What Are The Top and Best Ukulele Pickups?
Selection Criteria – Best Ukulele Pickups
On this page, you’ll find
…only the best Ukulele pickup. 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 Ukulele Pickup from the get-go!
Best Ukulele Pickups – The Basics
A ukulele pickup is a fantastic piece of equipment that can help you amplify any ukulele.
They are versatile, effective, and easy to use – or at least they should be.
Still, picking one is not easy because of the following reasons:
# 1 – Not all of the pickups are convenient for your ukulele!
There are several ukulele pickup types, which increases the difficulty of choosing the right one for you.
The right pickup should be a solution to all or most of your problems!
# 2 – There are a lot of bad options of ukulele pickups
There are hundreds of options to pick from, but not all of them are good enough.
You might end up with a quaky pickup with poor-quality sound output or even one that causes a lot of feedback.
Also, some options are just unusable because they’re not meant to be used with ukuleles – those are the ones marketed as “pickups for all stringed instruments”.
# 3 – Overpriced pickups (and not that good) – they’re everywhere!
You’d be surprised by the number of overpriced underperforming pickups available.
If you don’t know about ukulele pickups, you might run into that type of gimmick head first, and end up spending a lot of money on trashy products.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the best ukulele pickups you can get to amplify your acoustic ukulele.
They are the most convenient by far – even the cheapest one on the list has been tested and approved by us, so you can trust they are the absolute best.
Are you ready to make a safe investment? Let’s get started!
Comparison Table – Best Ukulele Pickups
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Overall Ukulele Pickup – KNA UK-1 Piezo Pickup
- Delivers the natural sound of your ukulele
- Lightweight, wood-encased sensor
- Easy installation without modification to your instrument
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The best overall is the KNA UK-1 piezo ukulele pickup – this one is a no-brainer.
This is hands down the most convenient ukulele pickup for beginner, intermediate, and advanced musicians looking for the easiest solution.
Here are its features:
- It’s easy to install – you can actually do it yourself safely and at home.
- This model doesn’t alter the appearance of your ukulele; you don’t even have to drill holes!
- It delivers consistent quality and is amazingly sensitive – you’ll get a clear, natural, and near-perfect sound every time.
- It even looks good because it’s got a simple design.
- You don’t have to modify your playing style to use it.
- And it’s not harsh on your wallet.
This ukulele pickup is the definition of simplicity and efficacy.
There are very few pickups available that can get away with the quality of this one!
The sound quality is outstanding – clear and natural, and without feedback, quaky sounds, or buzzing.
This pickup is the perfect solution for those beginners, intermediate, and advanced players looking for a mid-priced option that delivers.
The downside? It’s a little too delicate, it breaks rather easily and you have to be very careful while installing it.
However, once it’s done, you won’t have to worry about it at all.
It also comes with a complimentary cable that’s more than enough to jam on.
Highly recommended!
Pros – about this pickup
- Great ukulele pickup – very consistent sound quality, clarity, and natural sound.
- No quacks, no feedback, no buzzing – just pure sonic gold.
- It’s not the priciest pickup available.
- This model is very easy to install.
- It’s the best option for beginners, intermediate, and advanced musicians.
Cons
- It’s a little delicate – treat it carefully!
Best Budget Ukulele Pickup – Luvay Acoustic Guitar Pickup
- Volume adjustable, with a control knob
- Fit for most of instrument, such as guitar, ukulele, violin, etc.
- Easy to install, can be sticked near sound hole with self-adhensive, which can be reused
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The best budget pick we could find is definitely the Luvay Acoustic Guitar Pickup.
This is a piezo pickup that works with contact – you basically have to stick it to your ukulele and let the magic happen.
Here are its features:
- It’s even easier to install – you just stick it in place with its sticky pads.
- You can place it wherever you want in your ukulele to get the best possible sound.
- You can also switch places at any time. One sticky pad is very durable, and it comes with four replacements!
- It comes with a 10 feet standard ¼” amp cable.
- You can adjust the volume easily with the twist of a knob.
- It’s got the best price on the list!
This is the only transducer pickup we’d recommend for beginners and maybe for intermediate musicians with entry-level ukuleles.
We like this pickup because of what it offers – the opportunity of playing around for the first time with a ukulele amplifier.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer quality.
The sound quality you get with it is actually quite decent, with little to no feedback if placed correctly, and with the easiest setup process, you can think of.
What’s the downside? We don’t think this thing was made to be used by advanced and professional musicians.
Of course, more advanced musicians will notice that the sound quality is far from being the best – but with this price, we don’t think there’s room for complaints.
Aside from that, there’s another big downside – you must stick it to your ukulele using sticky pads.
If you’re in love with your ukulele (as we’re in love with ours), you wouldn’t give this thought a chance!
