Best digital pianos under $1,000

Thanks to modern music technology, it’s never been easier to find the best digital pianos that can absolutely nail the sounds of the real thing. They are more versatile than ever before and feature cutting-edge DSP with voicings that go way beyond piano sounds to include strings, brass, bass, and drums.

Some offer the ability to record your playing directly to the instrument, as well as digital integration so that you can swap out patches or even use them as a MIDI controller!

Let’s look at some of the best digital pianos available today.

Best 88-key digital piano under $1,000 overall: Yamaha P-125

Yamaha has brought decades of excellence in pianos to this model. The P-125 utilizes Yamaha’s fantastic Pure CF Sound Engine to provide the most authentic and accurate digital voices.

Graded hammer action across the 88 keys gives you the sound and feel of an acoustic piano with heavier action on the low end and lighter action across the treble range. Its selling point is the recreation of various Yamaha acoustic pianos, but you get access to all sorts of sounds including vibes, drums, bass, clavinet, electric pianos, and strings.

Via USB you can even connect it to your recording system and use it as a MIDI controller or record direct. It has onboard speakers and a headphone output for silent practice. And with Immersive Sound you’ll feel like you’re playing in your very own concert hall!

Best frame digital piano under $1,000: Williams Rhapsody III

They’re cumbersome, but there’s a certain charm to frame pianos. The 88 weighted keys provide real feel to trigger the versatile set of 12 onboard sounds. Since the sound library features so many different types of instruments, 96-note polyphony adds depth. You can add modulation effects too.

It’s got stereo speakers, and connections through USB, MIDI, aux, and stereo 1/4″. It comes with pedals and a rest to support books and sheet music. It’s large, but has a classy look.

Best digital piano under $1,000 for playing live: Roland FP-30X

This model is a great marriage of features and affordability. It provides a nuanced sound across the full range of 88 keys via Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine and is designed to provide the articulation of a top-shelf acoustic piano.

Included are 32 total piano and electric piano sounds as well as 24 additional sound libraries. You can also adjust parameters like touch sensitivity, tuning, and add-in effects. Its lightweight makes it perfect for gigging, and the 22W stereo speaker has no trouble filling the room.

Best I/O digital piano under $1,000: Korg D1

With the D1, you get the sound and touch of a real piano with mobility that is perfect for the road. The bank of 30 voices gives you a variety of options. The keys are aftertouch and velocity-sensitive in addition to having RH3 (real weighted hammer) action that gives you the feel of a real piano.

It can output in stereo or mono and has connectivity for line out, headphones, MIDI via the USB port, and a foot pedal. It also has effects including brilliance, chorus, and reverb. You can choose between traditional black or a newer white aesthetic.

Best arranger digital piano under $1,000: Casio Privia PX-360

Casio is well-known to make products affordable for the hobbyist, but the PX-360 is no toy. A full 88 key range with weighted scaled hammer action and tri-sensor key functionality provide a professional touch.

The massive sound library of 550 voices run on multiple advanced engines that aim to provide some of the most realistic digital piano sounds around. Also included are many flavors of effects including reverbs, delays, choruses, and EQs.

It also comes with an accompaniment of 200 rhythms and an editor to tweak them to your specific needs. 96 memory banks let you record and edit directly on the instrument.

What’s more, it even comes with onboard lessons and educational resources, so you can always be improving!

Best split keyboard digital piano under $1,000: Kawai ES110

Portability and versatility is the name of the game here. Responsive Hammer Compact weighted-key action gives you the feel of playing a high-end acoustic piano.

You have access to 19 different sounds (8 pianos) across a192-note polyphony through Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging technology. Dual and split keyboard modes add to its usefulness. You can connect the output with MIDI and line outs, and two headphone outputs provide a way for someone else to listen without disruption.

To add articulation to your playing there is a damper pedal, and the built-in speaker system lets you play without necessarily having to be plugged into an external sound system. A three-song recorder lets you capture the inspiration of the moment or evaluate your progress.

Also available is the optional stand and pedal assembly. This gives you a professional and ergonomic setup to get the most out of your playing sessions. It even has built-in lessons by Alfred!

