James NugentI’ve tested a wide and varied range of instruments to bring you what I consider to be the best digital pianos and keyboards available in 2023. My list includes the best options for professionals, hobbyists, and a few budget options for complete beginners.
About the author
How I chose the pianos for this list?
Discussing the best of anything is always going to be a subjective conversation because everyone has different preferences and requirements. So, when I choose my top picks, it’s not just about making a list of the most expensive and highest-spec instruments; it’s about catering to a wide range of pianists.
I pick instruments based on many factors, such as sound quality and feel, whether they are intended for stage or home use, budget, and experience level.
To find out more about how we test and rate digital pianos and keyboards here at Higher Hz, check out this page.
These are the best digital pianos and keyboards to buy:
- Roland RD-2000
- Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
- Yamaha CP88
- Nord Stage 4
- Kawai KDP120
- Yamaha CK88
- Casio Celviano AP-710
- Roland F701
- Studiologic Numa Compact 2
- Alesis Recital Pro
- Korg LP-380U
- Yamaha Arius YDP-105
Roland RD-2000
The most versatile keyboard for performers
The Roland RD-2000 has been topping these kinds of lists for a few years now with good reason. It’s still the most flexible performance-ready keyboard piano around. When it comes to performance features and integration with external hardware/software, none do it like the RD-2000.
The RD-2000 is powered by two iconic sound engines, the SuperNATURAL and V-Piano engines. Over 1100 sounds, including pianos, synths, and organs, come from the SuperNATURAL engine. The V-Piano engine delivers stunning grand pianos with full polyphony.
Accompanying the high-quality sound is Roland’s best progressive hammer-action keybed to date. The keys are a hybrid wood/plastic mix with a synthetic ivory feel, making for a remarkably expressive keyboard.
Where the RD-2000 sets itself apart is in its workflow. Eight zones (controlled by faders) are available to create massive layered sounds. Layers can come from onboard sounds, external sources, or virtual instruments. The abundance of assignable controls makes it easy to adjust/manipulate any parameter on the fly.
Read the full Roland RD-2000 review to find out more.
What I like
- Iconic sound engines.
- Realistic feel.
- Intuitive workflow.
What I don’t like
- Not for beginners.
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
The best authentic piano experience
The Clavinova CLP-735 is about as real as it gets for a digital piano. It looks like a real piano, it feels like one, and it sounds like one. The only downside is that it doesn’t come cheap. If you have the budget for it, indulge yourself, you won’t regret it.
Let’s start with the flagship sounds of the Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial. Each of these iconic pianos offers a slightly different character, and more importantly, they have been impeccably recreated. To add to the authenticity, the CLP-735 also offers two stunning fortepiano voices.
The weight, resistance, and expression of the keys will blow you away. It comes from Yamaha’s Real Grand Expression technology, and it captures the tiniest nuance in your touch, delivering limitless dynamic performance. The keys have a simulated ebony and ivory feel.
There are some lovely features like Dual, Duo, and Split modes, Smart Pianist app compatibility, and so on. But, it’s all about the sound and feel; just incredible.
Read the full Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735 review to find out more.
What I like
- Ultra-realistic sound and feel.
- Stunning concert grands and fortepianos.
- Looks amazing.
What I don’t like
- Expensive.
Yamaha CP88
The best vintage sound
The CP88 is one of the best keyboard pianos I have seen for some time. While it isn’t as flexible as the Roland RD-2000, if you want authentic vintage effects, stunning pianos, and a realistic feel, look no further.
The CP88 is a modern keyboard with a vintage vibe, paying homage to Yamaha’s 1970s Combo piano. It features Yamaha’s NW-GH keyboard with natural wooden keys. It gives the CP88 a very authentic weight/feel that’s lovely to play.
Yamaha’s CP88 utilizes the AWM2 tone generator, producing stunning sounds with 128-note max polyphony. The CP88 has a modular layout with three voice sections, Piano, Electric Piano, and Sub.
