The Best Pianos
The piano is a magnificent instrument with a rich history in the musical world. But acoustic pianos are huge, heavy, and often quite expensive. That's why many pianists opt for digital pianos, which can often sound nearly like their acoustic brethren. And they're much less expensive to boot. To help you find the right digital piano, we've established this list of our favorite models. Read on to hear why we chose them.
What to Look For
Not all digital pianos are alike, so we’ve created this list with different uses and players in mind. In our search, we looked at different sizes, types of keys, and sound quality. For the top-of-the-line in weighted keys and audio quality, the Yamaha P515 reigns supreme. It’s a gorgeous-sounding digital piano that both looks and feels realistic. For something a bit less pricey but still excellent for pianists, the Alesis Recital 88 is a fantastic option. It’s more affordable but still full-sized and semi-weighted for an accurate touch and sound. If you want to hear more about our top choices for pianos, check out our reviews below.
Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Piano with Semi-Weighted Keys
Let your fingers fly
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, full-sized keyboard, look no further. The Alesis Recital is ready for you to practice and perform with 88 full-size keys. They’re semi-weighted, which is great for newer pianists as you won’t get as tired when practicing. The keys are easier to press than those on an acoustic piano but still have enough weight to make them feel responsive to your touch.
Pros:
- Much lighter than a keyboard with fully-weighted keys, easy to move by yourself
- Can work with programs like Ableton, Garageband, Logic, etc.
- Impressive sound from the speakers can fill a large room
- Can play two instruments at once, such as the bass in the lower octaves and piano in the higher register
Cons:
- No MIDI port, although that’s becoming pretty obsolete these days
RockJam 61 Key Keyboard Piano With LCD Display Kit
The versatile, affordable option
Do you know someone who’s expressed interest in learning the piano? If so, we have the perfect gift for them. This digital piano is excellent for learning and practicing piano. If you’re reading from sheet music, there’s even a built-in stand. Best yet, there are a ton of different samples to choose from, so you can play strings, brass, choir, and more.
Pros:
- Great for beginners with easy-to-hit, lightweight keys
- Keyboard labels help newer players learn quickly
- Can record to show off your performance or analyze it for feedback
Cons:
- The keys can be a bit loud
Alesis Melody 61 Key Keyboard Piano for Beginners
The perfect combo
Posture at the piano is critical for good playing. And to have good posture, you’ll need a proper seat and stand like the ones in this bundle. The bench is plush, comfortable, and fits perfectly with the stand so you can sit comfortably over the piano. Of course, it’s all adjustable, so no matter your height you can find a good position. There’s even an app for tablets that helps beginners learn piano, making this a great gift for someone who’s expressed interest.
Pros:
- Great instructions make it easy to set up
- Has a sleep function so you don’t waste energy
- Intuitive controls for choosing sounds
Cons:
- No sustain pedal included
YAMAHA P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
For a natural touch
If you’re looking to get a realistic piano, this is a great value choice. It has nicely weighted keys, balanced so that they feel like an acoustic piano. This both prepares you for real pianos but also gives you greater control over the touch. Plus, it helps you get your finger strength up. And unlike some cheaper digital pianos, the samples on this instrument are high class and sound realistic. The speakers have enough bass to make this feel like a proper piano.
Pros:
- Doesn’t take up too much space in a room
- Includes reverb and various other sound controls
- Includes strings, harpsichord, and vibraphone samples
Cons:
- The keys will make make a bit of physical noise from the weighted mechanism
Yamaha P515 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
Almost as good as the real thing
If you’re a professional pianist or aspiring to be one, you might want to invest in a high-end digital piano such as this one. In our experience, it has an extraordinary touch and exquisite sound compared to a real piano. The touch is balanced just right, with enough weight to give good resistance, but not so heavy that it’s tiresome to play. Fast scales, repeated notes, trills, and arpeggios all feel great on this piano. This is a long-term digital piano that will last for years.
Pros:
- Includes a port for a pedal unit with the standard three piano pedals
- Top-tier audio samples that sound fantastic
- Plenty of storage space for recording your own pieces
Cons:
- Definitely on the pricier side
Frequently Asked Questions
What are weighted keys?
Acoustic pianos use a hammer mechanism to hit the strings. This mechanism provides resistance when you press a key, so it feels like the key has weight. With electric pianos, plastic keys hitting a soft button doesn’t have the same feeling. So digital weighted keys were invented to mimic the feeling of a real piano. You get better control over the velocity of the notes with weighted keys. Unweighted keys are much easier to glissando on, however.
How many keys are in a full-sized piano?
A standard piano will always have 88 keys. Some brands have made pianos with extended low ranges, however. The Bosendorfer Imperial 290 has nine extra notes in the lower register, going almost to the limit of human hearing (this piano’s low C sounds more like a rumble than an actual pitch).
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