Choosing the best ukulele strings is important for getting the most out of the instrument. A quality string set can impact everything from the sound of a ukulele to the way that it looks. Of course, the better the strings are then the longer they will perform to the best of their ability too.
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The ukulele has become an increasingly popular instrument over recent years. Whether you're a novice or a long-time player, it’s only natural that you want to supply your prized possession with the best type of strings. To be the best, then they must deliver in several areas, with sound quality being the most important, while appearance shouldn't be ignored too. The material of the strings will be the key feature for both these visual and aural characteristics. Looking for something bigger? See our review on the best acoustic guitars here. Perhaps you want strings that are specifically for classical guitars.
In terms of sound, your main choice will be between a warm or a cold tone. You should consider which one suits your style the best before spending your money.
To help you navigate through the sometimes confusing world of strings (click here for acoustic strings), we have compiled a series of reviews that should make everything clearer. We've also answered a few frequently asked questions to satisfy your curiosity.
At a glance: Our top 3 picks
D'Addario EJ53C Pro-Arté Strings
- Warm and long-lasting sound
- Standard GCEA tuning
- Nylon-coated strings
D'Addario EJ87S Titanium Ukulele Strings
- Warm and long-lasting sound
- Standard GCEA tuning
- Nylon-coated strings
Mudder Nylon Soprano Strings
- Warm and long-lasting sound
- Standard GCEA tuning
- Nylon-coated strings
View The Best Ukulele Strings Below
1. D'Addario EJ53C Pro-Arté Strings
D’Addario has earned a great reputation over the years for producing high-quality strings for musical instruments, including ukuleles. It produces a wide varieties and styles that will suit all types of ukuleles.
These strings come in the standard GCEA tuning, making them versatile and adaptable to different styles of playing. Thanks to the nylon surrounding the string, you will be able to play with great accuracy and without any unwanted alternations. They are also designed to give you a warm and long-lasting tone.
They are suitable for home and concert use. Costing just $9, they're certainly affordable, and they come in excellent packaging, which is typical of D'Addario.
Pros:
+ Warm and long-lasting sound
+ Standard GCEA tuning
+ Nylon-coated strings
Why We Liked It - These strings are a typically high-quality product from D'Addario. They deliver warm, long-lasting tone that suits a wide range of genres. As you'd expect from such a respected brand, they're also likely to perform for a long time without any breakages. The excellent value-for-money they deliver shouldn't be ignored either.
Related: Best Bass Ukuleles.
2. D'Addario EJ87S Titanium Ukulele Strings
These titanium ukulele strings not only boast 5-star reviews from countless satisfied customers, but they offer a huge amount of variety when it comes to tone too.
They come in a variety of sizes. The sizes available are baritone, soprano, concert, Hawaiian-concert- Hawaiian-tenor, and tenor. This will allow you to find something that fits your instrument and your style of playing.
This set of strings also offer a variety of choice when it comes to material. They are available in nylon, Nyltech, titanium, and pro-are. Whichever size and style you prefer, you can mix and match all these options to find something that's perfectly suited to your needs.
They're made to be used with a GCEA tuning, which makes them highly versatile and easily adaptable to a variety of styles and genres.
Pros:
+ Huge variety of mix and match options
+ Modern and warm sounding strings
+ Projecting, appealing design
Why We Liked It - Once more, D’Addario doesn’t cease to surprise with a fantastic and original set of ukulele strings that are made to both look and sound good. If you are searching for a good-looking and modern-sounding product, D’Addario has you covered here!
3. Mudder Nylon Soprano Strings
Mudder is another highly respected name that has produced an excellent set of strings. They have been praised with 5-star reviews by countless ukulele players and reviewers. Let's see why they are so sought after.
They are crafted specifically for soprano ukuleles and therefore come pre-made with the key of C instilled within them. They come in a pack of 4 and are labeled for easy recognition upon arrival.
These GCEA strings are made from nylon. You also get a small set of instructions that will help you install the strings onto your ukulele without much trouble. Many people can testify to the great sound of these strings. They are also praised for being a durable set of ukulele strings that won’t need to be replaced anytime soon.
It’s also important to mention that this product also owns a proud spot on the best 3 of Amazon’s ukulele strings!
