Kawai Digital Pianos: A Complete Buyer’s Guide for Beginners and Professionals
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Time to read 6 min
"Kawai's pianos really showcase their deep piano expertise. Blending of tradition, innovation, and pure musicality quite like no other."
If you’re exploring the world of digital pianos, few brands offer the blend of tradition, innovation, and pure musicality quite like Kawai . With decades of craftsmanship behind them and a reputation for exceptional tone and touch, Kawai digital pianos are a favourite of students, hobbyists, teachers, and professional musicians alike.
But with several model ranges — KDP , CN , Concert Artist (CA) , and the Novus Hybrid — choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through each range, who it’s best for, and why it might be the perfect addition to your home, studio, or stage.
Table of contents
Kawai KDP Series: Best for Beginners and Home Players Kawai CN Series: Ideal for Serious Learners and Intermediate Players Kawai Concert Artist (CA) Series: The Authentic Grand Piano Experience at Home Kawai Novus Hybrid Series: For the Ultimate Piano Connoisseur Key Differences Between Kawai Piano Series Sustainability Matters: Longevity and Repairability Tips for Choosing the Right Kawai Digital Piano Conclusion
Kawai ES Series: Ultimate Portability Without Compromise
Models: ES60, ES120, ES520, ES920
Who It’s For:
Gigging musicians and performers
Students needing a space-saving, portable solution
Home players who want flexibility
Why Choose the ES Range:
The ES Series is Kawai’s range of portable digital pianos — slim, lightweight, yet packed with professional features.
All ES models feature Kawai’s reputable keyboard actions: the Responsive Hammer Compact (ES120) and Responsive Hammer III (ES520, ES920), ensuring a superb feel under the fingers.
With powerful built-in speakers, Bluetooth MIDI and Audio , and optional matching stands and triple-pedal units, these pianos can transform from stage-ready to home-ready in seconds.
Highlights:
Highly portable, lightweight designs
Excellent action and sound for their class
Bluetooth Audio/MIDI connectivity
Great for stage, studio, or small spaces
Ideal if: You need professional quality in a portable format — whether for gigs, lessons, or flexible home use.
Kawai KDP Series: Best for Beginners and Home Players
Models: KDP75, KDP120
Who It’s For:
Beginners starting their piano journey
Casual players wanting an affordable, quality home instrument
Why Choose the Kawai KDP Range:
The KDP Series is Kawai’s digital piano entry-level offering, but don’t be fooled — these models punch far above their price point. They feature Kawai’s excellent Responsive Hammer Compact II action, giving players an authentic grand piano touch.
You’ll also find impressive features like the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand sound sampling, Bluetooth MIDI (in the KDP120), and user-friendly lesson functions built-in.
Highlights:
Excellent value for the money
Realistic touch and tone for the price
Compact, elegant cabinet design
Headphone mode for silent practice
Ideal if: You want a solid, great-sounding digital piano without breaking the bank.
Kawai CN Series: Ideal for Serious Learners and Intermediate Players
Models: CN201, CN301
Who It’s For:
Students progressing through higher piano grades
Adult learners and enthusiasts
Home musicians looking for a premium experience without stepping into professional pricing
Why Choose the CN Range:
The Kawai CN Series steps up in both feel and sound realism in the Kawai Digital Piano range. Featuring the Responsive Hammer III action (with simulated ivory key surfaces and let-off simulation), and upgraded Shigeru Kawai piano sound sampling, the CN models offer a rich, expressive playing experience.
Expect enhanced speaker systems, Bluetooth Audio streaming, and customizable settings to suit your playing style.
Highlights:
Highly responsive key action
Superb tone modelling for dynamic, natural sound
Powerful speakers that fill a room beautifully
Stylish cabinets available in multiple finishes
Ideal if: You’re an advancing player who needs a responsive, inspiring instrument to grow with.
Kawai Concert Artist (CA) Series: The Authentic Grand Piano Experience at Home
Models: CA401, CA501, CA701, CA901
Who It’s For:
Advanced players seeking grand piano realism
Serious hobbyists and professional musicians
Teachers needing a high-quality studio instrument
Why Choose the Concert Artist Range:
The CA Series brings Kawai’s top-tier technologies to digital pianos. They feature the Grand Feel Compact , Grand Feel III , or the ultimate Grand Feel III Wooden-Key Action (depending on model), providing some of the most authentic piano key feel you can find in a digital instrument.
