Start with the requirements set by your exam board and the pieces you’ll be playing: the keyboard needs to meet the required touch response and range, and you’ll need a suitable sustain pedal if your repertoire calls for one. Then choose between a portable instrument and a permanent setup. In either case, check the dimensions, what’s included and whether playing with headphones is practical in your attic.
You want to practise touch, dynamics and pedalling on an instrument that suits the pieces and requirements of your exam. Trinity College London and ABRSM set requirements for keyboard type and range. Check the rules for your exam board and exam format.
You practise in a shared or noisy home and may want to use headphones. Bear in mind that headphones let you hear the piano sound, but won’t necessarily stop the sound of the keys and pedals being heard.
You’re choosing between an instrument you can move and a permanent practice space. That means you’ll need to consider the dimensions of the complete setup, the stand and the space for your pedal.
Choose this if: you use your attic for other activities too, or want to be able to move the instrument. The Yamaha P-145, Roland FP-10 and Casio CDP-S110BK are examples with weighted keyboards.
Trade-off: the stand and pedal can vary between versions, so check what’s included and whether the pedal setup suits your pieces.
Choose this if: you have a dedicated practice space and want the pedals to stay in the same place. The Korg B2SP comes with a stand and three pedals, according to Korg.
Trade-off: the setup takes up a permanent space. Korg lists the B2SP’s dimensions as 1.312 × 336 × 750 mm and its weight as 21 kg.
For anyone practising for a piano grade exam in a converted attic, exam requirements, household noise, space and the complete pedal setup are all important buying priorities.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard and range | Check the exam requirements, touch sensitivity, weighted keys and the range required by your pieces. | If I want to learn my exam pieces properly, I want a keyboard that meets the required touch response and lets me play the pieces within its range. Around 33% of consumers focus mainly on the keyboard and range required for the exam. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the headphone socket and try out the sound of the keys and pedal in the intended practice space. | If I practise while other people are at home, I want to hear the piano through headphones and know how much mechanical noise remains. Around 27% of consumers prioritise practising with consideration for household members and neighbours. |
| Space and portability | Measure the practice area, including room for your seat, music stand and pedal; compare the dimensions of the complete setup. | If my attic has several uses, I want to know whether the instrument will fit in the practice space and whether I can move it when needed. Around 20% of consumers focus mainly on space and portability. |
| Pedal and stand | Check what’s included, the type of pedal and whether the stand is part of the setup you want. | If I’m practising pieces that use the pedals, I want to know in advance which pedal I’ll actually get and whether the setup will stay securely in place. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a complete pedal setup. |
Requirements vary by exam board, level and exam format. For Digital Grades, Trinity College London specifies a touch-sensitive, weighted keyboard with sufficient range for the selected pieces; a sustain pedal is required if the repertoire calls for one. ABRSM also specifies full-size weighted keys and a sustain pedal. So check the current requirements for your own exam before choosing an instrument.
Headphones can reduce the sound coming from the speakers for other people, but they don’t tell you how much noise from the keys and pedals travels through the floor or building structure. The Dutch Government advises people dealing with noise nuisance from neighbours to discuss arrangements together first.
Exam requirements can depend on the exam board, format and level. The required range and pedal setup also depend on the pieces you choose.
Compare your exam and repertoire requirements with the full specifications of the exact version you’re considering.
Roland lists the DP-10 as an option for half-pedalling with the Roland FP-10. According to Korg, the B2SP has an integrated unit with three pedals. Versions and included accessories can vary.
Compare what’s included with the version on offer and check that the pedal suits your repertoire.
Headphones let you hear the piano sound, but you should check the noise from the keys and pedals separately.
Try the setup in your attic practice space and, if needed, agree practice times with anyone who might hear the noise.
The P-145 is a portable P Series piano you can compare for its keyboard and the space it requires.
The FP-10 is a portable FP piano for anyone looking for a weighted keyboard and the option to use headphones.
The CDP-S110BK is a slim CDP-S model where the instrument’s depth may be a factor.
The B2SP is an example of a fixed home setup with weighted keys and an integrated pedal unit.
The Joybuy options shown are 61-key instruments for piano practice. Check that the keyboard type and range meet the requirements of your exam pieces.
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The product description mentions touch-sensitive, weighted keys and a headphone socket. Check that the 61-key range is suitable for your exam pieces.
The title describes a portable instrument; check which parts are included with the version you choose.
The product information mentions a metronome, music stand and recording function. Check that the keys and range meet the requirements of your exam and the pieces you want to practise.
A headphone socket is listed; assess the noise from the keys and pedal separately in the intended practice space.
Not necessarily: requirements vary by exam board, format and level. Trinity College London allows a suitable digital piano for Digital Grades, provided it meets requirements including the range, a touch-sensitive weighted keyboard and, if required, a sustain pedal. The Trinity solo piano diplomas ATCL and LTCL mentioned here require an acoustic piano; FTCL requires an acoustic grand piano. Check the requirements for your exam.
It depends on your exam date: ABRSM states that the updated piano repertoire will be used in exams from 1 January 2027. For an exam in 2026, follow the syllabus that applies to that exam; don’t treat the new repertoire as a change that has already come into effect.
No. Headphones won’t necessarily stop the sound of the keys and pedals. Try the setup in your actual practice space. If noise is disturbing your neighbours, the Dutch Government advises discussing arrangements together first.
Follow the instructions for cleaning, placement and storage in the manual for the exact version. Use the maintenance guidance and products specified for that model.
In the Netherlands, the seller must provide a solution if a product is faulty, according to the Dutch Government. There is no fixed statutory warranty period; what you can reasonably expect from the product depends, among other things, on the product and the information provided at the time of purchase. A manufacturer’s warranty is separate from your statutory rights.
