some people other people may prefer to focus more on the actual piano playing experience as opposed to all the extra stuff that are on some models. There are a few pianos below which rank very high not only for offering a very good piano playing experience, but they also have many useful and enjoyable "bells & whistles" that I like very much, so they are on this list too. This review is what I consider not only to be on the most popular instruments overall, but also how they rate for "the best bang for the buck" in each price range when it comes to a more authentic piano playing experience. The focus here is mostly on the furniture cabinet digital pianos, but there are a couple of portable models included here as well just because they do a better job in producing a great piano playing experience in their price as opposed to a full furniture cabinet digital piano. It really all depends on your musical goals, your budget, and desire to play music.
We believe there are many musical instruments you can play so that you can enjoy music in a personal way. However, we believe playing the piano is the best way to musically express yourself as a solo instrument because you can play melody and harmony at the same time as well as sing with your playing if you feel like doing so.
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Just to be clear, there are other nice options out there in terms of new digital pianos that are not on this list and I would consider them to be good choices as well and I can share that info with you if you ask me. However, there are only so many digital pianos that can fit into these lists of "3," so just because you don't see one here you may be interested in does not mean that it may not be a suitable choice for your musical needs. Also, it's good to be aware that there are other digital piano brands out there, especially in the USA, that are not acceptable and poorly made so you need to be careful of those digital pianos. The 7 acceptable brands right now are (in no particular order) Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, Korg, Casio, Samick, and Dexibell and I can also help you with getting lower prices than internet, Amazon, or store prices so don't buy anything, anywhere until you check with me first!
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It's interesting to note that there is a unique category of digital pianos which are all about the "baby grand" style grand piano shaped instrument. Many piano shoppers and music enthusiasts love the look of a grand piano and in the world of digital pianos, some of the manufacturers do produce these types of products. There is a very small version called the "micro-grand" which measures approx 28" to 32" deep, then there is the small mini-grand which measures between 36" (3 feet) deep to about 45" deep, the regular size mini-grand which measures 48" (4 feet deep) to about 58" deep, and then finally the full size baby grand cabinet which measures approx 60" (5 feet) deep to 5'5" deep. Roland and Kawai are the only top manufacturers who produce a full size digital baby grand (5 feet deep and over), Yamaha and Samick are the only manufacturers who produce and regular size 4' deep mini baby grand, Roland & Yamaha are the only top manufacturers who produce a small mini baby grand, and Samick is the only top brand who produces a micro sized baby grand (2'6" deep).
The "micro sized" cabinet design is pretty cool because it's still very attractive and for its small size it still sounds great and has lots of useful higher quality features too. The entire cabinet can fit into a small footprint in a room or home with limited space which is very compelling because there are a lot of smaller homes, apartments, or rooms that have limited options in terms of where the piano would go but yet people still want that "look" of a small baby grand along with big sound and great features. The Samick piano company definitely offers something in that way that the other big guys don't do. Check out my lists of baby grand digital pianos near the bottom of the Top 3 digital piano review list.
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Finally, some of the "off brands" out there that generally play and sound like toys or are very artificial in different ways are not ranked in this review because of their inability to sound and play like real pianos. I call these types of brands and/or models a "PSO," otherwise known as a Piano Shaped Object. Please stay away from these PSO brands if you want a digital piano that will play more like a real piano, will last lots of years, and that you can enjoy without finally realizing one day that you made a big mistake with your purchase. Based on all my personal playing experience over many years with all these digital pianos, some of PSO's include brands that I have personally played, and if you want to know what those brands are that I do not like, then please contact me.
