Yamaha
P-S500
$1,200
Yamaha's premium portable — console-grade action, 660 sounds, and Stream Lights in 13.8 kg
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.8 Value
88 13.8 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai ES920 Review
Kawai's best portable action with OLED display
MSRP
$1,300
Source: Sweetwater product page (manufacturer site unavailable) (2025-04-06)
88 Keys 14.5 kg responsive hammer iii
Bluetooth
Advanced
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 | 100 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 38 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm, 6.3mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | responsive hammer iii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 14.5 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1340 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
8.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | responsive hammer iii (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | simulated-ivory | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
If how the piano feels under your fingers matters more than anything else, the ES920 has the best key action you can get in a portable piano at this price.
Pros
- • Responsive Hammer III with let-off — Kawai's best portable action
- • 256-note polyphony with Harmonic Imaging XL
- • Powerful 40W speakers
- • OLED display for intuitive operation
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI
- • 100 built-in rhythms
- • Dual headphone jacks with spatial optimization
Cons
- • No battery option
- • 14.5 kg — heavier than slim portables
- • Only 38 sounds (fewer than Roland competitors)
The ES920 is the piano player's portable. While the Roland FP-60X has more sounds and a microphone input, the ES920 wins on what matters most: how it feels to play. The 40W speakers fill a room beautifully, the OLED display makes settings easy to navigate, and Kawai's key action is simply the best in its class. If you're returning to piano and want an instrument that respects your experience, this is it.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
These keys have a richness and depth to the touch that's immediately noticeable. Low notes feel heavy and substantial; high notes feel light and quick — just like on a grand piano. When you press a key very slowly, you'll feel a gentle resistance partway through the stroke, which helps you control the softest passages with precision. The keys also have a slight counterweight, so they spring back naturally and don't feel 'floppy' at the top. Among portable pianos in this price range, this is the closest you'll get to the feel of a real instrument.
Who Is This Piano For?
You took piano lessons as a kid or played through school, and now — decades later — you want to come back to it. You remember what a real piano feels like, and the cheap keyboards at the electronics store just feel wrong. You want something that rewards your existing skills and makes practice feel genuinely musical, not like pressing buttons.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Iii |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 38 |
| Weight | 14.5 kg |
| Speakers | 40W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Simulated Ivory |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 3.5mm, 6.3mm |
| 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 | 100 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1340×375×145 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
ES920 vs P-S500
The ES920 and P-S500 score very similarly across all axes. The P-S500 costs $100 less.
Yamaha P-S500 →ES920 vs FP-60X
The FP-60X edges ahead in Portability. The FP-60X costs $200 less. Choose the FP-60X if you prioritize portability.
Roland FP-60X →ES920 vs FP-E50
The ES920 scores higher in Night Practice. The FP-E50 costs $100 less. Choose the ES920 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Roland FP-E50 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai ES920 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai ES920 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 ES920 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai ES920 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai ES920?
The Kawai ES920 weighs 14.5 kg (32 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 ES920?
Yes. The Kawai ES920 has 2 headphone jacks (3.5mm, 6.3mm). 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 ES920 have?
The Kawai ES920 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-E50
$1,200
The entertainer's piano — 750 sounds, mic input, and real keys
10.0 Beginner 7.0 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.4 Value
88 15.5 kg
View Details