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We are taking a look at the best Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos available in 2025. We have compiled a list of some of the best and latest models Yamaha has to offer. Our reviews compare different models and pick out the best features of each to help you find the perfect one for you.
Here are the best Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos 2025:
- Yamaha YPT-260
- Yamaha Arius YDP-184
- Yamaha Arius YDP-164
- Yamaha CP88
- Yamaha NP-32
- Yamaha DGX-660
- Yamaha Montage8
- Yamaha MODX8
- Yamaha Reface CS
1. Yamaha YPT-260
The best Yamaha keyboard for beginners
For beginners, there is one Yamaha keyboard we recommend before all others, the Yamaha YPT-260. The YPT-260 is one of the best-selling and most popular beginner keyboards on the market. It’s purpose-built to help you get from not knowing a thing to playing songs.
It comes with 61 velocity-sensitive keys with 32-note max polyphony. It’s jam-packed with 384 voices, ranging from pianos, organs to orchestral, and percussion sounds. There are also over 100 play-along rhythms to kickstart your creativity. If you do happen to get bored of the 100+ rhythms, you can play external audio tracks through the built-in speakers using the USB port.
Like any Yamaha keyboard aimed at beginners, the YPT-260 has lots of interactive features. Lessons and tutorials can be accessed through the dedicated app via your smart device (USB). The keyboard can be split into two identical playing zones for student/teacher playing, which is a fantastic hands-on learning feature.
Image credit: Yamaha
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The YPT-260 is a win/win keyboard. It’s one for people who have no experience at all and want to give it a go. It’s relatively cheap, so it’s not a risky investment for a new player, and it has everything you need to develop. It’s portable, versatile, and it sounds good enough to get you through a few stages of your musical journey. We can see why it has quickly become one of the most popular Yamaha keyboards for beginners.
2. Yamaha Arius YDP-184
The overall best Yamaha digital piano
Yamaha has meticulously sampled their legendary CFX 9″ concert grand to create the CFX Sound Engine, the heart of the Yamaha YPD-184. It’s all about realism with the YDP-184, Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) replicates the natural resonant sounds of a real piano. String vibration and pedal/damper noise are recreated in stunning clarity.
The realism continues in the feel of this digital piano. The 88 graded hammer action keys are as expressive as you will find on a digital piano. Particularly impressive is the natural-sounding progression through the ranges from low to high – something many digital pianos get wrong.
Another aspect of realism comes through Yamaha’s Stereophonic Optimizer, which disperses sound as if it’s coming from the body of the piano even when playing through headphones.
There are 24 voices (256-note max polyphony), including the flagship CFX 9″ concert grand tone and some very nice electric pianos. There isn’t as much variety in the type of voices as we would like, but it’s more than most similar digital pianos.
As digital pianos are often bought to be played from beginner to expert, any tuition-based features are always welcome. The YPD-184 has a whole range of exercises and tutorials available through Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app. You can access the app via smartphone or tablet and connect to the piano using USB.
There is also a MIDI record function, so you can listen to your playing, it may not sound as good as it did in your head, but it’s an integral part of learning.
Image credit: Yamaha
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If we take into account the main reasons for buying this type of digital piano, the YDP-184 had to be number one. It delivers the most expressive playing experience, which makes it perfect for pianists of all levels.
The CFX Sound Engine is beautiful and complimented well by the graded hammer action keys. The interactive content accessible via the Smart Pianist app make it a little easier for beginners to get the most out of it. Overall, the YDP-184 is pound for pound the best Yamaha digital piano available in 2025; we love it.
3. Yamaha Arius YDP-164
The Yamaha piano for beginner to intermediate players
We have another model from the Arius range here and for a good reason. It’s not only a cheaper alternative to the YDP-184, but the CFX 9″ concert grand was resampled for the release of the YDP-164 digital piano. A lot can change in the world of pro audio in a short time, so if you can imagine it, the CFX Sound Engine now captures even more detail than ever.
The upside is that the YDP-164 shares the same graded hammer action keys with the higher-priced models. So it has that wonderfully expressive feel that makes the Arius range so good. It also shares other great features like the Stereophonic Optimizer, (VRM) string resonance, and MIDI record functions with the YDP-184. You also get all the benefits of accessing the Smart Pianist app with your smart device via USB.
The downside is that the YDP-164 only has 10 voices compared to the 24 boasted by the YDP-184.
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This is purely an alternative to the YDP-184, but it’s worthy of its place in the top 3. It’s not just an inferior version of the YDP-184 though, the core features are the same. There are fewer voices, but if that doesn’t matter to you, then you should save some money and go for the YDP-164. If all you want is a digital piano with a realistic, expressive feel and a great sound, you’ll find it here.
We would say the YDP-164 might be the best Yamaha digital piano for intermediate players who want high-quality without going over budget. The fact that there are so many Yamaha models with similar features means it’s easier to tailor it to your exact needs.
