Every musician needs an instrument that they can call their own. Whether they’re a student or a preforming professional, one of the most important tools in any musician’s arsenal. And for some pianists, that may come in the form of an acoustic upright piano or even a baby grand at their home, but for most others, it usually means having a digital instrument.
But just because you’re getting a digital piano, that doesn’t mean you’ll be deprived of the feel and sound of playing an acoustic one. In fact, in this day and age, we have digital grand pianos that are designed to emulate how a real acoustic instrument sounds and feels to provide musicians with an accessible and convenient instrument they can use to practice or perform.
And to make choosing the right option easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the five best digital grand pianos on the market today.
Our pick for the best digital grand piano in today’s market is the Kurzweil Home KAG-100, a well-designed instrument that has a beautiful aesthetic and an amazing tone. It’s a great middle point between an acoustic instrument and a digital one as it’s design takes inspiration from large grand pianos that you usually see on stage but compressed into a more practical size. It’s a fairly expensive model, but expect to pay more money for higher quality.
While that was our top pick, everyone has different needs and preferences, so don’t worry if that wasn’t the right pick for you. In this article, we’ll be introducing you to some of the best models that the market has to offer today, and we’ve also included a buying guide at the end to make picking the right one much easier for you.
Read on to learn more.
See also:
- Top 6 Best Digital Piano Under 1000$
- Top 6 Best Digital Pianos With Weighted Keys
- Top 7 Best Cheap Keyboard Piano
Quick Summary
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Is A Digital Grand Piano?
Digital pianos are mostly seen as a middle-ground between acoustic pianos and electric keyboards. While they don’t contain any real hammers and strings to produce sound, they are known to be loaded with voices and tones that are very close to the real thing.
These instruments will typically have weighted keys and stereo speakers to better simulate the feel and sound of an acoustic instrument. Digital pianos are much larger than keyboards and will have the same number of keys as an acoustic one.
A digital grand piano, on the other hand, is a digital piano that is made to look and sound like a grand one. This is usually done by attaching sophisticated speakers and a piano stand to the instrument. Some models even include a cabinet for the speakers so sound is thrown at you the same way as an acoustic grand piano. While they look, sound, and feel more similar to acoustic pianos, they do tend to be more expensive than regular electronic keyboards, so be ready to spend a bit more for these products.
Top 5 Best Digital Grand Piano
#1. Kurzweil KAG-100 – The Best Overall Pick
- 88-note, fully-weighted action with adjustable touch sensitive keys
- 200 inspiring factory presets featuring pianos, electric pianos, organs and orchestral instruments
- Simple and intuitive controls; easy to use recording features allow you to record up to 2 tracks of your own keyboard performances
- 100 styles of auto accompaniment provide fully orchestrated backing arrangements; 8 Reverb and 8 Chorus types
- Built-in collection of lesson songs; Bluetooth wireless support; powerful 20W+15W 4-speaker stereo sound system; matching bench included
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our next option on this list also happens to be our choice for the best digital grand piano on the market today. And while the price tag may be pretty steep, rest assured that you’re getting all your money’s worth with this model.
For starters, it has a full 88-key weighted keyboard to simulate the feel of an acoustic instrument. It also has three pedals that you can use to add dynamics to your music, just like with an upright piano. It also has a cabinet similar to a grand piano, but much smaller. The cabinet is polished ebony, which gives it a very classy shine. Inside the cabinet, you’ll find the speakers of the piano, which are positioned in a way that sound gets thrown your way the same way it does with a large grand piano, giving you a very authentic sound.
On top of that, the instrument comes loaded with over 200 premium voices that you can use in your playing. They range from standard tones like grand piano, electric piano, strings, all the way to percussion, bass, and synth. The interface is also very easy to navigate through, so you won’t have to jump through hoops just to select a voice.
It’s also loaded with a bunch of modern features such as Bluetooth connectivity so you can use your phone or tablet to play backing tracks that you can jam to for hours on end. It also allows you to record your performances and save them on a flash drive so you can listen to yourself play. And if that wasn’t enough, this instrument also comes with eight different chorus and reverb effects that can make a huge difference when you’re playing.
It may be large and expensive, but if you’re looking for a digital grand that looks, sounds, and feels like an acoustic one that’s packed with features for the modern musician, this might be the one for you.
