The best digital pianos can be a great addition to many households. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a new instrument or your child is going to start taking lessons soon. You want the top electronic piano with a fantastic sound for them to practice on, and you’ll need to know what factors to look at when making your choice. The most popular electric piano models aren’t necessarily going to be the top option for your needs.
What’s the best option for your needs? A good electric piano will fit your budget. It should fit its location and be light enough to move. Look for models that mimic the sound of a real one. Though most don’t produce onboard sounds with hammers like a traditional acoustic one does, other keyboards have hammers inside anyway for weighted hammer action. These will give you the most well-rounded playing experience. You can also look for an affordable model with the best sound effects to play with. Look for built-in speakers for easy setup, as well.
There’s a lot to consider when you’re looking for the best digital pianos. There are console-style pianos, traditional pianos, grand and upright pianos, modern pianos, and more. That’s why we’re breaking down the important features of these instruments. It will make it easier for you to choose the right one for your situation.
Don’t forget to test the best electronic pianos before buying them. Music creation has never been this convenient! With the best electric piano, you can play like a star.
Electric Piano Features
The best electric piano can make beautiful sounds but doesn’t do it in the same way that acoustic instruments, upright versions, or other ones do. An acoustic model produces sounds or audio outputs when a hammerhead covered with felt strikes strings stretched inside the instrument housing, causing vibrations that produce different sounds. The pressing of the keys triggers the hammers inside to strike the strings.
An electric piano doesn’t have strings to make the same vibrations. Some of them also don’t have the hammer-action mechanism. The player still triggers the sounds with their keystrokes, but what you hear are high-quality recordings of an acoustic piano sound engine being played over onboard speakers. Even teachers would be excited to teach using this.
Some keyboards, especially hammer action keyboards, will still have hammer mechanisms integrated into their design. This is just so there is consistency in how the played keys feel from one type of piano to the next. A child who is learning may do better with options that don’t have hammers, as the wooden keys won’t be as heavy and hard to push down.
Also, some have speakers built in, while some don’t. If you’re purchasing your keyboard for home use, you’ll likely want to find one with built-in speakers. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a stage piano, you’ll be better off going with an entire piano without speakers for a more authentic playing experience.
Choosing The Best Option
Most importantly, the best entry-level electric keyboard you choose should fit your budget. They’re usually less expensive than acoustic options. But they range in price within their category. You’ll pay somewhere between $500 and $2,000 for an electronic piano. These price ranges are normal and there are many affordable choices! A MIDI keyboard is even cheaper than other digital pianos, so you can also opt for that.
You can find some cheap budget-friendly options, though, for as low as $200. For first-timers who are just starting to play piano, you don’t necessarily need to buy the best option out there.
You’ll want your keyboard to fit into the surroundings. Decide where you’re going to be putting it before you start shopping for it. If you know you’ll probably move it around some, make sure it isn’t too heavy for doing that. You can find the best cheap options that have recording equipment for recording functions, learning apps, or even a smart pianist app, unlike their acoustic counterparts.
The Top Electric Models Will Make The Most Realistic Keyboard Sounds
The best models will make the most realistic sounds – if you aren’t too concerned with the price then you can get the top-rated grand pianos available. If you have the opportunity to try out the ones you’re considering, do it. If you can’t because you’re ordering online, read reviews and see what others are saying about the sounds each of them makes. They won’t all have the same sound quality. A digital piano sounds different from a real grand piano, of course, so manage your expectations well.
You need to decide whether you want the best keyboard that includes the hammer action or not. Older, more seasoned players will probably benefit more from the best keyboards that do have the hammer mechanisms because it gives them the feeling of what the keys feel like on an acoustic piano. Young children who are just learning to play will likely do better without the hammers.
Some of the best electronic keyboards come with some fun background music to play along with or other sound effects. These can help kids learn how to play along with other digital instruments in a band setting. They can also allow other types of players to develop their creativity further. The best sounds are those that have good Rhodes or Wurlitzer electric piano sounds.
Is An Electric Piano The Best Option?
The honest answer to this is no. Even a great digital piano, in general, won’t be as good as a real acoustic piano. That doesn’t mean they don’t serve a very good purpose. Electronic pianos are more practical for many people to have in their homes. Acoustic pianos are extremely heavy and hard to move.
Any relocating you do will likely have to be done through a specialized service when it comes to moving an acoustic piano. An electronic piano can be moved around more easily, usually without special help. Not all acoustic pianos are that great. The best digital pianos will be better than the bad acoustic ones. The middle of the pack should run about the same. A good acoustic piano will always be better than a good digital piano.
Best Brands
Now that we’ve talked about what you need to know about digital keyboards, let’s look at some that are available online. Of course, you want instrument sounds that are amazing and authentic with a nuanced sound partnered with great key action.
