Name: Lohanu Tenor Ukulele
Brand: Lohanu Tenor Ukulele

Prime Sound is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

The ukulele originated in Europe in the 18^th century. And today, most artists are gravitating towards the ultra-portable and musical tone of this instrument. Major artists such as Eddie Vedder and Paul McCartney have adopted the ukulele, giving it profound respect. With only four nylon strings, these instruments are easy to learn and play. More so, they’re ideal for novices who have music at heart.

However, the market today is flooded with ukuleles, and choosing the best ukulele under $300 becomes a hurdle. Ukuleles come in various sizes, types, prices, and brands. But don’t worry. We’ve done the hardest part for you. In this article, we’ve reviewed the six best ukuleles in the market. And after spending hours doing research, the Lohanu Tenor Ukulele is our top choice. It’s popular and strikes a balance between value and quality. Lohanu is ideal for newbies. We’ve also reviewed five other ukuleles, accompanied by their key features.

Our research is based on key features such as body material for durability. The weight of the ukulele is vital as it will determine its portability. We reviewed sizable devices suitable for your hands and play. The dimension of the ukulele is vital as it will determine the storage ability. We’ve also included the pros, cons, detailed reviews, and the buying guide. This is to ensure you’re choosing the instruments perfect for you.

Quick Summary

Editor’s Choice: Lohanu Tenor Ukulele

"A tenor ukulele, it has not only a great sound but handsome looks with its arched back, white bindings, and chrome tuning gears."
Premium Pick: Enya Cutaway Ukulele

"This s a concert ukulele that has an electric guitar headstock and comes with a padded gig bag and adjustable handle."
Best Value: Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele

"A lightweight soprano ukulele, its body is made from high-quality mahogany, making a design of this instrument even sleeker."
Best Acoustic Ukulele: Cordoba 15CM

"This lightweight and compact concert ukulele produces an excellent sound and is perfect for both beginners and professional."
Best Designed Ukulele: Luna Tattoo Concert Ukulele

"This easy to tune concert ukulele is an example of excellent craftsmanship, it has many great features along with stunning looks."
Best Ukulele for Beginners: Snail Ukulele

"This well-designed concert ukulele has high-quality strings and built-in mic to provide a better sound."

Top 6 Ukuleles under $300 Review 2024

Lohanu Tenor Ukulele – Editor’s Choice

Features

Size: tenor
Body material: Sapele
Dimensions: 26.6 x 9.1 x 3.1 inches
Weight: 1.45 lbs.

More features: more sizes available; suitable for any age; arched back; accessories included; white bindings; chrome tuning gears

Price on Amazon

9.6

Lohanu is a combination of love, Ohana, and unity. This ukulele is designed to provide an outstanding combination of value and quality. The Lohanu tenor is nicely built, which plays exemplary well with great sounds. The low price and good quality make it deserve its top-ranked place. More so, it’s ideal for beginners and seasoned players looking for a travel or a great backup instrument.

The Lohanu Tenor has a clean and tight construction. Finish, fits, and attention to detail is incredibly great, considering its low price. It has a satin finish looks and feels great to turn heads. It’s designed with a braceless arched back that offers structural support and enhances tone. The saddle and nut are made out of TUSQ, which is a sturdy material that stimulates bone. The material is denser and harder than the plastic fabric used in cheaper ukes.

The neck, back, and top have a decorative white strip running beautifully around the edges to give the instrument a refined look. The sound is sweet, warm, and harp-like. This is attributed to the device’s minimal finish and excellent construction.

You can easily play without fret buzz. The instrument comes in a padded gig bag for easy portability and storage. It also protects the device from getting scratches. You can hang it on a wall to create a beautiful decoration.

What are our favorite features?

It has excellent playability with sweet, warm sounds
It comes with a lifetime warranty
Highly responsive
Tight and light construction for easy portability
Reliable tuners

What could be better?

The plastic picks might get brittle with time
Some notes are unbalanced

Enya Cutaway Ukulele – Premium Pick

Features

Size: concert
Body material: mahogany
Dimensions: not specified
Weight: 3.31 lbs.

More features: gold agate die-cast; electric guitar headstock; glossy finish; comes with a padded gig bag and adjustable handle.

Price on Amazon

9.5

Enya is a reliable and durable Chinese brand that is created to take your music desire to the next level. If you’re in the market for a great deal at a reasonable price, Enya M6 should be on your list. When it comes to choosing the best ukulele under $300, you should first consider the material used. Fabric plays a vital role in any product’s durability. And for that, Enya designed this device with a 3A solid mahogany back, top, and sides. The high gloss finish is corrosion and wear-resistance. It means your ukulele will last for long and still maintains its sleek look.

