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: March 06, 2024
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Whether you are a professional or a beginner, when it comes to playing stringed instruments having a high-quality soprano ukulele will give you an amazing musical experience. This instrument is quite popular because it delivers beautiful sounds and is more manageable than a guitar. For anyone with smaller hands or learners who wants start playing the uke, finding the best soprano ukulele is a great starting point.
However, not all soprano ukuleles have all the features you’d expect to find in a high-quality product. As we came to find out in our review. Tonewood and tuning, for example, are some of the important features that you should be keen on when shopping for an ukulele. A good quality uke should have a durable yet stylish tonewood like mahogany or an elegant top like pacific walnut. Other essential features include the design, weight, strings, and overall quality of your uke. Our comprehensive review will help you find the perfect soprano ukulele without wasting time and money on other products.
Fender is a world-leading producer for high-quality basses and guitars, and they have done an amazing job in creating the Fender Seaside. This compact instrument is a great find for any professional player and beginners who enjoy playing a clear soprano sound. It features an arched back, which ensures it produces a cellular, war, and great tone.
Another fantastic thing about this product is made from Sapele wood, which ensures it delivers a resonant and sweet sound. The sturdy construction further makes it sturdy and durable. As such, you can make this beautiful piece of art your companion for years. Despite the tough construction, this product is also compact and lightweight, which makes it highly portable.
When it comes to design, this instrument has a c-shaped neck that makes it easy to handle and play. Fender Seaside comes with Aquila strings, so you will have an easy time operating it. The amazing frets also ensure you have a fun and easy experience while you pick and play your ukulele. You will also have an easy time changing strings because it lacks tie-bridges. You can confidently buy this unit since it comes with a two-year warranty.
Why did it make our list?
All in all, the Fender Seaside is an excellent option for parties and beaches or hobbyists who simply enjoy playing ukuleles. From the amazing construction, great sound, and affordable price, it's hard to go wrong with this instrument
What is not ideal about it?
The sound produced by the ukulele could be warmer.
The Kala KA-PWS is just a prove that Kala produces fantastic and high-quality products. In terms of raw beauty and elegance, nothing beats the Kala KA-PWS. Made from beautiful pacific walnut wood, this unit will maintain its original look and natural color even after using for a long time. The neck features a mahogany construction meaning it can handle a high level of wear and tear.
This instrument is most popular among both beginners and experienced players. It has Aquila Nylgut strings, which adds brightness. Furthermore, the strings are easy to press down, which makes it easy to play. Another impressive feature is the graph tech saddle and nut that ensures you get a more consistent tone.
In general, you can trust this soprano ukulele to produce an amazing sound. The sound quality it offers distinguishes this ukulele from other models. This is the main feature that makes it a great option for experienced players. When it comes to design, it is small enough to fit in your hands comfortably. As such, beginners will have an easy time using it, and players who love traveling with their ukulele can comfortably carry it with them.
What do we love it for?
If you decide to go for the Kala KA-PWS, chances are you will not be disappointed. This is among the best soprano ukuleles under $200 since it offers an amazing performance while the stunning finish and sturdy construction make it perfect for your fingers. Get ready to enjoy a warm, bright, and clear sound.
Enya is a great brand that aims to provide affordable guitars and ukuleles without sacrificing on quality, and the Enya EUP-X1 has proved its seriousness in doing so. If you are looking to get value for your money going for this ukulele. The kit comes with a sand finger shaker, tuner, a case, capo, and two picks.
Moreover, it is made from a firm and sturdy material that is virtually indestructible and works perfectly in any temperature and humidity. You might also appreciate that the high-pressure laminate used makes this unit easy to maintain. It’s worth noting that this is not real wood, but that does not mean you won’t get a great sound.
Enya EUP-X1 features a BT neck junction that ensures a premium sound and offers a comfortable hold. Apart from that, the pineapple design offers more projection than regular soprano ukuleles. Still, on design, this instrument’s elegant and beautiful look will persuade anyone to play the day or night away. Both sides are slightly curved, which makes it easy to play upward and downward chords.
What stands out?
If you are looking for the best pineapple soprano ukulele, look no further than the Enya EUP-X1. It is a simple, fun, affordable yet effective instrument for showcasing your playing skills.
What cons did we manage to find?
The strings included in the soprano ukulele could be sturdier and firmer.
When we think about quality, the product that immediately comes to mind is the Luna Vintage. What makes this product stand out from the rest is the unique triangular inlays, a sun-like rosette on the soundhole, and a satin-red pleasant finish. Apart from giving the ukulele an eye-catch design, the red color also provides a smooth feeling as you practice or play.
The small ukulele comes with a 13-inches long string, which makes it easy for you to play. It is not only small but lightweight as well, which makes it easy to handle and take it anywhere you like. However, the most impressive thing about this instrument is the materials used in building it. The neck and body are made using mahogany, which ensures it provides a bright and warm sound, and the bridge has walnut construction, which helps to transfer vibrations for a better tone.
More importantly, this ukulele is a suitable companion for beginners, experienced, or wannabe players. We also like that this ukulele comes with extra accessories like a DVD which guides on how to set up and use the product. And all these features come to you at a reasonable price.
