A baby grand piano can be an incredible addition to your home, music studio, or concert hall. This article is for aspiring pianists and established professional musicians alike, and we know that regardless of your skill level, finding the right instrument is essential to growing your skills and creating beautiful music for years to come. We also know that trying to sort your way through all the different brands and types of pianos is no easy task, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Finding the right piano for you depends on a number of factors, like size, brand, price range, sound quality, key action, and more. Keep reading, and we’ll share our picks for the best baby grand pianos at different budgets and a wide range of prices, comparing the build quality, sound, touch, and other qualities that are important to consider when making a choice. Let’s find the absolute best baby grand piano for you.
Factors to Consider when Buying a Piano
Choosing a baby grand piano can be a challenging task, especially if you’re not familiar with the different factors that can impact your decision. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a baby grand piano:
Size of the piano
Baby grand pianos come in different sizes, ranging from 4 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches in length. The size of the piano can affect its sound quality, with larger pianos typically producing richer sound and more resonant tones. However, larger pianos can also be more expensive and may not fit comfortably in smaller spaces.
Material of the piano
The material of the piano can also impact its sound quality and durability. Baby grand pianos are typically made of wood, with different types of wood producing different tones. Mahogany and walnut are popular choices for their warm and rich tones, while maple and oak are known for their brighter and clearer tones. In addition to the type of wood, the quality of the craftsmanship and the finish of the piano can also affect its appearance and longevity.
Brand and reputation
The brand of the piano can also be an important factor to consider. Established brands with a long history of producing high-quality instruments are often a safer bet than newer or lesser-known brands. In addition, reputable brands may offer better warranties, customer support, and resale value.
Sound quality and tone
Sound quality and tone are arguably the most important factors to consider when choosing a baby grand piano. The tone of the piano should match your personal preferences and the style of music you’ll be playing. A good way to evaluate the sound quality of a piano is to listen to it being played by an experienced pianist in a quiet room.
Additional features
Finally, consider any additional features that may be important to you. For example, some baby grand pianos may come with built-in recording capabilities, adjustable benches, or advanced sound systems. While these features may add to the cost of the piano, they can also enhance your playing experience and make it more enjoyable.
Our Baby Grand Piano Picks
Low Budget Picks ($0 – $15,000)
Used Pianos
When faced with a low budget, finding a quality NEW piano can be extremely tough. The truth of the matter is, you’re sacrificing quality when you cheap out on a factory-fresh piano. You’re not gonna get a piano from a top ten maker if you’re looking to spend under $15,000. So, we highly recommend considering used options at this price range. You can find tons of used, high quality pianos on services such as Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, PianoMart.com, and even local music stores. Many brick-and-mortar piano stores actually post their in-store inventory online, so you can often find great deals on used Yamahas, Steinways, Kawais, and more! When buying used, be sure to test out the piano before you buy, and strive for a piano made in the last 20-25 years. You don’t want to go any older than that, or you will inevitably face mechanical issues and degraded sound quality. You can check out our list at the bottom of this article of piano brands to trust for some help in your used piano search, but we still recommend trying to find a nice Yamaha, Steinway, Kawai, or maybe a Boston. These piano makers have a great reputation and are known for producing high-quality instruments, time after time.
Cristofori G410L – $8,990
If you decide you don’t want to try for a used piano, our first low budget baby grand is Cristofori’s G410L for right at $9,000. Cristofori is owned by Chinese piano manufacturer Pearl River, who produces low-tier pianos at a very high volume. We don’t really recommend Pearl River or Cristofori, as they are made in a mass-production environment, meaning they aren’t assembled with care, and aren’t subjected to the same rigorous testing and high standards like Kawai, Yamaha, and Steinway would be, for example. But, all that being said, if you’re set on buying new and are stuck in this price range, this is probably one of your best options. Check out Cristofori’s website.
Wyman WG145 – $10,963
The second low budget option on our list is Wyman’s WG145 baby grand piano for around $11,000. Wyman has been around since 1949 and was founded by several people involved with the Baldwin piano company and they actually produce in excess of 50,000 pianos per year, which gives this brand a little more credibility than Cristofori. Regardless, when you’re at this price range, you may still be sacrificing build and sound quality. That’s why we still recommend searching for used piano deals at this point. A pre-loved piano of a high-quality may serve you better than a factory-fresh piano with this budget. Check out their website.
Mid Budget Picks ($15,000 – $35,000)
Yamaha GB1K – $15,299
This is the first piano in this list that I highly recommend, despite its extremely reasonable price. Yamaha’s entry level baby grand, the GB1K, comes in at an incredible $15,000 without much sacrifice. The Yamaha GB1K offers amazing value for the extremely affordable price, and remains one of the best selling pianos and a highly popular choice for beginners and professionals. The GB1K is manufactured in Indonesia, as opposed to Japan, like the more premium Yamaha pianos. While most of piano is built in Indonesia, the soundboards (one of the most critical parts of a piano) are crafted in Japan and shipped over. Cheaper labor, cheaper materials, but the same quality soundboard. We highly recommend taking a look at Yamaha’s incredible entry level piano that is fit for a beginner or a professional. Check out the GB1K here.
Kawai GL-10 – $16,195
Another great mid-tier option is Kawai’s GL-10. Here’s what they have to say about his piano. “The Kawai GL-10 is simply the finest 5’0″ baby grand piano in the world today. With the most complete set of music-enhancing features ever offered on a piano of this size, the GL-10 has everything a pianist needs to succeed – superb tone, exceptional touch and a range of exclusive design elements that will sustain its outstanding performance for years to come.” Kawai has established themselves as a reputable maker with exceptional value. Check out their site here.
