How to Choose the Right Ukulele for You
By Christopher Carr, Owner of Ukulele Trading Co Australia & Ukulele Instructor
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me,
“Which ukulele should I buy?”
I’d have a shop full of new ukes by now.
The truth is, there’s no single “best” ukulele — only the right one for you. And choosing the right one from the start can make the difference between falling in love with playing… or giving up after a week.
So let me walk you through it — simply, honestly, and without the fluff.
First Things First: Ignore the Online Noise
In 2026, there’s no shortage of opinions online. Reviews, rankings, influencers, “top 10 beginner ukes” lists — it’s overwhelming.
Here’s my advice as a teacher:
Don’t buy a ukulele because someone else loves it.
Buy the one that fits your hands, your ears, and your goals.
Step 1: Choose the Right Size
This is the biggest decision you’ll make.
Soprano
-
Classic ukulele sound
-
Light, compact, and bright
-
Great for small hands and travel
Concert
-
Slightly bigger than soprano
-
More room for your fingers
-
Popular choice for beginners
Tenor
-
Deeper, fuller sound
-
More space on the fretboard
-
Ideal if you plan to sing or perform
Baritone
-
Tuned differently
-
More guitar-like feel
-
Better suited for experienced players
💡 If you’re unsure, a concert ukulele is often the safest place to start.
Step 2: Comfort Beats Everything
I always tell my students this:
If it’s not comfortable, you won’t play it.
Pay attention to:
-
How it feels against your body
-
The spacing between the frets
-
The tension of the strings
A well-set-up ukulele should feel friendly, not fight you.
Step 3: Cheap Isn’t Always Cheerful
Budget matters — I get that. But ultra-cheap ukuleles can be hard to tune, painful to play, and discouraging for beginners.
You don’t need the most expensive ukulele.
You do need one that:
-
Stays in tune
-
Has decent strings
-
Is properly set up
A good beginner ukulele should help you succeed, not test your patience.
Step 4: Sound Matters More Than You Think
Even beginners can hear the difference between a dull ukulele and a lively one.
Trust your ears.
If it makes you smile when you strum it — that’s a good sign.
Step 5: Think About Why You’re Playing
Ask yourself:
-
Do I want to play casually at home?
-
Do I want to sing along?
-
Do I want to perform or record?
Your answer helps narrow the choice. There’s no wrong reason — only honest ones.
Step 6: Get Advice From Someone Who Plays
This might sound obvious, but it matters.
Buying from people who actually play and teach ukulele means:
-
Better setup
-
Better advice
-
Better support
I’ve seen too many players quit because their first ukulele worked against them.
My Final Advice
The right ukulele is the one that makes you want to pick it up again tomorrow.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
It just has to feel like yours.
And when you find that one?
Everything changes.
— Christopher Carr
Owner, Ukulele Trading Co Australia
Ukulele Instructor
