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We’re always amazed by someone who is a great ukulele tuner by ear! To have that perfect pitch is a serious skill. We only wish we could be so accurate every time!
But, it’s not just people like us who struggle. You might be on a noisy stage; you might be in a rush. Sometimes, it’s just not the time or the place for ear tuning.
We all require a bit of assistance from time to time. So, what do we need here? A quick, accurate, electric tuner! So, let’s look at some of the best ukulele tuners around and find the perfect one for you…
Top 6 Best Ukulele Tuners For The Money 2020 Reviews
1 KLIQ UberTuner
Music to my ears!
One day in NYC, a group of musicians felt frustrated by the poor-quality tuners available on the market. What did they do? They built their own! And the KLIQ UberTuner was born!
Precision is the name of the game here. With its extra delicate sensor, this ukulele tuner ensures total accuracy. The highly advanced microprocessor is super-fast, meaning we get exact tuning in an instant.
This tiny, lightweight model simply clips onto the end the uke. It offers a tight hold on the headstock and picks up sound vibrations with ease. But don’t worry; the clasp is not so firm that it runs the risk of damaging your instrument!
And another awesome thing about this clip; it can be used at any angle. The screen is attached with a three-point adjustment. No matter which direction it faces, you can swivel it round to see your note.
So how about that screen?
Well, it’s big, it’s bright, and it’s bold. You can be sure it read it clearly, no matter how dark the stage.
This tuner comes preset with the common uke tuning of GCEA. But what if we want to mix it up a little? What if we have a baritone uke, or we just want to play a bit differently?
It also has a chromatic setting. So, you can tune your uke any way you want to with ease. And it even comes with guitar, and violin tuning presets as well, for those multi-talented instrumentalists.
Because it’s so small, the three control buttons can be a little fiddly. And its casing is fairly basic plastic, so we have some concerns about it breaking. But then again, the three-year warranty means we never really have to worry about that!
Pros
- Extremely precise.
- Well-lit screen.
- Three-year warranty.
Cons
- Tiny buttons can be difficult to use at first.
2 Snark SN6X Clip-On Tuner For Ukulele
Hitting the high notes
Up next, this nifty little Snark tuner. Another clip-on device, this model attaches firmly to the end of your uke. User-friendly, and with a simple design, nothing could be more straight forward!
The display is a real asset here. Large and clear, its color-coded, light-up screen gives us an unhindered view. We can be sure of absolute clarity, regardless of our surroundings. And as an extra bonus, it swivels 360 degrees. No more fumbling to make sure it’s facing the right way; a quick turn allows you to view the display from any angle.
This is an extremely user-friendly device!
Instead of fiddling with a number of small buttons, this just has one large switch, proudly displayed on the front! Great for easy access when you’re on stage or in a hurry.
What’s our favorite aspect of this tuner? It contains a built-in metronome. Not only does it tune your uke, but it also makes sure you stay in time with a steady sense of rhythm.
So far, so good! But what’s the catch?
Well, despite these awesome features, the Snark ukulele tuner battery isn’t great. It has a pretty short life span. We’d prefer something a little longer lasting. Plus, the casing is made from very weak plastic. It feels a little cheap and flimsy. We don’t feel sure that it would be protected from damage if dropped or knocked about.
Having said that, this could still be a good option for the amateur player! That metronome can seriously benefit a new musician. And it’s so easy to use, and it would be a great first tuner for a beginner.
Pros
- Contains a built-in metronome.
- Large, clear, display.
Cons
- Battery lacks longevity.
- Other tuners are more accurate.
- Unsubstantial casing.
3 Mugig T-1 Clip-On Tuner for Guitar, Bass, Violin, Ukulele
Delicate and Discreet
Our next item is a professional-looking piece of kit. Small yet practical, it slips swiftly on and off your instrument with ease. Therefore you can tune your uke quickly in any kind of environment.
Wide range of frequency is a real bonus here. Not just for ukulele, this tuner comes with a span of A0-C8. It’s a perfect tuner for all instruments, with a variety of settings as well as chromatic tuning.
The display screen is another solid feature. It’s clear and easy to read, offering a straight-forward tuning experience. It also includes a lot more detail than some other models, showing the frequency to within one cent.