The musical and crisp sound will make you enjoy your music. This concert ukulele is designed with beautiful and gorgeous inlays on the fingerboards. Other feature includes the Daddario strings which provide incredible sound. The strings also provide full-bodied sound for astonishing performance. This ukulele comes with a 1.18 gold agate die-cast for more beautiful and stable tuning. It ensures that the instrument has the best intonation, and it stays in tune for a long time.

The concert ukulele is well-packed in a carrying bag. With a weight of 3.31 lbs, this ukulele is easily portable. Despite all these features, the device comes at a competitive price and provide a brighter and richer sound. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, Enya Cutaway Ukulele is the perfect entertaining device.

What stands out?

It has a low battery indicator
Produces brighter and finer sounds
Lightweight for easy portability
Comes with a manual for easy learning and play

What cons did we manage to find?

Some users complain about its durability

Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele – Best Value

Features

Size: soprano
Body material: mahogany
Dimensions: 24 x 4 x 9 inches
Weight: 1.72 lbs.

More features: ebony construction; made by a ukulele company

Price on Sweetwater

Price on Amazon

9.4

Kala ukulele came into the market in 2005, and since then, the device has taken the industry with a bang. When it comes to ukuleles, one of the core features is portability. Everyone would love to have a lightweight device that you can carry with you everywhere you go. And for that reason, Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele was designed with you in mind. With the mere weight of 1.72 lbs, the instrument is extremely lightweight to carry around. Kala ukuleles are popular due to their vibrant voices. They have sat in warm beaches, seen the mountain tops, and played under the stars. This device can be played in neighborhoods, classrooms, and iconic concerts. More than just an instrument, it’s an extension of you.

You will also experience quality craftsmanship and a fantastic tone, making it an instrument of choice for schools and concerts. The traditional mahogany soprano ukulele has a satin finish with a warm, full-bodied, and bright tone. Be sure this device will turn heads. This is the smallest ukulele with the shortest scale length to ensure you’re able to hold it well when playing your music. It’s also ideal for people with small hands. The device comes with a stunning fingerboard and bridge. The beautiful mahogany neck and stable strings from Italy make the product stands out.

Learning the basics, like tuning, is seamless. It’s enabled by beginner-friendly chords. The mahogany neck is durable. The instrument retails at a great price, making it one of the best ukuleles under $300.

Why did it make our list?

It has a high-quality build
Affordable and ideal for all categories
It’s suitable for class and concerts
Sleek design complimented the satin finish

What is not ideal about it?

It might go out of tune pretty fast
Be careful when ordering from online vendors

Cordoba 15CM – Best Acoustic Ukulele

Features

Size: concert
Body material: mahogany
Dimensions: 29 x 17 x 9 inches
Weight: 1.32 inches

More features: satin modern edge burst finish; also available in a natural finish

Price on Sweetwater

Price on Amazon

9.3

Cordoba Acoustic Ukulele is a beautiful instrument that is easy to learn and play. The traditional design with a minimalist finish gives the device a sleek look. It’s among the best-selling stage-ready ukulele in the market. This 15CM-E is a handmade device with discreet soundhole controls. Having a great instrument on the stage boosts your confidence and enhance your performance. That’s why this ukulele is designed to offer a full and incredibly rich sound that can translate easily to the stage.

The fingerboard binding set, ivoroid body, and modern edge burst finish set this device apart from other ukuleles in the market. When buying ukulele means acquiring equipment that is an extension of you. Carrying it should then not be an issue. With this in mind, Cordoba Guitars designed this lightweight instrument for easy portability. Moving from one place to another is a seamless exercise. Therefore, you can play it anywhere and at any time.

Other additional features include premium Aquila strings, which produce stunning sound and silver tuners with pearl buttons. Both professionals and beginners will appreciate the device’s great looks and easy playability. It’s also available in a natural finish without the pickup. If you’re looking for a durable, versatile ukulele retailing under $300, then Cordoba Acoustic Ukulele is your ultimate choice.

What are our favorite features?

It's a lightweight instrument weighing 1.32 pounds
It’s small and light for easy storage and portability
The mahogany fabric enhances durability
Suitable for both professionals and newbies
It produces excellent sound for a concert

What could be better?

The device squeaks
Some users complain about intonation
The base of the neck has some flaws

Luna Tattoo Concert Ukulele – Best Designed Ukulele

Features

Size: concert
Body material: mahogany
Dimensions: 27 x 5 x 12 inches
Weight: 2.4 lbs.

More features: laser Hawaiian tattoo design; rosewood fretboard; open-gear tuners

Price on Sweetwater

Price on Amazon

9.2

Lunar Guitars have been in the industry for decades. The company is dedicated to designing comfortable instruments for musicians of all ages. The beautifully crafted instruments engage minds, talent, and spirits. You can, therefore, be assured that Luna Tattoo Concert Ukulele has been tattooed to offer the best sound on stage. The instrument takes the design from traditional Hawaiian body ornamentation. It was first constructed by monochromatic designers who were tattooed in black against their beautiful brown skin. Hence the name tattoo. The layout and patterns came in different shapes and symbols which represented the natural island world. They included sharks, birds, fish, suns, turtle, rain, and waves.

