What is The Best Banjo Ukulele? Find out the best Banjolele!
Selection Criteria – Best Banjoleles
On this page, you’ll find
…only the best Banjo Ukuleles. We’ll save you from the hassle that is searching through hundreds of pages, looking at similar products, comparing prices, and more, only to realize you don’t know which one is right. Get the right handpicked Top Banjo Ukulele from the get-go!
Skip to...
Best Banjoleles – The Basics
A banjolele is a very distinctive ukulele relative that’s everything but subtle.
The quirky nature of the banjo and the brightness and punchiness of the ukulele come together uniquely in this instrument.
However, there are a few complications that might arise with the idea of buying a banjo ukulele!
# 1 – The Banjo Ukulele is not the most famous uke version!
Although banjo ukuleles have been around for a while, they’re not really famous nowadays.
They had a bright past that has washed away with time and it’s only now regaining a little bit of its former glory.
That’s a major issue when you also find out that, because of the diminished fame of the Banjolele, there aren’t a lot of reviews about them out there!
How would you know if you’re picking the right one?
# 2 – There aren’t a lot of good banjo ukuleles out there!
Again, even though they’ve been around for a while, there aren’t many good options to pick up out there.
We mean good options as in worth buying – there are tons of poor quality banjoleles though.
Why? Because they’re an instrument with a tricky and difficult construction.
That, paired with the fact that most manufacturers like to save on production costs, materials, and craftsmanship, leaves us with a mountain-high pile of unusable banjoleles available in the market.
Don’t fall for that!
In this article, we’ll show you the only top-notch banjolele options we would pick for ourselves – may they serve you well and long.
We highly recommend you to check them out because, out of hundreds of candidates, the list was narrowed down to only four. That can give you an idea of the quality that’s available out there.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Comparison Table – Best Banjoleles
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Overall Banjolele – Kmise Concert Size
- The drum head of Kmise banjolele made of polyester with great elasticity has a quick response. Equipped with superior Aquila String from Italy and high quality closed geared tuners, this banjolele can...
- Compared with other banjoleles, Kmise banjolele with action 3mm at the 12th fret is very comfortable for beginners to learn because players do not need to press too hard with such a low action. Preset...
- Multifunctional strap with an adjustable length from 45.6'' to 66.1'' can release the pressure of the banjolele and set hands free to play. The strap equips with two hooks can allow players not to...
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Let’s face it: Kmise is an entry-level brand that makes cheaper goodish ukuleles and other stringed instruments.
However, we’ve been surprised by the quality of this (and the next) banjolele.
This pick is the best overall because it comes with everything you need, even the affordable price tag.
Here are its advantages:
- The banjolele is of great quality!
- The good craftsmanship, materials, and finish make this Concert-size one a satisfactory buy.
- This Banjo-ukulele comes with excellent accessories that will make your life easier.
- The price is incredibly low!
- Its sound quality is beautiful – this Banjolele produces a bright, percussive, and well-balanced sound that you’ll fall in love with immediately.
There’s no doubt that this banjolele should be at the top – this Concert-size one is simply a great instrument!
The gig bag, strap, picks, the tuner, an extra set of strings, the piezo pickup, and other goodies it comes with will make you love this bundle pick from day one.
Also, it’s hard to turn down the ukulele gig bag, which is among the few ones you’ll find that can fit this instrument – they’re hard to find!
This is the perfect banjolele for newbies, but it’s also good enough for intermediate, and pro players.
And, with this price, it’s totally worth the investment. Highly recommended!
Pros – about this Banjo Ukulele Concert
- Great banjolele for musicians of all levels!
- It has good craftsmanship, finish, and materials – this Banjolele looks great!
- The accessories are great, too (especially the gig bag and the piezo pickup!).
- The price is unbeatable – this is the most convenient Banjolele by far.
Cons
- No cons!
Best Budget Pick Banjolele – Kmise Banjolele
- Advanced Tuner: Closed gear tuning pegs,contains oil, so it would not rust so easy.Finer and more stable tuning also ensures the banjo ukulele has the best intonation and stays in tune longer.
- No Hand Scratching: Neatly fret wire + smoothly fingerboard , comfortably to play with the banjo ukulele
- Lower Action: Press easily,no buzzing,best for beginner to banjo ukulele practicing
Last update on 2023-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This budget Banjolele pick also comes from Kmise.
This is a budget pick product because it doesn’t come with any accessories.
Aside from that, it’s pretty similar to the one above, except for some finish and craftsmanship details.
Again, this is a great banjolele, and it’s totally worth the investment.
Still, we highly recommend that you get the one above because of the addons.
This pick is reserved for those who can’t really afford to buy any other on the list since it’s about $20 cheaper.
The good thing is that you get a great banjolele that’s good enough for advanced musicians at a very affordable price.
Pros – about this good Banjolele
- Great banjolele for musicians of different levels – it’s great even for pros!
- This uke banjo is made with great materials, craftsmanship, and finish (we even prefer this color!)
- This Banjo ukulele is the most affordable banjolele on the list – and it’s the best overall, too!
Cons – about this Banjo Ukulele
- It doesn’t come with any ukulele accessories, just a great banjolele.
Best Runner-Up Banjolele – Donner DBU-200
- 4 Sting Banjo Uke---Donner banjolele is a four-stringed musical instrument with a small banjo-type body and a fretted ukulele neck. Combining banjo's distinctive tone with ukulele's standard tuning of...
