AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Concert Ukuleles Under $500 2026
The top pick is Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele ($44). Flight Iris Tinta Concert TPP leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 123 models across 16 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 KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele
KA-MRT-RED-C Concert Ukulele · Kala
99 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale381 mm (15")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a concert ukulele with a longer fretboard and 18 frets, this one is worth a look. It is made of Meranti for the top, back, sides and neck, and has an Indonesian Nandu fretboard. It suits you if you like a classic ukulele shape and a red satin finish.
Pros
- Meranti top, back, sides and neck give the build a consistent wood throughout
- Indonesian Nandu fretboard paired with 18 frets gives you a wide playing range
- Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle are made of a named synthetic material for a defined string path
78AudioFu
Index↓ 50.6%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$89 · Oct 23$44 now$44€39 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele
Surf Surf's Up Ukulele · Kala
99 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale376 mm (14.8")
- Frets18 frets
This is a concert-size ukulele with a spruce top and mahogany body, plus a rosewood fretboard and 18 frets. It comes with a carrying bag and a semi-gloss finish, so it suits you if you want a sturdy uke to take to the beach, a jam, or a practice room. Register it on the Warwick site to extend the guarantee to 4 years.
Pros
- Spruce top paired with mahogany sides, back, and neck
- Rosewood fretboard with 18 frets for a wide playing range
- GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle for clean string contact
Cons
- Aquila Super Nylgut nylon strings give a different feel than steel strings
78AudioFu
Index↓ 62.0%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$145 · Oct 23$55 now$55€49 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele
KA-TK-C-CE Concert Ukulele · Kala
99 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale406 mm (15.98")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a concert-sized ukulele with a pickup built in, this one is worth a look. It has active electronics, a florentine cutaway for reaching the higher frets, and 18 frets on a 16-inch scale. It suits you if you want a natural-finished instrument you can plug in and play at home or on stage.
Pros
- Teak top with mahogany stripes and a teak back and sides
- Florentine cutaway gives easier access to the upper frets
- Active electronics with a pickup built in
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$145 now$145€129 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-CG Mahogany Concert Ukulele
Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele · Kala
25 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale377 mm (14.84")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
You get a concert ukulele with mahogany on the top, back, sides and neck, plus a rosewood fingerboard. It includes a gig bag, so you can carry it right away. This one suits you if you want an all-mahogany uke with a natural-looking, silk-matte finish and a fun laser-engraved design.
Pros
- All-mahogany build: top, back, sides and neck are all mahogany
- Rosewood fingerboard paired with a GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle
- Laser-engraved Hawaiian Islands and tattoo design sets it apart
69AudioFu
Index↓ 54.3%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$145 · Oct 23$66 now$66€59 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Fender Zuma Exotic Concert Ukulele
Zuma Concert Ukulele · Fender
42 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width35 mm (1.38")
- Scale381 mm (15")
- Frets16 frets
- BodyMahogany body
You get a concert ukulele with a mahogany top and body, a nato neck, and a 15 inch scale. It has 16 frets, a Telecaster-style headstock, and an abalone rosette. This one suits you if you want a classic-looking wooden ukulele with a bit more room on the fretboard than a soprano.
Pros
- Mahogany top and body give it a classic wood build
- Nato neck paired with a laminated hardwood fretboard
- Abalone rosette and neck binding add visual detail
68AudioFu
Index↓ 12.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$139 · Aug 17$122 now$122€109 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-CG Mahogany Concert Ukulele
KA C RW Mahogany Concert · Kala
25 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale376 mm (14.8")
- Frets18 frets
The KA C RW Mahogany is a solid entry point into concert ukuleles. The all-mahogany construction provides a warm, mellow tone that's great for fingerpicking and strumming gentle melodies. It's a fantastic choice for beginners or intermediate players looking for a well-built, affordable instrument with a classic sound.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top delivers warm, resonant tones with surprising projection.
- GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle improve sustain and intonation noticeably.
- Rosewood fretboard provides a comfortable playing feel and good note definition.
Cons
- Satin finish, while aesthetically pleasing, can feel a bit plasticky to some.
- Mahogany construction can be slightly heavier than lighter ukulele materials.
66AudioFu
Index↓ 22.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$100 · Aug 17$77 now$77€69 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale376 mm (14.8")
- Frets18 frets
You get a mahogany concert ukulele with a rosewood fretboard, 18 frets and a GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge. It comes with a gig bag and Aquila Super Nylgut strings, so you can start playing right away. This one suits you if you want a simple, classic uke that fits in a bag and is easy to carry to lessons or jam sessions.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give it a classic all-wood build
- Rosewood fretboard with 18 frets gives you a wide playing range
- GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge help the strings sit well
Cons
- Concert body is smaller than tenor or baritone ukuleles
63AudioFu
Index↓ 10.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$190 · Aug 17$170 now$170€152 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width36 mm (1.42")
- Scale384 mm (15.12")
- Frets19 frets
- BodyMahogany body
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This is a concert ukulele with a solid mahogany top and a rosewood fingerboard. It has 19 frets, a bone nut and saddle, and comes with a gig bag. It suits you if you want a sturdy, good-looking ukulele that is ready to take with you.
