Recital pianist with quiet practice hours
You practise at home with headphones and want to prepare the touch and pedal technique for your piece carefully.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Pianist who also performs
You want to use the same instrument at home and on stage, so you also consider its connections and sound setup.
Pianist with limited space
You weigh up the space required and portability against the range of keys your recital piece calls for.
What should you look for when buying?
Portable digital piano with speakers
A good fit if: you mainly practise at home and want to switch between headphones and built-in speakers.
Bear in mind: connections and pedal options vary by model; for example, the Roland FP-30X does not support Bluetooth headphones.
Stage piano for home and performances
A good fit if: you’ll actually use the stage setup and connections.
Bear in mind: the Yamaha CP88 has no built-in speakers, so you’ll need a separate sound system to play without headphones.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket, compatible plug and volume control. Bluetooth on a piano doesn’t automatically mean Bluetooth headphones will work. | If I want to practise at home with headphones without playing the piano sound through speakers, I prioritise the connection and controls; around 31% of consumers put quiet practice first. |
| Touch and range | Check the number of keys and try the dynamic passages on the exact model you’re considering. | If you want to learn the recital piece with the correct notes and dynamics, check that the keyboard suits the sheet music and the touch you’re looking for; around 31% of consumers prioritise touch and range. |
| Pedal technique | Work out which pedals the piece requires and check which unit is included and compatible. | If my piece calls for more than just the sustain pedal, I want to know in advance what pedal setup I’ll need; around 25% of consumers put pedal technique first. |
| Space and stage use | Measure the space for the instrument and pedals; check that you have suitable speakers for playing without headphones. | If space is limited or I want to take the instrument to performances, I weigh up its dimensions and setup against the range of keys I need; around 13% of consumers prioritise space or stage use. |
Common buying mistakes
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Bluetooth on the piano doesn’t mean Bluetooth headphones will work
The Roland FP-30X doesn’t support Bluetooth earbuds or headphones, despite having Bluetooth features.
Check whether the exact model supports headphones and which connection you’ll need.
You’ll need wired headphones for the FP-30X; check whether you also need a suitable adapter.
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A stage piano without speakers can’t be heard on its own
The Yamaha CP88 has no built-in speakers, so you’ll need a separate suitable sound system to play without headphones.
Plan ahead for how you’ll practise at home with headphones and how you want to hear the instrument without them.
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Choosing a 73-key model without checking the musical range
Models can differ in both key range and keyboard type. The Yamaha CP88 has 88 keys, while the CP73 has 73.
Check the lowest and highest notes in your sheet music and try the passages you want to practise on the exact model you’re considering.
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Assuming a sustain pedal covers all the pedal technique you need
For the Roland FP-30X, Roland lists connection options for a KPD-70 three-pedal unit or a DP-10 damper pedal.
Work out which pedal technique your piece calls for and check what’s included with, and can be connected to, the model you choose.
More advanced pedal technique may require an additional compatible pedal unit.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P-225 is a portable digital piano for home use, while the CP88 is designed for the stage.
- Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and headphone-focused sound features for the P-225.
- The CP88 has 88 NW-GH3 keys but no built-in speakers. These model specifications don’t, on their own, compare how the keys feel to play.
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable digital piano for practising at home, with connections for two pairs of wired headphones.
- Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys, built-in speakers and expandable pedal options.
- According to Roland, Bluetooth headphones don’t work with the FP-30X.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable piano worth comparing if you’ll use both headphones and a connection to external sound equipment.
- Kawai describes Spatial Headphone Sound for headphone use, as well as separate Line Out connections.
- Kawai recommends switching off certain sound settings when using Line Out; this advice applies here to the ES120.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100 is worth considering if the available depth for positioning the piano is an important factor.
- Casio specifies a depth of 232 mm and 88 hammer-action keys for the PX-S1100.
- The stated depth alone doesn’t tell you how much space the complete setup, including stand and pedal, will take up.
Nord
The Nord Piano 6 is a stage-focused option if, alongside recital preparation, you’ll also use layered sounds and hands-on controls.
- Nord lists versions with 88 or 73 keys and a Triple Pedal 2 included.
- The extra stage features may not be relevant if you’re only learning one piano piece at home.
Studiologic
The Numa X Piano 73 is a compact stage option if your piece fits within a 73-key range.
- For the 73-key version, the manufacturer specifies a wired headphone socket, several pedal inputs and a weight of 11,7 kg.
- Check the range of your piece before choosing the more compact version.
Joybuy products
The Joybuy options below are 61-key keyboards for practising at home; check that they cover the range of your recital piece.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
A 61-key model to consider if you want to practise at home and need a headphone socket; check that its key range suits your recital piece.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard, built-in speakers, a headphone socket, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD, USB-MIDI and a music stand.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black, with music stand
A 61-key keyboard with speakers to compare for home practice; first check whether its range suits your recital piece.
The product name lists speakers, a MIDI controller, a recording function and a metronome.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise with Bluetooth headphones on the Roland FP-30X?
No, the Roland FP-30X doesn’t support Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. Use wired headphones with a Phones socket.
How can I hear the Yamaha CP88 at home without headphones?
The Yamaha CP88 has no built-in speakers. Yamaha says you’ll need separate suitable active speakers or another appropriate sound system to hear it while playing.
How can I practise with headphones for long periods while looking after my hearing?
Start at a low volume and don’t automatically turn it up to drown out background noise. The World Health Organization emphasises that both sound level and listening time matter. Its example of 80 dB for up to 40 hours a week isn’t an automatically safe setting for a piano’s volume control.
What are my rights if a piano bought online isn’t right for me or breaks down too soon?
For a Dutch consumer purchase made at a distance, there’s generally a statutory cooling-off period of up to and including 14 days after delivery, subject to legal exceptions, according to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets. If a product used normally breaks down sooner than you could reasonably expect, the seller is responsible under the statutory guarantee for providing an appropriate solution free of charge, according to ACM ConsuWijzer; in the Netherlands, there’s no general fixed two-year time limit for this.