If you mainly practise minor scales at home, a portable digital piano with a comfortable-feeling keyboard, a metronome and a headphone socket is a practical choice. A stage piano becomes more appealing if you also use stage connections or want direct control over sounds. Consider the space available, the pedal setup and how you’ll listen: headphones won’t eliminate the mechanical sound of the keys, and not every stage piano has built-in speakers.
You want to practise scales regularly without sound from the speakers carrying through the home. Look for a headphone socket, but bear in mind that the keys may still be audible even without amplification. Agree practice times with your housemates.
You want to control the dynamics of your scales. So try out the feel of different keyboards for yourself, perhaps playing both softly and at a faster pace.
You want to use the instrument at home and at rehearsals or performances. Connections, portability and how you’ll listen without headphones may all be important.
Suitable for: practising on your own with a piano-focused keyboard, metronome and headphones.
Bear in mind: stage controls and connections aren’t guaranteed; pedal setups can vary.
Suitable for: a player who also wants to use line-outs and can listen at home with suitable headphones; the Korg D1 is one example.
Bear in mind: according to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers, so you’ll need external audio equipment to play audibly without headphones.
Suitable for: anyone looking for live sounds, direct controls and stage connections as well as scales; the Yamaha CK88 is one example.
Bear in mind: Yamaha lists the CK88 as 354 mm deep, compared with 268 mm for the P-145, so measure the space available.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket and how audible the keys are; agree practice times. | If you practise in a shared home, you’ll want to keep amplified sound to a minimum and be considerate of your housemates. Around 36% of consumers put quiet practice first. |
| Touch and practice control | Try the keyboard for yourself; check the metronome and the pedal functions you want. | If you want to practise scales evenly, look for a keyboard that suits your playing style. Around 29% of consumers give touch and practice control top priority. |
| Space and portability | Measure the space, including the music rest, stand and seat; consider the weight if you’ll be moving the instrument. | If you need to fit the instrument into a limited space or move it after use, its dimensions and weight matter. Around 21% of consumers prioritise space and portability. |
| Complete setup | Check the connections and speakers you’ll need, as well as whether the stand and pedal are included. | If you’ll also use the instrument away from home or want to hear it directly, check in advance which parts and connections are right for your setup. Around 14% of consumers make a complete setup their top priority. |
Headphones affect how you hear the amplified sound, but they won’t stop the keys or contact noise from the setup being audible.
Check how the instrument sounds in your home and agree practice times with your housemates.
According to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers; Yamaha lists them as a feature of the CK88.
Check how you’ll want to listen at home and elsewhere for the exact model you’re considering.
If the model has no speakers, you’ll need external audio equipment if you don’t always play with headphones.
The listed casing dimensions won’t necessarily include the music rest, stand, seat and other parts of your playing area.
Measure the complete setup and check which stand and pedals are included with the version you’ve chosen.
You may need to buy a suitable stand or another part of the setup separately.
The P-145 is a portable option designed with piano playing in mind; the CK88 is a stage keyboard for players who also use live sounds and connections.
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano for practising at home with a focus on piano playing.
The CDP-S110 is a slim, portable digital piano worth comparing if depth is an important consideration.
The ES120 is a portable digital piano worth comparing if two people want to listen separately using headphones.
The D1 is a slim, stage-focused piano for players who use headphones at home and external audio connections elsewhere.
The Joybuy option below is an electronic keyboard with 61 keys and a metronome. Check that the range of keys and listening setup suit practising in a shared home.
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The listed metronome makes this keyboard worth considering if you want to practise scales with tempo guidance.
Includes 61 keys, speakers, a MIDI controller, recording function and music rest. If you specifically need an 88-key keyboard, this model won’t meet that requirement.
Not necessarily. The models mentioned offer headphone output, but the sound of the keys and contact noise from the setup may still be audible. Agree practice times and check how the instrument sounds in your home.
No, not just for the scales. A portable digital piano with a keyboard that suits you and a metronome may be a good choice; opt for stage features if you’ll also use the connections or direct controls.
Measure the space, including the music rest, stand, seat and cables. Also check the headphone socket, the pedal included and whether the instrument has built-in speakers. According to Korg, the D1 doesn’t.
For a consumer purchase in the Netherlands, you’re entitled to a product that works as it should; there’s no fixed statutory warranty period of two years. The Dutch government advises reporting a fault to the seller. A manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t replace your statutory rights.
For applicable distance sales to consumers, a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases. The Dutch government says the rules depend on the purchase, so check the seller’s information and whether your order is covered.
