You are probably familiar with Casio goods if you play the keyboard or are shopping for a new digital piano. This respectable Japanese company has a lengthy history and is particularly well-known for its high-quality electronic instruments. Casio’s original models were so popular in the 1980s that the business decided to make additional new keyboards and digital pianos. When you include in upgrades to earlier models, it’s easy to see why Casio has such a wide range of products on the market right now.
Casio keyboards and digital pianos come in a wide range of styles and prices, ensuring that you may pick the right model for your needs, regardless of your skill level or budget. On the other side, it’s easy to get lost among all of these options, unsure of which to choose. This becomes more of a problem if you don’t fully comprehend all of the keyboard characteristics, which is understandable if you’re unfamiliar with the audio industry. To assist you in your search, I’ve compiled a list of the top Casio keyboards and digital pianos. Each one has a short description in plain English, as well as a list of pros and disadvantages, so you know precisely what to anticipate when you buy it.
Table of Contents
Casio PX-870 BK Privia Digital Home Piano
- The AiR engine provides highly-accurate grand piano sounds with seamless...
- The PX-870 features a variety of 19 instrument Tones, with the ability to...
- With a generous 256 notes of polyphony, you can rest assured that even the...
The first keyboard on our list is from the Privia series, which is especially popular among pianists. The Casio Privia PX-870 is a digital piano with a console that has been designed to look like an upright acoustic piano. It has 88 full-sized keys with Tri-sensor II hammer action that simulates playing an acoustic piano, as well as three built-in dynamic control pedals. Furthermore, the keys include imitation ebony and ivory keytops, which help you play more efficiently if your fingers sweat a lot. The AiR sound engine was utilized to correctly reproduce the piano sound in this model.
The PX-870 is one of Casio’s most popular digital pianos. With a maximum polyphony of 256 notes, it has Casio’s superior Tri-sensor II hammer action keys. The replicated ebony and ivory feel keytops are one of the outstanding physical aspects of the high-end Privia pianos. It may appear to be a luxury, yet it makes a significant difference. The crucial piano sound is provided by Casio’s outstanding AiR Sound Source. This sound engine is found in Casio pianos far more expensive than the PX-870, so we believe Casio when they say it’s their greatest ever.
The internal memory of the piano is one of the aspects that determines how well it can use the sound engine. To get the most out of the AiR piano engine, Casio increased the memory in this model compared to prior models. Everything about the piano performance is spot-on, including mechanical noises like the pedals and key lift, among other things.
The electronic pianos are the best of the 19 onboard voices after the grand piano tones. Voices can also be stacked, and the keyboard can be split to produce a wider range of sounds. With reverbs, chorus, and brightness, the inbuilt effects are quite normal for the Privia line. There are five concert play-along tracks in terms of interactive content, but the Chordana Piano app has a lot more. There are also a number of classes and tutorials in the program. The 2-track record capability, which allows for up to 5000 notes, rounds off the primary features. This is among the best new casio keyboard 2024.
Casio Privia PX-160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano with Power Supply
- Thanks to the new speaker system (2 x 8 watts) for maximum hearing pleasure...
- The pure functions produced by the digital piano make its 18 authentic...
- Launching into multi-dimensional AiR sound generation becomes a pleasure...
Despite its lower position in the Privia lineup, the PX-160 features the same Tri-sensor II hammer action keys as the PX-870. They have the same faux ebony/ivory feel as the higher-end models. The AiR sound engine provides the hallmark piano tone once again. Among the 18 onboard voices, there are five acoustic pianos in total. Casio’s award-winning PX-5S stage piano also contributed some beautiful string ensembles to the mix. This digital piano is more accessible to starting players than the PX-870 since it is less expensive, and it has a lot of functions geared for the learner market.
The duet keyboard mode, which is ubiquitous throughout the Privia line, is one of the best tuition features. Duet mode divides the screen into two identical playing zones, allowing a student and teacher to play simultaneously. It also features a second headphone jack, allowing you to practice quietly. It also contains a 2-track recorder and a USB MIDI interface, which it shares with the PX-870. The biggest noticeable change is that the PX-160 is much more portable, which is fantastic for both gigging and just traveling around the home.
