AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Pianos Under $5,000 2026
The top pick is Casio CT-S200 Casiotone 61-Key Portable Keyboard ($960). Casio CDP-S110 88-Key Compact Digital Piano gives you the most for the money at $330. Roland FP-90X 88-Key Digital Portable Piano leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 135 models across 16 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
-
Casio CT-S200 Casiotone 61-Key Portable Keyboard
AP-S200 BN · Casio
70 for sale on Reverb6 finishes at Thomann
- Weight34 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The AP-S200 BN is a solid choice for beginners or intermediate players looking for a stylish and relatively affordable entry into the digital piano world. The action is surprisingly good for the price point, and the compact design makes it easy to fit into smaller spaces. It’s great for home practice and casual playing, but don't expect studio-level sound quality or a huge range of sonic textures.
Pros
- Attractive brown finish elevates aesthetics for modern living spaces.
- Smart Scaled Hammer Action provides a surprisingly realistic piano feel.
- Decent speaker system delivers clear, usable sound for practice and small performances.
Cons
- Sound engine, while adequate, lacks the nuance of higher-end digital pianos.
- The included 3-fold pedal feels somewhat plasticky and basic.
89AudioFu
Index↓ 13.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,116 · Aug 17$960 now$960€859 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Roland FP-90X 88-Key Digital Portable Piano
FP-90X BK · Roland
60 for sale on Reverb6 finishes at Thomann
- Weight23.6 kg
- Keys88 keys
The FP-90X is a seriously impressive stage piano – the action is superb, and the PureAcoustic engine really shines. It's a fantastic choice for gigging pianists and serious home players who want a premium sound and feel without the bulk of a full acoustic. Just be aware it's not the most travel-friendly option.
Pros
- PHA-50 action convincingly replicates acoustic piano feel
- PureAcoustic piano modeling delivers nuanced, responsive sound
- Excellent speaker system provides surprisingly full, room-filling tone
Cons
- Lacks the portability of some stage pianos due to its size and weight
- Limited connectivity compared to more professional studio setups
87AudioFu
Index↓ 2.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$2,122 · Aug 17$2,060 now$2,060€1,843 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight12.3 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The FP-10 is a solid entry-level stage piano, perfect for beginners or players needing a compact, portable option. While the sounds aren’t going to blow you away, the PHA-4 action is surprisingly good for the price, offering a playable and expressive experience. It's a great way to get started without a huge investment.
Pros
- PHA-4 action provides a surprisingly realistic, responsive key feel
- SuperNATURAL piano sounds offer a decent, usable tonal palette
- Compact design makes it ideal for smaller spaces and portability
Cons
- Speakers are underpowered; headphone use highly recommended for serious practice
- Limited sound selection compared to more expensive stage pianos
83AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$445 now$445€398 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight10.5 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The CDP-S160 is a solid entry-level digital piano – surprisingly playable considering its size and price. It's a great option for students, apartment dwellers, or anyone needing a portable instrument for practice or casual playing. The included accessories are a real bonus, making it a complete package.
Pros
- Scaled Hammer Action II feels surprisingly responsive for its price point.
- Compact design and lightweight construction make it very portable and space-saving.
- Included stand and pedal unit offer a complete, playable setup right out of the box.
Cons
- The speaker quality is adequate but lacks the warmth and depth for serious performance.
- The sound engine, while decent, doesn't offer the nuance of higher-end digital pianos.
82AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$591 now$591€529 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight14 kg
This digital piano feels very real thanks to the Ivory Feel keys and triple sensor. It packs plenty of sounds and connects easily for lessons or playing along. It suits both students starting out and pros needing a reliable stage backup.
Pros
- 88 keys with Ivory Feel touch action
- Triple sensor for realistic piano response
- 305 total sounds including 10 organ types
Cons
- No dedicated volume or master control knob
- Lacks external effects unit connectivity
82AudioFu
Index↓ 13.7%since Sep 2 · lowest so far$983 · Sep 2$848 now$848€759 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight11.5 kg
- Key actionWeighted keys
The P-45B is a solid entry-level stage piano – a great starting point for beginners or those needing a compact, budget-friendly option. The key action is surprisingly good for the price, but don’t expect a concert grand experience. It's perfect for students, casual players, or anyone needing a portable piano for practice or basic performances.
