For classical piano technique, a digital piano with touch-sensitive, weighted keys and a suitable range is generally the most straightforward choice. Check which sustain pedal is right for your piece, too. A smaller keyboard may be appealing if storage or accompaniment features matter more, but its touch and range differ from those of a piano-style keyboard. Practising with headphones avoids sound from the speakers, but doesn’t guarantee that the keys or contact noise will be inaudible to your neighbours.
You want to practise phrasing and dynamics, so you’re paying attention to the feel of the keys, the range and the pedal that suits your sheet music. ABRSM specifies touch-sensitive, full-size weighted keys and suitable pedal provision for its own piano exams; those exam requirements don’t automatically apply to every student.
You want to practise at different times without using the speakers. A headphone socket can help, but also bear in mind the sound of the keys and any noise agreements in your home.
You sometimes want to use your practice area for something else, so you’re comparing a portable instrument with a fixed set-up. Make sure you also measure the space needed for the stand, music rest, chair and pedals.
Start with the demands of your sonatina: decide what feel and range of keys will suit it, then compare the set-up with the space you have and the way you like to practise.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and key range | Compare the action and number of keys with your practice goals and sheet music; touch-sensitive keys aren’t the same as a weighted piano keyboard. | If I want to practise phrasing and dynamics on a piano-style keyboard, I’ll prioritise touch and range. Around 33% of consumers prioritise piano technique. |
| Practising with neighbours in mind | Check the headphone socket on the exact model, and also consider how much noise the keys and set-up make in your home. | If I want to practise without sound from the speakers, I’ll check both the headphone option and what can still be heard in my home. Around 27% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Available space | Measure the area and compare it with the instrument’s dimensions. Allow separate space for the stand, music rest, chair and room to play. | If I regularly need the floor space for something else, I’ll consider whether the complete set-up fits and whether I want to move it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise keeping floor space clear. |
| Pedal and practice set-up | Check which pedal is included, which pedals are compatible and whether you’ll need to buy a stand or seat separately. | If my piece calls for sustain, I’ll want to know whether the included pedal is suitable and what else I need. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the pedal and set-up. |
Touch sensitivity alone doesn’t mean a keyboard has the same action or range as a digital piano. Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as having 61 touch-sensitive keys, and the P-145BT as having an 88-key weighted GHC keyboard.
Compare the action and range separately with your practice goals and sheet music.
If your lessons later require a piano-style touch, you may need to consider a different instrument.
The included pedal provision varies by model. Casio lists an SP-3 sustain pedal as included, Korg includes a damper pedal and offers the PU-2 for half-pedalling as an optional extra, while Yamaha’s three-pedal unit is optional.
Before buying, check what’s in the box and whether the pedal is compatible with the exact model.
A more advanced pedal or a suitable stand may need to be bought separately.
A headphone socket determines how you listen to the sound, but it doesn’t mean that the keys or contact noise will be inaudible in your building.
Consider how the set-up sounds in your own home and bear in mind any agreements about noise with neighbours. The Government of the Netherlands advises people to try agreeing on a solution together first when dealing with noise nuisance.
Yamaha offers both a portable, piano-focused option and a smaller keyboard with accompaniment features.
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano, while the RP107 is designed as a fixed cabinet-style model.
The CDP-S110BK is a portable digital piano worth comparing if the depth of the set-up is a key consideration.
The B2+ is a portable digital piano with a piano-style keyboard and a headphone socket.
No. Start by checking what your sheet music and teacher require. Sustain may be relevant for piano-focused practice, but the number of pedals included varies by model. ABRSM’s requirements apply to that organisation’s own piano exams, not automatically to every student.
Measure the space for the piano or keyboard, as well as the stand, music rest, chair and pedals. If you’re using headphones, check the socket on your model and see whether the keys or contact noise can still be heard in your home. If necessary, agree arrangements with your neighbours.
According to the Government of the Netherlands, for a consumer purchase in the Netherlands the seller must provide a solution if a product is faulty. There is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands. In many cases, online purchases from a business also come with a 14-day cooling-off period, although exceptions apply.
Don’t assume you can play at any time without considering your neighbours; check the rules for your home and local council. The Government of the Netherlands notes that electronic devices placed on the market in the EU must carry a CE marking. Check the model being offered.