Best digital piano under $1,000 with MIDI: Yamaha P-45

The P-45 has a reduced feature set compared to its big brothers, but don’t let that fool you. This 88-key model with 64-note polyphony features Graded Hammer Standard weighted keys.

Ten onboard sounds include acoustic and electric pianos, organs, harpsichords, even strings and a vibraphone. These should cover the bases that most people need, and they have the tone quality you’d expect from Yamaha.

With Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Memory system, all sounds are sampled with two microphones that provide detail and articulation. A pair of 4.5″ full-range speakers and a stereo power amp with six watt output on each side means no other gear is needed to use it.

If you want to output the signal for more volume, a 1/4″ out serves as a headphone output or connection method to a mixer or amp. USB output turns it into a full-octave MIDI controller for triggering virtual instruments or DAW functions.

This is a great model choice for students and advanced users. It’s simple enough to get started, but robust enough to make a great addition to any studio or live setup.

Best budget digital piano under $1,000: Roland GO:PIANO88

If you’re looking for a digital piano with a full octave range that doesn’t do too much damage to your budget, Roland’s GO:PIANO88 is a great choice.

It’s a full-size keyboard with Ivory Feel keys with a standard spacing, so it has a lot of the feel of an acoustic piano. Roland has some of the most authentic piano sounds in their models, and they didn’t cut any corners here.

The design is compact and lightweight, so even though it’s on the larger side it’s easy to transport to gigs and recording sessions. It has built-in speakers and has I/O like Bluetooth connectivity that offers wireless MIDI, pedal input for sustain.

There aren’t many 88-key models at a sub $500 price point, and this is the best.

What to look for in a digital piano under $1,000

Sound quality and polyphony

The quality of the piano sound depends on the sample engine and onboard speakers (if there are any). Look for a digital piano with high-quality, multi-layered samples and built-in speakers that produce clear, rich tones.

Polyphony should ideally be at least 64, but 128 or higher is preferable to avoid note dropouts when playing complex pieces. Some models also offer sound modeling technology, which enhances the natural resonance and expressiveness.

Key action

One of the most important features in a digital piano is how closely the key action mimics that of an acoustic piano. If this is the kind of feel you’re going for, look for weighted or hammer-action keys. They provide a more realistic playing experience than semi-weighted or synth-action keys.

Graded hammer action, where lower keys feel heavier than higher keys, is a bonus and can improve finger strength and technique. Touch sensitivity is also important. It allows for dynamic playing that responds to how hard or soft you play.

Features and connectivity

A good digital piano should offer USB and MIDI connectivity for use with computers, software, and virtual instruments. Additional features like Bluetooth, headphone jacks, and audio inputs/outputs enhance versatility, especially for recording or practicing silently.

Some models come with built-in learning tools too like interactive lessons, metronomes, or split/layer modes for duets. If you plan to use the piano for live performance, portability and external amp connections are also worth consideration.

FAQ

What is the best 88 key under 1000?

Our choice is the Yamaha P-125. It runs on the realistic Pure CF Sound Engine, has graded hammer action keys. One of the best features is that it digitally recreates some of Yamaha’s best acoustic pianos as well as other instruments like electric piano, clavinet, strings, and more.

It’s a great, affordable choice if you’re looking for a digital piano under $1,000.

Which digital piano is closest to real piano?

If you’re looking for a digital piano that’s similar in sound and feel to an acoustic piano there area few features to look out for.

First, you’ll want something with weighted keys to provide the feel and articulation that comes with playing an acoustic piano. The library of sounds should include models of acoustic pianos. And even better if you can use sustain and damping pedals with it.

What is the absolute best digital piano?

Best is a subjective term, based totally on your needs. Anything by any of the companies on this list makes great products, but they’re far from your only options when it comes to manufacturer.

Is a digital piano as good as a real piano?

They’re different. For players looking for the authentic feel and sound of an acoustic piano, nothing beats a real piano. Digital pianos offer a wealth of other features like different onboard sounds, I/O, learning features, and functions that only exist in digital instruments.