4. Yamaha CP88
A modern keyboard piano with a vintage sound
The CP88 stage piano is our favorite Yamaha keyboard overall. It combines superior sound and functions with intuitive, easy to use controls as well as any keyboard we have seen. It’s light enough for travel and strong enough to survive life on the road.
The piano sound is vital to any keyboard piano above all else. The CP88 boasts 3 stunning grand piano sounds, the Yamaha CFX, Yamaha S700, and the Bösendorfer Imperial 290. Each one offers something different, and all have been recorded with incredible detail. There are also 2 upright piano sounds available, the U1 and Yamaha’s flagship upright piano, the SU7.
As well as piano sounds, there are synth lead/bass voices, organs, orchestral sounds, and some supreme electric pianos, including Yamaha’s iconic CP70 and CP80 electric grand pianos.
The CP88 has somewhat of a vintage look about it, and that is complemented by Yamaha’s VCM (Virtual Circuit Modelling). VCM mimics classic vintage effects and processors to bring iconic voices to a modern keyboard.
Image credit: Yamaha
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Whether you use this keyboard on stage or in the studio, this professional Yamaha keyboard won’t let you down. Workflow is vital to a musician, and the simple but effective layout of the CP88 makes it a joy to use. The piano sounds are superb; all of the CP88 voices are high-end. The onboard effects are fantastic and add to the sound rather than overpower it.
Despite being one of the newer Yamaha keyboard pianos in the CP range, it’s the vintage qualities that make the CP88 so special. It’s a professional grade keyboard piano that a beginner could operate; it’s a joy. It’s also one of our picks for top 88-key weighted keyboard.
5. Yamaha NP-32
The best portable Yamaha keyboard piano
Yamaha’s NP-32 keyboard isn’t as high-end as most of our list, but it undoubtedly deserves to be here. It’s a lightweight and compact digital piano that punches above its weight.
So first of all, the NP-32 isn’t a Yamaha 88-key keyboard piano. It has 76 keys, and that’s the main reason it’s able to be so compact. The keys are graded soft-touch, ok, it’s not hammer-action, but it helps keep the overall weight down. You have 64-note polyphony and high-quality sounds from Yamaha’s AWM Stereo Sampling.
There are 10 sounds in total, including Yamaha electric pianos, organs, and strings. The flagship grand piano voice is by far the best of the bunch and worthy of a much more expensive keyboard. Voices can be split or layered to create different custom patches, and the controls are as simple as can be. You can also add digital reverb to your sound to create the ambiance of a particular room type.
The NP-32 is fully compatible with Yamaha’s iOS apps. So you get access to a world of interactive content and tutorials. The Controller App takes the already simple controls and recreates them in a visually intuitive way for even faster navigation. It also has USB connectivity, so you can connect to your DAW software and use it as a controller keyboard. To top it off, it has built-in speakers, and it can run for up to five hours on six AA batteries – outstanding!
Image credit: Yamaha
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The NP-32 is the best cheap Yamaha keyboard piano for beginners or pros who want a lightweight option. If you gig a lot and don’t always need the full range of a heavy workstation or synth, the NP-32 is an excellent second keyboard.
If there is a downside, it’s that the keys aren’t hammer-action, but they are far better than the average touch-sensitive keyboard. You can still be extremely expressive in your playing, especially with the grand piano voice. It’s a cheap, easy to use, great sounding keyboard; we can’t complain about that.
6. Yamaha DGX-660
A fantastic arranger keyboard for budding performers
The new DGX-660 is another Yamaha keyboard piano that’s great for beginners or professionals. There are lots of interactive features that make it easy to learn and play your favorite tunes. One of the best of these is Yamaha’s Piano Room feature. Piano Room lets you choose from a list of piano voices and acoustic (room) settings so you can build your unique playing environment.
It’s also great for singer/songwriters because you can connect a microphone straight into the keyboard and hear your voice through the built-in speakers. Not only can you plug in your vocal mic, but you can also add digital effects to your vocals, making it great for practice or performing.
The heart of the DGX-660 is Yamaha’s Pure CF sound engine, not quite as good as the CFX sound engine, but very good in its own right. In total, there are 151 voices and 15 Drum/SFX Kits, so it’s unlikely it won’t have what you need.
There is a wide range of onboard effects with 41 reverb types and a master EQ section, so your sound is always highly customizable. For the times you don’t feel like doing it all yourself, there are 205 accompaniment presets to give you some backup.
Image credit: Yamaha
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There aren’t any bad things to say about this keyboard; it’s the best Yamaha arranger keyboard available for a reasonable price. If you are a singer/songwriter, this may well be the one for you. Having built-in speakers means you can practice/perform anywhere, and being able to plug your microphone straight in is a blessing.
Overall, if you are a solo performer, this would be a perfect choice because you can do so much with no other equipment needed. Like all good Yamaha keyboards, the DGX-660 is a great mix of quality sounds and value for money.
See also: The best arranger keyboards 2025
7. Yamaha Montage8
The best Yamaha synth for live performance
The Montage is a modern classic from Yamaha. It comes after the long reign of the Yamaha Motif, but it’s not a direct replacement. The Montage is a different animal altogether.
