It's fair to say Roland is a pioneer in the digital piano space. In 1974, the forward-thinking company released the first ever touch-sensitive electric piano, an innovation that changed the face of digital pianos forever. Today, Roland continues to push boundaries, offering pianos for every budget, style and musical aspiration. So, if you're looking for a stunning high-tech piano that sounds just as good as it looks, this in-depth guide to the best Roland digital pianos is sure to help you find the perfect model for your needs.
Roland’s piano range is wide and varied, with something for every type of player - regardless of where you are in your playing career. Beginners of all ages love the celebrated RP and F series, the cabinet-style HP range would be a welcomed addition to any intermediate’s home, while the luxurious LX and GP series is ideal for the more advanced pianist.
So, whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned professional, you’ll want to join us on this journey through the greatest pianos produced by this iconic Japanese electronic instrument manufacturer.
Our top picks
The HP704 has over 380 tones, making it very versatile. Roland has integrated many effects and ambience settings into the HP704, which are all customisable via the Piano Designer app. This stunning digital piano also features Bluetooth and MIDI capabilities and the ability to layer sounds, play along with tracks, and split the keyboard - meaning it appeals to professional pianists, producers and aspiring musicians alike.
Despite its affordable price point, the contemporary and compact Roland F107 offers exceptional value and functionality. The SuperNATURAL piano technology and its PHA-4 keyboard deliver an authentic weighted response that the majority of newbies will enjoy, while the tactile user interface ensures easy functionality and the integrated stereo speaker system produces a detailed sound.
It will come as no surprise that at the core of the F701 is Roland's SuperNATURAL piano modelling, as well as the PHA-4 standard keyboard. This tried and tested combination provides good sensitivity, dynamics and expression. The F701's understated cabinet design enhances its appeal, with the rear connections neatly arranged, allowing the piano to face any direction without unsightly wires.
Best overall
At the heart of the HP704 lies Roland's SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling technology, a revolutionary system that reproduces the characteristics of an acoustic piano. This engine goes far beyond sampling, capturing the articulation between notes, strings, and the piano's soundboard, resulting in an authentic and expressive sound.
The PHA-50 Hybrid Keyboard combines wooden elements for the white keys and durable moulded materials for the black keys, providing a realistic touch and ivory feel. The keys are sensitive to your dynamics and boast escapement - authentic key release - enhancing the overall playing experience. The body of the piano itself feels sturdy and substantial, with a taller back that ensures comfortable positioning for sheet music.
The HP704 has over 380 tones, making it very versatile. Roland has integrated many effects and ambience settings into the HP704, which are all customisable via the Piano Designer app. This stunning digital piano also features Bluetooth and MIDI capabilities and the ability to layer sounds, play along with tracks, and split the keyboard - meaning it appeals to professional pianists, producers and aspiring musicians alike.
Best on a budget
Despite its affordable price point, the contemporary and compact Roland F107 offers exceptional value and functionality. The SuperNATURAL piano technology and its PHA-4 keyboard deliver an authentic weighted response that the majority of newbies will enjoy. The tactile user interface ensures easy functionality and the integrated stereo speaker system produces a detailed sound.
Although it only has 15 internal sounds, this price-saving option allows players to handle complex pieces easily. After all, many of the sounds on higher-end pianos will remain unused.
Additionally, the F107 offers Bluetooth connectivity, enabling users to play along to their favourite tracks or utilise MIDI apps to create their own music. The Roland Piano App further enhances the experience, offering lessons, recording settings, metronome control, and sound selection options - pair that with the ability of shared practice with its dual headphone jacks and Twin Piano mode and you have the ultimate practice tool for the beginner pianist.
Read the full Roland F107 review
Best for beginners
On the surface, this piano may look very similar in build to the F107. However, it does offer more sounds and additional weight - meaning it more than deserves its own place in this guide to the best Roland pianos.
It will come as no surprise that at the core of the F701 is Roland's SuperNATURAL piano modelling, as well as the PHA-4 standard keyboard. This tried and tested combination provides good sensitivity, dynamics and expression.
The F701's understated cabinet design enhances its appeal, with the rear connections neatly arranged, allowing the piano to face any direction without unsightly wires.
Intuitive controls and an icon-driven display make it easy to access over 300 onboard play-along songs, a practice-friendly metronome, and a recording function for evaluating your performances. With a clear focus on learning, this piano makes your practice sessions fun and highly productive with integrated Bluetooth and MIDI.
Best for professionals
The gorgeous and grand LX708 towers above all others in its series with its taller cabinet, resulting in quite possibly the best-looking piano in the rather packed Roland catalogue.
Housed inside this extravagant cabinet is Roland's Hybrid Grand Keyboard action, which along with the Unique Key Vibration technology, replicates the slight micro-movements felt when playing real acoustic pianos. This makes performing with the LX708 almost indistinguishable from the real thing and a total joy to play.
Luckily, this luxurious piano has the sound to match its charming good looks and stellar playability. The piano's Acoustic Projection System is seriously powerful and the intelligently placed speakers ensure clarity across the full dynamic range.
Best for small spaces
The Roland DP603 seamlessly blends style and functionality, making it the perfect addition to contemporary living spaces. Its slim and stylish cabinet design with an integrated keyboard lid adds to its overall aesthetic, providing a music stand and a safe soft-fall motion.
