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Looking for a great way to play electronic music on a budget? Discover these great options, all under $1000!
Digital pianos offer a great hybrid between classic piano sound and fingering and the ability to produce music and add additional sounds through the added sound board capabilities. These instruments come in a number of formats, from a keyboard slung across a shoulder like a guitar, 80s style, to a piano that sits on your lap or a tabletop to a standalone unit with bench.
While there is a wide price range for digital pianos, most beginners will want to start with an instrument within an affordable price range. Here are our ten candidates for the best digital piano under 1000.
"Yamaha has long been known as a leader in the digital piano industry. Merging top-quality acoustics with realistic fingering, the company offers high-end digital electronics. The Yamaha YPG-235 76-Key Portable Grand Piano is no exception."
"This is a great digital piano with MIDI capabilities through the USB port. It is a great option for beginners, with a lesson mode, the ability to layer sound and music, the ability to split the keyboard for more functionality, and five instrument voices.."
"The Casio Privia PX160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano comes from a legacy of machines dating back several decades. If you owned a keyboard or synthesizer in the 80s, chances are it was a Casio. The company continues to improve upon itself, upgrading its speakers and speaker hookup functionalities with this latest version."
"The Alesis Coda Pro is a good combination of music production and digital piano. It offers a wide variety of voice choices, some special effects like split and layering, and a large library of preset songs."
"The Yamaha DGX-660 88 Key Grand Digital Piano with Knox Piano Bench,Pedal,Dust Cover and Book/DVD is one of the highest-end models in the price range and has all the features to match."
"This 88-key weighted model has a lot to offer in the way of typical features, from a headphone jack to split keyboard to MIDI functionality to triple sustain pedal."
How does this fully keyed Yamaha stack up to the competition?
Read on and discover more!
The Yamaha YPG-535 88-Key Portable Grand Piano with Stand and Power Adapter is a full-sized digital keyboard with a lot to offer. From an LCD screen that can display your music to a USB port that offers connection to and from your other devices, there’s a lot more here than just a great piano with quality sound.
This large keyboard really needs a stand– good thing this one has a built-in set of legs. Access to a number of voices, Yamaha’s patented educational system, and more make this a great combo production computer and keyboard. Use it to learn to play or to build a track and play a melody from one of dozens of voice options. This is a powerhouse piece from a quality company, no doubt.
Conclusion
A strong contender that appears to have everything; does it deliver?
This Yamaha comes with everything you need for a higher-end piece. This includes digital piano pedals to cover reverb, a stand, high-end recording software equipment plus the ability to talk to other devices or storage USB sticks and great music in the form of several different instruments.
Its full keyboard and functionality rival the instruments a price range above. The one drawback is that the digital piano hammer action causes a slight click when played. Overall, this is a solid contender that you’re likely to love.
Excellent! You won’t believe what’s coming up next!
What stands out?
Full set of 88 keys for a full piano experience
Great quality, especially for the price
Use your laptop as a MIDI source through USB connectivity
A high-quality piece that’s comparable to pieces in another price range
What cons did we manage to find?
Can be a bit fragile; requires care with young pianists
Yamaha has long been known as a leader in the digital piano industry. Merging top-quality acoustics with realistic fingering, the company offers high-end digital electronics. The Yamaha YPG-235 76-Key Portable Grand Piano is no exception.
This is as much a piano as it is an opportunity to learn play style with digital feedback and a recording studio with a host of built-in tracks plus room to record and import your own sounds. This is a digital piano touch sensitive as they come; a great option if heavy piano keys are difficult for your fingers.
Conclusion
How does this keyboard do overall?
Make no mistake; Yamaha got this one right. This is a great device that can grow with any musician in your family. Use it to teach your beginner fingering techniques with the built-in lessons from Y.E.S., to import and export music to your software, and to create symphonies or other original music with the built-in production components.
From those who haven’t played a note to the college music major, this is one instrument that offers a bit of everything!
What stands out?
Solid construction
Good volume and quality sound
Great for kids and adults, newbies and music majors
Comes with lessons and digital grading checks
Can be used as both a piano and a composition/production tool
What cons did we manage to find?
Not all versions come with the A/C charger included- you need to double check before purchase.
