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Are you addicted to playing ukuleles? Are you in love with the natural sound produced by an acoustic uke? Then keep that aside and dive into the world of electric ukuleles for just a little bit.
Trust us, you will love the feel and sensuality of the tones that an electric ukulele delivers. Don’t believe us? Yeah, alright you might think that no such instrument exists. But you are wrong.
This is not your mistake. The Internet is full of positive reviews on different types of acoustic ukuleles. Chances are you will rarely find someone reviewing an electric ukulele. But that’s a shame, as it’s a unique and fun instrument to play.
Ukuleles are widely popular instruments because of the smaller size and mellower tones. Therefore, its amplified models have also started to come out in the market gradually.
Electric ukuleles are nothing but normal ukuleles with amplifiers that can be plugged with a mic or soundbox, just like an electric guitar.
Electric ukuleles also come in four variants – soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.
Sopranos are the smallest ones while baritones are the largest of them. Sopranos give out a classic ukulele sound and are ideal for kids and people of smaller stature.
Add a little height and a smooth bass to the sopranos and you get the concert ukuleles.
The tenors are for larger hands that can play around with the sound and resonance. Baritones can easily replace an acoustic guitar with a twist to the sound.
We have curated a list of 15 best electric ukuleles from selected brands with quality features and different price ranges in this read.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the list.
Starting off the list we have the Cordoba 20TM-CE acoustic-electric tenor ukulele. It is quite popular for its stunning looks and sound under budget price.
Designed with a classical look, this handmade tenor sized electric ukulele has a solid mahogany construction with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. You can access the frets freely through a cutaway on the instrument.
It also features a 2 band EQ Cordoba pick-up for deeper sound projection. The uke comes with Aquila Nylgut strings, pearl and gold machines, and a gig bag for protection.
If you’re a crazy fan of Cordoba guitars, then you must try their semi-acoustic ukulele. This is a fit choice for beginners who can’t afford to have expensive models.
Key Features:
Next comes the Epiphone Les Paul electric ukulele with its cherry burst look and glossy finish. Players who are in search of a stylish fiery looking design might get attracted to this uke the most.
This is built with solid mahogany and has a AAA grade flame maple top. Maple is a good quality tonewood for ukes. Epiphone Les Paul uses high-class machine heads in this device that comes with a Piezo pick-up. This makes the uke sound more genuine and natural.
If you want a lightweight awesome looking electric uke just around $100, then you should check out the Epiphone Les Paul model for once. Though the sound quality is not a big hit in such a cheap ukulele.
Key Features:
If you play a uke already, you must have heard about Kala. After some great sounding acoustic instruments, they have also manufactured the electric version of the best-selling Kala KA-CE concert ukulele.
This is a concert electric ukulele with a mahogany body and neck construction. The equipped fingerboard and bridge are rosewood built while the 18 frets included are all silver nickel ones. The instrument is enabled with the Shadow Active Nano-Flex EQ system making it truly lightweight. There are active volume and bass controls attached with an inbuilt tuner for convenience. It delivers a nice and warm sound.
Its a bang for the buck option for a beginner ukulele player. Also, if you already have the KA-CE acoustic model in your collection, then buying its electric version will be a win-win situation for you. It’s highly unlikely to miss out on this model when we are discussing the best electric ukuleles.
Key Features:
The next pick on the list of best electric ukuleles, we have the Mahalo Euk- 200. It has a stunning cut-through look with some unique features.
This is a solid-bodied 15” electric ukulele with a rosewood body and neck joint, mahogany hardware, and a bolt-on fretboard.
It is equipped with Aquila nylon strings for quality intonation and an active preamp, aux input, and a headphone jack. Thus you either jam with your band or can practice alone with this awesome uke. However, the preamp needs a 9V battery. Moreover, it comes with a good quality gig bag.
Did you think that ukuleles can’t be stylish and cool to play with? Then hope we have proved you wrong. This stylish Mahalo Euk-200 will surely steal your heart away.
Key Features:
Another solid body electric ukulele on the list we have is the Vorson FTLUK3BK T-style model. This one has a nice black stellar finish with a white panel. An absolute feast for your eyes.
