What is a digital piano?
A digital piano is an electronic instrument designed to replicate the sound and physical playing experience of an acoustic piano as closely as current technology allows. At the core of any digital piano is a sound engine that plays back high-resolution samples of real acoustic instruments - typically a concert grand - triggered by the key action. The quality of both the sound engine and the key mechanism varies significantly across price points, and together they determine how closely the playing experience matches an acoustic instrument.
Unlike acoustic pianos, digital instruments require no tuning, can be used silently through headphones, and occupy considerably less space. They also offer practical features such as built-in metronomes, recording outputs, and connectivity to apps and DAWs. For most beginners and for players without space for an acoustic instrument, a digital piano is the more practical starting point - and at the upper end of the market, the gap in playing feel between digital and acoustic has narrowed considerably.
Key Features & Specifications
The Roland FP-10 is Roland's entry point into the FP portable series - a compact, 88-key instrument aimed at players who want Roland's core sound and action technology without the cost of the mid-range FP-30X or FP-60X. It uses Roland's SuperNATURAL sound engine, which models the complex resonance behaviour of an acoustic grand rather than simply playing back static samples, and the PHA-4 Standard keyboard with ivory-feel key surfaces provides a weighted action with escapement simulation on the white keys. At 12.3kg it is genuinely portable, and Bluetooth MIDI connectivity allows it to work with Roland's Piano Partner app and other music applications without a cable.
| Dimensions |
128cm (W) × 14cm (H) × 26cm (D) |
| Weight |
12.3kg |
| Warranty |
5 years |
Reasons to Choose
- SuperNATURAL sound engine models resonance behaviour rather than replaying static samples
- PHA-4 Standard action with ivory-feel surfaces and escapement on white keys
- Bluetooth MIDI connects to apps and lesson software without a cable
- Compact and light enough for regular transport
- Suits beginners and intermediate players equally well
Potential Drawbacks
- Compatible with a single sustain pedal only - no triple pedal unit support
- Built-in speaker output is modest for room-filling performance use
Key Features & Specifications
The Kawai CA901 is the flagship of Kawai's Concert Artist cabinet series, built for advanced players who require the closest possible approximation of a grand piano action in a digital instrument. The Grand Feel III key mechanism uses real wooden keys with individual let-off simulation on every note - the same escapement behaviour found in acoustic grand piano hammers - and the SK-EX Rendering sound engine captures multi-channel samples of Kawai's flagship concert grand at multiple velocity layers. A six-speaker system including a dedicated soundboard resonance speaker adds spatial dimension to the sound in a way that conventional forward-firing arrangements cannot match.
| Dimensions |
145cm (W) × 101cm (H) × 47cm (D) |
| Weight |
82.5kg |
| Warranty |
5 years |
Reasons to Choose
- Grand Feel III wooden-key action with individual let-off simulation on every note
- SK-EX Rendering engine captures multi-channel samples at multiple velocity layers
- Soundboard resonance speaker adds spatial dimension beyond conventional cabinet designs
- Full upright cabinet design suits permanent installation in a studio or practice room
Potential Drawbacks
- Weight of 82.5kg makes repositioning impractical without assistance
- Cabinet footprint requires a dedicated space - unsuitable for smaller rooms
Key Features & Specifications
The Kawai ES120 is Kawai's entry-level portable piano, offering the Responsive Hammer Compact action - a weighted mechanism that simulates the heavier feel of bass keys and lighter feel of treble keys found on acoustic instruments. The Harmonic Imaging sound engine delivers 88-key multi-sampling of Kawai's SK-EX concert grand, meaning each key on the keyboard uses a sample recorded from the corresponding note on the acoustic instrument rather than stretching a smaller sample set. Bluetooth MIDI and audio connectivity makes it compatible with lesson apps and recording software, and at 12kg it sits comfortably in the portable category.
| Dimensions |
130cm (W) × 15cm (H) × 28cm (D) |
| Weight |
12kg |
| Warranty |
5 years |
Reasons to Choose
- 88-key multi-sampling means every note uses its own recorded sample
- Responsive Hammer Compact action simulates the weight distribution of an acoustic keyboard
- SK-EX concert grand tone is widely regarded as one of the strongest in its price class
- Bluetooth connectivity supports app-based learning and recording workflows
Potential Drawbacks
- No LCD screen - parameter navigation relies on button combinations rather than a display
- Internal speakers are adequate for practice but limited at higher volumes
Key Features & Specifications
The Yamaha CK88 is positioned as a stage piano rather than a practice instrument - a distinction that shapes its entire design brief. Where most digital pianos prioritise acoustic piano simulation above all else, the CK88 also delivers high-quality electric piano, organ, and layered keyboard voices alongside its grand piano sounds, making it a practical single-keyboard solution for gigging musicians who need tonal versatility. The graded hammer standard action provides weighted response across the full 88-key range, and the slim, lightweight cabinet at 13.1kg makes it significantly easier to transport than stage pianos of comparable specification.