Box ships printed with contents on the outside- something to consider when purchasing presents.
Keys are unweighted; doesn’t have the same feel as a piano.
Add to that a number of different production modes, a lesson component, and pedal reverb functionality, and you’ve got a powerful musical instrument.
Conclusion
Is the Alesis your dream digital piano? Here’s what we think.
This is a great digital piano with MIDI capabilities through the USB port. It is a great option for beginners, with a lesson mode, the ability to layer sound and music, the ability to split the keyboard for more functionality, and five instrument voices.
While the speakers project well and offer the ability to add more sound as needed through the stereo ports, the sound that it makes is not of professional quality. That said, it’s solidly built and a great option for those who want something that is sturdy, basic, and works well.
A great basic keyboard for the new musician in your life!
What are our favorite features?
Solid construction
Great for beginners to get started and of a high-enough quality to offer a lot to experts
A quality company that makes good, reliable music gear
Split feature is great for learning single-hand fingering
Use the built-in speakers or add your own
USB MIDI connectivity
What could be better?
Notes at the outer ranges can be a bit thin; adding your own speakers helps a bit
Half-weight keys are still not the feel of a real piano
A compact alternative to 88-key keyboards, this digital piano with bench offers a number of digital enhancements that make it as perfect for composing the next viral hit as it is for learning to play the scales. Add the full slate of features to the mix– a stand for the keyboard, a bench, and an A/C power supply and you’ll be well set-up.
Conclusion
Is this the piano for you? Here’s what we thought:
If you want to learn the basics of how to play on a high-end instrument, but you also want something simple and compact, this is a great starting point. It offers a small size, 61 keys, a number of different voices, ports for headphones, pedals, and additional speakers, and more.
While it won’t be the piece that takes you through your whole Grammy-winning recording career, it offers the quality sound that Yamaha is known for at a price and size that is accessible to everybody.
And who doesn’t love that?
Another quality contender!
What are its best features?
Good sound quality in both speakers and instrument voice
Solidly built from a high-quality manufacturer
Fun for both kids and adults
Compact size overall
The additional items, bench, stand, and A/C cord, don’t come with all versions of this and are a bonus
What could be improved?
Not a full 88 keys
Only a basic set of recording features, good for beginners but not those doing high-end composing
Like a real piano, it’s harder to push down at the low end and easier at the high end of the scale. Play one of several voices or combine multiple instruments for a unique sound combination. Use the keys as a piano or to play different samples, each with their own unique volume and timbre.
Conclusion
A full digital piano for a budget price sounds great- what were our overall thoughts?
This is a great beginner piano if you want more piano and less recording function. The budget price is appealing, and if you’re looking for something to pretty much be a digital piano with a full range of playability, you’ve found it here.
If, however, you need a high level of production and sampling equipment, this may not be quite the piece you need. Overall a strong contender that doesn’t try to be more than what it is – a digital instrument.
Why did it make our list?
A great 88-key option on a budget
Quality Yamaha sound for all voices
Multiple voice options
Simple button controls
What is not ideal about it?
Voice changing on keyboard makes it hard to change during a performance
Touch control keys require some practice compared to a piano to get volume control based on pressure
This well-known company has made keyboards for decades- how does it compare here?
The Casio Privia PX160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano comes from a legacy of machines dating back several decades. If you owned a keyboard or synthesizer in the 80s, chances are it was a Casio. The company continues to improve upon itself, upgrading its speakers and speaker hookup functionalities with this latest version.
IT adds to this weighted keys with touch-sensitive volume that work with three sensors to give you as realistic a feel as you can find in a digital piano. Add to this the recording of a 9 foot grand and their proprietary sound technology, and you have one powerful instrument.
Conclusion
It’s a lot better than the Casio of the 80s, with a lot to offer.
There is a reason Casio has stayed in the digital piano game for so long; this is one great example of why they’re such a contender. The sound is excellent, the choices unique, and the keys responsive. This is definitely a great piano for the price level. Whether you loved your first Casio and you want to introduce this kind of instrument to the next generation, this is a great option.
You really can’t go wrong with this choice.
What makes it stand out?
