Ukuleles are by far one of the most exciting and unique stringed instruments you can learn to play. Their small size makes them a perfect source of entertainment for traveling.
Unlike guitars, figuring out what is the best ukulele for you is a bit more complicated. Because of that, we have decided to write this guide.
In this guide we will show you the best ukulele brands, and give you brief ukulele reviews of models we think you should consider.
However, before we get into any of that, we are going to discuss the ukulele itself. There are various types of this instrument, all of which have their own purpose.
Since they are acoustic instruments, there’s a lot of factors that need to come together for a ukulele to be good.
The type of tone wood, build quality, hardware and more all must come together to create a great Ukulele.
We will address all those parts but first, let’s define what you should pay attention to when looking for your first ukulele.
Contents
Our Top 3 Recommended Ukuleles For Beginners
Oscar Schmidt OU5
Kala KA-15S
Diamond Head DU-106
What To Look For In The Best Beginner Ukulele?
As a beginner, there are several things you need to pay attention to when choosing your first ukulele. Before we get to any of that, let’s discuss budgets.
As a beginner, you probably don’t want to spend too much money on your first instrument. That is perfectly fine, however you shouldn’t cheap out either.
You will see a lot of super cheap ukuleles out there, some even going under $30. We strongly suggest you avoid those.
The main reason for this is that those super cheap ukes usually aren’t built well, nor did the manufacturer use decent materials.
As a beginner, you need a solid instrument, otherwise you won’t get the proper feedback necessary. Figure out your budget and try to keep it within reasonable limits.
With that out of the way, let’s check out different tone wood ukuleles are made of. Later, we will talk about sizes of ukuleles, and which ones are most popular now.
Impact of Tone wood
If you are familiar with acoustic stringed instruments, you probably know that the choice of tone wood has a huge impact on the sound of that instrument. Same goes for ukuleles.
The only difference here is that tone wood used for ukes is a bit different in most cases than the one used for acoustic guitars.
Your traditional ukuleles were made using one type of tone wood for every element of the sound box. That means top, back and sides.
The more modern approach is to have a type of softwood at the top, while the sides and back are made of hardwood.
There is a good reason for this. Softer wood at the top resonates much better, while the hardwood all around it acts as a reflector of sorts.
The difference in sound between the traditional and modern ukes is not that huge, but some players prefer one over the other.
Types of Tone wood
Most traditional tone wood for ukuleles is Koa. This is a wood that was abundant in Hawaii when the ukulele was first invented. Because of this, initial builders used it the most.
Ever since then, it has become the go-to choose.
Mahogany has proven to be the next most popular choice, due to its similar density and tonal properties.
In terms of softer tone wood, cedar and spruce are among the more prolific choices now. Listing all types of tone wood used for building ukuleles is honestly impractical.
There’s a large variety in use today, however you will see rosewood, walnut or even ebony out there.
When it comes to which tone wood is best, there is no precise answer. If your ukulele of choice features solid wood construction, you should be fine for the most part.
Tone wood we listed here is most common, although a good beginner ukulele might come with some tradeoffs in terms of materials.
Types of Ukuleles
Ukuleles come in different sizes, just like acoustic guitars. Depending on the size of the ukulele, you can expect to hear a difference in their tone, projection, and volume.
There are four main sizes of ukuleles – Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone.
Soprano
Soprano is the smallest type of ukulele. These are also the most popular. In terms of size, you are looking at around 20 inches worth of instrument.
The sound of a soprano ukulele is crisp, with not a lot of bass, and is what people usually associate with ukuleles.
A notable model in this size is Kala KA-15S.
Concert
The concert model is a slightly bigger instrument than a soprano ukulele. The main difference here is the longer neck, which means spaced out frets.
A lot of people prefer the concert size since it’s not much larger that the soprano, but is significantly easier to play.
Washburn Oscar Schmidt OU5 is a great representative of this category.
Tenor
After the concert bunch, we have the tenor ukuleles. This size is recently becoming more and more popular, mainly because a lot of professionals prefer them over smaller ukuleles.
