The catch
Yamaha P-45
The USB port talks to MIDI software. It cannot record the internal piano sound directly.
Side by side
Yamaha P-45 vs Yamaha P-145BT: P145BT brings phone backing tracks and USB audio, taking less desk depth
Quick verdict
Get the P-145BT if you want phone backing tracks, direct USB audio and a shallower body. The P-45 stays in the running when it costs meaningfully less and you mostly play alone on wired headphones.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Brief practice sessions call for fewer audio connections
Over Bluetooth, a phone can feed a backing track to the P-145BT and the piano stays ready to play. The P-45 has no Bluetooth audio receiver. When your phone is the source of your practice material, that spares you a separate speaker arrangement. If you read paper music and play without accompaniment, the difference counts for less.
Where this comes from
Included Bluetooth audio reception: P-45 No, P-145BT Yes. Headphone sockets: P-45 1, P-145BT 1. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
The catch
Yamaha P-145BT
It offers one headphone connection and has no onboard recorder.
Yamaha P-45
- Why pick it
- A simple solo-practice setup with GHS keys is what you are after
- The catch
- The USB port talks to MIDI software. It cannot record the internal piano sound directly.
Yamaha P-145BT
- Why pick it
- You play along to phone backing tracks in brief practice sessions
- You capture the piano's own sound over USB straight into compatible software
- The catch
- It offers one headphone connection and has no onboard recorder.
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What this page compares
Yamaha P-45 vs Yamaha P-145BT, compared on keyboard mechanism, depth before music rest and live USB audio interface, plus the practice routines that decide the better choice.
These are simple, lightweight 88-key starting points from Yamaha. What matters when upgrading is whether phone-backed practice and recording justify moving beyond the P-45.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
You play along to phone backing tracks in brief practice sessions
Over Bluetooth, a phone can feed a backing track to the P-145BT and the piano stays ready to play. The P-45 has no Bluetooth audio receiver. When your phone is the source of your practice material, that spares you a separate speaker arrangement. If you read paper music and play without accompaniment, the difference counts for less.
- Yamaha P-45
- Good
- Yamaha P-145BT
- Better fit
You capture the piano's own sound over USB straight into compatible software
USB audio comes alongside MIDI on the P-145BT. On the P-45, USB MIDI sends note instructions, so its internal sound has to be captured through an analog audio route. If you want a quick recording of the actual piano, tally up the recording chain before you compare keyboard prices.
- Yamaha P-45
- Caution
- Yamaha P-145BT
- Better fit
Your piano spot lacks depth but has the width for either model
Width is the same on both, at 1326 mm. Depth drops from 295 to 268 mm on the P-145BT, which is 27 mm less. A shallow practice surface benefits, but a narrow wall gains nothing. Before you decide it fits, allow for the music rest, cables and a stable playing position.
- Yamaha P-45
- Good
- Yamaha P-145BT
- Better fit
Solo practice is all you need, and the P-45 costs less
Hammer action, headphones and Duo still come with the P-45. Compare the current price of the complete setup.
- Yamaha P-45
- Better fit
- Yamaha P-145BT
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Brief practice sessions call for fewer audio connections
Over Bluetooth, a phone can feed a backing track to the P-145BT and the piano stays ready to play. The P-45 has no Bluetooth audio receiver. When your phone is the source of your practice material, that spares you a separate speaker arrangement. If you read paper music and play without accompaniment, the difference counts for less.
How we worked this out
Included Bluetooth audio reception: P-45 No, P-145BT Yes. Headphone sockets: P-45 1, P-145BT 1. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Capturing the piano's sound changes which cables you need
USB audio comes alongside MIDI on the P-145BT. On the P-45, USB MIDI sends note instructions, so its internal sound has to be captured through an analog audio route. If you want a quick recording of the actual piano, tally up the recording chain before you compare keyboard prices.