Pros
- Graded Hammer Standard action provides surprisingly realistic piano feel
- Compact and lightweight for portability, ideal for students or small spaces
- Built-in speakers are adequate for practice and casual playing
Cons
- The GHS action lacks the nuance and depth of higher-end weighted actions
- Limited sound palette; ten tones feel restrictive for serious players
81AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$368 now$368€329 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight10.9 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The CDP-S360 is a solid entry-level digital piano. It's remarkably portable and offers a surprisingly good key action for the price point, making it a great option for students or anyone needing a compact practice instrument – just be prepared to use headphones for a fuller sonic experience.
Pros
- Compact size makes it ideal for apartments or travel.
- Scaled Hammer Action II provides surprisingly realistic key feel.
- Decent sound quality for the price, usable for practice and casual play.
Cons
- Speakers lack bass response; headphones are highly recommended for full sound.
- Plastic construction feels somewhat budget-oriented, lacking premium feel.
80AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$524 now$524€469 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight11.5 kg
The P-225 is a solid entry-level stage piano; the action is surprisingly good for its size and price point. It's a great option for students, beginners, or anyone needing a portable piano with a decent piano sound – just don't expect to fill a concert hall with those speakers.
Pros
- Excellent GHC action provides a surprisingly realistic piano feel.
- VRM Lite engine delivers a warm, nuanced CFX piano sound.
- Compact design and lightweight build make it highly portable.
Cons
- Built-in speakers lack power and low-end response for performance.
- Limited sound selection compared to higher-end stage pianos.
80AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$628 now$628€562 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Korg C1AIR C1 Air 88-Key Digital Piano with Bluetooth
C1 Air BR Set · Korg
20 for sale on Reverb6 finishes at Thomann
- Weight8.75 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The Korg C1 Air BR Set is a solid entry-level digital piano, particularly well-suited for beginners or those needing a compact instrument. The key action is a pleasant surprise, and the included bench is a nice touch. It’s a great package for someone wanting a functional and aesthetically pleasing piano without a huge footprint.
Pros
- The RH3 action feels surprisingly realistic for a compact digital piano.
- Brown matte finish offers a classy, understated aesthetic appeal.
- Built-in Bluetooth sink allows for easy audio playback and app connectivity.
Cons
- Limited sound palette compared to higher-end digital pianos.
- 25W speakers, while adequate, won't fill a large room with powerful sound.
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,027 now$1,027€919 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Casio CDP-S110 88-Key Compact Digital Piano
CDP-S110 BK · Casio
16 for sale on Reverb6 finishes at Thomann
- Weight10.5 kg
- Keys88 keys
- Key actionWeighted keys
The CDP-S110 is a solid entry-level digital piano – it's remarkably portable and the action isn't *terrible* for the money. It's a great option for students or anyone needing a compact piano for practice, but don't expect a concert grand experience; the sounds and action are functional, not inspiring.
Pros
- Slim and lightweight design makes it incredibly portable for lessons or travel.
- Scaled Hammer Action II provides a surprisingly decent feel for the price point.
- The Chordana Play app is genuinely useful for beginners learning piano.
Cons
- Key action lacks the depth and nuance of more expensive, graded hammer actions.
- Sound engine, while acceptable, is fairly basic and lacks expressive tonal qualities.
