Choose a compact keyboard if you want to repeat patterns yourself and the notes fit within its range. Choose a digital piano or a keyboard with more keys if your pieces or piano technique call for it. Yamaha says the PSR-E383 and PSR-EW320 have 61 and 76 touch-sensitive keys respectively, while Roland lists a hammer-action keyboard for the FP-30X. Check the headphone socket on the version you’re buying, and bear in mind that headphones won’t silence the sound of the keys moving.
You want to hear your left-hand part without turning up the built-in speakers. A headphone socket can help, but it won’t silence the sound of the keys. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones to reduce the temptation to turn the volume up.
You want to practise bass notes or patterns on your own. A metronome can help you practise in time; also check that an accompaniment feature won’t distract you from your own left-hand part. Yamaha lists a metronome for the PSR-EW320.
Your pieces or learning goals may call for more keys or a hammer-action keyboard. Compare the notes you need with a 76-key keyboard or an 88-key piano. Yamaha lists 76 keys for the PSR-EW320; Roland describes the FP-30X as having a PHA-4 keyboard.
Choose this if: the notes you need fit within its range and you want to practise the left-hand part yourself. Yamaha lists 61 touch-sensitive, organ-style keys for the PSR-E383.
Trade-off: touch sensitivity isn’t the same as weighted piano keys; check that the keyboard type suits your learning goals.
Choose this if: 61 keys limit the pieces you can play, but you still want a keyboard. Yamaha lists 76 touch-sensitive keys, a metronome, split function and PHONES/OUTPUT for the PSR-EW320.
Trade-off: Yamaha describes the PSR-EW320 as having an organ-style keyboard; also measure its stated width of 1.148 mm before deciding where to put it.
Choose this if: a wider range or piano technique is your priority. Roland lists a PHA-4 keyboard for the FP-30X; Korg specifies an 88-key NH keyboard for the B2+.
Trade-off: check you have enough room for the instrument and your preferred set-up; Korg gives the B2+ a width of 1.312 mm without the music rest.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket and plug size on the version you’re buying. Start with the volume low; headphones won’t muffle the sound of the keys. | When I practise while other people are at home, I want to keep speaker volume down without listening any louder than necessary. Around 29% of consumers give quiet practice their highest priority. |
| Playing the left hand yourself | Check whether there’s a metronome and whether the split, lesson or accompaniment features suit the way you practise. | I want to repeat bass notes or rhythmic patterns myself rather than mainly playing along with automatic accompaniment. Around 29% of consumers prioritise practising the left-hand part independently. |
| Key range and touch | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your pieces with 61, 76 or 88 keys. Also consider whether you want touch sensitivity or a hammer-action keyboard. | If my pieces need a wider range or my piano lessons require a particular type of keyboard, that matters more than having a compact instrument. Around 24% of consumers give range and touch the highest priority. |
| Space and set-up | Measure the available space, including room for a chair, sheet music and cables. Casio lists a width of 930 mm for the CT-S300; Yamaha lists 1.148 mm for the PSR-EW320, and Korg lists 1.312 mm for the B2+ without the music rest. | If I need to put the instrument away or have limited playing space, I want to know whether it will fit comfortably. Around 18% of consumers give available space and set-up the highest priority. |
Touch-sensitive, organ-style keys aren’t automatically the same as a hammer-action keyboard. Yamaha describes the PSR-EW320’s keys as organ-style; Roland lists hammer action for the FP-30X.
Compare the keyboard type with your learning goals and, if possible, try out the feel of the keys.
Headphones let you listen without relying on speakers, but they won’t muffle the mechanical sound of the keys.
Try the instrument where you plan to practise and keep the headphone volume at a moderate level.
The models reviewed have 61, 76 or 88 keys; the range you need depends on the patterns and pieces you play.
Check the lowest and highest notes in a few representative pieces before choosing a size.
What’s included and which accessories are available can vary by version. Korg lists a separate stand for the B2+.
Before ordering, check which power supply, stand, pedal and headphones are included with the specific version.
You may need to buy suitable headphones, a stand or a pedal separately; check what’s included before choosing your set-up.
The PSR-E383 and PSR-EW320 are keyboards with 61 and 76 touch-sensitive keys respectively. Yamaha also lists a split function, metronome and PHONES/OUTPUT for the EW320.
Casio describes the CT-S300 as a compact, touch-sensitive Casiotone keyboard. Casio Europe lists a width of 930 mm; Casio Music New Zealand lists a 3,5 mm PHONES/OUTPUT socket.
Roland lists a 88-key PHA-4 keyboard and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X.
Korg lists an 88-key NH keyboard, a PHONES socket and a metronome for the B2+. Korg USA gives a width of 1.312 mm without the music rest.
Joybuy picks for practising left-hand patterns on 61-key instruments.
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Suitable for practising patterns that fit within 61 keys. The product name also mentions a metronome.
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Suitable for practising patterns that fit within 61 keys. The product name mentions weighted keys.
Use accompaniment to play along if you like, but also practise your intended left-hand part without it. Yamaha lists both accompaniment features and a metronome for the PSR-EW320; the right setting depends on what you want to practise.
First check your model’s socket and plug size, then start with the volume low. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones, so that background noise is less likely to tempt you to turn the volume up.
That depends on the model and version. Korg lists an adapter, music rest and damper pedal for the B2+; a stand is available separately. Check what’s included in the offer before ordering.
For an applicable online consumer purchase, ACM ConsuWijzer says you’ll generally have 14 days to change your mind after delivery, with some exceptions. You’re also covered by the statutory guarantee if a product doesn’t perform as you could reasonably expect under normal use; the retailer is your point of contact.
