Best Piano Brands in the World
When discussing the top piano brands in the world, a few names are unmistakably prominent. Similar to how diamonds or cars evoke a timeless appeal, Tiffany’s and Cartier, Ferrari and Mercedes hold a lasting allure.
When we hear Steinway, Blüthner, and Fazioli, we recognize them as the leading piano makers worldwide. The key to the lasting success of these top piano brands lies in their proprietary technologies, which have been developed and patented over decades and even centuries of fine craftsmanship. Each of these exceptional piano manufacturers offers something unique that sets their instruments apart. For customers, understanding the key features to look for in a piano helps ensure a successful choice and the right instrument. There is an emotional connection with one’s piano, making it difficult to rank these top brands definitively. This article will introduce the top ten piano brands without any particular order. Once you learn more about these beautiful pianos and their skilled makers, we believe your preferences will guide you in choosing which of these top brands is best for you.
1. Bechstein
Founded in 1853 in Germany, Bechstein has become one of the world’s most trusted piano brands. Over the course of a century and a half, Bechstein has produced grand pianos for concert stages and exquisite upright pianos for music lovers with limited space. Its unwavering dedication to precision and craftsmanship, along with the complete manufacturing of all parts at its facility in Seifhennersdorf, establishes Bechstein as an internationally recognized and reputable piano brand. What sets Bechstein pianos apart is their unique, voice-like sound. Since Carl Bechstein founded the company, his goal has been to create fine instruments with a singing voice. Many renowned pianists of the 19th and early 20th centuries favored Bechstein for that special quality perfectly suited to the music of Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Mendelssohn.
Today, Bechstein focuses on developing new models and technological innovations, as well as creating museum-quality replicas of its vintage pianos made for European royalty at the turn of the 20th century. The iconic Sphynx grand piano, which takes over 1,600 hours to build, comes to mind. Currently, Bechstein is proud to have its sixth generation of piano artisans, woodworking experts, and metal craftsmen, all of whom ensure that every component of these priceless museum pianos is made in-house and exemplifies perfection.
2. Blüthner
Here is another esteemed German piano brand that has been consistently producing exquisite instruments for over 150 years. Interestingly, Julius Blüthner established his piano factory in the same year as Bechstein—1853—in the industrial city of Leipzig, Germany. His knowledge of theory and mathematics, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, helped his piano brand rise quickly to worldwide fame. By 1868, he was already trading internationally. The combination of ongoing innovation (such as introducing the fourth string to the piano at the Philadelphia World’s Fair, which earned a gold medal) and his ability to attract leading artists of the time quickly put Blüthner’s pianos in the spotlight among royalty and musicians alike. Wealthy middle-class music enthusiasts sought out Blüthner pianos for the prestige of knowing that icons like Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and later Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich had owned one and composed many masterpieces on their Blüthner instruments.
The unique “golden tone’ that sets Blüthner apart results from Julius’s careful engineering, a tradition passed down through generations. To this day, Blüthner remains a family-owned business. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the company expanded its factory and heavily invested in high-tech innovation and manufacturing top-tier concert instruments. The merger with Lucid Pianos created the world’s leading brand of crystal and luxury pianos—Blüthner Lucid. This groundbreaking innovation uses industrial-strength lucite and carbon fiber to craft some of the most stunning instruments ever made. In many ways, it can be said that Blüthner has no rival in the crystal piano market today. Nonetheless, this does not diminish its traditional concert grand line. Many top concert halls feature Blüthner pianos. The price for Blüthner pianos starts at $50,000 for a basic model and can reach up to half a million dollars for the breathtaking modern Lucid Enzo piano.
Learn more about its history and range of models here.
3. Bösendorfer
The renowned Viennese manufacturer, founded in 1828 by Ignaz Bösendorfer, is the oldest surviving piano brand. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, the company has become an important part of Austrian cultural heritage, with its pianos receiving official endorsement from the Royal House of the Emperor. Notably, one of Vienna’s most esteemed concert halls of that era bore the Bösendorfer name until the early 20th century.
