What Is the Best Digital Piano Under $1,000?

Written by Adorama
|
Published on May 28, 2018
digital piano under blue and red mood lights
digital piano under blue and red mood lights
Adorama
Adorama ALC

Buying a digital piano can be a good choice, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced-level pianist. It’s a portable alternative to an ordinary grand piano, which is bulky and costs more. But with hundreds of models currently available on the market, you might find it hard to purchase a model that suits both your needs and your budget.

Choosing the perfect digital piano can also depend on your expertise. In this article, we’ve rounded up six of the best digital pianos under $1,000 that can suit both new and veteran pianists. It’ll not only help you save money, but also guide you in deciding which of these models is the perfect fit for you.

Close-up of a woman’s hands playing a digital piano

Best Digital Pianos Under $1000

1. Roland FP-30,  (Shop Now)

The Roland FP-30 best digital piano

The first item on the list is perfect for pianists who are looking for a digital piano that’s both affordable and mobile. The FP-30 is equipped with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano engine, which allows you to play it like an authentic acoustic piano. If you’re keen on creating some songs, you can use the drum patterns and other instrumental sounds embedded in the keyboard and record your finished masterpiece with the FP-30’s onboard SMF recorder. It also has built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity to enable you to use your piano with mobile apps like GarageBand.

And since we’ve already mentioned that it’s a mobile piano, the FP-30 is a good choice for pianists who are on-the-go. It has a built-in amplifier and speakers to enable live performances without needing additional equipment. You can use it with headphones as well, if you don’t want to disturb the neighbors.

Key Specifications:

  • 88 Weighted Keys
  • SuperNATURAL Piano Engine
  • Other Instrumental Sounds, Including Drum Patterns
  • Internal SMF Recorder
  • Four Playing Modes
  • USB and Bluetooth Connectivity
  • Compatibility with Various Music Apps
  • Built-in Amplifier and Speakers
  • Compact and Lightweight Body

2. Korg B1, (Shop Now)

The Korg B1 digital piano with the Natural Weighted Hammer Action keyboard

Just like the Roland FP-30, the Korg B1 is also geared towards both amateur and professional pianists. It features the brand’s Natural Weighted Hammer (NH) action, which provides an authentic piano feel. This means the “action” will feel very natural to a seasoned player, as the keys will require the same amount of force as that of an acoustic piano. The keyboard also boasts Korg’s Motion Feedback (MFB) technology, an active servo system that reproduces low frequencies with less distortion, thus enabling it to deliver the rich tones of its acoustic counterpart.

Other features include eight realistic instrumental sounds that include three acoustic pianos with damper resonance, two electric pianos, a harpsichord, and two organs; a Partner Mode that allows for side-by-side playing during lessons; and a headphone jack for private practice.

Key Specifications:

  • 88 Keys with Natural Weighted Hammer Action
  • Motion Feedback Technology
  • Eight Instrumental Sounds
  • Reverb and Chorus Effects
  • Partner Mode
  • Dual Amplifiers, Speakers, and Headphone Jack
  • Damper Pedal
  • Compact Body for Easy Transport

3. Artesia PA-88W, (Shop Now)

The Artesia PA-88W best digital piano

If you’re looking for a portable digital piano at a very low price, then the Artesia PA-88W is just the one for you. Aside from the fact that it’s the most affordable digital piano on the list, the PA-88W’s 3D stereo instrument samples make it a standout among the other digital pianos on the market. This feature gives off a natural sound and feel for practice and performances—something that even seasoned pianists will love. The Spring Weighted Action keyboard is another key feature of the PA-88W, as it allows you to adjust key sensitivity to what you’re most comfortable with.

All in all, the PA-88W is a good choice for pianists who want to have an amazing playing experience—without compromising portability and budget.

