Do you know the difference between a Kawai piano and a Steinway & Sons piano? What you should know is that buying this kind of musical instrument is a long-term investment. Just as you can’t take playing the piano lightly, you have to take buying a new piano or used pianos seriously. Whether it’s before, during, or even after learning to play it.
While you can always consider how much money and how much time you’ll need to invest, the decision isn’t always that simple. In this article, let's have an overview of the piano as a musical instrument and review some of the most popular piano brands in Canada, alongside their strong features and prices.
| Piano Type | Model/Brand | Standout Features | Price Range in Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic Upright | Yamaha U1 | Classic upright, rich sound, durable | $7,000 - $12,000 |
| Acoustic Grand | Steinway Model S | Baby grand, premium craftsmanship | $40,000 - $60,000 |
| Acoustic Grand | Yamaha C3 | Popular grand, balanced tone | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Digital Piano | Yamaha Clavinova CLP-885 | Authentic grand feel, world-class sound | $4,000 - $7,000 |
| Digital Piano | Roland FP10 ACR | Affordable, professional weighted keys | $1,000 - $1,500 |
| Digital Piano | Kawai MP11SE | Flagship, professional stage piano | $7,000 - $9,000 |
📝Factors Influencing Piano Prices
The price of a piano depends on several factors, which often reflect your piano-playing goals and preferences.
📌Type of Piano
The price of a piano depends on what type of piano you’re looking at. The most common types of piano in the market are the acoustic piano and the digital piano.
Acoustic piano
- Includes upright piano and grand piano
- Upright pianos have vertical strings, smaller in size; grand pianos have horizontal strings, larger in size
- Grand pianos offer a richer tone and sound quality than upright pianos, and are more costly than upright pianos
Digital piano
- Comes with different sizes and models that mimic the structure of upright pianos
- Fully dependent on electronic sound production with adjustable volumes and piano sound effects
- Lighter, portable, and more affordable than acoustic pianos
If you’re learning the piano as an absolute beginner or as a hobby, it’s recommended that you get a generic and versatile electronic or digital piano, as it's easier to set up and also more affordable. Additionally, digital pianos allow you to plug headphones in to practice by yourself.
📌Brand and Manufacturer
Brand and manufacturer reputation play a significant role in piano pricing. The more well-known the brand, the higher the cost of the piano. This is because reputable manufacturers are known for producing high-quality instruments that hold their value over time, especially in these three key areas:
Durability and consistency
- Yamaha- known for modern manufacturing techniques to keep the piano durable
- Consistent and bright sound quality, popular in music schools
Great craftsmanship
- Steinway and Sons- known for meticulously handcrafted pianos
- Widely used by professional pianists during concerts and competitions
History and heritage
- Bechstein- founded in Berlin in 1853, known for premium German materials
- Widely used in professional recording and by famous performers
📌New vs. Used Pianos
Another criterion to consider when buying a piano is whether you intend to buy a brand-new piano or a secondhand one. Both options have their pros and cons, so it very much depends on your budget and buying needs. Here's an overview of both options.
📌Additional Features and Technology
Finally, a piano is likely to have a higher price when it has more features. This is more apparent in digital pianos, where there are more add-on technology features such as headphones, Bluetooth connection, built-in learning tools, speaker systems, weighted keys (for better grip), and many more.
🔍Price Ranges for Different Piano Types
Now let's look at the price ranges for different pianos, so you'll have a rough estimate of the maximum budget before purchasing one.
🎶Digital Pianos
In the case of digital pianos, they are usually on the more affordable side where the price may vary according to different models. The best way to start is to choose a digital piano based on your current level of playing (beginner to advanced) and the range of offered features.
It's best to review and compare the piano models across different retailers, as prices vary by retailer, online (special sales), or physical buying, as well as specific model features.
