Looking for the best electric ukuleles? The first choice is between a familiar acoustic ukulele with a pickup and a solid-body instrument designed around amplified playing. Both connect to an amp, but the strings, feel and unplugged sound can be quite different.
These seven models cover concert and tenor acoustic-electrics as well as guitar-inspired solid-body designs. The Luna Tattoo Concert Electric remains the overall choice for a traditional ukulele layout with an onboard preamp and distinctive styling. The Córdoba models favor acoustic playing with amplification, while the Vorsons offer magnetic pickups and a more electric-guitar-like setup.
Best Electric Ukuleles: Comparison Table
Luna Tattoo Concert Electric (Editor’s Choice)
The Tattoo Concert Electric gives the player a conventional concert ukulele with a distinctive visual identity. Its laser-etched pattern uses waves and shark-tooth shapes, echoed by the fret markers, while the mahogany top, back and sides retain a familiar acoustic body. It is an appealing balance for someone who wants recognizable ukulele character with a less anonymous appearance.
The 15-inch scale offers more playing room than a typical soprano without moving to a tenor-sized instrument. The rosewood fingerboard and bridge, geared tuners and Aquila strings complete a straightforward traditional layout. There is no need to approach it as a miniature steel-string electric guitar.
The onboard preamp provides a route to amplified performance, and the included gig bag makes transport easier. The hollow body remains useful for unplugged practice, though stage volume still depends on the amplification system and feedback control. It is the overall pick for players who want one uke for casual acoustic playing and occasional plugged-in use rather than a dedicated solid-body experiment.
Pros
- Concert acoustic body with an onboard preamp
- Distinctive laser-etched artwork and shark-tooth markers
- 15-inch scale and included gig bag
Cons
- Hollow body needs sensible feedback control at stage volume
- Less suitable than a solid-body design for electric-guitar-style experimentation
Córdoba 15CM-E Edge Burst
The 15CM-E keeps the focus on a compact concert acoustic-electric. Its layered mahogany construction, satin Edge Burst finish and cream binding give it a traditional outline with a more dressed-up appearance. The 375mm scale and 35mm nut provide a useful reference when comparing its playing space with the larger 20TM-CE.
An undersaddle piezo pickup and onboard volume control provide a simple amplified setup. There is no onboard bass-and-treble EQ to adjust, so more detailed shaping belongs at the amp, mixer or a suitable external preamp. That is a difference in control layout, rather than a reason to assume the pickup can only be played quietly.
The concert body is easy to accommodate for everyday strumming, and the Aquila strings maintain a conventional ukulele feel. Choose it for an acoustic-first instrument with a straightforward pickup system. The trade-off beside the tenor Córdoba is less fret spacing and less onboard tone adjustment, not a lack of serious musical use.
Pros
- Compact concert body with layered mahogany construction
- Undersaddle pickup with an onboard volume control
- Satin Edge Burst finish and cream binding
Cons
- No onboard bass-and-treble EQ
- Less fret spacing than the tenor 20TM-CE
Córdoba 20TM-CE
The 20TM-CE is the more spacious Córdoba here, with a tenor body, 17-inch scale and a cutaway for reaching higher positions. Its solid mahogany top is paired with mahogany back and sides. The solid-top construction is a useful distinction from the layered 15CM-E, without making the instrument an all-solid-wood model.
The active undersaddle pickup system adds Volume, Bass and Treble controls. That gives a player a convenient way to trim the amplified sound at the instrument rather than reaching for the amp every time. It is particularly practical when moving between strummed accompaniment and more exposed melodic parts.
A satin finish, 18 frets and Aquila New Nylgut tenor strings round out a traditional acoustic-electric design. The longer scale gives the fingers more space, but also requires a wider reach than the concert models. It is the option for players who value that extra room and onboard EQ; its active electronics also mean keeping the preamp battery ready for plugged-in use.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top and a tenor cutaway body
- Active pickup with volume and two-band EQ
- 17-inch scale offers more playing room
Cons
- Wider reach than the concert models
- Active preamp requires battery power
Vorson FLPUK-2QM
The FLPUK-2QM is a solid-body tenor electric uke with an LP-style outline and quilt-maple appearance. Two exposed single-coil pickups make its amplified design immediately clear. It offers a different experience from the hollow-bodied Luna and Córdobas, with the amp taking a central role in the sound.
A three-way switch selects the bridge pickup, both pickups or the neck pickup. Volume and Tone controls then provide direct adjustment without an onboard menu or preamp display. That arrangement gives the player several useful starting points for effects and amplified parts instead of one fixed pickup position.
The adjustable bridge and truss rod provide setup flexibility, although adjustments should follow the instrument’s requirements. Its magnetic pickups need suitable metal strings, so ordinary nylon uke strings are not an interchangeable replacement. A cable and gig bag are included. Choose it for an electric-style playing setup; choose an acoustic-electric if satisfying unplugged strumming is equally important.
Pros
- Two single-coil pickups with three-way selection
- Direct volume and tone controls
- Adjustable bridge and truss rod; cable and bag included
Cons
- Requires amplification for its intended sound
- Magnetic pickups require suitable metal strings
Epiphone Les Paul Concert Ukulele
The Epiphone brings a Les Paul outline to a concert ukulele rather than simply shrinking a six-string electric guitar. The Vintage Sunburst version has a flame-maple top, mahogany body and white top binding. Its soundhole and tied-string bridge keep the playing format recognizably acoustic.
The 15-inch scale, 19 frets and SlimTaper D-profile neck provide a compact platform for chords and melodic lines. Open geared tuners use a 14:1 ratio, allowing more gradual pitch adjustments than a simple friction peg. The familiar headstock and single-cutaway silhouette are part of the attraction, but the instrument still asks to be played as a ukulele.
