Start with the sheet music: identify the lowest and highest notes in the part you want to play, then choose your keyboard. A 61-key keyboard may be suitable if those notes fall within its range. For a broader piano part, consider a 76- or 88-key model, bearing in mind that it will need more space. Headphones won’t automatically silence the sound of the keys, pedal or your own singing.
You want to practise your part without using the built-in speakers. Check the headphone socket and the type of plug you’ll need. Bear in mind that your singing and the physical sound of the keys may still be audible. The Government of the Netherlands recommends agreeing arrangements if noise could be an issue.
You’re playing low accompaniment and a high melody, so compare the notes in your arrangement with the range of a 61-, 76- or 88-key keyboard.
You want to be able to put the instrument away after use. Compare its dimensions with your playing and storage space, while keeping the required key range and connections in mind.
Start with the notes in your part. Then consider sound control, available space and the accompaniment you want to find the most practical option.
Choose this if: your part fits within its range and you want a keyboard you can put away after practising. Yamaha lists touch-sensitive keys and accompaniment Styles for the PSR-E383.
Trade-off: its range is smaller than that of the 76- or 88-key models reviewed. Also check the headphone socket on the specific version.
Choose this if: you need a wider range than a 61-key model offers and want built-in accompaniment. Yamaha lists 76 touch-sensitive keys, a headphone output and a sustain pedal socket for the PSR-EW320.
Trade-off: the PSR-EW320 is 1,148 mm wide, so measure the space where you plan to store it too.
Choose this if: a full piano keyboard is your priority and you have enough space. Korg lists 88 touch-sensitive keys and a headphone socket for the Liano.
Trade-off: the Liano is 1,282 mm wide and, according to Korg, has an LS keyboard. This is not evidence of a weighted hammer-action mechanism. Built-in automatic musical accompaniment is not listed as a feature of this model either.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising with minimal disturbance | Check the headphone output, the right type of plug and whether the built-in speakers are muted when you connect headphones. | If I practise in a shared home, I want to keep amplified sound out of the room, while remembering that singing and the sound of the keys may still be audible. Around 33% of consumers say minimising disturbance is their top priority. |
| Range of the song part | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your part with the range of the specific model. | If I play both melody and accompaniment, I want to know that both fit on the keyboard before choosing. Around 27% of consumers prioritise having enough keys for their part. |
| Putting it away after playing | Measure your playing and storage space, then compare it with the instrument’s dimensions and weight. | If I have to put the instrument away after every practice session, I want to know that it will fit in the space I have available. Around 20% of consumers say storage space is their top priority. |
| Accompaniment features | Check whether the Styles or chord input you want suit the way you practise. A wide range of sounds alone doesn’t tell you whether the accompaniment will work for your song. | If I want to practise chords with a rhythmic backing, I focus on the accompaniment features of the exact model. Around 20% of consumers prioritise built-in accompaniment. |
Headphones can keep amplified instrument sound out of the room, but they won’t mask your singing or the physical sound of the keys or pedal. Alesis says that connecting headphones to the Recital Pro’s headphone output mutes its built-in speakers. Don’t assume every model works the same way.
Check how the speakers behave on the specific version, and agree practice times if you share your home.
The models reviewed have 61, 76 or 88 keys. Whether a keyboard is suitable depends on the notes in your arrangement, not just the title or genre.
Mark the lowest and highest notes in the part you want to play, then compare them with the range of the specific keyboard.
If the part falls outside the range of your chosen keyboard, you may need a second instrument.
A socket doesn’t automatically mean a pedal comes in the box. Alesis says the sustain pedal is not included with the Recital Pro; Korg lists a pedal switch with the Liano.
Check what’s included in the specific offer and whether any pedal you buy separately is compatible with the instrument.
The models reviewed offer different key ranges and features. These details apply to the specific versions mentioned, not every Yamaha keyboard.
The CT-S300 reviewed is a touch-response keyboard that you can move around.
The Liano reviewed is a digital piano with 88 touch-sensitive keys and a headphone socket.
The GO:KEYS 3 reviewed is a 61-key keyboard with features for experimenting with sounds and automatic accompaniment.
The Recital Pro reviewed is a digital piano with 88 hammer-action keys.
Not always: headphones can keep sound from the built-in speakers out of the room, but your singing and the physical sound of the keys or pedal may still be audible. Alesis says the Recital Pro’s speakers are muted when you use the headphone output. Agree practice times if you share your home.
First, check that the lowest and highest notes in your part fall within the keyboard’s range. Then check the headphone plug, the connection and whether a sustain pedal is included, as well as the space for your sheet music. A pedal socket doesn’t automatically mean the pedal is included.
Keep the volume at a moderate level and limit prolonged listening at high volume. The World Health Organization warns that prolonged exposure to loud sounds through personal audio devices can damage your hearing.
According to the Government of the Netherlands, consumers buying at a distance usually have a 14-day cooling-off period; the seller must explain the terms. The Government of the Netherlands also states that the Netherlands has no general fixed statutory guarantee period. If a product doesn’t meet requirements, the seller is your point of contact.
If noise could be an issue, the Government of the Netherlands recommends agreeing arrangements first. You should also check any house rules. CE marking is relevant for electronic products sold on the Dutch market. Check the marking on the item being offered rather than assuming it complies based on the model name alone.
