Yamaha
CLP-735
$2,200
Same action as the CLP-725, but with speakers that actually fill the room
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 60 kg
Yamaha
Yamaha CLP-835 Review
The Clavinova sweet spot — full VRM and room-filling sound
88 Keys 60 kg graded hammer 3x
Bluetooth
Intermediate
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$2,400
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 | +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 (grade 8) | +4.8 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX + Bosendorfer Imperial (VRM) | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Yamaha CLP-835 review verdict
This Yamaha CLP-835 review focuses on published specifications, practice use, and comparison context rather than sponsored rankings.
The CLP-835 upgrades to full Virtual Resonance Modeling and a powerful 100W four-speaker system, delivering the rich, enveloping sound that defines the Clavinova experience.
Pros
- • Full VRM (not Lite) reproduces authentic string resonance and damper effects
- • 100W amplification with 4 speakers fills a living room effortlessly
- • 38 voices including electric pianos, organs, strings, and harpsichord
- • GH3X action with ivory-feel keys and 3-sensor responsiveness
- • Bluetooth MIDI and audio for wireless app and music integration
- • Dual headphone jacks with Stereophonic Optimizer for immersive practice
- • 303 built-in songs and Smart Pianist app support
Cons
- • Same GH3X action as the CLP-825 — no upgrade in key feel
- • 60 kg — heavy and permanent furniture
- • No line out for connecting to external speakers or PA systems
The CLP-835 represents the sweet spot of Yamaha's new Clavinova range. The jump from CLP-825 is dramatic in sound quality: full VRM modeling adds layers of resonance that VRM Lite cannot reproduce, and the 100W four-speaker system projects that sound with authority. You also gain 38 voices for variety. The key action remains the same GH3X, so if touch is your top priority, look at the CLP-845 and above. But for most intermediate players, the CLP-835 delivers a deeply satisfying musical experience at a reasonable price.
Yamaha CLP-835 review details
Yamaha CLP-835 key action and touch
The CLP-835 shares the same GH3X action as the CLP-825. The three-sensor system captures fast repetitions accurately, and the ivory-feel surface provides comfortable grip. While the key mechanism itself doesn't change at this price point, the upgraded sound engine and speakers make the same keystrokes produce noticeably richer and more nuanced tone.
Who the Yamaha CLP-835 is for
You're an intermediate player — perhaps returning to piano after years away — and you want an instrument that rewards your improving technique with beautiful, room-filling sound. The full VRM modeling means you'll hear the subtle string resonance and sympathetic vibrations that make piano music come alive. The 38 voices also let you explore electric piano, organ, and strings when you want a change of pace.
Demo Video
Source:
Rimmers Music Watch on YouTube ↗
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Graded Hammer 3x |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 38 |
| Weight | 60 kg |
| Speakers | 100W (×4) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX + Bosendorfer Imperial (VRM) |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 303 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1461×459×930 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
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
$2,400
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-835 vs HP-704
The CLP-835 and HP-704 score very similarly across all axes. The CLP-835 costs $600 less.
Roland HP-704 →CLP-835 vs CLP-735
The CLP-835 and CLP-735 score very similarly across all axes. The CLP-735 costs $200 less.
Yamaha CLP-735 →CLP-835 vs HP-702
The CLP-835 scores higher in Touch Reality. The HP-702 costs $100 less. Choose the CLP-835 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Roland HP-702 →Related Guides
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 Church and Worship Use (2026)
A church piano has a harder job than a home piano. It needs to cover hymn accompaniment on Sunday morning, lead a praise set on Saturday night, back a choir rehearsal midweek, and survive the move between sanctuary and youth room. This guide explains what matters most in a worship context — reliable sounds, simple controls under stage lighting, clean connection to the sound desk — and which models serve that role without overspending. It also addresses when a stage piano or an arranger keyboard is a better fit than a standard digital piano.
Read more →Best Digital Pianos for Classical Music (2026)
Classical piano demands more from an instrument than almost any other style. The keybed has to respond to the lightest whisper and the heaviest chord. The pedals have to behave like those on an acoustic grand. The sound engine has to hold up under close listening. This guide focuses on digital pianos that can genuinely support serious classical study — from late beginners through to conservatory-bound players — and explains what really matters when you compare them.
