginner-friendly” keyboards. You don’t want an expensive one when you are just learning the piano. For this price, around $300, you get a mid-level quality sound keyboard with 88 keys, some other features such as pre-programmed music, sensitive Keys.
Would you buy a digital piano from a company whose name isn’t as trusted or even popular as established brands like Casio and Yamaha? That seems to be the first question that anyone interested in buying this digital piano would ask.
Compared to the other two brands, the name Williams hardly rings a bell when it comes to musical instruments. But surprisingly, the Williams Allegro 2 88-Key Hammer Action Digital Piano packs a lot of features that make it an ideal entry-level musical instrument.
Aspiring musicians who want a budget-friendly digital piano may want to consider this model, although professionals may find this model lacking in some features like the sound quality and ease of operation.
The Williams Allegro 2 88-Key Hammer Action digital piano is considered an entry-level musical instrument. It means that it is marketed to aspiring musicians, so the sound quality is not as superior as compared to other models. There are eight piano and keyboard sounds incorporated in this instrument- Piano 1, Piano 2, Electric Piano 1 & 2, Church Organ, Rock/Jazz Organ, Upright Bass, and Strings.
Professional musicians or even those who have a ‘trained’ ear may find the audio quality lacking in spatial depth. But musicians who are not as meticulous about sound quality, or just want an extra instrument for practicing or simply having fun, may find this instrument a nice addition to their collection.
Aside from the eight piano and keyboard sounds integrated with it, the Williams Allegro digital piano can split, layer, or transpose tracks. It also comes with effects like reverb, layering, and chorus. The 64-note polyphony means you can play fast without running out of notes.
The 88 keys of the Williams Allegro 2 Hammer Action are all touch and velocity-sensitive. The key sensitivity of the board is very similar to that of a real piano. The same goes for the hammer-like action, which this instrument has perfectly captured. Those who have played music in a real piano before will realize there’s not much noticeable difference between that and playing in this digital keyboard. This characteristic makes this model ideal for aspiring musicians or those who want to develop the finger strength to be able to play an acoustic piano well.
Professionals, however, may notice that there is a difference in the volume from key to key, which can be a nuisance to some. Of course, you can’t expect the keyboard of this entry-level digital piano to be of the same caliber as of the more expensive models.
The Williams Allegro 2 88-Key Hammer Actiondigital piano is solidly built. It weighs 38.11 pounds, which may be too heavy for some users who feel that the weight prevents them from bringing it from one place to another. Still, others who have bought this instrument say that it is lightweight enough to be transported.
One of the weaknesses of the Williams Allegro digital is its piano pedal. Many users of this digital piano complain that the pedal is too inconsistent with complementing the touch action of the keys. They note that the pedal of this keyboard is of low-quality, which probably explains why this model has a very inexpensive price tag. A common gripe is that the poor quality of the pedal results in the inconsistent sound produced by the piano, despite it having touch-sensitive keys.
The controls are placed above the keyboard, making it easy for the user to alter or select instrument settings, or record and playback music. But some users also feel that the controls are hard to manipulate, as there are numerous sub-menus which may be hard to understand. It does not help that the Williams Allegro has a poorly-written user’s manual that fails to explain the controls found on the keyboard.
This digital piano comes with an integrated two-track recorder that allows you to record your composition and play it back. You can keep the recorded track to a specific tempo thanks to its metronome. Likewise, the piano has demo songs that you can sing along with. These demo songs also show how versatile this instrument in terms of the voice range it covers.
Why not other brands such as Casio, Yamaha
The main reason you should buy this is the price, you need to pay more hundreds on Casio or Yamaha because they are a BIG brand, but it does not mean that Casio and Yamaha have better quality in this price range. Besides, their customer service is awesome. So I think this keyboard is relative to a great keyboard, you will like it if you don’t regard it as a real piano.
To put it perspective, if you’re a beginner, then the Williams allegro 88-key may be great for practice and even for fun. However, if you’re at an intermediate to expert level, you’re better off purchasing something that may suit what you need.
Keep in mind that Williams’s allegro is under $400, so there will be areas that are not even comparable to other higher priced digital pianos, much less comparing it to actual pianos. For its price, I say it’s worth purchasing, especially if you’re a college student.
Overall, if you are looking for a good practice piano and don’t wanna spend too much. This is probably one of the best starter pianos you can find on the site.
Pros:
- Works Great and Good for Beginners
- fully functional and full-sized
- Weighted Keys: As I mentioned above, the keys of the Williams Allegro keyboard feel like some real acoustic ones. It’s not like some cheap plastic.
- 88 Keys: amazingly, 88-key keyboard costs you only $300.
- Sound: it’s good, at least for me. I just bought it for fun at home, so even sometimes it is not that accurate, it’s OK. By the way, you don’t need a headphone since its built-in speaker is good enough.
- Touch-sensitive keys that mimic the hammer-like action of piano keys.
- Eight integrated piano and keyboard sounds. Basic sound effects like reverb, layering, and chorus.
- Relatively low price.
- Demo songs that match each voice.
Cons:
- This is not designed to be portable.
- The volume of the individual: I noticed that sometimes the volume of individual keys is not consistent, but it is not a big problem for me, and I don’t know if they will fix it by updating the firmware later.
- Poor quality pedal.
- The user’s manual lacks important information on keyboard controls.
- Poor quality of speakers.
- Williams not as popular as other brands like Yamaha and Casio.
- At nearly 40 pounds, it is quite heavy for a portable keyboard
Certain accessories are needed for the Williams Allegro to operate, such as an external DC power supply unit and sustain pedal. Other accessories included in the package are music rest and user’s manual.
The Williams Allegro has been getting mixed reviews from people who have bought or used it. Some of the most common complaints are regarding the pedal that has been branded as being of poor quality, and the internal speakers which produce inferior-quality sound.
On the other hand, positive reviews often commend the price of the instrument and its keys that mimic the hammer-like action and touch sensitivity of those found in a real piano.
3.Williams Overture 2
The Williams Overture 2 88 Key Digital Piano is one of the more affordable digital pianos in the marketplace today.
It would likewise be remiss not to compliment this piano for its layout, which is indeed attractive. It will fit into any home decor and act as a beautiful item of furniture.
Essential weighting and the feel responsiveness of the digital piano from Williams are extremely notable. It’s been said in several digital piano reviews for the Overture that its weighted keys mimic a real piano’s hammer action, complete with awesome and outstanding sound.
The Overture is designed and crafted to look and sound its best for years of musical enjoyment and features an 88-note hammer-action keyboard with selectable touch results.
The Williams Overture 88 Key Digital Piano is a great digital piano for the cost. The voices are all spot-on – better than some of the higher-end Korgs and Yamahas I’ve heard.
This piano not only looks great, but it has amazing sound quality. There is some assembly required, but very easy to do. This piano does a fair job for the feeling of a real one.
Having a Williams Overture digital piano at your service is like been given the numbers to a jackpot, as it is a musical instrument that brings uncompromising detail-attention and quality in both design and audio alongside great playability.
It comes with a stylish dark wood grain finish that blends perfectly with any decor, 88 full-sized notes, full vanity panel, a 3-digit LED display, and a collection of 58 songs that are fully playable by both left and right-handers.
Finding a Williams Overture discounted means that you have found a great bargain that can’t be overlooked, given the demand it has in the market right now and its particularities that add up to its overall performance.
This digital piano with the console-look has a sliding key cover, while the keyboard has hammer-action keys, instead of weighted, which you can opt for their touch response through the provided choices you have been given. Plus, it has 64-note polyphony, three keyboard modes, and a 15-voice control panel.
Assembly
Incredibly easy. There are five main parts to this unit, and everything to assemble the parts is included in the box.
Sound
I am a musician, and even though the piano isn’t my primary instrument, I can tell a real piano from an electric one. This unit has two headphone jacks that accept only a 6.35mm plug, while plugged in the headphones have a light buzzing.
Feel
The keys don’t feel exactly like a traditional piano, but they are infinitely better than a standard keyboard.
Bells and whistles
There are several interesting things built in to the piano, including two-track recording, play-along songs (with the accompanying book), several demo songs, transposing, split piano, etc.
It makes an excellent choice for all advanced and sophomore players since it comes with a superb balance of price and features that most players look for when they need a digital piano. It helps you play or create beautiful melodies via its Chorus and Reverb effects that you can apply every time you use one of its different voice options, which include vibraphone, nylon string guitar, harpsichord, church organ, clarinet and rock, and jazz organ.
Alternatively, you can choose the FM Electric piano or the standard electric piano for more natural acoustics and select an effect that will create a softer of a more vibrant version of the song you are playing.
