Top pick

This uke sounds good, plays easily, and comes in the just-right concert size that’s comfortable for kids and adults. But it doesn’t come with any accessories.

This soprano uke is a smaller version of the KA-C concert uke. It offers similarly good sound and quality in a more-portable size that’s better for small hands.

The Kala KA-C Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele and the Kala KA-S Satin Mahogany Soprano Ukulele are ideal starter ukes for many reasons. They’re easy to play and built well, with no buzzing strings or rough-edged frets (at least on the samples we tried). They both have a full, reasonably loud sound. And unlike many ukuleles, which tend to go out of stock often these days, both of these Kala ukes seem to be in consistent supply at retailers.

The KA-C concert model has a larger size and fretboard, so it’s better for adults and big kids, whereas the smaller, KA-S soprano uke is better for travel and tiny hands. (Check out the diagram below to learn the parts of a ukulele.)

These ukes don’t come with accessories, so if you decide to stick with the hobby, you’ll want to at least add a case. Learn more about uke accessories here.

Runner-up

This affordable, concert-size uke plays well and sounds almost as good as our Kala KA-C top pick. And it comes with a case, strap, and tuner.

If you can’t find the Kala KA-C concert uke in stock, the mahogany Donner DUC-1 Concert Ukulele is another good choice. It has a pleasing sound and an unusually wide fretboard, which makes it easier for adults to play but not too hard for most kids. Thanks to its concert size, it’s a good choice for any beginner (or expert), and it even includes a nice case, a strap, and a tuner.

This uke isn’t quite as good-looking or nice-sounding as the Kala KA-C concert uke, but it is a fantastic buy.

Best for

This concert-size uke includes a pickup to connect to an amplifier or recording device. It plays great and sounds good, albeit a little bright.

In many ways, the Caramel MC12 Acoustic/Electric Concert Ukulele looks and plays like a much more expensive ukulele. Not only are its neck and frets smooth and free of buzzes, but it also has a built-in pickup to connect to an amplifier or USB audio interface, so it’s ready for open-mic nights and home recording sessions. Plus, the zebrawood veneer gives it a distinctive look.

When played without an amp, this uke doesn’t sound quite as full as the Kala KA-C or Donner DUC-1, but it does have a nice, clear sound. When plugged in, the MC12 has a fuller, clearer sound than many cheap, pickup-equipped ukes. This model also has a convenient built-in tuner, but we found it to be a little less accurate than our favorite Snark standalone tuner.