8 Worst Piano Brands To Avoid & 3 Reliable Brands

As more and more people discover the joys of playing the piano, the market for these instruments has become increasingly crowded.

There are hundreds of piano brands available in today’s market. Most pianos are assembled with inferior production methods and can be messed up in the music room.

Without knowing about the brands that compromise on quality, it is difficult to pick a good piano

During last few weeks, we have been tasting different pianos and also getting reviews from the users, after this thorough research we are now confidently say that which brands you should avoid.

Due to a lack of consistency in sound and poor build quality, the worst piano brands to avoid are Alesis, Costzon, Kurzweil, LAGRIMA, Daewoo, Suzuki, and Williams.

Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that buying a piano is a significant investment and not just a regular household item.

List of 8 Piano Brands to Avoid

Our expert team has tested and reviewed 20 pianos available on the market and out of these different brands and models we have shortlisted 8 worst pianos and 3 best pianos.

We have made this list of piano brands to avoid based on their performance, sound quality, durability and price.

Here is our list of the worst pianos to stay away from.

1. Alesis Digital Pianos

Alesis is known for its electronic musical instruments at affordable price ranges. But their Digital pianos got a negative response from many of their users.

The Alesis Virtue is an 88-key beginner digital piano that lacks sound consistency and may ruin your performance.

The following are the reasons to stay away from this brand.

• Variation in sound and often drops in volume
• Some keys stop registering sound after a few months
• The keys are very flimsy and fall off easily
• The build quality is poor; especially since the H stand is too fragile

2. Costzon Digital Pianos

Costzon Pianos are cheap in price and performance as well. Most of their pianos are manufactured in China and produce mediocre sound quality.

The Costzon is an 88-key portable electronic piano that can be used by adults as well as professionals. Apart from these 88 key electric pianos, they also sell Costzon 61-Key Portable Digital Pianos.

Some of the users complained of buttons on these pianos. However, you must avoid it for the following reasons.

• The sound quality is terrible
• The keyboard is very flimsy, and some keys don’t respond well
• Slow to respond during rapid playing
• If you press the same note multiple times, there will be variations, even if you apply the same pressure in each press
• Build quality is also very cheap

3. Kurzweil KA90

Kurzweil is famous for producing quality musical instruments at reasonable prices.

They have a vast list of satisfied customers. Yet, Kurzweil KA90 has failed to satisfy its users.

Check out the following drawbacks of this model.

• Keys are heavier to press, which makes the deviation in the ‘velocity curve.’
• When you play chords, one note is louder than the rest
• Its auto accompaniment is just a gimmick and doesn’t provide harmonic or rhythmic support for the melody
• The sound quality is also mediocre and feels like an artificial

4. LAGRIMA Piano

LAGRIMA is another Chinese piano company. They have a good reputation in the market for providing decent digital pianos at low prices.

But, the model LAGRIMA LAG-630 and LG-803 are not worth buying. The electronic pianos with 88 fully weighted hammer action keys.

The following are the reasons to include them in our list of the worst piano brands.

• The sound quality is poor and inconsistent, with some background noises
• The keys are sticky and too small and often don’t respond well
• Cheap plastic is used to make these pianos and the keys are very fragile and fall off quickly
• These pianos are not reliable and stop functioning properly after a few months
• In case of any issue, the company doesn’t accept any valid claim made by its users

5. Daewoo Pianos

Daewoo pianos, once a notable name in the piano industry, have recently been associated with declining quality.

Users have reported issues with the sound quality, which lacks the richness and depth expected from a quality instrument.

Additionally, concerns about the build quality have emerged, with some pianos showing signs of wear and tear much sooner than anticipated.

This decline in craftsmanship has led to a growing dissatisfaction among users, particularly those serious about their musical pursuits.

Despite their affordable price point, these pianos may not be a wise investment for aspiring musicians or those looking for a long-lasting instrument.