In terms of tone, tenors have a much more noticeable low end that gives their sound some thickness. You could say that tenor ukuleles have that classical guitar vibe going.
Kala MK-T is the best beginner ukulele in this size.
Baritone
Baritone ukuleles are rare animals. Their size brings them closer to a standard classical guitar, and their sound isn’t too different either.
For most people, baritone ukuleles are too big and have the least unique tone. If you are just starting out, we suggest you avoid baritone ukuleles.
However, if baritone is what you’re interested in, Cordoba 20BM one of the best baritone ukulele models now.
Top 10 Best Ukulele Brands
Figuring out top 10 ukulele brands is anything but easy.
There are so many great manufacturers out there, including several smaller shops whose instruments are harder to find. Because of that, take our top list with a grain of salt.
The brands we are going to show you are among the top, and will provide you with a good quality ukulele.
However, it’s worth noting that we chose brands which offered good beginner models.
Kala
Kala is by far one of the most popular and names in the business. If you were to ask us what is the best brand of ukulele, we’d say it is Kala.
Their range of models includes anything from beginner ukes to high-end ones, which are just impressive.
Based in California, Kala has been working aggressively to enhance every single aspect of their instruments. This vigilance is what earned them the place among the elites.
One thing that a Kala ukulele is going to bring you is quality. This goes for their entry level models, not to mention their higher end stuff. If you’re not sure which brand to go with, Kala is the way to go.
Kala KA-15S
When it comes to soprano ukuleles, Kala KA-15S is one of the most popular choices for beginners and advanced players alike.
It features all mahogany body that is put together nicely, making it a solid instrument. The tone you can expect is balanced, crispy and consistent.
Compared to other beginner ukuleles, Kala KA-15S punches above its weight class. The best thing about this model is just how affordable it is.
- Great build quality
- Good tone wood
- Great tone that is balanced across the range
- Very reasonably priced
- Might be rough around the edges
- Expect it to need proper setup
Overall, this is the type of ukulele that you will keep up with you as you grow your skill and experience.
It’s reliable, affordable and most importantly, sounds great.
Kala KA-C
When it comes concert ukuleles, Kala has a great model in their lineup. Kala KA-C is the best concert ukulele in its segment if you ask us.
The build quality is on point, and its mahogany body means that you get that more traditional sound.
On top of that, it comes with a great quality set of strings.
- Great build quality
- Good choice of tone wood
- Well balanced tone for a concert ukulele
- A bit more expensive
- Might need a proper setup right out of the box
In terms of concert ukuleles, Kala KA-C comes across as a very well balanced option. It’s a bit pricey considering our target audience, but it’s well worth the investment.
Lanikai
Lanikai is a brand that is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Their instruments are the reflection of the what ukulele is all about, which is probably why their motto is ‘Makes me happy’.
In the grand scheme of things, you could say that Lanikai ukes belong anywhere from the entry level segment to the high-end category.
Their more affordable models are by far their most popular product.
Lanikai LU-21
LU-21 is one of those super popular soprano ukuleles which most beginners and intermediate players turn to.
The main reason for this is its great build quality and interesting choice of materials. Lanikai went with a full nato body, which is not that common these days.
The tone of this ukulele is great, to say the least. It offers a set of qualities which define what soprano ukuleles are all about.
- Great build quality and craftsmanship
- Interesting choice of materials.
- Awesome tone
- Comes with a good set of strings
- Can arrive a bit rough around the edges
- At the upper limit of affordable segment
Lanikai LU-21 is a great soprano ukulele that has proven its worth numerous times so far. Lanikai’s quality control is generally great, but sometimes they slip up.
Even so, this little flaw is completely overshadowed by the sheer quality of this model.
Lanikai LU-21C
This Lanikai model might share a very similar name with the one we just talked about, however this is the concert version.
Overall, you could say this fella is a scaled-up LU-21, and you wouldn’t be wrong. We are talking same all-nato body construction, same white binding and mare.