Pros:
+ Strong and durable
+ Nylon strings
+ Labeled for easy recognition
Why We Liked It - Not only are they sturdy and won’t break easily, but they deliver the warm tone of the key C which is well-sought after when it comes to ukulele tone. One thing is for sure, these strings didn’t make it to the top of the Amazon list by mistake!
4. Aquila Soprano Regular Ukulele Strings
These strings impress without even being taken out of their pocket envelope. They're packaged in a vintage-style pocket that features an eagle soaring over snow-capped mountains. Noticing this and the 5-star reviews right next to it, it’s easy to see that Aquila are not only here to impress with their sound, but with the thought that they put into their packaging too.
Coming in the key of C once again, these GCEA strings are made specifically to accompany a soprano ukulele. They have a polished and smooth surface that won’t restrain your movements or have your fingers ache from the grit that some poorer quality strings tend to have.
They are specifically made to have a heightened resistance to daily wear and tear, compared to other ukulele strings. They can stay in tune even after a week of regular use too!
Pros:
+ Great all-rounders
+ Remain in tune with no problem
+ Highly resistant to wear and tear
Why We Liked It - Not only do they look appealing even in their packaging but outside of it too. They provide you with exceptional sound and have a high resistance to the tribulations they encounter during daily use. You won't regret purchasing these awesome ukulele strings!
5. GHS H-10 Hawaiian
GHS has gone a step further with these ukulele strings and decided to break away from the generic mold that other brands use. They don't come coated in the common translucent or metal material that is most prevalent with other strings. Instead, GHS has decided to go with a black coating that looks truly unique. If you want your ukulele to look a bit different, then these strings are a superb choice.
They will be best for a ukulele that has black tuners, as the black color of the strings will complement the instrument and bring out its character. They are suited to both a standard and concert ukulele, making them highly versatile. Many people praise them for not only looking good but sounding great too.
They also come in a standard C tuning, which will ensure you will have a crisp and mellow tone. These ukulele strings have a smooth, pristine finish, and they quickly adjust when you set them up. The tuning will remain stable once they've been set-up too.
Pros:
+ Unique, black coated design
+ Mellow and crisp sound
+ Stay in tune
Why We Liked It - This is a set of good-looking, black strings that have a gorgeous, mellow and crisp tone. They deliver quality across the board, making them just as well suited to the stage or the studio.
6. D'Addario EJ65TLG
It should come as no surprise that we've not yet finished with reviewing D’Addario’s varied arsenal of ukulele strings. This set is of the highest quality once again. They are available in 5 different styles: baritone, concert, soprano, tenor and tenor low-G.
This string set has been specifically engineered to be used for a low-G tuning that will encourage deep and melancholic sounds to emerge from your ukulele. If you've not yet experimented with a low tuning, then these strings are a good set to start with. The nylon is modified to deliver highly accurate and sensitive treble strings. They are environmentally friendly and the packaging is crafted in a way to provide corrosion resistance. This ensures that you will always get a set of fresh, immaculate strings that won’t have been diminished during storage or transit.
Since they're made for a low G tuning, they are most suitable for tenor ukuleles. Each string in this set is laser-measured to ensure that you have a consistent performance and exceptional quality with each purchase.
Pros:
+ Laser-measured
+ Warm, projecting tone
+ Non-ball end design to encourage universal use
Why We Liked It - If you're looking for a good and sturdy set of ukulele strings to use for your tenor ukulele, then these low G tuned strings will do a great job. They are made to encourage a highly accurate sound, and they will give you a warm, deep tone that will help you produce gorgeous music, either on stage or in the studio.
7. Martin M600
Martin is known for delivering exceptional quality for an affordable price. And affordablility is certainly a feature of these strings which you can buy for a mere $5. Many customers who are disappointed with the default strings that come with a standard ukulele turn to Martin for an upgrade, and rightly so.
These strings deliver a sound that is fuller and much louder than many other sets of strings on the market. This makes them a solid choice for ukulele players who are serious about sound but also want to bag a bargain. As they are made from fluorocarbon, then they can hold their tuning for a substantial amount of time.
The fluorocarbon material makes these strings thin and hard, which allows for easier plucking since there is more room for maneuver. They are known to sound especially good when combined with a soprano ukulele.
