Best ukulele under $150!
In the 18th century, the ukulele emanated in Europe. Nowadays, most musicians are leaning to this instrument for its ultra-portable and musical tone. This instrument becomes simple to master and play for beginners with only four nylon strings.
However, the market is inundated with ukuleles today, and picking the best ukulele under $150 might become a challenge. Indeed, this instrument is available in various sizes, types, brands, and prices. But don’t despair because we have made the job easy for you by reviewing some of the best ukuleles on the market in this article.
We put the most emphasis on the crucial features of the ukulele in our review, such as material, weight, size, playability, and portability. Also, we’ve mentioned the advantages and disadvantages and detailed reviews so you can pick the best one.
Top 5 Best Ukulele Under $150
1. Fender Venice Soprano Ukulele: Affordable Ukulele Under $150
First, our research team has selected this Venice Soprano Ukulele from Fender to include in the list of ukuleles under $150. The reason is that it provides the best performance. Also, this Fender Venice comes in high-quality materials and captivating colors at an affordable price.
Fender Uke has used basswood for the top and laminated basswood for the back to construct this Sunburst. Also, it has a C-shaped neck, which delivers a lively tone favored by developing and experienced players.
This model offers a convenient no-tie bridge that is perfect enough to make string changes a breeze. Besides, it adds a headstock, replicating the Telecaster’s iconic headstock shape for a dash of pure Fender vibe.
This instrument features a compact and comfortable body size with 1.66 pounds weight. As a result, it makes the player’s performance effortless from the studio or jam room to the beach, maintaining the classic and light sound.
Pros:
- Stylish body binding
- Telescaster giutar bridge system
- Comfy body size
- Available in two colors
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it does not stay in tune for long.
2. Flight, 4-String Amber Concert Ukulele (DUC380)
Flight blends beauty and performance. The brand has designed this uke to provide an excellent mix of value and quality. Its low price and better quality have made us bound to keep it on our list.
This Flight ukulele contains a clean and tight construction made from Sapele wood, a light hardwood with a golden to dark reddish brown color. Further, it has hand-drawn rosettes engraved by laser-etching.
The company has designed its neck and fingerboard using African Okoume and walnut. Indeed, it has become a fantastic mix to deliver a stable intonation across the fretboard, which is comfortable for your hands.
Flight carefully designs its headstock suited with geared tuners, aiding the instrument in staying in tune. Moreover, it contains the nut and saddle crafted from the bone. In addition to those, it includes a free padded gig bag and instructional booklet.
Pros:
- Solid-body construction
- Pleasant sound and tone to hear
- Various colors to pick
- Lightweight to transport
Cons:
- Some remark that it has rough wood with rough edges
3. Luna Guitars, 4-String Ukulele (UKE Acc)
Lunar guitars have survived in the ukulele industry for decades. The brand is committed to introducing comfortable instruments for players of all ages. Nicely crafted instruments involve the mind, genius, and soul. So, you can be sure that the Luna UKE Acc sounds the best on stage.
The Luna Acacia Wood Series will seem an eye-dazzling of emerged ukes that produce a better sound as they look. In truth, this wood has been a favorite among players due to its playability, warm-sounding, robust build, and close resemblance to koa wood.
This product contains a natural beauty due to using a fantastic wood grain pattern throughout the natural acacia wood body to the mahogany neck and walnut fretboard. Honestly, this beauty will make musicians stunned.
The dimensions of this instrument are 34x19x5 inches, and its weight is 4 pounds, which can feel heavy for many but is best for jam and stage. Moreover, you’ll get a gig bag while buying.
Pros:
- Sturdy body construction
- Natural color and design
- Balanced sound and tone
- A gig bag
Cons:
- It might seem bulky to many
4. Lanikai, 4-String Ukulele (LU21-B)
This time, we’ve come up with another researched uke, the Lanikai Baritone (LU21-B), an authentic Hawaiian ukulele. We can impartially say that it is a real gem for players of all levels, especially professional players.
This baritone uke has an Okoume top, back, and sides, providing an enriched and resonant sound that is captivating for your audience. Also, the brand incorporates a Techwood fingerboard that lets you have sleek playability and slide your fingers along the frets effortlessly.
One of the most crucial things is it has a wide-comfortable neck profile for a long-lasting and enjoyable playing experience. Further, it brings smooth action chrome open-back tuners with black buttons to confirm precise and accurate tuning.
