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Looking for the best acoustic-electric ukuleles? Need a ukulele that you can easily plug in to get some extra volume?
The ukulele is a classic, timeless instrument that produces a beautifully bright sound. It’s been around for nearly 200 years and while it’s often synonymous with Hawaiian culture over the years it has become a widely popular instrument internationally.
The tone and volume of the instrument vary depending on its size and construction. There are many different types of ukuleles. The main types include soprano, concert, tenor, baritone, and bass.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Below we’ll look at 5 of the best acoustic-electric ukuleles currently on the market.
Top Acoustic-Electric Ukuleles – Quick View
| Image | Model | Summary | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic-Electric Concert Ukulele | A beautiful mahogany uke with a sunburst maple veneer that is modelled after the famous Epiphone Les Paul guitar. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Luna Soprano Vintage Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Ukulele | A great looking acoustic-electric uke with a timeless vintage mahogany look and an excellent sound. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Mitchell MU100CE Acoustic-Electric Concert Ukulele | This acoustic-electric ukulele is ultra lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for concert performances. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Hadean UKB-23 Acoustic-Electric Bass Ukulele | A large, bass ukulele that boasts great sound and a beautiful walnut body. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Ibanez UICT10 Iceman Tenor Ukulele | A head-turning tenor ukulele with a great look and an even better sound. | Check Price on Amazon |
What Is an Acoustic-Electric Ukulele?
An acoustic-electric ukulele is a type of ukulele that features a built-in instrument pickup.
The acoustic-electric ukulele is an acoustic instrument just like a typical ukulele but features electronics that allow it to be plugged in and amplified. Many acoustic-electric ukuleles also include EQ controls that you can use as well.
While solid-body electric ukuleles are available, acoustic-electric ukuleles offer the best of both worlds and retain a great acoustic tone.
Why Buy an Acoustic-Electric Ukulele?
There are many reasons why you might decide to buy an acoustic-electric ukulele. This extra volume can add a lot of functionality to an acoustic ukulele instrument.
The ukulele is a pretty quiet instrument compared to other types of acoustic instruments such as the guitar or banjo and is significantly quieter than electric instruments or drums. Playing an acoustic-electric ukulele allows you to have additional volume by plugging into an amplifier.
With this extra volume, you can play in more situations and get more out of your instrument. You can, of course, use this extra volume to play at home. However, an acoustic-electric ukulele can work especially well when you’re playing with a band, attending an open jam, or playing with others. An acoustic-electric ukulele (or a mic) is an essential thing to have if you’ll be playing ukulele in a public setting on stage.
In addition to this, however, using an acoustic-electric ukulele opens up a lot of interesting possibilities as well. With an acoustic electric ukulele, you can also use guitar effects pedals and can add more elements to your ukulele’s sound such as reverb, chorus, and delay effects.
If you want to get some of this additional functionality from a ukulele instrument, then you may want to get an acoustic-electric ukulele instead of a standard acoustic ukulele with no electronics or pickups installed.
Our Favorite Electro-Acoustic Ukes
Not every acoustic-electric ukulele is the same and offers an identical level of quality. Here are our favorite electro-acoustic ukes.
1. Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic-Electric Concert Ukulele
The Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic-Electric Ukulele is one of the best electric-acoustic ukuleles on the market. The ukulele is made from mahogany and features a beautiful sunburst maple veneer. It also has a larger concert-sized body, which produces a louder and deeper tone than a standard soprano ukulele.
This ukulele uses standard GCEA tuning. The uke has a rosewood fretboard with 19 silver and nickel frets which allows for ultra-smooth fingering.
This uke also has a standard output jack that can easily connect to an amplifier or mixer. This instrument is perfect for live concert performances but is also perfect for studio recordings. The ukulele also has an extremely lightweight body. It can be fitted with a carrying strap and also comes with a black gig bag.
When buying this ukulele you also have the option of purchasing a 24 to 36-month warranty. The warranty protects against accidental damage, wear and tear, power surges, heat, and humidity, or if it breaks down unexpectedly.
Overall, this is a great acoustic-electric ukulele that is not likely to disappoint.
