A former music shop employee explains: a unique guide to choosing a digital piano, by price range.
The capabilities of digital pianos vary greatly depending on their price.
Many people may not know what price range to choose.
This time, I’d like to explain the differences between higher-end models in the 300,000-yen class and stylish models under 100,000 yen, as well as how to choose among them.
I hope this will be helpful for those considering purchasing a digital piano for their home.
How to avoid making mistakes when choosing a digital piano
When I was a sales clerk, I often had families say their budget was around 100,000 yen.
However, almost no one had a clear basis for the budget setting of '100,000 yen.'
I think the reason for the 100,000-yen budget is, after all, that we don’t really know, so it’d be nice if it could be kept around that amount.
However, if you buy a 100,000-yen digital piano for such a vague reason, the chances of failure will also increase.
With digital pianos, the higher the price, the closer the touch and sound get to that of a grand piano.
Lessons are usually conducted on a grand piano.
Therefore, the closer the instrument you use at home is to a grand piano, the smaller the gap will be between practicing at home and taking lessons.
You can play it properly at home, but when you come to your lesson, you can’t play it the same way. That gap between “I really can play it…” and what happens in the lesson might make you start to dislike playing the piano.
In the worst case, the lessons might stop being fun and you could end up quitting, turning your digital piano into nothing more than a decoration.
It would be such a waste if it came to that.
To help you avoid such a situation, I’ll talk about how to set a budget when choosing a digital piano.
I hope this is of some help, even a little.
300,000-yen class
At this price point, the key mechanism and responsiveness are excellent, and since it has six built-in speakers and thoughtful sound projection design, you can practice with a very realistic touch and tone.
KAWAI | CA-97
Official manufacturer website
https://www.kawai.jp/product/ca97/
YAMAHA | CLP-585
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/clp_series/clp-585/?mode=model
ROLAND | LX-17
https://www.roland.com/jp/products/lx-17
It incorporates the best technologies from each manufacturer, so it can be used for over 10 years.
If you absolutely can’t have an acoustic piano but want to practice enjoyably with something as close to a real piano as possible, this is the one to choose without hesitation.
You’ll hardly ever regret buying it!
I highly recommend it anyway.
Around the 250,000-yen class
It has specs that rival the top-tier models.
In particular, the keyboard uses the same type of component as those in the 300,000-yen class.
If anything, the big difference is the sound.
Because the speaker system and output are different, the top-tier model wins in terms of sound realism.
YAMAHA | CLP-575
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/clp_series/clp-575/?mode=model
KAWAI | CA-67
https://www.kawai.jp/product/ca67/
ROLAND | LX-7
https://www.roland.com/jp/products/lx-7/
Although it's really hard to spend 300,000 yen, I still want to use the best possible option... I had set a slightly lower budget than this price, but if I'm going to buy one anyway, maybe it's worth stepping up a level? If that sounds like you, this class might be a good fit.
Around the 200,000-yen class
As a digital piano, it sits right in the middle in terms of price and performance, so even at this price point it feels very reassuring.
The quality of the keys and sound is excellent, so the gap compared to a grand piano isn’t that large, making practice enjoyable.
ROLAND | HP605
https://www.roland.com/jp/products/hp605/
YAMAHA | CLP-545
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/clp_series/clp-545/?mode=model
KAWAI (Kawai) | CA17
https://www.kawai.jp/product/ca17/
For example, if you’re thinking, “Even if it’s not the most expensive one, I want my child to practice properly at home and keep it up for a long time,” you might consider using the 200,000-yen range as a guideline.
150,000-yen class
From this price range onward, the design starts to reflect features aimed at higher-end models.
KAWAI | CN-35
https://www.kawai.jp/product/cn35/
ROLAND | HP-603
https://www.roland.com/jp/products/hp603/
YAMAHA | CLP-535
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/clp_series/clp-535/
Since kids will quickly get bored if the keys and sounds are cheap, I want them to practice on something at least somewhat authentic! If that’s how you feel, or if your household budget is “roughly” around 100,000 yen, I’d like you to consider this price range.
100,000-yen class
Especially if your child will be attending lessons, I’d like you to consider this as the minimum standard.
This type is designed to aim for a grand piano, starting from an electronic piano.
YAMAHA | YDP-163
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/ydp_series/ydp-163/?mode=model
KAWAI | CN-25
https://www.kawai.jp/product/cn25/
ROLAND | RP-501
https://www.roland.com/jp/products/rp501r/
I think it’s a good option as an entry point to the piano for those who plan to upgrade to an acoustic piano or a top-class digital piano once they improve.
But with this, for example, it would be difficult to keep using it with satisfaction for, say, ten years.
Under 100,000 yen (stylish type)
In this price range, the compact depth (about the size of an A4 sheet) gives it a clean profile, making it easy to place.
For example, it's recommended for adults to use as a hobby if they learned it when they were little and now want to play again.
Its compact size is especially nice for those living in apartments.
ROLAND | F-140R
https://www.roland.com/jp/products/f-140r/
KORG | LP-380
http://www.korg.co.jp/Product/DigitalPiano/LP-380/
YAMAHA | P-115
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/p_series/p-115/?mode=model
To keep it compact, it's inevitably impossible to equip high-quality speakers, and the keyboard is also compromised to avoid raising the price.
It should be fine as long as you’re not particular about the touch and sound quality.
For these reasons, it isn’t suitable for children who are taking lessons and intend to use it for practice at home.
For some products, chairs or stands are sold separately, and in some cases you may need to assemble them yourself, so please make sure to check carefully.
Lastly
How was it?
There are many models of digital pianos, but if you set a budget with clear reasons, I think your options will narrow down considerably.
Once you’ve set a budget, considering which manufacturer and which model to choose next might make things easier to understand.
Please feel free to use it as a reference!