Best Electric Piano: Our Absolute Favourites
Best Electric Piano
Are you looking for the best electric piano on the market today? It can be pretty confusing differentiating between the electric piano, the electronic piano, and the digital piano. When you first hear about these, you can almost be certain that they are the same thing. But alas they are not. An electric piano is an electric music instrument that produces sounds when its keys are pressed.
When the keys are pressed, it causes mechanical hammers to strike the metal strings, metal reed or wire tines which in turn leads to vibrations that are converted into electrical signals by magnetic pickups which are then connected to an instrument amplifier and loudspeaker. This serves to make a sound loud enough for the performer and their audience to hear. It is important not to confuse an electric piano with an electronic piano. The earliest electric piano dates back to the late 1920s. Today, there are many manufacturers of note that are producing electric pianos. It may sound strange, but there is a difference.
In this article, we take a look at the best electric piano on the market. We have gone through the top picks that are on offer today and what we think is so great about all of them. At the end of the day, certain features make for a great electric piano and some that do not. You must know what to look out for.
In a hurry
Do you need a quick guide to buying the best electric piano on the market? There are a few things you will need to take into consideration. Check to see how many keys it has and also if they will serve the intended purpose and your skill level, or that of the intended user. Be sure to check on the power supply and ensure that it is in the right position in the room to be accessible to it. You would also do well for yourself to see how to connect your headphones to the unit.
This will allow you to practice and not disturb anyone else. Make sure to listen to the tones offered by the piano. It being electric means it comes with pre-loaded tones. Listen for tone and quality of sounds. All of the notes should sound full and rich, without any of the tinny noise that often accompanies inferior pianos. Also, make sure to check on the installation and how easy it is to do so.
OUR TOP PICK
We have done our homework and found our favorite pick to be the Donner DDP-100 Digital Piano 88 Key Weighted Electric Piano. It has a realistic and excellent sound and this helps sharpen your ear to true sounds. You can also input and play MP3. It has a built-in amplifier to support the external sound or headphones to meet the need for different occasions. The streamlined design has a wooden cabinet with sliding key cover to protect the key
RockJam 61-Key Electronic Keyboard Piano
This is a budget-friendly digital piano do not come much better than this. This is a full-size keyboard that has 61 keys on it. To control the features onboard you have a full-size standard keyboard screen. This digital piano provides you with the option to record and playback your recordings.
They are a total of 100 sounds rhythms as well as 50 demo songs on this device. Most keyboards do not come with accessories such as headphones. That is one of the favourite things about this one. It includes a high-quality set of headphones that will allow you to practice without disturbing others. This is also quite handy if you’re not yet confident in your skills and are looking to practice without prying ears.
There is also a stall included in the set. This is a fully packaged that is steadily built and reasonably comfortable. To get you into the swing of things there is a keyboard stand that also has a sturdy structure to it. It can be adjusted to the height of the person playing it.
Depending on the person learning you can either use the learning aid one which is tailored to beginners all the learning 82 which gives you two months of face-to-face lessons. Finally, there is also a power supply included. This is a universal one to this brand that can be used with other devices that they make.
With the purchase of this distal piano comes exclusive access to the SimplyPiano application. It is designed to narrow the learning curve.
pros
- It is very easy to assemble.
- Comes with various accessories.
- It has a lot of sounds preloaded.
- Can record and playback.
- Comes with free training.
- Has a compatible application.
- It is affordably priced.
- Comes with warranty cover
cons
- It is heavier than expected.
- Feels cheap.
- Some users cited durability issues.
Alesis Melody 61 MKII | 61 Key Portable Keyboard
This is an electric piano that was designed with learners in mind. If you are a beginner your journey as a pianist, this is a good place to start. Where are you may otherwise have had to spend a fortune on bringing all the accessories together with your new keyboard, this is one that comes with all of the accessories that you are required to make the most of it. There is no set up it works straight out of the box.
There are a total of 61 responsive piano-style keys. You Will also derive great benefit from the built-in speakers. All in all, they are 300 built-in tons that have various layers and split modes. When using the one-touch sound mode you can reach 300 built-in rhythms.
If you’re not feeling up to playing you can always sit back and listen to the 14 demo songs that come pre-recorded. Better yet, if you’re feeling up to it, you may also record your own versions of them. There is a stand, headphones, a bench, a music rest and a power adapter included. For the recording, you also have a microphone.
Another great feature that we absolutely love is the three-month subscription to Skoove premium that comes with this purchase. This grant you access to a ton of in-depth piano courses. You also have access to exclusive lessons that come onto the platform every month in addition to everything that is already there. Or two months free unlimited subscription that gives you access to unlimited lessons on TakeLessons platform.
pros
- Pleased with the sound quality.
- It comes at an incredibly reasonable price.
- You get premium lesson packages.
- It is very easy to assemble.
- Has all the accessories to get you set.
- It is beginner-friendly.
cons
- It is a fairly basic piano.
- Keys are not weighted.
Yamaha P45 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
If you wanted something more robust and from a recognised brand, then the P 45 is a good pic. Not only does it deliver everything that you want from the regular piano, but it also goes above and beyond. The issue of weighted keys that we had criticised one of the keyboards for lacking is addressed on this piano. It also introduces a sustain pedal that was absent in the one we reviewed before it. Best with all the products from this manufacturer, this is undoubtedly a high-quality product. All of the accessories that come with it are just as well-made as the piano itself
From an aesthetic point of view, it is a fairly good looking piano. There is nothing particularly pretty or outstanding about the way it looks. It looks like a piano should look. Where accessories are concerned, one of the first things that you will notice is the presence of a stand for your note.