Key Specifications:

  • 88 Keys with Dynamic Weighted Spring Action
  • 3D Stereo Instrumental Samples and 3-layer Sampled Grand Piano Sounds
  • 12 Instrument Voices
  • Customizable Effects
  • USB/MIDI Connectivity
  • Compatibility with Various Music Apps
  • Built-in Speaker System
  • Compact, Lightweight, and Easy to Use

4. Roland RP-102, (Shop Now)

Full view of the Roland RP-102 digital piano

The second Roland piano on our list uses the SuperNATURAL Piano Technology as its main engine to give you genuine piano tones without the need for tuning. It even extends its control over its tones by allowing users the option to adjust its ambiance, brilliance, string resonance, damper resonance, and key off resonance.

It works perfectly with the Roland Piano Partner 2 app for access to special features like viewing digital sheet music and practicing with backing rhythms. With over 200 piano pieces including classics from renowned musicians like Mozart and Beethoven, a variety of 15 instrument sounds, and built-in speakers, it’s enough to keep even professional players happy.

Key Specifications:

  • 88 Weighted Keys
  • SuperNATURAL Piano Engine
  • 200 Ready-to-Play Songs
  • Piano and Non-Piano Sounds
  • Twin Piano Mode
  • Bluetooth and MIDI Connectivity
  • Compatibility with the Roland Piano Partner 2 App
  • Built-in Amplifier and Speakers
  • Compact Body

5. Korg LP-180, (Shop Now)

Full view of the Korg LP-180 in white

The LP-180 is basically the more affordable version of the Korg LP-380 but with same amazing piano quality and elegant appearance. It also boasts of Korg’s 88-key Natural Weighted Hammer Action keyboard, has three levels of Key Touch Control that can go well with various playing styles, and allows you to experiment with 10 available high-quality sounds including piano, electric piano, vibraphone, pipe organ, and strings.

Finally, it comes in black or white and has its own keyboard cover so it can easily blend into the interiors of any room or studio.

Key Specifications:

  • 88 Keys with Natural Weighted Hammer Action
  • 3 Key Touch Control Levels
  • 10 Instrumental Sounds
  • Reverb and Chorus Effects
  • Dual Headphone Jacks for Private Practice
  • Built-in Dual Amplifiers and Speakers
  • Slim Body

6. Korg PA300, (Shop Now)

The Korg PA300 Professional Arranger

This digital piano stands out from the rest with its various musical arrangement capabilities. The PA300 is well-loved for its powerful features and collection of high-quality sounds in an affordable, compact body. You can enjoy over 950 instrumental sounds that cover almost every musical genre, 300+ built-in styles (with intro, fill, and ending variations), the dedicated Guitar Mode 2 app for accompaniment during compositions, 64 drum kits, 125 effects, and many more.

It also has two modes to help you with your compositions: the Easy mode, for composition using only important controls, and the Expert mode, for control over more advanced settings. Additional features include a SongBook database that is based on styles, MIDI, Karaoke, or MP3 files, and its RX (Real eXperience) sound engine that produces authentic and lively sounds—all of which make the PA300 a digital music powerhouse.

Key Specifications:

  • 61 Keys
  • RX (Real eXperience) Sound Engine
  • 950+ Sounds, 310+ Built-in Styles, and 64 Drum Kits
  • Compatible with Guitar Mode 2 App
  • 125 Master Effects
  • Easy and Expert Modes
  • USB to MIDI Connectivity
  • Built-in Amplifiers and Speakers
  • Compact Body

Comparison Table

Still can’t decide on which of these digital pianos you should get? The table below shows a breakdown of all six products, based on aspects such as price, touch sensitivity, polyphony, pedals, and speakers.

Model Price Touch Sensitivity Polyphony Pedals Speakers
Roland FP-30 5 levels 128 1 damper, with optional 3-pedal unit Yes
Korg B1 3 levels 120 1 sustain pedal, with optional 3-pedal unit Yes
Artesia PA-88W 4 levels 64 1 sustain pedal Yes
Roland RP-102 5 levels 128 3-pedal unit Yes
Korg LP-180 3 levels 120 3-pedal unit Yes
Korg PA300 4 levels 128 Separately available Yes

 

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