Yamaha P35 vs P45 – Buy The Best Affordable Yamaha Piano

Yamaha P35 vs P45 has become a common question among beginners and piano enthusiasts who are looking for an affordable, reliable digital piano. As I have spent years exploring different pianos, from acoustic uprights to portable digital keyboards, I can confidently say Yamaha’s P-series stands out for delivering authentic piano touch and sound at a budget-friendly price.

My journey with these two instruments began with the Yamaha P35, which was one of the most popular entry-level digital pianos of its time. Later, I upgraded to the Yamaha P45, and that experience opened my eyes to how even subtle improvements in polyphony, sound sampling, and connectivity can completely change the way you play.

That’s exactly why I decided to write this detailed comparison of Yamaha P35 vs Yamaha P45. If you’re a beginner wondering which piano to buy, a student looking for an upgrade, or even a hobbyist searching for a lightweight practice piano, this guide will help you make the right choice.

Before we get into detail, here’s a quick overview of both models:

• Yamaha P35: Known for its simplicity and affordability, this digital piano offered 88 weighted keys with Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, 32-note polyphony, and Yamaha’s AWM tone generation. A straightforward beginner’s instrument, it gained popularity for its no-fuss design.
  
• Yamaha P45: The improved successor, featuring 64-note polyphony, enhanced AWM stereo sampling, and USB to Host connectivity. While keeping the same compact design, it added more realism in sound and flexibility for modern learners.
  

Both pianos are part of Yamaha’s P-series portable keyboards, but each caters to slightly different needs. 

In this article, I’ll share my hands-on experiences, highlight the key differences, and give you my honest verdict on which model I’d recommend in today’s market.

Comparison Table

Yamaha P35: My Hands-On Experience

When I first got my hands on the Yamaha P35, I was just starting to explore digital pianos more seriously. I still remember the excitement of unboxing it. Lightweight, simple in design, and clearly made for someone who wanted to focus on playing rather than fiddling with complicated settings.

First Impressions: Design and Build Quality

The P35 has a very minimalist design. At just over 11 kg (around 25 lbs), it is surprisingly portable for a full 88-key instrument. The matte black finish gave it a professional look, but you could immediately tell it was built to be functional rather than flashy. Unlike higher-end models that have extra buttons, sliders, or displays, the P35 kept it simple with a single-button interface, which at the time, I found refreshingly straightforward.

Compared to bulkier digital pianos like the Yamaha YDP-143 (an Arius series model I later played), the P35 felt more like a grab-and-go practice piano. That portability made it perfect for my small apartment setup, where space was limited.

Yamaha P45: My Hands-On Experience

After spending years with the Yamaha P35, upgrading to the Yamaha P45 felt like stepping into a new chapter of my piano journey. At first glance, the P45 didn’t look dramatically different, but once I sat down and started playing, the upgrades became immediately noticeable.

Design Upgrades Compared to P35

The design of the P45 stays true to Yamaha’s minimalist approach. At about the same weight as the P35 (around 11.5 kg), it remains highly portable and easy to set up. The matte black body is nearly identical, but Yamaha added slightly more refined button placement, including a simple “Function + Key” system to change voices and settings.

I appreciated how intuitive this was compared to the P35, where accessing features sometimes felt clunky. The P45 feels like it is designed with the beginner in mind, simple, uncluttered, but still versatile enough for practice or small performances.

Design & Portability Of Yamaha P35 vs P45

When you line up the Yamaha P35 vs P45, the first thing you’ll notice is how similar they look. At a glance, you’d think Yamaha just rebranded the same instrument, but once you spend time with both, the subtle differences start to stand out.

I’ve always admired Yamaha’s approach to keeping the P-series clean and minimalist. No overwhelming clusters of knobs, no cluttered displays, just a sleek black frame, a compact body, and a keyboard that demands to be played. For someone like me who doesn’t like unnecessary distractions while practicing, both models hit the sweet spot in design.

Weight and Dimensions

Both the P35 and P45 measure about 1326 mm wide, 154 mm high, and 295 mm deep, which puts them firmly in the “portable” digital piano category. They don’t take up much space at all compared to even the smallest upright pianos. In fact, when I first brought the P35 home, I managed to set it up in a corner of my study without needing to shift furniture around. When I later replaced it with the P45, it fit in the same spot like a glove.

At around 11.5 kg (25 lbs), neither of these models is featherlight; you’ll definitely feel the weight if you’re carrying it up a flight of stairs. But compared to bulkier stage pianos or full console digital pianos, they’re relatively easy to handle. 

