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Though the ukulele has become largely popular in recent years due to its ability to be incredibly portable, this does not mean that you have to restrict yourself to a shrill sound to bring your instrument with you wherever you go. Fortunately, there are many different types of ukuleles that you can choose from either as a beginner or as an experienced player.
The best tenor ukuleles have begun offering a solid alternative to more standardized ukes, mainly due to their incredible amount of presence and solid tone that can’t be as easily replicated with a smaller model.
On top of this, tenor ukuleles aren’t much larger than a standard ukulele, still being incredibly fit for traveling. This means that not only are you able to take an instrument with you on-the-go, but you’re able to take a very versatile tool to make music with.
Because the market has become so saturated with the advent of online shopping, though, it can be difficult to know just where to start when looking for the best tenor ukuleles.
To ease your shopping concerns, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best tenor ukuleles. Keep reading to see our choices.
Top Tenor Ukuleles – Quick View
| Image | Model | Summary | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Cordoba 20TM Tenor Ukulele | A ukulele that has the perfect combination of quality craftsmanship, affordability, and stylish looks. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Kala KA-KTG Koa Tenor Gloss Ukulele | A high-quality tenor ukulele with plenty of resonance and a great tone. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Kala Ziricote Tenor Ukulele - High Gloss | A stunning and reliable tenor uke, that while a bit pricier than other options, is worth every penny. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Donner Professional 26-Inch Mahogany Tenor Ukulele | A great beginner ukulele that comes with plenty of extras. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Fender Montecito Koa Tenor Ukulele | A great-looking tenor ukulele that is well worth a look if you're serious about finding a quality instrument. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Cordoba 30T All Solid Tenor Ukulele | An all solid ukulele that comes in at a very affordable price, making it a good fit for professionals just as much as newcomers. | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele | A steeply priced ukulele that is absolutely stunning and has a great build quality. | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Tenor Ukuleles On the Market – REVIEWED
So, without further ado, here’s our list of the best tenor ukuleles.
1. Cordoba 20TM Tenor Ukulele
At the top of our list is the Cordoba 20TM Tenor Ukulele. If you’re looking for a ukulele from a trusted brand, Cordoba gives a surprising range of sound for its price.
We recommend the Cordoba 20TM for those looking for a truly affordable model that will also give you a good deal of versatility. This one also comes with everything you need to play and includes Aquila Nylgut tenor strings.
Overall, this ukulele will give any beginner or advanced player what they need to get started with the tenor uke. It has the perfect combination of quality craftsmanship, affordability, and stylish looks.
2. Kala KA-KTG Koa Tenor Gloss Ukulele
Kala ukuleles make some of the market’s most high-quality traditional instruments, putting any of their products on our list of options for those wanting a more laid-back take on a tenor uke. The Kala Koa Tenor Gloss Ukulele is no exception to this rule.
The trim to this instrument is particularly beautiful, providing a wonderful maple tone with black and white accents. The instrument also sounds fantastic, with a lot of resonance happening due to the body’s unique shape.
Overall, this instrument is definitely worth a look if you’re searching for a reliable tenor uke.
3. Kala Ziricote Tenor Ukulele – High Gloss
The next tenor uke on our list is the Kala Ziricote Tenor Ukulele.
This is a stunning ukulele that is sure to turn plenty of heads. It has a beautiful design that contrasts a deep brown with a honey blonde color. It also has a glossy finish that gives it even more flavor and makes it really pop.
The ukulele has a great sound and plays well and features high-quality hardware and construction. While this may not be a cheap tenor ukulele compared to some of the others on this list, it’s well worth what you’ll pay for it.
Overall, this is a great tenor uke. You should take a really close look at it if you want to own a great instrument. While players of any level would love this instrument, it may also be one of the best professional tenor ukuleles around.
4. Donner Professional 26-Inch Mahogany Tenor Ukulele
If you’re looking for the best tenor ukulele for beginners, you can’t do much better than the Donner 26-Inch Tenor Ukulele.
The tenor uke has a mahogany body along with a rosewood fingerboard and it offers a clean, warm tone. The instrument has a great sound and plenty of resonance. You’ll be able to jam out to your heart’s content with this uke.
This instrument not only comes in at a great price but also includes plenty of extras and is built well. The extras included with this instrument include a gig bag, extra Aquila nylon strings, a strap, a tuner, picks, and a cleaning cloth.
Overall, this is a great deal. If you want to get started with the tenor ukulele while paying a reasonable price, you should definitely consider buying this Donner instrument. This is an affordable tenor ukulele that is sure to serve you well and last for a long time to come.
5. Fender Montecito Koa Tenor Ukulele
The Fender Montecito Koa Tenor Ukulele is another instrument that is not to be ignored.
This tenor uke simply sounds great. This is also a truly beautiful instrument—we love the wonderful wooden design that has a great fretboard.
The head of the instrument also has a beautiful design that is suggestive of an electric or bass guitar, giving the ukulele itself quite a personality. Aside from maybe a banjo ukulele, few ukes will catch your eye as much as this one.
Overall, the Fender Montecito is a great tenor ukulele that is well worth a look if you’re serious about finding a quality uke at a reasonable price.
6. Cordoba 30T All Solid Tenor Ukulele
Next on our list is the Cordoba 30T, an instrument that is not only incredibly intuitive to play, but also comes at a very affordable price making it a good fit for professionals just as much as newcomers.
One of the biggest benefits of this instrument is how its body and design borrow heavily from Spanish guitars. This makes it an optimal uke for those looking to get a truly authentic sound from their instrument.
The Cordoba 30T is also a very intuitive instrument to learn due to its particularly wide fingerboard, making it easier than ever to play the instrument. Did we mention that it also comes with a case?
7. Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele
On the more expensive side of instruments, the Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele provides an incredibly high-quality build for those who are looking for a truly high-class instrument.
The company that constructed it, C.F. Martin & Company has always been dedicated to making some of the world’s most impressive stringed instruments. This one is particularly interesting due to its relationship to the famous Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. The instrument was designed by his wife.
Though this is on the more high-end side of things, we’re absolutely in love with this instrument’s design. The beautiful mahogany wood gives it an incredible sound that will keep you playing it for decades to come.
Overall, this instrument is absolutely stunning and has a great build quality. However, it’s probably not for beginners to the instrument. Only the most advanced or serious uke players will likely want to give this a try due to its steep price.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has been helpful. Be sure that you keep it in mind for the next time you’re shopping for the best tenor ukuleles on the market.
Looking for a soprano ukulele instead? Click here to see our soprano-focused list of the best ukuleles.
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.