Sound-wise, the CA range uses full-length sampling of every note from the SK-EX concert grand and leverages multi-speaker output systems for a full-bodied, immersive sound.
Highlights:
Solid wooden keys for a true grand piano touch
Harmonic Imaging XL or SK-EX Rendering sound technology
Advanced pedalling realism (Grand Feel Pedal System)
High-end cabinetry and soundboard designs (CA901 features an actual spruce soundboard)
Ideal if: You want the closest thing to owning a grand piano without the tuning, maintenance, or floor space requirements.
Kawai Novus Hybrid Series: For the Ultimate Piano Connoisseur
Models: NV5S, NV10S
Who It’s For:
Concert pianists needing a high-end practice solution
Recording professionals
The ultimate home piano enthusiast
Why Choose the Novus Hybrid Range:
The Novus Series merges acoustic and digital technologies, making them truly hybrid pianos.
They incorporate the real Millennium III Hybrid Grand Piano Action — the exact same mechanical action you’d find in Kawai's premium acoustic grands, with optical sensors replacing strings and hammers for infinite precision and zero maintenance.
The NV5S features an upright grand piano action and integrated soundboard speaker, while the flagship NV10S boasts a full grand piano action and powerful speaker systems with Onkyo premium audio components.
Highlights:
Real grand piano action in a digital piano
Unrivalled dynamic range and expressiveness
Professional-level precision with silent practice options
Stunning modern design
Ideal if: You demand the highest level of realism and expression, with the added benefits of digital technology.
Key Differences Between Kawai Digital Piano Series
| Range | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| KDP | Beginners, casual players | Responsive Hammer Compact II action, affordability |
| CN | Advancing students, home players | Responsive Hammer III action, great sound system |
| Concert Artist (CA) | Advanced players, serious musicians | Grand Feel Wooden Key Actions, professional sound |
| Novus Hybrid | Professionals, piano purists | Real grand piano action, luxury digital features |
Want to see, hear, and try any of our instruments?
Our Cambridge city centre showroom is the perfect place to visit, one of the top shopping destinations in the UK with world class sights, restaurants, cafes, and shopping.
We stock the leading range of digital, hybrid, acoustic, silent, upright, and grand pianos in our beautiful Cambridge showroom.
Book a Demonstration
Our highly-trained demonstrators can show you the range, you can compare models, and make sure you make the right decision.
Sustainability Matters: Longevity and Repairability
Kawai maintains a comprehensive spare parts department in the UK providing parts for all their models which makes them easy to repair. Their portable pianos are perfectly repairable and we offer part-exchanges and sustainability credits for these models,
We feature a number of Kawai pianos on our rental fleet including some portable pianos over 10 years old because they are still repairable.
Tips for Choosing the Right Kawai Digital Piano
Skill Level: Beginners may prefer the ES series or entry-level KDP models, while intermediate and advanced players may benefit from the enhanced sound and key action of the Concert Artist or Novus NV models.
Portability: If you need to transport your piano frequently, the ES series offers the best balance of portability and sound quality.
Home Use vs. Performance: For home use, cabinet-style models like the CN301 or CA501 offer a more traditional look and feel, while the flagship CA901 or Novus are ideal for those who want would prefer an acoustic piano but don't want to compromise on touch.
Sound Quality: Higher-end models like the CA901, NV5S and NV10S feature advanced speaker systems, providing a more authentic piano sound.
Conclusion
Kawai’s digital piano range is full of thoughtfully designed instruments that meet players wherever they are in their musical journey. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro looking for the ultimate grand experience at home, Kawai has a model that matches your needs and exceeds your expectations.
Where can I try a Kawai piano?
We offer Kawai's range of pianos in our Cambridge showroom for you to try. make a booking...
Can I rent a Kawai piano?
Yes, absolutely. We start from just £15p/m and this is the most sustainable and accessible way to get started.
What is the best Kawai model for a beginner?
We recommend rental for beginners.
Simon
With over 25 years experience, I've been fortunate enough to literally travel the world visiting factories and music shops, talking to master technicians and engineers, building up a huge knowledge and understanding of the market, products, and concepts.
I am driven by the belief that music is hugely important and should be accessible to all. I advocate for repair and reuse in the industry and across society.