Practising at home with housemates
You want to hear your finger exercises without making too much noise in the room. Check how the exact model’s headphones and speakers work; the keys can make noise too.
Who is this buying guide for?
Pianist working on their touch
You want to practise soft notes and quick repetitions on a keyboard that suits you. Compare the feel and touch response, not just the number of sounds.
Player who practises at home and rehearses elsewhere
You want to practise at home with headphones and use the instrument in other places too. Speakers, audio outputs and the set-up you need will all affect your choice.
What should you look for?
Speakerless stage piano
A good fit if: you usually practise with headphones and can connect external audio equipment for other situations. According to Korg, the Korg D1 has 88 RH3 keys, a headphone connection and no built-in speakers.
Keep in mind: without headphones, you’ll need external audio equipment to hear the instrument.
Stage piano with speakers
A good fit if: you want to practise at home with headphones, but also listen without an external amplifier. The Roland RD-08 has built-in speakers.
Keep in mind: according to the manual, the RD-08 speakers can also be on while headphones are connected; check the setting.
Portable digital piano
A good fit if: practising at home matters more to you than dedicated stage controls. The Yamaha P-225, Casio CDP-S110 and Kawai ES120 are portable models with weighted keyboards, according to their manufacturers.
Keep in mind: touch response, connections and included pedals vary by model. Kawai describes the ES120 as having less key noise, but that does not mean the keyboard is silent.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping noise down for others | Check the headphone connection, whether the speakers work when headphones are connected, and the mechanical noise of the keys where you practise. | If I want to disturb others as little as possible, I look at both headphone use and key noise. Around 36% of consumers put keeping noise down for others at the top of their list. |
| Touch response for exercises | Try soft notes, even patterns and quick repetitions on the exact keyboard; compare the available touch settings too. | If I want to practise controlled soft notes and repeated notes, I want to try the keyboard itself. Around 29% of consumers give touch the highest priority. |
| Set-up and moving the instrument | Measure the space for the instrument and stand, and check the weight, power supply and audio connections you’ll need. | If I want to use the instrument at home and elsewhere, I look for a set-up I can position and transport. Around 21% of consumers start by considering practical set-up. |
| Tempo and pedals | Check whether the exact model has a metronome and which pedals are included or available as optional extras. | For my tempo and pedal practice, I want to know which features I’ll actually get. Around 14% of consumers first look at tempo and pedal features. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming headphones make practice completely silent
Headphones let you hear the piano without its sound coming through the speakers, but the keys may still make a noise as you play. What’s more, according to the manual, the Roland RD-08 speakers can also be on when headphones are connected.
Test the key noise in the room where you practise and check the speaker setting on the exact model.
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Choosing a speakerless piano without planning how you’ll listen
The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers. Without headphones, you’ll need external audio equipment to hear the instrument.
Decide in advance whether you’ll only play with headphones or also want to connect the LINE OUT to external audio equipment.
Playing without headphones may require external audio equipment and suitable cables.
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Assuming an optional pedal unit is included
What comes in the box and which pedal upgrades are available vary by model. A compatible upgrade is not automatically included with your purchase.
Compare what’s included with the exact version against the pedal technique you want to practise, and check whether you’ll need a stand or an additional pedal unit.
A suitable stand or additional pedal unit may be a separate accessory.
Brands to compare
Korg
The Korg D1 is a speakerless digital piano for anyone looking for an 88-key RH3 keyboard with headphones and line outputs.
- Korg lists a damper pedal and AC adapter as included.
- You won’t hear the D1 without headphones or external audio equipment; this applies to this model, not all Korg pianos.
Roland
According to Roland, the RD-08 combines a weighted 88-key PHA-4 keyboard with built-in speakers.
- The manual explains how to use headphones and how to switch on the speakers even when headphones are connected.
- Check the speaker setting if you don’t want to disturb others; Roland’s claims about playability are manufacturer claims.
Yamaha
The portable P-225 is an option for practising at home on a weighted 88-key GHC keyboard.
- Yamaha lists features designed for headphone use and compatibility with optional three-pedal units.
- The description of an acoustic-piano-like playing feel is a manufacturer claim, not an independent comparison.
Casio
The compact CDP-S110 has 88 weighted keys, speakers and a PHONES/OUTPUT connection.
- Casio lists an SP-3 damper pedal as included, with power supplied by an adapter or batteries.
- Check that the touch response and connections suit your practice space; these details apply to the CDP-S110, not the entire CDP range.
Kawai
The portable ES120 is worth considering if you’re also thinking about mechanical key noise while practising.
- Kawai describes the ES120 keyboard as producing less key noise.
- This is not a measured noise comparison or a guarantee of silent playing. The stand and three-pedal unit are described as optional accessories.
Joybuy products for practice
These Joybuy products are compact digital pianos and 61-key keyboards for practice sessions where you want the option of using headphones and built-in speakers. A 61-key keyboard does not offer the full range of an 88-key piano.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
Could suit you if you want to use headphones and practise at a steady tempo; the keyboard does not cover the full piano range.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, a metronome, speakers, a headphone connection, USB-MIDI and a music rest.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys
Could suit you if you want a headphone connection and built-in speakers; check whether 61 keys give you enough range for your exercises.
The product name lists MIDI, a recording function, speakers, a metronome and a music rest.
Frequently asked questions
Is practising with headphones completely silent for housemates?
No. The keys can make mechanical noise even when you hear the piano through headphones. Check the speaker setting too: according to the manual, the Roland RD-08 speakers can also be switched on when headphones are connected.
Can I use the speakerless Korg D1 without external speakers?
Yes, if you listen through the headphone connection. If you want to play audibly without headphones, the manual explains how to connect external audio equipment to the LINE OUT.
How can I make headphone practice comfortable for my hearing?
Keep an eye on both the volume and how long you listen. VeiligheidNL recommends well-fitting headphones, so you’re less likely to turn up the volume to drown out background noise.
Who can help if a piano bought online doesn’t work properly?
If a product is faulty, the seller must provide a solution under the Dutch government’s guidance when Dutch consumer law applies. The Netherlands has no fixed statutory two-year warranty period. For an online distance purchase from a business, you’ll generally have a 14-day cooling-off period; check the terms of the specific purchase.
What product safety rules apply to electric pianos sold in the Netherlands?
Applicable European requirements apply to electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the Netherlands. Ondernemersplein, a Dutch government business information service, describes CE marking and the EU declaration of conformity as, among other things, manufacturer obligations; a model name alone does not prove that a specific version complies.