Sonatina student focusing on touch
Wants to practise soft and loud passages and quick note changes, so compares weighted keyboards by playing them in person. Yamaha and Roland describe weighted keyboards for the models mentioned.
Who is this guide for?
Loft-dweller with neighbours nearby
Practises regularly, paying attention to audible key and pedal noise and vibrations, even when the speakers are muted through headphones. Roland notes that mechanical noise may still be heard.
Player without a dedicated piano space
Uses the loft for several activities and weighs up a portable piano against a cabinet piano with integrated pedals. Yamaha and Roland’s model descriptions illustrate these different set-ups.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portable digital piano
A good fit if: you use your practice space for other activities too and want to be able to move the instrument.
Keep in mind: you may need to buy a stand or a more advanced pedal unit separately; portability doesn’t mean mechanical noise disappears.
Fixed cabinet piano
A good fit if: you have a permanent space available and want integrated pedals.
Keep in mind: the fixed cabinet is harder to move; check the mechanical noise on the floor where you plan to put it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should give this extra thought? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and dynamics | Try soft and loud passages and repeated notes; check the keyboard type of the exact model. | If I want to practise passages with different touches, I want to feel for myself how the keyboard responds. Around 33% of consumers give control over touch and dynamics top priority. |
| Noise for neighbours | Check the headphone socket and assess key and pedal noise on a similar floor. Roland warns that mechanical noise and vibrations may remain. | If I want to practise without the sound from the speakers carrying through the loft, I also consider what neighbours might hear from the keys and pedals. Around 27% of consumers prioritise minimising disturbance to neighbours. |
| Space and moving the piano | Measure the space for the piano, chair, player, music stand and pedal, and check the route for moving the instrument. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100. | When my loft has several uses, I want to be able to adjust my practice space without losing sight of the rest of the layout. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a flexible practice space. |
| Pedals and set-up | Check what’s included with each model: Yamaha describes the LP-5A for the P-145BT as optional; the Roland RP107 has integrated pedals. | If I want a fixed pedal set-up, I prefer to check in advance which parts come with the piano. Around 20% of consumers give a complete pedal set-up top priority. |
Things to consider before buying
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Headphones don’t make the set-up silent
Headphones mute the sound from the speakers, but the keys and pedal mechanism may still make noise or cause vibrations.
Assess the mechanical noise on the floor where you plan to put the piano. Only use an anti-vibration mat if the piano remains stable.
-
Don’t assume all pedals are included
A portable piano and a cabinet piano may come with different accessories; an optional pedal unit is not the same as one included in the box.
Check what comes with the exact model and which compatible accessories you need for your preferred set-up.
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A shallow piano doesn’t tell you how much playing space you need
As well as the cabinet, you’ll need room for the chair, player, music stand and pedal.
Measure the full set-up you have in mind before choosing a spot.
-
A manufacturer’s warranty is not the same as your statutory rights
ACM ConsuWijzer distinguishes between the legal guarantee and any commercial warranty.
Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller if the product is faulty.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P series includes portable models; the P-145BT has its own specifications, which shouldn’t be assumed to match those of the P-145 without checking.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys for the P-145BT and compatibility with the optional LP-5A three-pedal unit.
- The three-pedal unit is optional; try the touch for yourself and check the specifications of the exact model.
Roland
The FP-40 is a portable model with a PHA-4 Standard keyboard; the RP107 is a cabinet piano with integrated pedals.
- Roland lists integrated sustain, soft and sostenuto pedals for the RP107.
- Roland warns that the keys and pedals may cause mechanical noise or vibrations. Descriptions of sound and response are not independent test results.
Casio
The PX-S1100 is a portable model worth considering if the depth of your available space is important.
- Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm.
- The measurement alone doesn’t tell you how much playing space you’ll need or which touch will feel comfortable. Casio’s claim that it is the slimmest model applies to a specific product category and is based on its own research from July 2021.
Korg
The B2+ is a portable option that, according to Korg’s Dutch specifications, comes with a damper pedal.
- According to Korg, the optional PU-2 supports half-pedalling.
- Check whether you need the add-on and a separate stand for your set-up.
External product ranking
The order below is taken from bestedigitalepiano.nl’s 2026 editorial top three. It’s an external ranking, not a measure of sales or performance.
| Rank | Model | Key features | Reason for its ranking | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland FP-40 | PHA-4 Standard keyboard with weighted hammer action, according to Roland. | Listed in first place in bestedigitalepiano.nl’s external editorial top three. | bestedigitalepiano.nl |
| 2 | Yamaha P-145BT | 88 GHC keys; compatible with the optional LP-5A three-pedal unit, according to Yamaha Netherlands. | Listed in second place in the same external editorial ranking. | bestedigitalepiano.nl |
| 3 | Roland RP107 | PHA-4 Standard keyboard and three integrated pedals, according to Roland. | Listed in third place in the same external editorial ranking. | bestedigitalepiano.nl |
Digital pianos at Joybuy
This selection includes portable digital pianos and 61-key keyboards; check that the range suits your sheet music and playing needs.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
The weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard and headphone socket are well suited to practising dynamics and listening through headphones.
61 keys; USB-MIDI; 300 tones and 300 rhythms, according to the product description.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
The product description mentions a headphone socket and built-in metronome; check that the features suit the way you practise.
61 keys; music stand; recording function, according to the product name and description.
Frequently asked questions
Are headphones enough to practise without disturbing the neighbours?
No. Headphones won’t stop the key and pedal mechanisms from making noise or causing vibrations. Assess the set-up on the floor where you plan to put it, and keep the piano stable, even if you use an anti-vibration mat.
Do I need three pedals straight away for a sonatina?
Don’t decide based on the genre alone: check the markings in your sheet music and, if needed, discuss what you need with your teacher. Then check what comes with the piano; the Roland RP107 has integrated pedals, while Yamaha describes the LP-5A for the P-145BT as optional.
How can I keep the volume at a safe level when practising with headphones for a long time?
Don’t turn the volume up higher than necessary. VeiligheidNL points out that well-fitting headphones can block out background noise, so you’re less likely to need to turn them up.
What are my rights if I buy a digital piano online and want to try it out?
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, online consumer purchases usually come with a cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery; exceptions apply. If a product is faulty, your statutory guarantee is separate from any manufacturer’s warranty, and you should contact the seller.
Is there a general cut-off time for playing the piano in the Netherlands?
Don’t assume 20.00 is a general nationwide cut-off: Het Juridisch Loket gives this as an example of an agreement between neighbours. Check which rules apply to your home and, if needed, agree a suitable time with your neighbours.