$600
Kawai ES-110: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
4.8 Beginner 5.1 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 5.9 Value
88 12 kg
Kawai ES120 Review
Kawai ES120: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
88 Keys 12 kg Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2)
Bluetooth
Intermediate
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$949
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
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
9.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 0.5 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.8 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.8 |
| Bluetooth MIDI | Yes | +1 |
| Recording | Yes | +0.8 |
| Practice Basics (Metronome / Transpose / Layer-Split) | Yes | +0.6 |
| Stand Included | No | +0 |
| Damper Pedal Included | Yes | +0.4 |
| Preset Songs | 393 | +1.7 |
| Sound Variety | 25 sounds | +0.4 |
Night Practice
9.1| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 1.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2.2 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm, 6.3mm | +1.4 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +2.2 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.8 |
| Line Out | Yes | +0.4 |
| Speaker Mute with Headphones | Yes | +0.7 |
| Key Action Quietness | Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2) | +0.4 |
Portability
6.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 12 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1305 mm | +0 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.8| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2) (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | matte | +0 |
Kawai ES120 review verdict
This Kawai ES120 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Kawai ES120 is best read as a portable digital piano for players who already practise regularly. 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, Bluetooth and app support.
- • Use case: Its best fit is home practice and stage use.
Cons
- • Main limit: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument.
- • Stand cost and compatibility are separate checks.
- • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.
Kawai ES120 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, 20W 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 and stage use, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. 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 ES120 evaluation points
Kawai ES120 key action and touch
Kawai ES120 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 matte 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 ES120 is for
Kawai ES120 is most relevant for players who already practise regularly. The main use case is home practice and stage use. 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 ES120 sound and speakers
Kawai ES120 offers 25 sounds and 20W 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, Bluetooth and app support.
What to know before buying the Kawai ES120
Before buying Kawai ES120, 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. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. For searchers looking for a Kawai ES120 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 II (RHC2) |
| 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 |
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
$949
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How It Compares
ES120 vs FP-30X
The ES120 scores higher in beginner support and portability, while the FP-30X is stronger in piano-like touch. The FP-30X costs $249 less. Choose the ES120 if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Roland FP-30X →ES120 vs PX-S3100
The ES120 scores higher in beginner support, quiet practice and value for money, while the PX-S3100 is stronger in portability and piano-like touch. Choose the ES120 if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Casio PX-S3100 →ES120 vs DGX-670
The ES120 scores higher in quiet practice, portability, piano-like touch and value for money. The DGX-670 costs $100 less. Choose the ES120 if quiet practice matters most.
Yamaha DGX-670 →Head-to-head comparisons
Spec-by-spec pages pitting this model against the alternatives it is most often weighed up with.
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This guide is for anyone who wants a digital piano but first needs to answer a simpler question: which of the three big brands, Yamaha, Roland, or Kawai, fits me best? All three build to a high standard, so this is a matter of character rather than a ranking. We line them up across four axes, sound character, key actions, feature philosophy, and range, from the position of a reviewer who compares many models. This is not a firsthand account of playing every model side by side; it is a comparison built on published specifications and our five-axis scores. A good deal still comes down to the pieces you play, where the piano will live, and how the keys feel under your own hands, so treat any model that interests you as something to confirm on its page or in a shop. If you would rather narrow things by budget or use, the [digital piano buying guide](/en/guides/digital-piano-buying-guide/) is a useful companion.
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Read more →What reviewers say online
A synthesis of recurring points from price-comparison sites, Amazon reviews, music-store staff videos and forum threads. Not a star-rating average — we read across multiple reviews and pulled out the points that came up repeatedly.
The Kawai ES120 is an entry-level portable that arrived as the successor to the ES110. Reading across specialist review sites and retailer reviews, the praise centres on a natural keyboard feel for the price, a straightforward piano tone derived from the SK-EX, and a light, easy-to-handle body. At the same time, the thinness of the built-in speakers and the screenless control layout are repeatedly noted as falling short.
Praised most often
-
A keyboard feel made more dependable than the previous model
On the Responsive Hammer Compact II, several reviews report that the key bed is firmer than on the ES110, with less flex and wobble, and that it stays easy to control even when played hard. There are also notes that quietness on key strike has improved.
-
A straightforward piano tone derived from the SK-EX
On the sound, which captures the concert grand SK-EX (Shigeru Kawai EX), the assessment centres on it being dense and practice-friendly for an entry model, with few quirks.
-
Light and easy to carry
The body is light, and many voices say one person can move it and that it fits even in tight spaces. The practical assessment is that it suits moving between rooms or carrying to a practice studio.
-
Bluetooth Audio and MIDI support
It has both Bluetooth Audio, which can play music from a phone through the speakers, and Bluetooth MIDI, which connects to apps and a computer. Being usable without adding cables is welcomed.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
The built-in speakers are on the thin side
Of the built-in speakers, there are notes that they tend to sound boxed-in and thin, and several reviews conclude that headphones or external speakers are the realistic route if you care about sound.
-
No control screen, so settings are a little hard to follow
Because the unit has no display, some say checking finer settings is hard to follow. A standard addition is that you can operate it on screen using Kawai's PianoRemote app.
-
Voices other than piano are modest
Reviewers note that the level of refinement varies by voice, and that while the piano tone is good, the other voices stay within practical range.
-
Some voices touch on long-term durability
Though not many, there are some voices touching on unit-to-unit variation, such as a keyboard developing a fault within a few months.
By source
-
Specialist review sites
Specialist sites such as PianoDreamers and azpianoreviews mainly take a measured line, praising the natural evolution from the ES110 (keyboard rigidity, the addition of Bluetooth Audio) while laying out the trade-offs in the speakers and the control layout.
-
Retailer reviews & videos
Reviews from retailer and media outlets such as Gear4Music and Mixdown tend toward practical assessments, calling it dependable for entry-level or stage use and easy to move thanks to its light weight.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs Yamaha P-225 / Roland FP-30X, etc.)
In side-by-side playing against rivals in the same price bracket, the keyboard feel is held to put up a good showing in a typically Kawai way, while it is also noted to give a little ground on speaker output and on screen-equipped usability.
Net take
Overall, the ES120 earns steady marks in international reviews as a portable suited to beginners who want to prioritise keyboard feel. The straightforward piano tone derived from the SK-EX, the dependable-for-the-price Responsive Hammer Compact II and the light body are the central points of praise. On the other hand, if you place weight on speaker body or screen-equipped usability, the higher ES-520 or the Roland FP-30X become the realistic comparison candidates.
We do not compute a numeric star average. The points below are recurring themes we identified by reading across multiple reviews.
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
- Published spec sheet
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.
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Alternatives from other brands
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Casio
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Yamaha
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Kawai ES120
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