No adventure is complete without music. It'll perk any event or activity right up and make them extra fun and memorable for everyone. That said, a ukulele is the perfect instrument for both indoor and outdoor activities. Its compact size promotes portability and ease, making it playable anywhere, any time.
However, learning about the best ukulele brands, the best ukuleles for sale, and even ukuleles themselves can be a daunting task. Worry not, allow us to help you! We've created a buying guide, as well as a list of the 10 best ukuleles available in the Philippines to inform your next ukulele purchase. Read on below to find out more.
Quick List - Top Ukuleles
Kala
Your Music Companion for Any Adventure
Kohala
Dynamically Mimics the Sound of a Classical Guitar
Kokolele
Budget-Friendly Ukulele With a Bright Tone
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
While ukuleles may look the same at first glance, they vary in type and size. There are four different sizes, each with its own sound and tone. Always consider what type of music you want to play or what sound you want to achieve.
The soprano is the most common type of ukulele. It has 12 to 15 frets with a standard tuning of G, C, E, and A. Its body is significantly smaller than that of other ukulele types. It also produces bright, thin, and jangly sounds that are great for playing upbeat and joyful tunes.
Its compact size makes the ideal choice for traveling and other outdoor activities. However, its small size might also make playing more difficult as the compressed frets might prove too small for larger digits.
The concert ukulele is noticeably more prominent than the soprano. It has a standard tuning of G, C, E, and A major. Like the soprano, concert ukuleles produce the classic ukulele sound but louder. This is thanks to the extra resonance in the larger body.
The concert type has up to 20 frets, allowing players to reach higher notes along the fretboard. The extended fretboard also means more space between the frets, making it ideal for players with large fingers.
The tenor ukulele produces a guitar-like sound with a deeper pitch compared to soprano and concert types. Nevertheless, it manages to retain the distinct ukulele sound. Tenor ukuleles average 26" in length with 15 to 25 fest. Its length also makes it a great choice for musicians with large fingers.
The tenor has a standard tuning of G, C, E, and A major. Additionally, it can easily be tuned to D, G, B, and E major to produce lower tones and larger tonal ranges like a baritone.
Featuring more than 19 frets and about 30 inches in length, the baritone is easily the largest among ukuleles. Unlike the other three types, a baritone ukulele has a standard tuning of D, G, B, and E. This tuning allows it to deliver richer and deeper tones perfect for melancholic genres such as blues and jazz.
While technically still a ukulele, baritones lack the bright, crisp, and energetic sound that typical ukuleles bring. Nevertheless, they are great instruments for any musician, especially those with big hands and large fingers, as the extra length and spacious fretboards can make for comfortable playing.
Ukuleles are often made from wood and different wood types create different tones. Some wood types also produce more resonance than others. Understanding wood tones will give you an idea of what kind of sound these instruments can produce.
This type of wood is one of the most popular when it comes to making a ukulele. It originates from Hawaii and is the traditional choice for ukuleles. Koa is distinct not just for its sound, but for its beautiful grain and figure.
The grain refers to the texture, appearance, and alignment of wood fibers, while the figure refers to the pattern created by the grain's orientation. Koa ukuleles produce warm and mellow tones perfect for bright tunes.
Unlike Koa wood that's native to Hawaii, mahogany is available in different regions worldwide. While different kinds of mahogany produce distinct sounds, this reddish-brown wood generally creates a dense, full, and warm tone.
This dense wood can be used as an instrument body, but is most commonly used in fretboards in both ukuleles and other string instruments. Rosewood produces a thick, fully balanced tone with high and low note accentuation. It's a great sounding wood marked by abundant colors and elegant figurings.
Spruce is incredibly popular among guitar makers. When used in ukuleles, this densely-grained wood creates loud and bright tones. Its excellent dynamic capabilities allow it lots of bass response, making it suitable for aggressive strumming and other more rugged play styles.
This type of wood creates a more round, mellow, and softer sound compared to spruce wood. It's the second most common wood used as a soundboard in ukuleles and is an excellent material for both tenor and baritone ukuleles thanks to its controlled volume and warm sound.
While cedar ukuleles lack the complex grains and beautiful figures of other ukulele woods, they are superb instruments nonetheless. With their pronounced bass and dark tones, cedar ukuleles are perfect for folks who use the fingerstyle technique.