The Lanukai Uke has designed the NuBone XB nut and saddle to offer the highest sustain and pull out the best tone from your instrument. Apart from those, the Lankai adds two Chrome strap buttons.
Pros:
- The Extended range of features
- Reliable tuning and stability
- Two Chrome Strap Buttons
- Full-bodied sound
Cons:
- Beginners might not like it
5. Silent Ukulele, Lotkey 23-Inch Electric Ukulele
After long research, we’ve included an instrument in our choice list for those exploring an electric ukulele. It is the Silent Ukulele from Lotkey. Maybe this brand is not known as much as others, but its quality will make you stunned when you play.
This model has a cutaway body uke crafted from Okoume wood. Indeed, this wood has earned popularity for its sturdiness and tonal quality. Also, it adds a solid wood neck and a Walnut fingerboard and bridge.
This 23-inch concert ukulele offers a convenient digital tuner, making your tuning effortless. Like many other instruments, it may take time to stay in tune and settle, so you might need to tune it several times.
Apart from those, the company offers various accessories to save you money. Additionally, if you experience any quality issues with this product, contact the company anytime because they will take responsibility for them.
Pros:
- Better craftsmanship
- A lot of accessories included
- Italian nylon string
- Best for the price
Cons:
- Some reviewers mention it has some buzz on the strings.
Things to consider before buying the best ukulele under $150
Picking the best one is not a stroll in your backyard, but the process gets straightforward when the correct information is in your hand. The process is crucial because it ensures you are going with the correct one. Look at the below things before purchasing one.
Material
Manufacturers utilize wood for the ukulele. But you’ll find plastic instruments on the market. Besides, maple, cocobolo, rosewood, and walnut are other woods used for ukulele. Each wood type impacts the instrument’s durability.
Mahogany is, no doubt, stiff wood, which produces a mellow and warm tone and sound. This wood features aged quality and retains its gloss for a long. The Koa is another wood with beautiful and unique grains, colors, and patterns, aiding in constructing outstanding instruments.
In addition to wood, steel, glue, nylon, and plastic ukes are available. In general, plastic ones are light compared to wooden ukuleles. Moreover, these are quickly breakable and less durable. Steel ukuleles have durability but are pretty bulky to carry. Besides, these are prone to rust and corrosion.
Size
There are various sizes of ukuleles.
Soprano: With a length of about 35 cm, it’s the most general size. Its tuning method is the G-C-E-A.
Tenor: With a G-C-E-A tune, the length of these ukuleles can be 43 cm. These contain an elongated base range and become simple to play due to their greater length.
Concert: The length of this size is about 38.5 cm and gets tuned in G-C-E-A. The combination of tenor and soprano ukuleles is its specialty.
Baritone: Guitar players love this type of ukulele. About 51cm to 53cm is its length range. This range makes it simple to play and move.
Sopranino: This model is quite rare. It has a 20 cm scale length, which is short and perfect for small hands.
So, which size will be the perfect? Whether soprano, concert, or tenor, each size is extremely fun. But what makes you happy is the most crucial factor. So, opt for the size you can feel comfortable to play.
Weight
Compared to other stringed musical instruments, the ukulele is lightweight. It becomes effortless to carry and hold. Below is the weight of the standard ukuleles:
- Soprano – 8 – 14 ounces
- Concert – 15 to 22 ounces
- Tenor – 23 – 27 ounces
- Baritone – 24 to 28 ounces
It shows that the baritone is the bulkiest while the soprano is the lightest. Weight depends on the material used. Wooden ones are relatively durable and lightweight. On the other hand, steel ones are more durable and bulky. Again, plastic ukes are the lightweight but are the weakest.
Dimension
As told earlier, ukuleles come in various sizes. The length determines the dimensions. In general, the longer the length remains, the more frets are.
Adults and people with large fingers should opt for ukuleles with extended space, avoiding pressure. Also, it offers a comfy playing experience. Anyway, elongating the length of the scale may take away some of the portability of the soprano model.
Concert ukuleles will become ideal for those exploring such an instrument, which balances size and playability.
Conclusion: Best ukulele Under $150
Finally, when you read the entire article, finding a high-quality ukulele under $150 is not only possible but also exciting. Whether an apprentice, intermediate player, or experienced pro, our pick provides a wide range of alternatives to aid you in expressing your musical creativity.