Best Tenor Ukuleles for Solo Performance 2026

Perfect tenor ukuleles for solo-performance - 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
Martin Guitar 0X Tenor Uke Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
#3

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
Flight Peter Moss Tenor EQ-A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Flight Navigator Tenor EQ-A SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
#6

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
Kala CT-SMH-TG Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Kala CT-SMH-TG Tenor Ukulele

Folk Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Comfortable fret spacing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for complex playing
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • May be too large for some players

Kala CT-SMH-TG Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleContour SeriesScale: 433 mm (17.0625")Total length: 676 mmTop: Solid...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Ortega RTPX-U-FMA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
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
Kala KA-SDH-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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 KA-SB-SUN-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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 RUHZ30TH-S Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Kala KA-SB-EBY-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Ortega NEO-U-TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ortega NEO-U-TSB

Jazz Blues Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Professional instrument capability
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • May lose some traditional uke character

Ortega NEO-U-TSBTenor Ukulele with PickupWith cutawayBody: Solid OkoumeTop: Flamed mapleNeck: MapleBinding:...

4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ortega RUHZ30TH-JF Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ortega RUHZ30TH-JF Tenor Ukulele

Jazz Solo Performance Blues
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point
  • • Less classic ukulele sound

Ortega RUHZ30TH-JF Tenor UkuleleTenor Ukulele30th Anniversary modelBack and Sides: solid AcaciaWith cutawayTop: Solid...

5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10

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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