1st Note

Kawai

Kawai ES-110 Review

Kawai ES-110: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

Discontinued
88 Keys 12 kg Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) Beginner
Often compared with Kawai ES60 Casio CDP-S160

Scores

4.8 5.1 6.0 6.2 5.9 Beginner Night Practice Portability Touch Reality Value

Beginner

4.8

Night Practice

5.1

Portability

6.0

Touch Reality

6.2

Value

5.9

Where to Buy

MSRP

$600

This model is discontinued. New-old-stock or used listings may still appear, so confirm the current listing status at retailers.

This model is discontinued; links may show used listings, remaining stock, or unrelated search results. These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How These Scores Were Calculated

Beginner

4.8
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 0.5
Lesson Function Yes +1.8
App Connectivity No +0
Bluetooth MIDI No +0
Recording No +0
Practice Basics (Metronome / Transpose / Layer-Split) Yes +0.6
Stand Included No +0
Damper Pedal Included Yes +0.4
Preset Songs 100 +1.3
Sound Variety 19 sounds +0.2

Night Practice

5.1
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 1.0
Headphone Jacks 1 +1.3
Headphone Type 6.3mm +0.9
Headphone Optimization No +0
Bluetooth Audio No +0
Line Out Yes +0.4
Speaker Mute with Headphones Yes +0.7
Key Action Quietness Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) +0.8

Portability

6.0
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 5.0
Weight 12 kg +1
Width 1312 mm +0
Battery No +0
Foldable No +0
Key Count 88 keys +0

Touch Reality

6.2
Factor This Piano Points
Key Action Quality Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) (grade 5) +3
Key Count 88 keys +1.5
Polyphony 192 notes +1.2
Sound Modeling Harmonic Imaging +0.5
Key Surface none +0

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Kawai ES-110 review verdict

This Kawai ES-110 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

Kawai ES-110 is best read as a portable digital piano for beginners and returning players. This review looks at weighted-key feel, sound, practice features, value, and realistic comparison points instead of treating the spec sheet as advertising copy.

Pros

  • Key count: 88 keys, a clear basis for digital piano comparison.
  • Touch: weighted hammer action, so the review stays focused on practice feel.
  • Quiet practice: Headphone practice support.
  • Connectivity: USB MIDI.
  • Use case: Its best fit is home practice.

Cons

  • Main limit: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument.
  • Stand cost and compatibility are separate checks.
  • Used-market condition and support need careful checking.

Kawai ES-110 is a portable digital piano that makes most sense when its strengths are matched to the right practice situation. The useful points are 88 keys, weighted hammer action, 192-note polyphony, 14W speakers, and a weight of 12 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. Because it is discontinued, the condition, accessories, and local support matter more than the original launch position. The fairest comparison is with models in the same price and use class, where touch, speakers, headphone practice, and connectivity can be judged side by side.

Kawai ES-110 evaluation points

Kawai ES-110 key action and touch

Kawai ES-110 uses a weighted hammer action. For a digital piano with weighted keys, the important question is not only whether the keys are heavy, but whether they help steady daily practice. The none key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 192-note polyphony; that is enough for ordinary pieces, while more layered playing or heavy pedal use benefits from a higher number. This makes the key action a practical comparison point rather than a decorative specification.

Who the Kawai ES-110 is for

Kawai ES-110 is most relevant for beginners and returning players. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: portability and easy placement. Limits: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.

Kawai ES-110 sound and speakers

Kawai ES-110 offers 19 sounds and 14W speakers. That is the sound side of the review: enough variety for practice, but the real experience depends on speaker power, headphone use, and the room where it will be played. The headphone output supports quiet practice. For lessons, apps, or recording workflows, the useful connectivity is USB MIDI.

What to know before buying the Kawai ES-110

Before buying Kawai ES-110, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. A stand may need to be budgeted separately. A damper pedal is included, though some players may still want a fuller pedal unit. Because it is discontinued, the condition, accessories, and local support matter more than the original launch position. For searchers looking for a Kawai ES-110 review, the practical conclusion is to treat it as one candidate in a digital piano comparison, not as a universal answer for every player.

Demo Video

Source: Merriam Music Watch on YouTube ↗

Specifications

Keys 88
Key Action Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC)
Polyphony 192 notes
Sounds 19
Weight 12 kg
Speakers 14W (×2)
Bluetooth No

Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →

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Recommended Accessories

🪑

Stand

Stand not included (sold separately)

A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.

🎧

Headphones

Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.

🎹

Sustain Pedal

The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.

💺

Bench

An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.

Where to Buy

MSRP

$600

This model is discontinued. New-old-stock or used listings may still appear, so confirm the current listing status at retailers.

This model is discontinued; links may show used listings, remaining stock, or unrelated search results. These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How It Compares

ES-110 vs ES60

The ES-110 scores higher in beginner support. The ES60 costs $101 less. Choose the ES-110 if beginner-friendly features matters most.

Kawai ES60 →

ES-110 vs CDP-S160

The ES-110 scores higher in quiet practice and portability. The CDP-S160 costs $101 less. Choose the ES-110 if quiet practice matters most.

Casio CDP-S160 →

ES-110 vs KA-120

The ES-110 scores higher in portability and piano-like touch, while the KA-120 is stronger in beginner support. The KA-120 costs $100 less. Choose the ES-110 if portability matters most.

Kurzweil KA-120 →

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Sources & transparency

This page is written by the operator, who has run the piano-learning site Piano Juku since 2017, based on published manufacturer specifications. We are not a retailer or tied to any maker — every model is compared by the same criteria. About the operator

Last verified
Data referenced from
Manufacturer official

How the 5-axis scores are calculated

We do not aggregate user reviews or star ratings (see methodology for why).

Spot a mistake or have a question about what's on this page? Let us know and we'll review it.

Suggest a correction

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Kawai ES-110

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