There are 10 acoustic piano voices, including stunning recreations of the Yamaha CFX, S700, and the Bösendorfer Imperial 290. The Electric Piano section features the vintage tones of the Yamaha CP80 and 75RD. The Sub section contains synths, strings, organs, and more.
One of the biggest selling points of the CP88 is Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM). It mimics the behavior of high-end studio signal processors. Vintage circuits are emulated in incredible detail, producing some of the best effects in the class.
Read the full Yamaha CP88 review to find out more.
What I like
- Outstanding piano sounds.
- One-to-one layout.
- Perfect for live performance.
What I don’t like
- Doesn’t have as many onboard sounds as some competitors.
Nord Stage 4
The choice of professional musicians
The Nord Stage 4 picks up where the previous model left off and gets even better. It’s not a million miles away from the Stage 3, but the improvements significantly improve the workflow. It’s hard to complain about much other than the price.
It seems like most times you see a professional keyboard player on stage they are behind the familiar red body of a Nord Stage piano. The Stage 4, despite its mammoth price, looks set to be just as popular as previous models.
It follows a similar but updated modular design that separates the organ, piano, and synth sections. One of the best workflow enhancements is that you can now select and fully control each layer in each section. The new control over each layer means that you can apply effects per layer rather than on a global basis, and it is especially impressive for tone-shaping with the synth section, which offers three layers.
Something that hasn’t changed is the sound quality, which is outstanding, and now powered by the Wave 2 synth engine. The piano sounds are fantastic as always, but if I had to play devil’s advocate, I’d say that the difference between these sounds and those of cheaper keyboards doesn’t reflect the vast price difference.
Another huge upgrade is the addition of physical drawbars, which will be music to the ears of any organ players.
Read the full Nord Stage 4 review to find out more.
What I like
- Amazing sound quality.
- Upgraded workflow.
- World-class effects.
What I don’t like
- Very expensive.
Kawai KDP120
The best mid-price digital piano
Kawai’s KDP120 is one of my favorite digital pianos. It improves upon what was already stellar performance from previous Kawai models. It’s the perfect mid-price digital piano for professionals or serious students.
The KDP120 delivers the sound of the 9-foot Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano. When coupled with the graded hammer-action keys, there’s something magical about this sound. Outside of spending thousands of dollars, very few pianos deliver such an immersive playing experience.
There are 15 voices in total, with four acoustic pianos and 192-note max polyphony. There are more versatile options, but again, I have to highlight the quality of the SK-EX tone.
In terms of features, it offers 55 internal songs and a 3-track recorder. The recorder is ideal for capturing ideas or assessing your performance. You can control most features via the PianoRemote app, which does make it a little easier.
The built-in speakers pack quite a punch, too, powered by dual 20 W amplifiers. There’s no dedicated audio output, but you do get two headphone jacks.
Read the full Kawai KDP120 review to find out more.
What I like
- Outstanding SK-EX concert grand sound.
- Expressive keyboard.
- Useful apps.
What I don’t like
- No dedicated audio out.
Yamaha CK88
The best-sounding lightweight stage piano
The Yamaha CK88 is the best option right now for anyone who wants a lightweight gigging powerhouse. It provides a hands-on workflow that allows you to do amazing things on the fly that few stage pianos can match. It also outperforms many more expensive instruments.
The CK88 (and CK61) is Yamaha’s latest stage piano that combines high-quality piano sounds and a powerful synth section in a lightweight package.
Despite being just 28 lbs, the CK88 has graded hammer-action keys that might be the most responsive in its class. You can put the weighted keys to good use with some of the best piano sounds in the price range, powered by the AWM 2 sound engine.
The synth and organ sounds are very good, although not quite Nord Stage level. But you get hundreds of onboard sounds, built-in effects, and more features than you might expect for a mid-price stage piano.
The highlight of the CK88 is the one-to-one interface that makes it an absolute dream to play on stage. It comes with built-in speakers that are more than enough for rehearsals or small recitals, and perhaps the most surprising feature of all is that it offers optional battery power.
Read the full Yamaha CK88 review to find out more.
