Home player in a shared home
You want to practise your fingers without adding much electronic sound to the room, so you’re comparing headphone use as well as the feel of the keyboard.
Who is it suitable for?
Piano student working on touch
You want to practise repeated notes and dynamics. Compare the specified key actions and try the keyboard for yourself.
Player with limited storage space
You need to be able to clear your practice space, so consider the dimensions, set-up and what you’ll need for a stable playing position.
What should you look for when buying?
Portable digital piano with hammer action
A good fit if: you want to practise your touch and finger control, and need to be able to move the instrument.
Bear in mind: you may need to buy a separate stand, bench, headphones or compatible pedal.
Cabinet-style model
A good fit if: the piano will have a permanent place and you want a matching stand.
Bear in mind: measure the space first; a cabinet-style model is harder to move around.
Compact 61-key keyboard
A good fit if: your exercises stay within a smaller range of keys and compactness is a priority.
Bear in mind: 61 keys offer a smaller range than an 88-key keyboard; this alone doesn’t confirm that it has hammer action.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping room noise to a minimum | Check the headphone socket, compatible plug and volume controls. If possible, listen to the sound of the keys in your practice space too. | If I’m practising at home with other people around, I want to hear the electronic sound through headphones without assuming the keys themselves are silent. Around 40% of consumers put keeping room noise to a minimum first. |
| Touch for finger control | Play the same short exercise on different keyboards and compare key response, repetition and touch sensitivity. The specified action type won’t tell you which keyboard feels comfortable to you. | When I’m practising repeated notes, I mainly want to know how the keyboard responds to my fingers. Around 31% of consumers put touch first. |
| Space and set-up | Measure the available space and compare the width and depth, allowing room for yourself and a possible stand. Yamaha specifies the P-145 at 1.326 × 268 mm and Korg the B2 at 1.312 × 336 mm, both without a music rest. | If I’m short on space, I want to know in advance whether the instrument will fit securely in my practice space. Around 15% of consumers choose space and set-up as their main consideration. |
| Complete practice set-up | Check what’s included with each version and whether your preferred pedal is compatible. Roland lists the optional DP-10 pedal for half-pedalling on the FP-10; Korg lists the separately available PU-2 for the B2. | Before I order, I want to know what else I’ll need for my practice. Around 14% of consumers put a complete set-up and aftercare first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming headphones make the piano silent
The headphone socket affects how you hear the electronic sound, not how much noise pressing the keys makes in the room.
Assess both the sound through headphones and the noise made by the keys where you plan to practise.
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Assuming ‘weighted’ means confirmed hammer action
A product listing may describe the keys as weighted and touch-sensitive without specifying the type of action.
If a piano-style touch is important to you, check the full action type and try the exact version for yourself.
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Assuming the pedal you want is included
Roland and Korg list specific optional pedals for half-pedalling, so they may not be included with the basic version.
Check what’s in the box and whether the pedal is compatible with the exercises you want to do.
A compatible optional pedal may need to be purchased separately.
Brands worth comparing
Yamaha
The portable P-145 and cabinet-style YDP-145 are different options to compare for a portable or permanent practice space.
- Yamaha specifies a 88-key GHC keyboard and compact dimensions for the P-145.
- The specifications don’t tell you how loud the physical keystrokes are or which playing feel you’ll find comfortable.
Roland
The portable FP-10 is worth comparing if you’re looking for an 88-key keyboard and headphone use.
- Roland specifies a PHA-4 Standard keyboard for the FP-10 and lists the optional DP-10 pedal for half-pedalling.
- Roland’s description of the playing feel is its own claim, not an independent measurement. According to Roland, Bluetooth availability depends on the country of purchase.
Casio
The CDP-S110BK is a portable option worth comparing if you’re looking for a headphone output and an included pedal.
- Casio lists a scaled hammer-action keyboard II, an included SP-3 sustain pedal and power from either the mains or batteries.
- Casio’s description of the piano-style touch is its own claim; try the key response for yourself.
Korg
The portable B2 is worth comparing if you’re looking for an 88-key keyboard and a headphone socket.
- Korg specifies an NH hammer action and a combined PHONES/LINE OUT socket.
- Korg lists the separately available PU-2 for half-pedalling; don’t assume this feature works with every pedal.
Joybuy products for compact practice
These products are compact 61-key keyboard pianos, suited to exercises that fit within a smaller range of keys.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
A compact option for exercises within a smaller range of keys; check that the touch suits your needs.
61 keys; the product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 tones, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers, a headphone socket and a music rest.
61 keys offer a smaller range than an 88-key keyboard. The listing of a weighted keyboard doesn’t in itself confirm hammer action.
No image available
Keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
A compact option if you want to practise with accompaniment and don’t need the full range of 88 keys.
61 keys; the product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music rest.
61 keys offer a smaller range than an 88-key keyboard.
Frequently asked questions
Does playing with headphones make a digital piano quiet for other people in the house?
No. Headphones let you hear the electronic sound privately; you’ll need to assess how audible the keys are in the room with the instrument and set-up you’re using.
How can you listen responsibly during long practice sessions?
Start at a low volume and be mindful of both the volume level and how long you listen. VeiligheidNL recommends headphones that block out ambient noise well, so you don’t need to turn the volume up; this isn’t a product-specific guarantee.
Do you need a half-pedalling pedal straight away for finger practice?
Not for exercises focused only on your fingers and touch. If you want to practise half-pedalling, check compatibility: Roland lists the optional DP-10 pedal for the FP-10, while Korg lists the separately available PU-2 for the B2.
What can you do if your digital piano doesn’t work properly after you buy it?
For a consumer purchase in the Netherlands, you’re entitled to a product that works properly, and the seller must provide a solution if it’s faulty. According to the Dutch government, there’s no fixed statutory warranty period in the Netherlands; what you can expect also depends on the product and the circumstances of the purchase.
Can you return a digital piano bought online if you don’t like the touch?
For many purchases made online from a business, you have a 14-day cooling-off period, with some exceptions. Check which terms apply to your purchase in advance; according to the Dutch government, purchases from a private individual aren’t covered by these distance-selling rules.