Best Digital Pianos Under $500 -2025 Edition

It’s wild how far budget digital pianos have come. Ten years ago, anything under $500 felt like a compromise. Today? You’ve got legit options that sound great, feel great, and won’t hold you back as you improve.

This guide was reworked in April 2025 to include new models like the Kawai ES 60 and the Casio CDP-S110—both of which seriously raised the bar in this category.

One quick heads up: be careful when reading other “best digital piano under $500” lists online. A lot of them are written by people who’ve never actually touched the instruments. I’ve been playing piano for over 25 years and reviewing digital pianos for the last 10. I’ve done the hard work for you—comparing everything side by side and narrowing it down to the few models that are actually worth your time and money.

If you’re just getting into piano or shopping for a beginner, this is one of the best price points to start. Everything on this list has fully weighted keys, headphone outputs, and real-world playability—meaning these are actual digital pianos, not plastic keyboards pretending to be one.

If you’re looking for something even cheaper with semi-weighted keys, check out my best beginner keyboards guide. But if you want something that feels like a real piano and will last more than a few months, start here.

Let’s get into the best digital pianos under $500 in 2025.

Note: I got my first Yamaha 88 key keyboard 25 years ago. It was about $1000 and that was quite the investment at the time. What amazes me is that for $500, you can get an actual digital piano that has weighted keys and sounds like an acoustic piano.

Quick Glance At My Top Picks For Under $500

As you can see from the table below, the best digital piano under $500 is currently the Alesis Prestige Artist. Keep reading to see the rest of our favorites under $500.

The Importance Of Weighted Keys

Before I list the criteria that I used to put this list together, I wanted to give a quick rundown of why your digital piano should have weighted keys.

Weighted keys are not the end all be all, however, they are something that will greatly improve your piano playing and technique over time.

For this price range, there aren’t a ton of weighted keys options, however, non-weighted key keyboards are in a similar price range.

This is ultimately what makes me urge pianists to look for weighted keys, as you will outgrow non-weighted keys.

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How I Compiled This List

Here are the grading factors I used to determine my favorite digital pianos under $500.

Weighted Keys: All of these options have weighted keys. While you don’t absolutely need weighted keys, I believe that there are currently some great inexpensive options with weighted keys.

Action: The key-action is going to be very different from brand to brand on digital pianos. With this being said, most pianists will have different preferences. Key-action is how the keys play and feel when you press them.

Quality Of Sound: All of the major brands have some really great sounding pianos for around this price range. I focused more on the quality of the piano samples as opposed to the number of presets.

Polyphony: Depending on what you’re doing, the more notes of polyphony, the better. With this being said, 64 is usually plenty. This means that through stereo speakers, you could be playing 32 notes at once.

Brands: While I scouted out some brands that aren’t as well known, I found that my list consists of major brands such as Roland, Casio, Yamaha, etc.

Experience: I have over 20 years experience of playing piano and I have spent the last 7 years playing and touring in a major label band. I believe that my experience of playing on so many different keyboards over the years really helps give me an edge when giving guidance to others.

With all of this in mind, let’s get into my top picks.

Best Digital Pianos Under $500

Below is a list of the current best digital pianos under $500. All of these options are solid picks and have their own purpose.

Alesis Prestige Artist – Best Digital Piano Under $500

✅ 88 fully-weighted hammer-action keys

✅ Great piano sound for the price

✅ 256-note polyphony

✅ Solid onboard speakers

⛔ Limited sound library

⛔ No USB audio interface or Bluetooth

I’ve tested almost every digital piano for under $500, and the Alesis Prestige Artist is my current top pick—especially for anyone prioritizing touch and tone over flashy extras. I was honestly surprised by how playable this board is. The key action feels more premium than you’d expect at this price point, and the sound engine, while not packed with hundreds of tones, cleanly nails the basics.

Compared to the standard Alesis Prestige, this model gives you better speakers and more powerful polyphony, which you’ll notice when playing denser passages or using layered sounds. It’s not just a beginner board—it’s one you could hang onto for a long time if you’re mostly focused on playing piano.

The biggest shock to me is that the Prestige Artist was the first keyboard to dethrone the FP-10, which has been king of the price point. Alesis did this by creating a fantastic keybed, and improving their internal sounds immensely from the Recital Pro series.

What I Like

The hammer-action keys feel really natural for the price. They’re noticeably heavier and more responsive than most of the competition, making it feel more like a real instrument than a budget board. I also love that it comes with 256-note polyphony—something you don’t usually see at this price—which helps it handle more complex passages without choking up. The speakers are also loud and clear enough to practice without headphones, which I’ve found really useful when playing around the house. Even the built-in lesson mode and metronome add nice value for beginners.

