The ukulele market has become so big that finding the best model for you can be a daunting prospect. Cameron Murray asks dealer Alex Beds for some pro tips

Whether you’re a recent convert or an old hand, buying a new ukulele in 2026 isn’t as straightforward as you might think. With more choice than ever, it’s easy to get lost in the maze of options – and that’s where Alex Beds comes in. The manager of Bournemouth’s excellent Southern Ukulele Store has his finger on the pulse of the industry.

“Many folks value resonance and tone over looks but I think the true hallmark of a well-made instrument is when you look at it and every part of your body wants to know how it sounds,” he says. “At the more affordable end of the market, the key is finding the instrument that is most playable and comfortable. The marginal gains you get as you move up the various price points culminate when you get something that is as visually impactful as it is colourful on the ears. A good instrument has a medicinal quality to it – you want it to soothe you, make you think, help you express yourself and heal. That’s certainly what I look for.”

So if you’re just starting your journey – and with a plethora of quality beginner ukes available from multiple manufacturers – where should you look?

“Flight and Kala both own this market,” says Alex. “Kala have consistency in spades, with some amazing affordable laminates that will make you fall in love with the instrument. Flight have a knack for offering the most value for money at this price point, usually something with a solid top and a bag for the same price as other folks offering laminates. Go for a Kala KA-15 series or a Flight NU-500 and you’re onto a winner for under £100.”

For those who want to branch out and get a ukulele with an electronic pick-up, Alex can provide some guidance there too.

“If you need to be heard on stage or through an amplifier, my advice is to get something of reasonable quality straight off the mark,” he says. “I’m a big believer in recommending the right thing rather than the most expensive option, because we all have other things in our life that will take priority from time to time. However, if you buy the cheapest uke you can find with a pick-up, it’s almost certainly going to lack any kind of tone, colour or depth through an amplifier, and ultimately, that could be the thing that puts you off performing for life.

“I recommend looking at something with a double pick-up with a volume control in the soundhole. Flight, Uma, Snail – so many brands offer this on fairly affordable solid-top instruments.”

And if you already own a uke you’re happy with, you can almost always add a pick-up to it. Some models to look out for are L.R. Baggs’ FIVE.O, MiSi’s Acoustic Trio and K&K’s Aloha Twin. You can generally install these yourself, or ask a music shop to do it for you.

Perhaps the most important aspect to consider when buying a new ukulele is the type of wood used in its construction.

“The questions I get asked most often are about tonewoods and strings,” Alex says. “If you want a deep, rich sound, go for woods that look like they’ll give you that – instruments with complex grain patterns. Mango is a personal favourite, because it has the ability to be extremely boomy and dark if you play with the pads of your thumb or fingers, but still has a lot of personality and a brighter attack if you hit it with your fingernail.

“Mahogany, koa, acacia – these are the woods you probably hear in your head when you think of a ukulele, but to me they’re woods with a slightly stiffer, more introverted response. I find that softer woods like spruce or cedar on the top of a ukulele give me a bit more back, whether it’s volume or vibrato under my fingers.”

As for strings, Alex has noticed an interesting trend: “Almost nobody purchased nylon strings from us ten years ago; it was all about thin, clear fluorocarbon. But for the first time in a decade, nylon sales have overtaken fluorocarbon,” he reveals. “I think it’s a sign that people are playing with more expression and want a string that has a more complex dynamic range.”

Finally, when shopping for a uke, before leaving the house you should ask if they do a shop set-up – a series of adjustments such as tuning, lowering string action, filing frets etc, designed to make the new instrument comfortable to play.

“A shop set-up is vital,” Alex advises. “So many brands that produce fabulous instruments that play awfully out of the box. If they’ve been made to a sell at a certain price, there’s always going to be something in that supply chain that has had to suffer for the price to be met. Having a specialist retailer go over the fretwork, the height of the saddle – and the nut – and getting those strings stretched and ready for the final player are so important. But that’s the thing big-box retailers and warehouse shipping companies just won’t ever take seriously. It’s a bit like driving a car without adjusting the seat – doesn’t matter how good it is if it isn’t comfortable.”

Speaking with Alex, it dawns on me that managing a ukulele shop might just be the perfect job for an idler.

“I almost feel guilty talking about my working day,” he chuckles. “I work hard and long hours, but I work with my best friends. I’ve known nearly all of my team for over 20 years and my job is to kind of muck in and do what needs to be done — shipping, emails, serving customers, set-ups. Then every couple of days, I go into my little cupboard and film videos on ukuleles. It’s a nice life and I remind myself how lucky I am every day.”

For more expert advice, check out southernukulelestore.co.uk, and follow Alex on YouTube: @UkesWithAlex

This article is from Idler #110.

The Idler Festival (10-12 July) is running Ukulele Workshops on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July so why not come along?

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