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1.Casio PX-870 - At $1099 internet discount price (slightly above $1000) the 2022 Casio PX-870 home digital piano offers the "biggest bang for the buck" in terms of a more realistic piano playing experience in a furniture style cabinet for close to $1000. It's equipped with 40 watts of stereo power going into 4 speakers along with built-in USB flash drive input for saving and loading songs. Casio has even developed a proprietary app for tablets so that a person can more easily and intuitively control the piano using the color touch screen of your iPad or Android tablet. Read my review of the Casio PX-870 at the following link and if you want one we can help you order it brand new for even less money than the Amazon/internet price with frees shipping, no tax as we do on all new digital pianos: Casio PX-870 Review
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1. Korg LP-380U - At $1249 the LP-380U has a lot to offer and it's great for people who also want to use an external iPad device for piano learning apps, instrument apps, drum rhythm apps, etc to enhance the piano playing and learning experience. With one of the best key actions around along with a powerful 44 watt internal piano sound system, this digital piano is impressive. Please read my review of this new model at the following link:
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1.Korg G1B Air - At $1999 discount price this Korg home cabinet model puts out a big, clear sound with great bass response going through 4 speakers, 4 separate amplifiers, and offering a huge 80 watts of power in a slim stylish cabinet. Everyone I have talked with who owns this new model says great things about it and especially like that it primarily focuses on a higher quality piano playing experience as opposed to offering lots of unnecessary "bells & whistles" that some other digital pianos tend to do. Also, the Korg Music company manufactures their digital pianos in Japan using their own factories so you get more piano for your money and less of what you don't want. I highly recommend this model for all that it offers in this price range, especially if your primary goal is to play piano. It also has Bluetooth wireless audio streaming through its internal speaker system. Read my full review of this piano at the following link: Korg G1B Air Review
3.Yamaha CLP-725 - At a low $1999 internet discount price, this new 2021 entry level Yamaha Clavinova CLP-725 model offers the main stereo grand piano sounds of the higher priced CLP-735 as well as the same redesigned weighted and graded triple sensor piano key action in a simplified but attractive cabinet version. With its internal speaker system giving 40 watts of total power going through 2 speakers and 2 amplifiers, the volume is more than adequate for average room sizes.
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2. Roland HP702 - At approx $2400 store discount price, this Roland model is their "bottom-of-the-line entry level HP model. It has some really nice features and although I like it overall and better than the Yamaha YDP-184 below it, it's speaker system is underpowered for the price and the key action is a bit heavy (not near as bad as the Yamaha YDP-184), The piano sound engine is fine and the cabinet is very attractive with lots of useable interactive features.
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3.YamahaCLP-735 - At $2899 internet price, the brand new Clavinova CLP-735 is Yamaha's most popular model in its Clavinova series home digital pianos. With beautiful piano tone, playable piano style key action, resonate pedaling sustain time, and some very cool digital features, the CLP-735 is the next model up from the Yamaha YDP-184 and it's definitely worth the difference in price. Read my full review of this piano to learn more at the following link: Yamaha CLP-735 Review
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2. Yamaha CLP-745 - At $3699 internet price this Yamaha Clavinova model is the first one to have actual wood (white) keys and a noticeably more responsive key action than the previous CLP-645 with a faster and more balanced key movement that will satisfy even more advanced piano players. This piano also has a much stronger, richer internal sound system with 200 watts of power along with offering Bluetooth audio wireless connectivity. This is my favorite Clavinova model in the Yamaha line of digital pianos and is definitely worth the money if you can be in this price range. Please read my complete review of this Yamaha piano at the following link: Yamaha CLP-745 Review.
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1.Yamaha CSP-170 - At just $4999 internet price for a matte black cabinet and $5299 internet discount price for a elegant polished ebony cabinet, the newer CSP model is one of my favorite pianos out of any brand in any price range. Combining big, full, resonate dynamically controlled acoustic piano tone with durable wood key action and all controlled by a very sophisticated but intuitive app for iPad and Android tablets, this piano is the epitome of coolness, technology, and piano educational instruction all in one piano that you can grow with rather than grow out of. You definitely should not miss finding out more about this impressive new digital piano created by Yamaha in conjunction with Apple. This piano just makes playing the piano that much more fun and enjoyable, no matter what you play or how you play it. Check out my very detailed review at the following link: Yamaha CSP-170 Review
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* In this particular $5000 to $6500 category it could easily be argued that all 3 of these models here (Kawai, Yamaha, Casio) could be interchangeable as far as which position these occupy 1, 2, or 3. For instance, the Casio GP-510 in the #2 slot has the fewest "bells & whistles" in terms of all the "extra" things it does as compared to the other models along with not having a touch screen interface, a proprietary iPad or Android app, along with not having Bluetooth wireless audio, no drum rhythms, etc.
