What Are The Top 6 Best Tenor Ukuleles?
Selection Criteria – The Best Tenor Ukulele
On this page, you’ll find
…only the best Tenor 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 Tenor Ukulele from the get-go!
Best Tenor Ukuleles – The Basics
Tenor ukuleles are a trending version of the ukulele – more people are picking up tenors instead of the other three types of ukuleles.
Why? Well, mostly because of the many advantages they have over their siblings.
# 1 – Having big-hand issues?
The tenor ukulele is bigger, which makes it easier to play than the smaller ukuleles.
Compared to the sopranino, the tenor is a piece of cake, and also feels like a different instrument
# 2 – Tenor ukuleles are a good upgrade from smaller ukuleles
Are you growing a little tired of the limited playability of the soprano ukulele?
The tenor ukulele is a great choice for music lovers who want to explore more complex sounds and playing styles. This model is a suitable upgrade if you know how to play other standard-tuned ukuleles.
It’s a good upgrade from the concert, because it plays the same, while also having access to more bass and acoustic projection.
They have a slightly different range that’s deeper and warmer than that of the concert ukulele.
It’s a balanced variation in terms of range when compared to the bassy baritone ukulele, too.
The downside, though, is that with the renewed fame of the tenor, there’s a majority of phony and cheap ukuleles out there – and they’re not worth getting.
That’s why we wanted to help make a well-informed decision so you can get the best tenor ukulele in different price ranges.
Let’s get started! Let us you the best tenor ukulele picks!
Comparison Table – Best Tenor Ukuleles
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Overall Tenor Ukulele – Kala KA-SMHT
- All-Mahogany Ten Uke; Mahoangy Neck with Laurel Fingerboard - Satin Natural
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There’s always at least one instrument from Kala on our ukulele reviews – but this time there are three occupying some of the best spots.
That’s the case of the Kala KA-SMHT, for us, the best overall tenor ukulele you can get.
Many details make it the winner of the best overall spot on our review:
- It’s a perfectly traditional tenor ukulele with all the things we love aesthetically – especially the traditional design and finish.
- This tenor is a solid instrument, which makes it resonate beautifully every time you strum it.
- We love the tighter strings of the tenor ukulele– it makes it a new challenge after playing sopranos and concert ukuleles for a while.
- The finishing details with faux tortoise and chrome tuners are lovely.
- This model has a superb sound quality which separates it from low-quality tenor ukuleles within the same price range.
- Finally, it has a slightly thicker neck, which paired with the bigger fret space makes for very comfortable playability.
We think this is the perfect pick, of course, because of its price.
The tenor is not affordable per se, but it’s not comparable to others within the same price range, only to those above the $350 mark.
The only downside about this model is that the strings it comes with, although good, hamper its sound quality.
You should get new strings to take full advantage of its potential – we also recommend a low-G tuning inf you want to achieve improved deep sounds.
That’s exactly why we think this tenor is an amazing pick for intermediate and advanced players looking for an affordable option that offers pro-level acoustic sound.
Highly recommended!
Pros – about this tenor
- This is the perfect pick for music lovers of all levels.
- It has a beautiful traditional design and finish.
- This model has a near-perfect acoustic sound.
- The tenor is solid, it feels excellent-quality heavy and sturdy.
Cons – about this ukulele
- You must change each string to take full advantage of its potential is the only cons we found.
Best Budget Tenor Ukulele – Caramel CT904
- ♪ STRIPED EBONY WOOD BODY - Caramel CT904 26 inch Tenor Ukeleles are made of Ebonywood with beautiful wood grain patterns makes the perfect choice for moonlit beach strolls and bonfire singalongs,...
- ♪ ONE STEP TO AN UKULELE PLAYER - Do you want to learn to play Ukulele? This starter Ukelele kit gets you started! Comes with: 1x CT904 Tenoe ukelele, 1 extra set G-C-E-A strings ,gig bag (12mm...
- ♪ UNMATCHED UKULELE - 3 bands EQ built in tuner with LCD color display,ready this one-of-a-kind acoustic-electric for natural-sounding sound reproduction into an amp, PA, or recording medium.!...
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Caramel is a reliable company that makes amazing ukuleles and other stringed instruments.
The Caramel CT904 is an interesting tenor acoustic-electric ukulele.
We think it’s the best pick you can get for its price, which is unmatchable.
Here are its advantages:
- It’s a beautiful nontraditional design made out of laminate Ebony wood.
- Although it’s not a solid wood ukulele, this tenor has a great acoustic sound quality and a better-than-expected electroacoustic sound.
- This tenor comes with a nifty built-in tuner and a 3-band EQ.
- You can also tune this model with a low-G.
