AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Baritone Ukuleles Under $1,000 2026
The top pick is Kala MK-B Makala Series Baritone Ukulele ($133). Kala KA-B Baritone Ukulele leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 41 models across 7 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 11, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Kala MK-B Makala Series Baritone Ukulele
Makala MK-B Baritone Ukulele · Kala
10 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale510 mm (20.08")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
You get a baritone ukulele made of mahogany, with a rosewood fingerboard and 18 nickel silver frets. It has a 510 mm scale and comes with a gig bag, so you can carry it easily. It suits you if you want a larger ukulele in a natural satin finish.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give a consistent wood build
- Rosewood fingerboard paired with 18 nickel silver frets
- Comes with a baritone gig bag (UB-B) included
Cons
- Plastic nut and bridge rather than bone or other materials
79AudioFu
Index↓ 7.8%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$145 · Aug 17$133 now$133€119 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale514 mm (20.24")
- Frets19 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a baritone ukulele, so it tunes lower than a regular uke and has a longer scale. It has a solid mahogany top, back and sides, with an ebony fingerboard and bone nut and saddle. If you want a ukulele with a lower range and a solid wood build, you'll find it a good fit.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides give the body a solid wood build
- Mahogany neck paired with an ebony fingerboard for a smooth playing surface
- Nickel silver frets and bone nut and saddle add classic, durable parts
79AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$504 now$504€449 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-B Baritone Ukulele
KA-CT-SA-BG Baritone Ukulele · Kala
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale514 mm (20.24")
- Frets19 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
If you want a ukulele that plays a bit lower than the usual kind, this baritone is worth a look. It has a solid acacia top, back, and sides, plus a mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard. It also comes with a gig bag, so it is easy to carry to practice or a jam.
Pros
- Solid acacia top, back and sides give it an all-acacia build
- Mahogany neck paired with an ebony fingerboard
- Bone nut and saddle for a clean string path
Cons
- At a 20.25" scale and 779 mm total length, it is bigger than a standard ukulele
79AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$604 now$604€539 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-B Baritone Ukulele
CT-SSRW-BG-C Baritone Ukulele · Kala
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale514 mm (20.24")
- Frets19 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a baritone ukulele with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. It has a 20.25 inch scale, bone nut and saddle, and comes with a gig bag. It suits you if you want the lower, bigger range of a baritone and a bag to carry it in.
Pros
- Solid spruce top gives the body a solid wood foundation
- Solid rosewood back and sides with purpleheart binding for a finished look
- Bone nut and saddle with 19 nickel silver frets
Cons
- The 20.25 inch scale makes it a larger instrument than a standard ukulele
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Kala KA-B Baritone Ukulele
KALA KA-BE Baritone Ukulele · Kala
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale509 mm (20.04")
- Frets18 frets
This is a baritone ukulele made of mahogany, with a rosewood fretboard, a built-in Kala pickup, and a gig bag included. It is tuned lower than a standard ukulele, so it suits you if you want a deeper sound or plan to plug into an amp. If you want an instrument you can play and plug in right away, this one is a good pick.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give it an all-mahogany build
- Built-in Kala UK-300TR electronics let you plug straight into an amp
- GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge give the strings a smooth-running path
Cons
- Scale length of 20.06 inches is longer than a standard ukulele, so chord shapes may feel different at first
76AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$290 now$290€259 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale509 mm (20.04")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a baritone ukulele with a striking exotic wood look, this one fits the bill. It has a ziricote top, back and sides, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard, plus 18 frets and a GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge. Because it has no electronics listed, it suits you best if you play it acoustically and want the larger baritone size with a bag included.
