Kawai
ES120
$949
Kawai ES120: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 6.8 Touch Reality 7.1 Value
88 12 kg
Kawai ES-520 Review
Kawai ES-520: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
88 Keys 15 kg Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2)
Bluetooth
Beginner
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$1,399
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
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 (RHC2) | +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 (RHC2) (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 |
Kawai ES-520 review verdict
This Kawai ES-520 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Kawai ES-520 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, Bluetooth and app support.
- • 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.
Kawai ES-520 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, 192-note polyphony, 30W speakers, and a weight of 15 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.
Kawai ES-520 evaluation points
Kawai ES-520 key action and touch
Kawai ES-520 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 ivory feel key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 192-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 Kawai ES-520 is for
Kawai ES-520 is most relevant for beginners and returning players. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: a more piano-like touch. 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.
Kawai ES-520 sound and speakers
Kawai ES-520 offers 34 sounds and 30W 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, Bluetooth and app support.
What to know before buying the Kawai ES-520
Before buying Kawai ES-520, 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 Kawai ES-520 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
Source:
Merriam Music Watch on YouTube ↗
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2) |
| 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 |
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
$1,399
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
ES-520 vs P-S500
the P-S500 is stronger in piano-like touch. The ES-520 costs $200 less. Choose the P-S500 if piano-like touch matters most.
Yamaha P-S500 →ES-520 vs FP-60X
the FP-60X is stronger in portability and piano-like touch. The FP-60X costs $299 less. Choose the FP-60X if portability matters most.
Roland FP-60X →ES-520 vs FP-E50
The ES-520 scores higher in quiet practice, while the FP-E50 is stronger in piano-like touch. The FP-E50 costs $399 less. Choose the ES-520 if quiet practice matters most.
Roland FP-E50 →Related Guides
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This guide is for adults in their 30s and 40s who learned piano for several years as a child or student and now want to start again after a break of roughly ten to twenty-five years. Returning to piano is not the same for everyone. If you are balancing a job and young children, the return usually comes with three constraints at once: you can only practise at night, you have little space, and the instrument may one day be shared with a child. That makes your needs different from an older player with more time and room for a console piano. If you have more time and are open to a full console, the [guide for players in their 50s to 70s](/en/guides/digital-piano-for-returning-senior-players/) may fit you better. Here we compare, plainly and as reviewers, the models that fit a busy adult life.
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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.
Read more →Best Console Digital Pianos for the Home (2026)
A console digital piano is the closest thing to an acoustic upright you'll find without tuning and hammers. With a fixed cabinet, built-in three-pedal unit, and speakers voiced for the room, it behaves like a piece of furniture first and an instrument second. This guide explains what separates a great console from a middling one, which features actually matter at home, and which models deliver the best balance of touch, tone, and craftsmanship.
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 Kawai ES-520 is the mid-range model of the portable ES series. Reading across specialist review sites and retailer reviews, the prevailing voices praise its sound and fuller speakers a notch above the ES120, the feel of its ivory-feel key tops, and the ease of operation with an on-board screen. At the same time, some point to mixed feelings about the plastic body and to its weight compared with the lightest models.
Praised most often
-
Sound and fuller speakers a notch above the ES120
The ES-520 has more capable sound processing and roomier speakers than the ES120. Several reviews note that even through the built-in speakers the sound is clear with a wide dynamic range, and that for a portable it has headroom to spare.
-
Feel of the ivory-feel key tops
It pairs Responsive Hammer Compact II with ivory-feel key tops, and the assessment is that the surface has just enough grip to keep fingers from slipping. Some note it also suits players whose hands tend to perspire.
-
Easy operation with a screen
On the centrally placed display and the easy-to-press buttons, the standout comment is that choosing tones and checking settings is clear. It is cited as a practical difference from entry models that have no screen.
-
Bluetooth audio plus MIDI and a line output
In addition to Bluetooth audio for streaming music from a phone and Bluetooth MIDI, it also has a line output for connecting to an external amplifier or recording gear. Being easy to extend to more uses is welcomed.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
Mixed feelings about the plastic body
To keep weight down, the body is mostly plastic, and those who know the metal-chassis ES8 feel the build quality has dropped. This is less a practical complaint than a comparative remark from people familiar with the higher-end model.
-
Heavier than the lightest models
While it is light enough to carry, some note it is a little heavy compared with the slimmest, lightest models such as the Casio PX-S1100.
-
Some note Bluetooth latency
Some voices say there is a slight delay over the Bluetooth connection, which can make it less suited to live use in some situations.
By source
-
Specialist review sites
Specialist sites such as PianoDreamers and azpianoreviews mainly frame it as a clear step up from the ES120 (sound-engine grade, speakers, screen, line output), and note that it shares a lineage of playing feel with the higher-end ES920.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs ES120 / ES920)
In playing comparisons within the series, the standard relative read is that it is clearly above the ES120 in sound and speakers, while it differs from the ES920 in keyboard grade and sound engine.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs Roland FP-30X / Yamaha P-225, etc.)
Against rivals at the same price, it is said to hold its own in key feel and the breadth of built-in features, while some note that RHC II does not feel as heavy as the higher-end Grand Feel and comes across as on the lighter side.
Net take
On balance, the ES-520 earns a solid standing in overseas reviews as a mid-range instrument for those who find the cheapest entry models lacking but do not need a top-tier one. Its ivory-feel key tops, speakers with headroom, and on-screen operation are the central points of praise. If you want to step up the keyboard grade and sound engine further, the higher-end ES920 is worth considering; if the lightest weight is the priority, the Casio PX-S1100 is an alternative to weigh.
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).
Spot a mistake or have a question about what's on this page? Let us know and we'll review it.
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Kawai ES-520