I hope you are excited to find out the best soprano ukulele of our time as I am excited to share it with you. No wonder these musical instruments are getting super-popular nowadays with their Hawaiian-flavored beautiful tone.
Among the 4 types of ukulele, the soprano ukulele is the smallest one; therefore it is the most portable one as well. These four-stringed instruments, in general, are quite easy to play which makes them best for beginners. So if you are a beginner, the soprano ukulele is undoubtedly one of the best choices of musical instrument.
Due to its small size and inexpensive price, soprano ukuleles are great for hobbyists or giving someone as a gift. Nowadays, the ukulele hype is still trending, therefore you can definitely get one of the best soprano ukuleles from the market for yourself or an aspiring friend.
Soprano Ukulele in A Nutshell
Ukuleles are originally from Hawaii, although it is thought to have derived from a very similar-looking Portuguese musical instrument called “machete”. Both these instruments have four strings with a wooden body and similar in size as well.
Size
There are basically 4 types of ukulele according to their size: these are called Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone. The soprano ukulele is the smallest among them with a length of about 21 inches. ). Due to its convenient size, it is a favorite among expert musicians as a “grab and go” uke.
Tuning
The standard tuning of a Soprano ukulele is G-C-E-A (from top string to bottom string), similar to Concert ukulele as well as Tenor Ukulele. Only the Baritone ukulele is of different Tuning.
Type of Strings
The strings of a soprano ukulele are generally nylon strings. There are also fluorocarbon strings called Aquila strings which are very similar to nylon strings. These types of strings produce rich tones, so they are often used in high-quality ukuleles.
Playing Mode (Acoustic/Electric)
There are ukuleles that are both acoustic and electrically playable. However, due to the size of Soprano Ukulele, electric components in this instrument are rare. In our list of the best soprano ukulele, we you show you all the acoustic soprano ukuleles.
Body Shape
You might have seen pineapple-shaped ukuleles aside from the regular ones. Yes, there are such shaped ukuleles. However, in this article, we’ve selected all the best soprano ukuleles that are of regular guitar shape (8 shaped).
10 Best Soprano Ukuleles for You
To save you the trouble of finding the best soprano ukulele from a plethora of collections in the market, we have carefully hand-picked the 10 best ones that would most likely to align with anyone’s preference, including you. Here is a quick glance on these soprano ukulele; “Everything” in the Accessories column refers to a digital tuner, a pair of extra strings, a gig back, a starter’s guide, a strap and some picks (sometimes a cleaning cloth as well).
Comparison Table
Before we get into the details, let’s take a look at the following detailed comparison table where you can weigh all the main features that can nudge you towards the right path.
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Official Kala learning Kit (KALA LTP-S)
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This learning is easily the best choice for beginner ukulele players. Kala has a reputation for producing high-quality and decent-sounding musical instruments in the market. And this soprano ukulele is one of the most sought entry-level instruments for beginners, as well as renowned musicians.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Natural |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 22.63 x 8.38 x 3.25 inches |
| Top Material Type | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| String Material Type | Nylon |
| Finish Type | Satin |
| Number of frets | 15 |
| Weight | 1 Pound |
One of the main reasons for the Kala Ukulele’s rich sound is its well-crafted mahogany body equipped with high-quality Aquila strings from Italy. The Mahogany body makes this soprano ukulele very lightweight, hence, enhances the playing and portability experience.
The fretboard is made of walnut wood that gives you a smooth finish and the convenience of playing. Other notable features are the high-quality open gear tuner, laser-etched shark-teeth rosette design around the sound-hole, Nubolt nut, and saddle.