1. Kawai CA99 - At a store discount price of $6299 for the matte rosewood and matte black cabinet, and $7199 for the polished ebony cabinet, this newer 2022 top-of-the-line CA99 model for the Kawai piano company has recently come out on the market and competes head on with Yamaha, Roland, and Casio top-of-the-line digital pianos in similar price range. The new and improved CA99 has longer 14" all wood keys installed similar to a real acoustic piano, it has a 1/2 size wood soundboard in the back of the piano which, with the help of new Onkyo transducer mics on the soundboard, helps the piano sound resonate better through its new cabinet.
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1.Samick SG120 micro grand - Of the top name brands out there who make grand piano style digital pianos, only Samick has a micro-grand size digital piano in this price range. Learn more about this piano at the following link: Samick SG120 Review
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1.Yamaha CLP-765GP - In this price range, Yamaha has had a very popular 45" deep digital piano (less than 4' deep) that was just discontinued last year called the CLP-665GP. The newer replacement upgraded model is called the CLP-765GP and is priced at $5899. The previous model was impressive and Yamaha sold lots of them but the new CLP-765GP has some impressive upgrades in it including a better and more refined piano key action and grand piano sound. It looks great, sounds great. and the features and functions are impressive. Learn more about it at the following link: Yamaha CLP-765GP Review
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1.Yamaha AvantGrand N3X - This new 4' deep cabinet model is the ultimate premier digital grand piano in the piano business today with its unique elegant custom made contemporary baby grand cabinet which houses a complete acoustic grand piano key action with moving parts, special "hammers" and huge piano sound to match. At $17,099 dealer discount price (plus tax) this thing is not cheap. But if you want a very impressive grand piano playing experience with digital grand piano technology, then this is the ultimate piano out there right now.
If you want more info on these pianos and lower prices than internet, Amazon, bundles, or store discounts in the USA including helping you with credit and no interest if paid in full in 6 months, please email me at 602-571-1864 or call direct at 602-571-1864
In these price ranges below for new digital pianos, in my opinion the TOP 3 best models in the USA for the most realistic piano playing experience in each price category at approx internet/store discount selling prices are as follows:
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $500 to $1000
2.Korg B2/B2SP - At $549 & $649 (including proprietary furniture stand and triple pedal unit) this newer portable model by Korg is pretty amazing for its price. A high quality 88-key responsive weighted-key portable digital piano with an impressive dynamic stereo acoustic piano sound that gives you the best piano playing experience out there in its price range, based on our experience playing this model. Korg is a well known pro music products company from Japan and lots of musicians, schools, churches, studios, and recreational piano players use Korg digital pianos and other music products. This is the "real deal. Please read our review of this model at the following link: Korg B2 Review
3.Casio PX-S1100 - At just $679 internet discount price (stand & triple pedal optional) this brand new portable digital piano makes the top 3 in this price range because it's the only name brand new model "portable" digital piano that also works on batteries so that you can play it anywhere and has a smooth top all-digital touch surface with no mounted analog buttons at all. It also has the new dual Bluetooth features including wireless audio and wireless MIDI connectivity.
Beyond that, the PX-S1100 is the lightest and most compact digital piano in its class and offers full natural sounding acoustic pianos, and a new balanced and graded-weighted piano key action. The new internal proprietary stereo speaker system is very impressive with big sound, especially for this model's small size and weight. For more info on this new model please click on the following link: Casio PX-S1100 Review
UPDATE: Korg XE20 - At just $899 the Korg company recently came out with a new portable digital piano that really impressed me when I played it and is definitely worth your consideration in this price range. If you are looking for a portable digital piano with great sound, weighted piano key action, and lots of fun interactive technology, then you should also consider the Korg XE20 digital piano.
The XE20SP at $999 is the better version of the XE20 because it also includes the furniture stand and triple pedal unit for just $100 more which is a great deal for that "bundle." The XE20SP could easily be in 2nd or 3rd place in this category but the other ones I listed here in this price range are also good. So I consider all 3 of those instruments (#2, #3, and XE20SP) in a virtual "tie" with the Casio PX-870 being #1 overall in this price range around $1000 or less as the digital piano which best focuses on the overall piano playing experience.
