Buying an acoustic piano could be a vast investment, while digital pianos don’t have to be that pricy. As the technology of digital piano advances, it’s not hard to buy a digital piano that is close to a real piano at a reasonable price.
This is why we choose to make a list of the best digital piano under $1000. If you have a budget of $1000, you will probably get a digital piano with reasonably realistic sound and touch feel.
However, there’re still a lot of factors to consider when buying the best digital piano under $1000. Whether you want it to be portable or not? Whether you expect to have a digital piano for home use or stage situation? They all need you to consider it.
Well, don’t worry! In the following article, we’ve got something for everybody. No matter what kind of digital piano you’re expecting, you can find one that will fit your best in our list.
Let’s find it out!
The List of Top 8 Best Digital Pianos Under $1000
Let’s look at the list of Top 8 best digital pianos under $1000 to get your first impression of them.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Digital Piano Under $1000
There is no doubt that a 1000-dollar digital piano will offer a more realistic feel and sound compared with a cheap keyboard under $300.
So, what features should you expect in this price range? What kind of features allows you to get ultimate playing experiences and suit for some certain scene?
We’ll be talking about some features that help you to decide which digital piano you should go for.
#1. Number of Keys
When talking about the digital keyboard, the first concern would be the number of keys. While, if your budget is around $1000, then it’s not gonna be something you concern about because typically, all the digital pianos in this price range come with fully-size 88 keys, like a standard acoustic piano.
#2. Sound Quality & Keys
Sound quality and the keys are the two most important factors when buying a digital piano.
As for keys, one of the main important factors is the feel of the keys. In this price range, all the digital pianos come with weighted keys. But you may feel differently. For example, typically, all the Yamaha digital piano under $1000 utilizes Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) weighted action.
It’s a basic weighted action technology from Yamaha and has been very popular among piano players. But advanced players may find it a bit light for the figures. Compared with GHS, Casio’s Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II offers a more realistic feel to my view.
A great digital piano can offer a realistic sound that is close to an acoustic piano. In terms of the sound quality, the speaker system and polyphony number matter a lot. Some basic digital pianos are equipped with an advanced sound generation technology but the speakers may a bit weak. So, if you want a great-sounding digital piano, do check the quality of the speaker system before buying. On the other hand, the higher the polyphony number it has, the better the sound you can get.
#3. Portability
For gigging musicians or those who’re always on the road, portability is one of the main concerns. If you want a portable digital piano, then you probably shouldn’t choose a console digital piano housed in a cabinet as the stand can add much weight to the piano. On the list, we have Yamaha P-125 and Casio Privia PX-160 that weigh around 26 lbs. It could be a proper weight for you to carry anywhere.
#4. Educational Features
For beginners, educational features are quite important as you can let the digital piano become your teacher. Some best digital pianos under $1000 are loaded with LCD display for instructions and showing which keys you should press so that you can learn to play songs fun and simple, such as Yamaha DGX-660. Additionally, Casio Privia PX-770 comes with a free App Chordana Play App that offers learning function.
Top 8 Best Digital Piano Under $1000 In-Depth Reviews
Now, we’ll be taking a closer look at each best digital piano under $1000 listed.
1. Casio Privia PX-870 -Best Digital Piano Bundle Under $1000
The first best digital piano under $1000 on the list is from one of the top instrument manufacturers –Casio.
Casio Privia PX-870 is a powerful high-end digital piano housed in a cabinet, and it’s a flagship model that provides the most pleasant playing experience in the Casio’s ‘Privia’ series.
The model provides ultimate playing experiences that make it popular among intermediate and advanced players.
Brilliant features
- 88 weighted hammer action keys with ivory and ebony key surfaces
- Incredible sound quality with 256-note polyphony
- Impressive 2 x 20W speaker system
- Decent cabinet digital piano appearance
- MIDI and Audio recorder
- Comes with everything you need
- Chordana Play App for extra features
Watch out for
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- Limited Split Mode
Casio Privia PX-870 is equipped with Casio’s famous Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II, which uses three sensors to catch the dynamics of your playing. Additionally, it allows fast note repetition and great expressions. So, it’s a solid option for playing any kind of piece, giving you ultimate key-to-sound experiences.
Concert Play is another feature that makes Casio Privia PX-870 more engaging. It has 10 famous orchestral pieces. You can choose to play the piano part along with the orchestra accompaniment.
You can record your performance in both MIDI and WAV, which means you can record and share with your family and friends easily.
This digital piano is great for beginners as well. It comes with 60 built-in songs with Lesson Function. You can use it to gradually master the two-hand skill and learn to play the songs you like.
