Top 9 Best Portable Digital Pianos
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One of the main advantages to digital pianos is their size. Everything being digital means that form factor is no longer an issue. The fact that console models are a popular type in this segment has more to do with aesthetics than necessity.
Today we are going to show you our picks for the top 9 best portable digital pianos. Some of these are among the best digital pianos on the market. As you are about to find out, digital pianos can be quite compact. After we go over our picks we will discuss what this category has to offer.Top 9 Best Portable Digital Pianos
| Image | Digital Pianos / Rating | Summary | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
+ -  | Yamaha P255 Total of 4.90/5 | Yamaha's premier portable digital piano that brings plenty of top tier features. | |
+ -  | Kawai ES110 Total of 4.85/5 | A truly streamlined rig that defines what a portable piano should be. | |
+ -  | Korg SP280WH Total of 4.78/5 | A slightly beefier model from Korg, but one that works great nonetheless. | |
+ -  | Casio PX-350 Total of 4.72/5 | A very capable workhorse piano designed for performing artists who need more. | |
+ -  | Casio Privia PX-160 Total of 4.58/5 | A flexible yet very capable model from Casio's revered Privia piano series. | |
+ -  | Korg SP170 Total of 4.55/5 | A streamlined and optimized setup from Korg that doesn't break the bank. | |
+ -  | Yamaha P71 Total of 4.47/5 | An awesome mid range model for those who seek simplicity of design. | |
+ -  | Alesis Recital Pro Total of 4.38/5 | One of the best budget models in the portable segment for sure. | |
+ -  | Alesis Recital Total of 3.85/5 | One of the best options available for those on a tight budget. |
Yamaha P255
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Yamaha P255 represents the pinnacle of Yamaha's portable digital pianos. It's designed to cater to the needs of professionals who demand the best, but also need it all to be packed in a very portable and compact package. The piano itself is quite light for what it is. The keyboard on this features that same Graded Hammer Standard action we have seen on a number of their other models. The main difference here is that P255 comes loaded up with synthetic ivory keys. While not essential, these definitely add to the authenticity when you play. Especially if you are a classically trained pianist. As far as sounds and sound engine goes, P255 is packed to the gills with awesome samples.
Kawai ES110
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Kawai ES110 is one of those digital pianos which really subscribe to the whole portable idea. When Kawai was designing ES110 it is obvious that form factor was by far one of the most important aspects of the entire project. As a result, we have a very slim and streamlined piano that is lightweight, very simple and quite efficient. Despite its Spartan looks, ES110 features their Responsive Hammer Compact action that utilizes 88 full sized keys. The entire experience is made complete thanks to a 192 note polyphony which really allows you to get the most out of the 19 included voices. On top of it all, it packs a decent punch in terms of volume. Overall, a great setup.
Korg SP280WH
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Korg's approach to portable digital pianos is a bit different compared to most. This is best seen on SP280. This digital piano hits that portable niche but also retains some of the features you generally see on console models. For example, there are two large, top mounted speakers along with a full sized control panel. The chassis it sits in is a bit bulky compared to most, but it still works very well for those who need something portable. As usual, the keyboard and action are both on point. Korg went with their Natural Weighted Hammer action and their beautiful full sized keys. With 30 different, high quality sounds, you simply won't feel limited in any way. It's that good.
Casio PX-350
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Being one of the most represented brands in the market right now, Casio naturally offers a great selection of portable digital pianos. PX-350 is one of the models that comes to mind. What makes it so special is the simple fact that Casio has managed to squeeze in most of the high end features into a piano that is fairly compact by all standards. By features me mean the Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II, 128 note polyphony, ebony and ivory feel keys, and of course the Acoustic and intelligent Resonator sound engine. With two massive built in speakers, you can easily use the PX-350 for smaller venues with no need for external speakers. This is a proper workhorse piano.
Casio Privia PX-160
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Next up is another member of Casio's Privia series. This time we are talking about their PX-160. Compared to its bigger brother which we've just talked about, PX-160 is much more simplified and thus more affordable as well. With that said, you are still getting a great set of core features which include the awesome weighted action that Casio puts in most Privia models, as well as the multi dimensional AiR sound engine. The piano comes complete with a number of piano voices, including Casio's grand concert samples. Overall, it's by far one of the best models for those who want something good and reliable at a relatively affordable price. This is a very flexible platform to say the least.
