A digital piano can be a great investment. If you are not sure if the hobby is something you stick to, you may not want to spend a lot. In this article, we explore the top 7 best digital pianos under 500 dollars.
If you are looking for the best cheap keyboard piano, we have you covered. Keyboard pianos can be very expensive and the idea of finding a good one on a budget may seem impossible.
The good news is, there are plenty of great options available for under $500. So whatever your budget, we can help you find what you need.
This is as economical as pianos if you are going to buy first hand. If it goes much cheaper than this, you will probably get a product that looks more like a cheap and flimsy keyboard than an acoustic piano.
As technology has improved and the electronics market has become more competitive, there are many piano manufacturers competing at this low price, and there are some very good options for you to ponder.
Here, we take a look at which options are best, and by reviewing various models of a digital piano, we let you choose which one might be best suited for your own needs.
No two people are looking for exactly the same thing when buying a digital piano, so we explore variations in features and who each model may be suitable for.
Table of Contents
Here are our 7 Best Digital Pianos Under $500 in 2021
- Yamaha P45, 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
- Casio Privia PX-160BK 88-Key Full-Size Digital Piano
- Korg B2 Digital Piano
- Williams Legato III 88-Key Digital Piano
- Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
- Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano
- Roland GO 88-Key Full Size Portable Digital Piano
Whatever your budget, here you can find an ideal choice of the best digital pianos under 500 dollars and all other areas of your life that demand pristine performances.
🏆 Quick Look at the Best Digital Pianos Under 500 dollars 🏆
The 7 Top-Rated Digital Pianos Under $500: Reviews in Details
Its review time! Now that you have a good idea of what it takes to make a great digital piano, even an affordable one, it’s time to start looking at some of the best digital pianos on the market today.
If you’re looking a lot for a great instrument, consider buying one of these top seven best digital pianos for under $500.
Therefore, we must choose one that fits perfectly. We visited many piano stores, talked to various professionals and manufacturers, and finally got our top seven.
Here, we will provide a review of the digital pianos under 500 dollars in detail so you can shop knowing everything. Let’s get started.
This is the successor to the P-35 and it comes with improved sounds, increased polyphony, and USB connectivity. The Yamaha P-45 has graduated hammer action keys with 4 levels of touch sensitivity: hard, medium, soft, and fixed.
The enhanced sounds come from Yamaha’s AWM stereo sampling that is deeper than the previous P-35 model. The 10 instruments onboard include 2 acoustic pianos that are the best in the group. Along with the graduated hammer action keys, these piano sounds provide a very realistic experience.
Yamaha tops our list because beginners and professionals alike come to Yamaha to meet their piano needs.
The Yamaha P45 is a sturdy piano in the Yamaha P series. It is portable, hence the reason why it is in the P series. Therefore, it is a fantastic choice for beginners who would have to make many trips from practice to home, etc.
It is also a fantastic option for people with little space. It’s really compact, so while it doesn’t come with a stand, you can put it on a table and it will work just fine too.
The keyboard may not be to die for, at least not for the advanced pianist, but it’s enough for a beginner.
While it doesn’t come with ivory / simulated ebony that feels like heaven, it’s finished in matte. Therefore, it provides a good grip that you will especially appreciate when your fingers start to get wet in the middle during a long practice.
And, if you’re looking for the best digital piano for under $500, your Yamaha P45 won’t disappoint. It comes with 88-note weighted keys that are heavier on the bass and lighter on the high-end, like a real acoustic piano.
With Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) stereo sampling, you’ll play deeper, richer, and more authentic acoustic piano sounds with every keystroke.
It has Dual mode, so you can combine two voices, plus 64-note polyphony for more flexibility. It comes with a simple one-button operation, which you will use to access the metronome, play demo songs, and change voices.
Like Yamaha, Casio is a leader in the piano market. This brand has far surpassed the stereotype that people used to have about their products as toy products. And right now, Casio is competing favorably with other piano brands, for example, it’s Casio Privia PX160BK.
It is compact and lightweight, making it not a very demanding keyboard. You can stay almost anywhere and moving this won’t be that difficult either. It weighs just 25 pounds and that’s despite being a full-size keyboard with weighted keys and great tech.
The Casio Privia range is known for its realistic piano experience. The PX-160 doesn’t disappoint, it comes with Casio’s Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keys.
The keys have simulated ebony and ivory caps that stick very well to the fingertips. Tri-Sensor means there are 3 levels of sensitivity to suit your personal preferences.
If you liked the latest piano but want to have a couple of different ones to choose from, you should check out the Casio Privia PX160BK 88key digital piano.
It is too thin and simple and a very good substitute for a real acoustic piano. The 18 different sounds you can choose from are really nice and the speaker system is very good for the price.
One of the best things about this piano is that it’s not only available in black, but also in a gold/champagne color that’s really cool.
This piano can be easily connected to a tablet or computer via USB MIDI.
Another great thing about it is that it has a 3-year manufacturer warranty, so if something is wrong, everything is fixed, which is good to know.