| Dimensions |
133cm (W) × 14.8cm (H) × 35cm (D) |
| Weight |
13.1kg |
| Warranty |
5 years |
Reasons to Choose
- Versatile voice selection covers acoustic piano, electric piano, and organ in a single instrument
- Sound quality is competitive with digital pianos priced significantly higher
- Lightweight and slim cabinet makes transport and setup straightforward
- Intuitive panel layout allows preset recall without navigating complex menus
- Graded hammer action provides consistent weighted response across the full range
Potential Drawbacks
- Internal speakers are not powerful enough for unamplified performance use
- Stage piano focus means fewer acoustic piano practice features than dedicated practice instruments
Key Features & Specifications
The Kawai Novus NV6S is a hybrid digital piano - a category that uses genuine acoustic piano components in the key action rather than purely electronic simulation. The Millennium III Hybrid action retains the real wooden keys, felt hammers, and hammer shanks of an acoustic upright, with the actual string strike replaced by sensors that trigger the digital sound engine at the point of hammer contact. The result is a key action that behaves like an acoustic instrument because it largely is one - with the weight, inertia, and escapement feel that no fully electronic mechanism can fully replicate. The SK-EX Rendering sound engine and 100W speaker system complete a package that sits at the top of the digital piano category in terms of playing authenticity.
| Dimensions |
149cm (W) × 110cm (H) × 46cm (D) |
| Weight |
113kg |
| Warranty |
12 years (acoustic), 5 years (electronic) |
Reasons to Choose
- Genuine acoustic hammer mechanism delivers key feel no fully electronic action can match
- Real wooden keys with felt hammers replicate acoustic inertia and escapement precisely
- SK-EX Rendering engine and 100W speaker system are at the top of the digital piano category
- 12-year warranty on acoustic components reflects the quality and durability of the mechanism
Potential Drawbacks
- Price is a significant investment - justified by the hybrid mechanism but substantial nonetheless
- Weight of 113kg requires permanent placement and professional delivery
How to choose the right digital piano
The digital piano market spans a wide range of price points and design priorities. Understanding the key variables helps narrow the field to designs that actually suit your situation.
Key action and feel
Key action is the single most important factor in whether a digital piano aids or hinders technical development. Unweighted or semi-weighted keys do not build the finger strength and control required for acoustic piano technique. A graded hammer action - where bass keys are heavier than treble keys - is the minimum specification worth considering for serious practice. Wooden-key actions and hybrid mechanisms take this further, adding the inertia and escapement behaviour of real acoustic hammers. If budget allows, stepping up to a wooden-key action at the outset is worth the investment over replacing an inadequate instrument later.
Sound engine quality
Modern sound engines fall into two broad approaches: sample playback and physical modelling. Sample-based engines trigger recordings of real acoustic pianos at multiple velocity layers and note positions - the quality depends on the resolution of the samples and how many layers are captured. Physical modelling engines simulate the acoustic behaviour of the instrument mathematically, reproducing resonance, damper effects, and string interaction in real time. Most instruments use a combination of both. At the entry level, sample quality varies noticeably between brands; at the upper end, the differences are more subtle.
Space and portability
Portable slab pianos like the Kawai ES120 and Roland FP-10 require a separate stand and are easy to transport, making them suitable for smaller rooms or players who move between locations. Cabinet pianos like the Kawai CA901 are permanently installed and occupy a footprint comparable to an upright acoustic. Hybrid instruments like the Kawai NV6S are heavier still and should be treated as permanent furniture. Choosing the wrong form factor for your space is a common and costly mistake - measure the intended location before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a digital piano worth buying for a beginner?
For most beginners, a digital piano is the more practical starting point than an acoustic instrument. It requires no tuning, allows silent practice through headphones, and typically includes connectivity and learning features that an acoustic piano cannot offer. The key criterion is key action quality - a piano with a genuine weighted graded hammer action will develop technique correctly, while an unweighted keyboard will not.
Digital versus acoustic - which is right for me?
An acoustic piano provides a playing experience that no digital instrument fully replicates, and for players committed to classical repertoire or professional performance, the acoustic instrument remains the reference. However, acoustic pianos require tuning twice yearly, are sensitive to humidity and temperature, and occupy significant space. For home practice, beginner learners, players in apartments, or those who need silent practice capability, a quality digital piano is the more practical choice in most circumstances.
Can I use headphones with a digital piano?
Every digital piano in this review includes a headphone output for silent practice. Closed-back headphones are the preferred choice for this application because they prevent sound from leaking back into the room. The headphone output bypasses the internal speakers entirely, allowing late-night or apartment practice without disturbing others.
What accessories should I consider?
A dedicated piano stand or furniture cabinet, a comfortable adjustable bench, and a sustain pedal are the baseline accessories for any digital piano setup. A triple pedal unit - where supported - allows the use of the soft and sostenuto pedals in addition to the sustain pedal, which is important for players working through classical repertoire. Headphones are recommended for practice use, and a dust cover is worthwhile for any cabinet installation.
Final Thoughts
The five instruments reviewed here represent a clear and honest range from entry-level portable to hybrid acoustic-digital. The Roland FP-10 and Kawai ES120 address the accessible end of the market with capable actions and sound engines that serve beginners and intermediate players well. The Yamaha CK88 occupies a different position - a stage-oriented instrument with tonal breadth that suits gigging musicians as much as home practitioners. The Kawai CA901 and NV6S represent the upper tier, where the gap between digital and acoustic narrows to the point where the distinction becomes largely academic. Browse the full range of digital pianos at Better Music to compare specifications and find the right instrument for your playing level and space.
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