What’s the best beginner ukulele? In this guide, I’m going to look at great entry-level ukes that mostly fall within the $50 to $100 price range.
There are a number of great entry-level ukes in this price range that I’ve personally tried and feel good about recommending.
The Best Ukes For Beginners: My Top Picks
I have purchased all of these ukes and am happy to recommend both of these models to new uke players. I feel they offer excellent overall build quality, playability, and tone for the money.
These ukes have also received thousands of positive reviews from other buyers, so you don’t have to take my word for it.
Kala KA-15C
Kala is one of the best-known brands when it comes to beginner ukuleles. As part of their popular KA-15 series, the KA-15C offers solid tone and playability at a reasonable price.
To learn more, read my full Kala KA-15 review.
Donner DUC-1 and Lohanu LU-C
I’ve also been really impressed with Donner DUC-1 and Lohanu LU-C ukes. I didn’t know anything these models when I purchased them from Amazon except what I read in the reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The DUC-1 and LU-C have excellent fit, finish, playability, and tone. On top of that, they each come with a nice gig bag, clip-on tuner, extra strings, and a strap.
Amazon Top Sellers: Lohanu Ukuleles
The Lohanu LU-S, LU-C, and LU-T are currently the highest-rated, best-selling ukuleles on Amazon.
Based out of Canada, the Lohanu company only sells on Amazon. By selling directly to customers and cutting out the middleman, they’re able to offer good package deals at very competitive prices.
The craftsmanship on these ukes is tight and clean. Playability is solid, and the tone is full and rich. I’ve been really impressed with my Lohanu, especially for the price.
These three ukuleles all come with a gig bag, tuner, strap, and extra set of strings.
Lohanu’s ukes have hundreds of great customer reviews touting their excellent build quality and tone, but one thing that I really appreciate is their lifetime warranty and commitment to customer service.
To learn more about this uke, read my full review of the Lohanu LU-S, LU-C, and LU-T ukulele.
Best Budget Ukes
If you’re hoping to spend a little less on a beginner ukulele, these budget-friendly options are good ukuleles for the money.
If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, have a look at my article on the best cheap ukulele.
Kala KA-15S
The KA-15S is a clear crowd favorite and is one of the best budget ukes on the market.
In my review of the KA-15S, I write about how it’s a well-made entry-level uke that looks good, sounds great, and is easy to play.
It’s a perfect choice for beginners seeking a respectable starter uke, but it’s also an excellent option for seasoned players in search of an affordable second instrument.
Donner and Hricane
The Donner and Hricane models don’t have Kala’s brand recognition, but the Donner DUS-1 Soprano and Hricane UKS-1 are both great values. I think they’re pretty much equal to the KA-15S in terms of build quality, playability, and tone.
The Hricane UKS-1 includes a nice padded gig bag, while the Donner DUS-1 comes as a complete package with gig bag, tuner, strap, and extra strings.
Good Value: The Hricane UKS-1 Series
Like the other models I’ve highlighted in this article, the Hricane UKS-1 series combine quality, craftsmanship, and playability into a surprisingly affordable package. In terms of customer ratings, Hricane ukes are among the highest-rated on Amazon.
I was very impressed with the tenor-sized UKS-3 I reviewed recently. The build quality was very good considering the price, it played well, and it had a wonderful tone.
I was also surprised with the quality gig bag, which was much more heavy duty than many of the other bags included with beginner uke packages.
The UKS-1 is available in a soprano, concert, or tenor size.
Best Beginner Ukuleles With A Solid Top: Aklot AK Series
Aklot makes the most affordable, highest-quality solid top ukuleles I could find.
Their standard mahogany-top ukulele is available in a soprano, concert, and tenor size and includes a gig bag, tuner, and other accessories.
Why does a solid top matter? As a general rule, ukuleles with solid tops have a more warm, rich voice compared to similar ukes with a laminated top.
The Aklot ukes are quite a bit more affordable than most other solid top ukes. I felt like I was rolling the dice when I ordered my AKT26 tenor (full review coming soon).
Fortunately, the glowing customer reviews were accurate, and I received a uke that was beautifully built, sounded great, and played well.
For the money, I’m really impressed with Aklot’s ukes. As long as you don’t mind the unusual bird-shaped bridge, these ukuleles are worth a closer look.
Cordoba 15CM and Luna Tattoo
These two ukes don’t fit neatly into any of the above categories, but I still think they’re great beginner options.
While I don’t own the Cordoba 15CM (yet) I’ve played a handful of them over the years and have always thought they were very well made for the price. I especially like the15CM’s faux abalone rosette and bound fingerboard. These are neat little cosmetic touches that you don’t often see on ukuleles in this price range.
Luna’s Tattoo concert ukulele is another model that surprised me with its quality. It gets its name from the unique Hawaiian tattoo pattern etched onto the top. The bold design may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking for something a little different, this uke is worth a look.
To learn more, check out my Luna Tattoo concert uke review.
Cheap Beginner Ukuleles
While I recommend staying away from cheap ukuleles, I can understand that some people want to spend as little as possible.
Maybe you have a limited budget, are shopping for young children, or just want a semi-disposable uke for camping or travel.
These models sell for less than $30 or less as I write this, but that could change.
None of these models qualify as amazing instruments, but they’re not terrible considering their low price.
You Might Also Like...
- The Best Cheap Ukuleles (2022 Edition)
Buying a cheap ukulele is tempting, but it's easy to get burned. My guide to the best cheap ukes has everything you need to know to find a great budget uke.
- Ukulele Sizes: The Complete Guide to Different Uke Sizes
Confused about uke sizes? This guide explains the different ukulele sizes (soprano, concert, tenor, baritone) and discusses which sizes are best for beginners.
- Kala KA-15S Review (2022 Edition)
With hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon, the KA-15S is an obvious crowd favorite. But is it the right choice for beginners?