A sustain pedal lets a digital piano or keyboard hold notes after the keys are released, as the right pedal does on an acoustic piano. Most plug into a jack on the back of the instrument. The details that matter are compatibility, polarity, cable length and how well the base grips the floor.
The six pedals below include universal models with a polarity switch and brand-specific pedals from Casio, Roland and Korg. Specs come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these pedals ourselves. Compatibility notes are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Polarity switch | Different brands read the pedal in opposite directions |
| Half-damper support | Gives gradual sustain on instruments that read it |
| Cable and plug | Length and a 1/4 inch plug fit most keyboards |
| Base grip | A non-slip base keeps the pedal in place |
| Feel | A piano-style pedal feels different from a flat switch |
Specs at a Glance
| Pedal | Compatibility | Size and weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-Audio SP-2 | Universal with polarity switch | 10.5 x 3 x 2.5 in; 14.1 oz | 6 ft cable, 1/4 in jack; rubber pads |
| Casio SP-20 | Casio keyboards with a pedal jack | 9.84 x 2.76 x 2.05 in (another entry says 12 x 3.25 x 5 in) | Piano-style; long cord |
| Roland DP-10 | Full and half-damper compatible | 9.5 x 4 x 3 in; 1.7 lb | Non-slip base; extra long cable; 1/4 in mono plug |
| KORG DS-1H | Half-damper only with Korg keyboards | 9.88 x 2.05 x 2.09 in; 750 g | Built-in cable |
| VALDI BP-3 | Universal conversion switch | 8.66 x 2.76 x 2.36 in; 1.2 lb | 1/4 in jack; metal weight in the base |
| Artesia APII | Universal with polarity switch | Not read | 6 ft cable, 1/4 in plug; non-slip bottom |
The 6 Best Sustain Pedals for Digital Pianos and Keyboards
1. M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal
A universal pedal with a chrome foot pedal, a polarity switch, rubber pads under the base and a 6 foot cable with a 1/4 inch jack. It measures 10.5 by 3 by 2.5 inches and weighs 14.1 ounces.
Suits: a keyboard of any brand. Strengths: a polarity switch and a heavy build. Weaknesses: the listing mentions a battery requirement, which is odd for a passive pedal. Skip it if you need a piano-shaped pedal.
View M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal on Amazon
2. Casio SP-20 Piano-Style Sustain Pedal
A black piano-style pedal for Casio keyboards and digital pianos that have a pedal jack, with a long cord. The listing gives 9.84 by 2.76 by 2.05 inches in one place and 12 by 3.25 by 5 inches in another.
Suits: a Casio keyboard. Strengths: a piano-style shape. Weaknesses: conflicting sizes, and the listing also shows RCA and corded power, which do not match a pedal. Skip it if you use another brand.
View Casio SP-20 Piano-Style Sustain Pedal on Amazon
3. Roland DP-10 Real-Feel Pedal
A pedal with a non-slip rubber base, an extra long cable for stacked keyboard setups, a 1/4 inch mono plug and compatibility with full and half-damper input. It measures 9.5 by 4 by 3 inches and weighs 1.7 pounds.
Suits: stacked keyboards. Strengths: a long cable and a grippy base. Weaknesses: the listing also shows 9 volts and a microphone stand style, which do not describe a pedal. Skip it if you want a polarity switch.
View Roland DP-10 Real-Feel Pedal on Amazon
4. KORG DS-1H Sustain Pedal
A natural-colored pedal with a durable body and a built-in cable. The listing says half-damper control only works with Korg keyboards. It measures 9.88 by 2.05 by 2.09 inches and weighs 750 grams.
Suits: a Korg keyboard. Strengths: half-damper control and a built-in cable. Weaknesses: the listing shows a 3.5 mm jack, battery power and 88 keys, which do not describe a pedal. Skip it if you need universal use.
View KORG DS-1H Sustain Pedal on Amazon
5. VALDI BP-3 Sustain Pedal
A universal pedal with a conversion switch, a 1/4 inch jack, a natural rubber base with a diamond pattern and a balanced metal weight, and an extended cable. It measures 8.66 by 2.76 by 2.36 inches and weighs 1.2 pounds.
Suits: a range of keyboards and synths. Strengths: a weighted, grippy base. Weaknesses: a small unknown brand. Skip it if you want a major maker’s name.
View VALDI BP-3 Sustain Pedal on Amazon
6. Artesia APII Universal Sustain Pedal
A universal pedal with a built-in 6 foot cable and 1/4 inch plug, a polarity switch, a non-slip bottom and a heavy-duty spring in a durable case.
Suits: digital pianos, keyboards and synths. Strengths: a polarity switch and a stated spring. Weaknesses: no size or weight appears in what we read. Skip it if you need dimensions first.
View Artesia APII Universal Sustain Pedal on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Check the jack type and cable length against your instrument.
- Confirm the polarity switch or brand compatibility.
- Check whether your keyboard reads half-damper input.
- For setup and cleaning, follow the maker’s instructions.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the polarity setting in the maker’s instructions.
- Expecting half-damper response from a keyboard that does not support it.
- Buying a brand-specific pedal for another brand.
- Trusting attribute tables that list the wrong connector.
Sustain Pedal FAQ
Do I need a universal pedal?
If your keyboard brand is not Casio, Roland or Korg, a universal model with a polarity switch is easier.
What does half-damper mean?
It is partial sustain based on how far the pedal is pressed, and the keyboard must support it.
The Short Version
For a polarity switch, the M-Audio. For Casio, the SP-20. For a long cable, the Roland. For Korg half-damper, the DS-1H. For a weighted base, the VALDI. For a built-in cable, the Artesia.
