$1,800
Kawai ES-8: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
5.6 Beginner 6.5 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 4.7 Value
88 23 kg
Kawai ES920 Review
Kawai ES920: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
88 Keys 14.5 kg Responsive Hammer III (RH3)
Bluetooth
Advanced
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$1,899
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 | 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 (RH3) | +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 (RH3) (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 |
Kawai ES920 review verdict
This Kawai ES920 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Kawai ES920 is best read as a portable digital piano for experienced players comparing serious practice instruments. 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, stage use and studio work.
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 ES920 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, 256-note polyphony, 40W speakers, and a weight of 14.5 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, stage use and studio work, 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 ES920 evaluation points
Kawai ES920 key action and touch
Kawai ES920 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 simulated ivory key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 256-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 ES920 is for
Kawai ES920 is most relevant for experienced players comparing serious practice instruments. The main use case is home practice, stage use and studio work. 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 ES920 sound and speakers
Kawai ES920 offers 38 sounds and 40W 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 ES920
Before buying Kawai ES920, 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 ES920 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 III (RH3) |
| 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 |
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
$1,899
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
ES920 vs P-S500
The ES920 and P-S500 score very similarly across the main review axes. The P-S500 costs $300 less.
Yamaha P-S500 →ES920 vs ES-520
The ES920 scores higher in piano-like touch. The ES-520 costs $500 less. Choose the ES920 if piano-like touch matters most.
Kawai ES-520 →ES920 vs FP-90X
The ES920 scores higher in portability, while the FP-90X is stronger in piano-like touch. The ES920 costs $401 less. Choose the ES920 if portability matters most.
Roland FP-90X →Related Guides
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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 ES920 is the higher-end model of the portable ES series. Reading across specialist review sites and retailer and owner reviews, the prevailing voices rate its key feel among the best of any portable in this price range and praise its expressive, SK-EX-derived piano tone. At the same time, there are remarks about how thoroughly the non-piano tones are crafted and, from those who know the ES8, about the body's build quality.
Praised most often
-
Key feel among the best in this price range
Responsive Hammer III has let-off (a slight resistance at the start of the keystroke), and the standout comments are that it is the closest to the real thing among portables at this price and that quiet-note control is easy. Some also rate the keys' quick return as fatigue-resistant over long sessions.
-
Expressive, SK-EX-derived piano tone
On the sound, which captures the SK-EX concert grand, the prevailing assessment is that it is rich, clear, and broad in expressive range. Owner reviews too often point to the natural quality of the piano tone.
-
Speakers with headroom and 256-note polyphony
The built-in speakers sound rich enough for playing in a room, and the polyphony, at 256 notes, has room to spare. This contributes to the reassurance that notes are unlikely to drop out even in pieces that use the pedal heavily.
-
On-screen operation and Bluetooth audio plus MIDI
Settings are easy to check on the display, and it has both Bluetooth audio and Bluetooth MIDI as well as a line output. Being easy to extend to more uses while keeping cabling down is welcomed.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
Non-piano tones stay at a practical level
On non-piano tones such as strings and synth, several reviews remark that they are practical but only modestly crafted. The takeaway is that this is an instrument chosen mainly for its piano tone.
-
Those who know the ES8 find the body's build quality lacking
Those who know the metal chassis of the previous-generation ES8 feel that the mostly plastic body has dropped in build quality. This is less a practical complaint than a comparative remark from people familiar with the higher-end model.
-
In large venues you want more speaker headroom
Some voices say that while the built-in speakers are enough at home, in large venues you want a little more power. The takeaway is that in large spaces an external output is the practical choice.
By source
-
Specialist review sites
Specialist sites such as PianoDreamers, Piano Buyer, and azpianoreviews mainly rate the keyboard and piano tone highly as a higher-tier portable, while calmly framing the change of body from the ES8 and the non-piano tones.
-
Retailer reviews & owner voices
In retailer reviews such as Sweetwater and in owner voices, assessments that point to the naturalness of the keyboard and the expressiveness of the piano tone stand out. Meanwhile, some posts also touch on the build-quality comparison with the older ES8.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs Roland FP-60X / FP-90X, etc.)
In playing comparisons against equals, the standard relative read is that Roland is ahead in some situations on the number of tones and on features, while the ES920 has the edge in key feel.
Net take
On balance, the ES920 earns a high standing in overseas reviews as a higher-end portable for experienced players who put playing feel and piano tone first. The feel of Responsive Hammer III and the SK-EX-derived expressiveness are the central points of praise. If you place more weight on a wide range of tones and stage features, the Roland FP-60X and FP-90X are practical alternatives to consider.
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
- Published spec sheet
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 ES920