For left-hand accompaniment, choose a digital piano that lets you play the bass notes and right-hand part you have in mind at the same time, and compare the touch response before you decide. A slim cabinet saves depth, but not necessarily width, so measure the complete set-up, including the music rest, stand and bench. Also check whether the sustain pedal you want is included and whether your headphones fit the socket; headphones do not necessarily eliminate all mechanical noise.
You practise bass notes and chords with your left hand while playing a melody or part with your right. Touch response, a sufficient range of keys and a metronome may matter more than extra sounds. Yamaha describes the P-145 as having 88 GHC keys, while Roland lists an 88-key keyboard and built-in metronome for the FP-10.
You want to practise regularly with headphones to avoid sound from the speakers. Bear in mind that headphones do not guarantee that key or mechanical noise will be inaudible elsewhere in the house. Roland and Casio describe headphone sockets for the FP-10 and CDP-S110 respectively.
You need to fit the instrument, music rest, stand and bench under or beside a sloping ceiling. So measure not only the cabinet, but also the space you need to sit and play. Yamaha publishes dimensions for the P-145, while Casio gives the CDP-S110 a cabinet depth of 232 mm.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Touch response and playing with both hands | Compare the touch response of the exact model and play your bass notes and right-hand part together; check whether it has a metronome. | If you want to play bass notes or chords with your left hand and a part with your right, you’ll want to assess the touch response using a piece you’re practising. Around 36% of consumers give touch response and playing with both hands their highest priority. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the headphone socket, and don’t assume that wireless headphones are supported just because Bluetooth is mentioned. | If you practise in a shared home, reducing the sound from the speakers may be important, although this won’t eliminate all mechanical noise. Around 29% of consumers prioritise practising with less sound from the speakers. |
| Loft space | Measure the width, depth and clearance; allow for the music rest, stand, bench and legroom. | If your playing area is under a sloping ceiling, you’ll want to know whether the complete set-up will fit and whether you can reach the pedals freely. Around 21% of consumers give available set-up space their highest priority. |
| Pedal and accessories | Check what’s included with the version you’re choosing and whether the pedal offers the control your pieces require. | If you want to control how much sustain you use, check whether the included or optional pedal suits the way you play. Around 14% of consumers prioritise pedal control and the equipment included. |
Roland says the FP-10 does not support Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. So the presence of a Bluetooth feature alone doesn’t tell you which headphones will work.
Check which headphone connection is available on the exact version and make sure the plug fits.
You’ll need wired headphones for the FP-10; check whether you already have a compatible pair.
A shallow piano won’t necessarily fit in the space available for playing. The width, music rest, and room for the bench and your legs also determine whether you can sit comfortably.
Measure the width, depth and clearance where you plan to put it, and allow for the complete set-up.
If the complete playing area won’t fit, you may need a different layout or stand.
A basic pedal switch and a pedal with half-pedal support don’t offer the same control. Casio says an SP-3 is included with the CDP-S110; Yamaha and Kawai also describe optional pedal solutions for their models.
Check what’s in the box and whether the pedal is compatible with the exact version, based on what you want to practise.
A suitable pedal or stand may need to be bought separately.
The P-145 is a portable option to compare if you’re looking for a weighted keyboard, metronome and compact cabinet.
The FP-10 is a portable home piano to consider if you’re looking for an 88-key keyboard, metronome and headphone use.
The CDP-S110 is a slim, portable option if cabinet depth and a straightforward sustain pedal matter to you.
The ES120 is a portable option to compare if you want to assess the keyboard and pedal expansion together.
The Joybuy products below have 61 keys. Check whether that range is suitable for the bass notes and right-hand part you want to practise.
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The weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard and the metronome mentioned may be useful if you want to practise touch response and timing.
61 keys; the product description mentions a metronome and headphone socket. It has a smaller range than an 88-key keyboard.
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The metronome mentioned may come in handy if you want to keep track of your timing while practising.
61 keys; the product information mentions a metronome, recording function, headphone socket and music rest. It has a smaller range than an 88-key keyboard.
Not if you want to play bass notes or chords with your left hand and a melody with your right using the same piano sound. If you want a different sound on each half of the keyboard, check whether the exact model has a split function; Yamaha doesn’t list one for the P-145 in the comparison table mentioned.
No. Roland says the FP-10 does not support Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. Use wired headphones and check that the connection fits.
Measure the complete set-up, including the music rest, stand and bench, and check that you can reach the pedals comfortably while seated. If noise might be an issue, the Government of the Netherlands recommends trying to agree arrangements with your neighbours first; headphones are not a proven solution for all mechanical noise.
The Government of the Netherlands’ permit information covers building and renovation work, not setting up a freestanding instrument. If you plan to make structural changes to the loft, use the Permit Check on the Environment Desk website to find out which rules apply to the work.
ACM ConsuWijzer states that online purchases generally come with a statutory 14-day cooling-off period after delivery, subject to legal exceptions. The product must also meet what you could reasonably expect; if a fault occurs during normal use, the seller must resolve it in line with the applicable rules. Check the terms of the specific offer too.
