Practising at home without using speakers
You share your living space and want to practise sheet music without turning up the speaker volume. Check the headphone socket on the exact model and start with the volume set low.
Who is this relevant to?
Playing across a wider range
You read parts for both hands and want the lowest and highest notes to fit on the keyboard. The key range and, if you want to practise a piano-style touch, the type of keyboard are important factors in your choice.
Practising in a small or changing space
You want to put the instrument away after use or practise in different places. Compare the model’s dimensions and weight with the space available for the music stand and your seat.
What should you look for when choosing?
Compact keyboard with 61 keys
A good fit if: the notes you’re practising fall within a 61-key range and you’re looking for an instrument that takes up less space.
Bear in mind: parts with a wider range may require you to shift octaves. Touch sensitivity is not the same as a weighted piano keyboard.
Keyboard with 76 keys
A good fit if: your parts won’t fit on a shorter keyboard, but you don’t want to set up an 88-key instrument. According to Yamaha Netherlands, the Yamaha PSR-EW320 has 76 touch-sensitive keys.
Bear in mind: its organ-style keyboard is not weighted like a piano keyboard. The stated width of the PSR-EW320 is 1.148 mm.
Digital piano with 88 weighted keys
A good fit if: your sheet music requires a wider range, or you also want to practise a piano-style touch. Roland describes the FP-10 as having an 88-key keyboard, while Korg specifies 88 weighted keys for the B2+.
Bear in mind: allow more room to set it up and check which accessories are included with each version. Korg gives the B2+ a width of 1.312 mm, excluding the music stand.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Listening at a low volume | Check the headphone socket and plug size on the exact model; start with the volume set low. | If I don’t want to disturb others at home, I’m looking for a way to hear the instrument’s electronic sound through headphones. Around 34% of consumers say quiet practice is their main buying concern. |
| Key range and touch | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your sheet music with the instrument’s range, and check whether you need a weighted keyboard. | If my parts require a wider range or I want to practise a piano-style touch, the keyboard matters more to me than extra features. Around 33% of consumers prioritise key range and touch. |
| Space to set it up | Measure the available space and compare it with the dimensions of the exact model. Leave room for the music stand and player too. | When I practise in a small or changing space, I want to know in advance whether the instrument will fit with the music stand and enough room to sit. Around 20% of consumers prioritise limited space or portability. |
| Practice features | Check whether the model has the metronome or app feature you want, and whether you’ll need an additional device to use it. | If I’m mainly looking for help with tempo or digital sheet music, I check how the feature fits with the way I practise. Around 13% of consumers say practice features are their top buying priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Confusing touch-sensitive keys with a weighted keyboard
A keyboard with 61 touch-sensitive keys, such as the Yamaha PSR-E383, has a different type of keyboard from the Korg B2+, which Korg specifies as having 88 weighted keys.
First, compare the range of your sheet music and your lesson goals with the number of keys and the construction of the exact keyboard.
If you later want to practise across a wider piano range or with weighted keys, you may need a different instrument.
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Assuming any headphones will connect straight away
Sockets can vary by model. Korg lists a PHONES socket for the B2+, while Yamaha lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-EW320.
Check the socket type on the version you want to buy and compare it with your headphone plug.
Depending on the connection, you may need compatible headphones or an adaptor.
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Assuming everything in the product photo comes in the box
Korg lists the damper pedal as included with the B2+, but says the stand and PU-2 pedal unit are available separately.
Check the list of included items for the exact version instead of relying on the product photo alone.
You may need to buy a stand or pedal unit separately to set it up.
Brands and models to compare
Yamaha
The PSR-E383 and PSR-EW320 are keyboards with 61 and 76 touch-sensitive keys respectively. The P-145 is a separate piano-focused range with 88 weighted keys.
- The Dutch specifications for the PSR-EW320 list a metronome and a PHONES/OUTPUT socket.
- Check the connections and accessories for the exact model. Yamaha is the source for the P-145’s weighted-touch description.
Casio
The CT-S300 is a compact keyboard with 61 keys. The CDP-S110 is a separate piano-focused option.
- Casio lists touch sensitivity, a metronome and a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the CT-S300.
- The sheet music PDF viewer is part of the Casio Music Space app for the CDP-S110, not a built-in screen. How you connect depends on the device you use.
Roland
The FP-10 is a piano-focused option with 88 keys and a weighted keyboard.
- Roland lists headphone use and a built-in metronome for the FP-10.
- The DP-10 pedal is optional. According to Roland, Bluetooth availability depends on the country of purchase, so check the specific version.
Korg
The B2+ is a digital piano with 88 weighted keys, suited to a dedicated practice space with room to spare.
- Korg lists a PHONES socket and says the adapter, music stand and damper pedal are included.
- The stand and PU-2 pedal unit are available separately. The stated width is 1.312 mm, excluding the music stand.
Joybuy products
According to their product names, these Joybuy products have 61 keys and are suitable for parts that fit within that range.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
An option for practising if the notes in your sheet music fall within a 61-key range.
According to the product name: 61 keys, black finish.
Parts with notes outside the range may require you to shift octaves.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
An option for practising if the notes in your sheet music fall within a 61-key range.
According to the product name: model MLS-931, 61 keys, black finish.
Parts with notes outside the range may require you to shift octaves.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise as loudly as I like with headphones?
No. A headphone socket alone doesn’t guarantee a safe listening volume. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones so that background noise is less likely to make you turn the volume up. Set your listening volume carefully and keep it low.
Do I need a tablet to read sheet music?
No, not if you play from printed sheet music. For digital PDF sheet music, Casio describes a viewer in the Casio Music Space app for the CDP-S110. You’ll need to use your own smartphone or tablet, and how you connect depends on the device.
What should I check when setting up a digital piano?
Compare the dimensions of the exact model with the space available and check which items are included. Korg lists the adapter, music stand and damper pedal as included with the B2+; the stand and PU-2 pedal unit are separate accessories. Follow the manual for your model when connecting and maintaining it.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
According to the Dutch government, a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases to qualifying consumer purchases made at a distance; terms and exceptions apply. ACM ConsuWijzer also explains your statutory guarantee rights if a product, under normal use, does not do what you could reasonably expect. There is no single standard two-year period for this.