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Yamaha is one of the world's most prolific manufacturers of keyboard instruments. They manufacture everything from magnificent concert grand pianos to the ideal first keyboard for children.
We're not looking at a concert grand, but we're looking at a variety of models in a range of prices.
Here are our picks for the best Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos on the market right now, ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
These are the Best Yamaha Keyboards and Digital Pianos in Market Right now:
1. Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
"A luxurious piano experience"
The Clavinova CLP-735 from Yamaha is one of our favorite digital pianos at any price. The playing experience is so real that it's easy to lose track of time and imagine yourself at an acoustic piano.
It sounds and feels fantastic, and it's well worth the money for serious pianists.
The CLP-735 exemplifies how authentic a digital piano can sound and feel.
It employs Yamaha's Real Grand Expression technology, as well as genuine wooden keys. The weight of the keys provides just enough resistance to feel realistic while encouraging dynamic, expressive play.
The Clavinova CLP-735 features two iconic grand piano voices that match the real wooden keys perfectly. It incorporates the sound of Yamaha's CFX concert grand as well as the legendary Bösendorfer Imperial.
The two pianos have distinct voices and a good balance of bright and dark tones. The contrasting tones make it an excellent piano for a wide range of musical styles.
2. Yamaha CP88
Authentic vintage sounds with a modern twist
The Yamaha CP88 is a stage piano that will divide opinion. If you don't like the retro-modern-vintage approach, this isn't the place for you. But we adore it; it's one of our favourite Yamaha keyboards in years.
It has excellent acoustic and electric piano sounds, as well as lovely vintage effects.
The Yamaha CP88 is a full-size stage piano with vintage sounds and modern technology. The AWM2 tone generator beautifully recreates the sound of Yamaha's iconic 1970s Combo Piano.
It also includes one of the Bösendorfer Imperial 290's most popular acoustic piano sounds. The CP88 has better acoustic/electric piano sounds than most.
Yamaha's Virtual Circuitry Modeling, which mimics studio-grade processors right down to the inconsistencies, provides built-in effects.
Sounds and effects can be changed and tweaked on the fly thanks to a clever modular layout. The Yamaha CP88 is an excellent choice for the stage due to its quick workflow.
3. Yamaha Arius YDP-103
A solid beginner-friendly piano
Despite its age, the YDP-103 is still on our list. It is still one of the best digital pianos under $1000, so the value is unbeatable.
If you're a beginner to intermediate player looking for good-quality grand piano sounds at a reasonable price, the YDP-103 is for you.
When you break everything down from the Yamaha YDP-103, you'll find that it's more than you might expect.
It has a beautiful graded hammer-action keyboard. The key weight isn't ideal, but it's an excellent transition from portable keyboard to digital piano for beginners. The instrument's feel should be good enough to last from beginner to intermediate level playing.
The YDP-103's sound is powered by Yamaha's AWM sampling. It doesn't quite match the quality of high-end digital pianos, but it produces an impressive grand piano tone that is among the best in its price range.
It has a total of ten voices and a maximum polyphony of 64 notes. The low polyphony may be a concern for some, but it should not be a problem for beginner to intermediate players.
It's a straightforward digital piano with simple features, good sounds, and a reasonable price.
4. Yamaha P-125
A high-quality, lightweight stage piano
We can see why the P-125 is the first choice for many performers looking for a simple stage piano without spending a fortune.
You can't go wrong with the P-125 if you want a great piano sound without all of the extraneous features. If you require more than a simple piano, this is probably not the one.
The Yamaha P-125 is an 88-key stage piano with 192 note polyphony. It has hammer-action keys that are graded and have moisture-absorbing matte keytops.
Key-off samples, string resonance, and damper resonance, in addition to the realistic keyboard, enhance the piano experience.
Yamaha's Pure CF sound engine is responsible for the sound. While we don't think it's as good as the CFX engine, it's still very good (especially in that price range). The Pure CF engine faithfully reproduces the sound of the Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand.
It doesn't have many features, but the ones it does have, such as Sound Boost and the Stereophonic Optimizer, make a noticeable difference.
The weight of the P-125 is another factor that appeals to performers. It weighs only 26 pounds, making it one of the most portable stage pianos available.
5. Yamaha Arius YDP-165
The sound of the Yamaha CFX concert grand
The Yamaha Arius YDP-165 digital piano is ideal for intermediate players. Because it's a little pricey for beginners, we call it intermediate.
It has a high-quality sound, a realistic feel, and a clear technological advancement. It demonstrates that the Arius line is here to stay.
The YDP-165 is a newer Arius model that combines updated technology with classic Arius styling.
The graded hammer-action (GH3) keyboard has keytops made of synthetic ebony and ivory. The weight and feel of the keyboard are an improvement over the YDP-103 (we still favour the YDP-103 for the price).
It has the sound of Yamaha's flagship concert grand, the CFX. It's the best Yamaha piano sound, and one of the best from any manufacturer.
Half-damper pedal control is supported, allowing for more realistic and precise sustain control.
The YDP-165 includes hundreds of songs and 303 practise exercises for users of all skill levels. It is a sophisticated piano for anyone serious about becoming an advanced player.
6. Yamaha DGX-670
A songwriter’s dream
The DGX-670 is widely regarded as one of the best arranger keyboards on the market. Between the abundance of sounds and connectivity, it's the ideal singer-keyboard. songwriter's
It's also one of the most affordable ways to get the incredible Yamaha CFX sound.
The DGX-670 from Yamaha continues the trend of excellent DGX arranger keyboards. This 88-key portable grand piano is a significant upgrade over previous models.
It comes with hundreds of high-quality sounds, just like any good arranger keyboard. Although the Yamaha CFX concert grand is the standout voice, the other sounds are equally impressive.
Many interesting features will appeal to aspiring composers, adding realism to their arrangements. Super Articulation Voices imitate non-keyboard instruments' natural expression (great for saxophone).
The DGX-670 has a microphone input as well as the ability to record your ideas, making it ideal for rehearsing and performing. It's a creative force to be reckoned with.
7. Yamaha Piaggero NP-12
The perfect first keyboard
The Yamaha NP-12 is an excellent first keyboard for any novice. It's an excellent way to give younger players the appearance of a more professional instrument while saving money.
Some beginners may be disappointed by the lack of features, but we see it as a lack of distractions.
To be clear, the Piaggero NP-12 is not one of Yamaha's seven best keyboards. As a result, it may appear to be an odd addition to our list. However, we are attempting to cover a wide price and capability range, and the NP-12 is at the top of its class.
It differs from most beginner keyboards in that it prioritises sound quality over flashy features. The NP-12 has a grand piano voice that no beginner keyboard can match.
The remaining sounds (ten in total) are also impressive. Electric pianos, strings, and organs provide enough variety for young players to try out different playing styles.
We also like the way the NP-12 looks. It's not colourful or eye-catching in any way. Again, some children may object, but we believe it gives the impression of a more mature instrument.
Conclusion
These are the top Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos available right now (in our opinion). We looked at both high-end digital pianos and low-cost beginner keyboards and fell in love with them all.
Whatever your musical ability or budget, you should find something interesting here!