This decent quality beginner-friendly soprano ukulele by Kala comes with different accessories such as a gigbag and a 20-page quick start guide on how to play this ukulele. There is a Kala app that would help you learn the basic lessons if you need it and tune your soprano ukulele as well.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Great value for money
- Bright tone for an Affordable price
- Accessories include a gig-bag and starter’s guide
Cons
- Durability issues
Lohanu LU-S bundle
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If you were already amazed by the previous soprano ukulele on our list, then I have a surprise for you. This Lohanu LU-S soprano ukulele comes with a bundle of accessories that all beginner musicians, as well as expert musicians, desire.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Natural |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 21.25 x 7 x 2.75 inches |
| Top Material Type | Sapele |
| Back Material Type | Sapele |
| String Material Type | Super Aquila Nylgut |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Number of Frets | 15 |
| Weight | 1.3 Pounds |
The accessories in the bundle include Aquila Nylgut strings, a strap, a tuner, a padded uke case, some picks (including an exclusive Leather Pick), and a Uke hanger. Considering the price of this bundle, it is a great win. To a lot of beginners, Lohanu lU-S becomes their first love!!
You’ll find the body of this uke distinguishable due to its Sapele (African family Mahogany) body which takes credit for its lightweight and beautiful natural sound. The Aquila strings on a smooth rosewood fretboard enhance the tone and playing experience for both beginners and advanced musicians.
Pros
- The rich and balanced tone
- lightweight
- Accessories include everything necessary
Cons
- Longevity issues
- Doesn’t come pre-tuned
Diamond head DU 150
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We had to put Diamondhead DU 150 on our list because it is unbeatable considering the price as a cheap model ukulele. And although it might seem like a toy at the first glance, its sound is very much competitive to the soprano ukuleles that are around 100$ price range.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Natural |
| Dimensions L x W x H | 21 x 7 x 2.25 inches |
| Top Material Type | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| String Material Type | Nylon |
| Number of frets | 12 |
| Weight | 1 Pound |
The Diamondhead soprano ukulele has a dark mahogany stain body with a semi-gloss finish, maple neck, and hardwood fingerboard & bridge. Overall, it has an elegant vintage look with a bit of toy-ish features. But while playing, its great sound would astound the audience.
This ukulele has guitar styled nickel-plated tuner and the action of the strings is well aligned to make it easier for beginner ukulele players. Strings are the regular nylon strings, well-adjusted in their easy tie-on bridge.
Pros
- Extremely affordable price
- Good enough tone
- Vintage looking body
Cons
- Durability issues
Everjoys Soprano
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As the name suggests, the Everjoys Soprano ukulele kit might bring joy to your musical journey. Make this Soprano ukulele your travel companion and give your travel a Hawaiian-flavored rhythm.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Natural (other colors available) |
| Dimensions L x W x H | 21 x 7.15 x 2.45 inches |
| Top Material Type | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| String Material Type | Aquila Strings (Nylon) |
| Number of frets | 15 |
| Weight | 2.26 Pounds |
Everjoys Soprano ukulele looks amazing in its mahogany-built body (some models are of basswood) with an engraved abalone type design around its soundhole. Fingerboard and bridge are made of smooth rosewood that reflects rigorous works of handcrafts and enhances the playing experience. The arced back of the ukulele gives a louder resonant sound.
It also has a “C” shaped neck where a neck strap bolt is placed. Also, this ukulele comes with necessary accessories such as a convenient uke bag, a strap, a set of spare Aquila Nylon Strings, and four picks. It’s tuning pegs contain gears with an 18:1 gear ratio which makes the tuning easier and precise.
Pros
- Great-sounding ukulele
- Available in different colors
- Bright, clean and resonant sound
- Great quality nylon strings.
Cons
- A bit heavier than other soprano ukuleles
- Accessory kit doesn’t include a digital tuner.
Kmise soprano with starter Kit
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You can get a Kmise ukulele for yourself as well as giving it as a gift; it is well designed for beginner ukulele players. This soprano ukulele kit also comes with a ton of useful accessories such as a clip-on digital tuner, a strap, a set of spare strings, a gig-bag, and a “how to play ukulele” starter booklet with online lessons.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Acoustic |
| Dimensions L x W x H | 21 x 7 x 2.4 inches |
| Top Material Type | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| Strings Material | Carbon Nylon Strings |
| Number of frets | 15 |
| Weight | 1.54 pounds |
The mahogany body with the smooth walnut fretboard of this soprano ukulele produces great resonant sound. Advanced Carbon Nylon strings add brightness to the tone. One of the distinguishing features of Kmise ukulele is their copper tuning pegs with 18:1 gear ratio, whereas typical ukulele tuning gears are of 15:1 ratio; this enables convenience and precise tuning.
