If you mainly practise bass notes, chords and pedal technique, choose an instrument whose key action suits your exercises. Built-in speakers and a headphone socket can be useful in a shared room. A stage-focused stage piano is worth considering if you want to split sounds or play through existing audio equipment. Check how you’ll hear yourself and which accessories you’ll need for each model: the specifications listed are not a measured comparison of playing feel.
You practise bass notes, chords and pedal technique, and want to judge for yourself how the keyboard responds to your playing. Yamaha describes the P-225 as having a GHC keyboard, while Korg lists an RH3 keyboard for the D1.
You want to practise without filling the room with sound from the speakers, so you’re looking at the headphone socket and listening setup. Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X; Kawai lists two for the ES120.
You sometimes want different sounds for your left and right hands, so check whether the specific model has a split function. Yamaha lists a Split function for the P-225; Roland describes split controls for the RD-88 EX.
A good fit if: you mainly practise piano sounds on your own and want to play without a permanent audio setup. Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys and a split function for the P-225; Roland lists built-in speakers and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X.
Bear in mind: these features belong to different models. Try the key action for yourself and check which accessories come with the version you choose.
A good fit if: you want to assign bass and piano sounds to different zones and practise without an external amplifier. Roland lists three zones and built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX.
Bear in mind: extra zone controls aren’t essential for standard piano technique; try the controls and key action on the specific model.
A good fit if: the music room already has suitable monitoring and you value a stage setup or direct sound controls. Korg describes the D1 as speakerless; Yamaha offers the separate CP88 stage piano range.
Bear in mind: arrange a suitable listening and connection setup, and don’t assume that every model has the same features or accessories just because it’s called a stage piano.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key action and pedal | Try the same patterns softly and firmly on the specific model; check which pedal comes with the version you’re considering. | If you’re learning bass notes and chords, you’ll want to judge for yourself how the keyboard and pedal respond to your playing. Around 36% of consumers say key action and pedal technique are their main priorities. |
| Quiet practice | Check how many headphone sockets there are and whether you can also play through the speakers without extra equipment. | In a shared room, you’ll want to practise without filling the space with sound from the speakers. Around 29% of consumers prioritise using headphones when practising. |
| Split and zones | Check whether you can set the split point and sounds to suit your practice. | If you want a bass sound on the left and a piano sound on the right, the controls for a split function are relevant. Around 21% of consumers prioritise being able to split sounds. |
| Moving and connecting | Check the dimensions, weight, stand and connections for your room setup. | If you want to move the instrument between rooms or connect it to existing audio equipment, make sure the version you choose suits that setup. Around 14% of consumers say moving or connecting the instrument is their main priority. |
This varies by model: Roland lists built-in speakers for the RD-88 EX, while Korg describes the D1 as speakerless.
Before buying, check the room’s listening setup and the connections on the specific model.
With a speakerless model, you’ll need to arrange a suitable listening setup; the stand for the D1 is sold separately.
Split is useful if you want a different sound for your left hand, but it isn’t essential when practising with a single piano sound.
First decide whether you’ll actually use a separate bass sound, then try the split controls on the specific model.
Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the D1, while the stand is sold separately.
Compare what comes with the version you’ve chosen against what you need in your music room.
If you need to buy a stand or another pedal separately, you may need to make additional arrangements for your setup.
The P-225 is a portable option for practice; the CP88 is a separate stage piano range for players who value stage-focused sound controls.
The FP-30X is a portable option for practice; the RD-88 EX offers zone and split controls.
The D1 is a stage-focused option for a room with a suitable listening setup.
The ES120 is a portable option to compare if split, headphones and an existing audio setup are important to you.
The Privia PX-S3100 is worth comparing if you want to use rhythms or automatic accompaniment as well as playing piano.
The Joybuy options shown have 61 keys. Check that the number of keys and the features of the specific version suit your left-hand accompaniment exercises.
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Check whether 61 keys suit your accompaniment patterns; the number of keys alone says nothing about the key action or pedal technique.
The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand.
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This model could suit you if you’re looking for an instrument with 61 keys; judge for yourself whether the keyboard feels right for your bass and chord patterns.
The product name lists weighted keys, a metronome, speakers and a headphone socket.
Play the same bass-and-chord pattern at different volumes on the specific model, and try the pedal. If you want a bass sound for your left hand, check the split controls; Roland also explains how to change the split point on the RD-88 EX.
No, it depends on the model and how you want to listen. Roland lists built-in speakers for the RD-88 EX; Korg describes the D1 as speakerless, so you’ll need another suitable listening setup.
Check that the stand, pedal and connections suit the room, and see what’s included with the specific version. Korg lists a pedal as included with the D1, while the stand is sold separately; follow the manual for your model for instructions on use and care.
According to the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), statutory guarantees may apply if a product is faulty; the precise position depends on the circumstances. The Dutch government states that, in many cases, online purchases from a business come with a 14-day cooling-off period, subject to exceptions.
The Dutch government states that electronic devices placed on the market in the EU must have a CE marking. For a specific purchase, check the marking and details of the version being offered; information about a model range doesn’t automatically confirm the features of every individual unit.
