10 Impressive Concert Ukuleles to Bring the Hawaiian Spirit to Your Music

Our Editor’s Choice for best concert ukulele is the Hricane UKS-2. This is the perfect instrument if you are looking whether to begin your ukulele career or to continue it. Made from a sapele wood body and a walnut fretboard, it boasts of quality construction. The satin finish means you get to see the wood grains in all their glory.

The four strings on the Hricane UKS-2 are made from carbon sourced from Japan and there are 18 brass frets on the fretboard as well. Traditionally, the frets have position marks to help you play easier. The manufacturers have assured users that the strings are effortless to change, which means there are no barriers to new players.

When you play the Hricane UKS-2 you can count on creating a smooth, simple sound. The music will jump right from the strings to you ears in a harmonious manner, which is no wonder why it’s considered one of the best sounding concert ukuleles.

If you’re still not convinced, don’t just take our word for it. The Hricane UKS-2 is one of the highest ranked concert ukuleles on Amazon. It has an impressively high rating, and previous users rave about this instrument. It is gorgeous to look at, easy to play, and sounds wonderful. To top it off, there is a 30-day money back guarantee, just in case. A guarantee like this is a sure sign that the manufacturer has faith in their creation.

Why are we impressed?

• Quality construction
• Classical design and beautiful satin finish
• 30-day money back guarantee
• Highly rated on Amazon

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Frets might need some sanding

When you think about the ukulele, you probably imagine a Hawaiian beach. There is a person wearing a grass skirt and a lei, strumming a ukulele and singing along. And if you look closely, that ukulele is made out of Koa wood. Koa trees are native to Hawaii and when used to make ukuleles, are the quintessential material. This is because their deep grains and strong coloring make the instruments really pop. The Martin C1K is the best Koa concert ukulele thanks to its Koa wood body and sipo wood fretboard.

The finish for the Martin C1K is satin, which is perfect for this type of wood. Simply give it a nice rub down with a cloth after playing at your concert ukulele will never lose its luster.

While the Martin C1K is amazing for its looks, it is also impressive with its sound. Deep, luscious notes are produced within the body of the ukulele. The strings are nicely paralleled and held in tight in their grooves.

You can also rest assured that once you tune the Martin C1K, it will last for a long time. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to constantly tune an instrument. With this Koa concert ukulele, once you tune it, it will last for a while.

One final reason to purchase the Martin C1K is that while it is at the higher end of the price spectrum, it is still less than other Koa concert ukuleles. So, while you have to pay a premium for its craftsmanship, the price is considerably lower than other similar models.

What makes it stand out?

• Beautiful Koa wood body
• Produces lovely notes
• Will stay in tune for a long while

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Pricier than basic models

Those looking for a unique concert ukulele should definitely consider the Ortega Guitars RUMG-CE. While most traditional ukuleles are made from mahogany or walnut, this instrument uses mango wood. Yes, wood from a mango tree. The result is a completely unique coloring and wood pattern. While most other woods are darker in color, mango wood is much lighter, while still being strong enough to create the music from a ukulele.

Paired with the mango wood of the body is a maple fretboard. The result is almost a variation of black and white. The satin finish perfectly pairs with the wood to create an almost rough looking design, although rest assured it is completely smooth. The fret buttons are gold with black accents, leading one to wonder just how luxurious is this instrument?

The only accessory included is a gig bag, but even though this is the priciest concert ukulele on our list, it is worth it. This is thanks to the built-in tuner it has and the unique cutaway patter on the side of the ukulele. Great precision was used to create this concert ukulele and the result is an unparalleled sound.

The Ortega Guitars RUMG-CE is not for beginner ukulele players, mainly due to its price. You wouldn’t want to give this item for a child’s birthday. However, if you are an experienced ukulele player or if you want to add to your collection of instruments, then the Ortega Guitars RUMG-CE is right for you.

What do we love it for?

• Unique mango tree construction
• Beautiful guitar-style tuners
• Cutaway pattern is pleasing to look at
• Built-in tuner

What were we disappointed with?

