AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best General Digital Pianos Under $800 2026
The top pick is Kawai ES60 88-Key Digital Stage Piano ($390). Casio CT-S1 76 BK gives you the most for the money at $263. Gewa DP 510 Black leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 14 models across 7 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 2, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Weight11 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The ES-60 is a solid entry-level stage piano, offering a good balance of portability and playability. It's a great choice for beginners, students, or gigging musicians who need a reliable and compact instrument without needing the bells and whistles of a more expensive model. The RHL action is surprisingly responsive for the price point.
Pros
- Responsive Hammer Light action offers surprisingly good dynamic range.
- Compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces and transport.
- Decent sound selection covers basic piano and organ needs.
Cons
- RHL action lacks the nuanced feel of Kawai's higher-end hammer actions.
- Speaker power is limited; headphone use is recommended for serious practice.
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- Weight12 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The ES-120 B is a solid entry-level digital piano offering a surprisingly good playing experience for the price. It's ideal for students, beginners, or those needing a portable stage piano – the action is much better than you’d expect for this tier, and the Bluetooth connectivity is a real bonus.
Pros
- Responsive Hammer Compact action provides surprisingly realistic key feel.
- Kawai's sound engine delivers a warm, nuanced grand piano tone.
- Bluetooth MIDI & Audio offer modern connectivity and convenience.
Cons
- RHC action, while good, lacks the depth of Kawai's higher-end actions.
- Limited sound selection compared to more expensive stage pianos.
59AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$669 now$669€599 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight46.2 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Gewa DP 510 is a solid entry-level digital piano offering a surprisingly realistic Steinway piano sound and useful app integration. It’s a great option for students, beginners, or anyone needing a compact and feature-rich instrument for home practice or casual playing – the customization options are a real bonus.
Pros
- Steinway D274 sample delivers a surprisingly authentic, warm grand piano tone.
- GEWA Piano Remote App offers genuinely useful customization and control.
- Illuminated soft-touch buttons are a surprisingly elegant and practical touch.
Cons
- Speaker system, while decent, lacks the depth for serious performance environments.
- Limited sound library, though the core piano sounds are excellent, restricts versatility.
55AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$781 now$781€699 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight5.3 kg
The CT-S1 76 BK is a surprisingly capable and remarkably light keyboard – a great option for beginners, students, or anyone needing a portable instrument. The extended 76-key range gives a more piano-like feel than smaller models, and the Chordana app is a real bonus for learning. Just don't expect a professional-grade keybed or booming sound.
Pros
- Lightweight design (5.3kg) makes it highly portable for lessons or gigs.
- 76 keys offer a more natural feel and wider range than smaller keyboards.
- AiX sound engine provides surprisingly realistic piano tones for its price point.
Cons
- Key action is synthetic and lacks the nuanced response of a weighted action.
- Polyphony limit (64 voices) can lead to dropouts with complex arrangements.
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- Weight59 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Thomann DP-51 B is a solid, budget-friendly digital piano that delivers a surprisingly realistic playing experience. It's a great option for beginners or intermediate players who need a dependable instrument for home practice or small gigs – just be prepared for the weight! The build quality is respectable for the price point, and the features cover the basics well.
Pros
- Solid 88-key weighted action provides a realistic piano feel
- Decent speaker system for practice and smaller performances
- Comprehensive connectivity suite for studio and live use
Cons
- Sound engine, while adequate, lacks the nuance of higher-end digital pianos
- Bulky and heavy – transport and placement require significant effort
54AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$668 now$668€598 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight7.1 kg
- Key actionSemi-weighted keys
The Alesis Concert is a solid, budget-friendly option for beginners or those needing a portable practice instrument. It won't fool a seasoned pianist, but it's perfectly adequate for learning the basics and experimenting with different sounds. A great choice for students or anyone needing a compact, all-in-one solution.
Pros
- Affordable entry point for aspiring pianists.
- Decent selection of basic instrument voices.
- Integrated metronome is surprisingly useful for practice.
Cons
- Semi-weighted action lacks the nuance of a real piano.
- Polyphony limit can cause note drop with complex layering.
51AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$299 now$299€268 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight38.5 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Thomann DP-32 B is a solid entry-level digital piano, offering a weighted action and a surprisingly usable sequencer for the price. It's a great choice for beginners or those needing a functional practice instrument without premium features or a high-end sound. Don't expect concert hall acoustics, but it's a competent performer for home use.
