Start by choosing a keyboard that lets you practise both soft and strong notes, as well as the parts for both hands. Compare the feel of specific 88-key models. Then decide between a portable piano and a fixed setup, and check that the pedal controls, stand and headphone socket suit the version you’re considering. Manufacturer specifications describe the features, but they can’t tell you which keyboard will feel comfortable to play.
You want to practise phrasing, dynamics and articulation with both hands, so you’re comparing the feel of specific piano keyboards. Yamaha, Roland and Kawai each describe a different key action for the models mentioned here.
You want to be able to set up or move the instrument, and practise without constantly filling the room with sound from the speakers. Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X.
You can leave the piano set up and want to know whether the stand and pedal options suit the pieces you play. Korg describes the B2SP as a B2 piano combined with a stand and three-pedal unit.
A good fit if: you regularly rearrange the rehearsal room or need to move the instrument.
Bear in mind: choosing a suitable stand or a more advanced pedal setup may be a separate decision. Check which pedal is included, too.
A good fit if: you have a permanent space and genuinely need more than a damper pedal; Korg describes the B2SP as a set with a stand and three pedals.
Bear in mind: a fixed setup is less practical if the room needs to be cleared after every rehearsal.
Next, compare the touch, pedal and connections against the piece you’re playing and how you use the rehearsal room.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and playing range | Try soft passages, repeated notes and both hands on the exact model. Compare how the keys feel, not just the description of the key action. | When playing a sonatina, I want to practise dynamics and articulation with both hands. Around 36% of consumers put touch and playing range first. |
| Damper pedal | Check what’s included and whether the model supports the half-pedalling or pedal unit you need. Kawai, Roland and Korg describe different pedal options for the models mentioned here. | For my piece, I want to know which pedal controls I can actually practise with, without assuming a switch pedal works like a compatible half-pedal. Around 29% of consumers put pedal controls first. |
| Placement and portability | Measure the space for the piano, stand, stool and pedal, and check the dimensions of the version with its stand, too. Yamaha lists the weight of the standalone P-225 as 11.5 kg. | If the piano needs to be put away after a rehearsal, I want to know whether the instrument and the complete setup are practical to move. Around 21% of consumers put placement or portability first. |
| Quiet practice | Check the number and type of headphone sockets on the exact piano, especially if a teacher and student want to listen at the same time. Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X. | In a shared space, I want to practise without using the speakers and check whether someone else can listen in. Around 14% of consumers put headphone use first. |
A socket doesn’t automatically mean that the pedal controls you need are included in the box. For the ES120, Kawai describes the F-1SP pedal as a switch pedal; for half-pedalling, Kawai lists a different compatible pedal option. Korg lists the optional PU-2 for half-pedalling on the B2.
Check the package contents and make sure the pedal you need is compatible.
You may need to buy a separate compatible pedal or pedal unit to get the controls you want.
A stand, stool and pedal take up space, too. Yamaha lists the P-225’s dimensions with and without the optional stand; the Korg B2SP is described as a set with a stand and three-pedal unit.
Measure the playing space and the route you’ll use to move the instrument. Check the dimensions and contents of the exact version.
You may need a suitable stand or pedal setup to use the piano in your chosen space.
A model’s original position in an editorial list from 2025 doesn’t tell you whether it’s available now, whether it’s the same version or whether it suits the way you like to play.
Use a ranking as a guide to identifying models at most. Check the version and try the keyboard yourself before deciding.
The portable P-225 is worth comparing if you’re looking for a full-size keyboard without a fixed furniture-style setup.
The portable FP-30X is worth considering if you want to compare key action, headphone outputs or pedal options.
The ES120 gives you a different hammer action to compare, along with various options for your pedal setup.
Compare the standalone B2 with the B2SP if you’re weighing up a portable piano against a fixed setup with three pedals.
The PX-S1100 is an 88-key model to consider if the depth of your playing space is a factor.
These portable 61-key digital pianos are worth considering if you’re looking for a compact keyboard. For sonatina practice, bear in mind that they offer a more limited playing range than 88-key models.
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A portable model to consider if you need to move the instrument regularly; its 61 keys offer a more limited playing range than an 88-key model.
The product name specifies 61 keys and a black finish.
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The included music stand may be useful if you want to place sheet music on the piano; the keyboard has a more limited playing range than 88-key models.
The product name specifies 61 keys, a black finish and a music stand.
No. Work out which pedal controls you’ll actually use in your piece and lessons. Then compare the pedal included with compatible upgrades: for example, Kawai distinguishes between the F-1SP switch pedal for the ES120 and a pedal option with half-pedal support.
It depends on the model. Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X; check the connections and compatible plugs on the version you’re considering, too.
Make sure the instrument, stand, stool and pedal can all sit securely together, and follow the manual for the exact model when it comes to power, use and maintenance. For example, Korg lists a mains adaptor as included with the B2; don’t assume that just any adaptor will be interchangeable.
For distance sales, the seller must give you information about things such as the cooling-off period; according to the Dutch government, it is usually 14 days. Check the terms that apply to the specific purchase.
The Dutch government states that electronic devices placed on the market in the EU must have a CE mark. Check the product information and included safety instructions for the piano and power supply on offer; a brand or model name alone doesn’t confirm that your particular item carries the mark.
