Who is it suitable for?

Quiet home player

You’re learning film music in a shared home and want the choice of using headphones or playing quietly through speakers.

Pianist practising expressive playing

You want to practise melodies, soft dynamics and pedal technique. That’s why you’re paying attention to the keyboard and the pedal setup of the exact model.

Film arranger

You want to use sounds such as strings alongside the piano, or combine different parts. Easy access to different sounds can be important in this case.

What should you look for when choosing?

Stage piano with speakers

A good fit if: you sometimes practise with headphones and sometimes want to play in the room. Yamaha lists built-in speakers for the CK88, while Roland does the same for the RD-88.

Bear in mind: specifications don’t tell you how usable the speaker volume will be at a low level. Try the instrument and check which accessories are included.

Stage-focused piano without speakers

A good fit if: you mainly play through headphones or an existing sound system. Korg describes the D1 as speakerless and lists headphone and line outputs.

Bear in mind: you’ll need external audio equipment to play audibly without headphones. Korg lists a damper pedal as included and the stand as a separate accessory.

Portable digital piano

A good fit if: practising at home matters more to you than stage controls. Kawai describes the ES120 as having built-in speakers and two headphone sockets; Casio lists rhythms and auto-accompaniment for the PX-S3100.

Bear in mind: check the pedal setup, connections and what’s included in the specific bundle. Accompaniment features aren’t essential for every teaching method.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Quiet practice Check for a headphone socket and whether the piano has speakers. Yamaha specifies a 6,3mm headphone socket and switchable speakers for the CK88; according to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers. When I practise at home in a shared household, I want the choice of using headphones or playing quietly in the room. Around 42% of consumers prioritise quiet practice.
Touch and pedals Play the same passage softly and loudly on the exact model. Also check which pedal is included and which pedal functions it supports. For expressive piano passages, I want to know how soft notes and pedal playing feel. Touch and pedal technique are a top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Extra sounds Check whether the model can play the sounds you want at the same time, and how you adjust their relative volumes. Yamaha lists sounds such as strings for the CK88; Roland describes three configurable zones for the RD-88. If I want to explore extra parts alongside the piano melody, sound combinations matter to me. Around 25% of consumers give extra arrangement sounds top priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming every stage piano has built-in speakers

    According to Korg, the D1 is speakerless, while Yamaha specifies built-in speakers for the CK88. With a speakerless model, you’ll need external audio equipment if you want to play without headphones.

    Decide in advance whether you’ll practise using headphones only or want to hear the sound in the room as well.

    A speakerless model may require external audio equipment.

  • Looking only at the number of sounds

    When learning a piano theme, touch and pedal technique may matter more than rhythms or extra sounds. A keyboard type listed on paper won’t tell you how it feels to play.

    Try a soft and a powerful passage on the exact model, then compare the arrangement features.

  • Assuming the pedal and stand are always included

    Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the D1 and the stand as sold separately. For the Kawai ES120, a stand and a three-pedal unit are listed as options.

    Compare what’s included in the specific product bundle with the specifications for the exact model.

    You may need to buy a stand or a different pedal separately.

Brands to consider

Yamaha

The CK88 is a stage keyboard for anyone looking for a weighted 88-key keyboard, a range of instrument sounds, and both headphone and built-in speaker options.

  • Yamaha specifies switchable speakers and a 6,3 mm headphone socket for the CK88.
  • The specifications don’t tell you how usable the speaker volume is at a very low level. Also check whether Bluetooth audio is available on the version you’re considering.

Roland

The RD-88 is a stage-focused option with a hammer-action keyboard, built-in speakers and sound zones you can combine.

  • Roland describes the RD-88 as having a PHA-4 keyboard, built-in speakers and three zones.
  • The RD-88 EX Upgrade is a separate expansion; don’t assume its features are included with a standard RD-88.

Korg

The D1 is a slim, speakerless piano for anyone who mainly plays through headphones or external audio equipment and is looking for an RH3 keyboard.

  • Korg lists headphone and line outputs, as well as an included damper pedal.
  • Without headphones or external audio equipment, you won’t hear any sound from speakers; the stand is a separate accessory.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable digital piano worth considering if practising at home is your priority.

  • Kawai lists two headphone sockets, built-in speakers and a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard.
  • The stand and three-pedal unit are optional; check which accessories are included in the specific bundle.

Casio

The Privia PX-S3100 is a portable digital piano for anyone who also wants to explore rhythms and auto-accompaniment.

  • Casio describes the PX-S3100 as having rhythms, auto-accompaniment and built-in speakers.
  • Check the version and what’s included for the Dutch market before choosing this model.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need built-in speakers to practise quietly?

No. If you’re using suitable headphones, a speakerless model such as the Korg D1 could also be a good fit. If you sometimes want to play without headphones, compare models with built-in speakers or allow for external audio equipment.

What should I check when connecting and setting up the piano?

Check the headphone plug, the pedal included, the power supply and whether you need a stand. Yamaha specifies a 6,3mm stereo headphone socket for the CK88; Korg lists an included damper pedal and a separately available stand for the D1.

Are headphones automatically safe if the piano is set to a low volume?

No. Keep the headphone volume at a comfortable level, too. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones to reduce the need to turn up the volume to hear over background noise. This advice doesn’t specify a safe volume setting for a particular piano.

What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?

According to ACM ConsuWijzer, online product purchases generally come with a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery, although exceptions apply. A product must also do what you could reasonably expect when used normally; if there’s a fault, the seller must resolve it in line with the applicable terms. This doesn’t mean that every piano has a fixed statutory warranty period of two years.