If you are a beginner and on a budget, it's best to start with entry-level digital pianos. Intermediate players and seasoned performers can aim for mid-range or high-end digital pianos. It would be a good idea to know the piano's size before buying one, as sometimes you have to consider the transportation method. Let's review the price range of digital pianos in Canada. 1
| Level | Model | Approximate Price (CAD) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | Roland FP-10 | $780 CAD (approx.) | 88 weighted keys, PHA-4 Standard action with escapement and ivory feel; SuperNATURAL sound engine with 15 sounds; 96-note polyphony. |
| Entry-Level | Casio CDP-S160 | $450 - $850 CAD | 88 scaled hammer-action keys; 10 tones; 64-note polyphony; stereo speakers with reverb and chorus. |
| Mid-Range | Roland RP-107 | $1,900 - $2,200 CAD | 88 weighted keys with PHA-4 Standard keyboard and escapement; SuperNATURAL Piano sound. Consists 128-note polyphony; 15 tones; built-in lessons and 377 internal songs; Bluetooth 4.2; USB connectivity; includes stand and bench. |
| Mid-Range | Roland FP-30X | $1,500 - $2,000 CAD | 88 weighted keys with PHA-4 Standard action; SuperNATURAL Piano modeling. Consists 256-note polyphony; Bluetooth audio and MIDI; powerful speakers; multiple tones and recording features. |
| Mid-Range | Kawai CA401 | $3,700 - $4,000 CAD | Grand Feel Compact wooden-key keyboard action; Harmonic Imaging sound engine. Consists 192-note polyphony; Bluetooth MIDI/AUDIO; speaker system with 4 speakers; high quality cabinet and music rest. |
| High-End | Roland DP-603 | $5,500 - $7,000 CAD | PHA-50 keyboard with wood and molded material keys; PureAcoustic Piano Modeling sound engine. Consists 128-note polyphony; multi-speaker system (4 speakers with tweeters); Bluetooth; Luxe wooden cabinet design. |
| High-End | Roland LX708 | $8,000 - $9,500 CAD+ | PHA-50 keyboard with escapement and Ivory/Ebony feel; PureAcoustic Piano Modelling. Consists 256-note polyphony; 6-speaker acoustic projection system; Bluetooth audio and MIDI; adjustable key touch; elegant wooden grand design. |
🎶Acoustic Pianos
It's not worth beating about the bush - buying an upright piano or a grand piano when you’re just starting out seems highly ambitious.
However, it could be a worthwhile investment in the long run if you intend to sit for official piano examinations from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or choose piano as a university major one day.
Bear in mind that the starting prices for upright pianos and grand pianos may differ a lot based on the materials and design.
Let's have a look at the price variations for the upright pianos, based on estimation and regional prices in Canada. 2
| Piano Type | Size / Category | Examples | Price Range (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright Piano | Entry to Mid Used | Kawai 48" professional upright, Young Chang U-111 | $1,000 - $3,000 | Lightly used from reputable brands |
| Upright Piano | Economy / New Used | Baldwin 248-A, Yamaha U1, Yamaha B-1, Kawai 506N | $3,000 - $7,000 | Economy designs, solid traditional uprights |
| Upright Piano | Good New / Quality Used | Young Chang Y-131, Yamaha P22-D, Essex EUP 111E | $7,000 - $10,000 | Higher craftsmanship, some warranty benefits |
| Upright Piano | Top New / Select Used | Kawai K-400, Boston 126E, Yamaha YUS1, Steinway Model 4510 | $10,000 - $20,000 | Premium brands and models with excellent build quality |
Now, let's look at how much a grand piano costs in Canada, on average.
| Piano Type | Size / Category | Examples | Price Range (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Piano | Baby Grand (5'3"-5'8") | Seiler Model 170, Yamaha G5 | $8,000 - $14,000 | Popular size for home use; balances space with sound |
| Grand Piano | Mid/Professional Grand | Young Chang Y186E, Steinway Model M | $15,000 - $23,000+ | Larger, richer tone; used by serious amateurs |
| Grand Piano | Concert Grand | Shigeru Kawai, Mason & Hamlin | $50,000+ | Premium concert instruments with large size and projection |
To get the most out of your acoustic piano, you need to make sure it isn’t a financial strain. You need to choose a piano you can afford. The objective is to find the best piano for you, not the piano made by the best piano manufacturers using the richest mahogany.
Discover how to select your ideal piano.
💰Additional Costs to Consider
Once you’ve found the right piano, you need to consider the additional costs and work out a budget for them.
✔️Maintenance and Tuning
This applies to anyone who owns an acoustic piano, whether it's an upright or grand piano. That's because these pianos are made from wood (sensitive to humidity) and also steel music wires (whose position might change). The more the piano is played, the more it requires tuning for all the keys to be in the right tune. Usually, it takes about 2 to 3 times a year for a proper piano tuning session. 3
You also have to factor in the cost of piano repair work if your piano keys start misaligning or your pedals stop working. The rough figure for basic piano tuning is about 100 to 200 Canadian dollars per session.
