If you often practise while your housemates are at home, look for a suitable headphone socket and think about where you’ll put the instrument. Using headphones won’t necessarily stop the sound of the keys, pedals or vibrations from being heard. Then compare the key action, range and space needed for the complete set-up.
You practise chord changes while other people are at home. Roland describes headphone playback for the FP-10; the Netherlands Government advises people dealing with nuisance from neighbours to try agreeing a solution together first.
Along with learning the right chords, you want to practise changes and dynamics on a full-size, weighted piano keyboard. Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys for the P-145; Roland lists 88 PHA-4 keys for the FP-10.
You need to fit the piano into a small room or move it after use, so you want to measure the space for the instrument, player and accessories in advance. Casio gives the PX-S1100 a cabinet depth of 232 mm.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters more to |
|---|---|---|
| Disturbance to housemates | Check the headphone socket on the version you’re considering, and also think about the sound of the keys and pedals in the spot where you plan to play. | If my housemates are at home, I want to listen to the piano through headphones and agree practice times with them. Around 36% of consumers put minimising disturbance to housemates first. |
| Key range and action | Try out your own chord progressions and check that the key range and action suit your practice goals. | If I also want to practise piano-style touch and dynamics, I compare a weighted keyboard with the range my music requires. Around 29% of consumers prioritise practising on a keyboard that suits their needs. |
| Space for the set-up | Measure the space needed for the instrument, player, stool and any accessories you want to use. | In a small room, I want to know whether the whole set-up will fit, not just whether the piano itself has a space-saving design. Around 21% of consumers put available space first when buying. |
| Parts you’ll need | Check what’s in the box and whether the stand and pedal you want are compatible. | If I want to use the piano in my planned set-up straight away, I check which parts are included with the version I’ve chosen. Around 14% of consumers prioritise putting together a complete set-up. |
Headphone playback alone won’t tell you how much the keys, pedals or vibrations can be heard elsewhere in your home.
If possible, try the set-up where you plan to play and, if needed, agree practice times with your housemates.
The listed cabinet depth of the Casio PX-S1100 doesn’t include the space you’ll need for the player, stool and accessories.
Measure the entire practice area before choosing an instrument based on the cabinet dimensions.
Yamaha lists the LP-5A stand as optional for the P-145; stand and pedal options for the Kawai ES120 are sold separately.
Check what’s in the box and whether the pedal or stand you want is compatible with the exact version you’re buying.
The portable P-145 could suit you if you’re looking for a full-size, weighted keyboard for practising chord changes.
The FP-10 is a portable, piano-focused option if you want to listen through headphones.
The Privia PX-S1100 is worth considering if the depth of the piano cabinet affects where you can put it.
The portable ES120 is worth considering if you want a weighted piano keyboard with the option for two people to listen.
The Joybuy products below have 61 keys for practising chord changes. Check that this range suits the music you want to play; it’s smaller than the 88-key range of the piano-focused options mentioned above.
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For practising chord changes on a 61-key keyboard; the product title states that it has weighted keys.
The title also lists 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD, USB-MIDI, speakers, a headphone socket and a music stand.
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For practising chord changes on a 61-key keyboard; the product title lists a headphone socket.
The title also lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand.
No. Headphone playback doesn’t prove that the keys or pedals will be inaudible in your home. If possible, try the planned set-up in your practice area and agree suitable practice times.
No, not for every type of chord practice. If you want to practise piano-style touch and use the full range, compare 88-key keyboards. A 76-key instrument such as the Yamaha NP-35 may be a better option if your music fits its range and saving space is more important.
Check in advance that the complete set-up will fit, and follow the safety instructions for the exact instrument and power supply. For the ES120, Kawai instructs you to use a socket with the specified voltage and to unplug the power cable if the instrument won’t be used for an extended period.
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, in the Netherlands you have a legal guarantee in addition to any manufacturer’s warranty. If the product breaks sooner than you could reasonably expect during normal use, the seller must offer an appropriate solution at no cost. There isn’t one fixed legal guarantee period that applies to all pianos.
The Netherlands Government advises people dealing with nuisance from neighbours to try agreeing a solution together first, for example about music. Also check the rules and agreements that apply to your home; what counts as a suitable time depends on your situation.