It also forms a great musical instrument for kids as it comes with Drums/Percussion Kits and 128 Playback voices that enhance musical entertainment and help cultivate the musical ear.
Moreover, every Williams Overture for sale comes with advanced USB connectivity to your pc or notebook and metronome to make your playing even easier. On top of that, it is equipped with two outputs for stereo headphones and an in/out stereo line.
Pros:
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#8ed659″]
- Beautiful Look and Sound
It offers what I wanted: a few basic voices and a very high-quality sound.
- Good for the price
Same with the Organ and string sets, both sound equally realistic and about as close to an acoustic piano get without spending thousands of dollars.
- sound is perfect
The weighted digital piano keys mimic perfectly the hammer-action of a real piano, and the sound is equally amazing.
[/su_list]
Cons:
[su_list icon=”icon: times” icon_color=”#ce310a”]
- The action is heavy.
[/su_list]
Who should Buy this piano if:
- You’re on a budget, and you still want a decent sound.
- You plan on moving often and don’t feel like lugging an upright everywhere.
- You want to practice without disturbing others in the room.
- You want an authentic piano sound without owning an actual piano.
- You don’t want to have to worry about tuning.
Many Williams Overture ratings are very complementary over its non-volatile memory that not only saves energy but also makes instant connectivity with any computer, thus avoiding the commonly experienced slow start-up sequences. Furthermore, the 2-track recorder makes your musical experience more fun and exciting, since you can simultaneously record two tracks and then play them back!
If you are interested in getting your hands on one of the best Williams Overture deals currently available, then ask for the 10-song demo that comes with GM orchestration and see for yourself what this fine craftsmanship-demonstrator truly has to offer.
The Williams Overture 88 key is a good piano for someone who is just getting started, and it has been perfect for my daughter, who is still learning, and me. What I love most about it is that I can plug in the headphones and play all I want when the kids are in bed, and I won’t disturb them. It’s certainly not the best, but it suits our needs just fine, and we’re happy with it.
4.Yamaha P115 – Best 88 Key Digital Piano
The Yamaha p115 digital piano is among the best 88-Key Digital Piano, no digital piano at this price point provides records from such a high-end instrument.
Design and its exceptionally approachable layout invite a start player to investigate, skilled pianists will meet in addition to music teachers and serious students.
The piano utilizes Yamaha’s Pure CF sound engine to replicate a sound similar to that of a standard Yamaha grand piano. It features built-in speakers, a USB port and an AUX line out for added connectivity.
The P115 is designed with 88-weighted keys and Graded Hammer Standard technology, offering realistic touch and greater sensitivity. With ten built-in Pianist Styles, the Yamaha P115 can offer total accompaniment with as little as one played chord.
Whether a beginner or an enthusiast, the Yamaha P115 88-Key Digital Piano is worthy of a look, especially if you are not yet prepared to move up to an acoustic.
With words like “perfect,” “amazing,” “love” used by its users to describe it, this piano has ignited a fire in its users, so it is quite specific. This is an excellent beginner-friendly piano.
The Yamaha P115 digital piano delivers the two things that matter most: great piano sound and natural keyboard feel. It is an older model that has stood the test of time.
It is suitable for students learning piano, as well as for more accomplished pianists, offering great quality at a reasonable price. Although this digital piano is primarily for home entertainment, it can also serve as a performance instrument.
One of the primary selling points of the Yamaha P115 digital piano is its authentic grand piano sound. Yamaha has used one of its finest concert grand pianos, the CFIIIS, as the source of piano tones for this instrument. The proprietary Dynamic Stereo Sampling technology captures a 4-level sample for each note, allowing for a wider range of tonal expression. When you play, you will hear different sounds, depending on how hard you strike the keys.
Pros:
- Good piano sound and keyboard feel
- Portable
Cons:
- Speakers are a bit weak
- Not many features
Yamaha has also captured the natural “artifacts” of an acoustic piano, such as the almost imperceptible sound of a felt damper hitting a vibrating string. This attention to sonic detail makes the sound of the P115 even more natural and realistic.
The P115 has 128 notes of polyphony, which is the minimum you should expect in a good digital piano.
The keyboard feels on a digital piano is of the utmost importance, whether you are a novice or an accomplished musician. The P115 incorporates Yamaha’s Graded Hammer technology to simulate the feel of an acoustic keyboard. The keys on the P115 have a heavier touch at the low end of the keyboard and gradually become lighter as you move up the keyboard.
P115’s natural key response allows pianists to develop proper keyboard skills or maintain their technique. This is especially helpful for pianists who want to transition between a digital piano and an acoustic piano.
The Yamaha P115 has 17 sounds in total, including organ, harpsichord, and strings. You can split and layer the keyboard if you want to combine sounds. However, the default grand piano sound is the standout. The various brightness settings let you adjust the tone to suit your preference.
The piano comes with one pedal, although you can purchase additional pedals if you require that option. It also has a built-in metronome and a two-track song recorder.
The instrument is well built and weighs 41 pounds, so it’s portable enough to take to the classroom or gigs. You will probably want to purchase a matching stand for it, though. The speakers are all right for home use, but if you are using the P115 for performances, you will need to supplement the sound with external speakers or amps.
The P115 has two headphone jacks, which is useful for lessons or duet playing. The piano doesn’t offer as much connectivity as newer models (you can’t connect directly to a computer), but it does have two output lines and MIDI connection.
The Yamaha P115 is a very nice, portable digital piano for people who want authentic grand piano sound and realistic keyboard feel, without a lot of extra features. Because this model has been around for a while, it is often on sale at a big discount. Be sure to check prices before buying.
5.Yamaha P35B – Best Portable Digital Piano
The fresh model of Yamaha P35B is going to be the most suitable choice for you if you want to choose a good digital piano for all these features. Compared with other conventional pianos, the new Yamaha P35B is a remarkable initiation of Yamaha’s house, which is serving a reliable name for years to people.
The Yamaha P35B digital piano is suited for the beginner/intermediate pianist for whom budget is a restraint. For learning, practicing, performing, it can be utilized.
It with a slim design making it more portable and easy to put away when not being used. It is a portable instrument with easy one-button operation and Compact and lightweight. If you don’t have sufficient space in your room to hold a piano, it can easily stand against the wall.
This particular instrument utilizes Advanced Wave Memory technology that creates a richer piano sound. The device also utilizes Graded Hammer Standard technology that makes it sensitive while adjustable to match each player’s technique. It only features 32 polyphony notes and lacks a recording function.
The straightforward and simple tones of the P35B are an excellent representative of its smooth, slick design. This digital piano has sort of the minimalist theory of several digital pianos, since it doesn’t have many buttons at all, and is controlled using any arrangement of keys and a function button.
On the surface of the piano, all you’ll locate are a volume slider, power button, a grand piano/function button, and long slits for the loudspeakers, plus the Yamaha emblem.
If you are trying to find a reasonable stage piano from Yamaha, the P35B digital piano is the one to contemplate. You get a piano that provides a real acoustic grand piano sound together with Graded Hammer Standard.
Packaged with more functionality alternatives, the P35B may be utilized at home, in the studio, or for live performances. Accessible for just under 500 dollars, the Yamaha P-35B is a great entry-level stage piano obtainable in mobile & glossy layout, with real piano sound as well as a graded, weighted hammer- action.
6.Casio PX850 BK
The PX 850 simulates the sound of a grand piano with its Acoustic and intelligent Resonator. It gives the sound and feel of a traditional instrument about tone richness and depth.
The piano also features a weighted 88-note tri-sensor keyboard with the realistic feel of piano keys. The sensors work to ensure accuracy and speed without affecting the sound quality.
Instrument tones include string, electric piano, and bass, among others. Also featured are 256 polyphony tones. The tones can be split to allow for the simultaneous play of multiple tones.
The Casio PX-850 is the flagship model in the acclaimed Privia line, with exceptional sound, realistic keyboard touch, and many new features and enhancements.
As a mid-range digital piano, the Casio Privia PX-850 is the top choice. It is the flagship model of Casio’s Privia line of digital pianos. It’s similar to the less expensive Privia models. Still, the extra bucks you pay will give you top-notch sound quality and excellent features, such as the innovative Lid sound projection feature.
It’s a good piano for novices who are learning to play, and it’s just as suitable for intermediate to advanced musicians who desire an instrument with authentic grand piano sound and feel. The piano is quite affordable for the level of quality it offers.
Casio’s newly updated Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action keyboard provides the realistic, responsive touch that makes playing such a pleasure. The weighted keys behave very much like the keys on an acoustic piano, making it easy for pianists to move from one instrument to the other. The keys respond appropriately to varying amounts of striking force, so you can play naturally and expressively.