The coolest thing about the Montage is that it’s always evolving through firmware updates. So, while you are enjoying your synth, Yamaha is continually working to improve the sound and performance quality.
Yamaha’s Motion Control Synthesis Engine controls two uniquely powerful sound engines, AWM2 and FM-X. The FM-X sound engine delivers everything from vintage 80’s synths to modern EDM voices with incredible dynamic range. Between the two sound engines, the Montage picks up where the Motif left off and doesn’t stop.
There are also sound expansion packs available, like the Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano and the Chick Corea Mark V electric piano.
Control is a key element of the Montage, being able to harness the power of this synth easily is vital. Yamaha developed what they call the Super Knob to do just that. The Super Knob lets you control multiple parameters at the same time. You can also assign the Super Knob to a footswitch/controller if both hands are too busy on the keys.
The Montage is available with 61, 76, or 88 keys. The Montage8 has 88 balanced hammer action keys with aftertouch.
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The Montage is a modern classic synthesizer, a true powerhouse. If you are familiar with the Yamaha Motif, then you can think of this as a Motif on steroids.
As a versatile performers keyboard, the Montage is hard to beat due to is the vast amount of high-quality voices. Once you get used to using the Super Knob, you can start to use the true creative power of this synth, editing parameters quickly in real-time.
It’s an expensive investment, so don’t buy one unless you need it. In other words, if you just need a piano or just need a few great sounds, you can get that for far less money. But, if you can afford it, it’s our highest-rated Yamaha keyboard synth for a reason.
8. Yamaha MODX8
A powerhouse synth and studio workhorse
Expanding on the success of Yamaha’s MODX range, the MODX8 is one of the latest synthesizers from the iconic manufacturer. Like the Montage8, the MODX8 is controlled by Yamaha’s Motion Control Synthesis, powering the AWM2 and FM-X sound engines. This synth is not only a powerful performance instrument, but it also has exceptional sequencing capabilities making it ideal for music creation.
There are 2 grand piano sounds, both sampled in amazing detail – the Yamaha CFIIIS and the 7″ S6 grand piano. At times, synths can lack real expression and dynamic response in piano voices, but that is certainly not the case here. There is a massive 6 GB of waveforms with 1,152 preset voices and 72 drum kits. Voices range from acoustic instruments to electric, synths, and percussion.
The thing that sets the MODX8 apart from other synths is the built-in audio interface. What this means is that when combined with a DAW, you have a complete USB recording interface. It has up to 4 simultaneous input tracks, one stereo input, and two external inputs, so you can easily record from the synth or external instruments.
The onboard effects come from Yamaha’s VCM engine, used in many high-end Yamaha keyboards. It gives you access to perfectly mimicked vintage effects from guitar effects to rack-mounted gear.
Image credit: Yamaha
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So, we listed that the piano voices are incredibly expressive, and that’s true. We also listed that the CFX 9″ concert grand voice would be better, that’s also true, but it’s a testament to how good the MODX8 is. We need to be fussy to find any faults.
We place the Montage8 ahead of the MODX8 purely because it would be our choice as a performers synth. However, in terms of all-round features, especially in production and composition, the MODX8 is better. Another close call and it comes down to what you need it for most, stage or studio.
9. Yamaha Reface CS
The mini synth that makes a big noise
The Reface CS is an 8-note polyphonic virtual analog synth with a big sound. It has 5 oscillator types: Multi-saw, Pulse, Oscillator Sync, Ring Mod, and Frequency Mod. The Reface CS has 37 mini-action keys, which makes it the first CS model to have mini-keys since 1984.
The 4 onboard effects are Distortion, VCM Chorus/Flanger, VCM Phaser, and Delay, and it also has a phrase looper. It is powered by the AN (Analog Physical Modeling) sound engine, and sliders control parameters.
Weighing very little, the Reface CS is a synth you can take anywhere, creating music on the go. It’s also battery-powered, so you can create new sounds anywhere. There are two built-in speakers, or you can plug in some headphones. Combine it with a laptop and DAW, and you have a mobile production setup when using it as a MIDI controller via USB.
Image credit: Yamaha
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The Reface CS isn’t the typical keyboard that you’d expect on a list like this. But our Yamaha keyboard reviews are about offering versatility and different options; the Reface is certainly something different. It’s a synth you can take anywhere, create some fantastic sounds, without the cost of a larger synth.
It’s not as powerful the larger synth; being battery powered means there are some sacrifices in performance, but for what it is, it’s a great option. It’s perfect for producers who travel a lot or performers who want something small for basslines or lead lines.
Conclusion
Our 10 best Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos feature some truly inspiring instruments. We have covered simple beginner keyboards to complex synths, ranging from cheap to very expensive. The important thing is that you take our opinions and comparisons, and weigh them up against your needs.
There is literally a keyboard and digital piano for every occasion on our list, spend wisely, and make sure you get the one that suits you best.