Start by checking that the keyboard range and touch response suit the bass notes, chords and dynamics in your pieces. Then see whether you can practise with headphones and whether the complete set-up will fit in the room. You only need a split function if you want different sounds for your left and right hands, not for ordinary accompaniment using the same piano sound.
You practise bass notes or chords with your left hand alongside a right-hand part, so you mainly want to assess the keyboard range and touch response. Yamaha Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg lists 88 GHC keys for the P-145; Roland’s manual describes a split function on the FP-30X.
You want to practise without using the built-in speakers, so check whether the exact version has a suitable headphone socket. Casio Netherlands lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the CDP-S110BK; Korg specifies a PHONES socket for the B2+.
Compare not only the dimensions of the piano itself, but also the space needed for the complete playing set-up. Kawai Europe lists the ES120’s weight as 12,5 kg and says that the HML-2 stand is optional; Casio Netherlands gives the CDP-S110BK’s depth as 232 mm.
First, check that your pieces fit within the keyboard range and that the touch response feels comfortable for the dynamics you’re practising. Then consider quiet practice, the space needed for the complete set-up and any practice features, such as recording or a metronome.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch response and keyboard range | Check the highest and lowest notes in your pieces, and try playing softly and loudly on the exact model. | If you’re practising left-hand bass or chords alongside a right-hand part, the notes need to fit on the keyboard and the touch response needs to suit your dynamics. Around 36% of consumers prioritise touch response and range. |
| Practising with headphones | Check that the version has a socket compatible with your headphones; using headphones won’t eliminate the mechanical noise of the keys. | In a shared practice room, you may want to play through headphones without using the speakers. Around 29% of consumers say quiet practice is their top priority. |
| Setting up and storage | Measure the space for the piano, stand, stool and pedal, and check which items are included. | If you need to put the instrument away after a session, consider the whole playing set-up, not just the piano itself. Around 21% of consumers prioritise space for setting up and storage. |
| Listening back and repeating | Check separately whether the model has a metronome, internal recording or the computer connection you want. | If you want to listen back to passages to assess your left-hand part, check whether the recording captures the piano sound, rather than just MIDI data. Around 14% of consumers prioritise listening back. |
Split divides the keyboard into zones that can be assigned different sounds. You don’t need this function for ordinary accompaniment when both hands use the same piano sound.
First compare the notes and touch response in your own piece; only check for split if you want different sounds for your left and right hands.
Your playing area also needs space for the stand, stool and pedal. A slim piano case doesn’t tell you which items are included with the version you’re buying.
Measure the complete set-up and check what’s included in the offer, including the stand and pedals.
You may need to buy a suitable stand or an additional pedal unit separately, so there will be extra items to arrange.
A MIDI connection and a recording of the piano sound are two different things. If you want to listen back to a passage you’ve played, assess the recording function separately.
Check whether the exact model can record internally or has the audio connection you need.
The P-145 is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a portable 88-key piano.
The FP-30X is worth considering if you’re also thinking about a separate sound for your left hand or listening back to a performance.
The ES120 is a portable option if portability, a MIDI connection and the option to expand your set-up later are important to you.
The CDP-S110BK is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a slim case and a wired headphone socket.
The B2+ provides a useful point of comparison for a portable piano with 88 weighted keys.
The Joybuy options shown are portable pianos and keyboards with 61 keys; check that this range covers the highest and lowest notes in your left-hand part.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a portable 61-key keyboard and want to practise with headphones.
The title lists 61 keys and a weighted keyboard. The product description mentions a headphone socket, metronome, and recording and playback. Pieces with notes outside the 61-key range won’t fit.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 61-key keyboard with a metronome and recording function for practice sessions.
The title lists 61 keys; the product description mentions a metronome, recording function and headphone socket. Pieces with notes outside the 61-key range won’t fit.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 61-key keyboard set that includes a stand and stool.
The title lists a stand, stool and music rest; the product description mentions a headphone socket and recording and playback. Pieces with notes outside the 61-key range won’t fit.
No, not if you use the same piano sound for both hands. Split divides the keyboard into zones with different sounds; check the split point if you want a separate bass sound for your left hand.
Follow the instructions for powering the exact model and keep the plug accessible. For example, the ES120 manual specifies using a mains socket with the prescribed voltage and the supplied adapter; this guidance applies to that model.
Check what’s included in the offer for the exact version. Casio lists an SP-3 pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK; Kawai lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 triple pedal unit as optional for the ES120.
For a standard online purchase as a consumer, you generally have a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery; ACM ConsuWijzer notes that exceptions may apply. If a product is faulty, the seller is responsible for the statutory guarantee, according to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets.
Check the applicable product safety information and the required CE marking for the electrical version on offer. The Dutch Government notes that electrical appliances sold in the EU must meet the applicable requirements; a Dutch-language web page alone does not prove this.