How we worked this out
Live USB audio interface: P-45 No, P-145BT Yes. USB MIDI: P-45 Yes, P-145BT Yes. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
The newer body is shallower but not narrower
Width is the same on both, at 1326 mm. Depth drops from 295 to 268 mm on the P-145BT, which is 27 mm less. A shallow practice surface benefits, but a narrow wall gains nothing. Before you decide it fits, allow for the music rest, cables and a stable playing position.
How we worked this out
Listed width: P-45 1326 mm, P-145BT 1326 mm. Depth before music rest: P-45 295 mm, P-145BT 268 mm. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Option A
Yamaha, P-45
P-45
With ten voices and a graded hammer action, the P-45 stays focused on playing. It works for a plain headphone routine, as long as you can do without Bluetooth backing tracks and direct USB audio.
- Best for
- A simple solo-practice setup with GHS keys is what you are after
Facts we checked
- Keyboard action: GHS
- Depth ahead of the music rest: 295 mm
- Live USB audio interface: Absent
- Bluetooth audio reception included: No
Option B
Yamaha, P-145BT
P-145BT
You get an 88-key hammer action, Bluetooth backing tracks and USB audio recording in the P-145BT. Before turning it into a permanent practice station, pair it with a compatible stand and check the pedal.
- Best for
- You play along to phone backing tracks in brief practice sessions
Facts we checked
- Keyboard action: GHC
- Depth ahead of the music rest: 268 mm
- Live USB audio interface: Present
- Bluetooth audio reception included: Yes
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Yamaha P-45 | Yamaha P-145BT | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard mechanism | GHS | GHC | Try out the documented mechanism before taking its name as a guarantee about feel or mechanical noise. |
| Depth before music rest | 295 mm | 268 mm | The music rest, cable route and comfortable playing clearance are all left out of bare depth. |
| Live USB audio interface | No | Yes | Whether compatible software can take the internal piano sound directly over USB depends on this. |
| 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. |
| Optional three-pedal route | No | Yes | Whether a compatible three-pedal station can be added later is decided here. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Yamaha P-45
- There is no connector for a three-pedal unit.
With Yamaha P-145BT
- The Bluetooth audio feature is for receiving music. It does not give you wireless headphones or Bluetooth MIDI.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Solo practice is all you need, and the P-45 costs less
Go with Yamaha P-45. Hammer action, headphones and Duo still come with the P-45. Compare the current price of the complete setup.
You play along to phone backing tracks in brief practice sessions
Go with Yamaha P-145BT. Over Bluetooth, a phone can feed a backing track to the P-145BT and the piano stays ready to play. The P-45 has no Bluetooth audio receiver. When your phone is the source of your practice material, that spares you a separate speaker arrangement. If you read paper music and play without accompaniment, the difference counts for less.
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
Brief practice sessions call for fewer audio connections
Over Bluetooth, a phone can feed a backing track to the P-145BT and the piano stays ready to play. The P-45 has no Bluetooth audio receiver. When your phone is the source of your practice material, that spares you a separate speaker arrangement. If you read paper music and play without accompaniment, the difference counts for less.
Capturing the piano's sound changes which cables you need
USB audio comes alongside MIDI on the P-145BT. On the P-45, USB MIDI sends note instructions, so its internal sound has to be captured through an analog audio route. If you want a quick recording of the actual piano, tally up the recording chain before you compare keyboard prices.
The newer body is shallower but not narrower
Width is the same on both, at 1326 mm. Depth drops from 295 to 268 mm on the P-145BT, which is 27 mm less. A shallow practice surface benefits, but a narrow wall gains nothing. Before you decide it fits, allow for the music rest, cables and a stable playing position.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha P-45 |
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| Yamaha P-145BT |
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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.
Yamaha P-45
A simple solo-practice setup with GHS keys is what you are after
See price & reviews on AmazonYamaha P-145BT
You play along to phone backing tracks in brief practice sessions
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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