Start by checking the lowest and highest notes in your arrangement. If they fit within 61 keys, a 61-key keyboard may be enough; if the music needs a wider range, compare 76- or 88-key models. Also consider the space available, the headphone socket and the practice features. Touch sensitivity does not automatically mean that a keyboard has weighted piano keys.
You want to practise the melody and dynamics of an arrangement. Compare its note range with the keyboard, and check whether touch sensitivity and practice features suit the way you learn. Yamaha and Casio describe touch sensitivity on the models mentioned here.
You use the spare room while other people are at home too. Check for a headphone socket, and allow space for the instrument, sheet music and a seat.
You’re playing an arrangement for both hands whose range may not fit within 61 keys. Compare both 76- and 88-key models, and measure the space available.
A good fit if: the lowest and highest notes in your arrangement fall within the keyboard’s range.
Keep in mind: it has a narrower range than a 76- or 88-key model; touch-sensitive keys are not automatically weighted.
A good fit if: your arrangement needs a wider range than 61 keys can offer and you have enough room.
Keep in mind: Yamaha lists the PSR-EW320 as 1,148 mm wide; according to Yamaha, it has organ-style keys.
A good fit if: your arrangement needs a wider range or you specifically want a larger keyboard.
Keep in mind: according to Korg, the Liano is 1,282 mm wide and has touch-sensitive LS keys, not a hammer-action mechanism.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamics and playing feel | Check both the touch sensitivity and the key action of the specific model. | If you want to distinguish between soft and loud notes, playing feel should be a priority. Around 26% of consumers say dynamics are their main consideration when choosing. |
| Space and storage | Measure the space for the instrument, allowing room for sheet music and a seat too. | If you’re setting the instrument up in a spare room or putting it away after practising, its dimensions matter. Around 21% of consumers say getting the right size is their top priority. |
| Practising with headphones | Check whether the model has a headphone output and whether your plug will fit. | If you practise while others are at home, you’ll want to listen through headphones. Around 21% of consumers prioritise being able to practise quietly. |
| Note range | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your arrangement with the keyboard’s range. | If the very lowest or highest notes in your arrangement don’t fit within 61 keys, you’ll need a wider range. Around 16% of consumers choose mainly according to the range of their arrangement. |
| Practice features | Check whether the built-in lesson or practice feature suits the way you learn. | If you want to practise independently, suitable lessons, accompaniment or recording features may be useful. Around 16% of consumers put practice support at the top of their list. |
A touch-sensitive keyboard responds to how hard you play, but that doesn’t mean it has weighted keys with a hammer-action mechanism.
If key feel matters for your practice goals, check both features separately.
The models in this guide have different numbers of keys. The lowest and highest notes in your arrangement will determine whether 61 keys are enough.
Before choosing, compare the notes at either end of your arrangement with the range of the exact model.
If the keyboard cannot cover the notes in your arrangement, you may need a different instrument.
You’ll also need room for sheet music and a seat. Korg notes that the stand for the Liano is sold separately.
Plan your complete set-up and check what’s included with the version you’ve chosen.
Allow space for your full playing set-up, and check whether you need to buy the stand separately.
The PSR-E383 has 61 keys, while the PSR-EW320 has 76 for arrangements that need a wider range.
The CT-S300 is worth considering if you’re looking for a compact keyboard with touch sensitivity.
The E-X10 is a 61-key arranger keyboard for anyone interested in accompaniment and recording features as well as practising notes.
The Liano is an 88-key digital piano for arrangements that need a wider range.
These Joybuy products are 61-key instruments for home practice. Check that your film theme’s range fits the keyboard you choose.
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The product description lists a touch-sensitive, weighted keyboard and a headphone socket for practising with headphones.
The description also lists 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, 40 demo tracks, a metronome and a recording feature.
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The product description lists a headphone port and a three-step learning system for practising with built-in guidance.
It also lists 500 sounds, 300 rhythms, 40 demo tracks, a metronome, a recording feature and a music stand.
Check the lowest and highest notes in the exact arrangement you want to learn. If they don’t fit on your chosen 61-key keyboard, compare the range and dimensions of 76- or 88-key models.
Measure the space for the keyboard, sheet music and a seat. Before connecting it, check the power supply and what’s included with the specific version; your headphone plug must fit the available output.
According to the Dutch government, the seller must provide a solution if a product is faulty. The Netherlands has no fixed statutory guarantee period that applies to every product; what you can expect depends partly on the product and the information provided at the point of sale.
According to the Dutch government, when you buy from a business at a distance, you’ll usually have 14 days to change your mind. Check the terms for your specific purchase; an online purchase from a private seller isn’t covered by the stated distance-selling rules.
No. According to the European Commission, the manufacturer uses the CE marking to declare that the product complies with the relevant EU rules; there is no central EU body that routinely issues CE certificates. The requirements that apply depend on the product and its components.