I’m in love with the Casio Privia PX850 digital piano. This is especially true since before I found it, I was on the lookout for an affordable piano that I can play at home. If you’re looking for the same, then I highly recommend this piano.
This version is available in three shades featuring a satin black shade, medium brownish oak color, in addition to a satin white cupboard design. Among the most significant developments not offered on other electronic piano brand names in this price range is the new 256-note polyphony piano sound memory technology.
Even the strongly respected Yamaha Avant Grand digital and extremely popular piano costing around $15,000 has the max 256-note polyphony innovation making Casio’s success rather fantastic in my point of view at a little under $1000.
Unlike many digital pianos whos keys are not weighted, the Casio Px850 keys feel very much like the keys of a real piano and even sound like them when not switched on.
The material used in manufacturing these keys also looks and feels like the texture of real ivory. Take a quick look at the functions of this digital piano, and you’ll be convinced that it is the right keyboard for you regardless of how confident you are of your piano skills.
It is versatile enough to suit the requirements of aspiring musicians and even demanding virtuosos.
The Privia line of piano models had gotten a lot of raves for its realistic piano sound, and the flagship model is the perfect example. Because its memory capacity is three times better compared to the previous models, the Casio Px850 BK 88 Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano delivers a more natural-sounding piano tone.
Add to that the acoustic and intelligent Resonator (AiR) sound source of Casio, and it is easy to understand why this musical instrument sounds like a real piano when compared to the Williams Allegro 88 Key Digital Piano.
You can also feel the rich sounds of the strings thanks to the Damper & String Resonance and Hammer Response simulator of this digital keyboard.
It also has a piano lid audio projection system, which allows you to open the lid upward and play this keyboard like a grand piano. Apart from making this model look like a real piano, the system further enhances the listening and playing experience of its users.
You can also enhance the sound through the keyboard’s sound generation technology that includes pedal resonance, sound harmonics, and piano sound dynamics. You can choose from the 18 instrumental sounds integrated into this device, five of which are piano. You can then listen to it through the stereo headphone jacks. Alternatively, you can hear the playback through an external sound system, like a 20watt quad-speaker system, or even a PA system for live performances.
When buying a digital keyboard, you also want it to have the feel of the piano keys to simulate a real piano-playing experience, right? With the Casio Px850 BK 88 key touch-sensitive Privia digital piano, you not only hear rich sounds but also play on ebony and ivory textured keys that result in incredible speed and accuracy. It’s really like playing an actual piano unlike it’s smaller brother the Casio CTK-2300.
You can choose different instrument tones ranging from bass, organs, strings, and electric piano. You can also split and layer tracks; play bass in the left hand and get a couple of layered tones in the right. You can play the piano with another person simultaneously with the duet mode. There are an integrated USB port and two-track recorders that will enable you to record and playback your performances.
Speaking of audio recording, would you pass up on the opportunity to record your songs using this instrument? Certainly not, and if that’s your answer, then you will love this digital piano. When recording performance, it saves the audio as a wave file, which you can then save in a USB flash drive. You can then connect to the Internet and email your recording to your friends, family members, and loved ones.
Superior Sound Technology
The Casio Px850 has a 256-note polyphony technology, which is pretty impressive given its price tag. Other digital grand pianos with the same polyphony technology fetch for around $15,000, but the Casio Px850 has it for a measly $1,000. Polyphony note memory helps prevent notes from dropping out during playback of difficult and complex passages. Likewise, a 256-note polyphony results in a smooth piano playing.
Appearance
This digital piano should look good in your home or office space. Moving it from one place to another is quite easy because of its compact style. This model weighs only 81 pounds, and it comes with a sliding key cover. It is available in three colors- satin black, medium brown oak, and white satin cabinet.
Pros:
- 256 note memory
- 18 integrated notes
- The USB port and computer connectivity
- Excellent design and finish
- Realistic piano sound
- Intuitive piano keys
- The improved 256 polyphony note sound memory is unlike any other technology on other models within the price range. Many high-end digital pianos that cost ten times as much as the PX-850 uses the same technology.
- The grand piano sounds are overwhelming, in a good way. We didn’t expect it from a mid-range digital piano. We found the sound quality was better than it is on the slightly pricier Yamaha ARIUS models (YDP-161).
- The touch response is also great, but not the best. For a better key action and touch response, you will need to spend more. It is one of the reasons this instrument is best suitable for beginners and intermediate pianists. If you’re highly experienced, this may not suit your style. But for the price you pay, the touch response is excellent.
- The unique and new Lid simulator feature is one of the top features. There is a lid you physically open, and you are left with an excellent sound projection system. Normally, we find the speaker systems in most digital pianos as dull. However, this Lid sound projection system makes it seem like you’re playing a grand piano. It improves the sound you hear and the overall playing experience.
- Features such as the duet mode, built-in metronome, recording capability, preset songs, tempo settings, and two headphone outputs make are highly suitable for new learners. It can improve the learning experience during lessons.
- Easy to assemble and also quite portable due to its simple stand design. It doesn’t take up too much space.
- The connection capabilities of this instrument are also good as they are on other Casio models.
- Playing the ebony and ivory feel piano keys give the same feeling you get from playing an acoustic piano.
- The sliding cover is great for protecting the keys from dust and spills.
Cons:
- The matching bench has to be purchased separately.
- Lacks features such as rhythm patterns, a large number of instrument sounds and styles, and MIDI recording.
- Lack of built-in drum rhythm and music styles
For some people, the Casio brand may not have the prestigious piano name of a Yamaha or Kawai, but with the superior sound quality, excellent design, advanced sound features, and topnotch memory of the Casio PX850 BK piano. I highly recommend the Casio Privia PX850 BK Digital Piano.
7.Yamaha P255
This digital piano has exceptionally high-quality tones, and its graded hammer effect keyboard provides you with a wide range of quality tones.
This is a mid-range digital piano and includes 50 built-in piano songs. The wide range of polyphony and voice sounds make this a great contemporary choice in digital pianos.
The Yamaha P255 is among the finest 88-key digital pianos in its category, particularly when you are fantastic on topnotch piano sounds as well as a simplified attribute-list.
This piano has some excellent grand piano, and yet the other sounds are excellent — Rhodes, Hammond organ, strings. The great thing is the fact that the internal loudspeakers are top quality, which means without needing to route it through amps, you might only use those to practice piano.
There are lots of great piano players that have learned and played on acoustic pianos for a long time, who’d prefer to have a digital piano that is fine due to the convenience it provides.
Nevertheless, they do not need to compromise on the quality of the piano sounds and the keyboard touch. Moreover, they’re not sharp to have hundreds of loads and sounds of attributes on their keyboard. For them, the P255 is a perfect portable digital piano.
8.Casio Privia PX160BK
The Casio Privia PX160BK is a great budget digital piano that is packed with features. The hammer action keys provide realistic sound quality and even have a duet mode for two players. The 88-key piano features tri-sensor and Scaled Hammer technology.
Duet Mode: This digital piano’s duet has a flexible tone range of -1 to 2 octaves. This divides the keyboard into two equivalent parts, enabling them to play a duet.
Music Library: The Casio PX160BK has a music library that contains 60 tunes which you can play in sequence, or select a specific song from the music library for you to play. These songs are also very convenient whenever you would like to practice and hone your playing skills.
Recorder: The 2-track, 1-tune recorder of the version offers both real-time recording and playback functions. Besides, it has a built-in flash memory for the protection of any recorded data or tracks.
Inputs/Outputs: Aside from a Type B USB interface, the Casio PX160BK is, besides, designed with two mini-stereo jacks, a damper pedal jack, and a pedal connector.
Dimensions: This version takes pride in its portability, being lightweight and compact enough to be carried around easily. It’s covered by Casio’s 1-year guarantee on parts and labor.
This digital piano certainly feels quite real when playing. We kept looking at the price tag in disbelief. Is this 88 note piano with real weighted keys less than 500 dollars.
The PX160 has three times the memory of previous models. The sound is also enriched due to an Acoustic and intelligent Resonator. Duet and “Split and Layer” functions allow for versatility and enhanced performance ability as well as its 128 polyphony notes.
Each of these instruments has advantages that others cannot produce. It is left to the discretion of the purchaser or player to decide what is best for their style of performance. The cost will also affect the consideration for each piano, but functionality should come first.
It is perfect for beginners or more advanced players that are looking for a portable piano. The built-in metronome and recorder allow for excellent training and practice sessions, and the 8-watt speakers have decent sound quality as well.
