1st Note

Yamaha

Yamaha CLP-735 Review

Yamaha CLP-735: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

88 Keys 60 kg Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X) Bluetooth Intermediate

Scores

10.0 8.5 1.5 8.8 7.0 Beginner Night Practice Portability Touch Reality Value

Beginner

10.0

Night Practice

8.5

Portability

1.5

Touch Reality

8.8

Value

7.0

Where to Buy

MSRP

$2,200

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 303 +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 6.3mm, 3.5mm +1.5
Headphone Optimization Yes +1.5
Key Action Quietness Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X) +0
Volume Control Yes +1
Bluetooth Audio Yes +0.5

Portability

1.5
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 5.0
Weight 60 kg -3
Width 1461 mm -0.5
Battery No +0
Foldable No +0
Key Count 88 keys +0

Touch Reality

8.8
Factor This Piano Points
Key Action Quality Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X) (grade 8) +4.8
Key Count 88 keys +1.5
Polyphony 256 notes +1.5
Sound Modeling Yamaha CFX + Bosendorfer Imperial +0.5
Key Surface ivory-feel +0.5

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Yamaha CLP-735 review verdict

This Yamaha CLP-735 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

Yamaha CLP-735 is best read as a console digital piano for players who already practise regularly. 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 maximum portability.
  • Furniture footprint should still be checked.
  • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.

Yamaha CLP-735 is a console 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, 30W speakers, and a weight of 60 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.

Yamaha CLP-735 evaluation points

Yamaha CLP-735 key action and touch

Yamaha CLP-735 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 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 Yamaha CLP-735 is for

Yamaha CLP-735 is most relevant for players who already practise regularly. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: a more piano-like touch. Limits: the need for maximum portability. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.

Yamaha CLP-735 sound and speakers

Yamaha CLP-735 offers 38 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 Yamaha CLP-735

Before buying Yamaha CLP-735, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. The stand is included, which simplifies the purchase. 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 Yamaha CLP-735 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: Better Music Watch on YouTube ↗

Specifications

Keys 88
Key Action Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X)
Polyphony 256 notes
Sounds 38
Weight 60 kg
Speakers 30W (×2)
Bluetooth Audio + MIDI

Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →

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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.

These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How It Compares

CLP-735 vs CLP-825

The CLP-735 and CLP-825 score very similarly across the main review axes. The CLP-825 costs $101 less.

Yamaha CLP-825 →

CLP-735 vs RP-701

The CLP-735 scores higher in piano-like touch. The RP-701 costs $200 less. Choose the CLP-735 if piano-like touch matters most.

Roland RP-701 →

CLP-735 vs HP-702

The CLP-735 scores higher in piano-like touch. The CLP-735 costs $100 less. Choose the CLP-735 if piano-like touch matters most.

Roland HP-702 →

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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 Yamaha CLP-735 is a console that strengthens the speakers of the CLP-725. Across specialist reviews and retailer assessments, most voices rate the CFX and Bösendorfer sound source, along with the expressiveness that responds carefully from pianissimo to fortissimo, as strong for the price tier. At the same time, some voices note the small number of non-piano voices and that the price itself runs high.

Praised most often

  • A sound source with a wide expressive range

    Capturing the Yamaha CFX and the Bösendorfer Imperial, it is widely praised for reflecting fine nuances of dynamics and touch. The main voices say it shows its strengths in practice centered on classical music.

  • Richer speakers than the CLP-725

    The keyboard is the same as the CLP-725, but the speaker design is strengthened, and comparisons repeatedly note that the room resonance and the weight of the bass are a step richer. The takeaway is that players who use the speakers rather than headphones feel the difference more.

  • A playing feel approaching the higher-end class

    On the weight and response of the keyboard, the main verdict is that there is solid resistance that answers delicate expression, and many voices call it dependable as a mid-tier console.

  • Designed with night practice in mind

    With two headphone jacks, optimization for headphone listening, and Bluetooth connectivity, reviewers welcome that it makes practice easy to fit around daily life.

Common cautions and criticisms

  • Non-piano voices are limited

    While the piano sound source is highly rated, the other voices are modest in number. Reviewers note that this feels limiting for those who want to play around with a wide range of voices.

  • The price runs high

    Even as the completeness is praised, the standard voice is that the price itself is not cheap. Some also note that stretching the budget a little gets you close to the higher-end models, which makes its positioning tricky.

  • No line output

    With no jack to connect to external speakers or a PA, reviewers note that it is not suited to uses beyond home practice.

By source

  • Specialist review sites

    Reviewers rate it as approaching the sound quality of the higher-end class for a mid-tier console, while calmly laying out the small number of non-piano voices and the price.

  • Retailer reviews and videos

    Assessments stand out that call it a top recommendation within its price tier, and highly expressive and able to serve for the long term.

  • Head-to-head comparisons (vs CLP-725, etc.)

    In side-by-side play against the CLP-725, the point that the keyboard is the same and the speakers differ comes up repeatedly, with the tone centering on how much to spend on the speakers.

Net take

On balance, the CLP-735 earns steady marks as a speaker-strengthened version of the CLP-725. A sound source with a wide expressive range and richer resonance than the CLP-725 are the central points of praise, and the more you play through the speakers, the more you feel the value of the price difference. If you place value on non-piano voices or on price, the CLP-725 and the higher-end models above it are also worth comparing.

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.

Suggest a correction

Similar Pianos

Manufacturer-announced succession

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Official successor

Yamaha

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10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 6.8 Value
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View details

Closest in the same lineup

Same brand and the same product category, sorted by smallest price gap.

Yamaha

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10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 7.1 Value
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Yamaha YDP-165: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

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Alternatives from other brands

Different makers in the same category and a similar price band, ranked by how closely the spec-based scores match this model.

Roland

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Roland HP-702: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
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Casio

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Casio AP-550: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.6 Touch Reality 6.6 Value
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Kawai

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$2,499

Kawai CN-201: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

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Yamaha CLP-735