The Top 10 Best Beginner Ukuleles That Don't Suck

There are a few things you need to consider when you’re trying to find the best ukuleles for beginners. Namely what size ukulele you want and whether you want a ukulele that’ll last you a lifetime and be able to handle years of use. As we’ve always said when it comes to our ‘cheap instruments that don’t suck’ series, when we say “cheap”, we simply mean budget friendly. This means the ukuleles we’ve chosen in this blog are budget friendly, making them ideal for beginners who just want to test the water when it comes to learning ukulele and don’t want to spend a lot of money. We’ve also added a few more options in for those who know they’re going to continue with it. If you haven’t already read our ukulele size guide, I’d suggest doing so as it gives you a better idea of what we’re talking about when we mention Soprano, Tenor, Concert or Baritone ukuleles. As a recap, here’s the 4 main types of ukulele (in size ascending order):

• Soprano Ukulele
• Concert Ukulele
• Tenor Ukulele
• Baritone Ukulele

HERE’S OUR TOP 10 BEST BEGINNER UKULELES THAT DON'T SUCK..

Ferndale Ukuleles are our ultimate pick for beginner players who want a professional experience from their instrument.

No matter if you prefer a Concert-sized uke, a larger Tenor-sized uke, a bright-sounding Spruce top, or a warm all-Walnut construction - you'll find them all part of the Ferndale Ukulele collection.

The UT-S Tenor Ukulele in Spruce pictured above is one of our favourites thanks to its budget-friendly price, versatility, and playability for musicians of all abilities.

Stagg is probably one of the best ukulele brands for beginners as they make budget-friendly ukuleles that sound great, feel good to play and don’t cost the earth ensuring the world of ukulele is open to everyone. The Stagg US-Lips Soprano Ukulele in Pink is one of the best ukuleles for beginners thanks to the low price tag. That’s not a lot of money considering the quality of sound and playability on offer here. It’s no fuss, with a Basswood body and Nato neck as well as a comfortable fingerboard. This uke offers a superb sound whilst remaining lightweight and portable. It also comes with a padded nylon gig bag which is handy for new starters to carry to lessons. 

The Fender Venice Soprano Ukelele pictured here in Black is another cheap ukulele that certainly doesn’t suck. We think it’s a contender for the best beginner ukulele as it only costs around £50 so it’s not a big investment, but you get the quality and reliability of a Fender instrument. The shell pink evokes the spirit of the beach, and really makes you feel like you're by the ocean with a campfire! The Laminated Basswood body is robust and hardwearing, so it’s a great travel option whilst the no-tie string construction makes string changes a breeze (nice little ocean pun there). Finally, the Slim "C"-shaped neck profile provides a comfortable playing experience - ideal for beginners and experienced players alike. Check out the full range here.

4. FENDER CALIFORNIA COAST VENICE SOPRANO UKULELE NATURAL

 Just because you’re just starting out in the world of ukulele, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a high-quality option in a stunning Natural finish. The Fender California Coast Venice Soprano Ukulele is a standout beginner ukulele that partners Fender’s expert craftsmanship with some very nice tonewoods. If this product is out of stock then you can get in touch and with us at PMT and we can order. What you get is a beautiful sounding ukulele with pro-level appointments that we can all afford. We love them so much we've included them twice!

The comfortable “C” shape neck profile makes learning ukulele a lot easier and reduces the chance of hand cramp when you’re chording or fretting. The no-tie bridge makes changing strings a LOT easier too, whilst the 4-in-line Telecaster-style headstock looks really cool. A Laminated Hardwood back and sides, laminated Linden top and Nato neck are all high-quality tonewoods to encourage a nicer sound – this is not a toy but a lovely sounding instrument!

5. STAGG UC80-S SOLID TOP CONCERT UKULELE

 The Stagg UC80-S Solid Top Concert Ukulele is one of Stagg's most popular and professional ukes, thanks to the fact it’s been crafted using an all Mahogany top and back and sides. This results in a lush, warm sound that really sets it apart from some of the other options in this price bracket. The concert size is a little larger than the soprano, so ideal for adults, teenagers and those with bigger hands. This is definitely one of the best beginner ukuleles for those who want to enjoy a high-quality sound straight out of the box and for many years to come. Despite being a professional ukulele, this is still one of the best cheap ukuleles that doesn’t suck.

