Who is this buying guide for?

Player with limited floor space

You need to be able to set up or put away the piano between rehearsals. So compare the whole set-up, not just the depth of the cabinet. Yamaha and Casio publish dimensions for specific models.

Pianist who wants to play the intro accurately

You’ll want to check in advance whether the keyboard suits the notes and variations in touch required by your part. Yamaha and Roland publish specifications for the keyboards on their P-145 and FP-10 models.

Player who needs to practise quietly

You practise while other people are using the room, so you need to be able to listen through headphones. Roland lists this feature for the FP-10, while Kawai lists two headphone sockets for the ES120.

What should you look for when buying?

First measure the space where you’ll set up the piano, then work out what range of keys and practice features your intro calls for.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Space and storage Measure the width, depth and seating space, and allow room for the music rest. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1.326 × 268 mm, excluding the music rest. If I need to put the piano away between rehearsals, I want to know whether the whole set-up will fit. Around 36% of consumers put space and storage first.
Range of keys and touch response Check whether the range covers the notes in your intro and, if possible, try the relevant phrase with both light and firm keystrokes. When my intro calls for different registers or variations in touch, I want a keyboard that can handle them. Around 29% of consumers prioritise range and control over touch response.
Practising with headphones Check how many sockets there are and whether your headphone plug will fit. Headphones don’t make the sound of the keys and pedal inaudible. If other people are using the practice room, I want to hear the piano through headphones. Around 21% of consumers prioritise listening quietly.
Repeating a passage Check whether a metronome and pedal suit your practice plan, and whether the pedal you need is included. When practising my intro, I want a practical way to work on tempo and sustained notes. Around 14% of consumers prioritise repetition features and the pedal set-up.

Common buying mistakes

  • Comparing cabinet depth alone

    A shallow piano may still be too wide for the space available. You also need to allow room for the music rest and somewhere to sit.

    Measure the complete set-up before choosing a model. Casio lists the CDP-S110BK as 1.322 × 232 × 99 mm; Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1.326 × 268 mm, excluding the music rest.

  • Assuming a pedal or stand is included

    What’s included and which pedals you can use varies by model and version. Korg states that half-pedalling on the B2 requires a PU-2, available separately.

    Check what’s in the box and whether the pedal is compatible with the specific version.

    You may need to buy a suitable pedal or stand separately.

  • Assuming the statutory guarantee lasts exactly two years

    According to ACM ConsuWijzer, there is no fixed term for the statutory guarantee. What you can reasonably expect from a product matters if it breaks sooner during normal use.

    If there’s a fault, contact the seller and discuss what you could reasonably expect from the piano under normal use.

Brands to compare

Yamaha

The P-145 is worth considering if you’re looking for 88 weighted keys and have enough width available.

  • Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and dimensions of 1.326 × 268 mm, excluding the music rest.
  • Measure the width of the complete set-up; these specifications are not an independent assessment of how the keyboard feels to play.

Roland

The FP-10 is worth comparing if a piano-style touch response and headphone practice are important to you.

  • Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard with 88 keys and headphone output.
  • According to Roland, Bluetooth availability varies by country of sale, so check the version if this matters to you.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is worth considering if you’re looking for a shallow cabinet and have room for the rest of the set-up too.

  • Casio specifies a depth of 232 mm, a headphone/output socket and an included SP-3 pedal for the CDP-S110BK.
  • Also check the width, the space needed for the music rest and which parts are included with your chosen version.

Kawai

The ES120 is worth comparing if two people want to listen through headphones at the same time.

  • Kawai lists two headphone sockets for the ES120.
  • Kawai lists the weight of this model as 12,5 kg; these details don’t automatically apply to other Kawai pianos.

Korg

The B2 is worth comparing if metronome controls are important when practising an intro.

  • Korg specifies controls for the metronome’s tempo, time signature and volume.
  • According to Korg, half-pedalling requires the PU-2, available separately. Check which pedal version is included with the offer.

Joybuy products

This selection includes two black digital pianos with 61 keys. They may suit you if the notes in your intro fall within that range. For the specific version, check which EU rules apply and whether CE marking is required and present.

Black MLS-931 digital piano with 61 keys

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

The product description lists a headphone socket and metronome, which may come in handy for private practice and repeating a passage.

61 weighted, touch-sensitive keys; sustain function.

View at Joybuy
Black digital keyboard piano with 61 keys and music stand

Digital keyboard piano, 61 keys, black

The title lists a headphone socket and metronome. These are features worth comparing if you want to practise privately and repeat an intro in time.

61 keys; recording function and music stand listed.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a cabinet depth of 232 mm enough for my practice space?

Not necessarily. Casio lists that depth for the CDP-S110BK, but also gives a width of 1.322 mm. Remember to measure the space for the music rest and cables, as well as room for your playing position.

Can I practise with headphones while someone else is nearby?

You can listen to the piano through headphones on the Roland FP-10; according to Kawai, the ES120 has two headphone sockets. Having a socket doesn’t automatically make the sound of the keys or pedal inaudible to others.

Does a sustain pedal come as standard with the digital piano?

It varies by model and version. Casio lists an SP-3 pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK; for other versions, check what’s in the box and whether the pedal is compatible. For half-pedalling on the FP-10, Roland lists an optional DP-10 pedal.

How does the statutory guarantee work in the Netherlands if there’s a fault?

According to ACM ConsuWijzer, if a product breaks during normal use sooner than you could reasonably expect, the seller must put it right free of charge. This could mean a repair, replacement or refund. There is no fixed two-year statutory guarantee for all pianos.

Does a digital piano sold in the Netherlands need CE marking?

That depends on the EU rules that apply to the specific version. The European Commission states that CE marking is only required for products covered by specific harmonised EU rules that require it. So check which rules apply to the model you’ve chosen.