Best Choice Products 88-Key Digital Piano
This perfect digital piano is highly affordable and great for beginners and more. The keys are all semi-weighted for a more traditional feel and great keyboard action. There is a sustain pedal included. It has built-in speakers and a power supply. It doesn’t take up much floor space, so you can fit it just about anywhere. The keyboard sits atop a compact folding stand that’s easy to put up and take down. There are some sound effect settings to play around with, too.
Pros:
- Very inexpensive
- Super lightweight at under 30 lbs.
- Sustain damper pedal simulates damper-free sound adjustment
- One of the best digital pianos
- Built-in speakers
- Pairs with your devices
Cons:
- Not enough customization options
- Although it’s one of the best digital pianos, the volume is low
- Some malfunctioning keys
Donner DEP-10 Best Digital Piano
The Donner DEP-10 is one of the best pianos for beginners. It’s designed to have keys that feel like a traditional piano but without all the weight behind them. Even young children shouldn’t have trouble pushing these keys down. It includes eight different voices and some other effects to experiment with. There’s a sustain pedal included, as well as multiple audio inputs and outputs. There are two built-in speakers and a record mode for storing your creations.
Pros:
- Full-sized keyboard
- One of the best digital pianos
- Affordable
- Includes educational features
- 30 pre-set songs
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Keys have side-to-side give
- Lack of volume consistency across different keys
- No literature included
RockJam Best Digital Keyboard
The RockJam 61 is a very good digital piano, but it’s meant more for someone who is looking to explore their creative side and make music renditions of their own by combining some playing with other types of sounds. You’ll have the ability to record and play whatever you’d like. You can also choose a piano tone. This is a kit that comes with a keyboard stand, a padded bench, headphones for the headphone jack, the Simply Piano App, and some Keynote stickers. You can plug it in or keep things entirely portable by powering it with batteries, making it a great home digital piano.
Pros:
- Extremely inexpensive
- Essentially an all-in-one package deal
- One of the best digital pianos
- 100 different tones to choose from
- LCD display is intuitive for teaching
- Included app access improves learning curve
- Headphone jacks for silent practice
Cons:
- Not a full-sized keyboard
- Volume defaults to maximum when first turned on
- On/off lights are reversed
Hamzer Best Digital Piano
The Hamzer is a solid digital piano that can be purchased for right around $100, which is not a bad deal in the digital piano market. It comes with a stand, a microphone, and a sticker sheet for keynotes. Some built-in speakers will play the 24 pre-set songs for you. It also has a learning system built into its design. There are some fun sounds and effects to play around with aside from your favorite songs. You can record your creations and play them back whenever you want to. You can power it with either the 120-volt power adapter or batteries. It weighs less than 14 lbs, making it a compact digital piano.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Super lightweight
- Great for beginners
- One of the best digital pianos
- Good volume levels
- Included stickers help with learning keys
Cons:
- Volume reverts to maximum when idle
- So light it is easy to knock over
- No literature included
What Is The Best Digital Piano On The Market?
Look for a beginner digital piano that is going to give you the most for the money you’re comfortable spending. You can choose one that’s full-sized or not. Decide if you want something lightweight and portable or something with a little more heft to it that will stay in one position. Do you want something compact, or do you want a console digital piano? Console digital pianos are heavier and more expensive, but they are more durable.
Picking Between The Best Electric Or Acoustic Piano
Also, check out the sounds that you’ll be getting. Do you just want acoustic piano sounds, or do you want organ sounds as well? If you want something more traditional-feeling, find a digital model that still has hammer action keys. Make sure to find one with built-in speakers if you intend to be using this as an all-in-one setup. And look for everything you want within the budget you set before you go shopping. The piano business industry isn’t hard to find – many shops sell musical instruments where you can find most digital pianos (and acoustic ones, too).
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Digital Pianos
Which Digital Piano Sounds Like A Real Piano?
The Kawai MP11SE is a professional digital piano that has some of the most realistic sounds of any digital keyboard. But be warned, it does cost a lot. That’s what you would expect from a high-end and top-rated product, right? This model retails for around $4,000.
What Is The Top Digital Piano?
Again, this goes to the Kawai MP11SE. This brand has been around for a long time and many people can attest to their products. If you’re looking for your digital model, then the MP11SE is one of the greatest choices you can have, it will make you feel as if you’re playing a Grand Keyboard. You’ll also do well with the Roland RD-2000 or Roland FP, though which has the same supernatural sound engine and ivory feel keys.
Do Digital Pianos Feel And Sound The Best?
Electronic keyboards can feel like real ones if you choose one with the hammer action included in its auto accompaniment features. You’ll also want to look for a full-sized keyboard with weighted keys if you’re after the best professional digital keyboard. Some sound like an acoustic piano for example from the Yamaha piano brand, like the Yamaha CP88. Another portable digital piano that sounds close to an acoustic is the Casio PX 560. This excellent digital piano combines a realistic simulation of an acoustic piano with its dedicated line outputs and great control features.
