$1,100
Yamaha YDP-145: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
8.3 Beginner 7.7 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 6.3 Value
88 38 kg
Yamaha YDP-146 Review
Yamaha YDP-146 review: the GHS ARIUS console, now with Bluetooth audio and MIDI
88 Keys 38 kg Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)
Bluetooth
Beginner
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$1,199
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
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How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
9.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 0.5 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.8 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.8 |
| Bluetooth MIDI | Yes | +1 |
| 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 | 363 | +1.7 |
| Sound Variety | 10 sounds | +0.2 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 1.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2.2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 6.3mm | +0.9 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +2.2 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.8 |
| Line Out | No | +0 |
| Speaker Mute with Headphones | Yes | +0.7 |
| Key Action Quietness | Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) | +0.7 |
Portability
3.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 38 kg | -1.5 |
| Width | 1357 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) (grade 5) | +3 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX Sampling + VRM Lite | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | matte | +0 |
Yamaha YDP-146 review verdict
This Yamaha YDP-146 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
The YDP-146 is the June 2026 ARIUS generation that follows the YDP-145, which Yamaha Japan now lists as discontinued. Read side by side, the two spec sheets share the cabinet, keyboard type, amplifier and sound set; what changes is Bluetooth, a diffuser on each speaker and, by Yamaha's account, a revised key sensor.
Pros
- • GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) keyboard with matte black keytops: heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble, with Hard, Medium, Soft and Fixed touch settings.
- • Bluetooth audio and Bluetooth MIDI are listed, so phone audio plays through the piano and Smart Pianist connects without a cable. The YDP-145 had neither.
- • Yamaha CFX sampling with VRM Lite resonance and 192-note polyphony, the same core as the previous generation.
- • Two standard stereo headphone jacks plus Stereophonic Optimizer, which is aimed at making headphone practice sound less closed-in.
- • 303 lesson songs, 50 classics, a two-track recorder, metronome, transpose, Dual and Duo mode.
- • Complete cabinet with a sliding key cover and three pedals, the damper pedal supporting half-pedalling; USB TO HOST also works as a USB audio interface.
Cons
- • GHS is Yamaha's entry hammer keyboard. There is no escapement and no synthetic ivory surface; for that step the GrandTouch-E keyboard of the YDP-166 is the comparison.
- • 8 W × 2 of amplification is aimed at a practice room rather than a large living space.
- • Only 10 voices, and no line output or AUX jack for an external amplifier.
- • At 38 kg and 422 mm deep this is a fixed piece of furniture, not something to move between rooms.
- • Bluetooth availability is marked as varying by area on Yamaha's US spec sheet, and whether a bench is included also depends on the market.
Judged from the published specifications, the YDP-146 is a careful update rather than a new instrument. Dimensions, weight, amplifier, polyphony, voices and the lesson library all match the YDP-145; the additions are Bluetooth audio and MIDI, diffuser-fitted speakers and Yamaha's revised GHS sensing. For a first home piano that is the right place to spend the changes, because wireless Smart Pianist use and playing along to phone audio are things a learner actually uses. Where it stops is touch: GHS is the lighter, simpler Yamaha keyboard, and anyone expecting to stay with the instrument for years should compare it directly with the GrandTouch-E models before settling.
Yamaha YDP-146 evaluation points
Yamaha YDP-146 key action and touch
The YDP-146 keeps Yamaha's GHS keyboard with matte black keytops. Key weight is graded, heavier at the bottom and lighter towards the top, which is the basic behaviour a beginner should learn on. Yamaha states that the sensor design has been improved so that repeated notes and busier passages follow the player more accurately; the spec sheet itself still lists the keyboard simply as GHS. There is no escapement mechanism and no synthetic ivory or ebony surface. In this generation those belong to the GrandTouch-E keyboard of the YDP-166 and YDP-S56, and that is the comparison worth making in a shop.
Who the Yamaha YDP-146 is for
Families buying a first piano for a child, adults starting from zero, and people returning after a long break who want a cabinet piano that is ready as soon as it is assembled. It also suits anyone whose practice partly depends on apps or on playing along with recordings, since Bluetooth now covers both. Players who already know they care about touch detail, or who want a wide range of sounds, will be better served by looking a step up.
Yamaha YDP-146 sound and speakers
The piano sound is sampled from the Yamaha CFX concert grand, with VRM Lite adding string and damper resonance as keys and pedal are used. Ten voices in total cover piano, electric piano, strings and similar basics. Output is 8 W per side into two 12 cm speakers, each now fitted with a diffuser that Yamaha says spreads the treble more evenly through the room. Intelligent Acoustic Control keeps the balance at low volume, and Stereophonic Optimizer is intended to make headphone listening feel as if the sound comes from the instrument rather than from inside the head.
What to know before buying the Yamaha YDP-146
The cabinet measures 1357 × 422 × 815 mm, rising to 969 mm with the music rest up, and weighs 38 kg. Bluetooth audio and MIDI are listed on both Yamaha's US and Japanese spec sheets, but the US sheet adds that Bluetooth varies by area, so confirm it on the unit sold in your country. In Japan a fixed-height bench and headphones come in the box; the US sheet says the bench may not be included depending on the area. There is no AUX or line output. The USB TO HOST port carries MIDI and 44.1 kHz / 24-bit audio to a computer or tablet.
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 | Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) |
| Polyphony | 192 notes |
| Sounds | 10 |
| Weight | 38 kg |
| Speakers | 16W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Matte |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX Sampling + VRM Lite |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 6.3mm |
| 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 | 363 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1357×422×815 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
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
$1,199
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
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.
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.
How It Compares
YDP-146 vs YDP-S36
The YDP-146 and YDP-S36 score very similarly across the main review axes. The YDP-146 costs $100 less.
Yamaha YDP-S36 →YDP-146 vs CX102
The YDP-146 and CX102 score very similarly across the main review axes. The YDP-146 costs $100 less.
Kawai CX102 →YDP-146 vs AP-S200
The YDP-146 scores higher in beginner support, while the AP-S200 is stronger in piano-like touch. The AP-S200 costs $100 less. Choose the YDP-146 if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Casio AP-S200 →Head-to-head comparisons
Spec-by-spec pages pitting this model against the alternatives it is most often weighed up with.
Related Guides
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Most digital piano regrets do not happen because the instrument was cheap. They happen because the instrument did not match the way it was going to be used. Digital pianos are already a mature category. If you have 88 keys, a weighted action, headphone practice, and a stable setup, you have enough to begin. That is why it is better to think first about daily use: where it will stand, when you will practise, how quiet it needs to be, and whether the keyboard feels convincing enough to keep using.
Read more →Best digital pianos for beginners: what actually matters in 2026
Choosing a first digital piano can feel harder than starting the music itself. A good beginner instrument is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the one that lets you sit down every day, change the volume quickly, practise with headphones, and build hand strength without making the keyboard feel like a toy. This guide focuses on what helps during the first six months, what is easy to overvalue, and when it is sensible to start with a portable model instead of a heavy console piano. If you learned piano years ago and are returning rather than starting fresh, the priorities are different — see our [guide for returning players](/en/guides/digital-piano-for-returning-senior-players/).
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Read more →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
- Manufacturer official Official press release ×2 Published spec sheet ×3 Authorized retailer
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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Yamaha YDP-146