Quiet home player
You want to practise regularly while other people are at home. Using headphones and agreeing on acceptable levels of key and pedal noise matter more than powerful speakers.
Who is this guide for?
Sonatina player developing their technique
You want to practise soft and loud passages, articulation and, if needed, sustain with care. Compare the keyboard action and pedal options for the exact model.
Player with limited room
You want to move the piano after playing or carefully measure out a permanent spot, including space for the stand, bench and pedal.
What should you look for?
First, consider how you can practise without unnecessarily disturbing others. Then compare the keyboard, the space available and the pedal controls you need.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising with other people at home | Check the headphone socket and agree on practice times; assess key and pedal noise separately. | If I practise while other people are at home, I want to listen to the piano privately and know how much mechanical noise can still be heard. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quiet practice above all else. |
| Touch and dynamics | Compare the keyboard type for the model you’re considering and try out soft and powerful passages from a piece you know. | If I want to practise playing both softly and loudly, I’m looking for a keyboard response that suits my playing. Around 29% of consumers prioritise piano-like touch. |
| Positioning and storage | Measure your playing area and allow space for a bench and pedal; compare the instrument’s dimensions. | With limited floor or storage space, I want to know whether the whole playing set-up will fit, not just the piano itself. Around 21% of consumers choose positioning or storage as their main consideration. |
| Pedal controls | Check what’s included and which pedals are compatible; match the controls you want to the requirements of your learning materials. | If my sonatina or teaching method calls for a specific pedal technique, I want to know in advance which controls I’ll need. Around 14% of consumers prioritise pedal control above all else. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Headphones don’t make the piano completely silent
Headphones let you listen to the piano sound privately. The mechanical noise of the keys and pedals may still be audible.
Try the keys and pedals on a similar floor surface, and agree practice times with the people you live with.
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A pedal socket doesn’t tell you which pedal is included
An included sustain pedal, an optional half-pedal and a three-pedal set-up are different options.
Check what comes with the exact model and choose a pedal to suit your sonatina or teaching method.
A compatible half-pedal or three-pedal unit may need to be purchased separately.
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Measuring only the piano’s depth doesn’t give you the full picture
Even a compact instrument needs space for a bench, legroom and a pedal while you’re playing.
Measure the complete playing set-up, not just the instrument.
Piano brands to consider
Roland
The portable FP-10 is worth considering if touch and private practice are your priorities.
- Roland lists an 88-key keyboard and headphone output for the FP-10.
- For half-pedalling, Roland lists the optional DP-10 pedal. Check that its controls suit your learning materials.
Yamaha
The P-145BT is a portable P-series piano for anyone looking for a weighted keyboard, with the option of adding a three-pedal set-up later.
- Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and a width of 1.326 mm for the P-145BT.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. Check the connections and included accessories for the exact model.
Casio
The CDP-S110BK is worth considering if a shallow cabinet and a straightforward starter set-up are important to you.
- Casio lists a depth of 232 mm, a PHONES/OUTPUT socket and an included SP-3 sustain pedal.
- These features don’t tell you how much mechanical key noise you’ll hear in your own room.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable option if you value two headphone sockets or the option to add more pedals later.
- Kawai lists two headphone sockets and optional stand and three-pedal accessories.
- According to the manual, the optional F-10H pedal offers half-pedal control. Models and accessories may vary by market.
Joybuy products for sonatina practice
These Joybuy products are 61-key instruments. Check that the range suits your sonatina and that the connections and playing set-up meet your needs.
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Digital Piano MLS-931, 61 Keys, Black
If your sonatina falls within its range, this portable 61-key model could be a good option if you want to put it away after practising.
61 keys. Check that the range is wide enough for the passages you want to play.
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Electronic Keyboard Piano, 61-Key, Black
This instrument could suit you if a 61-key range works for your sonatina and you’re looking for a permanent practice set-up.
The product name lists a metronome and music stand. Check that the headphone socket and pedal controls suit the way you practise.
Frequently asked questions
Does practising with headphones mean other people at home won’t hear anything?
No. Headphones let you listen to the piano sound privately, but assess the mechanical noise from the keys and pedals separately in your own room. Keep the volume low and take breaks: the World Health Organization highlights the combined effect of volume and listening time on your hearing.
Do I need three pedals straight away for a sonatina?
That depends on the pedal technique required by your piece or teaching method. Casio lists an included SP-3 sustain pedal with the CDP-S110BK; for half-pedalling on the FP-10, Roland lists an optional DP-10 pedal.
What can I do if my piano causes a noise nuisance in a rented home?
The Dutch government says tenants must not cause a nuisance. Agree practice times with the people you live with; the government information cited does not specify a nationwide time when playing the piano is automatically allowed in every home.
What are my rights if a piano I’ve bought online isn’t suitable or is faulty?
For an applicable distance purchase from a business, you’ll usually have a 14-day cooling-off period; check the terms and any exceptions. If the piano is faulty, contact the seller: according to the Dutch government, they must offer a solution and can’t simply send you to the manufacturer.
Does a CE logo alone prove that a piano is suitable for my room?
No. The Dutch government describes CE marking as a declaration that a product meets applicable legal requirements, not as an assessment of playing feel, headphone use or noise nuisance. This general guidance is not an assessment of a specific piano model.