The Casio Privia PX-160 Piano is a great piano for serious pupils trying to find reasonable merchandise, and even for gigging musicians. This 88-key digital piano includes a completely weighted scaled hammer and USB MIDI -action keyboard.
The piano is extremely lightweight for Its characteristic that is readily mobile. An 88 Weighted Hammer Action keyboard makes it increasingly appealing.
The keyboard has a dynamic that is reactive and versatile action with volume control is invaluable. Its unique sound quality makes you feel to play on an acoustic piano together with the realistic piano sound.
It’s very lightweight that will satisfy most performers. Besides, it includes the Duet Mode, making it appropriate for two musicians – your teacher as well as you possibly, to learn and play.
Pros
- Many users proclaim the Casio PX160BK to be the best digital piano because it managed to pack features that provide them that authentic grand piano sense in a slick and fashionable, and highly mobile, design.
- At hardly 25 pounds, it’s very light, so lugging around takes no effort whatsoever.
- The responsiveness of the weighted keyboard, in addition to its Touch Response characteristics, is also definitely worth taking note of.
Cons
- One criticism against this unit is the way that it is made of plastic. High-quality plastic, but plastic, however.
- If it had more than one USB port, it more connectivity possibilities.
Not only is the Casio PX130 great for individuals who are highly experienced in playing the piano, but it is also an excellent platform for beginning pianists.
The best thing about the Casio PX160BK is that you get all of these great features for an exceptionally low price!
9.Casio PX350 Bk
The Casio Privia PX-350 digital piano is a portable instrument with excellent piano sound and feels, plus a large selection of instrument voices and options. It was introduced to the Amazon marketplace this past summer.
This digital piano may not be the best choice for novices for a few reasons. It’s a bit pricey. You will also need to buy a separate stand and seat to go with it. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the number of instrument sounds and extra features that might distract novices from learning to play the piano.
However, the PX-350 could be the perfect digital piano for musicians, performers, and composers who want a lightweight instrument for studio use or live gigs, as well as for personal entertainment.
Casio’s award-winning grand piano sound is incorporated into the Privia PX-350 digital piano. The proprietary “AiR” sound engine offers natural and detailed piano tones. The PX-350 uses three times the memory of its predecessor to store a more dynamic range of sounds. With so much sound detail available, you can perform every piece of music with full expression and power.
A new Damper Resonance simulator enhances the sound of the sustain pedal. By the way, this model comes with one pedal, but if you want the full piano experience, it’s recommended that you buy an optional three-pedal unit.
The redesigned Tri-sensor scaled hammer action keyboard reproduces the feeling of playing an acoustic keyboard.
The weighted keys respond in the same way as the keys on a regular piano, allowing pianists of all skill levels to play more sensitively and comfortably.
The keyboard and sound engine are coordinated to mimic how quickly different-sized hammers in an acoustic piano move and produce sound. This attention to natural velocity results in the most nuanced and realistic piano sound.
With 128 notes of polyphony, you’ll hear every note to its natural conclusion, no matter what type of music you are performing.
The Privia PX-350 offers much more than an exceptional grand piano voice. In total, there are 250 instrument voices, including electric pianos, organs, strings, brass, bass, drums, and more.
The keyboard can be split and layered for duets or for playing more than one instrument voice. You can also save your favorite keyboard splits and layers for later use.
The Privia PX-350 was designed with the needs of songwriters and performers in mind. The instrument provides 180 drum patterns and an auto-accompaniment. Besides, there’s a 17-track recorder, a great help when composing your music or creating arrangements for live performances.
This digital piano has a truly realistic acoustic piano sound quality and includes chorus, reverb, acoustic, and brilliance settings to create a wide range of sounds.
The pitch bend wheel and over 150 built-in rhythms provide users with a remarkable acoustic piano experience with tons of extras. Plus, this is a truly elegant digital piano that is easily portable, and can be found for under $1000!
The PX-350 is easy to connect to amps, storage devices, or sound equipment, with two headphone outlets, input/output lines, and MIDI and USB connections. The keyboard is light and portable, weighing 25 pounds without a stand.
Pros:
- Excellent piano sound and feel
- 17-track song recorder
Cons:
- Need to buy stand and bench
- Comes with only one pedal
Overall, the Casio Privia PX-350 digital piano offers a great combination of sound, feel features, and portability. It’s a good choice for home, studio, or stage use, particularly if you’re going to take advantage of the instrument’s full capabilities.
Yamaha P45
I have always been a piano player. From the time I started out hitting my first key up to now, I only trusted one musical instrument brand: and that’s Yamaha.
This Yamaha p45 review is based on my actual use. If you’re going through a tough time browsing through musical instruments manufacturers looking for that perfect digital piano, look no further because Yamaha P45 has all the bells and whistles of the standard piano with the added twists and turns of an electric organ.
If you’re a first time digital piano buyer, you would have to remove any expectations that the digital type is almost the same as the acoustic type. NO! The Yamaha P45, as with all digital pianos, has no hammers, no strings, and no soundboards.
But then again, Yamaha did an amazing job capturing the essence of the true piano sound with this product. The keys are very acoustic piano-like. The pedal and keys feel as heavy as that of the real thing.
The Yamaha P45 has hundreds of sound options. They are so many that there some that I don’t need. There are even times when the sound of other instruments mimicked by Yamaha P-95 sounded very “synthesized.” They sound so much like those sound effects that Kanye West uses to distort his voice.
I am an acoustic piano-trained pianist. I also play on my cousin’s digital piano during visits and believe me. The feeling is different. So again, as mentioned a while ago about expectations, don’t assume that the digital piano is the same as the acoustic piano except for the size.
It took me so long to look for a digital piano with the dimensions of p45. The dimensions are pretty compact for a digital piano. It stands 151.5 mm, and it is 1,326 mm wide. Most brands are 300 mm wider. Yamaha P45 fits perfectly between my living room couch and my desktop pc. Yamaha P45 can be connected witch various speakers and components. It has a MIDI in and out, which can be connected to my other sound boosters and sound editing machines. A plus factor for the product would be its look.
I got the black one since it looks so simple and clean. I have a nephew living with me, and he is a piano novice. Yamaha P45’s 88 keys are just enough for experts and starters alike. Anything more than those 88 tap tones would overwhelm an eight-year-old.
If you’re looking forward to getting your digital piano, after reading this simple Yamaha P45 review, I suggest you buy it online through Amazon.com (sells by Kraft Music).
The bundle includes Yamaha P45 digital piano, Yamaha PKBB1 Single Braced Adjustable X-Style Keyboard Bench,
M-Audio SP-2 US65010 Sustain Pedal Piano Style Sustain Pedal for Keyboards and an amazing sounding
Audio Technica ATHT22 Stereo Headphones. The Yamaha P45 bundle is on sale now on Amazon.com with FREE shipping.
Yamaha YPG-535
If you’re looking for a good all-purpose keyboard with some weighted action, this Yamaha YPG-535 would be right for you to check.
Are you looking for a pretty standard keyboard, but one that also feels good to the touch and natural? That’s what I was looking for too. It’s a pretty standard keyboard, this Yamaha, but the beauty is in its simplicity, I think.
The weighed-feel keys on the Yamaha YPG-535 are good, and what you would expect from any mid-priced keyboard. It is a full 88 keys, of course. It has a range of weights on the keys, as what you’d find with a typical grand piano with the lighter keys on the higher pitch end and then the heavier-feel keys on the lower end of the Yamaha YPG-535 keys.
Just in the right size
The height on the Yamaha YPG-535 is good (Product Dimensions: 58.9 x 23.9 x 12.4 inches; 71.3 pounds), pretty standard overall—nothing to worry about there.
Pedals are standard as well, and on the Yamaha YPG-535, they feel as proper as they should. I think there are some options that you can order with additional pedals if you’re into that sort of thing.
There’s a cool digital score display for songs on the Yamaha YPG-535, and it’s quite something.
Kind of unnecessary for most people, but the Yamaha YPG-535 over-delivers in some areas that are good for the really serious kinds of players.
It seems like the Yamaha YPG-535 would be good for those just learning how to play, and the company’s website offers some material, I think, for that very purpose.
If you’re one of those that like to hook up to your keyboard with a USB connection, the Yamaha YPG-535 has that too, and it works well so that you can send data back and forth from your keyboard.
It’s easy. Just plug your flash USB memory drive into the Yamaha YPG-535, and you can transfer music. It’s pretty advanced actually, and most people will probably find it easy to use.
I liked the chord dictionary that the Yamaha YPG-535 came with. I like doing some basic music mixing and running with multiple tracks as I play, and the Yamaha was no disappointment there as well.
