A compact 61-key keyboard may be enough if all the notes in your scales fall within its range and you can put the instrument away after use. Choose a 76- or 88-key model if you need a wider range and have room for it. Check that your headphones are compatible too: they cut out the sound from the speakers, but they won’t necessarily make the keys themselves silent.
You want to practise scales while other people are at home. Check the headphone socket and agree on practice times; the Dutch government advises people experiencing noise nuisance to try agreeing arrangements together first.
You want to put the instrument away after each session, so compare the dimensions and weight of the exact model. Casio lists the CT-S300 as measuring 930 × 256 × 73 mm and weighing 3,3 kg.
You want to practise music with a wider range or a different key feel as well as scales. Compare the number of keys and the mechanism separately: touch sensitivity does not automatically mean the keys have a weighted piano action.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising with housemates | Check that your headphone plug fits the socket. Bear in mind that the keys themselves may still be audible. | If I practise while my housemates are at home, I want to avoid sound from the speakers without assuming the keys will be silent. Around 36% of consumers say practising without speaker sound is their top priority. |
| Key range | Make a note of the lowest and highest notes in your practice pieces and compare them with the range of the exact model. | I want to be able to play my scales in the range I need and know whether I need more keys. Around 29% of consumers put having enough range for their practice first. |
| Storage | Measure your playing and storage space. If a model comes with a music stand, make sure you allow room for that too. | If I need to put the keyboard away after practising, it has to fit in the space available. Around 21% of consumers say suitable dimensions are their top priority. |
| Touch response and tempo | Check the touch response and whether the model has a metronome; touch sensitivity is not the same as a weighted action. | I want to work on my touch or practise at a steady tempo, so I compare these features separately from the key range. Around 14% of consumers prioritise touch response and help keeping time. |
Headphones cut out sound from the speakers, but housemates may still hear the physical sound of the keys being pressed.
Check that the socket is compatible with your headphones and agree suitable practice times with your housemates.
The number of keys helps determine whether the lowest and highest notes in your planned practice pieces will fit on the instrument.
Make a note of those notes in advance and compare them with the range of the exact model.
Touch response or an LS keyboard does not, on its own, confirm that an instrument has a weighted hammer action.
Consider range, touch response and mechanism as separate features. Try the feel of the keys if it’s an important factor in your choice.
The stated dimensions of the Korg Liano exclude the music stand, so the complete set-up may need more space.
Measure the playing and storage areas with the stand and seat in place.
According to Yamaha Netherlands, the PSR-E383 and PSR-EW320 have 61 and 76 keys respectively.
The CT-S300 is a 61-key model worth comparing if compact size and easy storage are important to you.
The Liano has 88 keys, while the EK-50 is a separate 61-key model with accompaniment features.
The Harmony 61 MK3 is a 61-key bundle that includes a stand, bench, pedal and headphones, among other items.
Roland presents the GO:KEYS 3 as a 61-key model for sounds and musical accompaniment.
This selection of Joybuy products focuses on 61-key electronic keyboards for practising with headphones and a metronome.
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Suitable for practising with headphones and a metronome, as long as the notes in your practice pieces fall within the range of 61 keys.
The product description lists a headphone socket, metronome and recording function.
The product name lists USB-MIDI, speakers and a music stand.
It depends on the lowest and highest notes and the number of octaves in your practice pieces. Compare these with the range of the model you’re considering. If you need a wider range, you could also look at models with 76 or 88 keys.
Check that your headphone plug fits the keyboard socket, keep the listening volume modest and agree practice times with your housemates. Headphones won’t necessarily stop the sound of the keys being pressed from carrying.
You don’t need an extra plan to have your statutory rights. According to the Dutch government, you already have a legal guarantee when you buy a product; check what additional rights a paid plan may offer. If something goes wrong, contact the seller.
For many distance purchases from a business, you have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. This does not apply automatically to every sale, such as an online purchase from a private seller.
The Dutch government information consulted does not specify a nationwide time limit for practising keyboard. The government advises people experiencing noise nuisance to try agreeing arrangements together first. Check the rules and circumstances that apply to your home.
