In addition to being a private violin teacher and having a degree in music from USC, Alecia started writing music-related articles and product reviews six years ago and has enjoyed this experience greatly. She likes to learn new instruments and write new compositions in her free time.
Marcus has a vast experience in digital audio and sound design. Thanks to his knowledge, he actively helps musicians with technical problems, improving their audio quality and promoting their tracks so that thousands of listeners can enjoy really good music.
Last updated: February 19, 2024
Prime Sound is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Ukulele is a musical instrument that produces incredibly smooth tones, and what better way to share more of this sweet sound than with an amp. In this article, we’ll let you in on ten of the best amps for ukulele on the market today to help you make your uke sound much clearer and brighter.
For our review, we’ve taken a look at over 35 different amps for ukuleles and narrowed it down to the 10 best of them. Kicking things off with our Editor’s Choice, the Fender Frontman 10G, this one packs fantastic quality with excellent value. We love how incredibly easy it is to use and how clean and deep it makes your uke sound. If you are looking for something a bit different, we’ll introduce nine other products to give you more options.
For our research, we’ve spent countless hours scanning through official websites of these products and checking customers’ feedback. We’ve come across a number of important features, including the type of the amplifier, its power, inputs, outputs, dimensions, and weight. After our product reviews, we’ll then shift over to the buying guide, where we’ll speak more about the individual features and why they’re important to consider before choosing an amp for you. After that, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the amps for ukuleles and then wrap things up with our top three picks in our final verdict. Let’s get started!
"A wonderful amp for ukulele for those who want to have more fun playing the instrument. It has a small size for better portability and produces very clear tones."
"For those who want to get something more affordable, we recommend this model. This compact battery and adapter-powered amp comes with a belt clip and offers nice, bright sound."
"If you are looking for premium quality, it’s hard to look past this 2-channel amp for ukulele. This is a great option for serious musicians that provides you with 120 watts of power."
"This is a fantastic PA system with multiple inputs and high power. Its tower shape allows you to save some space, and it is a great choice for small gatherings."
"With this highly portable amp for ukulele, you will be able to take it anywhere you want because it comes with a gig bag. The product also doesn’t weigh much and has a built-in tuner."
"This is an amazing amp for ukuleles that has a compact footprint, can run on batteries and is packed with multiple effects that allow you to alter your tones as you want."
"For complete beginners, this small amp with vintage design can be perfect. This small model has line and aux inputs for your jamming sessions and an output for headphones."
"This tiny amp for ukulele is very convenient to carry around thanks to the belt clip. It can also be used as a recorder and is capable of reading TF cards."
"A marvelous amp for ukuleles that has a rechargeable battery and a convenient handle. It provides 15 watts of power and has Bluetooth function, which lets you play along your favorite songs."
"With this amp for uke, you will be able to travel with ease thanks to its charming suitcase design. This model is suitable for beginners because it is very user-friendly."
The Fender Frontman 10G is our Editor’s Choice as we feel it is the overall best amp for ukuleles. Combining excellent quality with exceptional value, this amp by Fender is great for both ukulele and guitar players.
This amp is a fantastic choice for uke players who aren’t too comfortable playing in front of an audience yet and is more often referred to as a practice amp or for those just looking to play for fun. It is a combo type amp and has a power of 10 watts. Moreover, it does offer a soothing and clean tone.
It has two input jacks, one for a 1/4″ instrument, and the other one is a 1/8” auxiliary input jack. In terms of dimensions, this amp is very small and measures out to 10 inches wide by 11 inches tall. It is easy to transport thanks to the handle that is at the top of the amp. Next, it comes with one channel and a 6-inch speaker embedded in the amp. The vast majority of owners were happy with this amp. However, a few did make note that this model lacks adjustments for mids.
The amp that provides the best bang for your buck here is the Danelectro Honeytone N-10. At first glance, you might scratch your head wondering how this tiny little amp can be on our list, but looks can definitely be deceiving.