That’s why we think it’s perfect for beginners – especially those who still haven’t upgraded to a ukulele without wheels!
Pros – about this cheap ukulele pickup
- Decent sound quality without feedback.
- Super easy installation process – you can experiment with the placement, too.
- You get a 10 feet cable and 4 sticky pad replacements.
- It’s very cheap – it’s the only viable pickup below USD20!
Cons
- It’s not the best-sounding pickup.
- You have to stick it to your ukulele and risk damaging the finish (especially with glossy ukuleles!)
Best Runner Up Ukulele Pickup – Fishman AG Under-saddle
- Acoustic Piezo Crystal Passive Under-saddle Pickup - Ukulele
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is yet another amazing pickup that’s even slightly better than the best overall – though it comes with some downsides that left it in the best runner-up spot.
This pickup is just amazing, really – and no wonder why, it comes from Fishman.
We’ve featured Fishman in our review about the best ukulele amplifiers – and their amps were the crown’s jewel!
Here are the features of this passive pickup:
- The sound quality you get from it is excellent, as it’s one of the best pickups under the USD150 range.
- This pick-up is a passive one and it’s installed under the saddle (duh).
- It comes with a power jack!
- It’s a specialized pickup for ukuleles, so you can expect top-notch sound quality and clarity.
This pickup is among the few we’d recommend for advanced and professional musicians – you can even record a piece or two with it and get amazing results.
We love this pickup because it delivers incredible quality for such a good price.
Why isn’t it at the top, then? Well, that’s because it must be installed by a professional luthier – or a really crafty musician.
Also, you get the best sound out of this passive pickup if you have an impedance matching preamp (the manufacturer even recommends this!).
That’s why we only recommend it for advanced musicians and pros who can get it installed and gig the heck out of it until it pays itself.
Also, you shouldn’t install this passive pickup in a cheap entry or mid-level ukulele – you should save this masterpiece for an advanced and above ukulele.
Pros – about this uke pickup
- An excellent pickup that’s the most affordable for advanced and professional musicians.
- The sound quality you get from it is as natural and clear as if you were playing a really loud acoustic ukulele.
- This passive pickup is not even the priciest pickup.
Cons
- It must be installed by a luthier or seasoned and crafty musician.
- You’ll require a good acoustic ukulele amplifier to get the best sound out of this passive pickup.
Best ukulele Pickup under USD30 – Adeline WM-69 Transducer
- 1.This acoustic pickup very convenient for Ukulele.
- 2.This Ukulele pickup delivers superior sound and high reproduction.
- 3.The 1 pickup elements have a lot of output so they feed the amplifier just great.
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is yet another good transducer pickup from Adeline, which makes decent-sounding pickups for different instruments.
This one is the best under USD30 – it’s significantly better than the budget pick.
We recommend you to get this if you’re a beginner or intermediate player looking for an easy-to-use pickup that delivers great sound quality – maybe even to perform on weekend jams.
Adeline’s pickups are not half bad, and this pickup is the perfect example.
It’s very simple, the design looks good, and you can use it on different stringed instruments – it’s great for guitars!
Aside from that, it’s just a good option, and there’s nothing special about it.
The real downsides are that you still have to stick it to your ukulele with glue and that it’s not so durable.
That’s why, once again, we only recommend it for beginners and intermediates who want a pickup that’s better than the budget pick, without a bigger price.
Pros – about this pickup for your ukulele
- Good sounding pickup – it sounds and looks better than the budget pick.
- It’s easy to install – you can place it anywhere!
- This model is pretty cheap and delivers good quality.
- It’s great for beginners and intermediate musicians who want to start performing.
Cons
- It’s not so durable.
- It uses glue to stick to your ukulele – don’t use it on expensive or glossy ones!
Best ukulele Pickup for Big Wallets – Fishman Matrix Infinity
- Acoustic Pickup with Multi-position Cardioid Condenser Capsule Soundhole-mounted Controls - Ukulele
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
To introduce this pickup, we require the “here comes the boom” song to sound in the background.
Fishman’s Matrix Infinity is the best performing pickup money can buy – and we really mean big bucks.
This is the pickup that professionals use and it’s worth every penny.
Here are its features:
- This is an under-saddle pickup, which means you’ll get the sound almost directly from the vibrations of each string – high fidelity sound at your service!
- You get a mic, too, so you can have two amplifying options and a blend control module, which gives even more power over the sound quality you can achieve.
- It comes with an endpin jack with preamp, so you don’t have to worry about low signals ever again – you can use this bad boy to record!
- It comes with a tone and volume control module, so you can set up your sound however you want it.
There’s no doubt why this is among the best-rated pickups you can get.
To start, you get many adjustment options, two different pickups, and a preamp – all with Fishman’s quality seal.
