Pianist preparing a recital piece
Wants to match the range, touch and, if necessary, pedal use to the piece. If you are taking an ABRSM exam, you should also check the requirements of the syllabus you have chosen.
Who is this guide for?
Player with limited practice space
Needs an instrument that fits in the spare room alongside a music stand and somewhere to sit. A shorter keyboard may be an option if the piece allows for it.
Player in a shared home
Wants to practise with headphones and be considerate of housemates or neighbours.
What should you look for when buying?
Compact keyboard
Choose this option if: your piece fits within the keyboard’s range and you mainly want to practise the notes, rhythm or melody.
Bear in mind: touch-sensitive keys are not the same as a weighted piano keyboard.
Portable digital piano
Choose this option if: you want to practise the piano playing, wider range or pedal use required by the piece.
Bear in mind: the 88-key models reviewed are around 1.3 metres wide. Allow space for a music stand and somewhere to sit, too.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and playing feel | Compare the lowest and highest notes in the piece with the instrument’s range. Check whether you need weighted keys. | If I want to practise the touch and range of my piano piece, I put those requirements first. Around 33% of consumers say range and touch matter most to them. |
| Quiet practice | Check whether the model has a headphone socket and whether it is compatible with your headphones. If necessary, agree practice times with others. | If I practise while others are at home, I want to listen through headphones and be considerate of my housemates. Around 25% of consumers make quiet practice their priority. |
| Space for your set-up | Measure the available width and depth, allowing room for the music stand, somewhere to sit and, if needed, a stand. | If space is limited in the spare room, I want to know in advance whether the complete set-up will fit. Around 25% of consumers say space is their top buying priority. |
| Pedal and included accessories | Check which pedal and accessories are included with the exact model. Make sure it supports the pedal technique you need to practise. | If my piece requires pedal use, I want to know whether the model comes with the pedal I need. Around 17% of consumers give pedal and equipment the highest priority. |
Avoid common buying mistakes
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Confusing touch-sensitive keys with a weighted piano keyboard
Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as a keyboard with 61 touch-sensitive keys, and the P-145 as an 88-key model with a weighted GHC keyboard. This difference matters if you want to practise the piano technique required by your recital piece.
Compare both the keyboard type and the range of notes in your piece. Don’t rely on the term ‘touch-sensitive’ alone.
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Measuring only the instrument or assuming all pedals are included
A music stand, somewhere to sit and, if needed, a stand all take up space. Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the B2+, but the stand and PU-2 pedal unit for half-pedalling are sold separately.
Measure your complete practice area and check which accessories are included with the exact offer, as well as which pedal functions you need.
You may need to buy a suitable stand or pedal unit separately.
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Assuming headphones mean you can practise at any time
Using headphones means sound won’t come through the built-in speakers, but it doesn’t remove the need to be considerate of others. The Dutch government advises neighbours experiencing noise problems to discuss arrangements first, such as agreeing practice times.
Check the headphone socket and agree reasonable practice times if needed in your living situation.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The PSR-E383 is a 61-key keyboard; the P-145 is a portable digital piano with 88 keys.
- Yamaha lists touch-sensitive keys and practice functions for the PSR-E383, and a weighted GHC keyboard for the P-145.
- This does not automatically make the PSR-E383 suitable for piano repertoire that requires weighted keys. The optional LP-5A pedal unit for the P-145 may not be included.
Roland
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano designed for piano-focused practice at home.
- Roland specifies an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard, headphone use and a metronome.
- For half-pedalling, Roland lists the optional DP-10 pedal. Check which accessories are included with the model.
Korg
The B2+ is a portable digital piano with fully weighted keys.
- Korg specifies 88 NH keys, a PHONES socket and an included damper pedal.
- The stand and PU-2 pedal unit for half-pedalling are sold separately.
Casio
The CT-S1BK is a compact keyboard worth comparing if a shorter range is enough for your piece.
- Casio describes battery operation and a range of sounds.
- The features listed do not indicate that this model has weighted piano keys.
Joybuy products
The products below are compact 61-key keyboards. Check whether your recital piece fits within their range; a 61-key keyboard is not automatically a substitute for a weighted piano keyboard.
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Black electronic keyboard with 61 keys
Could be suitable if your recital piece fits within 61 keys and you want to practise with headphones.
The product description lists a metronome, recording function, MIDI controller, speakers, music stand and headphone socket.
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Digital keyboard, 61 keys, with stand and stool
Could be suitable if your recital piece fits within 61 keys and you’re looking for a set-up with a seat and stand.
The product description lists 500 sounds, a learning function, two speakers, a stand and an adjustable stool.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need 88 weighted keys for your recital piece?
Not for every piece. Compare its range of notes and required playing technique with the instrument you’ll be performing it on. For an ABRSM piano exam under the 2025–2026 syllabus, ABRSM lists requirements for a digital piano, including full-size weighted, touch-sensitive keys and a sustain pedal. These exam requirements do not automatically apply to everyone practising at home.
How can you set up a quiet practice space?
Check whether the instrument has a headphone socket and whether there’s room for the piano or keyboard, music stand and somewhere to sit. If neighbours are affected by noise, the Dutch government advises discussing arrangements first, such as agreeing when you’ll play music.
What if the pedal or instrument isn’t suitable after you buy it?
Before buying, check which accessories are included with the model. If a product is faulty, the seller must provide a solution under Dutch government guidance; there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands. Online product purchases generally come with a statutory cooling-off period, subject to exceptions. ACM ConsuWijzer states that this period ends 14 days after delivery.
Can I practise at home if my neighbours can hear me?
The arrangements that apply may depend on your living situation. If neighbours are affected by noise, the Dutch government advises discussing arrangements first, such as agreeing practice times. Talk things through if the noise is causing problems.