6. ALVAREZ RU22T TENOR UKULELE NATURAL SATIN

You’ll notice that we have a selection of Alvarez ukuleles in our best beginner ukulele list, that’s because they make superb quality options that we can all afford. In fact, they’re also one of the best ukulele brands for intermediate players and experienced players due to the tonewoods used. The Alvarez RU22B features professional-level construction processes that help project the voice and provide a far more enjoyable playing experience, so it’s worth the extra investment.

It’s a Baritone ukulele so it’s ideal for larger frames. This larger size also provides a deeper, richer sound overall, which is perfect for learning – you can hear everything! A slotted Techwood bridge and dovetail neck construction ensure tuning stability and resonant notes, so you’ll feel comfortable playing this for hours on end. Easily one of the best starter ukuleles for the price. The Alvarez RU22B Baritone is certainly one of the best cheap ukuleles that doesn’t suck.

Shop all Alvarez ukuleles here.

7. ALVAREZ RU26C CONCERT UKULELE NATURAL SATIN

Alvarez ukuleles feature quite a bit here as they offer incredible playability, tone and reliability at prices we can all afford. Whether we're beginners or experienced ukulele players, Alvarez has something for everyone. The Alvarez RU26C Concert Ukulele pictured here Natural Satin is a performers ukulele priced at a beginner level. Aspects like the Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides offer an exceptionally rich and articulate sound that players will appreciate. This thing sounds louder than it looks! A traditional fan bracing system also encourages a louder projection that you might expect, whilst the concert shape and size is ideal for players of all shapes and sizes.

8. ALVAREZ RU26S SOPRANO UKULELE

 If you prefer the smaller size of a soprano ukulele, but you still want an open sound with plenty of projection, then you should really take a look at the Alvarez RU26S Soprano Ukulele. This features pro-level tonewoods such as a Spruce Top and Mahogany Back and Sides – all of which can be found on high-level acoustic guitars thanks to the tonal qualities. We love it as it provides a huge sound and lush resonance that really shines through. A perfect beginner ukulele that won’t break the bank and won’t look out of place when you transfer to the live arena.

9. Gretsch G9100-L Soprano Long-Neck Ukulele with Gig Bag

Finally, we have the Gretsch G9100-L Soprano Long-Neck Ukulele with Gigbag. This is perfect for those who know they’re going to stick with playing and don’t mind stretching to just over £100. Gretsch know a thing or two about making superior quality guitars and have transferred that knowledge into the world of ukuleles.

The Gretsch G9100-L Soprano Long-Neck Ukulele with Gig Bag offers lush tone and playability at an affordable price. We think it’s one of the best beginner ukuleles as the high quality construction and sound really encourages learners to enjoy what they’re playing – which will likely be the difference between sticking at it and giving up! This is constructed with a Mahogany crafted top, back and sides and a Rosewood fingerboard and bridge – all classic tonewoods. The Mahogany stain looks beautiful and the fact you get a gig bag with it makes it a great option for those who want something to transport to lessons.

Epiphone Les Paul Tenor Ukulele Outfit Vintage Sunburst[/caption] If you're able to really stretch your budget then we'd recommend this stunning Epiphone Les Paul Tenor Ukulele Outfit Vintage Sunburst. This is a ukulele for professional musicians or just those serious about their sound. This also includes a gig bag which is perfect for transportation to gigs and lessons. You can expect incredible quality with this Ukulele as it's straight from the Epiphone factory. As well as superb tone and sound - you also get the added iconic looks of the sunburst Les Paul Guitar - one of the most iconic shapes in the world of guitar.

Shop ukuleles over at PMT online today or call in to your local PMT store to try some of the best beginner ukuleles, intermediate ukuleles and pro-level options for yourself.