In a hurry? Here are my top beginner ukulele selections, organized by price range.
Ukes Under $20
Unless you’re shopping for a toddler or just want a novelty gift, stay away from ukes in this price range. Most ukes under $20 are very poor quality and will barely function as a real instrument.
Ukes from $20 to $50
A lot of the ukes in this range aren’t very good, but I think the following models are OK considering the price point.
Mahalo Rainbow Series
While I can’t exactly give this uke a glowing endorsement, I do feel they’re some of the better ukes to be found in this price range. If you’re on a super-tight budget, you could certainly do worse than this model.
I’ve highlighted a few of their more interesting color options below, but you can click here to view the full rainbow of choices on Amazon.
Around $50
If you can afford to spend just a little more than $50, these models are great starter instruments.
- I’ve written an in-depth review of the KA-15S, but the takeaway is that it’s one of the best beginner uke values out there (and 2,000+ Amazon reviewers would seem to agree!)
- While Donner and Hricane ukes may not have the name brand recognition of Kala, their DUS-1 and UKS-1 models are some of the best-rated budget ukes Amazon. These ukes come in a package that includes a gig bag, tuner, extra strings, and strap.
Under $100
Ukes in this price range tend to have noticeably better build quality, tone, and playability than the cheaper ukes highlighted above.
The Kala KA-15C, Donner DUC-1, and Lohanu LU-C are all highly-rated ukes that can be found for under $100 online. The Donner and Lohanu models are bundled with a number of accessories, making these ukes especially good values.
Over $100
If you have a bit more to spend and are looking for something a little more exotic, take a look the following three ukuleles:
- The Luna Tattoo Acoustic-Electric features a cutaway, electronics (for plugging into an amp) and a unique laser-etched tattoo design.
- Cordoba’s 15CM concert ukulele has a bound fingerboard and faux-abalone rosette
- The Hola! Pro Series has a solid mahogany top for a warmer, richer tone and a beveled edge for comfort
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