Kawai
ES120
$700
Kawai's feature-packed contender with 100 rhythms
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 6.8 Touch Reality 7.5 Value
88 12 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai ES-320 Review
Kawai's best portable for beginners — real hammer action with Bluetooth at a fair price
88 Keys 12 kg responsive hammer compact ii
Bluetooth
Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
10.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 100 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 25 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | responsive hammer compact ii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 12 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1322 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
7.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | responsive hammer compact ii (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Progressive Harmonic Imaging | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The ES-320 is Kawai's entry-level portable piano with Responsive Hammer Compact II action, Bluetooth Audio + MIDI, and a slim 12 kg body. It's the natural rival to the Yamaha P-225 and Roland FP-30X.
Pros
- • Responsive Hammer Compact II action with ivory-feel keys — noticeably better than basic hammer actions in this price range, with natural grading
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI — stream music through the speakers and connect to Kawai's PianoRemote app for sound selection and learning tools
- • 12 kg and compact — easy to move between rooms, store in a closet, or take to a friend's house
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with spatial headphone optimization — practice silently without disturbing anyone
- • 25 sounds with quality piano tones sampled from the Kawai concert grand
- • USB MIDI for connecting to a computer and using with piano learning software or DAWs
Cons
- • 20W speakers are adequate for personal practice but won't fill a large room — consider an external speaker for gatherings
- • No battery option — you'll always need a power outlet, unlike some competitors
- • Stand not included — budget an extra $50-100 for a proper X-stand or the matching Kawai stand
The ES-320 is the portable piano to buy if touch quality is your priority at $800. Kawai's RH Compact II action gives you more tactile feedback than competing actions from Yamaha and Roland at this price. The Bluetooth Audio + MIDI combo is a welcome addition — you can stream accompaniment tracks through the speakers while practicing. The tradeoff is modest speaker power (20W) and no battery, so it's better suited for home use than gigging. If you want more power, step up to the ES-920. If 12 kg and $800 fits your life, the ES-320 is a smart first piano.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Responsive Hammer Compact II uses two sensors per key and provides graded hammer action from heavy bass to light treble. The ivory-feel surface adds texture and grip that basic glossy keys lack. At 12 kg, there's obviously less mass behind each key than in a console piano, but the action still feels purposeful and musical. Compared to the Yamaha GHS in the P-225, the RH Compact II has a slightly more substantial feel with more defined key return. Compared to Kawai's own RH III in the CN series, it's lighter and has fewer sensors, so very fast passages feel slightly less refined.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're starting piano lessons (or your child is) and you need a real 88-key instrument that feels like a piano, not a toy keyboard. Space might be tight — an apartment, a shared room — so a compact portable makes more sense than a console. You want Bluetooth so you can connect to apps and stream music. The ES-320 competes directly with the Yamaha P-225 and Roland FP-30X, and it holds its own: the RH Compact II action is arguably the best in this price bracket for touch quality.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Compact Ii |
| Polyphony | 192 notes |
| Sounds | 25 |
| Weight | 12 kg |
| Speakers | 20W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Progressive Harmonic Imaging |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 100 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1322×232×141 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
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.
How It Compares
ES-320 vs ES120
The ES-320 scores higher in Touch Reality, while the ES120 edges ahead in Portability. The ES120 costs $100 less. Choose the ES-320 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Kawai ES120 →ES-320 vs FP-30X
The ES-320 scores higher in Portability, while the FP-30X edges ahead in Touch Reality. The FP-30X costs $100 less. Choose the ES-320 if you prioritize portability.
Roland FP-30X →ES-320 vs PX-S3100
The ES-320 scores higher in Night Practice, while the PX-S3100 edges ahead in Portability. Choose the ES-320 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Casio PX-S3100 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai ES-320 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai ES-320 scores 10/10 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.
Does the Kawai ES-320 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai ES-320 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai ES-320?
The Kawai ES-320 weighs 12 kg (26 lbs). It scores 5.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is light enough to carry between rooms or to lessons.
Can I use headphones with the Kawai ES-320?
Yes. The Kawai ES-320 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8.5/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Kawai ES-320 have?
The Kawai ES-320 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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FP-30X
$700
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9.6 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 5.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.5 Value
88 14.3 kg
View Details Casio
PX-S3100
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700 sounds in Casio's slimmest body
10.0 Beginner 7.0 Night Practice 7.0 Portability 7.3 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
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