A passive undersaddle piezo pickup connects it to an amp without an onboard battery. There are no onboard volume or tone knobs, so level and EQ adjustments happen externally. A suitable high-impedance input or acoustic preamp is useful for a passive piezo signal. With a gig bag included, it suits someone who wants Les Paul styling and a simple acoustic-electric connection rather than a control-heavy instrument.
Pros
- Distinctive Les Paul shape and Vintage Sunburst finish
- 15-inch scale with 19 frets
- Passive piezo pickup and included gig bag
Cons
- No onboard volume or EQ controls
- Passive piezo benefits from a suitable high-impedance input
Aileen EU240 SG-Style Electric Ukulele
The EU240 is the compact, double-cutaway alternative in this group. Its burgundy-red finish, pointed horns and four-string layout give it a clear SG-inspired identity. The slim body and roughly 22-inch overall length make it a very different object to hold from the full-bodied concert acoustic-electrics.
The double cutaway leaves the upper neck more exposed, while the guitar-style body favors a player who wants an amplified uke with a less traditional outline. Its small body is not designed to provide the acoustic projection of a hollow ukulele. An amp is therefore part of the intended playing setup, rather than an optional way to make an already resonant acoustic body louder.
The appeal is the combination of a compact four-string instrument and recognizable electric-guitar styling. It is best considered for that particular role rather than as a direct acoustic substitute. The Luna and Córdobas are stronger fits when unplugged strumming matters, while the Vorsons provide a two-pickup system for players who want more pickup-selection options.
Pros
- Compact four-string instrument with SG-inspired styling
- Double-cutaway body leaves the upper neck accessible
- Distinctive burgundy-red finish
Cons
- Limited role as an unplugged acoustic instrument
- Less versatile for someone seeking one acoustic-and-electric uke
Vorson FSUK-1BK
The FSUK-1BK applies an S-style outline to a solid-body tenor electric uke. Its black body, white pickguard and two single-coil pickups give it a familiar electric-guitar appearance. The 432mm scale keeps the playing range in tenor-ukulele territory rather than turning it into a miniature standard guitar.
The neck and bridge pickups work through a three-way selector, with Volume and Tone controls for further adjustment. An adjustable bridge and truss rod allow the setup to be tailored within the instrument’s design. That setup flexibility matters when balancing comfortable action against clean fretted notes.
The steel-string magnetic-pickup format makes it a clear contrast to the nylon-style acoustic-electrics. It is a useful platform for exploring effects and electric lead lines, with a cable and padded gig bag included. The main compromise is familiar: its intended sound needs amplification, and the feel differs from a conventional acoustic uke. Between the two Vorsons, body shape and finish may be the deciding preference.
Pros
- Two single-coil pickups and three-way selection
- Tenor scale with an adjustable bridge and truss rod
- Volume and tone controls; padded bag and cable included
Cons
- Intended for amplified playing
- Steel-string feel differs from a traditional acoustic uke
How to Select the Best Electric Ukulele
Types of Electric Ukuleles
An electric ukulele may be an acoustic instrument with a pickup or a solid-body design built mainly for amplification. An acoustic-electric retains useful unplugged sound, while a solid-body uke puts more emphasis on the amplified system. A hollow body can be miked successfully too; a pickup is a convenient alternative, not proof that a ukulele is too small for a microphone.
What Body Is Best for Electric Ukuleles?
Compare the body style, scale and construction together. The familiar sizes are soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. A longer scale usually gives more fret spacing, while a cutaway can make higher positions easier to reach. A solid top is different from an all-solid instrument, and layered construction can be a sensible practical choice. Fewer wood pieces do not automatically guarantee better sound.
What Strings Are Best for Electric Ukuleles?
Use strings intended for the exact instrument, scale and pickup design. Conventional acoustic ukuleles often use nylon or synthetic strings such as Nylgut, while magnetic-pickup designs need suitable metal strings. Do not fit steel strings to a uke built for lower-tension synthetic strings. A low-G set changes the available range, but the nut, bridge and instrument need to accommodate it.
Geared Tuners or Friction Pegs?
Geared tuners make small pitch adjustments easier by reducing the movement at the string post. Friction pegs have a more direct action and can also work well when correctly fitted and adjusted. Neither system makes a particular alternate tuning inherently more accurate. Fresh strings may need time and repeated retuning to settle.
Electric or Acoustic-Electric Ukulele?
Choose an acoustic-electric if unplugged practice and familiar ukulele feel are central. Choose a solid-body electric when the amp and effects are part of the attraction. Body style does not determine whether the electronics are active or passive. Magnetic electric-guitar pickups and undersaddle piezo systems also work differently. Active systems need power and may provide onboard EQ; passive pickups rely more on the input they are connected to. A passive piezo pickup can be used for performance with an appropriate input or preamp; it is not inherently limited to quiet playing.
For a hollow instrument on stage, sensible speaker placement and moderate gain help manage feedback. Compare the complete signal path rather than judging loudness from whether a pickup has a battery. Check any battery requirement, output connection and amp compatibility before relying on a plugged-in setup.
Conclusion: The Best Electric Ukulele
The Luna Tattoo Concert Electric is the overall choice for traditional ukulele use with a preamp and distinctive looks. The Córdoba 15CM-E favors a simple concert setup, while the 20TM-CE provides a solid top, more fret spacing and onboard two-band EQ.
The Epiphone offers Les Paul styling with a passive piezo system. The two Vorsons are the clearest choices for magnetic pickups, pickup selection and electric-style experimentation, while the compact Aileen favors SG-inspired design. Let the desired playing experience guide the choice: acoustic sound with amplification, or an electric instrument whose amp is part of the voice.