It was as recent as the 70s that first the electronic piano, and soon after the digital piano, arrived. But, the first “real” consumer digital piano was the Yamaha YP-40 Clavinova. The Yamaha PF series followed in 1983, and the market took off from there.
What Drove The Development?
It is easy to see what caused this sudden development of the digital piano. Pianos were large, cumbersome instruments. Even the upright pianos would only be able to fit in reasonably-sized houses. And then, usually only on the ground floor.
But, what about those people desperate for a piano who had smaller living accommodation? Especially those that might live on higher floors.
The digital piano was able to fit in, literally. Now, there are plenty of options, and we can look for the best small pianos for apartments. So, let’s take a look at what is on offer for those who want a smaller piano for their apartment.
Top 6 Best Small Pianos for Apartments in 2023
1 Yamaha YDP143R Arius Series Console Digital Piano – Best Value for the Money Small Piano for Apartments
Yamaha is one of the big names in the manufacture of musical instruments of all kinds. But, especially with their pianos. They are known and respected for their concert grand pianos, used in the most famous performance halls in the world.
Furthermore, they are respected not only at the highest levels but also for their smaller digital piano range. The YDP143R Arius Series Console Digital Piano is a very good example of what they offer.
The Build
Beautifully designed and made. The dark Rosewood or Black Walnut adds a touch of elegance. It measures 56.2 by 22.2 by 17 inches and weighs 120 pounds. It has certainly been designed to look good in your room.
Three Pedals
It has three metal pedals with half-damper control. This allows you to create a more detailed subtlety when playing. And, pressing down from slight to full pressure will increase the length of sustain.
The Sound
Yamaha has included the Pure CF Sound Engine. That will create almost exactly the sound of the Yamaha CF 111S, which is a nine-foot concert grand. So, when you play, you get the feeling you are playing something very special. Which, of course, you are.
The stereo sustain samples used as part of the sound engine ensure the reverberation is mellow and warm. This adds to the authenticity of the sound. Likewise, it allows for plenty of expression and dynamics in your playing. In other words, this is one of the most realistic sounding small digital pianos for apartments you can buy.
The Keys
There are eighty-eight keys, as you would expect, that are weighted. However, they are not just weighted. A real acoustic piano has an action that is heavier in the low keys and also lighter as you get towards the higher keys.
The weighted action of this piano is the same, further creating the feel of the real thing. A big plus when it comes to transferring from a digital piano to a grand or other acoustic pianos. Also, the black keys are given a matte finish making them less slippery during longer sessions.
Extras
This piano has a built-in memory that has 50 piano songs pre-programmed. There is a music book with 50 “piano greats.” Also, a Controller app that works with iOS devices.
The app offers a functional and easy-to-use user interface for controlling the features. It also has a 2-track recorder which allows you to practice and record using one hand at a time. Additionally, the package includes a padded bench seat and music stand.
If you are interested in achieving performance and sound similar to an acoustic piano, this will give you that and more. It’s not the cheapest you will find, but then, real quality rarely is. This all easily adds up to one of the best small pianos for apartments you will find.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Great sound that replicates a Yamaha concert grand.
- Well-designed weighted keys feel like an acoustic piano.
Cons
- Not the cheapest.
2 Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Piano Keyboard – Best Lightweight Small Piano for Apartments
If you really are short of space, then this digital piano option is certainly something to consider. It is an affordable entry-level piano with a full-size 88 key keyboard with plenty of built-in features.
The Build
It is made of plastic, which means it is lightweight, weighing just seven kilos and measuring 3.6 by 11.52 by 50.52 inches. Therefore, it can sit comfortably on a table and be stored away when not in use. In other words, it’s one of the smallest pianos for apartments on the market.
It has built-in speakers that will give you 20 watts peak volume. So, you will easily hear what you are playing. And on the top, there is a set of easily visible and convenient controls for using the special features.
It is designed to be used on the go if you wish. It has a mains supply with an adapter included. However, it will also work off batteries. Meaning it’s one of the best portable small pianos for apartments and beyond.
Useful Connections
For silent practice, there is a ¼-inch headphone output. This will also connect to an external speaker if you wish and a ¼-inch input for a sustain pedal. However, this is not provided with the piano. On the rear, there are stereo RCA outputs to connect to an amplifier.
The Keys
As we said, it is a full-size keyboard, so it has 88 full-size keys. The keys are semi-weighted and have an adjustable touch response that can be set to accommodate your style of playing.
Special Features
There are five different voices. These include Acoustic and Electric Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, and Bass. The sounds can be tailored to your taste using the built-in Reverb and Chorus controls located on the top of the piano.
Furthermore, it has 128-note polyphony, which will accommodate most piano pieces up to a high standard of complexity.
It also has split and layering options as well as a lesson mode. Taking lessons is easy when you can split your keyboard using lesson mode and share the keyboard with your tutor.
