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YAMAHA P71
⬇️ Scroll down here to read our review ⬇️
REVIEW
If you're in search of fully-weighted keys for a more realistic playing experience than the "Best Choice Products" Digital Piano, the YAMAHA P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano is your next option. Although it comes at a higher price, the investment is worth it.
PROS:
1. Yamaha is a well-known and reputable brand, offering better reliability compared to lesser-known brands like "Best Choice Products."
2. The fully-weighted keys on the YAMAHA P71 replicate the feel of a real piano.
3. Its piano sounds are sampled from real Yamaha acoustic grand pianos, resulting in a considerably better sound quality than the "Best Choice Products" Digital Piano.
4. It includes 10 different instrument timbres, providing more sound variety than the previous "Best Choice Products" Digital Piano.
5. If you already have a stand, you can purchase just the piano for a fraction of the price.
CONS:
1. The included sustain pedal might not be of great quality. For a better option, the recommended M-Audio SP-2 sustain pedal which is compatible with all keyboards in the market. Check it out by clicking here.
2. It lacks a piano bench, requiring you to purchase one separately or use a chair with or without a cushion. We recommend purchasing a portable piano bench with adjustable height like the CAHAYA Keyboard Bench. Click here to see it on Amazon.
3. It's a little bulky, compared to other keyboards like the Casio Privia I will show you next.
IN CONCLUSION:
If budget permits, I highly recommend investing in the Yamaha P71 over cheaper keyboards with similar features (like the previously reviewed "Best Choice Products" Digital Piano), primarily because Yamaha is a more reputable brand, offering better durability and longevity.
However, this bundle doesn't come with a piano bench and headphones, and the sustain pedal it comes with is not of good quality. I recommend you check out the Casio Privia PX-S1100 that we review next, which is less bulky and more stylish, and it comes with a piano bench, headphones, and a great sustain pedal. It may look more expensive at first, but considering it includes everything on the price, it turns to be a similar price as the Yamaha P71 after getting a piano bench, headphones and a better sustain pedal. (Check it out by exiting this window clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner).
How about other piano recommendations?
🎹 To see other pianos go back to the main page by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner.
Best Choice Products 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano
⬇️ Scroll down here to read our review ⬇️
REVIEW
For a little more than the cheap ZENY keyboard (discussed in the previous review), the "Best Choice Products" 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano Electronic Keyboard offers significant improvements. With 88 full-size keys and semi-weighted touch, it provides a more realistic playing experience compared to the ZENY's non-weighted keys.
PROS:
1. Still budget-friendly but delivers a much better sound quality.
2. Semi-weighted keys offer a more realistic feel, bridging the gap between non-weighted and fully-weighted keys.
3. Comes with a stand, sustain pedal, and score holder.
4. With 88 notes, it is suitable for playing real piano scores.
CONS:
1. The sound quality might not match more expensive 88-note keyboards, but it still offers excellent value for its price.
2. Semi-weighted keys are not as realistic as fully-weighted keys, but they offer a good compromise.
3. It doesn't come with a piano bench, so users will need to find an appropriate chair or cushion for seating. We recommend purchasing a portable piano bench with adjustable height like the CAHAYA Keyboard Bench. Click here to see it on Amazon.
4. This keyboard comes with only 6 different timbers or sounds. But these sounds are of far higher quality than the extensive but cheaper-sounding options provided by cheaper keybaords as the previously seen cheap ZENY. Having lots of sounds available is fun for kids, but they get tired of them quite fast, so having more sounds shouldn't be something to consider when deciding on a piano.
5. "Best Choice Products" is not a well-known brand, and as such, its durability and longevity may not match that of reputable brands like Casio or Yamaha. We recommend getting a better and more reliable keyboard, if your budget permits.
IN CONCLUSION:
Overall, the "Best Choice Products" 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano Electronic Keyboard is an excellent choice for those seeking a more realistic sound and feel, while still maintaining a very affordable price point.
However, cheapness compromises quality! So it won't be as durable as better brands as Yamaha or Casio, with better keyboards that last very long. We recommend you avoid wasting time & money in the future, by buying good quality products like the ones we review next (to view them go back to the main page by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner).
How about other piano recommendations?
🎹 To see other pianos go back to the main page by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner.
