Finding the best left handed ukulele for your personal situation can be a little tricky as there aren’t a ton of lefty ukes on the market currently.
Luckily, there are some great choices out there if you know where to look, and in this article you’ll find my top picks depending on your budget and ability.
We’ll also look at the most common sizes of uke, and answer a few other questions such as how to tune a lefty, as well as how to learn to play.
If a ukulele is going to be your very first stringed instrument, and you’ve landed on this page wondering if you should be playing a left or right handed ukulele – read this article first.
Best Left Handed Ukulele
These are my current top picks for the best left handed ukuleles this year! Use the links to jump directly to the instruments, or keep reading and we’ll answer a few questions that beginner players might have.
- 1. Ranch Concert Ukulele – Best Budget Option
- 2. Donner Concert Ukulele – Best Budget Package
- 3. Kmise Soprano Ukulele – Budget Soprano
- 4. Ranch Tenor Ukulele – Best Tenor
- 5. Ortega RU5 Concert Ukulele – Best Intermediate Choice
- 6. Luna Tattoo Concert Ukulele – Best Electro-Acoustic Ukulele
- 7. Ortega RUTI-CC Concert Ukulele – Best Premium Ukulele
Do I Need A Left Handed Ukulele?
There are three schools of thought when it comes to southpaw ukuleles.
1. Get a Right Handed Ukulele and Flip it Over
But don’t restring! The big advantage here is that you will be able to play any uke, wherever you are. The downside is that you’ll need to learn the chords upside down. However, as there are fewer strings, this isn’t a hugely daunting task.
A further problem here is that if you flip a righty, (in most cases) you’ll have no position markers on the side of the fretboard to help guide you. The dots which should be helping you to navigate the fretboard are now facing the floor. It doesn’t sound that troublesome, but trust me, you’ll miss those little markers!
2. String a Right Handed Ukulele for Left Handed Play
Ukes are fairly simple instruments that are more often than not pretty much symmetrical in design. This means that unlike with a 6-string guitar, flipping a ukulele will generally only involve reversing the strings.
In some cases, if the strings aren’t sitting snugly, you may need to also flip the nut. On most ukes, the nut is held in place by string tension, so you should be able to remove it simply by loosening the strings. You may also require a lefty specific saddle to ensure correct intonation.
The benefit here is that learning chords will be easier. Watching ukulele lesson videos is made simple by the fact that the instructor will mirror you on-screen. However, you won’t be able to walk into a store and test out other ukuleles without a quick restring.
3. Get a Lefty Ukulele
If possible, it would definitely be preferable to look at proper left handed ukuleles to ensure that you can utilize the side position markers. In addition, you won’t need to flip the nut, or potentially have a new saddle fitted. Plus, the internal body bracing will be correct for left handed play, producing a better quality of sound.
As with most instruments, opting for a bona fide lefty is always the best option if the choice is available. Keep reading to browse my list of the best left handed ukuleles.
What Size Of Ukulele Do I Need?
There are four main sizes to choose from. In order from smallest to largest you have: Soprano > Concert > Tenor > Baritone
Other sizes do exist, but they are much rarer, and very hard to find as lefty models.
The Soprano is the smallest instrument at around 21 inches in total length. This is the size that most people will associate the ukulele with, as it makes that typical classic ukulele sound. Because of its smaller size, it is perfect for traveling with and for children or those with smaller hands. People with larger hands may find the fretboard a little cramped.
The Concert ukulele is a little bit bigger at 23 inches, which makes it a little less cramped than the Soprano above. It also produces that classic ukulele sound, but is a bit louder and deeper than the smaller Soprano. If you are new to the instrument, this is the size that I would opt for, personally.
Even bigger again is the Tenor at 26 inches. At this size, the Tenor begins to sound a little less Uke-like and a little deeper, like a classical guitar. It is generally favored by professional players.
Lastly, we have the Baritone ukulele at 30 inches. Its larger size makes it sound closer to a classical guitar than a ukulele. It is also tuned slightly differently to the 3 smaller styles above.
Check out the following video from our friends over at Reverb. In this, you can clearly hear the differences between the four different sizes to help you make your decision.
What Is The Best Left Handed Ukulele?
When starting out with ukulele you are probably going to want to opt for one of the two smallest sizes – Soprano or Concert. These will give you that traditional ukulele sound, and a more compact, comfortable size.
I’ve listed a few great, affordable choices below which you can pick up today using the links supplied. One of this list of the best left handed ukuleles could be in your hands as soon as tomorrow!