Great sound- one of the few that offers a choice of several different subtle piano tone differences
Great key action- real and reliable
Full size yet light, portable, and conveniently narrow
It’s simple to use straight out of the box
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Some slow reactions when keys are played at high speed
A great starting point into the digital piano market!
If you need a basic piano model, this is a good starting point. It’s small and compact, comparatively, for an 88-key digital instrument. While many of the functions are on the basic side, this is still a great beginning point for those who want a full piano on a budget and who aren’t getting one mainly for music production and recording purposes. This is an Amazon exclusive model, so your search will begin here for a model.
What do we love it for?
Amazon-only for easy buying
A budget-conscious 88 key choice
Quality Yamaha acoustics and volume
Change settings with a single push button
What were we disappointed with?
Can’t switch voices mid-play as the keyboard is required
Better as a piano than a recording or producing device
Some confusion on Yamaha’s helpsite with the model number unless you tell them you have a P45
The Alesis Coda Pro is a good combination of music production and digital piano. It offers a wide variety of voice choices, some special effects like split and layering, and a large library of preset songs.
Two features that are optional in other models, the sustain pedal and the A/C charger, come standard with this piano. If you’re looking for a strong combination piano and recording/producing device, this is a great option.
Conclusion
If you want a high-quality piano, this is an amazing choice, one of the best on the market.
Whether this is the piano for you probably has a lot to do with what your plans are for the piano. If you want to play a quality piano with a lot of voice options, this is a great choice. If you want an accompanying percussion beat, you’re going to need to bring your own or look elsewhere.
Overall, the sound and feel are about as good as you’ll find in a digital piano, and you’ll end up feeling like you’re playing the real thing.
What are our favorite features?
A lot of features you don’t find in other pianos at this price range
This is Yamaha’s last piano on the list- is this the one you’ll fall in love with?
The Yamaha DGX-660 88 Key Grand Digital Piano with Knox Piano Bench,Pedal,Dust Cover and Book/DVD is one of the highest-end models in the price range and has all the features to match.
Offering some of Yamaha’s highest-quality sound features, a number of functional hookups, an LED screen, and a large number of accessories to round out the package, you have pretty much everything you need in a great piano.
Conclusion
Nothing bad to say- definitely deserving of one of the top spots!
This is really an excellent digital piano with all the features of an instrument from a much higher price range. From high-end audio to the built-in LED that offers the ability to read and write music on the screen with a MIDI connection.
There are lots of great reviews and nothing bad to say on the subject. The fact that all of the accessories that don’t come standard on most models are included make it even better. Honestly, if you have the money and you want one of the best pianos in this price range, you can’t do much better than this.
Why did it make our list?
High-end audio
Lots of ability to connect to Macs and PCs through MIDI interface
Display your score on the built-in LED screen
Bonus sustain pedal comes with it
The features of something in a higher price range
No negative reviews to speak of
What is not ideal about it?
At the top of the price range- not great for those on a budget
This piano looks a lot like an acoustic model- does it measure up in other ways?
This is a great digital piano with bench option that looks a lot like a classic upright. This 88-key weighted model has a lot to offer in the way of typical features, from a headphone jack to split keyboard to MIDI functionality to triple sustain pedal.
There’s a lot to love about this piano, especially if you want to use it as a digital model in a similar way that you’d use an acoustic piano. It offers all the hookups of other digital functions, but you need to choose how and where to use it carefully.
Conclusion
Is this the piano you’ll fall in love with? Here’s what we thought:
This Korg piano has a lot to offer- the audio that this company brings is something that gets mentioned again and again by satisfied customers. Aesthetically, it is as much a beautiful piece of furniture as it is a musical instrument – a plus if you plan to leave it out all the time.
If you want an all-in-one purchase that offers stand and bench, you’re again in luck. Full key count, triple sustain pedal and MIDI and headphone ports make this a great choice for just about anything you want to do with it. Some recommend adding additional speakers if you really want to project however, many others are pleasantly surprised by the acoustic quality when playing with headphones. Overall, this is a versatile and excellent piano.
Why is it special?
Comes with stand, bench, and sheet music for learning
Includes damper, sostenuto, and soft pedals
Looks aesthetically like a real piano and is a good addition to home decor
High-quality sounds, especially with headphone jacks
What are the flaws?
