What Is The Best Ukulele Under 100? Only top Ukuleles!
Selection Criteria – Best Ukulele under 100
On this page, you’ll find
…only the best Ukulele under 100. 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 under 100 from the get-go!
Best Ukulele under 100 – The Basics
In this guide, we’ll talk about the best ukuleles for budget pickers that are within the 100 price range.
But first, learn below why they are so important and for whom we recommend them the most:
# 1 – They’re vital if you want to get started with learning ukulele
When you’re first getting started in the world of ukuleles, you might think you need to make a big decision. You either:
- Buy a cheap ukulele to learn and build up your skills before getting a more expensive ukulele.
- Or buying an expensive ukulele from the get-go and putting it through all the learning curves of a beginner – which can be somewhat destructive for some people.
Fortunately, those two options have middle-ground – affordable, good-quality ukuleles.
That’s exactly what you’ll find in this article!
# 2 – Beginners are better off with ukuleles under 100
The title might sound a little demeaning, but trust us, we don’t intend it to sound that way.
We actually love beginner ukulele players, especially the ones that are as excited about ukes as we are.
However, indeed, a beginner might not know how to take proper care of a ukulele.
That’s why the ukulele learning curve can be a little turbulent for the uke they pick first – which will put at risk their investment!
With the cheap ukuleles we’ve selected for you, you’ll be able to go all the way from beginner to advanced musician without issues and without spending a lot.
Let’s get right into it!
Comparison Table – Best Ukuleles Under 100
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Soprano Ukulele under 100 – Kala KA-15S
- Kala’s KA-15S came into the world in 2005 as the answer to a high-quality, affordable, entry-level ukulele and still remains the unrivaled ukulele in its class.
- The KA-15S is well-suited for classroom use, practicing, and acoustic performance. It is the instrument of choice for schools - More people learn to play on a Kala than any other ukulele brand
- A very traditional Mahogany Soprano Ukulele in a satin finish with a bright, warm, full-bodied tone.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Kala KA-15S is a very simple soprano ukulele mahogany.
Although simple, we think this choice is the top ukulele that’s way under the 100 price range, and it’s amazing for beginners.
Here are its advantages:
- This soprano ukulele comes ready to play when you unbox it, which is hardly the case with other cheap models.
- It’s made with cheap materials, but with superb craftsmanship that takes great advantage of them.
- This soprano ukulele will last a lot longer than other cheap ones because it’s well put together and made with Mahogany.
You can’t go wrong with this affordable soprano ukulele from Kala.
The best part is that you’ll have some spare budget – if you were ready to spend a Benji – to buy extra goodies.
Get a replacement set of strings, a well-padded gig bag, a carrying case, a ukulele strap and some buttons, and maybe even a chord booklet.
Don’t fall for other bundled products that are around the same price range, because they’re usually way under in quality!
Pros
- One of the pros is the great craftsmanship with cheap materials (mahogany) that equals an outstanding affordable soprano ukulele that won’t disappoint any beginner.
- It’s way under the 100 price range.
- You can use the spare money to get some other extras – make this soprano ukulele a bundled product but improved!
Cons
- The obvious cons is that it is not the best soprano ukulele you can get – although it’s great for its price, and still the top Kala Ukulele for beginners.
Best Concert Ukulele under 100 – Cordoba 15CM
- Rich, Bright Sound: The Mahogany Top, Back, And Sides, Give This Small Bodied Ukulele A Rich, Clear, And High-Quality Sound.
- Easy Tuning: Córdoba Silver With Pearl Button Tuners Make It A Breeze To Tune Your Ukulele And Maintain Tuning For Uninterrupted Playing.
- Classic Aesthetics: Showcases A Solid Mahogany Top, Back, And Sides, With Quality Construction All Around. The Handcrafted Body Also Includes An Abalone Rosette And An Ivoroid Binding To The Body And...
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Cordoba 15CM is an amazing part of this line – there are sopranos, tenors, and baritones too.
We love this concert ukulele because, although it’s part of the entry-level line from Cordoba, they are incredibly sound, solid, and offer a sound quality that’s above its price range.