Casio Privia PX-870 is one of the best digital piano bundle under $1000 as it comes with everything you need, including a furniture stand and a bench, an instructional book and DVD, three-pedal system, as well as polishing cloth.
You don’t have to buy anything after receiving the package, just assemble and sit to play!
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2. Yamaha DGX-660 -Best Versatile Digital Piano Under $1000
Yamaha DGX-660 is a versatile digital piano with 88 fully-weighted keys. It combines the features of both digital pianos and arranger keyboards that can satisfy the needs of different kinds of players.
The model is great for creative musicians and those who’re running home studios thanks to its versatile powerful functions.
Brilliant features
- 88 weighted hammer action keys
- LCD display for learning and instructions
- Realistic high-quality sound
- Loads of voices, rhythm and accompaniment styles for creative musicians
- Wireless audio & MIDI connectivity through Wi-Fi
Watch out for
- Not portable for on-the-go musicians
Yamaha DGX-660 is considered to be one of the best Yamaha digital pianos under $1000 as it not only has high-quality sound and weighted keys but also lots of other functions for learning, composing and creating.
Let’s talk about the pianist essentials first. This digital piano is equipped with the Pure CF Sound Engine that recreates the sound of Yamaha’s famous CFIIIS 9-feet concert grand piano. It lends the players enjoyable, realistic sound quality that is close to an acoustic piano.
Additionally, 192-note polyphony definitely contributes to the quality of the sound, allowing you to enjoy the rich and spacious sound.
Polyphony number means the maximum number of notes a digital piano can produce simultaneously. It usually works with sustain pedal and sound effects.
When you use sustain pedal, the notes need enough polyphony number to keep all the notes sounding as you continually add more notes.
Additionally, sometimes a digital piano needs two notes for one key to generate sound because of the use of stereo samples.
Yamaha comes with a huge range of voices, rhythms and accompaniment styles, including 554 instrument voices and 200 accompaniment styles.
Plus, you can use this digital piano as a midi controller for working on DAWs well. So, it perfectly fits for those who love to compose music and who wish to run a home studio.
Though Yamaha DGX-660 is not that portable as some other digital pianos on the list, it still stands out fas one of the best Yamaha digital pianos under $1000, considering all the functions and features it has.
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3. Yamaha P-125 -Best Sounding Digital Piano under $1000
Yamaha P-125 is the successor to the Yamaha P-115, which is a popular mid-range digital piano for Yamaha ‘P’ series that stands for portable.
With several enhancements in sound quality and features over its processor, the P-125 (Full review here) continues to provide world-class functions and weighing at only 26 lbs, it has become one of the best portable digital pianos under $1000.
Brilliant features
- Incredible high-quality stereo sound
- 192-note polyphony
- Table EQ feature for getting optimal sound on flat surfaces
- Portable and compact
- Free Smart Pianist app
- Built-in 2-track recorder
- Line-out jacks
Watch out for
- Non-textured keys
Yamaha P-125 does not come with many fancy features as the last one, this digital piano is designed for players to practice and learn on. It’s a perfect fit for gigging musicians as well due to its portable design and loads of jacks for hooking up with external devices.
Different digital pianos have different features and functions. You just need to choose the right one for your needs, right?
Yamaha P-125 comes with 88 hammer action keys, which means you can have heavier touch in the low registers and lighter touch in the high registers.
The sound quality is the point that makes the P-125 shines on the list of best digital piano under $1000.
This digital piano uses four layers of the grand piano sampling that gives you an acoustic feel. The improved 2-way speaker system offers incredible boosted and immersive sound. It’s not common to get this resonated sound in this price range.
Yamaha P-125 has a lot of ways for connecting other devices, including USB to Host, 2 headphone jacks, and line out jacks, etc.
The big bonus about this digital piano is probably its price. It’s a digital piano under $1000 but the price can be really affordable on the list.
To conclude, Yamaha P125 combines incredible stereo sound, portable design, and other updated features, making it a solid mid-range digital piano and best portable digital piano under $1000 on the market.
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4. Yamaha YDP-103 -Best Beginner Digital Piano Under $1000
Are you a beginner that is looking for a proper console digital piano to learn on and practice?
This digital piano comes with a furniture stand and a three-pedal system. You only need to buy a bench and then sit and play!
Featuring its natural grand piano sound, great build quality, and hammer action keys, Yamaha YDP-103 has become one of the best beginner digital pianos under $1000. Plus, with an impressive price tag, the model is one of the cheapest console pianos on the market.