This Danelectro amp is small, but it packs an absolute punch! In terms of its size, this amp is only six inches wide and six inches tall and weighs less than a pound, which makes it incredibly easy to transport around, especially with its leather handle.
This combo amp has room for 10 watts of power, which should be enough for medium rooms, and is powered by a 9-volt battery, which should get plenty of hours of play. This amp is a great choice for ukuleles because of its ability to produce a tone that is very bright, which is just what you’re looking for if you’re an experienced uke player.
While this amp packs that mighty punch, a few people did mention that its durability is a big question, as it’s very fragile and needs to always be handled with care.
Input: two 1/4” mic/instrument channels, aux stereo input, footswitch,
Output: headphones output, D.I. output, XLR outputs on each channel and main mix
Dimensions: 13.5 x 15.5 x 11.5 in.
Weight: 25.5 lbs.
More features: Bluetooth, tone and feedback-fighting controls, a dual-effects section, 8” woofer (100 watts), 1” soft dome tweeter (20 watts), reverb and delay effects, chorus, flanger and slap echo
If you’re a much more of a serious ukulele player and are looking for one of the best overall amps out there, you might want to consider our Premium Pick, the Fishman PRO-LBT-600 Loudbox Artist.
This unit from Fishman offers two 1/4″ channels, one dedicated for your uke and the other for vocals. It is a combo type of amp with 1120 watts of power that should be more than enough for concerts or recording studios. Because of the power that this amp offers, it is naturally much bigger and heavier than other smaller amps for ukuleles. This model comes in at 14 inches wide and 12 inches tall and weighs a tad bit more than 25 pounds.
As for the speakers, the tone really shines through the two of them embedded inside. An 8-inch woofer and a D.I. output in the rear work together to bring about a fantastic tone. With balanced performance and quality, this amp by Fishman is a great choice for serious players. However, many people did not feel the price was justified for this unit.
Input: 1/8” aux, two 1/4” line inputs, two mic inputs, Powerlink input
Output: subwoofer, Powerlink output
Dimensions: 18 x 6.5 x 7.5 in.
Weight: 14.7 lbs.
More features: twin 4.5” drivers with high-frequency horn, three-channel mixer with high, low and volume controls, 1-year warranty on loudspeakers, 3-year warranty from defects
The only public address (PA) system to make it to our list is the Powerwerks PA System (PW50). PA systems are slightly different than amps because they can accommodate a number of different instruments and vocals, whereas amps tend to focus specifically on an instrument.
Since it can handle both instruments and vocals, this PA system generally gives you more power, and here, you get 50 watts. It comes with two microphone inputs to go along with one for 1/8” aux and two more 1/4” line inputs.
This amp is perfect for smaller gatherings and is great for producing smooth sounds, which makes your uke sound better. Its size is a bit different from the regular amps, and that is because of its tower shape. The product also weighs 15 pounds.
The majority of people who have this amp are happy with it, but a few did mention that it could produce unwanted distortion and some crackling sounds here and there.
Why are we impressed?
High powered
Plenty of inputs
Great for smaller audiences
Compact tower design
What negatives must you be aware of?
Distortion and crackling sounds can appear with louder settings
Input: 1/4” line, 1/8” aux, USB (with cable included)
Output: 1/8” headphones
Dimensions: 8 x 12 x 35 in.
Weight: 8 lbs.
More features: can run on batteries, comes with Cubase AI6 and gig bag, chromatic tuner, compressor chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverb, spring, tone knob
Transporting your amp can often be a pain, especially if it is big and bulky. But when it is nice and small, this shouldn’t be a problem. The Yamaha THR5A is the amplifier that is incredibly easy to transport. It even comes with its own gig bag so that you sling it over your shoulder and carry it with you anywhere you go effortlessly.
It weighs only 8 pounds, and at just 13 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, it’s not very big in size. This combo amp produces 10 watts of power and can also run on batteries. Moreover, this model has a built-in tuner, which is helpful because you won’t have to carry a clip-on tuner with you.
