AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Tenor Ukuleles Under $1,000 2026
The top pick is Martin Guitar T1 Streetmaster Tenor Ukulele ($560). Kala MK-T Makala Series Tenor Ukulele gives you the most for the money at $133. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 108 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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- Nut width36 mm (1.42")
- Scale432 mm (17.01")
- Frets20 frets
The T1 Streetmaster is a seriously well-built ukulele, especially for the price. It's got a lovely, mellow tone that’s perfect for strumming along to folk tunes or adding warmth to island-inspired arrangements. This is a great choice for intermediate players who want a reliable, quality instrument without the premium price tag.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top delivers a warm, focused tone with surprising projection.
- Sipo fingerboard offers a smooth playing experience, comfortable for extended sessions.
- Martin’s M620 strings provide a balanced, clear voice characteristic of their quality.
Cons
- All-mahogany construction can lack the bright sparkle some players prefer in a ukulele.
- The gig bag, while functional, is a basic accessory; a hardshell case is recommended.
89AudioFu
Index↓ 20.7%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$705 · Aug 17$560 now$560€499 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-JTE/
2TS Archtop Tenor Ukulele KA-JTE-BKGN Tenor Ukulele · Kala
9 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale428 mm (16.85")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This is a tenor ukulele with mahogany on the top, back, sides and neck, plus a rosewood fingerboard. It has a UK-300TR pickup already fitted, so you can plug it into an amp or PA. It comes with a tenor case, which is handy if you travel or take it to gigs. It suits you if you want a bigger uke with a built-in pickup and a glossy Brooklyn Green finish.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give the uke one wood family throughout
- Factory-fitted UK-300TR electronics let you plug straight into an amp or PA
- Graph Tech NuBone nut and bridge give a bone-like contact point at the strings
Cons
- Scale length of 428 mm may feel long if you are used to a soprano size
69AudioFu
Index↓ 55.7%since Aug 20 · lowest so far$503 · Aug 20$223 now$223€199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-15T Mahogany Tenor Ukulele
KA-TE Satin Mahogany Tenor EQ · Kala
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale428 mm (16.85")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This is a tenor ukulele made from mahogany, with a rosewood fingerboard and a satin finish. It has a built-in Kala UK-300TR pickup, so you can plug it into an amp when you want to play louder. It suits you if you want an electric-ready tenor that comes with a bag.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck, with a rosewood fingerboard
- Kala UK-300TR electronics built in, ready to plug into an amp
- Graph Tech NuBone nut and bridge for the strings
Cons
- The electronics are a single Kala UK-300TR system, with no other controls or connections listed
65AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$290 now$290€259 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor Ukulele
KA-CT-SA-TG Tenor Ukulele · Kala
11 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale433 mm (17.05")
- Frets19 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
If you want a tenor ukulele with solid acacia on the top, back and sides, this one is worth a look. It has a mahogany neck, an ebony fingerboard, a bone nut and saddle, and it comes with a gig bag for trips. It suits you if you want a natural-looking acoustic ukulele you can take anywhere.
Pros
- Solid acacia top, back and sides give it a solid-wood build
- Mahogany neck paired with an ebony fingerboard
- Bone nut and saddle for a solid string path
65AudioFu
Index↓ 3.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$528 · Aug 17$509 now$509€454 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width37 mm (1.46")
- Scale432 mm (17.01")
- Frets24 frets
- FingerboardPurpleheart fingerboard
You get a tenor ukulele with a spruce top, okoume back and sides, and an Ibanez undersaddle pickup, so you can plug it into an amp or sound system. It has 24 frets and a 17-inch scale, which gives you more room on the neck than a soprano or concert size. It comes with an Allen key and a gig bag, so you can take it to a jam or gig right away.
Pros
- Spruce top paired with okoume back and sides gives a clear wood build
- Ibanez undersaddle pickup lets you plug in and play amplified
- Purpleheart fingerboard and bridge give a dark, contrasting look
Cons
- Plastic nut instead of bone, so the nut is made of plastic
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$167 now$167€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor Ukulele
KA-SDH-T Tenor Ukulele · Kala
11 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale429 mm (16.89")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This is a tenor ukulele with a solid mahogany top, back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. The longer 16.875 inch scale gives you a bit more space between the frets than a smaller ukulele, so it suits you if you want a little extra room to play. It is a good pick if you want an all-wood ukulele with a classic look, and it comes with a PRS gig bag to carry it around.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides for an all-wood build
- Mahogany neck paired with a rosewood fingerboard
- 18 nickel silver frets give you a long, even playing surface
Cons
- Tenor scale of 429 mm is longer than a soprano or concert ukulele
63AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$324 now$324€289 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor Ukulele
CT-SMH-TG Tenor Ukulele · Kala
11 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale433 mm (17.05")
- Frets19 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a tenor ukulele, a bit bigger than a soprano, with a solid mahogany top, back and sides. If you want an all-wood ukulele with an ebony fingerboard and a high-gloss natural finish, this one fits the bill. It comes with a gig bag, so you can carry it straight to your next session or outing.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides give this ukulele an all-wood build
- Ebony fingerboard and rosewood binding add a finished look
- Bone nut and saddle are included for a solid string path
Cons
- Comes with a gig bag only, not a hard case, so travel may need extra protection
63AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$414 now$414€369 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor Ukulele
CT-SSRW-TG-C Tenor Ukulele · Kala
11 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale433 mm (17.05")
- Frets19 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a tenor ukulele with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. It has a Venetian cutaway, an ebony fingerboard, and 19 nickel silver frets, so you can reach the upper frets easily. It suits you if you want a tenor-size ukulele built with solid woods and a gig bag included.
