Who is this buying guide for?

Jazz pianist practising voicings

You want to practise melodies, chords and, perhaps, a left-hand part with control over your touch. Compare the keyboards on the models you’re considering and check whether your passage fits.

Player sharing a practice space

You want to practise with headphones and know in advance which socket the piano has. An extra output can come in handy if a teacher is listening in.

Player short on space

You want to be able to move the piano after practising or fit the whole set-up into a small room. Allow for the music rest, pedal and space for your chair.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the key action and range you need for your jazz standard. Then measure the full set-up to see if it fits, and check which connections and accessories you’ll need.

The breakdown below covers consumers who want to practise a jazz standard in a small practice space.

What to consider What should you check? Who should pay particular attention?
Key action and playing range Compare the number of keys and the type of keyboard. If possible, try out your passage and check the pedal support on the exact version. If I want to practise dynamics and parts for both hands, responsive touch and enough range for my arrangement are my priorities. Around 33% of consumers say key action and playing range are their main purchasing concern.
Quiet practice Check the number and type of headphone outputs, and whether your headphone plug will fit. In a shared or noisy room, I want to listen through headphones without using the speakers. Around 27% of consumers put the ability to practise quietly first.
Space for the set-up Measure the piano itself as well as the space needed for the music rest, chair and pedal. Check the depth with the music rest in place. If my practice space is small, I want to know whether the piano and my playing position will both fit. Around 27% of consumers say available space is the deciding factor.
Practice features and pedal Check which features you need and whether your preferred pedal is included or sold separately. I want the features and accessories to suit the way I practise, without assuming a particular package is included. Around 13% of consumers give practice features and the pedal top priority.

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Comparing the piano’s depth alone

    A piano’s depth doesn’t tell you how much space the complete playing set-up will take up. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 268 mm deep without the music rest and 320 mm with it. You’ll also need space for a chair and pedal.

    Measure the whole set-up and leave enough room to sit down and get back up.

  • Assuming a three-pedal unit is included

    Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as an optional extra, while Casio lists an SP-3 pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK.

    Check what’s in the package on offer and whether the pedal is compatible with the version you’ve chosen.

  • Choosing a version based on the model name alone

    The power supply and package contents can vary between versions. The Dutch government notes that when you buy from online shops outside the EU, you can’t always establish whether a product meets European safety requirements.

    Check the exact version, the specified power supply, who the seller is and what conformity information is provided with the offer.

Brands worth comparing

Yamaha

The P-145 is worth comparing if you’re looking for a portable 88-key piano and want to check how much space you have available.

  • Yamaha lists the P-145 as having 88 GHC keys and dimensions of 1.326 × 268 mm without the music rest; the stated depth with the rest is 320 mm.
  • The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. These specifications are for the P-145, not all Yamaha models.

Roland

The FP-30X is worth comparing if you’re looking for a portable piano to practise on your own or with a teacher using headphones.

  • Roland lists the FP-30X as having 88 PHA-4 keys, two headphone outputs and Bluetooth audio.
  • Check which standard and pedal upgrades are included or available separately with each version. A manufacturer’s description is not an independent comparison of the key action.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is a slimline 88-key option to compare if the piano’s depth is important.

  • Casio lists the CDP-S110BK as having a weighted keyboard, a depth of 232 mm, 64-note polyphony and an SP-3 pedal included.
  • The piano’s dimensions don’t account for the complete playing area. The specifications listed are for this model.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable option to compare if the keyboard and the potential to upgrade the pedal controls later are important to you.

  • Kawai lists the ES120 as having 88 Responsive Hammer Compact keys and an F-1SP damper on/off switch pedal.
  • Other pedal options are listed as compatible accessories. Check what’s included with the version on offer.

Korg

The B2 offers another point of comparison if you’re looking for a portable piano with built-in speakers.

  • Korg lists the B2 as having 88 NH keys, a headphone output, a damper pedal included and dimensions of 1.312 × 336 mm without the music rest.
  • The PU-2 half-pedalling unit is available separately. These dimensions describe the model, not the space required for the complete set-up.

Joybuy product selection

The Joybuy option shown is a 61-key electronic keyboard, not an 88-key model. Check that its range suits the melody and parts in your jazz standard.

Black 61-key electronic keyboard

Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black

Could suit you if you want to use a metronome or recording function when practising. First, check whether 61 keys give you enough range for your arrangement.

61 keys; metronome, recording function, speakers, music stand, headphone socket and MIDI controller function.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are headphones enough to avoid disturbing anyone?

Headphones mean you won’t hear the sound through the speakers, but they don’t eliminate the physical noise of the keys and pedal in the room. Check which socket the model you choose has; Roland lists two headphone outputs on the FP-30X.

What should I measure before setting up a stand and chair?

Measure the width and depth of the playing area, including the music rest, seating space and pedal. For the Yamaha P-145, Yamaha lists a depth of 268 mm without the music rest and 320 mm with it. Leave extra room for your seated position, too.

Do I need to buy a pedal separately?

It depends on the model and the package on offer. Casio lists an SP-3 as included with the CDP-S110BK, while Yamaha describes the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as optional. Check the contents of the specific offer.

What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?

According to the Dutch government, when you buy from a business online at a distance, you’re often entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period, although there are exceptions. If a product is faulty, you may also have statutory consumer rights against the seller. If you’re buying through a platform, check who the seller is.

Which product safety rules apply to a digital piano?

Electrical and electronic equipment sold in the Netherlands must meet the relevant European requirements. Business.gov.nl describes CE marking and the EU Declaration of Conformity as requirements for equipment covered by these rules; wireless features may be subject to additional rules. Check the information for the exact version, as a general model description doesn’t automatically confirm that a specific offer complies.