What differentiates Bösendorfer pianos in the luxury piano market is their innovative features. The Imperial Model 290, for example, has 97 keys instead of the usual 88, producing a darker, richer tone with an incredibly powerful bass. These extra keys, placed in the bass area and extending to the lowest F, were originally covered by a retractable lid. However, current models have them in a matte black finish to avoid distracting pianists used to the standard 88 keys.
This innovation was the result of a custom commission by the Italian virtuoso Ferruccio Busoni in 1909. Busoni aimed to transcribe Bach’s organ music, and the Bösendorfer Model 290’s unique design was crucial in achieving this goal. Its popularity led to it becoming the defining feature that sets the Bösendorfer brand apart from other piano manufacturers.
Furthermore, Bösendorfer pianos differ from their counterparts in construction. Instead of layers of veneers molded to a shape, Bösendorfer uses solid pieces of hinge-joint spruce. Spruce, the most resonant wood type, is ideal for such large pianos.
Today, Bösendorfer is entirely owned by Yamaha while staying true to its legacy, craftsmanship, and design. Bösendorfer holds a strong position in the ultra-luxury piano market with its million-dollar Kuhn piano, which features custom Swarovski crystals installed beneath the strings and on the front of the piano.
4. FAZIOLI
Unlike Bösendorfer, the oldest legacy piano brand in the world, Fazioli is the youngest. However, this does not diminish the exquisite innovation and exceptional quality of these dream pianos. Founded in 1981 by concert pianist and mechanical engineer Paolo Fazioli, the brand aimed to create a piano with the softest, most delicate action capable of producing a sound that is both soft and resonant. Indeed, a pianist’s dream is to have an instrument that can evenly project the full spectrum of forte-piano (loud-soft) without compromising tonal quality. Fazioli pianos are the only ones in the world that consistently achieve this. Additionally, Fazioli makes the largest concert grand piano in the world at 10 feet 2 inches—Model 308—which features a fourth pedal that brings the hammers closer to the strings, thereby reducing volume without sacrificing the richness of the tone.
These exceptional instruments are entirely handcrafted at Fazioli’s state-of-the-art facility in Italy, with only around 150 pianos made each year. Leading artists, concert halls, prestigious piano competitions, and top conservatories are among the proud owners of Fazioli grand pianos. Notable names include Angela Hewitt, Aldo Ciccolini, The Juilliard School, Beijing Central Conservatory, as well as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein Piano Competitions.
Fazioli is a leader in the ultra-luxury piano market, known for creating custom, one-of-a-kind instruments that will leave you breathless. For the Sultan of Brunei, Fazioli crafted a rare wood piano decorated with emeralds and rubies. One particularly inspired commission became part of Fazioli’s designer pianos line: M Liminal. Commissioned for a super-yacht, this piano takes inspiration from sailboats and dolphins. Made from composite materials like wood, aluminum, chrome, and carbon fiber, it is truly a design marvel. So much so that it appears in the Hollywood blockbuster Prometheus, starring Charlize Theron, as part of the spaceship interior. The price range for Fazioli pianos starts at $150,000 and can go over a million.
Owning a Fazioli is like owning a Bugatti. ‘Nough said.
5. Grotrian-Steinweg
Grotrian is a German piano brand founded in 1835 and currently operated by the 5th and 6th generations of the family. Interestingly, the Grotrian family partnered with and eventually took over a piano factory originally built by Heinrich Steinweg, who later became Henry Steinway, the founder of Steinway & Sons. The initial pianos carried a double name—Grotrian-Steinweg. From the beginning, Grotrian’s core values focused on making excellent pianos and developing innovations to improve already great instruments.
The history of this brand is a multi-generational story of successes and setbacks. After building a successful business in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Grotrian factories were destroyed during WWII. However, the family business rose from the ashes of war and continued into the later 20th century. In 2015, a Hong Kong company, Parsons Music Group, became the majority shareholder of Grotrian, securing its financial future and allowing it to continue innovating and making incredible pianos. Grotrian produces superb upright pianos with its patented star design on the back. This iron frame is shaped like a star, enabling vibrations inside the piano’s wooden body to create the most beautiful tones for the upright. Their remarkable duo-piano features two grand pianos joined side by side, like Siamese twins. The single duo-lid complements this marvelous instrument. This unique piano allows the two to vibrate together, producing an extraordinary soundscape for the duo pianists. Duo pianos can also be separated into independent single instruments with individual lids. For piano duet enthusiasts, this is the ultimate instrument. This innovative design is one of many Grotrian patents and is truly a sight to behold and a joy to listen to. Grotrian also offers a fantastic line of limited-edition rare wood grand pianos and replicas of historic art pianos from the late 19th century. These are stunning, traditional instruments for lovers of the timeless elegance of the Golden Age of music salons.
