Jazz student looking to develop their touch
You want to practise melodies and chord voicings with both a light and a firm touch. If possible, try the keyboard in person to see whether its response suits you.
Who is this buying guide for?
Loft dweller who wants to practise quietly
You share your living space or practise at times when speaker sound isn’t welcome. Check for a headphone socket and consider listening comfort.
Player with limited permanent floor space
You want to be able to move the piano, or only have a narrow space available. Remember to allow room for the stand, music rest, bench and pedals, too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Compact portable digital piano
A good fit if: you have limited depth or want to move the instrument after practising. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100; this isn’t the measurement of the complete playing area.
Bear in mind: the feel of the keyboard and the space needed for the stand, music rest and seat; a compact cabinet doesn’t tell you how the instrument feels to play.
Portable piano with practice and connection options
A good fit if: you regularly practise with headphones or want to listen along with a teacher. Roland lists two headphone outputs on the FP-30X.
Bear in mind: check which stand and pedal options are included with the exact version; a listed option isn’t automatically included in the box.
Fixed set-up with three pedals
A good fit if: you can make room for a permanent set-up and need the pedals for the pieces you practise. Korg distinguishes the B2SP from the B2 by including a stand and three-pedal unit.
Bear in mind: the set-up will continue to take up space. Check the version and delivery for the Netherlands; the Korg information cited is aimed at the US market.
First compare the keyboard and how you want to practise, then measure the space you’ll need for the complete set-up. Your needs for touch, headphone use, space and practice features will together determine which trade-offs matter most in your loft.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Key feel and touch | Try the exact keyboard and check the number of keys, the action and the adjustable touch sensitivity. Yamaha lists 88 weighted GHC keys for the P-145BT; Roland names the PHA-4 Standard keyboard for the FP-30X. | If I want to practise melodies and chords with different levels of touch, I need to know whether the keyboard suits my technique; around 36% of consumers put key feel first. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the output, the correct plug and listening comfort. Roland lists two outputs on the FP-30X; using headphones doesn’t automatically eliminate key and pedal noise. | In a shared loft, I want to avoid speaker sound without unnecessarily disturbing others; around 29% of consumers give quiet practice their top priority. |
| Space and portability | Measure the space you have, including the stand, music rest, bench and pedal. The 232 mm listed by Casio for the PX-S1100 is the cabinet depth, not the full playing area required. | If I only have a narrow space available or want to put the piano away, the complete set-up needs to fit; around 21% of consumers put available space first. |
| Practising independently | Decide whether you need a metronome, a particular sound or music playback. Korg lists a metronome and jazz piano sound for the B2; Yamaha describes Bluetooth audio on the P-145BT for playing music from a phone. | If I want to practise a jazz standard on my own, keeping time or playing along may be important; around 14% of consumers give these kinds of practice features top priority. |
For a specific model, also check the applicable product safety information and CE marking for the exact version. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains when CE marking is mandatory for electrical products; this alone doesn’t establish whether a specific listing meets those requirements.
Common buying mistakes
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Measuring only the piano cabinet
A cabinet measurement doesn’t account for the music rest, stand, bench or pedal. As a result, the complete playing area may take up more room than you have available.
Measure the space with the complete set-up in mind, not just the piano’s dimensions.
Also check whether a suitable stand is included with the version you’re buying or whether you’ll need to arrange a suitable set-up yourself.
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Assuming an optional pedal is included
A manufacturer may list pedal options without including them with every version. For example, the Yamaha LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional.
Check what’s included with the exact version or bundle, and make sure the pedal is compatible.
You may need to buy a separate pedal unit; check before choosing your version.
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Confusing Bluetooth audio with wireless MIDI
Yamaha describes Bluetooth audio on the P-145BT for playing music from a phone through the piano’s speakers. This doesn’t confirm that the model also supports Bluetooth MIDI.
Decide whether you want to play music, record or use MIDI with software, then check which connection is intended for that function.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The P-145BT is an entry-level portable model to consider if you’re looking for a weighted keyboard without a fixed furniture-style set-up.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys and Bluetooth audio for playing music.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. Check what’s included with your chosen version and try the feel of the keyboard for yourself.
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable piano to consider for practising at home, with options to expand your set-up.
- Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard and two headphone outputs.
- Check which stand and pedal options are supplied with the specific version; connection options don’t tell you how the keyboard will feel to you.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100BK is worth considering if a shallow piano cabinet is important to you.
- Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm.
- Allow for the complete playing set-up when planning your space; the cabinet measurement isn’t the same as the floor space you’ll need.
Korg
The B2 and B2SP illustrate the difference between a piano on its own and a version with a fixed set-up.
- Korg lists a metronome and jazz piano sound for the B2, and distinguishes the B2SP by including a stand and three-pedal unit.
- The manufacturer information cited is aimed at the US market; check the version and delivery for the Netherlands separately.
Joybuy product picks
These 61-key instruments are options for practising in a loft. Check that the key range, connections and complete set-up suit the way you want to learn a jazz standard. Before buying, also check the product safety information and CE marking for the exact version; the applicable product regulations don’t confirm the status of an individual listing.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
The weighted keys and headphone socket are suited to practising melodies and chords in a shared space. With 61 keys, this model doesn’t have the full range of an 88-key keyboard.
Listed features include a metronome, USB-MIDI, and recording and playback.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
The headphone socket can be useful if you want to avoid speaker sound while practising. With 61 keys, its range is smaller than that of an 88-key keyboard.
Listed features include a metronome, MIDI, and recording and playback; a music rest is also mentioned.
Frequently asked questions
Do you always need a piano with three pedals for a jazz standard?
Not necessarily. First decide which pedal technique you’re practising, then check what’s included with the version. Yamaha lists the LP-5A as optional for the P-145BT, while Korg distinguishes the B2SP from the B2 by including a stand and three-pedal unit.
Can you plug the piano in at your loft without making any adjustments?
Check the rating plate and the specified adaptor for the exact version. For the P-145BT/P-143BT, Yamaha says to use only the specified electrical voltage and the supplied or specified mains adaptor; keep the socket accessible.
What maintenance does a digital piano need?
Follow the manual for the model you’ve bought. For the P-145BT/P-143BT, Yamaha recommends unplugging the instrument before cleaning it; for another model, follow its own manual.
What are your rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
For most online purchases of goods in the Netherlands, you generally have 14 days from delivery to change your mind; exceptions may apply. ACM ConsuWijzer also explains that the statutory guarantee is separate from any manufacturer’s guarantee, and that the seller is responsible for resolving problems if the product doesn’t meet what you could reasonably expect from it.
Does an electric digital piano sold in the Netherlands need a CE marking?
CE marking is mandatory for electrical products where the rules require it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the applicable requirements; a CE marking doesn’t confirm that an individual listing has been checked.