HEXANT 88-Key or Donner DDP-80 Plus
⬇️ Scroll down here to read our review ⬇️
REVIEW
If design is a top priority and you want a piano that complements your living space, there are two options worth considering: the HEXANT 88-Key Digital Piano for around $390 and the Donner DDP-80 for around $660 or the more recommended Donner DDP-80 Plus for around $700 (when clicking on the link of the DDP-80 Plus you may see instead the DDP-80. That means that the DDP-80 Plus is currently out-of-stock).
What's in common between both keyboards?
PROS in common:
1. Both keyboards have fully-weighted keys, providing a realistic playing experience.
2. They boast clean and minimalistic designs, making them suitable as furniture decoration.
3. They inlcude MIDI support and 3 pedals: soft, damper, and sustain (the soft and damper pedals are barely used, specially when using a keyboard, so having them shouldn't compromise your decision making).
CONS in common:
1. Neither keyboard comes with pitch bend or modulation wheels for MIDI composition.
2. The stands on both keyboards are not adjustable in height, necessitating a separate piano bench with adjustable height for proper posture and comfort during play.
3. Both keyboards offer the option to purchase a matching piano bench, but they come at fixed heights. It's recommended to buy the piano without a bench and invest in an adjustable-height bench like the Starfavor Piano Bench (click here to check it out).
What’s the difference between both keyboards?
HEXANT 88-Key Digital Keyboard Piano
1. Priced at around $390 it's more affordable but lesser quality.
2. It comes with 900 tones, 700 rhythms, and 110 songs for versatile playing.
3. You can connect a USB pen drive with music for MP3 song playback, though navigation within the USB is limited.
Donner DDP-80 Digital Piano
1. Priced at around $660, it is more expensive but offers superior sound quality, key feel, and overall build.
2. It aims to emulate the authenticity of a real piano and does not provide additional sounds or rhythms or other functionalities of the HEXANT keyboard.
Donner DDP-80 PLUS Digital Piano
Priced at around $700, it offers a little better sound quality than the DDP-80 and a different design, including a lid, that comes out very handy to protect the keys from dust and look more neat, like a real piece of furniture.
If you are going to get the DDP-80 we say you should go for sure with the DDP-80 Plus.
You can find it with a piano bench for $770. Click here to check out the DDP-80 Plus with a bench.
Know that this bench can not be regulated in height. Therefore:
We highly recommend getting another bench. The Starfavor Piano Bench is our recommendation (click here to check it out).
✅ In summary:
The HEXANT is ideal for amateur players seeking various sounds and rhythms to experiment with, while the Donner DDP-80 is more focused on replicating the feel and sound of a real piano. The Donner DDP-80 justifies its higher price with its premium quality.
⚠️ There are a few problems with these keybaords:
1. HEXANT and Donner are brands that don't have the reputation of the top brands in the industry, like Yamaha or Casio. We couldn't test how reliable are these pianos after some time.
2. They can't adjust the height, which compromises body posture. This is easily fixed by purchasing a piano bench with adjustable height like the Starfavor Piano Bench. You can also purchase the bench that comes with these pianos, they are gonna look nicer as they will match the design. However they don't regulate height, so we don't recommend them unless you can find that using a cushion gets the job done. If you are too short (or a child) your legs may not reach the pedals, and you'll have to raise the pedals someway.
IN CONCLUSION:
If having a piano that doubles as a piece of furniture is of utmost importance, an acoustic piano would be the ideal choice. However, if you wish to save money and avoid yearly tuning, consider the Donner DDP-80 Plus (for higher quality with fewer features) or the HEXANT (for a lower price, more features, but potentially lesser quality).
On the other hand, if having a piano that serves as a furniture piece is less critical for you, it is recommended to opt for a safer choice, such as a keyboard from a reputable brand like the recently reviewed Casio Privia PX-S1100 (click here to view on Amazon, or access the review of the Casio Privia leaving this window by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner).
How about other piano recommendations?
🎹 To see other pianos go back to the main page by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner.
ZENY 61-Key Portable Electric Keyboard
⬇️ Scroll down here to read our review ⬇️
REVIEW
Saving money with a cheaper option is appealing, especially for children and adults who aren't fully committed to learning the piano yet. Once the student progresses, it's advisable to upgrade to a better keyboard or a real piano. Committed learners should steer clear of cheap pianos and invest in a quality one.
