Kawai ES60 review

Model overview

The ES60 should be considered on its complete entry-level value: action feel, basic piano sound, speaker usability, included pedal, and the cost of any stand or upgrade. Compare it with Yamaha and Casio portables at the same street price, and treat touch preference as the deciding factor after the basic requirements are met.

Keyboard action

Piano Tone particularly enjoys the light, quick response of the RHL action. AMAZONA also finds it playable but considers the weighting a little too light for the reviewer’s preference. This is exactly the sort of disagreement a specification cannot settle. Beginners should try it alongside the FP-10 or P-145BT with the same short exercise, ideally with a teacher’s input, rather than assuming heavier always means better.

Piano sound and speakers

Both sources respond positively to the main acoustic-piano voice. Piano Tone finds several supporting voices less remarkable; AMAZONA also regards the acoustic pianos as a strength and objects to the effect treatment on one electric-piano sound. If your routine is predominantly piano practice, that difference in emphasis may be harmless. If electric piano is central to your music, listen to that particular voice before buying.

Controls connectivity and buyer fit

There is a sharper disagreement over operation. AMAZONA finds the small set of controls learnable, while Piano Tone finds some layering combinations awkward and prefers using PianoRemote. Neither observation is an owner-wide defect report. Ask to select two sounds, layer them and adjust the balance during a demonstration. The ES60 makes sense if that routine works for you; the ES120 is a useful next comparison when you want a fuller portable setup.

Purchase check

Consider the instrument with the stand, carrying case and pedal arrangement you will actually use. Test how much effort it takes to set up and put away. A portable body can still become awkward once accessories are added. Ask the seller to identify exactly what the package includes and compare that complete cost.

Pricing

USD 469.00 historical observed price (checked 2026-09-25). Current price needs checking; excluded from budget matching. — The observed U.S. instrument price in the key specifications table below was checked 2026-09-25. It is a dated market observation, not a guaranteed checkout total. Compare the same finish and package, including stand, bench, pedals, tax, delivery and assembly. The internally recorded manufacturer MSRP is USD 499.00 and remains separate from the observed selling price.

Owner evidence

The evidence collected for this article does not establish a rate of failures or a recurring long-term ownership problem. We do not generalise from isolated comments or present reviewer preference as owner consensus.

Sources and research

• Kawai ES60 official documentation — manufacturer
• pianotone.ca — Kawai ES60 review — independent review
• amazona.de — Kawai ES60 review — independent review

Plan your next step

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• Understand weighted keys
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• Compare model specifications