Top 10 Best Concert Ukuleles For Beginners On The Market 2023 Reviews

There are four different types of ukuleles, and the concert uke is the second in hierarchy after the soprano. The concert uke is a deeper, and louder version of its immediate younger sibling, the soprano uke.

It is also the closest to the guitar in terms of sound, and a lot of people favor it for that reason alone.

But, choosing one can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re new to ukes. And that’s why today’s reviews are strictly for beginners.

Together, we’re going to find you the best concert uke for any beginner.

If you’re ready, then let’s do this!

Top 10 Best Concert Ukuleles For Beginners Reviews Of 2023

1 Cordoba 15cm Concert Ukulele

We begin our reviews with the very charming Cordoba 15cm Concert Ukulele. This uke is made of mahogany which gives it beauty and elegance. Plus, it’s got abalone details to add to its attractiveness.

And that’s not all, that mahogany brings to the table. If you’re a ukulele aficionado, you should know that mahogany brings a lovely, warm sound when used to make a uke.

This Cordoba ukulele comes with mahogany top, back and sides. So, one thing is sure, you get full, rich, warm tones every time you strum.

A bit more about its looks before we move on…

This uke gives you an old world feel. It looks very elegant, but even more, its body and fingerboard come with an ivroid binding.

It’s made entirely by hand, and to perfect its already exceptional look, the uke comes with a satin finish.

Up next, the strings…

Of course, Cordoba does it no other way than nylon. The strings are really great on the fingers. They also stay in tune. Of course, you’d have to consider the length of time to break in the strings.

But, the action of this particular uke does tend to be a bit high, which could cause your fingers to hurt after a while. Besides that, the frets are low which improves the quality of the sound when compared to ukes with higher frets.

Our Rating: (4.5 / 5)

2 Lanikai LU-21C Concert Ukulele

We love this uke because it’s kinda like a value bundle uke.

First, it is super affordable. And if that isn’t enough, the ukulele comes with everything a beginner could want. From tuner to gig bag, the Lanikai LU-21C Concert Ukulele is a fantastic uke option for a beginner.

It also looks good. It’s made of Nato for the top, back, and sides. That could cause concern as ukes are generally made of Koa and mahogany. But, regardless it does sound, surprisingly pleasant. Lanikai sure knows how to build its ukes.

The fretboard is made of rosewood.

However, as with most manufacturers, the frets are somewhat sharp. You might have to file them yourself before you begin playing to avoid hurting your fingers.

It comes with Aquila strings. Another score for this already wonderful uke, especially at such an affordable price. The strings stay in tune, not requiring a long time to get broken in.

In this bundle, you’ll also get a geared tuner. There are no half-measures here, as the tuner is of high quality. It is also very easy to use and does a really fine job of getting the strings properly tuned.

All these come in a quality gig bag, to keep your uke safe when not in use. Plus, there’s a polishing cloth included, to keep your uke in mint condition.

Now to the looks of your uke…

Really striking, we must say, coming in a redwood finish, which is already a thing of beauty. And then to make it even more striking, there’s the white binding.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

3 Mitchell MU70 12-Fret Concert

If you’re a guitar player and you’re looking to transition to something similar, then this is the uke for you.

The Mitchell MU70 12-Fret Concert Ukulele is a fantastic uke with the feel of a traditional acoustic guitar. It also comes with the smooth and glossy finish of an acoustic guitar.

As for the sound, the uke is made with a spruce top, and the rest of the body in rosewood. So, as you can see, the materials are pretty solid. You’re certainly assured of durability and a pleasant sound.

Plus, this little uke produces quite a loud, resonating sound.

Keeping with the sound…

We love the way this uke comes with a wide neck and a deep sound box. Why? Because when combined with the spruce top, you get some really good sounds out of it. The highs and lows sound really lovely. You could even say almost perfect.

This uke also feels really comfortable to hold and play.

Furthermore, its strings are high quality. In fact, they are nylon Aquila strings, so you know what to expect. They hold their tune once fully stretched, and give a really nice sound.

Lastly, on this uke…

We can’t get over the fact that it is so solid. The uke is practically a beast. It holds up to whatever form of abuse you want to give it. And this is good news for those who intend gigging with it. Especially considering that it doesn’t come with a gig bag.

And did we mention the headstock? Nice!

Our Rating: (4.4 / 5)

4 Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele

Okay, here’s a concert uke made almost entirely of Hawaiian Koa. How can anyone with a love for ukes sincerely say no to that? The top, the back, and the sides – all Hawaiian Koa!