77AudioFu
Index↓ 1.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$334 · Aug 17$330 now$330€295 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 135 pianos
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Korg G1 Air Digital Piano with BluetoothG1 B Air BK · Korg · 6 finishes77↓ 21.2%$1,039€929$1,039€929Check ↗
- 12
Korg B2 88-Key Digital PianoB2+ Black · Korg · 4 finishes76↓ 6.8%$457€409$457€409Check ↗
- 13
Korg LP-380U 88-Key Lifestyle Digital Home Piano with USBLP-380U BK · Korg · 8 finishes74Stable$848€759$848€759Check ↗
- 14
Yamaha P-525 88-Key Digital PianoP-525 WH · Yamaha · 4 finishes72Stable$1,763€1,577$1,763€1,577Check ↗
- 15
Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 61-Key Digital PianoNP-15 Piaggero White Set · Yamaha · 4 finishes71↓ 2.2%$250€224$250€224Check ↗
- 16
Yamaha NP-35 Piaggero 76-Key Digital PianoNP-35 Piaggero White · Yamaha · 4 finishes70Stable$307€275$307€275Check ↗
- 17
Casio PX-S3100 Privia 88-Key Digital PianoPX-S3100 BK Privia · Casio · 2 finishes70Stable$781€699$781€699Check ↗
- 18
Roland V-Stage 76 Digital Stage PianoV-Stage 76 · Roland70↓ 2.5%$3,027€2,708$3,027€2,708Check ↗
- 19
Clavia Nord Electro 7 HPClavia Nord70Stable$3,330€2,979$3,330€2,979Check ↗
- 20
Yamaha P-S500 88-Key Digital PianoP-S500 WH · Yamaha · 4 finishes68Stable$1,653€1,479$1,653€1,479Check ↗
- 21
Yamaha P145BT 88-Key Digital PianoP-145 B BT · Yamaha · 3 finishes67Stable$442€395$442€395Check ↗
- 22
Kawai CN201 88-Key Digital PianoCN-201 B · Kawai · 6 finishes67Stable$1,385€1,239$1,385€1,239Check ↗
- 23
Casio GP-310 Celviano Grand Hybrid 88-Key Digital PianoGP-310 WE Celviano · Casio · 4 finishes67Stable$2,794€2,499$2,794€2,499Check ↗
- 24
Casio PX-S6000 Privia 88-Key Digital PianoPX-S6000 · Casio · 2 finishes65Stable$1,419€1,269$1,419€1,269Check ↗
- 25
Yamaha CP88 Stage PianoCP88 · Yamaha65Stable$2,608€2,333$2,608€2,333Check ↗
- 26
Roland RD-2000EX 88-Key Digital PianoRD-2000 EX · Roland65↓ 0.8%$2,659€2,379$2,659€2,379Check ↗
- 27
Kawai CA701 88-Key Digital PianoCA-701 B · Kawai · 8 finishes65Stable$2,973€2,659$2,973€2,659Check ↗
- 28
Roland V-Stage 88 Digital Stage PianoV-Stage 88 · Roland65↑ 1.3%$3,397€3,039$3,397€3,039Check ↗
- 29
Kawai CN301 88-Key Digital PianoCN-301 W · Kawai · 6 finishes64Stable$1,720€1,539$1,720€1,539Check ↗
- 30
Kawai ES920 88-Key Digital PianoES-920 B · Kawai · 4 finishes63Stable$1,396€1,249$1,396€1,249Check ↗
- 31
Yamaha B10 PEYamaha · 12 finishes63Stable$4,796€4,290$4,796€4,290Check ↗
- 32
Kawai MP7SE 88-Key Digital Stage PianoMP-7 SE · Kawai · 2 finishes62Stable$1,614€1,444$1,614€1,444Check ↗
- 33
Korg D1 Slimline 88-Key Digital Stage PianoD1 · Korg · 2 finishes61Stable$558€499$558€499Check ↗
- 34
Roland FP-E50 88-Key Digital PianoFP-E50 · Roland61↑ 0.6%$781€699$781€699Check ↗
- 35
Roland RD-08 88-Key Digital Stage PianoRD-08 · Roland61Stable$893€799$893€799Check ↗
- 36
Yamaha CP73 73-Key Digital Stage PianoCP73 · Yamaha61Stable$2,101€1,879$2,101€1,879Check ↗
- 37
Korg Grandstage X 88-Key Digital PianoGrandstage X · Korg61Stable$2,235€1,999$2,235€1,999Check ↗
- 38
Clavia Nord Electro 7 61Clavia Nord61↓ 0.9%$2,458€2,199$2,458€2,199Check ↗
- 39
Kawai ES60 88-Key Digital Stage PianoES-60 · Kawai · 2 finishes60↑ 2.9%$390€349$390€349Check ↗
- 40
Casio PX-S1100BKCasio · 13 finishes60↓ 2.8%$542€485$542€485Check ↗
- 41
Roland RD-88EX 88-Key Digital Stage PianoRD-88 EX · Roland60Stable$1,385€1,239$1,385€1,239Check ↗
- 42
Thomann DP-275 GP WHPThomann · 4 finishes60↓ 5.0%$2,122€1,898$2,122€1,898Check ↗
- 43
Korg Liano 88-Key Digital PianoLiano · Korg59Stable$352€315$352€315Check ↗
- 44
Thomann DP-28 PlusThomann · 7 finishes59↓ 5.4%$390€349$390€349Check ↗
- 45
Kawai ES-120 BKawai · 8 finishes59Stable$670€599$670€599Check ↗
- 46
Kawai CX-202 WKawai · 8 finishes59Stable$1,318€1,179$1,318€1,179Check ↗
- 47
Yamaha YDP-166 B AriusYamaha · 8 finishes59↓ 7.1%$1,452€1,299$1,452€1,299Check ↗
- 48
Yamaha CLP-835 WHYamaha · 9 finishes59Stable$1,866€1,669$1,866€1,669Check ↗
- 49
Studiologic Numa X GT 88-Key Digital PianoNuma X Piano GT · Studiologic · 2 finishes59Stable$2,000€1,789$2,000€1,789Check ↗
- 50
Yamaha CLP-845 BYamaha · 9 finishes59Stable$2,436€2,179$2,436€2,179Check ↗
Pianos by the numbers
Measured across all 424 models we track, not a sample.
