Choose according to what you need when practising: a touch that suits you, the right headphone socket or a connection to your computer. Check how much space the piano and complete setup will take up, and which pedals and stand are actually included. USB alone doesn’t mean you can record audio directly.
You want to practise repeated chord shapes and transitions on weighted keys, so the touch matters. Yamaha describes the P-145’s GHC keyboard, while Casio lists a scaled hammer-action mechanism for the CDP-S110BK. These manufacturer specifications are not a direct comparison of playing response.
You practise in a shared living space and need a headphone socket that works with your headphones. Casio and Korg list headphone or output connections; check the exact type on the model you’re considering.
You want to use the piano with a computer, so you’ll need to distinguish between MIDI performance data and audio recording. Kawai’s manual describes USB data transfer for MIDI; this is not the same as recording the piano’s sound directly.
Start with the touch, then decide whether quiet practice, a computer connection or the space available is the biggest factor in your choice.
| Consideration | What to look for when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch for chord changes | If possible, try repeated chord shapes on the exact model. Compare the specified touch, not just the number of sounds. | When playing repeated chord shapes, I want a touch that suits the way I practise. Around 33% of consumers put touch first. |
| Quiet practice | Check that your headphones are compatible and whether the headphone socket also serves another output function. | If I practise at home while others are around, I need a suitable headphone socket. Around 27% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Recording with a computer | Check whether you need MIDI or audio, which cable is required, and how the piano connects to your computer or audio interface. | If I want to record chord changes in software, the connection needs to suit my recording setup. Around 20% of consumers prioritise recording with a computer. |
| Space and setup | Measure the space, including the stand and pedals. Check what’s included with the specific offer, not just what’s shown in the picture. | If space is limited, I want to know how much room the instrument and the complete setup will take up. Around 20% of consumers put space first. |
The Kawai ES120 manual describes USB to HOST for MIDI data. This doesn’t automatically mean the piano’s sound can be recorded directly via USB.
Decide in advance whether you want to edit MIDI or listen back to audio. For your chosen model, check which audio output and recording equipment you’ll need.
The LP-5A console is optional for the Yamaha P-145; for half-pedalling on the Korg B2, Korg lists the PU-2 as sold separately.
Check what’s included with the specific offer and make sure the stand and pedals are compatible before choosing a setup.
The Government of the Netherlands advises checking the seller, product safety and any potential import costs when buying from online shops outside the EU.
Check the seller’s identity and place of business, as well as the terms of the specific offer.
Potential import costs and the arrangements for returns can vary from one transaction to another.
The models below offer a range of specifications to compare with your practice and connectivity needs. Mentioning a brand does not amount to a general assessment of its entire range.
The P-145 is worth comparing if you’re looking for weighted keys and basic features in a portable digital piano.
The CDP-S110BK is worth considering if you’re looking for a slim digital piano with hammer action.
The B2 is an option to compare if you’re looking for a weighted keyboard, metronome and connections for home use.
The ES120 is worth comparing if MIDI use and separate audio outputs are important to you.
No, the presence of USB alone doesn’t guarantee that. The Kawai ES120 manual describes the USB to HOST connection as being for MIDI data. For the model you choose, check whether it sends audio via USB, or which audio output and recording equipment you’ll need.
You can’t tell from a picture or from whether the piano is compatible with an accessory. Yamaha lists the LP-5A console for the P-145 as optional; Korg lists the PU-2 for half-pedalling on the B2 as sold separately. Check what’s included with the specific offer.
Use the power supply specified for the instrument and follow the manual for the exact model. The Kawai ES120 manual warns, among other things, against moisture and using a damaged power cord. The Government of the Netherlands says that many consumer products placed on the market within the EU must carry a CE mark; check the marking and information for the specific product.
When you buy remotely from a business, you’re entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period in many cases; the Government of the Netherlands lists some exceptions. You’re also entitled to a product that is in good condition. If there’s a fault, the seller is your point of contact for the statutory guarantee; according to the Government of the Netherlands, there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands.
