Pianist preparing a recital piece
You’re practising a piano piece where key range, touch and possibly pedal use will determine which instrument is right for you. Start with the score and your course requirements.
Who is this buying guide for?
Quiet practice enthusiast
You share a music room and want to practise using a suitable headphone socket, at a responsible listening volume.
Student who moves between rooms
You regularly take your instrument with you and need to balance the key range you need against its size and weight.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portable digital piano with 88 keys
A good fit if: your piece requires the full piano range, a weighted action or advanced pedal technique.
Bear in mind: check whether you can transport the instrument and whether the pedal unit you want is included with that version.
61-key keyboard
A good fit if: all the notes and parts fall within its shorter range and you move the instrument frequently.
Bear in mind: touch-sensitive keys are not the same as a weighted piano keyboard.
Digital piano with stand and three pedals
A good fit if: the instrument can stay in one place and your piece requires several pedal functions.
Bear in mind: according to Korg, the B2+SP weighs 21 kg excluding the music rest; bear this in mind if you move between rooms.
| Concern | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and touch | Compare the highest and lowest notes and the playing technique in your score with the keyboard; try the action if possible. | If I want to be able to play every passage on the instrument and practise the technique, I start with range and touch. This is the top buying priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Quiet practice | Check whether the exact version has a headphone socket and whether your plug fits; start at a low volume. | I want to practise in a shared room without sound from the speakers, so I look at the socket and listening volume. Quiet practice comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Transport and space | Measure the space, including the stand and music rest; compare dimensions and weight on a like-for-like basis. | If I take the instrument between rooms, I first want to know whether it will fit and be easy to transport without leaving notes in my piece out of range. Space and portability are the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pedal use | Compare the pedal instructions in your score with the compatibility and included accessories of the version you’re considering. | When the pedal technique in my piece determines my choice, I check which functions are actually included with that version. Around 14% of consumers start by looking at the pedal set. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a 61-key keyboard is the same as an 88-key digital piano
According to Yamaha, the PSR-E383 has 61 touch-sensitive keys, while the P-145 has 88 keys and a GHC keyboard. A shorter range may leave passages in your piece out of reach, and the keyboard type won’t necessarily give you the same practice experience.
First, check the highest and lowest notes and the technical requirements of your piece, then compare them with the exact keyboard.
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Assuming a pedal socket means a complete three-pedal set is included
Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the B2+; the PU-2, which supports half-pedalling, is sold separately. According to Korg, the B2+SP comes with a stand and a three-pedal unit.
Compare the pedal instructions in your score with the accessories included with the exact version.
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Comparing only the instrument’s depth
Depth alone won’t tell you whether the whole instrument will fit within the available width. A stand and music rest can also affect how much space you need.
Measure the whole area where you plan to set it up, then compare the instrument’s dimensions with the accessories you’ll actually use.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different options across digital pianos and keyboards. The features mentioned apply to the specific models and are not an assessment of the brand as a whole.
Yamaha
The P-145 is a portable digital piano with 88 keys, while the PSR-E383 is a keyboard with 61 touch-sensitive keys.
- Yamaha describes the P-145 as having a GHC keyboard; the optional LP-5A stand has three pedals.
- The PSR-E383 is suitable only if its range and touch work for your piece; its keyboard is not the same type as the P-145’s.
Roland
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano with 88 keys and headphone support.
- Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard and headphone support for the FP-10.
- For half-pedalling, Roland lists the optional DP-10 pedal; check whether it suits the pedal technique required by your piece.
Korg
The B2+ is an 88-key digital piano; the B2+SP is a separate version with a stand and three-pedal unit.
- According to Korg, the B2+ has a headphone socket and comes with a damper pedal. The B2+SP comes with a stand and three pedals.
- The PU-2 for half-pedalling is sold separately for the B2+. Korg lists the B2+SP as weighing 21 kg excluding the music rest.
Casio
The CDP-S110BK is a digital piano worth comparing if cabinet depth and an included damper pedal matter to you.
- Casio lists a depth of 232 mm and an SP-3 pedal as included.
- The listed depth doesn’t tell you whether the instrument will fit in your space once you account for its width and setup.
Joybuy product picks
This selection focuses on 61-key instruments for pieces that fit within that range. Check the touch, connections and included accessories for the exact version.
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Electronic keyboard with 61 keys, black
May be suitable if every passage in your piece fits within 61 keys and you want to practise with headphones.
The product description lists a headphone socket, metronome and music stand. The product name also mentions MIDI, a recording function and speakers.
For the specific offer, check which EU product requirements apply and whether the required documentation is available.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
May be suitable if its 61-key range matches your score; check whether the action suits the piano technique your piece requires.
The product name lists weighted keys, 300 tones, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers and a headphone socket.
For the specific offer, check which EU product requirements apply and whether the required documentation is available.
Frequently asked questions
Will 61 keys be enough for my recital piece?
They may be, if all the notes and parts you need fall within that range and the action suits your practice goals. First, compare your score with your teacher’s or course’s requirements; Yamaha lists the PSR-E383 as having 61 touch-sensitive keys.
How can I practise with headphones without putting unnecessary strain on my hearing?
Start at a low volume and pay attention to how long and how often you listen. The World Health Organization notes that sound levels, listening duration and repeated exposure all contribute to the risk of hearing damage.
Does a digital piano normally come with a pedal or three-pedal unit?
It depends on the version. Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the B2+ and the PU-2 for half-pedalling as a separate purchase; according to Korg, the B2+SP comes with a stand and three-pedal unit. Check what’s included with the exact version before you buy.
What should I check for product safety when buying an electric instrument?
Electrical and electronic equipment sold in the Netherlands is subject to the applicable European product rules. The requirements for a specific version must be determined for each product; where those rules require CE marking, an EU declaration of conformity must also be provided. CE marking is not a quality mark for sound or feel.
Do I have a cooling-off period when I buy online?
For a standard online consumer purchase, you generally have a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery. There are exceptions, for example for certain made-to-order products; check the terms that apply to your specific purchase.