A uke can be a fantastic travel companion. Whether you’re camping or heading out for an adventure, having a uke with you can allow you to entertain friends, enjoy some great tunes or just keep yourself company on your solo adventures. The best travel ukulele not only provides fantastic sound quality and tone, but is durable enough to handle the rigors of travel and is small enough for you to comfortably carry or fit into airline overhead storage bins.
Our team has reviewed over 20 travel ukuleles to assess how they perform and the sound quality. We’ve compiled a list and our editor’s choice, the Luna Vintage offers an excellent sound and beautiful finish while being beginner friendly. However, we’ve also ranked other travel ukes at different price points and different types to ensure there is a top pick to suit you.
Our team has spent hours researching the very best options to find which travel ukulele has the best design and features, whether you’re a beginner looking to learn or a more experienced uke player. The first and foremost thing we considered was sound quality, which is critical for any instrument. The weight and materials were also important, as your uke needs to be light enough to carry while being durable enough to withstand the rigors of traveling. The overall look and feel of a travel uke were also crucial, in addition to the balance between price and quality features. We’ve presented our research as a simple overview table coupled with a list of detailed travel uke reviews. You’ll also see that we’ve included a buying guide to guide you through the decision-making process.
Before you start shopping, there are a number of things you will need to consider. Ukuleles can be sensitive to the environment, so you will need to consider where you intend to travel. If it is too dry or it may be exposed to water at the beach or pool side, it can suffer damage, so you may need to opt for a plastic model. If you intend to travel frequently, a harder wood instrument is likely to be more durable to stand up to the rigors of travel. Finally, you need to consider how you will transport your ukulele. You’d better avoid baggage handlers and take your ukulele as carry-on when you fly, but it is still a good idea to have a hard case to ensure that it is fully protected.
The durability of a uke is largely a result of the build quality and materials. Obviously, you want your uke to be able to handle the rigors of travel, so it is important to choose a model that offers decent durability without compromising on sound quality.
If you’re planning on taking your uke on your travels, it is a good idea to purchase a good gig bag. A good quality gig bag will not only protect your uke from the elements and any debris, but make it easier to carry around. If you intend to travel frequently, it is worth investing in a hard shell case that can provide greater protection against dents and scratches.