Pros
- Solid mahogany body gives this ukulele a classic, woody build
- Rosewood fingerboard and rosewood bridge are made from the same tonewood family
- Bone nut and bone saddle are included for good string contact
Cons
- Concert size with a 384 mm scale may feel a little small for larger hands
62AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$201 now$201€179 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width35 mm (1.38")
- Scale384 mm (15.12")
- Frets17 frets
You get a concert ukulele with a laminated spruce top, mahogany laminated back and sides, and a walnut fingerboard. It has 17 frets, a bone nut and saddle, individual machine heads, and comes with a gig bag. It suits you if you want a classic concert-size uke with a practical build and a bag included.
Pros
- Laminated spruce top gives this concert ukulele a classic build
- Mahogany laminated back and sides with an arched back
- Walnut fingerboard and bridge with bone nut and saddle
Cons
- Concert size with a 384 mm scale may feel small for larger hands
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- Nut width35 mm (1.38")
- Frets17 frets
- BodyMahogany body
- FingerboardWalnut fingerboard
You get a concert ukulele with a mahogany body, an arched back, and a walnut fingerboard with 17 frets. It also has a zero fret, a bone nut, and a bone saddle on a walnut bridge. It comes with a gig bag, which makes it a handy pick if you want a ready-to-go ukulele for home practice or taking along to a jam.
Pros
- Mahogany body with an arched back for a rounded, sturdy build
- Okoume neck paired with a walnut fingerboard
- Bone nut and walnut bridge with bone saddle
All 123 concert ukuleles
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Harley Benton UK-12C BlackHarley Benton · 2 finishes56Stable$27€24$27€24Check ↗
- 12
Baton Rouge UR11-C CactusBaton Rouge · 4 finishes56Stable$44€39$44€39Check ↗
- 13
Harley Benton DC-Ukulele CHHarley Benton56↓ 17.0%$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 14
Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-32CHarley Benton55↓ 14.5%$66€59$66€59Check ↗
- 15
Flight DUC 400 Ash BlueFlight · 3 finishes54Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 16
Kala KA-15 C Mahogany ConcertKala53↓ 53.8%$62€55$62€55Check ↗
- 17
Ortega RUPA5MM Pineapple Series Sapele Top Concert Ukulele with…RUPA5MM Concert Pineapple · Ortega53Stable$86€77$86€77Check ↗
- 18
Harley Benton UK-11C BrownHarley Benton51Stable$26€23$26€23Check ↗
- 19
Leolani Macassar Ebony Concert UkuleleLeolani51↓ 20.1%$124€111$124€111Check ↗
- 20
Kala KA-MRT-BLU-C Concert UkuleleKala50↓ 56.2%$44€39$44€39Check ↗
- 21
Kala KA-MRT-PUR-C Concert UkuleleKala50↓ 60.6%$44€39$44€39Check ↗
- 22
Kala Surf Swell UkuleleKala50↓ 58.8%$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 23
Kala KA-20CE Concert UkuleleKala50↓ 58.8%$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 24
Harley Benton UK-10S UkuleleHarley Benton · 2 finishes50Stable$66€59$66€59Check ↗
- 25
Flight NUC500 ConcertFlight49Stable$99€88$99€88Check ↗
- 26
Ortega RFU11SOrtega · 3 finishes49Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 27
Harley Benton Kahuna-C TurtleHarley Benton48Stable$37€33$37€33Check ↗
- 28
Cascha HH2605 Art Serie SketchConcertCascha48Stable$49€44$49€44Check ↗
- 29
Cascha Concert Ukulele Premium Mah LHCascha48Stable$71€63$71€63Check ↗
- 30
Cascha Premium Mahogany ConcertSet BKCascha48Stable$73€65$73€65Check ↗
- 31
Kai KCI-10Kai48↓ 5.9%$89€79$89€79Check ↗
- 32
Kala KA-GUIDANCE-C- Concert UkuleleKala48↓ 7.3%$113€101$113€101Check ↗
- 33
Harley Benton ElectricUke-50C NTHarley Benton48Stable$145€129$145€129Check ↗
- 34
Cascha HH 2258E Carbon Concert UkulelCascha48↓ 7.5%$206€184$206€184Check ↗
- 35
Ortega BYWSM-UOrtega48Stable$390€348$390€348Check ↗
- 36
Baton Rouge UR1-C smile-bwsBaton Rouge46Stable$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 37
Ortega RU4 Bonfire UkuleleOrtega · 2 finishes46Stable$77€69$77€69Check ↗
- 38
Kala KA-UNITY-C Concert UkuleleKala46↓ 1.9%$113€101$113€101Check ↗
- 39
Flight Concert DUC380 CEQ TopazFlight46Stable$129€115$129€115Check ↗
- 40
Cascha Cedar Concert Uku Solid TopCascha46↓ 9.4%$141€126$141€126Check ↗
- 41
Flight Iris Calantas ConcertFlight46Stable$156€139$156€139Check ↗
- 42
Bumblebee Ukuleles BUC23 Concert NaturalBumblebee Ukuleles · 3 finishes45Stable$34€30$34€30Check ↗
- 43
Cascha Dreamcatcher Concert UkuleleCascha45Stable$36€32$36€32Check ↗
