Anyone learning a hymn on the piano
You want to practise the melody and perhaps an accompaniment. Compare the touch and keyboard range with the sheet music and part you want to play.
Who is this buying guide for?
Anyone sharing a practice room
You may sometimes want to practise without using speakers. Check the headphone sockets and what happens to the built-in speakers when you plug in headphones. Roland and Kawai list headphone sockets on the Roland FP-30X and Kawai ES120.
Anyone who also rehearses or performs elsewhere
You may use the piano in different locations. So look beyond the connections: consider the weight and the listening set-up available at each location.
What should you consider when choosing?
Portable digital piano with speakers
A good fit if: you mainly practise in the same small room and want to play without separate speakers.
Consider: allow for the stand, pedal and your seating position when measuring how much space the set-up needs.
Stage piano without speakers
A good fit if: you already have suitable headphones or an external audio set-up, or also play at other locations.
Consider: without built-in speakers, you’ll need to decide in advance how you’ll listen in the practice room. Korg describes the D1 as a speakerless model.
Stage-focused piano
A good fit if: you need specific connections for rehearsals or performances as well as practising the hymn.
Consider: Yamaha lists the CP88’s weight as 18.6 kg. Check whether its weight and dimensions suit your space and how often you’ll move it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Which consumers does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard, range and pedal | Try the exact model and check the number of keys, as well as which sustain pedal is included or compatible. | If I want to practise the melody with a piano part, I focus mainly on the keyboard and pedalling. Around 36% of consumers put the keyboard and piano part first. |
| Quiet practice | Check the type of headphone socket and whether plugging in headphones switches off the speakers. | Anyone sharing a room will want to practise without disturbing others through the speakers. Around 29% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Space and portability | Measure the available space and compare it with the piano, intended stand and music rest. | If I want to set up or store the piano in a small space, I need to consider the complete set-up. Space and storage are the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Practising in other locations | Compare the outputs with the equipment available and decide how you’ll listen at home or in the practice room. | Anyone who rehearses or performs as well as practising at home will want to know whether the instrument can be connected at that location. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this use. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Assuming every stage piano produces sound on its own
A model without speakers, such as the Korg D1 according to Korg, has no built-in speakers. Without suitable headphones or external audio equipment, you won’t be able to listen in the same way as you would with a model that has speakers.
Before buying, decide how you want to listen in the practice room and check the connections on the exact model.
You may need suitable headphones or an external audio set-up to hear the piano while practising.
-
Measuring the instrument on its own
The piano is only part of your playing space: you’ll also need room for the music rest, stand, pedal and seating position. Yamaha gives different dimensions for the P-225 depending on whether accessories such as a music rest or optional stand are included in the measurements.
Measure the space needed for the complete set-up and compare it with the version and accessories you’re considering.
You may need a suitable stand, depending on how you want to set up the piano.
-
Assuming the pedal and stand are always included
Accessories vary by model: Roland lists separate stand and pedal options for the FP-30X, while Korg says the D1 comes with a sustain pedal and that its stand is sold separately.
Compare what’s included in the specific offer with the accessories you need.
Depending on the version, you may need a separate stand or a compatible pedal.
Brands worth comparing
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable digital piano for practising on its own or with headphones.
- Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys, built-in speakers and two headphone outputs for this model.
- These specifications won’t tell you whether the playing feel suits you. Also check which stand and pedal options are included in the version on offer.
Yamaha
The portable P-225 and stage-focused CP88 suit different set-up needs.
- Yamaha specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard and compact casing for the P-225.
- Yamaha lists the CP88’s weight as 18.6 kg. Features of one model don’t necessarily apply to another.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable digital piano for practising and taking from place to place.
- Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard, speakers, headphone sockets and a weight of 12.5 kg.
- The playing qualities described by Kawai are the brand’s own claims. Try the keyboard for yourself and check which pedal and stand options come with the version you’re considering.
Korg
The D1 is a stage piano without speakers for anyone who already has a suitable listening set-up.
- Korg lists a weighted RH3 keyboard, piano and organ sounds, line outputs and an included sustain pedal.
- The D1 has no built-in speakers, so decide in advance how you’ll listen while practising.
Joybuy product picks
The product picks below are digital pianos and 61-key keyboards for practising a hymn melody in a compact set-up.
Image unavailable
MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
The built-in speakers and headphone socket give you options for listening in the practice room.
61 touch-sensitive weighted keys; 300 sounds and 300 rhythms; LCD screen; USB-MIDI; music stand.
Image unavailable
Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
The built-in speakers and headphone socket are useful if you want to listen in the practice room without external speakers.
Piano-style layout with 61 keys; metronome; recording function; USB-MIDI; music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need built-in speakers to learn a hymn in the practice room?
Not if you’re listening through suitable headphones or existing external audio equipment. If you want to play audibly without that equipment, compare models with built-in speakers; Korg describes the D1 as a speakerless model.
What should you measure before setting up a piano in a small room?
Measure the space needed for the complete playing set-up, including the music rest, stand, pedal and seating area. Follow the instructions for the exact model when connecting and using it safely. Kawai states that the ES120 must be connected to the specified voltage and that its plug must remain accessible.
Who should you contact if a piano bought online in the Netherlands is faulty?
Contact the seller first. The Dutch government states that if a new, second-hand or vintage product breaks within the first year after purchase, the seller must prove that the consumer is at fault. If they can’t, the consumer is entitled to a free repair or replacement.
Can you always return a piano bought online within 14 days?
No, not always. According to the Dutch government, in many cases distance purchases come with a 14-day cooling-off period, but there are exceptions. Before buying, check who the seller is and which terms apply to the specific purchase.
Is a CE mark an independent quality mark for piano sound?
No. The European Commission describes CE marking as a manufacturer’s declaration that a product complies with applicable EU product rules, not as an assessment of its sound or playing feel. The rules that apply to a specific version must be established for each product.