Best Ukuleles Under $300 – What Makes a Great Uke?

Last Updated: May-07-2019 It was time for a revisit to this article to see what had changed since we last updated it. Turns out, quite a lot! We removed Luna's High Tide Soprano uke, and added three new models to expand the chart. This comprised the very attractive plum-colored Luna Flora Series Concert Ukulele, the Cordoba 25T-CE Tenor Ukulele, and the Cordoba 23B Baritone Ukulele.

Whatever your playing style, whichever size you prefer, and whatever level you are at, $300 can get you a lot of ukulele these days. This market sees the end of entry-level ukuleles and the introduction of instruments with higher-end qualities and more premium components. This isn’t the true high-end market, but it’s close! To highlight some of the finest models in this price range, we’ve compiled a short chart of the best five ukuleles under $300. We’ve ensured to focus on at least one from each soprano, concert, tenor and baritone size. Of course, there are many more models worth your time and attention, but these five give you a good cross-section of the brands and styles that are available to you in this category. Let’s dive in!

Top 7 Ukuleles Under $300:

Who Buys a Ukulele in This Market?

If you’ve been playing the ukulele for a while and fancy your first proper upgrade, this is the section for you. Or if you’re an experienced ukulelist wishing to dabble in a different size – maybe moving from a concert to a tenor – this price range offers you the quality you may be used to, at a price that won’t punish your wallet. While experienced players will be able to appreciate this range a little more, that’s not to say beginners can’t benefit from purchasing a higher-end model. At the end of the day, learning on a ukulele that looks, feels and sounds better is more likely to encourage you to actually practice! While the models in the chart above may appeal to you, if you are a beginner it’s also worth checking out our guide to buying a beginner’s ukulele, which offers some ukuleles and packages that will really benefit beginners.

What to Look for in an Under $300 Instrument

First and foremost, you should notice a step-up in playability and quality from those ukes you find in the sub-$200 range. The ukuleles in this range should also be very well made. Gone are the days of rough spots and sharp fret edges – leave those for the entry-level market! The woods on offer in this category are much more wide-ranging too. You’ll still find mahogany is regularly used, but woods such as cedar, maple and koa are more prominent. Solid wood is also used more often, especially on the top of the instrument, although some brands still prefer to use good-quality laminates. If electronics are present, these systems generally feel better built and more versatile in their EQ controls, while they amplify the ukulele’s tone more naturally. As for nuts and saddles, materials such as bone and Tusq are now the standard. You can also expect a ukulele in the sub-$300 price range to come with a gig bag. Of course, some don’t, but brands like Martin, Fender, Luna and Kala tend to offer something convenient in which to store and transport your new uke.

Should I Buy a Used Uke?

This is the first ukulele market where you may consider buying a used model (after all, who wants a used entry-level ukulele?). While buying new gives you that unmatched sense of owning an untouched instrument, there are reasons to buy used – the main being that you could pick up a $300 ukulele for maybe half the price. Providing you are able to try the uke before you buy, or are able to purchase it from a reputable store (either physical or online) with a clear and fair returns policy, then you should be safe. Just do yourself a favor and avoid anything from a flea market or thrift store, unless you can inspect and sample it properly.

The Final Word

As $300 is more of a dent in most bank accounts, make sure the model you go for is something you are completely satisfied with. Create a shortlist of ukuleles you like the look of, then narrow it down to the one you can’t live without. If possible, try the ukes out in a guitar store. Otherwise watch videos on YouTube, or read reviews online. To create a shortlist, start by checking out the models on our chart, then move onto others you fancy. Brands including Kala, Lanikai, Gretsch, Luna, Cordoba and Martin all shine in this sub-$300 market. There are others, but sticking with one of those should result in an instrument that will make you happy. If you are able to find a few extra bucks down the side of the sofa, be sure to have a look at our chart on the best ukuleles under $500, as a model in this premium category may offer you something even better for not that much more money. Happy ukulele hunting!