Roland
FP-30X
$700
The do-everything portable piano
9.6 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 5.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.8 Value
88 14.3kg
View Details Kawai
ES120
Kawai's feature-packed contender with 100 rhythms
MSRP
$700
Source: Sweetwater product page (manufacturer site unavailable) (2025-04-06)
88 Keys 12 kg responsive hammer compact ii
Bluetooth
Scores
Our Verdict
If you want one piano that does everything well — practice, lessons, late-night playing — the ES120 checks every box without breaking the bank.
Pros
- ● Bluetooth Audio + MIDI — both included
- ● Dual headphone jacks (3.5mm + 6.3mm) with spatial optimization
- ● Responsive Hammer Compact II with Kawai's acclaimed touch
- ● 100 built-in rhythm patterns — unique at this price
- ● Lesson function with 377+ song book pieces
- ● Virtual Technician (17 parameters) for sound customization
Cons
- ● No battery option
- ● Slightly heavier than slimmest competitors
- ● Harmonic Imaging sound engine is capable but less rich than competitors' top-tier engines
The ES120 is the piano we'd recommend to a friend who's just starting out and doesn't want to think too hard about which model to pick. It has everything — Bluetooth so you can play along with music from your phone, built-in lessons to guide your practice, rhythm patterns to make playing more fun, and a key feel that Kawai is famous for. At under $700, nothing else gives you this much.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The keys have a pleasant weight to them — heavier when you play low notes, lighter as you move up, just like a real piano. They respond well to how hard or soft you press, so you can play gently for quiet passages and firmly for louder ones. For this price range, the touch feels more natural and satisfying than most alternatives.
Who Is This Piano For?
You've just retired and want to finally learn piano, or you played as a child and want to pick it back up. You practice in the evenings while your partner watches TV, so you need great headphone sound. You don't want to research a dozen accessories — you want one piano that comes ready to learn on.
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 | Matte |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm, 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 393 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1305×280×150 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.
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