Pros
- Solid spruce top on a tenor body with a Venetian cutaway
- Solid rosewood back and sides with purpleheart binding
- Mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, bone nut and saddle
63AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$560 now$560€499 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Fender Dhani Harrison Tenor Ukulele
Dhani Harrison Ukulele Tq · Fender
26 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width35 mm (1.38")
- Scale432 mm (17.01")
- Frets19 frets
This Dhani Harrison signature uke is a solid choice for players wanting a good-sounding, amplified tenor. The Ovangkol construction gives it a richer tone than many entry-level models, and the Fender preamp is a convenient bonus. It's ideal for singer-songwriters or anyone looking for a versatile, easily amplified ukulele with a unique aesthetic.
Pros
- Solid Ovangkol top delivers a surprisingly warm, resonant tone.
- NATO neck offers comfortable playability and good stability.
- Fender UKE preamp provides clean amplified sound, easy to shape.
Cons
- Ovangkol can be a bit dense, resulting in a slightly heavier ukulele.
- The NATO neck, while stable, lacks the premium feel of mahogany or koa.
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Kala MK-T Makala Series Tenor Ukulele
Makala Tenor Ukulele UB-T · Kala
9 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale429 mm (16.89")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
The Makala Tenor UB-T is a solid, well-voiced ukulele offering a good balance of quality and affordability. It's perfect for beginners and intermediate players looking for a warm, full-bodied tone without the premium price tag – a really great all-rounder for strumming and fingerpicking.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top delivers a warm, balanced, and pleasing tone.
- Rosewood fingerboard provides a comfortable playing experience and good note definition.
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings offer excellent projection and a classic ukulele feel.
Cons
- Plastic nut and bridge feel a bit basic for the price point; a potential upgrade path.
- Silk-matte finish, while attractive, can be prone to fingerprints and minor scuffs.
61AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$133 now$133€119 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 108 tenor ukuleles
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor UkuleleKA-T Tenor Ukulele · Kala61Stable$176€157$176€157Check ↗
- 12
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor UkuleleKA-SMH-TG Tenor Ukulele · Kala61Stable$391€349$391€349Check ↗
- 13
Kala KA-BMB-T Bamboo Tenor UkuleleKA-SMH-TG-CE Tenor Ukulele · Kala61Stable$649€579$649€579Check ↗
- 14
Kala Makala KA-CLM-T Tenor UkuleleKala Makala59Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 15
Ortega RU4MM-CE-TE-8Ortega59↓ 12.9%$175€156$175€156Check ↗
- 16
Ortega RU5MM-TE UkuleleOrtega · 3 finishes57Stable$89€79$89€79Check ↗
- 17
Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-50THarley Benton · 2 finishes57↓ 25.2%$100€89$100€89Check ↗
- 18
Baton Rouge V2-TACE SunBaton Rouge · 3 finishes56Stable$223€199$223€199Check ↗
- 19
Kala Makala CTD-SMH-TG Tenor UkuleleKala Makala56Stable$504€449$504€449Check ↗
- 20
Kala Makala KA-CTD-SA-TG Tenor UkuleleKala Makala54Stable$728€649$728€649Check ↗
- 21
Ortega RUGA-ORG UkuleleOrtega53↓ 22.5%$77€69$77€69Check ↗
- 22
Ortega RU4MM-TE-8Ortega53Stable$133€119$133€119Check ↗
- 23
Flight Pathfinder Tenor TBLFlight · 2 finishes53Stable$277€247$277€247Check ↗
- 24
Flight Iris Tinta Tenor NAFlight · 2 finishes51Stable$205€183$205€183Check ↗
- 25
Flight Vanguard Tenor E-Ukulele TPPFlight · 2 finishes51Stable$369€329$369€329Check ↗
- 26
Kala KA-20T Tenor UkuleleKala50↓ 58.8%$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 27
Flight NUT500 TenorFlight50↓ 5.1%$105€94$105€94Check ↗
- 28
Flight Comet Tenor Ukulele BLFlight · 2 finishes50↓ 3.3%$649€579$649€579Check ↗
- 29
Ortega RUGH-BKTOrtega48Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 30
Ortega RUGH-SRTOrtega48Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 31
Ortega RUGH-PLTOrtega48Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 32
Ortega RUGH-OCTOrtega48Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 33
Ortega RUOX-TEOrtega48Stable$145€129$145€129Check ↗
- 34
Flight Iris Calantas TenorFlight48Stable$167€149$167€149Check ↗
- 35
Kala Makala MK8 Tenor UkuleleKala48Stable$223€199$223€199Check ↗