This choice is mostly because of its amazing craftmanship – although the body is made out of cheaper Mahogany, and the rosewood neck and fretboard, you can notice the handmade attention to detail.
This concert ukulele also comes with premium Aquila strings.
This choice is certainly an outstanding entry-level concert ukulele, we’d even pay more for it.
Still, this ukulele choice comes at a very affordable price despite its quality.
We highly recommend this concert ukulele for kids and beginners alike, mainly because it is a cheap ukulele.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to invest in some accessories, to have a geared concert uke like another set of spare strings, a gig bag, and a strap with pegs.
Although there are other bundles similarly priced that come with all that, they’re not nearly as good as this concert ukulele on its own.
That’s mostly because the instrument they come with sucks and the price is more because of the accessories.
The best part is that you can find each addon individually and spend less than $30.
Pros
- The top instrument for its price range – it’s as good as any intermediate instrument out there, but at a much more affordable price.
- This concert ukulele has simple, but effective craftsmanship with good attention to detail.
- Its sound quality is amazing for the ukulele in this price range.
Cons
- This concert model is not geared. It doesn’t come with accessories, just the ukulele.
Best Tenor Ukulele under 100 – Cordoba 15TM
- ROOMY FRETBOARD: This uke's larger tenor-sized body exhibits an impressive level of projection and volume, making it perfect for players who find concert ukuleles a bit too small.
- DYNAMIC RANGE: Featuring all-mahogany construction, the 15TM produces a well-balanced tone, with superb dynamic range and pleasant overtones.
- TOP QUALITY WOODS: This handmade tenor ukulele features mahogany top, back, and sides, giving this small bodied ukulele a full, rich sound.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cordoba makes some of the best ukuleles available, but this one is a gamechanger.
This tenor ukulele Cordoba 15TM is made out of a solid mahogany top, mahogany laminate sides, and a rosewood bridge and fretboard.
This tenor ukulele choice is a pretty solid piece, this ukulele feels sturdy and great-quality-heavy.
Although its build and materials are top-notch, this is not the most expensive pick from Cordoba – it’s a mid-priced tenor ukulele.
It has a good sound projection, soft beginner-friendly action, top-notch Aquila Nylgut strings, and a premium appearance that’s worth a showcase.
That’s why it’s the best tenor ukulele under a Benji!
We love the sound quality of this tenor ukulele because it’s deliciously rich – and it’s not the most expensive one!
This ukulele choice also has a thicker-than-average fingerboard, which makes it much easier to play for musicians of different levels.
Highly recommended pick!
Pros
- It has the perfect build, excellent materials, and a beautiful natural satin finish.
- This ukulele sounds just like the best Cordoba ukulele, but its price is lower.
- It has a thick fingerboard for improved comfort while playing – switching between chords is easier.
- This ukulele is durable, feels sturdy, and solid.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with ukulele accessories, just the instrument.
Best Baritone Ukulele under 100 – Makala Baritone Mahogany MK-B
- The Makala Classic line by Kala is simply the best entry-level ukulele on the market
- Kala focuses on the essentials - quality at an affordable price - making any Makala the perfect ukulele to begin with
- Modeled after mahogany ukuleles made over 100 years ago, the Makala line is a truly traditional, vintage ukulele that emits a soft, warm, full-bodied, balanced tone and ages beautifully.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kala’s entry-level Makala line is affordable all the way.
This Mahogany baritone ukulele is one of the best budget picks because of its many advantages.
First, of course, it’s a more-than-decent pick that is more than budget-friendly, too.
Secondly, it offers good sound quality and playability, as this ukulele doesn’t drop its quality in terms of build – it was made by expert hands!
The quality drop is noticeable, yes, but this product is not all price.
Its quality is good enough to make this ukulele a worthy purchase in the short term and medium term.
The downside about this pick is that it’s not as durable as the other ones and it’s not as beautiful, either.
If you’re into smooth and shiny wooden finishes, this is not the one for you.
Also, its durability is a little bit compromised, of course, because of the constant tension and the materials.
