Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: May-07-2019
In our most recent reshuffle of this soprano-focused article, we didn't need to remove anything from our chart. However, we added two cool new models to offer even more choice. These comprised the cute Martin S1 and the eye-catching Kala KA-PWS.
Beginner? Small hands? Or just want that classic ukulele sound? A soprano ukulele is your best bet, as this traditional ukulele variety proves one of the most popular due to its compact size, price and tone.
Although you can find smaller ukes – such as the piccolo or ‘pocket ukulele’ – a soprano is the smallest of the four main size categories, which also comprise
concert, tenor, and
baritone sizes.
A soprano is the classic ukulele, also known as the ‘standard’ uke, as originally all ukuleles were soprano sized. Eventually bigger ukuleles – like the concert – arrived on the scene, but the soprano is the original and one that will never go out of style!
If you think of a famous face playing the ukulele – whether that’s George Formby, Tiny Tim or Ohta-San – they will all usually be playing a soprano.
If you’re in the mood for buying a new soprano uke, help is at hand – we’ve put together a short chart to highlight some of the best and most popular soprano ukuleles on the market today to suit any budget, ranging from around $50 right up to just under $500.
Of course, there are hundreds more models available, but this chart will give you a good snapshot of what’s hot at the moment.
Check out the chart below, then stick around to learn a little more about the cutest ukulele sizes.
Top 7 Soprano Ukuleles
What Makes a Soprano Ukulele?
While the woods will play a part in the overall tone, a soprano uke tends to have a lovely bright and happy sound. This is the typical tinkly Hawaiian ukulele tone you may be accustomed to.
However, due to the smaller body, the soprano is certainly the quietest of the sizes. It can lack the projection and warmth you’d get from a concert or tenor uke.
More often than not, a soprano ukulele will feature the traditional shape, but sometimes you will find the ‘pineapple uke’. This is still a soprano in size, but it has a bigger waist and – therefore – a bigger sound.
For practice and small impromptu performances, a soprano uke is great. For bigger performances, it may fall a little short – unless you invest in a soprano fitted with electronics, of which there are plenty.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Soprano Ukulele
With the smaller size and a scale length of 13”, a soprano ukulele is ideal for players with smaller hands, although those with larger hands can still master this tiny instrument. It’s also an ideal model for beginners, as you don’t have to reach very far to make chords, while the strings require less tension to make a note. With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why a soprano is also one of the best sizes for children learning the instrument.
Another benefit is that a soprano ukulele is generally around 10-15% cheaper than an equivalent model in a larger size. This is another reason why a soprano is often recommended for beginners, who may not have committed to playing the ukulele long-term and therefore want something a little cheaper to play around on. Finally, a soprano is a great ukulele size for travelling, as it’s so compact.
The main disadvantage of a soprano ukulele, as we’ve touched upon, is that the projection tends to be quieter than, say, a concert or tenor ukulele. It is also harder for those with bigger hands to play, as the neck is so short and the frets are closer together.
Beware of Cheap Sopranos!
As the one of the most popular ukulele sizes, you will find many sopranos on the market – many more than tenors and baritones, that’s for sure. This means you will find loads of cheap, $20 ukuleles that promise great value.
On closer inspection, however, these are little more than toys at best, and pieces of junk at worst. Your budget may not stretch further than $50, but these days – if you shop smart – you can find some very playable soprano ukuleles in this budget range, without having to waste your money.
What are the Alternatives?
While a soprano ukulele clearly has its advantages, you may be better suited to one of the other sizes. The next step up size-wise is a concert uke, with a typical length of around 23”. These can offer more playability for those with larger hands, as well as a richer, louder sound. They are a little more expensive, although not as pricey as a tenor ukulele, which is bigger again.
Check out this useful video showing the differences in size and tone in soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22u4gauHJ6U
The Final Word
If you end up with a soprano ukulele, you’ve made a decent choice – especially if you are a beginner. You can always buy a concert or tenor uke at a later date, if you feel you need more room to play or more projection.
What’s next? Take a look at our chart, read some reviews, then create a shortlist of your favorite models. If possible, go try some out in your local guitar store. This way, you’ll also know if a soprano is the best fit for you, or whether you need something a little bigger straight away.
Good luck with your soprano uke shopping!