Roland
FP-10
$500
Roland's cheapest 88-key — and it still has the same keys as the FP-30X
Casio
The world's slimmest 88-key digital piano
MSRP
$700
Source: Sweetwater product page (manufacturer site unavailable) (2025-04-06)
| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 60 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 18 sounds | +0.3 |
| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm | +0.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | smart scaled hammer action | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 11.2 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1322 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | Yes | +1.5 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | smart scaled hammer action (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | simulated-ebony-ivory | +0.5 |
If you want a piano that fits your life rather than the other way around — sitting on a desk, running on batteries, tucked away in a closet — the PX-S1100 makes it possible without compromising on key quality.
The PX-S1100 is for people who thought they didn't have room for a piano. It's thinner than most laptops are wide, light enough to carry in one hand, and runs on AA batteries. But unlike most ultra-portable instruments, it doesn't feel like a toy — the keys have real weight and the sound has genuine depth. You'll pay more than the CDP-S110, but the better key feel, richer sound, and battery capability make it worth the step up.
The keys feel noticeably better than budget Casio models. Each key has its own individual weight, so the bass feels heavy and authoritative while the treble feels light and responsive. The white keys have a subtle ivory-like texture and the black keys feel like smooth ebony — both designed to keep your fingers from slipping and make playing feel more natural.
You want a full piano but your living situation demands flexibility. Maybe you practice at the kitchen table and put the piano away before dinner. Maybe you bring it to the sunroom on weekends. Or maybe you simply don't have a permanent spot for an instrument. The battery power means you can play anywhere — even on the patio — without an outlet.
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Smart Scaled Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 192 notes |
| Sounds | 18 |
| Weight | 11.2 kg |
| Speakers | 16W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | MIDI |
| Key Surface | Simulated Ebony Ivory |
| Sound Modeling | Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 60 |
| Battery | Yes |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1322×232×102 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
The PX-S1100 scores higher in Portability. The FP-10 costs $200 less. Choose the PX-S1100 if you prioritize portability.
Roland FP-10 →The PX-S1100 scores higher in Portability and Touch Reality. The CDP-S360 costs $150 less. Choose the PX-S1100 if you prioritize portability.
Casio CDP-S360 →The PX-S1100 scores higher in Portability and Touch Reality, while the XE20 edges ahead in Night Practice. Choose the PX-S1100 if you prioritize portability.
Korg XE20 →Yes. The Casio PX-S1100 scores 8.4/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
The Casio PX-S1100 has Bluetooth MIDI for wireless app connectivity, but no Bluetooth Audio for streaming music.
The Casio PX-S1100 weighs 11.2 kg (25 lbs). It scores 7/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Yes. The Casio PX-S1100 has 1 headphone jack (3.5mm). It scores 4.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
The Casio PX-S1100 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
Choosing a digital piano in your 50s, 60s, or 70s is different from buying one at 25. You may want a more comfortable key action that's easier on aging joints, a display you can read without squinting, and built-in lessons that let you learn at your own pace. This guide covers exactly that.
Read more →The $500–$1,000 range is where digital pianos get genuinely good. This is the sweet spot — where key actions start to feel convincing, speakers become room-filling, and you get features that actually matter for your progress. If you can stretch your budget to this range, you'll get an instrument that can carry you from your first lesson through years of playing.
Read more →Sometimes you need a piano that goes where you go. Whether you're gigging, traveling, teaching at multiple locations, or simply don't have room for a full console, portability matters. But lighter doesn't always mean better — the trade-offs between weight, key quality, and features are real. This guide breaks down exactly what to look for in a portable digital piano.
Read more →Buying a digital piano can feel overwhelming. Hundreds of models, confusing specs, and marketing jargon make it hard to know what actually matters. This guide breaks down everything you need to understand — in plain language — so you can make a confident decision.
Read more →"Should I buy a digital piano or a keyboard?" It's the most common question beginners ask — and the most confusing, because the terms get used interchangeably even by music stores. They're actually quite different instruments designed for different purposes. This guide cuts through the marketing noise and explains exactly what separates them, when each one makes sense, and which you should buy based on your actual goals.
Read more →"Weighted keys" and "graded hammer action" are two of the most common terms you'll see when shopping for a digital piano. They sound similar but refer to different things. This guide explains exactly what they mean, how they affect your playing, and which type you should look for.
Read more →Living in an apartment doesn't mean giving up piano. Digital pianos were practically made for this situation — plug in headphones and the world disappears. But not all models are equally quiet. Key noise, headphone quality, and late-night optimization features vary widely. This guide helps you find the right piano for peaceful apartment practice.
Read more →Roland
$500
Roland's cheapest 88-key — and it still has the same keys as the FP-30X
Casio
$550
700 sounds in a slim body — the budget arranger that doubles as a piano
Korg
$700
700 sounds and auto-accompaniment on a real piano keyboard