Who is this choice relevant to?

Quiet home player

You share your living space and want to practise a jazz standard while others are at home. Using headphones and agreeing on acceptable noise levels will help you decide where to set up your piano. Roland Netherlands describes the headphone sockets on the FP-30X; the Dutch government recommends agreeing arrangements with your neighbours first when dealing with noise.

Aspiring jazz pianist

You practise melodies, chord voicings and accompaniment with both hands, and want to focus on assessing the keyboard range and key action. Yamaha Music discusses the importance of jazz chords and voicings; Yamaha Netherlands lists an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-145.

Player who also rehearses

You learn at home, but may also want to take the piano with you or use its settings and connections for rehearsals. Korg lists LINE OUT among the D1’s features; Roland mentions saved sound settings and built-in speakers for the RD-08.

What should you look for when choosing?

Portable digital piano with speakers

Ideal for: mainly practising at home, with the option of listening through headphones or the built-in speakers.

Keep in mind: sounds and pedal options vary by model. Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as an optional extra.

Stage piano with speakers

Ideal for: combining practice at home with accessing sounds and settings for rehearsals or performances. Roland describes these features for the RD-08.

Keep in mind: you don’t need stage features to learn a jazz standard; check that the controls and connections suit the way you’ll use the piano.

Stage-focused piano without speakers

Ideal for: playing with headphones or suitable external audio equipment. Korg lists a headphone socket and LINE OUT for the D1.

Keep in mind: according to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers. You’ll need additional audio equipment to play audibly without headphones.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Practising at home with housemates Check the headphone socket on the exact version. Also consider whether the sound of the keys being pressed will carry to other areas of your home. When I practise while my housemates are at home, I want to hear the piano through headphones and find out whether the keys themselves make a noise. Around 31% of consumers prioritise practising without disturbing others.
Key action and keyboard range Compare the keyboard ranges and try playing both softly and firmly. A manufacturer’s description is not an independent assessment of how a keyboard feels. When practising melodies and chords with both hands, I want a suitable range and a key action that feels right for me. Around 25% of consumers give key action and range top priority.
Space and portability Measure the available space, including the stand and music rest. The stated depth of the instrument alone won’t tell you how much room the complete set-up needs. In a small shared home, I want to know whether the piano, stand and music rest will all fit. Space is the main concern for around 19% of consumers.
Sounds and practice features Compare the sounds and practice aids on the exact models. Decide whether you want to switch quickly between settings while playing. When learning a standard, I want tempo support and sounds suited to my practice, without unnecessary controls. Around 13% of consumers prioritise practice sounds and controls.
What’s included in the set-up Check whether the stand and pedal are included or sold separately for each version. Yamaha lists the LP-5A for the P-145 as optional; Korg says a damper pedal is included with the B2+. For a complete practice space, I want to know in advance which accessories come with the instrument. What’s included is the main purchasing concern for around 12% of consumers.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming every stage piano has speakers

    According to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers, while Roland lists speakers for the stage-focused RD-08. Without speakers, you’ll need additional audio equipment to play without headphones.

    Before buying, check the speakers and audio outputs on the exact model, and think about how you want to listen at home.

    Depending on the model and your set-up, you may need to buy a stand or pedal upgrade separately.

  • Thinking headphones will block out all the sound at home

    Headphones let you listen to the electronic piano sound privately, but that doesn’t mean the physical sound of the keys being pressed will be inaudible elsewhere in your home.

    Try the piano in the place where you plan to use it and agree practice times where needed. The Dutch government recommends agreeing arrangements with your neighbours first when dealing with noise.

Brands and relevant models to consider

Yamaha

The P-145 is a portable, piano-focused entry-level option; the P-225 is a separate model with its own features.

  • Yamaha lists an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-145.
  • The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional for the P-145. The split function Yamaha lists for the P-225 is not automatically available on the P-145.

Roland

The FP-30X is a portable digital piano for home use; the RD-08 is a different, stage-focused option.

  • Roland lists a PHA-4 keyboard, built-in speakers and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X.
  • For the RD-08, Roland lists built-in speakers and saved sound settings.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable digital piano for use at home and away from home.

  • For this model, Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard, headphone sockets and built-in speakers.
  • The stand and three-pedal options are sold separately.

Casio

The Privia PX-S1100 may be worth considering if the depth of the instrument is important for your practice space.

  • Casio lists a depth of 232 mm and 88 hammer-action keys for the PX-S1100.
  • Remember to measure the space needed for the stand, music rest and playing position too; the depth of the instrument alone won’t tell you how much room the full set-up needs.

Korg

The B2+ has built-in speakers; the D1 is a stage-focused option without built-in speakers.

  • Korg lists a headphone output, twelve sounds and an included damper pedal for the B2+.
  • According to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers; Korg lists an RH3 keyboard and LINE OUT for the D1.

Joybuy products for practising at home

These products are 61-key digital piano and keyboard options with a headphone socket for practising at home. Check that the keyboard range and features suit practising melodies and chords with both hands.

Black MLS-931 digital piano with 61 keys

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

The headphone socket and built-in speakers give you different ways to listen to the piano sound at home. Its 61-key range is more limited than that of an 88-key keyboard.

Specifications: weighted keyboard; 61 keys; 300 sounds; 300 rhythms; LCD screen; USB-MIDI; built-in speakers; headphone socket.

Joybuy
Black electronic keyboard piano with 61 keys and MIDI controller

Electronic keyboard piano with 61 keys, black

The headphone socket and built-in speakers give you listening options for practising at home. Its 61-key range is more limited than that of an 88-key keyboard.

Specifications: MIDI controller; recording function; metronome; built-in speakers; headphone socket; music stand.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are headphones enough to practise at any time?

Not always. Headphones let you listen to the electronic piano sound privately, but remember that the keys may still make a noise and take your home environment into account. The Dutch government recommends agreeing arrangements with your neighbours first when dealing with noise.

Do I need a stage piano without speakers to play a jazz standard?

No, not if you mainly practise at home and choose a digital piano with a headphone socket and built-in speakers. A model without speakers, such as the Korg D1, is best suited to a set-up that includes headphones or suitable external audio equipment.

What’s included, and what about the warranty?

Check whether the stand and pedal you want are included with the exact version; Yamaha, for example, lists the LP-5A unit for the P-145 as optional. According to ACM ConsuWijzer, purchases made by consumers are covered by a legal guarantee, in addition to any commercial warranty. If a product is faulty despite being used normally, the seller is responsible for providing an appropriate free remedy; in the Netherlands, there is no fixed legal warranty period of exactly two years for every piano.

What should I consider when setting up and maintaining the piano?

Measure the space for the piano, stand and music rest, and check which connections you need for your headphones and pedal. For the D1, Korg recommends wiping the exterior with a clean, dry cloth and not using liquid cleaners; for other models, refer to the relevant manual.