NU-X 88-Key Digital Piano
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted) and 88 keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
The Best Weighted Digital Pianos in the UK (2026)
Weighted keys are what separate a real digital piano from a keyboard. This guide explains the different key actions, what 'hammer action' and 'graded' really mean, and which weighted models we rate.
Quick answer
If you want a digital piano that feels like an acoustic, look for fully weighted, hammer-action keys, ideally graded so the bass keys feel slightly heavier than the treble. Touch sensitivity (the keys responding to how hard you play) should come as standard. The exact action varies between brands and models, so where you can, play it or read owner feedback on the feel before deciding.
Weighted, semi-weighted and unweighted explained
- Unweighted (synth-action): light, springy keys like a basic keyboard. Cheap and light, but they do not feel or behave like a piano.
- Semi-weighted: some added resistance, usually from springs, so they feel firmer than synth keys but still lighter than a real piano. A middle ground, fine for casual play.
- Fully weighted (hammer action): a small hammer mechanism under each key gives genuine weight and resistance, recreating the feel of an acoustic piano. This is what you want for proper technique and expressive playing.
What 'hammer action' and 'graded' mean
On an acoustic piano, pressing a key swings a felt hammer at the strings, so the keys have real weight that you feel. Hammer-action digital keys use a weighted mechanism to imitate this, which is why they feel so much more like the real thing. Graded (or graded hammer) action goes a step further: the low keys are made slightly heavier and the high keys slightly lighter, exactly as they are on a real grand piano. Graded actions feel the most authentic, especially as your playing develops.
Why touch sensitivity matters
A weighted key action only feels truly realistic if the piano is also touch sensitive - meaning it plays louder when you strike a key hard and softer when you play gently, just like an acoustic. This is what lets you shape a phrase and play with expression. Most weighted digital pianos include touch sensitivity, often with adjustable settings so you can match it to your strength and style. Without it, even weighted keys sound flat and mechanical.
What to look for in a weighted piano
- Fully weighted, hammer-action keys, graded if possible, for the most authentic feel.
- Touch sensitivity so the sound responds to how hard you play.
- 88 keys for the full piano range.
- A natural main piano sound, judged through headphones if you can, since speakers colour the tone.
- Build quality of the keybed, which you can gauge from owner feedback on how the action holds up.
- A headphone socket and pedal input for realistic, quiet practice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing semi-weighted with fully weighted - they feel very different to play.
- Assuming all weighted actions feel the same; they vary between brands and models.
- Ignoring touch sensitivity, which is what makes a weighted key feel alive.
- Judging a piano on its speakers alone rather than playing it through headphones.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Yamaha
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted), best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#3 
Yamaha
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted) and 88 keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#4 
Eastar 88-Key Digital Piano
A practical digital piano with fully weighted hammer-action keys and 88 keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#5 
Yamaha YDP-S35
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted) and 88 keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#6 
Casio
A practical digital piano with weighted keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#7 
Yamaha P-145
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted), best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#8 
Yamaha
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted) and 88 keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#9 
Korg
A practical digital piano with weighted keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
#10 
Yamaha
A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted), best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between weighted and semi-weighted keys?
Fully weighted, hammer-action keys use a weighted mechanism to recreate the feel of an acoustic piano. Semi-weighted keys add some resistance, usually from springs, but feel lighter and springier. Weighted keys are better for building proper piano technique.
What does 'graded hammer action' mean?
Graded hammer action makes the lower keys slightly heavier and the higher keys slightly lighter, just as they are on a real grand piano. It is the most authentic-feeling type of digital key action.
Do I need weighted keys to learn piano?
If you want your technique to transfer to a real piano, yes. Weighted, hammer-action keys build the finger strength and control that lighter keyboards do not, and they let you play with proper expression and dynamics.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the NU-X 88-Key Digital Piano (our score 9.5/10) - A practical digital piano with graded hammer action (fully weighted) and 88 keys, best judged on how the keys feel for the way you play..