Beginner ballad pianist
You want to practise the piano part and its dynamics, so how the keyboard feels is your main priority. Try the action for yourself; a manufacturer's description is no substitute for a personal playing test.
Who is each type of piano suitable for?
Quiet home player
You share your home and want to practise regularly with headphones. Check the connection and consider whether you’ll also want to hear the instrument without headphones.
Pop sound explorer
You want to try electric piano, organ or other sounds as well as ballads. In that case, easily accessible stage controls may matter more than a piano sound alone.
What should you consider when choosing?
Stage piano with built-in speakers
A good fit if: you want to explore electric piano, organ or other pop sounds as well as piano, and listen at home without a separate amplifier.
Bear in mind: the extra sounds and controls may be unnecessary if you only practise the piano part; compare the keyboard action for yourself.
Stage piano without built-in speakers
A good fit if: you mainly play with headphones or already have suitable external audio equipment. Korg states that the D1 has no built-in speakers.
Bear in mind: you’ll need external audio equipment to listen to the D1 without headphones.
Portable digital piano for home
A good fit if: practising the piano part matters more to you than stage controls. Yamaha describes the P-225 as a compact model with 88 weighted GHC keys.
Bear in mind: check that the available sounds and connections suit what you want to play in future; the three-pedal unit for the P-225 is optional.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is it mainly for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard feel | Compare the action on the exact model by playing softly and more firmly; don’t focus only on the number of sounds. | If I want to practise the piano part with control over playing softly and loudly, keyboard feel comes first. Around 31% of consumers put piano feel at the top of their list. |
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone connection and whether the model has built-in speakers. | When I practise in a shared home, I want to be able to use headphones and also know how I can listen without them. Around 31% of consumers put quiet practice first. |
| Space and setup | Measure the space and check the dimensions and what’s included, including the stand, pedal and any audio equipment. | If the piano needs to fit in a spare room, I want to know whether the complete playing setup will fit. Around 23% of consumers put room setup first. |
| Pop sounds | Check which sounds and controls the model offers, and whether you’ll actually use them. | If I want to explore other pop sounds as well as the piano part, those features matter more to me than a piano-focused instrument alone. Around 15% of consumers put extra pop sounds first. |
Common buying pitfalls
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Assuming every stage piano has speakers
This varies by model. Korg, for example, states that the D1 has no built-in speakers, while Yamaha lists built-in speakers for the CK88 and Roland does so for the RD-88 EX.
Check the specifications for the exact version and decide in advance whether you want to listen through headphones or speakers.
To listen to a Korg D1 without headphones, you’ll need external audio equipment.
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Assuming a product photo shows the complete setup
A picture of an instrument doesn’t automatically mean that the required stand or pedal unit is included. Yamaha states that the three-pedal unit for the P-225 is optional.
Compare what’s included and the connections on the exact model with your practice plans.
A stand, pedal unit or external audio equipment may be needed to complete your setup.
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Thinking an extended warranty replaces your statutory rights
An extra warranty doesn’t replace your right to a product that is fit for purpose. The Government of the Netherlands explains that the Netherlands has no fixed statutory warranty period.
Read what an extended warranty covers and keep the seller’s details to hand, as they are your point of contact if something goes wrong.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
Yamaha describes the CK88 as a stage keyboard with 88 weighted keys and built-in speakers. The P-225 is a more compact, piano-focused option for home, with 88 weighted GHC keys.
- According to Yamaha, the CK88 combines piano, organ and synth sounds with built-in speakers.
- The three-pedal unit for the P-225 is optional. Manufacturer descriptions are not an independent comparison of keyboard feel.
Roland
Roland describes the RD-88 EX as a stage piano with a PHA-4 keyboard featuring 88 weighted keys and built-in speakers.
- According to Roland, the model combines a weighted keyboard with built-in speakers and sounds you can call up as needed.
- The extra sounds don’t prove that you need them for one ballad, or tell you whether the action will suit you.
Korg
The Korg D1 is a slim stage piano with an RH3 keyboard, designed for use with headphones or external audio equipment.
- Its slim body may be useful if you have limited space for an instrument.
- Korg explicitly states that the D1 has no built-in speakers; you’ll need external audio equipment to listen without headphones.
Digital pianos at Joybuy
This selection features digital pianos and 61-key keyboard pianos for piano-focused practice at home; it’s therefore aimed at those looking for an alternative to stage controls.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
A home-friendly option for practice; check whether 61 keys are suitable for the piano part you want to play.
Weighted keyboard; 300 sounds and 300 rhythms; built-in speakers; headphone connection; USB-MIDI.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys
An option for piano-focused practice at home; check whether 61 keys are enough for the music you want to play.
MIDI controller; recording function; built-in speakers; metronome; music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a stage piano without speakers in the spare room?
Yes, as long as you have a suitable way to listen. Korg states that you need to connect headphones or external audio equipment to the Korg D1. Don’t assume it has built-in speakers just because it’s described as a stage piano.
Do I need to buy a three-pedal unit straight away?
Don’t decide based on the product category alone. Consider what your lessons or piece of music require and check what’s included with the exact model; Yamaha states that the three-pedal unit for the P-225 is optional.
What should I check when setting up a piano at home?
Check the manual for your specific model, a suitable stand, the power supply and the connections before setting up the instrument. If you want to hear a Korg D1 without headphones, you’ll need external audio equipment as part of your setup.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
For a standard distance purchase from a business, you generally have 14 days to change your mind, although the Government of the Netherlands lists some exceptions. The Netherlands has no fixed statutory warranty period, but you are entitled to a product that is fit for purpose and can contact the seller if there’s a problem.