Should I Buy The Best Keyboard Or The Best Piano?
A keyboard is better for its practicality. You can get beginner digital pianos for a lot less money, move them around easily, and practice on them wherever you want to. However, the longevity and sound quality of a piano will always be better. You should buy a piano if you’re looking for something that will last and won’t ever have to be moved. Keyboards are most suitable for beginners, those wishing to freshen up their skills, those who need portable digital pianos, and those on a tight budget.
Do I Need 88 Keys To Learn?
You can learn how to play with 66 keys. Most songs will be played with up to 72 keys. Those who want to learn classical music will want 88 keys. There are many places where you can get lessons to learn – for a fun piano-playing experience, you can opt for face-to-face lessons. But if you don’t have the budget, aspiring students can learn for free through different YouTube tutorials or online courses for both newbies and intermediate and advanced players.
There are many other models with fewer keys, like the Yamaha PSR-E273 which only has 61 keys. This entry-level portable keyboard offers a built-in MIDI recorder (which isn’t necessary for beginners but is a good feature) and MIDI controller. This model qualifies as a budget arranger keyboard which gives you a realistic piano playing experience.
Is Korg A Better Brand Than Yamaha?
There are many brands to choose from. Honestly, these two are one of the best. But Yamaha pianos can be considered to be better than Korg for their wide variety of offerings and their realistic hammer-action designed digital keyboards.
One of their main differences is what they are best at producing. Yamaha is known to produce beginner instruments like great beginner keyboards and their pianos are beginner-friendly. There are many piano learning apps on the App Store, but Yamaha already has an app you can use. Some great models they produce are their Clavinova pianos which are compact keyboards that are expensive because they’re a hybrid smart device.
Korg is focused on manufacturing stage pianos. They value the grand piano sound and create better synths, too. Their keyboards range from $100 (these are their Bluetooth midi high-end digital piano options) up to $4000!
How Much Should I Spend On A New Digital Piano?
In general, you should have a budget allocation of around $400 to $1000. There are already many budget models you can get for this price. The top-quality options might cost over $2,000, but if you don’t have enough money for that, then models under $1,000 are already more than enough.
How Long Do Digital Keyboards Last?
Digital keyboards can last anytime between 20 to 50 years. Of course, the more expensive ones are built better and can last longer, but generally even a budget keyboard can last for 20 years as long as you take good care of them.
Do Digital Keyboards Need Tuning?
Unlike acoustic models that need tuning once or twice a year, digital versions don’t need this. They’re maintenance-free as they don’t have hammers and strings to produce the realistic sound and string resonance as it’s all technological.
How Do You Maintain An Electric Keyboard?
Maintaining a keyboard doesn’t have to be hard. It can be easy to do if you do it regularly! First tip, do not place your keyboard near an open window, or doors and entrances. Avoid placing it in places where it can be exposed to sunlight, dust, and climate change. In terms of cleaning your best keyboard, it is better to check the instructions manual of the brand you’ve bought from. They might have specific cleaning methods.
Which Electric Keyboard Is Closest To An Acoustic One?
Hybrid pianos are the most expensive options but they sound closest to an acoustic piano. If we’re talking about keyboard models, the Yamaha CP88 is a stage piano. This is designed for professional use, though, so you can expect it to be pricy. Another option would be the Kawai MP11.
Which Electric Keyboards Sounds Like A Steinway?
Many Steinway dealers sell Roland keyboards today. There has been a long-time collaboration between those two companies. They make many pianos that somehow sound close to an acoustic grand piano, and they even have an app called the Roland piano app.
Which Electric Keyboard Has The Top Sound Quality?
Some of the best piano brands include Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Casio, Korg, and Nord. Of course, you should test pianos if they give you the feel you want. Piano playing on an upright piano or an acoustic instrument is different from digital alternatives.
Which Electric Keyboard Feels Most Like An Acoustic?
One of the perfect options that gives a feel of an acoustic grand piano is the Roland FP-10 – disclaimer: this is one of the budget-friendly options. For a more expensive one, you can try the Yamaha CLP Clavinova range which gives you the feel of stage pianos. Digital piano sounds are not close to a grand piano feel, but the piano keys on some give the feel of an acoustic. Create music and have fun exploring your creativity by buying portable keyboards.
How Long Do Roland Keyboards Last?
This brand is known for its synthesizers and music stations. Their lifespan can last up to 50 years. With high-quality models, you can expect that Roland sells keyboards that are on the expensive side.
Last Updated on April 14, 2023 by Jeanne Meets
DISCLAIMER (IMPORTANT): This information (including all text, images, audio, or other formats on FamilyHype.com) is not intended to be a substitute for informed professional advice, diagnosis, endorsement or treatment. You should not take any action or avoid taking action without consulting a qualified professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about medical conditions. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here a FamilyHype.com.