Best Ukuleles in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 22, 2024
Nowadays, you will be impressed with a number of different instruments. Especially, if you are related to the art of music, you can ...Read more
PROS

The package includes an LCD tuner for more convenient tuning. And 2 plectrums simplify the articulation process.

CONS

The model might require frequent tuning.

OUR VERDICT

The Joye Shop Concert Ukulele is a perfect choice for both novice and advanced musicians. Its small size makes it suitable for use of children and adults alike.

detailed parameters
Type

Concert

Material

Mahogany body, Indonesian rosewood fingerboard

Number of Frets

18

Size

38 cm

Features

Nylon Aquila strings, Ukulele bag, Strap, Tuner, 2 plectrums

PROS

A white edging on the sides adds to the uke style, making it look much similar to a guitar.

CONS

Due to its large size, it is inconvenient for children.

OUR VERDICT

A deep sound produced by the Brunswick Baritone Ukulele will make any piece of music more sophisticated.

detailed parameters
Type

Baritone

Material

Mahogany body, Rosewood fingerboard

Number of Frets

18

Size

48 cm

Features

Mahogany body, Rosewood fingerboard

PROS

A lightweight and convenient fingerboard guarantees effortless string pressing.

CONS

People with long fingers might find it a bit uncomfortable.

OUR VERDICT

Being a standard ukulele, the Tiger Music Natural Soprano model will become an ideal choice for beginners.

detailed parameters
Type

Soprano 

Material

Linden body, Mahogany headstock, Rosewood fingerboard

Number of Frets

12

Size

33 cm

Features

Nylon strings, Ukulele bag

PROS

The huge colour range allows you to choose the one you like better.

CONS

Some users complain about the poor bag quality.

OUR VERDICT

Small size and the variety of colour patterns will definitely come to your child's liking. Buy this uke and let him/her have fun and develop music skills.

detailed parameters
Type

Soprano 

Material

Linden body, Maple fingerboard

Number of Frets

12

Size

33 cm

Features

Nylon strings, Ukulele bag

PROS

The Hawaiian ornament around the sound hole makes the ukulele look unique and stylish.

CONS

Laminated Sapele requires regular maintenance.

OUR VERDICT

Do you want to play your favourite songs on ukulele? Choose the Kmise Professional Tenor model and enjoy rich sound of every piece of music.

detailed parameters
Type

Tenor

Material

Laminated Sapele body, Rosewood fingerboard

Number of Frets

18

Size

43 cm

Features

Nylon strings

Take a Step to Perfection

If you’re an avid musician and want to perfect your playing skills, the Joye Shop Concert Ukulele is certainly worth your attention. The combination of mahogany and Indonesian rosewood not only contributes to its rich sound but also makes the instrument look pretty attractive. Besides using high-quality materials, the manufacturer has also done its best to make your ukulele playing experience as comfortable as possible. Thus, by choosing this model, you’ll also get a bag, a strap, a tuner and two plectrums. An LCD tuner with a clip will greatly simplify tuning, making it a really fast and effortless process. Two picks will definitely appeal to those who are used to playing with these comfy accessories. While a ukulele strap will come in handy to avoid hand fatigue when playing the uke for an extended period of time. Overall, if you want to master your music skills, the Joye Shop Concert Ukulele will become a great bargain.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01IX1FCQE

"Stylish" Sound

The Brunswick Baritone Ukulele is the biggest one among its class with the overall length of around 32 inches, 19 inches of which makes its scale length. Due to considerable size like this, 18 frets are arranged in a convenient way for users to not miss a hit and produce the needed sounding. The Brunswick like all baritone type ukes is recognised for its deep bass sound which resembles the one of the four bottom guitar strings. Speaking of strings, here they are made of high-quality and humidity-resistant nylon that wouldn't corrupt even if you stored the uke in your shed outdoors. A composition of mahogany body and rosewood fingerboard of the uke ensures that it produces a clear, enchanting sound while the white edging along the perimeter adds some chic to the look of the instrument. 

USB microphone is a must-have device for every musician who wants to record his/her music.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £89.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B0036U8JGI

Opt for a Decent Quality

The Tiger Music Natural Soprano Ukulele is a typical representative of Hawaiian guitars! It has got a pretty small size making only 21 inches and 12 frets common for all standard ukuleles. It boasts a linden body, mahogany headstock and a rosewood fingerboard guaranteeing rich authentic sound. What is more, these strong materials ensure durability and, as a result, long years of reliable service. The only thing to take into account before choosing this soprano ukulele is the distance between frets. Some users might find it too short, so if you want to buy a soprano ukulele, it’s better to try playing it in advance.All features considered, we can safely say that the Tiger Music Natural Soprano Ukulele will become a perfect buy for beginners making their first tries at playing the instrument.