It’s impossible not to be instantly enthralled, by its distinct, original, Hawaiian ukulele sound.

And aside from that, it also has loads of charm.

The wood is beautifully finished with gloss. Plus, its binding and rosette are made of abalone. So, put together, your uke is as lovely to behold as it is to hear.

But let’s stay on the sound a little longer…

Naturally, we will discuss the strings first. They are Aquila strings which means that we’re talking quality here. Although a little mellower than most concert ukuleles, it still gives a pleasant sound.

It could have been a bit louder though, but it isn’t at all quiet. Plus, it does resonate well, so that’s okay.

This uke is pretty solid as you can tell from the construction. It’s slightly heavier than most concert ukes but it’s definitely not baritone uke heavy. It’s still quite comfortable to hold and is also well balanced.

And yeah, this is one uke where the manufacturers made it a point to file the frets properly. So, although the action is slightly above moderate, it won’t hurt your fingers.

The uke comes with Grover tuners. Good stuff! A tuner that knows what it’s doing and is also easy to use is a plus any day.

Our Rating: (4.7 / 5)

5 Luna UKETCMAH Tattoo Concert Mahogany Ukulele

Luna sure does know how to make really strikingly beautiful ukes and this mahogany concert uke proves it.

We’re pretty sure it will be a case of love at first sight, between you and this uke.

C’mon, check it out…

Mahogany body, Hawaiian-inspired body ornamentation, all in monochromatic themes on brown skin…

And that’s not even all. It also features shark teeth inlays. Only one word correctly sums this up this uke – stunning.

If you’re considering gifting someone a uke, this is one piece they will definitely love immediately.

The uke’s top, sides, and body are entirely made of mahogany. And the fretboard comes in rosewood. The mahogany body gives the concert uke its beautiful, resonating sound. As you know a mahogany uke is warmer sounding than most other ukes. So, keep that in mind.

The strings are also of high quality, Aquila actually. Definitely, this uke isn’t going to sound all plunky like some child’s toy. Don’t forget to give them a few days to get into shape as usual.

We’re impressed with the tuners as well. They are quite easy to use. So, even if you’d have to be tuning your uke almost every time for the first few times, it won’t be hellish.

Did we mention that this ukulele comes with a gig bag? Yes, sir, it does. The bag isn’t cheap either. It is well made and padded. However you like to move, your baby is going to be safe in its bag.

Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)

6 Elvis Zebrawood Concert 23-inch Ukulele

Here’s another interesting piece on our concert ukulele reviews today, the Elvis Zebrawood Concert 23-inch Ukulele.

It comes with exquisite craftsmanship that has to be applauded. And the attention to detail, can’t be denied.

Aside from the top, back, sides being entirely made of Zebrawood as we earlier mentioned, there’s more…

The backboard comes in a convex design.

This may not mean much to you, but if you know your fretted instruments, it might. The convex design doesn’t just confer a beautiful shape, it also produces a beautiful sound. And by beautiful we mean, a richer, louder and more resonating sound.

Sticking with the body, you’ll find that the neck is correctly designed. Your left hand will definitely love holding this darling uke. And your fingers will love touching the frets. The manufacturers made sure to make them comfy to the touch.

On to the strings…

They are Aquila strings which assure you of quality. You already know that you can hardly go wrong with Aquila.

And as for the tuners, they are quite solid and built for their purpose.

And to wrap it up really nicely, it comes with its own gig bag. The bag is actually nicely made and comes with a pocket in the front. It also comes with two straps, giving you two carrying options.

Our Rating: (4.5 / 5)

7 Hola! Music Concert Ukulele

Okay, we’ve seen really affordable ukulele bundles but not like this. In fact, we can categorically say that we haven’t seen any ukulele bundle (emphasis on the “bundle”) this affordable.

Is this too good to be true? Well, you’re about to find out.

So, when you get this concert ukulele from Hola! Music what exactly do you get?

You get a ukulele, of course, a gig bag, 3 picks, and a strap. All at a price that many manufacturers won’t sell you one ukulele for.

Okay, so to the uke and its sound…

It’s made of mahogany, so, there’s certainly a beautiful tone to be expected. Plus, the backboard comes with a convex design. These two factors add up to give a truly impressive tone.

The Aquila strings are also more than decent. They are actually original Italian Aquila strings.

