The catch
Kawai ES60
Shared practice is harder with one headphone socket and no onboard recorder.
Side by side
Kawai ES60 vs Kawai ES120: ES120 brings two listeners and phone music, and ES60 makes solo practice lighter
Quick verdict
Pick the ES120 for phone music, two listeners and quick onboard playback. The ES60 suits a simpler solo setup with dedicated outputs and a lighter body.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Two headphone sockets are a genuine upgrade, not a sound-quality claim
The ES120 has two headphone sockets, and the ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room with no speakers, the ES120 spares you from starting with a shared-jack accessory. None of this says which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
Where this comes from
Headphone sockets: ES60 1, ES120 2. Keyboard mechanism: ES60 Responsive Hammer Lite, ES120 Responsive Hammer Compact. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
The catch
Kawai ES120
Because USB carries MIDI, getting the internal sound onto a computer takes a different route.
Kawai ES60
- Why pick it
- Your practice surface is shallow and you read paper music
- What you mostly need is a light piano with dedicated line outputs
- The catch
- Shared practice is harder with one headphone socket and no onboard recorder.
Kawai ES120
- Why pick it
- Another person listens to your practice on headphones
- You play back a quick practice take with no software connected
- The catch
- Because USB carries MIDI, getting the internal sound onto a computer takes a different route.
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What this page compares
Kawai ES60 vs Kawai ES120, compared on headphone sockets, included Bluetooth audio reception and internal recorder tracks, plus the practice routines that decide the better choice.
Both are lighter portable pianos from Kawai for home practice and occasional moves. The ES120 brings wireless connections, a second headphone socket and an internal recorder, and you don't have to move to a furniture cabinet to get them.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Another person listens to your practice on headphones
The ES120 has two headphone sockets, and the ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room with no speakers, the ES120 spares you from starting with a shared-jack accessory. None of this says which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
- Kawai ES60
- Caution
- Kawai ES120
- Better fit
Your practice surface is shallow and you read paper music
Without the rest, Kawai lists the ES60 at 260 mm deep, and with it at 325 mm. The ES120 goes from 280 to 350 mm. With a score on the rest, the gap between them is therefore 25 mm of depth, which a bare-body comparison alone would not show.
- Kawai ES60
- Better fit
- Kawai ES120
- Good
You play back a quick practice take with no software connected
Three one-part songs can be stored internally on the ES120, while the ES60 has no onboard recorder. If you want to hear a phrase straight back, that removes the step of connecting a device. It does not offer independent left and right recording tracks, so more elaborate practice still calls for another method.
- Kawai ES60
- Caution
- Kawai ES120
- Better fit
What you mostly need is a light piano with dedicated line outputs
The outputs are already on the ES60, and its bare body is 1 kg lighter. Count the stand and rest separately.
- Kawai ES60
- Better fit
- Kawai ES120
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Two headphone sockets are a genuine upgrade, not a sound-quality claim
The ES120 has two headphone sockets, and the ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room with no speakers, the ES120 spares you from starting with a shared-jack accessory. None of this says which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
How we worked this out
Headphone sockets: ES60 1, ES120 2. Keyboard mechanism: ES60 Responsive Hammer Lite, ES120 Responsive Hammer Compact. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Reading paper scores changes how much depth to set aside
Without the rest, Kawai lists the ES60 at 260 mm deep, and with it at 325 mm. The ES120 goes from 280 to 350 mm. With a score on the rest, the gap between them is therefore 25 mm of depth, which a bare-body comparison alone would not show.
How we worked this out
Depth before music rest: ES60 260 mm, ES120 280 mm. Depth with music rest: ES60 325 mm, ES120 350 mm. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
The ES120 can hold a short take
Three one-part songs can be stored internally on the ES120, while the ES60 has no onboard recorder. If you want to hear a phrase straight back, that removes the step of connecting a device. It does not offer independent left and right recording tracks, so more elaborate practice still calls for another method.