Despite its compact depth, the DP603 maintains the durability that the DP series is renowned for, ensuring longevity and reliability. Its strategically positioned speaker box mounted on a lower stand creates a sense of fullness and efficiency.
The user-friendly LCD and intuitive control panel make navigating through its various functions and settings easy. This digital piano includes Bluetooth and valuable features for practice and performance, such as a metronome, recording functionality, and dual/split keyboard modes.
Best for the whole family
The RP701 is designed to be so intuitive to use that even younger players can jump in right away. Easy-to-read icons and a simple front panel ensure that the focus is on playing and enjoyment, not reading the instruction manual. With Bluetooth connectivity for streaming and accessing a world of apps, there's always something new to motivate newcomers.
The powerful onboard speakers will easily fill the room, while the 3D Ambience Headphones are there for when you want to practice in private. Of course, this model comes loaded with the acclaimed PHA-4 88-key piano action keybed, meaning it delivers that classic Roland feel you've come to know and love.
So, whether you'd like your children to learn or you're returning to the piano yourself, the RP701 has the sound, feel and looks the whole family will enjoy.
Read the full Roland RP-701 review
Best for design
The Roland Kiyola KF10 is an instrument that excels in design, sound quality, and playability, making it a top choice for the style-conscious piano enthusiast. Boasting an award-winning design in collaboration with Karimoku, Japan's largest wood furniture maker, the Kiyola KF10 stands out with its artisan-inspired wooden structure.
Luckily, the solid oak cabinet not only looks stunning but also contributes to the sound quality by providing extra cabinet resonance and warm deep tones from the four speakers.
In terms of playability, we found the KF10's key resistance to be a little too strong at times, but with that said, while it may require some adjustment to your technique initially, it becomes more familiar with time and practice.
For us, the Roland Kiyola exemplifies the marriage of technology and minimalist elegant design and is the go-to piano for anyone looking for a work of art, as well as a functional instrument.
Best grand piano
There is something so inspiring about a grand piano. The look, the feel and that all-encompassing sound just makes you want to play and play. Now, you don't need us to tell you that owning a real grand piano isn't a walk in the park. They require a lot of ongoing maintenance to keep them playing their best, they weigh more than a small car and usually have a pretty hefty price tag. Luckily Roland has a solution - the GP-9M.
The GP-9M is Roland's premier grand piano and comes fully loaded with the best piano technology Roland has to offer. At the heart of this striking instrument is what Roland refers to as the "Piano Reality approach". Simply put, this is an ecosystem of connected technologies that combine to perfectly recreate the sound and feel of an authentic acoustic grand piano.
While the GP-9M shares many of the same features as others in the GP range, it does bring a few unique features to the table, such as moving keys, audio outputs and a microphone input for singing along through the onboard speaker system.
Best Roland pianos: Buying advice
How to choose the best Roland digital piano for you
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Hailing from Osaka, Japan, Roland is regarded as one of the most innovative musical instrument manufacturers ever - not only in the digital piano space. From launching Japan's first electronic pianos in '73 to being responsible for some of the most popular synthesizers ever made, Roland has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible with a key-based instrument.
Today Roland's piano range has blossomed into a vast array of models that feature everything from the best beginner digital pianos money can buy to luxurious high-tech options that show just what is possible with this forward-thinking technology.
Much like many other piano heavyweights, the Roland range can be broken down into a few categories - stage pianos, portable pianos, upright pianos, premium upright pianos and grand pianos.
So, when deciding which is the best Roland piano for your needs, you'll want to first determine what you want a digital piano for, i.e. recreational playing, performance or recording.
If you are seeking a piano for gigging or simply moving around easily, a stage piano or portable piano is the perfect option. These lightweight instruments are designed specifically for this purpose and Roland has plenty to choose from. Whether it's the revolutionary V-Piano, the beloved RD series or the beginner-friendly FP range, there is sure to be a portable piano for you.
Perhaps your new piano is going to be a permanent feature in your home. Well, in that case, a digital upright could be the best option. These pianos look much more like their acoustic brethren and are sure to be the centrepiece of any home. If this sounds like the piano style you are after, you'll want to check out the LX, HP, RP and F ranges.
Lastly, if you want to go big and have the space, then the grand piano is the instrument for you. Roland's acclaimed GP series showcases the very best advancements in technology, offering an out-of-this-world playing experience and a lavish look that is sure to make a statement in any room.
Meet the experts
With more than 17 years of experience, MusicRadar is the premier music-making website in the world. Run by musicians for musicians, we offer expertly written gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by an extensive team of highly experienced industry professionals.
Below you'll find more information on the expert authors of this guide.
Helen is a professional pianist and cellist. Performing in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, O2 Arena and Monte Carlo Opera House, Helen also frequently collaborates with the biggest names in pop, having worked with Pink, Paloma Faith, Cher, Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams, amongst others, as well as recording for Pink Floyd's 2014 album The Endless River. She composes for Netflix and Amazon Prime, is solo cellist for Two Steps From Hell and enjoys international success with her electric string quartet, Escala.
Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at MusicRadar, and is responsible for writing and maintaining buyer's guides on the site as well as testing out products for reviews. Before writing for MusicRadar, Daryl worked for many years in music retail, helping musicians of all ages find the best gear for them. Whether it was a beginner's first keyboard or a top-of-the-range digital piano for the pros, Daryl was there to help steer players in the right direction.
How we choose the best Roland digital pianos
Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best Roland digital pianos available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best Roland digital pianos on the market right now.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.
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