Who is this buying guide for?

Sonatina student looking to practise their touch

You want to master soft and loud phrases, fast notes and articulation. So focus on the keyboard and how it feels to play, rather than just the number of extra sounds.

Player with a shared practice room

You want to be able to position or move your piano easily, and practise with headphones regularly. Remember to measure the space needed for your complete playing set-up, too.

Player looking to develop their pedalling technique

You’re looking for a stable set-up and want to know in advance whether the damper pedal or three-pedal unit you need is included with the model you’ve chosen.

What should you consider when choosing?

When choosing a piano for a sonatina, compare the keyboard first, then the set-up and options for quiet practice, followed by the pedals and your complete practice set-up.

Portable digital piano

A good fit if: you use the practice room for other things, too, or want to be able to move the piano.

Bear in mind: you may need to buy a suitable stand and pedal upgrade separately; check what’s included in the set you choose.

Slimline digital piano for a permanent set-up

A good fit if: you have a permanent space and want to compare models with an integrated three-pedal set-up.

Bear in mind: Korg lists the LP-380U at 37 kg including the stand on its US specifications page. Check the version sold in the Netherlands, and bear in mind that it may be harder to move.

Priority What to look for Who is this important for?
Touch and dynamics Try the same soft phrase, loud notes and fast passages on each model you’re comparing. Yamaha and Roland both specify a weighted 88-key keyboard for the P-145 and FP-30X; that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll prefer how either one feels to play. If I want to practise dynamics and articulation in my sonatina, I want to feel for myself how the keyboard responds to my touch. Around 33% of consumers put touch control and dynamics at the top of their list when buying.
Space and headphones Measure the space needed for the piano, stand, bench and sheet music. Casio lists the CDP-S110BK as having an instrument depth of 232 mm; this doesn’t include the rest of your playing set-up. Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X. If I share a room, I want to make sure the piano will fit and be able to practise with headphones sometimes. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the space taken up and the option to practise with headphones.
Damper pedal and set-up Check whether the pedal and stand are included with the model you choose, and whether they’re compatible. Kawai lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 three-pedal unit as options for the ES120. If I want to practise pedalling technique, I want to know which pedal is right for my lessons and whether my set-up will be stable. Around 20% of consumers put pedal use and a stable set-up at the top of their list when buying.
Complete practice set-up Check exactly what’s included with the specific offer. Yamaha describes the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as optional; Casio lists the SP-3 damper pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK. If I want to put together a practice space that’s ready to use, I want to know in advance which parts I still need. Around 20% of consumers focus first on the complete set of accessories.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming headphones make practice completely silent

    Headphones reduce the sound from the speakers, but they don’t guarantee that the sound of the keys being pressed can’t be heard by your neighbours.

    Try the piano in the place where you intend to use it. If noise is an issue, the Dutch Government recommends talking to your neighbours first and agreeing on arrangements, such as practice times.

  • Assuming an optional three-pedal unit is included as standard

    Manufacturers list optional pedal upgrades for models including the Yamaha P-145 and Kawai ES120.

    Check that the accessories are compatible and included with the exact model you’re buying before planning your set-up.

  • Measuring only the depth of the instrument

    The instrument’s dimensions don’t tell you how much space the piano will take up with the stand, bench, player and sheet music.

    Measure the complete playing area and compare it with the space you have available.

Brands to compare

Yamaha

The P-145 is a portable model worth comparing if a compact 88-key keyboard is important to you.

  • Yamaha describes the GHC keyboard as weighted and lists 88 keys.
  • The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional; descriptions of how the keyboard feels come from the manufacturer, not independent testing.

Roland

The FP-30X is a portable model worth comparing if headphone connections and pedal upgrades are important to you.

  • Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys and two headphone outputs.
  • Roland lists pedal upgrades; check which, if any, are included in the set you choose. The description of the keyboard’s touch comes from the manufacturer.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable model worth comparing if you might want a permanent set-up using accessories.

  • Kawai lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 three-pedal unit as options.
  • The stand and pedal unit are optional extras; check what’s included in the set on offer.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is worth a look if the instrument’s depth and an included basic damper pedal matter to you.

  • Casio lists the instrument’s depth as 232 mm and its weight as 10,5 kg, and says the SP-3 damper pedal is included.
  • The instrument’s depth doesn’t include a stand or space for a seat; check that the supplied pedal suits your technique.

Korg

The LP-380U is a slimline piano for a permanent set-up, worth comparing if you can set aside a dedicated space.

  • Korg specifies three pedals and two headphone sockets.
  • Korg lists the weight as 37 kg including the stand on its US specifications page; check the power supply, plug and what’s included with the version sold in the Netherlands.

Related products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare two keyboards for my sonatina?

Play the same soft phrase, loud phrase and fast repeated notes on both instruments. Yamaha and Roland specify different weighted 88-key actions; their descriptions won’t tell you which touch you’ll find more comfortable.

Can I practise with headphones in a small room without worrying about my neighbours?

No. Headphones don’t guarantee that the sound of the keys being pressed can’t be heard. If your neighbours can hear you, the Dutch Government recommends agreeing arrangements with them first, such as times for playing music.

Which pedal and stand should I set up?

Check compatibility with the exact model you’re buying: Yamaha lists the LP-5A unit as an option for the P-145, while Kawai lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 three-pedal unit as options for the ES120. Check whether your chosen set includes these parts before planning a permanent set-up.

What are my rights when buying from a Dutch online shop?

According to the Dutch Government, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period for eligible distance purchases. This is separate from your right to a product that meets the required standards: if there’s a problem, contact the seller about your statutory warranty. Check the terms that apply to your specific purchase.