Who is this buying guide for?

Piano student working on their touch

You practise major scales at different tempos, working on fingering and tone, and want to assess the keyboard itself.

Student using a shared practice room

You want to switch between playing out loud and practising quietly, while being considerate of others using the room.

Student moving between rooms

You regularly set up and pack away your instrument, and weigh up playing through speakers on your own against using a separate listening setup.

What should you look for?

First compare the keyboard for your scale practice, then choose a listening setup that suits the space and how you’ll use it.

What to consider What to look for when buying Who is this important for?
Keyboard and range Play the same scale slowly and then faster on the exact model. Compare the number of keys and the specified key action. If I want to work on my touch and fingering, I want to try the keyboard itself. Around 36% of consumers would make the keyboard and range their top buying priority.
Quiet practice Check whether the model has a headphone output and whether it’s compatible with your headphones. When other people are using the music room, I want to be able to change how I listen. Around 29% of consumers would make quiet practice their top priority.
Moving and setting up Compare the stated weight and dimensions with the space available and how you’ll transport the instrument. If I often move between rooms, I want to get started quickly without having to connect a separate listening setup each time. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise a quick setup.
Pedal and extra features Check which pedals are actually included and whether the extra sounds or features suit your repertoire. If I also want to use the stage piano for other repertoire or stage sounds, the equipment may be a factor beyond scale practice. Around 14% of consumers would make this broader range of uses their top buying priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming every stage piano can be heard around the room straight away

    Listening options vary by model. Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX, while Yamaha lists headphone and line outputs for the CP88.

    First decide how you want to listen in the room, then check the connections on the exact version.

  • Confusing a 73-key version with an 88-key model

    Yamaha and Nord list separate 73- and 88-key versions. The key actions may also differ between versions.

    Before buying, check the full model name and number of keys in the listing.

  • Assuming a pedal mentioned in the specifications is always included in the box

    Yamaha lists an FC3A pedal with the CP88, and Roland lists a damper pedal with the RD-88 EX. Kawai lists the GPF-3 triple pedal for the MP7SE as an accessory.

    Compare the contents of the box for the exact version with the pedals you want to use.

Brands to consider

Roland

According to Roland, the RD-88 EX has 88 weighted PHA-4 keys and built-in stereo speakers. It could suit you if you want to practise with sound straight away, without a separate monitor.

  • Roland’s model specifications list built-in speakers.
  • Built-in speakers don’t necessarily meet the need for quiet practice; check the headphone connection on the exact version.

Yamaha

Yamaha lists the CP88 as having 88 keys with NW-GH3 action, a headphone output, line outputs and an FC3A pedal included.

  • The listed outputs let you connect headphones or an existing audio setup.
  • Yamaha gives the CP88’s weight as 18,6 kg; compare this with how you plan to move the instrument.

Kawai

According to Kawai, the MP7SE has 88 weighted RHIII keys and a headphone output. Kawai lists a metronome function for this model.

  • The documented headphone output and metronome function may be useful in a practice setup.
  • Kawai lists the GPF-3 triple pedal as an accessory; don’t assume it’s included as standard.

Nord

According to Nord, the Piano 6 88 has a weighted triple-sensor keyboard, piano and synth layers, a headphone output and a Triple Pedal 2 included.

  • The extra sound layers may be useful if you want to use sounds other than piano alongside your scale practice.
  • The Piano 6 is also available as a 73-key model; check that you’re comparing the version you want.

Joybuy product for this practice scenario

This option is aimed at practising on a weighted keyboard, with the choice of listening through built-in speakers or headphones. Check that 61 keys suit your repertoire.

MLS-931 digital piano with 61 keys in black

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black

The product description lists a weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard and a metronome; the product name mentions built-in speakers and a headphone socket.

The product name specifies 61 keys. Check that this range suits the scales and repertoire you want to play.

Before buying, check the required CE marking and safety information for the exact version on offer.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need to choose 88 keys for major scales?

No, not every exercise uses the full keyboard. If you also want to practise across several octaves or play other piano repertoire, compare the range of the exact version. Yamaha and Nord list their 88- and 73-key models as separate versions.

How can I practise quietly when other people are in the music room?

Check that the exact model has a suitable headphone output, and agree with the other people in the room when you’ll practise out loud. The World Health Organization points out that both volume and listening duration matter for safe listening. Headphones don’t automatically make a high volume safe.

What should I have ready before I start playing?

Make sure you have a stable stand, a suitable power supply and the listening setup you want to use. Check the box contents too: Yamaha lists an FC3A pedal with the CP88, and Roland lists a damper pedal with the RD-88 EX. Check whether these items are included with the exact offer.

Which safety marking is relevant when buying in the Netherlands?

According to the Dutch Government, electrical appliances placed on the market in the EU must carry the required CE marking. Check the marking and product information for the exact stage piano on offer; a general model page doesn’t confirm that a specific offer complies.

Does a product in the Netherlands always have exactly two years’ statutory warranty?

No. According to the Dutch Government, there is no fixed statutory warranty period of exactly two years. What you can expect from a product depends, among other things, on the product and the information provided when it was sold.