Kawai KDP 110
Pros
- Excellent key action
- Individually sampled sound
- Very good pedal
- Powerful speakers
- Bluetooth
Cons
- No USB to device
- Only 15 voices
Around $1,000, there are many excellent entry level digital pianos. One might even argue that these offer the best value for money. No wonder so many people are searching for the best model in that price range. In this Kawai KDP 110 review, I’ll try to show you why this might just be the one you are looking for.
Kawai’s KDP product line is what they call the entry level series. The KDP 90 was popular and well received by the market. In 2018, Kawai introduced a new model the KDP 110. It has many upgrades to the previous model and is probably the best entry level digital piano in the market right now. Let’s find out if that’s true.
DESIGN
The Look
The Kawai KDP 110 is a console style digital piano. It tries to mimic the classic upright acoustic piano look and I have to say it’s quite a success in doing that.
Depends on your region, you can choose either a Black or Rosewood color. They both feature wooden texture finish and look really premium.
Even though it’s an entry level digital piano, the KDP 110 is built with quality. The stand is firm and every part of the instrument looks and feels well-built.
Overall the Kawai KDP 110 looks classic and premium. However I do find this classic style difficult to fit a modern home decor. Depends on your situation, this may or may not be an issue for you.
Music Rest
The music rest on the KDP 110 has curved edge which fits greatly was the classical look of the digital piano. It is definitely wide enough to display any scorebook. You can put 3 pieces of A4 paper side by side comfortably on the music rest. I’m happy to report that it is also quite tall to support any printed sheet of music.
You cannot adjust the angle of the music erased. However it is collapsible. This is a really nice and convenient feature in my opinion.
Control
As expected for an entry-level digital piano, the control panel on the KDP 110 is very simple.
On the right side, you will find a power button and a volume slider.
On the left side, there are 6 buttons for quick access. The buttons are well labelled and I think Kawai did a good job of selecting the most often used functions.
There is no display on this digital piano. However there are small LED indicators on each button.
Keys
The Kawai KDP 110 comes with a full 88 keyboard. The keys are made of plastic with matte finish key tops. Kawai did a good job to mimic the feel of modern acoustic piano keys.
This keyboard seems to be built with quality. I haven’t noticed any uneven spacing between the keys like many other entry-level digital pianos.
What I do miss is the red velvet at the end of the keyboard. I think this would look really good on this model due to its classical Style.
Size & Weight
Being a console style digital piano, the Kawai KDP 110 is not small nor light. However since you are not going to move it around, this shouldn’t be an issue.
The instrument arrives in a box and some assembly is required. The main body of the piano is quite heavy and it is definitely a two men’s job. Make sure you have a friend or family member to help you with that.
The KDP 110 weighs about 39 kg (86 lbs).
Without music rest, it has the dimensions of 136(W) x 41(D) x 85(H) cm (54″ x 16″ x 33″)
KEY ACTION
Being a model from Kawai, I have high hopes for the key action on the KDP 110. This is also one of the big upgrades from the KDP 90.
The key action on the KDP 110 is the Responsive Hammer Compact II from Kawai. Surprisingly, this is not the entry level key action from Kawai. It is a more advanced version of key action from the Kawai ES110.
The RHCII is a triple sensor key action. It helps to provide a more precise and responsive feel especially during fast passages.
As mentioned before the keys are plastic with matte finish. This helps to improve grip and absorb moisture the real long playing sessions.
The keys are individually weighted and graded, just like any proper digital piano. It feels heavier on the bass side and gradually becomes lighter towards the right side.
Overall the key action on the KDP 110 feels very nice to play. it is very easy to control the volume, the timing and to put emotions into each key press. I personally find it to be the best entry level key action on the market right now. It feels more authentic than equivalent actions from Yamaha, Casio and Roland.
The key noise on the KDP 110 is at an acceptable level. It doesn’t bother me at least. However, there are reports that after few month of use, some keys will exhibit clicky noise when bounce back.
SOUND
Another major upgrade you would find on the KDP 110 is the sound engine. It uses the current generation Harmonic Imaging technology from Kawai. It features Kawai’s world famous SK-EX acoustic concert grand piano.
