Best Upright Piano (2026 Buyer’s Guide)

Choosing the best upright piano isn’t easy.

There are hundreds of upright pianos on the market, countless opinions online, and almost every manufacturer claims to build the perfect instrument. Take a quick peek below of our current best upright pianos for sale and then scroll down to read more advice.

Yamaha U1

Made in Japan. A hugely respected piano of the last 60+ years. We currently have 1 in stock.

Yamaha U3

The most popular high-end acoustic piano of the last 50+ years. We currently have 9 in stock.

Yamaha U1 Premium

An upgraded version of the U1 with higher-grade internal materials. We currently have 4 in stock.

Yamaha U3 Premium

An upgraded version of the U3 with higher-grade internal materials. We currently have 6 in stock.

After selling more than 2,000 pianos over the past 20 years, one model has consistently stood above the rest for sound, reliability, resale value and long-term ownership.

If someone asked me to recommend just one upright piano for the vast majority of buyers, my answer would be immediate.

The Yamaha U1.

It isn’t simply the world’s best-selling quality upright piano. It has become the benchmark by which virtually every other upright piano is judged.

We’ve stocked hundreds of Yamaha U1 pianos over the years because they consistently delight our customers. Scroll down and you’ll find more than 200 previously sold Yamaha U1 pianos, complete with photos and videos.

Best Upright Piano at a Glance

If you’re in a hurry, my recommendation is simple.

Buy a Japanese-made Yamaha U1.

I’ve yet to find another upright piano that combines performance, reliability, resale value and affordability so successfully.

Why the Yamaha U1 Is the Best Upright Piano

The Yamaha U1 has earned its reputation over more than half a century.

Unlike many popular uprights that come and go, the U1 has remained remarkably consistent. Music schools, conservatoires, teachers, recording studios and families have trusted it for generations because it simply works.

It offers:

• Outstanding reliability
• Responsive, consistent action
• Clear, balanced tone
• Excellent tuning stability
• Superb resale value
• Worldwide availability of parts

Every serious upright piano is inevitably compared with the Yamaha U1.

Few outperform it.

Independent Expert Opinion

Here’s what Pianist Magazine said in its 2025 Piano Buyer’s Guide.

The backbone of tens of thousands of music schools and conservatoires around the world for over half a century, the evergreen U1 offers an unbeatable combination of high quality sound and response for players at every level.

I couldn’t have summarised it better myself.

Why Professionals Trust the Yamaha U1

The Yamaha U1 isn’t just popular with home buyers.

It has become the standard upright piano throughout the music industry.

You’ll regularly find them in:

• Music schools
• Conservatoires
• Universities
• Teaching studios
• Recording studios
• Examination centres
• Professional musicians’ homes

There are very few pianos that have earned this level of trust over such a long period.

What Makes the Best Upright Piano?

The best upright piano should excel in four key areas.

Build Quality

A piano should remain structurally stable for decades while holding its regulation and tuning well.

Touch

The keyboard should feel responsive, predictable and allow accurate control across every dynamic level.

Tone

Every note should produce an even, balanced sound without obvious weak spots across the keyboard.

Resale Value

Buying a piano is a major investment.

The best upright pianos retain strong demand, making them easier to sell or trade in many years later.

The Yamaha U1 performs exceptionally well in all four areas.

Yamaha U1 vs Typical Budget Upright

This is one of the main reasons why so many buyers eventually upgrade to a Yamaha U1.

Best Upright Piano for Value

The Yamaha U1 becomes even more impressive when bought professionally reconditioned.

Typical prices are:

• Japanese-made Yamaha U1 (1970s-1990s): around £3,000-£5,000
• New Yamaha U1: over £10,000

Wondering exactly which decade a specific piano was made in? Our serial number lookup will tell you precisely.

Although the newer piano benefits from its age, the core design has changed remarkably little.

For many buyers, a professionally reconditioned Japanese U1 represents one of the best values anywhere in the piano market.

View current Yamaha U1 stock

You can see our current Yamaha U1 stock below.

Yamaha U1

Made in Japan. A hugely respected piano of the last 60+ years. We currently have 1 in stock.

Yamaha U1 vs Yamaha U3

The only upright piano I regularly recommend ahead of a U1 is…

…another Yamaha.

The Yamaha U3 shares many of the U1’s strengths but stands around 10 cm taller.

That extra height provides:

• Greater bass depth
• Increased tonal richness
• More power in larger rooms

If you have the space and budget, the U3 is well worth considering.

Otherwise, the U1 remains the better value for most buyers.

Who Should Buy a Yamaha U1?

A Yamaha U1 is an excellent choice for:

• Beginners
• Intermediate players
• Advanced pianists
• Piano teachers
• Families
• Adult returners
• Music students
• Anyone wanting strong resale value

Very few pianos suit such a wide range of players.

When Should You Choose Something Else?

The Yamaha U1 isn’t perfect for every situation.

You might prefer another piano if:

• You have an exceptionally small room.
• You specifically want a warmer European tonal character.
• You need the extra bass power of a Yamaha U3.
• Your budget allows one of the world’s finest concert uprights, such as a Yamaha YUS5 or SU7.

For almost everyone else, the U1 remains my first recommendation.

Final Verdict

After selling more than 2,000 pianos over the last two decades, my opinion hasn’t changed.

If I could recommend just one upright piano to the average buyer, it would be a Japanese-made Yamaha U1.

No other upright combines sound quality, reliability, availability, resale value and long-term ownership quite so successfully.

That’s why it has become the world’s benchmark upright piano.

View current Yamaha U1 stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best upright piano?

For most buyers, I recommend the Japanese-made Yamaha U1 because it offers the best combination of sound, reliability, resale value and long-term value.

Is the Yamaha U1 good enough for professional pianists?

Yes. Yamaha U1 pianos are widely used by teachers, conservatoires, recording studios and professional musicians throughout the world.

Is the Yamaha U1 suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. It is easy to play, extremely reliable and capable of taking a pianist from beginner level right through to diploma standard.

Is a Yamaha U1 better than a Yamaha B1?

Yes. The U1 is built to a significantly higher standard, produces a richer tone and offers a far more refined playing experience.

Which Yamaha U1 is best?

Professionally reconditioned Japanese-made Yamaha U1 pianos from the 1970s onwards generally offer the best balance of quality and value.

Is the Yamaha U3 better than the U1?

The U3 is a larger, more powerful instrument, but the U1 remains the better overall value for most homes.

Many thanks

Mark Goodwin

And now, ladies and gentlemen, brace yourself for a huge list of our 200+ previously sold Yamaha U1 pianos with photos and videos for you to compare.