The main difference aside from its larger size is in the neck and its wider frets. The sound is a bit more resonant and louder in volume.
- Great build quality
- Full nato body
- Great tone with a lot of depth
- Reasonably priced
- Action sits a bit high for our taste
- Minor craftsmanship errors are possible
Being so like the Lanikai LU-21, the Lanikai LU-21C comes with the same minor issues. With that said, it’s the best concert ukulele in its category.
For the most part, it can compete with instruments in a higher segment, which only makes its value that much greater.
Mahalo
If you ask some of the more experienced ukulele players, they will probably tell you that Mahalo was the brand of their first ukulele.
Compared to other manufacturers we have listed, and will list later, Mahalo is more dominant in the beginner segment of the market. As a matter of fact, they don’t build anything else.
Mahalo is known for effort they put in into designing and building great beginner ukuleles. This is the reason why we included them on our list.
Mahalo MK1TBR Kahiko Series
One look at this uke will tell you that we are dealing with a very simple and basic model.
Mahalo MK1TBR Kahiko Series is among the most affordable soprano ukes that we are comfortable recommending.
The build quality is decent all things considered, and the tone is on point. Its lack of aesthetic details shouldn’t fool you.
Mahalo MK1TBR is among the best ukuleles for beginners.
- Very affordable
- Decent build quality and craftsmanship
- Good tone quality
- Very basic ukulele
- Might require a change of strings
Considering the price these go for, we can’t really criticize it too much. Sure, we’d like to see a bit more aesthetic details in there, but that’s not a deal breaker.
Truth is that beginners who are working with extremely tight budgets have a good option on the market.
Mahalo Hano Series MH2
One of Mahalo concert models that deserve a mention is the MH2 from Hano Series.
The whole instrument is beautiful, especially if you decide to go for some of the more vibrant finishes. Tone wood of choice for this model is Segnon – a very uncommon type of wood.
With that said, the tone of this ukulele is well balanced and the instrument is very playable. When it comes to price, it’s among the cheapest concert ukes in its category.
- Good build quality
- Interesting choice of tone wood
- Well balanced tone
- Reasonable price
- Inconsistent intonation right out of the box
While it’s not the most refined concert uke out there, Mahalo Hano Series MH2 compensates that with a rather decent performance.
For the money, you will hardly find an instrument that sounds and looks as good as this one.
Hola!
While Hola! is one of those brands which are not that well known, their ukuleles are becoming more and more popular.
This is mostly true for beginner players looking for their first instrument. In our opinion, their entry level stuff is decent, especially considering the price.
We have selected two models which we think are great for those looking to find a decent instrument at an affordable price. Let’s check them out.
Hola! HM-21
One of the most interesting soprano ukuleles in Hola’s lineup is the HM-21. It’s an all maple design that offers decent performance.
The body is solid, while its mahogany neck sports a comfortable contour. In terms of tone, we are looking at a good balance across the range with a rather crispy sound.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that few years down the road, you might have to do a setup job.
- Formidable build quality
- Affordable price
- All mahogany body
- Great tone
- Some arrive with small craftsmanship errors
- Intonation might need work right out of the box
At the end of the day, Hola HM-21 is a very decent soprano uke that comes at a very low price.
It might not be something you would want to perform on stage with, but it’s more that good for enthusiasts and beginners.
Hola! HM-124MG+ Deluxe
Here we have one of Hola’s more refined ukes. This is a concert model that brings a great combination of craftsmanship, great materials, and good tone.
Hola HM-124MG+ Deluxe features an all mahogany body paired with a nato neck.
The body comes with white binding, which gives it a great look. The tone is crispy, warm and you feel the larger body size.
- Great build quality
- Good materials, craftsmanship, and fit
- Great tone
- Might need a change of strings for best performance
Hola! Music HM-124MG+ Deluxe is the type of ukulele that looks nice but sounds even better. Compared to other concert ukes in its category, it holds its ground rather well.
Hola is among those good ukulele brands which don’t get much exposure, but their instruments are worth the investment.