Educational Features
And talking of tutoring, it has some great learning features, which include the use of Skoove online piano courses for three months free.
And when you register your piano, you will receive 60 bonus lessons from Melodics. If you are looking to start playing piano, then this is an ideal option at a cost-effective price.
For more info, check out our in-depth Alesis Recital Review.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- A nice piano sound with plenty of options at a cost-effective price.
- Some useful built-in features and educational programs.
Cons
- Lacks some of the quality of more expensive pianos.
3 Donner DDP-100 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano – Best Budget Small Piano for Apartments
Back to the more conventional design for piano with this instrument from Donner. This is a company that specializes in decent-quality instruments at very attractive prices.
The Build
It is designed to be a nice piece of furniture with its wooden, medium-density fiberboard cabinet. A nice touch is a sliding cover for the keys to protect them when it is not in use. It measures 53.89 by 15.66 by 32.99 inches and weighs just under 100 pounds.
It has three metal pedals for soft, sustain, and sostenuto giving you plenty of expression in how you play. There are built-in speakers and an amplifier with a rating of 25 watts. And there is a headphone socket for private practice.
The socket for the headphones is conveniently placed at the front, under the keyboard. Therefore, you won’t have to struggle to plug it in around the back, making using it easy. It comes with a 12-volt mains adapter and a music rest. This piano has no facility for use with batteries.
The Keys
It has 88 keys that are fully weighted, giving it a realistic and comfortable playing action. They are made from plastic and ABS.
The Sound
Donner has tried to do their best to recreate the sound of a full grand piano. Using AWM sampling, taking sampled sounds from actual acoustic pianos, the sound is impressive. Not an exact replica of the real thing, of course, but you wouldn’t expect that.
Another advantage is that it has 128-polyphony. That means that apart from the most complex pieces, you won’t have any note “dropouts.” An important consideration for beginners to improver. A nice piano with some good features at a reasonable price point.
(4.7 / 5)Pros
- Some nice sounds and good features.
- Well-made, attractive piece of furniture at an attractive price point.
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a bench.
4 Souidmy V-210 88-Key Digital Piano – Best Bluetooth Small Piano for Apartments
Souidmy might not be the first name that rolls off the tongue when thinking about a digital piano. But, as you will see, they make an instrument that is certainly worth taking a look at.
The V210 is an upgrade from their V200 model. It adds some voices from extra instruments to go with its very good piano sounds.
The Build
It measures 53.54 by 33.86 by 16.93 inches and weighs 110 pounds. The cabinet has been made to be an attractive piece of furniture. It is made from MDF with a satinwood finish and has some stylish curved legs. There are three metal pedals.
It has twin stereo speakers that produce adequate volume for practice. And you can connect it up to external speakers if you require. A good design idea has been the inclusion of two headphone jacks.
These are positioned for ease of use on the front of the piano. A second headphone socket is there should you have a tutor and wish to use them for a silent lesson. It does need to be assembled when it is delivered, but that applies to many digital pianos. It will take two people about 30 minutes.
The Keys
It has 88 keys, all with a graded hammer action. The keys are grained with a natural texture to give them a little extra grip for the fingers. This patented NGH keyboard uses eight different weights for the hammer action. These are adjustable and graded to suit each ability level.
The Sound
As I mentioned, it has had some extra instruments included. The available voices are:
- Grand Piano.
- Bright Grand Piano.
- Electric Piano.
- Stage Electric Piano.
- Harpsichord.
- Vibraphone.
- Strings.
- Organ.
The inclusion of a better quality chip for processing has raised the sound quality. This has meant that the detail of the sound has improved.
A slight problem I have…
Understanding the polyphony, they quote a polyphony of 189. But I have never heard of that before. Usually, it is 64, 128, or 256. We must assume it is a copywriting error, and it is 126, which is about the standard for a piano of this level.
However, the sound of the grand piano especially is quite good. Offering warm soundboard resonances and string resonances.
The Controls
These are limited in number but placed in convenient positions. The functions are to the left of the keyboard and the volume to the right. It has MIDI connections and is Bluetooth compatible. A decent quality piano at an attractive price.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Well made with an attractive design at a cost-effective price point.
- Some good features with different main voices.
Cons
- No bench or much in the way of extras.
5 Casio Privia PX-S1100 88-Key Slim Digital Console Piano Bundle – Best Small Piano Package Bundle for Apartments
In days gone by, Casio was better known for their digital watches, calculators, and ‘toy’ keyboards for kids. However, things have changed. These days they make some quality digital instruments. That includes a great range of digital pianos.
A Great Package
Once again, for those with space problems, this is a very good package from Casio. It includes a slimline keyboard, bench seat, keyboard stand, mains adapter, and some instructional help. Also, it offers some useful connections. All at a very attractive price.