Brilliant features
- 88 Hammer action keys with matte black keytops
- Touch-sensitive keys
- Duo and Dual Mode
- USB to Host, 2 headphone jacks
- Free controller app for navigation and configuration
Watch out for
- No onboard recording function
- Only 64-note polyphony
Yamaha YDP-103 features 88 fully-weighted keys. The model uses Yamaha’s popular Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) weighted action, which simulates the key weighted feel of a real piano.
GHS is natural weighted hammer action, which means that the higher up the registers you go, the lighter it feels to hit the keys.
What are weighted keys?
Weighted keys are that when you press the keys, there is some resistance responding to your finger and you can feel some natural weight while pressing.
The AWM Stereo Sampling technology recreates the sound of a grand piano. Every note was recorded at different velocity levels to offer rich stereo sound.
Yamaha YDP-103 comes with 10 high-quality instrument voices that suit your own playing styles. oThe Dual Mode allows you to layer two different sounds together so that you can explore more different instrument combinations.
Yamaha has developed a Digital Piano Controller that you can use it for navigation and getting features of the YDP-103 by using an intuitive interface.
To sum up, Yamaha YDP-103 is a solid option that has everything you need to get start learning. Featuring its hammer action keyboard, and high-quality sound engine, the model is one of the best beginner digital pianos under $1000.
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5. Yamaha YDP-144 -Best Yamaha Digital Piano
Here is another best Yamaha digital piano under $1000 on the list, Yamaha YDP-144. This model is from Yamaha ‘Arius’ series which produces high-quality classic console digital piano, aiming at beginner and intermediate players.
So, what can you expect from Yamaha YDP-144? Let’s find out.
Brilliant features
- Grand piano sound quality with 192-note polyphony
- 88 weighted hammer action keys with matte black keytops
- Decent and compact appearance for home use
- Built-in 2-track recorder
- Free Smart Pianist App
- Can be used as a MIDI controller
Watch out for
- It’s a heavy instrument (Not for stage situation)
Yamaha Arius YDP-144 generates powerful grand piano tones thanks to the sound generation technology and speaker system.
Compared with other digital pianos, the sound quality really makes the YDP-144 stand out from the crowd. It’s equipped with Yamaha CFX sampling, which recreates the sound from Yamaha’s flagship 9-foot CFX concert grand piano.
The digital piano comes with 192-note polyphony, meaning you can play complex pieces without dropping notes.
Thanks to the stereophonic Optimizer, you can enjoy the rich and natural sound experiences through both onboard speakers and headphones.
You can use Yamaha YDP-144 as a MIDI controller as well. It allows you to connect a computer or other devices for learning, music-creating or music-editing through a USB port.
Yamaha has created a free App called Smart Pianist. You can either use it as a remote controller for your digital piano or unlock additional features, such as playing along with your favorite tunes.
Overall, Yamaha YDP-144 is one of the best Yamaha digital pianos under $1000 that is equipped with powerful features that you can find on a more advanced model.
You can truly enjoy the impressive playing experiences without unnecessary features to distract you.
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6. Kawai ES-110 Best Portable Digital Piano Under $1000
It’s time to introduce an excellent portable digital piano from Kawai brand. Kawai is one of the top instrument manufacturers that can compete with Yamaha and Casio. Well, Kawai ES-110 is one of the popular Kawai digital pianos that is designed for beginners as a starter instrument.
The model offers impressive sound quality with 192-note polyphony, allowing you to play complex pieces without dropping notes. Apart from the sound, it also comes with Bluetooth connectivity for you to connect other devices wirelessly, which could be really useful for those who want to create music or learn to play on apps and software.
Brilliant features
- Impressive sound quality with 192-note polyphony
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Portable and compact (without the furniture stand)
- Dual & Split Keyboard Mode
- Loads of ways for connecting external devices
Watch out for
- The key action is a bit noisy than its competitors
Weighing at only 26.5 lbs, Kawai ES-110 has an optimal balance between a grand piano sound and a portable design that doesn’t sacrifice the quality of playing experiences.
The model is loaded with Kawai’s famous Harmonic Imaging Sound Technology, aiming at generating an impressive realistic sound of Kawai’s concert grand piano.
By using the new Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) keyboard action, Kawai ES-110 offers authentic key action that is close to an acoustic piano.
As for connectivity, apart from the standard MIDI ports, one thing that makes this digital piano stand out is the Bluetooth connectivity. It allows you to wirelessly connect other devices for various purposes, including education, performance, music composition or editing tunes. You can get loads of extra functions from other music apps or software without the use of cables or adaptors.
You can either choose to buy a keyboard on its own for getting the benefits of portability or buy one with a furniture bundle so that it can be used in your home properly. Plus, a three-pedal unit comes along with the furniture stand. It ensures you can get the same playing experiences as on a real piano.
