Yamaha YPT keyboards vs. Yamaha E-PSR keyboards – What is the Difference?

Here are the differences between Yamaha YPT keyboards and Yamaha PSR keyboards (E-PSR series). 61-key music keyboards are quite popular with learners and Yamaha is one of the leading producers of these keyboards. Yamaha PSR and Yamaha YPT were the two popular series of 61-key keyboards, although there were only minor differences between the two. Today, the Yamaha PSR-E is the more relevant series for beginners looking for a nice 61-key keyboard.

YPT vs PSR: Differences

The Yamaha PSR-E and the Yamaha YPT series basically contain entry-level keyboards, and there is no difference in the features as such in these two series.

For instance, all the features on a Yamaha PSR e353 would be the same as on a Yamaha YPT 340, features on a Yamaha PSR e453 would be the same as on a Yamaha YPT 410 and so on.

Actually, there is no difference except for some minor cosmetic differences.

So why does this difference exist?

The only reason this difference exists is that it helped Yamaha to label these keyboards for different countries / markets.

Yamaha use to sell Yamaha PSR in certain countries and Yamaha YPT in certain other countries.

Not sure as of now if they are going to follow the same approach henceforth, or they might just stick to one series.

Related: Yamaha YPT keyboard reviews

Yamaha Beginner Keyboards

My son will soon be joining as a student in the Yamaha music school. I was wondering what would be a good keyboard for him. I have been reading good reviews about the Yamaha PSR keyboards but then further exploration revealed that there was another series by the name Yamaha YPT.

Can anybody please let me know what are the differences between the Yamaha PSR and the Yamaha YPT keyboards? The written material on Yamaha’s official site for the PSR and the YPT series keyboards does not suggest any differences between these two series.

So I was wondering why Yamaha has retained both these series of entry-level keyboards.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

User Queries

User Comments…

The Only Difference According to Yamaha
by: Las Vegan

Click to this link: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalkeyboards/portable_keyboards/?tab=product_lineup&selected=457685_457682_&mode=compare

You will note that the only difference is that the YPT-240 comes with a power adapter, while the PSR-E243 does NOT. For the same sales price, go for the YPT-240.
Confusion opens to other preferences
by: Las Vegan

Yamaha’s PSR-E series and YPT series may be only different in the design technology used, as one commented elsewhere on this thread, or may only be the result of marketing to different countries, but, to Yamaha’s disadvantage, this varying of model designation certainly causes confusion to discriminating buyers.

As a professional buyer, I wanted to buy an entry-level keyboard from a wholesale distributor for my retail store’s local beginner’s market, and I have researched these two series and found no difference, whatsoever.

If Yamaha is listening, then my suggestion is get rid of the multi-labeling on similar models. Just look at Toyota’s Corolla, for example, it is the same name no matter where in the world you go; not confusing and easy to remember. That translates to more sales to consumers. Just KISS-keep it simple, salespeople.

Yamaha, FYI, in my market, your competitors (Kawai, Korg, Roland, and even Casio) are doing better sales than you. Go figure.
YPT and PSR
by: XL

The same applies to yamaha dgx and ypg keyboards as well. These come with more than 61 keys.
Yamaha YPT vs PSR series
by: Kranthi

Per Yamaha technical support person, although the feature set on both series are more or less the same, the technology used to design the keyboards are different. YPT series uses a technology that is out-dated by about 3-4 years. Hope this helps.
Yamaha YPT keyboard vs Yamaha PSR keyboard – What’s the Difference?
by: Fusion

I agree with the earlier post, but at the same time I don?t think Yamaha is considering changing their approach. This strategy of labelling their products across the YPT and the PSR series for different outlets/markets seems to work for them. Surprisingly, for a long time, Yamaha has just limited the number of keyboards in the YPT series to just 3 keyboards, which are more for the beginner players, rather than introducing any high end keyboard like he PSR 550, 710 or the 910 keyboards.
Yamaha YPT keyboard vs. Yamaha PSR keyboard – The Differences?
by: Paps

But how does it help the end-users? I mean why can’t Yamaha just concentrate on one of the series and get rid of the other one (in this case the YPT series) if they are almost the same. It unnecessarily creates confusion in the mind of the consumers. A model from YPT and the PSR will have almost the same features, so unless the buyer comes across this article, they will always have this uncertainty in their mind as to why they are named differently when they have the same set of features.
A Music Keyboard for Senior Players
by: Anonymous

I have had a Yamaha X4500 music keyboard for years. I am an intermediate player and would like a new music keyboard with the features I wish were on my current one;

1. One finger Diminished and Augmented chords
2. “Old fashioned” standards rhythms like the fox trot, waltz and blues & jazz that really sound like they should instead of so “funky.” The keyboard I have now has many automatic chords, but too few of them fit the 1930 – 1940 and older songs I like to play.

Are any of these music keyboards designed with seniors in mind?
Yamaha YPT keyboard vs. Yamaha PSR keyboard – Thanks for the info
by: Anonymous

Thank you man, this is the information I was looking for 🙂

I’m about to buy a Yamaha PSRE323 but I saw an YPT320 keyboard which looked similar and was a little more cheaper.

When I saw the descriptions and the pictures of both these Yamaha keyboards, they looked the same.

I was not sure about it, now that I read the info you posted on Yamaha YPT keyboard vs. Yamaha PSR keyboard, I understand why they have different names.

Thank you again 🙂

KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.