• More expensive than other models
• Doesn’t include any accessories except a gig bag

The finish of a concert ukulele can either be a glossy veneer or a satin matte. While a satin matte leads to a more natural expression of the wood, a glossy finish looks a bit more rock and roll. And the Enya EUC-M6 is no exception. In fact, along with its glossy mahogany body, the cut out at the top of the ukulele makes the Enya EUC-M6 seem more like a mini guitar than a concert ukulele. Which is just fine by us.

If you want even more design elements, then you’ll want to check out the mother-of-pearl inlay along the fretboard. Peeping out behind the strings, you can make out a series of curls and birds in a mother-of-pearl setting. This is truly unique. Other design features include gold agate die-cast tuners, which not only looks good but ensures the best of sound.

Music from this concert ukulele is further enhanced by the Enya strings. Made of superior quality, these strings lead to precision tones. Your high notes are crisp, and your low tones are bold. Together, they work in perfect harmony.

Altogether, the Enya EUC-M6 has created legions of satisfied customers. Past users rave about both its beauty, and its performance. While the manufacturers do state that the Enya EUC-M6 can be used by both beginners and experts, the price point, north of $200, may suggest otherwise. While this would be a rather nice gift for someone, it is probably not best left in the hands of sticky children.

What do we love it for?

• The rare glossy finish is very durable
• Mother-of-pearl inlay adds to its uniqueness
• Premium strings lead to rich tones
• Agate tuners for longevity

What were we disappointed with?

• Out of budget for many

What attracted us to the Luna Tattoo concert ukulele – like most other people – is the fantastic laser-tattooed design on its body. However, what kept us playing and having fun is its rich and warm sound.

The Luna concert ukulele is one of the most recommended ukes for beginners because it is the perfect balance in terms of pricing, quality construction, and beautiful sound. It is made of laminate with a mahogany veneer, so don’t be fooled by the cheap marketing tactics, but the warm intonation more than makes up for it.

The rest of the uke is made up of a rosewood neck, nickel frets, a walnut bridge, and nylon strings, all of which are pretty standard in quality. We did notice some wobbling in the frets when tuning the instrument, but that ceased to be an issue once the strings became properly stretched in a week or so.

Why did it make our list?

• Wonderfully rich sound

What is not ideal about it?

• Frets are a bit wobbly
• Delicate build

Music should be available to everyone, which is why it’s exciting to have such a great concert ukulele at an affordable price. The Kmise KMU23C is made from a luxurious mahogany body with a walnut fretboard. Its satin finish is paired nicely with the grains of the wood. Altogether, the sticker price of the Kmise KMU23C will come at a welcome surprise and makes it one of the best concert ukuleles for the money.

Included in the purchase of the Kmise KMU23C concert ukulele are a gig bag, a tuner, a strap, and strings. It also comes with instructions and online lessons. For those looking for a beginner ukulele, or a ukulele for kids, this is the perfect purchase. You can get this complete bundle at a budget price, and the addition of the online lessons means you, or someone else, can instantly start practicing.

The instruction booklet is easy to read and offers a lot of important tips for starting out. The online lessons have great videos with amazing teachers.

If you’re worried about smaller fingers navigating the fretboard, one unique feature of the Kmise KMU23C is that the fret wires are smooth at the ends. There is no fear of scratching, which can be a bit of an obstacle to learning.

All in all, it’s a nice ukulele under 100 dollars only. As if it’s not enough, Kmise KMU23C also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, which is a refreshing feature. You can purchase this concert ukulele and know that if it’s not quite right, you can still return it.

The only downside to the Kmise KMU23C is that the strings are rather tight. You might have to fiddle around with the tension for the first few weeks until they stretch enough.

What are its best features?

• Fret wires are smooth at the edges
• Online lessons are easy to follow
• 30-day money back guarantee

What could be improved?

• Strings are a bit too tight at first

When you think of the sound a traditional Hawaiian uke makes, that is what the Makai LC-70B concert ukulele sounds like. The solid spruce top and laminate lacewood uke is so bright with ringing intonations that it could easily mimic some guitar qualities.

More notably, the sustain and volume on this concert ukulele are pure joy. However, we did have to replace the strings that came on it with some Aquila strings to get the full range of the instrument. The original strings were muddy and had problems with intonation, and we recommend that you do the same.

In terms of construction, Makai kept the standards up top as always. The lacewood laminate body feels and sounds solid, although it is lighter than the solid cedar on the LC-80 version. The tuning mechanism holds very well, so this is not an instrument that you have to keep fussing over.

