Player in a shared home
You want to practise scales regularly while considering how audible the sound may be to housemates or neighbours. Both headphone use and the physical sound of the keys may be factors.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Player working on their touch
You want to develop your fingering, evenness and dynamics on a piano keyboard, so you compare how the keys feel and which practice features are available.
Player with limited attic space
You need to fit in the piano and the whole playing area, perhaps beneath a sloping roof. The dimensions of the piano alone won’t tell you how much room you’ll need for the stand, music rest and stool.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the feel of the keyboard and how you want to practise. Then measure the complete setup and check which accessories are included with the piano.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Sound for housemates | Check the headphone socket and, if possible, try the physical sound of the keys in a quiet room too. | If others are at home while I practise, I don’t want to assume that headphones will block out all the sound. Around 27% of consumers prioritise minimising disturbance. |
| Touch and number of keys | Try repeated notes, playing softly and changing fingers on the exact model; check the number of keys too. | If I want to practise scales and dynamics, I want to know how the keyboard feels under my fingers. Around 27% of consumers give touch and control top priority. |
| Tempo and practice tools | Check whether the piano has a metronome or recording function, or decide which practice app you want to use. | If I want to keep track of my tempo or listen back to my playing, I’m looking for a practice aid that suits me. Around 20% of consumers mainly choose based on tempo and self-assessment. |
| Space for the setup | Measure the available width, depth and height, and allow for the music rest, stand and seating space. | If space beneath the sloping roof is limited, I want to know whether the whole playing area will fit, not just the piano. Around 13% of consumers mainly choose based on how well it will fit. |
| Included accessories | Check which stand, music rest and pedals are included with each version, and which are optional. | If I want to use the piano straight away in the setup I have in mind, I want to know in advance which accessories I’ll need. Around 13% of consumers prioritise having the complete setup. |
Examples of differences between models: Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys and a depth of 272 mm without the music rest for the P-225. Casio specifies a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100. Those measurements alone don’t tell you whether the piano will fit in your attic with its stand and seating area.
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming headphones make the setup silent
Headphones change what you hear electronically, but they don’t stop the keys from moving physically. Kawai lists key cushioning as a separate feature of the ES120.
Listen to the sound of the keys without the speakers, too. If the sound is disruptive at home, discuss arrangements with your housemates or neighbours; the Dutch government advises people dealing with neighbour noise to discuss things together first.
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Comparing only the depth of the piano
The space taken up by a music rest, stand and stool can determine whether you can play comfortably. The dimensions listed for the Yamaha P-225 differ depending on whether the music rest is fitted.
Before ordering, draw the piano, stand, music rest and seating area to scale.
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Assuming a stand or pedal is included
For the models mentioned, Kawai and Yamaha describe certain stands or pedal options as optional.
Check what’s included with the version on offer and whether any extras are compatible. You may need a different stand or location to make the complete setup fit.
Brands to compare
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable model to consider if you want to practise at home with headphones.
- Roland specifies an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard and two headphone outputs. The manual also lists a metronome and recording function.
- A three-pedal unit is available as an optional extra. These specifications don’t show that the keyboard is quieter or more comfortable to play than another brand’s.
Yamaha
The P-225 is a portable model to include when comparing dimensions and keyboard layouts.
- Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and a cabinet width of 1.326 mm. The depth is 272 mm without the music rest.
- The three-pedal option is optional. Yamaha’s description of how it feels to play isn’t an independent hands-on test.
Kawai
The ES120 is worth comparing if the physical sound of the keys is a concern for your housemates.
- Kawai describes key cushioning on the Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and lists a weight of 12,5 kg.
- This doesn’t tell you how loud it will be in your home. The stand and triple-pedal unit are optional.
Casio
The PX-S1100 is worth considering if the depth of the available space is a key constraint.
- Casio specifies a depth of 232 mm for the piano cabinet.
- Measure the width too, and allow for the music rest, stand and seating area. The cabinet depth alone won’t tell you whether the complete setup will fit.
Joybuy products
This selection features portable 61-key keyboards with features for practising with headphones and keeping time. Check whether 61 keys suit your practice goals, and compare the product configuration with the space you have available.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
A portable model to compare if you want to practise with headphones and a metronome.
The product information lists a weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard, a metronome, and recording and playback functions. The title also mentions 300 sounds and 300 rhythms.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys
A 61-key model to compare if you want to use a headphone socket and metronome while practising.
The product information lists USB-MIDI and a recording function. The product title mentions a music rest.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a built-in metronome to practise minor scales?
No, a practice app can provide a metronome too. The Roland FP-30X manual lists a built-in metronome; according to ABRSM, its Piano Scales Trainer app includes notation, suggested fingering and a metronome, among other features.
Can I put the piano anywhere in the attic?
Measure the space and allow for the stand, music rest and room to sit. Follow the safety instructions for the exact model too; for example, the Kawai ES120 manual specifies the required mains voltage and warns against getting water on the instrument.
How can I avoid unexpected costs after buying online?
Before you buy, check which accessories are included with that version and what terms and conditions apply. According to the ACM’s ConsuWijzer, online consumer purchases usually come with a 14-day cooling-off period after delivery. You’re also entitled to a legal guarantee if a product doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect under normal use.