There are many reviewers online that will tell you that any ukulele under $100 is just a toy. We completely understand why that is so commonly said, as most ukuleles under that price point are best used as props.
But, we’ve tested out many different ukuleles under $100 over the years and have found two (it’s really one uke with two style options) that are far more than just props.
The Makala Dolphin and Shark are the best budget ukuleles on the market, both costing a little less than $60 at most retailers. That price point makes them perfect entry ukes considering they manage to avoid all of the pitfalls that plague budget ukes. The Makala Dolphin and Shark are durable, they stay in tune, and most importantly sound great.
But let’s take a look at what makes them perfect entry-level ukes at a budget price.
Durability
When it comes to ukuleles at this price point, the simple truth is that they just don’t hold up to playing and time. This often has little to do with the manufacturer and more to do with the actual model of ukulele. For example, we wouldn’t recommend all Makalas around this price point. In fact, this is the ONLY ukulele we recommend under $100 for any manufacturer.
To be clear, the Dolphin isn’t going to last an eternity, but it is the best at this price point. Most ukes in this price range commonly warp over time, split, or have bridges that pull up or off from string tension or playing. The dolphins just don’t tend to have those same issues.
Grant has a few Makala Dolphins that he keeps around for guests/friends to use or borrow when they are learning. They have stood up to a lot of use (even the less than gentle use of his young daughters) over the years. They’re still in great shape.
Tuning
At this price point, one of the biggest downfalls is cheap hardware. Even though the Makala Dolphin (or Shark) utilizes inexpensive hardware (how else can it be so affordable?), Makala has managed to find the right combination of materials that are easy to tune and stay in tune with a variety of strings.
The Dolphin is at its best with nylon or nylgut strings. In the past, these came stock with nylon but in recent years they come with super nylguts. These strings are actually of great quality and superior to anything ukes at this price point typically come with.
All of the components hold up well over time, which means this model should keep you satisfied over the course of your entire beginner phase.
And that has to be stressed here, that this is a beginner ukulele. If you progress as a player, you’ll likely want to upgrade at some point. But, we’re confident enough in it that we wouldn’t recommend going with another model if you’re spending less than $100.
I know that sounds a bit odd, you would think a $100 dollar uke would be superior to one you can often find on sale for $40. But ukuleles under $100 are hit or miss when it comes to tone and durability. It’s better off to start here and go with a more expensive uke down the road (if you find you advance enough to need the upgrade).
The Sound
Current models (2020) of the Makala Dolphins and sharks are made up of composite sides and backing with a Philippine Mahogany top (source). The body is paired with a mahogany kneck and Laurel fingerboard to produce a tone that is richer and clearer than most ukuleles anywhere near this price point.
This ukulele will quickly lose its edge next to models in the mid hundred dollars range, but it really is pleasing to play and listen to.
Even though we admit that the color schemes make it look a bit like a toy, the quality of sound will impress most players.
Is the Dolphin the Right First Ukulele for Everyone?
We think the dolphin is the perfect instrument for complete beginners, as it will keep them happy far beyond the cost of the instrument. By the time you are ready to advance to another instrument, you’ll know much more about your playing style and the craft.
In other words, you’ll be far more informed about the ukulele that fits your needs best as you advance.
By starting with the Dolphin we think it will save most people money in the long run, unless you’re more than willing to spend upwards of $250-$500 on your first ukulele (yes we said, FIRST). If you’re in that camp, we’d suggest skipping the budget categories altogether. You can grab a very impressive ukulele under $500.
Just prepare yourself for future purchases regardless of the price point, as a first uke is rarely the last. There are just too many sizes and models to experiment with before finding the right one for you. We find that almost all regular players own more than one ukulele.
Which is why we strongly encourage just giving the dolphin a go to start with.
At the end of the day, the Dolphin is the best budget-friendly uke that is actually fun enough to play in order to advance.
The reality too, is that the ukulele might not be the instrument for you. We all likely have an instrument or two we’ve purchased over the years that we just didn’t like playing. This price point makes it a low risk entry.
Any Downsides?
There is just one downside to this uke, which basically comes down to it being an uke. It’s small!
Soprano ukuleles are very small, and that is what the dolphin is. This means people with large hands will find some chords quite challenging to fit on the frets. The good thing though, is that most chords will not be a fuss at all.
But it does take some practice and skill for large hands to really dance around this size of an uke. Most adult men are told to start on a concert (a step up from the soprano) or the tenor ukulele as they allow for more room on each fret.