Top 9 Best Electric Piano Brands Today

The Kawai electric piano brand was established nearly a century ago in Japan. Koichi Kawai, who learned piano crafting from his neighbor, Torakusu Yamaha, the founder of the Yamaha Corporation, founded Kawai in 1927. Since then, Kawai has continued to design, produce, and distribute grand pianos, upright pianos, and digital pianos in over 80 countries around the world. Over the years, Kawai has crafted numerous acoustic pianos, synthesizers, drum machines (popular in the 80s), organ pianos, and hybrid pianos (the Novus series). Despite the high demand for Kawai grand pianos in the 60s and 70s due to their superior quality and reasonable pricing, the company’s major breakthrough came in the 80s with revolutionary electronic instruments that played a key role in the audio revolution of that era. Buyers of Kawai electric pianos will find that the brand’s long-standing tradition of craftsmanship is evident in every key of their products. Kawai has always aimed to create instruments that meet the needs of professional stage performers while retaining the familiar, high-quality feel of their acoustic pianos. Their digital pianos are known for their authentic sound and excellent craftsmanship, combining classic piano tones with over 100 different effects, making them incredibly versatile. Kawai offers a wide range of options at more affordable prices than brands like Nord and Dexibell, making it a strong contender for anyone considering purchasing a new digital piano.

Đến từ Nhật Bản, Korg không chỉ là một đối thủ cạnh tranh khác của Casio mà còn là một tên tuổi lớn trong ngành piano điện. Mặc dù được thành lập ở cùng một quốc gia với Casio chỉ 20 năm sau đó, hai công ty có một lịch sử phát triển rất khác nhau. Trong khi Casio là thương hiệu bàn phím nhập cảnh số một trên toàn cầu, thì Korg là thương hiệu đàn tổng hợp tinh túy. Chúng là cái tên đứng sau những tác phẩm kinh điển vượt thời gian như K1M chẳng hạn. Nhưng Korg có thể cung cấp bàn phím chất lượng khiến mỗi cây đàn piano điện Korg bạn đặt tay lên đều là một nhạc cụ tốt. Hơn nữa, họ sử dụng sự pha trộn giữa các tính năng hiện đại và cổ điển để cố gắng vượt qua ranh giới của những gì chúng ta biết một cây đàn piano điện có thể làm được.

Korg Grandstage 88 là một trong những cây đàn piano điện hoàn chỉnh nhất mà bạn có thể mua. Hơn nữa, đây là cây đàn piano điện hàng đầu của Korg, có nghĩa là họ đã nỗ lực hơn nữa để biến nó trở thành một cây đàn cổ điển vượt thời gian. Grandstage 88 được thiết kế với độ chính xác cao nhất và chú ý đến từng chi tiết. Mặc dù điều này thể hiện trên giao diện người dùng được bố trí hoàn hảo, nhưng sức mạnh thực sự nằm ở bên dưới, nơi bảy động cơ âm thanh khác nhau cùng tồn tại để cung cấp các tùy chọn âm thanh vô hạn.

Những âm thanh của đàn piano điện Korg rất dễ bị xáo trộn vì độ trễ và hồi âm có các nút riêng để điều chỉnh nhanh chóng và bạn có thể chia các phím để chơi cơ bản với âm thanh này và dẫn đầu bằng âm thanh khác. Các phím được trang bị công cụ RH3, cho phép các sắc thái chơi của bạn tỏa sáng. Cuối cùng, bộ chỉnh âm và khóa bảng điều khiển khiến nó trở thành cây đàn piano điện hoàn hảo cho mọi giai đoạn.

The first customer of Ray Kurzweil was Stevie Wonder, but instead of purchasing an instrument, he acquired the first ever print-to-speech machine. Stevie suggested to the team at Kurzweil that they should build him some musical instruments. As a result, Kurzweil Music Systems was founded in 1982, with Stevie Wonder as a technical advisor and expert. It was this spirit of innovation, driven by Stevie’s fearless approach, that made Kurzweil a go-to brand for musicians seeking a piano with a wide range of sounds beyond just grand piano tones.