What I Don’t Like

The sound library is small, and while the pianos sound good, there’s not much variety beyond the basics. If you wantyou’re electric pianos, pads, or synth tones, this won’t scratch that itch. I also found it disappointing that there’s no USB audio interface or Bluetooth. You’ll need an external interface to record into a DAW, and there’s no app support for guided learning, which could’ve taken this to the next level.

Verdict

The Prestige Artist is one of the rare digital pianos under $500 that feels like an instrument you’ll want to keep practicing on, not just a stepping stone. It punches well above its weight between the key action, strong polyphony, and solid speakers. 

Roland FP-10 – Incredible Option for Beginners

✅ PHA-4 Standard weighted keys

✅ SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine

✅ Bluetooth MIDI

⛔ Minimal onboard sounds

⛔ No screen or dedicated control panel

The Roland FP-10 was the king of this category for years, and for good reason. I’ve owned it, played it extensively, and recommended it more times than I can count. While the Alesis Prestige Artist has taken the top spot for me, the FP-10 still holds its own as one of the best entry-level digital pianos available today.

What makes the FP-10 so special is that Roland didn’t hold back on the two things that actually matter most—key feel and sound. The PHA-4 Standard key action is the same one you’ll find in more expensive models like the FP-30X, and it just feels right. It’s expressive, graded, and lets you work on proper technique from day one. Combine that with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano engine, and you’ll have a seriously legit playing experience.

What I Like

The keybed is easily one of my favorites in this price range. It’s firm but responsive and encourages you to play with nuance—something that’s rare to find under $500. I also really like the SuperNATURAL sound engine. The piano tones are warm, detailed, and way more dynamic than you’d expect for the price. On top of that, Bluetooth MIDI is a clutch feature. I’ve connected this board to DAWs and learning apps wirelessly without any issues, which makes it super modern and flexible for beginners and creators alike.

What I Don’t Like

You don’t get much in the way of extra sounds or control. There are only 15 voices, and navigating between them is a bitclunky since there’s no screen and limited onboard controls. You’ll have to use key combinations and rely on the Roland app for deeper functionality, which isn’t ideal if you prefer a more hands-on interface. It’s also missing USB audio, which would’ve been a nice addition for easy DAW recording.

Verdict

Even though newer boards like the Prestige Artist push the category forward, the FP-10 still holds its ground with rock-solid key-action. It’s one of the most piano-like experiences you can get under $500, and that’s why I still recommend it for beginners who care more about feel and tone than bells and whistles. 

Casio CDP-S110 – Best Slim & Portable Option Under $500

✅ Super slim and lightweight design

✅ Solid piano tone for the price

✅ Scaled hammer-action keys

⛔ Limited speaker power

⛔ No Bluetooth or USB audio

Casio has seriously stepped up their game over the past few years, and the CDP-S110 is a great example of that momentum. I’ve raved about the PX-S7000 at the high end, and while the CDP-S110 isn’t in the same league spec-wise, it still carries that same sense of modern, clean design and piano-first experience. For under $500, this is one of the best slim digital pianos you can buy—and it’s honestly a joy to play.

What stood out immediately to me is just how portable this board is. It’s one of the slimmest 88-key digital pianos I’ve ever owned, and yet it doesn’t feel cheap or compromised. Casio somehow managed to keep the weight down while stilloffering a proper scaled hammer-action keybed that feels consistent across the board. You can throw this in a soft case and move it around without dreading the setup.

Additionally, the low-end really is wide on this keyboard and it has a solid stock piano sound.

What I Like

The design is a standout here. The CDP-S110 is incredibly slim and lightweight without sacrificing feel or playability. I’ve moved it around the house, taken it to sessions, and it’s just easy to live with. The piano tones are solid—especiallythrough headphones—and the action is responsive enough to get a good sense of dynamics and phrasing. Casio’s made serious progress with their lower-end keybeds, and it really shows here. It feels like an actual instrument, not a toy, and that’s something I can’t say about most sub-$500 boards.

What I Don’t Like

The speakers aren’t super powerful. They’re fine for solo practice in a quiet room, but you’ll definitely get more out of this board with a decent pair of headphones or monitors. I also wish there were more modern connectivity options. There’s no Bluetooth or USB audio interface built in, which limits its flexibility if you’re planning to use it with learning apps or record directly to a DAW.