This ukulele’s design is a symbol of longevity and endurance. The fret markers are stylized shark teeth to symbolize power. The instrument boasts of resonating, clear, and vibrant sound. The concert body and mahogany build provide a stunning sound at a competitive price. The instrument comes with a branded travel bag. At the weight of 1.3 pounds, the device is portable and can fit in small storage spaces. Although it has a right-hand orientation, left-handers have an easy time playing the instrument.

Why are we impressed?

Easy to play and budget-friendly value makes it suitable for beginners
It’s a beautiful instrument with fabulous sound
Lightweight and compact in size
Excellent craftsmanship
It keeps itself tuned for long

What negatives must you be aware of?

It has a right-hand orientation

Snail Ukulele – Best Ukulele for Beginners

Features

Size: concert
Body material: spalted maple laminate
Dimensions: 25.5 x 9.6 x 4.13 inches
Weight: 3.42 lbs.

More features: comes with a starter kit; suitable for everyone; beginners-friendly; high-quality strings.

Price on Amazon

9.1

Closing the list of the best ukuleles under $300 is the stunning Snail Ukulele. Have you bought a cheap soprano ukulele in the past? If not, this is your chance to own the best instrument in the market that will elevate your performance on stage. Owning the best ukulele doesn’t mean you have to break your bank. And this device is a true definition of quality and affordability. The instrument is endowed with an advanced tuner. The 26-inch ukulele is a powerful four-stringed plucked device that is easy to learn. It also stimulates the potential of rhythm instruments.

Having a stellar performance on stage has never been this easy. The instrument boasts of high quality, advanced carbon fiber strings made in Italy. The string produces a nice, clear, and beautiful sound. It also protects your fingers. The mahogany body and neck bring your righter and ricer sound. They are sturdy to enhance durability. You’ll also love the rosewood fingerboard and bridge, which are designed to provide a comfortable playing feel.

Getting an instrument that is budget-friendly and fits everyone is unnerving. But this mahogany 26-inch ukulele breaks the monotony. It’s perfectly suitable for first-time players and professionals. It’s a compact device that is easy to hold and play. It’s light and easy to carry and ideal for both kids and adults.

Why are we impressed?

Ideal for first-time players
Endowed with high-quality string for perfect sound and to protect your fingers
Easy and fun to play
Sleek design
Suitable for everyone- both kids and adults
A built-in mic provides sweet sound

What negatives must you be aware of?

It’s a bit heavy

Things to Consider

Shopping for the best ukulele can be overwhelming, considering a myriad of choices in the market. It can be even worse if you don’t have an idea of what to look for. That is why we’ve provided this guide to help you choose the most reliable instrument. Furthermore, having the best ukulele doesn’t mean you break your bank. There are several brands out there offering durable ukuleles that are budget-friendly prices

Advantages of a ukulele under $300

6 Best Ukuleles Under $300 - Outstanding Performance and Looks! Ukuleles under $300 are not only good for your finances but also offer other benefits. Playing an instrument provides a myriad of benefits, including mentally, physically, and emotionally. Some of the advantages of ukulele under $300 include:

Readily available – These ukuleles are readily available in the market. They come in various shapes and sizes to enable you to choose what best fits you.
Enhance hand–eye coordination – The subtle strings in the ukulele ensures you pay undivided attention to play right. This can seriously boost your hand-eye coordination. Increasing your coordination can also boost your reaction time.
Relieving stress – playing the best ukulele is an incredible way of de-stressing. It relaxes your muscles and calms your nerves.

Features to consider before you buy a ukulele under $300

Choosing the best ukulele is not a walk in the park, but with the right information, the process becomes seamless. These are essential factors that will ensure you have the right instrument at hand. Below are factors to consider while purchasing a ukulele under $300.

Body material

Ukulele is primarily made from wood. However, there are plastic instruments in the market. Different woods like maple, cocobolo, rosewood, walnut are all used to design a ukulele. Each type of wood has an impact on the durability of an instrument.

Mahogany is a durable, sturdy material that creates a mellow, warm tone. This material has excellent aging properties and maintains its shine for long. Koa trees have beautiful, unique grains, colors, and patterns making ukulele constructed from them outstanding.

Other than wood, there are different materials like steel, glues, nylon, and plastic. The plastic ukulele is lighter compared to wood ones. However, they are less durable and can quickly break. Steels ukuleles are highly durable but quite heavy to carry around. More so, they might be prone to rust and corrosion.