Personally, I’ve carried both models between rooms, to lessons, and even to a couple of informal jam sessions with friends. With a soft case or gig bag, one person can transport them without too much hassle.

If you’re a student who has to bring a piano to class or a gigging musician who needs something portable, the weight-to-size balance of these models is ideal. They’re portable enough to move, but heavy enough that they don’t feel like toys.

Build Quality Differences Of Yamaha P35 vs P45

This is where things get interesting. The Yamaha P35, being the older model, has a very straightforward build. The matte black plastic casing does its job, but I always felt it leaned a bit toward the “entry-level” side of the spectrum. Don’t get me wrong, it’s durable. I used mine for years without it ever failing me. But after constant use, I noticed small things, like the buttons feeling slightly loose and the casing showing signs of wear. It never broke down, but it didn’t give me that rock-solid confidence.

Then came the Yamaha P45, and although Yamaha didn’t reinvent the wheel, the refinements were noticeable. The buttons felt sturdier, the casing had a smoother, tighter finish, and overall, the piano seemed better aligned. Even the texture of the keys felt slightly improved to me, still plastic, of course, but with a touch more grip and less gloss than the P35. It’s subtle, but when you’ve played for hours on both instruments, you start appreciating those little upgrades.

The P45 feels like Yamaha listened to feedback from P35 users and made sure the next version would hold up better over time.

Key Action & Playability

For me, the real test of any digital piano is how it feels under the fingers. Specs and features are great, but if the keys don’t respond the way you want, the whole playing experience suffers. Both the Yamaha P35 and P45 come with Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, which is the same entry-level weighted key system Yamaha uses across many of its budget-friendly pianos.

GHS Action Experience on Both

The GHS action is designed to mimic the natural feel of an acoustic piano, heavier in the lower register and lighter as you move up the keyboard. On both the P35 and P45, this gradation is present, and I can say from hours of practice that it does give you a realistic sense of resistance.

When I first played the P35, I was honestly impressed. Coming from lighter keyboards that felt more like toys, the weight of the keys on the P35 made me feel like I was working with a real instrument. That was the moment I realized why pianists always insist on weighted keys; it trains your hands properly and builds the right technique.

When I switched to the P45, the GHS action felt very familiar; Yamaha didn’t change it drastically. However, I did notice a slightly smoother response. On the P35, the keys sometimes felt just a touch sluggish when playing very fast passages, while the P45 seemed to react more consistently. It’s not a dramatic difference, but as someone who practices scales and arpeggios daily, that subtle improvement in key response stood out.

Key Sensitivity and Response

Both models offer the same touch sensitivity settings, usually hard, medium, and soft, which let you adjust how much force is needed to get louder sounds. I always kept mine at “medium” because it felt closest to a real piano.

On the P35, the sensitivity worked fine, but occasionally softer passages lacked a bit of nuance. For example, when you practice Debussy or Chopin pieces that demand very delicate touches, the P35 sometimes flattens the dynamics.

With the P45, the response is a little more refined. Pianissimo sections felt smoother, and the instrument translated subtle changes in my touch more convincingly. Again, it’s not a night-and-day shift, but if you’re the kind of player who values expressiveness, the P45 gives you more confidence that your performance will come through accurately.

How do Yamaha P35 vs P45 Feel in Long Practice Sessions?

This is something many reviews overlook, but for me it’s critical: how does the instrument feel after a two-hour practice session?

With the P35, long sessions are manageable, but the slightly heavier feel of the action sometimes leaves fingers a little more fatigued than expected. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still much lighter than an acoustic grand, but over time, I noticed it required just a bit more effort.

On the P45, you could practice for longer without that same level of fatigue. Whether that’s because of the smoother action or just the refinements Yamaha made in the keybed, it felt less strain after extended sessions.

Sound Quality & Tone

If key action is the “feel” of the piano, then tone is the “soul.” The Yamaha P35 and P45 both aim to deliver an authentic piano sound through AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) sampling, but the way they implement it and the results are slightly different.

Sampling Technology Differences

The Yamaha P35 uses the earlier version of AWM sampling. It does a decent job of recreating the sound of a real piano, but when I first used it, I felt the tones were a little flat, especially when I compared it to an acoustic upright. It captured the basic piano voice, but the depth and richness just weren’t fully there.

