Who is this guide for?

Pianists preparing a specific recital piece

You want to practise your piece’s range, dynamics and pedal passages on a suitable keyboard. You can try relevant extracts on different models for yourself.

Players with a small room

You want to fit in a piano and playing area without making room for a large permanent piece of furniture. Be sure to measure the music rest and your planned setup too.

Players who need to practise quietly

You want to listen through headphones and check which connections and any extra equipment your chosen model requires.

What should you look for?

Portable piano with built-in speakers

Choose this option if: you want to play at home without external speakers. Yamaha lists the P-225 as 272 mm deep without the music rest and 362 mm with it; Casio lists the PX-S1100BK as 232 mm deep.

Bear in mind: you’ll need space for the music rest, stand and seat. The piano’s depth alone doesn’t show how much room the complete setup requires.

Stage piano without built-in speakers

Choose this option if: you already use headphones or suitable active speakers. Korg describes the D1 as having no speakers and lists headphone and line outputs.

Bear in mind: you’ll need listening equipment and space for the complete setup. Korg lists the D1 as 263 mm deep without the music rest and 375 mm with it.

What to consider What to look for Who should consider this?
Keyboard range and touch Compare the highest and lowest notes in your score with the keyboard’s range. Try the exact model and play passages both softly and loudly. This comes first if you want to practise as much of the recital piece as possible and assess its dynamics. Around 33% of consumers say recital performance is their main purchasing concern.
Space for the setup Measure the available width and depth, and check the dimensions with the music rest and planned stand in place. Every bit of space counts if you want to create a complete playing area in a small room. Around 27% of consumers say space for their practice setup is their main purchasing concern.
Listening while practising Check whether the model has built-in speakers and which headphone and line outputs are available. If you mainly want to practise with headphones, check which connections your listening equipment requires. Around 20% of consumers say how they listen is their main purchasing concern.
Pedal and playing setup Compare your piece’s pedal passages with the supplied pedal, the connection and the compatible options for the exact model. If your recital piece includes specific pedal passages, you’ll want to know which functions you can use straight away and what the setup requires. Around 20% of consumers say pedal use is their main purchasing concern.

Avoiding common buying mistakes

  • Comparing only the depth of the piano body

    The stated depth of models such as the Yamaha P-225 and Korg D1 increases when you include the music rest.

    Measure or sketch out the complete setup before choosing a model, including the music rest, stand and space to sit.

    The music rest, stand and seat all need space beyond the piano body itself.

  • Assuming every stage piano has built-in speakers

    Korg describes the D1 as having no speakers. So, if you want to play aloud without headphones, you’ll need a different listening setup from the one you’d use with a model that has built-in speakers.

    First decide how you want to listen at home, then check the speakers and connections on the exact model.

    To play the D1 aloud, you’ll need suitable external audio equipment.

  • Assuming a supplied damper pedal provides every pedal function

    Pedal options vary by model. Korg says the D1 comes with a damper pedal and that a half-damper pedal is sold separately; Roland lists different pedal options for the FP-30X.

    Compare the pedal markings in your score with the connection and compatible pedals for the exact model.

    The pedal function you need may require a suitable optional pedal or a different playing setup.

Piano brands to consider

Yamaha

The portable P-225 is a piano-focused option with 88 GHC keys. Yamaha Netherlands lists its depth as 272 mm without the music rest and 362 mm with it.

  • The dimensions with and without the music rest help you compare the space needed for the setup.
  • These specifications can’t tell you which key feel will suit you.

Casio

The Privia PX-S1100BK is worth considering if a shallow body is important to you. Casio lists it as 232 mm deep, with 88 hammer-action keys.

  • The stated depth gives you a clear point of comparison for the space available.
  • The body dimensions alone don’t show how much room the complete playing setup requires.

Roland

According to Roland, the portable FP-30X has a PHA-4 Standard keyboard and built-in speakers. Roland also lists two headphone outputs.

  • The listed connections and built-in speakers are useful points of comparison if you want to consider different ways of listening.
  • Claims of superior or authentic playing feel come from the manufacturer; they aren’t the result of a comparative test.

Korg

The D1 is a stage piano without speakers, with 88 RH3 keys. Korg lists headphone and line outputs, and a damper pedal is included.

  • The connections are worth considering if you already use headphones or suitable active speakers.
  • The D1 has no built-in speakers. Korg lists its depth as 263 mm without the music rest and 375 mm with it.

Kawai

According to Kawai, the portable ES120 has a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard, a metronome, a recording function and line outputs.

  • The practice features and outputs listed give you specific points to compare with your practice routine.
  • Kawai’s description of the playing experience is a manufacturer claim; try the keyboard for yourself.

Joybuy products

These Joybuy products are digital pianos with 61 keys. Check that your chosen keyboard has enough range for your entire recital piece.

MLS-931 digital piano with 61 keys

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys

Could suit you if your piece fits within a 61-key range and you want to use built-in speakers or headphones while practising.

61 weighted keys; the product name also lists 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers, a headphone socket and a music rest.

View at Joybuy
Electronic keyboard piano with 61 keys

Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys

Could suit you if 61 keys are enough for your recital piece and you want to use built-in speakers while practising.

The product name lists a recording function, speakers, a metronome, a music rest and a MIDI controller.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a piano for a recital piece always need 88 keys?

Not as a general rule: compare the highest and lowest notes in your complete piece with the model’s range. The Yamaha P-225, Casio PX-S1100BK, Roland FP-30X and Korg D1 all have 88 keys, but that doesn’t mean every recital piece needs them.

What should you measure before setting up a piano?

Measure the entire space you plan to use, including the music rest and room for a seat. Yamaha lists the P-225 as 272 mm deep without the music rest and 362 mm with it; Korg lists the D1 as 263 mm and 375 mm respectively.

Can you use the Korg D1 at home without external speakers?

Yes, if you listen through the headphone socket. The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers, so you’ll need suitable external audio equipment to play aloud without headphones.

Is a supplied damper pedal enough for your recital piece?

That depends on the pedal functions your piece requires. Compare the pedal markings in the score with the supplied pedal, the connection and the compatible options for the exact piano model.

What can you do if your piano breaks down too soon during normal use?

According to ACM ConsuWijzer, the seller is responsible for the statutory guarantee if the product doesn’t meet what you could reasonably expect. Depending on the circumstances, the seller must provide a remedy free of charge, such as a repair or replacement. This isn’t a fixed guarantee period for every piano.