Pros:
+ Thin and sturdy
+ They hold tuning well
+ Mellow and sweet sound
Why We Liked It - Martin is one of the few brands that provides its customers not only with reliable strings that will give a good performance, but also makes them available at an affordable price. If you have a tight budget or if you are looking for replacements for stock strings, then you will definitely enjoy the mellow and sweet sound that this set delivers!
8. LaBella 200 Soprano
These LaBella strings will catch your eye upon arrival thanks to the floral and brightly colored design that is found on the packaging. You can get this string set for $8-$10, which represents exceptional value-for-money considering the gorgeous sound quality they deliver. They are made with rectified nylon that ensures you get beautiful intonation.
The packaging itself doesn't just feature a fascinating and enchanting design. It also includes MAP technology that's developed to ensure that your strings will not be tarnished or affected by corrosion during storage or transit. Upon opening the packaging, then the strings will be in the same top condition that the producers packaged them in. LaBella has an excellent reputation thanks to years of serving Hawaii’s most renowned ukulele players, and that makes this product suitable for professionals and amateurs alike.
LaBella has constantly improved its products to suit the fussiest of ukelele players, and this attention to detail is evident with these strings too. They allow you to play along the complete fretboard without losing tune, which is something that other sets of strings rarely achieve, and it also makes them ideal for attempting the trickiest and most challenging solos.
Pros:
+ MAP technology to ensure untarnished strings
+ Made with rectified nylon to deliver the best intonation
+ Suitable for professionals and beginners alike
Why We Liked It - The craftsmanship of these strings is one of the best on the market. Their ability to offer excellent intonation and perfect tuning across the fretboard make them ideal for solo-playing. They are professional-level quality and that ensures they can be used either on stage or in the studio.
9. Aquila Soprano by Aurora
If you are looking to add a bit of a style or flair to your ukulele and to exchange your old strings for something bold and engaging, then this product is a superb choice. They might cost a little bit more than many of the strings on our list, but you only need to use them to discover why they're worth paying a little extra for.
They feature exotic, unique colors that can easily add character to your ukulele. The pack contains four strings, which each have an individual color. The colors are orange, purple, green, and salmon. They hold their tune even after two days of constant playing, which makes them a reliable and durable choice for multiple live performances on the road.
The use of color-coding the strings is a good feature for beginners too, as it will allow you to better associate certain tones with each string. They are of a very high-quality thanks to Aquila’s craftsmanship. For soprano ukuleles then these strings truly enhance the sound of the instrument. Above all else, however, it is the long-lasting durability and reliability of this product that makes it a safe investment.
Pros:
+ Color coding
+ Ideal for a soprano ukulele
+ Holds tone for days
Why We Liked It - Aquila has been producing top-quality ukulele strings for many years. That's why it's become such a trusted brand. It's also known for the uniqueness of its strings, and the color-coded design used on this string set makes them stand out from the crowd. Not only will they make your ukulele look better, they'll make it sound better too.
10. Aquila 115
This is another set of high-quality ukulele strings from Aquila. They come in a low G tuning that makes them best-suited for use with a tenor ukulele. They are made from Aquila’s signature supernylgut material, which is renowned for its consistent quality. The color of the strings is gray-black and this color scheme was inspired by the volcanic rocks surrounding Hawaii.
The low G string is coated in silver-plated copper which is perfectly suited to the deep, low, and timber sound of a rich G tuning. They come in an uncommon color that undoubtedly suits both the historical and modern reputation of the ukulele and its Hawaiian surroundings. For a study on the ukulele and its connection to Hawaii - click here.
Not only are these strings rich in their deep, powdery, dark gray appearance but also their deep but also sweet and melancholic sound. If you are looking for a good string set to experiment with, this G-tuned set will certainly allow you to create original, unique sounds that few others are capable of.
Pros:
+ Deep, dark, lava gray color
+ Made of supernylgut material
+ Rich and sweet sound
Why We Liked It - Aquila is one of the most reliable brands around when it comes to ukulele strings. The sound that Aquila delivers with its products is simply phenomenal. This set doesn't just deliver that exceptional sound quality that's synonymous with Aquila. They also feature a truly unique color scheme that references the Hawaiin homeland that the ukulele is so connected with. A safe investment.
