Choose a touch-sensitive 61-key keyboard if the pieces you practise fit within its range and you need a compact set-up. If your pieces require a wider range, consider an 88-key instrument, but measure up first to make sure the instrument and music stand will fit. Whichever option you choose, check for a headphone socket and see which accessories are included with that version.
You want to play new pieces from sheet music and need room for both the keyboard and the music. Compare the key range and dimensions of each model; Casio and Korg also provide model-specific information about the music stand.
You want to practise with headphones when other people are nearby. Check that your chosen model has a suitable socket, and bear in mind that headphones won’t block out the physical sound of the keys.
Your pieces may require a wider range, or you may be looking specifically for a keyboard with weighted hammer action. Compare 88-key models with the type of key action you want, and measure the available width.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet music and key range | Compare the lowest and highest notes in the pieces you practise with the keyboard’s range. Also check whether a music stand is included with that version. | I want to play a piece from sheet music without running out of keys. Around 33% of consumers focus mainly on sheet music and key range. |
| Space and storage | Measure the available width and depth, then compare them with the dimensions of the specific model. Allow space for the music stand and a seat, too. | I have limited space for playing or storage and want to know in advance whether the whole set-up will fit. Around 27% of consumers focus mainly on space and storage. |
| Practising with headphones | Check whether that version has a headphone output and whether the socket is compatible with your plug. Bear in mind that the keys may still make an audible sound. | I practise in a shared space and want to avoid sound from the speakers. Around 20% of consumers consider this their main priority. |
| Key action and repertoire | Decide whether you need 88 keys and whether you specifically want weighted hammer action. Touch sensitivity and weighted hammer action are different specifications. | I want enough range for my pieces and may be looking for a particular piano feel. Around 20% of consumers focus mainly on keyboard range or key action. |
You won’t be able to play a piece in full if it includes notes outside the range of your chosen keyboard. The Casio CT-S300 and Yamaha PSR-E383 have 61 keys; the Korg Liano has 88.
Before choosing a model, compare the range of the keyboard with a few representative pieces.
If you later find that your repertoire falls outside the keyboard’s range, you may need a different instrument.
You’ll also need space for the music stand and a comfortable seating position. Korg lists the Liano’s dimensions without the music stand.
Measure the full set-up you have in mind and check where the sheet music will go.
You may need a different stand or set-up if the music stand won’t fit where you planned to put it.
Korg describes the Liano as having touch-sensitive LS keys; Yamaha describes the P-145BT as having GHC weighted hammer action. These are different types of key action.
Decide whether you want touch sensitivity or specifically weighted keys, and try the key action if it’s a deciding factor.
The CT-S300 is a 61-key model for anyone who values a compact set-up and portability.
The PSR-E383 is a 61-key keyboard with practice features; the P-145BT is a separate 88-key model with weighted hammer action.
The Liano has 88 keys in a slim casing, making it an option if you need a wider keyboard range.
It depends on the notes in your pieces. Compare the lowest and highest notes with the range of the instrument you’re considering. The Casio CT-S300 and Yamaha PSR-E383 have 61 keys; the Korg Liano has 88.
This varies by model and version. Korg lists a music stand as included with the Liano. Casio lists one for the CT-S300, but warns that what’s included may vary by region, so check the contents of the specific offer.
Check that the version you’ve chosen has a headphone output and that the socket is compatible with your plug. Casio specifies a stereo mini PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the CT-S300; Korg lists a combined headphone/line output for the Liano. Headphones won’t block out the mechanical sound of the keys.
When you buy as a consumer, a product must meet what you could reasonably expect from it. The Dutch government says there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands; if a product is faulty, the seller is your point of contact.
Check the product and adapter information for the specific version. The Dutch government states that electronic devices covered by applicable EU product rules must carry a CE marking; don’t rely solely on the brand name or general product category.
