Ukulele price
When it comes to new musical hobbies, they don’t often come cheap. For many who want to pursue an instrument, the thought of dropping hundreds to thousands for something like a violin, drum kit or guitar may deter you from taking the plunge.
Luckily, a new musical hobby doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Ukuleles are some of the most affordable instruments to pursue. But just how much will a ukulele cost you? It all depends on the quality you’re looking for as well as the accessories you get with it.
Ukulele price range
You can find a range of ukulele prices, from ones at a much more affordable price point to ones that are a bit more high-end. You can break down the cost of a ukulele like so:
$35 or less for those that are cheaper or generally a toy. While these are quite affordable, you might compromise the quality of sound when buying in this range.
$50 for those on a budget, or anyone who wants to test if they like playing the ukulele.
$50-$150 for those who are just beginning but want an instrument that will last.
$150-$500 for those who are mid-level and have a bit more experience and want to progress.
$500 or more for those who are looking for much higher-quality and advanced instruments.
What are you paying for when you buy a ukulele?
When it comes to the price point of a ukulele, you’re paying for the materials and size. While it’s easier to play a smaller ukulele than a bigger one, it’s unsurprising that the bigger the instrument, the more it’ll cost.
Size
You have a choice between four different sizes. Here’s a breakdown from smallest to largest:
Soprano (21-23 inches)
Concert (23-24 inches)
Tenor (26 inches)
Baritone (29 inches)
Soprano, concert and tenor all tune the same way (G-C-E-A), so if you learn on any one of them, you can play all of them. The baritone tunes to D-G-B-E, which is the same as 4 strings of a 6-string guitar. The larger a ukulele gets, the fuller the sound it has, with lower tonal ranges, compared to a smaller ukulele with higher ranges. The standard ukulele size is soprano.
Material
Material is an important factor to consider, as it affects the type of sound your ukulele makes. While some toy ukuleles and those in the cheaper range are made with plastic, the best ukuleles (for sound purposes) are made with sturdy wood like mahogany or koa.
The best ukuleles
MUSICUBE Ukulele: available at Amazon
Our take: This beginner ukulele comes with a tuner, strings, bag and polishing cloth to keep your ukulele in great condition as you learn and play.
What we like: This entire wooden ukulele comes with nickel-plated tuning pegs to give you a smooth and accurate sound. Whether for an adult or a child, this soprano ukulele is a great starter instrument.
What we dislike: Since it’s on the lower end of the price range, it compromises a bit on high-quality materials; understand that what you’re paying for is what you get.
JDR Soprano Ukulele for Beginners: available at Amazon
Our take: Made for beginners, this cheaper soprano ukulele has a mahogany wood construction with a walnut fingerboard that gives players a balanced sound and a compact design that keeps you comfortable as you play.
What we like: If you’re looking for a ukulele that won’t break the bank without compromising tone and playability, the JDR Soprano Ukulele is for you. The mahogany wood is sure to give you a warm and balanced sound, mixed with the familiar twang of a ukulele.
What we dislike: While this is a great ukulele on a budget, for the price you could find a more robust ukulele kit that offers a couple more accessories, like a tuner.
Cordoba 15TM Tenor Ukulele: available at Amazon
Our take: An excellent ukulele for beginners and mid-level players, this tenor ukulele comes at a mid-level price point.
What we like: With an all-mahogany construction, the Cordoba ukulele gives you a rich and vibrant sound, while its pearl button tuners make tuning effortless.
What we dislike: As the ukulele is fashioned with one-of-a-kind wood grain, note that no two ukuleles will look the same, so yours may not necessarily appear as it does in the images.
Aklot Electric Bass Ukulele: available at Amazon
Our take: Made for longer jam sessions, this electric ukulele, which is a bit bigger than a tenor, lets you adjust the treble, bass and EQ to give you your optimal sound.
What we like: Not only does this instrument combine the classic sound of the ukulele, its electric component gives you some added edge. Each order comes with an Allen wrench to help you tune the instrument to your liking.
What we dislike: Despite having a higher price, compared to more traditional ukuleles, the sound on this one isn’t as rich or warm.
LAVA U Carbon Fiber Ukulele: available at Amazon
Our take: Modern tech meets musicality in this out-of-the-box tenor ukulele that kicks quality and fun up a notch.
What we like: If you’re looking for a ukulele that’s a little different and works almost like an electric guitar, then this option is for you. Despite its more futuristic look, the LAVA U doesn’t need an amp to play, while still creating a crisp and high-quality sound.
What we dislike: This is a much more expensive ukulele, so factor the price point into your decision. The LAVA U’s rounded back makes it a little harder to hold compared to more traditional ukuleles.
Courtney Love is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