✔️Accessories
Some other common accessories that you might consider buying after purchasing your piano include:
- Bench
- Dust cover
- Metronome
- Keyboard stand (for digital pianos)
Don't forget to check out essential piano accessories every pianist must have.
The most expensive piano in the world is the Heintzman Crystal Piano, which is made by Canadian manufacturer Heintzman Pianos. It was auctioned at $3.22 million after renowned pianist Lang Lang performed on it during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 4
✔️Delivery and Setup
Finally, you have to hire a professional delivery service to move your digital pianos and acoustic pianos with care. Getting the right people to move your pianos is important if your residence is quite far away from the retailer and has stairs or tight hallways instead of elevators. Only experienced movers will have the right equipment to move your piano safely without a scratch in a short period of time.
Important note: Some retailers may include delivery as part of the purchase package, so be sure to double-check with them on the exact delivery time so that someone is at home to let them in.
💡Tips for Budget-Conscious Buyers
Whether you are planning to buy a piano for the first time or switch to a different type or model, here are some tips to help you make the right choice.
✨Exploring Used Pianos
You'll be surprised to find many well-maintained used pianos from reputable brands on the market these days. To find good-quality used pianos, you can visit certified dealers in person or check out their official website to gauge the condition of the piano. Many piano brand retailers offer trade-in programs where you can explore a wide range of piano types and models.
Step 1
Shortlist a few piano models while you are browsing at the retailers
Step 2
After reviewing the budget, ask the retailers about the piano's condition, for example, how long the previous owner has had the piano.
Step 3
Look for a qualified piano technician to inspect the piano
Step 4
If you're satisfied, finalize the deal and arrange for delivery
✨Renting vs. Buying
At this point, you should also ask yourself whether renting or buying a piano is a better investment or decision. Many music stores in Canada offer great piano rental services, catering to different piano sizes and types, where they also offer tuning and delivery services. 5 Let's say you are preparing for an audition and want to simulate a more stable playing with a grand piano; it's better to rent one for a few weeks.
Renting would offer greater flexibility and short-term access without having to worry about spending a huge amount of money upfront and wondering if it's going to be worth it in the long term. On the other hand, buying a piano would be a more practical choice if you are staying in a place for a long time while honing your playing skills.
✨Financing Options
Once you have decided whether to rent or buy a piano, you can start planning your financial plan - which one works best for you. For example, you can opt for low to zero-interest monthly payment plans or lease-to-own programs, depending on your budget allocation and long-term needs.
I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea.
Oscar Peterson, Canadian Jazz Pianist
🎹Where to Find Experienced Piano Tutors Near Me?
Now that you have explored the price range of different piano types in Canada, you'll probably be interested in making good use of it by elevating your piano-playing skills.
Regardless of your level, you can always find a qualified and experienced piano tutor at different locations like Toronto, Vancouver, Alberta, Calgary on Superprof.
Just head to the Superprof Canada homepage to start browsing a wide selection of tutors' profiles and start reviewing their essential information, such as their piano qualifications, teaching experience, teaching methodology, online review of past students, and hourly rates.
Once you have decided on the tutor, feel free to contact him or her via the messaging feature to discuss lesson and payment details before your first lesson.
97% of Superprof tutors offer their first lesson for free, so it's bound to be a worthwhile investment!
May you enjoy every moment of your piano-learning journey with the best instrument for you!
References
- Beginner digital pianos. (n.d.). Best Buy Canada. https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/shop/musical-instruments-equipment/beginner-digital-pianos
- Merriam Music Inc. (n.d.). Upright Pianos by Merriam Music. Merriam Music - Toronto’s Top Piano Store & Music School. https://www.merriammusic.com/product-category/all-pianos/upright-pianos/
- Beckett, H. (2024, December 30). Piano Tuning: An Introduction. Piano Buyer. https://www.pianobuyer.com/post/piano-tuning-an-introduction
- Pianist. (2025, June 5). The top 10 most expensive pianos in the world. Pianist. https://www.pianistmagazine.com/blogs/the-most-expensive-pianos-in-the-world/
- Petar. (2023, September 15). Piano Rentals - Short & Long Term Piano Rental Services - Toronto, GTA. Merriam Music - Toronto’s Top Piano Store & Music School. https://www.merriammusic.com/piano-services/piano-rental/
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