Practising to improve piano technique
You want to practise finger exercises on a keyboard with weighted keys and a full piano range. A digital piano could suit you, provided it fits in the room.
Who practises in a guest room?
Space-conscious home player
You use the guest room for other things too, so you want to be able to move or store your instrument. Its dimensions and weight are therefore important when choosing.
Practising in a shared home
You want to listen to the electronic sound through headphones when other people are at home. Check the socket on the exact model before you buy.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide which key feel and range suit your exercises. Then consider how much space you have and which features you’ll actually use.
Compact, standalone keyboard
A good fit if: you play short patterns or exercises within the available range and want to put the instrument away after use. Yamaha specifies 61 touch-sensitive keys for the PSR-E383; Casio gives the CT-S300 a width of 930 mm.
Consider: touch-sensitive means the sound responds to how hard you play; it doesn’t mean the instrument has weighted piano keys.
Digital piano
A good fit if: piano-style keys and a wider range matter to you, and you have room for the set-up. Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and a width of 1.326 mm for the P-145; Korg lists 88 NH keys for the B2+.
Consider: the models reviewed need around 1.3 m of width. Allow space for the music rest, stand and bench too. Manufacturer specifications aren’t an independent playing test.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Key action and range | Check the number of keys and type of action for the full model number; try the keys if possible. | If I want to focus on piano practice, key feel and range are decisive for me. Around 33% of consumers give key action and range top priority. |
| Space and storage | Measure the usable width and depth, allowing for the stand, bench and room to move around; compare these with the exact model dimensions. | If I also need the guest room for other things, I want to be able to set up and store the instrument. Around 27% of consumers prioritise portability. |
| Listening with headphones | Check the socket, plug size and volume control on the exact model; try the set-up at home if possible. | If I want to practise with headphones, I need to be able to hear the electronic sound clearly. Around 20% of consumers prioritise listening through headphones. |
| Practice features | Decide which feature you’ll actually use and check that it’s available on the exact model. | If I want to practise regularly with a metronome or built-in lesson feature, I check that the instrument has what I need. Around 20% of consumers put practice aids first. |
Avoid common buying mistakes
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Confusing touch sensitivity with a weighted piano keyboard
An instrument can respond to how hard you play without having the same key action as a piano-focused digital piano.
Compare the specified key action for the full model name and try the keys if possible.
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Measuring only the instrument’s width
The instrument’s dimensions don’t tell you how much room the complete set-up needs, including the music rest, stand and bench.
Measure the space available for the whole set-up and check which accessories are included with the specific version.
For the Korg B2+, the matching stand and an expanded pedal unit are listed as separate accessories.
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Assuming a headphone socket means you can practise silently
Headphones let you hear the electronic sound, but they don’t mean that other people won’t hear the mechanical sound of the keys.
Check the socket on the exact model and consider the noise levels in your own room.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The PSR-E383 is a standalone keyboard for compact practice; the P-145 is a separate option with 88 keys.
- Yamaha lists 61 touch-sensitive keys and lesson features for the PSR-E383. The brand specifies 88 GHC keys for the P-145.
- The P-145 is 1.326 mm wide. Check that the instrument and complete set-up will fit in your room.
Casio
The CT-S300 is a compact keyboard option if portability or storage is important to you.
- Casio lists dimensions of 930 × 256 × 73 mm, a weight of 3,3 kg and touch response for the CT-S300.
- Casio’s description of piano-like volume changes is a manufacturer claim and, on its own, doesn’t show that the instrument has a weighted piano action.
Korg
The B2+ is a digital piano to consider if you want to explore a full keyboard with weighted keys.
- Korg specifies 88 NH keys, a metronome and a headphone socket; a damper pedal is included.
- The matching stand and an expanded pedal unit are listed as accessories available separately.
Roland
The FP-10 is a digital piano option for piano-focused practice.
- Roland’s specifications for its product range in India list 88 PHA-4 keys, headphone use and a metronome.
- Check the features of the version sold in the Netherlands separately; country-specific information may not apply to other versions.
Joybuy products for finger exercises
The selection below includes two 61-key instruments: an electronic keyboard and the MLS-931 digital piano. Check that this range suits your exercises; if you need 88 keys, compare a model with that range instead.
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Black electronic keyboard with 61 keys
Could suit exercises that need no more than 61 keys and where you want to keep a steady tempo.
The product description lists 61 keys, a metronome, a recording function and a headphone socket.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
Could suit you if you’re looking for a 61-key instrument and want to assess the specified key action.
The product title describes a weighted 61-key keyboard; the product description also lists touch sensitivity, a metronome and a headphone socket.
Frequently asked questions
Are touch-sensitive keys the same as weighted piano keys?
No. Touch-sensitive describes how the sound responds to how hard you play; it doesn’t automatically mean the keyboard has weighted piano keys. Compare the action of the exact model with what you want to practise.
What should I measure before putting an instrument in the guest room?
Measure the space for the complete set-up, including the music rest, stand and bench. Korg lists the B2+ instrument dimensions and says the matching stand is available separately.
Does a headphone socket mean other people won’t hear anything?
No. You can listen to the electronic sound through headphones, but the mechanical sound of the keys may still be audible. Check the socket on the exact model and consider the situation in your room.
Which product safety rule applies to a new electric keyboard in the Netherlands?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the relevant CE marking is compulsory for a new electrical keyboard instrument placed on the market in the Netherlands. Check the marking on the version being offered.
What should I check for extra costs and online purchases?
Check which stand, pedals and headphones are included, and what delivery costs the seller lists. According to the Dutch Government, online consumer purchases from a business are often covered by a 14-day cooling-off period; the same rule doesn’t apply in the same way to purchases from a private seller.