And thankfully, here’s one uke where you can slide your fingers down the sides without fear. The manufacturers made it a point to keep all the frets nicely filed.

The tuning pegs are made of rubber making them gentle on the fingers. Plus, they are quite easy to use.

One thing is certain. Hola! Music does not joke around with its sound.

And yeah, about the bag. It is so well made, and padded.

Hola! Music apparently thought of everything.

Our Rating: (4.9 / 5)

8 Luna Artistic Series Great Wave Concert Ukulele

Crazy about the oceans? Crazy enough to want them on everything you own? How about on your uke?

Then try the Luna Artistic Series Great Wave Concert Ukulele.

Everything about this uke is pretty interesting, and it isn’t just about the waves. From the shape to the color down to the design, you could call the uke a non-conformist.

So, if that defines you by nature, then this might just be the uke for you.

The top, sides, and back are made of mahogany. Mahogany, naturally, makes a fantastic tonewood. So, the tone of this uke isn’t going to be anything to worry about. Furthermore, the trans blue shade of the mahogany gives the uke an interesting appeal.

The uke gives a relatively loud, clear, and resonating sound too. Being a concert ukulele, the sound is, expectedly, a bit deep, kinda like a guitar. Nonetheless, it still retains its unique ukulele feel.

And it’s a plus that the team at Luna already set the strings at the factory. Therefore, you won’t have any problems tuning your strings, which are Aquila, by the way.

The tuning gears are on point. Not only do they tune the Aquila strings in no time, but they are also easy to use.

With this uke comes a gig bag.

Our Rating: (4.5 / 5)

9 Flea Concert Ukulele

And the looks get more interesting with our next review. From tattoos to waves, and now another peculiar-looking uke. This time, it’s the Flea Concert Ukulele.

This is one of those ukes that you just wanna hang over your wall so you can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over it all day. Interesting shape, beautiful wood with rich grain, and an amazing contrasting color combo that works!

The design of this uke is just genius because it makes holding and learning to play much easier. Plus, with its flat bottom, storage will be the least of your worries. You could easily place the uke literally any place at all and simply grab it when you want to play.

Its frets are not made of metal, so they pose less risk to your fingers. Feel free to slide your fingers however you wish. Plus, the action is not too high. It’s just right.

The strings are of great quality. Also, they take a relatively short time to get broken in, thanks to their quality.

The tuners are Grover, which is about the best you can find. They are easy to use, especially for a beginner and tune the strings well.

Although not made of hardwood, this uke brings a lively tone when played. This is actually surprising, considering how everyone has come to expect mahogany or Koa. Here, however, the top is made of birch while the neck is made of hard maple.

Need more reasons for you to get this uke? Well, it comes with a free gig bag…

…and best of all, if you buy this uke, the manufacturers will donate one to the Children’s Hospital Music Therapy as well. Fair play to them!

Our Rating: (5 / 5)

10 Kohala Akamai Concert Ukulele

And finally, on our reviews we have the Kohala Akamai Concert Ukulele. This is a pretty simple uke without all the frills of the last few ukes we’ve seen. It would make a great choice for those who love to keep things simple.

It comes in a down-to-earth, yet elegant, dark brown color, with some white detailing along the edges of the body.

Because it’s made of the fantastic tonewood, mahogany, we have no doubts about the way it sounds. It also comes with a “hunched back” which is usually a hallmark of superior tonal quality.

The sound from the uke is quite rich and deep like a concert uke should be. And it’s quite loud too. Record yourself jamming with this thing and when you hear yourself, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

The fingerboard is made of rosewood, which is good news for your fingers.

Also, the tuners are geared. You will appreciate tuned gears even more when you remember the number of string tunings that lie ahead. With geared tuners, the job is done well and carried out more easily.

The strings are original Aquila, so they respond very well to tuning. Once they are finally broken in, you’d enjoy blissful tones from then on.

A gig bag would have made a great add-on, though. But it appears the manufacturers don’t see it that way.

Still, this is a really nice uke, with or without a gig bag.

Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)

Conclusion

So, who’s our winner?

Since this review revolves around beginners, the cost will be as much of a factor as performance. So, based on these criteria, our obvious winner would be the Hola! Music Concert Ukulele.

In fact, we are of the opinion that the manufacturers are practically giving away this uke. For a uke this affordable, what’s provided is excellent.

The uke looks expensive. It comes with a good gig bag, straps, and picks. Even more, its strings are genuine Italian strings. And it even has a convex backboard design!

Need we say more?!