So you just made up your mind to learn Ukulele but you are confused about which is the best beginner ukulele? if the answer is yes, then today you are on the very right page. I am here to help you out in selecting the best ukulele for beginners.
Even if you are an intermediate Ukulele player and looking for a decent quality ukulele without breaking your bank then this ukulele guide is for you.
I know how confusing it is for a new beginner to select Ukulele, trust me I have been there and I still remember when I was looking for an entry-level or beginner ukulele, it was really tough task for me.
But now I am a professional Ukulele player and I myself run a small offline ukulele store, so you can say I know about almost all Ukuleles that are available on the online marketplace.
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Kala KA-15S Soprano |
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Donner DUC-1 Concert |
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Kala KA-15C Concert |
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Aklot AKC23 Concert | Check Price on Amazon |
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Lohanu’s LU-S (Soprano) |
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Caramel CT904 Tenor Ukulele |
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I would say a decent quality uke that produces great sound can come under the budget of $100. So, I am assuming that your budget is somewhere around $50-$100.
And if you are running on a very tight budget then don’t worry, I have listed some super cheap Ukuleles that are available for under $40 as well but don’t expect them to be of very top-notch quality.
Different Ukulele Sizes
If you are a beginner then I want you to know that Ukuleles come in different sizes, so you must know about all of them. Typically there are 3 sizes of Ukes available 1) Soprano 2) Concert 3) Tenor and 4) Baritone.
Soprano Uke is the smallest among all, and Baritone is the biggest among all, check our how to buy ukulele guide to know more about sizes and other ukulele factors.
After getting some knowledge about Ukulele sizes, decide yourself what size would be good for you, If you are buying Ukulele for a kid then I think Soprano is the one or if you are looking for an adult then I think a concert ukulele is good too because it is 3 inches bigger than soprano.
Best Budget Ukulele for Beginners
So, let’s begin the guide, most of the ukuleles that I have listed below are personally used by me and some I have picked by researching about them online and after checking customer feedback.
One thing that is confirmed is that all ukuleles below is beginner friendly and of decent quality.
Best Soprano Ukulele for Beginners
Kala KA-15S
Everyone’s favorite Kala brand is currently the leading manufacturer of Ukuleles, it is well known for producing good quality ukes, mainly for beginners. 80% of ukulele players have started their journey with Kala KA-15S only.
It is an amazing soprano ukulele that is well suitable for beginners as well as for kids. It’s made of mahogany, which gives it a warm and rich sound. The KA-15S also comes with Aquila Nylgut strings, which are well known for their outstanding tone and durability.
Since it is a soprano Ukulele, it is an excellent option for kids and beginners. Soprano ukuleles are very light in weight and compact in size, you can easily carry them with you anywhere.
The Kala KA-15S is a great option for those looking for an affordable, durable, and great-sounding ukulele.
Lohanu’s LU-S (Soprano)
Since we are talking about the soprano ukulele, how can we forget Lohanu’s LU-s Soprano ukulele? it is a great choice for anyone looking for a quality instrument. The craftsmanship of this ukulele is really impeccable, and the tone is very rich and full.
Just because of its well-designed fretboard, this soprano ukulele by Lohanu is very easy to play. Only downside I faced about this ukulele is that the strings are a bit too tight for my liking, but that’s a minor issue. Overall, Lohanu’s LU-S Soprano ukulele is an excellent choice for beginners.
Lanikai’s LU-21
Lanikai’s LU-21 Soprano ukulele is also a great choice for beginners, it is made up of laminated wood which is very good for those who are not in the mood of buying a plastic ukulele.
The instrument is well-made and has a nice, rich sound. The fretboard is easy to navigate, and the action is low, making it easy to play.
The only downside is the lack of a strap button, which makes it difficult to play standing up. Overall, the Lanikai LU-21 Soprano Ukulele is a great entry-level instrument that will provide hours of enjoyment.
Best Beginner Concert Ukulele
Donner DUC-1
Whenever we talk about the list of best beginner ukuleles, Donner DUC-1 always tops the list because it is indeed a great choice for beginners. It is quite affordable and top of that very easy to play and it sounds so damn good.
The DUC-1 has mahogany laminate construction which is the only downside I see about this ukulele because laminate construction isn’t as good as a solid wood ukulele in terms of tone and resonance, but it’s still a great instrument for the price it is available on Amazon.
The action of Donner DUC-1 is low and the intonation is good, which makes it very easy to play without buzzes or frustrating tuning issues.
And since it is a concert ukulele, you won’t be facing any issues in maneuvering your fingers, If you’re looking for an affordable and playable ukulele, the Donner DUC-1 is a great option.
Cordoba’s 15CM
Looking for a good quality instrument that won’t break your bank? look no further, Cordoba’s 15CM concert ukulele is a great choice for starters.
