For quiet arpeggio practice, a suitable headphone socket and a comfortable touch are two separate things to consider. Headphones let you hear the piano through them instead of its speakers, but they don’t necessarily silence the mechanical sound of the keys. Try both soft and fast passages, check the space available and which accessories are included, and keep the listening volume low.
You want to practise arpeggios while other people are at home, so you’re thinking about both headphone use and the sound of the keys. Korg lists a PHONES socket for the B2+; Kawai describes sound-dampening features for the ES120.
You want to play soft and fast passages with control. Compare the feel of the keys for yourself: Yamaha specifies a GHC keyboard for the P-145, while Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard for the ES120.
You’re looking for an instrument that will fit in the space available and want to know whether a stand and pedal are included with the version you choose. Casio lists a depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100BK.
Headphones won’t stop other people hearing the mechanical sound of the keys. Kawai describes damping material in the ES120 keyboard that helps reduce key noise; this is not an independent sound measurement or a guarantee that the instrument is silent.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Noise for other people at home | Check the headphone socket and that you have a compatible plug. Also test from a distance to see how much key noise can still be heard. Keep the volume low: the WHO stresses that the risk to hearing depends on both sound level and duration. | When I practise while other people are at home, I want to hear the piano through headphones without listening unnecessarily loudly; around 36% of consumers put silent practice first. |
| Touch control | Play the same soft and fast arpeggios on the keyboard and, if needed, try a passage using the sustain pedal. Yamaha specifies GHC for the P-145; Kawai lists Responsive Hammer Compact for the ES120. | I want to control the keys confidently during quick changes and soft passages; around 29% of consumers give touch control the highest priority. |
| Space and portability | Measure the space for the instrument and the complete set-up. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100BK. | When I have limited depth for my set-up, I want to know in advance whether the piano and any stand will fit; around 21% of consumers give the space it takes up the most weight. |
| Pedal and stand | Check what’s included with each version and which accessories are compatible. Korg lists a sustain pedal with the B2+; the stand and PU-2 pedal unit are available separately. | I want to start practising straight away with the set-up and pedal functions I need; around 14% of consumers prioritise having a complete practice set-up. |
Headphones let you hear the piano, but other people at home may still hear the physical sound of the keys.
Practise a series of fast arpeggios with headphones connected and ask someone to listen from where other people usually sit.
The accessories included vary by model and version. A pedal or stand you need may be available separately.
Check what’s included with the specific offer and whether the headphones, pedal and stand you need are compatible with one another.
The WHO points out that the risk to hearing increases with both sound level and listening time.
Keep the volume low and assess the key response with short playing passages rather than listening loudly for a long time.
The B2+ could be a good fit if you’re looking for a portable 88-key instrument with a headphone socket.
The ES120 is worth considering if you’re thinking about the physical sound of the keys as well as using headphones.
The P-145 is a portable 88-key option to compare if you’re working on your playing technique.
The PX-S1100BK is worth a look if limited depth is a key consideration.
The FP-10 is a portable option to include in your comparison if you want to practise with headphones.
These Joybuy product picks are 61-key instruments. Check the headphone socket for each version and make sure the number of keys suits the arpeggios you want to practise.
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Could be a good fit if you’re looking for a 61-key instrument with a headphone socket and weighted keys; check that its range is sufficient for your practice.
The product name lists 61 keys, a weighted keyboard and a headphone socket.
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Could be suitable for practising arpeggios within a 61-key range; check whether the version you choose has a headphone socket before buying.
The product name lists 61 keys, a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand.
No. Headphones let you hear the electronic piano sound, but the physical sound of the keys may still be audible. Kawai describes damping in the ES120 keyboard but does not guarantee measured silence; try the instrument in your own surroundings.
Start at a low volume and take breaks. The WHO explains that safe listening depends on both sound level and listening time; the figures it gives do not guarantee the sound level at any particular volume setting on a piano headphone output.
It depends on the model and version. Korg lists a sustain pedal included with the B2+, while the stand and PU-2 pedal unit are available separately; Kawai lists an optional stand and three-pedal unit for the ES120. Check what’s included with the specific offer.
According to the Government of the Netherlands, when you buy as a consumer you’re entitled to a product that works as it should; there is no fixed statutory warranty period in the Netherlands. If a product is faulty, contact the seller to resolve the issue. A manufacturer’s warranty is in addition to this.
For eligible distance purchases from a business, the Government of the Netherlands says you’ll often have a 14-day cooling-off period. This doesn’t automatically apply to every seller or transaction, such as an online purchase from a private individual; check the terms that apply to your purchase.