The PX-160 is a terrific way to get an affordable weighted Casio keyboard with an excellent AiR sound engine and realistic feel. The fact that it has much of the same capabilities and features as the much more expensive PX-870 speaks words about how wonderful this keyboard is. As we’ve said before, the piano sound is excellent. The symphonic sounds are beautiful, and they stimulate a distinct manner of playing, which is beneficial to harmonic growth. We think it’s great since it has all of these characteristics on a small, inexpensive keyboard.
Casio AP-470 Celviano Digital Piano
Casio AP-470 Celviano Digital Piano is a highly impressive instrument that offers a rich and expressive sound, along with a natural playing feel that approaches that of a grand piano. This Celviano Digital Pianos are designed to provide an immersive experience for both beginners and advanced pianists, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality digital piano.
The New Celviano Piano features Casio’s Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source, which simulates the complex resonating sounds of a grand piano. This advanced technology allows for a wide dynamic range, from soft pianississimo to powerful forte shissimo, making it suitable for various genres and performance environments. The piano also includes two separately selectable grand piano sounds, each with its unique characteristics. The GRAND PIANO 1 is ideal for powerful, richly reverberating performances, while GRAND PIANO 2 is better suited for bright, luxuriant performances, particularly in jazz and pop music.
The Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II provides a natural playing feel by accurately detecting keystroke speeds and timing for rich resonance. This advanced mechanism emulates the deadweight of piano hammers, requiring heavier strokes for low notes and progressively lighter touches for higher notes. The simulated ebony and ivory keys offer a luxurious feel and texture, with a crimp surface finish that inhibits finger slippage due to sweat.
Casio PX-770 BK Privia Digital Home Piano
- 88 scaled, weighted hammer-action keys with simulated ebony and ivory...
- Stunning new piano sound with detailed resonance, plus 18 other Tones
- Stereo speaker system built into stylish, modern wooden cabinet
The Casio Privia PX-770 is a reasonably priced piano that provides a genuine piano experience. It’ll be nice because it’s part of the Privia PX digital piano family; the only question is how good.
It has a scaled hammer action and 88 full-size keys. There are three velocity layers in the hammer action, making it a Tri-sensor system. The keys also have a simulated ebony and ivory polish, which adds another depth of authenticity while also helping to keep your grip when your fingers sweat. The maximum polyphony of the PX-770 is 128 notes, which is very common for a digital piano at this price point.
It has the same excellent Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR piano engine as the more expensive variants. The grand piano sounds were recorded at four different velocity levels, making them incredibly beautiful. Electric pianos and organs are among the 19 onboard voices. For a digital piano of this type, the amount of voices is quite appealing. The onboard effects can help sculpt the sounds even further. There are four reverb styles and four chorus types to choose from to give your tone more depth.
Casio digital pianos are well-known for being excellent learning devices. The PX-770 comes with plenty of play-along content, including 60 built-in tunes and a duet mode that’s ideal for teaching. With the 2-track MIDI recorder, it’s very simple to keep track of your progress. Everything is contained within a slimline 3-pedal stand/cabinet. The Casio PX-770 is a lovely piano that is perfect for any student or learner. It’s also great for any advanced player who doesn’t want to invest in the PX-870.
Casio claims that their “best-ever grand piano tone” is really stunning. Of course, the true ebony/ivory feel of the keys aids the piano tone. The other voices offered are fine, but they aren’t as vital. Overall, it’s not quite as good as the PX-870, but it’s a lot less expensive, and for many people, it’ll be the superior choice.
Casio CDP-240 88-Key Digital Piano
- 88 Note Weighted, Scaled Hammer Action
- 700 Tones and 152 Built-In Songs
- 200 Auto-Accompaniment Rhythms
If you’re looking for a low-cost digital piano with a lot of functionality, the Casio CDP-240 is the finest option right now. A Scaled Hammer Action keyboard with 88 weighted keys is included with this item. It also has three touch response levels, allowing you to play a wide variety of dynamics.
