Yamaha P125 vs Casio PX S1000: Which Digital Piano Is Worth Your Money?

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read more

 Learn why the Yamaha P125 comes out on top in this Yamaha P125 Vs. Casio PX S1000 review.

Finding a good digital piano nowadays is hard because of all the options available. But two particular pianos that are pretty popular amongst beginners and intermediate students are the Yamaha P125 and the Casio PX-S1000.

Both of these pianos come in at around the same price and have features that exceed their price range.

And after thorough comparisons and testing, I found that the Yamaha P125 comes out on top, but only slightly.

Why is this?

Well, the answer is a bit complicated. In a nutshell, it’s because the Yamaha P125 has a better tone and a wider set of features. But if you’re looking for a more detailed analysis of why the Yamaha P125 is the better option, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ll get into the features and benefits of both pianos in this review, so you’ll know exactly which one is right for you.

Yamaha P125 vs Casio PX S1000: Comparison Chart

Model
The Winner (#1)
Yamaha P125
The Runner-up (#2)
Casio PX-S1000
Image
Yamaha P125 88-Key Weighted Digital Piano Home Bundle with Furniture Stand and Bench
Casio, 88-Key Digital Pianos - Home (PX-S1000WE)
Number of keys
88
88
Hammer Action
GHS Weighted Action
Smart Scaled Hammer Action
Touch Sensitivity
Hard/medium/soft/fixed
5 Types, Fixed Touch
Tone Generation
Pure CF Sound Engine
AiR Sound Source
Effects
Reverb, IAC, Damper Resonance, Sound Boost
Hall Reverb, Surround Sound
Polyphony
192
192
Dual Mode
Split Mode
Number of voices
24
18
Bluetooth
Recording
Yes, Two Track
Yes, Six Tracks
MIDI
App Integration
Yamaha Partner Music Apps
Casio Chordana Play App
Pedal included
What I like
Price
$1,099.95
$649.99
The Winner (#1)
Model
Yamaha P125
Image
Yamaha P125 88-Key Weighted Digital Piano Home Bundle with Furniture Stand and Bench
Number of keys
88
Hammer Action
GHS Weighted Action
Touch Sensitivity
Hard/medium/soft/fixed
Tone Generation
Pure CF Sound Engine
Effects
Reverb, IAC, Damper Resonance, Sound Boost
Polyphony
192
Dual Mode
Split Mode
Number of voices
24
Bluetooth
Recording
Yes, Two Track
MIDI
App Integration
Yamaha Partner Music Apps
Pedal included
What I like
More info
Price
$1,099.95
The Runner-up (#2)
Model
Casio PX-S1000
Image
Casio, 88-Key Digital Pianos - Home (PX-S1000WE)
Number of keys
88
Hammer Action
Smart Scaled Hammer Action
Touch Sensitivity
5 Types, Fixed Touch
Tone Generation
AiR Sound Source
Effects
Hall Reverb, Surround Sound
Polyphony
192
Dual Mode
Split Mode
Number of voices
18
Bluetooth
Recording
Yes, Six Tracks
MIDI
App Integration
Casio Chordana Play App
Pedal included
What I like
More info
Price
$649.99

Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Yamaha P125 vs Casio PX S1000: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Comparing two digital pianos can be hard because there are so many factors to consider. But to simplify things, I chose to compare both pianos based on three particular criteria that are integral to digital pianos. And at the end of it all, the Yamaha P125 narrowly edged out a win with a score of 2-1.

While the Casio PX-S1000 definitely had a more realistic feel to it than the Yamaha, the latter had much better tone and a better set of piano features. So, I ultimately dubbed the Yamaha P125 the winner in this comparison.

Feel & Playability

The winner: Casio PX-S1000

One category wherein the Casio PX-S1000 beat out the Yamaha P125 was in feel and playability. This is a major consideration for many pianists when buying a digital piano as you always want to get a model that replicates the feel of an acoustic piano.

The Yamaha P125 and Casio PX-S1000 both do a great job at replicating the weight of an acoustic piano. However, I found the texture of the Yamaha P125’s keys lacking, which is why I opted for the Casio PX-S1000.

+Hammer Action

Decent sound library of the Casio PX S1000
Decent sound library of the Casio PX S1000

The first thing I check out when testing a piano’s feel is the weight of the keys, which is known as hammer action. And even if both of these pianos are on the more affordable end of the spectrum, they have great hammer action systems that replicate the feel of an acoustic piano.

