Both feel and sound the same; pick the one priced better today.
Picture this. You need a simple, reliable 88-key digital piano that feels like the real thing. The Yamaha P45 vs P71 debate comes up fast. Both are compact, beginner-friendly, and gig-ready. I’ve used both at lessons and small gigs. Below, I share what actually matters so you can choose with confidence.
Is Yamaha P45 Good?
Yes—especially if you want a no-fuss, authentic piano feel. The Yamaha P45’s GHS action feels close to an upright. The sound is warm and clear. It covers practice, teaching, and casual gigs. If you want a trustworthy starter or a light second board, it delivers.
I’ve used the P45 in a small church where setup time was short. It powered on, stayed in tune, and filled the room fine. I also took it to a student’s home. The Duo mode made side-by-side teaching easy. It just works, day in and day out.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 88-key Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) weighted action
- AWM stereo-sampled piano sound with 10 voices
- 64-note polyphony for practice and performance
- Dual/Layers and Duo mode for teaching
- USB to Host for MIDI connection to apps/DAWs
What I Like
- Realistic key feel for the price
- Clean, piano-forward sound that sits well in a mix
- Lightweight and easy to carry to lessons or rehearsals
- Duo mode is great for teacher-student setups
- Simple controls—no menu diving needed
What Could Be Better
- 64-note polyphony can limit dense sustain passages
- Included footswitch is basic; a half-damper pedal is extra
- No built-in recording or advanced features
My Recommendation
If you find a fair price, the Yamaha P45 is a safe, proven pick. Great for beginners, teachers, and casual performers.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Beginners | Weighted keys and simple setup aid fast progress |
| Teachers | Duo mode supports side-by-side lessons |
| Casual gigs | Portable, reliable, and easy to amplify |
Is Yamaha P71 Good?
Yes—the Yamaha P71 is essentially the same piano as the P45, sold as an Amazon-exclusive bundle. It feels the same, sounds the same, and plays the same. Often, the P71 is priced a bit lower. If you want value first, it’s a smart buy.
I used a P71 for a living room recital. It set up in minutes and looked clean in a small space. I also tracked a quick piano part via USB to my laptop. Latency was fine, and the take sounded natural. For most folks, it will meet every need the P45 does.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 88-key GHS weighted action with graded feel
- AWM piano engine with 10 essential voices
- 64-note polyphony for daily practice
- Layering and Duo mode for lessons
- USB connectivity for MIDI and learning apps
What I Like
- Same playability as the P45 at an often lower price
- Simple, clean control layout
- Good bundled value for new players
- USB makes learning apps easy to use
- Light and compact for small rooms
What Could Be Better
- Limited onboard features versus newer models
- Basic sustain pedal included
- Speakers are fine for home, not for loud stages
My Recommendation
If the Yamaha P71 is cheaper than the P45 when you shop, buy it. Same piano, better value.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Bargain hunters | Identical specs with frequent discounts |
| First keyboard | Complete bundle and easy setup |
| Students | Real piano feel helps build technique |
yamaha p45 vs p71: Side-by-Side Test
I played both back-to-back in lessons and small gigs. The yamaha p45 vs p71 choice comes down to price and availability. The feel, sound, and features match in real use.
Key Action & Feel: Which Plays Better?
Both use GHS action. Weight and response feel the same in my hands.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | GHS weighted | GHS weighted |
| Grading | Heavier low, lighter high | Heavier low, lighter high |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Consistency | Stable | Stable |
Ratings: P45 – 8.5/10 | P71 – 8.5/10
Both feel the same; it’s a draw on key action.
Sound Engine & Voices: Which Sounds Better?
Each uses AWM stereo samples with the same voice set.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | AWM stereo | AWM stereo |
| Voices | 10 | 10 |
| Polyphony | 64 notes | 64 notes |
| Layer/Duo | Yes/Yes | Yes/Yes |
Ratings: P45 – 8/10 | P71 – 8/10
Sound is identical; no winner in this round.
Connectivity & Functions: Who Has More?
Daily use shows the same simple, useful set.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| USB to Host (MIDI) | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
| Recording | No | No |
| Metronome/Transpose | Yes/Yes | Yes/Yes |
Ratings: P45 – 7.5/10 | P71 – 7.5/10
Feature sets match; call it even.
Speakers & Volume: Which Fills a Room Better?
For home and quiet rooms, both are fine. For gigs, use an amp.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker quality | Clear, home-ready | Clear, home-ready |
| Loudness | Practice level | Practice level |
| Noise floor | Low | Low |
| Gig use | Needs amp | Needs amp |
Ratings: P45 – 7/10 | P71 – 7/10
No difference; both suit practice and small rooms.
Portability & Build: Which Is Easier to Carry?
They share the same build, size, and weight class.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Light, one-person carry | Light, one-person carry |
| Footprint | Compact | Compact |
| Durability | Solid for price | Solid for price |
| Finish | Matte black | Matte black |
Ratings: P45 – 8/10 | P71 – 8/10
It’s a tie in portability and build.
Learning & Practice: Which Helps You Learn Faster?
Duo mode and simple setup help on both models.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Duo mode | Yes | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes | Yes |
| App/MIDI | Yes, via USB | Yes, via USB |
| Ease for beginners | Very easy | Very easy |
Ratings: P45 – 8/10 | P71 – 8/10
Both make lessons smooth; no edge here.
Price & Availability: Who Wins on Value?
Here’s where yamaha p45 vs p71 can differ.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | Stable MSRP | Often discounted |
| Bundles | Varies by seller | Amazon-exclusive bundle |
| Stock | Music stores + online | Amazon only |
| Value | Good | Often best |
Ratings: P45 – 8/10 | P71 – 8.5/10
P71 often wins on value due to frequent Amazon pricing.
Support & Warranty: Which Feels Safer?
Both are Yamaha at heart. The channel differs.
| Aspect | Yamaha P45 | Yamaha P71 |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | Yamaha warranty | Yamaha warranty |
| Where to service | Yamaha network | Yamaha network |
| Purchase channel | Dealers + online | Amazon-only |
| Returns | Dealer policy | Amazon policy |
Ratings: P45 – 8/10 | P71 – 8/10
Support is the same; buying channel is the key difference.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Both are the same piano in feel, sound, and features. In the yamaha p45 vs p71 matchup, I recommend choosing by price and where you prefer to buy.
If the Yamaha P71 is cheaper, grab it. If the Yamaha P45 has the better deal or you want local dealer support, choose it. You will not feel a difference when you play.
FAQs Of yamaha p45 vs p71
What is the real difference in yamaha p45 vs p71?
They are functionally the same. Same keys, sound, polyphony, and basic features. The P71 is an Amazon-exclusive package that often costs less.
Does one feel better to play?
No. Both use Yamaha’s GHS action. In my tests, the feel is the same across the board.
Which is better for beginners in yamaha p45 vs p71?
Both are great for beginners. Pick the one that fits your budget and buying preference. You won’t miss any features by choosing either.
Do both support MIDI and apps?
Yes. Both connect over USB for MIDI. You can use them with learning apps and DAWs.
Which has better speakers in yamaha p45 vs p71?
Neither has an edge. Both are fine for home practice. For gigs, use an amp or PA.
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