Top Tenor Ukulele Brands: Unleash Your Musical Flair!

Choosing the right tenor ukulele can be a delightful yet daunting task, given the variety of options available on the market. This instrument, known for its rich, warm sounds and comfortable size, is popular among both beginners and seasoned musicians. In our research, we've discovered some standout brands that consistently offer quality, playability, and aesthetic appeal. We've compiled a list of these top tenor ukulele brands, so continue reading to find out which ones might best suit your musical journey.

Illustration of tenor ukulele

Best brands of tenor ukulele in 2025

Kala

Kala Brand Music Co. is renowned as one of the best producers of tenor ukuleles, offering a diverse catalog of over 120 models that cater to a global market. Founded in 2005, Kala has experienced rapid growth, with sales increasing by 500-600% over six years, and its instruments are now sold in over 50 countries. The brand is known for its high-quality and affordable instruments, with prices ranging from $37 to $650, making it accessible to both beginners and professional musicians. Kala's tenor ukuleles, such as the KA-FMTB-T, are praised for their superb build, vintage looks, and clear jangly tone. The company's commitment to quality and innovation has made it the world's best-selling ukulele brand.

Lanikai

Lanikai is renowned as one of the top producers of tenor ukuleles, offering instruments that combine dependability, playability, and style. Founded in 2003 by Mike Upton, who previously worked with Hohner, Lanikai has seen significant growth, with sales reflecting the global ukulele boom that saw U.S. sales jump by 16% in 2010. Lanikai ukuleles are known for their high-quality sound and easy playability, even at entry-level price points, such as the LU Series. The brand utilizes premium features like select woods, Grover tuners, and Fishman pickups, making their instruments highly sought after by musicians. With a wide range of tone woods and a limited lifetime warranty, Lanikai continues to inspire musical passion and creativity. You can find more information about their ukuleles on their official website.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a highly regarded brand in the ukulele market, particularly for their tenor ukuleles, which are known for their clear, bright tones and distinctive appearances. Their tenor models, such as the 35T and 35T-CE, feature all solid Acacia or Mahogany construction, offering a warm and balanced sound. Cordoba's ukuleles are manufactured in various locations, including Portugal and Asia, with the higher-end models often coming from their Portuguese factory. The brand's commitment to quality and value is evident in their wide range of models, from the affordable 20TM to the more premium 35T-CE, making them a favorite among beginners and experienced players alike. With a strong reputation built over years, Cordoba continues to impress with its craftsmanship and sound quality. Discover more about their exceptional offerings on the Cordoba ukuleles website.

Kanile'a

Kanile'a is renowned as one of the top producers of tenor ukuleles, known for their exceptional build and finish quality, as well as their use of high-quality materials such as solid Hawaiian Koa and other premium woods. Established in 1998 by Joe and Kristen Souza, the brand has maintained its family-owned status and is based in Kane'ohe, Hawaii. Kanile'a ukuleles consistently receive high scores, often between 9.3 to 9.5 out of ten, and are praised for their flawless construction and sublime sound quality, making them a favorite among ukulele enthusiasts.

Kamaka

Kamaka Ukulele is renowned as one of the best producers of tenor ukuleles, celebrating over 100 years of craftsmanship since its founding in 1916. The company, now in its fourth generation of family ownership, is credited with creating the iconic pineapple ukulele and is praised by virtuosos like Jake Shimabukuro for its unmatched quality and sound. Kamaka produces nine types of ukuleles, including the tenor 4-string, 6-string, and 8-string models, all made with high-quality materials like solid Hawaiian curly koa wood. Despite high demand, the company maintains strict quality controls, ensuring that every instrument meets exceptional standards. Kamaka's commitment to excellence has earned it numerous awards and recognitions, including the Holo I Mua Award for Excellence and induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

Ohana

Ohana is a highly regarded brand in the ukulele market, particularly known for its high-quality tenor ukuleles. Based in California, USA, Ohana has expanded its offerings to include luthier-built instruments made in the USA, such as the Ohana Custom DTK-2 Deluxe Tenor, which features solid Hawaiian Koa and high-end Gotoh tuners. This model, part of a small volume run, showcases exceptional build quality, comfortable neck design, and a rich, balanced Koa tone. Ohana's commitment to quality is evident in their individual inspection and setup of every instrument before delivery. With a strong reputation and innovative models like the DTK-2 Deluxe, Ohana continues to impress ukulele enthusiasts. You can find more information about the Ohana Custom DTK-2 Deluxe Tenor Ukulele.

Pono

Pono ukuleles, produced by the renowned Ko'olau company, are highly regarded for their exceptional quality and sound. Made in Java, Indonesia, and set up in Ko'olau's Hawaiian factory, Pono ukuleles use only the top 20% of the wood they test, ensuring superior craftsmanship. These instruments are available in various models, including mahogany, acacia, and mango tenors, with deluxe options featuring nicer figured wood and a gloss finish. Pono ukuleles are known for their bright, moderately loud sound and excellent intonation, making them a standout in their price range, typically between PS350 to PS600. They feature ebony fingerboards and bridges, along with Grover open back tuners, enhancing their overall performance and aesthetic appeal. For more detailed information about their offerings, visit the Pono Ukulele collection.

Martin

Martin, a renowned brand in the music industry, has a rich history of producing high-quality ukuleles, particularly the tenor models. Since 1917, Martin has been a leading manufacturer of ukuleles, with a peak in the mid-1920s where they produced nearly 57,000 ukuleles, twice the number of guitars they had made in their entire 93-year history up to that point. The Martin T1K tenor ukulele, made from solid koa wood, offers a balanced and rich tone, with a 17-inch scale length and 20 frets, making it a versatile instrument for various playing styles. Martin's tenor ukuleles have consistently been praised for their increased volume, mid-range, and bass compared to smaller models. With over 100 years of experience, Martin continues to be a trusted name for musicians seeking top-notch ukuleles. For an in-depth look at the Martin T1K ukulele, visit the MusicRadar review.

Romero Creations

Romero Creations is renowned for producing high-quality tenor ukuleles, particularly the Tiny Tenor Koa Ukulele, which combines a compact concert-sized body with the full sound of a tenor ukulele. This instrument, designed by luthier Pepe Romero and Daniel Ho, features a 17-inch scale length and is made from solid koa wood, ensuring a bright and resonant sound. The ukulele is well-regarded for its excellent playability, with a slim and rounded neck that makes playing comfortable even up to the 11th fret. Produced in Vietnam, these ukuleles are known for their meticulous build quality and innovative design, such as the reverse-braced interior for travel friendliness. With a price point around PS700, Romero Creations offers a premium instrument that is both portable and sonically impressive.

Fender

Fender, a renowned leader in the music industry, has also made a significant impact in the tenor ukulele market with its innovative and high-quality instruments. The Fender Tenor Tele, for instance, is a hybrid instrument that combines the best of both worlds, featuring a 23" scale, alder body, and Alnico V pickups, making it a favorite among musicians. Despite limited supplies, this model has garnered significant interest, particularly among those who appreciate the unique blend of ukulele and guitar characteristics. Fender's commitment to excellence is evident in the superb build and flawless finish of their Mexican factory output, which has been consistently praised. With a price point of £429, it offers great value for its quality and features.