Priced around $100, this T-style electric uke is a tenor one. The candlenut building material makes it lightweight yet solid. Thus, it delivers a sweet, mellower sound. It has a maple fretboard with dot inlays. You can show your full potential while playing out this uke as it is equipped with the dual single-coil pickups with a 3-way switch beside the volume and tone control knobs.
Designed like a Telecaster, this Vorson electric uke is a great pick for players who are fond of rock style guitars. This can be a versatile option for beginners too.
Key Features:
Oh boy, there are these stellar looking electric ukuleles just keep coming one after another. After Vorson and Mahalo, we have come with yet another stunning yet classic designed semi-acoustic uke. It’s the Kmise, people!
The Kmise Concert Electric uke features a solid spruce body. Hence, you don’t need to worry about the endurance, longevity, resonance performance, sustainability, or the sound quality of the instrument. It solves everything with this single hit.
It is equipped with a spruce top, Sapele body, an oakum neck with bone nut, saddle, and 17 frets on the fretboard. Enabled with a 9V preamp and tri-band equalizer for bass, middle and treble controls, this uke will take your tones to another level. It comes in seven different styles, each with a built-in tuner and Aquila nylon strings.
This Kmise concert electric ukulele is a steal deal for you if you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing yet strong sturdy electric ukulele with great resonance and sustainability.
Key Features:
The Oscar Schmidt OU2E is the electric version of their bestselling acoustic model which created a great buzz among beginners. No doubt, the electric one, too, will get much attention.
This is a concert-sized electric ukulele from Oscar Schmidt, a sibling of their bestselling acoustic version. The full mahogany body of the device has a soft classic finish besides being robust and durable.
Priced around $100, it’s really beyond your expectation what surprising features it bears within it. It has 17 frets with on-point active pick-up and preamp abilities. The sound projected is warm and well balanced. Hence a great choice for playing solo. Moreover, it comes in a bundle kit fit for beginners. The kit includes a padded gig bag with a good quality polishing cloth, a clip-on tuner as well as an instructional DVD.
With all the premium features that this OU2E concert uke brings to the table, it’s an absolute pick for the entry-level ukulele players.
Key Features:
Next comes the Sandona Semi-Acoustic ukulele called the eUKC-131. This comes as a complete kit with featureful pieces of equipment making it a perfect choice for the beginners.
This is a fabulous handmade concert electric ukulele boasting a 2.7” body depth with an inlaid spruce top paired with appealing curling Zebranos on the back and sides. While it features a walnut fingerboard, the nut and saddle are made up of authentic ox bone.
It is equipped with high-quality hardware under a competitive price range. It has the renowned Element under-saddle pick-up paired with an end-pin preamp, and nicely wound Aquila strings. It gives out pitch-perfect tunes with the help of the free digital tuner. The tuner comes bundled with the instrument along with spare strings, strap, adjustable electronic clip-on, and a gig bag for carrying around.
It’s a hands-on highly affordable entry-level electronic ukuleles with some astonishing equipment bundled in a kit. If you are in the lookout for something like this, we recommend getting it right away.
Key Features:
Another bundle kit for beginners with a stunning killer black look is the Electric Concert ukulele from Ellen. It appeals mostly to younger adults fond of rock-style electric guitar designs.
This is an entry-level low-cost concert electric uke made up of exquisite dark mahogany and rosewood construction allowing for rich and warm sound production. This comes in a beginner’s kit with all the essential accessories – a small amp with audio cable, straps, tuner, padded case, spare nylon strings as well as Hawaiian pick-ups.
The sound does vary when used with the amp providing for a better and richer feel. Moreover, it has a 3-band EQ along with an LCD screen tuner built in the instrument for more convenience.
This electric ukulele from Ellen surely secures a spot in our list of best electric ukuleles as it comes with a stunning design and that too, just under $100. You will surely find this one most appealing and suitable for a perfect band performance.
Key Features:
Now it’s time for another zebrawood model in the list of best electric ukuleles. This is the CC100 model by the brand called Caramel. With an elegantly simplistic design and packed features, the CC100 uke definitely deserves a place on the chart.
The CC100 is a bare-bones concert acoustic-electric ukulele. It has an aesthetically appealing zebra wood body with the walnut fretboard and bridge. The attached nut and saddle are all ox bone made. That is why it’s a very lightweight electric instrument.