What are its best features?
If you like vintage designed products, the Luna Vintage is for you. This instrument delivers a classic, rich, and amazing sound, is ideal for professionals and beginners, while the compact design makes it easy to carry and use.
What could be improved?
The manufacturer could have included a slide switch instead of a button for convenience.
The Flight Elise TUS EE is one of the best soprano instruments under $100 dollars. One of the most amazing features about this baby is the wide arched back, which provides more volume leading to a better tone and sound.
In terms of construction, this instrument is made from tough wood, which is resistant to temperatures and humidity changes, making it a durable option. Still, on construction, the laminate linden wood featured on the Flight Elise TUS EE helps it provide a clearer and brighter sound.
Anyone can spot this beauty from far thanks to the stunning color sunset design included on the soundboard. There is also a strap button, so you don’t need to worry about sliding across your neck while playing. Moreover, the quality build works together with the Aquila night strings to give a reliable and clear instrument. Lastly, this product comes with a cool bag for easy transportation.
What are its best features?
For both experienced and beginners looking for a quality soprano ukulele without spending a fortune, the Flight Elise TUS EE is for you. It is equipped with quality Aquila strings, great wooden build and a wider arched back than most models, ensuring you get a warm, rich, and sweet sound.
What could be improved?
The instrument could have been a bit lighter for more convenience.
Another Amazing product from Kala on this list is the Kala KA-15S. This is one of the best soprano ukuleles for beginners, but experienced players might still like the quality of sound this instrument produces. The ukulele comes with some amazing features, and you don’t require to break the bank to get it.
Designed and built to last, this unit can handle even the most intense playing sessions. Also, solid construction also means that you can pass it on to upcoming generations. It does not disappoint when it comes to sound, as you can expect to enjoy a premium sound with just the right amount of bass, resonance, and volume. This is made possible by the incredible finish, compact construction, and great Aquila strings.
The lightweight and compact build also make it easy to handle, especially for beginners. Apart from the quality sound and fantastic finish, this soprano ukulele also features a smooth textured wood, which further helps you experience a better tone.
And we cannot forget to mention the headstock and body, which further gives this piece of art a unique character. Kala KA-15S is equipped with Aquile strings, which produces a harp-like tone and warm tone that any expert or novice will appreciate.
What are our favorite features?
We recommend the Kala KA-15S for beginners looking for an excellent soprano ukulele that comes at an affordable price without compromising on quality. This model comes with everything you'd expect in a quality ukulele.
What could be better?
The manufacturer could have included a strap button at the end for convenience.
After looking at the best soprano ukuleles, you might still not be sure of the right instrument for you. Fortunately, we have discussed more information about soprano ukes to ensure you get the right product.
What are soprano ukuleles
Soprano ukulele also known as a standard ukulele is a small musical instrument that looks like a guitar that originated from Hawaii but that has become quite popular in different parts of the world like Japan, Canada and the United states.
The volume and tones delivered by these instruments depends on their construction and size. Soprano ukuleles come in four main sizes which are baritone, concert and tenor.
How to play soprano ukulele – novice advice
Despite its small size, learning to play a soprano ukulele can be a bit challenging. That’s why we have looked at important things to help beginners learn how to play soprano ukuleles faster and easily. This position makes it move your left hand towards the neck finger chords while the other hand strums them.
How to hold a soprano ukulele
One of the most important things that will help you get the best sound is holding the ukulele correctly. So, you want the instrument’s body against your right arm and hold the back snug. Then, gently hold the ukulele’s neck with your left hand and allow it to rest between your index finger and thumb.
Soprano ukulele strumming patterns
You will realize that learning how to strum chords is key when it comes to playing a ukulele. In simple terms, this is playing up and down strokes in different ways on the soprano ukulele. While some songs might require you to play the instrument in downward and upward strokes, others will simply require a steady rhythm.
The more you practice, you will quickly learn the difference between chord sounds when strumming upwards, downwards, or steadily. With time, you will begin strumming chords effortlessly, depending on the type of music.
How to learn a song on your soprano ukulele
Putting the information you’ve learned on your ukulele is one of the best parts of the learning process. That’s why learning how to play your favorite songs not only polishes your skills but also enhances your musical knowledge.
If you are a beginner, we recommend starting out with an easy and fun song. Then, start slow as you learn how to change and maneuver through different chords. And while at it, make sure you have fun, and eventually, you will notice you are making great progress.
Record yourself playing the ukulele and listen
For beginners, another tip that will enhance your skills is to record yourself playing and listen afterward. It’s hard to listen while playing since all your focus will be on the chords. But listening to the recordings help you identify what you might be doing wrong and fix the issue in your next session.
Fingering exercises
Apart from learning different chords and learning how to hold your instrument, doing fingering exercises will also enhance your skills. This practice helps to strengthen the calluses on your fingers, which will help you play better in the end. Playing a soprano ukulele might cause your fingers to hurt, but with tougher calluses, you will experience less pain.
