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Digital Piano vs Electric Piano

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A digital piano is an electronic keyboard that plays piano sounds through built-in speakers or headphones, and in listings the term electric piano means the same kind of instrument. The digital pianos here all have 88 keys and weighted or semi-weighted action, so the choice comes down to tones, connections and what comes in the box.

What a digital piano is

A digital piano is an electronic keyboard built to stand in for an acoustic piano. It has 88 full-size keys, and the keys use weighted or hammer action so they push back like piano keys. The sound comes from built-in speakers, and a headphone jack lets you play without the speakers. It needs power from an adapter or a battery.

What electric piano means in listings

In listings, electric piano is used as another name for a digital piano: the Donner DEP-20 is called a digital piano in its name and an electric piano in its own description. When you shop, read the keys, the action and the connections instead of the label. A listing that names 88 keys, weighted action and USB-MIDI describes a digital piano whatever the title calls it.

Compare the key count and the action

A full piano has 88 keys, and the digital pianos here all have 88 keys. Weighted and hammer action keys push back under your fingers, while the GLARRY uses semi-weighted keys with spring resistance. Check the action in the listing: the Yamaha P71 names weighted action that replicates the acoustic piano experience.

Compare tones, connections and the box

The GLARRY has 380 tones and the Donner DEP-20 has 238, while the Yamaha P71 has 10 voices and the UISCOM has 8 tones, so the range of built-in sounds differs a lot. For connections, the GLARRY has Bluetooth audio and USB-MIDI, and the Donner DEP-20 and the UISCOM have USB-MIDI. The GLARRY comes with a stand, triple pedals and headphones, the Donner DEP-20 comes with a furniture stand and a 3-pedal unit, the Yamaha P71 comes with a sustain pedal and a power supply, and the UISCOM comes with a power adapter.

What you need

GLARRY 88-Key Semi-Weighted Digital Piano

GLARRY 88-Key Semi-Weighted Digital Piano

An 88-key semi-weighted digital piano with 380 tones, 128-note polyphony, Bluetooth audio, USB-MIDI, triple pedals and headphones.

  • Keys: 88
  • Weighted / hammer action
  • Max polyphony: 128
  • Built-in sounds: 380
  • Speaker power: 17 W
  • Bluetooth
  • USB-MIDI
Donner DEP-20 Beginner Digital Piano 88 Key

Donner DEP-20 Beginner Digital Piano 88 Key

An 88-key weighted digital piano with 238 tones, 128-note polyphony, USB-MIDI, a furniture stand and a 3-pedal unit.

  • Keys: 88
  • Weighted / hammer action
  • Max polyphony: 128
  • Built-in sounds: 238
  • USB-MIDI
YAMAHA P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano

YAMAHA P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano

An 88-key weighted digital piano with 10 voices, a sustain pedal and a power supply.

  • Keys: 88
  • Weighted / hammer action
  • Built-in sounds: 10
  • 1 year warranty stated
UISCOM 88 Key Weighted Home Digital Piano

UISCOM 88 Key Weighted Home Digital Piano

An 88-key weighted digital piano with 8 tones, 40 demo songs, USB-MIDI and triple pedals.

  • Keys: 88
  • Weighted / hammer action
  • USB-MIDI

These come from our ranked list Best Digital Piano, which compares them spec by spec.

Frequently asked questions

Is a digital piano the same as an electric piano?

In listings, yes. The names are used for the same kind of instrument: an electronic keyboard with 88 keys that plays piano sounds through speakers or headphones.

Do digital pianos have 88 keys?

A full piano has 88 keys, and the digital pianos here all have 88 keys. Check the key count in the listing when you compare models, since some keyboards have fewer keys.

What is weighted action on a digital piano?

Weighted action means the keys push back under your fingers, copying the response of an acoustic piano. The Yamaha P71 names weighted action that replicates the acoustic piano experience, and the GLARRY uses semi-weighted keys with spring resistance.

Can I use headphones with a digital piano?

Yes. The GLARRY has a 3.5mm headphone jack and comes with headphones, and the Donner DEP-20 and the UISCOM have headphone jacks. Headphones let you play without the built-in speakers.

More how-to guides

Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.