Pros
- Ziricote top and back and sides give it a distinctive exotic wood look
- Mahogany neck paired with a rosewood fretboard
- GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge included from the factory
Cons
- Acoustic only, with no pickup or electronics listed
- Baritone scale of 20.06 inches is larger than a standard soprano or concert ukulele
76AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$358 now$358€319 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale510 mm (20.08")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
If you want a baritone ukulele with solid mahogany wood and a pickup for plugging in, this one fits the bill. It has a 20-inch scale, so it plays a bit like a small guitar, and it comes with a gig bag so you can take it along. It suits a player who wants a plugged-in uke with a solid mahogany build.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides give it a classic wood build
- Fishman Kula System pickup lets you plug it into an amp or PA
- Graph Tech NuBone nut and saddle for a bone-style nut and saddle
Cons
- At 510 mm scale and 768 mm total length, it is a large ukulele for small hands
76AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$470 now$470€419 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-BE Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
KA-B Satin Mahogany Baritone · Kala
7 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale509 mm (20.04")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a baritone ukulele with a natural satin mahogany look, this one is worth a look. It has mahogany on the top, back, sides and neck, a rosewood fretboard, and 18 frets. It comes with a baritone gig bag and Aquila Super Nylgut strings, so you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give a classic all-wood build
- Rosewood fretboard with cream binding adds a classic look
- GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle help the strings sit well
67AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$201 now$201€179 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-BE Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
KA-BG Gloss Mahogany Baritone · Kala
7 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale509 mm (20.04")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a baritone ukulele with an all-mahogany build and a high gloss natural finish, this one is worth a look. Its longer scale gives you more room on the neck than a standard ukulele, so it suits you if you want a little more space to play. It comes with a bag and Aquila Super Nylgut strings already fitted, so you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back and sides give it an all-mahogany build
- Mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard
- GraphTech NuBone bridge and ABS Composite nut for string seating
Cons
- Its 509 mm (20 1/16") scale length is longer than a standard ukulele, so it may feel different at first
67AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$223 now$223€199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale514.4 mm (20.25")
- Frets18 frets
This is a baritone ukulele, so it is tuned lower and has a longer neck than most ukes. It is built with a solid mahogany top, back and sides, an ebony fingerboard and abalone detail, and it comes with a deluxe gig bag. It suits you if you want a larger uke with a classy look and a bag to carry it in.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides give it an all-wood build
- Ebony fingerboard with white mother-of-pearl and abalone inlays
- Eighteen nickel silver frets along the neck
Cons
- Scale length of 20.25 inches is longer than a standard ukulele, so the neck may feel different at first
67AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Sep 11Sep 11$604 now$604€539 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 41 baritone ukuleles
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Flight Aviator Galaxy Baritone BR CEFlight · 2 finishes61Stable$425€379$425€379Check ↗
- 12
Baton Rouge V2-B8 sunBaton Rouge · 2 finishes58Stable$201€179$201€179Check ↗
- 13
Kala KA-15 B Baritone UkuleleKala54Stable$167€149$167€149Check ↗
- 14
Flight Pathfinder Red BaritoneFlight54Stable$335€299$335€299Check ↗
- 15
Flight Maia Baritone EQ-A RosewoodFlight54Stable$391€349$391€349Check ↗
- 16
Flight Maia 8 Steel String Bari EQ-AFlight54Stable$403€359$403€359Check ↗
- 17
Ortega RU5CE-BA BaritoneOrtega · 2 finishes53Stable$156€139$156€139Check ↗
- 18
Flight Maia Luxe Baritone EQ-AFlight52↓ 1.7%$593€529$593€529Check ↗
- 19
Flight NUB310 Baritone UkuleleFlight51Stable$122€109$122€109Check ↗
- 20
Flight Pathfinder Baritone Ocean BlueFlight51Stable$347€309$347€309Check ↗
- 21
Kala Solid Spruce Travel BaritoneKala51Stable$358€319$358€319Check ↗
- 22
Flight Aviator Baritone Mango CEFlight51Stable$369€329$369€329Check ↗
- 23
Kala KA-CM-BE Curly Mango Barit UkeKala51Stable$380€339$380€339Check ↗
- 24
Flight Lily Baritone EQ-A SteelStringFlight51Stable$403€359$403€359Check ↗
- 25
Flight Aviator QM Baritone CEFlight51Stable$425€379$425€379Check ↗
- 26
Flight Navigator Baritone EQ-A SBFlight51Stable$610€544$610€544Check ↗
- 27
Flight Fireball EQ-A Baritone UkuleleFlight51Stable$691€616$691€616Check ↗
- 28
Ortega RUOX-BAOrtega49Stable$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 29
Flight Nighthawk Baritone EQ-A BKFlight49↓ 8.0%$412€367$412€367Check ↗
- 30
Kala KA-TEAK-B Teak Bariton UkuleleKala48Stable$156€139$156€139Check ↗
- 31
Flight Iris Baritone Ukulele BKFlight48Stable$196€175$196€175Check ↗
- 32
Kala Teak Tri-Top Baritone UkuleleKala48Stable$212€189$212€189Check ↗
- 33
Kala KA-TEAK-BE Baritone UkuleleKala48Stable$223€199$223€199Check ↗
- 34
Flight Aurora Baritone EQ-AFlight48Stable$380€339$380€339Check ↗
- 35
Flight Nomad BaritoneFlight48Stable$380€339$380€339Check ↗
- 36
Flight 4SB Sammy Turton BaritoneFlight48Stable$593€529$593€529Check ↗
- 37
Kala Baritone Ukulele with CutawayKala48Stable$649€579$649€579Check ↗
- 38
Cascha Ukulele Mahogany BaritoneCascha46↓ 5.0%$127€113$127€113Check ↗
- 39
Kala Makala KA-SSEBY-B Baritone UkuleleKala Makala46Stable$436€389$436€389Check ↗
- 40
Kala Makala KA-AM-B-CE Baritone UkuleleKala Makala43Stable$212€189$212€189Check ↗
- 41
Thomann Baritone EU Ukulele with PUThomann37Stable$201€179$201€179Check ↗
Baritone Ukuleles by the numbers
Measured across all 44 models we track, not a sample.