*Click on the following link to read my detailed review of the impressive and very enjoyable Korg XE20SP: Korg XE20 Review
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $1000 to $1500
1. Korg LP-380U - At $1249 the LP-380U has a lot to offer and it's great for people who also want to use an external iPad device for piano learning apps, instrument apps, drum rhythm apps, etc to enhance the piano playing and learning experience. With one of the best key actions around along with a powerful 44 watt internal piano sound system, this digital piano is impressive. Please read my review of this new model at the following link: 2. Casio AP-270 - At $1199 this Casio Celviano model offers the "Celviano" key action, Steinway piano sampled sound, and full length pedals that put it in this higher category. Unlike all other digital pianos in this price range, it comes with a 5 year parts & labor factory warranty and in-home service if ever needed (which is rare.) This model plays good, sounds good, and looks good although it is not as powerful as it otherwise needs to be for a large room in terms of volume output as is the next Celviano up in the line called the AP-470. But for smaller to medium size rooms is is fine. I like the features and playability in this model and have done a review at the following link: Casio AP-270 Review
3. Kawai ES520 - At $1299 there is a new portable digital piano that recently came out by Kawai which is very impressive. If you want the flexibility of a lighter-weight portable cabinet at just 32 lbs, but with the power, versatility, sound quality, and more advanced key action of a higher end more advanced digital piano, this could be the perfect instrument for you. This new model is called the Kawai ES520 after playing it for a long time, I definitely recommend this one. It is also available with an optional furniture stand and triple pedal unit which makes it look and perform more like a real acoustic piano. Check out my review of this new model at the following link: Kawai ES520 Review
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $1500 to $2000
2A. Casio AP470 - At $1699 internet discount price, the 2022 Casio AP-470 is a "heavy hitter" in this price range as compared to most of its competition. When you consider the upgraded cabinet design and construction along with big piano sound and nice e key action, this model is difficult to beat. Take a look at my full review of this piano at the following link: Casio AP470 Review
2B. Kawai ES920 (tied at #2 with the Casio AP-470) - At $1799 the new Kawai ES920 is a "portable digital piano" and not in a more traditional furniture cabinet with sliding key cover like most of the others. But it is such a great sounding and playing digital piano that it needed to go here! At a lower price $1799 internet discount price, People who play at beginner level all the way up to high advanced skill levels and understand what a quality piano is supposed to play like and sound like will love this new model. The ES920 comes as a portable piano alone for its price but a nice optional furniture style stand and triple pedal unit are available at extra cost. Kawai ES920 Review
3.Yamaha CLP-725 - At a low $1999 internet discount price, this new 2021 entry level Yamaha Clavinova CLP-725 model offers the main stereo grand piano sounds of the higher priced CLP-735 as well as the same redesigned weighted and graded triple sensor piano key action in a simplified but attractive cabinet version. With its internal speaker system giving 40 watts of total power going through 2 speakers and 2 amplifiers, the volume is more than adequate for average room sizes.
For people who just mainly want to play piano and have a more traditional cabinet design along with a few primary instrument sounds besides piano sounds (organ, strings, choir, harpsichord, etc, this new Yamaha CLP-725 could be the perfect instrument for you. Yamaha also has a very intuitive interactive app for iPad called "Smart Pianist" which lets the user control the functionality of the piano from their iPad color touch screen as well as having new additional interactive features. Check out my review at the following link: Yamaha CLP-725 Review
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $2000 to $2500
1. Kawai CN29 home digital piano - At $2199 the Kawai CN29 furniture cabinet piano is impressive. With a 2-speaker, 40 watt stereo internal speaker system designed by the Onkyo audio company, wireless MIDI connectivity, natural stereo sampled acoustic piano sound from full size Kawai grand pianos, and other cool features all in an attractive cabinet, this newer model offers an impressive piano playing experience in terms of key action, piano sound, and pedaling response done in ways that have not been available before on a digital piano in this price range.
2. Roland HP702 - At approx $2400 store discount price, this Roland model is their "bottom-of-the-line entry level HP model. It has some really nice features and although I like it overall and better than the Yamaha YDP-184 below it, it's speaker system is underpowered for the price and the key action is a bit heavy (not near as bad as the Yamaha YDP-184), The piano sound engine is fine and the cabinet is very attractive with lots of useable interactive features.
