It surprise you that there are over a hundred manufacturers of ukuleles around the world. Originally from Hawaii, Ukuleles are now known and created and sold around the world. The list below is a comprehensive list of ukulele brands with a short description.
I found the list of Ukulele brands at
ukulele hunt.
Abbott - Banjo ukuleles made famous by George Formby
Ana'ole - Hawaiian makers headed by Gareth Yahiku.
Antoniotsai/ Hanworks - heavily decorated ukuleles with a questionable reputation.
aNueNue - High quality ukuleles from Taiwan
Applause (Ovation) - Distinctive electric ukuleles.
Aria - UK cheapo brand.
Ashbury - Good quality, entry level ukes from a UK company. My first 'real' ukulele.
Ashton - Cheap first ukuleles in the UK.
BeBop - You know, for kids.
Beltona - The ukulele that killed off Tiny Tim.
Brownsville - Cheap end solid-top ukuleles.
BugsGear EleUke - Solid body, electric ukuleles.
Bushman - The video contest guys try their hand at making ukuleles.
Clearwater - UK ukulele company with Eleuke and Vita uke copies.
Cole Clark - Australian ukulele makers.
Collings - Highly respect guitar makers move into ukes.
Earnest Instruments - Top quality ukes as played by Eddie Vedder and John King.
Cordoba - Portuguese guitar makers with a line of ukuleles.
Favilla - The 20s/30s cheap and cheerful ukulele.
Fender - The biggest name in guitars moves into ukuleles.
Flea - Bette Midler's favourite ukulele.
Fluke - Iconic ukulele.
G-String - Top quality ukulele endorsed by James Hill.
Gibson - I think they used to make guitars as well.
Greg Bennett (Samick) - Korean-made budget ukuleles.
Gretsch - vintage ukes from the legendary guitar maker.
Hamano - the original 'good' ukulele from China.
Harmony - Vintage ukuleles as endorsed by the legendary Roy Smeck.
Hawaiian Ukulele Company - The Hawaiian shop's own-brand ukuleles.
Hilo - A few companies out there have gone by this name.
Honu - Turtle covered ukuleles from the Big Island Ukulele Company.
Ibanez - Japanese guitar makes follow in their namesake's footsteps and start making ukuleles.
Johnson - Bog standard starter ukes.
Kala - Hugely popular mid-range ukulele. I love my Kala.
Kamaka - The oldest surviving ukulele maker.
Kanile'a - Top quality, top price, Hawaiian made ukuleles.
Kau'wela - Kailua based ukes in Zebrawood.
Keli'i - High quality Hawaiian ukuleles.
Kiwaya - Japanese company best known for their Martin copies and K-Wave Fender-style ukuleles.
Keech - The reputed inventor of the banjulele.
Ko'olau - Their ukuleles are played by Ledward Kaapana, Lyle Ritz and Abe Lagrimas Jr. Who could argue with a line-up like that?
Koa Pili Koko - Koa-ish ukuleles from Keli'i.
KoAlana - KoAloha's budget range of ukuleles.
KoAloha - Hawaiian made ukulele company headed by the adorable Alvin Okami.
Kumalae - Vintage Hawaiian maker with a ferocious output.
Laka - Vintage ukuleles put out a new range (possibly to end confusion for people searching for 'vintage ukuleles').
Lanikai - Probably the best ukulele for a beginner.
Lazy - Cheapo UK ukuleles.
Le Domino - World's coolest ukulele?
Lehua - Instruments from the original home of the ukulele Portugal.
Leolani - Cheap ukuleles made respectable by their use by Priscilla Ahn and AJ Rafael.
LOCALS - mysterious (to me at least) Hawaiian ukuleles.
LoPrinzi - Top notch Floridian maker with a taste for oddly placed soundholes.
Luna - Individual looking ukuleles from one of the few female run instrument makers.
Lyon and Healy - Vintage ukuleles with unusual designs.
Maccaferri - The most sought after plastic ukulele.
Mahalo - The ukulele every UK player started with.
Makai - Ukulele designs that give me a sense of deja vu.
Makala - Kala's budget ukulele. An excellent choice for beginners.
Martin - The Rolls Royce of ukulele makers.
Mele - Double-headed ukulele madness.
Mid-East - Striking looking ukuleles with an Eastern influence.
Mitchell - Available at a Guitar Center near you.
Morelli/Santini - Questionably marketed. Their big selling point is that they're, "Teacher Endorsed."
National - The ultimate in resonator ukuleles.
Ohana - Mid-range ukuleles. My tenor Ohana has been my favourite uke for a while now.
Ortega - The German maker with the very un-German name.
Oscar Schmidt - Very popular entry-level ukuleles.
Pahu Kani - Top-end ukuleles with holes where you least expect them.
Pono - Ko'olau's less expensive ukuleles.
Regal - The original pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap ukulele.
Riptide - Boulder Creek Guitars play around with the soundholes.
RISA - German ukuleles with a number of innovative electric ukulele designs.
Rogue - Cheap UK brand.
Road Toad - originators of the bass ukulele and many other unusual designs.
Savannah - Australia's ukes on a budget.
Slingerland - Vintage banjoleles.
Stagg - English ukuleles with a name macho enough to stand up to Staff Sgt. Max Fightmaster.
Swagerty - Vintage ukuleles designed to be played on beach.
T's Guitars - Japanese ukulele manufacturer.
Tangi - Hawaiian ukuleles with a taste for the unusual.
Tanglewood - Ukuleles from the British guitar maker.
Universal Worldwide Trading - Ukulele aimed at tourists in Hawaii.
Vineyard - Chinese made ukulele of questionable quality.
Uluru - Australian ukes from Ayers.
Weissenborn - Ukes from the masters of the Hawaiian lap-steel guitar.
When first starting out most ukuleles will essentially feel the same. Once you get some experience, you will be able to distinguish the differences between the manufacturers. Maybe the head is slightly bigger with one manufacturer or the body is slightly smaller. Ukuleles range from cheap $50 instruments up into the $1000s range. Be sure to purchase one of your ability level and remember that just because an instrument costs more, does not mean that the instrument is better.