6. Sauter
Sauter is a brand with nearly 200 years of innovation and invention. Since 1846, Sauter has crafted grand and upright pianos with uniquely resonant sound and high-precision keyboard action. Over the years, Sauter perfected and patented the ‘spherical concavity,’ which gives the Sauter piano its distinctive overtones. The soundboard is made of spruce from the Alpine region, which is solid yet light and flexible. The shape and placement of the structural slats are crucial for creating the distinct concavity. These slats are glued to the soundboard under high pressure, stabilizing the shape. This creates a membrane effect, giving the instrument’s tone Sauter’s signature clarity. The piano is made in-house, including the strings, which are measured precisely to the nano-millimeter to ensure vibrations during play resonate off the soundboard for the best tone. The metal parts, like the pins of Concert and Omega Plus pianos, are made of pure titanium.
The most exciting pianos Sauter creates are designed by Peter Maly and are works of modern art. Rooted in a modernist aesthetic, these stunning baby grand and upright pianos are captivating, fresh, and beautiful. The ‘butterfly’ lids on the Sauter uprights offer a striking visual effect and serve as a brilliant acoustic strategy, filling the space with sound in a stereo-like manner. Notable models include the Pure Basic and Vitrea, which are semi-transparent uprights. The entire Sauter upright lineup is simply the best on the market. Ambiente and Vivace baby grands showcase minimalistic design, while the Rondo upright is a nod to 1960s bubble-gum aesthetics, evident in its rounded corners. No matter how clever or charming the design, these luxury pianos are authentic German precision instruments with exceptional action and sound qualities.
7. Steingraeber & Söhne
It is unsurprising that, once again, we turn to a legacy German family brand piano—Steingraeber & Söhne—since innovation is in the DNA of the country’s rich musical culture. This outstanding piano manufacturer is one of the most recognizable brands worldwide for their unique innovations that adapt the modern grand piano to perform period music from Mozart onward. Features like the Mozart Rail and Sordino enable a contemporary piano to sound like a pianoforte of Mozart’s time and produce the softest, fastest repeated notes on a modern instrument. Standing out among luxury piano brands, Steingraeber & Söhne focus on professional use and incorporate inventions like a carbon fiber soundboard, which is climate resistant, making their concert and semi-concert pianos perfect for outdoor festival performances. Speaking of festivals— the brand’s hometown, Bayreuth, is a legendary hub of Richard Wagner. The birthplace of The Ring of The Nibelung hosts one of the world’s most prestigious and attended music festivals. Steingraeber & Söhne pianos are prominently featured at its esteemed events. The artisans of Steingraeber & Söhne are deeply rooted in Wagnerian heritage, having recreated the unique instrument of the Bells of the Holy Grail for Parsifal—Wagner’s Christian masterpiece opera. Leading opera conductors consider these bells to be the best of their kind in the world.
Steingraeber & Söhne also specializes in creating professional-grade upright pianos with magnetic action, making the upright feel more like a grand piano. Their action is flawless and quick, while proprietary aluminum and carbon fiber parts give the uprights a rich and resonant tone. These instruments are groundbreaking innovations in the piano world, providing owners with something truly remarkable. The design of this brand reflects a classic, timeless tradition, focusing mainly on what’s ‘under the hood’ of the piano.
8. Steinway & Sons
In a world of German machines (now we sound like a movie trailer), there is a rare and stunning gem – an American piano recognized among the best in the world. But let’s start from the beginning.
