10 Best Weighted Piano Keyboard 2026 in the United States

The Yamaha Arius YDP165R is a solid choice if you're looking for a digital piano that closely mimics the feel and sound of an acoustic piano. It comes with 88 fully weighted keys featuring Yamaha's Graded Hammer 3 action, which adds a realistic touch by making the keys feel heavier in the lower register and lighter as you move up. The synthetic ivory key tops also help prevent fingers from slipping, which is great for longer practice sessions.

Sound quality is impressive thanks to the CFX Stereo Sampling, reproducing Yamaha's concert grand piano sounds with depth and richness. The VRM Lite technology adds to a more natural resonance, giving you a more authentic piano experience. It includes three pedals that behave like those on an acoustic piano, allowing for expressive playing. On the portability side, this model is quite heavy at over 90 pounds and has a console design, making it less ideal if you need to move it frequently.

It offers Bluetooth and USB connectivity along with a companion app, making it easy to integrate with learning tools and apps. The included bench and elegant dark rosewood finish make it a nice fit for home use, especially for beginners to intermediate players who want a realistic piano experience without the maintenance of an acoustic piano. If you need something lightweight or for gigging, a more portable model might be better.

The Yamaha P225B is a well-rounded digital piano that closely mimics the feel and sound of an acoustic piano, making it suitable for players of all skill levels. Its 88 keys feature Yamaha's Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) action, meaning the keys are weighted to replicate the natural resistance experienced on a traditional piano—this is great for developing proper finger technique. The touch sensitivity is responsive, allowing for expressive playing.

Sound quality is a standout feature, thanks to the CFX Premium Grand Piano voice that delivers a rich, powerful tone, along with Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) that adds realistic string and body resonance effects, creating a more immersive experience. The half-damper pedal enhances expression by allowing subtle sustain control. The instrument handles complex passages well. It is compact and lighter than many full-sized digital pianos at about 25 pounds, which helps if you need to move it occasionally, though it’s still somewhat heavy for frequent transport.

Additional perks include a headphone jack for private practice and USB connectivity for easy integration with apps and computers. The Smart Pianist app support adds convenience by letting you control and customize the piano’s features via your smartphone. The Yamaha P225B fits those who want an authentic piano feel and sound in a space-saving design, ideal for home use or serious practice, but may be less suitable if ultralight portability is a priority.

The Yamaha P45B is designed for those who want a digital piano that closely replicates the feel and experience of an acoustic piano. With its 88 fully weighted keys, it offers a realistic touch, with the GHS weighted action providing a heavier feel in the low end and a lighter touch in the high end, mimicking an acoustic piano. This feature is ideal for intermediate players who are looking to improve their finger strength and technique.

In terms of sound quality, the P45B showcases Yamaha's excellence by including 10 distinctive voices, including tones sampled from Yamaha's renowned acoustic grand pianos. The dual mode, which allows you to blend two voices like piano and strings, adds versatility, making it suitable for those who enjoy experimenting with their music. The built-in speakers provide sufficient sound for personal practice, though they might not be enough for larger performances.

With a polyphony of 64 notes, players can perform complex pieces without the notes dropping, which is sufficient for most intermediate-level pieces. Its compact design, weighing just 25.3 pounds, makes it relatively portable for a full-sized piano, though still a bit cumbersome for frequent travel. The inclusion of a sustain pedal and power supply means you have everything you need to start playing right away. However, the connectivity options are limited, primarily featuring a USB connection, which might not cater to advanced users looking to integrate the piano with a more extensive setup.