Who is this choice relevant to?

Practising in a shared home

You want to hear bass notes and chords through headphones rather than the speakers. Bear in mind that key and pedal noise are still separate considerations.

Pianist developing left-hand control

You’re practising even accompaniment and soft keystrokes, and want to assess the keyboard and any pedal technique using your own passages.

Player with limited space

You need room for the keyboard, music stand, stool and, if needed, a stand. Dimensions vary by model.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What should you check? Who should give this extra thought?
Headphones and low volume Check the connection and test the complete setup at a moderate listening volume. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones. If I practise in a shared home, I want to listen privately without constantly turning up the volume. Around 36% of consumers give private listening top priority.
Touch and dynamics Play the same soft bass notes and stronger chords on the keyboard you’re considering. Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys and adjustable touch sensitivity for the P-145; Roland specifies an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard for the FP-10. If you want to practise left-hand patterns with clear differences between soft and stronger notes, you can assess the touch using a passage of your own. Around 29% of consumers prioritise control over touch.
Sustain and pedal use Check which pedal is included and what else you need for the pedal techniques you want to practise. Casio lists an SP-3 pedal with the CDP-S110BK; the optional Kawai F-351 requires an HML-2 stand. If my accompaniment patterns call for sustain or other pedal techniques, I want to know in advance which pedals I can actually use. Around 21% of consumers give pedal use top priority.
Space for your setup Measure the space for the keyboard, music stand, stand and stool. Casio lists a depth of 232 mm for the CDP-S110BK; Yamaha gives the P-145’s width as 1.326 mm and its depth as 268 mm. If you’re short on space, you’ll want to know whether the whole playing area will fit, not just whether the instrument itself looks compact. Around 14% of consumers choose setup space as their main consideration.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming headphones make practising completely silent

    Headphones let you listen to the piano privately, but they don’t tell you how much mechanical noise the keys and pedals make in the room.

    Also try out the physical sound of your own setup, and keep the listening volume moderate.

  • Choosing a three-pedal unit without checking which stand you need

    According to Kawai, using the F-351 pedal unit with the Kawai ES120 also requires the HML-2 stand.

    Before buying, check which components are compatible with each other and what comes with the instrument.

    The required stand may be an extra component for your setup.

  • Measuring only the depth of the piano

    The music stand, stand and playing area also take up space. Comparing cabinet depth alone won’t tell you whether the whole setup will fit.

    Measure the available space and compare dimensions on a like-for-like basis, including the components you need.

Brands to compare

Yamaha

The P-145 is an entry-level portable piano with 88 GHC keys, suited to anyone who wants to practise piano touch.

  • Yamaha lists headphone practice and compatibility with the optional LP-5A three-pedal unit.
  • The playing experience described is a manufacturer’s claim; it does not measure key or pedal noise at home.

Roland

According to Roland, the FP-10 combines an 88-key keyboard with listening through its built-in speakers or headphones.

  • Roland names the keyboard as the PHA-4 Standard.
  • The DP-10 for half-pedalling is optional. Roland’s claims about sound and touch are not a practical comparison between models.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is worth considering if a shallow cabinet, a headphone socket and a ready-to-use sustain pedal are important to you.

  • Casio lists a depth of 232 mm, a PHONES/OUTPUT socket and an included SP-3 pedal.
  • These features are not an independent comparison of key noise or pedal feel.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable model with a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and an expandable pedal setup.

  • Kawai lists improved key cushioning, but this is not an independent sound measurement.
  • The optional F-351 three-pedal unit requires the HML-2 stand.

Korg

According to the Dutch specifications, the B2 has an 88-key NH keyboard, AUDIO IN and a combined headphone/line output.

  • AUDIO IN and PHONES/LINE OUT may be useful in a practice setup with an external audio source and headphones.
  • The optional PU-2 pedal unit is required for the specified half-pedalling function.

Product picks at Joybuy

These product picks are suited to private listening and practising left-hand accompaniment. Check whether the keyboard, pedal equipment and complete setup suit your practice goals for each instrument.

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

The listed headphone socket is useful for private listening; also check for yourself how much key and pedal noise you can hear in the room.

61 keys, weighted keyboard and touch sensitivity; the product description also mentions a metronome and sustain.

Joybuy
Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black

Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black

The listed headphone socket may suit private listening while you practise; also test the physical sound of the keys in your room.

61 keys; the product description mentions a metronome and sustain.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I practise with headphones without anyone else at home hearing anything?

You can listen to the piano privately on models that support headphone use, but that doesn’t mean the keys or pedals will be inaudible. So try out the physical sound of the setup too.

How do I set up a digital piano for quiet practice?

Connect a suitable pair of headphones, start at a moderate volume and test the bass notes and chords you usually play. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones, so that background noise is less likely to prompt you to turn up the volume.

Do I need three pedals for left-hand accompaniment?

Not for every exercise: first decide whether you’ll only use sustain or also want to practise soft and sostenuto. Casio lists an SP-3 sustain pedal with the CDP-S110BK; Kawai’s optional F-351 offers three pedals for the ES120, but requires the HML-2 stand.

What are my rights if I buy a piano online from a business in the Netherlands?

According to the Dutch government, distance purchases often come with a 14-day cooling-off period, although exceptions apply. If a product is faulty, the seller is your point of contact for the statutory guarantee; the Dutch government states that the Netherlands has no fixed statutory guarantee period.