The Yamaha P-series, generation by generation
The P-series is what most people mean by "a digital piano": a slab you can carry, with 88 weighted keys and no cabinet. Yamaha has run it for two decades, and the model number moves for a reason - every new number is a new key action generation. This page documents all 17 P-series models in our database in order, with the action, polyphony, amplification and weight we hold for each one. Released dates run from to Oct 2024, documented MSRPs from $449–$2199.
Entry: first piano, lowest price
7 modelsWeights across this rung: 11.1–12 kg.
| Model | Released | Key action | Polyphony | Speakers | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha P-95 | 2010 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 64 | 12 W | 12 kg | Discontinued |
| Yamaha P-105 | 2012 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 128 | 14 W | 11.7 kg | Discontinued (legacy) |
| Yamaha P-35 | 2012 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 32 | 12 W | 11.5 kg | Discontinued |
| Yamaha P-115 | 2015 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 192 | 14 W | 11.8 kg | Discontinued (legacy) |
| Yamaha P-45 | 2015 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 64 | 12 W | 11.5 kg | Discontinued (legacy) |
| Yamaha P-143 | Jul 2023 | GHC (Graded Hammer Compact) | 64 | 14 W | 11.1 kg | Current |
| Yamaha P-145 | Jul 2024 | GHC (Graded Hammer Compact) | 64 | 14 W | 11.1 kg | Current |
Mid: the default recommendation
4 modelsWeights across this rung: 10–11.8 kg.
| Model | Released | Key action | Polyphony | Speakers | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha P-121 | 2018 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 192 | 14 W | 10 kg | Discontinued (legacy) |
| Yamaha P-125 | 2018 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 192 | 14 W | 11.8 kg | Discontinued (legacy) |
| Yamaha P-125a | Jul 2022 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 192 | 14 W | 11.8 kg | Current |
| Yamaha P-225 | Oct 2024 | GHC (Graded Hammer Compact) | 192 | 14 W | 11.5 kg | Current |
Upper: the portable that plays like a home piano
4 modelsWeights across this rung: 17.3–22 kg.
| Model | Released | Key action | Polyphony | Speakers | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha P-155 | 2010 | GH (Graded Hammer) | 128 | 24 W | 18.6 kg | Discontinued (legacy) |
| Yamaha P-255 | 2014 | GH (Graded Hammer) | 256 | 30 W | 17.3 kg | Discontinued |
| Yamaha P-515 | 2018 | NWX (Natural Wood X) | 256 | 40 W | 22 kg | Discontinued |
| Yamaha P-525 | Oct 2024 | GrandTouch-S | 256 | 52 W | 22 kg | Current |
The rest of the line
2 models| Model | Released | Key action | Polyphony | Speakers | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha P-145BT | — | Graded Hammer Compact (GHC), matte black keytops | 64 | 14 W | 11.1 kg | Current |
| Yamaha P-S500 | Oct 2023 | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | 256 | 52 W | 21.8 kg | Current |
What changes as you climb
The action. The entry rung has carried three keybeds: the graded hammer action of the P-45/105/115 era, then the compact graded action Yamaha introduced with the P-145, and the full-weight action of the upper models. Our key action decoder names what is inside each one; the table above shows which P models share a keybed, which is the single best clue to how a used P will feel.
Amplification and speakers. Entry models amplify modestly; the upper rung roughly doubles output. If you play with others or in a room with soft furnishings, that difference matters more than the sample set. Current span in the line: 12–52 W.
Weight. The lightest 88-key model in the line is Yamaha P-121 (10 kg), the heaviest is Yamaha P-515 (22 kg). The 73-key variants sit at the bottom of the range - they exist to be carried, not to save money.
Voices and features. Polyphony settles at 192 voices from the mid rung up, but the practical difference between rungs is not the voice count: it is the number of usable pianos, the pedal response and whether the model carries the app/Bluetooth layer. Those are listed model by model on each page.
How to use this page when buying used
Two P models with the same number of keys can be a decade apart in action. Find the generation in the table, then check the model page for the discontinued year and the used-market score - the P-series is one of the lines where a withdrawn model is often the better instrument than a new entry model at the same money.
Every maker at a glance - the full map of lines, rungs and price bands - is on the model ladders overview.
Frequently asked questions
How often does Yamaha replace the P-series?
Roughly every two to three years at entry level and less often at the top. In our database the documented introductions run from — to Oct 2024, with the entry rung refreshed most often.
Is the P-45 or P-145 a better buy today?
The P-145 replaced the P-45 recently enough that both are widely available used. Compare them by the same rows in the table above: action, polyphony, speakers, weight. The newer model carries the newer keybed, which is the part you cannot upgrade.
What is the P-S500?
It is the streaming/companion model of the line: same portable-piano idea with the app layer built deeper into the instrument. It appears in the tables above with its documented release date.
Do P-series pianos have the same keybed for 73 and 88 keys?
Yes - the 73-key variants of the same model number share the action and differ in size and weight. Our model pages list the key count and weight for each variant separately.