Start with the exam subject and the syllabus that applies on your exam date. For a piano exam, you may need a digital piano with weighted, touch-sensitive keys and a suitable sustain pedal, while an electronic keyboard exam may call for different features. Then check the range of your pieces, the space available and headphone options, as well as which accessories are included with the exact model.
You want to practise piano pieces and dynamics on an instrument whose keyboard and pedal options meet your exam requirements. For the Practical Grade piano syllabus reviewed, ABRSM lists requirements including weighted keys and a sustain pedal.
You’re preparing for an electronic keyboard exam, which may cover chords, chord progressions and keyboard techniques, among other things, according to Trinity College London.
You need to consider the space available and whether you can practise using headphones. Compare the dimensions, connections and set-up required for the exact models.
When to choose it If your exam is piano and the applicable syllabus requires a weighted keyboard and sustain pedal. ABRSM lists these requirements for the Practical Grade syllabus reviewed.
Trade-off A model with 88 keys needs space; the pedal unit and stand can vary between versions.
When to choose it If your exam is specifically for electronic keyboard, and the syllabus calls for features or techniques supported by the model you choose. Trinity College London includes chord exercises and keyboard techniques, among other things.
Trade-off Touch-sensitive keys aren’t automatically the same as a weighted piano keyboard. Check the key range and the features your pieces require.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Piano touch and repertoire | Compare the syllabus and the range of your pieces with the keyboard type and the pedal function required. | I want to practise piano pieces with the right touch and range, and I put exam requirements ahead of extra features. Around 36% of consumers prioritise piano touch and exam repertoire. |
| Keyboard features | Compare the requirements for your grade with the sounds, accompaniment styles, keys and other features of the exact version. | I want to use the sounds and accompaniment that go with my keyboard pieces. Around 29% of consumers prioritise keyboard features. |
| Shared music room | Measure the space you have, including the stand and music rest; also check the headphone socket. | If I share a room, I want to be able to fit the instrument in and practise with headphones. Around 21% of consumers prioritise space and headphone use. |
| Pedal and set-up | Check which pedals, stand and music rest are included with the version, and which pedal function your pieces require. | I want to know in advance whether the version I’ve chosen has everything I need for practising. Around 14% of consumers prioritise the included pedals and set-up components. |
A touch-sensitive keyboard such as the Yamaha PSR-E383 doesn’t automatically have the weighted keyboard that may be required for a piano exam.
First establish which exam subject you’re taking, then compare the keyboard type with the syllabus that applies on your exam date.
If you need a different type of keyboard for the piano route, you may need a second instrument for practising.
What’s included varies by model and version: a three-pedal unit may be optional, while a basic version may include a damper pedal.
Compare what’s included with the exact version against the pedal functions your repertoire requires.
A keyboard with 61 keys and a digital piano with 88 keys don’t offer the same range, even if both fit in the room.
Check the highest and lowest notes in your exam pieces and the applicable instrument requirements before opting to save space.
The features below apply to the models and versions mentioned, not to every product from these brands. Manufacturer information is not an independent playing test.
The PSR-E383 is a keyboard option; the P-145 is a separate digital piano for the piano route.
The B2+ is a digital piano with a weighted keyboard; the B2+SP is a different version that comes with a stand and three-pedal unit.
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano for the piano route.
The CDP-S110 is a compact digital piano option for the piano route.
No, the number of keys alone doesn’t determine that. The ABRSM piano route reviewed sets requirements including weighted keys and a sustain pedal, while Trinity College London has a separate electronic keyboard route. Compare your exam subject, grade and pieces with the syllabus that applies on your exam date.
ABRSM states that the 2027–2028 syllabus applies to exams from 1 January 2027. So, for an exam in 2027, use the syllabus that applies on your exam date and check the relevant instrument requirements.
Measure the available space, including the music rest and stand, and check the headphone socket and the pedal you need for the exact version. What’s included can vary by model and bundle.
When you buy from a business, you’re covered by the statutory guarantee; in the Netherlands, there’s no fixed statutory guarantee period. According to the Dutch government, a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases to distance purchases. Check the seller and the terms of the specific purchase.
Yes, the relevant product safety rules also apply to electrical products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that the rules that apply depend, among other things, on the nominal voltage. Check the version and power adapter, and if the product information is unclear, ask about the applicable conformity requirements and CE marking; a visible logo alone is not an independent safety test.
