Budget: under £80 / $100
These are your entry-level instruments. The goal here is to find something that’s well-built enough to be enjoyable to play and won’t discourage you in the first few weeks.
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Makala Dolphin (soprano) ~£35–£45 / $45–$55
Made by Kala, the Dolphin is one of the best-selling budget ukes on the planet. Bright, fun, available in multiple colours, and more playable than you’d expect at the price. Swap the stock strings for Aquilas and you’ll be impressed.
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Kala KA-15S (soprano) ~£85–£90 / $110–$120
The benchmark beginner soprano. Mahogany body, Aquila strings, and reliable tuners. Not flashy, but a genuine pleasure to play.
Mid-range: £150–£350 / $200–$450
Once you’ve spent a little time playing and know you’re committed, this is where the real fun begins. You start to get into solid wood territory, which makes a noticeable difference to tone and responsiveness.
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Cordoba 15CM (concert) ~£120–£130 / $145–$160
Cordoba’s classical guitar DNA comes through beautifully here. Comfortable string spacing for fingerstyle playing, the satin finish lets the wood breathe, and the overall playability is a step above most instruments at the price.
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Ohana CK-70 (concert) ~£155–£175 / $180–$200
This is where Ohana starts to really shine. An all-solid mahogany concert ukulele with a rich, open tone and excellent construction. Ohana personally inspects every instrument before it ships, and you can feel that attention to detail when you play it.
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Kala Solid Mahogany Tenor ~£300–£350 / $320–$400
Kala’s step-up tenor, with all-solid mahogany construction and noticeably more depth and sustain than the entry-level KA-T. A genuinely lovely-sounding tenor at a very sensible price.
Premium: £350–£500 / $400–$600
At this level, you’re looking at instruments that will genuinely grow with you for years, possibly decades. The craftsmanship is exceptional, the tonewoods are carefully selected, and the playing experience is in another league.
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Ohana TK-70G (tenor) ~£430–£480 / $575–$625
A solid mahogany tenor from Ohana’s flagship line. Clean, precise construction, beautiful warm tone, and the kind of playability that makes you want to sit down and play for hours.
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Kala Night Owl Tenor ~£415–£450 / $550–$600
Named one of the top ukuleles of 2024, the Night Owl is a striking-looking instrument with a beautifully dark aesthetic and an equally impressive sound. Great for a player who wants something that stands out visually as well as sonically.
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Pono MT Solid Mahogany Tenor ~£340–£415 / $450–$550
Pono is the brand serious players turn to when they want near-Hawaiian quality without the Hawaiian price tag. The MT is a beautifully balanced, tonally rich tenor that punches well above its price point.
The dream tier: £700+ / $900+
These are the instruments that make you stop mid-strum and just smile. Handmade in Hawaii, from premium Hawaiian woods, by craftspeople who have dedicated their lives to this. They are investments, and they’re worth every penny if you’re at the level to appreciate them.
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Kanile’a K-1 Tenor ~£700+ / $950+
Founded in Hawaii in 1998, Kanile’a has built a reputation for innovative design, exceptional craftsmanship, and outstanding tone. The K-1 Tenor is one of the finest production ukuleles available anywhere in the world: solid koa, expert construction, and a tone that genuinely improves the more you play it.
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KoAloha KTM-00 (tenor) ~£1,100+ / $1,500+
KoAloha is a legendary Hawaiian maker known for their distinctive oval soundhole and remarkably powerful, projecting tone. The KTM-00 is an exceptional all-round tenor that professional players love for its volume and clarity on stage.
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Kamaka HF-2 (concert) ~£1,300+ / $1,800+
Kamaka has been making ukuleles in Hawaii since 1916. They are arguably the most prestigious ukulele manufacturer in the world. Jake Shimabukuro plays Kamaka. The HF-2 is an all-solid koa concert ukulele with a sound that is simply breathtaking. If there’s a holy grail of ukuleles, this might be it.