It has two inputs, a 1/4” and 1/8” lines, as well as a USB port that enables you to plug the amp in your computer. While there are some great and handy features with this amp, a few people mentioned that replacing batteries in this one was a pain.
If you’re somebody who gets giddy at the different effects an amp can make, there is a good chance you’ll probably enjoy the Fender Mini Deluxe. This combo amp by Fender offers only 7 watts of power, but is very convenient in terms of dimensions, weighing just over 7 pounds and at 9 inches wide and 9 inches tall.
However, that’s not what this amp is known for, as it really is all about the effects it has. The presets that are included with this amp are delay, reverb, flange, echo, vibratome, phaser, chorus, and tremolo. That will definitely enable you to play around with the different sounds and give your uke a unique sound.
This amp can be run on 6xC batteries, or it can be plugged into the wall and has room for three inputs: a 1/8” aux and two 1/4″ inputs, one for your uke and the other for vocals.
As great as the effects are on this amp, a few people made a note that it could be a bit difficult to find the right presets to get the sound they wanted, so it might not be a good option for beginners.
What makes it special?
Tons of sound-altering effects
Small and portable design
Can run on either batteries or wall plug
3 inputs
What cons did we find?
Effects can be confusing and hard to adjust for some people
For ukulele players who consider themselves to be more recreational players and don’t need an amp that is designed for playing in front of a larger audience, you might want to check this model. The best practice amp in our eyes is the Kala AMP-TWD-5U Mini Tweed.
While it looks like it came out of the 1970s, this amp does a great job of producing crisp and clean sound. It does so by giving little power (5 watts) with just three knobs to work with: volume, treble, and bass. This amp is also extremely simple to use as it only has one line input (1/4”), aux, and one 1/8” output for headphones. As for its design, it has that 1970’s feel to it with its tweed casing and is small enough so you can compare it with the size of a lunchbox, weighing five pounds and having 8 x 12 in. size.
Despite its fantastic qualities, a few people remarked that the sound was a bit distorted at full volume.
What stands out?
Very simple practice amp
Produces a clean tones
Light and portable
Vintage design
What cons did we manage to find?
Unwanted distortion and buzzing sounds at full volume
It’s not common to find a piece of equipment that can be attached to your belt, but that’s exactly what you get with our choice for the easiest to carry amp, the AROMA Mini Portable Guitar Amp. This amp literally makes carrying it around a breeze, and you don’t need anything else to carry it other than your belt!
This amp comes with a belt clip that allows you to take it wherever you go. Moreover, this amp will allow you to make records during your jamming sessions. You’ll hardly notice it on your belt clip as this amp weighs only 9.3 ounces! This amp boasts 5 watts of power and comes with a built-in distortion effect, which gives you more versatility if you have a guitar as well. It also runs on batteries, and you can get a solid 6 hours of continuous play per charge. However, it does take 4 hours to fully charge the battery. Another minor complaint from users said that the belt clip could become loose fairly quickly if not used properly.
Chords and power adapters can often get in the way when you’re playing and just become a bit of an eyesore after a while. If you feel this way, it’s best to turn to an amp that avoids all this hassle, and that’s what the RockJam Busker Bluetooth Rechargable Amplifier does.
This amp has an integrated rechargeable battery that gives it a solid four hours of play, ensuring that the only wire you need is the one to connect your ukulele to this amp. This amp also has Bluetooth functionality, allowing you to play along to your favorite tunes with this amp using this connection.
In terms of size, this amp is also very easy to carry around as it only weighs 5.5 pounds and is small enough in size as well. You can easily adjust the sound of your uke using the bass and treble controls on the amp. Unfortunately, a few people did say it was unfortunate that this combo amp doesn’t have an output line.
If you’re a ukulele player who enjoys playing at small gatherings at different places, you might want an amp that is easy to travel with. Enter the Luna Portable Suitcase Ukulele Amplifier, our choice for the best traveling amp.