Another thing you need to know is that having shorter fingers helps you achieve a more accurate sound. The reason being, playing the ukulele requires you to press every string with your fingertips.
Pricing
When it comes to price, high-quality models come at a higher price than low-quality ukuleles. That said, not all highly-priced models will deliver quality performance. If you are a beginner, you might want to go for a cheaper model that costs less than $80. A good example of such a product is the Luna Vintage then you can eventually invest in a more expensive product. Another thing that influences the price of a ukulele is the number of accessories included in the package.
How to pick the best soprano ukulele
Finding the right soprano ukulele is not an easy task, but there are few things you need to look out for to help you make the right choice. Let’s look at the things you need to consider before investing.
Tonewood
Tonewood depends on one’s preference. Some people may prefer mahogany because it is not only popular for producing clear sounds but is also sturdy and durable. Others might argue that mahogany delivers a relatively bright sound. Others might go for spruce because it can cut through a mix, although it’s not as clear as mahogany. Overall, the experience will often vary from person to person depending on the type of sounds you desire.
Design
Just like guitars, soprano ukuleles also come in a wide range of designs. The design of the instrument will influence the tone, volume, sound, and projection you get. We found out that a soprano ukulele with a well-positioned bridge will deliver a better sound than other models. As such, we recommend going for an instrument like the Kala KA-15S bridge is appropriately arranged.
Weight
If you are an experienced player, then chances are you not only at home. As such, you might need something lightweight and easy to carry around while traveling. In most cases, small models tend to weigh less than larger ukuleles. That said, you should never compromise on quality for a lightweight model. There are great products like the Enya EUP-X1, which provide a great balance of quality and lightness.
Tuning
The soprano ukulele notes are tuned to string notes just like a guitar requires you to tune the highest strings. Tuning adds a better sound to the music, and you will learn to do it right as your skills develop. You can consider choosing a product like the Fender Seaside, which makes tuning easier. This product features high-quality tuning machines, which makes the process easier and helps you stay in tune.
Strings
If you are a beginner, you will not even notice how the strings affect the playing session, but professional players have mostly tried out with different sets of strings. We recommend going for the Kala KA-15S for beginners, while advanced players can consider the Fender Seaside.
Sound
Sound is a major factor that should never be compromised. A good soprano ukulele should produce a great sound, whether being used by a novice or an experienced player. So how will you know which instrument delivers a great sound. Well, all the products on our list are popular for producing great sound.
Quality
One thing that should not be overlooked when choosing the right uke is the general quality of the instrument. It’s worth noting that some ukulele differs from other depending on size, price, brand. Some perform better than others so if you are able to invest in a fine soprano ukulele then you should do it. That said, it’s always important to go for a product that is within your budget.
If you are just starting out or simply want something fun for playing when you go camping or to the beach, then you can go for an affordable option that still deliver a quality sound. The good thing is most ukes on this list come at a reasonable price providing you with a great combination of affordability and quality.
Playability
You need an instrument that keeps your hands as comfortable as possible while playing. In most cases, cheap options tend to have buzzing strings while great ones give you a level and smooth experience. One good example of such a soprano ukulele is the Kala KA-15S which adjusts your playing style and allows you to relax and enjoy playing your uke.
Guarantee
A guarantee gives you the confidence to buy a product since you will get a money refund or replacement from the manufacturer should anything happen to your instrument. It may be easy to ignore the guarantee terms of your product when it is new but this feature comes in handy when your equipment starts developing problems. With that in mind, you can consider a product like the Kala KA-PWS, which comes with a 2-year warranty.
Extra features
Other features you need to look out for include accessories that come with the product. Our recommendation is going for something that comes with extra picks, strings, tuners, and other accessories. That said, it’s worth noting that the more accessories, the pricier the soprano ukulele. Also, a product like the Flight Elise TUS EE is ideal as it comes with a gig case for convenient and safe transportation of your instrument.
Yes, soprano ukuleles are ideal for kids aged between 6-year-old and above. Even younger kids can still learn using this instrument; even three years old kids can start practicing with them.
Soprano ukes need to be cleaned before and after every playing session. You clean them using a soft and clean cloth. While cleaning, ensure you get rid of any dirt and dust on the strings, which can accumulate and cause inaccurate sounds.
Generally, ukuleles come in three different sizes: baritone, tenor, soprano, and concert. The soprano is the smallest uke as they have a measurement of around 21 inches. Although these instruments are ideal for beginners to learn, they are still quite popular professional players. Tenor ukes are the largest and are the most used by experienced players.
Our Verdict
Our first product is the Fender Seaside, which is a high-quality uke that is built with durability, comfort, and elegance in mind. The product is lightweight and compact for convenience, and it also produces a clear sound.
The Kala KA-PWS is our second option for all the right reasons. You can expect divine sound, ease-to-use, and comfortability from this piece of art. Not forgetting the beautiful walnut wood, which makes it exceptionally sturdy and stunning.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly yet effective option, then you will not go wrong with our third pick, the Luna Vintage. This among the best soprano ukuleles in the market today, thanks to the high-quality construction, clear sound, and affordability.
