Start with the space where you’ll actually play. An 88-key portable piano means you don’t need a permanent piano cabinet, but you’ll still need room for the wide keyboard, a chair and a pedal. Then compare the key action, headphone socket and pedal setup for the exact model. A shallow cabinet alone doesn’t guarantee that the complete setup will fit.
You want to practise a jazz standard at home, but your instrument needs to fit in a small playing area or be easy to move after use. Compare the piano’s dimensions with those of the complete setup, including the chair and stand.
You’re practising melodies and chord voicings, and want to pay close attention to key action, the pedal and keyboard range. Chord tones and voicings can matter when playing chords; for example, Berklee Online discusses the 1, 3 and 7 notes in seventh chords.
You want to practise regularly with headphones, and also need a stable stand and somewhere within easy reach to place the pedal. Headphones don’t automatically eliminate mechanical noise from the keys or pedal.
Choose this if: you want to practise melodies and chord voicings with both hands and have enough width available.
The trade-off: portable doesn’t mean narrow. Key action and the pedal setup vary between models and haven’t been tested against one another.
Choose this if: you want to use a metronome or connect a device as well as play. Kawai lists USB-MIDI and a metronome for the ES60; Korg lists a metronome and USB connection among the features of the B2.
The trade-off: check that the connections work with your device and software. They’re no substitute for a suitable keyboard width or a stable setup.
Choose this if: the instrument can stay in one place and a fixed playing and pedal position matters more than keeping floor space clear.
The trade-off: a cabinet setup takes up permanent space. Korg distinguishes the B2SP, which has a stand and three pedals, from the portable B2.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Will the complete setup fit? | Measure the width and depth with the music rest, stand, chair and pedal in place. Also check the weight if you plan to put the piano away after use. | If I have limited floor space, I want to know whether the instrument and playing area will fit. Around 29% of consumers say space is their top priority. |
| Melodies and chord voicings | Check the keyboard range required by your arrangement, and try the key action and pedal response of the exact model. | If I want to play melodies and chords with both hands, I look at range and key action. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the keyboard and playing chords. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the headphone socket and plug size. Assess key and pedal noise separately if other people in your household are sensitive to it. | In a shared living space, I want to listen through headphones without using the built-in speakers. Around 24% of consumers make quiet practice their top priority. |
| What’s included with your purchase | Check which stand, power supply and pedal are included with the exact model, and which accessories are optional. | If I want to play straight away, I want to know in advance what else I’ll need. Around 18% of consumers prioritise a complete purchase. |
The piano’s dimensions don’t tell you how much room the complete playing setup needs. For example, Yamaha lists different depths for the P-145 with and without the music rest.
Measure the available space with the piano set up for playing, and check its dimensions with your chosen music rest and stand.
Also leave room for the chair and pedal; you may need a suitable stand too.
Headphones let you listen without sound coming from the built-in speakers, but they don’t mean the keys and pedal make no mechanical noise.
Check the connection and, if possible, listen for key and pedal noise where you plan to practise.
Check that your headphone plug fits; you may need a suitable adaptor.
Pedal functions and included accessories vary between models. Roland pairs half-pedalling on the FP-10 with an optional DP-10 pedal; Korg distinguishes between models including the B2, B2SP and B2N.
Compare the full model name and check which accessories are included or optional for each version.
You may need to buy a separate compatible pedal to get the pedal function you want.
The CDP-S110BK is a portable option worth comparing if cabinet depth is a key consideration.
The FP-10 is a portable 88-key digital piano worth comparing for home practice.
The P-145 is a portable 88-key option. Yamaha also lists an optional LP-5A console for a permanent setup.
The ES60 is a portable piano worth comparing if weighted keys and practice or computer connections matter to you.
The B2 range offers portable and permanent setups to compare.
The Joybuy options shown here are instruments with 61 keys. They may suit you if your arrangement fits within that range; check the keyboard range before choosing one for a jazz standard.
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The product information lists a metronome and headphone port for practising and listening without using the built-in speakers.
The product name lists 61 keys, MIDI, speakers, a recording function and a music stand. Check that your arrangement fits within the 61-key range.
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The product information lists weighted, touch-sensitive keys, a metronome and a headphone socket. Check whether these features suit the way you practise.
The product name lists 61 keys, USB-MIDI, speakers, a music stand, 300 sounds and 300 rhythms. Check that the keyboard range is sufficient for your arrangement.
Not without knowing your arrangement and learning material. If you want to work out the melody and accompaniment with both hands, the 88-key models discussed offer the full keyboard range. Check which notes you actually need before choosing a shorter keyboard. Berklee Online discusses melodies and different chord voicings, but doesn’t specify a universal minimum number of keys for this purchase.
Use a stable stand that’s suitable for the exact model, and leave room for a chair and pedal. Check the assembly instructions; Roland warns that an incorrectly positioned stand can tip over when used with the FP-10.
A digital piano has no acoustic strings to tune. Follow the instructions for your exact model when cleaning and maintaining it; problems with the keys, electronics or power supply are service issues, not tuning issues.
For a standard online consumer purchase in the Netherlands, you’ll usually have a 14-day cooling-off period from delivery; check the relevant exceptions and returns information. If a product breaks too soon through no fault of your own, your statutory guarantee may entitle you to a remedy from the seller. A manufacturer’s guarantee and a retailer’s returns policy are not the same as your statutory rights.
According to the Dutch Government, electronic products covered by European product rules must carry a CE mark. Check both the instrument and the power supply included with the specific product; a brand name or product description alone doesn’t prove that an individual item supplied complies with the rules.