In addition to great piano sounds, there are string ensembles and even classic electric piano sounds. The 2 x 8W speaker system offers excellent, clear sound and decent projection, but can be easily connected to other sound systems if required, such as public address systems.
Other play modes, such as Duo (which allows you to divide the piano into two identical play areas for piano lessons), and Layer Mode and Split Mode to play multiple sounds together or on the keyboard, one by hand left and another with the right.
Other great tech features include the ability to record and listen from the piano without the need for other software or hardware.
Korg is known for making some of the best-value keyboard pianos. The Korg B2 is a prime example of what an affordable and straightforward digital piano should be. It is a stripped-down instrument that aims to do the essentials very well.
When you hear the Korg brand, you can instantly think of iconic synthesizers and other music technology products.
The truth is that they also make some great pianos, and even at the economical end of the market, the Korg B2 can give you many options as a piano and also be used to control other software.
This is another lightweight option at around 26lbs. This makes it one of the best portable digital pianos under $500.
The model is equipped with Korg’s weighted natural hammer action, which is close to Yamaha’s standard graduated hammer weighted action. You can feel the heaviest touch on the bass end and the lightest touch on the top end, just like a real piano.
It has natural Korg hammer action keys with matte black keyboard covers. There are 3 levels of sensitivity: light, normal, and heavy. The B1 has a maximum polyphony of 120 notes and 8 instrument voices.
The instruments include 3 pianos (jazz, concert, ballad), all of which are very impressive. The sound source for the B1 is Korg’s PCM stereo sampling that is incredibly detailed. There is no split mode, but a duo mode is available.
We don’t think this is the best piano keyboard under $ 500, but it may be the simplest. What we mean by that is that it doesn’t do too much, but it does it well.
Korg keyboards always have very good piano voices, so it wasn’t a surprise. It is worthy of its place on our list because many people prefer Korg piano sound over other manufacturers.
The Williams Legato III is the update to the Williams Legato II. However, there is not that much difference between the two keyboards. Williams just tried to improve the sounds. And the power adapter that we didn’t get on the Williams Legato II, now we have it on the Williams Legato III.
If there is one thing we have learned and appreciated about Williams, it is his commitment to improvement. It is as if the brand has a slogan that says “there is always room for improvement!”
Playing anywhere with a digital piano is possible with Williams Legato. It is an ultraportable piano that you can play with a power supply or a battery.
This 88-key digital piano has weighted keys, five built-in sounds (bass, piano, electric piano, synthesizer, and organ), and a built-in metronome.
It comes with built-in speakers, stereo/Monoline output jacks, and the ability to integrate with more devices through USB MID connections.
It is equipped with a Split mode that divides the keyboard into two sections to reproduce different sounds for the left and right sections.
You can independently adjust the volume of each section, at the same time applying reverb and chorus effects. The good news is that these settings can be preserved even after turning off the power.
The Legato III comes in a solid build with an interface that is highly interactive and easy to use. Also, with the matte black finish, this piano looks very elegant and pleasing to the eye. In fact, this comes with an LCD screen that we find really impressive
Now add that to the fact that it’s lightweight and compact, and you get a portable keyboard that can be moved almost anywhere.
Yamaha P-71 is the best seller in the digital piano department. It is identical to Yamaha P-45, which is a very popular model from the Yamaha P series, but Yamaha P-71 is $ 50 cheaper.
Yamaha is one of the best options when it comes to digital pianos. The manufacturer aims to make the sound of digital pianos as similar as possible to a real piano.
Yamaha P-71, as one of the best Yamaha piano keyboards, is designed to be a great model for learning and practicing. Plus, it has an included sustain pedal, allowing you to have truly enjoyed playing experiences.
The Yamaha P71 and P45 are cut from the exact same block. They are very similar and share the same exact qualities that make them great for beginners.
Yamaha P71 is another 88-key digital piano that promises a quality playback experience. All keys are fully weighted, which means they are designed to simulate the natural feel of the acoustic piano.
The P71 is compact and lightweight. And at its already competitive price point, you get a sustain pedal and power adapter in the package. As you can see, this is a pretty good deal, especially since the keyboard also comes with great features to surprise the user.
However, if you intend to travel a lot with this, we recommend that you get a padded bag. Since the body is made entirely of plastic, it could easily break when moving.
Now, just like on the P45, the keyboard on the P71 is excellent. It comes with 88 fully weighted keys backed by Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action. So, just like an authentic classical piano, this feels heavier on the low notes than the high notes.
This Alesi’s digital piano brings you an 88-key hammer-action keyboard with adjustable touch response at a reasonable price.
And to make this unit student-friendly, it has a two-zone setup with the same tone and voice, so that both teacher and student can play side-by-side on this piano.
The Alesis Recital Pro is less expensive than most of the Yamaha and Casio we’ve reviewed so far.
This 88-key digital piano beauty here is called the Alesis Recital. It’s from the piano brand, Alesis, which while not exactly one of the biggest names on the piano market, is still a great brand anyway.
This brand has been a boon to beginning pianists around the world with its quality entry-level pianos.