2. Luna Soprano Vintage Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Ukulele
The Luna Soprano Vintage Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Ukulele is by far one of the most beautiful ukuleles I’ve seen. It features a gorgeous satin finish, a beautiful rosette, and Mother of Pearl inlays. It has a timeless vintage mahogany look.
The mahogany and rosewood fretboard give it a brighter tone and add sustain and clarity to the tone. It also features open-style tuners, which will ensure it keeps its precise tuning. It also has a UK-T2 preamp with an onboard tuner to provide enhanced amplification. The ukulele’s satin natural finish is made entirely of mahogany and has 12 frets. The uke also has a comfortable neck and a piezo pickup bridge. It’s an ideal choice for right-handed players.
The Ukulele also comes with an unlimited lifetime warranty which will protect you against any accidental damage, spills, cracks, or if it unexpectedly breaks down.
Overall, this is a wonderful instrument that beginners and professionals can equally appreciate.
3. Mitchell MU100CE Acoustic-Electric Concert Ukulele
The Mitchell MU100CE is a beautifully crafted instrument and is one of the best acoustic-electric ukuleles around. It’s also the first-ever acoustic-electric ukulele produced by Mitchell. The ukulele is made from Koa and Indian Rosewood and also has a natural gloss finish. It features a rosewood fretboard, which produces beautifully rich sounds.
This ukulele is ultra-lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for concert performances.
The ukulele also features a Fishman Kula Pre-Amplifier, a 3-band EQ, and a built-in tuner, which will guarantee the best sound quality and ensure it never loses its tone.
With this instrument, you also have the option of purchasing a 2 to 3-year warranty, which will protect it from breakdowns, accidental damages, wear and tear, or failures, such as power surges or any sort of malfunction.
4. Hadean UKB-23 Acoustic-Electric Bass Ukulele
If you’re interested in buying a bass ukulele instead of a typical soprano or concert-size uke, the Hadean Acoustic-Electric Bass Ukulele is the best that you’re likely to find. It features a walnut body, with a rosewood fretboard and truss-rod adjustable neck, which allows you to easily finger notes and move across the neck effortlessly.
This ukulele is slightly larger than most standard ukuleles, due to the increased tension on the thicker strings. This type of ukulele is different than most because it has the range of a standard bass guitar.
The ukulele also comes equipped with a pre-amp, which features bass, volume, treble, and mid controls. This ukulele also features an integrated built-in tuner, which will allow for precise tuning. There’s nothing worse than losing your tuning during a live performance.
The ukulele features preinstalled Aquila Nylgut strings, which absorb less moisture and provide increased accuracy while playing. The ukulele handles extremely well, weighing only 5lbs, and is very lightweight and easy to carry.
5. Ibanez UICT10 Iceman Tenor Ukulele
For nearly a hundred years Ibanez has continuously been one of America’s most beloved instrument manufacturers.
The Ibanez UIC10 Iceman Tenor Ukulele is an instrument that every music lover can appreciate. It features a spruce top, an Okoume mahogany body and neck, a high gloss black finish, and a purple heart fingerboard, which allows for incredibly smooth playability. This 4-string ukulele has a white dot fingerboard inlay and 20 frets. It also has Aquila Nylblack Tenor strings which provide the instrument with a beautiful, bright, and clear sound.
The ukulele also uses Ibanez AEQ2U electronics and is equipped with a built-in tuner and an EQ system, which allows you to easily control the tone. This ukulele is ideal for both chording and playing a lead. The uke also has a cutaway body and allows for effortless access to the upper frets.
Overall, this is a great concert ukulele that delivers an impeccable tone and features an elegant, timeless design.
Choosing the Best Electro-Acoustic Ukulele for Your Needs
If you’re looking for the best acoustic-electric ukuleles and want an instrument that is ideal for having extra volume during performance or practice, then you’ll probably want to pick one of the above instruments. Each of these ukes is a great choice if you need to have a ukulele that not only sounds but can also be plugged into an amp or PA system.
Looking for a regular acoustic ukulele instead? Then you may want to see our full list of the best ukuleles on the market today.
Hi, I’m Harrison! I created this website to help musicians navigate the ins and outs of their craft and to help them choose new instruments and gear to add to their collection. I have 15 years of experience as a guitarist and singer and have also played many other instruments throughout the years including the bass guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.