- 36
Flight Aviator QM Tenor CEFlight48Stable$376€335$376€335Check ↗
- 37
Cascha E-Tenor Ukulele Premium MahCascha47↓ 11.1%$99€88$99€88Check ↗
- 38
Kala KA-SCAC-T8 Tenor UkuleleKala47↓ 4.0%$537€479$537€479Check ↗
- 39
Kala KA-EBY-TE Tenor UkuleleKala46↓ 6.9%$302€269$302€269Check ↗
- 40
Flight Aviator Mango Tenor CEFlight46Stable$335€299$335€299Check ↗
- 41
Flight Navigator Tenor EQ-A SBFlight46Stable$544€485$544€485Check ↗
- 42
Flight Songbird Mango EQ-A TenorFlight46Stable$649€579$649€579Check ↗
- 43
Flight Songbird TPP Tenor EQ-AFlight46Stable$672€599$672€599Check ↗
- 44
Ortega RUGA-SKY UkuleleOrtega45Stable$84€75$84€75Check ↗
- 45
Ortega RUGA-PLT UkuleleOrtega45Stable$84€75$84€75Check ↗
- 46
Ortega RUGA-GAP UkuleleOrtega45Stable$84€75$84€75Check ↗
- 47
Kala KA-UNITY-T Tenor UkuleleKala45Stable$145€129$145€129Check ↗
- 48
Leolani Concert Hawaiian Koa UkuleleLeolani45↓ 10.1%$201€179$201€179Check ↗
- 49
Ortega RUNAB-TEOrtega45Stable$222€198$222€198Check ↗
- 50
Ortega NEO-U-TSBOrtega45Stable$231€206$231€206Check ↗
Tenor Ukuleles by the numbers
Measured across all 122 models we track, not a sample.
Median $223 — half of all tenor ukuleles here cost less.
median of 76 models · 35 mm (1.38")–38 mm (1.5")
median of 95 models · 402 mm (15.83")–440 mm (17.32")
median of 103 models · 18–22
most common · 42 models
How to choose the best tenor ukuleles
Tonewood
Solid wood is always better, but in this price range, laminate is common. Mahogany offers a warm, mellow tone-good for fingerpicking and softer styles. Koa, if you can find it, has that classic Hawaiian 'honk' and a brighter, more complex character, but can be a bit pricier.
Neck Profile
A comfortable neck is crucial. Look for a 'C' shape or a slim taper that fits your hand without being too chunky or too thin. A thick, unwieldy neck will kill your articulation and make fast runs a chore.
Fretwork & Setup
This is huge. Even a great-sounding uke is unplayable with sharp fret ends or high action. A good setup - level frets, properly crowned and polished - can make a world of difference. Many affordable ukes will need a setup after purchase.
Intonation
Does the uke play in tune as you move up the neck? Poor intonation makes everything sound off, especially when recording. Expect some compromises here - intonation isn't always perfect on budget instruments, but it shouldn't be horrendous.
Bracing
Internal bracing affects sustain and tone. Better bracing generally leads to a more resonant and even tone across the fretboard. Cheaper ukes often have minimal bracing, which can result in a thinner, less powerful sound.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're in the market for a tenor uke without blowing your rent. It's a sweet spot - you want something that can handle a gig, record cleanly, and not sound like a toy. Let's get into it.
At this price point, you're making trade-offs. Solid wood is rare, so expect laminate-it's durable, but doesn't resonate as freely. Don't chase 'big name' brands; smaller builders often offer better value.
Pay close attention to the action and fretwork - a little tweaking can unlock a surprising amount of playability. A gig bag and tuner are almost always included, but a proper setup from a local tech is worth the investment.
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 122 tenor 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 made of layers of wood glued together - it's more stable and resistant to humidity changes, but doesn't resonate as well as solid wood. Solid wood has more character and volume, but needs more care.
Is a geared or slotted tuners better?
Geared tuners offer finer adjustments and generally hold tuning better, especially for beginners. Slotted tuners are traditional, but can be a pain to adjust accurately.
Can I record with a ukulele under $1000?
Absolutely! You'll want a decent mic and interface, but the uke itself won't be the limiting factor. Focus on getting a clean, dry signal and EQ it during mixing.
What's a 'setup' and do I need one?
A setup involves adjusting the action, intonation, and fretwork to optimize playability. Most new ukes benefit from a setup - it's like getting a tune-up for your instrument.
Should I buy online or from a local music store?
Buying local lets you try before you buy, which is invaluable. However, online retailers often have better prices. Consider it a hybrid approach: research online, then try to find a local store that carries the model.





