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When you think about when you think about how to choose a best ukulele under $200, there is no set time to start learning how to play the ukulele. You don’t have to be a certain age to start learning how to play this exciting instrument.

There are many models to choose from, in different price ranges. You don’t even need to hire a music teacher to learn how to play the ukulele.

There are many resources available on the Internet that can help you learn how to play the instrument and start playing classical tunes.

In the past, the ukulele was thought of as a toy, but when famous artists such as Paul McCartney and Jason Mraz began to adapt versions of their popular songs to uke’s pleasing tones, it caught the attention of many.

This recognition led to a rapid increase in the popularity of uke! Since then, uke has gained a new kind of respect in the music industry and among music enthusiasts.

The rise in popularity of the ukulele should come as no surprise; With four nylon strings and a smooth chord progression, the uke is easy to play and is a fun instrument for any beginner.

In this guide, we will introduce you to the history of uke, this will allow you to make detailed notes about the type of uke you want to purchase and the type that will fit your aspirations and budget.

You’ll find the Best Ukulele Under 200 2023 online at affordable prices, as well as customer reviews to guide you through your decision making process.

8 Best Ukulele Under 200 2023

Enya Tenor	Get This
Hricane Concert	Get This
Kala KA-CE Satin	Get This
Oscar Schmidt OU5	Get This
Fender Venice	Get This
Silent Lotkey	Get This
Elvis K100C	Get This
Cordoba 28S	Get This

The ukulele is known to be one of the most exciting and unique stringed instruments that you can learn to play even as a complete beginner.

The compact size makes it ideal for travel and entertainment. In this article, we have listed top 8 Best Ukulele Under 200 2023 that will satisfy all your musical needs as a beginner.

We have included the features, price and reviews of each uke to speed up your decision making process and help you make an informed purchase.

This article on the top 8 Best Ukulele 2023 will also serve as a guide to which uke best suits your musical ability because, unlike a guitar, choosing your first ukulele can be a little tricky.

So, here are a list of Top 8 Best Ukulele Under 200 2023:

This ukulele is great for those on a budget; whether you want to gift this to a child, want to buy one for fun or just as a backup instrument, this ukulele is a great choice.

It’s a combination of superior craftsmanship, music quality and performance without the big expense.

The main factor influencing the choice of a suitable instrument is the material, in the case of a ukulele it is the wood from which it is made.

The type of wood used affects the sound quality; the most affordable ukuleles will either use a mixture of cheap quality wood or settle for cheap plastic. This ukulele uses a combination of mahogany and sengon.

Hence, you will still get quality sound without spending too much money. The instrument also features a geared Dolphon machine head that keeps the strings taut and in tune.

The concept behind this ukulele is that you can enjoy it without sacrificing quality or making it look like a toy! That’s why it’s one of the Best Ukulele Under $200 2023 for beginners.

Pros

Cons

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Like the previous brands that have been mentioned in our list of the top 8 ukulele brands, Hricane is a new ukulele label that is creating a buzz in the market.

Their best work is presented in the form of traditional models, which are also specially designed for beginners. Entry-level ukes are also focused on delivering great sound rather than aesthetics.

The quality is mostly good and you can expect a great finish and fit; although small errors of craftsmanship are quite possible. The two models listed below are among the most popular ukuleles.

Pros

Cons

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The Kala KA-CE Satin Ukulele mahogany soprano ukulele is an original and classic ukulele. Whenever you see someone play this on stage or on TV, know that he or she is playing this model.

This soprano ukulele is the second largest of all the options and is known for its small shape which is quite distinct.

The model has a solid mahogany body and is specially designed to provide great sound. If you’re looking for a ukulele that sticks to the classics and delivers an impressive sound, then this soprano is perfect for you.

As with any other stringed musical instrument, the type of wood it is made of is essential to the overall quality of the music.

The material has a significant impact on the performance of music. The Kala Ukulele has a mahogany neck and body; this means manufacturers won’t rip you off by selling you a tool that has good quality wood just from the front.

The entire collection is made of mahogany, from top to bottom, and no cheap wood is used in any part of the instrument.

This factor only contributes to the credibility of the brand, as you will notice that no part of the ukulele has cheap material, only the best mahogany is used. The model also includes a rosewood bridge and neck.

Together with mahogany, they create a warm, soothing and rich sound that requires no modification. The mahogany makes the ukulele light and comfortable to hold.

The second feature that makes this ukulele popular with buyers is the twelve brass frets that run the length of the neck.

This helps you with tuning (which you don’t have to do) and the frets also help in producing a clear sound. If the fret is made of plastic or other materials, this may adversely affect the instrument, and a constant hum will interfere with the final musical result; the strings can also be worn out by the strings.

