Finding the best ukuleles under $200 that play great and look good isn’t that easy. There are tons of ukes in the $200 price range, but not all of them are that great. You want something that is built from quality materials and will hold up when you take it out to the beach or camp fire.
We’ve reviewed some of the most popular $200 ukuleles on the market, so you can compare their specs, build quality, pros, cons, and features to quickly decide which one is right for you, your playing style, and your wallet. Any of these ukes would be a great first ukulele or make an awesome addition to your instrument collection no matter if you are a beginner player or advanced.
Let’s hop into it and look at some of the top-rated ukuleles priced less than $200 available right now.
Compare the Top Ukuleles Below $200 in 2020
Contents
- 1 Compare the Top Ukuleles Below $200 in 2020
- 2 What We Recommend and Why?
Here’s a list of the best ukes under $200 on the market that are easy to play and won’t break your budget.
- Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele
- Kala KA-B Baritone Ukulele
- Cordoba 20TM-CE Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele
- Luna Malu Acoustic-Electric Ukulele Bundle
- Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric Ukulele
- Kala KA-PWS Pacific Soprano Ukulele
Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele
Specs, features, and benefits
The top, back and sides of this ukulele are made of Hawaiian Koa, which means that the construction is very sturdy while looking very nice. The natural glow finish brings out the beauty of this wood, and thanks to that, and the binding and rosette that are made of abalone, this ukulele actually looks more expensive than it actually is.
The neck is made of Nyatoh, while the fingerboard and the bridge are made of high-quality rosewood. Another important feature is the tuners that are made of Grover chrome. All of these characteristics make this ukulele very durable, which means that you’ll use it in years to come. You will also have a lifetime warranty in case something happens to the instrument.
Pros and Highlights
- Sturdy construction – Thanks to the high-quality wood that every crucial part of this ukulele is made of, you can be sure that the instrument will be sturdy and solid, which means that it will last you in years to come.
- Design – As said, the ukulele has a natural glow finish that accentuates the beauty of the Koa wood and makes this instrument look expensive and luxurious even though it’s affordable. Nice details are the binding and rosette made of abalone that makes it look even more beautiful.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Plastic saddle – The saddle of this ukulele is made of plastic and not of bone as some of the more expensive models.
Bottom Line
This ukulele is a great choice for beginners or people who play from time to time. The construction, as well as the design, are very well-made, and the tune and the sound of the instrument will pleasantly surprise you.
Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
Specs, features, and benefits
Since the top, back and sides of this ukulele are made of mahogany tree, the sound that produces is full and warm, which is perfect for a baritone ukulele. It features walnut fingerboard and Aquila strings that have perfect tone and intonation. The finish of this ukulele is semi-glossy, and the color is dark and looks very nice.
The sound is so warm that it’s similar to the acoustic guitar, so you can easily use this instrument as an alternative if you don’t have the guitar. Even though it’s sturdy, it’s really easy to hold and play, and you won’t have to lower the saddle and the bridge.
Pros and Highlights
- Warm and rich sound – The sound is the most important thing on every instrument. This ukulele has a strong, beautiful sound that’s guitar-like, and thanks to the mahogany, it’s warm and very full.
- High-quality strings – This ukulele has Aquila strings that allow you to play this instrument easily and not worry if the intonation is right as soon as you open it, because it will be. Every tone will sound as it should.
- Lightweight – This instrument is very light, which makes playing even easier. Even though it’s light, it’s perfectly balanced and durable.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Narrow neck – If you have smaller hands, you will like this feature. However, this can be a bit uncomfortable for people with larger hands.
Bottom Line
When looking for a good-quality baritone ukulele, it should have warm and full sound, and that’s exactly what this instrument offers. This ukulele is a great yet affordable instrument that will make playing easier and more enjoyable.
Cordoba 20TM-CE Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele
Specs, features, and benefits
This instrument is completely handmade, which makes it really special. It’s made of mahogany that produces a soft and warm sound that’s full and strong at the same time. It features Cordoba electronics which allow you to plug in this ukulele and make the sound even louder. The tone is balanced, whether you play low or high notes.
The instrument is light but still stable and sturdy. It’s very easy to hold. The bridge and fingerboard are made of durable rosewood, while the strings are nylon and produce precise, clear sounds. The finish of the wood is natural satin, and you will find the shape very comfortable. The tuners are very well-made, and they are gold and pearl. You can even purchase the bag if you need it.
Pros and Highlights
- Luxurious design – Thanks to the satin finish, mahogany wood and shape, this ukulele looks very elegant and sleek. It most definitely looks more expensive than it actually is.
- Handmade – An instrument made in the fabric is never as good as the one that’s handmade. That’s what makes this ukulele special because a lot of hard work, patience and love went into the process of making this instrument.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- The strings take time to settle in – Until the strings settle in, the tune of the ukulele will need to be adjusted more often. As soon as they settle in, this won’t happen.