Since Casio, and Korg do not have any models in this $2000 to $2500 price range right now for "home style" cabinet or portable digital pianos, this Roland comes in #2 in this price range. You can still enjoy it overall but I would either go up to the Yamaha CLP-735 at $2899, Casio AP-710 at $2699, or Korg G1 Air at $1999 for a better overall piano playing experience. Take a look at my HP702 review at the following link: Roland HP702 Review
3.Yamaha Arius YDP-184 - At $2399 internet discount price this is the only Yamaha Arius model digital piano I have listed on this page in the top 3. Up until now I have not been a big fan of most of the Yamaha digital pianos under $2000 primarily because of their key actions. The Yamaha GH3 key action is quite heavy as compared to a real acoustic piano and as compared to other digital pianos. It can be fatiguing for your fingers, wrists, and hands after a while of playing it, especially if you are a younger child or an older person with hand/muscle issues. Otherwise this model has a surprisingly full and resonant sound for the Arius series, the key action is durable, and it has some sophisticated digital features in a very nice furniture cabinet. Go to the following link to read my thorough review of this model: Yamaha YDP-184 Review
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $2500 to $3000
1. Casio AP-710 home digital piano - At $2699 this newer model which came out summer of 2020 is the first Casio piano in this price range to get into the "Top 3 Models." The reason for this is because Casio has risen to the top in the range by drastically improving upon their key action, piano sound reproduction, pedaling, and internal speaker system giving you a very impressive piano playing experience that even a more advanced player can appreciate. With new acoustic grand piano samples from Steinway, Bosendorfer, and Bechstein, the piano sound authenticity is really amazing and the balance and speed of this key action makes it even more enjoyable. The user interface is fairly intuitive and there are enough digital features on this model to keep most people satisfied.
Overall I think that this new model will definitely impress most people in this price if you are wanting to focus more on a good piano playing experience without too many "bells & whistles." In fact, Casio keeps selling out of them because of much higher demand than expected. I personally like it a bit better than the slightly higher priced Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735. Please read my detailed review of this model at the following link: Casio AP-710 Review
2. Kawai CA49 - At $2899 this attractive furniture cabinet digital piano combines a smooth, fast playing all-wooden (white key) key action with 4-speaker resonant stereo piano sound and responsive pedaling along with full featured digital technology giving you lots of useful proprietary educational features, various recording functions, Bluetooth wireless MIDI capability, OLED user display screen, and a nice array of functions and features. But it is the CA49 proprietary key action with longer white wooden keys that gives this model an edge over many different digital pianos under $3000.
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $3000 - $3500
1. Kawai CN39 - At $3099 this model offers a pretty big bang for the buck. With 355 musical instrument sounds, a 4-speaker 40 watt Onkyo speaker system, OLED user display screen, a variety of recording and playback features, and a very attractive cabinet that comes in 3 color options, I recommend the Kawai CN39. But what really gives this model and edge over the Roland HP704 is its fast playing key action. It's responsive and has a touch weight key action that is lighter and faster without being too firm. When it comes to the right balance of piano playing realism combined with digital functions & features for just over $3000, I would choose this one. I should have my review of this model up in the near future.