The Yamaha P45, upgraded to AWM Stereo Sampling. This makes a noticeable difference. Instead of sounding like a single-layer recording of a piano, it gives more depth, warmth, and realism. When I played chords on the P45, especially with the sustain pedal, I could hear the notes blend and resonate in a way the P35 never quite achieved.

To put it simply: the P35 sounds “digital but playable,” while the P45 sounds closer to a real acoustic piano.

Speaker System Comparison

Both the P35 and P45 come with built-in 6-watt speakers, positioned to project sound outward. At home, the volume is more than enough for practice, but in larger rooms or group settings, I often felt the P35 struggled to fill the space.

The P45’s speakers are technically the same wattage, but the tone projection felt clearer and slightly fuller. This could be due to the improved sampling, which gives the sound more body even at the same speaker output.

Still, if you’re playing in a hall, rehearsal room, or gig environment, neither model’s speakers are powerful enough on their own. In those situations, plugging into an external amp or PA system is essential.

Realism in Piano Tones

This is where the P45 really pulls ahead. Playing the P35 often felt satisfying for casual practice, but if you play expressive pieces like Chopin’s nocturnes, it doesn’t inspire the way a real piano would. The notes sounded a little too uniform, without enough variation in timbre.

When I switched to the P45, the realism in tone gave me a different experience. The stereo sampling added layers of color that made the dynamics more convincing. A soft pianissimo passage had a gentle warmth, while fortissimo chords carried more weight and richness. That difference motivated me to practice longer, because the instrument rewarded my expression instead of flattening it.

Use with Headphones or External Speakers

Both the P35 and P45 give you the option to practice silently with headphones, something I consider a lifesaver for late-night practice sessions.

With the P35, headphone sound quality is clean, but again, a little two-dimensional. The P45, with stereo sampling, sounds far better in headphones. In fact, I’d say if you mostly practice with headphones, you’ll appreciate the P45’s depth even more than through its built-in speakers.

When paired with external speakers, the P45 once again had the advantage. The richer sound engine translated beautifully into monitors, making it a solid choice for recording or performing in amplified settings.

Polyphony Of Yamaha P35 vs P45

When I first started learning digital pianos, “polyphony” sounded like one of those technical specs that only engineers care about. But after hours of playing on both the Yamaha P35 vs P45, I realized it makes a real difference, especially as your skills improve.

Why 32-Note vs 64-Note Matters?

The Yamaha P35 comes with 32-note polyphony. That means it can produce up to 32 notes at once before older notes begin to cut off. At first glance, 32 notes might sound like plenty; after all, you only have 10 fingers! But in practice, things get trickier.

Here’s why: polyphony isn’t just about the keys you’re pressing. It also counts sustained notes, resonance, layered sounds, and even backing accompaniments (if the instrument has them). 

On the P35, I noticed that when I used the sustain pedal heavily, especially during arpeggios or rich chord progressions, some of the earlier notes would cut off abruptly. It wasn’t always obvious, but once I caught it, I couldn’t un-hear it.

The Yamaha P45 doubles this capacity with 64-note polyphony. That upgrade gave me a lot more freedom. Complex passages with heavy sustain felt smoother, and the notes blended more naturally without unwanted cutoffs. Even when layering piano with other instrument voices, the P45 held up far better than the P35.

How does it affect playing Complex Pieces?

For a beginner playing simple scales or pop melodies, the difference between 32 and 64 notes may not be noticeable right away. But once you step into classical repertoire or advanced jazz, it becomes clear.

When I practiced Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major on the P35, the rich sustained chords sometimes felt thinner because the instrument ran out of available notes. The sustain pedal should create a lush atmosphere, but on the P35, some of that depth got lost.

Switching to the P45, the same piece instantly sounded fuller. Every note carried its weight, and the sustained harmonies blended beautifully without unnatural cutoffs. It is not just about accuracy; it made the experience more inspiring. I found myself wanting to practice longer simply because the sound felt more satisfying.

In other words, 32-note polyphony limits your musical expression, while 64-note polyphony gives you room to grow. Even if you don’t feel the difference today as a beginner, you’ll likely appreciate it as your repertoire becomes more demanding.

Connectivity & Compatibility

One of the things I quickly realized as I moved from the Yamaha P35 to the Yamaha P45 is how much connectivity matters in today’s world. A digital piano is no longer just a standalone instrument; many of us want to connect it to laptops, recording software, apps, or even virtual instruments. That’s where the P35 starts to show its age compared to the P45.