If you like listening to music via loud speakers, home cinema systems might interest you.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £20.39
Stock In stock
ASIN B008SBWD3K

Ideal Ukulele for Your Kid

If your child is interested in music and wants to play the ukulele, you’ll hardly find a better model than the Malani Soprano instrument. The smallest one among all existing ukulele types, it will perfectly fit child’s hands so that your kid won’t experience inconveniences while playing. As for strings, they are made of nylon, one of the most top-notch string materials, known for its exceptional tension properties. Thus, it’s likely that your child won’t need to tune the instrument too often. Besides a decent quality of materials, the guitar boasts some useful extras like a free ukulele book that includes several popular songs and explanation of the main chords to make a playing process easier. Moreover, you’ll find a bag in the box for more comfortable uke storage and transportation. On top of that, the manufacturer offers this model in a great number of colours, so you’ll definitely find the one to appeal to your little musician.

Last updated price £22.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B003AIIT20

Imagine Yourself a Hawaiian Musician

If you want your ukulele to produce deeper sound and be a bit bigger than traditional models, the Kmise Professional Tenor Ukulele is just what you need. Being 26 inches long and featuring a 17-inch scale, it sounds like a classic guitar yet preserves a unique ukulele's tone. A combination this unusual will definitely make any piece of music sound more sophisticated and richer. Of course, the composition of materials can greatly affect the articulation. In regard to this particular uke, we've got a great combo of sapele and rosewood that both determine a deeper sound of the uke on the whole. Add to that a beautiful design with an ornament print and you'll get a decent Hawaiian style musical instrument to go for. 

If you haven’t played in Hawaii yet, but in local clubs, stage laser lights will create a unique atmosphere during every musical performance.  

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01D8HRBZI

What Is an Ukulele?

The ukulele is a small four-string music instrument that has a shape very similar to that of a classic guitar. Not surprisingly, many people confuse it with a children's toy guitar. That said, ukuleles are definitely not toys and, if used in the right hands, can bring a lot of joy and pleasure to music aficionados. Originated in Hawaii around two centuries ago, the uke (as it can also be called) gained popularity almost immediately and very quickly spread out of the island, finding its fans all across the globe. These days, the interest in this instrument has not seized and even become stronger, so if you want to join the ukulele revolution, you've come to the right place. Now all you need to do is decide what type of ukulele you want. In this review, you can find the five most popular models of ukulele that are available on the market right now along with a short guide on how to choose the one that will be right for you. Hopefully, this helps.

On the note of stringed instruments, you may also be interested in our bass guitar and electric guitar reviews.

What Features to Compare

Firstly, we will recommend you to consider the Type and Size of ukuleles. Depending on the size there are four main types, each with its own name: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone ukuleles. Soprano uke is 21 inches long, and it is a standard length for ukuleles. This is the most popular type, and also the best possible ukulele for beginners who only start to learn this instrument. The Concert ukulele is a little bigger, it is over 23 inches long, a very convenient size to play. This type of ukulele has more frets. The next type is the Tenor, a ukulele of the convenient size for those who are used to a guitar fingerboard, about 26 inches long. These ukuleles have a deeper and louder sound as against the Soprano ones. The last is the Baritone uke. It is 30 inches long and it will be tuned like a full-size guitar. There are also Bass ukuleles which may be of the same size with Baritone ones, but they are slightly rarer and intended for giving out the low-frequency sound. Bass ukuleles are kind of resemble the sound of a contrabass, but you do not need to hold them vertically to play. Apart from the size, there are a lot of different shapes of ukuleles. They can be in the shape of a pineapple, paddles, in a triangular and square shape. The most popular are guitar-shaped ukuleles that resemble the number "8".

After deciding on the size, you should pay attention to the Material which ukuleles are made of. The traditional Hawaiian guitar is made of a koa wood, it is a local wood similar to mahogany. Nowadays, manufacturers often substitute it with ash, Agathis, rosewood, or mahogany. Sometimes soundboard may be made of spruce, walnut or maple - less expensive types of wood, but nonetheless perfect from the acoustic point of view. Also, there exist ukuleles, completely or partially made of plastic. Those are good ukuleles for beginners.

Ukuleles also can have different Peculiarities like bright drawings or paintings, photos, or varnish covering to reveal the wood structure. The tuners can be chrome or gold plated, wood, of various shapes and designs - to make your ukulele stand out. Also, the more frets your ukulele has, the more melodic and the richer sounding will be. Depending on the guitar size, the fingerboard may have from 12 to 20 frets. The strings' scale length (the maximum length of a string between the nut and the saddle) affects the melody too. The longer it is, the more tones and sounds your ukulele will be able to produce.

Nowadays you can find electric ukulele models. The housing might have a miniature battery-powered amplifier. This type of ukulele can be connected to the combo amplifier, to play the sound through the speakers. It is a perfect solution for those who play on the stage or who love the amplified sound of their musical instruments.

Sources:

1. The Ukulele Buying Guide, UkuGuides. December 27, 2016.

2. Suzy S. Guide to Ukulele Sizes: Which Size is Right for You? Take Lessons. February 14, 2015.

3. Choosing the Best Wood for Your Ukulele, eBay. June 9, 2014.

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