If you mainly practise scales at home, compare portable digital pianos with a suitable keyboard, practice features and a headphone socket. A more fully featured stage piano is worth considering if you also use stage sounds and hands-on controls. Try the key action for yourself, measure the space including the stand, and bear in mind that headphones won’t silence the sound of the keys themselves.
You practise in the loft and want to be considerate of family or neighbours. Look for a headphone socket, a moderate listening volume and a quiet physical key action. Roland lists headphone sockets for the FP-30X; the Dutch government advises people experiencing problems with neighbours to try agreeing a solution together first.
You repeat minor scales and want to assess the keys’ response, metronome and pedal setup for yourself. Yamaha, Roland and Kawai list different keyboards and practice features for their models.
You want to use your instrument at home and away, and are interested in stage sounds or connections. Nord and Yamaha specify features for these uses; also consider the weight and how you’ll listen at home.
Best for: practising scales independently, using practice features, speakers or headphones.
Consider: a listed keyboard type won’t tell you whether the feel suits you; try the key action for yourself.
Best for: combining practice with stage sounds, layered sounds or hands-on controls.
Consider: these extra features aren’t needed for scales alone; check that the weight and connections suit your loft setup.
In a converted loft, your listening setup, choice of keyboard, available space and any need for stage features are the main considerations. Decide which of these matters most for your practice.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Listening without disturbing others | Check for a headphone socket and try the setup in the space where you plan to use it. | I want to hear the electronic sound through headphones without unnecessarily disturbing anyone at home. This is the main reason for around 34% of consumers who want to minimise disruption. |
| Key action and scale technique | Try different tempos and check the touch settings, metronome and pedal functions you need. | I want to practise minor scales evenly and assess the keyboard’s response for myself. Around 33% of consumers say key action and practice aids are their main considerations. |
| Positioning and moving the piano | Measure the route to the loft and the playing area; include the stand and check the weight of the version you’re considering. | I need to be able to position or move the piano in the loft and want to check that the setup will fit in advance. Space and portability are the main considerations for around 20% of consumers. |
| Stage sounds and connections | Decide which layers of sound, outputs and pedals you’ll actually use, and how you want to listen at home. | I want to use the instrument for performances or layered sounds as well as scales. Stage features are the main reason for buying for around 13% of consumers. |
Headphones let you hear the electronic sound privately, but that doesn’t mean other people can’t hear the physical sound of the keys being pressed.
Try the setup where you plan to use it, keep the headphone volume moderate and, if needed, agree arrangements with family or neighbours.
Layered sounds and stage connections are different buying considerations from simply practising with a metronome. Before you buy, think about whether you’ll perform or combine sounds as well as practise scales.
Your preferred home or stage setup may require extra equipment or accessories. Check what you’ll need for the way you plan to use the instrument.
You’ll also need room for the stand, a seat and cables. Yamaha gives separate measurements for the P-225 itself and for the instrument with an optional stand.
Measure the entire playing area and check which stand and pedal are compatible with the exact version, and what’s included.
You may need to buy a suitable stand or pedal separately. Check the box contents before ordering.
The P-225 is a portable option for the loft; the CP88 is an alternative for players who use stage controls and connections.
The FP-30X is a portable digital piano for independent practice, with built-in speakers.
The ES120 is worth considering if you’re looking for a hammer-action keyboard and practice features.
The Piano 6 88 is a stage-focused option for players who use layered sounds and hands-on controls as well as playing the piano.
The Joybuy options below are 61-key digital pianos for practising at home; check that this range suits the minor scales you want to play.
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May suit you if you want to use a metronome and headphone socket while practising; the keyboard has 61 keys.
The product information lists a weighted keyboard, metronome and headphone socket. Its 61-key range is smaller than that of an 88-key keyboard; check that it suits your repertoire.
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May suit you if you want a metronome and headphone socket for practising; the keyboard has 61 keys.
The product information lists a metronome, recording function, USB-MIDI and headphone socket. Its 61-key range is smaller than that of an 88-key keyboard; check that it suits your repertoire.
Play the same scale slowly and then faster across several octaves, comparing how evenly you can strike the keys. Also check the touch settings and metronome; Kawai, for example, lists an adjustable metronome for the ES120. A keyboard specification can’t replace trying it out.
That depends on the model and your listening setup. Roland lists built-in speakers and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X. Yamaha lists a headphone output and separate audio outputs for the CP88; if you’re considering this stage-focused option, check in advance how you’ll listen at home.
Measure the playing area with the stand in place, and check whether your preferred pedal is compatible with the exact version or needs to be bought separately. Follow the manual for your chosen model when positioning, connecting and cleaning it.
For many eligible distance purchases, you have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. If a product is faulty, contact the seller to arrange a solution under your statutory guarantee. Check the terms of the specific offer and any exceptions to the right to cancel.