The ZENY 61-Key Portable Electric Keyboard is a budget-friendly choice at under $100. It comes with all the essentials: built-in speakers, headphones, piano stand, music sheet stand, and piano bench. It even includes a cheap microphone for some added fun experimentation.
This keyboard has 61 keys instead of the 88 keys of a real piano. While it's recommended to use a full-size keyboard, having less keys can still be an advantage as it makes it more compact and portable, and, at an amateur level, you can still play any amateur song with 61 keys without having to use the full 88-note keyboard range (by omitting the extremely low and high notes, resulting in 61 keys). There are keyboards with even fewer keys, but we don't recommend going below 61 keys, as having too few keys can limit the student when attempting to play certain songs.
Pros:
1. The affordability is unbeatable at under $100, offering great value for what it includes.
2. With 61 keys, it's highly portable and perfectly sized for children or amateur adults.
3. The package comes with a stand and stool, both adjustable for maintaining proper body posture during play.
4. It features a score holder (to hold music sheets or iPads), built-in speakers, and headphones to keep practice sessions pleasant.
5. The piano boasts 300+ instrument sounds and 300+ rhythms, allowing for enjoyable experimentation, especially for motivating children. However, you should know these sounds are of very low quaility and, for an adult, hardly enjoyable.
Cons:
1. The keyboard is very cheap and also cheaply made. It's not reliable and it may not be very durable.
2. The keyboard's sound quality is subpar, with a cheap-sounding piano sound far from realistic.
3. The keys are not weighted, lacking the authentic feel of a real piano, but for beginners and children, this is ok to start with.
4. It does not come with a sustain pedal, but this may be less critical at the beginner level, as at that level is hardly ever used; plus, by not using it, it encourages the use of better finger control in practice.
5. The limited 61 keys could be problematic when attempting to play complex, real piano scores in the future.
IN CONCLUSION:
For committed adult learners willing to invest more, this keyboard is not recommended due to its poor sound quality and lack of weighted keys, resulting in an unsatisfying playing experience.
On the other hand, if you are not fully committed to learning the piano and want to save money, this inexpensive option can serve as a transitional instrument. It is ideal for starting out and later transitioning to a piano with better sound quality and weighted keys.
The enjoyment of playing the piano largely depends on the sound quality, so investing in a better instrument is important for long-term satisfaction. We encourage you to view & consider our next options (access them by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner).
How about other piano recommendations?
🎹 To see other pianos go back to the main page by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner.
Casio Privia PX-S1100
⬇️ Scroll down here to read our review ⬇️
REVIEW
Continuing in the realm of 88-key fully-weighted keyboards, my next recommendation would be the PX-S1100 Privia. This piano stands out due to its gentle key feel, which is not always found in fully-weighted keyboards. The PX-S1100 Privia provides softer, yet fully-weighted keys, offering a feel even closer to that of a real piano.
The bundle includes everything you need: a pair of high-quality headphones, a music sheet holder, a stand, a bench, and a good-quality sustain pedal. At around $770, it offers the best price for the features and level of quality it provides.
PROS:
1. The PX-S1100 Privia offers professional-sounding piano tones, including a few other very decent-sounding instrument options.
2. The fully-weighted keys have a nice, soft feel, making it easier for amateurs to play.
3. Its stylish and minimalistic design adds to its appeal. It's thinner and lighter than most keyboards.
CONS:
1. This piano lacks pitch bend or modulation wheels, which may be essential tools for musicians composing or producing MIDI-based music. However, if you don't understand their purpose, you likely won't miss them. (And if needed in the future, you can always purchase them separately as independent controllers).
2. Changing instrument sounds may not be intuitive, requiring you to press a button and then a key on the piano. There's no clear visual representation of the selected sound. While it can be initially annoying, it becomes easier to manage with time and practice.
IN CONCLUSION:
The Casio Privia PX-S1100 offers comparable features to the Yamaha P71, but it comes at a higher price. However, with the extra cost, you gain a better sustain pedal, headphones, and a piano bench, along with a design that is considered more appealing. Both keyboards provide fully-weighted keys, but the Privia's softer feel allows for a more comfortable playing experience. Overall, the additional investment in the Casio Privia PX-S1100 provides enhanced accessories and aesthetics, making it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a more premium experience.
How about other piano recommendations?
🎹 To see other pianos go back to the main page by clicking on the cross (X) at the top right hand corner.