This is another tuner that clamps onto the headstock of your uke. Thanks to that 360-degree swivel feature, we get an unimpeded view of the screen from any angle. Just clip it on, twist, and go!
We love the design here. It’s sleek and stylish but doesn’t sacrifice function for beauty. It looks great and works well too.
Sounds too good to be true, right?
No, it really is this good! There’s not much we don’t like about this tuner. It fulfills all our requirements, wrapped up in a super light yet solid case.
And considering its high standards, it’s pretty easy on the wallet too. Great quality without breaking the bank; what more could you want?
Pros
- Large frequency range.
- Detailed screen.
- 360 degree swivel display.
Cons
- Might be a bit on the small side for some consumers.
4 Real Tuner – Chromatic Clip On Tuner
Good vibrations
To the untrained eye, this might just seem like your everyday, basic, tuner. But it’s so much more!
It offers us two different methods of tuning. Firstly, it works through vibration. The tuner picks up sound waves and uses them to determine the note — ideal for playing on stage or in other noisy environments.
And then, it also has a ukulele tuner microphone. Why does this matter? Well, it means we don’t have to attach the device to our instrument. It removes all possible risks of scratching from the clip. It also means we can even sing into it, and it will accurately detect the note!
Aside from that, for accessibility alone, this might be one of the best quality ukulele tuners around. It’s large, front facing, buttons offer fantastic ease of use and are clearly marked. So simple, even a child could use it.
In the middle of those buttons is the screen. Brightly colored and with excellent readability, it’s the perfect way to display information. And it offers plenty of detail too, with a wide selection of settings.
And it’s got a really great grip too. Thick rubber pads offer excellent protection. No need to worry about damage, if you do choose to clip it on instead of using the mic.
Of course, all these awesome features do come at a price. It’s certainly not the cheapest we’ve ever seen. But maybe with this item, we get what we pay for?
Pros
- Ease of use.
- Offers mic and vibration-based technology.
- Detailed screen.
Cons
- Slightly on the pricey side.
5 KLIQ MetroPitch – Metronome Tuner
Three in one
Our penultimate item in our reviews of the best ukulele tuners is a big hitter! Not your average tuner, this bad boy has a massive number of awesome features.
This tuner doesn’t use vibration to determine a note. Instead, it has both a built-in microphone and an input jack. Use the mic with acoustic, and the jack with electric ukes.
This A0-C8 chromatic tuner is suitable for all kinds of instruments. It has preset tuning for most things with strings, as well as transposition settings for brass or woodwind. Hey, this could even be the best tuner for a trombone!
For quick tuning in a noisy environment, it can be faster to use a clip-on tuner. Some may not like having to mess around plugging it in. With a vibration-based tuner, it can sit on the end of the uke the entire time you’re playing, without interference.
But wait! This is not just a tuner! It’s also a metronome…
Preset with a variety of tempos, this device will help you keep the beat. Use the simple dial to speed up and slow down, allowing you to improve your timing. It’s easy to use, and a seriously handy little feature.
And that’s not all! We also get a tone generator. This offers yet another method of tuning and even helps us to work on tuning by ear.
Bit of a learning curve…
Naturally, all these added extras mean it’s a little more complicated to use than some. It’s not the most user-friendly to begin with. But with a bit of practice, we’re sure you’ll get the hang of it!
Oh, and for those fashion-conscious players, it comes in striking bright red.
Pros
- Tuner, metronome, tone generator combo.
- Variety of tuning methods.
- Clear, accurate display.
Cons
- No vibration-based option.
- Slightly more complicated to use due to its number of extra features.
6 D’Addario NS Micro Clip On Tuner
Tiny but mighty
As many readers will already know, D’Addario make some of the most reliable musical accessories around. Originally a strings manufacturer, they now provide musicians with a wide variety of tools.
So how does this tuner hold up?
For those who value discretion, this model is perfect. At just 1.25 inches, it’s small enough to sit on your headstock without the audience even noticing. It can even stay on your uke when it’s in a case; that’s how tiny it is!
This is another item that offers a metronome mode. Unlike others, though, the beat is displayed on the screen rather than as a ticking noise.
Yes and no. The sound of a metronome can be pretty annoying. It’s nice not to have that noise distracting from the music.