Pros
- Solid 88-key weighted action provides a surprisingly realistic piano feel
- Decent speaker system for practice, avoids tinny digital sound
- The sequencer is a genuinely useful feature for composition and practice
Cons
- Sound engine lacks the nuance and depth of higher-end digital pianos
- USB host functionality limited to MIDI only, no audio transfer
51AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$556 now$556€498 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight54 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Hemingway DP-501 MKII AT is a surprisingly capable entry-level digital piano, offering a good weighted action and a respectable feature set. It's a great option for students or hobbyists who want a full-sized instrument with recording capabilities and don't need ultra-premium sound quality. The anthracite finish is a nice touch, making it look far more expensive than it is.
Pros
- Solid 88-key weighted action provides a realistic piano feel
- Anthracite finish offers a sophisticated and modern aesthetic
- Built-in 3-track recorder facilitates composition and practice
Cons
- Sound engine, while decent, lacks the nuance of higher-end models
- Internal speakers, while adequate, won't satisfy demanding audiophiles
51AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$591 now$591€529 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight53 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Thomann DP-95 B is a surprisingly capable entry-level digital piano. It's a solid choice for beginners or those needing a home practice instrument with a decent range of sounds and accompaniment features – it won’t blow you away, but it delivers a lot of functionality for the price.
Pros
- Solid 88-key weighted action provides a realistic piano feel
- Ample 500 sounds offer versatility for various musical styles
- Built-in accompaniment styles simplify creating backing tracks
Cons
- USB connectivity limited to MIDI only, no audio output via USB
- The LCD screen is likely basic and not ideal for complex editing
51AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$613 now$613€549 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight37.7 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Gewa CP 510 Black is a solid entry into the digital piano market, offering a surprisingly good Steinway sample and useful customization options via the app. It's a great choice for students, beginners, or anyone needing a compact and versatile instrument for home practice or smaller gigs – just be aware of the plastic build and limited sound palette.
Pros
- Steinway D274 sample provides a remarkably authentic, warm piano tone.
- User Calibration Tool offers surprisingly deep control over keyboard feel.
- GEWA Piano Remote App simplifies sound selection and customization.
Cons
- Plastic construction, while functional, feels less premium than competitors.
- Limited sound library compared to higher-end digital pianos.
51AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$781 now$781€699 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 14 general digital pianos
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
General Digital Pianos by the numbers
Measured across all 44 models we track, not a sample.
Median $659 — half of all general digital pianos here cost less.
median of 43 models · 5.3 kg–59 kg
most common · 37 models
How to choose the best general digital pianos
Action
Forget weighted, you need graded hammer action. The nuance of a piano depends on the response of the keys, and cheap actions feel... cheap. A decent graded action lets you shape dynamics; a mushy one doesn't.
Sound Engine
Most under $800 use sampled sounds. Listen for clarity, especially in the higher register - that ice-picky harshness is a deal-breaker. A warm, slightly forgiving tone is more usable than something sterile.
Polyphony
128 voices is the absolute minimum. Anything less and complex chords or layered sounds will drop notes - not cool for a gig. 192 is preferable.
Connectivity
USB MIDI is essential for recording. Aux outs are a bonus for connecting to an amp or PA. Line-level outputs are better than 1/4" inputs.
Portability
Let's be honest, you'll probably move it. Weight and size matter. A compact design is a big plus, especially if you're lugging it to rehearsals.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're in the market for a digital piano but you're not looking to drop a grand. It's a totally reasonable goal - you want something that'll cut through a rehearsal without sounding like a toy, and maybe even record decently. This list focuses on the sweet spot: solid keys, usable sounds, and enough features to get you gigging or laying down tracks without breaking the bank. Let's get you playing.
At this price point, compromises are inevitable. You won't get a boutique piano feel, but you can find something that's genuinely usable. Pay close attention to the action - that's where most of the budget gets spent.
Don't expect pristine recording quality without an external audio interface and decent mics; the built-in sounds are a starting point. Prioritize a responsive action and a usable sound engine over flashy features you won't need.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 44 general digital pianos from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What's the difference between weighted and graded hammer action?
Weighted keys try to mimic the feel of a piano, but they're often heavy and unresponsive. Graded hammer action gets the weight right - lighter in the treble, heavier in the bass - for a more realistic playing experience.
Can I record directly into my computer with these pianos?
Most have USB MIDI connectivity, so yes. You'll need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software on your computer to record the MIDI data, then use virtual instruments to create the sound. The piano's keys send data, the computer does the sound-making.
Are the sounds any good?
They're serviceable. Expect a range of piano sounds, electric pianos, organs, and maybe some basic strings or pads. Don't expect concert grand piano quality, but they'll work for practice and basic tracking.
What about sustain pedal? Does it come included?
Most come with a basic sustain pedal, but it's often a pretty basic one. Upgrading to a continuous pedal (one that responds to how far you press it) is a worthwhile investment if you're serious about piano playing.
Is it better to buy used?
Absolutely. You can often snag a higher-end model for the same price as a new budget piano. Just be sure to inspect the action and keys for wear and tear before you commit.