Ukulele Strings Buyers Guide
Top Pick- D’Addario’s Ukulele Strings
Our Top Pick has to be one of D’Addario’s ukulele strings. We've decided that the Pro-Arte rectified nylon strings are the best of the bunch. They are not only affordable and well-suited to all levels of ability, from beginner or professional, but they also enrich the sounds that come out of your ukulele. It’s widely agreed that a good ukulele with bad strings just won’t do the job it’s supposed to do. D’Addario knows this well. This brand acts on customer feedback to make its products as high quality as possible, which is why D’Addario is one of the market’s leading brands.
These ukulele strings are made to encourage precision when playing, which allows you to have full control over the sounds you want to make. They produce a warm sound that's perfectly suited to a variety of musical genres. Whether you're a ukulele player who favors melancholic music or gleeful music, then this set should please you. It is the versatility, value-for-money, and reliability of these strings that make us rate them so highly.
Premium Choice- D’Addario’s Ukulele Strings
Our Premium Choice is another D’Addario product. This time it is D'Addario's titanium ukulele strings that take the spotlight. Although this set is more expensive than the previous one, they deliver more quality that makes them worth the extra bucks.
They are optimized to be used for soprano ukuleles. They're ideal for a standard GCEA tuning, and the quality of their construction is key to bringing the best out of your ukulele. They have no problem projecting powerfully with great effectiveness, which is why they're perfectly suited to both live performances or for in the recording studio.
These strings are a premium product that displays exceptional quality in all the key areas. For demanding ukulele players who want to get the best out of their instrument, then this product is a superb choice, in our opinion. As they are made from D'Addario then you can also be sure that they will reliably perform for a substantial amount of time.
Great Value- Mudder’s Ukulele Strings
Our Great Value spot is taken by none other than Mudder’s ukulele strings. They are the best budget replacement for when you buy a ukulele that comes with low-quality strings or difficult to tune strings. If you were unfortunate enough to break a string on your ukulele too, then they will also be an affordable replacement. Available for just $5, then they're a low-risk choice that will do the job for amateurs or beginners.
They are labeled to make installation an absolute breeze, even if you've never strung a ukulele before, which is another good feature for novices. They are designed to be used with soprano ukuleles, so should only be used for this type of ukulele.
Mudder is our Great Value choice because these are quality ukulele strings that are available at an affordable price. They offer a big improvement on stock strings and also are a safe choice when replacing a broken string.
How Do You Change Your Ukulele Strings?
If you've never strung a ukulele before, then you will likely not know what to do. It's not a good idea to get started and hope for the best. Even though there are only four strings (as opposed to 12 string guitars) and four knobs, it can be a tricky business to string a ukulele if you don't know what you're doing. You could even put the wrong string in the wrong place or snap a string and have to order a new string set.
Like with any endeavor, then practice makes perfect, and if you carefully follow this short guide, you will certainly avoid common mistakes and won’t break your new replacement strings by stretching them too much!
Changing Ukulele Strings
First of all, unwind the already existing strings from the knobs if you haven’t already. Do this by gently turning the knobs in a way that you feel the strings loosening up and not tightening, this will ensure you’re not turning the wrong way. When you can see the string completely release pressure, then you can gently slide the string through and take it out of the bridge hole. As you undo the knot, you can put the string to the side and repeat this action with the remaining three strings.
If you are a bit more adventurous you can simply grab scissors or clippers and cut off the strings while it’s still attached to the bridge, though that may cause quite a lot of backlash and maybe even injuries due to the pressure the strings are sustained to.
Now, with all the old ukulele strings removed you are ready to grab your newly purchased ones. In the package, you should have four sleeves that are labeled with the letters G, C, E, and A. From the left to the right, the ukulele strings are G, C, E, and A. Now, try and imagine the head as a rectangle. The accompanying strings to the knobs are as follows: + the G string goes to the tuning head near the lower-left corner + the C string goes above the G tuning head, which is the top left corner + the E string goes to the tuning head in the bottom right corner + the A string goes above the E tuning head, which is the top right corner
Knowing this, take the G string and attach it to the tuning head in the lower-left corner of the head by putting the string through the bridge hole. Now leave the longest part of the string hanging near the head, and not the bottom, since we will have to tie it. Take the end of the string near the head and wrap it around itself twice, like wrapping a piece of cloth around a cylinder. Now pull the long part of the string firmly to put the knot in place.
That’s all there is to it! It may sound a bit confusing at first, but once you give it a go then you'll find out just how easy it is.
Check out this interesting study on the popularity of Ukuleles here.
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