- This model also comes with a good gig bag, an extra set of strings, a ukulele wall hanger, a strap, a cleaning cloth, an amp-cable, and other tools to keep it in top shape.
This is the best tenor ukulele for beginners who want a more serious electroacoustic option to learn, as well as a ukulele worth caring for.
You won’t get a better tenor ukulele in this price range unless you get an acoustic ukulele without accesories – that’s what makes this pick more interesting.
Its flashy design is very attractive and light, which also makes it a good option for kids.
We couldn’t check any downsides to this product, except that, of course, there are better choices that don’t have the benefit of the accessories.
Otherwise, it’s a very decent pick, with great sound quality both plugged and unplugged and an even better price.
Highly recommended!
Pros – about this tenor
- It has a beautiful, flashy, and lightweight design – making it a great choice as a ukulele for kids.
- This model has all the advantages of tenor ukuleles plus an in-built tuner and EQ.
- The sound quality is great both plugged and unplugged.
- It’s the best electroacoustic pick within its price range.
Cons – about this ukulele
- No downsides.
Best Runner Up Tenor Ukulele – Cordoba 28T
Last update on 2022-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When looking for the perfect ukulele, we tend to pay attention to the way they look, instead of the way they feel – but this one from Cordoba is an exception that paid off.
The Cordoba 28T is a great investment if you’re looking for a ukulele that feels great.
We love this ukulele because it offers an amazing sound quality that outmatches most tenors within its price range and lower.
Here are its advantages:
- It’s made out of Hawaiian Koa, the OG material for high-quality traditional tenor ukuleles, and has a traditional appearance as well.
- This tenor ukulele features are a bone nut and saddle, which provides a very clean sound, and Pau Ferro fingerboard.
- It’s one of the few acoustic tenor ukuleles we’ve played which makes investing in a top-notch piezo pick-up worth it – its acoustic sound translates deliciously through a ukulele amplifier with one!
We mentioned above this is an instrument worth feeling because, although we love its appearance, we have to admit looks a little bit generic.
However, Cordoba proved us wrong by making such an incredible acoustic ukulele that’s simply perfect for intermediate, advanced, and pro musicians.
We highly recommend this pick because its sound quality is above average, comparable only to the best of the best on this list while having a smaller price tag.
Pros – about this tenor
- Amazing sound-quality – it goes near to the first pick.
- This model has a simple, but high-quality design that shows a lot of attention to detail and craftsmanship.
- It’s a really good pick for musicians of all levels, but a perfect pick for intermediate players.
Cons – about this ukulele
- It has a rather generic appearance (that we love!)
Best Tenor Uke under USD200 – Enya 26” All Solid Mahogany
- ♫ All Solid mahogany wood: The solid mahogany body allows the warm tone to deliver fully. it features a soft and sweet sound as the image of the ukulele.
- ♫ Cherry blossom pattern: The white pearl Cherry blossoms decoration on the head makes this tenor ukulele Sweet and Unique.
- ♫ 1:18 gold agate die-cast : (rather than poor quality brass-plated zinc alloy); Finer and more stable tuning; Ensures the ukulele the best Intonation, stays in tune for longer times.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Enya EUT-MS is a bundled pick that is above in quality when compared to the budget pick.
This is a solid mahogany instrument that comes with other goodies that are worth considering, as they’re also superior in quality to the budget pick.
What we like the most about this pick is the mahogany ukulele itself though.
The solid mahogany gives it a nice warm tone that you can’t achieve with cheaper laminate picks.
Although it is an acoustic mahogany ukulele, the projection of this one is also remarkable considering its price.
We also recognize the quality of the wood – although it is mahogany, the craftsmanship of the uke upgrades it in quality, making it a ukulele that’s worth aging to achieve a richer and warmer sound.
The only downside we found about this pick is that the ukulele accessories are good, not great – we’d love it if the ukulele were available on its own.
This Mahogany Tenor Ukulele is suitable for intermediate players and beginners looking for a better uke than the budget pick – it’s a safer long-term investment.
Beginners will surely benefit a lot from the addons, even if they’re not the best.
Pros – about this tenor
- This model is a sound pick – it has a good design, materials, and great craftsmanship.
- The addons that come with it are good to have, especially for beginners.
- Its sound quality, projection, and warm tones are above its price range and get better when the wood ages.
Cons – about this ukulele
- The addons are good, not great. Check our full review of Ukulele Accesories
Best Tenor Ukulele for Big Wallets – Kala KA-SA-T
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This is yet another amazing pick from Kala, a brand renowned for its flagship affordable ukuleles.
The Kala KA-SA-T is something else, way above in quality when compared to anything from Kala’s more affordable lines, and even comparable to store-bought handcrafted options.