Kamise Ukulele is rigorously tested to keep its sound quality remarkable. Detailed attention is also paid to the craftsmanship for ensuring longevity. Other features of this soprano ukulele include ox bone nut and saddle on the walnut bridge, “C” shaped neck and strap buttons.
Pros
- Amazing value for money
- Great sounding ukulele
- All the necessary accessories included
- Sturdy built with a great sound.
Cons
- Low strings’ action, might cause fret-buzz.
Hola HM-21NT
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A fantastic Ukulele for you is the Hola HM-21NT that is compact in size and abundant in rich tone. It comes in different colors, among which, we’re going to focus on the 2 tone natural colored one – M-21NT.
Highlighted Features
| Color | 2 Tone Natural |
| Dimensions L x W x H | 21 x 7 x 2.1 inches |
| Top Material Type | Maple |
| Back Material Type | Maple |
| Finish Type | Painted |
| Number of Frets | 12 |
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
The secret of Hola soprano ukulele’s high-frequency dominated gorgeous sound is its maple built body. It has a nato-wood neck and walnut fretboard as well as the bridge pre-installed with premium Aquila strings from Italy.
You can take your Hola Soprano with you anywhere you want, because it wights little over a pound. You can mesmerize your audience with its mellow and crisp yet sweet tone. The accessories that come with it such as picks, strap and a uke bag would make your outdoor ukulele playing experience better.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Beautiful tone and good quality build
- Available in different colors
Cons
- Digital tuner is not included in the accessories
- Tuning often drops after a heavy playing.
Kala 15s Mahogany Ukulele
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When it comes to affordable ukulele with great tone, Kala is definitely among the list of most of the entry-level ukulele players. That’s why, in our list, we have a second Kala Soprano Ukulele.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Natural |
| Dimensions L x W x H | 21.06 x 7 x 2.37 inches |
| Top Material Type | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| String Material Type | Nylon |
| Number of frets | 12 |
| Weight | 1.2 Pounds |
Similar to other great ukuleles, it has a mahogany body that enables warm tones. Rosewood fretboard and bridge equipped with pre-installed Aquila strings enhance the sound quality. Overall, the satin finish on the body with brass frets gives the ukulele a captivating classic appearance.
Kala Ukuleles like this one is widely used for the hobby as well as teaching. Although it has 12 frets, beginner ukulele players might need not to be concerned with it because they initially focus on the rhythm parts.
Pros
- Great for a beginner ukulele player
- Quality built and good looking
- Sounds great for a budget ukulele
Cons
- Doesn’t come pre-tuned.
- No accessories included.
Donner DUS-1
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If you have a long-term plan for playing a soprano ukulele, Donner DUS-1 would be a great choice. It is a great-sounding ukulele with a quality build that ensures longevity.
Highlighted features
| Color | Soprano |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 24.41 x 9.65 x 4.53 inches |
| Top Material Type | African Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| String Material Type | Aquila Carbon Nylon Strings |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Number of frets | 15 |
| Weight | 2.79 pounds |
Both beginners and professional ukulele players would prefer this soprano ukulele because of its aesthetic classic look. The well-polished African mahogany body has been meticulously joined with a mahogany neck that reflects its expert craftsmanship. Smoothly polished fretboard and bridge are made of rosewood put a nice contrast in the look and great comfort during playing.
Such body structure of this soprano ukulele ensures warm rich sounds. It gets even richer, warmer, and brighter with the use of advanced Aquila Carbon Nylon strings. High-density bone nut and saddle, as well as high quality quasi closed tuning pegs, hold the strings in tune and enable them to produce clear, crisp, and high resonant sounds.
The Donner DUS-1 ukulele has 18:1 gear ratio in its tuning gears which makes tuning easier and more precise. This 15 fret ukulele comes with all the accessories you’d need such as a digital clip-on tuner, a uke bag, a strap, some picks, extra strings set (Aquila), video lessons, and a cleaning cloth.