2. Roland HP704 - At approx $3300 store discount price, the newer Roland HP704 is the 2nd piano in the Roland line of upgraded models selling above $2000 that incorporates their latest "hybrid" key action and newer physical modeling sound technology. This one is definitely worth looking at and offers a lot of things that many shoppers are looking for. Check out my review at the following link: Roland HP704 Review
3.Kawai MP11SE - At $3499 this top-of-the-line portable digital piano seems like it might be an unusual choice to put in this category, even at #3. If it were not for the fact that this model is portable and has no built-in speakers, I would have put it as #1 or 2 in this price range. This is because the MP11SE has the best, most authentic piano key action, piano sound, and piano pedaling in this price range. Essentially this model is a portable "stripped down" version of a much more expensive Kawai furniture cabinet digital piano with regard to the "piano playing experience" it offers. You would need to purchase a stand for this model as well as external powered monitors to hear it. Otherwise you can use stereo headphones for private practice. '
The people who purchase this model do so because they want the most authentic piano playing experience they can get in this price range and they don't care as much about the cabinet structure or having internal speakers. They just mainly want to play piano along with a few "digital extras" and like the fact that this model is somewhat compact and portable, although it does weight in at about 75 lbs. No other digital piano brand has a piano like this one. To learn more about this Kawai MP11SE, please read my review at the following link: Kawai MP11SE Review
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $3500 to $4000
1. Kawai CA59 - At $3799 internet discount price, this new model piano is one of Kawai's most popular digital pianos as was it predecessor the CA58 because it offers a more realistic piano playing experience than most of the other brands and models in this price range due to its proprietary longer length wooden key action with its spruce wood white keys and bass octave counter-weights for more realistic feel. It has a better speaker system than other top name digital pianos in this price range (so the sound is richer & fuller), and has a more robust, more natural acoustic piano sound because of its new piano sound chip. My review on this model is at the following link: Kawai CA59 Review
3. Yamaha CSP-150 - At $3699 internet price, this new model is like no other digital piano under $4000 because most of its functions and features are controlled by an app that was created by the Yamaha and Apple companies so that a person can use their iPad or Android tablet and control the entire piano and all that it does by their color touch screen tablet. You just download the free Yamaha "Smart Pianist" app from the app store and then start doing things with your digital piano that you never thought possible and in a way that is much easier and more intuitive than anything that has ever been offered by any digital piano company before. You should definitely read about this new and exclusive Yamaha CSP150 model on my full review at the following link: Yamaha CSP-150 Review
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $4000 to $5000
2. Casio-Bechstein GP-310 - At $4199 store discount price, the new Casio GP-310 is a unique digital piano, especially for the Casio company who is primarily known for lower priced digital pianos. The GP-310 (aka: Grand Hybrid) has actual long grand piano wooden keys made by the famous Bechstein Grand Piano company of Germany that are installed in a similar way to a real grand piano which are also much longer keys and play like real grand piano keys in terms of key weight and movement.
The GP-310 also has actual moving "hammer" mechanisms for all 88 keys which bring an even more realistic experience to a person wanting to get closer to a real piano while enjoying the many benefits of a digital piano. This model comes in a matte black or matte white finish in a well designed cabinet. Check out my detailed review of the newer GP-310 for 2022 at the following link and find out why it is a very strong competitor against the other well known brands in this price range: Casio GP-310 Grand Hybrid Review
3. Kawai CA79 - At $4699 internet discount price, this newer model has Kawai's proprietary color touch screen (android OS) to control the entire piano. This attractive built-in color screen is positioned all the way to the left of the keyboard which is definitely nice for most people who want an effective but minimalistic interface design. The CA79 dual engine stereo piano sound chip and 14" extra long wood key action along with responsive pedaling in an attractive cabinet is very impressive.
If you are looking primarily for a very realistic "piano playing experienced" that you can get for between $4000 to $5000 internet discount price then this is one of my personal favorites in a well designed furniture style cabinet. You definitely need to take a look at this one before you make any buying decision. Go to the following link on this blog to read more about Kawai digital pianos: Kawai Digital Pianos. Also, go to the following Kawai web site link to read what they have to say on the CA79: Kawai CA79 Info
Top 3 Digital Pianos from $5000 to $6000 to $6500*
Those are the main reasons why it is in the number 2 spot in this category. But...if you are simply wanting a beautiful looking piano that gives you an impressive piano playing experience and you just mainly want to play piano and have it feel and sound great, then the #2 Casio may be able to do that better for you than the other 2 models. But if you also want a lot of the new interactive technology available in digital pianos these days commonly called "bells & whistles," along with an impressive piano playing experience, then the other 2 models in this category may be the better options for you.
Also included is new improved piano sound technology chip which produces a more realistic piano sound than before, and their proprietary color touch screen on the left side of the keyboard which helps the user navigate through the functions and features of the piano more easily and intuitively than in previous models. Although I have played this new piano many times, I have not completed my full review on it yet. So in the meantime please take a look at this model on the Kawai website at the following link to learn more about this new model: Kawai CA99 info
2. Casio GP-510 - At $6199 store discount price, this top of the line polished ebony Casio Grand Hybrid digital piano replaces the prior GP-500. It is the best that Casio-Bechstein has to offer with a top of the line stereo piano sound chip, 88 actual wood grand piano keys designed by Bechstein piano company of Germany, and 88 individual "hammers" moving up and down similar to a real grand piano does.
