Are you planning to invest in a piano and want to know how much a good piano costs?
Fortunately, there is a lot of information you can find on the internet to help you have an idea of how much you need to spend.
Yamaha vs Casio – Can’t decide? We have a guide where we compared these two brands.
How Much Is A Piano in 2024?
The cost of a piano depends on the category of the piano. On average a digital piano can range anything between $100 – $200. Upright pianos have a price range of between $3,500 – $5,000. Entry-level grand pianos will set you back between $5,000 – $10,000.
Pianos can be affordable or extremely expensive depending on the requirements.
- You can find a piano that costs as little as $100. For cheap digital pianos, we recommend these Casino digital pianos.
- There are many pianos to choose from in the $100-$300 range. At this price we recommend these Yamaha digital pianos.
- And then there are more expensive pianos that go as high as over $3000.
Ordinarily, lower end priced pianos are generally oriented towards beginners and intermediate players while high-end keyboards come with exclusive feature meant for professionals.
As a beginner, you can opt for more affordable brands and upgrade later as your skills improve.
Types of Pianos
The biggest price determinant when it comes to piano is type. Thus, you first have to understand what each of these types have to offer and how much they will cost as a result.
1. Digital Pianos
Digital pianos or electric pianos are considered an affordable option.
If you are beginner, electronic pianos are your best option and a safe investment in the event you don’t pursue playing pianos, you wouldn’t have spent too much money. Good pricing for your first piano can range anything between $100 to $200. These pianos usually don’t come with many keys and a superb sound but are good enough for beginners.
As your skills improve, you may want to opt for a better quality digital piano. In this case, a standard digital piano with 88-keys is ideal. Keyboards in this category have weighted keys that resemble real piano keys making them ideal for your next practice sessions. A nice digital piano in this category has a price tag of between $500-$1000.
Even among higher quality digital pianos, not all options are equal. On the more affordable end, you will find pianos that are slightly similar to acoustic pianos. The keys may feel closer to the acoustic version than digital pianos and the sound will bear a resemblance as well.
With the more expensive digital pianos, though, the similarity to acoustic pianos will be virtually identical. This is for both sound and feel of the keys. Therefore, it is as close as you can get to an acoustic piano without having to pay for that price tag.
2. Upright Pianos
Compared to grand pianos, upright pianos are cheaper and for this reason, many who would want to invest in a grand piano but cannot afford, opt for an upright piano. Aside from coming at a friendlier budget, upright pianos save on space compared to grand pianos that take up more space. Upright pianos have a price range of between $3,500 – $5,000. However, top-range upright pianos can cost as high as $10,000!
Upright pianos can be further divided into the following categories:
- Spinet
- Console
- Studio/Full Size
Spinet upright pianos are the smallest –and most affordable– option on the market. Although they can hold a tune, they don’t really offer much in the way of quality. In most instances, you will be better off upgrading to the next type – console pianos.
Console pianos are larger than spinet pianos and provide a considerable boost in quality as well. As an added bonus, they aren’t all that much pricier than spinet pianos. These pianos are still more suitable for a beginner or intermediate player.
The true star of this type of piano is the studio or full size upright piano. In many instances, its quality is on par with that of a baby grand. One of the main differences is that the Studio piano takes up far less space.
3. Grand Pianos
These come in a wide variety of sizes starting from:
- baby grand pianos which are less than 5 feet
- up to concert grand pianos of 9 feet or longer
Grand pianos are not cheap and will cost you a significant investment to acquire one depending on the type of piano selected. A baby grand piano can cost up to 3 times higher the cost of an upright piano.
Usually, the larger the piano, the better the sound quality and obviously, the cost. Entry-level grand pianos will set you back between $5,000 – $10,000. The cost goes higher as the size of the piano increases. Concert grand pianos on the other hand vary in price but expect to spend well over $100,000 on an elegant brand.
Needless to say, baby grand and grand pianos are better suited to professional musicians. They are simply not worth the cost for someone who is only just starting out. Performing pianists, on the other hand, will benefit from playing on a piano that is identical to what they will perform when on stage.
Factors That Determine the Cost of a Piano
Now, you may be wondering why there is so much price discrepancy from one piano to another. Well, this is due to a range of factors including, but not limited to:
- Brand
- Materials and Components
- Size
- Current Market
Brand
You will have noticed that some piano brands are held in higher esteem than others. This is because in the piano industry –as with most others– brand and reputation matter quite a bit. Thus, if you want to buy a more recognizable brand, you will have to pay quite a bit more.
This is because more renowned brands are associated with better quality, craftsmanship, and performance. As a result, you will naturally be expected to pay a higher price for these elements. Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a good quality piano from a lesser known brand. It is simply that well-known labels will consistently offer up better quality.
Materials and Components
As you are aware, there are quite a number of moving and non-moving parts to a piano. These can be made from a wide variety of materials. The quality of these materials will have a significant impact on the price of the piano.
With digital pianos, there isn’t too much discrepancy with materials. However, some brands and models may be made from more durable types of plastic. It is also possible that the keys are constructed in such a way that they feel like ivory. Needless to say, these elements would drive up the cost of a piano.
Typically, though, the materials really matter when it comes to acoustic pianos. The type of hardwood, softwood, metal, fabric, and felt will determine how expensive the piano will be. In addition to the materials being quite unique or rare, the processing of these materials can add to the cost as well.
Size
If you have ever wondered why larger pianos are more expensive, the answer is quite simple. They are more complex to produce. For one thing, they require more materials and components. For another, larger pianos can often need different materials entirely.
