The upright or vertical piano is equipped with vertically arranged strings. This feature makes it much simpler and more affordable than the grand piano. It is also the most common acoustic piano, which doesn't always make it easy to choose. To save you time, check out our comparison of the best upright pianos.
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Our selection
"The Kawai K-200 is a must for learning or teaching at home. This upright piano is distinguished by its round, warm sound, as well as…"
"The FunKey DP-88 II is an upright piano specially designed for beginners who like modern features. Note the electric piano design, reminiscent of those of…"
"The P 116 M PE Upright Piano is arguably one of Yamaha's most successful upright pianos. Sold for over a decade, this top-of-the-line instrument produces…"
"Crystal-clear sound is the promise of this upright piano with its clean, elegant lines. Launched a few years ago, the Yamaha b1 PE has been…"
"Have you ever played the piano or are you just starting out? The VidaXL 70040 upright piano is for you. With this model, nothing will…"
The Kawai K-200 is a must for learning or teaching at home. This upright piano is distinguished by its round, warm sound, as well as its mechanics allowing for a variety of playing styles.
3 592 £ on ThomannKawai opens the ball with the K-200, an upright piano equipped with a brand new mechanism, the Millenium III, which allows to produce a more nuanced play. This mechanism has the particularity of containing ABS-carbon parts. Connoisseurs will surely have noticed that the keys seem a little long, but this was done on purpose to make the game easy and regular. As for the keys, they are covered by a Neotex coating, whose surface texture is made of natural ivory and ebony. The tapered solid spruce top contributes to a rich and powerful sound. Note that the K-200's music rest is incorporated into the keyboard flap.
The FunKey DP-88 II is an upright piano specially designed for beginners who like modern features. Note the electric piano design, reminiscent of those of professionals.
298 £ on AmazonDesigned with a simple aesthetic, the FunKey DP-88 II upright piano features 88 dynamic strike synthesizer keys and a drum machine with 160 full styles. We like the fairly large display and crisp, clear key layout, which makes it easy to record your own music at the touch of a button, then listen to it by playing it back later. This display is very useful in the learning function. You will notice that the notes played are displayed. Its presence makes it easy to draw demo songs thanks to the well thought out visual display.
The P 116 M PE Upright Piano is arguably one of Yamaha's most successful upright pianos. Sold for over a decade, this top-of-the-line instrument produces a beautiful sound.
5 112 £ on Thomann
Crystal-clear sound is the promise of this upright piano with its clean, elegant lines. Launched a few years ago, the Yamaha b1 PE has been a huge success because of its musical qualities.
2 792 £ on ThomannAssembled in Indonesia from plans drawn in Japan, Yamaha's B-Series pianos exemplify Japanese craftsmanship. Half the price of theYamaha P 116 M PE Upright Piano, its qualities far surpass those of many upright pianos sold for more than 4000 euros. Indeed, there is no concession on the quality of materials, even if the main goal is to offer an instrument accessible to all budgets. If you are looking for a student upright piano, the Yamaha b1 PE is the perfect choice. In fact, you'll be surprised to know that many seasoned musicians continue to practice with this instrument.
Have you ever played the piano or are you just starting out? The VidaXL 70040 upright piano is for you. With this model, nothing will be easier than composing notes. A very interesting choice.
285 £ on AmazonVidaXL offers us the 70040 piano, an upright piano perfect for adorning your living room and spreading music to every room in the house. It is programmed with 50 demo songs already built in and offers 150 different sounds, not to mention the 100 automatic accompaniment styles. You'll notice the 3 pedals and some effect controls like chorus and reverb. Easy to assemble, this piano can be used by beginners and intermediate users alike. Take a seat, put your score or songbook on the music stand and start playing!
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The best upright piano in 2021
The best entry-level upright piano
The best high-end upright piano
An upright piano at a very attractive price
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | HIGH END | EXCELLENT | ALTERNATIVE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Kawai K-200 E/P
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FunKey DP-88 II
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Yamaha P 116 M PE Upright Piano
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Yamaha b1 PE
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VidaXL 70045
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The Kawai K-200 is a must for learning or teaching at home. This upright piano is distinguished by its round, warm sound, as well as its mechanics allowing for a variety of playing styles.
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The FunKey DP-88 II is an upright piano specially designed for beginners who like modern features. Note the electric piano design, reminiscent of those of professionals.
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The P 116 M PE Upright Piano is arguably one of Yamaha's most successful upright pianos. Sold for over a decade, this top-of-the-line instrument produces a beautiful sound.
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Crystal-clear sound is the promise of this upright piano with its clean, elegant lines. Launched a few years ago, the Yamaha b1 PE has been a huge success because of its musical qualities.
