Casio Digital Piano roundup
The Best Casio Digital Pianos for the Money
PX-S1100 at entry level, PX-S5000 in the mid-range, AP-S450 at the premium end — here are the Casio digital pianos worth buying.
The Casio digital piano range covers everything from under £200 to over £1,500, and the best model for you depends more on how and where you'll use it than on the headline specifications. This guide picks the models most consistently worth the money at each level.
Best Entry-Level: Casio PX-S1100
The PX-S1100 is the strongest entry-level model Casio makes. It uses the Smart Scaled Hammer Action — the same action type as more expensive instruments in the Privia range — alongside the AiR sound engine with 88 stereo grand piano samples. The chassis is slim enough to sit comfortably on most stands, and the instrument includes Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio and using the Chordana Play app. For a first Casio digital piano under £500, this is the correct answer for most situations.
Best Mid-Range: Casio PX-S5000
The PX-S5000 expands the Privia formula with a broader sound library (700 tones), a more detailed piano sound using enhanced AiR multi-dimensional processing and rhythm accompaniment patterns useful for self-directed practice. The action is the same SSHK type as the PX-S1100, but the sound engine is noticeably more nuanced. For an intermediate-level player who wants to develop, the PX-S5000 gives more to grow into. Price sits in the £600 to £700 range at current street pricing.
Best Premium: Celviano AP-S450
At the higher end, the Celviano AP-S450 uses a Grand Hybrid action with real wooden keys and a multi-level escapement mechanism. This is the closest Casio comes to acoustic action feel, and the difference from the standard hammer action is immediately apparent to experienced players. The AP-S450 also uses the Multi-Dimensional AiR sound engine with acoustic simulator features that provide realistic room and lid resonance modelling. For serious home pianists, this is the most complete Casio digital piano available at its price point.
Best Compact Option: PX-S1100 on a Folding Stand
For students in flats, shared houses or anywhere that space is limited, the PX-S1100's slim profile on a folding X-stand gives a practical, storable setup without compromising on keyboard action quality. The instrument can be stored under a bed or leaned against a wall. This configuration costs less than a Celviano and provides comparable piano quality for practice purposes.
What to Spend for What Gain
The most significant quality jump in the Casio range is between the CDP/CT series (no genuine weighted action) and the entry-level Privia (SSHK action). This is the threshold where a digital piano becomes genuinely useful for learning piano technique. Subsequent upgrades — to the PX-S5000, then to the Celviano series — improve sound and feel incrementally. Spend enough to cross the SSHK threshold; beyond that, spend to the point where the features serve your actual playing habits.
For a full overview of the range, see our complete guide. For buying guidance, see our buyer's guide.
Comments