Best Digital Piano Keyboards – All Price Points up to $1,000

Key Action and Weighting

To be labeled as a digital piano, the main requirement is to have keys that replicate the size, feel and action of an acoustic piano. Manufacturers have their own designs and call them different names, but they all attempt to make the keys heavier and feel like the real thing.

Many digital pianos even replicate the different weights of each key, making the lower notes heavier and gradually reducing the weight as you get higher up the keyboard, much like an acoustic piano – this type of action is highly recommended if you’re looking for authenticity. Some manufacturers go so far as to change the skin of the keys to make them “feel” like real ivory and ebony.

Note that some lower priced units come with semi-weighted keys, some even Synthesizer style keys which don’t replicate a piano feel.

For those who play piano to develop finger strength and dexterity, it’s highly recommended to get weighted keys.

We’ve also broken down the difference between a digital piano vs keyboard for those you who want more details about them.

Sound Quantity and Quality

Unlike portable keyboards which can have hundreds of sound presets, digital pianos are usually limited to just a few, to focus all processing power and memory into better replicating the acoustic piano sound. The most important sound is the acoustic piano and its variants like an emulation of a real Grand Piano, Baby Grand, Closed Lid, Open Lid, Upright piano, and more. The Electric Piano sound is also important, mainly because it continues to be widely used in pop, rock, and other styles of music. Other sounds that are sometimes included are organ, strings, synths, guitar, and many more. If you’re looking to diversify your sound, you’ll want those with more presets. But if you’re just into the piano sound, then the number of presets takes the back seat for your consideration. Still, this does not stop some manufacturers from packing their digital pianos to the brim with hundreds of voices.

All these digital pianos do a good job of emulating the tone of pianos, and judging which sounds ‘best’ is a highly subjective topic, but ratings and reviews from multiple users can help quantify them into numbers. Layering and split mode are also important features to look for if you’re looking for more sonic versatility. We’ve included video demos for each model so you can hear and decide for yourself.

Speaker Volume and Quality

Ideally, the higher the amplifier power rating and the bigger the speaker, the more headroom you have to go louder without sacrificing clarity. In particular, the bass notes will tend to sound fuller with larger speakers. This is the reason why we’ve listed this specification where available. While there are other factors to consider, like component quality, these specifications can be a practical guide in case you are looking for something that can play louder or softer. If you think you might need a bigger sound than the inbuilt speakers can provide (such as for performing on stage) then look out for units that feature an auxiliary output so you can connect to a dedicated Keyboard Amplifier.

Piano Pedals

Most digital pianos come with just one sustain pedal, and this pedal is used to sustain all the notes of your keyboard. Others allow for two or more pedal connections, but you’ll often have to buy the extra pedals separately. There are also furniture stands that come with built-in piano-like pedals, allowing for a traditional 3-pedal operation that includes the Una Corda (Soft) pedal, Sostenuto Pedal (Half-Damper), and Sustain (Damper). The names of the two extra pedals are somewhat self-explanatory, the Una Corda being a pedal used for soft notes and phrases, while the Sostenuto pedal is used to sustain specific notes that you’re playing instead of sustaining everything. A better understanding of what acoustic piano pedals do will guide you in choosing the right digital piano.

Form Factor and Stand

Most digital pianos come in the same shape and form as portable keyboards, with some important differences, the most obvious of which is the lack of extra controls and buttons. The most common color is black, but there are keyboards offered in white and other colors. There are manufacturers who make digital pianos that look like acoustic pianos, complete with wood-like finish and furniture-style stands, although good examples are usually priced well above $500. These are quite heavy but still lighter and smaller than a heavy acoustic piano.

While not as important as sound and playability, you want a digital piano that will inspire you to play when you look at it. Speaking of stands, some digital pianos come bundled with a metal stand, but most require you to pay extra for them, so this is an important budget consideration. Others offer furniture stands as an option, which look better but lack portability and tend to be more expensive. We have a separate guide to metal Keyboard Stands.

Connectivity

Digital Pianos are meant to be stand-alone units that can produce sound on their own, which explains their streamlined connection options and built-in speakers. Still, it is a nice plus to have extras like a Line Out port for plugging into an external amplifier or a PA system. If the keyboard is used for learning or teaching, having two headphone outs will let both the teacher and student listen in without disturbing others. Other connectivity options that you want to look at include MIDI for connecting to computers.

Other Functions

While not as feature-packed as portable keyboards, some digital pianos come with nifty functions that help in practice, songwriting, and performances. Those with built-in rhythm and metronome will help keep your timing in tip-top shape. Ironically, there are some who don’t want rhythm features because they are the first thing to distract students and non-piano players. Built-in effects let you add color and texture to your sound, which can spice up practice and performances. Another feature to watch out for is recording. Sometimes you don’t want to miss out on a song idea just because you have to set up separate recording gear. It is also useful for self-evaluation, to make adjustments to your playing and correct mistakes where necessary.