The Build
As I mentioned, it has a slimline build and weighs under 25 pounds. Being so lightweight, it is easy to carry around, and it will sit comfortably on any surface, even a bed. The frame is plastic, of course, but it is quite sturdy.
You have the choice of mains or battery power. As I said, there is a mains adapter included, but it will also run on six AA batteries.
The Keys
It is a full-size keyboard, so there are 88 keys that have a scaled hammer action. The keys on an acoustic piano react differently from high to low on the keyboard. This attempts to simulate the characteristics of a real keyboard.
The Sound
There are 18 tones built-in and controlled from a small control panel on the top of the piano. The options include:
- Concert Piano.
- Electric Piano.
- Strings.
- Vibraphone.
- Harpsichord.
- Organs.
- Strings.
Additionally, there are built-in stereo speakers to allow you a decent volume and sound when you are playing. The overall sound is enhanced with both damper and string resistance features, giving you a natural piano feel.
The Connections
It is both MIDI and Bluetooth compatible, which opens up plenty of options allowing you to connect up to your devices. Furthermore, it has two headphone sockets and ¼-inch connectors that will offer connections to amplifiers or a PA system.
All in all, it’s one of the most versatile small pianos for apartments you can buy. Making this a complete package that is excellent for a new starter or improving player.
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Small and compatible with a seat and a stand.
- Eight different sound voices at a competitive price.
Cons
- Some may just want a slightly larger piano.
6 Casio Privia PX-870 Digital Piano – Best Premium Small Piano for Apartments
For our final look at the best small apartment pianos, we will stay with Casio. The Privia PX-870 is the top-of-the-range piano from the Privia range. And, it has plenty of great features.
The Build
It is designed to be a nice, attractive piece of furniture and it certainly achieves that. Even the piano stool provided has an elegant feel to it. It measures 60 by 16 by 15 inches and weighs 84 pounds.
It is made of good quality MDF and is given an attractive ebony finish. There is a sliding cover for the keys when it is not in use and a music stand, and it has three metal pedals.
The Keys
This piano has the Tri-sensor scaled hammer action that top-of-the-range Casio pianos are known for. The hammer action has been scaled across the 88 keys to simulate the real acoustic piano experience.
And the touch sensitivity control allows you to adjust the action to suit your style of playing. The keys themselves are textured to give them an authentic feel.
The Sound
It has a powerful sound system built-in that includes four speakers. There are 18 tones, including a range of piano sounds with an excellent Grand Piano. One thing that stands out that complements the sound is the detailed resonance as you strike the keys.
Extra Features
It has the option to connect two sets of headphones on the front panel using 1/4-inch jack sockets. It also has Duet Mode, which splits the piano into two ranges with the same pitch. Ideal for lessons with a tutor.
The package includes an instructional DVD, book, and online lessons. A good package with a fine piano sound at a decent price.
Want to know more? Then check out our in-depth Casio Privia PX 870 Digital Piano Review.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Well-designed with an attractive but strong build.
- Plenty of built-in features at an attractive price point.
Cons
- None.
Best Small Pianos for Apartments – Buying Guide
If you are tight on space, then these pianos are ideal. However, it depends on how much of a lack of space there is. I have included two options for those that will not be able to leave the piano setup and therefore need to store it away.
The others are well-designed furniture pieces that don’t take up too much room. However, they will need their own space.
How Many Keys?
If you are serious about playing the piano, then you need 88 keys. There are smaller keyboards for younger players, but to get the real piano experience, you will need 88.
Also, consider polyphony. A smaller number, and you might start losing notes when you play faster. 128-polyphony is fine at beginner and improver levels.
If you want extra instrument sounds, like strings or harpsichord, then some will offer that. If you are buying a stand-alone piano, check to see if it comes with a bench. That could be an important feature. If you’re buying a more portable piano, you might like to consider a stand for the instrument.
Interested in Buying a Piano or Keyboard?
We have you covered. Check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Digital Pianos, the Best Digital Grand Piano, the Best Digital Pianos for Under $500, the Best Digital Pianos For Under $1000, and the Best Digital Piano With Weighted Keys you can buy in 2023.
Also, take a look at our detailed reviews of the Best Digital Pianos For Beginners, the Best Cheap Keyboard Piano, the Best 88-Key Keyboards, the Best Portable Keyboard Pianos, the Best Kawai Digital Piano, and the Best Yamaha Digital Pianos currently on the market.
What are the Best Small Pianos for Apartments?
I have got a reasonable amount of space so I would prefer a stand-alone piano with a nice furniture-like design. The most important sound to me would be the grand piano, so that would be high on my priority list. Therefore, I would choose the…
Yamaha YDP143R Arius Series Console Digital Piano
An excellent piano with good styling and a great sound. My choice for the best small piano for an apartment.
Until next time, let your music play.