Pianists practising broken chords
You want to assess the feel of the keys and the evenness of successive notes, with or without the pedal.
Who is this guide for?
Quiet home practisers
You want to play with headphones in a shared home and check in advance which headphone connection is available.
Players with a small guest room
You need to be able to fit the instrument, music rest and, if required, stand into the available space.
What should you look for when choosing?
Stage piano with built-in speakers
A good fit if: you practise at home but also want performance-focused controls or quick access to sounds. Roland lists built-in speakers for the RD-88 EX.
Bear in mind: check which controls and connections you actually need on each model, and which headphone and pedal sockets it has.
Stage piano without built-in speakers
A good fit if: you already play with headphones or external audio equipment. Korg lists a headphone socket and line outputs for the D1.
Bear in mind: the Korg D1 has no built-in speakers, so you’ll need external audio equipment to play aloud without headphones.
Portable digital piano
A good fit if: you mainly want to practise at home and are considering a model with built-in speakers; Roland lists these for the FP-30X.
Bear in mind: check the full set-up. Yamaha gives the P-225’s dimensions as 1326 mm wide and 272 mm deep without the music rest, or 362 mm deep with it.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key feel and range | Compare the feel of the keys on the exact models and play the same pattern slowly, then faster. Check that the keyboard range suits the music you’ll be practising. | When I practise broken chords, I want to compare the keys and range before choosing. Around 33% of consumers put key feel and range first. |
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket and how you’ll listen when not using headphones. Roland lists dual headphone outputs for the FP-30X; Korg states that the D1 has no built-in speakers. | In a shared home, I want to be able to play through headphones and know how else I can listen to the instrument. Around 27% of consumers make quiet practice their top priority. |
| Room space | Measure the available width and depth for the instrument and music rest. Yamaha gives the P-225’s dimensions as 1326 mm wide and 272 mm deep without the music rest, or 362 mm deep with it. | If the piano needs to fit in a small guest room, I want to compare the dimensions of the full set-up with the space available. Around 20% of consumers prioritise space. |
| Pedal and accessories | Check which stand and pedals are included with the exact model, and whether any upgrades you want are compatible. Yamaha lists an optional LP-1/FC35 three-pedal unit for the P-225. | When practising with a pedal, I want to know in advance which parts will work with my set-up. Around 20% of consumers make a complete practice set-up their top priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming that every stage piano has no speakers
The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers, while Roland lists built-in speakers for the RD-88 EX. So the product category alone won’t tell you how you can listen to the instrument.
Check how you’ll listen to the exact model before choosing the rest of your set-up.
With a model that has no speakers, you may need external audio equipment to play aloud without headphones.
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Looking only at the case depth
A shallow case doesn’t tell you how much width the instrument takes up, and a music rest may need extra depth. For example, Yamaha gives different depths for the P-225 with and without its music rest.
Measure the available space and compare it with all the dimensions listed for the model and set-up you’re considering.
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Assuming a stand or three pedals are included
Yamaha lists the three-pedal unit for the P-225 as optional; a picture or product category doesn’t confirm what’s included with a specific version.
Check what’s included in the offer and that the stand and pedals are compatible before you order.
A compatible pedal upgrade may need to be purchased separately.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
Compare the P-225, a portable digital piano, with the performance-focused CP88 when weighing up home use and stage features.
- Yamaha specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-225 and lists an optional three-pedal unit.
- The CP88 also has 88 keys, with an NW-GH3 keyboard and performance-focused connections, according to Yamaha.
- The keyboards are different, and the specifications can’t tell you which feel you’ll prefer. Try them for yourself and check which accessories come with the version you choose.
Roland
The FP-30X is designed for portable home use; the RD-88 EX and RD-2000 EX are performance-focused models to compare it with.
- Roland lists built-in speakers and dual headphone outputs for the FP-30X.
- Roland describes controller functions for the RD-2000 EX.
- Only factor the extensive controls into your decision if you’ll actually use them for your practice or set-up.
Korg
The D1 is a slim digital piano without speakers, designed for use with an existing audio set-up.
- Korg specifies an 88-key RH3 keyboard, a headphone socket and line outputs.
- The D1 has no built-in speakers. Without headphones or connected audio equipment, you won’t hear the instrument through its own speakers.
Casio
The PX-S1100 is worth comparing if the depth of the case is a factor in the space you have available.
- Casio lists the PX-S1100 as 232 mm deep, with 88 keys.
- Depth alone doesn’t tell you how much width you’ll need, or whether the key feel will suit you.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable digital piano to compare if you want to practise at home and use headphones.
- The Kawai manual covers headphone settings, the metronome and the pedal connection.
- Kawai specifies that the ES120 must be used with the prescribed supply voltage. Also check which accessories come with the version you choose.
Joybuy products
These options focus on home practice with 61-key instruments that have built-in speakers. Check that the keyboard range suits the parts you want to practise.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
An option for home practice if you’re looking for a 61-key instrument with speakers and a headphone socket.
The product is described as having a weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard, metronome and built-in speakers.
The title also lists 300 sounds and 300 rhythms; check that the keyboard range suits the music you’ll be practising.
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Electronic piano keyboard, 61 keys, black
An option for home practice if you’re looking for a 61-key instrument with built-in speakers and a headphone socket.
The product information lists a metronome, music stand, recording function and USB-MIDI.
Check that the keyboard range and layout suit the broken chords you want to practise.
Frequently asked questions
Does a stage piano always need to be connected to separate speakers?
No, it depends on the model. The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers, while the Roland RD-88 EX does. So check how you’ll listen to the exact version.
How can you check whether a piano will fit in a guest room?
Measure the available width and depth for the complete set-up, including the music rest. Yamaha gives the P-225’s dimensions as 1326 mm wide and 272 mm deep without the music rest, or 362 mm deep with it.
Can you add three pedals to any version later?
No, you can’t assume that based on the product category. Yamaha lists the LP-1/FC35 three-pedal unit as an optional accessory for the P-225. For other models and the version you choose, check compatibility separately.
What should you check about a digital piano’s power supply?
Follow the manual for the exact version. Kawai specifies that the ES120 should be plugged into a mains socket with the prescribed voltage, and states that the supplied cable and adapter are for this instrument only.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, for a standard online product purchase you generally have up to 14 days after delivery to change your mind, subject to legal exceptions. You’re also entitled to a legal guarantee if a product doesn’t perform as you could reasonably expect under normal use; the seller is responsible for this.