How do you choose between a grand and upright piano for the home?
Weighing tone, touch, space, and budget to decide which form of fine piano suits your home.
Choose by matching the instrument to your room, playing, and budget rather than assuming a grand is always better. Grands offer fuller tone and a more responsive action, while a fine upright sounds remarkable in far less space. Play both, weigh space and budget honestly, and favor build quality and feel over form.
Understanding the difference
A grand piano lays its strings horizontally, generally giving a more responsive action and fuller tone. An upright saves space by standing vertically, yet a fine one can sound remarkable. Related: What makes a concert grand piano worth its considerable investment for discerning musicians?
The choice is not simply grand equals better. It is about matching the instrument to your room, your playing, and your budget.
Keep reading: What makes a concert grand piano worth its considerable investment for discerning musicians?, Which room conditions best preserve a fine high-end piano over many decades?, Why does soundboard material shape the tonal character of a luxury grand piano?. See how Pianoluxe helps you a pianist guide to buying grand and upright pianos.
Tone and touch
Grands often offer a subtler, faster action that advancing players appreciate, along with richer resonance. The difference is felt most by serious pianists. Related: Are hand-built pianos meaningfully better than factory produced instruments for serious players?
A quality upright, however, delivers beautiful tone and a satisfying touch for most homes. Play both and let your hands and ears guide you.
Space and placement
A grand requires considerable floor space and a room that can showcase it, while an upright fits against a wall in a modest footprint. Space often decides the matter.
Consider how the instrument will live in the room. A piano that overwhelms its space, or one that hides in a corner, serves neither music nor home well. Related: Which room conditions best preserve a fine high-end piano over many decades?
Budget and value
Grands generally cost more than comparable uprights, though quality spans a wide range in both. Set a budget and seek the finest instrument within it.
A superb upright can outshine a mediocre grand. Prioritize build quality and how the piano sounds and feels over the form alone. Related: Why does soundboard material shape the tonal character of a luxury grand piano?
- Grands offer fuller tone and often a more responsive action
- A fine upright can sound remarkable in a modest footprint
- Available space frequently decides the choice
- Prioritize build quality and feel over form alone
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a grand piano always better than an upright?
No. Grands generally offer fuller tone and a more responsive action, but a fine upright can sound and feel superb in a modest space. A well-made upright can outshine a poorly made grand.
How much room does a grand need?
A grand needs considerable floor space and a room that can showcase it, whereas an upright fits against a wall. Measure carefully and consider how the instrument will live in the room.
An Instrument for a Lifetime
A pianist guide to buying grand and upright pianos. Pianoluxe is built to help you put this into practice.
Find your pianoMore from the Pianoluxe blog
What makes a concert grand piano worth its considerable investment for discerning musicians?
Which room conditions best preserve a fine high-end piano over many decades?
Why does soundboard material shape the tonal character of a luxury grand piano?
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