Start with the requirements set by your exam board: a suitable keyboard and the pedal use your repertoire calls for matter more than extra performance features. Then compare the space needed for the complete set-up, the headphone socket and any accessories you’ll need. Compact portable pianos can work well in a small practice space, but the stand, stool and pedal also take up room.
You want to practise dynamics and pedal technique on an instrument that meets the requirements of your specific grade exam. ABRSM publishes instrument requirements for its own piano exams; other exam boards may have different rules.
You often practise when other people are at home, so you’re looking for a useful headphone socket that lets you listen without relying on the built-in speakers.
You need room for the instrument, stand, stool and pedal. If you want to put the piano away after practising, its weight and how easy it is to move are important too.
First check the exam requirements and keyboard, then measure the complete playing set-up rather than just the piano itself.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard and pedal for the exam | Check your exam board’s requirements and whether the keyboard, touch response and sustain pedal suit your repertoire. For ABRSM Practical Grades 2025–2026, ABRSM specifies, among other things, full-size weighted keys with touch sensitivity and a sustain pedal. | If I want to practise dynamics and pedal passages for my grade exam, the instrument needs to meet my exam board’s requirements. Around 33% of consumers put the keyboard and pedal at the top of their buying priorities. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the connection on the exact model and try the piano with your own headphones. Keep the volume low and take breaks during longer listening sessions, as recommended by the World Health Organization. | When other people are at home, I want to hear the piano through headphones without having to keep turning the volume up. Around 27% of consumers give quiet practice top priority. |
| Space and moving the piano | Measure the space for the piano, stand, seat, music rest and pedal. Also check the weight if you plan to move or store the instrument regularly. | If my practice space is small, I want to be able to sit and play without the stand or pedal getting in the way. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the space available for their set-up. |
| Complete playing set-up | Check which pedals and other accessories are included with the exact model, and which compatible parts you’ll need for your repertoire. | If I want to complete my set-up, I want to know in advance whether I’ll need to buy a stand or a suitable pedal. Around 20% of consumers put the total cost of the purchase first. |
Headphones let you listen to the piano privately, but they don’t soundproof the room. The mechanical sound of the keys may still be audible.
Try the exact piano with headphones and listen to the sound of the keys in the room too. Keep the volume low and take regular listening breaks, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
A pedal socket doesn’t automatically mean the piano comes with the pedal or pedal unit you need.
Check what’s included in the specific offer and find out which pedal functions your exam pieces require. You may need to buy a compatible sustain pedal or a separate three-pedal unit.
The Best Digital Piano round-up focuses on stage pianos for performances, rehearsals and studio use. That perspective won’t necessarily answer questions about exam requirements, pedals or fitting a piano into a small practice space.
Compare stage pianos and compact portable pianos against your exam requirements and the space you have at home, not just their position in a list aimed at live performance.
The P series includes compact, portable digital pianos that Yamaha also positions for home practice.
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano that Roland also positions for practice in smaller rooms.
According to Kawai, the ES120 combines a portable cabinet with a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard.
The B2 is a portable digital piano worth comparing if a straightforward home set-up is your priority.
According to the ABRSM syllabus for Practical Grades 2025–2026, you can, provided the instrument meets the published requirements. These include a recognisable piano sound, full-size weighted keys with touch sensitivity, a suitable range and a sustain pedal. These rules don’t automatically apply to other exam boards, so check the syllabus for your exam date and exam type.
ABRSM’s recording instructions require an uninterrupted, unedited performance of four pieces. For grades 6–8, you must also show photo ID. When setting up in a small room, remember to allow space for the camera and check the instructions for your exam.
As well as the piano itself, measure the space for the stand, seat, music rest and pedal. Check that the pedal and stand suit the connection and version of your chosen model.
Check which headphone socket the exact piano has and keep the listening volume low. The World Health Organization also recommends taking regular breaks. Headphones won’t prevent the mechanical sound of the keys from being heard in the room.
For eligible distance purchases, you’ll generally have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. When buying as a consumer, you’re also entitled to a product that is fit for purpose. The Dutch government says there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands. Before placing your order, check who the seller is and which returns policy applies to your purchase.
