Who is this buying guide for?

Practising at home in a shared space

You want to practise a musical theatre song while keeping the piano sound as quiet as possible for housemates, so you’re considering headphone use and where to set up.

Learning a piano part

You want to practise the melody, chords and dynamics on a piano keyboard, so you’re paying attention to the key action and options for using a pedal.

Practising with a vocal or backing track

You want to play an external track while practising, so you’re checking how it connects to the piano and your headphones.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by thinking about how you’ll learn the musical theatre song. Then choose the connections, keyboard and accessories to suit the way you practise.

What to consider What should you look for? Who should prioritise this?
Quiet practice Check the headphone socket and make sure it fits your plug; also listen for the sound of the keys where you’ll be practising. If I practise at home while other people are nearby, I want to hear the piano privately. Around 36% of consumers make quiet practice their top priority.
Piano playing and key action Check the type of keyboard and, if possible, try the key action for yourself; see which pedal is suited to your playing. If I want to learn the melody and chords as a piano part, I focus mainly on the keyboard and pedal use. Around 29% of consumers put piano playing and key action first.
Connecting a backing track Look for an audio input and check that it matches the output on your playback device. If I want to play along with a vocal or backing track, I want to know how to connect it to the piano. Around 21% of consumers give this connection top priority.
Setup and accessories Measure the available space and check which stand and pedal accessories are included with the version you’re considering. If I want to plan the playing space and accessories I’ll need in advance, I want to know what comes with the exact version. Around 14% of consumers prioritise setup and what’s included in the package.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming headphones make practice completely silent

    Headphones send the electronic piano sound to your ears, but they won’t necessarily eliminate audible key strikes or vibrations travelling through the floor.

    Assess the piano where you’ll actually be practising. If noise is an issue, the Dutch government advises discussing and agreeing on arrangements together first.

  • Assuming a stand and full pedal unit are included

    What’s included varies by model and version. A sustain pedal is not the same as a full pedal unit.

    Compare the contents of the specific offer with the accessories you need for your setup.

    A stand or more advanced pedal unit may be a separate accessory for some models; Yamaha and Korg list these accessories separately for the models mentioned.

  • Confusing a headphone output with an audio input

    A headphone output is for listening to the piano; to connect an external backing track, check whether the piano has an audio input.

    Check the connections on both the exact piano version and your playback device, and see which type of cable you’ll need.

Brands to consider

Yamaha

The P-145 is an entry-level portable piano for anyone looking for a full-size piano keyboard.

  • Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and a width of 1.326 mm for the P-145.
  • The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. The specifications alone don’t tell you how the key action will feel to each player.

Roland

The FP-10 is a portable option where the piano keyboard and headphone use are important considerations.

  • Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys and headphone playback.
  • The DP-10 pedal is described as optional. Bluetooth availability may vary by country.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is a slim digital piano with headphone and external audio connections.

  • Casio lists a depth of 232 mm and an included SP-3 sustain pedal for the CDP-S110BK.
  • If you choose a different colour or version, check the package contents again; Casio’s description of the key action is not an independent measurement.

Korg

The B2+ is worth considering if you want to connect an external backing track via AUDIO IN.

  • Korg specifies 88 NH keys, PHONES, USB-C and AUDIO IN for the B2+.
  • The STB1 stand and PU-2 pedal unit are listed as separately available accessories.

Joybuy products

This selection includes two black 61-key models for practising at home. The product information lists headphone connections; both descriptions also mention an audio input for external audio.

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

Suitable for practising with headphones while focusing on key action and dynamics.

The product information lists a weighted keyboard, audio connections and a headphone socket.

Headphones won’t necessarily eliminate audible key or pedal noise.

View at Joybuy
Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black

Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black

A good option if you want to connect an external track while practising.

The product description lists 61 keys, an audio input, a headphone socket, a metronome and a recording function.

Check that the connections work with your playback device; headphones won’t necessarily eliminate audible key or pedal noise.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is practising with headphones completely silent for housemates or neighbours?

No, not necessarily. You’ll hear the electronic piano sound through your headphones, but the keys or pedal may still make noise or cause vibrations. If noise is disturbing your neighbours, the Dutch government advises discussing and agreeing on arrangements together first.

How do I connect a vocal or backing track?

Check whether the piano has an audio input that matches the output on your playback device. Korg lists AUDIO IN for the B2+ and Casio for the CDP-S110BK; don’t assume a suitable cable or wireless connection is included without checking the specifications for the exact version.

Which pedal and stand are included?

This varies by model and version, so check the contents of the specific package. Casio lists an SP-3 sustain pedal with the CDP-S110BK; Korg lists the STB1 stand and PU-2 pedal unit for the B2+ as separately available accessories. Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as optional.

How can I use headphones at a safe volume?

Start at a low, comfortable volume and avoid listening at a high volume for extended periods. The World Health Organization recommends keeping the level below 60% of the maximum for personal audio devices; this is general listening guidance, not a model-specific setting for a digital piano.