Casio CDP-S160 vs Yamaha P71 Digital Piano
Casio CDP-S160 or Yamaha P71? Both are 88 key weighted digital pianos. The Casio bundle usually includes the stand and bench the Yamaha does not.
Quick Answer:
Both are 88 key fully weighted digital pianos that meet what a piano teacher will ask for. The Casio is often sold as a bundle including a stand, bench and instructional material, which are all things a student needs and would otherwise buy. The Yamaha is usually sold as the instrument alone at a lower headline price. Compare the totals.
| Factor | Casio CDP-S160 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Keys | 88, scaled hammer action | 88, graded hammer standard |
| Teacher acceptance | High | High |
| Usually sold as | Bundle with stand and bench * | Instrument only |
| Typical price | Around 530 dollars as a bundle | Around 450 dollars alone * |
| Depth on a desk | Very slim * | Slim |
| Sustain pedal | Included | Included |
| Headphone practice | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Adequate | Adequate |
* Indicates better option for that factor
Count the stand and bench
A digital piano needs a stable stand at the right height and an adjustable bench, and together those cost roughly a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars. A bundle that includes them at a small premium is usually the better value, and it also means the student sits at the correct height from day one rather than at a dining table on a kitchen chair.
Both have what a teacher asks for
Eighty eight fully weighted keys and a sustain pedal is the standard requirement, and both instruments meet it. Beyond that, differences in the piano sample and the exact key action are matters of preference that most beginners will not notice for a year or two. Neither will be the reason a student progresses or does not.
Posture is not a detail
Playing at the wrong height forces the wrists up or down, which is uncomfortable and can cause injury over years. An adjustable bench and a stand that puts the keys at roughly elbow height when seated is the correct arrangement. This is a large part of why the bundle question matters more than the difference between the two instruments.
Headphones make a digital piano work
The strongest practical argument for a digital instrument is silent practice, and that depends on having decent headphones. The built in speakers on budget digital pianos are the weakest part of them, and a modest pair of over ear headphones transforms how the instrument sounds. Budget for them alongside the stand and bench.
Our Verdict
If you need a stand and bench, the Casio bundle is usually the better total value and the instrument is fully the equal of the Yamaha for a student. If you already have a stand and bench, the Yamaha P71 alone is the cheaper route to the same requirement. Either satisfies what a piano teacher will ask for.
We review them on their own too, in full detail: the Casio Privia PX-770 and the Yamaha P225 .
The two instruments compared
Casio CDP-S160 88 key digital piano bundle
~$530
Check price on AmazonYamaha P71 88 key weighted digital piano
~$450
Check price on AmazonComparison based on published manufacturer specifications, current listings and the general consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not played these instruments ourselves and do not claim to have. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a piano teacher actually require?
Usually 88 fully weighted keys and a sustain pedal, so that practice at home transfers to the piano in the lesson. Some will accept a 61 key touch sensitive keyboard for a first year. Ask the specific teacher before buying, since expectations vary and it is a short conversation.
Do these need tuning?
No. Digital pianos never need tuning, never drift in a heated room and never need a technician, which saves well over a hundred dollars a year against an acoustic piano plus the hassle of arranging visits. That is one of the strongest practical arguments for a digital instrument in a normal home.
Can two people use it at once?
Many digital pianos have a duet or split mode that divides the keyboard into two identical ranges, which teachers use to play alongside a student. Check whether the specific model has it if lessons will happen at home. Two headphone sockets, where present, are also genuinely useful for a teacher and student.
How is this comparison researched?
From published manufacturer specifications, current listings and the consensus of verified owner and teacher reviews. We have not played these instruments ourselves and do not claim to have. The guidance on what teachers require reflects what teaching bodies and teachers publish rather than personal experience.
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