The Best Ukulele For Beginners

Learning how to play the ukulele has never been easier with this uke from Ranch. Complete with a 10 mm gig bag, a digital tuner with battery, an extra set of Aquila strings, a strap, a polishing cloth, free online lessons and the instrument itself, this set has everything you need to get started on your new musical adventure.

The body of the 23-inch ukulele is made from high quality Sapele wood, giving your sound a warmer and darker tone than you would get with a ukulele constructed with more conventional wood. The 18 frets are made with silver nickle, with position marks at 5th, 7th, 12th, 15th, and 17th.

We found this ukulele to be perfect for beginners because the 12 free online lessons teach you everything you need to know to get started. The first lesson introduces the instrument and teaches you about tuning and you'll gradually start learning to play from there. By the end of your 12 lessons, you'll be able to play a rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow!"

Key Features

• Made with elegant Sapele wood
• Includes gig bag, digital tuner, extra set of strings, strap, polishing cloth, and 12 online lessons
• 18 nickel frets

To learn a new skill, it is always helpful to consult with those who are true masters of their craft. Kala is one of the most sought-after and renowned brand of ukuleles in the world, being a choice brand for schools and musicians like Twenty One Pilots and Zac Brown. Their ukulele starter kit is packed with all the things you could ever need to begin learning how to play.

Constructed with gorgeous, quality mahogany, you will quickly notice the fine craftsmanship that goes into building a Kala ukulele. We really love the shark teeth laser etched rosette bordering the sound hole. Plus, the Italian Aquila strings, GraphTech nut and saddle, and open gear tuners, provide a beautiful sound quality and tone that is unmatched.

Along with the ukulele, the package includes a tote bag, a 20-page quick start guide with all the info you need to know to start playing. Plus, you will have access to online lessons on Kala's website and the Kala app, which also includes a tuner and play-along songs.

Key Features

• Constructed with mahogany
• Includes tote bag, 20-page quick start guide, online lessons, and mobile app
• Shark teeth rosette

Just because you're a beginner at playing the ukulele, it doesn't mean you have to compromise quality. The Kmise ukulele is a meticulously crafted instrument that is great for all skill levels.

This beautifully constructed ukulele has a body made of mahogany and fretboard and bridge made of smooth walnut wood. While the fretboards on other entry level guitars and ukuleles can feel cheap and uneven, the frets on the Kmise ukulele are manicured so they are well seated and ready to play.

The ukulele is equipped with D'Addario strings and is pre-tuned at a lower action before shipping. To tune the ukulele yourself, the 18:1 gear tuning pegs will precisely do the trick. We love that the tuning pegs are made with pure copper instead of brass-plated zinc because it is made to last and is less like to corrode or rust.

In addition to the fine crafted ukulele, this set from Kmise also comes with access to free online lessons, a quick start booklet, gig bag, tuner, strap, and extra strings.

Key Features

• Pure copper tuning pegs
• Equipped with D'Addario strings
• Manicured frets for smooth finish

Even when you're stuck at home, you can still transport yourself to the majestic Hawaiian islands with the sweet sounds of a ukulele.

We love this offering from Bondi Ukuleles because it truly has everything you need to get started on your journey to making music: a handcrafted saddle, a compression sponge case to keep your uke in the most pristine condition, Aquila strings, a tuner, felt picks, a chord stamp, a chord chart, a gorgeous rainbow strap, access to online lessons, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a uke shaped bookmark, fretboard note stickers, and a tote bag to carry all your accessories.

The ukulele itself is beautifully crafted with African mahogany, giving your songs a lovely tone, especially once the strings are stretched and broken in.

With all the essentials (and then some) included, you'll save yourself trips to the music store, giving you more time to hone your craft.

Key Features

• Constructed with African mahogany
• Compression sponge case protects your ukulele and makes transportation easy
• Fretboard note stickers help you learn faster

We at CinemaBlend know how overwhelming it can be when buying a new instrument––especially if you're just starting out. That's why we put together this handy buyer's guide! That way you can leave the research up to us while you start writing your list of songs you want to learn once you get your hands on a new ukulele.

Does Wood Make A Difference?

It may not seem like it at first, but the type of wood used to construct your ukulele can make a huge difference in the quality of sound you receive when playing. In fact, these special woods are called tonewoods because they are known for their tonal properties. The woods used to construct ukuleles we have listed are sapele and mahogany.

Sapele is a common wood often used to construct entry level ukuleles. It's pretty similar to mahogany both visually and tonally, so players and their audiences will enjoy a rich and warm tone that isn't too bright.

Mahogany is one of the most popular tonewoods for stringed instruments because it gives a warm, balanced, and mellow tone.

All About Strings

Like the type of wood your ukulele is constructed with, the strings used play an important role in sound quality. Ukulele strings can be made out of guts (yes, like animal guts), nylon, flurocarbon/plastic, titanium, or steel.

The Aquila brand strings that are included in a couple of the products listed are made from nylgut, which is a unique polymer that offers a bright and clear sound along with durability. These strings imitate the sound of gut strings, without having to put any animals in harms way.

The D'Addario brand strings featured on the Kmise ukulele are made of nylon. A lot of entry level ukuleles come with nylon strings. Though you may not get the desired sound quality as you would with higher end strings, there are some advantages of using nylon strings. For example, they are easier on your fingertips when playing, they aren't affected by humidity like others can be, and they still offer and nice warm and clear tone.

It's important to note that with all strings, they need some time to stretch and break in before they start producing the desired tone, so be patient when playing with new strings. You'll be playing beautiful music in no time!