8 Fantastic Ukuleles Under $500 – Premium Quality and Affordable Price!

First up on our list of the best eight ukuleles buyable for under $500 is the excellent Kala KA-SA-T ukulele, and this is a piece of musical kit that is going to tick all of the boxes for a high number of potential buyers out there.

That’s because the Kala KA-SA-T is supplied with a very high specification level, and you get a solid wood acacia top, which contrasts nicely with other parts. The overall standard of the finishing on the Kala KA-SA-T is best described as exquisite, and that’s before you even take in the delights of maple bindings, a beautiful, deep mahogany neck, and an absolutely stunning walnut fretboard. In terms of the sound from all that high-quality timber, and the appearance of this wonderfully made musical instrument, it’s no surprise that the manufacturer boasts about having a high number of traditional Hawaiian ukulele players among its customers.

Add to that package the Aquila strings supplied as standard, and you just found one very lovely ukulele that will sound amazing and last for many, many years to come. All in all, the Kala KA-SA-T is a stunning piece of craftsmanship and would grace a stage anywhere. There is an only a minor drawback that you’ll need to buy your own case. Make it a good one, because this instrument deserves some decent protection.

What makes it stand out?

• Exquisite finish
• Professional level uke for under $500
• Aquila strings as standard

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• No case supplied

On the second place of our competitive list is the very contemporary Lanikai Quilted Maple Blue Stain Concert Ukulele, and this is another ukulele that is going to attract the attention and admiring glances of listeners.

Fancy yourself as a heavy metal ukulele hero? Well, you just found your ideal instrument because this semi-acoustic uke comes with an extended cutaway so that you can really get it singing!

Even if you intend to keep the musical offerings more sedate and laid back, the Lanikai Quilted Maple Blue Stain Concert Ukulele is supplied with some desirable features. Not least of which is the finish that will turn dozens of heads. The Lanikai Quilted Maple Blue Stain Concert Ukulele comes in a range of stunning colors, including red (sun), natural (sand), and blue (surf) – we reviewed the blue model, and it’s a pleasure to behold. All colors come is a high-gloss stain that will really wow an audience. However, the customer service could be more responsive.

Add open-back tuners, chrome strap buttons, sturdy, solid build, and a nylon foam case, and you have a uke that will top the list of a lot of musicians.

Why is it special?

• Extended cutaway
• Beautiful color finish
• Semi-acoustic uke

What are the flaws?

• Questionable customer service

Making it into third place on this chart is the very capable little Luna Uke Dolphin Concert Flame Top A/E – Trans Blue. This ukulele fully deserves to get in the top-three instruments we reviewed as part of this article, and it looks great too!

The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up this little ukulele is that the build quality feels right. The uke has a maple body that’s been put together really well, and the neck here is mahogany – which does not hurt the weight and structure of this uke.

We loved the flame finish of the Luna, and it will really look the part during any performance. The patterns on this thing are incredibly eye-catching.

There’s a walnut fretboard here, and you get nineteen frets to play. Also, there is the all-important preamp, and this instrument is going to sound greater with it – at any volume and in any acoustic space.

Overall, many players pick this beautiful uke with bright sound and impressive design.

Why are we impressed?

• Lovely finish
• Incredible preamp
• Walnut fretboard with 19 frets

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Sounds better through amplifier than played acoustically

Ok, so we’re around the halfway mark on our list, and next to appear is the excellent little Kremona Mari Tenor Ukulele. This model is a more traditional looking instrument when compared to many other ukes, and it will appeal to many players for several reasons.

Don’t let looks fool you into thinking that the Kremona Mari Tenor Ukulele is a tame instrument, and indeed, there is much here to shout about. The Kremona Mari Tenor Ukulele is a very well-manufactured musical instrument. The mahogany in this thing gives it an incredibly mellow tone and this little ukulele will sing out loud for a long time. Everything here is mahogany, except the fretboard, bridge, and overlay – as you’d expect. For those parts, you get rosewood, adding to the tones and appearance of this uke. The tuner machines here are gold, and the manufacturer even throws in a high-quality wooden hard-shell case.