What I like
- Amazing piano sounds.
- One-to-one interface.
- Lightweight.
What I don’t like
- Not all sounds are the same high quality.
Casio Celviano AP-710
Impeccable C. Bechstein sound
Despite not liking the image of the AP-710, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a beautiful piano. Along with the great sound, it offers more features than you might expect. It comes with a pretty hefty price tag, but if you love the C. Bechstein sound, it’s worth it.
The AP-710 is a digital piano for players who are looking to invest in a serious instrument. It features excellent graded hammer-action keys with simulated ebony and ivory tops.
The real value comes in the sound, which Casio developed alongside C. Bechstein. The AP-710 delivers three legendary pianos, with the star being the iconic D282 Berlin grand. From the richness of the bottom-end to the mechanical noise and string/damper resonance, the attention to detail is quite stunning.
The surprising thing about this piano is just how many features/functions it has. It includes a built-in recorder capable of capturing up to 99 songs. It also has 60 internal songs that are helpful learning tools. The built-in effects are six reverbs, four chorus types, and brilliance.
The downside of having so many features is that the front panel isn’t as bare as most high-end digital pianos. So, it looks like a digital piano and less like a real piano.
Read the full Casio Celviano AP-710 review to find out more.
What I like
- Outstanding C. Bechstein sound.
- Realistic weight and feel.
- Impressive feature set.
What I don’t like
- Too many controls to look like a real piano.
Roland F701
The most versatile modern digital piano
The Roland F701 is a stylish, modern digital piano that looks great and doesn’t take up much space. Despite the slimline design, the F701 delivers a performance that is as good as any at the same price. It’s a perfect choice if you want something with a modern look.
At first sight, the F701 doesn’t look like a professional digital piano. It doesn’t have a traditional look, and that might be an issue for some potential buyers. It has a slimline, modern design that makes it easier to move and position around your house.
Beyond the stylish looks is a very serious instrument, powered by Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine. That tells us straight away that it will have excellent piano voices. The voices extend to organs, guitars, synths, and more.
There are a whopping 377 internal songs and 287 lesson songs, making the F701 ideal for beginner students. It even offers 10 temperament types, which encourages experimentation. One thing I was glad to see on the F701 is the addition of a small OLED screen to help get around the many features.
Read the full Roland F701 review to find out more.
What I like
- Modern compact design.
- Realistic piano feel.
- Beginner-friendly features.
What I don’t like
- Not as robust as larger consoles.
Studiologic Numa Compact 2
The best cheap all-rounder
The Numa Compact 2 is an absolute steal at the list price. It doesn’t have weighted keys, which will make it a non-starter for some players, but it’s phenomenal if you can get past the keys. It has incredible pianos, electric pianos, synths, organs, and much more. The sound quality is far beyond its price.
The Numa Compact 2 is one of the best budget stage pianos I’ve ever heard. It’s powered by Studiologic’s TrS stereo multi-samples, and it sounds fantastic. The main sounds are the acoustic and electric pianos, and it has eight of each. The depth in the lower notes of the acoustic pianos and the bite from the funky electric pianos are undeniably impressive.
The Numa Compact 2 is a full-size, 88-key stage piano, but it has semi-weighted keys rather than hammer-action keys. An abundance of features, including programmable zones, assignable controls, built-in effects, and an OLED display, make the Numa Compact 2 a powerful yet easy-to-use stage piano for performers.
The upside of having semi-weighted keys is that it’s also very light, which should appeal to those who are used to carrying 50-pound keyboards around.
Read the full Studiologic Numa Compact 2 review to find out more.
What I like
- Incredibly flexible instrument.
- Lightweight.
- Value for money.
What I don’t like
- Semi-weighted keys.
Alesis Recital Pro
The ultimate budget keyboard piano
The Recital Pro is one of the best keyboard pianos money can buy. Not because it outperforms all others (it doesn’t), but because it delivers incredible value for money. The kind of value for money gives more people access to 88 hammer-action keys, which can’t be bad. It punches well above its weight and is an excellent steppingstone for students.