Yamaha DGB1KE3 – Classic – $19,999
Surprise! Another Yamaha made the list. So, if you take a look at this piano’s model number, it may seem overly long and confusing. But it’s not, I promise. Basically, the DGB1KE3 is a GB1K (the $15,000 Yamaha that we talked about) but it’s equipped with Yamaha’s E3 Disklavier system. Hence, DGB1KE3 (Disklavier GB1K E3). If you’re unfamiliar with Yamaha’s Disklavier system, you’re missing out. The Yamaha Disklavier system is Yamaha’s proprietary piano player system, that allows you to stream piano performances to your acoustic piano, and actually watch the keys and pedals move exactly how the performer played it, all while hearing the piano acoustically play it back. NOT through speakers, but through the piano itself. Also, the E3 system allows you to record on your piano and play it back, plus an additional feature set. So, for an extra $5,000, you not only get an incredible piano, but essentially an on-call 24/7 virtual professional pianist. Check out the below video on the Yamaha E3 Disklavier system.
Kawai GL-20 – $21,295
Kawai is on our list again with their GL-20, a step up from the GL-10. Here’s what Kawai says about the GL-20. “The GL-20 possesses every design element of ground-breaking GL-10 Professional Baby Grand Piano in a larger 5’2″ size that provides greater bass resonance and a more impressive visual profile. The tone of the GL-20 is further enhanced by the addition of Dual Duplex Scaling that produces greater complexity of tone. With its exceptional combination of touch and tone, the GL-20 is a potent performer with a petite profile.” This is another incredible option for pros and beginners alike.
Yamaha DGB1K ENST – $30,249
And yet we find ourselves at Yamaha once again. And once again we are looking at another variation of Yamaha’s famous GB1K baby grand piano. This time, suited with Yamaha’s newest edition of the Disklavier system – the Enspire Standard. This is essentially an updated system to the E3, which offers smaller hardware underneath the piano, updated solenoids, and more. No picture of this one becasue it is the same as the base GB1K that we covered earlier. Check out the Yamaha DGB1K ENST here.
High Budget Picks ($35,000 – $100,000)
Yamaha C1X – $37,999
Yamaha’s C1X is the flagship piano of their CX series, which is known as the most recorded piano in history. We don’t have the stats to actually back up Yamaha’s claim, but we wouldn’t doubt it. Yamaha’s C7X is the most popular studio piano in the world, so that would make sense. If you’re looking for premium sound, premium quality, and overall a simply incredible instrument, look no further. Here’s Yamaha’s page on their CX series.
Yamaha DGC1 ENST – $44,499
Yamaha’s DGC1 ENST is essentially the upgraded Enspire Disklavier system on their premium GC1 baby grand piano. This piano is 5’3″ long and is completely manufactured in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Yamaha DGC2 ENST – $49,599
Yamaha’s DGC1 ENST is essentially the upgraded Enspire Disklavier system on their premium GC2 baby grand piano. This piano is 5’8″ long and is completely manufactured in Hamamatsu, Japan. The GC2 model piano is 5 inches longer than the GC1 and will offer a more rich sound and more prominent bass.
Steinway Model S – $86,600
And here we are. Steinway & Sons finally made this list with their world famous Model S, not to be confused with the Tesla Model S. At a pretty $86,600, this is for a true lover of music and is backed up by Steinway’s incredibly strong reputation that has stood the test of time. Over 170 years of time, actually.
Other Piano Expenses to Take into Consideration
Owning a baby grand piano can be a significant investment, and there are a number of costs to consider beyond the initial purchase price. Here are some of the most common costs associated with owning a baby grand piano:
Tuning
A grand piano should be tuned at least once a year, and possibly more frequently if it is played regularly or exposed to environmental changes. The cost of tuning can vary depending on your location and the piano technician you hire, but you can expect to pay around $100-$200 per tuning.
Maintenance and repairs:
Over time, a grand piano may require maintenance or repairs, such as replacing worn-out hammers or piano strings. The cost of these services can vary depending on the nature of the work and the technician you hire.
Piano bench
A proper piano bench is necessary to play a grand piano comfortably. The cost of a piano bench can range from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the quality and materials used.
Moving
If you need to move your grand piano to a new location, you will need to hire a professional piano mover. The cost of moving a grand piano can vary depending on the distance, the difficulty of the move, and the mover you hire.
Insurance
Finally, it is a good idea to insure your grand piano in case of damage or theft. The cost of insurance will depend on the value of your piano and the policy you choose.
Overall, owning a grand piano can be a significant financial commitment, but for many musicians and music enthusiasts, the investment is well worth it for the joy and beauty that the instrument can bring.
Piano Manufacturers to Trust
- Yamaha
- Steinway
- Kawai
- BÖSENDORFER
- SCHIMMEL
- FAZIOLI
- STEINGRAEBER & SÖHNE
- Bechstein
- Blüthner
Piano Manufacturers to Avoid
- Wurlitzer
- Daewoo
- Kranich & Bach
- Samick
- Marantz
- Lindner
- Artesia
- Gewa
- Suzuki
- Young Chang
To Sum Up
A baby grand piano can be a wonderful addition to any home or music space, offering not only a beautiful aesthetic but also the opportunity for music-making and enjoyment. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pianist, there is a baby grand piano out there for every budget. From the affordable yet high-quality models by Yamaha and Kawai, to the more luxurious and handcrafted instruments by Steinway and Sons, there is a wide range of options to choose from. By considering your needs and preferences, as well as the quality and value of each instrument, you can find the perfect baby grand piano that will provide you with years of musical pleasure and inspiration.
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