Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: May-06-2019
As we moved into summer 2019, we decided it was time to expand this budget chart with two new wallet-friendly models - the classic Cordoba 15CM Concert and a very attractive new model in the Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano from Fender!
Unlike an electric, acoustic or classical guitar, buying a budget ukulele with some quality isn’t too difficult – if you know where to look. Ukuleles are slightly cheaper for brands to manufacture, so you end up getting more instrument for your cash.
Having said that, the budget category is still flooded with cheap, toy-like, no-name ukuleles that, at best, sound tinny and quiet, and at worst will break within a few weeks!
Our chart of the best ukuleles in the wallet-friendly sub-$100 price range are the complete opposite – full of quality, decent woods, and good tone for the price.
In the chart below we try to include at least one of each ukulele size category: concert, soprano, tenor and baritone, which will give you a good snapshot of the current market. Then stay tuned for our guide to buying a good budget uke!
Top 7 Cheap Ukuleles (Under $100):
After reading the summaries and reviews, it should be clear that you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get a ukulele that’s not a piece of junk. Those on a tight budget can still enjoy a uke with plenty of charm, style and tone.
Who Buys a Budget Ukulele?
Browsing this page of low-priced beauties, you may well be a beginner. The budget market certainly appeals to those players first starting out on the ukulele – why spend more on an instrument you may not be willing to go the distance with?
If you are a beginner, you will find plenty of use from the ukes featured on this page, but also be sure to check out
our guide to the best beginner’s ukuleles for additional models in various price ranges that may also appeal to you.
If you’re not a beginner, chances are you’re an experienced ukulelist after an affordable second/third/tenth/hundredth model to add to your collection. Or perhaps you’re looking for a cheap uke to travel with – damage or lose it on the road and it’s no big deal as, for under $100, you can probably afford to buy another one.
What to Look for in a Budget Ukulele?
Assuming you aren’t a complete beginner, you should know what style of ukulele suits you best, whether that’s a
baritone,
tenor,
soprano or
concert. So we won’t delve into this area.
We will say that, unless you are gigging or performing regularly, electronics on ukuleles in the under $100 category are probably best avoided. Not to say they are particularly bad, but they aren’t particularly versatile and are prone to breaking. Having said that, some budget ukes, like the EleUke Electric Peanut, are very good if you are looking for electronics, but ensure you have a good use for them – if you rarely plug in, you may be able to get a better quality uke with no electronics for your cash.
Another thing to look out for in a budget uke is plastic. And then avoid it! While some cheap plastic ukuleles are fun to look at, with elaborate colors and graphics, they offer little in the way of tone, and don’t feel very nice to play. In short, if you are spending $20 on a toy ukulele, you can’t expect anything in the way of quality. An exception is the popular Kala Makala Waterman, although you can still find a better wooden Kala Uke for a similar price.
In general, go for a wooden-bodied ukulele, of which there are many in this range, even if they are laminates. When searching, it’s worth avoiding anything with plastic hardware, such as a plastic nut or saddle. However, as some in our chart prove, several budget models now offer bone and graphite as material of choice, so there really is no excuse to use plastic!
Getting a Good Set-Up
On ukuleles in a
higher price range, they tend to come out of the box ready to go, with excellent playability. Due to the more mass-produced nature of budget models, manufacturers can sometimes send them out needing a little TLC before they are at their most playable.
By setting up the ukulele properly – including setting the optimal action, having a fret dress, and changing the strings – it can feel like a completely different instrument; eliminating fret buzz and generally improving playability and tone. If you aren’t comfortable setting it up yourself, take it to your local pro or guitar store, who will help (usually for a relatively small fee).
The Final Word
We always suggest that potential buyers make a shortlist, then
try out as many ukuleles on that list as possible (or at least read some reviews and check out a few videos). Having said that, around $100 isn’t a lifechanging amount for most people, so you may be less strict in your research.
Stick with something from well-known brands such as Kala, Cordoba, Caramel, Luna, Alvarez, and Lanikai and you should be pretty safe. If you are ready to make a bigger investment,
check out our article on the best ukuleles under $200.
Enjoy your new budget uke!