There is no other piano like this on the market for under $6500 in terms of the way the piano key action is designed and constructed and the new Bechstein grand piano sound samples from the famous German Bechstein grand piano company. Read my detailed review about this new model GP-510 with its new improved piano sound chip that has a rich resonate stereo grand piano sound going through an impressive internal speaker system. For some people this new Casio GP-510 would take the #1 spot in this price range. Go to the following link: Casio GP-510 Review
3. Yamaha CLP-785 - At $6199 internet price for a matte black finish cabinet (polished ebony cabinet $6999), this is Yamaha's top-of-the-line home digital piano. It has Yamaha's best Clavinova wood key action with extended keys, a great looking cabinet, super huge internal sound system, and natural, clear, dynamic piano tone all controlled by an intuitive control panel and a proprietary tablet app by Yamaha called Smart Pianist." Although not everyone can be in this higher price range, if you do have the budget for it then I recommend you consider this new model and read my detailed review of it.
The CLP-785 replaced the older discontinued CLP-685 and the two pianos are very similar with a few big notable exceptions and upgrades on the 785 including a much better, more balanced, and lighter playing key action, better piano sound, better speaker system and a few other important things. I am just putting together a review of the new CLP-785 so in the meantime please read my review of the CLP-685 and you will get an idea of the main functions and features, cabinet style, speaker system, etc on the CLP-785 since the 2 models are somewhat close, although the main piano playing ability and realism of this instrument has definitely been improved. Read my review of the prior CLP-685 at the following link: Yamaha CLP-685 Review. I will have my CLP-785 review out soon.
Top "Digital Grand Piano Cabinet Style" Digital Pianos under $5000
2. Samick SG500 regular mini grand - Of the top name brands out there who make grand piano style digital pianos, only Samick has a regular mini-grand size digital piano in this price range. Learn more about this piano at the following link: Samick SG500 Review
Top "Digital Grand Piano Cabinet Style" Digital Pianos from $5000 to $6000
2. Kawai DG30 - The all new Kawai DG30 digital "micro-grand" is a very cool new addition to the world of "grand" micro style digital pianos because it fits in a smaller space at just 34" deep, looks beautiful, plays great, has lots of cool useful functions and features, and for what it does and how it plays its $5999 store discount price is actually pretty reasonable, in our opinion. Please read our detailed review at the following link of this new 2021 model that recently came out and let us know if you have further questions about the product or lower prices. Kawai DG30 Review
3.Roland GP607 - This 37" deep small digital mini-grand sells at discount in Roland dealer stores for approx $6300 (plus local tax) although it retails for more than that. It is not for sale on the internet like the other ones are. It's a 5 year old model at this point but it is still a contender even though it is more money. I do recommend it and you can learn more about this model from my detailed review at the following link: Roland piano & GP607 Review
Top "Digital Grand Piano Cabinet Style" Digital Pianos from $6000 to $18000
The piano stays permanently in tune and you can also use headphones for private practice as well as turn down the master volume when you use it's multiple perfectly positioned internal speaker system, then this piano will keep you playing for a very long time offering incredible expressive musical enjoyment. Yamaha has had their previous N3 AvantGrand out for many years and in 2019 upgraded the model to the current N3X with improved piano sound, speaker system, and added and refined other technology features. Please go to the following link to read my review of this impressive model: Yamaha N3X hybrid digital grand piano
2. Yamaha CLP-795GP - At $7999 internet selling price for polished ebony finish (polished white is more money), this 4' digital mini-grand size is Yamaha's largest home digital grand piano shaped instrument in the Clavinova series. It is fairly similar to the previous CLP-785 vertical piano in a baby grand cabinet but with a noticeably improved key action and piano sound. The 4' deep cabinet is beautifully designed, sounds great, and plays very nicely with impressive sound and features.
