Korg
D1
$600
Korg's best keybed in a speakerless, stage-ready slab
4.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 6.6 Touch Reality 5.0 Value
88 16 kg
View Details Kurzweil
Kurzweil M90 Review
Kurzweil piano tone in a portable shell
88 Keys 15 kg graded hammer action Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
5.4| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 16 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | graded hammer action | +0.5 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 15 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1340 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
4.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | graded hammer action (grade 5) | +3 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 64 notes | +0.4 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | Standard | +0 |
Our Verdict
The Kurzweil M90 brings the brand's acclaimed piano sound engine into a portable 88-key instrument at a mid-range price, though it skips some modern conveniences.
Pros
- • Kurzweil's highly regarded piano sound engine — rich, warm tone quality that punches above its price
- • Graded hammer action with 88 keys — proper weighted feel from bass to treble
- • 30W speaker system — noticeably louder and fuller than most portables in this range
- • Built-in recording function for capturing practice sessions
- • USB MIDI connectivity for use with learning apps and DAWs
Cons
- • Only 64-note polyphony — can clip during sustain-heavy pieces with complex pedal work
- • No Bluetooth connectivity of any kind — wired connections only
- • No dedicated lesson function or app connectivity — limited self-teaching tools
- • 15 kg is heavier than most portables — not ideal for frequent transport
- • Only 16 built-in sounds — limited variety compared to competitors
The Kurzweil M90 is a sound-first instrument. If your top priority is how your piano sounds through speakers or headphones, the M90 delivers tone quality that rivals instruments costing significantly more. Kurzweil's decades of experience in professional keyboards shine through here. The trade-off is clear: you get fewer features, lower polyphony, and no modern wireless connectivity. For a beginner who just wants to sit down and play beautiful piano sounds, this is a compelling choice. If you need lesson tools or Bluetooth, look elsewhere — but if tone is king, the M90 earns its place.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The graded hammer action in the M90 provides a satisfying weighted feel across all 88 keys, with heavier resistance in the bass and lighter touch in the treble, just like an acoustic piano. It is a standard graded hammer mechanism — reliable and predictable, suitable for beginners learning proper technique. It will not match the nuance of premium actions from Kawai or Yamaha's higher-end models, but at this price point it is entirely competent. Your fingers will learn the basics of dynamic control.
Who Is This Piano For?
You care about how your piano sounds more than how many features it has. You have heard that Kurzweil makes excellent piano tones — and you are right. The M90 is for the beginner or casual player who wants a legitimate, warm piano sound without paying for a console. You are fine practicing at home with headphones and do not need Bluetooth or lesson features. You value tone quality over gadgets.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Graded Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 64 notes |
| Sounds | 16 |
| Weight | 15 kg |
| Speakers | 30W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | — |
| Sound Modeling | |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1340×340×130 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
M90 vs D1
The M90 scores higher in Beginner and Night Practice, while the D1 edges ahead in Touch Reality. Choose the M90 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Korg D1 →M90 vs P-145
The M90 scores higher in Night Practice, while the P-145 edges ahead in Beginner and Portability and Value. The P-145 costs $90 less. Choose the M90 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Yamaha P-145 →M90 vs P-143
The M90 scores higher in Beginner and Night Practice, while the P-143 edges ahead in Portability and Touch Reality. Choose the M90 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Yamaha P-143 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kurzweil M90 good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Kurzweil M90 scores 5.4/10 on our Beginner scale — it covers the basics but may lack some advanced learning features found in higher-scoring models.
Does the Kurzweil M90 have Bluetooth?
No, the Kurzweil M90 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Kurzweil M90?
The Kurzweil M90 weighs 15 kg (33 lbs). It scores 4.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is manageable for occasional moves but not truly portable.
Can I use headphones with the Kurzweil M90?
Yes. The Kurzweil M90 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Kurzweil M90 have?
The Kurzweil M90 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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Read more →Similar Pianos
Yamaha
P-145
$460
Yamaha's best-selling beginner piano, refined
6.3 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 4.9 Touch Reality 5.7 Value
88 11 kg
View Details Yamaha
P-143
$500
88 weighted keys at Yamaha's most affordable price
4.1 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 5.4 Value
88 11 kg
View Details