The Yamaha P125 uses the Graded Hammer Standard or GHS, which is a signature feature on many Yamaha pianos. Just like with acoustic pianos, the lower keys are significantly heavier than the higher keys.

On the flip side, the Casio PX-S1000 uses Smart Scaled Hammer Action. While this system isn’t as popular as GHS, I found it to be just as effective. In fact, when testing both pianos out, I could barely tell the difference in weight.

+Key Texture

The thing that set the Casio PX-S1000 apart from the Yamaha P125 was the key texture. The Yamaha P125, despite having a realistic hammer action system, uses plastic keys. Not just that, but they are glossy piano keys.

If you’re a beginner, this won’t be that big of a deal. However, experienced pianists will instantly notice a weird difference in the way the keys feel on your fingers. And while this isn’t a complete deal-breaker, it’s something worth considering.

While the Casio PX-S1000 also uses plastic keys, the keys are also textured. This is to replicate the texture of wooden piano keys. These textured keys don’t perfectly simulate wooden keys, but they definitely do a better job at it than the Yamaha P125.

Tone

The winner: Yamaha P125

The next point of comparison I had between these two pianos was the tone. For the price, both these pianos produce a great range of tones. However, the Yamaha P125 has a slightly better tone engine and a more varied sound library, which is why it took the point.

Yamaha P125 has a whopping 24 voices
Yamaha P125 has a whopping 24 voices

+Tone Generation

The Yamaha P125 uses the Pure CF Sound Engine. This is one of the more premium Yamaha sound engines that aims to replicate the sound of Yamaha’s CF Grand Pianos, which are some of the most sought-after models in the industry.

So, you can expect vibrant and bright piano tones from the Yamaha P125. Of course, you won’t be able to perfectly replicate the volume and density of a grand piano digitally. But when compared to the competition in the same price range, the Pure CF Sound Engine is one of the best.

The Casio model uses the AiR Sound Source. This tone engine aims to replicate the way sound waves from real pianos travel through the air. And while it produces a fairly realistic piano sound, it doesn’t sound as rich and grand as the piano tones on the Yamaha P125.

+Sound Library

Digital pianos don’t have the most flexible sound libraries. However, I found that both of these pianos have a pretty varied sound collection for the price. The Casio PX-S1000 comes with 18 different sounds, while the Yamaha comes with 24.

Both pianos have the basic set of tones you’d want to form a digital piano. This includes a selection of acoustic piano sounds, electric pianos, bass tones, and some string sounds. 

The difference isn’t huge, but the Yamaha P125 has a slightly larger sound bank. So, you will be able to experiment with more tones with this piano. So, if you’re looking for a flexible piano that you can use for different genres, the Yamaha P125 might be the better pick.

Piano Features

The winner: Yamaha P125

The last feature I compared between these two pianos are the extras. This includes the effects and playing modes. When it comes to playing modes, both pianos are basically tied. But the Yamaha P125 has more useful effects, which is why I ultimately gave it the point.

+Effects

The effects on the Casio PX-S1000 are Surround Sound and Hall Reverb. These are designed to add depth to the piano tones and give the player a bit more control. And while these effects are pretty useful, they aren’t as good as the effects on the Yamaha.

To start, the Yamaha P125 comes with a reverb effect that has various presets. That way, you can further tweak the reverb until it fits your tastes. On top of that, it has IAC, damper resonance, and a sound boost effect.

These are all very useful when performing or just playing alone. So, if you’re looking for a piano that gives you a lot of tone control and has sounds that fit many genres, the Yamaha P125 might be the better option.

Yamaha P125 in white color
Yamaha P125 in white color

+Playing Modes

Modern digital pianos are expected to come with a range of playing modes. Both of these pianos have recording, split, and dual mode, which is all you really need in a digital piano.

The Casio PX-S1000 has a slight edge with its recording mode because you can layer more tracks on top of each other. However, neither piano records the best quality sound and this feature is more for practicing and creating demos of different songs.

So, even if the Casio PX-S1000 has a slightly better recording mode, it wasn’t enough for me to give it the win in this comparison.

Yamaha P125 vs Casio PX S1000: The Similarities

There are quite a few notable similarities between these two pianos. To start, they are both portable digital pianos. So, you can easily bring them with you to jams, rehearsals, and even performances.

Both of these pianos are in the same price range. While they technically fall under budget-friendly pianos, they are a bit more expensive than some beginner models on the market. So, these pianos are good for beginner pianists starting to take the instrument seriously or intermediate players looking for reliable and relatively affordable instruments.

