Start with a keyboard that lets you practise the dynamics and range of your arrangement comfortably, then decide how you want to listen. A portable digital piano with built-in speakers is practical if you want to practise on your own. A stage piano is a better fit if you use layered sounds and hands-on controls, and have suitable audio equipment. Check the pedal, connections and included accessories for the exact model variant.
You’re practising melodies, accompaniment and changes in dynamics, and mainly want to assess the keyboard and pedal action. Yamaha, Roland and Kawai describe different keyboards for their models, but those specifications can’t tell you which playing feel is right for you.
You switch between quiet practice and playing aloud with others. So look at the headphone sockets, built-in speakers and options for connecting the instrument to external audio equipment. Roland and Kawai describe these connection options for the FP-30X and ES120.
You want to combine a piano part with, for example, strings or synthesiser sounds. Korg describes these sounds for the SV-2, while Nord lists separate piano and synthesiser layers for the Piano 6. Check whether you’ll actually use these layers when practising.
A good fit if: you mainly practise piano parts and want to get started without an external sound system.
Bear in mind: check whether a stand and pedal upgrade are included with your chosen model variant. Built-in speakers won’t necessarily replace a sound system when other people need to listen.
A good fit if: you regularly arrange film themes with extra sounds or layers and want to switch between sounds as you play.
Bear in mind: decide how you want to listen in advance. Korg lists built-in speakers for the SV-2S; for other variants, you’ll need to assess the audio setup separately.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and expression | Try a soft, loud and fast passage on the exact model variant; check the number of keys, keyboard type and pedal connection. | I want to practise gentle melodies and full accompaniment on a keyboard that suits my playing. Around 33% of consumers say touch and expression are their top purchase concern. |
| Quiet practice and playing together | Check the headphone sockets, built-in speakers, line outputs and the audio equipment in the room. | I want to switch between practising with headphones and playing for fellow students. For around 27% of consumers, the listening setup comes first. |
| Sounds and layers | Check that the exact model has the sounds, split or layer function and controls you want. | I want to develop a film theme with extra sounds and combine layers as I play. Around 20% of consumers give arrangement sounds top priority. |
| Space and complete setup | Measure the space, including the stand and stool; check which accessories and pedal options are compatible with the model variant. | I want to know whether the instrument will fit in the room and whether I can set it up there with everything I need. For around 20% of consumers, space and the complete setup come first. |
Korg specifies built-in speakers for the SV-2S. The variant matters if you want to listen on your own without an external sound system.
Check the full model name and what audio equipment is available in the music room.
If the model variant doesn’t have the built-in speakers you want, you may need separate headphones or an external sound system.
With portable models, the stand and pedal upgrade may be separate options. A model’s specifications don’t confirm which accessories are included in a specific bundle.
Compare the included accessories with the complete setup you need in the music room.
You may need a compatible stand or pedal upgrade if they aren’t included in your chosen bundle.
Extra sound layers and stage connections aren’t necessarily useful when you’re only learning the piano part.
First, choose based on the feel of the keyboard and how you’ll play and listen in the room; then consider the extra sounds.
An audio setup and features that you don’t use for your practice goals can make the setup unnecessarily complicated.
The P-225 is a portable digital piano for anyone who mainly practises piano parts and wants a compact setup.
The FP-30X is a portable piano model for switching between practising on your own and playing with others.
According to Kawai, the ES120 combines a portable keyboard with connections for lessons or rehearsals.
The SV-2 series is worth considering if you also want to arrange film themes using electric pianos, strings or other stage sounds.
The Piano 6 88 is a stage-focused option for players who want hands-on control of piano and synthesiser layers.
The PX-S1100 is a portable digital piano with a compact design, worth considering if space is limited in depth.
This product selection is aimed at quiet, independent practice on a portable digital piano with built-in speakers.
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Built-in speakers and a headphone socket make it suitable for practising on your own or quietly; the 61-key keyboard doesn’t offer the full range of an 88-key keyboard.
61 touch-sensitive weighted keys.
300 sounds and 300 rhythms.
USB-MIDI connection.
Built-in speakers and headphone socket.
Yes, as long as the model variant you choose has a suitable headphone output. Roland lists two outputs for the FP-30X and Kawai lists two sockets for the ES120. Check the connection and whether you’d also like a second person to listen.
That depends on the model variant and the sound system in the room. Korg specifies built-in speakers for the SV-2S, but not the SV-2; for the Piano 6, Nord lists audio outputs and a headphone output. Plan your listening setup before choosing a model variant.
Check that the stand and pedal are compatible with the exact model variant and that the accessories you need are included in the bundle. Yamaha, Roland and Kawai describe model-specific stand and pedal options, but that doesn’t confirm what a particular bundle contains.
An electric piano placed on the market in the Netherlands must comply with the applicable European product safety rules. The Dutch government explains that for products covered by CE rules, the manufacturer is responsible for the required CE marking and EU declaration of conformity. Check this for the exact model variant; information about a model’s features doesn’t confirm that an individual product complies.
In many cases, consumers buying from a business at a distance have a 14-day cooling-off period, as explained by the Dutch government; exceptions and the type of buyer matter. Don’t assume the same consumer rule applies if an educational institution places a business order.
