Best
BUDGET DIGITAL Piano
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Overall: An Entry Level Instrument For Pianists Starting Their Piano Journey
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Best Feature: Duet/Dual/Split Modes; 64-Note Polyphony; In-Built 2-Track Recorder; Built In Metronome
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TedScore: 9/10
Best
INTERMEDIATE Digital Piano
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Overall: Those Who Want A Realistic Feel That Is Provided By The Progressive Hammer Action Keyboard
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Best Feature: SuperNATURAL Roland Sound Modelling For Authentic Acoustic Piano Sound
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TedScore: 9/10
Best
ADVANCED DIGITAL Piano
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Overall: People Who Have A Very Healthy Budget, Or Want The Most Realistic Playing Experience
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Best Feature: Incredible Sound Quality, Including Samples From The Yamaha CFX And The Bösendorfer Imperial
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TedScore: 10/10
Welcome to our Buying Piano Guide. If you’re looking for advice on acoustic pianos (upright or grand), or some impartial digital piano reviews, we have it covered.
Our job is to review the best-rated instruments on the piano market that might match your preferences and share tips and tricks so you can buy a piano that’s perfect for you. We’ll also give you a little advice if you’re looking to purchase a used or second-hand piano.
So let’s get into the details.
Things to Consider When Buying a Piano Online
Budget
Pianos are a pricy investment. If your budget is limited, you can search for a good second-hand piano, but you have to be careful – there is a lot of trash out there!
Set yourself a budget; think about how much you would like to spend on a piano to determine whether to purchase a brand-new or a second-hand one.
High-quality upright pianos’ prices range from around £/$4,000 upwards, while grand pianos are the most expensive option at prices from 20,000 to 80,000 (and above, depending on the brand).
Digital pianos are the most common type of piano you can find at affordable prices. They usually range from 300 to 5,000.
New vs second hand
A new acoustic piano might be a brilliant idea since its lifespan can reach upwards of 80 years. With a new piano, you ensure everything works properly and is covered by a few-years warranty. However, its price will always be higher than second-hand pianos – and in my opinion, it’s worth it for the security.
But one word of caution, never purchase a used digital piano. It’s just not worth the risk. They are essentially computers, and it’s always best to have the warranty from a new instrument.
Acoustic piano or digital pianos
Acoustic and digital pianos both fundamentally do the same thing, but they do things in very different ways! If you’re interested, here is a dedicated article on the topic.
Acoustic pianos have over 10,000 moving parts, including hammers that hit strings, which vibrate producing a sound. They require more space, good room temperature, and consistent tuning. An acoustic piano is a pricier option but has a longer lifespan.
There is also no substitution for a real acoustic piano – eventually, as you progress, you’ll absolutely want an upright or grand. But a digital piano is a great option if you’re a beginner.
Digital pianos have weighted keys, you can usually alter the keys’ sensitivity and volume, and of course, play with headphones to not disturb others.
When purchasing a digital piano, you’ll want the following set of minimum features if you’re looking at the console or portable digital pianos:
- A piano action that is at least semi-weighted keys, but preferably fully weighted keys (sometimes called hammer action keys)
- Number of keys = 88 keys
- Sturdy keyboard stand
- Adjustable piano stool (sometimes called a piano bench)
- Decent set of headphones (look at our article Different Types Of Headphones for more advice on that)
- At least a sustain pedal
All in all, digital pianos are fab instruments for beginners. And here is our list of the 24 best Digital Pianos on the market.
Grand piano or upright piano
Grand pianos are the largest and most expensive piano types. Some people consider them an item of furniture, which in our opinion, is a great shame! These pianos offer rich resonance, responsive touch, a wide dynamic range, and diverse tonality.
They also come in different sizes, like Baby Grand and Concert Grand piano models. Baby Grand is the smallest, and there are many sizes above that, eventually reaching a 9 foot Concert Grand, designed (as the name suggests!) for concert halls.
Grand pianos are big and take up a lot of space, but are a gift for advanced players.
Acoustic upright pianos are more compact and less expensive compared to grand pianos. Upright pianos are an excellent option if you need a space-saving piano at an affordable price range. An upright is usually the ‘standard’ acoustic in a home.
Click here to see a dedicated article discussing a grand piano vs an upright piano.
In terms of brands, you can’t go wrong with a Kawai, Yamaha or a Steinway piano. Yamaha tend to be a little lighter to play, and Steinways feel heavier.
Some piano brands produce silent pianos (sometimes called hybrid pianos). They are real acoustic pianos, that can also turn into a type digital piano, where the hammers are deactivated, and you can play with headphones. There are not so many choices of these instruments, and they are expensive. They can however, be great options for those needing to be able to play an acoustic and also do silent practice.
What to Look For When Buying a Second-Hand Piano Online
Most people opt for used acoustic pianos because they are a budget-friendly option. Let’s see what to look for when buying used pianos.
Condition of the keys
The keys and the whole keyboard are the first things to note. By checking the piano keys and keyboard condition, you can determine whether or not the previous owner was taking care of the piano.
Oh, and obviously, only buy an instrument with 88 keys.
Are they dirty or chipped?
Dirty and chipped piano keys point to the owner not caring for its condition. Stained keys are big warning signs.
Also, discolored keys signify that the piano was exposed to moisture, cigarette smoke, or cooking grease. Dirty keys aren’t a big red flag, but they might help you decrease the price.
Are any keys missing or out of line?
Check the seller’s photos and determine whether the keys are all levelled or uneven. If you notice that some keys are lower than others, it might result from moth damage on the cloth. Stay away from these instruments.
Also, if the piano is not well-maintained, a woodworm might damage the construction and make holes under the keys.
If any of the keys are missing, run like the wind!
Condition of the piano casing
Check the piano case and d