Not only is each key individually sampled, it is also sampled at various different volume levels. This is to capture the subtle tonal change when you press a key at different force on an acoustic piano. This is a huge advantage in the entry-level digital piano market. Because many other brands sample their keys in groups instead of individually, let along at different volume.
The Kawai KDP 110 has a maximum polyphony number of 192. This is more than enough for any entry level digital piano.
To compliment the upgraded sound engine, the KDP 110 equips a much more powerful speaker system. The two 20 watt speakers are powerful enough to make the instrument sound like an acoustic piano.
Overall and the sound quality of the KDP 110 is impressive. It is authentic, dynamic and expressive. It is also the only model that features individual key sampling in the entry level digital piano segment.
FEATURES
As an entry level digital piano, the KDP 110 does not have too many features. Besides the upgraded key action and the best entry level sound engine, it does have Bluetooth for easy connectivity. It also has two headphone jacks, one quarter inch and the other 3.5mm. It’s a convenient feature that allows your teacher to listen to your playing. With the smaller 3.5mm jack, you can also avoid the hassle of the headphone adapter.
Unfortunately, there is no multi track recording on the KDP 110. You can record up to 3 songs. There is no USB to device port, which I do find a bit inconvenient.
Here are some other features that you might find useful:
- Sound (15 total):
- Piano x 4
- E.Piano x 2
- Strings x 2
- Organ x 2
- Others x 5
- Polyphony: 192
- Reverb: 6
- Modes:
- Dual Mode: two instrument sound simultaneously
- Four-hand Mode: split the keyboard to identical halves
- Internal recording:
- MIDI: 3 songs
- Connectivity:
- Bluetooth
- USB to Host
- MIDI (IN/OUT)
- Headphones x 2 (6.35mm 1/4″ + 3.5mm 1/8″ )
ACCESSORIES
As a console style digital piano, the KDP 110 comes with a 3 pedal unit. This is what Kawai calls the Grand Feel Pedal system. This is the same pedal system that you would see on Kawai’s premium flagship models. It supports half paneling and does authentically reproduce the feel of pedaling on an acoustic grand piano.
You will need to purchase a bench separately if you can’t find a good bundle offer.
A good pair of headphones is always recommended for any digital piano.
Being a console style digital piano and with its powerful speaker system, you won’t need any external monitor/speaker for the Kawai KDP 110.
WHO IT’S FOR
The Kawai KDP 110 is recommended for beginners with a somewhat relaxed budget. It is not the cheapest entry level digital piano but it does provide the best key action and sound.
In my opinion, the KDP 110 is definitely worth the price and I would even recommend it to intermediate players.
It is also to some extent future proof. With the excellent key action and sound quality, you won’t feel the need to upgrade any time soon. Thanks to Bluetooth, you will always be able to utilize apps on your smart devices.
The KDP 110 is also suitable for performing at medium sized venue as long as it does not need to be moved.
CONCLUSION
The Kawai KDP 110 is an excellent digital piano for any beginners. It is in my opinion the best entry level model on the market right now. It packs superior key action and sound engine to its competitors.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
OTHER OPTIONS
Kawai KDP 110 vs. Yamaha YDP-143
These two are similarly priced, with the YDP-143 a hundred dollars cheaper.
The RHCII key action on the KDP 110 is significantly better than the GHS on the Yamaha. The RHCII is a triple sensor action and the GHS is dual sensor. It is also better in terms of responsiveness, expression and timing.
The sound engine on both models are both very good. However, the KDP 110 does have an edge that each note is individually sampled. It has also a much powerful speaker system than the YDP-143. The KDP 110 packs 40 watt speaker while the YDP-143 has 12 watt.
They have the same polyphony number. But the KDP 110 wins again with Bluetooth.
Overall, the Kawai KDP 110 is much better than the Yamaha YDP-143. You do get charged a lot premium for the Yamaha brand.
For more details about the Yamaha YDP-143, click here for my full review.
Kawai KDP 110 vs. Roland F-140R
Another similarly priced model is the Roland F-140R. It is a very popular entry level digital piano from Roland.
The F-140R has much more features than the KDP 110. Not only does it also have Bluetooth, the F-140R has 300 more sounds to choose from. It also has a USB to device port and can record more songs internally.
However, the Kawai KDP 110 wins on key action and sound. The key action is vastly superior in my opinion and the sound engine is also more advanced. The F-140R exhibit off balanced tonal characteristics that are common to group sampling. The KDP 110 does not have such issue thanks to each key being individually sampled.
The KDP 110 also has a more powerful speaker system of 40 watt compare to F-140R’s 24 watt.
I would recommend the Kawai KDP 110 over the Roland F-140R for its superior key action and sound engine. The F-140R does have more features.
For more details about the Roland F-140R, click here for my full review.
Leave a comment to let me know what you think of this review. And if you happen to have some experience with the Kawai KDP 110, please share with us in the comment below.
There is a new model kawai kdp 120. How do you compare to kdp 110? Witch one is superior?
Hi Andrius,
The two models are very similar, Kawai introduced the kdp120 as a replacement for the now-discontinued kdp110. Both pianos combine the quality that Kawai is well-known for with a price tag suitable for players on a budget. In my opinion, there isn’t much that’s changed.
However, there are some subtle but significant changes to the design, key action sound, and Bluetooth.
You can find more information here. Kawai KDP 120 vs. KDP 110
Hello Wei,
I am looking to purchase a piano for my 5 1/2 year old Granddaughter. This will be her first attempt at taking piano lessons. So we are unsure if this will be a long term interest or not. As a result, we would like to acquire a good instrument for her and evaluate her progress before making a huge investment. Upon speaking with her intended piano teacher, he was unable to provide any suggestions on what type or brand instrument to purchase, only that she will need a 88 key instrument for practice and playing. We are unable to purchase & pickup (haul) a regular piano, so we have interest in acquiring a stationary digital piano. After speaking with my brother, we were initially considering the Yamaha P45 Digital Piano but after reading many of your reviews, it appears to us that there are other instruments you may recommend. We are very much interested in your opinion
Hi Dee Dee,
The Yamaha P45 is not bad. I started learning piano on that particular instrument. However, when you granddaughter develops her piano skill, you are looking at an upgrade pretty soon.
I would recommend a few models below. These can be slightly more expensive than the P45, but they would certainly last longer. And your granddaughter will have a better experience playing on these.
– Kawai ES110/ ES520: The ES520 is a new model that replaces the ES110. They are both very solid piano. Most notable is the key action. I found it to be the closest action to an acoustic piano. If you are looking for a upright style piano, than the Kawai KDP 110 is a great choice.
– Casio PX S1000: Super compact and lightweight, yet comes with a very nice key action and great sound. If moving the piano around is ever a possibility in the future, this one has a huge advantage. It can also be operated with standard AA batteries. So you granddaughter can perform for the family during a picnic.
– Roland FP-10: this model is a cut down version of Roland’s popular FP-30. It does have the same key action and sound, which are both impressive. However, feature wise, it’s quite limited. One big disadvantage is that it doesn’t have an internal recording function. I actually find that pretty important for beginners.
These are my recommendations. None of them is perfect but they are all very good choices. Personally, I’d choose the Kawai ES520. It has the best key action to my feel and it has all the features that a beginner piano play would need. It is also the most recent model.
Hope this helps. Do come back and share with us which one you get for your granddaughter.
Thank you so much for your review. Would you recommend it to an absolute beginner in music or is it too much and it’s better to get something like the Roland FP-10 or the Kawai ES110? Also, should I get a cabinet piano or a portable one? I only plan to play it at home. Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Frank,
The question is whether you are going to stick to the hobby. If you just want to give piano a try and there’s a good chance that you’ll move on to something else, I’d say a cheaper model like the FP-10 or ES110 or the Yamaha P45/P71 would be better. You limit the initial investment and wouldn’t waste too much money if you give up on piano.
For your second question, a cabinet piano is usually better since it has more room for better key action, more powerful speakers and a proper three pedal unit. But portables are usually cheaper. So again, if you are not sure about this new hobby, go with something cheap.
Hope this helps. Do come back and let us know which piano you pick up.
Thank you for your quick reply! I’ve just ordered the KDP-110. I’m in love with it and I think it is worth it. Can’t wait to start playing it! 🙂
Congratulations Frank! Has it already arrived? Can’t wait to hear that you think about this piano.
Hi Wei,
No, not yet 🙁 Plus, I need to confirm the colour by Monday. I don’t know whether to get the black or rosewood colour. I guess black looks more modern and rosewood more traditional, but I’ve no idea. Any suggestions? 🙂
I like the rosewood. There are more depth to it. But it’s obviously personal and very much depends on your home décor.
Hi Wei,
I am a beginner and originally targeted Kdp110, but considering Yamaha 164 now if it’s only few hundreds bucks difference for a better digital piano. I am concerned about the key rebound noise and the key clicky noise you mentioned. Really appreciate if you can give me some suggestions.
Hi Brianna,
Both pianos are very good for any beginner. Here’s my review of the Yamaha YDP-164.
You should also consider the YDP-S54, which is the same piano with a more compact design and sometimes cheaper price.
According to Kawai, they have address the issue with key noise on the KDP110 and if you buy a new one, you shouldn’t have to worry about that.
Hi Wei, I am supposed to buy a KDP110 tomorrow that has been in the store since November of 2020. Do you know when Kawai made the statement about the rebound noise? If the shop received this model shortly after it was manufactured, do you think the problem has likely been solved?
Hi Alex,
I’m sure the one you are going to pick up is free of the rebound noise issue. I think the announcement from Kawai was in 2019.
Share with us your thoughts and experience with your new KDP110.
Hello! Do you know what the difference between the KDP110 and the CN17? I can’t find the KDP here in Europe but there is the CN17. The specs on their website show that it’s exactly the same except that the CN also comes in white.
Hi Maha,
They are the same. Kawai uses different product code for US and EU markets.
Hi Wei,
Thank you so much for the detailed review. I’ve been fully immersed in your digital piano reviews for the past few days as I’m looking to upgrade my Roland FP30 for
The main reason I’m upgrading is that the keys from FP30 seem to be clunking/clicking if I play fast keys. This was the biggest drawback for me and wonder if it would happen with $1,000 range digital pianos?
I need your suggestions on what you think would be the best model for me given my criteria. I’d be an intermediate level who tends to play mellow classical piano, and occasionally pop/rock. I don’t necessarily need so many sound features as FP90 does but I see wireless and Bluetooth being important features. I also do need to record a few songs to upload to the computer. In terms of the look, recently learned about console/upright style digital piano and thinking that might be better for me since I’m only going to play at home and they look better for NYC studio apt interior. Which model would check all the boxes?
– Kawai kdp 110
– Kawai es8 (no BlueTooth?)
– Yamaha s54 (pretty but no blue booth :/)
– Kawai CA49 (upgraded from ca48?)
– Roland fp90
I didn’t consider f140r since you mentioned its key action is inferior to kdp110. Would CA49 (new model) justify a $1000 difference from KDP110? I plan to play a lot for many coming years. Or does any other model comes to your mind?
Thank you so much!
Hi Jungwon,
The models you listed are from very different price range. Among them, the Kawai CA49 would be my best pick, if you have the budget for it. The playing experience, both sound and key action, is vastly superior to the other models on your list. Maybe the ES8 come close but it’s a portable model and it doesn’t have Bluetooth.
Since you are an intermediate player and you plan to play on the new piano a lot for years to come, I really think it makes most sense to go for the best you can afford.
Hope this helps and do come back and share with us which model you end up with and your thoughts on it.
Thank you so much for your insight!
You are always welcome Lee.
Hi Wei,
Revisiting this one more time before I make a final call, looks like CA49 is a bit more expensive. What is the bluetooth function exactly useful for? Can you Jam along to tracks playing back via Bluetooth? Am I able to record wirelessly via bluetooth instead of involving USB?
Looks like CA49 doesn’t have the usb port which i’m used to for bringing recorded songs to laptop. If i value recording songs and save as mp3 files (i did that via usb on Roland fp30), which other model would easily allow me to do that? or how do i bring recorded songs from ca49 to laptop? I think the option for 2 track recording could be useful.
I’ve narrowed it down to only upright piano and I’m considering as of today:
ydp 164 (prefer this look over s54)
ydp 184
ca 48 (looks like it’s still available on kawai us website, not sure if 49 is better)
cn 29 (i haven’t seen much reviews and not sure why it isn’t widely sold but just discovered this and sounded great from youtube vids. would it have an inferior key action to ca49 though?)
clp 625
my local piano stores don’t carry any of these models in store for me to try it out.. 🙁 please let me know what I might be missing and your thoughts! thanks!!
Hi Jungwon,
First of all, the Bluetooth on the Kawai CA49 is only for MIDI. You can not play back tracks through Bluetooth onto the piano. You do have the ability to record wirelessly on your laptop.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to record in MP3 format just like you did on the Roland. That function is available on the more expensive CA59.
– Neither of the Yamaha can record in MP3.
– The Kawai CA48 is indeed similar to the CA49. And it can not record in MP3 either. Neither can the CN29. They key action on the CN 29 is also inferior to the one on the CA48/49.
– The CLP 625 is a great choice. But it can’t record in MP3 either.
I think your best bet is to choose the one with the best key action and connect it to your laptop. Then you can do the magic on the laptop to mix tracks and record in whatever format you want.
Hope this helps.
Hi Wei, Greetings from down under.
Great review I have been bouncing between the Roland Fp140 and the KDP 110. Your review seals the choice for me. I’m an adult beginner piano has been a dream since I was a young lad. I’m thinking that this would be a great piano that I would keep for many years.
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your kind words. Always a pleasure to know my review has made a difference. Rest assure that the Kawai KDP 110 will serve you well for years to come.
Hi Wei
I really like your reviews of various digital pianos. It has given me quite a bit of clarity on how to proceed. I want to get a better digital piano for my son. His teacher recommends the acoustic piano and talks about building finger muscles. However I don’t want to make a big investment as that and i have concerns on maintenance of an acoustic. I think i would stick to a digital for as long as possible. Given that , I don’t want to keep upgrading my digital piano. I started looking at Yamaha P125 and then discovered the Arius series. Looking for Arius reviews I came across your site. Now I am looking for guidance on how to narrow down. If I stick to around 1000 plus budget, should I go for YDP 144,164, S54 or KDP 110? Or should I stretch to 2k and go for the Kawai CA48 or Y184? From what I see of my son, I don’t see him showing interest in composing songs. He is a good learner and I would like him to have an instrument that is closer to an acoustic. Preferably a future proof model will be good. Your inputs will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Wei
I just came across a place that is offering Yamaha CLP 625 for $2199. How does this fare against CA48?
The Clavinova series from Yamaha has been very popular among musical schools and even professional pianists. You can generally rest assured for the quality and longevity of the piano. But do realize that you are paying a premium for the Yamaha brand.
The CLP 625 is a pretty good model and I would put it somewhat on bar with the CA48. The only downside of the 625 is that its keys are plastic while the keys on the CA48 are made in wood. I personally find the CA48 keys feel more realistic. Wooden keys are also better to build finger strength, which is what your son needs.
Hi Soumya,
Thank you for your kind comment. Always a pressure to know my review has been helpful to my readers.
Based on what you are looking for, I have to recommend you to stretch your budget to 2k. The models at that price point is vastly superior than the 1k range. The Kawai CA48 is in my opinion best for your son. It has full wooden keys that not only closely reproduce the feel of an acoustic piano, but is also great to build up finger strength.
Hi Wei, thanks for your review! If portability isn’t an issue, is the KDP110 much better than the ES110? In my hometown there’s a discount on the former right now to almost the same price (the KDP70 isn’t really on my radar, seems like a downgrade from the ES110…)
Hi Scott,
Yes, I’d go for the KDP110 if I don’t need to move the piano around. It is better in almost every way compare to the ES110.
Any thoughts on the KDP70 in comparison to the 110? Looking to get a sub-$1000 piano and wondering what I would lose if I chose the 70 instead of the 110.
I don’t see the price difference big enough to go for the cheaper KDP70, given the fact that it is inferior in almost every way to the KDP110.
– The KDP110 has an upgraded key action: RHCII vs. RHC
– You get the world famous SK-EX sound only on the KDP110
– More customization on the KDP110
– Much stronger speaker system on the 110: 40 W vs. 16 W
– The KDP110 also has a newer version of pedal system
– And the 110 has Bluetooth
For other options under $1,000, check out the Casio PX-870 and the PX-S1000.
Hi Wei, thanks for the detailed review. Such a valuable information here! Could you please confirm that the CN17 model is just a different code name for KDP 110? Based on the Kawai official website the only difference between these models is the color availability.
Yes, they’re the same. Different name for different region.
Hi Wei
My budget allows me to have the below choice, since I do not know anything about piano and would like to seek your advice. My son is 7 and just started learning and would like to buy one that can last 3 years before any necessary upgrade.
Kawai KDP110
Korg C1 Air
Casio PXS3000
Casio PX870
or any other model you can recommend? The 4 models are of very similar prices difference around $100 between them.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Hi John,
The Casio PX S3000 is an outstanding stage piano but I don’t think it’s the right instrument for your son. It’s a stage piano which means it has many features that’s unnecessary for your 7 year-old son. The PX S1000 has the same key action and sound and is much cheaper.
All of the rest three options are excellent pianos. You really can’t go wrong with any of these. My personal choice would be the Kawai KDP110.
The Kawai KDP110 has the advantage on key actions and sound. Each note is individually sampled. It also has Bluetooth, which could be very useful for your son to use apps for learning and fun.
As always, see if you can find a store where you can try these models. The feels of the keys are very subjective. Also, I assume your son will take piano lessons? If so, get some advise from his teacher.
Hope this helps and do come back and share with us which one you end up with.
Thanks Wei for your advice.
I did have a look at the actual product Kawai KDP110 and I like how it looks and feel very solid unit. There is just a thing that’s bother me is I did some googling and it comes up some people have the issue where it has clicky sound. Below is one of the owners’ comment
“I’ve had my kdp110 for a short while now and then I noticed a plasticky clicky sound upon depressing certain keys on the keyboard, on the lift it clicks just enough to bother me. This happens around the middle C (so keys used quite often, although I haven’t played it a lot to be honest)
I’ve looked around YouTube and forums and it seems that some people say this is normal on these RHCI/II units. I can’t see how that could be the case or they would do it on all the keys not just certain ones.”
Have you come across this issue or anyone told you about the problem with this model?
If this is quite normal, I will be setting with this DP.
Thanks!
John
Hi John,
I haven’t notice this issue myself. But I’m aware that there have been reports on these clicky noise issue. I don’t think it’s a common issue and this wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me. It probably has something to do with the materials Kawai uses and some people are more sensitive to these noises to others.
But I would advise you to purchase from a reputable dealer just to be safe.
Thank you for your useful advice. Will certainly update you which DP I end up buying.
Thanks Wei
Will carefully update you which one I end up buying.
Hi Wei
I got mine delivered yesterday (Kawai KDP110). I was originally ordered the rosewood color but need to wait a month so just change to the black one which they have it in stock. Thanks for your advice.
John
Congratulations John. I’m sure your son will enjoy his piano journey on this amazing instrument.
Hi Wei. Thank you for all of the detail you put into your reviews. I’m trying to find the perfect digital piano for my wife. She is just learning. She really wants a white piano. Beauty inspires her so I’m looking to balance the best feel and sound with finding a piano that she feels happy to play.
based on your reviews it seems that the KDP110 is your preferred choice of a piano in the 1000-1400 price range. but they don’t appear to come in white.
I found the KDP-S34 and S54. Do you find the sound and feel to be that much different in either of these models vs the KDP110? Or do you have another suggestion for a white digital piano? Thanks again for your advice. Love your site.
Hi Dave,
How sweet you are to find a white piano for your wife. She’s so luck to have you!
Indeed the KDP110 doesn’t have a white version. I assume the alternatives you find are YDP-s34 and S54 from Yamaha. I compared KDP110 to the YDP-S54 in this detailed review.
The actions on the YDPs are a bit on the heavy side. I’m not sure if that’s the best action for your wife, as she’s just starting to learn to play the piano.
For models that come in white, I would recommend the Roland F-140R and the Casio PX-870.
Another great option is the Casio PX S1000. But this is a portable piano. It’s pretty impressive and you can power it by batteries. Of course, if you don’t need portability, it’s usually better to buy an upright style piano.
Hope it helps Dave and wish your wife a lovely piano journey ahead!
Can I ask if we can use either Bluetooth or usb to output sound to an external speaker ?
Thanks
Hi Peter,
If you want to directly output sound to external speakers, you can simply use the headphone jack.
Hi, I’m considering Kawai KDP110 or the Korg Air C1 for my family (6 &13) both at beginner level and I want to take up lessons again (very rusty!). I am very torn between the two as this seems to be the most classic sound/feel but the Korg is a great design and with space an issue I am going back and forth between the two. Also considering the longevity of both beyond grade 3? Really could do with some help to know if one is that much better than the other and I will forgo the space if it’s the bigger. Can I ask for your help please as your site has given me great advice about each one individually but I’m struggling to compare and decide between the two. Many thanks!
Hi Mel,
I have to say the difference between the two models are not that big. While the Kawai KDP110 is a great choice for its price, the Korg C1 Air is not bad at all. It has a much smaller polyphony number (120 vs. 192) but you do get different piano samples.
I would say the compact size and modern design is enough to sway your choice towards the Korg.
Thank you so much for this review. Do you know how the Kawai KDP-110 compares to Roland RP-302?
Our local options are Kawai KDP-110, Roland RP-302, and Yamaha YDP-103 and YDP-143. How would you rank these? The YDP-143 is about $300 more than the others.
Hi Nelly,
The Roland RP-302 uses the PHAII action from Roland. While it’s not bad, this action is actually quite old and not the best you can get nowadays.
For your options, I would rank them as follows:
1. Kawai KDP-110
2. Roland RP-302
3. Yamaha YDP-103
4. Yamaha YDP-143, considering it’s $300 more expensive.
None of our local shops have either the Kawai KDP110 or the Yamaha YDP164 to try. One store can offer us the Yamaha at the same price as the Kawai. Have no idea which one to choose since we can’t try out either one! This is for my 15yo son who is quite a talented musician and is about a year into his piano studies. If both were the same price, which would you choose?
Hi Ginger,
For the same price, I’d personally go for the Kawai. I just like a lighter touch to the keys.
Wei, thank you so much for the comprehensive review. I ordered one Yamaha Ydp 164 for my son. After studying your review, I returned that and brought Kawaii Kdp 110. The key action is lighter than 164, which makes my son very happy. The built-in lesson is helpful.
Oh wow, I’m so glad my review has help you to make the right choice for your son. Thank you so much for letting me know Peter.
As a novice looking to move from a keyboard to a digital piano for my 7 and 5 year olds (who have played for 3 and 1 years) I find your reviews really useful. Informative, well balanced and answer the “but how does this compare to…” question. I’m really taken by this Kuwai based on your review. I’m just going to do a little more browsing on your site to figure out whether paying a little more would help to future proof us – how that piano stacks up when you’re thinking about more experienced players. Thank you.
I am a 48 year old looking to get back into piano after taking lessons as a child. Can you tell me whether you would recommend the new Kawai KDP 70? What are the differences between the KDP 70 and the Kawai KDP 110?
Hi Wei,
First, Thank you for your comprehensive and simple reviews.
I am looking for an entry level piano to start and I kind of narrowed my options to only KDP-110. However, my last search in the market was in March 2019 and I was wondering if you know of any new rival comes to the market that worth consideration.
Main features that I am looking for are sound quality, key action and connectivity.
Hi Arash,
The KDP-110 remains competitive in the market right now. I don’t think much has changed since March this year.
Dear Wei,
My son in grade 8 level and has been playing piano for over five years. We got a old Knight upright piano, and we are planning to buy a digital piano for him for his future learning. It recommended by my son’s piano teacher. I do know which one should be the best one for him: Yamaha YDP164, or Kawai KDP110? The boy loves music very much. When he finishes his music theory, he may start to learn how to write a simple song as his hobby. He also joins some piano competitions, and performing in some local concerts sometimes.
We wish the one we are going to buy for him,it doesn’t need to be upgraded in the short term. Our budget is under $ 1000. We expect a great common from you.
Many thanks in advance!
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
Check my YDP164 review and at the bottom, there’s a comparison between the YDP164 and the Kawai KDP110.
The main difference between the two are sound characteristics and key action. If you can find a store with the two models available, take your son and test these pianos.
Bottom line is: you can’t really go wrong with either of them and it depends on your son’s preference of sound and touch.
Hi Wei,
The quality of your reviews urged me to leave a comment here. I am on the way of looking for an entry level digital piano for my children whilst having very limited understanding about them. Originally, I have identified the YDP-144 as my choice, but then, after reading your review about this model, then this Kawai KDP-110, I think the target should be clear now. What I am gonna do in the next few days is to experience the sound and key weighted between these two by myself and my children.
Hi Joseph,
Thank you so much for your kind comment. It makes my day knowing my work has helped people.
Do come back and share with us your experience with these models.
Hi what’s the best modern looking entry level piano you would recommend? My kids are 5 and 7, and our house decor is more modern than traditional.
For console style you can check out the Roland F-140R, Yamaha S54 or the Casio PX-870 if you can get the white version.
For portable style, I’d recommend the new Casio PX S1000 or the Roland FP-10.
hi wei ,my son is 6 looking for entry level piano to start. after reading your post i think kawai kdp 110is the best choice. may i know the kawai kdp 110 had any other colour or type? coz i saw kdp 110es is it the same model as kdp 110 in black?
Hi Rex, you can choose between Black and Rosewood for the KDP110.
I’m not sure what you mean by KDP110 ES. Can you maybe send me the link to it and I can check it for you.
Firstly thank you for your reviews. I am a beginner (actually I haven’t yet begun, my 5 year old has and I will start too), and we were looking to identify digital pianos…
I am almost convinced on kdp 110 (the other contender is YDP 144), but I wanted to know a couple of things, could you help?
> The company spec sheet says it has USB port… however, your note says it does not have USB connectivity..what is the difference in terms of USB to host/device?
> I don’t have Apple gadgets so their apps are of no use to me. Are there enough Android apps to integrate with this piano?
> does Bluetooth connectivity work ok with the latest Android devices? I read somewhere that there was latency with Android devices…
Do advise, thank you!
Hi Mitra,
Thanks for your comment. When it comes to digital pianos, usually you would find two types of USB port.
1. USB to Host: these are used to connect your dp to a computer.
2. USB to device: these are used to connect a USB stick so as to export recordings of your performance.
When it comes to apps for dp, there are more choices for apple devices than Android. But there are still some solid ones to choose from. Like Perfect Piano and Flowkey. Experiment and find the ones that’re best for your need.
Generally speaking, iOS performs better in terms of Bluetooth connection with digital pianos. But I do believe that Android is getting better. The latency will differ for each app so you’ll have to test them with your piano and smart device.
Thank you, this is helpful!
To ask further on USB to host… so will there be a way to export recordings to /via the computer? Maybe I will need the right program? I have Windows 10.
Thank you once again!
Yes, there are two ways to do that.
1. Use the USB to host to connect your dp with a computer and use software like Pianoteq to record.
2. Use an audio cable to connect the dp from its headphone jack to the line in port on the computer. Then use any kind of audio recording software to record.
Method one should provide better quality but those softwares are usually not free. Most of them do have free trail though.
Hope it helps!
Super, thank you!
Great Review,
Hello Wei, can you review kawai ca98? I just preorder kawai ca98, but i enjoy read your reviews. Give me a credit and please review kawai ca98. Thanks Wei.
Hi Oskar,
Thanks for dropping by and congratulations on your pre-order of the Kawai CA98. I have actually tested the CA98 and have some thoughts on it. But haven’t got the time to put them together yet. Premium unit like the CA98 requires a lot more effort for a review.
I’ll do my best and let me know your experience with the CA98 once it arrives.
First off I need to congratulate you on an insanely well written and aesthetically good looking article. I honestly mean it. I am a musician and I am pretty much a Korg fan. However, when I am not using music workstations with software like Logic or Ableton Live, Kawai pianos always impress and usually when I walk into a music instrument shop to try out some of the pianos for fun, then Kawai pianos are usually my piano of preference. When I find myself in the music shop again I will be sure to try out the Kawai KDP 110 Digital Piano.
Hi Schalk,
Thanks for dropping by and your kind comment. I am so glad that you enjoy reading my reviews. I have to admit, reviews are hard to write.
Can you share why you are a Korg fan? Is there some specific reason you would use a Korg with music software? I do not have much experience with Korg myself.
If you have the chance to try the Kawai KDP 110 in a shop, do come back and share with us your thoughts on it.