(Spoiler: Absolutely. and Entirely.)
Portable digital pianos are having a moment — and honestly? It’s about time.
Once upon a not-so-distant past, beginners were stuck between two extremes: cheap plasticky keyboards with springs like mousetraps, or massive furniture-sized uprights that cost a fortune and weigh more than your granny’s wardrobe.
But now?
In 2025?
We have entered the Golden Age of Portable Digital Pianos — instruments that actually feel like pianos, sound beautiful, and fit into bedrooms, flats, dorms, kitchens, studios, and the backs of tiny hatchbacks.
And with Christmas creeping closer (you can practically hear the sleigh bells at this point), more people than ever are asking:
Are portable digital pianos actually worth it?
Are they good for beginners?
Can you learn properly on one?
And which models are ACTUALLY good?
The answer, dear festive friend, is a merry, resounding, tinsel-wrapped YES.
And to prove it, let’s look at the three stars now lighting up the Musicmaker floor…
1. Roland GO:61P – The Beginner Game-Changer
The Roland GO:61P is one of those rare instruments that feels like a friend the moment you switch it on. It has that unmistakable Roland warmth — not overly bright, not plasticky, but inviting, like the musical equivalent of a cosy kitchen on a winter morning.
Those 61 full-size keys feel reassuring under the fingers, giving beginners the confidence to explore without fear. Play softly and it whispers. Play boldly and it sings. For such a lightweight, ultra-portable keyboard, it somehow manages to carry the heart of a real piano.
With Bluetooth built in, it becomes more than an instrument — it’s a universe. Lessons on YouTube, play-alongs on Spotify, interactive apps… the GO:61P turns learning into an adventure. And because it can run on batteries, it follows you everywhere: bedroom, living room, grandparent’s house, music lessons, the garden on a sunny day…
It’s the kind of instrument that sparks curiosity in kids, confidence in adults, and joy in absolutely everyone.
Why the GO:61P is worth every cent:
- 61 full-size keys (the real deal, not mini keys)
- Touch sensitive — play soft or loud, just like a piano
- Bluetooth connection for YouTube lessons, Spotify, apps
- Built-in speakers, battery power, and low weight — take it anywhere
- 500+ sounds for creative play, from pianos to synths to strings
For kids, total beginners, or adults dipping their toe back into music, the GO:61P makes learning fun, immediate, and inspiring.
This isn’t a compromise — it’s a doorway.
Verdict: Brilliant value, super portable, perfect Christmas gift for first-time players.
2. Roland FP-10BK – The Compact Heavyweight
One of the best beginner digital pianos EVER made
A real piano feel in a body small enough for a Dublin flat
The FP-10BK is a bit of a legend. It arrives unassuming, sleek, slim, elegant — then you touch the keys and go:
“Oh… OH. That’s NICE.”
This is Roland’s PHA-4 Standard action, and it feels extraordinary for the price: the gentle resistance, the weight behind each note, the textured ivory-feel surface beneath your fingertips. It gives beginners the proper foundation they need and gives experienced players that delicious sense of control and expression.
The sound engine — Roland’s famous SuperNATURAL Piano — is lush, blooming, warm, dynamic. Soft passages float like breath on glass; loud passages have presence and body. Put on a pair of headphones and suddenly the world falls away — just you, the keys, and a rich stereo grand that somehow fits in your small apartment.
With Bluetooth MIDI, the FP-10 becomes a modern learning hub. Apps like Flowkey, Simply Piano, Skoove and GarageBand feel tailor-made for it.
It may be compact, but the FP-10BK is the gateway into real musicianship. It’s the kind of piano you buy “for the kids” and then find yourself playing long after they’ve gone to bed.
What makes the FP-10BK worth it:
- Full 88-key, fully weighted keyboard (PHA-4 Standard — genuinely excellent)
- SuperNATURAL piano engine — rich, expressive sound
- Bluetooth MIDI for apps like Flowkey, Simply Piano, or GarageBand
- Slim footprint perfect for apartments and small homes
- Quiet practice with headphones
This is the first portable piano where you’ll hear even experienced players say:
“…you know what? I could actually gig on this.”
Verdict: The best €500-ish digital piano on the planet — and a Christmas star for serious beginners.
3. Roland RP107-BKX – Portable? Not quite. Worth it? Absolutely.
The Roland RP107 walks the line between tradition and technology with total grace. It looks like a classic upright — compact, elegant, timeless — but the moment you press a key, you realise you're hearing something much more refined.
The PHA-4 action is responsive and expressive, giving players a beautifully nuanced touch. You can almost feel the hammer weight as you play, just like an acoustic piano. It’s deeply satisfying and encourages proper technique from the start.
And then the SuperNATURAL Engine pours out this warm, organic, richly layered piano sound that seems far too good for its price tag. Play softly and it blooms like candlelight. Play forcefully and it responds with depth and character.
The built-in three-pedal system gives you full acoustic realism — sustain, soft, sostenuto — making this ideal for exam students, classical learners or singer-songwriters.
Add in Bluetooth audio & MIDI, a beautifully simple control layout, and a slim cabinet that slips into almost any home, and you get a digital piano that feels like part of the family the moment it arrives.
Why the RP107 is absolutely worth it:
- PHA-4 weighted keys with beautiful response
- SuperNATURAL sound engine from Roland’s flagship models
- Bluetooth audio & MIDI
- Built-in pedal unit (no more chasing a sustain pedal across the floor)
- Slim modern cabinet that fits small spaces
It’s one of the best choices for returning adults, growing teenagers, or families who want one piano that everyone can learn on.
Verdict: A proper home piano for under a grand — stable, expressive, elegant, and future-proof.
So… Are Portable Digital Pianos Worth It in 2025?
YES.
They are one of the best musical investments you can make — especially for beginners.
Here’s why:
- 1. They’re affordable - Real pianos cost thousands. These don’t.
- 2. They’re quiet - Headphones mean guilt-free late-night practice.
- 3. They’re compact - Perfect for Irish apartments and houses.
- 4. They work with apps - Learning feels like gaming — kids LOVE them.
- 5. They grow with you - GO:61P → FP-10 → RP107 - Real progression, real skill building.
- 6. They’re built to last - Especially Roland — the tanks of the digital piano world.
Portable digital pianos aren’t a compromise anymore.
They’re a smart, modern, inspiring way to start playing music.
Final Cadence: Start the Journey at Musicmaker Dublin
Whether it’s the pocket-friendly Roland GO:61P, the best-in-class FP-10BK, or the elegant home-ready RP107, Roland’s digital pianos deliver sound, feel and joy far beyond their size — and Christmas is the perfect moment to bring one home
Visit Musicmaker Dublin to try them in person, chat with the crew, and find the perfect match.
Or explore the full collection at musicmaker.ie — fast, easy, festive.
This season…
Make room for music.
Check out our Digital Pianos HERE.
