🎹 Best Digital Pianos Under $1000 | High-Quality Sound on a Budget in 2023 🎹

#bestdigitalpianos #digitalpianos2023 #digitalpiano

0:00 - Video Introduction
0:43 - Video Overview
0:58 - Kawai ES120
2:11 - Yamaha DGX670
3:12 - Roland FP30x
4:11 - Roland FPE50
5:39 - Casio PXS3100
6:46 - Kawai KDP75
8:00 - Playing Demos

Welcome! Fresh off our visit to NAMM - the world’s premier music trade show - we’ve decided to share our top selections for the best 88-key, weighted action digital pianos available for under $1,000 in 2023.

Each instrument on our list has at least one standout feature that puts them ahead of the pack. Stick around to the end of the video for some side-by-side playing examples.

Overview
All prices discussed in the video are listed in USD. We happen to be located in Canada and our prices are listed in CAD on our website, but USD is a more useful reference point for viewers all over the world so that’s why we’ve made that decision.

Kawai ES120 - $899 - Best Piano Tone
Kawai is one of the giants of the piano industry, and we happen to cover their products extensively on our channel.

The ES120 has in our opinion the best piano tone available in a digital piano for under $1,000 with uncompressed, individual note stereo sampling courtesy of their Harmonic Imaging engine. Play through a set of good headphones for an even better experience.

The ES120 also boasts a sleek, modern design, and upgraded action, as well as Bluetooth MIDI and Audio.

Yamaha DGX-670 - $849 - Deepest Feature Set
The Yamaha DGX-670 has by far the deepest levels of functionality in a piano available for under $1,000. The arranger and sequencer functions do require some previous knowledge or familiarity with music theory to operate, so it’s unlikely that brand-new players will unlock the full potential of the 670.

However, its 100s of tones and easy-to-use Piano Room feature will be great fun even for beginners, and hobbyists will be hard-pressed to find a piano with more depth outside of spending thousands more.

It is a little heavier at 50 lbs, so this one is more meant for home use.

Roland FP-30X - $799 - Best Gigging Piano
For under $1,000, there is no better all-around gigging piano than the Roland FP-30X. It’s well priced, lean in size and weight, and packed with pro levels features.

It’s equipped with the PHA4 action which boasts triple sensor key detection and escapement, and to us, is the best action in the class.

The 30X is also equipped with ¼” line outputs, a USB audio interface, and both Bluetooth MIDI and Audio. Add in a high-quality sound engine with 256 notes of polyphony and a 22-watt speaker system and you’re left with a very convincing total package.

Roland FPE50 - $999 - Overall Best Value
Roland’s FPE50 delivers such a powerful array of specs that it was ultimately our pick for best overall value for under $1,000.

While its arranger functionality is not as extensive as the DGX670, it offers the largest stable of onboard sounds with around 1,000, 100 accompaniment styles for playing along with, a chord sequencer, deep off-board editing of all tones via the ZEN-Core synth architecture, and a simple player-friendly interface. Plus, it also boasts the PHA4 action, which again, is the top in the class for our money.

Finally, on paper it shares the same 22 watts of rated power output as the 30X, however in practice, these speakers greatly outperform the 30X, and give us the best speaker system of any model on our list.

Casio PX-S3100 - $879 - Best Look & Portability
When it comes to looks and ease of portability, the Casio PX-S3100 takes the cake with its super aesthetic design, extremely light weight of 25 lbs and the option to run it on batteries.

It also boasts arranger functionality, hundreds of onboard sounds and a good speaker system. A dependable action rounds out this great instrument.

Kawai KDP75 - $999 - Best Console
The final piano on our list is the Kawai KDP75, which gets the nod for being the top console piano available for under $1,000.

It’s largely an ES120 in console form for those who don’t need portability and would prefer an instrument with an attractive cabinet that also comes standard with a three-pedal system.

It brings the same excellent piano tone as the ES120, and the second-best speaker performance next only to the Roland FPE50. It’s light on features and sounds, but this one is really focused as an acoustic piano substitute.

Thanks for watching and be sure to check the links below for more information on all of the pianos from this list.

Connect with Merriam Music:

[badtyprr]

As a piano player for over 35 years, my ear gravitated towards the Kawai sound, as well as the Roland FP-E50. They had the harmonics I was expecting to hear. You could hear the dynamics control from the action. Tough to choose between the two. Perhaps the need for portability will decide this one for me. Great review and thank you.

