Have you been wondering… “What ukulele should I buy?” Choosing the right ukulele is so important. You want to pick the right one because you love to play and hear the beautiful sound of the ukulele. You don’t want to regret your purchase. So how do you decide which ukulele you should buy? In this article, I’ll outline various ukuleles you can buy, including a solution for every budget.
Three main categories can be used to classify ukuleles: budget, mid-range, and high-end. Let’s take a look at some great options!
Budget Ukuleles
Various things affect a ukulele’s price point. Different materials will cost accordingly, along with the brand and sound quality. Craftsmanship tends to be better with more expensive ukuleles but you don’t have to break the bank to find a good-sounding, quality ukulele.
Budget ukuleles, for this article, are considered to be under $200. There are plenty under the $100 price point, too. The Enya ukulele prices start from $67 up:
I think Enya’s are a great option, especially for beginners and I often recommend them to people in my ukulele groups. They sound amazing, the action is low which means it’s easy on the fingers, and they already come with strap buttons installed. I think it’s important to be able to play with a strap as a beginner so that your hands simply concentrate on making the chord shapes instead of also trying to balance the ukulele in your arms.
This Kala Waterman Glow in the Dark concert ukulele is currently only $59! You can take a look at Terry’s review of Waterman ukuleles here. This would be a fun ukulele to show off to friends and family while sounding amazing. It would be good for a beginner or someone who has been playing for a while and wants to treat themselves to a fun, quality ukulele.
If you want a slightly bigger ukulele, this Kala Makala Tenor Ukulele would be a great choice, and you even have the option of plugging it into an amp. It’s currently only $109! That’s a great price for a tenor ukulele with electronics.
Mid-Range Ukuleles
Mid-range ukuleles are popular among intermediate players and tend to be between $200 and $400. This Ohana tenor ukulele has a pickup and is made of solid mahogany.
The price is currently at $369. If you have never played a solid mahogany ukulele before, you’re in for a real treat. The sound is very warm and resonant compared to a ukulele with a laminate finish. This ukulele also has a gloss finish.
If a baritone ukulele is more your style, this Kala Hawaiian Koa Baritone Ukulele may be just for you. This ukulele is currently priced at $349.. The Koa wood will make it sound authentically Hawaiian. Keep in mind, that baritiones are tuned to DGBE and have different chord shapes. But if you like the deeper sound, I highly recommend trying it out, especially if you’re looking to add something more unique to your collection.
Higher-End Ukuleles
Higher-end ukuleles tend to be over $400. Did you know ukuleles can be all-electric, too? This Risa Tenor Electric Ukulele has a price point of $649. Watch and listen to it in action in this review by Terry Carter. It has a solid body and a Stratocaster style.
If you want something a little flashy, this Lanikai quilted maple tenor ukulele is beautiful and priced at only $439. I have played this model and was impressed with the sound, even as a laminate ukulele. The cutaway design and Fishman electronics make it a perfect ukulele for performing live at shows, too.
At a higher price point is the Romero Creations Solid Koa Concert Ukulele. While it is priced currently at $969, you are getting incredible craftsmanship and resonance.
It’s a Daniel Ho signature ukulele. It has the length of a soprano ukulele but the body size of a tenor. It’s quite unique!
Conclusion
There are ukuleles that go even higher in price as well, known as “dream ukuleles”. The Terry Carter Music Store is the best place to buy a ukulele online because of its selection, prices, and incredible customer service. You can find amps, straps, tuners, and all the accessories you need.
Want to kick your playing level up a notch or two? Uke Like the Pros offers a variety of membership levels, courses, and workshops. You can ask other players questions in the Community Forum. It’s a great place to learn about what others are playing and get first-hand accounts of various ukulele models.
