Piano student
You’re learning melodies, focusing on touch and perhaps adding a second hand. Compare the keyboard and pedal options on the exact model you’re considering.
Which piano is right for you?
Student in a shared practice room
You may want to practise with headphones sometimes and play audibly with others at other times. So, check that both listening options are available.
Player who also rehearses or performs
You move your instrument around and want to change sounds or use external audio equipment while playing. Consider the controls, weight and connections.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portable digital piano with speakers
A good fit if: you mainly practise melodies, dynamics and simple accompaniment, and want to hear the piano without a venue sound system.
Bear in mind: try the keyboard’s feel for yourself and check what’s included for the pedal and stand. Extra stage controls aren’t necessarily useful for practising melodies.
Stage piano with built-in speakers
A good fit if: you want to switch sounds directly during rehearsals, but also play in the music room without external amplification.
Bear in mind: check whether you’ll use the extra controls and whether the dimensions, headphone options and connections suit the room.
Stage piano without built-in speakers
A good fit if: the room already has suitable active speakers or an audio system, or you usually practise with headphones.
Bear in mind: you’ll need external audio equipment to play audibly with others without headphones. Check which cables and connections are compatible.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and control | Try playing the same melody on the models you’re considering, and check the keyboard type and whether there’s a suitable sustain pedal option. | If I want to practise melodies and dynamics, I want a keyboard that feels comfortable and suits my lessons. Around 31% of consumers prioritise how the keys feel. |
| Quiet and audible practice | Check the headphone connections, built-in speakers and, if needed, line outputs. | In a shared room, I want to switch between practising on my own and playing audibly with others. Around 25% of consumers prioritise a flexible listening setup. |
| Moving and connecting | Measure the storage and playing spaces, and compare the piano’s weight and connections with the equipment at both locations. | If I take the piano with me or connect it to audio equipment in different places, a practical setup matters. Around 19% of consumers prioritise moving and rehearsing. |
| Sounds and controls | Try changing sounds while playing, and check whether any listed rhythm or layer function suits your arrangement. | When practising or rehearsing with others, I sometimes want to use more than one sound or add a rhythm. Around 13% of consumers prioritise sounds and playing with others. |
| Complete playing setup | Check what’s included with the version for sale and make sure the stand, pedal, adaptor and any speakers are compatible. | For use in the music room, I want to know whether the required parts will work with my setup. Around 12% of consumers prioritise having a complete playing setup. |
Things to watch out for when buying
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Assuming every stage piano can be heard in the room
A model without built-in speakers, such as the Korg D1, needs external audio equipment if you want to play audibly without headphones. According to Roland, the Roland RD-08 does have built-in speakers.
Before buying, consider how you and anyone playing with you will hear the instrument in this room.
A model without speakers may require suitable active speakers and audio cables for your setup.
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Assuming a pedal or stand is included
What’s included varies by model and version. Korg lists a damper pedal with the D1, but the stand is sold separately; Kawai lists stand and three-pedal accessories for the ES120.
Compare what’s included with the exact version for sale against the playing setup you want.
A stand or upgraded pedal may be a separate accessory, so check before finalising your setup.
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Choosing an 88-key model based on the number of keys alone
Keyboard action, touch settings, weight and listening options vary between models. The number of keys alone won’t tell you how the keyboard will feel to play.
If possible, play the same melody on different keyboards, then check that the practical setup will work for you.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The P-225 is a portable piano option, while the CP88 is a stage piano for players who need stage connections and direct access to sound sections.
- Yamaha specifies an 88-key GHC keyboard and a weight of 11,5 kg for the P-225.
- The European specifications for the CP88 list jack and XLR outputs and a weight of 18,6 kg.
- The models differ in weight, connections and included parts, so don’t compare them as if they were the same.
Roland
The FP-30X is designed for portable, standalone practice, while the RD-08 is a stage piano with direct controls and built-in speakers.
- Roland lists two headphone outputs and stereo speakers for the FP-30X.
- According to Roland’s product information, the RD-08 has weighted PHA-4 keys and Scene memory.
- These specifications don’t provide an independent comparison of how the keyboards feel to play.
Kawai
According to Kawai, the ES120 combines piano-focused touch with speakers and audio connections for practising on your own or playing with others.
- Kawai lists two headphone sockets, stereo line outputs and a weight of 12,5 kg.
- Kawai lists the stand and three-pedal unit as accessories, and says availability varies by market.
Korg
The D1 has no built-in speakers and features a weighted keyboard, making it an option for a room with an existing listening setup or for headphone use.
- Korg Netherlands specifies 88 RH3 keys, line outputs and a headphone socket.
- The D1 has no built-in speakers, so you’ll need external audio equipment to play audibly.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100BK is a portable digital piano worth comparing if space in your music room is limited.
- Casio Netherlands lists 88 hammer-action keys, built-in speakers and a cabinet depth of 232 mm.
- Check that the available space and the listening and pedal setup you want suit the version you’re considering.
Joybuy products
These portable keyboard instruments have built-in speakers, making them suitable for practising with a mix of audible playing and headphone use.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
A portable option for practising melodies and switching between built-in speakers and headphones.
61 keys, weighted and touch-sensitive keyboard, built-in stereo speakers and a headphone socket. The description also lists 300 sounds and 300 rhythms.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys
An option for practising with built-in speakers and accompaniment as you learn.
61 keys, speakers, MIDI, recording function, metronome and a headphone socket. The description lists a three-step learning system and a music rest.
Frequently asked questions
Does a stage piano need built-in speakers for practising melodies?
No, not if you usually use headphones or already have suitable external audio equipment. A model with built-in speakers is more practical if you want to play audibly with others without an external sound system. The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers; according to Roland, the RD-08 does have speakers.
How do I set up and maintain the piano safely?
Follow the manual for the exact model and leave enough room for the complete setup. For the Kawai ES120, Kawai specifies using a mains socket with the recommended voltage and provides guidance on water damage, unusual overheating and cleaning. Don’t apply these model-specific instructions to other pianos without checking first.
Who should I contact about a fault after buying in the Netherlands?
Report the fault to the seller. According to the Dutch government, when you buy as a consumer, you’re entitled to a product that is fit for purpose; there’s no fixed statutory guarantee period for all products in the Netherlands. A manufacturer’s guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights.
Do I have a cooling-off period when buying online?
For a qualifying distance purchase from a business as a consumer, a 14-day cooling-off period generally applies, according to the Dutch government. Check whether the specific transaction falls under these rules; government guidance says an online purchase from a private individual is not a distance purchase in this sense.
What safety requirements apply to an electric piano?
Applicable European safety requirements apply to electrical and electronic equipment sold in the Netherlands. Business.gov.nl explains the obligations of responsible market operators regarding conformity, CE marking and the EU Declaration of Conformity. A product listing alone doesn’t show that an individual item meets these requirements.