This can be quite inconvenient because worn strings can’t produce a clean sound, and the string repair process can be quite expensive. Customers love this ukulele because of the serrated pegs that help hold the strings in place and don’t get out of tune when played.

Pros

Cons

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If you’re into acoustic guitars, you’ve probably heard of Oscar Schmidt. Tools of this brand are not only of high quality, but also affordable; compared to their direct competitors; the same concept applies to their ukulele as well.

Even though the brand has limited exposure, anyone with an Oscar Schmidt instrument is incredibly happy with their purchase. The two models that I included in this list are some of the best ukes from Oscar Schmidt, and here’s why:

By many standards, the Oscar Schmidt OU5 is considered traditional uke as it is made entirely of koa, which is what people usually associate with regular uke.

The neck is made in the style of Nyatoh, the model as a whole is comfortable to use. One of the most adorable details we noticed is the abalone edging on the body and neck.

Pros

Cons

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If you’re new to musical instruments in general and want to start with something solid, then this ukulele is perfect for you.

The reason this model makes our list of the best ukulele brands for beginners is because it is made from durable wood and comes with so many great features.

These features make the instrument comfortable to play. This model includes everything a beginner would need in their very first ukulele; no matter how old you are or if your gaming skills are limited; This ukulele will be a great stepping stone for your musical playing.

The first thing to look for when buying a beginner ukulele is the fret markers. This is because the markers will help you determine where the key frets are without having to memorize the positions.

This model has simple inlay markers at the fifth, seventh and tenth frets. You will need to take a quick look at the frets to get your bearings, and thus you can play without missing a single beat.

Since there is no strap included, this will not be a big hindrance, because the model is light and you will get used to holding it without much effort.

The ukulele has the standard frets just like any other soprano ukulele, plus a geared silver machine head that keeps the strings taut, making tuning much more convenient.

Ukuleles are more popular now than they used to be because they are small, easy to handle and fun to play.

The playful sound is great for any vibrant mood; The best part about this model is that it comes in vibrant colors that can match the live sound of the ukulele.

Now make no mistake! Just because it’s available in a variety of colors doesn’t mean the quality of the wood is terrible. This model gives you vibrant colors along with good quality wood.

The body and neck of the ukulele are maple, which is ideal because maple is quite strong; wood can withstand the wear and tear that comes with a beginner’s first exercise, while still being able to produce rich tones.

The ukulele also has a basswood bridge and neck. This is important because basswood gives the instrument a certain strength and also gives it a professional and gorgeous look.

Pros

Cons

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Silent Ukulele Lotkey Ukuleles are designed for beginners and have been included in our list of the top 8 Best Ukulele Under 200 2023; this brand made it to our list because they are known for creating entry-level ukes that are in demand in the market.

Overall ukuleles are of good quality and are a real benefit compared to other brands. If you are on a budget, I would recommend you get a Silent ukulele because it is perfect and will suit all your needs.

Compared to other inexpensive ukes, this model from Silent is much more advanced. The body is made of mahogany, including the back and sides. The resonator hole at the top has a beautiful laser engraved pattern.

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Well, this brand may not be as famous as Kala. However, he still creates quality entry-level ukes in the market.

If you look at their current range of ukuleles, you will notice that they place a lot of emphasis on functionality.

At this point, everyone agrees that the ukes made by Elvis are worth considering, which is why we’ve included two of their best models on this list for beginners.

The next addition to our list of the top 8 Best Ukulele Under $200 2023 is a full-size concert model with mahogany construction.

The whole instrument has a fairly solid construction, as well as beautiful white piping throughout the body. Thanks to the mahogany construction, the sound is bright and cheerful.

Pros

Cons

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Cordoba is an important brand in the high-end guitar industry segment. The knowledge and experience that this brand has is well embodied in the production of their uke.

The icing on the cake is that Cordoba also produces uke for beginners and advanced.

The only thing that every tool guarantees is quality. The model we included in our list of the top 8 ukulele brands will help prove our point!

The Cordoba 28S is a tenor uke and one of the best beginner tenor ukes in this price range.

The entire instrument is made of mahogany; this results in clear sound, bright and clean finishes, and distinct tones.

The tone provided by the Cordoba 28S is rich in low frequencies; it is also considered a trademark of stupid tenors.

Pros

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What is Ukulele?

The uke is based on several members of the guitar family. It was originally developed in Hawaii in the late 19th century, when immigrant Portuguese cabinetmakers created instruments similar to those popular in their homeland.

The ukulele became popular because the reigning king liked the sweet sound; he quickly filled his yard with the soothing sounds of the ukulele.