This one is definitely worth looking at. It recently replaced the previous CLP-695GP but there are some noticeable upgrades including a much better and more responsive key action, upgrade to the piano sound, and a new user touch screen interface on the CLP-795GP that is pretty cool, and a few other important features. Check out my detailed review of the previous CLP-695GP at the following link and then you'll get an idea of what the CLP-795GP will be like (along with a much improved key action response) and how it looks with the same cabinet as the previous model. I am working on a new review of the Yamaha CLP-795GP and will have it out in the near future. Yamaha CLP-695GP Review
3.Roland GP609 - This 5' deep digital piano is in a full size baby grand cabinet and sells at discount price at Roland digital pianos stores for approx $11,000 although it has a higher retail price than that.. The cabinet is beautiful and we placed this model 3rd in our list of the higher priced digital grand pianos list not because it doesn't look great in its much larger cabinet, but because it uses a much shorter key action as far as length and content of keys go as compared to the #1 and 2 choices.
Key action is the top priority in any grand piano and even though overall the Roland GP609 is enjoyable to play, the key action and piano sound realism in the Yamaha pianos are far superior to the Roland in our opinion and the Yamaha is a lot less money too. The GP609 have fairly short keys which have a thin slice of wood on the sides of the keys but the majority of the keys are plastic. That is the only part of the piano that can be called "hybrid," and nothing else
The Yamaha N3X is actually a real full "hybrid" digital grand piano because of its Yamaha acoustic grand action which is taken directly from a real Yamaha acoustic grand piano and the new Yamaha CLP795GP has much longer all wood keys with better balance and control. The Roland GP609 still offers more than enough functions and features for many grand piano shoppers in terms of a decent piano playing experience with some good "bells & whistles" in a larger baby grand size cabinet. But the key action and sound technology is actually identical to the much lower price Roland HP704 at approx $3200. So in essence the Roland GP609 is actually a glorified baby grand piano cabinet version of their lower price upright style HP704 digital piano.
I have played the GP609 many times and what is also interesting about it is that it is no different than its smaller 3' deep brother the Roland GP607, with the exception of the larger upgraded baby grand cabinet and the much more robust and impressive internal speaker system in the GP609. As I just mentioned, in terms of its key action, technology, and playability, it is identical to the smaller Roland GP607 and HP704 and I have done a review on those models. Go to the following link to learn more about this model: Roland and GP609 Review
4.Yamaha CVP-809GP - At $17,099 internet/store discount price, this top-of-the-line Clavinova 48" deep smaller mini-grand digital piano is actually my favorite model in this entire group because it offers an awesome piano playing experience (in my opinion) along with all kinds of very cool interactive educational & fun technology. I really like to use that technology in a big way, as long as the piano playing experience on that model is a good one, and it is.
This model puts out a huge, full, resonate piano tone with a surprising amount of bass frequency so you really feel like you are playing a grand piano. As a grand piano shaped instrument where you want to primarily focus on getting the most realistic piano playing experience but also have many "bells & whistles," the Yamaha AvantGrand CVP-809GP is absolutely outstanding (it better be great because of its high price) and it leads the pack. If you like what this model has to offer, then you will definitely have to "pay to play!"
Also, I find most people want to keep the price at around $10,000 or less on new digital pianos and those are the 2 reasons I did not put this model higher in top 3. Otherwise it could have easily been #1 or #2. I have not completed my review of the new CVP-809GP on this blog yet but should have it done soon. In the meantime take a look at our "other" digital piano review site called "digitalpianoexpert.com" and we have a review of this new CVP-809GP there along with all the other Clavinova pianos and you can learn more about all of them as well. Yamaha Clavinova CVP-809GP Review
* Whatever you decide that you might like, please let me know and contact me before you purchase anything anywhere because I can give you personal advice and help you save even more money on any of these digital pianos!
** Check out my review and report on the latest "hybrid digital pianos at the following link: Hybrid Digital Piano Review & Report. Hybrids are the latest in digital piano technology which tries to get a digital piano playing experience even closer to a real acoustic pianos. Learn more about them by reading our review.
** Check out my review and report on the latest "hybrid digital pianos at the following link: Hybrid Digital Piano Review & Report. Hybrids are the latest in digital piano technology which tries to get a digital piano playing experience even closer to a real acoustic pianos. Learn more about them by reading our review.