This amp that is has an old-school suitcase design, which not only brings the charm to its appearance but provides the great sound as well. It is a combo amp that can be run on batteries or plugged into the wall. It gives 5 watts of power, so you’re not going to get the heaviest of sounds from your uke. Next, it has volume and tone controls that are easy to adjust. It’s limited in its input and output channels as it only has one 1/4” line for each. As part of its charm, this suitcase-looking amp also has a handle that can be used to carry around.
While this amp is great for beginner and novice users, a few people did say that the sounds that came from this amp could sometimes be very faint and low.
Why is it special?
Charming design
Easy to travel with and carry around
Simple to use
Can run on batteries or AC adapter
What are the flaws?
Sound can be faint and low sometimes
Only comes with one input and one output
RELATED:
Things to Consider
In this section, we’ll focus more on the individual aspects that make these amps for ukuleles great. Some features may be more attractive to you than others, and we’ll touch on the most important ones, so you will have a better understanding of them. We’ll then answer a few of the commonly asked questions and then wrap things up with our verdict, where we’ll give you our top three amps for ukulele picks.
How to pick the best amp for ukulele?
Your choice for the best amp for ukulele can depend on what you’re specifically looking for. If you don’t have any particular feature in mind, we’ve identified the most important ones for you, which we will explore more in-depth. These features are the type and configuration of the amp, its power and speakers, the quality of sound it produces, the controls and effects, its connectivity, its weight, size, portability, and finally, the different brands and prices. All of these factors play a role in making amps for ukuleles great.
Type and configuration
With the exception of the AROMA Mini Portable Guitar Amp, which is an amp + recorder, and the Powerwerks (PW50), which appears to be PA system, the rest of the amps for ukuleles are all combo types.
Combo types are the most frequent kind of amps you’ll find across ukuleles and guitars, and it’s because of its versatility. In a nutshell, it means that the unit will have both the amp and the speaker in it.
If you’re looking for even more flexibility in your amp, you might want to explore modeling amps that incorporate digital technology to bring more options for tone and sound.
Power and speakers
With the best amp for ukuleles, you’re definitely playing the wrong instrument if you’re looking to make your entire house or garage shake. That being said, you’re still getting a fair amount of power packed into these tiny-sized amps.
The amps for ukuleles all vary in terms of their power, but generally, you’ll find that they range between 5-15 watts. However, you can also find professional models, such as the Fishman PRO-LBT-600 Loudbox Artist, which provides 120 watts of power. That is definitely not enough to blow the windows out of your house, but still enough power to give the sweet sounds of the ukulele to a nice and small gathering.
As for the speakers, you will find models with single, dual, or even more speakers in the amplifier. This mainly depends on your preferences and whether you need a stereo effect or not.
Quality of the sound
You want to ensure that your amplifier makes bright and crisp sounds, and that can be adjusted with the EQ. The EQ is controlled by knobs on the amp that can either increase or decrease the frequency. With frequency, there are three primary ranges, and they are bass, middle, and treble.
With bass, much like an electric bass guitar, you tend to feel more than you hear. With a middle frequency, the range is a bit wider and tends to affect the clarity of sound. For treble, you’ll get much more of an airy and life feeling since this one controls higher frequencies.
Controls and effects
Most of the amps for ukuleles have controls on them that are organized by channels. There are usually one or two channels on the amps, and you can think of a channel as a control set that can take in a signal from one or two sources (usually one). Plugging your microphone into one channel and your ukulele into the other channel will allow you to have control over the volume and other features of each sound source. The Fender Mini Deluxe is a great example of a product that comes with various effects, including different presets, flanger, phaser, vintage tremolo, and more.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity options for the best amps for ukuleles, there is a number of options. As for the inputs, all amps for ukuleles have sockets for 1/4″ instrument jacks, and some of them also come with 1/8” aux ports.
The 1/8” input jacks are fairly universal in that they will allow you to plug in your electronic devices, such as a phone or mp3 player, to jam along to your favorite songs.