Korg SP170
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Moving down our list we run into another Korg model. SP170 is all about performance, hands down. Korg has used a very simple approach to building a good portable digital piano. It is rooted in the idea that function trumps form both on the inside and out. SP170 is therefore a very slim unit that features 10 voices and comes with a set of rather powerful built in speakers. The keyboard itself belongs to Korg's Natural Weighted Hammer Action and is one of the best in its category. The feel and feedback you're getting is really up there with the more refined actions. At this price, SP170 is definitely a great choice for performing musicians on a somewhat tight budget.
Yamaha P71
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If there is one brand that is dominant in the mid range segment of the digital piano market, it's Yamaha. With models such as the P71, it really isn't hard to see why. While this may be a piano designed specifically for an online vendor, it is still a very capable piece of kit. As a matter of fact, it better than some 'standard' Yamaha P series. P71 features a very clean and slim design that isn't riddled with buttons. Instead, everything is shrunk around the keyboard with the very limited set of controls located in the upper left corner. Considering that it packs their standard weighted action as well as 10 different piano voices, P71 is absolutely worth it.
Alesis Recital Pro
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Alesis is one of the few underdogs in the digital piano market who really deserve more recognition. With models such as Alesis Recital Pro in their offer, this brand becomes very hard to ignore. What makes the entire recital family, but especially the Pro version so attractive is the value you get for your money. We are talking a premium weighted action paired with a great sound engine, all of that in a compact package. The voices include 12 well designed options, which are mostly focused on pianos. As far as portability goes, Recital Pro is up there with the best. The entire rig is fairly simple to use and quite lightweight. At this price, it is simply a bargain..
Alesis Recital
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Last but not the least, we have to mention the absolute champion of the budget segment. Alesis Recital has been the go to choice of beginners and budget users for a while now. The reason for this is simple. Alesis has found a very good balance of price and performance, packed it all in a very slim chassis and made it quite reliable overall. That's a type of deal you just have to appreciate. As far as hardware goes, this piano features a semi weighted keyboard. While it's not the optimal solution, it still works quite nicely. The software is decent and features plenty of good sounding voices, presets and effects to work with. Overall, Alesis did a great job.
What Makes a Good Portable Digital Piano?
Portable pianos are probably one of the most competitive and hardest to cater categories of digital pianos. The reason for this should be fairly obvious. Players who need portable digital pianos are going to want everything a standard model has, in a portable package. That is why some of these can get pretty expensive. With that said, most of the models on our list are with the $1000 price range. The most important aspect of finding a good portable piano is to know what to look for exactly. Lets talk about a few important features.
Full Scale Weighted Actions
The first and most important feature is always going to be a full scale weighted action. Without these, you are not playing a digital piano. Fortunately for us, most brands are installing their flagship or one level below flagship actions into their portable pianos. Even the pianos that cost under $500 will feature good weighted actions. It is worth mentioning that every brand has their own system and action design. It's not a matter of which one is better, but they can be quite different. Choose the ones that best fit your style and needs.
Size and Form Factor
Even though most portable pianos are fairly compact, some are more compact than others. This is where you might be forced to make compromises as the latter can heavily cut down on features such as large control panels and similar. However, those compact pianos are lighter in weight, easier to transport and just a more logical choice for traveling musicians.
Sound Engines and Software
Lastly, we will briefly mention the sound engines and software. Most of these models feature the same software found on console models in the same price range. The main difference is always going to be in presets, voices and similar features. Portable pianos are rather light in this regard, which is fine if you are after a good piano voice as your primary preset.
Conclusion
Portable digital pianos are both a very niche segment and a very saturated part of the market. We have shown you some of the best models on the market without going into highly specialized rigs. Our selection represents members of all price ranges, which should give you enough flexibility to find something that best suits your needs and abilities. What all of these share is a great level of performance, reliability and overall quality. We have done our best to include models suitable for performing professionals as well as those who just want a portable digital piano to practice on.
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