Beyond that, you will also be pleased to find that there is a very comfortable stall included in the sale. To top it up to you also get a well-built stand for your piano. There is not much else that one could want in order to get started on the piano journey. The one notable difference that may split opinion is the fact that there is less of an emphasis on features that we would associate with keyboards on this one. It is a piano and that’s that.
pros
- This is a great product for pianists.
- The sound quality is incredible.
- It is a reasonably priced product.
- The added accessories are brilliant.
- Overall workmanship is good.
- It is ideal for beginners and experienced players.
cons
- The stand can be difficult to mount.
Donner DDP-100 Digital Piano 88 Key Weighted Electric Piano
If we’re going to go all the way there is not much that would stand up to this device. Just from an aesthetic point of view, this is exactly what I full-size piano would look like. However, in this case, the design is slightly more modern. We love the finish. It has some gloss to it, but nothing over the top. It is subtly polished. Haven’t say that, what matters the most is the sound and overall performance of the piano.
The Donner DDP 100 is a fully weighted piano delivers great sound quality and overall experience. As you come into contact with it you will immediately realise just how sturdy it is. Everything seems to be well built and built for longevity. You have a full set of 88 keys that provide a professional experience for players.
The aim of the manifesto is to create a device that was both innovative but all support with its excellent instruments. That is what they would’ve achieved with this particular dished up piano. One of the favourite features in our books is AWM sampling. They’ve taken a realistic grand piano experience into our homes. The sound quality is so clear that the manufacturer claims that you should be able to train yourself to head and play on sound just by using this piano. Another great addition to this is the three sustained panels that are mounted to the body.
pros
- Delivers the sound and feel of a grand piano
- It is reasonably priced.
- It is incredibly good looking
- The keys are weighted.
- It does not require experience to put together.
- Have good connectivity options.
cons
- The lid can be temperamental.
- Has been known to be damaged in transit.
Yamaha REFACE CP Portable Electric Piano
Our final choice bridges the gap between modern and classic. This is an electric piano that maintains the legendary sound while bringing it on a more portable device. The manufacturer describes this as delivering intuitive sound control on a small size device. One of the key features that you would identify almost instantly is the presence of four unique sense that is designed to be akin to the legendary Yamaha keyboards.
The size of allowing you to take your Electric piano with you wherever you want to go. It is especially popular among music creators and sound designers. The modern music producer does not have to be confined to a studio. You can make the same quality of music while on the road.
The overall sound quality of this device is quite impressive for its size. I don’t know what you would be expecting when you first purchased this, but you should not be disappointed. They are actually six versions of this electric piano on the market. The one that you go with will largely depend on what it is that you’re looking to get out of it. The options available include an analogue was insane and FM synth, an electric piano, and a combo organ and electric piano.
The look features a look that is from the ’70s. You can use six ‘AA’ batteries. You can power the device for up to five hours. It can also be connected via USB to a computer or iOS device.
pros
- It has a vintage feel and look to it.
- It is clearly well made.
- The sound quality is very good.
- Has various onboard effects.
- Comes in several specialist models.
- It feels sturdy and durable.
cons
- The MiDi port is quite small. You’ll need an adapter.
- Disabling speakers is unnecessarily complex.
Buyer's guide
What is the difference between an electric piano, an electronic keyboard, and a digital piano?
It is very easy to confuse these terms. There is a fine line that separates them and some stores use the terms interchangeably. However certain features distinguish them. An electronic piano is a musical instrument played on a keyboard that is designed to simulate the timbre of a piano. In some cases, a harpsichord or an organ, using analog circuitry.
An electric piano, on the other hand, is an electric musical instrument that produces sounds when a performer presses the keys of the piano-style musical keyboard.
A digital piano is a type of electronic keyboard designed to serve primarily as an alternative to the traditional acoustic piano, both in the way it feels to play and in the sound produced. Digital pianos use either a synthesized emulation or recorded samples of an acoustic piano, which are then amplified through an internal loudspeaker. They also incorporate weighted keys, which recreate the feel of an acoustic piano. Some digital pianos are designed to also look like an upright or grand piano.
Do electric pianos need tuning?
One of the nightmares for a lot of stringed instrument players comes to life when it is time to tune it. It can be a daunting experience and oftentimes you will need to get an expert to do the tuning for you. However, this is not something you will need to worry about when it comes to electric pianos. They do not have strings and so they do not need to be tuned! Traditional pianos go out of tune when the string that is struck by a hammer through a key you press, gets loose. This is why they will need to be tuned from time to time. No strings attached means no need for tuning. That is fantastic news if you dread this exercise.
Can I use headphones with an electric piano?
Getting good at piano playing, just like with any form of art or music, takes a lot of time and practice. Rehearsing when inspiration hits could mean doing so in the middle of the night when people around you are trying to sleep. It is only considerate for you to find a way to do so without waking people around you with your music. Headphones can give you this peace. One of the best features of electric pianos is a headphone jack. If you already have a great set, then make sure that you check on the headphones jack size to know if it fits.
Final thoughts
Finding the best electric piano can mean getting a means for your child to practice and become the next great musician, or it can mean you getting back on your musical horse or sharpening your skills. A great piano will offer you these opportunities at a fraction of the price in comparison to a traditional piano. We hope that the electric pianos we have reviewed here, help you find your perfect fit, and get you playing like a pro. Happy shopping!
Be sure to check out our post on the Yamaha YPG-535
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