Choose a digital piano with a touch that feels comfortable for your left-hand patterns and suits the way you practise: with a built-in metronome and recording, or by connecting to studio software. Then compare the connections you need and check the dimensions. MIDI is not the same as recording audio, and the stated cabinet depth does not tell you how much space the complete set-up will take.
You repeat bass lines or accompaniment patterns and want to assess your touch and consistency. Yamaha Netherlands and Roland Netherlands describe weighted keyboards and practice features for specific models, but that does not tell you which touch will feel comfortable for you.
You want to listen back to your left-hand parts or use MIDI data in software. So check recording, MIDI and audio separately: these features are not interchangeable.
You share your home studio with other equipment and need to consider cabinet depth, headphone use, and the space required for a stand and pedals. Measure the complete set-up.
First, assess the touch by playing your own left-hand pattern. Then decide which practice or recording features you need, and finally check whether the complete set-up will fit in your studio.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and left-hand control | Compare the keyboard types on the models and play the same soft and fast left-hand phrase on each one. | If you play repeated patterns, you’ll want to judge for yourself how the keys respond. Around 33% of consumers give touch top priority. |
| Tempo and playback | Ask for the metronome, recording and playback functions to be demonstrated on the specific model. The Roland FP-30X manual describes a metronome, as well as recording and playback; Yamaha Netherlands lists two-track MIDI recording for the P-225. | These features matter if you want to practise your tempo and consistency and listen back to your playing. Around 27% of consumers prioritise practice feedback. |
| Connecting to studio software | Check whether you need MIDI, audio or both, and review the connections on the exact model. Kawai lists USB-MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI for the ES120; USB-MIDI alone does not confirm USB audio. | If you want to use the notes you play in software, the connection needs to suit your workflow. Around 20% of consumers give software connectivity top priority. |
| Space and quiet practice | Measure the width and depth of your work area, allowing room for the music rest, cables and playing space. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100; Yamaha Netherlands gives the P-225’s width as 1.326 mm and its depth as 272 mm without the music rest. Also check the headphone socket, stand and pedals. | If your piano needs to fit in a shared or shallow space and you want to practise with headphones, you need to consider the complete set-up. Around 20% of consumers prioritise space and quiet practice. |
A keyboard split with two sounds does not automatically let you mute a part or create a left-hand loop.
Ask for the exact practice function you need to be demonstrated, and check that it works on the model you’re considering.
The USB-MIDI specification for the Kawai ES120 does not confirm that piano sound can be recorded on a computer via USB.
Decide in advance whether you want to record notes, piano sound or both, then check which connections you need. Audio recording may require separate recording equipment or cabling.
Certain stands and three-pedal options are described as optional for the Yamaha P-225 and Kawai ES120.
Check what’s included in the set on offer and whether the stand and pedals you want are compatible with the model.
These models offer specific features to compare. The product details listed are provided by the manufacturers and are not independent assessments of the brands.
The P-225 is worth comparing if you’re looking for a weighted keyboard and built-in recording.
The FP-30X is a portable model to compare if touch, headphones and practice features matter to you.
The ES120 is worth considering if you want to connect a portable piano to studio software via MIDI.
The PX-S1100 is a specific compact model to compare if you have limited depth to work with.
No. The Roland FP-30X manual describes Split Play as two zones, each with a different sound. This does not confirm that you can mute a recorded right-hand part or automatically create a left-hand loop, so check the specific practice function you need.
Not on the basis of that specification alone. Kawai lists USB-MIDI on the ES120 as a connection for exchanging data with a computer. Check separately which audio connections and recording equipment you’ll need.
Make sure your set-up leaves enough room to play and connect your equipment, and use the specified power supply. The ES120 manual warns against connecting the piano to a socket with the wrong voltage and against getting water near the instrument.
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, you usually have a 14-day cooling-off period when you buy online. The seller must also remedy a product free of charge if, under normal use, it doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect—for example, by repairing it, replacing it or refunding your money. This does not mean that every digital piano has the same fixed statutory warranty period.
According to the European Commission, CE marking is required when a product falls under specific harmonised EU rules that require it. Check the product information for the specific version; this general rule does not establish whether an individual item on offer meets the requirements.
