Start with the keyboard and range your song intro calls for. Then decide whether you’ll mainly listen through headphones, built-in speakers or external equipment. A stage-focused stage piano may suit you if you also want hands-on sound controls and connections, while a portable digital piano may be simpler for piano-focused practice at home. Measure the space and check the headphone socket, pedal and equipment you’ll need for the exact model.
If you practise in the loft close to other people, consider whether the headphone socket is suitable and agree on noise levels at home. The Dutch government advises talking things through and agreeing on a solution when noise is a problem.
If your main aim is to practise the touch and range needed for an intro, compare the keyboard and pedal set-up before considering extra sounds or stage controls.
If you want to play independently at home and are also considering rehearsals or performances, check which sounds, connections and controls you’ll need.
A good fit if: you want hands-on sound controls or stage connections as well as a piano for practising.
Bear in mind: check how you’ll listen at home; Yamaha’s CP88 specifications do not list built-in speakers.
A good fit if: you want to practise on your own in the room while keeping stage features.
Bear in mind: built-in speakers are no substitute for headphones if you don’t want to disturb others.
A good fit if: piano-focused practice at home matters more to you than extensive live controls.
Bear in mind: compare the dimensions and connections of the exact model; a compact depth doesn’t automatically mean it will fit the available width.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Listening without disturbing others | Check the headphone socket and connection size; decide separately whether you also want built-in speakers. | If I play in the loft while other people are at home, I want to practise with headphones and be considerate about noise; around 36% of consumers put quiet first when choosing. |
| Touch and key range | Compare the number of keys and the keyboard; check which sustain pedal comes with the model. | For my song intro, I want to practise the required keys and touch, and know which pedal is included; around 29% of consumers prioritise piano technique. |
| Size and set-up | Measure the width and depth, and allow room for a stand, music rest and cables. | If space in the loft is limited, I want to know in advance whether the piano and its set-up will fit; around 21% of consumers prioritise the space available. |
| Sounds and controls | Decide which sounds, layers and outputs you’ll actually use, then compare them across models. | If I want to switch sounds or perform later, I want to know which controls I need without paying attention to features I won’t use; around 14% of consumers prioritise sound and stage controls. |
According to Roland, the RD-08 has built-in stereo speakers. Yamaha’s CP88 specifications list a headphone socket and audio outputs, but no built-in speakers. The listening set-up at home therefore varies by model.
Before buying, decide whether you want to listen through headphones, built-in speakers or external equipment.
If you want to listen through speakers, you may need suitable external audio equipment for a model without built-in speakers.
Casio lists the CDP-S110 as having a depth of 232 mm. Yamaha gives the P-145BT’s width as 1.326 mm and its depth as 268 mm. These measurements apply to different models and are not interchangeable.
Check the width and depth of the exact model, and measure the full space, including room for the stand and cables.
Yamaha lists an FC3A pedal with the CP88, while Casio lists an SP-3 pedal with the CDP-S110. What’s included varies by model.
Check the box contents and whether the pedal suits the function you need for your intro. For a different pedal function, you may need a compatible pedal or pedal unit.
The CP88 is designed for the stage, while the P-145BT is a portable digital piano. Compare these ranges by keyboard, connections and set-up.
The RD range includes stage-focused models. The RD-08 is also worth considering for home use, thanks to its built-in speakers.
The CDP-S110 is a piano-focused option if you need to make the most of limited space.
The portable ES range may suit you if you want to practise at home and play elsewhere too.
The Piano 6 is worth considering if you want to use layers and hands-on controls as well as piano sounds.
These Joybuy products are 61-key instruments for practising with headphones; check that the key range covers your song intro.
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The weighted keyboard and headphone socket make it suitable for practising with headphones. Its 61 keys don’t cover the full 88-key range, so check whether your intro requires keys outside this range.
The product information also mentions a metronome and recording function.
Before buying, check that this exact model meets the applicable EU safety requirements and has the required CE marking.
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The product information lists both built-in speakers and a headphone socket. Its 61 keys don’t cover the full 88-key range, so check whether your intro requires keys outside this range.
A MIDI controller function, recording function and metronome are also listed.
Before buying, check that this exact model meets the applicable EU safety requirements and has the required CE marking.
No, it depends on the model. Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-08. Yamaha’s CP88 specifications list a headphone socket and audio outputs, but no built-in speakers. If you’re considering that model, decide in advance how you’ll listen at home.
Measure the space and allow room for a stand and cables. Also check the connection size of your headphones and whether the model comes with the pedal you want: Yamaha lists a 6,3 mm PHONES socket and an FC3A pedal for the CP88, while Casio lists an SP-3 pedal for the CDP-S110.
According to the Dutch government, when you buy from a business at a distance, you’ll usually have 14 days to change your mind, although there are exceptions. There’s no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands; if a product is faulty, the seller must provide a solution.
The Dutch government states that electronic devices sold on the EU market must have a CE marking. Check this for the specific device and exact model.