Median $1,318 — half of all pianos here cost less.
median of 413 models · 7.1 kg–78.5 kg
median of 96 models · 73–88
most common · 331 models
How to choose the best pianos
Action
Forget plastic keys; we're looking for graded hammer action that feels responsive and doesn't feel like you're slapping a toy. A good action translates directly to better articulation and dynamic control - crucial for everything from delicate ballads to slamming piano parts.
Sound Engine/Piano Voices
The difference between a thin, brittle piano sound and a rich, resonant tone is massive. Listen for that warm, fundamental tone with a nice spread of harmonics - something that cuts through a mix without being harsh. Don't get fooled by a ton of different voices if the core grand piano sounds weak.
Polyphony & Effects
128-note polyphony is pretty much a must these days. Reverb is essential - a decent plate or hall reverb can make a huge difference. Chorus and other effects can add a little sparkle, but don't rely on them to mask a weak core piano sound.
Connectivity & Features
USB MIDI is a given, but look for multiple outputs for live sound reinforcement or recording. Layering and split modes are great for expanding your sonic palette - think strings underneath the bass notes for added depth.
Build Quality & Portability
Let's be honest, you're probably moving this thing at some point. A sturdy build and a reasonable weight are vital for gigging. Cheap plastic feels awful and doesn't inspire confidence.
Buying guide
Alright, so you need a solid digital piano for gigs, tracking, or just serious practice, but $5000 is your ceiling. It's a sweet spot - you're not getting entry-level compromises, but you also won't be dropping five figures. Let's be clear, you're looking for bang-for-the-buck here; we're hunting for the pianos that give you the most pro-level feel and sound without breaking the bank.
At this price point, you're making trade-offs. Don't expect a perfect acoustic piano replica - the action will always be a compromise. Pay attention to the key action first and foremost; that's where you'll spend most of your time.
Also, be wary of overly bright, 'sparkly' piano sounds - they often lack warmth and can sound brittle in a band setting. A piano that sounds good on its own might not translate well into a mix.
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 424 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 deal with 'weighted' vs. 'graded hammer' action?
Weighted keys just mean they have some resistance. Graded hammer action simulates the feel of an acoustic piano, with the lower keys feeling heavier than the higher ones. Graded hammer is almost always preferable for serious playing.
How important is the cabinet material?
The cabinet itself doesn't directly affect the sound, but a cheap plastic cabinet often indicates corners were cut elsewhere. A nicer cabinet just feels better and suggests a higher level of overall build quality.
Can I realistically use this for recording?
Absolutely. With decent outputs and a good sound engine, you can get very usable piano tracks. Just be mindful of latency if you're monitoring through your DAW.
What's the difference between a stage piano and a home digital piano?
Stage pianos are designed for portability and live performance - they're lighter, often have fewer speakers, and prioritize connectivity. Home digital pianos tend to have larger speakers and a more furniture-like aesthetic.
Is Bluetooth MIDI a necessity?
Not really. It's a nice convenience for silent practice with headphones, but a standard USB MIDI connection is perfectly reliable and will work with everything you need.
