Best Digital Piano for Beginners UK

Shopping for your first digital piano can be a challenging task. This piano is likely to stay with you for a number of years and could have a significant impact on your capacity for learning the instrument. Choose the right piano, and you’ll find your joy for playing is multiplied, but the wrong piano could put you off playing altogether.

This is why we recommend doing your research, getting clear on your budget, and taking your time to try a few different pianos in person before making a final decision. In this guide, we’re going to recommend some entry level pianos that are perfect for taking the first steps into learning to play. These are ideal for occasional players, younger learners, and those who might be picking up the instrument later in life.

What makes a good beginner piano?

There are some non-negotiables you need your piano to have in order to make it fit for purpose. When shopping for a first-time piano, look out for the following features:

• A full size piano with 88 weighted keys. Weighted keys provide a realistic action that will encourage the right finger strength and correct playing technique from the start. A good digital piano will replicate the feel of a genuine acoustic piano, to varying degrees of success.

• Headphone jack. You won’t always want to broadcast your practice, and a headphone jack or Bluetooth connectivity will make it easy for you to practice in silence. If you’re in a shared living environment, this can make your practice time less intrusive for the other residents in the home. This would also be essential for a beginner piano in a learning environment such as a school.

• App connectivity. With so many apps available to help guide your piano learning, it makes sense to choose a piano that will connect to your phone or tablet using USB or Bluetooth MIDI. Most piano brands will have their own learning app, including the Casio Music Space and Yamaha’s Smart Pianist.

Best digital pianos for beginners

Casio PX S1100

The Casio PX S1100 is the world’s slimmest portable piano. It comes complete with a three pedal unit and full connectivity using the Bluetooth MIDI connection. It also features an extensive library of music to help inspire new players. With 88 graded hammer-action keys, it’s a surprising authentic playing experience.

Yamaha P-145BT

The Yamaha P-145BT offers Bluetooth audio connection, so you can connect to your other devices with ease. It’s also incredibly versatile thanks to the Yamaha CFIIIS piano tone, offering 10 high-quality voices, 64-note polyphony, dual and duo modes and 4 reverb types. All of this comes in a compact and low-cost package, perfect for learners.

Kawai ES120

Kawai's compact digital piano offers 88 graded weighted keys for the authentic playing experience. It comes pre-loaded with concert grand piano sounds, so you can create a much richer sound that helps to spur on novice players. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity, so you can record music, play along with accompanying tracks, or connect to learning apps.

Kawai KDP-110 Rosewood

A stunning instrument offering a highly authentic playing experience. This furniture-style cabinet piano offers the renowned RHCII keyboard action, which offers graded weighting. This provides greater stability during both fortissimo passages and a delicate quality for pianissimo control. These terms might not mean much to a beginner player, but opting for a beginner piano that will keep up with your progress is an excellent idea.

Not sure which one is right for you?

We recommend visiting our showroom to try your hand at different digital pianos to find the right match for your playing style.