1st Note

Yamaha

Yamaha P-45 Review

Yamaha P-45: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

Discontinued
88 Keys 11.5 kg Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) Beginner
Often compared with Ringway RP35 Yamaha P-145

Scores

2.4 4.7 5.5 5.4 5.2 Beginner Night Practice Portability Touch Reality Value

Beginner

2.4

Night Practice

4.7

Portability

5.5

Touch Reality

5.4

Value

5.2

Where to Buy

MSRP

$400

This model is discontinued. New-old-stock or used listings may still appear, so confirm the current listing status at retailers.

This model is discontinued; links may show used listings, remaining stock, or unrelated search results. 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

2.4
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 0.5
Lesson Function No +0
App Connectivity No +0
Bluetooth MIDI No +0
Recording No +0
Practice Basics (Metronome / Transpose / Layer-Split) Yes +0.6
Stand Included No +0
Damper Pedal Included Yes +0.4
Preset Songs 10 +0.7
Sound Variety 10 sounds +0.2

Night Practice

4.7
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 1.0
Headphone Jacks 1 +1.3
Headphone Type 6.3mm +0.9
Headphone Optimization No +0
Bluetooth Audio No +0
Line Out No +0
Speaker Mute with Headphones Yes +0.7
Key Action Quietness Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) +0.8

Portability

5.5
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 5.0
Weight 11.5 kg +1
Width 1326 mm -0.5
Battery No +0
Foldable No +0
Key Count 88 keys +0

Touch Reality

5.4
Factor This Piano Points
Key Action Quality Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) (grade 5) +3
Key Count 88 keys +1.5
Polyphony 64 notes +0.4
Sound Modeling AWM Stereo Sampling +0.5
Key Surface matte +0

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Yamaha P-45 review verdict

This Yamaha P-45 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

Yamaha P-45 is best read as a portable digital piano for beginners and returning players. 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.
  • Use case: Its best fit is home practice.

Cons

  • Main limit: the need for large sound reserves and heavy pedal work.
  • Stand cost and compatibility are separate checks.
  • Used-market condition and support need careful checking.

Yamaha P-45 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, 64-note polyphony, 12W speakers, and a weight of 11.5 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. Because it is discontinued, the condition, accessories, and local support matter more than the original launch position. 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.

Yamaha P-45 evaluation points

Yamaha P-45 key action and touch

Yamaha P-45 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 64-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 Yamaha P-45 is for

Yamaha P-45 is most relevant for beginners and returning players. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: portability and easy placement. Limits: the need for large sound reserves and heavy pedal work. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.

Yamaha P-45 sound and speakers

Yamaha P-45 offers 10 sounds and 12W 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.

What to know before buying the Yamaha P-45

Before buying Yamaha P-45, 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. Because it is discontinued, the condition, accessories, and local support matter more than the original launch position. For searchers looking for a Yamaha P-45 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: Sweetwater Watch on YouTube ↗

Specifications

Keys 88
Key Action Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)
Polyphony 64 notes
Sounds 10
Weight 11.5 kg
Speakers 12W (×2)
Bluetooth No

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

$400

This model is discontinued. New-old-stock or used listings may still appear, so confirm the current listing status at retailers.

This model is discontinued; links may show used listings, remaining stock, or unrelated search results. These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How It Compares

P-45 vs RP35

The P-45 scores higher in piano-like touch, while the RP35 is stronger in beginner support. The RP35 costs $100 less. Choose the P-45 if piano-like touch matters most.

Ringway RP35 →

P-45 vs P-145

The P-45 scores higher in piano-like touch, while the P-145 is stronger in beginner support. The P-45 costs $60 less. Choose the P-45 if piano-like touch matters most.

Yamaha P-145 →

P-45 vs SP201

the SP201 is stronger in beginner support and value for money. The SP201 costs $100 less. Choose the SP201 if beginner-friendly features matters most.

Medeli SP201 →

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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
Manufacturer official

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.

Suggest a correction

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Manufacturer-announced succession

Models the maker officially positioned as the next or previous generation of this product.

Official successor

Yamaha

P-145

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Yamaha P-145: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

3.8 Beginner 4.3 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 4.9 Touch Reality 5.2 Value
88 11 kg
View details

Closest in the same lineup

Same brand and the same product category, sorted by smallest price gap.

Yamaha

P-143

$500

Yamaha P-143: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

1.1 Beginner 4.3 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 4.8 Value
88 11 kg
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Yamaha

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Yamaha P-145BT: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

3.8 Beginner 5.1 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 5.4 Touch Reality 5.4 Value
88 11.1 kg
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Yamaha

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$749

Yamaha P-225: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

5.7 Beginner 8.6 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
88 11.5 kg
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Alternatives from other brands

Different makers in the same category and a similar price band, ranked by how closely the spec-based scores match this model.

Ringway

RP35

$300

Ringway RP35: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

3.2 Beginner 5.1 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 4.9 Touch Reality 5.5 Value
88 12 kg
View details

Medeli

SP201

$300

Medeli SP201: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

4.9 Beginner 4.7 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 5.9 Value
88 12 kg
View details

Artesia

PE-88

$350

Artesia PE-88: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

4.7 Beginner 4.7 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 5.3 Touch Reality 5.9 Value
88 11.5 kg
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Yamaha P-45

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