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Head-to-head · Best Digital Pianos

Yamaha P-145BT vs Yamaha P45

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Yamaha P-145BT comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.8 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about fit for purpose — read the strengths below before deciding.

Yamaha P-145BT
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Digital Pianos
Yamaha P-145BT
2 sourcesall derived$469.99as of Jul 31

For 2026 the Yamaha P-145BT is one of the top recommendations for beginners, built around a refined Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) action that runs quieter and smoother than the one it replaces. Reviewers liked the Smart Pianist app support and the added Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and app control. The built-in speakers do fine in a small room without ever being remarkable, and 64-note polyphony will eventually hem in advanced players. A USB audio interface, triple pedal compatibility, and a battery power option make it practical for quiet practice and for moving around. Total beginners and adults returning to piano are the fit; anyone filling a larger room will want more speaker.

Strengths
  • — Fully weighted Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) action provides quiet, smooth, and lighter key response compared to previous GHS action
  • — Built-in USB audio interface supports recording directly into music software with zero latency
  • — Compatible with Yamaha Smart Pianist app and Yamaha RecNShare app for enhanced learning and recording features
Watch-outs
  • — Speakers are good but not exceptional, requiring headphones or external speakers for larger spaces
  • — 64-note polyphony may be limiting for advanced classical players using heavy sustain pedal techniques
$469.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Yamaha P45
Ranked #3 in Best Digital Pianos
Yamaha P45
4 sources3 derived$714.99as of Jul 31

The Yamaha P-45 is an entry-level digital piano with a fully weighted graded hammer action keyboard, which is what beginners are usually after when they want acoustic piano feel. Reviewers noted the 88 keys, the graded hammer action, and 10 instrument voices covering grand and electric pianos. With 64-note polyphony and 12W of speaker power it plays responsively and gets loud enough for home use. Its function controls hide behind the piano keys instead of buttons, which some players find inconvenient. Beginners and intermediates who want a quality instrument at an affordable price should look; anyone who needs advanced features like split mode should consider alternatives.

Strengths
  • — 88 fully weighted graded hammer action keys that approximate the feel of an acoustic piano
  • — 10 built-in instrument voices including 2 grand pianos and 2 electric pianos
  • — 64-note polyphony allowing for complex playing without sound drop-out
Watch-outs
  • — Function controls are accessed via piano keys rather than dedicated buttons, requiring a manual reference
  • — No bass guitar voice or split mode for layered playing
$714.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Yamaha P45

The Yamaha P-45 provides a fully weighted graded hammer action that's similar to the P-145BT's GHC action, but it lacks the advanced connectivity features, USB audio interface, and Smart Pianist app support that make the P-145BT more appealing for modern users. While both are entry-level pianos, the P-145BT offers better portability and wireless capabilities, making it more suitable for those practicing in quiet environments.

Specs side-by-side

SpecYamaha P-145BTYamaha P45
Number Of Keys88 fully weighted88 fully weighted graded hammer action
Key ActionGraded Hammer Compact (GHC)Graded Hammer Standard action
Polyphony64 notes64 notes
Sound Count10 sounds10
ConnectivityUSB audio/MIDI, BluetoothUSB to Host, Headphone jack, Sustain Pedal jack
Speaker Output2x7W12W
Weight24.5 lb25.4 lb
Dimensions52.2 (133 cm) x 10.5 (26.8 cm) x 5 (12.9 cm)1,326 x 295 x 154 mm
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