Besides an inbuilt chromatic tuner and 3-band EQ controls, the model also features an LCD display in color. It lets you chisel down and adjust the tones as per your desire. The top-quality Italian Aquila Nylgut strings just increase the convenience to another level allowing for beautiful intonations on high ranges.
This one can easily manage to replace the Sandona model in terms of pricing. So if you were in need of an inexpensive zebra wood electric acoustic uke, then look no further. Better settle down with this Caramel CC100.
Key Features:
The first tattoo designed electric acoustic ukulele on the list is the Luna Tattoo uke. It has an exotic vibe and will surely take to the lands of Hawaii.
The Luna Guitars manufacture some of the best tattoo designed string instruments. This one variant comes in satin natural finish with mahogany build. This is a concert acoustic-electric ukulele.
The most noticeable feature is obviously the design on the instrument taking inspiration from the traditional Hawaii ornamentation. These are basically monochromatic geometric shapes and patterns tattooed in black against brown skin features. This represents the natural island in the Pacific. The next best thing worth mentioning about this model is its quality.
It boasts a solid mahogany body with stylized shark teeth fret markers. Includes a 3-band EQ as well as a branded travel bag with the instrument. The sound quality is awesome with clear resonance.
This cheap concert electric uke with tattoo design is our absolute favorite. The traditional Hawaiian body ornamentation with intricacies shows how much effort has been put into making this instrument.
Key Features:
Though on first looking at the instrument it might seem like just another simple zebra wood electric ukulele, the Ibanez mahogany electric uke UEW15E has a boatload of stunning features.
As you can guess from the name itself, this ukulele boasts the iconic Ibanez design with that cutaway concert-style EW body. It has an all flamed mahogany solid top along with the back and sides. It helps to create a natural resonance made more authentic once again with the help of the attached piezoelectric pick-up.
It is equipped with Grover chrome open tuning gears with black colored tone-controlling knobs. The Ibanez/Aquila NylBlack ukulele strings and a clip-on tuner also comes with the instrument. Overall, the quality hardware and the featureful functions give out fantastic output in terms of sound.
Noticed the impressive features and high-quality hardware used in the Ibanez UEW15E? It had to be there on the list of best electric ukuleles.
Key Features:
In terms of appeal, the SG Style electric ukulele will definitely be an eye-catching one. A glossy design with good-quality build material is a plus point of this instrument. It is a steal deal product that comes in a deluxe-sized gig bag.
It is of mahogany built with a rosewood fingerboard. Boasting an SG style body, this ukulele has a deep cherry red glossy finish. It is basically a soprano sized electric uke that comes with two passive pick-ups along with two-way volume controlling switches. This helps in adjusting the tone and natural resonance of the instrument. For better performance, it has the prestigious Italian company, Aquila made strings attached.
The SG Style electric uke is probably the cheapest electric ukulele on the list but we are sure to find someone who will like this burgundy red beautiful uke.
Key Features:
Another high-quality tenor sized ukulele on the list we have the Fender Rincon acoustic-electric bundle uke kit. It is a beautiful classic electric uke option for a beginner as well as a professional uke player.
It is one of the best and unique tenor ukuleles having concealed electric features. With a solid ovangkol top, the instrument has an ovangkol full-body construction. It has a bound top and back along with a spacious fingerboard on 19 frets. T
he classic close back tuning gears on its 2*2 headstock gives a vintage look. Equipped with an elegant abalone rosette, the instrument also includes a no-tie bridge, saddle and bone nut. But the best part is its onboard Fishman Kula preamp that results in deeper and richer sound quality.
It’s a sober-looking classic uke with electronic features kept minimalistic as far as possible. The most noteworthy thing about the Rincon uke from the Fender is the inclusion of onboard Fishman Kula pickup system within so reasonable a price. That’s why we trust these reputed brands and list them as the best.
Key Features:
We are ending the list of best electric ukuleles with the most different piece. We have selected it in our chart because of the unique features and functionalities that it boasts so delicately. The 22SPEBK electric ukulele from Eleuke has Bluetooth connectivity which the others don’t bother to include.
This pint-sized Peanut Eleuke model is a slim trim soprano-sized electric uke boasting a black finish. With upgraded technologies, this device can not only back your tracks from the mobiles but can be used as a wireless music instrument while practicing alone. Due to the rechargeable batteries and compact design, it is an extremely travel-friendly item.