- 44
Harley Benton Kahuna-C FlowerHarley Benton45Stable$37€33$37€33Check ↗
- 45
Harley Benton Kahuna-C DolphinHarley Benton45Stable$37€33$37€33Check ↗
- 46
Flight NUC 310 Concert UkuleleFlight · 2 finishes45Stable$71€63$71€63Check ↗
- 47
Ortega RUCOAL ConcertOrtega45Stable$86€77$86€77Check ↗
- 48
Ortega RUFOREST ConcertOrtega45Stable$86€77$86€77Check ↗
- 49
Ortega RUOCEAN ConcertOrtega45Stable$86€77$86€77Check ↗
- 50
Ortega RUFIRE ConcertOrtega45Stable$89€79$89€79Check ↗
Concert Ukuleles by the numbers
Measured across all 153 models we track, not a sample.
Median $100 — half of all concert ukuleles here cost less.
median of 92 models · 35 mm (1.38")–38 mm (1.5")
median of 100 models · 375 mm (14.76")–405 mm (15.94")
median of 136 models · 16–19
median of 7 models · 1.16 kg–1.16 kg
How to choose the best concert ukuleles
Tonewood
Mahogany generally gives you a warmer, more fundamental tone - think classic Hawaiian sound. Koa is brighter and more complex, but can be a bit thin if not well-voiced. Expect laminate tops on this budget, which are more durable, but don't expect the same responsiveness as solid wood.
Neck Profile & Action
A comfortable neck is critical. Thin necks can feel flimsy, while overly thick ones can be fatiguing. Action (string height) is key - too high and it's a struggle to play cleanly, too low and you'll get fret buzz. Expect some minor adjustments might be needed.
Intonation
This is how accurately the uke plays in tune as you move up the neck. Cheap ukes often have terrible intonation, sounding out of tune even when fretted correctly. It's a huge deal for recording and playing with others.
Bracing Pattern
Bracing affects sustain and tone projection. Expect simpler bracing patterns on budget instruments - they're not going to have the complex scalloped bracing of a high-end uke, but it's worth paying attention to how it impacts resonance.
Hardware & Finish
Details matter. Cheap tuners will have you retuning constantly on stage. A poorly applied finish can choke the tone. While you won't get boutique-level craftsmanship, look for decent chrome hardware and a reasonably even finish - it's a sign of overall build quality.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're in the market for a concert ukulele and you're smart enough to not blow your rent on a KoAloha. That's good. We've all been there, needing a reliable uke for gigs, recording sessions, or just jamming in the living room, but not wanting to remortgage the house. This list focuses on concert ukes that punch above their weight class, offering real value under $500 - instruments you can actually use and enjoy.
At this price point, you're making trade-offs. Don't expect a solid wood top - laminate is the norm for durability. Focus on neck comfort and intonation - those are the biggest detractors.
A little fretwork by a local tech can work wonders on a budget instrument. Don't be afraid to order online, but be prepared to make minor adjustments to the action and possibly intonation once it arrives.
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 153 concert 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 laminate and solid wood?
Laminate is layers of wood glued together - more resistant to changes in humidity, but generally less resonant. Solid wood vibrates more freely, offering a richer, more complex tone, but it's pricier and needs more care.
Can I record a concert ukulele with a built-in pickup?
Sure, but the stock pickups on budget ukes are often noisy and muddy. They're fine for basic amplification, but for serious recording, consider an aftermarket pickup or a good quality condenser mic.
What does 'action' mean, and how do I adjust it?
Action is the height of the strings above the frets. Too high is hard to play, too low buzzes. Minor adjustments can be made at the bridge, but more significant changes require a professional.
Is Koa wood really worth the extra money?
Koa can sound beautiful - bright, sparkly, with a lovely midrange - but the tone can be subtle. If you're chasing a specific Hawaiian vibe, it's worth it. If you just want a good-sounding uke, mahogany is a solid choice.
I'm a beginner - what should I prioritize?
Comfortable neck profile and decent intonation. A uke that's easy to play and stays in tune will keep you motivated to learn. Don't worry about fancy tonewoods or pickups just yet.