What makes it special?

• The sparkly sound
• Attractive design

What cons did we find?

• Questionable quality of the strings that come with the uke

There are ukuleles for those in a tight budget and there are models for those where the sky is the limit. If you find yourself somewhere in the middle, then the Kala KA-PWC is for you. Coming in under $200, this middle of the road concert ukulele has the perfect blend of craftsmanship and price.

The satin finish of the Kala KA-PWC means there is a lighter brown color with dark brown grains, which is a beautiful contrast. The fretboard is also made of walnut, which makes the Kala KA-PWC appear quite seamless. The bold satin finish allows the walnut to shine in all its glory.

The Kala KA-PWC comes with a bunch of accessories, so it is perfect for anyone just setting out on their ukulele journey. Included are a case, a tuner, and a polishing cloth. As well, there is an instructional DVD. In this DVD you will find tips on how to care for your ukulele and even how to practice some important cords. It’s only natural to want to play with a new toy once you get it, and thankfully you can get started right away with the Kala KA-PWC.

The Kala KA-PWC also features a NuBone nut which works well. However, there were some cases of the bone being a tad high. This can lead to the strings not sitting parallel to the body. Thankfully, a quick filing down was all that was needed to correct it.

What makes it stand out?

• Gorgeous walnut construction
• Very satisfied customers
• Great mid-range concert ukulele

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• NuBone nut may be a bit high for strings

When you find something exciting, you want to start playing with it right away. Thankfully, the Donner DUC-1 is fully aware of this fact, which is why they have included just about everything you need to start playing it. Accessories for the Donner DUC-1 include a bag, a strap, carbon nylon strings, and a clip-on digital tuner. It also comes with four colorful picks. Altogether, this assemblage makes the Donner DUC-1 one of the best cheap concert ukuleles on the market.

The mahogany body of the Donner DUC-1 is paired nicely with the rosewood fretboard. Together these lovely woods show that you care about craftsmanship and music. The satin finish is perfect as it highlights the wood’s grain. Audience members will be mesmerized with both your playing and your instrument itself.

Once you start playing the Donner DUC-1, you’ll be amazed at how comfortable it feels. There are non jagged edges, and the whole concert ukulele feels natural in your arms. The distances between the strings and the frets have been designed to be as comfortable as possible. Once you start playing, you won’t want to stop.

The only drawback with the Donner DUC-1 is that the sound can be a bit thin. This is to be expected, though as the price is quite amazing. If you’re a beginner or a child, the Donner DUC-1 is a great find. Those that are more experienced will want to look at the next price bracket.

What do we love it for?

• Comes with a lot of great accessories
• Very comfortable to hold
• Budget-friendly

What were we disappointed with?

• Sound can be a bit too thin for professionals

Interested in playing the ukulele? Want to get started, but aren’t really sure how? The Kala MK-C is the best concert ukulele for beginners. Not only is it an attractive instrument with a lovely sound, but it also comes with everything you need to get started.

The mahogany body of the concert ukulele is paired nicely with the walnut fretboard. The satin finish is perfect for these materials as it really lets the intricate wood pattern shine.

Accessories for the Kala MK-C include a gig bag, a tuner, a strap, extra strings, and a polishing cloth. As well as these extras, the Kala MK-C also comes with an instructional DVD and online lessons. This set makes it ideal for anyone just starting out with the ukulele. Whether you are an adult or a child, the instructional DVD has a lot to offer.

One of the extras the Kala MK-C comes with is a clip-on tuner. This is an excellent feature that allows you to easily keep your ukulele in tune. As most musicians can attest, tuning an instrument can be a lot of work. A tuner will help you understand how each note should sound and leave all your strings sounding great.

The Kala MK-C comes in at an affordable price, but because of this does have some flaws. The biggest is with the case. Some previous users noted that the case either came in the wrong size or even had the handle fall off. While this is not ideal, the good news is that there were relatively few complaints about the ukulele itself. And remember, if there are issues, be sure to contact customer service right away.

What are its best features?

• Classical design
• Affordable
• Includes a lot of accessories
• Comes with an instructional DVD and online lessons

What could be improved?

• The case may break easily