Discover how you can learn piano on a budget with our information on the best digital pianos under $1,000
These digital pianos are excellent choices for beginners on a budget! At Hoffman Academy, we believe that having the right instrument is, well, instrumental to learning. While a good-quality acoustic piano is the ideal, it’s also a big investment. Maybe you aren’t sure that piano is right for you or your child yet. Whatever the reason, a good digital piano can get you started – and often carry you through years of learning! Many of the pianos on this list come with a stand, bench, and at least one pedal, but ALL of them include our must-have features:
- 88 keys
- Weighted action
- Touch sensitivity
- Music stand/rest included
The digital pianos we have selected sound and feel as much like an acoustic piano as possible. All of our picks offer weighted action provide the right resistance to touch to strengthen young pianists hands and are sensitive to speed and pressure to give a range of dynamics, or loud and soft playing, so the pieces are musical. Our list recommends digital pianos in a cabinet-style console, so that it cannot fall off an x-shaped keyboard stand.
We hope you enjoy this buying guide for the best digital pianos under $1,000! Prices and availability may change. Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, which allow us to earn a commission when you use them to make a purchase. This helps us continue to create fun music learning experiences for everyone to enjoy.
Lend Me Your Ears…
If noise concerns are an issue for families considering piano, digital pianos offer a major advantage — headphones! Headphones are a perfect accessory for any digital piano or keyboard. Your pianist can practice anytime without disturbing others in the family. For young musicians, we suggest child-sized headphones like these:
They’re volume-limited so that kids’ ears are protected, and they come in many fun colors! Just make sure to grab some adaptors too, since most keyboards require larger headphone plugs.
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Some of Our Selections for the Best Digital Pianos Under $1,000 for Beginners
Casio Privia PX-770
The PX-160 made our list of Best Starter Pianos of 2019 – the 770 is a newer model from the same line! This piano sports a touch that’s firm but not stiff, so it’ll give young fingers a fair workout. Be sure to purchase a piano bench so that you’ll be at a comfortable height for playing.
Features:
- Stand
- 3 pedals
- USB port for connecting to other devices
- Built-in metronome
Not Included:
- Bench
Yamaha Arius, YDP-103
As nicknamed by Yamaha themselves, the Arius is “the little piano that could!” We mentioned the Arius series in our Best Starter Pianos post, with an emphasis on the YDP-144. The YDP-103 is a budget-friendly option from the same series, featuring weighted keys and sound taken directly from Yamaha’s excellent concert grand pianos.
Features:
- Cabinet-style stand
- Bench
- 3 Pedals
- Matte-finished keys that won’t get slippery with use
- Controller app for iOS
- USB port for connecting to other devices
Not Included:
- Headphones
- Playback capability
- Built-in metronome
Kawai KDP-75
Yamaha and Kawai are two of the biggest names in pianos, and their digital pianos benefit from these makers expertise in building acoustic pianos! The Kawai KDP-75 is comparable to the Yamaha YDP-103 in price point and features. Both Yamaha and Kawai’s digital pianos offer a weighted action that strengthens young pianist skills and a pleasant tone. This piano usually retails for over $1K, so this posting is a total steal – get it while you can, they run out fast!
Features:
- Cabinet-style stand
- Bench
- 3 pedals
- Built-in metronome
- Playback capability
Not Included:
- Headphones
- Bench
Yamaha P-45
Yamaha’s portable and affordable “P” series is an excellent choice for beginners. It also gets great reviews from seasoned players for its authentic feel. With 88 keys, weighted action, and touch sensitivity, the P-45 gives beginner students the sensory feedback they need to make musical progress.
With a sturdy, cabinet-style stand and bench, the “home bundle” is a good deal, but it tends to go out of stock quickly. Rather than buy a used digital piano, we recommend purchasing the digital piano and stand separately. You can purchase your Yamaha P-45 at this link, and the matching stand at this link.
Features:
- Cabinet-style stand
- 3 pedals
- USB port for connecting to other devices
- Bench
- Headphones
- Playback capability
Not Included:
- Yamaha warranty
- If the home bundle is sold out, be sure to purchase the cabinet console for the digital piano
Korg XE20SP
Korg is among the top digital piano and keyboard manufacturers on the market, along with Yamaha and Casio. This model made AZ Piano Reviews top 3 list in its price category for 2021, so we knew we had to include it! Like the other pianos on this list, this model offers 88 keys, weighted action, and a pleasant sound.
Features:
- Cabinet Stand
- Bench
- 3 pedals
- Piano Lamp
We hope that our Ultimate Piano Buying Guide has helped you learn about the different options available and these recommendations of the best digital pianos for beginners. Once a piano has found a place in your home, you’re in for the musical journey of a lifetime – and Hoffman Academy can help you get started! Start with Lesson 1 if you’re a beginner. Or, if you’ve been playing for a while, check out our many popular song tutorials!
We have an array of additional articles and guides to help you pick a great instrument that fits your budget and will allow for the right learning experience. Take a look at the articles below for a greater understanding of what to choose, where to buy, and what you can expect when shopping for a great acoustic piano or the best digital piano for beginners.