Yamaha P35: MIDI Out Only

The P35 comes with a MIDI Out port, which was fairly standard at the time of its release. While it allowed you to connect to external devices like sound modules or a computer, you needed an additional MIDI-to-USB interface to make it work with most modern setups.

I remember having to carry an extra interface just to record simple practice sessions on my laptop. It wasn’t complicated, but it was one more piece of gear (and cable) to manage. If you just wanted a plug-and-play experience, the P35 made things feel a little old-school.

That said, if your main goal is just practicing at home without any recording or app integration, the MIDI Out connection works fine. I used it for years without much thought; it was only when I started exploring DAWs and virtual pianos that I felt the limitation.

Yamaha P45: USB to Host Advantages

The P45 solves this problem beautifully with its USB to Host port. Instead of needing a MIDI interface, you can plug it directly into a laptop with a standard USB cable. That one upgrade made my workflow so much simpler.

With the P45, you could:

• Record directly into GarageBand and Ableton without extra gear.
  
• Use apps like Flowkey or Simply Piano for interactive lessons.
  
• Trigger virtual instruments like Kontakt libraries, making the piano sound like a high-end grand.
  

This USB connectivity made the P45 feel much more “future-proof.” Even as a portable practice piano, it could double as a reliable MIDI controller for recording and live performance setups.

Practical Scenarios for Yamaha P35 vs P45

If you’re a beginner or a casual player who doesn’t care about connecting to computers, the Yamaha P35 still does the job. Plug in your sustain pedal, connect headphones, and practice away; you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

But if you’re like me and enjoy recording your progress, exploring virtual sounds, or using piano learning apps, the Yamaha P45 is far more practical. That one USB port opens up so many possibilities without complicating your setup.

Learning & Practice Features

When it comes to learning and practicing on a digital piano, the little extras like voice selection, built-in functions, and usability can make a big difference. Both the Yamaha P35 vs P45 are intentionally designed as no-frills digital pianos (not full-fledged keyboards with hundreds of sounds), but they still offer enough to support solid practice and performance.

Voices and Instrument Selection

The Yamaha P35 keeps things simple with 10 instrument voices. You get the basics: grand piano, electric piano, organ, strings, harpsichord, and a few others. It’s not a wide palette, but for a beginner focused on piano, it covers the essentials. I used the grand piano voice 90% of the time, with the occasional electric piano for fun.

The Yamaha P45 matches that same lineup of 10 voices, but here’s the difference: thanks to its upgraded AWM stereo sampling, those voices sound fuller and more realistic. For example, the string voice on the P45 felt warmer, and the electric piano tones had more character compared to the flatter versions on the P35. Even though the number of voices is the same, the P45 feels more inspiring to play.

If you’re looking for hundreds of tones, neither of these models is designed for that. But for focused practice, both cover the basics well.

Metronome, Reverb, and Other Functions

Both models include a built-in metronome, which is an essential tool. Practicing scales and arpeggios with the metronome on the P35 helped me stay disciplined early on. The P45’s metronome functions identically, so no differences here.

In terms of effects, you get reverb settings on both. These add a sense of space to your playing, for example, simulating a small room, concert hall, or stage. On the P35, you felt the reverb sometimes sounded artificial, while on the P45, it blended more naturally with the piano tones. It’s not the kind of thing a beginner notices immediately, but as you grow, it makes the sound more immersive.

The P45 also allows dual-mode layering (combining two voices, like piano + strings), which is technically possible on the P35 too, but the P45 does it more smoothly thanks to its improved sound engine and higher polyphony.

Use in Home Practice vs Stage Performance

At home, both the P35 and P45 work beautifully as practice instruments. They’re compact, quiet when used with headphones, and reliable. I used my P35 for years in a small apartment without ever annoying the neighbors. Later, with the P45, the experience felt more rewarding because the tones and responsiveness were richer, which motivated me to practice longer.

On stage, the P35 can feel limited. Its 32-note polyphony and simpler sound engine sometimes struggled when I used it with heavy sustain or layered voices. In contrast, the P45 holds up better in live performance. The 64-note polyphony means chords don’t drop out, and the stereo-sampled piano voices project more convincingly through an amp or PA system.

I once played a small coffeehouse gig with the P35, and while it worked, I noticed the sound occasionally got lost in the room. When I brought the P45 to a similar setup, it filled the space more confidently.

Who Should Buy Which?

