Kala makes a wide range of ukuleles and is one of the industry leaders when it comes to affordable instruments. It only makes sense that they would add this Kala Waterman Ukulele, a plastic uke, to their lineup, and it has become one of their most popular products.
The Kala Waterman is remarkably versatile and designed in honor of the 1950’s Maccaferri ukulele. This uke was initially designed as a take-anywhere instrument, but it’s also great for the classroom because it is durable and easy to clean.
The innovative Waterman is a plastic, water-resistant, and affordable ukulele that is available in many different colors and patterns.
At A Glance: Best Kala Waterman Ukuleles:
- KALA Waterman Sea Foam Green Soprano Ukulele
- KALA Waterman Fluorescent Watermelon Pink Soprano Ukulele
- KALA Waterman Black Soprano Ukulele
- KALA Waterman Glow-In-The-Dark Aqua Blue Soprano Ukulele
- KALA Waterman Fluorescent Purple Grape Soprano Ukulele
- KALA Waterman Soft Pink Soprano Ukulele
| Year of Launch | 2015 |
| Where Waterman Ukuleles are Made | Kala is based in Petaluma, California, and makes a wide range of ukuleles. Most of the company’s top-of-the-line ukuleles are made there, in the local workshop. Its entry-level instruments are made in China. |
| Waterman Ukulele Price Range | $39 – $56 |
| Types of Ukuleles Waterman Offers | Soprano and Concert |
| Recommended Skill Level | Great for beginners who want to invest in a durable, water-resistant instrument to take anywhere |
Highlights: Water-Resistant, Durable, Glow In The Dark (Select Models) And Transparent See-Through (Select Models)
Top Picks Explained
Best Kala Waterman Ukuleles Reviewed
The Waterman’s ABS composite, plastic body is practically indestructible, and for those looking for a rugged, weatherproof uke to take to the beach or travel with, this is a good choice at a great price point.
Inside each Waterman ukulele is a one-piece internal bracing system. Waterman ukes also come with Super Nylgut Aquila strings and a little Kala backpack bag for taking your Waterman with you on the go.
Waterman ukuleles feature an injection-molded body and a fingerboard with molded frets, including a zero fret that was favored by Maccaferri ukulele. This is for producing a more even tone between fretted notes and open strings.
The Waterman uke’s geared tuners are in line with other entry-level Kala ukuleles. The neck is very typical and braced internally. While a plastic uke may seem like a toy to more serious players, the tuners and molded frets make it easy to stay in tune.
The Waterman ukulele is available in 13 varieties, some featuring solid-colored tops and others with pretty, swirled backs and sides. There are also some all-clear see-through versions and glow-in-the-dark models available.
Kala offers a one-year warranty on their Waterman ukes in the areas of workmanship, materials, and function.
Before we dive deeper into the wonderful world of these Waterman ukuleles, we would like to mention that this review focuses on a few unique models that captured our attention.
Don’t worry if the one you’re interested in isn’t mentioned here! We would review every single ukulele by Waterman if we had the time, but for now it’s worth mentioning that this uke by Kala offers nothing but the best.
KALA Waterman Sea Foam Green Soprano Ukulele
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The KALA Waterman Sea Foam Green Soprano Ukulele is made from lightweight, durable ABS composite plastic and is water-resistant, so you can take it just about anywhere and not worry about damage.
The nice thing about this Waterman is that it has Aquila strings, so it sounds great right out of the box. Sound-wise, the Waterman Sea Foam Green Soprano Ukulele has a crisper tone compared to a ukulele made from real wood, but it still provides a rich, full sound.
Features
- ABS composite
- Water-resistant
- Fingerboard dot inlay
- Waterman logo on headstock
- High-quality, nickel-plated, open gear tuners
- 12 frets
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
If seafoam isn’t your color, the Waterman comes in a range of color combinations that fall into three main types: There are the solid color versions with different top and back colors, then the swirl pattern back models, and lastly the clear plastic models.
KALA Waterman Fluorescent Watermelon Pink Soprano Ukulele
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When you need a ukulele that can hold up to the elements while making a statement, this Kala Waterman is the right instrument. It’s made from lightweight, durable, ABS composite plastic, and the Waterman is water-resistant, so you can take it just about anywhere and not be concerned about getting caught in the rain.!
This Waterman is clear from front to back and allows you to see the construction inside. The back and sides are unbraced, leaving the natural strength of the plastic to do the work. The neck is a dropped plastic fingerboard with a fairly standard soprano 12 frets molded into the plastic. It uses a zero nut to set the action at that end. Zero nut means that there is a fret right after the nut on the fretboard.