The Recital Pro is a beginner’s keyboard piano. It’s perfect for students moving on to weighted keys for the first time. It’s also a valid option for more experienced players who want a cheaper option for gigging.
In terms of gigging, it will not produce the same sound quality as high-end stage pianos do. But, the 12 onboard voices are surprisingly good, especially the acoustic pianos.
The hammer-action keys are not in the same class as the CP88 or RD-2000, but they provide a fantastic starting point. Or, for more experienced players, they have enough weight be play with expression.
It comes with some nice beginner-friendly features like Lesson mode. Lesson mode splits the keyboard into two identical zones for student/teacher practice. It also has built-in speakers and two audio outputs.
Read the full Alesis Recital Pro review to find out more.
What I like
- Hammer-action keys.
- Lesson mode.
- Value for money.
What I don’t like
- Keys aren’t graded weight.
Korg LP-380U
The best electric piano sounds
The LP-380U made this list as an alternative to the Roland F701. It delivers the same slimline, stylish looks, and high-quality sound. It lacks the versatility of the F701, but some users may prefer the Korg piano voices.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Korg LP-380U is that it’s very sleek, especially in black. You can expect a quality build, too, as it’s crafted in Kyoto, Japan (although, still not as robust as larger units).
Once you get past its good looks, it has some of the best acoustic and electric piano tones in its class. Strangely, the electric pianos might be more of a deciding factor than the acoustic pianos. I say that because I feel the electric pianos from Korg are better than those of the Roland F701. The downside is that it only offers 30 voices compared to the F701’s 324 voices.
It features Korg’s RH3 keyboard, which is impressive for a slimline unit. One of the areas where the LP-380 U outperforms most rivals is its high-output speaker system. It comes with two 3.93″ speakers, powered by two 22 W amplifiers. It also has a dedicated audio output along with dual headphone jacks.
Read the full Korg LP-380U review to find out more.
What I like
- Versatile sounds.
- Stylish design.
- High-output speaker system.
What I don’t like
- Design limits build quality.
Yamaha Arius YDP-105
Simple value for money
Yamaha’s YDP-105 is virtually a replacement for the YDP-103, albeit with a few minor improvements. I initially had mixed feelings because I wanted to see more significant changes once the YDP-103 was discontinued. But, given that the older model would have made my list, and this newer model is slightly better for around the same price, there’s no reason not to add it.
The YDP-105 is a fantastic entry-level digital piano that sounds, feels, and looks good enough to carry the prestigious Arius name.
As an entry-level Arius digital piano, the YDP-105 doesn’t sound like the high-end Clavinova’s, so it’s important not to compare it to something so different. However, what you get with the YDP-105 is a sound quality that is as good, if not better, than most digital pianos around the same price.
The sound comes from Yamaha’s AWM sampling technology, delivering some beautifully detailed grand piano tones. The grand piano voices have depth and character that’s often missing with any entry-level instrument. There are still just 10 voices, as was the case with the previous model; I’d have liked more, but ultimately, the piano sounds matter most.
The weighted hammer-action keys are slightly light by comparison but not in any way that prevents dynamic or expressive playing. Also, being ever so slightly lighter might be ideal for younger beginners.
Everything else about the YDP-105, from the built-in speakers to the onboard effects, is good value for money. It probably isn’t going to top any best digital piano lists, but it isn’t meant to. The YDP-105 is a great starting point that will last as long as you need it to.
Read the full Yamaha Arius YDP-105 review to find out more.
What I like
- Beginner-friendly.
- Lovely piano tones.
- Great value for money.
What I don’t like
- No built-in recorder.
Conclusion
As I said at the top, this list is subjective, and the best keyboard or digital piano is whatever best suits your needs and budget. What you can take from this list is that my honest opinion provides some insight into what an instrument does well and what it doesn’t do so well.
Your final choice will likely involve compromise, whether over the price, size, or anything else. But, if you can match one of these picks to your needs, you’ll have a great instrument, whichever one you choose.
thanks for putting together such a comprehensive list!