Verdict

The Casio CDP-S110 is easily one of the best digital pianos in the sub-$500 category—especially if portability is a priority. It’s slim, it looks clean, and it plays way better than most keyboards in this range. If you’re a beginner, a casual player, or someone who wants a great-feeling board that doesn’t take over the room, this is a no-brainer. Casio nailed the essentials, and it shows.

Kawai ES 60 – Best Stock Piano Sound Under $500

✅ Beautiful, rich acoustic piano tone

✅ Compact and lightweight

✅ Responsive onboard speakers

⛔ Key action feels less premium than competitors

⛔ Lacks Bluetooth or USB audio

I picked up the Kawai ES 60 because I was genuinely excited to see Kawai finally enter the budget space. They’ve been a major competitor in the mid-to-high-end category for years, so I had high hopes—and sonically, it delivered. The acoustic piano tone on this board is easily one of the best I’ve heard under $500. It has that classic Kawai warmth and nuance, and it really shines through the onboard speakers, especially in a home setting.

That said, it’s not a perfect board. While the sound engine is excellent, the key action didn’t blow me away. It’s lighter and not quite as refined as what you get from the Prestige Artist or Roland FP-10. For beginners, it’s still completely usable—but it doesn’t have the same weight or realism that you’d want if you’re working on finger strength or more advanced technique.

What I Like

The main standout here is the piano tone. Kawai absolutely knows how to craft a beautiful, resonant sound, and it shows—even in a board at this price. The default piano voice has a realism and warmth that’s hard to find under $500. I also like how compact and lightweight it is. If you need something portable without sacrificing tone, this is a strong contender. The onboard speakers are solid too, and they actually do the sound justice.

What I Don’t Like

The key action is where this model falls behind the top two on this list. It’s not terrible—it’s just not as expressive or weighted as I’d like. If you’re already used to a good action, it may feel a little underwhelming. I was also hoping to see some modern features like Bluetooth MIDI or USB audio, but those are missing here. It’s very much a traditional setup, which may or may not matter depending on how you plan to use it.

Verdict

The Kawai ES 60 earns its spot for one reason: the sound is fantastic. If you want that signature Kawai tone in an affordable package, this is the pick. While the key feel doesn’t match what Roland or Alesis offer in this range, the clean tone and simple design make it a great entry point—especially for anyone who values beautiful piano sound over all else.

Yamaha P45 – Reliable, But No Longer The Best

✅ Classic Yamaha tone still holds up

✅ Graded hammer standard (GHS) action

✅ Simple, no-frills interface

⛔ Only 64-note polyphony

⛔ Weaker speakers and outdated features

The Yamaha P45 has been a mainstay in the entry-level digital piano world for nearly a decade—and for good reason. I’ve spent plenty of time with it, and while it’s definitely showing its age in 2025, there are still things it gets right. The acoustic piano tone is clean and familiar, and the key action, while not the best in class anymore, is still totally playable and reliable for a beginner.

This board uses Yamaha’s GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) action, which is on the lighter side compared to Roland’s PHA-4 or Alesis’ hammer action, but it’s responsive enough for developing solid fundamentals. It’s also a super straightforward board—just power it on and play. No screens, no menus, no complications.

What I Like

The sounds actually hold up better than you’d expect. Yamaha’s acoustic piano tone is bright, focused, and still veryusable, especially through headphones. The GHS keybed is familiar and playable, and I’ve used it for everything from simple practice to writing ideas. It offers a clean, distraction-free way to start for someone just getting into the piano. The P-45 is now on the cheaper end as well for digital pianos, pricing-wise.

What I Don’t Like

Even though the action and sounds are still decent, the overall feature set just doesn’t match what’s available today. The 64-note polyphony is limiting, especially when using the damper pedal or layering sounds. The onboard speakers are weak and distort if pushed too hard. And there’s no Bluetooth, USB audio, or modern connectivity, which are now standard in boards from Casio and Alesis at this same price.

Verdict

The Yamaha P45 isn’t a bad digital piano—it’s just no longer the best in its class. The tone and key feel are still serviceable, and for die-hard Yamaha fans or total beginners who want something simple, it’s still an option. But in 2025, with so many other digital pianos offering better keybeds, higher polyphony, and stronger feature sets for the same price, this one feels more like a backup plan than a first choice.

Conclusion

These are my top 5 picks and I believe that all of these would be good options. With this being said, the one that really stands out to me is the FP 10.

I’ve played this side by side with the Yamaha P45 and you can feel a big step up in quality from the sounds to key-action with the FP 10.

When it comes to the best digital pianos under $500, these are definitely the top picks currently available.

Have you tried any of these options? What are your favorites currently available?