Shortly after, musicians like Sir Paul McCartney, The Who, and Earth Wind and Fire began using Kurzweil's digital pianos both on stage and in the studio. Today, Kurzweil continues its journey of integrating the latest technological advancements to shape sound with exceptional results. The Kurzweil Forte is the company's flagship piano, catering to the most discerning players worldwide. Indeed, if you look at its specifications and price tag, you'll see that it offers an excellent alternative to top brands like Dexibell and Nord.

The Forte stands out because Kurzweil decided to focus primarily on the “Workstation” component of the instrument. With this focus, they included 16GB of sample content with zero latency and the option to add another 3GB (in WAV and AIFF formats). For the pianist, the combination of classic German and Japanese models makes it a truly versatile instrument that can adapt to any performance style. Furthermore, the VAST technology, along with the Italian 88-key action keyboard, makes it a perfect model for musicians who want to customize every aspect of their sound from the front panel.

As a producer of affordable digital pianos, Williams focuses primarily on creating reasonably priced digital pianos. Williams has successfully produced 88-key digital pianos with weighted hammer-action keys, such as the Allegro 2, priced under $300. It's no surprise that these keyboards are popular among beginners or children. However, anyone beyond the beginner level might want to look elsewhere, as the tonal quality isn’t exceptional, and the key action may leave more to be desired.

The best Williams digital pianos are designed for musicians who seek the look, feel, and sound of a beautiful acoustic piano, while also benefiting from the array of effects and other features only a digital piano can offer. Williams digital pianos are solid, reliable instruments with appeal for players of all skill levels, from novices to professionals.

The Williams Allegro 88-key Digital Piano is visually stunning. Its undeniable quality is evident in the smooth black finish that covers the entire body, giving it a sleek and sophisticated look. The logo adds a touch of elegance, and the overall design is impressive. Allegro stands out for most buyers due to its affordable price. Williams brings luxurious affordability with its top-tier Symphony Grand digital piano, featuring a micro-grand style, 88 keys, and hammer-action keys that deliver realistic sound and playing experience. The glossy ebony finish adds an expensive touch, making this digital piano a premium choice that offers great value for piano enthusiasts.

Nord may be the latest addition to the ranks of the world’s greatest digital piano brands. As such, their products are capable of competing with and even surpassing the finest digital pianos from the best brands globally. Originally starting as a product line from the parent company Clavia, Nord quickly made its mark in the music world. Its signature red design has become increasingly recognizable on stages worldwide, especially with models like the Nord Lead, Nord Electro, and Nord Modular, which gained popularity in the late '90s. Today, owning a Nord digital piano is synonymous with creating exceptional sound, as used by professional musicians and performers.

Nord not only offers impressive sound but also adheres to the highest performance standards in the market. If you can afford it, owning a Nord piano is always a brilliant choice. With its excellent key action borrowed from Kawai, few instruments can match the natural feel of a piano without encountering any issues. Sitting at the Nord Grand, you truly feel like you’re touching a timeless masterpiece.

The most remarkable feature of the Nord digital piano is its keybed. Equipped with a triple-sensor system, it can capture even the slightest movement of the keys. Additionally, the seamless program changes make it a fantastic tool for expression. These programs can even be applied to half the keyboard, allowing you to place one hand on the base and play melodies with the other. For piano lovers, the exclusive three-pedal system from Nord easily handles all three classic pedals. Furthermore, to further shape your sound, the instrument is equipped with high-quality stereo effects, a three-mode reverb, and a dedicated sample synthesizer section with dynamic controls.

Although Alesis is a relatively new brand in the piano industry, it has built an impeccable reputation. Many music lovers have focused their attention on a product that is now outdated but set the standard for record-breaking in the 80s/90s: the Alesis ADAT. Since then, the company has expanded to produce audio mixers, recorders, processors, amplifiers, drum machines, digital pianos, and synthesizers. While the company is based in the United States where all design work is done, their products are entirely manufactured in China.