Another cool similarity between both pianos is that they can connect with different apps on your phone. This allows you to access more features and tweak the piano tones down to the finest details. That said, both pianos use different sets of apps, so make sure to download the right apps for your piano.

But other than that, these are very different pianos that have their own set of benefits. And while I chose the Yamaha P125 as the winner, there are many pianos who would enjoy the Casio PX-S1000 more.

Quick Rundown of the Yamaha P125

Yamaha P125 88-Key Weighted Digital Piano Home Bundle with Furniture Stand and Bench
  • Includes P125B digital piano, L125B furniture stand, BB1 wooden bench
  • A fully weighted digital piano with 88 full sized piano style keys
  • GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano
  • The pure CF sound engine faithfully reproduces the tone of the acclaimed Yamaha 9' CFIIIS Concert Grand piano
  • USB to host connectivity with MIDI and audio transfer means you only need 1 Cable to connect to your music making software

Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Great piano tones
  • Varied sound library
  • Realistic hammer action
  • App connectivity
  • Comes with a good set of effects
Cons
  • The key texture isn’t the best

Quick Rundown of the Casio PX S1000

Casio, 88-Key Digital Pianos - Home (PX-S1000WE)
  • 88-key Digital Piano with 192-note Polyphony
  • Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard
  • Onboard Effects - White
  • 18 Sounds

Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Piano tones are good
  • Realistic hammer action
  • Textured keys
  • Decent sound library
  • Has different playing modes
Cons
  • Sound library isn’t as wide as the Yamaha P125
  • Piano tones aren’t as good as the Yamaha P125

Product Videos

Related Articles to Yamaha P125

  1. Yamaha P150 vs P125: The Battle of the P-Series Models
  2. Yamaha P125 vs CLP 625: Can a Beginner’s Digital Piano Match the Clavinova? 
  3. Yamaha P125 vs Roland FP 60: Which is the Better Investment?
  4. Yamaha P-121 vs P-125: Finding the Best Portable Yamaha Piano
  5. Yamaha P125 vs Korg LP 380: Which Piano Is Better for Your Needs?
  6. Yamaha P125 vs P85: Can the Outdated Digital Piano Beat the Newer One?
  7. Yamaha P125 vs DGX 670: Which Piano Comes Out on Top?
  8. Yamaha P125 vs Korg SP 280: Which is the Better Beginner’s Digital Piano?
  9. Yamaha P-255 vs P-125: Finding the Better Option for Beginners
  10. Yamaha P125 vs YDP S34 Comparison: Does the Portable P125 Hold Up Against a Console Digital Piano?
  11. Yamaha P125 Vs YDP 164: Should You Get A Console Or Digital Piano?
  12. Yamaha YDP 103 Vs P125: Should You Get a Portable or Console Digital Piano?
  13. Yamaha P125 Vs Kawai ES110 Comparison: Which Is The Best Portable Digital Piano
  14. Casio PX-870 Vs Yamaha P-125: Should You Get A Portable Or Console Digital Piano?
  15. Alesis Recital Vs Yamaha P125: Which Is The Right Pick For You?
  16. Yamaha P45 VS P115: Which P-Series Newbie Gives You More Value for Money?
  17. Alesis Recital Pro vs Yamaha P125 Comparison: Which Is The Best Portable Digital Piano?
  18. Alesis Prestige Artist vs Yamaha P125 Comparison: Why the Yamaha P125 Is the Better Investment
  19. Yamaha P125 vs Casio PX-770 Review: Why the Yamaha P125 Beats Out the Casio Console Digital Piano
  20. Yamaha P125 vs DGX 660 Comparison: Can the P125 Hold Its Own Against the DGX 660?
  21. Yamaha P125 vs Roland FP-30X Review: Why the Roland FP-30X Comes Out On Top
  22. Yamaha P125 vs P515 Review: Why the Yamaha P515 Is the Better Investment
  23. Yamaha P115 vs P125 Review: Can the P125 Beat Out Its Predecessor?
  24. Yamaha P125 vs Roland FP30: A Close Battle Between Two Great Digital Pianos
  25. Yamaha P45 vs P125: Why the Yamaha P125 Is the Better Pick for Pianists
  26. Yamaha P71 vs P125: Why the Yamaha P125 Is the Better Investment

Related Articles to Casio Px S1000

  1. Casio PX-770 vs S1000: Should You Get A Portable or Console Digital Piano?

References:

5/5 - (1 vote)