The only downside we could find about it is that the installation is tricky – not hard, not easy, just tricky.
You can get it done at a shop and save yourself from losing your cool.
Still, you can also do it at home if you have the nerve, the skill, and the tools.
This is the only pickup we’d recommend for pros who want to perform live or record some tunes.
Pros
- Near-perfect sound quality and a subtle design.
- The best sound quality you can get from a pickup. You also get two options – the mic or the piezo pickup (and you can also mix both!).
- You can adjust volume, tone, and blend to improve the sound quality.
- And it comes with a preamp! But, if you still want a ukulele amplifier you can check our review.
Cons
- Installation is tricky – we recommend you get it done at a shop.
Best ukulele Transducer Pickup – Donner DSS-3
- 【Widely Used】Donner 3 transducer pickup system is widely used on various instruments, like acoustic guitar, classical guitar, resonator guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, wood bass, cello, violin,...
- 【Pure & Original Sound】Fixing a rubber to adjust the tone and make your guitar more perfect. Donner DSS-3 pickup system collects clear and true sound and reproduces all strings nicely balanced....
- 【User-friendly Set】Package includes 1 passive guitar pickup, 1 set of glue, 4 3M stickers, 3 cable holders, 1x fixture leather pad, 1 ABS fixed clip. No battery and soldering is required....
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
So far, we’ve shown you two fairly decent transducer pickups.
However, this pickup from Donner is the best by far – and we’re not usually so supportive of Donner.
The DSS-3 transducer pickup is a great-sounding surprise.
It’s also pretty straightforward:
- You take it out: it comes with glue, 4 stickers, 3 cable holders, 1 fixture leather pad, and 1 ABS fixed clip.
- You place the transducer pickups wherever you think you’ll get the most optimal sound.
- You set up the cables and holders.
- And you start playing.
Now, even though we know Donner is bottom-tier regarding ukuleles (sorry), this pickup is definitely worth every penny – and it’s not even that expensive.
We really like it because you can use it with just about any instrument, the installation is easy, and you get great sound quality from it.
Of course, again, the main downside is that you have to stick the transducer to your ukulele.
That’s why we only recommend this pick for intermediate and advanced players.
It’s so good, you won’t even think of removing it once you’ve placed it, and you’ll probably leave it installed for your next gig.
If transducer pickups are your thing, look no further, because Donner has you covered.
Pros
- Great sounding transducer pickup.
- Straightforward installation – it also comes with everything you need to set it up.
- It’s easy to use and provides great sound quality.
- You can play around with the positioning of the transducer pickups to get the best sound.
- It’s not the priciest pickup you can get.
Cons
- It uses stickers/glue, which is a no-no if you have an expensive ukulele.
Frequently Asked Questions – Best Pickups for Ukuleles
Definitely the Matrix Infinity from Fishman (and we don’t just say this because we’re Matrix fans).
This pickup offers the high-fidelity sound you won’t get tired of hearing.
The clarity and natural tone, the many adjustment options, the pickup and mic blend, and the preamp are certainly the main selling point.
If you get it, you won’t regret it!
That depends on what you’ll use it for!
Ukuleles with preinstalled pickups are great, but their sound quality depends on the quality of the pickup they come with.
Most mass-produced electric acoustic ukuleles come with affordable pickups and preamps, so you definitely don’t get the best quality out of them.
Still, they’re great options for beginners, intermediate, and advanced musicians who don’t need outstanding quality.
However, if you pair a high-quality handmade ukulele with a top-notch pickup like Fishman’s Matrix Infinity, you get the best-sounding ukulele – perfect for recording and live performances.
It depends on the type of pickup.
Piezo pickups can be installed under the saddle, near the bridge, or the ukulele strings, and they usually require inner installation and maybe even drilling a few holes into your ukulele.
That should be done by a professional luthier or at a shop.
Transducer pickups are easier to install – you just pick a place, and stick the pickup to the body of your ukulele.
This can be done at home following the manufacturer’s directions.
Active pickups do require a battery to function – that includes piezo pickups.
However, most transducer pickups are passive, and they don’t require batteries – you just plug and play.
Conclusion – Top Pickups for your Ukulele
If you want to get a pickup, you don’t really need a degree in sound engineering to get the best.
We hope that this review can help you settle for the best ukulele pickup you can get to satisfy your amplification needs.
Keep in mind that the quality of the pickup you get is directly linked to the price you pay for it – the bigger the price, the better the pickup.
However, we’ve added several affordable options to avoid discouraging beginners and intermediate players looking for decent pickups.
These can get anyone started in showbiz with local gigs – who knows if the next Bob Dylan is still trying to find the right pickup to rise to fame!
You can also opt for high-end models and take your career to the next level by recording a new tune with the best possible sound.
Are you ready for a pickup?