I genuinely have enjoyed it and would say that it’s a pretty fair price in competing with the other models available. If doing some multi-track recording, the instrument can mix in some rhythm parts as well—that was pretty cool, I thought.
Pros:
- Great sound
- Multiple inputs, including USB connection
- Multi-track recording and playback, great for those who want to hear a fuller performance when playing solo
- Reliable
Cons:
- Can be expensive depending on your budget
- Complicated to use all of the multi-track features
- For technophobes, computer interfacing can be tricky
Since Yamaha is one of the brands that is mostly found in recording studios all over the world, I was confident in my decision when I purchased the YPG-535, which came with a pretty good discount of the original Yamaha YPG-535 price.
I’ve not been disappointed and would recommend it to others as well. I think the Yamaha YPG-535 is pretty darn adaptable for whatever size of studio or room you have available.
Most of us don’t have that much space, so a keyboard like the Yamaha YPG-535 is pretty ideal. I bought this model because I wanted the top-quality of the Yamaha sounds and durability that they are known for.
I hope this Yamaha YPG-535 review showed you some tips for you to make a decision. You need to go and check it out yourself if you are a musician who appreciates some of the better equipment out there.
Yamaha DGX-660
The Yamaha DGX-660 Digital Piano is a decent-looking machine, the “wood” portions are synthetic, but seem sturdy.but is not a beautiful piece of furniture like a piano;
The Yamaha DGX-660 was impressively different. The hammer action of the weighted keys is much fuller than other electronic keyboards, the speakers are very clear and pretty powerful, and the stand and pedal set is a great compliment to the instrument! And aside from the piano sounds, the other instruments are pretty great and fun.
Digital Signal Processor
Two hundred thirty-seven types of the DSP effect can be added to the Main and Dual Voices. These range from reverb-like ambiance effects to distortion and other dynamic processing tools that let you enhance the sound, or completely transform it.
Easy Song Arranger
In addition to each song’s default style, you can select any other style to play the song with the Easy Song Arranger feature. You can also change the song’s melody Voice and the keyboard Voice for a complete change of image.
Yamaha Education Suite
Yamaha Education Suite is an advanced set of helpful learning tools built into the instrument, letting you teach yourself how to play and perform. Y.E.S. helps you master a song with easy lesson steps. Each lesson can be done in isolation with either your left hand or right hand or both.
Pros:
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#8ed659″]
- Wonderful sound
- Amazingly Realistic and Dynamic Sounds
- Easy Performance with Music Notation Display
- with Yamaha Education Suite
- 88 key Graded Hammer Standard Keyboard
- Digital Signal Processor
[/su_list]
Cons:
[su_list icon=”icon: times” icon_color=”#ce310a”]
- unable to record songs as mp3 files
[/su_list]
I recommend the Yamaha DGX-660 piano to anyone! And with its wide range of possibilities, there’s room for a lot of fun and productivity. The voices all sound very nice, and the keys are nice and weighted. It sits at just the right height and is comfortable to play. I love this piano!
This is a fantastic keyboard. The voices alone are amazing. And if someone tells you that voices are not important, then consider this: When you get tired of practicing Hanon exercises or running scales, change the voice of the keyboard to a Harp, Violin, Guitar, or Sitar. It will throw new life and fun times back into your practice.
Casio CAS PX150
The Casio CAS PX150 Digital Piano is a followup to the popular PX130 model, with more refined technology and a few more features.
The Casio CAS PX150 Digital Piano was just recently introduced to the Amazon marketplace. It’s a followup to the popular PX130 model, with more refined technology and a few more features.
The Casio CAS PX150 is suitable for pianists of any skill level. It’s easy for novices to use, but it also offers the quality that intermediate players expect from a digital piano.
Pros:
- Authentic piano tones
- Nicely weighted keyboard
Cons:
- No rhythm patterns
- Stand not included
Casio’s full-sized, 88-key Tri-sensor scaled hammer action keyboard was already good. But in the PX150, it has been redesigned to look and feel even more like an acoustic piano. On the outside, you’ll notice the new simulated ebony and ivory textured keys. They add to the elegant appearance fo the keyboard and provide a lovely that look elegant and feel nice under the fingers. The inner workings of the keyboard have been refined to simulate the speed of hammer action in an acoustic piano. What this means for musicians is a more realistic and gratifying keyboard experience.
Casio has made dramatic improvements in its digital piano sound engine, as well. It uses three times the memory of its predecessor for more detailed and natural piano tones.
Casio’s Acoustic and intelligent Resonator (AiR) sound source provides dynamic, natural instrument sound that reflects all the nuances in your playing. Even experienced acoustic pianists will be pleased and amazed by the authenticity of the grand piano sound.
The Casio PX150 provides 128 notes of polyphony. This lets you play complicated pieces of music with layered voices and sustain pedal, and still hear every note – with no unnatural sound cutoff.
In total, there are 18 built-in tones, as well as a duet, layer, split, and octave shift keyboard modes. Sixty demo songs are included.
The piano doesn’t have accompaniment features or rhythm patterns, but many people aren’t interested in those extras. They just want high-quality piano sounds, and that is exactly what the PX150 offers.
The PX150 has a built-in metronome. There is a 2-track song recorder, a feature that both beginners and advanced pianists can enjoy. The piano has USB connectivity and two headphone outlets (2 outlets are better than one because it allows for duets or lessons). If you want to share your music with the world, the two 8-watt speakers will output plenty of volumes.
The Casio CAS PX150 weighs about 26 pounds. The piano comes with one pedal, but you can get three pedals with the optional stand.
What is the difference between this model and more expensive Casio pianos? One of the primary differences is simply the cabinet (or lack thereof).
Let’s face it – you’ll pay more for a cabinet-style piano with the same sound engine. Some folks prefer a musical instrument that resembles a piano. Other folks find the portability of the Casio PX150 to be an advantage. It’s your choice.
The Casio CAS PX150 is a moderately priced digital piano that does a great job delivering the essentials – authentic piano sound and feel.
Casio Privia PX760 BK
The Casio Privia PX760 BK digital piano is a recent arrival on the Amazon marketplace. It continues the level of quality that pianists expect from the Privia line, with advances in keyboard action and sound technology.
It is good for beginners/new learners. Intermediate pianists are looking for great sound quality and a large number of features for a reasonable price.
The PX-760 is a good-looking, compact digital piano with realistic grand piano sound and keyboard feel. It’s suitable for people of all skill levels, from total novices to accomplished musicians.
In this piano, Casio offers the latest generation of its Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard. As your fingers strike the keyboard, you’ll notice the carefully balanced weight and resistance of each key. The sensors in the keyboard capture your expressive performance, including variations in pressure and speed. The keys respond in much the same way as those on an acoustic grand piano, creating a realistic playing experience.
Casio’s Privia models have been our favorites, and they never fail to satisfy. Despite its expensive looks, it offers high sound quality of an affordable price. For the past few months, this Privia digital piano has gained popularity and has received positive reviews from its owners.
To let you know up front, we are recommending the PX-760 for both beginners and intermediate pianists. Apart from the upright design, upgraded speakers, and extra features, it’s similar to the PX-150. But let’s look at some of the features before going into the details.
That quite a significant number of features are there are even more that we didn’t mention. By the way, the PX-760 is available in 3 different color variations: Satin Black, Satin White, and Satin Oak Brown.
Pros:
- Thanks to the Tri-Sensor weighted keys and touch response features, the touch and key action feels like that of acoustic pianos.
- The three sensitivity levels have improved the responsiveness of the keys.
- Casio’s very own AiR linear morphing sound source is greatly responsible for the great sound quality.
- The AiR sound source uses three times more memory than it did on previous Privia models.
- Apart from the classy texture and feel of the ebony and ivory textured keys, the finishing of the key surface prevent finger slippage due to sweating. You can comfortably play the instrument for long periods.
- Excellent for new learners because of the suitable features such as duet mode (student and teacher can play together), lesson function that can be enabled during practice, metronome and tempo settings, and a music library.
- The three built-in pedals will improve the overall playing experience.
- Two headphone outputs, which are becoming a common feature, are a great advantage. You can play the digital piano without disturbing others.
- The upgraded speakers are worth the extra price you pay over the PX-150. They are much improved and allow you to play the instrument in larger rooms.
- The 60 Preset songs and the ten user songs are built in the system, and you’ll always have something to play. You can also record your musical pieces using the recording feature.
- With three color options (satin black, satin white, and satin oak brown), you can choose the one that will best fit in your room and with the furniture. It also looks decent for the price you pay.
- The sliding keyboard cover protects the keys from dust, spills, or any damage.