But having to watch the screen all the time can be irritating too. It takes our focus away from what our hands are doing. If we’re learning a new piece, it’s not easy to concentrate on our fingering, and a flashing light as well.
In terms of accuracy, this is a good option. Its Piezo transducer picks up the vibrations and quickly displays the note on the easy-to-read screen. It offers us the ability to precisely tune our ukulele, in an instant.
Anything else? Though the display is clear, it is a little basic. It doesn’t offer much detail. And it’s a bit old fashioned-looking too!
But, if what you really need is a fast, accurate tuning without your audience seeing, then maybe this is the best ukulele tuner for you!
Pros
- Absolutely tiny!
- Includes a metronome.
- Great accuracy.
Cons
- Very simple display.
- Visual metronome.
- Looks a little dated.
Best Ukulele Tuners Buyers Guide
For something so small, we really have a lot to think about when choosing the very best tuners for ukulele! There are so many different factors.
Precision & Range
The most important consideration has to be precision. Not much point in a tuner that doesn’t tune! The model you chose should have pinpoint accuracy in determining your note.
Range of frequency can be so confusing when picking a tuner! But try not to worry too much. Look for a tuning range of A0-C8, and this will be perfect for a ukulele.
Tuning Method
The method it uses to tune really depends on your needs. Do you plan to use it while rocking out on stage? Or while chugging cold beers during a jam with friends? Different technologies will suit different musicians.
A clip-on tuner that uses vibration is a good all-rounder. They’re quick and easy to use, and are usually pretty small. Perfect for both performance and practice.
One concern that we may have with clip-on’s though is that they could scratch the headstock if they’re not padded well. This is where a mic-based tuner can be better. However, we’d struggle to use this kind of model in a noisy environment, such as a concert.
Tuners with a jack are great for recitals. Your electric ukulele or pick up can plug directly into the device. They can be fiddlier than clip-on’s, though, and cannot be used with acoustic instruments that don’t have a pickup.
And then we have tone generator tuners. These can be awesome if you’re trying to improve your tuning by ear! But as they don’t use a transponder, they’re likely to be less accurate.
What Else?
The display is very important. At the very least, we should be able to clearly see if our uke is sharp or flat. And ideally, it would show other details too, such as frequency.
And then we come to the controls. Some tuners are so tiny that they can be awkward to use! We prefer a tuner with no more than three, easily accessible buttons, so we don’t waste time fumbling between settings.
Do We Want To Use This On Other Instruments Too?
We’ll need a model with a wide frequency range. It should come preset for the common ukulele tuning, but it’s better to pick one that is a chromatic tuner as well.
Some tuners in this review had a lot of awesome additions, like metronomes. We’d say, if you’re a new player, having a metronome included can be a seriously useful thing! But seasoned pros probably won’t need it.
And if you’re a traveling musician, be careful! We all know how rough public transport can be on our belongings! A hard, sturdy, plastic shell will keep it safe from damage, whether on stage or in transit.
There’s a lot to think about! It’s easy to get overwhelmed! But hopefully, you know have a better idea of what to look for when selecting a tuner.
Need Some More Stuff?
Not much point having a quality tuner if you’re uke is not up to scratch, so check out our reviews of the Best Concert Ukuleles for Beginners, the Best Tenor Ukuleles, the Best Baritone Ukuleles, the Best Ukulele for Beginners, and the Best Bass Ukulele on the market.
You may also be interested in our reviews of the Best Ukelele Capos, the Best Ukulele Cases, and the Best Ukulele Straps currently available.
Plus, if you are looking to improve, the Ukelele Buddy learning system is well worth checking out. Find out all about it in our in-depth Ukelele Buddy review.
So, What Are The Best Ukulele Tuners?
The KLIQ MetroPitch nearly had it! But it was pipped to the post by the…Mugig T-1.
The display on this really clinched it for us. It’s incredibly detailed but remains easy to read. And its bright green lights can be clearly seen in any environment. And as well as being preset for a range of stringed instruments, it has that always useful chromatic setting. And the frequency is absolutely perfect.
No, it doesn’t have a metronome. But this isn’t a metronome review! And it really was the most professional option we looked at.
So happy strumming!
