If you mainly play at home, a compact digital piano may be more practical for quietly practising a jazz standard. A stage piano is a better fit if you also need stage sounds and connections for rehearsals or performances. Try playing softly, practising chords and using the pedal on the exact model you’re considering, and check that its headphone connection suits your listening setup. Headphones prevent sound coming from the speakers, but they won’t silence the keys themselves.
You’re learning a standard in a shared home or at times when using speakers isn’t ideal. In this case, wired listening and the sound of the keys matter more than stage features. Korg and Roland describe the sound and connection features of the Korg D1 and Roland FP-30X respectively.
You’re practising chord voicings, dynamics and pedal technique, and want to assess the touch of the exact instrument for yourself, including when playing softly. Yamaha, Korg and Kawai publish specifications for the instruments mentioned here.
You want to practise at home, but also switch between acoustic and electric piano sounds or connect to external audio equipment later on. Check the connections and sounds of the specific model you’re considering; features of one instrument don’t necessarily apply to other models.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check the wired headphone output on the exact model and try the sound of the keys in the room. Start with the listening volume set low. | If you want to practise at home without sound coming from the speakers, you’ll want to know how the headphones connect and how much noise the keys themselves make. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Touch and pedal | Play chords, soft melodies and passages using sustain on the instrument. Also check which pedal is included and which pedal functions are supported. | If you’re practising voicings and dynamics, you’ll want to feel how the keyboard responds to a light or firm touch. Around 29% of consumers prioritise touch and pedal control. |
| Sounds and practice features | Listen to the piano and electric piano sounds through your own listening setup, and check that the metronome and sound selection are easy to use. | If you’re learning a jazz arrangement, suitable sounds and a metronome can help you make decisions as you practise. Around 21% of consumers prioritise sound selection and practice features. |
| Home and stage setup | Decide whether you also want to play without headphones, and check the speakers, line outputs, power supply, stand and included pedals. | If you want to use the instrument at home and at rehearsals, you’ll want to know what equipment you need. Around 14% of consumers prioritise a suitable, complete or portable setup. |
Roland states that the FP-30X doesn’t support Bluetooth headphones, even though the model has Bluetooth features.
Check whether the exact model can send audio to headphones. Otherwise, assume you’ll need the specified wired connection.
For a wired setup, you may need suitable headphones or an adapter.
According to Korg, the Korg D1 has no built-in speakers; the Yamaha CK88 does. So, without headphones, the D1 needs external audio equipment.
Decide in advance whether you’ll only play with headphones or also want to play out loud, then check what equipment you’ll need for each model.
To play without headphones, you’ll need an external sound system if the model has no built-in speakers.
Headphones replace the sound from the speakers, but the physical keys may still be audible.
If this matters to housemates or neighbours, try the sound of the keys in a similarly quiet room.
The Korg D1 is worth considering if you practise with wired headphones and may want to use line outputs later. This doesn’t apply to all Korg models.
The CK88 is worth comparing if you’re looking for both stage sounds and built-in speakers. The P-225 is a more compact alternative aimed at home use.
The FP-30X is a home-use option to compare if you want to listen through wired headphones at the same time as a teacher or housemate.
The ES120 is worth comparing if you want a combination of piano sounds, electric piano sounds and features for home use.
The Nord Piano 6 88 is worth considering if extensive sound layering and stage controls are important alongside practising at home.
This selection is for anyone also considering a compact 61-key keyboard for practising at home.
No image available
This version is a good fit if you’re looking for a compact keyboard with built-in speakers and a metronome; check that 61 keys suit your practice plan.
61 keys; built-in speakers; MIDI controller; recording function; metronome; music stand.
No. According to Roland, the FP-30X doesn’t support Bluetooth headphones. Use wired headphones with one of the Phones outputs; this doesn’t apply to other models.
Not if you’re practising with suitable headphones. If you want to play without headphones, you’ll need external audio equipment. According to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers, but it does have line outputs.
Start at a low volume and take listening breaks. The World Health Organization recommends keeping the volume of personal audio devices below 60% of the maximum. This is general health advice, not a measured safe level for every piano and headphone combination.
For a typical online consumer purchase, ACM ConsuWijzer says you’ll generally have up to 14 days from delivery to change your mind, with some exceptions. This is separate from your statutory rights if the product is faulty: if a product doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect when used normally, the seller is responsible for providing an appropriate solution. Check the terms of your specific purchase.
No. Where applicable EU rules require CE marking, the manufacturer is declaring that the product meets those requirements; it isn’t a separate approval from the EU. Models with radio functions must also comply with relevant radio equipment rules. Check the documentation for the specific version you want to buy.