- The design makes it easy to move it around, but you will probably need at least two persons as it weighs just over 70 pounds. The assembly is also very easy.
Cons:
- Cabinet finish may chip easily
- Only 1 USB port
The redesigned keyboard also features simulated ebony and ivory textured keys, a subtle difference that your fingertips will enjoy.
The Privia line of digital pianos is known for its award-winning grand piano sound. Now, that sound is even better.
The PX-760 uses three times the memory of the previous piano generation to convey an even more detailed and realistic tone. Casio’s new sound engine, AIR (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator), provides seamless instrument voice dynamics with 128 notes of polyphony.
Besides, the new Damper Resonance and Hammer Response simulator add more texture to the sustain pedal. The result, quite simply, is a beautiful, natural sound that even experienced pianists will love.
The Casio PX-760 offers 18 instrument tones, including grand pianos, strings, organs, electric pianos, and bass. The split and layer options let you do interesting things with the keyboard. For instance, you could play bass with the left hand and layer two tones with the right hand or split the keyboard into two equal parts for duets.
The PX-760 has three attached pedals, something that every serious pianist will appreciate. The two 8-watt speakers provide clear, resonant sound. The piano has not just one but two headphone outlets. Pianists can play in blissful privacy, or team up with another person for duets or lessons.
The USB MIDI is “class compliant,” which means that the piano can connect to Windows or Mac computers without extra drivers. You can download songs or run music software with ease. Other features include a built-in metronome, a 2-track song recorder, and 60 demo songs.
The stylishly designed piano fits nicely into any decor. It has a black wood-tone finish and a sliding keyboard cover to keep keys clean. Weighing about 70 pounds, the PX-760 is sturdy yet portable enough to move around as necessary.
Something you won’t find in the Casio PX-760 is hundreds of instrument voices and special effects. Instead, the Privia digital piano line, including this model, focuses on creating an authentic grand piano experience in an electronic musical instrument.
Overall, the Casio Privia PX-760 provides great sound quality, acoustic piano-like key action, a ton of useful features that are suitable for new learners and intermediate pianists. It’s the 2nd priciest model in the Privia line, after the PX-850. However, it’s reasonably priced for everything you get. Despite the upright design making it look like a higher-end digital piano, it’s best for beginners.
If you’re looking for a realistic sound and satisfying keyboard feel, be sure to take a good, long look at the Casio Privia PX-760 digital piano.
Casio Privia PX-860
The Casio Privia PX-860 88 Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano is a stunner in terms of looks, but it delivers as well when performance is discussed. This digital piano produces clear and realistic sounds and has intuitive keys. It can also connect to the internet in a matter of seconds, enabling its users to send music and recordings online.
When you pay a premium for a keyboard, you expect it to be of superior quality, performance, and elegance, right? Well, that is exactly what you will get with the Casio Privia PX-860 88 Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano, considered as the flagship model of the Privia line. There are just so many things to get excited about this digital piano, and any music aficionado would be in awe of its features.
The Casio PX-860 Digital Piano by the Casio piano firm can be found in an appealing, small home furniture light-weight cupboard design with moving essential cover and complete sheet music shelf faces off to Yamaha in the lower price range.
The PX-860 is using Casio’s most current updated electronic innovation that, in our opinion, surpasses any other electronic piano in this lesser cost bracket for just what it provides. I have played Casio PX-860 and was very impressed with its brand-new reasonable moisture taking in synthetic ivory/ebony keytops appearing identical to genuine ivory and ebony on the older aged acoustic grand & upright pianos.
More polyphony note memory assists in keeping notes from electronically fluctuating when playing challenging and musically complex passages, and when the polyphony comes up to or over 200-notes of memory, that is much more than adequately sufficient to suit all levels of pianists levels.
Having 256-note polyphony additionally offers smooth piano playing along with having the comprehensive sound components from the strings of a real piano or when layering two tools together. Likewise, like several top name digital pianos such as Yamaha, the Casio PX-860 provides the “half-pedal” sustain function with pedal vibration results for even more intermediate to innovative piano pop music.
For those students and entertainment players that go to the newbie category, they will certainly have something to advance into and not be required to trade out of this piano for a lengthy time, if at all.
As actual piano noise reproduction and key action go, the Casio PX-860 is impressive and updated in innovative methods over its competitors such as Yamaha and Roland. Some folks relate lower prices with lower quality and believe you have to invest a great deal more cash (over $2000) to obtain something which truly excels. However, in my view, this brand-new Casio PX-860 is extremely remarkable for its lesser cost. Besides, it has Casio’s brand-new three-year parts and labor guarantee, which shows they are genuine regarding giving consumers item protection and believe in their item.
The majority of service warranties on electronic pianos around $1000 or much less expire with only one year labor or maybe two at the outside, so three years is superior in any opinion.
Open lid speaker projection.
One appealing and cutting-edge feature I was impressed with is a brand new piano cover audio projection system. Put simply. You could physically open the lid on the Casio PX-860 up into an open position like a little grand piano. Doing this, the sound is forecasted toward you for much more sensitive playing experience.
The inner 40 watt 4-speaker sound system listens to more like a baby grand with an open angled lid. I have not seen this in the past in any sort of routine digital piano, and although fundamentally it seems like a simple thing to do, this new interactive closet offers the player more piano noise depth and makes the piano a lot more impressive to play.
Other Casio PX-860 features bring all sort of highly effective sound generation technologies with piano string and damper pedal resonance (as mentioned earlier), sound harmonics, longer pedal decay experience time, and a large range of piano noise dynamics for more tonal shade in your having fun as compared to any kind of other digital pianos under $1500.
There are 18 really wonderful tool seems, split & layering of tones, vital touch sensitivity adjustments to individualize your having fun, duet keyboard feature enabling 2 individuals to play at the same time, and other helpful functions featuring two stereo headset jacks for two sets of headphones for exclusive technique and audio monitoring, plus stereo 1/4″ audio results for hookup to an exterior noise system (very few pianos have this function in this class), and a control panel positioned above the keyboard for simple accessibility to buttons rather than being applied on the left side of the keyboard as with other digital pianos.
iPad Piano Computer Game Application
As with all new Casio electronic pianos, the PX-860 can hook up directly with a laptop or iPad pc using its higher rate training compliant USB MIDI link which permits for immediate linking with exterior pc devices without the requirement of having or downloading and installing additional drivers to change a MIDI signal to USB.
Since youngsters are expanding up in the IPad field, I recommend to all piano students that they make use of the amazing Apps readily available for tablet computers (and iPads specifically) to improve their playing pleasure and practice experiences, which will make them better pupils and better artists overall. In addition to that, it’s very cool to do. When you have experienced the communication of the Casio PX-860 with an iPad and just what it can musically and educationally provide for you, you’ll be surprised at the almost endless possibilities!
iPad Digital Piano songs Application
The Casio PX-860 digital piano is very exceptional at its price and offers individuals a sensible acoustic piano playing encounter in an affordable and realistic price range. I have known Casio to be an excellent musical instrument company for over 30 years, and they have generated some great electronic pianos in the past. Yet, they have ultimately gone over their previous benchmark and have pioneered in this price field. Judging from the substantially boosted quality of Casio’s other new pianos featuring the PX150, PX350, and PX750, and PX780, I am confident that the integrity of these pianos will be quite good with little concern of troubles, specifically given the reality that Casio has included a long 3 year components and labor with factory service warranty on their new designs.
Casio PX-860 Closed Key Cover
It is important to note here that the PX-860 digital piano does not have built-in drum rhythms, automatic chords, music styles, hundreds of instrument sounds, multi-track General MIDI recording and composing or other fun features that can be useful to some people, but it was not designed to be that way. The PX-860 is a great instrument for its price that can handle people at many skill levels. If you want some additional interactive features, you can easily connect to an iPad and experience some very cool interactive piano technologies that both adults and kids will enjoy.
This digital piano can replace a regular upright piano along with enough cool digital features to make the learning and piano playing experience fun and pleasurable for most people seeking a high-quality instrument in a low-cost range. Speaking of low prices, in the past, I would have also recommended people to consider buying a good used digital piano at a lower price instead of a new one.
However, the new digital pianos being produced now, such as the Casio PX-860 digital Piano, are so improved and relatively inexpensive that it makes buying a used digital piano almost a non-issue. Besides, you take a risk in buying a used or second-hand one because you buy a used piano with it coming “as is” and you get no factory warranty. So these days, generally speaking, used digital pianos would not be a good option unless you know exactly what you’re getting, and the price is incredibly low.