Alesis’s recital is less expensive than most Yamaha and Casio we’ve reviewed so far. But even at its competitive price, it still offers some serious features that we think you should check out.
So in case you don’t have enough to sponsor Yamaha, Casio, and the like, this is a great compromise.
The Alesis Recital comes with 88 light heavy keys. And by semi-weighted we mean that the keys don’t offer the kind of resistance that the P45, for example, could provide.
However, they are also not supposed to be elastic as you have it in the NP11.
Furthermore, we are always excited by Alesis’ commitment to learning. This brand offers some of the most extensive learning programs we’ve seen on entry-level keyboards.
In addition to the learning function on the keyboard, the user also has the opportunity to subscribe to Skoove Premium, where they can learn even more.
In fact, just by buying this keyboard, the user gets 3 months of free sub automatically.
Now, this is where things get a little err … not that great. There are only 5 voices built into this keyboard. But hey, there are layers and divisions that can help you improvise and make other cool sounds out of the 5 you have.
You know what they say if life gives you 5 shades, use Split and Layering to do more for yourself!
Roland is a brand that is never afraid to innovate, and this is exactly what they have tried to do with their GO range: PIANO. This is the largest in that range with 88 keys and is exceptional if you are looking for a portable piano option.
The Roland Go range are some of the best cheap keyboards. They are designed to encourage creativity and fun. It is the new flagship model and is as intuitive as its smaller counterparts. It has 88 touch-sensitive keys with 3 levels of sensitivity and maximum polyphony of 128 notes.
There are 4 different voices which are: piano, electric piano, organ, and strings. Despite the small number of voices, they are extremely high quality and are derived from some of Roland’s best digital pianos.
This keyboard also uses Roland’s Piano Partner 2 application via USB or Bluetooth. This means that you can access large amounts of interactive learning content directly from your smartphone. Bluetooth also allows you to play music from your smartphone through the built-in keyboard speakers.
On the surface, this might not seem like one of the best digital pianos under $500. So let’s first remove the negatives. It doesn’t have fully weighted keys and it only has 4 different voices, so why is it on our list?
What makes the GO:PIANO88 worth considering is the combination of fantastic sounds in such a portable unit. It will never compete for the best feeling on our list, but the sound is certainly up there.
So if you are looking for something more portable this might be right for you.
Best Digital Pianos for Under $500 Buying Guide
Prices and models available may vary from time to time. Naturally, doing a little research and knowing exactly what features you should be looking for will help you make sure you get the best piano for you.
While it would be nice to have an acoustic piano, acoustic pianos are expensive and high-maintenance. Fortunately, there are digital pianos these days that are doing a good job of replacing classic pianos.
Different pianists on different music stages will want different things from their piano, how can you choose the right model under $500?
Now when you are looking for a digital piano, especially an entry-level piano, you need to understand where to draw the line.
Yes, you want a high-quality, feature-rich keyboard. But you don’t want too many features that go far beyond the beginner’s current level of knowledge.
For the beginner, here are a couple of factors to consider when getting an entry-level keyboard.
The number of keys
Most have 88 keys, but there are a few digital pianos with fewer, including the 76-key and 61-key models. If you want the full range and play with both hands, choose 88-key models.
Action or semi-weighted hammer
Hammer action pianos are based on acoustic pianos and the small “hammers” that produce sound. Semi-heavy options are more like keyboards or synth keys, but offer more resistance and allow you to alter velocity based on how hard you hit them.
The number of sounds, tones, or voices
Some on this list have only five, some, like Lagrima LG-803, have hundreds! If you only think you will be playing one or two different sounds, such as the grand piano and electric piano, this will not be a priority. For many sounds, choose something that has at least 10 voices.
Pedals
Do you want a model with sustained or soft pedals included? Is it enough to buy a piano that is compatible with these pedals and add them later if you want?
To be
Not many of the models on our list come with a stand, but you may want to purchase one separately. Check what type of stand the piano is compatible with and whether it comes with one included.
Portability
With models of the best digital pianos under $ 500 weighing in as low as 16lbs, there are some very small products with plenty of portability so you can make sure you can put it to use. If you are only going to play at home, this will not be a priority.
Price
If you’re looking for an option under $500, chances are you’re looking for a good value. Some of the models offer more value than others.
You can get some digital pianos and some of the best keyboards for under $ 500 or even under $ 300, but don’t expect them to be as good as the closest models at $ 500. If you ever decide to increase your budget, you can also check out our list of the 10 best digital pianos under $1000.
Which are the best digital pianos under $500 right now?
The best digital piano under 500 dollars really depends on what type of piano you are looking for, what level of performance you are on, and how you want to use it. Our best choice for the best acoustic piano is the Yamaha P45.
Final Words
Actually, there aren’t many digital pianos in this price range. But there are a few for you to choose from and all of the digital pianos listed come with something different and unique.
Find one that best suits your needs. And keep in mind that sound quality and key action are very important to players of all skill levels, but of course it should depend on your budget.
If you are a classical pianist, you can consult the list of the 7 best digital pianos for classical pianists.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of the instruments we cover today, as well as other entry-level digital pianos you have experience with.
