Pianist learning a recital piece
You’re practising dynamics, passages and pedalling, and want to judge the feel of the keys for yourself rather than relying solely on a manufacturer’s description.
Who is this buying guide for?
Attic-dweller mindful of noise
You want to practise with headphones while also being considerate of other people in or around your home.
Player sharing an attic space
You need to fit the complete piano set-up into the space or move it from time to time, and want to know in advance which stand and pedals are included with the version you’re considering.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portable digital piano
Best if: you use the attic flexibly or want to be able to move the instrument.
Trade-off: the stand and any additional pedals you want may be sold separately. Manufacturer specifications can’t tell you which keyboard will suit your hands.
Fixed set-up
Best if: you have a dedicated practice space and prefer a permanent set-up to portability.
Trade-off: measure the available floor and playing space, and check whether the version you’re considering includes the pedal system you want.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this more important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch, range and control | Compare the feel of the keys by playing, and check that the number of keys covers the range of your piece. | If I’m practising passages and soft dynamics, I want to know how the keyboard responds under my fingers. Around 36% of consumers put touch and playing range first. |
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket on the exact model and, if necessary, agree arrangements about noise. | If I’m practising in the attic while others are at home or nearby, I want to be considerate of possible disturbance. Around 29% of consumers make quiet practice their top priority. |
| Space and positioning | Measure the space for the instrument, stand and your seating position; compare dimensions on the same basis. | If my attic is also used for other activities, I want to know in advance how much room the complete set-up will take. Around 21% of consumers put fitting the instrument into their space first. |
| Pedals and stand | Check which pedals are compatible and what comes with the version you’ve chosen. | If my recital piece calls for a specific pedalling technique, I want to know whether the necessary combination will work with my set-up. Around 14% of consumers put having a complete pedal set-up first. |
If possible, try playing passages from your own piece on the keyboard. Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys for the P-225, while Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys for the FP-30X. Specifications like these won’t tell you which keyboard will feel most comfortable to play.
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming a piano on its own is a complete recital set-up
A pedal that works with a model isn’t necessarily included. Korg states that the PU-2, which enables half-pedalling with the B2, is sold separately.
Before ordering, check what’s included with the exact version and whether the stand and pedal are compatible.
A compatible stand or a more advanced pedal set-up may be sold separately.
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Assuming headphones make practice completely silent
Headphones reduce the sound from the speakers, but they won’t automatically eliminate all noise. If your neighbours are disturbed, the Dutch Government advises discussing arrangements with them first.
Use headphones where appropriate and discuss any possible disturbance; don’t assume there’s a generally permitted time to play.
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Comparing only the depth of the piano
The dimensions of a piano on its own don’t account for the space taken up by the stand and your seating position.
Measure the available space for the complete set-up and compare dimensions given on the same basis.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P-225 is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a full keyboard in a relatively shallow casing.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys and the dimensions for the P-225.
- The keyboard specifications won’t tell you how the touch will feel when playing your recital piece; consider the complete set-up too.
Roland
The FP-30X is worth considering if you want to practise with headphones or listen along with a teacher.
- Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard and two headphone outputs.
- Check which pedal extension is compatible with your version and stand. Roland’s claims about the keyboard’s touch are manufacturer claims, not the results of an independent test.
Kawai
The ES120 is a useful portable point of comparison if keyboard feel and ease of moving the instrument are important to you.
- Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and a weight of 12,5 kg for the ES120.
- Check the exact version and accessories; Kawai is the source of the description of its piano feel.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100 is worth a look if a slim casing is important to you.
- Casio describes the PX-S1100 as slim and lists 88 keys.
- Casio’s claims about sound and expressiveness don’t prove that it will offer an advantage for your recital piece.
Korg
The B2 is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking at a model with a documented pedal option.
- Korg specifies an NH keyboard, a combined headphone/line output and half-pedalling with the PU-2.
- The PU-2 is sold separately; check that the pedal technique and connection are suitable for your set-up.
Joybuy product picks
The options below are portable digital pianos and keyboard pianos with 61 keys. Check that your recital piece falls within this range.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
An option to consider if the passages in your recital piece fall within the range of 61 keys.
61 keys; weighted keyboard; headphone socket.
Notes outside the range of 61 keys can’t be played on this instrument.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
Consider this version if your recital piece falls within the range of 61 keys.
61 keys; MIDI; recording function; metronome; music stand.
Notes outside the range of 61 keys can’t be played on this instrument.
Frequently asked questions
Are headphones enough to let me practise in the attic at any time?
No, you shouldn’t assume that as a general rule. If your neighbours are disturbed, the Dutch Government advises discussing arrangements with them first, for example about music and playing times. The guidance mentioned doesn’t set a nationwide cut-off time for playing the piano. If necessary, check the arrangements that apply to your home.
What should I check when setting up and connecting a portable piano?
Measure the space for the complete set-up and check the headphone and pedal connections on the exact model. The Korg B2 has a headphone socket combined with LINE OUT; the PU-2 is required for the half-pedalling function mentioned and is sold separately.
Can I try out a piano bought online and then return it?
For online consumer purchases, ACM ConsuWijzer says you’ll generally have a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery, subject to exceptions and rules on trying out and returning items. Check the terms for your order before buying; the cooling-off period is separate from your guarantee if there’s a fault.
How long does the statutory guarantee last in the Netherlands?
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, there’s no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands that applies to all products. The key question is how long you can reasonably expect a product to last. If a product is faulty and the applicable conditions are met, the seller is responsible for providing a solution.