Are you dreaming about learning how to play piano? Or have you already started your lessons and are interested in buying a decent digital piano? Our top-10 best digital piano under 500 dollars review will help you to make the decision.
A digital piano is a perfect choice for a small area as it doesn’t take up much space and can be easily folded away. At the same time, all the modern digital pianos have all the functionality you might need. Based on the sound quality, the number of features, and the price, our winner is YAMAHA P71 digital piano.
The variety of digital pianos is vast, but we have concentrated on digital pianos under 500 dollars. Let’s have a look at our Top-10 list.
Contents
- 1 Top-10 review
- 1.1 1. YAMAHA P71 – the winner
- 1.2 2. Yamaha P45 – runner-up
- 1.3 3. Roland FP-10
- 1.4 4. Korg B2 88-Key Digital Piano
- 1.5 5. Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Piano
- 1.6 6. Yamaha Piaggero NP11
- 1.7 7. Artesia PA-88H
- 1.8 8. Casio WK-6600
- 1.9 9. Alesis Recital Pro digital piano
- 1.10 10. LAGRIMA 88 Key Digital Piano
- 2 A buying guide
- 3 FAQ
- 4 At the end
Top-10 review
All digital instruments are different, but digital pianos tend to offer almost identical sound to acoustic pianos. Considering all the main features and functionalities, we have chosen the 10 best digital pianos and are ready to present them to you.
1. YAMAHA P71 – the winner
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 64
- Number of voices: 10
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Warranty: Limited 3 year
YAMAHA P71 is one of the best digital pianos for people starting their journey to learn how to play. This brand doesn’t need to be introduced. The quality and performance are exceptional. An acoustic piano’s keyboard has 88 heavy keys and 10 different acoustic piano voices.
This digital piano relates to the portable series and is lightly weighted, so it can be maneuvered easily. If you don’t have much room, this piano will be the optimal choice. When not in use, you can fold it and store it in your cupboard.
You will be able to create your band, using the feature of layering two voices. The piano can be connected to your PC and is compatible with all modern sequencers.
This digital piano will fulfill all your ideas as you will be able to create loops for creating new piano sounds.
2. Yamaha P45 – runner-up
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 64
- Number of voices: 10
- Weight: 33 lbs
- Warranty:3 year
This piano is one of the best-selling around the world and is similar to the winner of our review. It comes with 88 weighted keys and all the standard features to suit a student. The black keys are covered in a special matte finish which prevents your fingers from slipping.
The model is a little heavier than the previous model and doesn’t come with a stand. It can be placed on top of your desk.
The piano has a modern sound engine. The control panel is simple, so the piano can be controlled with just a few buttons. The ability to join two voices together will allow you to create new ground piano sounds.
3. Roland FP-10
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 96
- Number of voices: 15
- Weight: 65.38 lbs
- Warranty:3 years for parts and 2 years for labor
Just recently, the Roland brand introduced a model for beginners that has interesting features in addition to all the standard ones. This digital piano offers an exceptional feeling of an acoustic piano.
The keyboard uses 3 sensor detection system that other keyboards in this price range don’t. It feels nice and has good quality. Due to the sound engine that is used in this piano, you will be able to join together different samples of music, getting unique sounds with great details.
Being the closest model of piano to an acoustic piano, it doesn’t offer a MIDI recorder. It also doesn’t have a lesson function. But it has Bluetooth and can easily be connected to any mobile device.
4. Korg B2 88-Key Digital Piano
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 120
- Number of voices: 12
- Weight: 25.1 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
The basic model of Korg pianos. It has 88 keys weighted keyboard that gives an experience close to the real instrument. It can connect to the PC via USB and MIDI, so you can use all the necessary software for recording music. You also get access to piano lessons, which is an advantage.
The variety of sounds is great, it includes an electric piano as well. The speakers have a special technology that allows them to precisely replicate all the low frequencies.
The piano comes with a sustain pedal made out of metal, unlike the other models. It is a perfect instrument for beginners. You will get all the standard functions and close to real sound.
5. Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Piano
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 128
- Number of voices: 5
- Weight: 15.62 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
A great option for an entry-level piano. The price is quite affordable, but the set of features is impressive. If you are after a decent grand piano sound, consider purchasing this model.
It has a keyboard with 88 semi-weighted keys, meaning there is less resistance. A great benefit is the lesson mode, which offers a variety of different learning programs. Upon buying this piano, you will also get a free 3-month subscription to learning resources.
The disadvantage is that it only has 5 built-in voices, but because you can still use a split mode and layering, you will still be able to create the music you want.
6. Yamaha Piaggero NP11
Features:
- Number of keys: 61
- Number of polyphony: 32
- Number of voices: 10
- Weight: 9.92 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
One of the smallest and most compact entry-level keyboards on our list. Its tiny weight makes it portable, which is perfect if you have to travel to your lessons. This electronic keyboard has all the features that a beginner might need. It is perfect for kids to get immersed in the world of piano playing.
Even though this keyboard is petite, it is not a toy and has a sturdy build. The keys aren’t weighted, and it might be an advantage for a small child, whose fingers aren’t that strong yet. Even the lack of hammer action won’t be much of a problem, as the sound is still better than many other competitors.
The best thing about it apart from its compact size is the ability to play it anywhere due to the batteries. The sound is decent, as with all Yamaha instruments.
7. Artesia PA-88H
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 32
- Number of voices: 12
- Weight: 49.9 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
This brand might be not as known as the other ones, but the piano is worth looking at. It comes with a convenient carrying case. Even though the 88 keys are weighted, they don’t come with a hammer action, which won’t sound like acoustic pianos.
