Best Piano Stores in Canada for New, Used and Rental Pianos: How We Compared Them
How we chose: We looked at piano stores (or music stores with a piano department) with a showroom in Canada and compared them on selection, new and used stock, rentals, tuning and service, delivery area, and warranty or trade-up terms. Every detail comes from the store's own website or a public source, checked in October 2026. No store pays us to be listed, but stores in this guide may link to our site, and that can affect whether a store is included.
Buying a piano is a big purchase, and the store you buy from matters almost as much as the piano itself. A good store will let you try instruments properly, explain warranty and delivery clearly, and still be around when the piano needs its first tuning.
This guide compares piano stores across Canada, region by region, based on what each store says it offers as of October 2026. It isn't a list of "the best" stores in any absolute sense. Each one stands out for different things, so start with the region you live in and the need you have. In the US? See our guide to piano stores in the USA.
What we compared (and what we didn't)
- Selection: new acoustic, used, digital and hybrid pianos, and the brands carried
- Rentals: rent-to-own, long-term or event rentals
- Service: tuning, repair and restoration
- Delivery area: where the store says it delivers
- Warranty and trade-up terms: as stated by the store
We don't list prices. Prices and stock change quickly, so please check with the store.
British Columbia
Tom Lee Music (Vancouver area, plus Steinway galleries in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary)
Good option if you want to compare many new brands in one place. Its site lists Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Boston, Essex, Schimmel and Petrof, along with digital and hybrid pianos. It has stores in Vancouver, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley and Victoria, and Steinway Piano Gallery locations in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary.
Alberta
Michael Lipnicki Fine Pianos (Calgary)
Good option if you expect to upgrade later. It sells new and used pianos (its site lists Fazioli, C. Bechstein and Yamaha) and offers tuning, repair and full rebuilding. Its published trade-up policy covers new pianos for 10 years, used pianos for 5 years and new digitals for 3 years. Ask the store for the full terms.
Piano Centre (Edmonton)
Good option if you want a used piano with paperwork. The store says each pre-owned piano is inspected, comes with a written inspection report and a warranty, and qualifies for a 5-year full-value trade-up (details in store). It carries the Steinway-designed family (Steinway & Sons, Boston, Essex) and Roland digitals.
Ontario
Merriam Pianos (Oakville, Vaughan, Toronto)
Stands out for range. Its site says it stocks over 500 instruments across three showrooms, both new and pre-owned, and that it delivers across Canada and the U.S. That makes it worth a look even if you live outside the GTA.
Ottawa Pianos (Ottawa)
Good option for Eastern Ontario families who want Yamaha. It sells new and used acoustic pianos and Yamaha digital pianos, and its registered technicians handle tuning and repairs. When we checked, at least one used-piano listing included a 5-year warranty, a matching bench and main-floor delivery in Ottawa–Gatineau. Terms vary by piano, so confirm them for the one you're looking at.
Quebec
Piano Vertu (Montreal)
Good option if you want to try a lot of pianos side by side. Its site says it has nearly 200 pianos across two showrooms on Décarie, including C. Bechstein, Kawai, Shigeru Kawai and Estonia. It also offers tuning and moving services, and runs a music school.
Atlantic Canada
Doctor Piano (Bedford / Halifax, NS)
Good option for Yamaha buyers in Nova Scotia. It carries Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, professionally serviced "Red Tag" pianos (mostly pre-owned when we checked), tuning, event rentals and piano moving.
Unison Piano Specialists (Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, NB)
Good option for a pre-owned piano anywhere in the Maritimes. The store focuses on used Yamaha pianos and also does rebuilding, restoration, tuning and moving. Its site mentions sales in Charlottetown and Halifax too.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
St. John's Music (Winnipeg, plus Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton)
Good option if you want a new Yamaha upright in Manitoba or Saskatchewan. This is a general music retailer rather than a piano-only store, but its site says it is the exclusive dealer for Yamaha upright pianos in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Calgary area. It also lists Clavinova digital and AvantGrand hybrid pianos. Its stores offer repairs and financing.
Yamaha Piano Centre (Saskatoon and Regina)
Good option for Saskatchewan buyers who want to compare new and used pianos. It has showrooms in Saskatoon and Regina, carries Yamaha, Seiler and Knabe, and says its used pianos are inspected and upgraded by its technicians.
Newfoundland and Labrador: we haven't confirmed a dedicated piano store there for this version. If you know one, let us know.
Store, private sale or digital: what piano buyers often say
- Private sales can cost less up front, but you're paying for an inspection, moving and a first tuning yourself, and there's usually no warranty. Bring a piano technician before you buy.
- A "free" piano isn't free. Moving and tuning add up, and an old piano that won't hold a tune may not be worth saving.
- A good digital piano is a sensible start for many beginners, and it's easy to resell if plans change. Here is how to choose a digital piano if you go that route.
- Ask anyone recommending a store whether they earn anything from it. That includes teachers.
Questions to ask any piano store
- What does the warranty cover, for how long, and who honours it?
- Is delivery included, and what about stairs?
- Is the first tuning after delivery included?
- Is there a trade-up policy, and what are its exact terms?
- For a used piano: how old is it, what work was done, and can I get that in writing?
- For rentals: does any of the rent count toward buying?
Once it's home, see our winter piano care checklist.
Need a teacher to go with the piano?
A teacher can tell you whether the instrument suits the student's level. If you'd like help, send a lesson request. There's no cost to students, and we'll pass your request to independent teachers who may fit.
Store owners: spotted an error? Contact us and we'll correct it. Details checked October 2026. Stores are grouped by region, not ranked. No store pays us to be listed, but stores in this guide may link to our site, and that can affect whether a store is included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to buy a piano from a store or privately?
A store usually costs more up front but often includes a warranty, delivery and a first tuning. A private sale can cost less, but you'll pay for the inspection, moving and tuning yourself, and there's usually no warranty.
Should a beginner start with a digital piano?
For many beginners a good weighted-key digital piano is a sensible start. It needs no tuning and is easy to resell. Ask the teacher what they'd recommend for the student's goals.
Do piano stores in Canada rent pianos?
Some do. Rentals can include rent-to-own programs, where part of the rent counts toward buying, or short event rentals. Terms vary by store, so ask before you commit.
What is a trade-up policy?
It lets you put some or all of what you paid toward a more expensive piano from the same store within a set period. Always ask for the exact terms in writing.
Does a new piano need tuning after delivery?
Usually, yes. A piano settles after a move. Ask whether the first tuning is included.
How did The Best Piano Teachers choose the piano stores in its Canada guide?
We compared piano stores and music stores with a piano department with a Canadian showroom on selection, rentals, service, delivery, warranty or trade-up terms, using each store's own website and public sources. No store pays us to be listed, but stores in this guide may link to our site, and that can affect whether a store is included.
Why aren't prices listed?
Prices and stock change often, so please check current prices with the store.