What Are The Top and Best Ukulele Picks?
Selection Criteria – Best Ukulele Picks
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Best Ukulele Picks – The Basics
Ukulele picks are the cause of constant debate online – from big questions like which is the best ukulele pick to are they even worth using?
We’ve created this article for those who have already cut through the constant noise of online hardcore debate and are ready to get the best uke pick.
With that being said, getting the right ukulele pick is not easy. Here’s why:
# 1 – There are many types of ukulele picks!
If you’re new to ukulele picks, you’ll quickly discover that there are many types and that all of them have tons of supporters.
You’ll hear that felt picks are the best, but also some supporters love plastic guitar picks.
Leather picks are constantly gathering support by waves, and then there are custom picks that look odd but are incredibly good.
Which is the right one for you?
# 2 – Not all picks are good to use with your ukulele
There are different types of picks, yes, but not all of them are usable with ukes.
You might be inclined to try out some guitar picks and other gimmicks to find your sound though, but granted it won’t sound the same.
You see, ukuleles are traditionally played with naked fingers and nails.
The sound produced by bare fingers is really hard to replicate with a pick – especially if you’re using the wrong one.
Want to play more comfortably with the right pick? Find here the best ukulele pick you can get and start rocking properly!
Comparison Table – Best Ukulele Picks
Last update on 2022-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Overall Ukulele Pick – Lohanu Leather
- Genuine Leather Picks: our leather picks are made with the highest quality materials to the highest quality standards; best picking and strumming accessory for your ukulele that also works great for...
- Superior Sound: you have to strum it to hear the sound difference; produces warmer richer tone compared to plastic (too bright and loud) or felt picks (too soft and mellow)
- Easy to Grip Cutout Hole: designed to help you to hold the picks easily with less stress to your finger and thumb, and prevents you from dropping your pick when strumming
Last update on 2022-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lohanu is responsible for making our favorite type of ukulele picks – leather picks with a cutout.
We usually don’t stray away from these picks, because for us they’re the best, and we really enjoy using them.
Here are their features:
- They’re made out of leather, which is slightly more rigid than felt picks and produces a richer, louder sound.
- They are designed with a cutout in the middle to make them easier to hold for long periods without them slipping – we absolutely love that for performances.
- These picks last for a long because of the high-quality leather.
- They actually don’t break, they just break in, making them softer after a while of use, and even closer to the sound of bare fingers.
- You get 3 of them!
- They’re also pretty affordable for their quality.
We prefer leather picks, but in most cases, we have to have something bad to say about the things we try out for you – it was hard to apply that in this case though.
There’s simply no end to our praise for these picks because they meet our sound, usability, durability, and price preferences.
Aside from that, we recognize these picks just can’t be for everyone – there’s not a single product out there that is just right for everyone.
If you’re looking for a slightly brighter sound than the one produced by felt picks or if you want something closer to a finger tone, then these are the picks you need.
They come stiffer when you buy them and after a while of use, they’ll be softer and produce warmer mellower sounds.
Highly recommended!
Pros – about these Lohanu leather picks
- Best overall leather picks.
- They’re easy to hold, easy to use, and produce a variety of sounds depending on how much you use them.
- These Lohanu leather picks are durable!
- And they’re cheap and convenient, too.
Cons
- No cons for this pick.
Best Budget Ukulele Pick – Amazon Basics
- 10-piece set of flat guitar picks includes the following sizes: 0.5 mm (x4), 0.7 mm (x3), 0.8 mm (x3)
- Different sizes/thicknesses allow for achieving the desired tone; classic guitar-pick shape with wide body and rounded tip; comes in an assortment of solid colors
- Made of celluloid material for reliable strength, a traditional smooth feel, and a warm classic sound
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These guitar picks are, well, guitar picks.
They’re just the right fit if you have a solid-body electric ukulele or a guitarlele.
We like this product because it comes with 10 picks of different thicknesses, which is quite useful for you to find the most suitable ones.
For ukes, we recommend the thinnest ones (0.5mm), but you can easily use the others too.
These are the perfect cheap picks to get if you’re just trying out new sounds or if you’re looking for a good and cheap pick to use with your uke.
They fit the bill nicely and are quite cheap, which is the main selling point of this category.
The only downsides are that they look generic and that plastic picks are very stiff.
Of course, their stiffness can only be a downside if you’re not looking for a brighter and significantly louder sound.
Also, they produce the classic clicking sound that’s common when you use plastic picks, and that’s a no-no for most ukulele players.
Still, these picks are great to get if you have several instruments and you’re fine with the sound of plastic picks vs the nylon strings of the ukulele.
Pros – about these ukulele picks
- They’re the most affordable picks you can get.
- You get 10 of them and they come in different sizes.
- They’re quite useful if you have several stringed instruments or a solid-body ukulele.
- They produce the loudest sound on the list.
Cons
- They produce a click sound when you use them for strumming.
- This pick looks generic.
Best Runner Up Ukulele Pick – Perri’s Leathers Ukulele Felt Picks
- Experience superior playability with our exquisite guitar pick, boasting a unique triangular teardrop design crafted from high-quality felt material. Indulge in its warm, full, and round musical tone...
