For years, the Yamaha P-45 was the undisputed recommendation for anyone wanting to start playing the piano. Now Yamaha is sending the P-145 into the race as the official successor. Expectations are huge! With improved sound, a new keyboard and modern app integration, it promises to do everything better. But can it really fill those big shoes?

In this Yamaha P-145 review we’ve put the instrument through its paces to find out whether it has what it takes to become the next bestseller – and who will really benefit from buying it.

Yamaha P-145: The Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Very good playing feel thanks to GHC keyboard	Key surface made of smooth plastic
High-quality CFIIIS concert grand piano sound	Included sustain pedal unusable
Intuitive operation via Smart Pianist app	Slight weakness in the midrange sound
USB audio interface for easy recording	Optional accessories (stand, pedals) expensive
Compact and lightweight design

Go straight to the Yamaha P-145 here

Design and Build: Compact and Modern

At first glance, it’s clear: the P-145 is even slimmer and more compact than its predecessor. With its minimalist design, it looks tidy and modern. There are only a few buttons: a power switch, a practical volume knob and a function button. All other settings can be controlled via key combinations or – much more conveniently – through the app.

Thanks to its low weight of just 11.1 kg, the P-145 is extremely portable. You can easily place it on a simple keyboard stand and move it out of the way when needed.

Keyboard Check: The New Graded Hammer Compact (GHC)

The heart of any digital piano is its keyboard. Here, Yamaha has installed the new Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) keyboard. Just like on an acoustic grand, the keys are weighted heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble.

A small drawback is the smooth plastic surface of the keys. A textured “Ivory Feel” surface, as offered by some competitors, would have provided even more grip, especially during longer practice sessions.

Sound Worlds: The CFIIIS Concert Grand at Home

Alongside the playing feel, the sound is the most important criterion. And here, the P-145 clearly improves compared to its predecessor. The main piano sound comes from the famous Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand and matches perfectly with the keyboard. For an instrument in this price range, the piano sounds impressively full, detailed and authentic.

In addition to the main tone, you get nine further sounds, including electric pianos, organs and strings. Using the layer function, you can even combine two sounds, for example piano and strings – a classic that always creates a goosebump effect.

Listening very closely, we noticed a small irregularity in the midrange: a few notes sound slightly artificial at a certain touch intensity. In normal playing, however, this is barely noticeable.

Control via App: The Hidden Highlight

Minimalist on the outside, the P-145 shows its real strength when connected to a smartphone or tablet. Compatibility with Yamaha’s free “Smart Pianist app” is a true game-changer. Instead of navigating through menus with key combinations, you can control all functions easily via touchscreen.

Perfect for Online Lessons: The USB Audio/MIDI Interface

Another fantastic innovation is the USB port with integrated audio function. This means you can not only send MIDI data to learning apps, but also route the audio signal of your tablet or computer directly through the piano’s speakers. Perfect for playing along with YouTube tutorials or for online piano lessons with apps like music2me.

Accessories: What You Should Budget For

One area where Yamaha, unfortunately, saves costs – just like with its predecessor – is the included accessories. The package comes with a music rest, power supply and a basic footswitch pedal. We recommend the following extras:

1. The Pedal (a must-have upgrade)
   The biggest downside is the included footswitch. It slips easily and doesn’t provide an authentic playing feel. To play the piano properly, investing in a pedal such as the Yamaha FC3A is essential.

2. The Triple Pedal Unit
   To transform the P-145 into a full home piano, you can combine the stand with the LP5 pedal unit or a FC35 pedal unit.

3. The Matching Stand
   For a stable and correct playing height, we recommend the matching wooden Yamaha L-100 stand. In our large digital piano stand test, however, you’ll also find cheaper alternatives.

Here you can find the Yamaha P-145 as a complete set in different versions:

Yamaha P-145 Mega Bundle Yamaha Home Bundle

Comparison: Yamaha P-145 vs. Predecessor P-45

The P-145 is a consistent evolution. The most important upgrades are the significantly better piano sound (CFIIIS vs. AWM sampling), the more compact GHC keyboard and, above all, the integration of the Smart Pianist app and the USB audio function, which are completely missing in the P-45. These modern features make the P-145 a much more versatile and user-friendly instrument.

Feature	Yamaha P-145	Yamaha P-45
Sound Engine	Yamaha CFIIIS Sampling	AWM Stereo Sampling
Keyboard	Graded Hammer Compact (GHC)	Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)
Polyphony	64 notes	64 notes
App Integration	Yes (Smart Pianist)	No
USB Function	USB-to-Host (Audio & MIDI)	USB-to-Host (MIDI only)
Design	More compact and slim	Slightly larger
Weight	11.1 kg	11.5 kg

My Verdict: A Worthy Successor with Minor Weaknesses

Yes, the Yamaha P-145 is a very successful successor and a clear recommendation in the entry-level segment. Yamaha has improved in the right places: keyboard, sound and connectivity are all top-notch. The integration of the Smart Pianist app is a huge added value, making practice easier and more motivating.

The weaknesses, such as the smooth keys and cheap accessories, are annoying but only slightly affect the overall excellent impression. If you budget for a proper pedal, the P-145 gives you an instrument that will accompany you on your musical journey for many years. It definitely has the potential to become the new bestseller.