Luna
Luna instruments are well known and include a variety of different types. In other words, this brand doesn’t work exclusively with ukuleles.
With that in mind, it’s worth saying that their reputation is good no matter which type of instrument you look at.
Ukuleles made by Luna are solid, no matter which segment you look at. They make awesome high-end ukes, but also good beginner models.
Here are two that we think are best suited for someone just starting to learn how to play ukulele.
Luna Mahogany Series Honu Soprano
One quick glance at this uke will tell you that it’s different. The body is made of mahogany and features several neat details that give the Honu a rather refined look.
Luna went full nine yards when it comes to craftsmanship on this thing. On top of that, this ukulele brings a very nice tone to the table, one which punches above its price range.
Speaking of which, this is a bit more expensive model compared to the most we have covered so far, but it’s more than worth the extra cost.
- Great build quality
- Nice aesthetic details
- Great tone
- Great intonation
- A bit more expensive
- Might need better strings if you want to experience its fullest potential
This is a great soprano ukulele, both in terms of tone and craftsmanship. Luna really went above and beyond, especially considering the price.
While it’s a bit more expensive, you rarely see this level of details and build quality in this price range.
Luna MALU Mahogany Series Maluhia Concert Ukulele
Another great model from Luna comes in form of Malu concert ukulele.
Much like the one we already reviewed, this Luna uke brings a combination of great sound and intricate detailing at a reasonable price.
The entire ukulele is made mahogany. The sound box features word ‘peace’ engraved in various languages around the sound hole.
Speaking of which, the sound hole itself comes in the shape of a peace sign. That doesn’t affect the tone. In fact, this uke has an awesome sound.
- Great build quality
- Awesome sound
- Intricate detailing on the top
- Decent price
- Factory strings might need to be swapped
As far as concert ukuleles go, this has got to be one of the most interesting models you can get for a reasonable amount of money.
Luna really does a great job at taking their ukes to a next level. If you can swing it, we recommend this Luna concert.
Oscar Schmidt
If you are familiar with acoustic guitars, you’ve probably heard of Oscar Schmidt. Their instruments are usually top quality stuff that is affordable compared to their immediate competition. Same goes for their Ukuleles.
While the brand has limited exposure, anyone who has an Oscar Schmidt instrument is almost always happy with their choice.
Two ukes we must show you today are among the best ukuleles you can get as a beginner. Let’s see why.
Oscar Schmidt OU5
By most standards, you could say that OU5 is a more traditional ukulele. It is entirely made of koa, which is something usually associated with old-school ukes.
The neck is a Nyatoh design, and the whole thing just feels great. One of the nicer details we’ve noticed is the abalone binding on the body as well as the neck.
Tone it offers is bright, crispy and overall versatile. Only real issue with this ukulele is the price.
It’s a bit more expensive, but the level of craftsmanship and tone are well worth the investment.
- Great build quality and craftsmanship
- All-Koa body
- Great and versatile tone
- Great intonation right out of the box
- Higher price tag
When Washburn took over Oscar Schmidt, they boosted the quality control of these instruments significantly.
Thanks to that, OU5 brings a great balance of quality and tone which makes it a perfect choice for beginners.
Oscar Schmidt OU12
Now that we’ve shown you one of the mid-tier models from their lineup, it’s time to introduce you to Oscar Schmidt’s more affordable soprano ukulele.
OU12 brings a simple design which is centered around performance.
There’s no bells and whistles on this uke, but it gets you the sound that you deserve. Oscar Schmidt OU12 features an all-mahogany body, which delivers great tone.
- Great build quality
- Ivory binding
- Great tone
- Good out of the box
- Tuners can become unstable after some time
For the money, Oscar Schmidt OU12 is one of the best soprano ukulele models you can get. It has the looks, but it also brings you the tone.
In short, it’s a complete package that is perfect for beginners.
ADM
While they are not as widely known as Kala, ADM is the type of brand that produces solid ukuleles in the entry level range of the market.
If you look at their current lineup, functionality seems to be the name of the game.
