Arpeggio practice
You’re mainly looking for a suitable keyboard range and a feel that makes technical exercises comfortable to play. You’d rather compare keyboards by playing them than by looking at specifications alone.
Who is this guide for?
Quiet home practice
You practise in a shared home or close to neighbours and want to switch between headphones and playing out loud. You also take household agreements about noise into account.
Short on space
You need to fit the instrument, stand and seat into a guest room, so you compare the actual dimensions and the accessories you’ll need.
What should you look for?
Portable digital piano with speakers
A good fit if: home practice is your priority and you want to switch between headphones and the built-in speakers.
Keep in mind: a stand, pedal and headphones aren’t necessarily included with every version.
Portable piano for a shallow space
A good fit if: the available depth is your main limitation. Casio lists the PX-S1100 cabinet depth as 232 mm; Yamaha lists the P-225 at 272 mm.
Keep in mind: cabinet depth doesn’t tell you how much width, seating space or room for a stand and pedal you’ll need.
Stage piano designed for live performance
A good fit if: you also need live connections and hands-on controls on stage, and use headphones or external powered speakers at home.
Keep in mind: Yamaha states that the CP88 has no built-in speakers. You’ll need external amplification to play out loud without headphones.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard range and touch | Play the same arpeggios on the options you’re considering and check that the range suits your practice material. | If I practise arpeggios, I want a keyboard range and touch that suit my exercises. Around 36% of consumers give keyboard feel their highest priority. |
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket and whether you’ll need suitable headphones or an adapter. | If you practise in a shared home, you’ll also want to play without sound coming from the speakers. Around 29% of consumers put quiet practice first. |
| Space for your setup | Measure the available width and depth, and allow room for the stand, pedal and seat. | If the piano needs to fit in a guest room, you’ll want to know whether the complete setup will fit in the space available. Around 21% of consumers give setup space their highest priority. |
| Accessories you’ll need | Compare what’s included with each version and check which stand, pedals or audio equipment you’ll need. | If you want to get started with a complete setup straight away, check what else you’ll need besides the instrument. Around 14% of consumers put having a complete setup first. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a stage piano has built-in speakers
Yamaha states that the CP88 has no built-in speakers. It varies by model: Roland lists built-in speakers for the FP-30X.
Check whether the exact model has speakers and what type of headphone socket it has.
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Comparing cabinet depth alone
Width and the space needed for the stand, pedal and player also determine whether an instrument will work in your room.
Measure the entire available space and compare it with the dimensions of the exact model and the stand you’ve chosen.
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Assuming the stand and pedal are included
Kawai lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 triple pedal unit for the ES120 as optional accessories.
Check what’s included with the version you choose and make sure the accessories are compatible.
Brands to compare
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable digital piano with a full-size keyboard, designed for practising at home.
- According to Roland, the FP-30X has 88 PHA-4 Standard keys, built-in speakers and two headphone outputs.
- These features apply to the FP-30X and don’t mean that other Roland models have the same connections or feel.
Yamaha
The portable P-225 and stage-focused CP88 are different options to compare for home and stage use.
- Yamaha specifies that the P-225 has 88 GHC keys and measures 1.326 mm wide and 272 mm deep. For the CP88, Yamaha lists separate audio outputs and a headphone socket.
- According to Yamaha, the CP88 has no built-in speakers. This means the P-225 and CP88 aren’t necessarily interchangeable for use in a guest room.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100 is a portable option worth considering if you have limited depth available.
- Casio lists the PX-S1100 as having a cabinet depth of 232 mm and 88 hammer-action keys.
- Depth alone doesn’t tell you how much space the complete setup needs. Casio’s claim that it was the slimmest piano in a comparison group was based on its own research from July 2021, and isn’t a current independent ranking.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable digital piano designed with the keyboard and home use in mind.
- Kawai describes the ES120 as having a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and key cushioning.
- The HML-2 stand and F-351 triple pedal unit are optional. The claim of reduced key noise comes from the manufacturer and isn’t an independently measured reduction in sound.
Joybuy products
This selection includes two electronic keyboards with 61 keys. Check whether that range is enough for your arpeggios and practice material.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
The 61 weighted keys and built-in speakers make this an option for practising at home. Check that the keyboard range suits your exercises.
The title lists 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI and a headphone socket.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
The built-in speakers and headphone socket let you practise with or without sound from the speakers. Check that 61 keys suit your practice material.
The product description lists a metronome, recording function and USB-MIDI. The title mentions a music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Does a stage piano need built-in speakers for practising at home?
No. You can also practise at home with headphones or separate powered speakers. Yamaha states that the CP88 has no built-in speakers, while Roland lists built-in speakers for the FP-30X. Check the specifications for the model you’re considering.
What should you consider when setting up a piano in a guest room?
Compare the piano’s dimensions with the available space, and allow room for the stand, pedal and seat. Kawai lists a compatible stand and triple pedal unit as optional for the ES120.
Who can help if a newly purchased piano turns out to be faulty?
According to the Dutch Government, the seller must provide a solution if there’s a problem with a product. A manufacturer’s warranty is in addition to your statutory rights.
Can you always play music at home as long as you use headphones?
Using headphones doesn’t automatically determine what rules apply in your home. If your neighbours may be affected, the Dutch Government advises agreeing arrangements together first, for example about playing music.
Which product regulations apply to an electric piano in the Netherlands?
The relevant European product rules apply to electrical and electronic equipment. Dutch Government information refers to CE marking and an EU declaration of conformity where the rules require them for the product. Bluetooth may also be subject to radio equipment regulations. A CE mark isn’t an independent quality assessment.