[neuspur]

I became a Roland fan. And the inspiration came partly from this channel - and from spending DAYS (!) in a store that offers almost the entire range of each manufacturer. I myself have a classical music education for violin and piano. For me, Roland achieves the best overall package, where authentic touch/play and quality of sound are my personal priorities.

What I really appreciate about this channel is the great impartiality in the assessment. Because every manufacturer, every category and every single device have certain pros and cons - and every user has individual preferences and priorities. (Fortunately, I don't regret the purchase, as I was really made aware of many aspects beforehand that I wouldn't have been aware of otherwise. Kudos to this channel ;-)
In my opinion, Merriam is the best source of information when it comes to digital pianos and keyboards. So: I am still returning from time to time - and always enjoy it.

[maxydaxy]

I've watched a ton of old videos and I'm here to tell you I love how the graphics seem to evolve

[mrblablablabla]

I just wanted a simple keyboard and didn’t need extra options, so I went for the FP-10. Sounds great (through headphones) and feels fantastic! I’m very happy with it.

[seiferalmasy]

proud owner of the DGX 670! i have of course tried playing other similarly priced pianos in the shops before purchasing, but after much careful research and deliberation, the DGX was the clear winner of them all, feature-wise (the lovely full color screen is a nice bonus). If you get bored of playing solely classical piano, you can always try tinkering with the advanced arranger features (also with 256 note polyphony) and tons of other sounds and effects.

[Frank-in-NY]

You nailed the Best under $1K for sure! As much as I love the sound of Yamaha, Kawaii, and Casio, it's the Roland FP-E50 that has me excited. Feature rich, along with the PHA-4 Keybed such a terrific value. The textured keys really feel wonderful. I will be ordering one within the next two weeks. Again, really appreciate Merriam Music's and Stu Harrison with these outstanding reviews. Good Job!

[tomyvrosales]

Thank you for the great insight… I bought my acoustic piano listening to your guidance, now I am looking for a digital piano to give to my nephew and you are the reference person to listen… Greetings from Brussels.

[BasilAlien]

I have YAMAHA DGX 670 (white edition + pedal unit). For me obviously DGX is the winner. I would never change my DGX to any piano in this video.

[moodindigo]

I just bought the FP-30X but might return it. Absolutely love the sound when you lay down some lush chords, I prefer that core sound over the ES120 and P125 and that's why I chose it, but single notes in the middle register can easily become pokey/empty/fake in a way the other two I mentioned don't. The maximum volume on my (quite good) headphones is also a bit low for me, but I can imagine that doesn't differ much from the other pianos? The price of the ES120 and P125A are the same price at the moment over here, so trading the Roland in for the Kawai is the better deal, but I feel like the fullness in that middle register is a bit clearer on the Yamaha, whereas the Kawai feels like it's masking some of that sharpness, resulting in a more muddy sound. The plastic keys on the Yamaha though... and I've heard you mention a sluggish action? And the prices were so much further apart a while ago... choices, choices.

[realkoko-loco]

Fantastic, informative and concise video that I think everyone wanted. Great job as always!👏🏼

[DivineSource]

Thank you! Great video for new piano student parents just starting out! 😊

[Kiaulen]

Other than perhaps cabinet, what are you spending for if you pay more than $1k? Obviously there are diminishing returns, but what is the difference between the top pick in this category and say $2k?

[lbamusic]

A great review of keys in this category! Thanks much, im about to buy one of them and i needed and deeply appreciate this.

[MiezoT]

I bought a used Kawai VPC1 for ~800$ and Pianoteq, perfect solution for me (but I was luck with the used VPC1, I guess).

[aliar]

Thanks, Stu, for another great review. The new models introduced at Namm also paved way to huge discounts on the outgoing models. Last week I went to the store to buy either an FP30x or a ES120, I couldn't resist and ended up buying a Kawai CA49 for 1800USD. Compared to CA59 (or the new CA501) there are many features lacking, but even so, it has a beautiful sound and action for the price.

[steventran]

Can't wait to see the under $2000 guide!

[guyjordan]

It’s amazing how crowded my target is getting. Any of these would work well but it’s the compromise between features and keys that has my head spinning. I should have bought the DGX-670 when the choice was clear.

[richarpadilla]

Great video tutorial Stu as always ! I like keyboards as a pianist i always look at your videos before buying a keyboard because you are the expert on that matter !

[catherinelf]

The Roland FPE50 has the nicest sound of the bunch 😍

[luisfernandosalassanchez]

Great video of the piano review. THANK YOU.