So far, the consensus is that ADM ukes are worth considering, which is why we wanted to present you with two great models.
We wanted something that featured a proven design, and that is exactly what we found.
As a beginner, getting one of ADM’s ukuleles is an option you should consider.
ADM Mahogany Concert Ukulele
This ADM uke is a full-sized concert model that features an all mahogany construction.
The whole thing is built rather solid, with nice white binding around the body. The tone of this uke is brighter, which is mainly due to its mahogany construction.
All things considered, the sound is balanced and suitable for beginners as well as more advanced users.
- Good build quality
- Good choice of tone wood
- Binding on the body
- Great price
- Factory strings might need to be swapped if you want a better sound
Finding a concert uke in this price range that features everything this ADM model does is hard. Because of that, we see a lot of potential here.
It’s a great beginner instrument that will keep up with you as you build your skill up.
ADM Mahogany Soprano
Another awesome ADM uke is this soprano model which is not too different from the concert version we talked about just now.
It features the same all mahogany body with white binding. The neck is also a mahogany design with a great rosewood fretboard and brass frets.
Tone wise, the situation is similar as well. Bright tone, even brighter since it is a soprano, combined with great intonation.
This is a more expensive soprano, but the whole package is well worth the additional price.
- Great build quality
- Good craftsmanship
- Well balanced, bright tone
- Great intonation
- Like with the concert version, you might want to get a new set of strings
Dropping this kind of money on a ukulele made by a less known brand might sound like a risk.
However, this uke has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. It’s suitable for beginners as well as more advanced players.
Sawtooth
Sawtooth ukuleles are primarily aimed at the entry level user. This brand isn’t really known for their higher end ukes, but their beginner models are creating waves on the market.
Overall, the quality is there and makes Sawtooth ukes a real bargain compared to some other brands.
If you need an affordable ukulele, we can recommend Sawtooth as a viable option.
Sawtooth ST-UKE-MS
Compared to other affordable soprano ukes, Sawtooth ST-UKE-MS brings a more refined nature.
The body is completely made of mahogany, which includes back and sides as well as the top.
The sound hole on the top features a simple but beautiful laser etched design.
Overall, the build quality is good. In terms of tone, the situation is also very good. There’s a bit of punch in the trebles, while the low end sounds nice and warm.
At this price, Sawtooth ST-UKE-MS is a steal.
- Good build quality
- Affordable
- Etched sound hole
- Great, well-balanced tone
- Once again, factory strings are not all that great
Sawtooth ST-UKE-MS is the type of ukulele that brings a little extra to the beginner segment of the market.
It sounds great, and it looks more intricate compared to most of its competition in the affordable range.
Sawtooth ST-UKE-BSSB
This Sawtooth uke is a soprano that packs a decent tone and comes with a decent sunburst finish.
Like the one we just talked about, this uke is also on the lower edge of the affordable range. However, that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
On the contrary. Sawtooth ST-UKE-BSSB features a basswood body, which is not a common choice of tone wood for ukuleles.
Since it’s a bit softer, basswood on this uke gives a less crispy, warmer tone. That makes it perfect for fingerpicking.
- Very affordable
- Decent build quality
- Great tone
- Sunburst finish
- Basswood construction which makes it a bit sensitive
While it’s not what you would consider a standard ukulele, Sawtooth ST-UKE-BSSB still has a nice tone color and plays well.
The whole instrument feels good and looks even better.
Diamond Head
Diamond Head, much like the previous two brands we talked about, is a relatively unknown ukulele manufacturer outside the affordable range.
Their best work comes in form of traditional, entry level ukuleles that focus on delivering sound over aesthetics.
The quality of Diamond Head instruments is good in most cases.
You can expect great fit and finish, although smaller craftsmanship errors are a possibility.
The two models we’ve selected for you are among their most popular ones.
Diamond Head DU-200C Deluxe
DU-200C Deluxe is a more traditional concert ukulele that was designed to give you all the benefits of this uke size.