The PX-850 features Casio’s advanced AiR sound technology, which produces the most realistic and dynamic piano tones, including damper and resonance effects. New in this model is the Lid simulation effect. This adjusts the grand piano tone to mimic the sound of playing with a piano lid open, closed, half-open or removed. Sound detail is unparalleled, with 256 notes of polyphony.
The piano has a decent but not overwhelming number of instrument voices – 18, to be exact, including a spectacular grand piano voice with new four-layer samples. The keyboard can be transposed to a different key. It can also be split into two parts for duets or layered to play two instrument voices at once.
The Privia PX-850 comes with three pedals, like an acoustic piano, It also has the extra features that you would expect from a digital piano in this class, including a 2-track song recorder, internal storage, 60 demo songs, built-in metronome, and USB connectivity. The dual 20-watt speaker’s output room-filling sound that everyone can enjoy. The two headphone jacks also let you and another person plug in and play without anyone else hearing.
The Privia PX-850 is trim and neat-looking, with a black wood-tone finish. There’s a sliding cover that protects the keyboard from dust. The cabinet has a solid back panel, so the instrument doesn’t quite melt into a room’s decor. But overall, the PX-850 is small enough to fit into a room without dominating it.
The Casio Privia PX-850 is an outstanding digital piano with a first-rate grand piano sound, and realistic keyboard feel. It’s priced to fit most budgets, but it doesn’t compromise on quality.
The PX-850 is a fine choice for novices who want to learn a good keyboard technique. However, it’s even better for accomplished pianists who demand beautiful, detailed sound and an authentic piano playing experience.
The Basics
The first thing that you’ll notice is how compact this piano is. The PX-860 is designed in a way that it won’t look out of place with any furniture in your home since it’s designed to adapt to the styles of furniture. However, Casio didn’t forget about the fact that pianos should be attractive, and this is one of the most attractive pianos I’ve set my eyes on.
I also love its lightweight. It tips the scales at just 81 pounds. But even with its lightweight, it has everything that you need in a digital piano like a sliding key cover. It even has a full sheet music rack.
At a little over $1000, you’d think that it’s just your basic digital piano. On the contrary, this has features and technology that can only be found on more expensive digital pianos. I believe Casio did a good job of injecting their latest technologies on the Casio Privia PX-860 digital piano.
Piano Sound Memory (256-Note Polyphony)
This technology can be found on the Yamaha AvantGrand. What’s the big deal about that? Well, this digital grand piano from Yamaha is worth $15000. This is why it’s really a pleasant surprise that the PX-860 has this feature as well, which says a lot about the technologies that are packed in this affordable piano.
How can this help you as a pianist? I’ve noticed how it helps my notes from dropping out electronically when I’m playing complicated passages. This will benefit the pianists of all levels of expertise. Besides, this feature allows you to enjoy the sounds of a non-digital piano.
The Half Pedal Sustain Functionality
Just like the more expensive digital pianos, this piano also has a half-pedal sustain functionality. Besides, this feature also has a pedal resonance effect. This is very important if you’re looking to move up to intermediate or expert piano playing. You can also take advantage of this feature even if you’re a beginner. This means that this piano will grow with you as a pianist.
Other Great Features
The piano is packed with other great features. Here are just some of them:
- Wav file audio recording
This allows you to record your piano playing on a flash drive. The quality of the recording is very impressive and will sound amazing even when saved to a CD for later listening.
This feature also allows a lot of possibilities. Since you have the recording saved on a flash drive, you can easily do a lot of things with it. For example, you can open it up on a music editing software. You can also use it to arrange songs. You can also play it in class. You can even play it at your next family gathering. While you’re at it, you can send the file via email to people who want to hear you play.
You can even convert the file to make it playable on your devices like the iPhone or the iPad. Speaking of your iPhone or iPad, this piano also has a USB MIDI connection that is high-speed class-compliant that you can connect to your iPhone or iPad. You can also use it to connect the digital piano to a laptop.
This is a welcome feature considering that you’d need to pay more than $2000 for a piano from other brands to have this feature.
- Pop the lid open and project the sound
If you’re like most people, you don’t have the money to spend on a grand piano. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t experience the same sounds that grand pianos offer. Thanks to a thoughtful feature of the PX-860, which allows you to pop the lid open just like how you would work with a grand piano, you can enjoy a better experience listening to yourself play the piano as the music is directed towards you.
On that note, it’s worth mentioning that this piano has a 40 watt sound system with four speakers. With this feature, this piano is turned to a baby grand piano as far as the listening experience is concerned. This is a very innovative feature that I haven’t seen in other digital pianos.
- Versatility
This piano is also known for its features that improved its versatility. For starters, it has 18 instrument sounds. It also allows you to split and layer tones. You can even adjust the key touch sensitivity. Two people can even play harmoniously using this piano thanks to its duet keyboard feature.
- Useful features
Some minor features add up to make the PX-860 probably the best digital piano in its price range. Two headphone jacks allow two people to listen, which is important if you’re teaching someone or you’re the one being taught. You can also connect the piano to a speaker with its audio outputs. Again, this is not found on other pianos in its price range.
Also, unlike other digital pianos, the control panel is on top of the keyboard. This is better as compared to other pianos wherein the control panel is on the left-hand side. This is because you can easily access the control panel this way.
Are There Any Downsides?
Of course, don’t compare it with more expensive digital pianos since the PX-860 won’t be able to match their features pound for pound. While it’s true that the PX-860 has features that can only be found on more expensive digital pianos, some features are not available on this model.
For example, it doesn’t have built-in features like music styles and drum rhythms. There are also no automatic chords. It also doesn’t have general MIDI composing and recording that has a multi-track feature. Simply put, the PX-860 wasn’t designed with these features in mind because Casio wanted it to be affordable.
Besides, you can’t scoff at the lineup of features listed above. Even without these features, this offering from Casio is still very impressive and can hold its own against more expensive brands. Pianists of different skill levels will have a good and productive time with this piano. I enjoy the features, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them too. Sure, you can buy a more expensive piano to have these features, but do you need them? Most pianists can make do without these features.
One more thing – a few of my friends said that they’re having a hard time finding one for sale. I guess that’s understandable because the demand for this model skyrocketed once people started leaving raves about it online. You may need to spend a lot of time and effort to find one, but the time and effort will be worth it.
Digital Piano Buying Guide
The piano is an instrument that has been very popular among the middle class and the elite. Digital pianos are among the greatest innovations in the music industry.
The most important aspect of a digital piano is that it sounds the way an acoustic piano would. The best digital piano is one that provides the same control, sensitivity, and timbre that would be found in the acoustic piano.
Digital pianos are high tech electronic instruments that are capable of playing tunes apart from the usual riff created by the conventional one.
They have no strings that require tuning, are quite smaller and lighter, and can play a bevy of other sounds including guitars, strings, harpsichords, and even trumpet or trombone sounds.
Benefits Of Digital Pianos:
Digital pianos never need tuning; they’re easy to clean, and most are easy to store.
Portable
Digital piano keyboards come in a wide variety of sizes (primarily driven by the number of keys generally 61, 73, or 88 and sound quality). If they are designed to be “tabletop” rather than floor-standing, they are generally easy to move around.
Lower Cost
Although you can buy digital pianos that cost more than used traditional pianos, in general, the price range for digital pianos is much less than the analog “wood and string” variety.
Of course, you can get a basic digital unit for less than $100, but you can get a full-featured, quality sound for under $500.
Privacy
Most, if not all, digital pianos include a headphone port that allows you to play and hear what you are playing when no one else can hear a thing.
Variety
A traditional piano sounds like a piano, and a pipe organ sounds like a pipe organ. Still, digital pianos often have lots of buttons that let you play automated background rhythms, make your keyboard sound like other instruments, and even play recorded “accompaniment” music so it sounds like you are in a band or orchestra.
Many models even let you vary the sound to offer the rich sound of a concert hall or jazz club.
Size and Location
Digital pianos weigh less and take up much less space than analog pianos.
They also do not require stringent temperature and humidity controls, or special movers to re-locate them.
Most homes have an available tabletop where you can play a digital piano.
Recording
Many digital pianos include recorded songs and lessons and even let you record your performances.
These recordings can also be transferred to your computer so you can mix your music with other accompaniments.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface lets you connect your instrument to other digital piano keyboards, computers, and other digital equipment.
This lets you control multiple instruments simultaneously, record on your computer, and lots more.
Don’t Need Tuning
With a digital piano, you get consistent sound quality without the hassle of tuning.
Digital piano tuning is not required because the sounds are prerecorded and digitally stored in the instrument.
This means that the quality of the sound is not going to change over time or even with a lot of use.