Pros
- Amazing sounding as well as durable.
- Aesthetic looking; captivates both beginners and professionals.
- All the accessories included.
- Very affordable price as a whole.
Cons
- Precision in tuning is mandatory, so it might be tricky for beginners
Donner DUS-3
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A more stylish and elegant ukulele than Donner DUS-1 is the ukulele model DUS-3. One look at its bright body and unique design on the fretboard, you’ll instantly fall in love with it.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Bright natural |
| Dimension (L x W x H) | 23.62 x 10.24 x 4.33 |
| Top Material Type | Spruce |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| String Material Type | Nylon |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Number of frets | 15 |
| Weight | 2.86 pounds |
The body of this Donner DUS-3 soprano ukulele comprises of spruce on the top part and mahogany on the back and sides. Its rosewood fingerboard has deigns of auspicious clouds and the around the sound hole where the fingerboard meets is laser engraved with a design of sun; the overall appearance looks outstanding and showcases perfect craftsmanship!
As usual, Donner Ukuleles sound amazingly resonant with warm sound due to its arched back, kind of gives you a tropical feeling. The rich sound is elevated by the Aquila strings suspended between chrome plated tuning pegs and smooth rosewood bridge. Its tuning gears also have a ratio 18:1 which ensures precise tuning. The accessories include a digital clip-on tuner, spare Carbon Nylon string, ukulele bag, strap, four picks and a cleaning cloth.
Pros
- Amazing appearance and great tone quality
- Precise craftsmanship ensures longevity
- Great for both beginner as well as advanced ukulele players.
- All the accessories included.
C0ns
- A bit heavier
Balnaa Soprano Ukulele
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The last ukulele in our list might blow your mind with its rainbow-like colored shading- the brand is called Balnna. This unique blend of coloring is on the ukulele body as well as on its fretboard.
Highlighted Features
| Color | Hawaiian Grain |
| Dimensions LxWxH | 21.9 x 7.1 x 2.8 inches |
| Top Material Type | Maple |
| Back Material Type | Maple |
| String Material Type | Aquila nylon (colored strings) |
| Number of Frets | 15 |
| Weight | 0.44 Pounds |
Although this ukulele appears different from any traditional soprano ukulele, it sounds amazing!! Its bright tone generates from its high gloss maple body that is hand-dyed. The maple fingerboard is also color-marked at the 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 15th fret – each one with a different color.
The uke’s high-quality closed geared tuner keeps the Aquila nylon-colored strings in a precise tune. This overall gives the ukulele player a smooth plating experience with a rich, bright tone. The accessories included in this ukulele kit are a digital clip-on tuner, a strap, two picks, a gig-bag, and an extra pair of Aquila strings.
Pros
- Unique and eye-catching.
- Astounding sound quality and bright tone
- Very reasonable price.
- All the necessary accessories included
Cons
- The color combination could be an eyesore for some people.
What Features of Soprano Ukulele Defines the Best Selection Criteria: A Complete Buying Guide
There are some apparent selection criteria that are common to all types of ukuleles. These factors determine the sound, durability, loudness, and overall performance of acoustic soprano ukuleles.
Even if you wish to choose one of the soprano ukuleles in our list that have been meticulously shortlisted for you, it’s better to evaluate these criteria and get the ukulele that totally aligns with your preference.
Wood Type
The first consideration for buying a soprano ukulele is obviously the type of woods that have been used to build the body, neck, and bridge. Here are some of the most common types of woods used in the ukulele; we’ll discuss their characteristics in brief.
Mahogany
Mahogany is natural-looking and lightweight that’s why it is mostly used in ukulele bodies. It is also sweet-sounding and good for mid-range tones.
Walnut
Walnut wood is mostly the fingerboard and bridge material. Its smooth texture makes it ideal for such a purpose.
Ebony
Ebony is darker as well as a bit heavy; hence it is mostly used for the fretboard or a bridge. This wood is aesthetically pleasing.