The entire instrument is made of mahogany, which brings a lot of clarity and resonance in terms of tonal qualities.
The whole thing is solid from top to bottom, making it one of the most affordable full-sized concert ukuleles you can find now.
- Good build quality
- Body shape designed to enhance the concert signature tone
- Great sound
- Very affordable
- Strings might need to be changed
- Possible minor craftsmanship errors
If you really look at it, Diamond Head DU-200C Deluxe is a great value for the money. Even more so if you’re in need of a decent concert ukulele.
The brand itself may not be the best ukulele brand of them all, but they sure know how to make a quality affordable instrument.
Diamond Head DU-106 Rainbow Soprano
One of the more interesting models in Diamon Head’s lineup is the Diamond Head DU-106 Rainbow Soprano.
What caught our eye is the fact that it’s a full blown soprano uke, but one that comes in a variety of brightly colored finishes.
Tonally, this uke is on point. It might not be on par with some $200 models, but it’s more than adequate for a beginner who is working on a very strict budget.
- Decent build quality
- Variety of finishes
- Decent sound
- Extremely affordable
- Might need a proper setup upon arrival
- Change of strings would be a good idea
We were on the fence whether to include this uke on our list considering how cheap it is.
However, upon doing some additional research, it has proven to be a decent little uke that can keep up with you as a beginner just fine.
Once you gain some skill and experience, you will want to move onto something better.
Cordoba
Cordoba is a very prominent brand in the world of high-end classical guitars. Their knowledge and experience translated well when they decided to start building ukuleles.
Fortunately for us, Cordoba offers a very nice selection of entry level ukes as well as medium range ones.
You can expect quality in every aspect of the instrument with this brand.
The two models we have selected to show you should push that point home rather clearly.
Cordoba 15TM
Cordoba 15TM is a tenor ukulele, probably the best tenor ukulele in this price range.
The entire thing is made of mahogany and features a bright, clean finish.
Cordoba 15TM brings a great tone to the table. It’s bright, but also rich in the low end, which is a trademark of good tenors.
The price for this model is surprising considering all it must offer.
Cordoba placed it right on the upper edge of the affordable category, and we can say it punches above this price range.
- Great build quality and craftsmanship
- Good quality tone wood
- Trademark tenor tone
- Great price
- None
This is truly one of the best tenor ukuleles on the market, period. The quality is there, and so being a rich tonal spectrum.
If you are more interested in fingerpicking, Cordoba 15TM is a great choice.
Cordoba 20CM
Continuing with awesome Cordoba ukes, we have Cordoba 20CM. This uke reinforces the fact that Cordoba is one of the top ukulele brands now.
We are talking impeccable build quality, all mahogany body, and a kicking set of strings made by Aquila Night.
Tone, as you can imagine, is on point. There’s resonance, volume, and clarity which defines what we associate with a great ukulele sound.
With that said, it’s among the most expensive ukuleles we are comfortable recommending to a beginner.
- Impeccable build quality
- Great tone that features good range and clarity
- Great set of strings right out of the box
- Standard Cordoba quality control
- Priced on the very edge of the affordable range
While it’s more expensive, this ukulele is perfect for those beginners who want to ‘future-proof’ their inventory.
It’s really one of the best concert ukes in its category, and one that will last you a long time.
If you are looking for above average quality, this is the uke for you.
Conclusion
What is the best beginner ukulele to buy?
That question is borderline impossible to answer without knowing your personal preferences, your budget and what your intended playing style is.
We showed you ten awesome brands, which vary in their specialty. We also showed you some of their best ukuleles.
No matter which one of these you go for, based on your abilities and personal style, we are sure that you will be satisfied.
With that said, doing your own research is something we are strongly encouraging.
Ukuleles are generally a bit more complicated to figure out. Some will look great on paper but completely fail to deliver once you pick them up and play them.
That’s why you should do your best to learn as much as you can about this instrument, and investigate different brands including the ones we talked about today.
We hope this guide has helped you and gave you enough information to make an educated decision. If so, we have accomplished our main goal.