#2. Suzuki MDG-300-BL – The Best Home Option
- 128 note polyphony ensures no dropped notes even with the most complex piano passages. Digital signal processing (reverb, chorus and EQ) allows you to sound sculpt your performance to your personal style and taste. The layer and split piano functions with sound balance controls beautiful, rich, full sounding instrumentation. Multi-track music recorder allows the beginner or performing musicians to monitor daily progress
- The mdg-300 features a powerful 6 speaker sound delivery system. High grade speakers and integrated tuned cabinet deliver a truly dynamic sound, rich with presence and power
- As a tech Titan, the mdg-300 Includes the latest Bluetooth technology. Wireless networking enables any wireless device to connect to your mdg-300 digital Grand piano for expanded and convenient operation
- Connect the mdg-300 to your iPad and convert it into a recording studio! Makes practice and playing time a lot more fun. If you have kids, it might make all the difference in encouraging them to practice!
- The mdg-300 has a USB port that opens a world of exciting Add-ons and extra functionality. Plug and play directly with your laptop or desktop computers. Or you can use the midi ports to transmit and receive data from other musical instruments or computer accessories
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
To kick things off, we’ll be taking a look at one of the best home pianos out there: the Suzuki MDG-300-BL.
It comes from one of the most trusted brands in the music world, and features a design that kind of looks like a mini-grand piano. And this design isn’t just for show either. The cabinet is designed so that the speakers throw sound around the same way a grand piano would, which makes for a very authentic grand-piano sound. So if you’re looking for an instrument that can emulate a grand piano, this might just be the right one for you.
On top of that, it features 128 maximum polyphony, which gives you the full-range of the instrument while also providing crystal clear and crisp tones. It has a fully-weighted keyboard so you will really get the same feeling as you would if you were playing an acoustic instrument. On top of that, this is a modern instrument built for modern times.
It comes Bluetooth capability, so you can easily connect to other devices in the room to allow for convenient playing. You can also connect the instrument to an iPad and turn your gadget into a digital music studio that can make practicing a lot more fun and even give you the option to record you own sounds!
That being said, this is one of the more expensive options out there, but rest assured that you’re paying a premium price for a premium product.
#3. Casio CGP-700BK- The Best User Interface
- 5.3in Color Touch Interface display
- Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II 88 key keyboard with simulated Ebony and Ivory feel
- Includes: stand with 40 watt speakers, sustain pedal, music rest, and power supply
- Dedicated button for Grand Piano sound, as well as 550 instrument tones and effects
- 3 year manufacturer extended warranty
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Next up is a much simpler option from Casio. It comes with a modern color touch interface that you can use to navigate through all the settings and features of the instrument, making it a great pick for students and those new to the piano!
It has a tri-sensor scaled hammer action keyboard with 88-keys, which is designed to emulate the weight of a grand piano’s keys and also the sensitivity. So if you hit the keys softer, you will get a softer note and vice versa. They are also designed to simulate the feel of real ebony and ivory keys, which can be a huge help if you’re new to playing digital instruments.
It comes with a built-in stand and 40W speakers, which are loud enough to be heard at rehearsals or even small performances. It also comes packed with over 550 tones and a dedicated grand piano button, so navigating through this plethora of sounds will be no problem at all.
On top of that, this can also be used as a MIDI controller, all you have to do is use a simple USB connector and open up your DAW (digital audio workstation). And if you don’t really want to go through the hassle of plugging it into your computer, it also comes with a built-in 17-track MIDI recorder and a standard USB audio recorder so you can record all your music and sounds right on the instrument itself!
And plus, it’s much lighter and compact than a lot of the other instruments on this list, making it a great pick for anyone who might need to bring their instrument around.