This uke is a hard one to walk away from, and your audience will very likely feel the same way. We wish that the price tag was a bit lower, but you get what you pay for with this instrument.

What do we love it for?

• Hard-shell case included
• Mahogany and rosewood build
• Traditional good looks

What were we disappointed with?

• Not for those on a budget

Up next on our list is the very lovely Martin 0X Bamboo Natural Ukulele. We loved the aesthetics of this elegant, little instrument. With its red finish and simple, minimalistic headstock, this ukulele will appeal to many a musician out there.

There’s a traditional dovetail neck joint, and the primary component is bamboo. That material gives the Martin 0X Bamboo Natural Ukulele a relatively unique soprano sound and does nothing to take away from the comfort you’ll feel when you need to carry this instrument around or hold it for more extended periods during performances.

There is a rosewood fingerboard on the Martin 0X Bamboo Natural Ukulele, and the bridge is made of the same tree species. This ukulele is a really great option for those of you out there who don’t want to spend a fortune but still need to have a playable, durable instrument. By the way, the gig bag is also supplied by the manufacturer. In fact, there’s not a lot not to like about this versatile little uke. However, the tuners could be a bit better.

What stands out?

• Lightweight
• Gig bag included
• Unique sound

What cons did we manage to find?

• Tuners could be better

There are some stellar ukuleles on this list, and the Deering Goodtime Banjo Concert Scale Ukulele is no exception to that fact. This uke is the first hybrid model today, and what you get here is a banjo-ukulele crossover.

The Deering Goodtime Banjo Concert Scale Ukulele is a professional grade instrument, and it comes with 17 Frets. This instrument is USA-made and largely fashioned of maple.

In terms of the sound, this thing will produce, expect a wide range of warm tones, not least of all because this uke comes supplied with Aquila strings. The Deering Goodtime Banjo Concert Scale Ukulele also looks excellent. Combining the traditional shape and aesthetic of old-school banjo construction with a modernized theme, you’ll have them rocking in the aisles – or dancing around the barn, at least with this lovely instrument.

Unfortunately, you will have to pay a bit extra in order to get a gig bag since it isn’t included to the package.

What makes it stand out?

• Hybrid versatility
• High build quality
• Aquila strings as standard

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• The package doesn’t include a gig bag

Next on our list of the eight best buys for ukuleles under the $500 mark is the excellent Gold Tone Resouke uke. This uke is our first departure from all-wood construction, and you’re looking at a brass-bodied ukulele here.

You will notice when you set eyes on the Gold Tone Resouke uke is that this isn’t a traditionally styled instrument. There is much of the 20^th-century jazz guitar in the build of this model, and that’s not necessarily going to be a negative for those musicians out there who would like something to help them stand out from the ukulele crowd.

This instrument comes supplied with Aquila strings, sounds like a dream, and plays very well across the entire fretboard. There isn’t a great deal not to like about the Gold Tone Resouke, and it is finished to a very high standard too.

All in all, the Gold Tone Resouke won’t be uke for the traditionalists out there, but it will occupy a place in the hearts of all musicians out there who appreciate the non-conventional instruments.

What stands out?

• Eye-catching
• Durable construction
• Aquila strings as standard

What cons did we manage to find?

• Not everyone will love the design

Last, but certainly not least on our list is the Cordoba 30T ukulele. It’s stylish, yet traditional appearance will appeal to many musicians.

Nothing was compromised about build quality when the manufacturer set out to create what is obviously an excellent budget instrument. The Cordoba 30T ukulele is made from solid mahogany on the top, the back, and the sides, and that will be very evident in every tone it produces.

The bridge here is made from the rosewood, as is the fretboard. The instrument features a beautiful abalone rosette, and its design ultimately set the whole thing off, in terms of the overall aesthetic. The finish on the Cordoba 30T ukulele is much as the entire instrument, in that it is simple but highly effective.

Unfortunately, some people reported that they had received an instrument of poor quality. However, this happened quite rare.

All in all, there is nothing to grumble too much about here, and you even get a case and Aquila strings with the instrument.

Why are we impressed?

• Aquila strings
• Case included
• Mahogany and rosewood build

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Quality control issues