How we worked this out
Internal recorder tracks: ES60 No internal recorder, ES120 1. Live USB audio interface: ES60 No, ES120 No. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Option A
Kawai, ES60
ES60
Dedicated line outputs sit in a light 11 kg body on the ES60. That makes it a good starting point if the piano travels between a small practice space and an external speaker setup.
- Best for
- Your practice surface is shallow and you read paper music
Facts we checked
- Sockets for headphones: 1
- Bluetooth audio reception included: No
- Internal recorder tracks: There is no internal recorder
- Instrument weight as listed: 11 kg (without music rest)
Option B
Kawai, ES120
ES120
The ES120 offers flexible connections, namely Bluetooth audio and MIDI, two headphone sockets and dedicated line outputs, and you do not need a heavy cabinet to get them. Its onboard recorder holds three one-part songs.
- Best for
- Another person listens to your practice on headphones
Facts we checked
- Sockets for headphones: 2
- Bluetooth audio reception included: Yes
- Tracks on the internal recorder: 1
- Instrument weight as listed: 12 kg (without music rest)
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Kawai ES60 | Kawai ES120 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headphone sockets | 1 | 2 | Before you plan a shared session, count the actual listeners and check plug sizes and mode routing. |
| Included Bluetooth audio reception | No | Yes | What audio reception brings in is backing music from a supported device. It does not send sound to wireless headphones. |
| Internal recorder tracks | No internal recorder | 1 | A large number by itself counts for less than track allocation and independent overdubbing. |
| Listed instrument weight | 11 kg (without music rest) | 12 kg (without music rest) | Work out the load you will be moving from the stated measurement basis, and then add the stand, case and accessories. |
| Depth before music rest | 260 mm | 280 mm | The music rest, cable route and comfortable playing clearance are all left out of bare depth. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Kawai ES60
- It has no built-in Bluetooth, and the pedal supplied is a switch.
With Kawai ES120
- You can add a three-pedal unit and a furniture stand as options.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your practice surface is shallow and you read paper music
Go with Kawai ES60. Without the rest, Kawai lists the ES60 at 260 mm deep, and with it at 325 mm. The ES120 goes from 280 to 350 mm. With a score on the rest, the gap between them is therefore 25 mm of depth, which a bare-body comparison alone would not show.
Another person listens to your practice on headphones
Go with Kawai ES120. The ES120 has two headphone sockets, and the ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room with no speakers, the ES120 spares you from starting with a shared-jack accessory. None of this says which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
You need a verified winner on mechanical key noise or on personal playing comfort
Neither model fits. Manufacturer records contain no matched test for those outcomes. Try the instruments under the conditions you intend to play in.
Decision guide
How to decide
Two headphone sockets are a genuine upgrade, not a sound-quality claim
The ES120 has two headphone sockets, and the ES60 has one. If a teacher listens in the same room with no speakers, the ES120 spares you from starting with a shared-jack accessory. None of this says which action makes less mechanical sound, which has not been measured here.
Reading paper scores changes how much depth to set aside
Without the rest, Kawai lists the ES60 at 260 mm deep, and with it at 325 mm. The ES120 goes from 280 to 350 mm. With a score on the rest, the gap between them is therefore 25 mm of depth, which a bare-body comparison alone would not show.
The ES120 can hold a short take
Three one-part songs can be stored internally on the ES120, while the ES60 has no onboard recorder. If you want to hear a phrase straight back, that removes the step of connecting a device. It does not offer independent left and right recording tracks, so more elaborate practice still calls for another method.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on documented specifications and conditional reasoning about your setup. We have not put key feel, mechanical noise or speaker performance side by side and measured them.
- The dimensions given are for the specified body or cabinet. Allow space as well for the rest, cables, bench and player.
- Before you order, verify the exact Amazon model, color, supplied accessories, condition and delivery date.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the digital pianos we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawai ES60 |
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| Kawai ES120 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Kawai ES60
Your practice surface is shallow and you read paper music
See price & reviews on AmazonKawai ES120
Another person listens to your practice on headphones
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