Korg E1 Air Review

Name: Korg E1 Air
Brand: Korg
SKU: korg-e1-air
Price: 2200 USD

Korg E1 Air: shallow Japan-built console with RH3 keys, EvoTone power supply and audio-only Bluetooth

88 Keys 47 kg Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) Intermediate

Often compared with Gewa DP 300G Yamaha CLP-725

Scores

Beginner

6.1

Night Practice

8.2

Portability

1.5

Touch Reality

6.6

Value

5.3

Compare

Where to Buy

MSRP

$2,200

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

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Thomann ships from Germany; check shipping cost and import fees before ordering.

How These Scores Were Calculated

Beginner

6.1

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	0.5
Lesson Function	Yes	+1.8
App Connectivity	No	+0
Bluetooth MIDI	No	+0
Recording	Yes	+0.8
Practice Basics (Metronome / Transpose / Layer-Split)	Yes	+0.6
Stand Included	Yes	+0.5
Damper Pedal Included	Yes	+0.4
Preset Songs	40	+1.1
Sound Variety	30 sounds	+0.4

Night Practice

8.2

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	1.0
Headphone Jacks	2	+2.2
Headphone Type	3.5mm, 3.5mm	+0.5
Headphone Optimization	Yes	+2.2
Bluetooth Audio	Yes	+0.8
Line Out	Yes	+0.4
Speaker Mute with Headphones	Yes	+0.7
Key Action Quietness	Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3)	+0.4

Portability

1.5

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	5.0
Weight	47 kg	-3
Width	1349 mm	-0.5
Battery	No	+0
Foldable	No	+0
Key Count	88 keys	+0

Touch Reality

6.6

Factor	This Piano	Points
Key Action Quality	Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) (grade 7)	+4.2
Key Count	88 keys	+1.5
Polyphony	120 notes	+0.4
Sound Modeling	Stereo PCM (EvoTone power supply)	+0.5
Key Surface	Standard	+0

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Korg E1 Air review verdict

This Korg E1 Air review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

The E1 Air is a 349 mm-deep console from Korg, with keys and cabinet built in Korg's factory in Japan, an RH3 graded hammer keyboard and two Italian grand piano sounds. Read as a home practice instrument, its main limits are Bluetooth that only receives audio, with no Bluetooth MIDI, and two headphone outputs that are both stereo mini jacks.

Pros

• RH3 graded hammer keyboard, heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble, with hammers that use no lead and five touch settings.
• Two Italian grand piano sounds (a concert grand and a newly recorded full concert grand) with damper resonance and key-off simulation; 120-note polyphony and 30 sounds in total.
• Three pedals with half-pedal control on both the damper and the soft pedal; Korg has moved the pedals to give more foot room than on its earlier models.
• Shallow cabinet at 349 mm deep, a flat top when the lid is closed and a matte black finish.
• Two headphone jacks, Bluetooth audio playback from a phone, LINE IN, LINE OUT, USB-B and a 2-part recorder; Layer and Partner modes are provided.
• 40 built-in piano songs whose left-hand and right-hand parts can be muted separately for practice.

Cons

• Bluetooth only receives audio (A2DP); there is no Bluetooth MIDI, so there is no wireless connection to piano apps.
• Both headphone jacks are stereo mini jacks: headphones with a 6.3 mm plug need an adapter.
• LINE IN and LINE OUT are also stereo mini jacks rather than 6.3 mm connectors.
• At 47 kg including the stand, it is meant to stay in one place rather than move between rooms.

The E1 Air is a console that puts a shallow cabinet and the piano sound first. The keyboard is RH3, polyphony is 120 notes, the amplifiers are 40 W × 2 and the weight is 47 kg with the stand. Within Korg's own range the natural comparison is the G1B Air: the same RH3 keyboard family, the same 120-note polyphony and Bluetooth that is also limited to audio. On the published dimensions, the E1 Air is shallower, at 349 mm against 384 mm for the G1B Air. For a player who mainly plays piano sounds and does not need Bluetooth MIDI, the package is coherent. For anyone who wants to connect practice apps without a cable, it is worth comparing other models first.

Korg E1 Air evaluation points

Korg E1 Air key action and touch

The E1 Air uses Korg's RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) keyboard. It is graded, so the keys are heavier in the bass and lighter towards the treble, and Korg states that the hammers use no lead. Five touch settings adjust how the keyboard responds to playing strength. We have not played the E1 Air; this note follows Korg's published specification.

Who the Korg E1 Air is for

The E1 Air fits adults returning to the piano and households that want a shallow console in a living room. With two headphone jacks, two people can listen at the same time during evening practice, for example a teacher and a student. It is less suited to players who want to connect apps wirelessly, or to anyone looking for a large choice of sounds.

Korg E1 Air sound and speakers

Korg lists two Italian grand piano sounds: Piano 1, a concert grand, and Piano 2, a newly recorded full concert grand, both with damper resonance and key-off simulation. Two 12 cm speakers are driven by 40 W × 2, and Korg describes a new built-in power-supply unit, EvoTone, designed for this piano. A headphone effect is provided for headphone listening. How all of this sounds in a real room is something only an in-person trial can settle.

What to know before buying the Korg E1 Air

Korg announced the E1 Air on 17 July 2025. Korg Japan states that the keys and cabinet are built in Korg's factory in Japan. The stand with its speaker box and the three-pedal unit are part of the instrument, and in Japan the package also includes headphones. Of the 50 demo songs, 10 are sound demos and 40 are piano songs. Bluetooth works only as an A2DP audio receiver.

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	Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3)
Polyphony	120 notes
Sounds	30
Weight	47 kg
Speakers	80W (×2)
Bluetooth	Audio

Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →

Will it fit your space?

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Recommended Accessories

🪑

Stand

Stand included

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

$2,200

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

Thomann Amazon search B&H Photo search Sweetwater search

Buttons without a “search” label open the product page directly; the others open retailer search results. Links may include affiliate tracking. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

Thomann ships from Germany; check shipping cost and import fees before ordering.

Quick facts

Scores

Beginner 6.1

Night Practice 8.2

Portability 1.5

Touch Reality 6.6

Value 5.3

Specifications

Keys: 88
Key Action: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3)
Polyphony: 120
Weight: 47 kg

Compare

Where to Buy

MSRP

$2,200

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

Thomann Amazon search B&H Photo search Sweetwater search

Buttons without a “search” label open the product page directly; the others open retailer search results. Links may include affiliate tracking. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

Thomann ships from Germany; check shipping cost and import fees before ordering.

How It Compares

E1 Air vs DP 300G

The E1 Air scores higher in beginner support. The DP 300G costs $501 less. Choose the E1 Air if beginner-friendly features matters most.

Gewa DP 300G →

E1 Air vs CLP-725

The E1 Air scores higher in quiet practice, while the CLP-725 is stronger in piano-like touch. The E1 Air costs $99 less. Choose the E1 Air if quiet practice matters most.

Yamaha CLP-725 →

E1 Air vs AP-300

the AP-300 is stronger in beginner support, piano-like touch and value for money. The AP-300 costs $600 less. Choose the AP-300 if beginner-friendly features matters most.

Casio AP-300 →

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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: October 25, 2026
Data referenced from: Manufacturer official ×2 Official press release Official manual