Median $369 — half of all baritone ukuleles here cost less.
median of 31 models · 485 mm (19.09")–514 mm (20.24")
median of 34 models · 18–19
median of 21 models · 38 mm (1.5")–39 mm (1.54")
most common · 25 models
How to choose the best baritone ukuleles
Tonewood
Solid wood is king, but expect laminate backs and sides at this budget. Mahogany generally delivers a warm, even response, while Koa can offer a more complex, brighter tone-but often with a bit of a midrange honk that might not suit every style. Spruce tops are common and offer good projection.
Neck Profile & Action
A comfortable neck is crucial, especially if you're planning on playing for extended periods. Look for something that feels good in your hand; a slimmer C profile is generally easier for smaller hands, while a thicker D profile offers more sustain. Action (string height) is also vital - too high, and it's a chore to play; too low, and you'll get fret buzz.
Intonation
This is where cheaper instruments often fall down. Poor intonation means chords will sound out of tune as you move up the neck. Check it carefully by playing a chromatic scale; if it's noticeably off, it's a dealbreaker.
Hardware & Build Quality
Pay attention to the tuners - cheap plastic ones will fight you every time you try to tune, making gigging a nightmare. Solid build quality means the instrument will last longer and withstand the rigors of travel and stage use.
Pickup Voicing (if applicable)
If you're planning on amplifying your uke, the pickup voicing is important. Piezo pickups can sound harsh and brittle, so look for ones with a warmer, more natural tone or consider a K&K Mini. Headroom is also a factor; a weak preamp will clip and distort easily at higher volumes.
Buying guide
So, you're looking at a baritone uke, huh? Smart move. They've got that low-end thump that's perfect for adding some serious warmth to your music, whether you're laying down a mellow groove or trying to cut through a band mix. Finding a good one under $1000 is totally doable, but you gotta know what to look for - it's not all sunshine and rainbows at this price point.
At this price range, you're going to find compromises. Laminate wood is common to keep costs down, and while it's perfectly playable, it won't have the same resonance as solid wood. Don't get hung up on fancy binding or inlays - focus on the neck, intonation, and overall feel.
If the action is too high, a professional setup can make a huge difference, but factor that cost in.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 44 baritone ukuleles from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What's the difference between a baritone uke and a guitar?
A baritone uke is tuned like the top four strings of a guitar (DGBE), but smaller, so you get a lower, warmer tone. It's a great bridge between a ukulele and a guitar.
Is a laminate top really that bad?
It's not terrible, but it will generally lack the complexity and projection of a solid top. It's a trade-off for affordability. A solid top with laminate back and sides is a good sweet spot if you can find it.
What about electric baritone ukuleles?
Electric baritones open up a lot of possibilities for different tones and effects, but be aware that the quality of the pickups and preamps can vary wildly. Listen for a natural, un-processed sound before adding effects.
How important are the tuners?
Crucially important. Cheap tuners will make keeping the uke in tune a constant battle. Even a small improvement in tuner quality makes a big difference on stage.
Can I take a cheaper baritone uke and have it upgraded?
Absolutely. A professional setup (nut, saddle, fret leveling) can dramatically improve playability, and upgrading the strings can brighten the tone. But at some point, you're throwing good money after bad - know when to cut your losses.