- Quality Material Banjolele - the body of Donner banjo uke is made of sapele, enabling it to produce a mellow, and soft sound. Made by maple and hardwood, the bridge is hard enough to prevent the...
- Resonator Guitar Banjolele - Donner banjo is resonator banjo with the great drumhead which is from the professional drumhead supplier - Remo, contributing to a warm, full and clear tone.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The best runner-up spot is usually reserved for an instrument that’s almost as good as the best overall – that’s definitely the case with this one from Donner.
This pick is similar to the best overall for many reasons:
- This Banjolele is also made out of Sapele wood and a Maple/hardwood neck.
- It also comes with addons: a strap, 3 picks, a set of ukulele strings, a gig bag, a digital tuner, and an adjustable truss rod and wench.
- This Banjo ukulele sounds almost as good as the best overall one.
- It comes at the same price.
You might think, why is this the runner-up? Because of three reasons.
It feels and looks cheaper, this Banjolele doesn’t come with a piezo ukulele pickup, and the best overall sounds slightly better.
Aside from that, this is a nice overall pick, and definitely worth its price.
If somehow the one at the top is not available, this is an obvious replacement – mostly because this Banjolele is a copycat product.
Donner is so good at copying that we sometimes forget which of the products is the original.
Pros – about this Banjolele
- This is a good banjolele that’s pretty close in quality to the best Banjo Ukulele overall.
- The materials and craftsmanship are more than decent.
- The accessories make it as beginner-friendly as it gets.
- Its price is great, too!
Cons – about this Banjo Uke
- It’s just not as good and convenient as the best overall.
Best Banjolele for Big Wallets – Luna 8” Banjolele
- The Luna Banjolele 8" Ukulele features some inspired etchings on its maple back
- The mahogany neck has a smooth black walnut fingerboard and a 15.5" soprano scale
- Tuned like a concert ukulele, this banjolele is sure to add some distinctive tones to your jams
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This instrument from Luna Guitars looks like a novelty banjolele – just made to be admired – but it sure plays wonderfully.
Luna has a history of making the best-looking ukuleles, and they’ve translated that into this banjolele really well – it’s beautiful!
Here are its features:
- It’s got a maple body and bridge, a mahogany neck, and a walnut fretboard – it’s the most durable and solid banjolele on the list.
- This Banjolele got the best craftsmanship and finish as well. We fell in love with the tobacco burst finish!
- We love the clear drumhead design and the visible pattern.
- This Banjolele sounds amazingly well, and if paired with a pickup, you’ll get a clear and beautiful amplified sound.
This is one of the best banjoleles we’ve put our hands on – and the most visually appealing, too.
The sound quality is also remarkable.
This is the only banjolele on the list that we’d recommend even for pros looking for an excellent affordable banjolele.
We tried finding some downsides about it, but we only found one, and it’s not much of a downside.
Ready? It doesn’t come with addons.
That sounds like it’s not an issue, but it makes this banjolele slightly less beginner-friendly than the ones above.
Still, we don’t think this should stop you from buying it, especially if you’re an intermediate and above musician that’s already geared up with all the equipment.
Pros – about this Top Banjolele
- Hands down the best banjolele on the list.
- Sturdy and durable materials, amazing craftsmanship, and finish.
- It has the best sound quality you can get on this list.
- This Banjolele is the only one we’d recommend for pros.
- It’s not as expensive as you might think.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with any addons!
Frequently Asked Questions – Top Banjoleles
Yes! Banjoleles and ukuleles are usually tuned the same way: G-C-E-A.
You can transition from the ukulele to the banjolele easily!
Banjoleles and ukuleles are tuned in the same key, but they have different body designs and shapes.
That makes them sound and play similar to the ukulele, but with the resonance and percussive touch of the banjo.
The different body makes a huge difference, which definitely gives the banjolele a banjo-like sound, with the punchiness of the uke.
Banjo Ukuleles and ukuleles are similar in tuning, chords, and size – that’s about all their similarities.
They’re actually very different!
The main difference is their bodies.
Ukuleles are made with a hollow box made out of wood, which creates resonance by using the air inside it to transmit the sound.
Banjo Ukuleles have a drumhead, which gives them a distinct sound that is slightly percussive because the head vibrates, propagating the sound that rebounds off of it.
Yes! Playing the banjo is easy and so is the ukulele – the resulting mix has the best of both worlds!
Actually, they’re easier to play than a standard ukulele because they have a slightly lower action, which makes pressing the strings way easier.
Also, if you know how to play the ukulele, you already know how to play the banjolele!
Conclusion – Top Banjo Ukuleles
The Banjolele is one of the loveliest instruments that can get your attention – it’s also rather hard to part from it after you start playing.
Why? Because the Banjolele is the perfect mix between a banjo, a unique stringed instrument that’s easy to play, and the ukulele, which we absolutely love.
This crossbred instrument will be a nice addition to your repertoire, whether you’re a banjo or a ukulele player.
We’d love to see more of it!
Still, we highly recommend you to skip the marketing noise, and get a real instrument from day one – it will save you from many issues.
Aside from that, and if you consider this buying guide in your decision, nothing can stop you from picking up the banjolele.
So, which one are you getting?
