Best Upright Piano Dollies: A Complete Buying Guide for Floor Protection & Safe Moving
Introduction
Moving an upright piano isn’t just about convenience — it’s about protecting your valuable instrument, your floors, and the people moving it. A high-quality upright piano dolly ensures that your piano can be easily repositioned or transported safely without risk of tipping, floor damage, or injury. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the best upright piano dolly for your needs, from key features to watch for to avoiding common pitfalls with cheap alternatives.
Already know you need a premium upright piano dolly? Browse our full selection of piano dollies.
Why Every Upright Piano Owner Should Consider a Dolly
An upright piano is a heavy, top-heavy instrument that can weigh between 400 and 900 pounds. Without the right equipment, even moving it a few inches can leave unsightly scratches, dents, or gouges on hardwood, tile, or vinyl floors.
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Protects floors: Quality dollies with solid rubber wheels distribute weight evenly, reducing floor damage risk.
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Enhances safety: Prevents tipping or loss of control while moving the piano.
- Makes repositioning easy: Ideal for cleaning, rearranging rooms, or preparing for performances.
- Long-Distance Moves: Schools, churches, concert halls, etc., often have to move their vertical pianos long distances. The larger wheels of the dollies make it much quicker and safer compared to moving the piano on its existing brass or rubber casters.
Whether you’re a homeowner, school, or church, an upright piano dolly provides peace of mind every time the piano needs to be moved.
Key Features to Look for in a Quality Upright Piano Dolly
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Origin: American-made dollies use higher-grade steel and superior construction, offering better long-term durability than imports.
- Wheel material: Solid rubber wheels protect floors far better than hard plastic or brittle composite wheels found on cheaper models, which quickly degrade over time due to the weight of the piano. The higher the quality the rubber casters, the easier it is to move, the safer it is for your floors, and the longer the wheels will last. The wheels are truly one of the essential parts of a dolly, and are a key area where cheaper dollies save money (you can easily tell pushing different dollies, if they've used premium American-made casters or not).
- Steel thickness: Heavy-duty steel frames (not thin tubing) provide the stability needed for upright pianos, and support the weight of the heavy uprights.
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Wheel Size: Larger dolly wheels make moving the piano quicker and easier--especially important for heavier pianos.
- Compatibility: Verify the platform dimensions or truck size fit your piano’s footprint.
Common Pitfalls with Cheap Upright Piano Dollies
- Thin steel can bend or collapse under weight.
- Hard plastic wheels can scratch or dent flooring — even when used carefully.
- Poorly designed dollies can shift unexpectedly, leading to tip-overs.
Example: A school purchased a low-cost imported dolly and damaged both the stage wood floor and the piano’s leg during a rehearsal move. The repair cost far exceeded the price difference of investing in a premium dolly initially.
Our Recommended Upright Piano Dollies
We offer two professional-grade upright piano dolly options, both made in the USA and trusted by schools, churches, and homeowners nationwide:
| Model | Made In | Wheel Type | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jansen Heavy Duty Upright Piano Dolly (J4010) | USA | Solid rubber (5") | Thicker steel frame, large 5" wheels for smoother movement, ideal for larger pianos | Larger, heaver upright. Schools, churches, concert halls that need to move long distances or frequently move the piano |
| Jansen Upright Piano Dolly (J4009) | USA | Solid rubber (2.5") | Standard-duty steel, compact 2.5" wheels | For standard size uprights in homes, schools, churches, etc. |
How to Choose the Right Dolly for Your Needs
- How often do you move the piano? If your piano is moved frequently — such as for school assemblies, performances, or cleaning — a heavy-duty dolly with larger 5" wheels will make the piano easier to push and maneuver. Note it still will work fine with the standard size 2.5" wheels, which provide reliable support. It make just take a bit more effort if you're going uphill or over uneven terrain.
- What type of flooring do you have? Hardwood, tile, or delicate surfaces benefit from solid rubber wheels like those on both Jansen models — they protect floors far better than plastic wheels found on cheaper dollies. As we've stressed in this guide, premium wheels are key.
- What size and weight is your piano? Larger, heavier uprights (such as the Yamaha U1, U2 and U3), will require the heavy-duty Jansen J4010 dolly.
Conclusion
Investing in the right upright piano dolly protects your piano, your floors, and your peace of mind. Don’t settle for cheap imports that can cause more harm than good. Choose a premium, American-made dolly designed for safety, durability, and value.