Buying a digital piano is just the beginning. After all, everyone needs essential digital piano accessories to really upgrade their piano playing experience.
I’ve been writing about digital pianos for years, and in today’s guide, I’ll provide you with my list of the key accessories for digital pianos that can improve one’s comfort, technique, learning ability, and overall piano playing enjoyment.
Must-Have Digital Piano Accessories
Here are the digital piano accessories that every piano owner should consider buying.
Headphones
A pair of headphones is an excellent piano accessory. First, it’s wise to use headphones when practicing the piano at night, especially if roommates or family members are sleeping.
When seeking out the best digital piano headphones for your piano setup, I recommend closed back headphones over open back headphone models. Closed back headphones offer great noise cancellation, and will do a better job of immersing you in the music while not disturbing other people.
Recommended Headphones:
- Beyerdynamic DT-770 PRO
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Shure SRH440A
Piano Bench
It’s impossible to play the piano without sitting on a comfortable seat, which is why a piano bench is the next accessory to get. In fact, a good piano bench can help with proper posture on the piano. Your arms and hands need to be at the proper height when playing, so an adjustable bench is ideal.
I recommend a padded piano bench because your comfort is important. You’re going to be practicing the piano for hours at a time, so an uncomfortable living room or office chair is a bad idea.
Recommended Piano Bench:
- Donner Adjustable Bench
- Yamaha PKBB1 Bench
- SONGMICS Duet Piano Bench
Sustain Pedal
One of the most important piano accessories is the sustain pedal. A sustain pedal helps to make a digital piano feel even more authentic, as it mimics the damper pedal of an acoustic piano.
When buying a sustain pedal, you should look for a pedal with half-damper functionality (if your digital piano supports it). This will inject your music with a bit more nuance when plaing the piano.
There are also pianos that support a three pedal unit if you want the complete acoustic piano experience. A three pedal unit not only includes the sustain pedal, but the soft and sostenuto pedals as well.
Sustain Pedal Types
Basic On/Off Pedal (Simple sustain fuction, no nuance, best for beginners)
Half-Damper Pedal (Allows gradual release of sound, best for intermediate players)
Triple Pedal Unit (Includes soft, sostenuto, and sustain pedals, best for classical repertoire)
Piano Stand
While console digital pianos come with a built in stand, many piano buyers will need to buy their own keyboard stand. If you’re a gigging musician, for example, then X-style or Z-style stands are a great choice. Just make sure to buy one that’s going to be sturdy enough to handle the size and weight of your digital piano.
Sheet Music Stand or Tablet Holder
Some digital pianos come with built-in music rests, but if yours doesn’t, or you prefer an iPad or sheet music books, a stand or holder is essential. Choose one with adjustable angles for better visibility and comfort.
Carrying Case
If you’re someone that takes their portable piano on the go with them, or perhaps you’re a gigging musician, then a carrying case is a must-have piano accessory. A carrying case makes it much easier to carry a 25 to 35 lb piano on your back.
If you need to carry your piano long distances, I recommend getting a carrying case that has padded handles and straps for added comfort.
Audio Interface/MIDI Cables
If you’re recording music, using virtual instruments, or working with a digital audio workstation (DAW), you’ll need an audio interface or USB/MIDI cables to connect your piano to your computer or tablet.
Common Connectivity Options
-USB to Host (Purpose: Connect to computer for MIDI)
-MIDI DIN (Purpose: Legacy MIDI connection)
-Line Out (Purpose: External audio for amps or speakers)
External Speaker
Almost every digital piano has built in speakers, but if you’re someone that needs more power, then it might be worth upgrading to better external speakers. This is a great choice if you play piano outside often, or your audience is going to be several feet away from you.
How to Find Digital Piano Accessories
Here are some good ways to find the right accessories for your needs.
Bundles vs Individual Items: Some digital pianos are sold inside a bundle that contains other piano accessories.
For example, this Casio CDP-S160 piano bundle comes with a CS-46 wooden stand, a padded bench, and an instructional book. Sometimes deals like this are too good to pass up.
Read Reviews: Read reviews and product ratings to get a great feel for what you’re buying.
Check Compatibility: Ensure pedals, stands, and cables are compatible with your specific piano model.
Set Priorities: Focus on what you need right now and build your setup gradually.
Shop Smart: Online retailers often offer better prices, but local music stores provide a hands-on experience.
Final Thoughts
It may seem like an afterthought, but great digital piano accessories can help complete your overall piano setup. If you have the right headphones, piano stand, pedal unit and carrying case, it can make your life a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.