Disclosure: If you decide to purchase a ukulele using the links in this article I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Any of these instruments will make for a great introduction to left handed ukuleles.
Ranch Left Handed Concert Ukulele
Best Budget Left Handed Ukulele
The most affordable route into left handed ukulele is going to be this concert-sized beauty from Ranch. Despite its low price, the Ranch left handed Concert Ukulele also comes with a fantastic quality padded gig bag for easy transport.
The main features include a classy Sapele body with full body binding, Okoume neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and quality Aquila nylon ukulele strings.
A really nice touch on the Ranch is the Hawaiian-inspired etching around the soundhole, as well as the etched logos on the headstock. This combined with the full body binding really gives the ukulele the appearance of a much more expensive instrument.
The only real downside to this instrument is that it doesn’t come with any bundled accessories other than a gig bag. So you may need to source your own tuner at the very least.
Here’s a great video that will let you hear how great it sounds. Note that the left handed version is not available as a package, so the headstock tuner and strap mentioned in this video aren’t included. See the section below on tuning for my recommendation for a super-affordable tuner option.
Key Features:
- Body : Sapele (Fully Bound)
- Neck : Okoume w/ 18 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
- Bridge : Rosewood
- Gig Bag : Yes
- Accessories : None
What I Like/Dislike About The Ranch Left Handed Concert Ukulele
Like:
- Low price without sacrificing quality and features.
- Quality gig bag included
- Lifetime warranty
- Strung with premium Aquila ukulele strings.
- Has the look of a ukulele which is much more expensive than it is.
Dislike:
- A headstock tuner would have been a useful addition to the package.
- No ability to connect to an amp or computer.
- Brand snobs may not approve.
The Ranch is undoubtedly one of the best left handed ukuleles for new players on a tight budget. Check out the glowing customer reviews at the link below!
Donner Concert Ukulele
Best Left Handed Uke Package
If you are looking for a left handed ukulele package on a budget, then this little beauty from Donner may just tick all of your boxes.
I recently reviewed the Donner DAG-1C acoustic and was super-impressed at the quality of instrument on offer for such little money. Their lefty ukulele continues that trend, offering astonishing value for money.
For just a little more cash than the Ranch model above, the Donner left handed Concert Ukulele package includes a funky gig bag, but also bundles in a raft of extra accessories such as a strap, headstock tuner, extra strings, and a few others.
Essentially, you are getting everything you need to get started with the ukulele.
The left handed uke body is constructed from mahogany, a tonewood that is known for having a smooth and warm sound without becoming overly muddy. The rustic mahogany combined with the black binding, headstock veneer, and tuners gives this instrument a unique and classy appearance.
A further attribute of this left handed uke is its cutaway, which helps to ensure that you have excellent access to the higher frets. I think it also looks a little more appealing, but that’s just me!
Remarkably, the Donner also comes with a real bone nut and saddle for improved sound transmission. Although, the vegans amongst us might not be too glad to hear about this inclusion!
Finally, both front and rear strap pegs are present to ensure maximum compatibility with various types of straps.
Key Features:
- Body : Mahogany (Fully Bound)
- Neck : Mahogany w/ 18 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
- Bridge : Rosewood
- Gig Bag : Yes
- Accessories : Strap, Tuner, Extra Strings, Picks, Polishing Cloth
What I Like/Dislike About The Donner Concert Ukulele
Like:
- Includes everything you need to get started.
- 2-year warranty
- Strung with quality Aquila strings.
- Real bone nut and saddle.
Dislike:
- No ability to connect to an amp or computer.
- Brand snobs may look down on you.
On a budget, the Donner left handed concert ukulele is going to be hard to beat if you are looking for a package that includes everything needed to get started. Check it out at the link below!
Kmise Soprano Ukulele
Left Handed Soprano Ukulele
The Concert-sized instruments above are great budget choices, but what if you’d prefer a slightly smaller left handed Soprano ukulele? The choices are fairly slim in this size bracket, but luckily, the Kmise soprano ukuklele is a solid and affordable choice.
Even better, the Kmise ukulele package comes with everything you need to get started with the instrument. Included with this bundle are a gig bag, strap, tuner, and even a spare set of strings.
This smaller-sized lefty uke features an all-mahogany construction to help warm up and smooth out the tone. The body is paired with a walnut fingerboard which gives a rosewood look and feel without that hefty price tag.
The price is also kept low by eliminating any fancy appointments such as binding and body-etching. As a result, the Kmise has a bit of a no-frills appearance, but it plays just as well as the two budget left handed concert ukulele models we’ve looked at above.