You’ll have to put some effort to take care of it, but if you do, you’ll get an instrument that will last for years to come.
Although it has some downsides when compared to others, it’s still a great pick for beginners that just want to explore the instrument as a hobby.
Recommended.
Pros
- More than decent quality at a great price.
- A great pick for people of different skill levels who want to explore the baritone uke or as a hobby.
- Good quality sound.
Cons
- It’s not as durable nor beautiful as other picks.
- You’ll have to take extra care of this ukulele for it to last.
Best Electroacoustic Ukulele under 100 – Caramel CT207
- ♪ EXOTIC ACACIA WOOD BODY - Caramel CT207 26 inch Tenor Ukuleles are made of Acacia wood 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 26 inch Tenor Ukelele, extra strings ,gig bag (12mm padded, made of...
- ♪ UNMATCHED UKULELE - 3 bands EQ built in tuner with LCD color display,not a problem for a show! Caramel ukalalee sounds almost like a pricey professional Ukulele. Luthiers tuned it one by one...
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Caramel is a reliable company that makes amazing ukes and other stringed instruments.
The Caramel CT207 is an interesting tenor 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 acacia wood.
- Although it’s not a solid wood ukulele, it has a great acoustic sound quality and a better-than-expected electroacoustic sound.
- It comes with a nifty built-in tuner and a 3-band EQ.
- You can also tune this ukulele with a low G.
- This geared ukulele 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 on top shape.
This is the best tenor ukulele for beginners who want a more serious electroacoustic choice 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 ukulele accessories– that’s what makes this pick more interesting.
Its flashy design is very attractive and light, which also makes this ukulele a good choice for kids.
We couldn’t find 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 under the 100 range.
Highly recommended!
Pros
- It has a beautiful, flashy, and lightweight design – making it great for kids.
- This ukulele choice has all the advantages of tenor models 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
- No downsides.
Frequently Asked Questions – Top Ukuleles Under 100
It’s usually not so much about the price, but about the quality – that’s why you have to feel them and play with the ukes before making a choice.
We’ve done that for you, and all of the ukes on this list are more than decent, and affordable!
All of the options listed here are top-notch, affordable, and beginner-friendly.
Now, you should pick whichever tickles your fancy!
We’d recommend you start with the Cordoba 15 CM or the Cordoba 15 TM.
Mostly because they’re bigger in size than the soprano, but still have that traditional bright sound that everyone loves about these instruments.
The baritone is warmer and has a deeper base range, and has different strings and chord shapes.
The soprano is the best for kids looking to learn how to play – and their small hands won’t have issues with the smaller fretboard.
Finally, the electric acoustic pick is a wild card that will surely give you tons of fun – though you need an amplifier to get the best out of it.
Well, these are all more than basic ukuleles – they’re actually amazing for their price.
However, you’ll always run into cheaper options that cost the same as the Kala KA-15S but with tons of mediocre accessories that are really bad.
That’s why we recommend this specific soprano – so you can get some good quality accessories and don’t risk this ukulele with a Donner bundle (although if you have to get one, it’s better than no uke at all!)
This depends on what you call expensive. Custom-made ukes are worth every penny, but they can set you back with prices above the thousands.
Still, there are more affordable mass-produced options that are also amazing, but that can be considered expensive in the $500 price range.
Do you need something better than the ukes listed here?
Check out our article about the best ukes under 200 to find ukes that are better, but still affordable!
Conclusion – Top Uke under 100
Getting a uke that:
- Is affordable
- Is easy to play
- Offers excellent quality
- Has a good design, finish, and craftsmanship…
… Is very, very hard if you only have 100 to spend.
However, for this article, we didn’t break that rule but instead found some amazing ukes that are worth every penny.
Some of them are way under the 100 price range, which is always an advantage.
Keep in mind, though, that they aren’t perfect.
Still, their flaws are minimal when compared to other similarly priced ukes out there, created with the sole purpose of taking your money.
We highly recommend beginners and even intermediate players to consider the ukes on this list – these are the best among the few ones we’d recommend!
Are these ukes worth your 100?