The number of voices is expressive. The grand piano sounds are quite deep and touching. The split and layer functionality increases the number of sounds you will be able to play as well.
The piano can be connected to a PC or any mobile device via USB. It has a sustain pedal. Can work off the batteries. The adapter will be included in the package, but the keyboard stand has to be purchased separately. A sufficient benefit is that it comes with 2 months of live lessons to help you out.
8. Casio WK-6600
Features:
- Number of keys: 76
- Number of polyphony: 48
- Number of voices: 16
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
This keyboard is a great example of an instrument, suitable for a complete beginner. It is quite light weighted, which makes it portable. Ideal for learning how to make music and recording. It comes with 76 keys that aren’t weighted. You will get more out of this keyboard compared to the 61-key one.
The onboard speakers are amazing and powerful. The package includes stereo headphones that you plug into the headphone output. The sustained pedal ensures optimal performance. The keyboard can operate on batteries.
It is easy to create music with this instrument. It has a layer mode, duet mode, and demo songs. The overall sound quality is exceptional.
9. Alesis Recital Pro digital piano
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 128
- Number of voices: 12
- Weight: 26 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
Alesis recital pro comes with improved features such as a recorder, adjustable touch response, and layer and split modes. The premium sounds are quite close to an acoustic piano and include two acoustic pianos, organ sounds, and two grand pianos.
Recital Pro has an LCD screen and all the ports for connecting a pedal, speakers, and headphones. The keyboard can be powered either with a power adaptor or batteries that won’t be included in a package.
The educational features are one of the best. It includes different modes – layer, split, standard, record, and lessons. Upon purchase, you will get 3 months premium subscription for the piano courses and 60 free virtual lessons.
10. LAGRIMA 88 Key Digital Piano
Features:
- Number of keys: 88
- Number of polyphony: 64
- Number of voices: 5
- Weight: 74.5 lbs
- Warranty:1 year
One of the best digital piano under 500 dollars. 88 keys keyboard offers heavy and light touches at low and high ends. The quality of the keyboard is high. It will help you to develop the right-hand shape and to train your strength.
The control panel is multifunctional and includes all the standard features such as a metronome, split, a volume control knob, and recording. It can be connected to your PC as it has a USB port. MIDI allows you to be connected to other mobile devices.
The pedal system includes 3 pedals – soft, sustain, and sostenuto. The piano has an LCD screen. It also comes with demo songs.
The digital piano is made out of high-quality materials. It has a water-resistant finish. The touch of the keys will be a great help in the future when you decide to switch to the traditional piano.
To avoid disturbance of your neighbors, it can have headphones plugged in. The sounds are clear and realistic. Preset tones and rhymes will help to create your music with ease.
A buying guide
How do you choose the perfect digital piano? What things are important and have to be considered first? We have created a list of characteristics you should look at when searching for a new digital piano to purchase.
1. Number of keys
We recommend buying 88 keys from the very beginning, as it will make your life easier when you are going to be switching to the real piano. Getting a piano with fewer keys will allow you to learn faster, though.
Also, the pianos that have 61 keys are much smaller and if you don’t have enough space, that could be the deciding factor.
If you get a small piano, later in the future you will have to purchase another piano with 88 keys. So rather opt for the bigger keyboard from the start.
2. The size and portability
Think about where you are going to have your piano lessons. If you have to travel a lot, the piano has to be light weighted and portable. Always look at the total weight of the piano. The pianos that come with batteries will allow you to be more mobile.
3. Weighted keys
Weighted keys are a must if you are planning to switch to an acoustic piano. Learning how to play on weighted hammer action keys will ensure the correct technique, so you can play an acoustic piano with ease.
4. The number of voices
Different styles of music a piano can offer will depend on the number of voices the piano has. The more voices, the larger the variety of music you will be able to play.
5. Price and warranty
The price range for the pianos is big. We recommend concentrating on models under 500 dollars. It should be sufficient for beginner-level students.
Consider the warranty conditions as well. Some known brands offer a 3-year warranty, while some of them offer only 1.
FAQ
Which digital piano is most like a real piano?
Modern digital pianos are made in a way to sound like real ones. The manufacturers try to implement the design and features to improve the piano sound. The keys of most pianos are weighted to make your experience better. If you are looking for a quality digital piano with the best acoustic sound, look at the brands Yamaha and Roland.
What’s the best cheap digital piano?
One of the best digital pianos is Yamaha 71. Considering its characteristics and sound quality, it is difficult to find anything similar within the same price range.
Which is the best digital piano brand?
There are a few reputable brands that make high-quality pianos suitable. All these major brands Yamaha, Roland, Casio, and Kawai have decent pianos. So it is the case of your budget and expectations.
Should a beginner have 61 or 88 keys?
If you are at the beginning of learning how to play the piano, 66 keys will be enough for you. Though, if you plan to continue and maybe switch to the real piano, we recommend buying a piano with 88 keys from the beginning.
At the end
Based on the parameters described in our buying guide and our experience playing all these pianos, the best one is YAMAHA P71. It is a great piano for beginners and for students who have been playing piano for quite some time.
Excellent quality and optimal performance along with standard features and affordable price make this piano number one on our list.
Want to explore more options? Then check out our comparison charts:
If you know people who are searching for a digital piano to purchase, please share this review with them. Help them to make the right choice. If you have any questions left, ask them in the comment section below.
Hello! My name is Lucy.
I am a musician, pianist, and piano teacher with over 10 years of experience. I, along with my professional team, created this website. Here I want to share my experience and knowledge with you. I write articles about learning the piano, its features and history, and reviews of the best digital pianos and accessories.
I hope my site will be useful to you!