While the material that a ukulele is made of plays a vital role in determining its sound, its body type should also be something that you consider. Understanding the pros and cons of solid body ukuleles versus laminated wood ukuleles will help you pick out the best ukulele to suit your needs.
Solid wood means that the body is constructed using a solid piece of wood. More often than not, ukulele bodies made with solid woods are of high quality. They provide a better, more resonant tone that can mellow out and get richer with the passage of time.
Due to these excellent attributes, solid wood ukuleles are typically more expensive than laminated wood ukuleles. One important thing to note, however, is that solid wood is more vulnerable to changes in weather, humidity, and temperature.
A laminated ukulele is one that is made with piled-up, thin layers of lumber that are glued together. This layering means that they are usually more rigid and durable than their solid counterparts. They can withstand different weather and temperature conditions and are generally great for outdoor use.
Unlike solid wood, laminated wood will sound the same even as it ages. It's also cheaper than solid wood. However, this comes at the cost of some resonance and dynamics. Nevertheless, laminated wood ukuleles are great for beginners up to intermediate uke players.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clifton CUK-520 Series Mahogany Concert Ukulele | ![]() | Laser Engraved Rosette Design for an Elegant Look | |
2 | Kala Waterman Soprano Ukulele|Glow in the Dark | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Your Music Companion for Any Adventure |
3 | Kohala Ko-B Kine'o Baritone Ukulele | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Dynamically Mimics the Sound of a Classical Guitar |
4 | Acouway 26" Tenor Mahogany Ukulele | ![]() | Accurate Tuning Down to the Quarter Step | |
5 | Kokolele KUK-101 Soprano Ukulele|Black | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Budget-Friendly Ukulele With a Bright Tone |
6 | Wagas Travel Soprano Ukulele|Sunburst Gumamela | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Flat Body Uke With Exceptional Sound Quality |
7 | Kmise Baritone Ukulele | ![]() | Currently unavailable | A Mix of Metal and Nylon for a Deep and Rich Tone |
8 | D&D UK-24 Belcat UK-100 | ![]() | Sapele Wood for a Balanced and Consistent Tone | |
9 | Meitone E1-Tenor All-Acacia Ukulele | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Tenor Scale for Players With Large Fingers |
10 | Senda Basswood Ukulele Soprano | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Irresistibly Adorable and Charming With a Hello Kitty Twist |
This Clifton ukulele features a mahogany body and rosewood fretboard that produces balanced tones and accentuates both high and low notes, making it perfect for fingerstyle playing. Around the sound hole is a beautiful rosette engraving that gives the instrument an elegant and romantic feel.
Inside the body are scalloped braces similar to the ones found in high-end Martin guitars and ukes. These effectively increase volume, resonance, and responsiveness, making for a premium-looking guitar with a premium sound. Each purchase even comes with a bag, straps, and a capo, so you can get right down to playing ASAP!
Bring music with you anywhere using this waterproof soprano ukulele. Made with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic, the Kala Waterman ukulele is sure to play like a gem no matter the time or location. It's both temperature and water-resistant, perfect for bringing along on beaches and mountains.
The material is not only durable but also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry even on long, grueling hikes to campsites. To top it all off, the ukulele itself glows in the dark. This is useful for keeping track of it in the dark or simply as a party trick at evening gatherings!
If you're looking for that classical guitar sound yet still want the feel of the ukulele, then look no further than this baritone uke from Kohala. Baritones sound strikingly close to classical guitars thanks to their tuning and nylon strings, and this ukulele is no different.
Its large size means a louder, more resonant, and more dynamic sound. Additionally, the all-Linden wood body makes this instrument light and portable despite its size. Just be sure to give it some tender love and care, as Linden wood is also softer and more delicate than other woods.
If a soprano uke is too small for you, then give this Acouway tenor ukulele a shot! Featuring a full mahogany body and rosewood neck, this ukulele can accommodate larger hands and deliver that quintessential warm and sweet ukulele sound while doing it!
You'll also find sealed 18:1 copper tuning machines for tuning precision, seated and polished frets to prevent discomfort while playing, and ox bone on the nut and saddle for maximum resonance and a fuller tone. These details make this uke a must-have for beginners and pros alike.
Start your music journey on a budget with this affordable ukulele! It's made with Agathis wood which, while lacking the resonance, complex tones, and figure of more famed wood types, is an excellent material for beginners trying their hand at the uke. It produces a balanced tone and is sturdy enough to handle some wear and tear.