Read more →Best Digital Pianos for Intermediate Players (2026)
You've played for a year or two. You can read music, hold a rhythm, and tackle pieces beyond the beginner books. You're also starting to notice where your current piano holds you back — usually the key action and the dynamic range. This guide is for players ready to leave the entry level. It explains what an intermediate-grade instrument actually changes, which specs matter now that you can hear the difference, and which models hit the sweet spot between price and real musical return.
Read more →Best Digital Pianos with Bluetooth (2026)
Bluetooth has become a standard feature on digital pianos, but what it actually does varies more than most buyers realize. Some models support only wireless app connections. Some stream audio from your phone through the piano's speakers. Some do both, and a few handle neither well. This guide walks through exactly what Bluetooth gives you on a digital piano, where the catches are, and which models deliver a clean wireless experience.
Read more →Best Stage Pianos for Gigging Musicians (2026)
A stage piano is a different kind of instrument. It lives in a gig bag, loads into a venue, and has to sound professional the moment you plug in. Unlike a home digital piano, the priorities shift to portability, durability, and the controls you can reach mid-song. This guide walks you through what actually matters when you play out — and which models hold up night after night.
Read more →Digital Piano Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Buying a digital piano can feel overwhelming. Hundreds of models, confusing specs, and marketing jargon make it hard to know what actually matters. This guide breaks down everything you need to understand — in plain language — so you can make a confident decision.
Read more →Digital Piano vs Acoustic Piano: Which Should You Buy?
The choice between a digital piano and an acoustic piano comes down to more than just preference — it's about your home, your budget, your practice habits, and your long-term goals. Both are legitimate instruments for serious piano study, and modern digital pianos have closed the gap dramatically. This guide lays out the real differences so you can decide which belongs in your home.
Read more →Digital Piano vs Keyboard — What's the Difference? (2026)
"Should I buy a digital piano or a keyboard?" It's the most common question beginners ask — and the most confusing, because the terms get used interchangeably even by music stores. They're actually quite different instruments designed for different purposes. This guide cuts through the marketing noise and explains exactly what separates them, when each one makes sense, and which you should buy based on your actual goals.
Read more →Graded Hammer Action vs Weighted Keys: What's the Difference?
"Weighted keys" and "graded hammer action" are two of the most common terms you'll see when shopping for a digital piano. They sound similar but refer to different things. This guide explains exactly what they mean, how they affect your playing, and which type you should look for.
Read more →Best Quiet Digital Pianos for Apartments (2026)
Living in an apartment doesn't mean giving up piano. Digital pianos were practically made for this situation — plug in headphones and the world disappears. But not all models are equally quiet. Key noise, headphone quality, and late-night optimization features vary widely. This guide helps you find the right piano for peaceful apartment practice.
Read more →Sources & transparency
- 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.
Suggest a correctionSimilar Pianos
Manufacturer-announced succession
Models the maker officially positioned as the next or previous generation of this product.
Previous generation
Closest in the same lineup
Same brand and the same product category, sorted by smallest price gap.
Yamaha
CLP-825
$2,099
Clavinova quality starts here — GH3X meets dual grand piano voices
9.9 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 57 kg
Yamaha
CLP-745
$2,800
Where the Clavinova lineup gets serious — GrandTouch action changes everything
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 9.4 Touch Reality 6.9 Value
88 72 kg
Yamaha
YDP-175
$2,000
Arius flagship with Clavinova-grade sound engine
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 7.1 Value
88 48 kg
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
HP-704
$3,000
Roland's furniture-style digital piano with premium sound
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
88 59 kg
Casio
AP-550
$2,299
The modern Celviano — Bluetooth, better keys, and timeless style
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.6 Touch Reality 6.6 Value
88 44 kg
Kawai
CN-201
$2,499
Kawai's furniture-style digital piano with premium sound
9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.9 Touch Reality 6.4 Value
88 48 kg
Search retailers
Yamaha CLP-835