It a design and appearance that’s worthy of praise and showcasing.
But it’s not all looks – this uke sounds as beautiful as it looks.
The sound quality is clean, perfectly balanced between bright and warm, with outstanding projection.
This is the perfect tenor acoustic ukulele to get if you don’t want to pay a price in the thousands for one of slightly better quality and a better name.
Many aspects about this ukulele are top-notch, like the GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle, a comfortable solid mahogany neck, a walnut fretboard, Aquila Nylgut strings, and the unique craftsmanship.
We love the fuller tone the solid acacia body provides, which is remarkably clear, and well-defined.
There are no downsides to this uke aside from its price, and offering the quality we just described, the price is a steal.
We highly recommend this one for professional musicians and performers who want to impress their audiences with a one-of-a-kind acoustic ukulele sound.
Pros – about this tenor
- This is the perfect acoustic ukulele!
- It offers excellent playability, a deliciously balanced range, and a clear sound.
- This model is crafted with real attention to detail – it feels handmade!
- It’s the best pick for professional music lovers looking for the perfect acoustic option.
Cons – about this ukulele
- Although it’s comparable to tenor ukuleles twice as expensive in quality, it’s still the priciest on this list.
Best Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele – Kala KA-STGE-C
- Kala Ukulele, known for high-quality instruments, is the most recognized and sought after ukulele brand in the world. Kala ukuleles are the instrument of choice for schools - more people learn to play...
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last, but not least, another instrument from Kala exceeded our expectations.
The Kala KA-STGE-C is a great pick for musicians looking for an electroacoustic choice to fingerstyle.
We think it has the best of both worlds – a great acoustic sound that’s enjoyable, and an amped sound that’s even better and worth recording.
There are many things about this uke that we liked:
- It’s a very handsome uke – the finish, the color, the cutaway, and other top-notch craftsmanship details that are unique to the pricier versions from Kala.
- The amplified sound is clean and with little to no feedback, especially if you have the experience to set it up correctly.
- The built-in EQ has a tuner, which is always a nice addition.
- This model has a Shadow Nanoflex preamp – it’s a good preamp for this price range, but it sounds cooler than it actually is.
- The top is made out of solid spruce that is a great wood choice to create perfectly resonating instruments.
- This model has spruce laminate on the sides and back, making it lighter, and easier to care for.
We love that this uke hits all the spots it should for a great acoustic uke – it’s definitely better than other similarly priced options out there.
Highly recommended for intermediate and advanced music lovers that are ready to make it shine under the spotlight.
Pros – about this tenor
- Great electroacoustic uke at an affordable price.
- This model has convenient and trustworthy electrics for beginners, intermediate, and advanced musicians, and good sound quality both plugged and unplugged.
- It’s the best when compared to other tenor ukuleles within the same price range.
Cons – about this ukulele
- It’s a bit pricey.
Frequently Asked Questions – Top Tenor Ukuleles
Of course! The tenor is the second biggest ukulele you can get, aside from the baritone.
The bigger frets make for an improved playing experience that feels comfortable from the get-go, especially if you get a ukulele with a slightly longer nut and saddle.
However, the standard tenor ukulele is perfect for beginners with big hands.
It’s also a great progression from a standard soprano or concert, mostly because they share the same tuning, whereas the bari ukulele is tuned differently.
There are several differences, most of them related to the different size.
The bigger tenor is longer, easier to play, has more resonance and projection, and a better sustain of deep bassy notes.
It also has tighter strings that are slightly harder to strum because of the longer neck.
On the other hand, the concert ukulele has less resonance and projection, and has a more limited range when compared to the tenor uke.
It’s also more accessible, thanks to its simpler nature, to beginners.
It depends on the quality you want to get.
There’s a big misconception about the cost of a tenor ukulele – that they’re more expensive than the others.
Still, this is not quite true.
The price of any ukulele is linked to its quality – the better the quality, the bigger the price tag.
That’s why you can find good tenor ukuleles in different price ranges.
It depends!
The main issue here is the length of the strings – concert ukulele strings are slightly shorter.
But, if they’re long enough to be used in a tenor, and are the right set of reentrant strings for the standard G-C-E-A tuning, then it’s possible that they’re a suitable fit.
Conclusion – Top Tenor ukuleles
The tenor uke is rising in popularity and our picks for this review are the proof you need to understand why they’re among the favored options.
The potential of the tenor uke is something musicians of different levels are interested in exploring.
Although big-handed beginners can benefit from the bigger size of the tenor, professional musicians can take full advantage of the rich and balanced tone range of this instrument.
Whether you chose to pick an electroacoustic or an acoustic tenor, you can rest assured that you’ll find its magic after you play it.
Are you planning to join the tenor uke club?
