Kawai
ES-320
$800
Kawai's best portable for beginners — real hammer action with Bluetooth at a fair price
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 5.5 Portability 7.3 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 12 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai ES-520 Review
Step up from entry-level with ivory-feel keys and 30 watts of sound
88 Keys 15 kg responsive hammer compact ii
Bluetooth
Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
10.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 182 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 34 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | responsive hammer compact ii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 15 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1322 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
7.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | responsive hammer compact ii (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The ES-520 bridges the gap between Kawai's budget portables and its professional stage pianos — ivory-feel keys, 30W speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity make it the portable to beat under $1,000.
Pros
- • Responsive Hammer Compact II action with ivory-feel key surfaces — textured tops prevent finger slipping during fast passages
- • 30W speakers (double the ES120's 20W) deliver fuller, more room-filling sound for a portable
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI — stream music and connect to PianoRemote app wirelessly
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with spatial headphone optimization for natural practice sessions
- • 34 onboard sounds — more variety than most portables in this range, including quality electric pianos
- • 182 preset songs for built-in lesson and practice material
- • Line-out jacks for connecting to external amplifiers or recording interfaces
Cons
- • 15 kg is manageable but noticeably heavier than ultra-slim competitors like the PX-S1100 (11.2 kg)
- • No battery option — you'll always need an outlet, limiting outdoor or busking use
- • Stand sold separately — budget an extra $50-100 for a proper setup
The ES-520 is the Kawai portable we recommend when you want more than the ES120 offers but don't need the ES920's professional features. The ivory-feel keys and 30W speakers are meaningful upgrades that you'll appreciate every time you sit down to play. Bluetooth Audio means you can play along with music from your phone through the piano's own speakers — a small feature that makes practice much more enjoyable. At around $900, it competes directly with the Roland FP-30X and Yamaha P-225, and holds its own on touch quality and built-in features.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Responsive Hammer Compact II provides a satisfying weighted feel with graded hammer action — heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble. The ivory-feel surface adds a subtle texture that helps fingers grip the keys, especially helpful during longer practice sessions when hands get warm. It's a clear step up from non-textured keys, though it doesn't match the wooden-key actions in Kawai's console models.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a beginner or returning player who's outgrown (or wants to skip) the cheapest entry-level models. You want a portable piano that feels a step above basic plastic keys — the ivory-feel surface makes a real difference in comfort. You practice at home but like the idea of being able to move the piano between rooms or take it to a friend's house. The 30W speakers mean you don't need an external amp for casual playing.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Compact Ii |
| Polyphony | 192 notes |
| Sounds | 34 |
| Weight | 15 kg |
| Speakers | 30W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 182 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1322×232×141 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
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.
How It Compares
ES-520 vs ES-320
The ES-320 edges ahead in Portability. The ES-320 costs $100 less. Choose the ES-320 if you prioritize portability.
Kawai ES-320 →ES-520 vs FP-60X
The FP-60X edges ahead in Portability and Touch Reality. The ES-520 costs $200 less. Choose the FP-60X if you prioritize portability.
Roland FP-60X →ES-520 vs FP-30X
The FP-30X edges ahead in Portability and Touch Reality and Value. The FP-30X costs $200 less. Choose the FP-30X if you prioritize portability.
Roland FP-30X →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai ES-520 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai ES-520 scores 10/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Kawai ES-520 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai ES-520 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai ES-520?
The Kawai ES-520 weighs 15 kg (33 lbs). It scores 4.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is manageable for occasional moves but not truly portable.
Can I use headphones with the Kawai ES-520?
Yes. The Kawai ES-520 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8.5/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Kawai ES-520 have?
The Kawai ES-520 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Roland
FP-60X
$1,100
Roland's mid-range powerhouse with mic input
9.7 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 5.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 19.3 kg
View Details Roland
FP-30X
$700
The do-everything portable piano
9.6 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 5.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.5 Value
88 14.3 kg
View Details