Choose a touch-sensitive 61-key keyboard if your arrangement fits within its range and you want to put the instrument away after practising. If you mainly want to practise with both hands on a weighted keyboard, compare portable 88-key digital pianos; they need more space. Before buying, measure not just the instrument but also the space for your chair, music stand and pedal.
You don’t have a permanent spot for a piano and want to know in advance whether the instrument and playing setup will fit. 61-key and 88-key models differ in size, so compare their exact measurements with the space you have available.
You want to practise melodies, chord voicings and parts for both hands. In that case, the keyboard range and piano-style touch may matter more than a large selection of built-in sounds. Yamaha and Korg describe the digital pianos mentioned here as instruments with 88 weighted keys.
You want to practise with built-in accompaniment and may find a shorter keyboard sufficient, as long as your arrangement fits. The Yamaha PSR-E383 has touch-sensitive keys and automatic accompaniment styles.
A good fit if: you have limited space, your arrangement fits within the range and you don’t need a weighted piano keyboard.
The trade-off: touch sensitivity isn’t the same as weighted piano keys. Also check that the accompaniment you want is available.
A good fit if: you want to practise on a full-size, weighted piano keyboard and can set aside around 1.3 metres of width for the instrument.
The trade-off: also measure the space for your music stand, chair and pedals; the stated cabinet dimensions don’t always include the complete playing setup.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Playing and storage space | Measure the available width and depth. Casio lists the CT-S300 at 930 × 256 × 73 mm; Yamaha gives the P-145BT a width of 1.326 mm. Korg lists the B2+ at 1.312 × 336 × 117 mm, excluding the music stand. | If you want to put the instrument away after playing, the whole playing area needs to remain practical too. Around 36% of consumers put a setup that can be packed away ahead of other buying priorities. |
| Keyboard range and touch | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your arrangement with the keyboard’s range. The Yamaha PSR-E383 has 61 keys; the Yamaha P-145BT and Korg B2+ have 88. Yamaha and Korg describe the keyboards on these digital pianos as weighted. | If you want to play a melody, chord voicings and a left-hand part with both hands, consider the range and key action. Around 29% of consumers prioritise weighted keys and range. |
| Built-in accompaniment | Check the styles and controls on the exact model, and separately make sure your parts fit within its keyboard range. Yamaha lists 260 automatic accompaniment styles for the PSR-E383. | If you want to practise with accompaniment without a computer, you’ll want to know whether the available features suit the way you play. Around 21% of consumers make built-in accompaniment their top priority. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the connection on the exact version and make sure your headphone plug will fit. Korg lists a PHONES socket for the B2+; Casio lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the CT-S300. | If you want to practise in a shared home without playing sound through the speakers, check your listening options and discuss any noise concerns with your housemates if needed. Around 14% of consumers prioritise practising with headphones. |
Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as touch-sensitive and the P-145BT as having an 88-key GHC keyboard with weighted keys. These are different specifications.
Decide what kind of key feel you want to practise with and compare the action on the exact model; don’t rely on the term ‘touch-sensitive’ alone.
The stated dimensions of the Korg B2+ exclude the music stand. The cabinet size alone therefore won’t tell you how much room the complete playing setup takes up.
Before choosing a spot, also measure the space for the music stand, chair, legs and pedal.
The STB1 stand for the B2+ is sold separately, so allow for the space you’ll need for your setup.
Accessories supplied vary by model and version. Korg lists a damper pedal with the B2+, but sells the STB1 stand separately; Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145BT as an optional extra.
Before ordering, check what’s included with the version on offer and whether the pedal you want is compatible with the model.
Depending on the setup you want, you may need to buy a stand or additional pedal accessories separately.
The Casiotone CT-S300 is a compact model to compare if storage and portability are important to you.
The PSR-E383 offers a 61-key option with accompaniment styles; the P-145BT is a different choice for anyone looking for 88 weighted piano keys.
The portable B2+ is an 88-key alternative to compare if piano playing matters more to you than having the shortest possible instrument.
These product picks focus on compact 61-key electronic instruments; compare their range with the notes in your arrangement.
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An option to consider if your arrangement fits on a 61-key keyboard.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, USB-MIDI, speakers, a headphone socket, metronome, recording function, automatic bass chords and a music stand. Check that the stated key feel suits what you want to practise.
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A good fit for practising on a 61-key instrument if your arrangement stays within its range.
The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand. Compare the version on offer with the features you need for your approach to practice.
Compare the lowest and highest notes in the melody, chord voicings and left-hand part you want to play with the instrument’s range. The Yamaha PSR-E383 has 61 keys; the Yamaha P-145BT and Korg B2+ have 88. The number of keys alone won’t tell you whether your arrangement will fit.
That depends on the model, version and setup you want. Korg lists a damper pedal and music stand as included with the B2+, but sells the STB1 stand separately. Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145BT as an optional extra. Check what’s included in the package on offer.
First, check whether the instrument has a suitable headphone socket. According to the Dutch government, the first step when dealing with a neighbour dispute, including noise, is to try to agree a solution together. If that doesn’t help, you can contact your landlord, local council or residents’ association, among others. Headphones won’t eliminate the mechanical noise of the keys.
According to the Dutch government, you’re entitled to a product that works as it should, but there’s no fixed statutory warranty period in the Netherlands. If a product is faulty, the seller must provide a solution. A manufacturer’s warranty is in addition to, and doesn’t replace, your statutory rights.