The name of the instrument was inspired by the quick movements of the players’ hands when using it. Ukulele means “jumping flea” because it resembled hand movements.

Uke became popular in the American mainstream when popular musicians began to adapt Hawaiian themes into their songs in the 1920s.

Ukulele guitarists were popular on stages during the Jazz Age. With this recent fad in mind, American makers began producing ukuleles in the 1920s.

Although the presence of the ukulele has become prominent in mainstream music genres such as pop since the 1940s and 1960s.

Although it declined in popularity after the 1960s, it was in the 1990s that the instrument returned with a medley of Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.

Since then, uke has been popular with beginners and professionals around the world.

Ukulele Buying Guide 2023

Ukuleles come in different categories, each with its own purpose. The uke is an acoustic instrument and there are many factors that can come together to make it good.

These elements include wood species, build quality, fittings and more; all these elements must come together to make a great ukulele.

First, let’s look at what to look for when choosing your first uke.

What to Look for in a Ukulele Before Buying?

There are many features that you will need to consider when choosing your very first ukulele.

However, before we get to the elements, you also need to know your budget.

Now, as a beginner, you don’t want to be too extravagant with your uke, but at the same time, you don’t want to save money either.

When searching the Internet or through music stores, you will find many ukes that cost well under $100; however, you must avoid them at all costs.

The reason is that these ukes are made of the wrong material and poorly constructed. This results in an incorrect tone and an unpleasant resonance.

As a beginner, you will need a quality tool that fits well within your budget or you won’t get proper feedback. Write down your budget and keep your purchase within reason.

Now that we have dealt with the financial aspect of your uke purchase, let’s move on to the different wood tones and sizes that are currently popular on the market.

Impact of Tone Wood

If you’re familiar with stringed instruments, you probably know that the tone type you choose has a significant impact on how the unit sounds; the same methodology applies to uke.

The difference here is that the wood used for uke is different from the wood used for acoustic guitars.

The traditional uke uses the same type of wood on the bottom and sides, as well as on the back. Modern ukes use softwood on the top, with hardwood on the sides and back.

There is a good reason for this; The soft wood at the top resonates quite well, while the hard wood at the bottom, sides and back acts as a reflector.

There is not much difference between modern and traditional uke, but some players prefer one over the other.

Types of Tone Wood

Most traditional uke are made from koa; this is because when uke was first invented, koa was abundant in Hawaii. Since then, it has been the main material for traditional ukuleles.

The next most popular ukulele material after koa is mahogany.

Mahogany is preferred for modern uke due to its density and koa-like tonal properties. When it comes to softwood, cedar and spruce are among the most popular choices.

A wide variety of tonal woods are currently in use; this includes rosewood, walnut and even ebony.

There is no exact answer when someone asks you which wood is best. If your uke has a solid build and great features that produce a great sound, then you’re good to go.

The tone featured on our list of the top 8 Best Ukulele Under 200 2023 is the most common.

Types of Ukuleles

Most ukes fall into four standard sizes and tonal ranges: Soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.

UKULELE TYPE	SCALE LENGTH	OVERALL LENGTH	TUNING
SOPRANO	13”	21”	G4-C4-E4-A4 OR A4-D4-F34-B4
CONCERT	15”	23”	G4-C4-E4-A4, A4-D4-F#4-B4, OR G3-C4-E4-A4
TENOR	17”	26”	G3-C4-E4-A4, G4-C4-E4-A4, A4-D4-F#4-B4, OR D4-G3-B3-E4
BARITONE	19”	30”	D3-G3-B3-E4

Soprano:

The soprano is the original uke and is the smallest instrument in the family. The scale of it is about 13” and is about 21” overall length, thereby making it an ideal size for kids. The bright sound that the soprano emits is the music that most people relate to a ukulele. Manufacturers usually refer to this model as the standard model.

Concert:

The next type of ukulele in our list of how to choose a ukulele for a beginner is the concert ukulele which has a scale of 15” and a 23” overall length. The sound that is produced is deep and loud than the soprano, but it will still sound similar to the standard uke.

Tenor:

The tenor uke is known for its deeper and resonant tone. This is due to its scale of about 17” and length of 26”. Its fingerboard is quite roomy and can accommodate large hands easily.

Baritone:

The Baritone has a scale of 19” and an overall length of 30”. It is capable of much deeper bass notes as compared to its counterparts.

Conclusion

Hopefully the information mentioned above gives some insight into the world of the ukulele and how to choose a ukulele for a beginner.

Many great models are available online and in stores. The options listed above are some of the top brands and they have a great range that encourages beginners to pick up their uke and play for fun.

Regardless of which style you choose, you will only get true satisfaction from a uke that suits your ability. This article should make your research process easier. Have a good game!

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