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7. Casio PX-770 -Best Budget Digital Piano Under $1000
Casio PX-770 is a beginner version of Casio Privia PX-870. Compared with the PX-870, the PX-770 does lack some features and has less realistic piano sound.
However, this digital piano does get some powerful features and is far more enough for beginners to use. At this price range, it’s arguably one of the best budget digital piano for beginners under $1000.
Brilliant features
- High-quality piano sound
- 88 weighted hammer action keys with textured key surfaces
- Concert Play for playing along with orchestra pieces
- Duet Mode and 60 songs with Lesson Function
- Onboard 2-track recorder
- 19 instrument voices
Watch out for
- Limited Split Mode
From its appearance, the Casio PX-770 is very compact that can perfectly fit in small rooms. It’s available in both black and white finish, you can choose one to suit your own preference.
Compared with other digital pianos with furniture stand on the list, Casio PX-770 is not that heavy.
Though the sound quality may not as realistic as Casio PX-870 due to the speaker system, the PX-770 still uses a high-quality Sound Engine that can satisfy the ears of beginners and intermediate players. It’s equipped with the AiR engine that offers grand piano sound with expressive performance.
The model comes with a free App called Chordana Play App that Casio has created. It allows you to learn to play tunes by following the chords on the screen. Additionally, you can choose to turn off one of the parts for practicing two hands separately.
mThe Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II offers authentic key action and natural weighted feel. Together with the ivory and ebony key surfaces, you can get a textured feel and avoid slipping off the keys while your hands are sweaty.
To conclude, Casio PX-770 is a solid option for beginners. It comes with a furniture stand and a three-pedal system at an unbeatable price. The playing experiences and other useful features will always keep you engaging.
Therefore, if you’re a beginner and want to get the best bang of your buck, check this best budget digital piano under $1000 out!
8. Casio Privia PX-160 Digital Piano Bundle Under $1000
Here you’ve reached the last best digital piano under $1000 on the list. Let’s talk about this affordable and powerful digital piano from Casio.
Casio Privia PX-160 (Full review here) is a very great popular digital piano geared towards the beginner players and gigging musicians. It could be a long-term investment that gives more room for players to advance.
Brilliant features
- 88 fully-weighted keys with ivory and ebony keytops
- Educational feature: 60 built-in songs
- Onboard 2-track recorder
- Portable and compact (without the stand)
- Comes with everything you need
Watch out for
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- No LCD display
The key action is one of the main areas that make Casio PX-160 shines in its class. The model utilizes Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II, allowing you to feel the realistic response of every delicate touch.
Impressively, Casio PX-160 also comes with simulated ivory and ebony key finish that is not common in this price range. It gives you a great textured feel, allowing you to have a more authentic feel.
The digital piano comes with 3 levels of touch sensitivity, which means the harder you press the keys, the louder sound you can get. It offers incredible expressiveness when you play any music pieces.
Line out jacks can be used to connect your digital piano to other external devices, including audio equipment or an Amplifier to get a more powerful volume. If you’re a gigging musician, it’s important to have this function.
Casio Privia PX-160 is also great for beginners thanks to the build-in lessons and 60 preset songs. It allows you to practice two hands individually by turning off one of the parts, which could be very important at the initial stage for a beginner.
Considering all the features it has, Casio Privia PX-160 is a digital piano that really worth buying.
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What is the Top-Rated Brand of Best Digital Piano Under $1000?
If you’ve read through our list, it’s not hard to find that most of them are from Yamaha and Casio.
Apart from these two brands, the Kawai manufacturer takes place on the list as well. They are all well-known for producing high-quality and various different kinds of digital pianos and keyboards.
Among these best digital pianos under $1000, Casio Privia PX-870 has been selected to be our choice of best digital piano under $1000 as it has powerful features and functions at a reasonable price.
Top 3 Hot Picks of Best Digital Pianos Under $1000
There’re top 3 recommendations we’ve selected.
Conclusion
In the list, we recommended some digital pianos with different features and functions. Each of them has their unique advantages that appeal to different kinds of pianists.
If you just go into the piano world, we recommend you to check the Casio Privia PX-770 out. It offers realistic sound and authentic touch for the players to get improved. It also comes with some powerful educational features for learning. So, you can even let the digital piano be your teacher!
For an advanced player, Casio PX-870 could be the digital piano that you should go for. The incredible sound quality will provide an ultimate playing experience and allow you to concentrate on practicing. Plus, there’re lots of hidden treasures for you to explore as well.
The best digital piano under $1000 on the list will not let you down, make sure to do some research and choose the right one for you!
You can keep reading to find the right keyboard you need:
