Casio
CDP-S110
$449
Casio CDP-S110: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
6.2 Beginner 4.5 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 6.0 Touch Reality 6.1 Value
88 10.5 kg
Casio CDP-S160 Review
Casio CDP-S160: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
88 Keys 10.5 kg Scaled Hammer Action II Beginner
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$499
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
7.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 10 | +0.3 |
| Sound Variety | 10 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm | +0.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | Scaled Hammer Action II | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 10.5 kg | +1 |
| Width | 1322 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.4| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Scaled Hammer Action II (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 128 notes | +0.8 |
| Sound Modeling | AiR Sound Source | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | matte | +0 |
Casio CDP-S160 review verdict
This Casio CDP-S160 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Casio CDP-S160 is best read as a portable digital piano for beginners and returning players. This review looks at weighted-key feel, sound, practice features, value, and realistic comparison points instead of treating the spec sheet as advertising copy.
Pros
- • Key count: 88 keys, a clear basis for digital piano comparison.
- • Touch: weighted hammer action, so the review stays focused on practice feel.
- • Quiet practice: Headphone practice support.
- • Connectivity: USB MIDI.
- • Use case: Its best fit is home practice.
Cons
- • Main limit: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument.
- • Stand cost and compatibility are separate checks.
- • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.
Casio CDP-S160 is a portable digital piano that makes most sense when its strengths are matched to the right practice situation. The useful points are 88 keys, weighted hammer action, 128-note polyphony, 16W speakers, and a weight of 10.5 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. The fairest comparison is with models in the same price and use class, where touch, speakers, headphone practice, and connectivity can be judged side by side.
Casio CDP-S160 evaluation points
Casio CDP-S160 key action and touch
Casio CDP-S160 uses a weighted hammer action. For a digital piano with weighted keys, the important question is not only whether the keys are heavy, but whether they help steady daily practice. The matte key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 128-note polyphony; that is enough for ordinary pieces, while more layered playing or heavy pedal use benefits from a higher number. This makes the key action a practical comparison point rather than a decorative specification.
Who the Casio CDP-S160 is for
Casio CDP-S160 is most relevant for beginners and returning players. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: portability and easy placement. Limits: the need for a furniture-style living-room instrument. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.
Casio CDP-S160 sound and speakers
Casio CDP-S160 offers 10 sounds and 16W speakers. That is the sound side of the review: enough variety for practice, but the real experience depends on speaker power, headphone use, and the room where it will be played. The headphone output supports quiet practice. For lessons, apps, or recording workflows, the useful connectivity is USB MIDI.
What to know before buying the Casio CDP-S160
Before buying Casio CDP-S160, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. A stand may need to be budgeted separately. A damper pedal is included, though some players may still want a fuller pedal unit. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. For searchers looking for a Casio CDP-S160 review, the practical conclusion is to treat it as one candidate in a digital piano comparison, not as a universal answer for every player.
Demo Video
Video coming soon for this model
We embed videos from manufacturer official channels and trusted reviewers. As soon as a suitable demo or review is available, it will appear here.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Scaled Hammer Action II |
| Polyphony | 128 notes |
| Sounds | 10 |
| Weight | 10.5 kg |
| Speakers | 16W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Matte |
| Sound Modeling | AiR Sound Source |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 10 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1322×232×99 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →
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Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
Where to Buy
MSRP
$499
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How It Compares
CDP-S160 vs CDP-S110
The CDP-S160 scores higher in beginner support. Choose the CDP-S160 if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Casio CDP-S110 →CDP-S160 vs ES60
The CDP-S160 scores higher in beginner support, while the ES60 is stronger in quiet practice and portability. Choose the CDP-S160 if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Kawai ES60 →CDP-S160 vs FP-10
The CDP-S160 scores higher in portability, while the FP-10 is stronger in beginner support and piano-like touch. Choose the CDP-S160 if portability matters most.
Roland FP-10 →Related Guides
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This guide is for people starting piano after retirement or after 60. Many buying guides say that a more realistic, heavier touch is always better, but that is not always true for a new hobby. If the instrument is tiring, hard to operate, or awkward to place in the room, practice becomes less inviting. The goal is to choose a digital piano that feels easy to return to, even on ordinary days.
Read more →88 Keys vs 61 Keys: Which Digital Piano Size Is Right?
The number of keys on a digital piano seems like a simple spec, but the decision affects how you learn, what you can play, and how much you spend. The honest answer isn't "always get 88" — it depends on your goals. This guide walks through who genuinely needs a full keyboard, who is better served by fewer keys, and what the practical differences look like in daily practice.
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Read more →Best digital pianos for beginners: what actually matters in 2026
Choosing a first digital piano can feel harder than starting the music itself. A good beginner instrument is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the one that lets you sit down every day, change the volume quickly, practise with headphones, and build hand strength without making the keyboard feel like a toy. This guide focuses on what helps during the first six months, what is easy to overvalue, and when it is sensible to start with a portable model instead of a heavy console piano. If you learned piano years ago and are returning rather than starting fresh, the priorities are different — see our [guide for returning players](/en/guides/digital-piano-for-returning-senior-players/).
Read more →What reviewers say online
A synthesis of recurring points from price-comparison sites, Amazon reviews, music-store staff videos and forum threads. Not a star-rating average — we read across multiple reviews and pulled out the points that came up repeatedly.
The Casio CDP-S160 is an entry-level portable that fits a weighted 88-key bed into a slim body. Across specialist review sites and retailer assessments, the recurring message is that you get a full-size, heavy keybed at this price and that it is strong value for learners, while reviewers also note that the pared-down setup — only ten sounds and no Bluetooth — feels limited.
Praised most often
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A weighted keybed that is good value for the price
On the Scaled Hammer Action II, the majority view is that getting a full-size, heavy 88-key bed at this price is a strong showing. There is a graded response, heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble, and the ivory- and ebony-style surfaces are noted for reducing finger slip.
-
Slim, light, and battery-capable
Its shallow depth and low weight draw comments that it is easy to move from room to room and can be carried to lessons. Running on AA batteries is also raised as an advantage that frees it from placement and power-outlet constraints.
-
Piano tone that holds together for practice
The grand piano tone from the AiR sound source is rated as balanced and honest between bass and treble. The common conclusion is that it lacks the resonant depth of higher models but is enough for practice and casual playing.
-
Note names above the keys aid self-study
Reviewers note that each key has its note name printed above it, which helps beginners learn where the notes sit. The inclusion of a lesson function is also welcomed by self-taught players.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
Only ten sounds
The sound set is held to ten, with very few non-piano voices. Reviewers repeatedly note that anyone wanting to switch between varied sounds will find it lacking (the standard framing is to point to the CDP-S360 for more sounds).
-
On fast repeated notes it gives ground to the PX-S series
Because of the slim build, the keys have a short pivot, and some reviewers find the far end of the keys harder to play. Without sensor compensation, they note that on fast trills and repeated notes it does not track as well as the higher PX-S series.
-
No Bluetooth
A standard framing is that the unit does not support Bluetooth, so connecting to an app wirelessly is not possible and a USB cable is required instead.
-
Polyphony tops out at 128 notes
It has increased from the 64 notes of the previous model, but reviewers note that with heavy pedal use and dense chords there is less headroom than on higher models. At the same time, they note this rarely becomes an issue at beginner and lower-intermediate levels.
By source
-
Specialist review sites
Outlets such as PianoDreamers and pianistscompass tend to rate the keybed and value well for an entry-level instrument while calmly framing the small sound count, the lack of Bluetooth, and the limits the short pivot places on the feel.
-
Retailer reviews and videos
Retailer reviews such as Piano Tone highlight the practical side: strong value for money for students and self-taught beginners, and a dependable entry-level instrument with a weighted keybed.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs CDP-S110 / CDP-S360 and others)
In play-offs within the series, reviewers note that it has the edge in polyphony over the CDP-S110 but clearly gives ground to the 700-voice CDP-S360 on breadth of sounds.
Net take
On balance, the CDP-S160 suits beginners and lower-intermediate players who would rather spend their budget on key quality than on many features. A dependable, weighted 88-key bed for the price and slim, light, battery-capable convenience are the central points of praise. If you want a varied sound set, the 700-voice CDP-S360; if you value key tracking and connectivity, the PX-S1100 becomes a realistic comparison candidate.
We do not compute a numeric star average. The points below are recurring themes we identified by reading across multiple reviews.
Sources & transparency
This page is written by the operator, who has run the piano-learning site Piano Juku since 2017, based on published manufacturer specifications. We are not a retailer or tied to any maker — every model is compared by the same criteria. About the operator
- Last verified
- Data referenced from
- Manufacturer official
How the 5-axis scores are calculated
We do not aggregate user reviews or star ratings (see methodology for why).
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Casio CDP-S160