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Best Tenor Ukuleles Under $500 2026

Affordable tenor ukuleles under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Blues For Folk For Solo Performance For Fingerstyle For Professional Playing
BRANDS: Kala Flight Ortega Harley Benton Martin Guitar Cascha Baton Rouge Risa
Flight Victoria Tenor Soundwave - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Flight Victoria Tenor Soundwave

by Flight
Professional Playing Folk Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • May be too large for some players
  • • May lose some traditional uke character

Flight Victoria Tenor SoundwaveTenor Cutaway ukulele with pickupBack & sides: AcaciaTop: Solid spruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 513303
$422
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Peter Moss Tenor EQ-A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Flight Peter Moss Tenor EQ-A

by Flight
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
Art. 579528
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala Mahogany Super Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Kala Mahogany Super Tenor Ukulele

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

Kala Mahogany Super Tenor UkuleleSuper tenor ukuleleScale: 479 mmTotal length: 714 mm19 FretsTop: Solid mahoganyBack...

⭐ 4.7/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 479911
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RUHZ30TH-BW Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ortega RUHZ30TH-BW Tenor Ukulele

by Ortega
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
Art. 580803
$340
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala CT-SSRW-TG-C Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Kala CT-SSRW-TG-C Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
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
Art. 579656
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Centurion Tenor VB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Flight Centurion Tenor VB

by Flight
Folk Professional Playing Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Professional instrument capability
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • Higher price point

Flight Centurion Tenor VBTenor Ukulele with PickupDesign: Single cutaway solid bodyBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed maple...

⭐ 4.4/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 504810
$314
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Voyager Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Flight Voyager Tenor Ukulele

by Flight
Blues Folk Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
  • • Professional instrument capability
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • Higher price point

Flight Voyager Tenor UkuleleElectro-Acoustic Tenor UkuleleUnique spindle headstockMade completely of solid woodTop:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 479681
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala KA-SB-SUN-T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Kala KA-SB-SUN-T Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
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
Art. 590625
$430
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala KA-RES-BRS Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Kala KA-RES-BRS Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
Jazz Solo Performance Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • Less classic ukulele sound

Kala KA-RES-BRS Tenor UkuleleResonator Tenor UkuleleTop: MahoganyBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 526691
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala KA-EBY-TE Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Kala KA-EBY-TE Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
Fingerstyle Blues Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less classic ukulele sound
  • • May be too large for some players

Kala KA-EBY-TE Tenor UkuleleTenor Ukulele with pickupTop: Striped ebonyBack and sides: Striped ebonyNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 526764
$318
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Victoria CEQ-A Tenor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Flight Victoria CEQ-A Tenor

by Flight
Fingerstyle Folk Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable fret spacing
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Great for complex playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • May lose some traditional uke character

Flight Victoria CEQ-A TenorTenor Ukulele with PickupWith cutawayBack and sides: AcaciaTop: Solid spruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 508083
$307
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Diana Soundwave Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Flight Diana Soundwave Tenor Ukulele

by Flight
Solo Performance Professional Playing Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich, full tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full tone
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
✗ CONS
  • • May lose some traditional uke character
  • • Less classic ukulele sound

Flight Diana Soundwave Tenor UkuleleTenor Ukulele with PickupSoundwave seriesWth Soundwave pickup system with various...

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 483967
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala CT-SMH-TG Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Kala CT-SMH-TG Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
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
Art. 580078
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala KA-OWL-ACA-TE Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Kala KA-OWL-ACA-TE Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
Jazz Solo Performance Folk
Key Feature:
• Professional instrument capability
✓ PROS
  • • Largest standard ukulele size
  • • Comfortable fret spacing
✗ CONS
  • • Less portable than smaller sizes
  • • Less classic ukulele sound

Kala KA-OWL-ACA-TE Tenor UkuleleTenor UkuleleStyle: florentine cutawayBack and sides: OkoumeTop: solid acaciaNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 590517
$492
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kala KA SB ACA T Tenor Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Kala KA SB ACA T Tenor Ukulele

by Kala
Solo Performance Jazz Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Great for complex playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for complex playing
  • • Rich, full tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less classic ukulele sound
  • • Higher price point

Kala KA SB ACA T Tenor UkuleleTenor-Sized Electric UkuleleIdeal for feedback-free stage performance and for use with...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569848
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details

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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