Heinrich Steinweg built his first piano in the kitchen of his village house in Germany. This piano is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The family immigrated to the United States in 1850, and in 1853, Steinweg & Sons was established on the lower West Side of Manhattan. They were manufacturing square pianos. Soon after, Heinrich decided to Americanize the name to Steinway & Sons. The business was expanding quickly, and in 1857, the first Art case piano was built with a highly ornate carved body and legs. In 1859, Steinway patented his cross-stringing—where bass strings go under the shorter strings at an angle—which gave Steinway pianos their distinctive resonance and sound. In 1867, Steinway became the first American piano manufacturer to receive the Gold Medal of Honor at the Paris Piano Exhibition. By 1871, Steinway was producing one piano per hour. With its remarkable rise in market share, the Steinway family opened a factory in Hamburg, Germany, in 1904, in addition to the New York factory. Today, the two factories operate in parallel.
Over 150 years of legendary presence in the music world, Steinway has amassed over 125 patents, dominated the piano industry, and produced some of the most acclaimed and beautiful pianos ever made. From the White House to Carnegie Hall, Juilliard to Yale, the world is full of proud all-Steinway institutions. If only Steinway could see their fruits of labor reaching such heights. Today, Steinway also leads with advanced technological innovations. In 2015, Steinway acquired digital player developer Live Performance, known for its flagship model XL created by Wayne Stahne, and rebranded it as Steinway Spirio. This player piano system is so accurate that it reproduces the highest levels of piano performance. Many prominent piano competitions are starting to use Spirio technology to enable global participation. Steinway also offers a metronome app for Android and iOS devices. The world’s most famous pianists, from Horowitz to Lang Lang, praise Steinway pianos for their sound, action, and quality. One hundred fifty years after its founding, Steinway has become a global powerhouse, covering all piano market segments—from affordable entry-level brands like Essex to a $2.5 million Fibonacci masterpiece. The price range for Steinway grand pianos is $63,000 to $2.6 million.
9. Shigeru Kawai
Among the leading piano brands worldwide, Japan has two names that stand shoulder to shoulder with their global counterparts: Kawai and Yamaha. Let’s start with Kawai. Known for its meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, Kawai is considered one of the top brands globally. Shigeru Kawai is the premier model within Kawai’s lineup of exceptional instruments. As piano makers go, Kawai embodies the renowned Japanese perfectionism and elegant execution. Without question, Shigeru Kawai is the finest Japanese piano on the world stage. This flagship concert grand is crafted by a team of Master Piano Artisans—representing the highest level of piano craftsmanship in Japan. Like piano samurai, these specialists possess both technical skill and musical training, ensuring each detail contributes to a cohesive, harmonious, and sublime instrument. The rarest premium mahogany, spruce, and maple are used in creating the Shigeru Kawai, with many leading pianists endorsing the instrument with great passion and enthusiasm. While most of Kawai’s piano range features traditional ebony finishes, the brand also stands out among luxury art case pianos. The CR40 model exemplifies their pursuit of luxury in a piano among the world’s finest. Priced at $261,000, it is a treasure to behold; only three are produced annually. Kawai has pushed the boundaries further with the ultra-limited edition CR-1M, priced near $800,000 and built to order. For this crystal piano, featuring polished metal elements that reflect a rainbow of colors, Kawai developed a unique semi-custom system. The customization options are listed, with all necessary fields marked. Interested buyers can fill out the form and specify their desired customizations. Within a few days, the manufacturer will send an email with a quote, and the process begins. Since 1927, Kawai has been producing Japan’s finest instruments, and a Kawai-branded piano remains a prized possession.
10. Yamaha
Last but certainly not least on our list is Yamaha. The world’s largest piano manufacturer is probably one of the most recognizable piano brands. The first Yamaha piano was built in 1900 by Torakusu Yamaha, the founder of Nippon Gakki Co. Over the next 100 years, Yamaha grew into a global giant producing various musical instruments. However, the piano remains the main focus of this remarkable brand, and it holds a significant place among its fellow piano makers. Throughout the 20th century, Yamaha artisans traveled the world, gathering knowledge of the latest technological and piano-building advancements. Then, I would analyze and build on them to scale the piano manufacturing to produce an extraordinary number of outstanding pianos. With its expansion into the US market in the 1960s, Yamaha became one of the most recognized brands worldwide. Decades of research went into creating its best piano — the Yamaha CFX. When this grand piano was unveiled in 2010, Yamaha became one of the top performance piano brands, chosen for prestigious competitions such as Chopin and Tchaikovsky. CFX is considered one of the best concert grands because of its rich, singing tone and light action, suitable for long competitive recitals that are part of the major competition circuit. Yamaha’s piano makers crafted an incredibly responsive and fast action that requires less finger torque, making it very easy to play. Unsurprisingly, many competition winners choose the CFX piano and award it as the best in its class. Yamaha occasionally produces luxury designer instruments, but its main focus remains on performance pianos and baby grands for music students and enthusiasts. The quality and craftsmanship of these pianos are backed by over 100 years of stellar achievements from this legacy Japanese piano maker.
