If you choose to make a purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you.
I looked through the specs of several digital pianos that can be found online and came up with the following list. I have not played each of these models, but I have played all the brands except Alesis. I have also listened to demos for each of these models and feel comfortable recommending any of these for beginning pianists. Advanced pianists may have different specifications of what they are looking for, but this list is a start.
When thinking about cost, less money does not necessarily mean less good. It often simply means less options. There may also be a difference in key noise while playing, speaker quality, the number of sounds/patches, or sound/patch quality, which may or may not matter to the beginner. The lower cost pianos generally have a lower note “polyphony” capacity. This matters less to beginners and intermediate players than advanced players or those looking to use the piano with MIDI. However, I did not list a piano with less than 128-note polyphony.
Pianos with a “furniture” look will take up a little more space and will not be portable. Technically, they can be taken apart and moved and are usually light enough to move small distances. They are not intended to be put away when not in use or brought to gigs.
I have never played a digital piano that feels or sounds exactly like a real piano, so read reviews but take them with a grain of salt. Loudness is also very subjective. All of these pianos have built-in speakers, but if a player needs the piano to be louder, they can be plugged into an amplifier.
Under $500
$500-$1,000
Roland FP-30x – in my estimation, this is the best one in this price range
Casio Privia PX-S1100 – this one has some different options for stands, including one that has a “furniture” look
Casio Privia PX-S3100 – same comment as above regarding stands
Korg B2 – same comment as above regarding stands
Kawai KDP75 – has a “furniture” look.
$1,000 – $1,500
Kawai KDP 120 – has a “furniture” look. This is probably the one I would choose in this price range.
Roland RP107 – has a “furniture” look
$1,500 – $2,000
Yamaha P-515 – this is the one I own, and I love it. It’s a bit heavy for gigging, but worth it for me.
Roland RP-701 – has a “furniture” look
Casio AP-470 – has a “furniture” look
There are, of course, pianos at higher price points, most of which have an even nicer “furniture” look. Some even look like miniature grand pianos with a lid that opens. If you are looking for something at a higher price point, my list above gives you a sense of the brands I recommend.
Stands and Benches
Digital pianos that do not have the “furniture” look will need a stand. In an emergency, they can be placed on a table, but in my opinion, they will be played more often if they have their own space to remain set up. In either case, an adjustable bench is needed so the player can sit at the proper height relative to the keyboard.
Gator Keyboard Table – this is the one I own, but my keyboard is very heavy, and I do not personally like X-style stands.
Amazon Keyboard Stand – I like the multiple options here (single X, double X, or Z-shape stands.) The Z-shape is probably the sturdiest, but the X-shape can probably get even lower, which is great for younger children who still have trouble reaching the pedal. I recommend double X over single X for stability. Check the weight limit with the piano you get.
Liquid Stands Adjustable Piano Bench – I like the sturdiness of the legs on each side of this bench. This one is a little wider than another I found, which I think is a plus. An X-shape bench may be more portable, but I dislike them so much I won’t even put one on the list. X-shape benches are just not stable enough.
Piano, Theory, Composition and More! 