Who is this choice for?

Beginner film pianist

You want to learn to play melodies and accompaniment with a piano-like touch, and are looking for an instrument you can continue to practise on.

Quiet home practiser

You use the guest room while others are at home, and want the choice of practising with headphones or playing through speakers.

Film music arranger

You want to add strings or other sounds to a piano part regularly, so you may benefit from layered sounds and hands-on controls.

What should you look for?

Portable digital piano with speakers

A good fit if: you mainly practise piano parts and want to play without a separate sound system.

Bear in mind: the stand, piano bench and any additional pedals may need to be bought separately.

Stage piano with speakers

A good fit if: you regularly want to set up different sounds or layers. The Roland RD-88 has three zones and built-in speakers, while the Yamaha CK88 offers a range of sounds and built-in speakers.

Bear in mind: extra sounds and controls may add little if you only want piano lessons.

Stage piano without speakers

A good fit if: you practise with headphones or already have suitable external speakers; the Korg D1 is one such model.

Bear in mind: you’ll need additional audio equipment to play out loud without headphones.

First decide whether you mainly want a piano keyboard, need to practise quietly or want to layer sounds yourself. Then measure the space for your complete playing set-up.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important for?
Touch and range Check the number of keys and whether they are weighted; if possible, try both soft and powerful passages. If you want to practise melodies and accompaniment as piano pieces, you’ll want a keyboard that feels right to play. Around 36% of consumers put piano-like touch and range first.
Quiet practice Check that your headphones are compatible and find out how the instrument sounds when you play without them. If you want to practise while others are at home, being able to listen through headphones is important. Around 29% of consumers give quiet practice top priority.
Space for your set-up Measure the space you have, including the music rest, stand, seat and room for pedals. If the piano needs to fit in a guest room, you’ll want to know how much space the complete playing set-up takes up. Available space is a top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Extra sounds and controls Decide whether you want to use sounds together or mainly switch between them quickly; check the controls on the exact model. If you want to arrange a film theme yourself using extra sounds, for example, layers and hands-on controls may be worth considering. Around 14% of consumers prioritise these features.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming every stage piano can be heard without extra equipment

    The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers, whereas the Roland RD-88 and Yamaha CK88 do. You’ll need additional audio equipment to hear the D1 without headphones.

    Decide in advance whether you’ll only play with headphones. Otherwise, check the speakers and audio outputs on the exact model.

    To play the D1 out loud, you may need external active speakers and suitable cables.

  • Measuring only the depth of the instrument

    The Yamaha P-145BT has a stated depth of 268 mm without the music rest and 320 mm with it.

    Measure the available space with the music rest in place, and leave room for your seat and pedals too.

    You may need to change the layout to fit both the instrument and playing area.

  • Assuming an optional three-pedal unit is included

    Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145BT as optional. Kawai also lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 three-pedal unit for the ES120 as optional.

    Compare what’s included with your chosen version or bundle against the accessories you’ll need for the music you want to play.

    A suitable stand or pedal unit may need to be bought separately.

Brands to compare

Roland

The RD-88 is designed for players looking for zones and hands-on sound controls; the FP-30X is a portable digital piano for home practice.

  • Roland lists three zones and built-in speakers for the RD-88. According to Roland, the FP-30X has an 88-key PHA-4 keyboard, speakers and two headphone outputs.
  • A suitable stand and a more comprehensive pedal set-up are options to check separately. These features apply to the models mentioned, not every Roland instrument.

Yamaha

The CK88 is aimed at players who want to use a range of stage sounds; the P-145BT is a portable model for piano practice.

  • Yamaha lists an 88-key weighted GHS keyboard, a range of sounds and built-in speakers for the CK88. According to Yamaha, the P-145BT has a weighted GHC keyboard, built-in speakers and Bluetooth audio for music playback.
  • The three-pedal unit for the P-145BT is optional. Bluetooth audio for music playback does not automatically mean that headphone audio is transmitted wirelessly.

Korg

The D1 is a compact stage piano for anyone who wants to use headphones or an existing speaker set-up.

  • Korg specifies 88 keys, a headphone socket, line outputs and MIDI IN/OUT for the D1.
  • The D1 has no built-in speakers. Check the version and power supply included with the offer before buying.

Kawai

The ES120 is a portable digital piano for home practice, with the option to expand your set-up.

  • Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard, USB-MIDI and Bluetooth Audio for the ES120.
  • The HML-2 stand and F-351 three-pedal unit are optional; check whether they’re included in your chosen bundle.

Casio

The PX-S1100 may be worth considering if the available depth in your room is a major constraint.

  • Casio lists 88 hammer-action keys, built-in speakers and a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100.
  • The cabinet depth doesn’t tell you how much space the complete set-up will take up; check the width, stand and playing area too.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need separate speakers to practise on a stage piano?

No, not with every model. According to their manufacturers, the Roland RD-88 and Yamaha CK88 have built-in speakers; the Korg D1 does not. You can use headphones with the D1, or connect other audio equipment to play out loud.

Can I connect a phone wirelessly to play along with a film theme?

It depends on the model and its features. Yamaha describes Bluetooth audio on the P-145BT for playing music from a phone or tablet through the instrument’s speakers. Don’t assume that every piano sends audio to headphones wirelessly or offers the same connection options.

Are a stand and three pedals included?

Not always; check what’s included with your chosen version or bundle. Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145BT as optional, while Kawai lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 three-pedal unit for the ES120 as optional.

What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?

For a standard online consumer purchase, ACM ConsuWijzer states that you generally have a statutory 14-day cooling-off period after delivery, subject to legal exceptions. The Dutch Government states that a product must be fit for purpose and that there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands; if a product is faulty, the seller is your point of contact.