Main trade-off
Kawai ES60
One headphone socket and no onboard recorder narrow shared practice options.
Head-to-head
Kawai ES60 vs Kawai ES120: ES120 adds two listeners and phone music, ES60 lightens solo practice
The short answer
Choose the ES120 for phone music, two listeners and quick onboard playback. Choose the ES60 for a simpler solo setup with dedicated outputs and a lighter body.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Two headphone listeners are a real upgrade, not a sound claim
ES120 has two headphone sockets while ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room without speakers, the ES120 avoids starting with a shared-jack accessory. This says nothing about which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
What this is based on
ES60: Headphone sockets 1. ES120: Headphone sockets 2. ES60: Keyboard mechanism Responsive Hammer Lite. ES120: Keyboard mechanism Responsive Hammer Compact. Conditional workflow inference from these documented inputs. No matched performance measurement.
Main trade-off
Kawai ES120
USB carries MIDI, so recording the internal sound to a computer needs another route.
Kawai ES60
- Choose it for
- You have a shallow practice surface and use paper music
- You mainly need a light piano with dedicated line outputs
- Main trade-off
- One headphone socket and no onboard recorder narrow shared practice options.
Kawai ES120
- Choose it for
- A second person listens to practice through headphones
- You replay a quick practice take without connecting software
- Main trade-off
- USB carries MIDI, so recording the internal sound to a computer needs another route.
About this comparison
Kawai ES60 vs Kawai ES120: compare headphone sockets, included bluetooth audio reception, internal recorder tracks and the practice routines that change the better choice.
These are Kawai's lighter portable pianos for home practice and occasional moves. The ES120 adds wireless connections, a second headphone socket and an internal recorder without moving to a furniture cabinet.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
A second person listens to practice through headphones
ES120 has two headphone sockets while ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room without speakers, the ES120 avoids starting with a shared-jack accessory. This says nothing about which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
- Kawai ES60
- Caution
- Kawai ES120
- Better fit
You have a shallow practice surface and use paper music
Kawai lists ES60 at 260 mm deep without the rest and 325 mm with it. ES120 rises from 280 to 350 mm. The score-reading setup therefore adds 25 mm of depth between them, rather than relying only on a bare-body comparison.
- Kawai ES60
- Better fit
- Kawai ES120
- Good
You replay a quick practice take without connecting software
ES120 stores three one-part songs internally. ES60 has no onboard recorder. For a player who wants to hear back a phrase immediately, this removes a connected-device step. It does not give independent left and right recording tracks, so more elaborate practice still needs another method.
- Kawai ES60
- Caution
- Kawai ES120
- Better fit
You mainly need a light piano with dedicated line outputs
ES60 already supplies the outputs and its bare body is 1 kg lighter. Add the stand and rest separately.
- Kawai ES60
- Better fit
- Kawai ES120
- Good
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Two headphone listeners are a real upgrade, not a sound claim
ES120 has two headphone sockets while ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room without speakers, the ES120 avoids starting with a shared-jack accessory. This says nothing about which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
How we reached this conclusion
ES60: Headphone sockets 1. ES120: Headphone sockets 2. ES60: Keyboard mechanism Responsive Hammer Lite. ES120: Keyboard mechanism Responsive Hammer Compact. Conditional workflow inference from these documented inputs. No matched performance measurement.
A paper score changes how much depth to reserve
Kawai lists ES60 at 260 mm deep without the rest and 325 mm with it. ES120 rises from 280 to 350 mm. The score-reading setup therefore adds 25 mm of depth between them, rather than relying only on a bare-body comparison.
How we reached this conclusion
ES60: Depth before music rest 260 mm. ES120: Depth before music rest 280 mm. ES60: Depth with music rest 325 mm. ES120: Depth with music rest 350 mm. Conditional workflow inference from these documented inputs. No matched performance measurement.
A short take can stay on the ES120
ES120 stores three one-part songs internally. ES60 has no onboard recorder. For a player who wants to hear back a phrase immediately, this removes a connected-device step. It does not give independent left and right recording tracks, so more elaborate practice still needs another method.
How we reached this conclusion
ES60: Internal recorder tracks No internal recorder. ES120: Internal recorder tracks 1. ES60: Live USB audio interface No. ES120: Live USB audio interface No. Conditional workflow inference from these documented inputs. No matched performance measurement.
Choice A
Kawai, ES60
ES60
The ES60 keeps dedicated line outputs in a light 11 kg body. It is a useful starting point when the piano moves between a small practice space and an external speaker setup.
- Best matched use
- You have a shallow practice surface and use paper music
Checked facts
- Headphone sockets: 1
- Included Bluetooth audio reception: No
- Internal recorder tracks: No internal recorder
- Listed instrument weight: 11 kg (without music rest)
Choice B
Kawai, ES120
ES120
Bluetooth audio and MIDI, two headphone sockets and dedicated line outputs give the ES120 flexible connections without moving to a heavy cabinet. The onboard recorder stores three one-part songs.
- Best matched use
- A second person listens to practice through headphones
Checked facts
- Headphone sockets: 2
- Included Bluetooth audio reception: Yes
- Internal recorder tracks: 1
- Listed instrument weight: 12 kg (without music rest)
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Kawai ES60 | Kawai ES120 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headphone sockets | 1 | 2 | Count physical listeners and check plug sizes and mode routing before planning a shared session. |
| Included Bluetooth audio reception | No | Yes | Audio reception carries backing music from a supported device, not sound to wireless headphones. |
| Internal recorder tracks | No internal recorder | 1 | Track allocation and independent overdubbing matter more than a large number alone. |
| Listed instrument weight | 11 kg (without music rest) | 12 kg (without music rest) | Plan the moving load using the stated measurement basis, then add the stand, case and accessories. |
| Depth before music rest | 260 mm | 280 mm | Bare depth excludes the music rest, cable route and comfortable playing clearance. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Kawai ES60
- Bluetooth is not built in, and the included pedal is a switch.
If you choose Kawai ES120
- A three-pedal unit and furniture stand are optional.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You have a shallow practice surface and use paper music
Choose Kawai ES60. Kawai lists ES60 at 260 mm deep without the rest and 325 mm with it. ES120 rises from 280 to 350 mm. The score-reading setup therefore adds 25 mm of depth between them, rather than relying only on a bare-body comparison.
A second person listens to practice through headphones
Choose Kawai ES120. ES120 has two headphone sockets while ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room without speakers, the ES120 avoids starting with a shared-jack accessory. This says nothing about which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
You require a verified winner for mechanical key noise or personal playing comfort
Choose neither. The manufacturer records do not provide a matched test for those outcomes. Try the instruments in your intended conditions.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
What this comparison cannot tell you
- The comparison uses documented specifications and conditional setup reasoning. We have not measured key feel, mechanical noise or speaker performance side by side.
- Dimensions describe the specified body or cabinet. Leave room for the rest, cables, bench and player.
- Check the exact Amazon model, color, supplied accessories, condition and delivery date before ordering.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current digital pianos comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawai ES60 |
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| Kawai ES120 |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Kawai ES60
You have a shallow practice surface and use paper music
See price & reviews on AmazonKawai ES120
A second person listens to practice through headphones
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.