Upgraded 18:1 ratio tuners should give a smooth and stable tuning experience when compared to the 15:1 tuners found on many budget instruments.
Key Features:
- Body : Mahogany (Fully Bound)
- Neck : Mahogany w/ 18 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
- Bridge : Rosewood
- Gig Bag : Yes
- Accessories : Strap, Tuner, Extra Strings, Picks, Polishing Cloth
What I Like/Dislike About The Kmise Soprano Ukulele
Like:
- Includes everything you need to get started.
- Incredible value for money.
- Smooth 18:1 ratio tuners.
Dislike:
- No-frills appearance.
- Non-branded strings.
- Brand snobs may not approve.
The Kmise is an excellent left handed Soprano ukulele for new left handed players testing the waters, and also for those on a tight budget. Check it out at the link below!
Ranch Tenor Ukulele
Left Handed Tenor Ukulele
You didn’t think I’d forgotten about those of you looking for a larger left handed tenor ukulele, did you?
I recommended the affordable Ranch left handed concert ukulele models above as one of the best choices for left handed players on a budget. Well, the good news if that Ranch also offers this model in a beefier tenor size!
This Ranch tenor ukulele is exactly the same as the concert model, just bigger! So, I won’t bore you with the same details again. Instead, you can jump back up to the concert model for a detailed rundown of specs and features.
As far as tenors go, this is undoubtedly one of the best left handed ukuleles on a budget. If it sounds like the lefty uke for you, then check it out at the link above!
Ortega RU5 Concert Ukulele
Best Intermediate Choice
Ortega is a brand that makes a big song and dance about their left handed range, so it’s unsurprising to see that their range of left handed ukuleles is strong!
From their popular Bonfire series, the Ortega RU5L is the brand’s best-selling ukulele (well, the right handed version is!). It is available with either a spruce or Sapele top – I have shown the spruce version above.
For a little extra money, the RU5L offers improved build quality, playability, and sound when compared to the more affordable models above.
The model I have displayed features the classic tried and tested spruce and sapele tonewood combination for a balanced and versatile sound. As I’ve already mentioned, it is also available with a Sapele top if you would like to warm the sound up a little.
The mahogany neck uses a satin finish that helps to provide a really smooth playing experience, and the die-cast tuners will ensure that this uke stays perfectly in tune.
Standout features on the Ortega RU5L include tortoise shell body binding for a unique and classy appearance, plus an elegant laser-etched butterfly and grass motif on the body.
Key Features:
- Body : Sapele w/ Spruce Top (Mahogany Top Also Available)
- Neck : Mahogany w/ 18 Fret Walnut Fingerboard
- Bridge : Walnut
- Gig Bag : Yes
- Accessories : None
What I Like/Dislike About The Ortega RU5L
Like:
- Excellent build quality and playability.
- Choice of spruce or Sapele top.
- Tortoise shell binding and body etching give a premium look.
- 2-year warranty.
Dislike:
- No gig bag or accessories are included.
- Non-branded strings
The Ortega RU5L is an excellent choice for a first ukulele, but will also make a great option for left handed players looking to move up from a budget model. The only choice you have to make is – spruce or Sapele?
Luna Tattoo Electro-Acoustic Concert Ukulele
Left Handed Electric Ukulele
The Luna Tattoo left handed electric ukulele is a great choice if you’d prefer your uke to have electronics. It’s also certainly one of the better-looking instruments on this list with its Hawaiian-inspired body etching!
This ukulele has an all-mahogany body, with a walnut fingerboard featuring shark tooth inlays. This classic tonewood combination gives the Tattoo a clear, warm, and resonant sound.
An onboard pre-amp allows the uke to be plugged into an amp or practice/recording device. There are also EQ sliders that will allow you to shape the bass and presence levels, as well as adjust the volume.
Also note that while it does have a pre-amp, there is no built-in tuner, so you will need to pick up one of these separately if you do not already have one. See the section below on tuning for my recommendation.
Other standout features include a cutaway for improved upper fret access, geared tuners, and a Luna-branded gig bag for easy transport. It comes strung with quality Aquila super nylgut strings as well.
Check out the video below for a quick overview and sound demonstration of this beautiful little uke.
Although I’ve suggested it as a great choice for a left handed electric ukulele, it is also available without electronics if you like the look but don’t require the ability to plug in. Check it out here.