Stand has been known to make some sounds when not assembled tightly enough
Volume may require speakers to get the amplification you need for large rooms
MIDI jack is not in the most convenient position
Things to Consider
All Types Of Digital Pianos
How do you choose a piano based on your skill level?
Digital pianos offer a number of features- whether you want a piano that you can learn on and grow with or you’re just looking for a piano to suit your current skill level, there’s a lot to choose from. Here are some things to consider at each skill level:
Beginners can benefit from a good set of lessons. Yamaha offers their Y.E.S. learning system on their mid- to high-range instruments. Other models offer lessons through a subscription to an online service or they come with an instructional CD or DVD.
Mid- to Advanced-levelplayers can begin looking for audio equipment that offers a higher quality sound to discern the subtleties of different pieces of music. A responsive keyboard that works with faster fingering without causing lag. A good sustain pedal that works well, or the ability to attach one, becomes important at this level. Also, polyphony and the ability to practice duets with an automated partner can be very helpful.
Professional levelplayers will be looking for the highest range of audio quality. Additionally, MIDI hookup capabilities and the ability to interface with your device or computer platform becomes important. Looping, sample, and autoscore capabilities are especially helpful for pros searching for a digital piano.
How To Choose Best Digital Piano Under 1000
As you read on, you’ll find that we have given our favorite based a lot on the piano most likely to fit the needs of the largest number of people.
However, you may have unique needs outside of this that requires a different piano completely. The best way to figure out the right piano for you is to ask yourself a series of questions and compare the answers in the features above. Good questions to ask include:
All helpful questions! What else?
Do you want a piano, something to produce music with, or a hybrid of both?
Do you need all 88 keys? Would you be willing to sacrifice some electronic function for more keys, or vice versa?
Do you plan to write music?
Do you want some way to learn music to come with your piano?
Do you want to have a stand and bench come standard with the piano?
Do you plan to move the piano around with you or will you be keeping it stationary?
Do you plan to store the piano or keep it out as furniture when not in use?
How To Play Digital Piano
Playing digital piano is a lot like playing an acoustic piano, once you have it properly set up. While the specifics of which buttons to press will vary from instrument to instrument, the basics are pretty much the same:
Sounds easy enough!
Find a power source for your instrument- either add batteries or connect it through an A/C power cable.
Turn on the piano and set up the voice you want.
Add any additional features you wish to use while playing.
Use the keyboard as you would a typical piano- the sustain pedal can also be used the same way.
If you wish, record, import, or export the music through the MIDI USB port.
How To Record Digital Piano
Again, while the specifics of recording are different from model to model, the basics are essentially the same:
Wow! That’s really easy! And guess what else?
Determine whether your piano’s ability to record requires a storage device or interface with a computer, or if you have built-in storage within the piano itself. For a seamless recording experience, pair your piano with the best laptop for music production. A high-performance laptop enhances the recording process, allowing you to edit, store, and manage your musical creations efficiently.
Set your piano to record mode
Begin playing until you have completed the clip or song you want to be recorded
Stop the recording and play back to make sure the sound is correct
Name and save your file
Add it to your voices for sampling or your music files
Is It Possible To Repair Piano If It Is Broken?
Broken pianos can be a drag. The fixability of these instruments depends on a number of different factors. This includes:
The date of purchase: Most models will offer a free refund within 30 days of purchase if the piano is found to be defective. This guarantee can come from the manufacturer, from the credit card you use, or from the store you choose to buy from.
Determine whether the problem is easily fixed by reading through the troubleshooting manual. This should be one of the first steps if something’s not quite right, as it offers a lot of easy fixes.
Work with the manufacturer to find a qualified technician in your area who can work with your brand of instrument.
Talk to the manufacturer about sending it in for repair
Determine the extent of your warranty to see whether your problem is covered by it
There is no guarantee that a problem is fixable, but at least there are a large number of options to choose from when trying to fix it.
Digital Piano Vs Keyboard
While not all keyboards are digital pianos, all digital pianos are keyboards. The big difference is that digital pianos function in a way that is more similar to an acoustic piano.
