Players who want to put their keyboard away
You don’t have a permanent spot for your instrument and want to clear the space after practising. Compare the length of the keyboard with both your playing area and your storage space.
Which option is right for you?
Players practising chords with both hands
You want enough room between your bass and melody hands without having to set up a full piano keyboard. Check that the lowest and highest notes in your exercises fall within the range you choose.
Piano learners with a small room
You practise broken chords as well as piano technique, so you need to weigh up the key action and range against the space available.
What should you consider when choosing?
61-key keyboard
Right for: exercises whose notes stay within the range of 61 keys, and an instrument you want to put away after use. Yamaha lists touch-sensitive keys and a metronome for the PSR-E383.
Trade-off: check the highest and lowest notes for both hands; this isn’t a weighted piano keyboard.
76-key keyboard
Right for: exercises for which 61 keys aren’t enough, while taking up less length than a full piano keyboard. Casio lists touch-sensitive keys and a width of 1,140 mm for the CT-S1-76.
Trade-off: 76 keys don’t cover the full piano range; Casio says the wireless MIDI and audio adapter for this model is optional.
88-key digital piano
Right for: exercises that require the full range, or if you want to practise piano technique on weighted keys. Yamaha specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-145.
Trade-off: 88 keys don’t automatically mean weighted keys: Korg specifies a touch-sensitive LS keyboard for the Liano. You’ll also need to allow for the extra length.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Setting up and storage | Measure the width and depth of both your playing area and storage space. Yamaha lists dimensions of 941 × 317 mm for the PSR-E383; Casio gives 1,140 × 258 mm for the CT-S1-76. Remember to allow room for the stand and seating, too. | I want to put the instrument away after practising and need to know if it will fit in my space. Around 36% of shoppers give storage their highest priority. |
| Range for broken chords | Note the lowest and highest notes in your exercises. Yamaha lists 61 keys for the PSR-E383, Casio lists 76 for the CT-S1-76, and Yamaha and Korg each list 88 for the P-145 and Liano. | I want to use both hands without running out of keys. Around 29% of shoppers give the range needed for their exercises their highest priority. |
| Key action for piano technique | Find out which action suits your learning goals and compare the exact specifications. Yamaha specifies a GHC keyboard for the P-145; Korg describes the Liano as having a touch-sensitive LS keyboard. | I want to practise piano technique and need to know which key action is suitable. Around 21% of shoppers give piano key action their highest priority. |
| Quiet practice and set-up | Check the headphone socket and see which adapter, stand and pedals are included with the model. Korg lists a pedal switch as included with the Liano; Roland lists a stand and damper pedal as optional for the GO:PIANO88 GO-88PX. | I want to practise quietly and need to know in advance whether the accessories for my set-up are included. Around 14% of shoppers give quiet practice and accessories their highest priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming 88 keys means weighted piano keys
The number of keys alone doesn’t tell you what type of action the instrument has. Korg describes the Liano as having touch-sensitive LS keys; Yamaha specifies a GHC keyboard for the P-145.
Compare the exact keyboard specifications and, if possible, try the key action if piano technique is your main goal.
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Measuring only the instrument casing
The music rest can take up extra depth. Roland lists the GO:PIANO88 GO-88PX as 276 mm deep without the music rest and 309 mm with it; the instrument stand is optional.
Measure the complete playing set-up and check which parts are included in the package.
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Confusing an arpeggio function with extra keyboard range
The Yamaha PSR-E383 combines arpeggio types with 61 keys. An automatic playing aid doesn’t extend the physical range for patterns you play with both hands.
First check the highest and lowest notes in your exercises, then consider automatic playing aids.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The models covered range from a 61-key keyboard to an 88-key digital piano.
- Yamaha lists touch-sensitive keys and a metronome for the PSR-E383; for the P-145, the brand specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard.
- The two models have different ranges and key actions, so choose based on your exercises and the response you want from the keys.
Casio
The CT-S1-76 is a 76-key option between a shorter keyboard and the full 88-key range.
- Casio lists 76 touch-sensitive keys and dimensions of 1,140 × 258 mm.
- The instrument doesn’t offer the full 88-key range; Casio says the wireless MIDI and audio adapter is optional.
Korg
The Liano is a slim 88-key digital piano.
- Korg specifies a touch-sensitive LS keyboard, dimensions of 1,282 × 290 × 73 mm and an included pedal switch.
- Having 88 keys doesn’t mean the model has the same weighted GHC action as the Yamaha P-145.
Roland
The GO:PIANO88 GO-88PX is a portable 88-key option.
- Roland lists a weight of 5,8 kg excluding the adapter and music rest, and dimensions of 1,280 × 276 × 84 mm without the music rest.
- The stand and damper pedal are optional; check the set-up and package contents before choosing.
Joybuy products
A Joybuy option for practising patterns that fit within the range of a 61-key keyboard.
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61-key electronic keyboard with MIDI and metronome
An option for exercises whose notes stay within the range of 61 keys.
The product name lists MIDI, a recording function, speakers, a metronome and a music rest. The model is black.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an arpeggio function to learn to play broken chords?
No. To practise the individual notes, you play the pattern yourself. Yamaha lists 152 arpeggio types for the PSR-E383; an automatic function doesn’t replace practising the finger movements yourself.
What should I check before setting up my keyboard?
Measure the space you’ll need with the music rest in place and check whether you need to buy an instrument stand separately. Roland lists different depths for the GO:PIANO88 GO-88PX with and without the music rest, and notes that the stand is optional. Follow the instructions for your chosen model when setting it up and cleaning it.
Does an 88-key keyboard come with a pedal?
It depends on the model and package. Korg lists a pedal switch as included with the Liano; Roland lists damper pedals as optional for the GO:PIANO88 GO-88PX. Check the contents of the specific offer.
What are your rights if your keyboard is faulty or an online purchase isn’t right for you?
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, the seller is responsible for the statutory guarantee if a product develops a fault too soon under normal use. Online purchases often come with a 14-day cooling-off period from delivery, although exceptions apply. Check the terms that apply to your specific purchase.
What should you look for when it comes to the CE marking?
The Dutch government states that electronic devices must carry a CE marking when the applicable EU rules require it. Check whether the marking is required for the specific model and whether it is present; the model name alone doesn’t confirm this.