Who is this guide for?

Pianists working on their touch

If you want to assess the evenness and dynamics of fast and slow arpeggios, trying the keyboard for yourself is more useful than looking through a long list of sounds.

Pianists who want to practise quietly at home

If you share a space, headphones can come in handy. Built-in speakers also let you play without separate speakers; Roland and Kawai list two headphone sockets for the FP-30X and ES120 respectively.

Pianists who record their practice

If you want to listen back to your arpeggios or edit them in a DAW, check whether the instrument supports MIDI, audio or both. Studiologic specifies USB audio and MIDI in/out for the Numa X Piano 88.

What should you look for?

Portable piano with speakers

A good fit if: you mainly practise arpeggios at home and want to play without separate speakers.

Bear in mind: try the action for yourself, and check separately whether the recording feature you need supports MIDI, audio or both.

Stage piano with monitoring and studio features

A good fit if: you want to play at home without separate speakers and also work with recordings or virtual instruments. Roland lists built-in speakers and a USB audio/MIDI interface for the RD-88 EX.

Bear in mind: check the connections and pedal configuration for the exact version.

Performance-focused instrument for an existing studio

A good fit if: you already have suitable monitoring and want audio integration or direct control; Studiologic specifies USB audio for the Numa X Piano 88, while Yamaha lists USB audio and MIDI for the CP88.

Bear in mind: check how you’ll listen and which cables your setup requires; a performance-focused model isn’t automatically better suited to practising arpeggios alone.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Keyboard response Play the same arpeggio slowly and quickly; compare repetition and touch sensitivity on the exact model. Yamaha specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-225, while Roland lists an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard for the FP-30X. When I practise arpeggios, I want to hear and feel whether repeated notes and soft and hard playing respond evenly. Around 33% of consumers rank keyboard response as their top priority.
Quiet, standalone playing Check whether the model has a headphone socket and built-in speakers. Roland lists both for the FP-30X; Kawai lists two headphone sockets for the ES120. When I share a space, I want to practise with headphones and also be able to play without separate speakers. Around 27% of consumers prioritise quiet, standalone practice.
Recording and DAW use Decide whether you want to record MIDI, the instrument’s sound as audio, or both. Studiologic specifies USB audio and MIDI in/out for the Numa X Piano 88; Roland lists a USB audio/MIDI interface for the RD-88 EX. If I want to edit notes or listen back to the piano sound, the connection needs to suit how I record. Around 20% of consumers make recording integration their first priority.
Setup and pedals Check the dimensions, connections and included accessories for the exact version. Yamaha lists an optional three-pedal unit for the P-225; Studiologic lists a sustain pedal included with the Numa X Piano. For my practice space, I want to know whether the instrument will fit and whether the stand, monitoring and pedal setup I need will work with the equipment I already have. Around 20% of consumers start with the complete setup.

Common buying mistakes

  • Treating MIDI and audio as the same recording feature

    MIDI captures performance data; audio captures sound. A USB or MIDI connection alone doesn’t tell you whether you can record the instrument’s sound.

    Decide in advance whether you want to edit notes, listen back to the instrument’s sound or do both, then check the features of the exact version.

  • Assuming every stage piano can be heard without extra equipment

    Some models are listed with built-in speakers, but that isn’t necessarily true of every performance instrument.

    Check the speakers, headphone socket and monitoring options in your studio for each model.

  • Expecting a three-pedal setup to come as standard

    Pedal equipment varies by model: Yamaha lists the three-pedal unit for the P-225 as optional, while Studiologic specifies a sustain pedal included with the Numa X Piano.

    Compare what’s included with the pedal functions you want to use while practising.

Brands to compare

Yamaha

The P-225 is a compact portable digital piano for practising; the CP88 is designed for the stage, with a different keyboard and a wider range of connections.

  • Yamaha specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-225 and an 88-key NW-GH3 keyboard for the CP88.
  • The three-pedal unit for the P-225 is optional. The names of keyboard actions alone don’t tell you which feel will suit you.

Roland

The FP-30X is also suited to home practice; the RD-88 EX combines performance features with built-in speakers and studio connections.

  • Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard, stereo speakers and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X. For the RD-88 EX, Roland lists a USB audio/MIDI interface.
  • These model specifications aren’t an independent comparison of keyboard quality.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable digital piano worth comparing if headphone use and separate line outputs matter to you.

  • Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard, two headphone sockets, stereo line outputs and USB-MIDI.
  • Check separately whether your recording setup needs audio over USB.

Studiologic

The Numa X Piano 88 is worth considering for a home studio where the instrument is part of an audio and MIDI setup.

  • For this version, Studiologic specifies a TP/110 keyboard, USB audio in/out, MIDI in/out and a sustain pedal included in the box.
  • Check how you’ll listen in your setup, and try the action for yourself.

Nord

The Nord Stage 4 88 is particularly relevant if, alongside piano practice, you also want to use organ, synth and layer controls.

  • Nord specifies a weighted keyboard with triple sensors and multiple sound sections for the 88-key version.
  • Those features don’t automatically make it a better choice for practising arpeggios alone.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do you test a keyboard for arpeggios?

Play the same pattern slowly and quickly, softly and firmly, and pay attention to repeated notes and consistency between keys. Yamaha highlights key resistance, response to fast passages and dynamic range as factors to consider; this is information from the manufacturer, not an independent model test.

Is a USB connection enough to record the piano sound?

Not without checking the feature: USB-MIDI and USB audio serve different recording purposes. Studiologic specifies both for the Numa X Piano 88; for another model, check separately which data the connection transfers.

What should you consider when positioning and maintaining it?

Use a stable stand that suits the instrument’s dimensions and weight. For the Numa X Piano, Studiologic recommends placing it securely and cleaning it with a slightly damp microfibre cloth, without abrasive cleaning products; follow the manual for the model you choose.

What are your rights if you buy online and the product is faulty?

Many online distance purchases by consumers come with a 14-day cooling-off period; the Dutch government explains this rule for purchases where it applies. In the Netherlands, if a product is faulty, you’re entitled to a product that meets reasonable expectations; ACM ConsuWijzer notes that the seller is your point of contact for a solution. Check the terms that apply to your purchase.