#4. Yamaha YPG535 – The Best Budget Option
- Your purchase includes One Yamaha Portable Grand Piano, YPG535 model | Music Rest, Power Supply (PA-150), Sustain Pedal (FC5), Owner’s Manual and CD-ROM
- Piano dimensions (with stand) – 53-1/3” W x 30-1/2” H x 19-1/8” | Weight (with stand) – 37 lbs. | Display Size – 320 x 240 dots
- Specifications: Headphones – 1 | Sustain Pedal – 1 | USB to device | USB to host | Reverb – 9 types | Chorus – 4 types | Master EQ – 5 types
- Yamaha Portable Grand comes with 30 built-in songs plus 70 more on an included CD-ROM and an interactive lesson system, divided into left and right hand parts, for learning them
- Keyboard is not weighted. Easy-to-use panel, a wealth of piano-centric features including piano-style keys, Graded Soft Touch (GST) action with different levels of resistance and a high-resolution stereo piano sample
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Digital grand pianos can be expensive, and we all know that. That’s why it’s very important to have budget options like this Yamaha one around so you can still get a quality instrument when on a tight budget.
This bundle comes with the piano, music rest, power supply, sustain pedal, and an owner’s manual. This is a great starter set for those who don’t have music equipment at home. It comes with a full 88-key keyboard, though it’s important to note that it isn’t weighted. While that takes away a lot of the authentic feel you’d expect from a digital grand, it keeps the price down by a lot, which is why this is one of the most affordable models out there.
That being said, the instrument uses stereo sampling to produce its tones, and since they are sampled from real authentic instruments, you get a great sounding piano tone with this model. On top of that, it also comes loaded with over a hundred different sounds that you can experiment with and use in your everyday playing.
So while you might be sacrificing some of the authentic feel, it might just be worth it if you’re looking for a great-sounding instrument on a budget.
#5. Yamaha DGX660b – The Best Mid-range Option
- The Pure CF Sound Engine faithfully reproduces the tone of a meticulously sampled and highly acclaimed Yamaha concert grand piano
- GHS weighted action is heavier in the low register and lighter in the high, just like an acoustic piano
- Score display puts music notation of MIDI songs on the screen, helping you play your favorites by following the bouncing ball
- The Piano room lets you choose from a variety of pianos and acoustic settings to create your own personal piano environment
- The 6 track recorder allows you to capture your performances and song ideas, then add additional layers to spice up your pieces
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
To cap things off, we’re taking a look at one of the best mid-range options out there. The Yamaha DGC660B comes packed with premium features and it’s available at a much more accessible price than a lot of other models with the same specs.
It has a fully-weighted keyboard with GHS Hammer Action which accurately simulates the slight differences in weight with the keys. So for example, the lower keys will generally be heavier than the higher ones, just like with a real acoustic instrument. It also utilizes the Pure CF Sound Engine which is a physical modelling technology that accurately reproduces real piano sounds instantly.
In fact, this instrument is very well-known for being able to perfectly emulate Yamaha concert grand pianos. It’s also loaded with MIDI songs that you can learn using the small screen on the instrument, making it a great tool for beginners as well. On top of that, it also has a built-in recorder that you can use to record your own music at the touch of the button!
So if you’ve been looking for a high-quality option but don’t want to bust the bank, this could be the one for you.
What To Consider When Buying
Tone and FX
One of the first things you have to consider when buying digital instruments is the tone. This refers to the actual timbre and sound that the instrument produces. And since you’re dealing with a purely electronic instrument, expect these tones to be produced digitally.
When talking about digital pianos, there are two ways that the tone is produced. The first method is by using samples, or high-quality recordings of real instruments that will get triggered whenever you press a certain key. This is the most common method of producing tones and brands like Yamaha even load samples that come from their own world-renowned grand pianos to make sure you’re getting high-quality sounds whenever you press a key.
The other method is a more modern method and it’s called physical modelling synthesis. This is a much more complicated method as well that involves multiple mathematical equations and algorithms to simulate the physical source of a musical instrument, which in this case is the piano. So that means whenever you press down on a key, there is a software that simulates the actual vibrations that are made by hammers and strings in a piano to recreate the tone as accurately as possible.
And this technique has gone a long way since its beginnings and is now seen as one of the best ways to digitally recreate an acoustic instrument. That being said, it’s also more expensive so if you decide to go for a model with physical modelling, expect to pay more than usual.
Another thing to pay close attention to is the effects that are built-in to the instrument. If you’re a beginner or only play classical piano, then this might not be that important. However, if you’re a music student or a musician who plays a lot of different styles of music, it might be beneficial for your instrument to have some built-in effects. Usually, for pianos, that means having reverb and chorus effects, which are all that a piano player would need on stage anyway.
