Roland
RP-701
$1,400
FP-30X quality in a furniture cabinet — the family piano
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 45.5 kg
View Details Roland
Roland HP-701 Review
A dependable home piano that gets everything right for families
88 Keys 47 kg pha 4 standard
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 | 377 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 324 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 | pha 4 standard | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 47 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1377 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
8.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | pha 4 standard (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | SuperNATURAL Piano | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The Roland HP-701 pairs the trusted PHA-4 Standard action with SuperNATURAL sound in a compact furniture-style cabinet, making it a smart entry point to Roland's console lineup.
Pros
- • PHA-4 Standard action with ivory-feel keys offers solid weight and texture for developing proper technique
- • 256-note polyphony handles sustained pedal work without note dropouts
- • Bluetooth MIDI and audio let you stream backing tracks or connect to the Piano Every Day app wirelessly
- • Built-in lesson mode with 377 preset songs supports structured self-study
- • Headphone optimization with two jacks means two people can practice silently at the same time
- • 324 built-in sounds provide variety for exploring different musical styles
Cons
- • 28W speaker system with only 2 speakers lacks the spatial depth of higher-end HP models
- • At 47 kg with a furniture cabinet, this piano stays wherever you put it
- • PHA-4 Standard action, while competent, does not match the nuance of PHA-50 found in the HP-704
The Roland HP-701 is the quiet achiever of the HP family. It does not have the flashiest speaker system or the most premium action, but it nails the fundamentals: a responsive keyboard, clean sound, excellent practice features, and Bluetooth connectivity. For most households, this is all the piano you need.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The PHA-4 Standard action uses a progressive hammer system with escapement for a realistic feel at this price point. The ivory-feel texture helps prevent slipping during longer practice sessions. While it does not have the wooden components of higher-end Roland actions, it provides consistent weight graduation from bass to treble that encourages proper finger technique.
Who Is This Piano For?
The HP-701 is ideal for families looking for a reliable, long-term instrument that does not overwhelm beginners. Its intuitive controls, solid key action, and lesson features make it a great first serious piano for children or adults returning to the instrument after years away. If you want Roland quality in a compact furniture design without stretching your budget to the HP-704, this is the one to consider.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Pha 4 Standard |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 324 |
| Weight | 47 kg |
| Speakers | 28W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | SuperNATURAL Piano |
| 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 | 377 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1377×468×1038 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand included
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
HP-701 vs RP-701
The HP-701 and RP-701 score very similarly across all axes. The RP-701 costs $100 less.
Roland RP-701 →HP-701 vs AP-550
The HP-701 scores higher in Touch Reality. The AP-550 costs $200 less. Choose the HP-701 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Casio AP-550 →HP-701 vs CLP-725
The CLP-725 edges ahead in Touch Reality. The HP-701 costs $200 less. Choose the CLP-725 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Yamaha CLP-725 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roland HP-701 good for beginners?
Yes. The Roland HP-701 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 Roland HP-701 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Roland HP-701 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Roland HP-701?
The Roland HP-701 weighs 47 kg (104 lbs). It scores 1.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Roland HP-701?
Yes. The Roland HP-701 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 Roland HP-701 have?
The Roland HP-701 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
Related Guides
Best Digital Pianos for Seniors & Older Adults (2026)
Choosing a digital piano in your 50s, 60s, or 70s is different from buying one at 25. You may want a more comfortable key action that's easier on aging joints, a display you can read without squinting, and built-in lessons that let you learn at your own pace. This guide covers exactly that.
Read more →Best Portable Digital Pianos for Travel & Small Spaces (2026)
Sometimes you need a piano that goes where you go. Whether you're gigging, traveling, teaching at multiple locations, or simply don't have room for a full console, portability matters. But lighter doesn't always mean better — the trade-offs between weight, key quality, and features are real. This guide breaks down exactly what to look for in a portable digital piano.
Read more →Digital Piano Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Buying a digital piano can feel overwhelming. Hundreds of models, confusing specs, and marketing jargon make it hard to know what actually matters. This guide breaks down everything you need to understand — in plain language — so you can make a confident decision.
Read more →Digital Piano vs Keyboard — What's the Difference? (2026)
"Should I buy a digital piano or a keyboard?" It's the most common question beginners ask — and the most confusing, because the terms get used interchangeably even by music stores. They're actually quite different instruments designed for different purposes. This guide cuts through the marketing noise and explains exactly what separates them, when each one makes sense, and which you should buy based on your actual goals.
Read more →Graded Hammer Action vs Weighted Keys: What's the Difference?
"Weighted keys" and "graded hammer action" are two of the most common terms you'll see when shopping for a digital piano. They sound similar but refer to different things. This guide explains exactly what they mean, how they affect your playing, and which type you should look for.
Read more →Best Quiet Digital Pianos for Apartments (2026)
Living in an apartment doesn't mean giving up piano. Digital pianos were practically made for this situation — plug in headphones and the world disappears. But not all models are equally quiet. Key noise, headphone quality, and late-night optimization features vary widely. This guide helps you find the right piano for peaceful apartment practice.
Read more →Similar Pianos
Casio
AP-550
$1,300
The modern Celviano — Bluetooth, better keys, and timeless style
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.6 Touch Reality 7.1 Value
88 44 kg
View Details Yamaha
CLP-725
$1,700
The entry point to Yamaha's Clavinova legacy — real piano tone without the tuning bills
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 7.1 Value
88 57 kg
View Details