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Have you ever played the piano or are you just starting out? The VidaXL 70040 upright piano is for you. With this model, nothing will be easier than composing notes. A very interesting choice.
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Advantages of the piano
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This instrument is engineered to produce a sound with vivid and rich textures.
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Very nice piano and easy assembly
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This model has exceptional sound potential despite its size.
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The keyboard is easy to control and the action is precise.
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Easy to assemble
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Benefits for the user
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The precise mechanics optimize the stops.
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Price very interesting
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This instrument combines the characteristics of acoustic pianos with the sound of digital pianos.
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This upright piano has 88 keys and 3 pedals
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Amazing sound quality
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Other specifications
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This model is available in three versions.
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Beginner and intermediate level
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This upright piano is equipped with the silent SH2.
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174 kg
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Responsive keys
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Net weight
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208 kg
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29,4 kg
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213 kg
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1.09 x 1.48 x 0.54 m
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31.45 kg
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Dimensions
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114 x 149 x 51 cm
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135 x 77,5 c 39 cm
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152 x 116 x 58 cm
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134 x 75 x 40 cm
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The first question to ask when buying an upright piano is: where do you store it? Unlike most digital pianos, uprights are not designed to be moved around and will generally stay in one place for most of their life. So don't hesitate to ask the seller's advice about where you're going to put it.
A simple criterion, but one to consider, how much space do you actually have to play? Some people are often surprised by the size of an upright piano, and models differ in size based on a multitude of factors. Many students often find that their teachers recommend buying a piano that is at least 120 cm high. This is because you need to measure the space to properly place an upright piano in the ideal location in your home.
As far as sound is concerned, absolutely no two pianos will ever sound exactly the same. The beauty of each instrument lies in its subtle nuances, and that's what makes each piano both unique and individual! The sound of the piano encapsulates everything from the materials used in its manufacture, such as the woods, through the strings and hammers, to the philosophy behind each brand. So it's definitely important to do your research and find the one that interests you the most.
The inner workings of any upright piano are simply fascinating. With thousands of tiny parts working harmoniously together to create the perfect sound, the most important element to focus on is the actual feel of the instrument when touched and played. If you don't feel comfortable playing an instrument or if you don't quite get the sound and feel you want, it's not the one for you. It is always best to visit showrooms when buying an upright piano, as this will give you the opportunity to compare similar pianos, their sound, feel and whether or not they are right for you.
Finally, this is the last criterion to consider. For this, ask yourself this question when buying: what do I really want this piano to do? Before choosing, think about your playing style, are you a classical player who likes precision and finesse? Or a jazz player who likes to groove and unleash a flood of expressive energy? These are completely different goals, the same instrument will not be able to provide them at the same time.
Less cumbersome than the grand piano, the upright piano, also called the vertical piano, is often found in homes. The upright piano uses hammers and strings, which are arranged vertically. It should be noted that the mechanism of an upright piano is not at all the same as that of a grand piano.
First, with the upright piano, the strings are crossed, which gives it a greater length. But this crossing of strings also allows the vibrating body to be picked up. For a sound balance, there are some notes that have one or two strings, others that have three.
The left pedal, called soft, allows to move the hammer strike or doubled or tripled notes on a single string. As its name suggests, Soft ensures a soft harmony and sound. But of course it does not prevent you from playing loud. If the whole mechanism moves a few millimeters on grand pianos, on upright pianos, we notice that it is the hammer stroke that is shortened to remove the percussive force.
The forte pedal deactivates all the dampers. This will free the general vibration of the strings for a resonant, brilliant and rich in harmonics sound. Today, upright pianos often have a third pedal, between the soft and the loud. This is a simple control that lowers a piece of felt between the strings and the hammers. This makes it possible to play without disturbing the neighborhood.
It is an acoustic and traditional piano with hammers, strings, pedals and a sound box. The upright piano is especially suitable for children and beginners. For amateur pianists, it helps to develop technical and musical skills. One of the biggest advantages of the upright piano is its small size. This makes it perfect for those who lack space at home.
Compared to the electronic or grand model, the upright piano offers an excellent alternative. However, we don't necessarily like the quality of the sound emitted. Indeed, the length of the strings and the size of the soundboard affect the overall sound presentation of an upright piano. Besides, you have to open the lid when you play so that the sound travels directly upwards. And visually, the upright piano is less appealing because it is designed to sit against a wall.
