Kawai ES60 review

The ES60 is Kawai's answer for buyers who want a real graded hammer action on a tight budget. Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Lite action with 88 grade-weighted keys and Light, Normal and Heavy touch curve settings, plus Harmonic Imaging sound built from its SK-EX recording with 192-note polyphony. There are 17 sounds, 3 reverb types and two 12 cm full-range speakers rated at 20W in total. The body is 51 inches wide and 6 inches tall without the music rest, so it slides onto a desk or shelf easily. Kawai America listed it at $449 during its fall sale, against a $599 MSRP, which makes it the cheapest verified piano on this list. You give up the heavier Responsive Hammer Compact action and the deeper app adjustments of the ES120, and the included pedal is a basic on/off switch. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Budget buyers who still want graded hammer keys from a piano maker.

Price

$449 on Kawai America's site when checked (fall sale; $599 MSRP).

MODEL ES60 MSRP: $599 $449
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Responsive Hammer Lite action with 88 grade-weighted keys
• SK-EX recording with Harmonic Imaging and 192-note polyphony
• Light, Normal and Heavy touch curve settings
• 17 sounds and 3 reverb types
• 20W (10W x 2) speakers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest verified price on this list at $449
• Strength: Graded hammer keys with selectable touch curves
• Strength: 192-note polyphony is generous for the price
• Weakness: Lighter Responsive Hammer Lite action, not the ES120's RHC
• Weakness: Only an on/off switch pedal included
• Weakness: Fewer adjustment options than the ES120

Key facts

• Action: Responsive Hammer Lite, 88 grade-weighted keys
• Piano sound: SK-EX recording, Harmonic Imaging
• Polyphony: 192
• Speakers: 12 cm x 2, 20W total
• Width: 51 inches (129.5 cm)

Where it ranks

Kawai ES60 is No. 4 in our Best Digital Pianos verdict.