6. Suzuki

Their pianos are often praised for their visually appealing designs, but this aesthetic appeal doesn’t always translate to superior sound quality.

These pianos, while stylish, are criticized for their lackluster tonal range and limited expressiveness.

Advanced players, in particular, find that Suzuki pianos do not offer the nuanced sound and touch response required for more complex pieces.

Moreover, some users have pointed out inconsistencies in the build quality, which can affect the piano’s durability and overall performance.

While Suzuki pianos might be a good fit for beginners or as decorative pieces, they may not meet the expectations of more experienced pianists.

7. Williams Pianos

Last on our list of bad piano brands to avoid is Williams. Their pianos are known for their budget-friendly prices, but this affordability often comes at the cost of quality.

Many users have noted that these pianos do not offer the same sound richness or build quality as more reputable brands.

The sound can be tinny or lack depth, a significant drawback for learners and experienced players.

Additionally, the build quality often doesn’t stand the test of time, leading to frequent repairs or replacements.

8. Avoid low-profile Chinese Brands:

Don’t buy a piano from a company whose name is unfamiliar to you. There are a number of fake sellers that exist on the online market. Chinese piano brands are available in the market at lower prices.

If you are interested in these brands, research the internet to find credible sellers with good reviews.

But most of these pianos are poorly manufactured. So you must not waste your money on any unreliable piano model.

However, these low-profile brands have low prices with multiple features, but they start making issues right from day one.

For instance, the sound deviation, the toughness of the piano keys, the sound of similar sounds from different keys, the fluctuation in volume levels on pressing the same key, and more.

Best Piano Brands in 2024

Nowadays, the piano market is so saturated. So, it has become difficult to know the difference between the worst and most reliable pianos.

But, no need to worry, as our team has researched for you. Here is the list of our recommendations for durable piano brands.

1. YAMAHA P71

No discussion takes place regarding the quality digital piano brands without mentioning YAMAHA.

In today’s world, they are one of the most reliable manufacturers with various versatile products.

The YAMAHA P71 piano has everything a pianist would like. It includes 88 graded hammer keys, a pleasing design, quality music, a decent range, and a built-in speaker system. Also, it is lightweight, compact, and easy to play with.

2. Casio PX-S1000

The Casio PX-S1000 is a great choice for beginners and amateurs to begin their musical careers.

It is an 88-key slim electronic console piano with triple-sensor hammer action keys.

The Privia PX-S1000 comes with a sustain pedal, sheet music stand, headphones AC adapter, and cushion bench.

3. Nord Piano 4

Nord is a well-known Swedish Piano company. They manufacture handmade pianos of top-notch standards.

Nord Piano 4 is a stage piano made for professionals and studios, with advanced features like multiple stacking and wavetable synthesis.

It is an expensive instrument, which is made with premium quality material.

Check out the following blogs to learn about other worst musical instruments.

• Bad Saxophone Brands
• List of Trumpet Brands To Avoid
• 5 Violin Brands To Avoid
• Worst Flute Brands Ranking
• Worst Trombone Brands to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Every brand has its distinct features and points of interest. Therefore, you must evaluate the importance of the piano in your life before rushing to buy it.

There are several low-profile brands available on the market. Mostly these pianos are assembled and manufactured using inferior quality material.

So, knowing the worst piano brands to avoid before making a final decision is imperative.

Never take advice from any sponsored shops and YouTube videos made by music shops selling pianos.

These shops only recommend to you the brands they carry and are partners with.

So, It is crucial to take advice from experts or your music teachers because they are unbiased sources.

Christopher Evans

Website

Christopher Evans is a Mechanical Engineer and is a distinguished expert in tire and electronic appliance testing with over 15 years of experience. Holding certifications like Automotive Tire Service (TIA) and Certified Appliance Professional (CAP). He is also a member of the the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and has significantly contributed to safety standards and testing protocols in both industries. Evans is a respected speaker and award recipient.