Now that you’re sure you want to go on with your piano lessons further you should probably consider buying a piano so that you can practice at your home anytime you want. And it may be much easier for you to consider digital piano instead of heavy and bulky acoustic piano.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Digital Pianos Under $1000
- OUR TOP PICK: Casio Privia PX-870
- RUNNER-UP: Yamaha Arius YDP-S34
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Casio Privia PX-160
Table of Contents
Can You Find a Quality Digital Piano Under $1000?
Digital Pianos have significantly narrowed the lead acoustic piano had in the last decade or two. Nowadays it’s not just possible to find a quality digital piano at this price - you can actually pick from a lot of models and it depends more on what’s your personal taste than the actual difference in quality. Some will invest in excellent keybed, such as Casio, while others will bring their flagship sound down to budget models like Roland or Yamaha did.
But, regardless of all the features, in case you want to find the best one for you, we would advise you to do the next thing. Make a shortlist of models that have a USB-MIDI port and simply pick the keybed you like the most. With this port, you can plug it directly to the computer and use various premium software instruments out there that sound probably better than built-in digital piano sound engine.
But even if you’re not so tech-savvy, please don’t forget that the keybed and velocity response are the factors that can improve the sound quality a lot. Matching keybed feel to your personal taste is the aspect you should pay attention to the most.
Digital vs Acoustic Piano
Digital pianos are made to simulate the real acoustic piano. Lets check up how far they got and what are some of the main differences between them.
The Sound
Modern digital pianos have the sound quality like an acoustic piano. They even calculate and create a sound of keys getting off based on how fast your hands are moved from it. And premium models can provide you with different piano sounds so you can have both Steinway, Yamaha and Bösendorfer all in one model.
Format
While acoustic pianos have an specific “a state of art” effect they are quite heavy and bulky, especially full grand piano. They require a big room to sound like they are supposed to and need special service if you need to transport it.
On a contrary, digital pianos are much more compact and there are models that can be even considered as being fully portable.
Service
Acoustic piano needs to be tuned from time to time and it requires a special service to do it properly. It can even detune based on the weather change. On the other hand, the build quality is impeccable and it’s so rare to hear that something broke in your piano. Digital piano doesn’t have such build quality, but they don’t have to be tuned ever.
Comparison Chart of the Best Digital Pianos Under $1000
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Review of the Best Digital Pianos Under $1000
Lets move on and check what models we can propose to you at this moment:
Best Overall:
Casio Privia PX-870
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
They are in love with the sound, keybed and the design. When compared to others, they say this model outpaces every digital piano in this price range in both sound and effects category. However, there are some reports about noisy keys, so if possible check it out upon buying.
Why it Stands Out to Us
256 notes polyphony is something you expect to see only on premium models and yet, Casio decided to put it in a budget model. Volume Sync EQ and Hall Simulator work like a charm, while headphone mode is enhanced to match the perception of the human ear.
Who Will Use This Most
This instrument was meant for traditional trained pianists. Especially because speakers are positioned differently so that it matches the character of the upright acoustic piano. It’s also a nice long-term investment for a beginner as it gives you much more sound quality than other manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Whenever you go and check the other manufacturers and get surprised by what they offer, Casio somehow always takes it a step further and provides you even more while preserving the excellent keybed feel and response.
Runner-up:
Yamaha Arius YDP-S34
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Even people who had graduated on Steinway grand are more than satisfied with the sound this model delivers. It sounds and feels like a real acoustic piano to them. They also find it to be an elegant non-glossy add-on to their home, especially white color version.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Yamaha decided to put their new CFX sound engine in a quite affordable digital piano with amazing 192 notes polyphony. This allows us virtually infinite hold of a sustain pedal. We also need to praise the Intelligent Acoustic Control as it improves overall volume quality at low output levels.
Who Will Use This Most
Fully trained pianists will appreciate that it comes with key-off samples and string resonance. That’s a nice trait that helps to recreate the sound of a real acoustic piano. But, this model is also oriented towards younger people as it comes with a dedicated app that can help you out with the song’s chord analyzing.
Bottom Line
This is one of the cheapest Yamaha digital pianos that comes with their brand new CFX sound engine found at more expensive units. It’s a nice offer to get a grasp at Yamaha’s finest sounds available at the moment.
Best for the Money:
Casio Privia PX-160
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users find this model to sound better than many acoustic practice pianos and feel like this is their best purchase of the year. Even the experienced players think it’s a fine substitute for a real piano and are very amazed at how sensitive pedals are.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like the keybed texture that simulates the ebony and ivory feel so far that even finger slippage is included on this model. Dedicated grand piano and electric pianos and Duet mode are also a nice add-on while split mode automatically adds a bass to the lower key range.
Who Will Use This Most
This is an excellent budget option for all beginners and undergraduate music students. And thanks to the hybrid model it can be easily dismounted from a digital piano stand and be used as a stage piano for live performance or as a MIDI controller in a studio.
Bottom Line
This is one of the most affordable digital pianos bundles on the market. While it may not excel in superior sound quality like more expensive Casio models, it still has more than a decent sound and an excellent keybed.
4. Roland RP-102
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Keys are reported as very nice and the integration with iOS was seamless and that the app is quite intuitive. It improves the overall impression about this digital piano. It seems also that MIDI works over Bluetooth protocol as well. However, user minimalistic interface is a hit and miss for some users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As it comes from the superNATURAL sound engine, the sound is simply excellent. Roland also decided to make their own for their digital pianos series and it works flawlessly on iOS devices and enhances the overall use of the instrument. Same app works as an in-depth editor and lesson system, too.
Who Will Use This Most
Keybed is good enough for trained piano players so they may consider using this at home or at practice rooms. Younger users may find the Piano Partner app quite amusing as it can be much more than editor. It has a lot of interactive modes that can keep their interest.
Bottom Line
This should be considered as a nice all-around solution that carries a Roland trademark in both build and sound quality. It may not beat other models but maybe it fits to your personal taste better.
5. KORG B2SP
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People say that the keybed used on this digital piano isn’t quite weighted so that it may be ideal for complete beginners. They also say that there is no model in this price range that provides such a polyphony. It also seems that it works with iOS flawlessly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s so nice that KORG decided to provide audio output while using a USB port and it’s not often that we found a digital piano with audio input, too. KORG Module is also a very nice iOS app that can bring a lot of additional sounds.
Who Will Use This Most
This is an excellent choice for beginners because it’s straightforward and basic and affordable at the same time. Audio input jacks will allow you to play along with your favorite songs or you can even use it as a set of additional speakers at home.
Bottom Line
If you’re on a budget and you need to buy a digital piano soon, KORG B2SP could be the product just for you. In case you’re not impressed by its sound, think about using it with computer software instruments by USB-MIDI.
Conclusion
Digital pianos have become a regular way of practicing. While nothing can replace the feel you get when you sit at the real acoustic grand piano, you will definitely appreciate that you can get almost the same sound in a much more portable size at your home.