By April 2001, Alesis Digital Piano filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was later acquired by Jack O'Donnell (from IMusic Brands), who chose to expand the musical instrument line. As a result, Alesis became a preferred choice for both recording equipment and live performance gear. Today, their range of digital pianos and synthesizers is used in studios, on stage, and by aspiring pianists. The design of their pianos still reflects the innovation that gave birth to the brand. Alesis pianos are better suited for piano students rather than professional stage musicians, making them an excellent choice for anyone wishing to learn piano with ease and great sound quality.

The Yamaha Corporation is not only the world's largest piano manufacturer but also one of the most respected makers of top-tier pianos. It's no surprise to find a Yamaha Grand Concert Acoustic Piano next to the likes of Steinway & Sons or Fazioli on the world's most famous stages. Much like their world-class acoustic pianos, Yamaha's digital pianos have earned a reputation for being among the finest instruments globally.

Founded in 1887, Yamaha has spent nearly a century and a half perfecting their craftsmanship to a level that competes with the best in the world. This dedication to quality extends into their digital piano division, producing instruments that are equally impressive. Yamaha is an excellent choice for anyone serious about playing music and willing to invest in a modern digital piano.

The Yamaha P-125 is an imported acoustic piano within their well-known P-series collection. While it may not offer the versatility of Korg or the limitless options of Roland, its minimalist approach to piano playing might be the best way to practice without distractions. Features such as a built-in metronome, pre-set songs to play along with, 20 rhythm patterns, and the ability to record up to one song make this an excellent choice for any student serious about learning piano on an exceptional instrument.

Casio is one of the leading piano manufacturers worldwide. In the 1980s and 1990s, at least one affordable and high-quality Casio electronic organ became incredibly popular. This massive Japanese corporation set out to create the most reliable and best pianos and organs at prices affordable for the majority of people. The result was a true revolution that continues to this day. Their Privia digital piano line is seen on stages and in homes worldwide.

Although Casio's digital pianos may not compare to the high-end models from other top brands like Yamaha, they offer a more affordable price point. Nonetheless, when you compare the price-to-performance ratio, the Casio digital pianos stand as one of the top choices for students and casual players across the globe. For those looking for a professional piano experience, the Casio Privia will meet those needs.

Casio's Privia features a 5.3-inch full-color touch screen that is highly intuitive, allowing easy navigation with a single touch. Similarly, Casio's Hex Layer technology transforms it into a true stage synthesizer. You can even add layers to your creations whenever you like. The three-sensor scaled hammer action keyboard technology replicates the feel and weight of a full-sized piano. Additionally, the keys get heavier as you move to lower registers.

Another Japanese brand founded just 10 years after Korg in the early 1970s, Roland has a legacy of creating innovative musical synthesizers. What sets them apart? Well, it’s synonymous with premium sound across their entire range of products. Compared to Korg, Roland tends to be a bit pricier. Additionally, Roland has revolutionized nearly every type of electronic music device on the market. For example, their iconic TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines defined a generation of Hip-Hop, while the Juno-106 and TB-303 bass synthesizers did the same for electronic music.

It can be said that Roland helped shape the music we listen to today, and they’re still going strong. The company employs over 2,500 people and has offices on at least three continents. This flagship digital piano from Roland boasts the company's commitment to creating a timeless masterpiece. As such, it features the most advanced sound technology that outshines many other musical devices. To start, its piano modeling technology, including a dedicated piano designer, lets you play your favorite acoustic piano sounds, as well as create custom models from sampled piano sounds.

Furthermore, you can dive deep into the nuances of every Roland piano model and hear the difference through its four built-in speakers. When played skillfully, the feel of its wooden piano keys with mechanical weighted action will convince even the most discerning professional players. You can connect to the piano via USB or Bluetooth and play your favorite classical pieces all night long. The FP-90X might just be the perfect piano for demanding musicians.