Quiet home player
You practise changing chords in a shared home and want to listen through a suitable headphone socket. Thuisarts advises keeping the listening volume at a sensible level.
Who is this relevant to?
Pianist working on touch
You practise chord changes with both hands and want to assess the touch and response of weighted keys. Roland, Casio and Korg describe different keyboards, so try the feel of the exact model for yourself.
Player short on space
You need to set up the piano in a small space or put it away after use. Compare the space needed for the instrument with the space required for a stand, seat and pedal.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portable digital piano
A good fit if: you want to put the piano away after practising or have limited space to set it up. Casio describes the CDP-S110BK as slim, while Korg lists a PHONES socket for the B2+.
Keep in mind: check whether you’ll also need a stand or a more comprehensive pedal unit; what’s included can vary by version.
Cabinet-style digital piano
A good fit if: the piano can stay in one place and built-in pedals are important to you.
Keep in mind: a fixed cabinet is less practical if you want to move the instrument often. Remember to measure the space for your chair and legs, too.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones and volume | Check that the socket is compatible with your headphones and keep the listening volume low. Thuisarts warns against listening to loud sounds. | If you want to practise at home with headphones, keeping the volume low comes first; around 36% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Key action and range | Try the key action of the exact model and check that its range suits the chords you want to play. | When changing chords, I mainly want to know how the keys respond; for around 29% of consumers, key action is the top priority. |
| Space and portability | Measure the space for the piano as well as the stand, chair and pedal. Also consider whether you’ll need to move the instrument regularly. | If your practice space is tight, you’ll want to know in advance whether the whole set-up will fit; space is the deciding factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pedals and included accessories | Compare what comes with the exact version against the pedals you want to use, and check whether you need to buy a stand separately. | If you want to start practising with your preferred pedal set-up straight away, compare what’s included; for around 14% of consumers, this is the main reason for buying. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a headphone socket means listening is safe
The volume can still be too high when you’re using headphones. Thuisarts warns that listening to loud sounds often or for long periods can damage your hearing.
Start at a low volume and don’t automatically turn it up to drown out background noise.
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Assuming every piano comes with the same pedals
The included pedal differs by model. For example, Casio lists an SP-3 for the CDP-S110BK, while Korg lists a damper pedal for the B2+.
Compare what comes with the exact version against the pedal functions you want to use.
The more comprehensive PU-2 pedal unit and STB1 stand for the Korg B2+ are sold separately.
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Measuring only the piano
The instrument’s dimensions won’t tell you whether there’s enough room for a chair and pedal as well.
Measure the entire set-up, allowing for the space you’ll need to sit and play.
Brands to consider
Roland
Roland describes the FP-10 as a portable piano with an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard and headphone playback.
- Roland lists headphone playback alongside its built-in speakers.
- According to Roland, Bluetooth availability depends on the country of purchase. Check the version sold in the Netherlands if you need Bluetooth.
Casio
According to Casio, the CDP-S110BK combines 88 weighted keys with a PHONES/OUTPUT socket.
- Casio lists an SP-3 damper pedal as included.
- The specifications don’t say which players will find the key feel comfortable, so try the action for yourself.
Korg
Korg describes the B2+ as a portable piano with an NH keyboard, a PHONES socket and USB-C.
- Korg lists a damper pedal and adapter as included accessories.
- The more comprehensive PU-2 pedal unit and STB1 stand are sold separately. This information applies to the B2+, not the B2.
Yamaha
Yamaha describes the P-145 as a portable piano with an 88-key GHC keyboard.
- According to Yamaha, the optional LP-5A console provides three pedals.
- Check the connections and included accessories for the exact version; the P-145 and P-145BT are different models.
Digital pianos on Joybuy
These Joybuy products are portable digital pianos for anyone who wants to practise privately. Compare the key range and check which connections and accessories suit the way you’ll use yours.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
If you want to practise with headphones, check that the socket is compatible with them and that 61 keys give you enough range for the chords you want to play.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 tones, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI and built-in speakers.
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Electronic piano, 61 keys, black
If you want to practise privately, check that the listed headphone socket is compatible with your headphones and that the 61-key range suits your practice goals.
The product name lists a recording function, USB-MIDI, speakers, a metronome and a music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Are headphones enough to practise quietly and safely?
You can use the headphone output instead of listening through the speakers, but keep the headphone volume low as well. Thuisarts warns that listening to loud sounds often or for long periods can damage your hearing.
Which pedal will I have straight out of the box?
It varies by model: Casio lists an SP-3 for the CDP-S110BK, while Korg lists a damper pedal for the B2+. Check this against what’s included with the version you’re buying.
What if the piano breaks sooner than expected during normal use?
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, if a product breaks sooner than you could reasonably expect during normal use, the seller must put it right free of charge. Depending on the circumstances, this could mean a repair, replacement or refund; there isn’t one fixed warranty period that automatically applies to every piano.
Can I return a piano bought online if I don’t like the feel of the keys?
For a standard online purchase in the Netherlands, you generally have a statutory 14-day cooling-off period after delivery, according to ACM ConsuWijzer. Check any applicable exceptions and the terms for unpacking, trying out and returning the piano.