Some of the things that a digital piano can have that a keyboard may not include:
A sustain pedal with the ability to alter notes by way of a sustain pedal
Acoustics of high-quality pianos
Weighted keys that feel similar in resistance to that of acoustic pianos
88 keys, or a number very close to this
The feel, look, sound, and other aspects of an acoustic piano in an electronic format
Digital Piano Vs Acoustic
Digital pianos strive to give you an experience as close to that of an acoustic piano as you can get. There are a few ways in which the features still differ. Both instrument types offer a few things that are slightly different than the other. Here are the basics:
That’s a pretty impressive array!
Acoustic pianos, also called pianos, are the classic instrument you are familiar with. They create sound with a series of hammers, while digital pianos play recordings of these instruments when keys are touched.
Digital pianos require a power source to work; acoustic pianos do not
Acoustic pianos must be tuned; this is never the case with a digital piano
Acoustic pianos function solely as instruments; digital pianos can have electronic features for autoplay, adding different voices, adding percussion or other instruments, recording, importing and exporting music
Weight And Size
The size and weight of the piano you choose should have to do with what you plan to do with it; none of these models are particularly small and portable, as they are designed to emulate the keyboard of a full-size piano.
However, the size and portability level does vary some. Here are things to consider when choosing something on the smaller and lighter versus the larger and heavier sides:
Do you plan to take the piano with you different places or keep it stationary in your home or studio?
Do you plan to store the piano by putting it away or keep it out?
Are you willing to sacrifice features for portability or vice versa?
Considering these factors can help you to discover whether you want to go bigger with more features or smaller with more portability.
Design
Design is an important feature when it comes to digital pianos. These instruments tend to be modeled in one of two ways; to look as classical as possible, as close to an acoustic piano as they can. Or, they can look like the electronic computers and production devices that they are, and highlight the additional electronic features that they offer.
The right design choice for you should have to do with the primary function you wish to have for your piano.
Is it a production device that also works like a piano or vice versa?
While aesthetics is one part of the design consideration, the ability to work quickly and easily with its main function is the other practical consideration you need to look at.
Maintenance
One of the biggest pluses about a digital piano is that it requires very little maintenance. You needn’t tune it ever, and keeping it clean is as simple as a wipe down and a dust cover.
Some compressed air between the keys occasionally can help, too. These instruments work best when kept in a climate-controlled environment. When storing it in a non-controlled area for a long time, it can help to keep it stored without batteries.
Warranty
As a rule, warranties are broken into three basic components. There is often a money-back guarantee within a certain amount of time after purchase. This is often 30-60 days, though it can be as small as 7 days. This is to give you time to inspect the piece and make sure it didn’t arrive broken.
The guarantee may be given by the manufacturer, the store you bought the piece from, or even the credit card you used to purchase the item. After this, you may have either a full or limited warranty.
Full warranties cover anything breaking within the time period, regardless of the item. Limited warranties only pertain to certain parts of the instrument, such as the electronic components but not the plastic case. As a rule, warranties apply to normal use- you can’t throw your piano out the window in a fit of creative passion and expect it to be covered.
A good tip- read your warranty before purchase to know what you’re buying. Comparing this with the typical things that people don’t like in negative reviews can help you to choose a likely winner.
This term stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is the method that lets your instrument and computer or device speak to one another.
Final Verdict
What was your favorite piano? Here is ours:
When it comes to choosing the right piano in a large price range, we decided to choose the instrument that would be the most helpful to the highest number of people, regardless of skill level. Some of the things we looked at include:
The ability to use it at any skill level
The ability for those of most budgets to purchase it
The ability to use it for both musical and production purposes
The ability to learn on it
Positive reviews
The ability to write music with it and see that scored song on an LED screen
There were a lot of factors that were also considered important, but that were less of a consideration because most, if not all, the pianos on this list did well with them. Including good audio quality, the presence of a USB port and headphone jack, and the ability to use accessories like an A/C charger, stand, bench, lessons, and a sustain pedal. The fact that you could use them, whether or not they came included, was the case across the board.
The LED screen for everything from lessons to autoscoring made this an easy piano to grow with. This is truly a great instrument that will work well whether you’re playing your first set of scales or composing your next great symphony.
Sounds easy enough!
