Choose a digital piano by trying out arpeggios on the keyboard and checking that the touch and range suit your practice. Headphones stop the piano sound coming through the speakers, but they won’t eliminate the mechanical noise of the keys and pedal. Measure the entire playing area and agree practice times with your housemates; local rules may also be relevant.
You practise regularly while others are at home and want to listen to the piano through headphones. Bear in mind that the keys make mechanical noise, too, and agree suitable practice times with your housemates. Roland and Kawai describe headphone sockets on their models.
You want to assess evenness, dynamics and fast passages on the keyboard. The key action and any pedal expansion may matter more to you than extra sounds. Roland describes fast key repetition on the FP-10; Yamaha lists a GHC keyboard for the P-145.
You share a room or want to move the instrument after practising. Compare the piano’s dimensions with the space needed for the stand, chair and your entire playing area. Casio and Yamaha publish dimensions for the CDP-S110BK and P-145 respectively.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Noise while practising | Check the headphone socket on the exact version, and listen to the sound of the keys and pedal from outside the playing area, too. | If you practise while your housemates are at home, you’ll want to avoid sound from the speakers without overlooking mechanical noise. Around 25% of consumers put minimising disturbance to housemates first. |
| Touch and repeated notes | Try the same arpeggio slowly and quickly, softly and loudly. Roland attributes fast key repetition to the FP-10’s PHA-4 Standard keyboard. | If you want to practise even passages and dynamics, the keyboard’s touch is key to your choice. Around 25% of consumers prioritise a piano-like touch. |
| Space and moving the piano | Measure the complete set-up. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the CDP-S110BK; Yamaha gives the P-145 a width of 1.326 mm. | If you share a room or want to move the piano after use, you’ll need enough space to play, too. Around 20% of consumers start by assessing the space available for the set-up. |
| Using the pedals | Check what’s included with the version you’re considering and which upgrades are compatible. Casio lists an SP-3 sustain pedal with the CDP-S110BK; Kawai describes the F-351 three-pedal unit for the ES120 as optional. | If you practise arpeggios with sustain or other pedal functions, you’ll want to know which functions you can actually use. Around 15% of consumers prioritise pedal practice. |
| Complete playing set-up | Check whether the stand and any pedal upgrade you want are included in the exact package; Yamaha and Korg list optional pedal upgrades for certain models. | If you want to know what you’ll need for a practical playing area before you buy, check the complete set rather than just the piano cabinet. Around 15% of consumers start by weighing up the complete set-up. |
Headphones let you avoid hearing the piano through the speakers, but the keys and pedal still move mechanically.
When trying out a piano, listen to the keys and pedal from an adjacent room, too.
Manufacturers list pedal upgrades or stands as optional for various models. What’s included varies by version and package.
Check the contents and compatibility of the exact package before making your choice.
A suitable stand or upgraded pedal unit may need to be bought separately.
The cabinet dimensions don’t automatically account for the space needed for the player, chair, stand and any pedal upgrade.
Measure the entire playing area in your shared room before choosing a model.
The portable FP-10 and FP-30X are worth comparing if touch and headphone use are important to you.
The portable P-145 is a useful point of comparison for a set-up with 88 keys and a GHC keyboard.
The portable ES120 is worth considering if you want to compare headphone sockets and an expandable set-up.
The CDP-S110BK is worth considering if the depth of the piano cabinet is an important factor.
The B2 is an 88-key model with an NH keyboard and a headphone socket.
These product picks are 61-key instruments with a listed headphone socket; the two models differ in their stated keyboard features.
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An option to consider if you want to practise with headphones and are looking for a built-in metronome to help structure your arpeggios.
The product information lists 61 keys, a headphone socket, a metronome and a music stand.
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An option to consider if you want to compare a headphone socket and a keyboard with stated touch sensitivity.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard and headphone socket; the product description mentions touch-sensitive keys.
Headphones stop the piano sound coming through the speakers, but the keys and pedal still move mechanically. Test the noise where you plan to set up the piano, and agree practice times with your housemates.
Measure the whole area, including the stand, chair and music rest. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the CDP-S110BK; this isn’t the depth needed for the complete playing area.
Not for every practice session. First decide whether you’ll practise using sustain or other pedal functions, then check what’s included with your version. Casio lists an SP-3 with the CDP-S110BK, while Kawai describes the three-pedal unit for the ES120 as optional.
According to the Dutch Government, distance purchases usually come with a 14-day cooling-off period, although there are exceptions. The Dutch Government also states that the seller must provide a solution if a product is faulty; your exact rights depend on the circumstances.
Headphones don’t guarantee that practising won’t cause a disturbance. The Dutch Government states that nuisance to neighbours may be covered by municipal by-laws (APV) in many municipalities, so check the rules for your address and any house agreements.
