A 61-key keyboard may be suitable if all the notes in your arrangement fall within its range. For a full part played with both hands and the feel of piano keys, a portable digital piano with 88 weighted keys is a better fit. According to their manufacturers, the Yamaha P-145BT, Casio CDP-S110BK, Korg B2+ and Roland FP-40 all have 88 keys, but differ in their dimensions and pedal configurations. Measure the entire playing area and check what’s included in the box and the applicable product documentation for the specific offer.
If you don’t want a permanent piano set-up, compare the width of a shorter keyboard with the depth and overall playing area required for a portable piano. Yamaha Netherlands and Casio Europe publish dimensions for specific models; remember to allow space for the music rest and yourself, too.
If you want to play more than just the melody, consider the range and key action of the instrument you choose. Yamaha, Casio, Korg and Roland specify 88 keys for the portable piano models mentioned here; check that this set-up will fit in your available space.
If you want to listen to the electronic sound through headphones, check the socket on the exact model and bear in mind the mechanical noise of the keys. Casio Europe and Korg Netherlands list headphone sockets for specific models.
Start with the arrangement: check the range of keys you’ll need, then work out whether the complete playing set-up will fit in your available space.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning and storage | Measure the width and depth needed for the complete set-up; compare the dimensions of the exact model. | If I want to put the instrument away after practising, there must also be room for the stand, music rest and seating. Around 33% of consumers say saving space is their main concern when buying. |
| Key range and action | Check the lowest and highest notes in the sheet music and look at the key action of the exact model. | If I want to learn a part played with both hands, I need to know whether all the notes will fit on the keyboard and whether the key action suits my practice goals. Around 27% of consumers prioritise keyboard range and playing action. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the headphone socket on the exact model and bear in mind the mechanical noise of the keys. | If I want to practise without using the speakers, I’ll check that I can connect my headphones and that the sound of the keys is acceptable in the room. Around 20% of consumers prioritise private practice. |
| Pedal and playing set-up | Compare the contents list with the pedal requirements of the arrangement and check whether a suitable stand is available. | If I need a complete playing set-up, I want to know in advance which pedal and stand are included with the model. Around 20% of consumers pay particular attention to the pedal and stand configuration. |
A shallow case doesn’t mean the piano is less wide. Casio Europe lists the CDP-S110BK as 232 mm deep and 1,322 mm wide.
Measure both dimensions and allow space for seating before choosing where to put it.
You may need to choose a different location or a suitable stand if the complete set-up doesn’t fit.
Touch sensitivity and a weighted piano keyboard are different features. A shorter keyboard may also leave some notes in an arrangement out of reach.
Check the lowest and highest notes in your chosen arrangement and compare the key action of the exact models.
The STB1 stand and PU-2 pedal unit are separate accessories for the Korg B2+; the stand and pedal board are optional for the Roland FP-40.
Compare the contents list for the specific offer with the requirements of your sheet music and the space you have available.
A separate stand or pedal unit takes up extra space and may need to be bought separately.
The P-145BT is a portable 88-key piano for anyone looking for a straightforward piano set-up.
The CDP-S110BK is a slim 88-key piano; the CT-S1RD is a separate 61-key keyboard.
The B2+ is a portable 88-key piano with an NH keyboard and a headphone socket.
The FP-40 combines a portable design with 88 keys and a PHA-4 Standard keyboard.
For anyone who wants to practise a film theme on a 61-key keyboard.
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Could suit a shorter melody, as long as all the notes in your chosen arrangement fall within its range.
The product information lists a headphone socket, music rest, USB-MIDI, metronome, three practice steps and a recording function.
Check the applicable CE marking and EU Declaration of Conformity for the specific model.
It depends on the arrangement: check the lowest and highest notes, and whether you want to play with both hands at the same time. Casio Europe lists 61 keys for the CT-S1RD; according to their manufacturers, the portable piano models mentioned here have 88 keys.
Measure not only the instrument case, but also the space for the stand, music rest, pedal and seating position. Check whether the stated model dimensions exclude the music rest; Yamaha Netherlands and Korg Netherlands say that they do for the models mentioned here.
Headphones let you listen to the electronic sound privately, but they won’t block out the mechanical noise of the keys. Check the socket on the exact model and take the room where you practise into account.
It varies by model and offer. Korg lists the STB1 stand and PU-2 pedal unit as separate accessories for the B2+; Roland says that the stand and pedal board for the FP-40 are optional. So check the contents list for the specific model.
Ondernemersplein, the Dutch government’s business information portal, explains the applicable European product rules and mentions CE marking and an EU Declaration of Conformity. Check the documentation for the specific model; radio equipment rules may also apply to a model with Bluetooth.