The all-mahogany construction gives this ukulele a resonant and warm tone. that is very well-suited for both strumming and fingerpicking.
Cordoba has indeed done quality work in this instrument, it is very well-made, with precise craftsmanship evident in the smoothness of the fretboard and the fit and finish of the body.
So I conclude Cordoba provides absolutely excellent value with the 15CM concert ukulele, thus making it an easy recommendation for beginners and experienced players alike.
Kala KA-15C
I have already admitted that Kala is a leading Ukulele manufacturer and that’s why I am again going to recommend a very good concert ukulele by Kala. Kala KA-15C is undoubtedly an amazing choice for beginners as well as experienced players alike.
This Uke is made of mango wood, which results in producing a warm, rich sound. The Ka-15C also has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, which add to its overall quality.
Kala provides gig bad with KA-15C which makes it easy to transport. The KA-15C is an excellent value for the price, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beginner concert ukulele. Thank you Kala for making such a wonderful instrument!
Best Entry-level Tenor Ukulele
Caramel CT904 Tenor Ukulele
Tenor Ukuleles are generally more expensive than Soprano and Concert ukuleles because of their bigger size. But if you are looking for a 26inch ukulele then the CT904 Tenor ukulele by Caramel is a good choice for beginners.
Caramel CT904 tenor ukulele is made of mahogany, which gives it a warm, mellow sound. Caramel CT904 tenor ukulele has Aquila Nylgut strings, which are made in Italy.
Also, it has an adjustable Truss Rod that is very helpful, players can adjust it according to their own needs. This is a very eye-catchy ukulele and it almost sounds similar to some expensive and pricy ukuleles.
Caramel CT904 tenor ukulele is also reasonably priced. I would highly recommend Caramel CT904 tenor ukulele to anyone looking for a good beginner tenor ukulele.
Kala KA-TE Tenor Ukulele
Now by this point, you must have figured out my love for Kala ukuleles, I am again recommending a tenor ukulele by Kala. So, Kala KA-TE tenor ukulele is a great product for beginners.
Just like the other Kala ukuleles, the craftsmanship is really top-notch, the sound is great, and the price is very reasonable. You can amplify the sound of this ukulele by plug-in which is something I like the most about this uke.
The scale length of this uke is around 17 inches which are pretty good for those having big hand, you have plenty of space to maneuver your fingers.
It is an electric ukulele yet very similar to the non-electric one. You also get the built-in tuner feature in this ukulele.
Overall this is an amazing beginner tenor ukelele, I would highly recommend this to anyone who just decided to learn to play ukulele.
Some Great value for money Ukulele by Hricane UKS-1 series
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Hricane Ukuleles are really good and I must have to admit the fact that it is some of the best instruments on the market, and I would highly recommend them to any beginner who is just started playing Ukulele, this uke is even good for intermediate players.
Hricane UKS-1 series have all three sizes of Ukulele, 1) Soprano 2) Concert and 3) Tenor and all of them are really of top-notch quality. According to your size preference you can go with any of them.
Hricane UKS-1 series ukuleles are well-crafted and have a beautiful sound. The Hricane team is also extremely responsive and helpful. I had an issue with my ukulele and they quickly sent me a replacement. I couldn’t be more pleased with Hricane UKS-1 ukuleles!
Aklot AK Ukuleles is among the best beginner Ukulele with Solid Top
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In my previous article, I talked about the Aklot AK series ukuleles. If you are a beginner and looking for a beginner ukulele with a solid top then you can’t get any wrong with Aklot AK series ukuleles.
Ukulele with a solid top has a deeper, warm, and rich sound. Aklot AK series of Ukuleles available in all three sizes 1) Soprano, 2) Concert, and 3) Tenor.
Price may vary, so to get the best possible deal, check out the below links.
Super Cheap Ukuleles
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HUAWIND Kids Ukulele, 21 inch Soprano Ukulele
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As I promised at the beginning of this article I will be sharing some super best cheap ukuleles with y’all. So, here we go. If you are running on a very tight budget then consider these three options that I listed below.
I haven’t tested or used any of the below Ukuleles personally but after researching about them online I figured these are the only options that are of somewhat good quality and available at a very cheap price.
Usually, ukuleles, in this price segment are toys but these ukuleles are somewhat I would consider okayish but don’t expect an outstanding performance from these ukuleles.
Conclusion
So, above were some ukuleles recommended by me for beginners. If you are a beginner then all the above-listed ukes are best for you. I tried my best to cover all the available best quality ukes that are available at a very reasonable price.
If you think I missed any ukulele then do let me know, I will try to include it in my above list.
If you have questions related to any Ukulele then just let me know in the comment section and I will try my best to reply to your query.