Conclusion
Is there such a thing as the best piano in the world? Probably not, as the elusive title depends on personal preference. The piano brands mentioned earlier produce excellent instruments, and choosing any from this distinguished list would be a great choice. A few reputable names, such as Mason & Hamlin and Stuart & Sons, didn’t make the list. Why? Mason & Hamlin is a renowned American piano maker, and many of their pianos are available at reputable local piano shops. Although their market share is small and newer models haven’t yet matched the warm tone of the older Mason & Hamlin pianos.
Stuart & Sons is an innovative Australian piano maker. They experiment with a 108-key keyboard—the largest in the world—and use beautiful, rare veneers to finish their pianos. The brand is relatively young—founded in 1992. While the acoustic effects of the extended keyboard are impressive and undoubtedly will inspire new music and performance practices utilizing this feature, we will be closely monitoring how Stuart & Sons pianos perform on the international stage compared to established legacy piano brands.
We hope this overview of the best piano brands in the world was both informative and entertaining. If you have any questions or are interested in acquiring one of these exceptional instruments, please feel free to leave a reply below. We are happy to assist you with any piano-related inquiries. You can also email us at info (at) luxury-pianos.com with your name, email, and phone number if those are your preferred contact methods, and our luxury piano consultant will get in touch.
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October 10, 2020 @ 18:49
This was a wonderful piece of information. Having been born in Austria, and growing up in Germany, I realized a long time ago that they make the greatest pianos. For years I have wanted to buy a baby-grand. I’m curious as to your opinion of those. There are also a few brands of which I am not familiar. Thank you for enlightening me.
October 15, 2020 @ 23:42
Hello Rosamarie,
Thank you for you kind note. Please take a look at our baby grand piano recommendations: https://luxury-pianos.com/best-baby-grand-piano/
-Sergei & Konstantin
December 11, 2020 @ 02:08
Nice to know those informative facts.
February 8, 2021 @ 17:08
ThankYou for a superb article on
Pianos-
My mother learned to play piano as a
young girl & she owned a ‘Bossendorfer’!
I have always loved the piano & its
beautiful melodious sounds-I have a
small Yamaha key board & love to
play it often!
MUSIC is SO IMPORTANT to our
CULTURE!
Long Live the Talented Composers, Pianists & the Fabulous Companies that continue to produce these amazing instruments ! THANK YOU!
🎶🎵🎶
March 7, 2021 @ 05:07
Your article did better than most articles of this type, but they tend to leave out deserving parties; for example, Chris Maene of Ruiselede, Belgium, makes beautiful straight-strung instruments. Stephen Paulello of Villethierry, France, also makes straight-strung pianos and has rethought the entire piano manufacturing process. Wayne Stuart of Tumut, New South Wales, Australia, has built an extraordinary-sounding piano with 108 keys, from CCC to b””’.
January 3, 2022 @ 20:09
A warm thank you from Kenya as I expect to buy my first grand piano this 2022, as I turn 58 years of age.
Thanks for the enormous time you have put into sharing this wealthy gem of piano expertise with us mortals.
March 20, 2022 @ 14:42
I have always wanted to learn piano since I was a kid but never had the chance to learn but always listen to Classical Piano music like Chopin, Mozart, etc… when relaxing during stress time. The piano sound is the most powerful exquisite instrument of all time to me.
February 25, 2025 @ 19:52
My two kids 9 and 13 playing a digital piano and I am considering to buy one of the above brands preferably in white. I live in Toronto, Canada. Do I have to choose a specific brand for a white colour?