It is developed and constructed to provide you the greatest sounds, with 64-note polyphony, an enormous song library, and hundreds of built-in tones and rhythms. You can learn to play at your own pace thanks to the built-in Step-Up learning system. Simply play with your hands/fingers while viewing notes on a built-in LCD.
Casio Privia PX-S3000 Digital Piano
- 88-key Stage Piano with 192-note Polyphony
- Smart Scaled Hammer-action Keyboard
- Onboard Effects - Black
One of Casio’s most recent 88-key keyboards is the PX-S3000. It features a futuristic design and is a sign of the portable Privia range’s future. We may all agree that appearances aren’t everything, but the fact that it appears very slick doesn’t hurt. We’re off to a fantastic start because it’s also the world’s slimmest keyboard piano. Casio’s scaled hammer response with five sensitivity settings are featured on the PX-S3000. Given the keyboard’s small size, it’s impressive that it houses such a realistic keybed. It has a maximum polyphony of 192 notes, which is more than most other keyboard pianos.
If the advanced hammer action keys weren’t enough, the Air sound engine is included in this stunning keyboard. It features wonderful piano sounds with damper resonance and string resonance, therefore it’s a must-have if your delivers natural sounding resonance. There are 700 voices and 200 rhythms in total, which should keep even the most inventive players occupied for quite some time. Custom voices, such as layered or split patches, can be saved in 96 registration memories. In addition to the 200 internal rhythms, you can use Bluetooth to stream music/backing tracks from a smart device through the keyboard’s built-in speakers.
There are a lot of positive things to mention about the Casio PX-S3000, but the weight of the keys jumps out the most. Never before have we seen a slimline instrument with such a genuine hammer action keybed. This function alone makes this keyboard a working musician’s dream. When you combine that with the AiR piano engine’s sound quality, the results are just amazing. Casio’s PX-S3000 is an excellent example of a professional keyboard. You might be able to find better sounds and a better feel in the end, but not at this size and weight.
Casio Keyboard Actions: A Comprehensive Overview
Casio has developed several key actions over the years, each designed to provide a unique playing experience. These actions are designed to mimic the feel and response of acoustic pianos, making them suitable for pianists of all levels. Here, we will explore the different types of key actions used in Casio digital pianos.
Synth Action
The Synth Action is one of the older key actions used by Casio. While it is still a decent choice for beginners, it lacks the accuracy and feel of more modern key actions. The keys are not as solid as those found in newer models, but they are still usable for beginners. The main difference between this action and more modern ones is in terms of accuracy and feel, which is partly due to the older sounds and construction.
Scaled Hammer Action I
The Scaled Hammer Action I is another older key action used by Casio. It uses a single sensor to detect keystrokes, which can lead to some inaccuracies in repeated key presses. This action is not as advanced as the Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II but still provides a decent playing experience. The keys are graded, which means the lower keys feel heavier than the upper keys, similar to an acoustic piano.
Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II
The Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II is a significant improvement over the older key actions. It uses three sensors to detect keystrokes, ensuring accurate repeated key presses and sample triggering. This action recreates the feel of a real piano’s hammer action efficiently, using no springs in its construction. The key off simulator controls how long a sample rings out based on the speed at which a key is released, adding another layer of nuance and control. The keys are also graded, providing a more realistic playing experience.
Smart Scaled Hammer Action
The Smart Scaled Hammer Action is one of Casio’s newest innovations. It is designed to be shorter and more compact, making it suitable for smaller digital pianos. This action uses software to track key positions between being pressed and released, which surprisingly works well and accurately registers fast repeated keypresses. However, some classical pianists have commented on the lighter black keys, which might be an issue depending on playstyle.
(Slim) Scaled Hammer Action II
The (Slim) Scaled Hammer Action II is a less fully-featured version of the Smart Scaled Hammer Action. It lacks the smart software sensor but still provides a solid playing experience. The keys feel surprisingly similar to those in the Smart Scaled Hammer Action, but the smaller size and shorter pivot length can sometimes feel unnatural. Despite this, it is still a good choice for those looking to upgrade from unweighted synth-action keys.