There are several different kinds of tones that you can get by playing on a digital piano, and all of those sounds will always be waiting for the key strike without the maintenance of a traditional piano.
Digital piano maintenance requires simply keeping it clean (regularly dusting) and out of direct sunlight, and of course, keeping liquids away to avoid damage.
Although a digital piano is going to have obvious sounds of a digital instrument, such as the amplified quality, it has its benefits, and not needing to be tuned is one of them.
They are virtually maintenance-free, which means that you can put your fingers to the keys whenever the mood strikes you.
The different sound available gives you the ability to play with the song in front of you instead of simply playing it, and there is no need to worry about hitting a key that does not work because you have forgotten to tune your piano.
Every note is your own, and all you have to do is play.
What To Look For
Deciding on the right piano for your home can be a difficult task, from the size of the piano to the sound quality, there are plenty of things to think about.
Pedal
For pieces that require a damper pedal, you will want a footswitch that can duplicate the same effect available on a piano pedal.
For beginners, a real “piano-style” pedal may not be necessary, but as skill level develops, it would be necessary to have some form of a pedal.
Speakers
Some electronic pianos will not have speakers already built-in, so it may be a good idea to check for an instrument that comes standard with speakers. If an amplifier is not used, speakers will be needed for performing.
If you have to add the speakers, it will add unnecessary weight.
If playing in a surrounded space, it will be likely you will need headphone input jacks so as not to create offensive noise.
Touch Sensitivity
Touch sensitivity is one of the most important aspects of any piano.
Touch-sensitive keys mean the hard and faster you push a key, the more volume it will create just like a traditional piano.
This is an important feature generally available on mid-level and higher-end models.
Weighted Keys:
Weighted keys feel like they are made of heavy wood like traditional pianos, which is especially important if you also have touch-sensitive keys. This is an important feature generally available on the higher-end models.
How To Choose The Best Digital Piano
In the digital piano market, there are lots of brands of different models and prices, and you might be puzzled and confused.
There are many factors, such as price, sound quality, features, looks, feel portability, and so on.
Before taking the leap into purchasing a new digital piano, some factors must be considered to make sure you get the device you need from your investment.
While you may not be likely to find every single detail you desire in one model, there is a good chance you can check off most of your criteria with the proper research.
Price
The most important aspect of buying a digital piano is knowing what you can afford. There are digital pianos that can range from low budgets to extremely high ones, but many of them offer the same features and sound quality.
First, determine your budget. Exactly how much are you willing to invest in your instrument?
If you need to stay within a defined budget, it’s best to know what options you have by comparing that limit with your performance needs.
Make sure to set a budget that will allow you to purchase a digital piano with all of the features you need, yet still provide you with the sound quality you want.
If budget is not an issue, the primary choosing factor can thus be the piano quality itself.
You have to find a balance between the features you want and the budget you have. So, it means you need to know the most important factors of a digital piano for you.
Who’s Using
You also need to consider who will be using your new digital piano. Some designs are great for beginners, others that are designed for those with the most advanced skills, and some that are great for all levels.
You need to decide which features you want in your new piano, and which ones that do not interest you.
Digital pianos can come with a wide range of features that can help you create great musical experiences, but if you know you will never want to connect it to your iPod or iPad, you do not need to pay extra for those features.
If you need a digital piano that mimics the sound of an acoustic piano, make sure to make your purchasing decisions based on the sound quality.
Where To Use
Another important aspect of the piano buying process is knowing exactly how you will be using it.
You need to decide whether you will require a digital piano that is easily portable, or if you want an elegant addition to your home.
The wide range of finishes, cabinet designs, and colors ensures you will find the perfect addition to your decor, but some of these can be very large and expensive.
If you know, you will want to carry your digital piano to gigs or other people’s homes. You will need a much smaller, lighter version to meet your needs.
How much available room do you have? Will the instrument be in a home or a music hall or lecture space?
If the instrument is confined to your home, allot an appropriate amount of space on your floor to accommodate and measure the space to determine how big of an instrument you can buy. Those with limited room should look for compact or slim models.
In addition to width and depth on the floor, you also need to determine the space you will have above the piano.
Higher instruments will need enough clearance above for comfortable playing and safe storage. The height should also be considered to ensure player comfort. Taller digital pianos would not be best suited for children or shorter individuals.
If you move often or may rearrange the space in which the piano is stored, this also must be considered when choosing. It may be best to find a piano that can be taken apart easily and reassembled without problems when needed.
Sound Quality
The sound of a digital piano depends on some other factors, and you need always to consider the source before you consider how the sampling was done.
Possibly the most important aspect of any digital piano is the type of sound it produces. Examine the technology used by the piano manufacturer to determine the quality you can expect.
If possible, test many instruments and compare them with your sound test. It’s best to opt for the digital piano that provides a sound most similar to a standard acoustic piano.
Tips for conducting this test include sustaining the sound only by pressing a key and then doing so while pressing the sustain pedal.
Sampling
The quality of the recording is important. More particular samples record 88 keys separately, and less particular ones sample fewer keys.
To achieve the various sound colors, samples must be recorded in different degrees of attacking the keys.
You don’t need to sample the sound colors infinitely as the human ear can’t distinguish the difference, and they’re also is a limited duration for recorded samples.
Polyphony
When referring to the piano, polyphony is the number of notes a piano can play at the same time.
If you press down on all keys of an acoustic instrument at once, you will reach the restriction of 88 note polyphony. But when a digital piano uses digital stereo samples, it will cut the polyphony in half.
You may feel puzzled. Why then do manufacturers claim a high polyphony level? Because digital pianos come with sounds that can be layered on top of piano and strings, or something else.
If you only need a solo or don’t need other sounds, then you don’t need a higher polyphony level. For most amateurs, 128 stereo samples and a 64 polyphony level are enough.
Suitability
Find a digital piano that has the essential characteristics that make it as close to the real thing as possible.
Make sure it has enough keys to properly play your desired style of music as well as Graded Hammer technology.
Test keys for the proper grip to avoid buying an instrument with plastic keys that are slippery to the touch and check for velocity response.
Feature Terms
Depending on your needs, you may require a piano with certain features not found on each model. These features may wholly determine if you can use a model you have an interest in.
Speakers, headphone jacks, USB ports, MIDI support, and other characteristics may be essential to your playing experience. Thus you should ensure any model you look at can meet your needs.
You should also be familiar with the many different terminologies used to describe the various features of each digital piano.
You should know what things like MIDI accompaniments, polyphony, key sensor dynamics, and many other terms mean.
You should do some research before you buy your new digital piano if you are unsure of what these terms mean. Some may have great importance to your needs, while others may not provide any benefits you need.
Sound Production
The best electric pianos will have at least one built-in speaker. Test the piano’s volume and check the number of octaves it provides. The best pianos will have at least four octaves to provide the best volume quality.
Like other digital devices, the size and quality of speakers are crucial to digital pianos. You may have already heard that digital pianos sound much better when it connected a high-quality headphone.
But for me, I prefer playing without headphones. So, if you are someone like me, the power of the speaker is the first thing you need to be concerned with.
In some cases, likes playing in a relatively small room, you may want at least 30 watts of the speaker, and 40-50 watts combined power for most rooms.
The larger the room you play in, the stronger the amount of power you need. No matter how you decide to use a digital piano, with headphones or not, your ears will be the last decision-maker.
Being a more experienced player, on the other hand, gives you more things to think about as well, like, for instance, the headphone jack, which is very important when you want to practice at night, or you get a moment of inspiration when other people are enjoying their rest.
Also, be sure you have easy connectivity options if you want to compose your tracks and of course, that the internal memory is enough to record them. As a pointer, I recommend that you look for a digital piano that has a micro SD card slot, so you never run out of memory space.
Warranty
Make sure your device has a warranty that fits your lifestyle. It is an electronic piano. Thus it is susceptible to different kinds of damage than that found with standard instruments.
Find a piano with the maximum warranty period to protect your investment should the piano show defects or deterioration. If possible, opt for one that has a warranty on replacement parts as well.
While you may be eager to rush out and buy the first digital piano you take a liking to, it is wisest to take this additional effort allows you to make an informed and smart purchase.
As digital pianos can be costly, depending on their features, you want to make sure you haven’t invested in something that doesn’t meet your specific needs.
Following these easy steps will help you make the correct choice in the end and have a viable answer to how to select the best digital piano.
Conclusion
The best digital piano is not absolute but rather usage and preference specific. I think there is no single best digital piano on the market for everyone since everyone has different needs for a piano. With our digital piano reviews, you can be sure to find the one that will fit all of your needs.