Its front body is polished with a matte finish that gives an extra appeal to the instrument. It comes in black, brown, pink, and a natural finish, so you're sure to find the color for you! Overall, the low price tag and added freebies make it an excellent pick for newbies and those on a budget alike.
This homegrown classic is made by the best ukulele craftsmen in Cebu. Despite its flat body, the Wagas Soprano Travel Ukulele produces exceptional sound quality and resonance. The mix of portability, convenience, and quality make it an ideal choice for outdoorsmen and constant travelers.
The body is made with locally-grown mahogany and is hardy to the core. It even comes in a wide variety of Filipino-themed designs, including this simply charming hibiscus or gumamela design. Bring joy to both the campfire and our local craftsmen by buying one now!
This baritone ukulele from Kmise has a mahogany body, an okoume wood neck, and a walnut fretboard. Together, these enable it to create that deep, rich, and full sound that baritones are famous for. This particular uke can handle both nylon and metal-wound strings, allowing it to emphasize lower registers.
In addition to its superb sound, this ukulele also promises comfort. A spacious fretboard, neat nickel silver frets, a compensated saddle, and an adjustable truss rod make the Kmise baritone an absolute delight to play. It even comes with a padded gig bag, a wrench, a strap, and some picks for your convenience!
Made by D&D, one of the best local instrument manufacturers, this concert ukulele is perfect for intermediate and serious players. It features Belcat preamp pickups that allow you to plug in and amplify your playing as well as control over volume, tone, and gain. It's great for playing on gigs, recordings, and events!
Its sapele wood body creates dense and extra bright sounds to match the warm tones produced by the rosewood fretboard. Like mahogany, it provides consistent and balanced sounds, which is what you'll want to advance your music career. Sapele's toughness and durability also mean that this is an instrument made to last.
With its 26" length, this ukulele has plenty of room for players with large fingers. Despite its size, this tenor uke retains its signature ukulele sound and charm, unlike baritones that sometimes sound more guitar than a ukulele.
Its amazing tonal qualities, high note capabilities, and built-in pickups make it a superb pick for professional ukulele players. If you're a beginner simply looking for a reliable instrument, worry not. It'll just mean you're getting a uke that'll stay with you as you get better at playing!
Sporting uniquely adorable Hello Kitty engravings, this soprano ukulele is great for both children and indulging your inner child. But don't let its cute design fool you, it's made with basswood, a wood used in many high-end guitars and ukuleles. It guarantees a premium sound, durability, and a spunky way to show off your personality!
It's relatively inexpensive and comes with a pick and extra strings, making it a sulit pick for beginners and players on a tight budget. The manufacturer even offers similar adorable designs such as Doraemon and rabbit-themed ukuleles.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Unfortunately, there is no one answer for which ukulele is best for beginners. However, lots of beginners gravitate toward the soprano because of its accessibility, petite size, classic ukulele tone, and standard ukulele tuning.
Yes, the ukulele is easy to learn. Its smaller fretboard makes for easy and comfortable fingering patterns. The nylon strings are also less harsh on the fingertips than the steel strings on most guitars. Lastly, the ukulele has two less strings than a guitar, meaning fewer strings to manage and learn.
While there are many good brands available on the market, we pick Clifton, Kala, and Kohala for their superb builds, excellent tonal qualities, and value for money. Other trusted and time-honored ukulele brands include Martin & Co., Cordoba, and Kamaka.
Besides your trusty ukulele, you'll also need other instruments and gadgets to complete your music experience. To help you out, we've assembled some links below to speed up the buying process and let get you back to music journey!
10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones in the Philippines 2022 | Bose, Apple, Sony, and More
10 Best Portable Speakers in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Sound Engineer
10 Best Karaoke Microphones in the Philippines 2022 | Magic Sing, The Platinum Karaoke, and More
10 Best MIDI Keyboards in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Sound Engineer
Author: E. Hubilla
Re-editor: Joaquin Umlas
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Clifton|CUK-520 Series Mahogany Concert Ukulele
No. 2: Kala|Waterman Soprano Ukulele|Glow in the Dark
No. 3: Kohala|Ko-B Kine'o Baritone Ukulele
No. 4: Acouway|26" Tenor Mahogany Ukulele
No. 5: Kokolele|KUK-101 Soprano Ukulele|Black
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Beauty
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Cameras
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others