- Unlock endless possibilities with our versatile guitar pick, perfectly compatible with ukuleles and an array of guitar types, including electric, bass, and classical. This universal pick is a genuine...
- 0.71mm gauge/medium; lightweight, flexible, durable. Perri’s Leathers Ltd offers a replacement for defects in material, craftsmanship, or quality under normal use for 180 days from date of purchase...
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The picks from Perri’s leathers are just a teeny tiny part of their products, and even though they don’t seem to pay extra attention to them, the picks work like a charm.
Felt picks have garnered a lot of support throughout the years because they’re soft, easy to use, and provide a sweet and subtle sound.
It’s easy to see why they’re great once you play a few songs with them, and that’s exactly the case with Perri’s Leathers felt picks.
They’re medium thickness (0.71mm), which keeps them solid enough to use for picking, and soft enough to achieve beautiful sounds while strumming.
They’re also quite flexible, lightweight, and provide a nice grip.
With this product, you get 6 high-quality felt picks that come in different colors.
We’re not fans of the huge “P” in the middle, but thanks to their quality, we can live with that.
The only real downside is that they’re not that durable when compared to the ones above – but since they provide great sound, and they’re cheap, we can live with that.
Without a doubt, these are the best-felt picks you can get. Recommended!
Pros – about these ukulele picks
- Great medium thickness felt picks – and you get 6 of them!
- They’re perfect for picking and ukulele strumming as well – the best of both worlds!
- This pick is in the middle between soft and rigid, which gives them the perfect versatility.
- They also provide the sweetest and most subtle sound, which is good to mimic the finger tones.
Cons
- They’re not the most durable type of pick.
Best Uke Pick for Big Wallets – HonuPicks Leather
- HonuPicks are the only patented, PREMIER LEATHER UKULELE PICKS that produce sound just like playing ukulele with your finger!
- HonuPicks never get floppy or lose volume...unlike all the other leather ukulele picks!
- HonuPicks are the only ukulele picks that really make playing easier for those with long fingernails, arthritis or neuropathy!
Last update on 2023-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
HonuPicks is a rather unknown brand that’s been making amazing ergonomic leather ukulele picks that sound just like fingers!
We absolutely loved these picks from the first time we tried them.
Here are their features:
- They’re unlike any other pick out there because they’re not meant to be held with just your fingers.
- That eliminates the problem of sore fingers and thumb, and you can safely bet that they’ll never slip from your hand!
- These picks are also designed to provide a smooth sound that’s clear, natural, and the closest to finger tone on the list.
- They’re very comfortable to hold for long periods, which is a great advantage for performers.
- They come with two sides: a thicker, more rigid side, and a softer, more plump side.
- The rigid side is better for picking and the softer for strumming.
- You get three of them with your purchase!
- These picks last a whole lot more than the ones at the top because of the much better quality of the leather.
HonuPicks’ leather picks are amazing – there are just no downsides to this ergonomic ukulele pick design.
The only issue you might encounter is that they’re the priciest on the list, but their price is justified by their outstanding quality.
Pros – about these picks
- Amazing quality ergonomic picks.
- They’re incredibly easy to use, they have a comfortable grip and versatility.
- These picks sound the closes to finger tone!
- They are the most durable among leather picks.
Cons
- They’re pricey.
Frequently Asked Questions – Best Picks for Ukuleles
We usually recommend leather and felt picks, since they produce the best sound, clarity, and different tones that will surely satisfy your needs or taste.
They’re also softer, which helps you protect the nylon strings most ukuleles use.
Of course! Whether to play the ukulele with a pick or not is a decision based on preference.
If you like playing with a pick, go ahead and do it. Leather picks have been used to play ukes for about 100 years and counting!
If you don’t, it’s ok, too – but don’t be an annoying purist, and please let it be!
Not quite. Traditionally, ukulele picks are softer than guitar picks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use a guitar pick with your uke.
Still, if you want to do so, we recommend that you use a thin, flexible pick to avoid damaging the strings.
Felt picks and leather picks are usually the most suitable types you can use.
However, if your ukulele uses some extra hard and durable strings, feel free to test their quality jamming with a guitar pick. You’ll get different tones playing around!
Yes! Ukulele picks are great for kids and beginners to use, especially when they’re having their first encounters with the ukulele and have sore fingers after a lesson.
Ukulele strings are not hard, but they’ll surely win the battle against beginner’s fingers!
Conclusion – Top Picks for your ukulele
Ukulele picks are a widely controverted topic.
Should you use them? Should you just use your nails and fingers? Which type of pick is good to have?
We’ve created this review once you’ve cut through the hardcore traditionalist noise and are ready to play a few tunes with them.
We’re here only to help you get the most convenient pick you can use.
In this guide, you’ll find all the different picks you can try out to get a great experience.
Sure, there are other types of picks we didn’t mention here, like rubber or custom shape picks.
Still, the strings on this guide will help you find your sound before exploring other options.
So, are you getting yourself a pick?
