Who is this buying guide for?

Pianist with a wide practice repertoire

You read pieces with a range of low and high notes, and may also want to practise piano technique. Check the range of your sheet music before choosing between a keyboard and a digital piano.

Student focused on sight-reading

You want to position your sheet music clearly and focus on rhythm and recognisable patterns. ABRSM describes recognising musical features and patterns as part of sight-reading; this is not evidence that an instrument feature improves learning.

User of a shared room

You need to consider other people or put the instrument away after use. So check the headphone socket, dimensions, weight and what you need for a complete set-up.

What should you consider when choosing?

Compact 61-key keyboard

A good fit if: your practice pieces fall within the range of 61 keys and you regularly set the instrument up or put it away.

Keep in mind: pieces with notes outside this range won’t fit in full; touch-sensitive keys are not the same as a hammer-action keyboard.

88-key digital piano with hammer action

A good fit if: you play pieces across a wider range or also want to practise piano technique.

Keep in mind: compare the dimensions and weight, and check which stand you’ll need; accessories vary by model and version.

88-key digital piano with LS keys

A good fit if: you want 88 keys and portability matters; Korg lists the Liano at 6,0 kg excluding batteries and music stand.

Keep in mind: don’t treat LS keys as equivalent to hammer action, and check the version and included parts.

Factor to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Key range and playing feel Compare the lowest and highest notes in your pieces with the stated key range. Separately compare touch-sensitive keys with hammer action. If I want to play all my pieces and practise piano technique too, I’ll look at the range and action first. Around 36% of consumers prioritise these factors.
Reading position and rhythm Check whether a music stand is included, whether your sheet music fits on it and whether the model has a metronome. If I want to position my sheet music clearly and keep a steady pulse, these features matter for my set-up. Around 29% of consumers give reading position and rhythm tools top priority.
Practising around other people Check the headphone socket on the exact version, and agree on when the speakers can be used. If I want to practise in a shared room without using the speakers, I’ll check how to connect headphones. Around 21% of consumers prioritise practising quietly around others.
Setting up and putting away Measure the available space and check the weight, dimensions and included music stand, power supply, stand and pedals. If I need to move and put the instrument away often, I’ll want to know whether the complete set-up is practical. Around 14% of consumers give portability and a complete set-up top priority.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Confusing touch sensitivity with hammer action

    Touch-sensitive keys and a specific piano action are different features. Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as having touch-sensitive keys; Yamaha and Roland describe separate piano actions for the 88-key models mentioned here.

    Compare the key action on the exact model and, if possible, try it with one of your own practice pieces.

  • Choosing the number of keys without checking your pieces

    A shorter keyboard may be easier to store, but it doesn’t offer the range of an 88-key model.

    Before choosing, check the lowest and highest notes in your sheet music and compare them with the stated range.

  • Comparing only the instrument and forgetting the set-up

    The music stand, stand and pedal can vary by model and version. For example, Roland lists the DP-10 as an optional pedal for half-pedalling with the FP-10. The Korg Liano specifications consulted are from Korg USA and don’t confirm what’s included with every Dutch listing.

    Check the included parts, connections and space needed for the music stand for each listing.

    You may need to buy a suitable stand, seat, headphones or pedal separately. Check what else you need for your practice set-up.

Brands to compare

Yamaha

The PSR-E383 is a 61-key option with lesson features; the P-145 is a separate 88-key option.

  • Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as having touch-sensitive keys and USB audio/MIDI. For the P-145, Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys.
  • The PSR-E383’s 61 keys limit its range. Yamaha lists the P-145’s width as 1.326 mm.

Roland

The FP-10 is a portable 88-key digital piano with headphone use and a built-in metronome.

  • Roland describes the PHA-4 Standard keyboard and a built-in metronome.
  • For half-pedalling, Roland lists the DP-10 as an optional pedal. An assessment of its sound or touch is not the same as an independent test result.

Korg

The Liano is an 88-key option for anyone who considers its stated low weight when moving between rooms.

  • Korg specifies 88 touch-sensitive LS keys, a metronome and a weight of 6,0 kg excluding batteries and music stand for the Liano. Korg also lists a music stand as included.
  • The specifications are from Korg USA. Don’t assume LS means hammer action, and check the version and package contents of the Dutch listing.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable piano option with Responsive Hammer Compact action and two headphone sockets.

  • Kawai lists two headphone sockets and a weight of 12,5 kg.
  • According to Kawai, the stand and three-pedal unit are optional; check what’s included with the version on offer.

Casio

The CT-S1 range is a compact keyboard option with piano, electric piano and organ sounds, among others.

  • Casio Netherlands lists 61 sounds for the CT-S1.
  • The number of sounds alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for your sheet music. Check the key range and connections on the exact version.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to have 88 keys for sight-reading?

No, not if your practice pieces fit within the range of a shorter keyboard. Compare the lowest and highest notes with the key range. If you need a wider range or want to practise piano technique, consider an 88-key model with hammer action.

How should I set up a sheet-music practice session?

Position your sheet music so it’s easy to read, and look at things such as rhythm and patterns before you play. Check that the music stand and metronome on your chosen model suit your set-up. ABRSM describes recognising these kinds of features as part of sight-reading, not as a guaranteed result of an instrument feature.

Does a digital piano always come with a pedal and music stand?

No, included parts vary by model and listing. Korg USA lists a music stand as included with the Liano, while Roland lists the DP-10 as an optional pedal for half-pedalling with the FP-10. Check the contents of the Dutch listing before you order.

Who should I contact if the instrument develops a fault after I buy it privately?

According to ACM ConsuWijzer, for a consumer purchase the seller is responsible for putting things right if the product doesn’t perform as you could reasonably expect when used normally. Your statutory guarantee is separate from any manufacturer’s warranty. If a university of applied sciences buys the instrument for business use, don’t automatically assume that consumer protection applies.