Key Features:
- Body : Mahogany
- Neck : Mahogany w/ 18 Fret Walnut Fingerboard
- Bridge : Walnut
- Gig Bag : Yes
- Accessories : None
What I Like/Dislike About The Luna Tattoo
Like:
- Excellent build quality and playability.
- Hawaiian-inspired etching gives a premium look.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Comes with superior Aquila strings.
Dislike:
- No accessories are included.
- The preamp has no built-in tuner.
There aren’t a ton of choices when it comes to electro-acoustic left handed ukuleles, but the Luna should definitely tick all of your boxes if your budget allows it.
If the Luna Concert Tattoo left-handed ukulele sounds like the instrument for you, be sure to check it out at the link below!
Ortega RUTI-CC Concert Ukulele
Premium Lefty Ukulele Choice
How about a higher-end choice for those that have a little extra cash to splash on one of the more premium left handed ukuleles? For the second time in this list, I’d like to direct your attention toward Ortega.
The Ortega RUTI-CC from the brand’s Timber Series is the only left handed solid-top ukulele to feature in this list. For those not in the know, a solid top will resonate better, offering an improved quality of sound. In addition, the solid cedar top will continue to improve as the wood ages!
Other premium features on these solid wood ukuleles include beautiful walnut back and sides, walnut binding, maple ‘bar’ inlays, ovangkol headstock veneer, a real bone nut and saddle, and deluxe gold tuners with classy black buttons.
Aside from the actual uke, you will also receive an ultra-high quality deluxe gig bag in which to store your new pride and joy.
The only real downside to this uke is that it is fairly pricey compared to the other instruments on this list. But it really is a case of you getting what you pay for here.
Key Features:
- Body : Walnut w/ Solid Cedar Top
- Neck : Okoume w/ 18 Fret Walnut Fingerboard
- Bridge : Walnut
- Gig Bag : Yes
- Accessories : None
What I Like/Dislike About The Ortega RUTI-CC
Like:
- Superb build quality and playability.
- The solid top offers improved sound quality.
- High-quality gig bag included.
- 2-year warranty.
Dislike:
- Pricey for a ukulele
- No accessories are included.
- The preamp has no built-in tuner.
Although it’s a decent chunk of cash for a ukulele, those who can afford it will be rewarded with excellent build quality, a rich tone that will only improve with age, and smooth playability.
Check out these solid wood ukuleles at the link below.
And that concludes our list of the best left handed ukuleles! Read on and we’ll answer a few questions that you may have about the instrument.
How To Tune A Left Handed Ukulele
If you’d like to purchase a separate tuner, I recommend the Fender FT-1 clip-on headstock tuner. It functions perfectly on a ukulele, and costs less than the price of a pack of good strings!
Standard tuning on a ukulele is G-C-E-A (from top to bottom). For extra clarity, check out the image below which shows tuning on a lefty ukulele.
As we’ve already mentioned above, if you opt for a larger left handed baritone ukulele you will need to tune slightly differently. Baritone left handed ukuleles are tuned DGBA – a fourth down from GCEA tuning.
Left Handed Ukulele Lessons
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on the site, lefties generally have an easier time learning from right handed teachers. For this reason, there is nothing stopping you from using one of the many free lessons on sites such as Youtube.
Learn To Play Ukulele Left Handed
However, if you want to make sure you are starting off on the right path, there is a great book from Hal Leonard for beginner lefty players which you can check out here. It is chock full of left handed ukulele chords, scales, and more!
The book, by Hal Leonard, is aimed squarely at brand new left handed ukulele players. It includes 46 tracks of online audio which can be streamed or downloaded for playing along with.
A wide range of beginner lessons are covered from the history of the ukulele, how to read music, different tunings, chords, scales, strumming techniques, and much more. A perfect place for any new player to begin!
Left Handed Ukulele Chords
You can also find a free left handed ukulele chord chart right here on LeftyFretz. On this page, you’ll learn some really useful chords to help get you started.
Ukulele Parts Guide
Wondering what all of the different parts that make up a ukulele are called? Or not sure exactly what they all do?
Check out my ukulele parts guide (with helpful diagrams)
More Expensive Options
If you’re looking to spend a little more cash, here are a few brands that will happily supply you with the best left handed ukuleles. Send me an email if I have missed anyone – you’ll find a link to the contact form in the footer at the bottom of this page.
These were the best left handed ukuleles that I can happily recommend. Hopefully, if you’ve made it this far you’ve managed to find your perfect left handed ukulele. Good luck, and enjoy your new instrument!
Fun fact! Did you know that once every year we celebrate National Ukulele Day?