As for outputs, the vast majority of the amps for ukuleles have a 1/8” output jack for headphones. However, there can be more ports for various needs, so you must pick them accordingly.
Weight, size, and portability
One of the most distinguishing features of the best amps for ukuleles is the ease of transportability of these devices. With the exception of the studio products that are much more heavy-duty amps, the rest of the models weigh no more than nine pounds, including the Danelectro Honeytone N-10, which you can attach on your belt.
If you can imagine how light nine-pound product is, you’ll also be happy to know that some amps even come with handles to make it even easier to move them around from your car to your garage and vice versa. Therefore, you really should have no issues with the weight of these amps since they are quite light.
Battery-powered amps vs. amps with adapters
The best amps for ukuleles can run on either batteries or with an AC adapter. Each amp is different and has different power requirements, but it might be helpful to find one that runs both batteries and an AC adapter for more versatility. This is because it’s always better to have back-up options in case you can’t find a socket.
Some amps like the RockJam Busker Bluetooth Rechargable Amplifier, come with their own rechargeable batteries, which is an excellent feature to have because you don’t have to worry about finding new batteries. The only downside to run amps on batteries, if they’re not rechargeable, is that you’ll have to constantly keep purchasing new cells to use the product. This will cost you money in the long run.
Having an amp that can use both batteries and an AC adapter can give you the ability to play wherever you want even if there is no wall socket nearby.
Brands and prices
There are plenty of great brands that produce the best amps for ukuleles, with Fender probably being the most notable brand name of the group here. As for the prices of these amps, they tend to vary, just like with anything else that has plenty of options.
If you are searching for something more affordable, the Danelectro Honeytone N-10 costs only $22. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for the highest quality amp you can buy, you’ll find our premium pick, the Fishman PRO-LBT-600 Loudbox Artist, which is available for $650!
All of the other best amps for ukuleles can be found in between these two price tags, but you can find most of them for under $200, including the Fender Mini Deluxe, which boasts amazing effects.
It really depends on what type of batteries you’re using and the ukulele amp as well. Some can drain the batteries quicker than others, so it’s important to know how much power your amp requires. Generally speaking, amps that run on batteries will get you a fair amount of play, and you can expect anywhere between 4-10 hours of play time for new batteries. Just don’t forget to switch your amp off after your jamming sessions to ensure that your batteries will last longer.
First off, before you hook up your uke to your amplifier, you’re going to need to ensure your uke has a pickup (usually located at the end of your uke). The pickup is a must to hooking up your uke to the amp because without it you won’t be able to do so. A pickup helps to convert the sound vibrations into an electric signal. The pickup has an output jack that allows you to connect your instrument cable into this jack and into the input of the amp. To make your instrument sound brighter, you might want to add some effects in the chain, but this depends on your preferences.
There really is no standard when it comes to the effects recommended for an electric ukulele. The effects are something that is different to everyone – some people may not care for it at all, whereas some people may want all the effects they can have on an amp, and for that, we recommend the Fender Passport Mini. In terms of the optimal configuration, you’ll want to adjust the volume, bass, and treble. Those are pretty much the standard effects you’ll come across as these effects control the sound and tone of your ukulele. Other effects are great but aren’t really necessary for a ukulele.
Our Verdict
In our final verdict, we present to you our top three amps for ukuleles that really stood out to us.
On the first, place we have our Editor’s Choice, the Fender Frontman 10G. We were very impressed with the quality of sound from this compact amp. This wonderful model has 2-band EQ and AUX input, which you can use to play along your favorite songs.
Next up, we really liked the Danelectro Honeytone N-10. This product doesn’t cost much and can be attached to your belt while also providing you with a crisp and bright sound.
Lastly, the Fishman PRO-LBT-600 Loudbox Artist caught our eyes because it is a very powerful professional model with 2 channels. If you are a serious player, this product can be ideal for you.
We hope that our article helped you find the best amp for ukulele, and now, you will get tons of fun entertaining your listeners with clear and smooth uke tones.