Spruce
Spruce is bright-colored as well as produces a brighter and balanced tone.
Cedarwood
This wood is quite expensive, but it could be used to enhance the sound quality of the ukulele.
Koa
Koa wood is native Hawaiian wood so this gives a Hawaiian sound. It is also unaffected by the temperature and humidity; therefore, it makes a durable ukulele.
Arched Back vs Flatback
In our list, you’ll find some of the ukuleles have ached back whereas the rest of them don’t. And I’ve already mentioned that the arched-backed soprano ukuleles create more resonant as well as loud sounds. And the flat-backed ukuleles create softer & clear sounds. Both are good, just go for the one which sounds right for you.
Tuning Pegs and Gears
Most of the ukuleles in our list have good quality tuning pegs; however, they differ in the gear ratio of the pegs. The typical ukulele tuning gear ratio is 14:1 or 15:1 (rotate the peg 15 times to make a full rotation for the associated gear).
Some of the ukuleles have high precision tuning gear (ratio 18:1); they make the tuning process convenient and easy, but tricky. Therefore, if you are a beginner uke player, make sure to consider whether you want the average & easy tuning or precise & tricky tuning for your ukulele.
Solid Wood Vs Laminated Wood Ukuleles
Solid wood ukuleles are constructed with a single layer of wood for their body structure. This type of ukulele produces a uniform resonant sound which results in a rich melody. However it raises the cost of the ukulele and these ukuleles are also susceptible to external conditions such as weather, temperature, humidity, etc.
And then there are laminated ukuleles that are made of several layers of wood. While they don’t produce as rich a tone as the solid wood ukuleles, these are quite cheap and adaptable to external conditions. The tones produced by these ukes are good enough and their build quality is remarkable.
Type of Strings
So far, we’ve seen regular nylon strings and high-quality Aquila strings – which are also referred as carbon nylon strings. If you have the option and sufficient budget, you should go for the better quality. Not that nylon strings are bad, but the Aquila strings will give you a richer tone and better playing experience.
Fretboard Size Consideration
Soprano ukuleles are all more or less the same size, however, there are differences in their number of frets on the fingerboard or fretboard. My personal preference is the one that has 15 frets. But 15 frets fingerboard might appear a bit congested to some beginner players. So they can choose the ones with 12 frets as they are a bit spacious for chording, hence convenient to learn and play.
Price Point
Unless you have no other choice, then you go for a budget ukulele that is under $50. If not, then don’t hesitate to spend as much as possible up-to-the point it starts getting burdensome. Because, the more you’d be willing to pay, the better quality soprano ukulele you’d get.
Accessories
For a beginner ukulele player, it is advisable to buy a soprano ukulele kit that comes with all the necessary accessories. In case you have some of those accessories such as a digital tuner or a gig-bag, then I would advise you to use the same budget to buy only the ukulele which is a bit higher quality. Because, for a beginner, the sound quality of the ukulele is essential in order to preserve the motivation for playing.
Our Recommendation
Considering all the criteria of a good quality soprano ukulele, we’ve given our verdict on the best soprano ukulele to be Donner DUS-3. Not only this ukulele sounds amazing, it looks exceptionally aesthetic. We love the bright spruce body top and mahogany back & sides. The arched back of this ukulele creates resonant sounds which are real treats for your ears.
The fretboard appears really smooth and easy to play. The auspicious cloud design on the fingerboard and the engraved sun around the soundhole are my most favorite features. The Aquila strings that come pre-tuned with is are top-class, so are the tuning pegs. Last but not the least, the full kit that comes with all the accessories is lucrative enough for any beginner as well as experienced players.
Although it is a little bit heavier than another ukulele in this price range, the padded uke-bag makes it really easy to carry around. Also, the pros of getting this ukulele outweigh this negligible con.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, some of the best soprano ukulele according to our opinion. If you are to start your musical journey through a soprano ukulele right away, feel free to take a leap of faith and get started with the ukulele of your choice!! You’d love it.
Last update on 2024-04-21 at 05:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
