Best Tenor Ukuleles for Professional 2026

Perfect tenor ukuleles for professional - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

Martin Guitar Martin Guitar 0X Ten Uke Suns - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar Martin Guitar 0X Ten Uke Suns

Blues Fingerstyle Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instrument capability
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point
  • • May be too large for some players

Martin Guitar 0X Ten Uke SunsTenor UkuleleTop: HPL (high pressure laminate)Back and sides: Flamed mahogany HPL (high...

4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Flight Navigator Tenor EQ-A SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Flight Navigator Tenor EQ-A SB

Jazz Professional Playing Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point
  • • May lose some traditional uke character

Flight Navigator Tenor EQ-A SBTenor Ukulele with PickupWith cutawayBack and sides: RosewoodTop: solid flamed mapleNeck:...

4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ortega RUHZ30TH-BW Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ortega RUHZ30TH-BW Tenor Ukulele

Professional Playing Fingerstyle Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instrument capability
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • Less classic ukulele sound

Ortega RUHZ30TH-BW Tenor UkuleleTenor Ukulele30th Anniversary ModelBack and sides: solid acaciaWith cutawayTop: solid...

4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Ortega RUHZ30TH-S Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ortega RUHZ30TH-S Tenor Ukulele

Fingerstyle Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
  • • Professional instrument capability
✗ CONS
  • • May lose some traditional uke character
  • • May be too large for some players

Ortega RUHZ30TH-S Tenor UkuleleTenor Ukulele with Pickup30th Anniversary modelWith cutawayBack and sides: solid...

4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar 0X Tenor Uke Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar 0X Tenor Uke Black

Blues Professional Playing Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instrument capability
  • • Rich, full tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less classic ukulele sound
  • • May be too large for some players

Martin Guitar 0X Tenor Uke BlackTenor UkuleleBack and sides: HPL (high pressure laminate)Top: HPL (high pressure...

4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kala KA-CT-SA-TG Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Kala KA-CT-SA-TG Tenor Ukulele

Solo Performance Professional Playing Folk
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instrument capability
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • May be too large for some players
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes

Kala KA-CT-SA-TG Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleKala Contour SeriesStyle: TenorTop: solid acaciaBack and sides: solid...

4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Kala KA-SB-EBY-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Kala KA-SB-EBY-T Tenor Ukulele

Professional Playing Blues Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instrument capability
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less classic ukulele sound
  • • May be too large for some players

Kala KA-SB-EBY-T Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleIdeal for feedback-free stage performance and for use with amps and...

4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Kala KA-SDH-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Kala KA-SDH-T Tenor Ukulele

Solo Performance Folk Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Professional instrument capability
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • May be too large for some players

Kala KA-SDH-T Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleTop: Solid mahoganyBack and Sides: Solid MahoganyMahogany neckFingerboard:...

4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Kala CT-SSRW-TG-C Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Kala CT-SSRW-TG-C Tenor Ukulele

Solo Performance Professional Playing Folk
Key Feature:
• Largest standard ukulele size
✓ PROS
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • May be too large for some players

Kala CT-SSRW-TG-C Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleContour SeriesStyle: Tenor with Venetian cutawayTop: solid spruceBack and...

4.5/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ortega RTPX-U-ACA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ortega RTPX-U-ACA

Solo Performance Professional Playing Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
  • • Rich, full tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lose some traditional uke character
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes

Ortega RTPX-U-ACATenor Ukulele with PickupWith cutawayBody: Solid OkoumeTop: AcaciaFlamed maple bindingPickup:...

4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Ortega RTPS-U-NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ortega RTPS-U-NAT

Blues Professional Playing Fingerstyle
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point
  • • May lose some traditional uke character

Ortega RTPS-U-NATTenor Ukulele with PickupWith cutawayBody: Solid OkoumeTop: AcaciaFlamed maple bindingPickup:...

4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Kala KA-SB-SUN-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Kala KA-SB-SUN-T Tenor Ukulele

Blues Fingerstyle Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
  • • Professional instrument capability
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point
  • • May be too large for some players

Kala KA-SB-SUN-T Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleSunny & The Black Pack Signature ModelIdeal for feedback-free stage...

4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ortega RTPX-U-FMA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ortega RTPX-U-FMA

Folk Blues Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point
  • • Less classic ukulele sound

Ortega RTPX-U-FMATenor Ukulele with PickupWith cutawayBody: Solid OkoumeTop: AcaciaFlamed maple bindingPickup:...

4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Kamaka Tenor Deluxe HF-3D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Kamaka Tenor Deluxe HF-3D

Solo Performance Professional Playing Fingerstyle
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • Less classic ukulele sound
  • • May lose some traditional uke character

Kamaka Tenor Deluxe HF-3DTenor UkuleleBack and sides: solid koaTop: solid koaNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodDot...

4.5/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Flight Peter Moss Tenor EQ-A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Flight Peter Moss Tenor EQ-A

Professional Playing Blues Folk
Key Feature:
• Largest standard ukulele size
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • May lose some traditional uke character
  • • May be too large for some players

Flight Peter Moss Tenor EQ-AUkulele with PickupWith cutawaySize: TenorPeter Moss Signature modelBack and sides: solid...

4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10

How to Choose the Best Tenor Ukuleles

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced tenor ukuleles typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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