When choosing between the Yamaha P35 vs Yamaha P45, it really comes down to what you want now and where you hope to go with piano playing. Both are good instruments, but they serve slightly different types of players better. Here’s who I think each model best suits:

Best for Absolute Beginners

If you’re just starting – maybe you’ve never played before, or you want a reliable digital piano for lessons, learning basic technique, scales, maybe some simple songs, then the P35 is still a solid choice if it’s available at a good price.

What makes it good for beginners:

• It has weighted keys (GHS action), so you learn proper finger strength and technique from the beginning.
  
• It’s simple, with minimal features, which means fewer distractions. You focus on playing.
  
• The built-in sounds, reverb, and basic functions are enough to support early learning.
  

But, I’ll be honest: if you can stretch a bit more, the P45 gives beginners extra breathing room (better tone, more polyphony, USB connectivity) so you won’t feel held back as soon as you move beyond very basic playing.

Best for Students Upgrading from Entry-Level

If you already have some piano-playing experience (maybe you used a non-weighted keyboard or light keyboard), or you want something that grows with you over several years, the P45 is clearly the better pick.

Here’s why:

• 64-note polyphony vs 32 on the P35 helps when you add sustain, play more complex pieces, layer sounds, or practice a bigger repertoire.
  
• The stereo sampling and upgraded sound on the P45 make expressive pieces more satisfying. Dynamics, nuance, and tone won’t feel as limited.
  
• USB to Host gives you easier connectivity for recording, using apps, and connecting to a computer. Very helpful for students who want to capture their playing or use digital tools.
  

If you’re a student planning to do recitals, exams, or want to play a wider range of styles (classical, pop, maybe even light jazz), the P45 is likely to serve you better long-term.

Best for Budget-Conscious Buyers

If keeping costs down is a high priority, and you don’t need all the extras, then P35 might win you over, if you can find it at a good deal, especially second-hand or clearance.

Things to check when being budget-conscious:

• Is the unit in good condition (key action, no rattles, clean sound)? Because with older models, wear and tear matter.
  
• Are accessories included (pedal, stand, etc.)? Sometimes savings on the body cost are lost by buying extras.
  
• How much are the local availability or shipping/import duties? In many regions, P45 might cost more upfront, so sometimes P35 ends up being cheaper overall, depending on local deals.
  

That said, the P45’s slightly higher cost tends to give you better value over time, because you get slightly more future-proof features (better tone, more headroom). So even with a tight budget, if you can make a bit more investment now, you may save later (less likelihood of buying another soon).

Best for Long-Term Use

If you want a piano that lasts you many years, something you’re not going to immediately outgrow, then the P45 is the stronger candidate.

Why I believe that:

• The enhancements (stereo sampling, USB, higher polyphony) give more flexibility for different styles and more advanced repertoire.
  
• The improved sound and slightly better build quality (in subtle ways) mean less frustration as you improve.
  
• Accessories compatibility (sustain pedal improvements, using it with external speakers or computer audio) gives you room to expand your setup.
  

Even though neither the P35 nor the P45 is “top of the line,” the P45 gives more of a buffer: you can keep practicing, exploring, and performing without being held back too early.

Pros And Cons

Yamaha P35

Yamaha P45

Conclusion

After spending quality time with both the Yamaha P35 vs P45, I can honestly say that Yamaha stayed true to its promise of delivering affordable, reliable, and beginner-friendly digital pianos in both models.

The Yamaha P35 is straightforward, affordable, and a great stepping stone for absolute beginners who just want a no-frills way to start learning piano with proper weighted keys. It’s lightweight, simple, and does the job well if your main focus is practice at home or in lessons.

On the other hand, the Yamaha P45 feels like a natural upgrade. With 64-note polyphony, improved stereo sampling, and USB connectivity, it provides more headroom for learning, recording, and even small performances. It’s still compact and beginner-friendly but offers that extra layer of depth and flexibility that keeps you inspired as you progress.

So here’s my take:

• If you’re on a tight budget and just starting, the P35 is a worthy entry point.
  
• If you want something with better long-term value, that will grow with you as a player, the P45 is the smarter choice.
  

Either way, both instruments prove why Yamaha has become one of the most trusted names in the digital piano world. For me, the P45 wins by a slight margin, because I don’t like hitting limitations too soon when I’m practicing or recording.

At the end of the day, the “best” piano is the one that motivates you to sit down and play every single day, and both the Yamaha P35 vs P45 are more than capable of doing just that.

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Burhan

Burhan specializes in piano market trends, new models, and technology updates. He reviews pianos, compare piano brands, and analyzes quality to help readers make smart buying decisions.Read more →