Size

Ukuleles are available in various sizes.

Soprano – This is the most common size, with the length measuring approximately 35cm. The strings are typically tuned to G-C-E-A.

Tenor – These ukuleles can be 43cm in length with a G-C-E-A tune. They have an extended base range and are somehow easy to play due to the greater length.

Baritone – These types of ukuleles are popular with guitar players. Their length can range between 51cm to 53cm, making it easy to play and transition.

Concert – The concert ukuleles measure about 38.5cm in length and tuned to G-C-E-A. Their features are a combination of tenor and soprano ukuleles.

Sopranino – Sopranino models are rare models. They are difficult to play, therefore, not ideal for beginners. They have a short scale length of 20 cm, leaving no space for a playing hard.

So, which is the best size? Every ukulele- whether concert, soprano, or tenor- is great fun. However, playing soprano is a bit difficult due to how the frets are narrowly spaced. But it beautifully conveys the Hawaiian feeling. It’s suitable for ambitious musicians who want to scale their playing prowess. When it comes to the concert, Luna Tattoo Concert Ukulele, the spacing is fair for the fingers with a higher volume than soprano counterparts. The tenor ukuleles are easier for learners and possess voluminous sound. What matters is what makes you happy. Choose the size you can play effortlessly.

Dimensions

As mentioned above, ukuleles are available in various sizes. The dimensions are measured in length, and the larger the length, the more the frets. For adults and people with larger fingers, it’s advisable to choose ukuleles that are largely spaced to avoid getting strained. More so, it offers a relaxed playing experience. However, increasing the scale length might trade off some portability of soprano models. If you’re looking for an instrument that will balance size and playability, concert ukuleles make an ideal choice. If you have small hands, consider a small ukulele, like Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele. This will help you handle it well.

Weight

Ukulele is lighter compared to other stringed musical devices. It makes it easy to hold and carry them around. Typically, the weight of standard ukuleles are as follows:

Concert – 15 to 22 ounces
Soprano – 8 – 14 ounces
Baritone – 24 to 28 ounces
Tenor – 23 – 27 ounces

This indicates that sopranos are the lightest, while baritone is the heaviest. For instance, Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele is a soprano weighing 1.72 lbs. This device is easy to play and light to carry. Weight will also be affected by the material used and whether the tuner is opened or closed. Wood ukuleles are light and durable. However, steel is more durable but quite heavy to carry around. Plastic devices are the lightest but feeble.

FAQ

What is the best way to learn to play the ukulele?

Playing ukulele gives a relaxing and fulfilling experience. But if you’re a beginner, you need to learn how to do it right. The first step is to ensure you have a decent ukulele. You don’t have to go beyond your budget for the best instruments. There are several brands that offer reliable ukuleles under $300. After getting your instrument, learn how to hold it perfectly. Then learn the basics first. You can get trained or self-train using Youtube videos. Start with majors, minors, and end with chords. Remember, every master was once a beginner. After sometimes, you can try some slapping and add some palm muting.

How to choose a ukulele for a beginner?

Choosing the best ukuleles under $300 can be a hard task. This is considering several numbers of brands in the market. Start by selecting the right size. The soprano is the common size for most beginners. However, you might have difficulty playing a soprano if you have big hands. Sopranos are known to give a classic sound with a sweeter and higher voice. Tenor, on the other hand, provides fuller sound with excellent projection, lower voice, and better resonance. The concert is, however, a good start for players who want a classic sound with more space for their fingers to move freely.

Do ukuleles need any special maintenance to sound good over time?

Definitely yes! Just like other instruments, a ukulele needs care and maintenance. From the heat from sun rays, oil in your fingers, dust, and notorious air humidity, your device is prone to hazards. One of the tips to maintain and prolong its lifespan is to maintain a proper grip when playing. This prevents the instrument from falling, which might lead to irreversible scratches, body and neck breakages as well as tuning problems. Be subtle and mindful when using capos and picks. Since ukuleles are prone to dirt and grease, make cleaning your instruments a frequent practice in every play session. Wipe it using a microfiber cleaning cloth and dry it with a clean, dry cloth.

Our Verdict

Our top pick is The Lohanu Tenor Ukulele. The tenor device is lightweight for easy portability. It’s available in various sizes and suitable for all ages. The white bindings and arched back give the instrument a stunning look. More so, it strikes a balance between functionality and affordability.

Our second choice is Enya Cutaway Ukulele. It’s endowed with import Daddario strings, which provide stable and full-bodied sound. This concert ukulele has mahogany back, top, and sides with a gloss finish, which is corrosion and wear resistance.

We also had to pick our best value pick, which is the Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele. This is among the best ukuleles under $300. It’s packed with amazing features at a minimal price. The ebony construction and lightweight nature make it an ideal device for beginners.