Beginner hymn player
You want to learn the melody and perhaps play with both hands later. Key range and touch are important considerations: Yamaha lists 88 keys for the P-145, while Roland lists 88 keys for the FP-10.
Who is this option for?
Quiet home practiser
You share your home and want to practise with headphones. Check the connection on the exact instrument and consider the people you live with and your neighbours.
Player looking for organ sounds
You want to play a hymn with organ sounds too, and weigh up how much choice of sounds you need against the keyboard you’ll learn piano on. Roland lists organ sounds for the FP-10; Yamaha lists piano, organ and synth sounds for the CK61.
What should you look for in a piano for the spare room?
Start with what you want to learn: playing piano with both hands calls for a different key range from playing just a melody, while sound options and the space available bring other considerations.
Portable digital piano with 88 keys
Suited to: practising chords or a part for both hands as well as the hymn melody.
Bear in mind: a full keyboard takes up width; compare the touch and check which connections and pedals come with the model.
Stage keyboard with a range of sounds
Suited to: using organ sounds regularly or switching straight between different sounds.
Bear in mind: the CK61 has 61 keys and a different type of keyboard from an 88-key piano. Check the range of your sheet music and try the touch for yourself.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and touch | Compare the range of your sheet music with the number of keys, and try the touch. Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys for the P-145; the CK61 has 61 keys. | If I want to play with both hands later, I want to know whether my parts will fit within the range. Around 25% of consumers prioritise key range and touch. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the headphone connection on the exact model and make sure the plug fits. If noise is a concern, agree suitable arrangements with your neighbours. | If I want to practise at home without filling the room with piano sound, I look for headphone use and the right connection. Around 25% of consumers prioritise quiet listening. |
| Space for the instrument and setup | Measure the available width and depth, including the stand and playing space. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1.326 mm wide; Casio lists the CDP-S110 as 1.322 × 232 × 99 mm. | If the spare room is used for other things too, I want to know in advance how much space the piano and stand will need. Around 19% of consumers say the space available is the deciding factor. |
| Sounds and practice aids | Listen to the sounds you want to use and check whether there’s a metronome. Roland lists organ sounds and a metronome for the FP-10; Yamaha lists organ sounds for the CK61. | If I want to play a hymn with organ sounds or practise at a steady tempo, I compare these features with my learning goals. Around 19% of consumers prioritise sound options and practice aids. |
| Pedals and stand | Check what’s included with the version you’re considering and which pedal function you need. Casio lists an SP-3 pedal with the CDP-S110; Roland lists the DP-10 as an optional pedal for half-pedalling with the FP-10. | If I want to get a practical setup ready at home straight away, I want to know in advance what else I’ll need. Around 12% of consumers prioritise having a complete setup. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a slim piano will automatically fit
Casio says the CDP-S110 is 232 mm deep, but it’s also 1.322 mm wide. The available width could therefore determine where it can go in the room.
Measure the width and depth of the space, and allow for the stand and room to play too.
You may need a different stand or another place for your setup.
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Assuming a 61-key stage keyboard is the same as an 88-key piano
The Yamaha CK61 and a portable digital piano with 88 keys offer different types of keyboard. Which one suits you depends in part on the parts you want to practise.
Compare the range of your sheet music with the keyboard’s range, and try the touch before you choose.
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Assuming every supplied pedal offers half-pedalling
Korg lists half-pedalling for the B2 with the optional PU-2. Roland lists the optional DP-10 for this playing technique with the FP-10.
Check what’s included with the version you choose and whether the pedal offers the function you want to practise.
You may need a compatible optional pedal for the half-pedalling mentioned here.
Brands to compare for this choice
Yamaha
In this comparison, Yamaha offers both a portable digital piano and a stage keyboard with a range of sounds.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys for the P-145 and piano, organ and synth sounds for the CK61.
- The CK61 has a different keyboard from the P-145; their keyboard features are not interchangeable.
Roland
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano for practising on a full keyboard, with the option of using speakers or headphones.
- Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys, a metronome and organ sounds.
- For half-pedalling, Roland lists the DP-10 as an optional pedal. Check separately what’s included with the version you choose.
Casio
The CDP-S110 is a portable piano with 88 keys and a relatively slim cabinet.
- Casio gives the dimensions as 1.322 × 232 × 99 mm and lists an SP-3 pedal and a PHONES/OUTPUT connection as included.
- Width still matters when planning your setup, so measure the space before choosing a version.
Korg
The B2 is a portable digital piano with 88 weighted keys and a metronome.
- Korg lists a PHONES/LINE OUT connection for the B2 and gives its dimensions as 1.312 × 336 × 117 mm.
- For half-pedalling, Korg lists the separately sold PU-2. Don’t assume this function is available with the basic pedal alone.
Kawai
The ES120 is an 88-key portable piano worth comparing if piano-focused practice and pedal upgrades matter to you.
- Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and compatible optional pedal upgrades.
- Kawai lists an F-1SP switch pedal with damper on/off for comparison. Check which pedal function you need.
Joybuy products for practising at home
This selection includes digital and electronic keyboard pianos with 61 keys for home practice. Check that the range suits your sheet music.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
Could suit you if your hymn melody fits within 61 keys; check the range of the music you want to play.
The product title lists a weighted keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, a headphone connection, built-in speakers and a metronome.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
Could suit you if you want to practise a hymn melody on a 61-key keyboard; check first that the range is sufficient for your sheet music.
The product title lists a metronome, built-in speakers and a music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise a hymn melody with headphones?
Yes, if the version you choose has a suitable headphone connection. Roland lists headphone use for the FP-10, while Casio lists a PHONES/OUTPUT connection for the CDP-S110. Check that your headphone plug fits.
Do I need a sustain pedal and a fixed stand straight away?
That depends on what you want to play and what’s included with the version you choose. Casio lists an SP-3 pedal with the CDP-S110; for half-pedalling with the FP-10, Roland lists the DP-10 as an optional extra. Also check separately whether you need a stand.
How can I tell whether a piano will fit in my spare room?
Measure the available width and depth, and leave room for the stand and your playing space. Compare these measurements with the dimensions of the exact model. A shallow cabinet alone doesn’t tell you whether the instrument will fit in the room.
What’s the difference between a stage keyboard and a digital piano for practising hymns?
A digital piano with 88 keys could suit you if you also want to practise chords or parts for both hands. According to Yamaha, a stage keyboard such as the CK61 offers piano, organ and synth sounds. Check that the range and keyboard type of the stage keyboard suit your learning goals.
What should I do if my piano arrives faulty?
If your piano is faulty, contact the seller. The Dutch government says that when you buy something, you’re entitled to a product that works properly; for distance sales, the cooling-off period is usually 14 days. Check the seller’s information about your order.