Kawai
ES920
$1,300
Kawai's best portable action with OLED display
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
88 14.5 kg
View Details Yamaha
Yamaha P-S500 Review
Yamaha's premium portable — console-grade action, 660 sounds, and Stream Lights in 13.8 kg
88 Keys 13.8 kg graded hammer 3
Bluetooth
Intermediate
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 | 303 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 660 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 | graded hammer 3 | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 13.8 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1340 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 | graded hammer 3 (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The P-S500 packs GH3 action, Bluetooth Audio and MIDI, 660 sounds, headphone optimization, and Stream Lights guidance into a portable body. It's what you get when Yamaha builds a CSP-255 you can actually carry.
Pros
- • GH3 action with ivory-feel keys — the same action class used in the YDP-165 console, but in a portable 13.8 kg body
- • Stream Lights technology guides you through songs from your music library via the Smart Pianist app
- • 660 sounds with auto-accompaniment styles for playing beyond just piano
- • Bluetooth MIDI and Audio — stream music through the speakers and connect to apps wirelessly
- • 256-note polyphony with Yamaha CFX concert grand sampling
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with Stereophonic Optimizer for immersive headphone practice
Cons
- • At $1,200 it costs twice as much as the DGX-670, which has similar sound variety (630 vs 660 sounds) in a lighter package
- • 13.8 kg is portable but noticeably heavier than the P-225 (11.5 kg) or P-145 (11.2 kg)
- • Stand sold separately — budget an extra $100-200 for a proper setup
- • Stream Lights depends on the Smart Pianist app; without a compatible device, you lose a key feature
- • 20W four-speaker system is good for its size but won't fill a room like a console piano
The P-S500 is the best portable digital piano Yamaha makes, and it earns that title. The GH3 action is genuinely good — better than anything else in a sub-14 kg Yamaha — and features like Stream Lights, Bluetooth Audio, and headphone optimization are things you typically only find in $2,000+ console models. The question is whether you need all of it: at $1,200, it's twice the price of a DGX-670 and twice the price of a P-225. If you mainly want a solid piano with good sound, the P-225 is the smarter buy. If you want everything — premium touch, 660 sounds, learning tools, and portability — the P-S500 justifies every dollar.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The GH3 (Graded Hammer 3) action is a significant step up from the GHS in the DGX-670 and P-225. Each key uses three sensors instead of two, making fast repeated notes and trills more responsive. The action has more weight and resistance — closer to what you'd feel on a console piano — with smooth grading from bass to treble. The ivory-feel key surfaces add grip and a premium tactile quality. Among Yamaha's portable models, the P-S500 has the most piano-like touch, though it still falls short of the GH3X or GrandTouch actions in the CLP consoles.
Who Is This Piano For?
You want the best portable Yamaha has to offer — period. You need a keyboard that feels like a real piano (not the lighter GHS action of the DGX-670), sounds incredible through headphones late at night, connects to your phone wirelessly for both music streaming and learning tools, and still travels to a gig or a friend's house. The P-S500 is for the player who refuses to choose between portability and quality.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Graded Hammer 3 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 660 |
| Weight | 13.8 kg |
| Speakers | 20W (×4) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| 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 | 303 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1340×295×140 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
P-S500 vs ES920
The P-S500 and ES920 score very similarly across all axes. The P-S500 costs $100 less.
Kawai ES920 →P-S500 vs ES-520
The P-S500 scores higher in Touch Reality. The ES-520 costs $300 less. Choose the P-S500 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Kawai ES-520 →P-S500 vs FP-60X
The FP-60X edges ahead in Portability. The FP-60X costs $100 less. Choose the FP-60X if you prioritize portability.
Roland FP-60X →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Yamaha P-S500 good for beginners?
Yes. The Yamaha P-S500 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 Yamaha P-S500 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Yamaha P-S500 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Yamaha P-S500?
The Yamaha P-S500 weighs 13.8 kg (30 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 Yamaha P-S500?
Yes. The Yamaha P-S500 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 Yamaha P-S500 have?
The Yamaha P-S500 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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Kawai
ES-520
$900
Step up from entry-level with ivory-feel keys and 30 watts of sound
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 7.3 Touch Reality 6.8 Value
88 15 kg
View Details Roland
FP-60X
$1,100
Roland's mid-range powerhouse with mic input
9.7 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 5.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 19.3 kg
View Details