Bottom Line
This is a very beautiful electric ukulele that will make playing experience better. Thanks to its design and good-quality wood, you’ll enjoy its every tone and produce beautiful music in years to come, whether you’re an amateur or a professional.
Luna Malu Acoustic-Electric Ukulele Bundle
Specs, features, and benefits
Another ukulele that produces warm and full sound thanks to the mahogany body and rosewood details such as bridge and fretboard. This instrument comes with all of the necessary things you need to play it as soon as it arrives. You will get a gig bag as well as a cloth for polishing, tuner and an instructional DVD that’s very useful for beginners.
What’s very interesting and unique about this ukulele is the peace sign that’s cut on the sound hole. It looks very nice and gives this ukulele a unique look, without compromising the quality of the sound. The finish of the wood is satin, and the instrument features high-quality Aquila strings.
Pros and Highlights
- Necessary accessories – Purchasing an instrument can be a serious investment, not to mention purchasing all of the necessary accessories for more professional experience. This ukulele comes with everything you need to start playing immediately.
- Unique design – The instrument itself is very comfortable to hold and play. Other than that, it looks very interesting, and the peace sign adds to its uniqueness. Everyone will notice your instrument thanks to this sign.
- Mahogany wood – The top, back, sides and neck of this ukulele are made of mahogany wood that adds warmth and fullness to the already incredible sound.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Gig bag – Even though it’s a really useful feature, the quality of the bag is not the best.
Bottom Line
This is a great option when you want an entire kit that includes ukulele, gig bag, cloth and a tuner, and what makes this instrument perfect even for beginners is the DVD with detailed instructions. This can also be a nice gift for both professional and amateur music lovers!
Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric Ukulele
Specs, features, and benefits
The top, back and sides of this electric ukulele are made of maple. The finish is very glossy, and thanks to the colour, the instrument looks very nice and luxurious. The construction is stable and sturdy. However, the tone of this ukulele is very good and clear. The tuners are also solid, as well as the bridge. The neck is joined to the body with screws, for added sturdiness.
This model is medium-sized, concert ukulele. The amp-jack is installed very well and the whole instrument, in general, is very well-made and seems much more expensive than it actually is. You can use both strings that are included or change them if you have a brand that you prefer. The ukulele comes with a high-quality gig bag.
Pros and Highlights
- Sturdiness – The entire construction of the instrument, both body and neck, is very durable and sturdy. The instrument is not as fragile as the majority of ukuleles so you can play it without worrying about it getting damaged.
- High-quality gig bag – Even though the instrument is affordable, the bag isn’t made of cheap material that’s easy to ruin. You can be sure that your ukulele will be protected whenever you pack it in the bag.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No volume control – This means that the volume of the sound will always be the same, and you can’t adjust it if you need to.
Bottom Line
This is one of the best electric ukuleles on the market that don’t cost a lot. You’ll enjoy its clear sound and accurate intonation in years to come since the instrument is well-made and very durable.
Kala KA-PWS Pacific Walnut Soprano Ukulele
Specs, features, and benefits
Kala Brand Ukuleles have been bestsellers for many years. At this point, they are the best-selling ukulele line in the world! That is also the case with this adorable, little, Soprano Ukulele. And the price is very affordable! It has 12 frets, natural satin finish, pacific walnut body, and much more to offer!
If you want a quality beginner/intermediate instrument, the Soprano Ukulele is perfect for you! It is very big sounding and has a short scale length, which allows the strings to be pressed down easily, and that makes playing a lot easier!
Pros and Highlights
- The ease of playability -This Soprano Ukulele’s scale comes with 12 nickel frets and a set of Grover open gear tuners which help the players, especially the beginners, play with ease.
- Aesthetic and effective configuration – The combination of these beautiful tonewoods and the Pacific Walnut give you a very bright and warm tone with big volume.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- A bit too small for some players – It might be a bit small for some players with larger hands.
Bottom Line
Kala KA-PWS Pacific Walnut Soprano Ukulele is a small sized, big sounding, quality beginner/ intermediate instrument with an aesthetic, yet effective structure, which makes it really easy to play.
What We Recommend and Why?
After testing all of these, and many more, affordable ukuleles carefully, and considering all of the pros and cons, we chose our favorite. We think that the best option to choose is Luna Guitars Luna Malu Concert Acoustic-Electric Ukulele firstly because of its incredible sound quality, and secondly because of the interesting and unique design thanks to the peace sign.
If you want a high-quality, durable, yet affordable ukulele that will stand out thanks to its design and color, this model should be your choice. Everything this model offers is great, not to mention all of the perks you’ll have with the accessories it comes with that will allow you to play this instrument in the best way possible as soon as it arrives.