Ukulele strings are not particularly exciting. They are, however, extremely important. Good strings will bring out the best in your instrument. Bad strings will dampen the quality of your playing. You don’t want that.
We understand that musicians demand the very best out of their instruments. This extends to every aspect of it.
We also understand that finding the best strings can be a little bit challenging. There are lots of different options out there. The truth of the matter is that most of them look and sound the same.
To help you make an informed decision, we have included a list of the five best options on the market. Read on!
Contents
Top 5 Best Strings For Ukuleles 2023 Reviews
What’s Out There
1 Aquila Red Series AQ-86 Concert Ukulele Strings – Low G
The Aquila Red Series AQ-86 features high-quality, moderately priced strings. The product that you get here is both affordable and effective.
The composite synthetic strings produce a warm, pleasant tone. They also interact very naturally along the fret board.
One of the big benefits of this set is their ability to handle moisture. We found these strings to be extremely resistant to humidity. As a result they will tune very accurately.
Of course, the strings were not perfect. We noticed that their red paint was very poorly applied. Vigorously playing will lead to the pain pealing promptly. This shouldn’t have an enormous impact on performance.
However, it will be messy and probably irritating.
That aside, they are great strings at a good price.
(4.1 / 5)- Affordable
- Moisture Resistant
- Very Responsive
- Peeling Paint
2 Aquila USA 115U Low G Tenor Uke Set – All Lava Nylgut
Also from Aquila we have the 115U Low G Tenor set. This set is similarly priced buy plays slightly differently.
The design concept is a little bit different. They feature a greyish black appearance that is supposed to be reminiscent of lava rocks. Thus the name. The design concept is meant to reference Hawaiian culture. Whether or not the reference lands, the strings do look good.
Design concept aside, you really see the same performance here as you did with the last set. The sound is a little bit stiffer than we saw with the Reds, which may or may not suit your preference.
The problem we found was that they also feel a little bit stiffer.
This aside, it’s another good set of strings.
(4.3 / 5)- Affordable
- Interesting design concept
- High-quality sound
- Plays a little bit stiffly
3 GHS Strings H-T10 Tenor Ukulele Strings, Black Nylon/Aluminum
The GHS strings feature a nylon/aluminum composite. This means that they should feature some of the moisture resistance that you get from nylon. They will also benefit from the warmth of metal components.
GHS also features a “factory fresh” guarantee. This seems to mean that they ensure that upon sealing they will not be exposed to eroding elements.
Granted the promise is a little bit abstract, but still nice to see.
In terms of cons, we did notice a buzzing quality to the notes. A beginner might not notice, but the discerning ear will. If you want uncompromised quality, you don’t quite get it here.
Still, for the price, this is a good, affordable set.
(4.3 / 5)- Affordable
- Factory Fresh
- Composite Materials
- Buzzy sound
4 Aquila Super Nylgut AQ-100 Soprano Ukulele Strings
Back to Aquila we have the Super Nylgut AQ-100 soprano strings. As the name suggests, these will be used for soprano ukes.
This is actually the most expensive set we have seen so far today. However, your money does buy you quality. The sound that you get here is warm and vibrant. The synthetic strings feature a pearlish hue and are both responsive and durable.
We found that they both play very naturally, and resist harmful conditions such as moisture.
The price (almost double the other sets) is probably the biggest con here. Still, if you have a little bit of money to spend, you won’t be disappointed.
(4.7 / 5)- Attractive design
- Extremely responsive
- Moisture resistant
- Most expensive strings on list
5 D’Addario EJ87S Titanium Ukulele Strings, Soprano
We finish on the opposite end of the price spectrum. The EJ87S titanium strings will appeal to budget buyers.
The set does feature a lot of volume, but is a little bit lackluster in the department of nuance.
This is definitely a “get what you pay for” sort of set. If you want something that is vibrant and warm, you will need to shell out a little bit more to get it.
On the other hand, if buying for budget is your main concern, this might work.
(4.2 / 5)- Most affordable set on list
- High volume projection
- Sound lacks warmth/nuance
Best Strings For Ukuleles Buying Considerations
Now you have seen what is out there, but perhaps you still don’t know which strings are for you.
Size Does Matter
The size of the strings that you buy should depend on the size of your ukulele. There are four different uke sizes, and therefore, four different categories of strings. Soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.
Simply put, the wrong size will not work with your instrument. If you are not sure of the size of your uke, you may consider consulting the eye of a professional before making your decision.
Type
There are a variety of different materials used for strings. Each has its own unique sound profile. Generally speaking, nylon polymer strings are the most common. They are affordable, and they are usually resistant to weather conditions such as humidity.
However, there are plenty of other materials that you might encounter as well. Titanium. Wound nylon. Wound metal, etc.
Each has its own unique set of pros and cons. For example, titanium will produce a warmer sound than nylon. It is also considerably more expensive.
Manufacturer
Last but not least, consider the manufacturer. This is the consideration that will lead to the most variation. Different manufacturers are going to be associated with different tones. At the end of the day, this factor may be the most meaningful.
For example, a nylon string might be perfect for you if made by the right manufacturer. Similarly, a titanium string made by the wrong one might not play well at all.
All of the brands that we spotlighted today are known for high-quality products. However, if you opt to go off list for your purchase, you may want to do some additional research. Buying from a manufacturer you don’t know is always a little bit risky.
Conclusion
There are lots of different options out there. Whether you are buying for budget or quality, there is something out there to meet your needs.
Today we have highlighted five of the best strings on the market. We have even provided a few tips that should help make your decision a little bit easier.
Though we can’t tell you what to buy we can leave you with a final recommendation. For our money, the Aquila Super Nylgut AQ-100 Soprano Ukulele Strings are where it is at.
These strings are pricey, but they produce great results.
Of course, you will have to make the ultimate decision for yourself. We just hope that we made your decision a little bit easier for you.