The grand piano is characterized by very sensitive keys, which produce a beautiful musical sound. It is more comfortable to play than an upright piano due to its specific action mechanism. In addition, it has a much better design and is more suitable for professionals. Almost all grand pianos are even matched with hotel lobbies or concert halls. It emits a beautiful sound, which fills the room and no other piano has this quality. A grand piano is also durable and therefore can be used for a very long time.
Thus, buying a grand piano would be a great investment. However, it takes up a lot of space, being up to 3 m long! And even the smaller models are less efficient. Also, cleaning is complicated because of its design. And it easily accumulates fingerprints and dust with its glossy finish. The only solution is to wipe it down regularly every day.
Both types of pianos have positive and negative sides, so your choice should be based on the audio quality you are looking for. A grand piano provides the perfect sound to harmonize a room. However, the upright piano is much more compact and is often the best option for home use, as it is much more practical.
Perfect for home use
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a piano is the space the piano takes up. This consideration alone makes upright pianos perfect for home use. Many of us don't have a dedicated music room, which means that the piano will likely be kept in one of the main living spaces of the house. This is one of the situations in which an upright piano is the superior option, regardless of its size, an upright piano is never more than two feet deep.
Contributes to the design of the space
If you have a well-insulated interior wall to tuck it against, your upright piano will sit perfectly out of the way, contributing to the design of your space without taking over completely.
Variety of sizes
Since uprights vary in size vertically, you can choose the size and style that best suits your artistic or family needs without changing the size of your piano's "footprint.
Sound Quality
Uprights are available in a range of sizes that fall into four distinct categories, with larger models producing a deeper, more robust sound quality. A larger upright piano has excellent acoustic quality, often comparable to a grand piano, which can be further enhanced by lifting the piano lid to allow the sound to emanate and bounce off the room surfaces.
Variety of styles
Upright pianos offer an interior designer much more versatility than grand pianos in the relationship between the instrument and the space. Choosing a larger piano with intricate cabinetry transforms the instrument into a statement, drawing the eye to the beauty of the piano, while selecting a smaller instrument allows the piano to play a more discreet role in the room design.
Remember to have your piano tuned.
For the maintenance of your piano, it is recommended to have it tuned twice a year or at least once a year. Use the services of a qualified tuner to avoid unpleasant surprises. You can also take advantage of this professional's visit to learn more about maintenance, upkeep and how to tune a piano depending on whether it will be used for teaching, rigorous practice or very frequent use.
Harmonization.
Each
piano has its own sound or "voice." The voice depends on the personal choice of its owner. A piano must first be properly tuned and adjusted before it can be heard to ensure that it sounds good in the room it is in.
Clean the ropes.
The
strings attract dust and all sorts of microscopic particles. Don't let these particles get stuck in your strings, as they will distort the sound of your piano. Make it a point to clean your strings as often as possible. It is generally advisable to start cleaning with a microfiber cloth, then follow up with a 100% nylon brush.
Watch the temperature.
When
choosing a location for your piano, avoid places subject to constant temperature changes. You should also not place it in a place exposed to direct sunlight. Do not place the piano under a window, for example. Also, do not place it near a source of excessive heat, such as wood stoves, fireplaces, air conditioners, or heating ducts, or against an outside wall.
Also clean the keys.
Cleaning
piano keys is not very difficult. Lightly dampen a soft white cloth with a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild soap, then wipe off the excess water. Start by cleaning the black keys. Wipe the top and sides of the keys in a back and forth motion, trying to avoid splashing the keys around. Work with 4 or 5 keys at a time and dry them thoroughly with another dry cloth before continuing. Once the black keys are finished, move on to the white keys. Change the water if necessary. Repeat this process on the entire keyboard.
The upright piano is an instrument that weighs its weight. To move it safely, see if it has removable parts, which is often the case. The keyboard cover and pedals are often detachable too, it would be wiser to remove them. Once this is done, put the piano in the "candle" position, i.e. vertically to facilitate the task.
The weight of an upright piano varies depending on the brand and the materials used in its manufacture. Generally speaking, the weight varies between 120 and 450 kg. This is why it is important to move it with care if you are moving it. It is even recommended that you hire a professional for this operation because, in addition to its weight, its price is also very high.
If you want to repaint your upright piano, start by preparing its surfaces. You must define the surfaces to be painted and then start sanding them. Then, choose the paint and the instruments. You can use a roller or a brush depending on your habits. In short, you should proceed as you would with any other piece of furniture.
This depends on the condition of the instrument. If you have chosen a new upright piano, it is better to check if everything is in tune before starting to play it. Do the same for an old piano, even if you think it is in tune. Generally speaking, you should tune a new upright piano more regularly than an old one. Finally, you should know that fall and spring are the ideal seasons for tuning.
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