Who is this choice relevant to?

A housemate who wants to practise quietly

You practise while others are at home and want to use headphones. Bear in mind that the keys may still make mechanical noise, even with the speakers off; agree practice times if needed.

A pianist who reads sheet music

You want to position your sheet music comfortably and are considering the key range, touch response and features such as a metronome.

A player without a dedicated practice space

You share your space or need to move the piano after practising. Its dimensions and the stand you need will help determine whether the set-up will fit in your home.

What should you look for when buying?

What to consider What to look for Who is this most important to?
Keeping the peace at home Check the headphone socket on the exact version and, if possible, try out how audible the keys are on the surface where you plan to play. When others are at home, I want to practise with headphones while taking account of the sound of the keys; around 36% of consumers prioritise keeping the peace at home.
Sheet music and timing Check whether a music rest is included and suitable for your paper music or device, and whether the model has a metronome. I want to follow my score clearly while playing and practise my timing; around 29% of consumers give sheet music and timing top priority.
Key range and touch response Compare the range of your pieces with the keyboard, and try the touch response for yourself if it matters to your choice. When I read pieces with a wide range, I want to compare the keys and touch response carefully; around 21% of consumers choose mainly based on the piano keyboard and its range.
Setting up and putting away Measure the space available for the piano, music rest and player. Also check whether the required stand is included with the version you are considering. If I need to clear the shared space after practising, a set-up I can move matters; around 14% of consumers prioritise portability.

Avoid common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a headphone socket makes the piano completely silent

    Headphones let you hear the electronic sound without using the speakers, but they do not eliminate the mechanical noise of the keys. Yamaha notes that piano keys can be audible when played.

    Try the instrument where you plan to use it and agree practice times with your housemates. The Dutch government advises people dealing with noise nuisance to start by agreeing arrangements together.

  • Assuming every version includes the same stand and pedals

    Accessories vary by model and version: according to Korg, the B2+SP includes a stand and three-pedal unit, while Yamaha lists the three-pedal unit for the P-145 as optional.

    Check what is included with the exact version before deciding what set-up you need.

    If the stand or pedals are not included with the version you choose, you may need to source them separately.

  • Measuring only the depth of the piano

    The stated dimensions of the instrument do not tell you how much space you will need for the music rest and your seat.

    Measure the full set-up you have in mind, including space for the player.

Brands to compare

Yamaha

The P-145 is a portable entry-level model worth comparing if you are looking for 88 keys and a GHC keyboard.

  • Yamaha specifies 88 keys and a width of 1.326 mm for the P-145.
  • The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. These specifications alone do not tell you which playing feel will suit you.

Roland

The portable FP-10 is worth comparing if you want to use headphones and assess the keyboard for yourself.

  • Roland lists an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard and a metronome for the FP-10.
  • Try the touch response for yourself if playing feel is important to you; a model specification cannot tell you which response you will find comfortable.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is worth comparing if you are looking for a compact body, a music rest and a pedal.

  • Casio lists 88 keys, a PHONES/OUTPUT socket, and a music rest and pedal supplied in the box.
  • The Score Viewer is designed for PDF scores on a device. Check that it suits your device and how you work.

Korg

The B2+ is a portable version, while the B2+SP is designed for a set-up with a stand and three pedals.

  • Korg lists 88 keys, a PHONES socket, a metronome and a music rest supplied with the B2+.
  • The B2+SP needs a permanent spot for its stand and pedal unit; check that this set-up will fit in your space.

Digital pianos at Joybuy

These Joybuy picks are portable digital pianos with 61 keys, for anyone looking for a headphone socket and somewhere to put sheet music. Compare the range with your repertoire; the 88-key models above offer a different key range.

MLS-931 digital piano with 61 keys

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys

A portable version with a headphone socket, worth comparing if you practise while your housemates are at home; the keys may still make mechanical noise.

61 weighted keys, a music rest and a metronome.

View at Joybuy
Electronic keyboard with 61 keys

Electronic keyboard, 61 keys

A 61-key option worth comparing if you are looking for a headphone socket and somewhere to put sheet music; check that the key range suits your repertoire.

The product name mentions a music rest and metronome; the description lists a headphone port.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Will a digital piano be completely silent if I plug in headphones?

No. Headphones let you listen to the electronic sound privately, but Yamaha notes that the keys may still be audible because of their mechanical design. If you live somewhere where sound carries, agree practice times.

How can I use sheet music on paper or a tablet?

Check that the music rest can hold your score or device. Korg lists a music rest supplied with the B2+; Casio lists one with the CDP-S110BK and offers a Score Viewer for PDF scores on a device for that model.

How can I reduce the risks of practising for a long time with headphones?

Keep the volume at a comfortably low level, and pay attention to how long and how often you listen. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that sound level, listening duration and frequency of exposure all affect the risk to your hearing.

What if a piano bought online does not fit in the room or has a fault?

Online consumer purchases generally come with a statutory cooling-off period; according to ACM ConsuWijzer, this ends 14 days after the product is delivered. Check which exceptions and return conditions apply. If a product develops a fault too soon under normal use, statutory warranty rights apply alongside any retailer or manufacturer’s warranty; contact the retailer about this.