Features
- Clear ABS composite
- Water-resistant
- Fingerboard dot inlay
- Waterman logo on headstock
- High-quality, nickel-plated, open gear tuners
- 12 frets
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
The Waterman Fluorescent Watermelon Pink Soprano Ukulele is not the only clear-color option offered. If you are looking for a clear-color, novelty-type uke, there are colors like clear, orange, purple, and yellow, if pink is not your cup of tea.
KALA Waterman Black Soprano Ukulele
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Just like the previously mentioned models, this Waterman uke is made from lightweight, durable ABS composite plastic, is water-resistant, and great for taking on adventures like camping or to the beach. There are no visible mold lines on this uke, except for the heel.
This black soprano Waterman also has Aquila strings and is tuned to G-C-E-A with High G. As far as sound, this Waterman Soprano Ukulele provides a deep, full sound but does have a clear upper range due to its small size. The headstock has a typical three-point crown affair.
Features
- ABS composite in matte
- Water-resistant
- Fingerboard dot inlay
- Waterman logo on headstock
- High-quality, nickel-plated, open gear tuners
- 12 frets
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
- Kala ukulele bag included
This Waterman is solid black from front to back and has a matte rather than a shiny finish. If black is not your preference, there are several other models with the same features in transparent, glow-in-the-dark aqua, red, and pink to choose from.
KALA Waterman Glow-In-The-Dark Aqua Blue Soprano Ukulele
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The KALA Waterman Glow-in-the-Dark Soprano Ukulele is made from lightweight, durable, ABS composite plastic, is water-resistant, and, as the name says, glows in the dark. This means it will not only hold up for travel, but it will also be seen in low light situations.
Like the others mentioned above, this Waterman has Aquila strings and is tuned to G-C-E-A with High G. This Waterman Soprano Ukulele provides a deep, full sound, and the neck is a dropped plastic fingerboard with a fairly standard soprano 12 frets molded into the plastic.
Features
- ABS Composite
- Water-resistant
- Fingerboard dot inlay
- Waterman logo on headstock
- High-quality, nickel-plated, open gear tuners
- 12 frets
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
- Kala ukulele bag included
The Waterman Glow-In-The-Dark models come in Aqua Blue and Yellow.
KALA Waterman Fluorescent Purple Grape Soprano Ukulele
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This is another Waterman ukulele, made with ABS composite in eye-grabbing fluorescent purple. If you’re looking for a low-cost ukulele that will be great for a beginner or something to take on trips, this is it.
The deep sound is more than you would expect from a plastic ukulele, and this Waterman is see-thru from front to back, allowing you to see the internal construction. The neck is a dropped plastic fingerboard with a fairly standard soprano 12 frets molded into the plastic.
Features
- ABS composite
- Water-resistant
- Fingerboard dot inlay
- Waterman logo on headstock
- High-quality, nickel-plated, open gear tuners
- 12 frets
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
- Kala ukulele bag included
The Waterman Fluorescent Purple Grape Soprano Ukulele is not the only clear color option available. If you are looking for a clear color, novelty-type uke, there are other colors available such as clear, orange, pink, and yellow.
KALA Waterman Soft Pink Soprano Ukulele
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Like the others mentioned in this Waterman ukulele review, this one in soft pink is the ultimate travel buddy for outdoor adventures. The curves are smooth throughout, and the angles are sharp and crisp. There are no visible mold lines except on the end of the heel.
It is constructed from high-grade polycarbonate with nickel geared tuners. This Waterman also features top-rated Aquila nylgut strings for improved sound and playability. It is tuned to G-C-E-A with High G and features a dropped plastic fingerboard with a standard soprano 12frets molded into the plastic.
Features
- Matte ABS composite
- Water-resistant
- Fingerboard dot inlay
- Waterman logo on headstock
- High-quality, nickel-plated, open gear tuners
- 12 frets
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
- Kala ukulele bag included
This Waterman can also be found in other colors of matte like black and seafoam green. The features are the same, but it all depends on your color preference.
How Much Do Waterman Ukuleles Cost?
As with other brands, prices vary. You can find these plastic models on sale for less than $50, but you can expect to pay between $31.99 and 51.99 for a new one.
Overall, Are Waterman Ukuleles A Good Choice?
Yes, the tone is decent, and the Waterman’s plastic body is nearly indestructible under normal circumstances. Waterman is backed by the well-known and respected Kala brand, and these ukes have only increased in popularity since being released a few years ago.
Remember, these are not high-end wood ukuleles with killer tone, but they are not trying to be. These are great ukes for a beginner who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money or even for someone who needs a uke to travel with or take to the beach to jam with your friends.
If you’re looking for a well-made, rugged, and weatherproof uke, you won’t find one at this price point that isn’t a plastic toy. They are also available in a wide variety of colors and plastic finishes.
The Waterman uke does come with a thin, canvas-like drawstring bag that won’t offer much protection, so you may want to consider an upgrade.