There is also the fact that larger pianos involve larger components to fit the bigger casings. As such, they are more labor intensive and can even necessitate a longer construction as well.
Current Market
Sentiment regarding pianos can play a major role in piano prices. If it is deemed to be more popular for one reason or another, a greater number of people will be interested in buying the product. As a result, the price will automatically rise.
Then there are the models to consider as well. Brands will often reduce the prices of older models when they introduce a new model into the market. Newer models tend to be costlier as they may boast better designs, newer features, or greater quality.
How Much Does a Used Piano Cost?
Are you’re looking to make some good savings? Or you’re operating on an extremely tight budget? In these cases you can consider a used piano.
Believe it or not, you can get a used piano for as little as $0. Sometimes, you can find a used piano in your neighborhood being given out for free. Note that unless the piano was in a good condition, you might end up spending a substantial amount of money. The amount would have got you a new and affordable piano.
If the piano is from a lesser known brand, it may not have a long lifespan. Therefore, it may not last too long once you have purchased it from a previous owner. There is also the fact that repairs for older makes and models can be a great deal costlier. Even then, there is no guarantee for how long the piano will last.
When buying a used piano, always be mindful of the make and model. You should also pay close attention to the condition of the piano. When in doubt, you may want to have a more experienced individual take a look at it for you.
Many people who give out their pianos for free are not interested to get in money in return so long as you collect the piano.
Prices for used pianos vary according to the type of piano and condition at the time of selling.
How Much Should You Spend on a Piano?
Now that you have an idea of how much a piano will cost, you may also be wondering just how much you should spend on a particular instrument.
Commitment
Perhaps the most important factor is commitment to learning or playing the piano. If you aren’t entirely sure if you will continue playing the instrument, it doesn’t make much sense to spend too much money. In this case, it is better for you to buy a digital or entry-level piano.
Budget
You can certainly take out a loan to buy a piano. Nevertheless, this isn’t something that you should do if you aren’t serious about playing the piano. If you require an instrument for simple practice or for entertainment purposes, you should stay well within your budget when buying a piano.
Quality
It is clear that higher quality pianos are more expensive. As such, you will have to expect to pay for them. The cost of the instrument may be offset, however. This is especially true if you are planning on improving your skills and talents as a pianist.
At the same time, high-quality pianos have been designed to last longer or are under better warranty. Thus, if there are any issues at all, you will have plenty of support from the manufacturer.
Digital vs. Acoustic
On the surface, digital pianos cost less. If you are planning on continuing with your lessons or playing, though, you will need to upgrade your instrument. You will either have to move to a more sophisticated digital version or will have to upgrade to an acoustic piano.
With acoustic pianos, however, you will not have to upgrade the instrument. Instead, you will be able to use it for as long as you need it to. Due to this, you will not have to spend as much in the long run.
Understanding the Total Cost of Owning a Piano
If you are planning on buying a piano, it is important to understand that the cost isn’t just the price tag attached to a particular make and model. Overall, there are a number of different elements that can contribute towards the true cost of ownership.
Delivery or Moving
You do have to consider the delivery or moving costs of a piano. Now, if your purchase a digital piano, you will most likely be able to take it home by yourself. However, upright pianos and grand pianos will certainly require additional support.
In most cases, you will probably have to pay extra for delivery. In addition to requiring a vehicle to move the piano, you will also need other people to help you get it into your home. Even if you plan on moving it by yourself, you will have to find a vehicle that can carry such an instrument.
Accessories
Most pianos require some accessories like headphones and stickers. At the very least, you are going to have to buy a bench. The exact price will depend on the design and the quality. The more affordable options tend to be under $100. Then, you will require a music rest for sheet music. It is best to buy one that is from the same brand as the piano. This way, you can ensure a perfect fit.
If you are buying a digital piano, you may also be required to buy a stand. While some models do come with either stands or cabinets, there are just as many that do not. The sturdier, more durable ones will naturally cost more.
Don’t forget to pick a good piano lamp if you like playing at night.
Maintenance
Your piano will require maintenance if you want it to continue to sound as good as when you first bought it. With digital pianos, this is a great deal easier. At most, you will be expected to upgrade the software that is associated with the make and model.
Acoustic pianos may need to be tuned twice a year or so. You may need to undertake regulation and voicing as well. Interestingly enough, high-quality pianos will require less maintenance. Thus, it may end up costing less in the long run.
Repairs
There is a chance that your piano may require repairs at some point. It is difficult to know how tricky or expensive it is to repair digital pianos. This all depends on how accessible and replaceable the various components are.
With acoustic pianos, the parts may be more readily available. This is because there haven’t changed all that much. Nevertheless, these pianos do require skilled and specialized individuals to fix them.
Longevity
Buying a cheaper piano may seem like a good idea in the short term. However, you should be aware that these instruments aren’t all that durable and may not last all that long. Thus, they will need to be replaced within a shorter period of time.
High quality pianos, on the other hand, are made from hardier materials and have been carefully constructed. Due to this, they will not need to be replaced as often. This is especially true for acoustic pianos.
Buying a piano is a challenging task and you need to be well versed about the costing in order to make the right decision.
Talking to an expert or reading customer reviews can help you determine what kind of piano your budget can get you.
Most importantly, buying a piano shouldn’t be a financial strain. It should rather be a key addition that takes your musical journey on a new level. It is therefore, good to buy a piano that you can afford and will effectively meet your needs.
The objective for knowing how much a good piano costs is to get the best piano for you not necessarily based on elegance but practicality. Constantly researching and closely following the latest updates on piano sales will help you find a good deal.