Choose an 88-key piano with hammer action if you want to learn piano technique alongside folk melodies and have room for the full set-up. A lighter keyboard may be more practical if you need to put it away often, but check that the number of keys and the touch suit your learning goals. Also check the built-in speakers, headphone sockets and sounds available on the exact model.
You want to practise melodies at home, but also be able to move or put the instrument away afterwards. Compare the space needed for the fully assembled instrument with the weight of the keyboard on its own. Yamaha lists 76 keys for the NP-35; Korg gives the Liano’s weight as 6.2 kg.
You want to play melodies while getting used to a full-size keyboard with hammer action. Yamaha describes the P-145 as a model with 88 keys and a GHC keyboard, so look beyond the number of keys and check the keyboard type too.
You want to practise with headphones or try folk melodies with different sounds. Check the connections and sounds available on the exact model: Yamaha lists Accordion and Di Zi among the sounds on the P-145.
Best for: anyone who wants to practise piano technique on a full-size keyboard as well as playing melodies.
Trade-off: measure the entire playing set-up, not just the keyboard; a stand and somewhere to sit also take up space.
Best for: anyone who wants to put the instrument away often and is happy with a lighter touch.
Trade-off: the Yamaha NP-35 has 76 keys; the Korg Liano has 88 touch-sensitive keys with an LS keyboard, but no hammer action.
Best for: anyone who plans to play with headphones or use an existing external sound system.
Trade-off: the Korg D1 has no built-in speakers, so factor the necessary audio equipment into your set-up.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up and storage | Measure the space needed for the keyboard, stand and seating; also check the weight of the instrument on its own. Korg lists the Liano as weighing 6.2 kg. | If I need to move the instrument after every practice session, I want to know whether the full set-up will fit at home and whether the keyboard is practical to lift. Around 33% of consumers put set-up and storage first. |
| Touch and key range | Check the number of keys and the exact keyboard type listed. Yamaha describes the P-145 as having 88 keys and a GHC keyboard; the NP-35 has 76 keys and a lighter touch. | Anyone who also wants to learn piano technique on a full-size, hammer-action keyboard should pay particular attention to the touch and range. Around 27% of consumers give piano technique top priority. |
| Sounds to suit your repertoire | Check the sounds listed for the exact model. Yamaha lists Accordion and Di Zi among the sounds on the P-145; Korg lists eight sounds for the Liano. | If I want to practise folk melodies using a different instrument sound, I check whether that specific sound is available. Around 20% of consumers put repertoire sounds first. |
| Quiet, self-contained practice | Check the headphone sockets, built-in speakers and what you’ll need for your intended set-up. The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers; Roland lists built-in stereo speakers and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X. | Anyone who wants to practise quietly at home or play without extra audio equipment should first check what the exact model offers. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quiet, self-contained practice. |
The space you need may change once you set up the instrument with a music rest or stand. Measure the full set-up, including room to sit and play, before choosing where to put it.
Check which dimensions the manufacturer gives and whether they include the music rest or stand.
Korg says the D1 has no built-in speakers, while Roland lists them for the FP-30X. The set-up you need therefore varies by model.
Check the speakers and connections on the exact model. If necessary, plan to use headphones or external audio equipment.
If you want to play without headphones, a model without speakers may require extra audio equipment.
The number of keys alone doesn’t tell you what type of keyboard you’ll get. Korg describes the Liano’s 88 keys as a touch-sensitive LS keyboard; Yamaha describes the P-145 as having a GHC keyboard with hammer action.
First decide what kind of touch you want to learn with, then check both the keyboard type and the number of keys.
The P-145 is a portable piano with 88 keys; the NP-35 is a lighter-playing alternative with 76 keys.
The FP-30X is a portable piano with 88 keys, ideal if you want to practise using built-in speakers.
The Privia PX-S1100 is worth considering if a slim body is important to you in an 88-key piano.
The Liano is a lightweight, touch-sensitive keyboard; the D1 is a stage piano without built-in speakers.
The ES120 is a portable digital piano worth comparing if you’re looking for a full piano keyboard.
This Joybuy selection features electronic keyboards with 61 keys for practising melodies. Check that this key range and the stated keyboard type suit your learning goals.
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A 61-key model to consider if you want to practise melodies and don’t need a full 88-key range.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD, USB-MIDI, built-in speakers and a headphone socket. Check the exact keyboard type if you specifically want to learn hammer action.
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A 61-key keyboard to consider if you want to practise melodies and are happy with a more limited key range.
The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand. Check in advance that the features and connections suit your intended practice set-up.
No, it depends on what you want to learn and how often you need to put the instrument away. A 76-key keyboard such as the Yamaha NP-35 may be an alternative if a lighter touch and easy storage matter more; if you want to learn piano technique on a full-size, hammer-action keyboard, compare models such as the Yamaha P-145.
The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers. You’ll therefore need headphones or a suitable external audio set-up. Check the connections on the exact model before you buy.
Measure the space for the keyboard and the full playing set-up, including the music rest or stand you plan to use and room to sit. The stated dimensions may vary depending on whether items such as a music rest or stand are included; consult the manual for your chosen model for information on power, set-up and care.
When you buy remotely from a business, you generally have 14 days to change your mind, subject to exceptions and conditions. The Dutch government’s Rijksoverheid website also explains that the seller is your point of contact if a product is faulty and needs to be put right; this is separate from the cooling-off period.
Electrical and electronic devices placed on the market in the Netherlands must comply with the applicable European requirements. According to Ondernemersplein, after assessing the applicable requirements, the manufacturer must affix the CE marking and draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity; models with Bluetooth may also be subject to requirements for radio equipment. Check the documentation for the exact product on offer.