Smarter than the other big and small branded electric ukes, this Eleuke model definitely deserves a place on the list. Now you can push yourself to cross every limit for gaining that little momentum that has been getting on your way to perfection. So don’t miss out on such a smart instrument like this Eleuke 22SPEBK.
Key Features:
Electric ukuleles can be categorized on the basis of build type. They come in two variants – a solid body and a hollow body. These look like minimized electric guitars but are actually standard acoustic ukes with a built-in pick-up and electronic attachments for amplification.
Hollow body electric ukes are played like a regular one. You can attach an extra amplifier for deeper sound delivery. Whereas, solid body ukes must need amplifiers to bring out that vibe. Obviously a solid wooden body will sound not as good as a resonating hollow body.
If you have a band and want an extra tonal factor to the songs, you can go for the solid ones. But if you’re looking to play it solo or practice yourself, then you must pick a hollow body electric uke.
You must have heard that ukuleles are a bit difficult to play among string instruments. While the guitar is the most popular violin, the least, ukuleles are a current hot favorite of all musicians. Naturally, there are a lot of entry-level ukuleles available in the market. There are some noteworthy electric versions of them that are also gaining momentum slowly and steadily.
Electric ukuleles for a beginner can be either a solid body or an electro-acoustic/hollow body. Each beginner type has a slight difference from the other in body shape or sound quality or building material or any other feature. Mostly, we recommend a lightweight, durable, solid body, inexpensive uke to a beginner that comes with necessary items to maintain the ukulele for long time usage. Electric ukuleles that come with straps, instructional DVDs, clip-on tuners, polish cloth, and casings are the best choice for them.
Brands like Kala, Luna, Fender, Kmise manufacture ready to play electric ukuleles which you can simply take right out of the package and start playing. They don’t need any tuning or assembling.
Smaller companies like Ellen, Caramel, Ibanez, Mahalo, and Sandone make attractive feature-packed electric ukuleles that appeal to the beginners the most. These designed varieties are not only eye-catching but also offer good quality hardware for better sound and resonance.
Students and teenagers have the knack for stylish looking colorful instruments more, so most of the electric ukuleles are targeted at this age range. Therefore, the competition is very tough in the manufacturing world of electronic ukuleles. Whoever gave you the idea that electric ukuleles are not fit for beginners, nor can be as good as an acoustic, has totally wrong notions.
With upcoming technological advancements, ukuleles and guitars are being electronically amplified for making pitch-perfect music. So, the more and more people are taking interest in these electric versions, the more efforts are being put by the companies to make featureful quality instruments to attract the customers.
The list below will take you to a ride on a variety of beginner-friendly electric ukuleles.
Keeping aside the build quality, the materials used in making a good semi-acoustic uke are significantly important for sound clarity, endurance, and ease of access to the different playing styles.
A good solid body ukulele won’t need a selective tonewood to bring out the best in you. But if you’re inclined more towards hollow ones, then you must look for genuine tonewood build devices. Some of the best tonewood choices would be mahogany, spruce, koa, redwood, and cedar. All of them differ slightly in terms of sound texture. You need to pick one that’s suitable for your ears. Rush through the internet for more details.
Pricewise, we won’t comment on any such ukulele that comes insanely expensive. For beginners, we recommend having a cheaper electric uke while the more you grow towards a professional stage, you need to spend more on advanced electric ukuleles.
Having said that, you might come across a whirlpool of semi-acoustic ukes with different features and price brackets and no authentic reviews as such over the internet. Just then, we come to your rescue.
So, we hope, by now, you have chosen the right electric ukulele that suits you the best. If not, let’s just keep it short and simple. You just need to keep in mind what type do you actually need. Is it an expensive branded uke or a beginner’s bundle kit or the best of both worlds?
We have created the list after thorough research and made sure that none of you get disappointed. We have tried to include a wide variety of best electric ukuleles to choose from. Starting from a novice pick to an advanced, designer, classic style, tattooed uke, there’s something for everyone.
Hope you found the read to be useful and has ended your search for that ideal electronic uke which you will keep rolling. After all, it’s your passion that will keep you moving on this musical endeavor. All the best for your journey!
