For practising chord changes and piano technique, a portable digital piano with 88 keys is a sensible option to compare, provided there is enough room to set up the full keyboard safely. Then choose based on your headphone use, how easy it is to move, and the pedals and stand you need. Manufacturer specifications help you compare models, but they can’t tell you how the keys will feel to you.
You want to practise chord changes across a full keyboard and pay attention to the feel of the keys. Yamaha, Roland and Korg describe their keyboards using different manufacturer terms; these descriptions aren’t an independent comparison of how they feel to play.
You want to practise on your own without using the speakers. Check the headphone socket on the exact version you’re considering, as well as the room’s rules for use.
You want to be able to move or store the instrument after use. Compare the model’s dimensions and weight, and allow for the stand and any music rest you’ll need.
Start by considering whether you need the full 88-key range for piano technique. Then look at headphone listening, the space available and the pedal set-up you want.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key feel and range | Check the number of keys and the keyboard type; if possible, try playing chord changes yourself. | If I also practise piano technique, I want to assess the key range and feel. Around 33% of consumers give key feel and a full keyboard top priority. |
| Headphones | Check the socket on the exact version and make sure it’s compatible with your headphones. | If I’m listening in a shared room, I want to be able to turn off the speakers and follow the room’s noise rules. Around 27% of consumers prioritise practising with headphones. |
| Moving and storage | Measure the available space and compare dimensions and weight, including any accessories you plan to use. | If I need to put the instrument away after use, I want to know whether it will fit in the available space for set-up and storage. Around 20% of consumers say portability is their main need. |
| Pedal and stand | Check what’s included and which stands or pedal options are compatible with the model. | If I want a complete piano set-up, I want to know in advance which pedal and stand I’ll need. Around 20% of consumers give a complete set-up top priority. |
One of the models on offer lists 61 keys. That’s not the same range as the 88-key models considered here if you want to practise piano technique across a full keyboard.
Check the actual number of keys and try how they feel if you also want to practise piano technique.
What’s included varies by model and version. For example, Yamaha lists the three-pedal LP-5A console as optional for the P-145; the PU-2 pedal unit for the Korg B2+ is sold separately.
Check what’s included in the specific offer and whether the accessories are compatible before deciding on your set-up.
A compatible stand or a more advanced pedal unit may be an extra part of your set-up.
Headphones let you listen through them, but they don’t tell you whether the sound of the keys or pedals will be inaudible to others.
Agree how you’ll use the room with other users and assess the noise levels on site.
The P-145 is a portable entry-level option to compare if you’re looking for an 88-key GHC keyboard.
The FP-10 is a portable 88-key option for comparing the PHA-4 Standard key feel and headphone socket.
The CDP-S110 is a compact option where you can check, among other things, whether a sustain pedal is included in the set on offer.
The B2+ is a portable 88-key option with an NH keyboard, built-in speakers and a combined headphone/line socket.
These Joybuy models with 61 keys are worth considering for practice in a shared music room. They don’t offer the full range of the 88-key models discussed above.
No image available
With 61 keys, this is worth considering if space is a priority, but it’s no substitute for the full range of an 88-key keyboard.
The product name lists weighted keys, a headphone socket and a music stand. It also mentions 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI and speakers.
No image available
With 61 keys, this is worth considering if space is a priority, but it’s no substitute for the full range of an 88-key keyboard.
The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand. The product description also mentions a headphone socket.
Measure the space, including room for the music rest and stand, and follow the set-up instructions for the exact model. Roland warns that an incorrectly positioned stand can make the FP-10 unstable. Ask the person in charge what set-ups and noise levels are allowed.
Not in every case. According to the Dutch government, when you buy remotely from a business, you usually have a 14-day cooling-off period, although there are exceptions. Buying online from a private seller may work differently. Check who the seller is and which returns policy applies.
No. According to the Dutch government, there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands. You’re entitled to a product that works properly, and what you can reasonably expect depends, among other things, on the product and the information provided at the time of purchase. If there’s a problem, contact the seller; a manufacturer’s guarantee is an extra.
European rules may apply to electrical and electronic products, including requirements for electrical safety, EMC and RoHS. The requirements depend on the specific version; a brand name alone doesn’t mean that a particular model on offer meets all relevant rules.