Size and portability
One clear advantage that digital and electronic instruments have over their acoustic counterparts is portability. Since you don’t have to deal with actual hammers and strings, digital pianos are generally lighter and easier to move around than acoustic ones. That’s why their such a popular choice among performing musicians.
That being said, some digital pianos out there are actually not that portable, so make sure to check that out before buying. When shopping for digital grand pianos, you’re usually dealing with heavy instruments that are designed to stay in-house. These are ideal for performance spaces like music halls and churches since they can stay on stage and be used whenever needed.
These large pianos are also ideal for households since everyone in the family can use the instrument to practice or just make music!
However, if you’re a performing musician, you might want something more portable, which may be why it might be better to go for stage pianos or keyboard-style digital pianos since they are much lighter and easier to bring around.
Hammer action
The next thing to look at is hammer action. This simply refers to the weight of the keys when you press it down. For digital pianos, you usually have two choices when it comes to this area and those are semi-weighted and fully-weighted hammer action. Semi-weighted keys are much more affordable, but they don’t provide the same feel as an acoustic piano. This is an ideal choice for beginner pianists on a budget.
However, serious musicians who really want to get an authentic feel while playing might want to look at fully-weighted options out there. While they may be more expensive, they provide an amazing feel that is very close to the real thing. In fact, there are even some models out there where the lower keys are heavier than the higher ones, which is exactly how a real acoustic piano sounds like.
So if you’re looking for authenticity and are willing to make an investment in your instrument, then we recommend getting an instrument with fully-weighted hammer action.
Extras
While this may not be as important as all the other factors we mentioned, it’s still worth giving some thought. And sometimes, it can even serve as the tie-breaker when choosing between two options.
Extras aren’t exactly a requirement for instruments, but they could be nice to have, especially if you’re starting out. In the case of digital pianos, this could mean having a piano stand, power adapter, sustain pedal, or music stand included in the bundle. Again, a lot of pianos out there won’t come with any extras, so it’s far from a requirement, but it could still be a nice thing to have since it saves you a couple of trips to your local music store.
FAQ’s
Are digital pianos any good?
Yes, especially in this day and age. Back in the day, the technology was just starting out so most digital pianos had a very artificial tone that was instantly recognizable. But we’ve gone a very long way since then and we now have a bunch of great sounding and feeling choices when it comes to digital pianos.
Should I buy a digital or acoustic piano?
This largely depends on your own preferences, needs, and means. Acoustic pianos may sound and feel better for most pianists, but they can be very expensive. On top of that, they take up a lot of space, are hard to move around, and also require regular maintenance since there are actual strings and hammers in it to produce sounds.
Digital ones, on the other hand, don’t offer the same feel, but they are cheaper. On top of that, if you find the right model, you might even have the exact same sound as you’d get on an acoustic. They are also a bit more portable and practical to have, which is why they are a very popular choice among professional musicians.
But at the end of the day, the choice will be all yours and as long as you’re comfortable with the instrument you have no one can tell you otherwise.
How long do digital pianos last?
If taken care of properly, most digital pianos can last you up to 50 years or even longer.
This is because there are no hammers, strings, and wooden components to worry about. So as long as you don’t fry the electronics, your instrument could last you a very long time.
Do digital pianos retain their value?
Sadly, these instruments don’t really retain their value. This is because technology is always moving forward, and some features of the best models now may become outdated in a couple of years.
How much should I spend on a digital piano?
This is all up to you, but you can easily find good models starting in the $200 range. However, prices on these instruments can vary and if you really want the best of the best, you might need to spend upwards of $1500.
If you aren’t exactly inclined to spend that much, don’t worry. There are also a lot of great cheap digital pianos out there that sound amazing and won’t cost you too much money, especially if you look hard enough.
Conclusion
And there you have it. The best digital grand pianos you can find on the market today.
Everyone has different tastes and preferences, which is why there can never be one objective “best” option out there. But if you think one of the models on this list suits your tastes and preferences, then it might be about time for you to head out and get one yourself!
Lulacruza is an electronic folk duo operating at the junction of the hypermodern and the ancient. Our music weaves together hypnotic female singing, South American folk instruments and electronic processing, while channeling pulsating waves from the source of creation.
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