Kala KA-15S Soprano Ukulele Review

The Kala KA-15S soprano ukulele has over 1,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. Is this the best beginner soprano ukulele? Read on to find out!

Written by John Allnutt / Published March 9, 2024

Last updated: June 19, 2024

Our Verdict

For beginners looking to buy their very first ukulele, the KA-15S is a fantastic choice. Not only is it reasonably priced, but the quality of the workmanship, the sound, feel and aesthetics make this instrument stand out amongst other sub $100 ukuleles on the market. For those looking for a similar uke that doesn’t sport the same rosette design as the 15S, the Kala KA-S boasts the same specs, albeit at a slightly higher price. You can read our review of the Kala KA-S ukulele here. But really, for around $20 less you get the practically the same quality instrument in the 15S which is why we recommend it over the KA-S.

Specs

RELATED: The Best Kala Ukuleles: Our Top Recommendations

Kala KA-15S Review

Overall Look and Design

The Kala KA-15S is a soprano size which means that it has a small and light body and bright (but not too bright) tone. It measures 21” in length which is generally regarded as the smallest sized ukulele. Its body is made from laminated mahogany wood which gives a warm and rich tone with its fretboard and the bridge made from laurel, a wood similar to rosewood. The instrument feels balanced with little to no recognizable neck dive. “Neck dive” generally refers to a stringed instrument where the headstock and neck outweigh the rest of the instrument.  

In terms of design, the ukulele has an uncomplicated yet stylish appearance with a medium satin stained finish and laser etched rosette design. Its satin feel and appearance are a nice addition as it doesn’t make a “squeak” while moving around on the neck or negatively affecting the tone of the instrument. However, it does have some bright stark tuners that may turn a few people away for its appearance. It also has side ukulele fret dots which are a big plus. Overall, if you like a more minimal look the KA-15S may be up your alley. 

One thing that sets this ukulele apart from sub $100 ukuleles is its tuning gears and knobs – which are larger than most. Their larger size makes tuning easy and accurate compared to other ukuleles. This is especially useful for newer ukulele players who want to dial in their tuning more easily.

Sound Quality

A common problem with entry level ukuleles is that the wood chosen for the top of the body is too thick. This creates a choked off and thin sound. This is not the case with the KA-15S. It produces loud and clear sounds, with a good balance between highs and lows. However, if you are looking for even deeper and lower ukulele sounds I recommend that you purchase a larger bodied instrument such as a concert, tenor, or baritone ukulele.

The setup of an instrument typically means how well an instrument plays without needless buzzing or frets that sound out of tune. The Kala soprano ukulele sounds great right out of the box. I did not detect anything out of place and the fret ends were not sharp while sliding up and down the neck and the instrument has great intonation.

Feel

The action of a ukulele usually means how easy it is to fret the strings without applying too much finger pressure from the fretting hand. The action on this instrument is low (a good thing!) and plays easily due to its accurate intonation. Its frets are outfitted with brass so they have a softer feel than most guitar frets would. As stated earlier, fretting this ukulele feels great right out of the box which is rare for a ukulele at its price. Most ukuleles, even at double and triple the price, need to be set up by a professional which can add to the cost of a new ukulele.

Those with smaller hands, such as children, will have an easier time playing this ukulele due to its smaller fret spacing. Those with larger hands and fingers may find that they are unable to fit three to four fingers where they need to in order to play more complex chords. However, if you mainly play songs with just three to four chords, or want to barre simple chord shapes, this ukulele may be just right for you. 

I suggest visiting a reputable ukulele store if possible to try out this instrument and many others. Take notes on what you like; appearance, feel, tone (bright or warm), playability, design features, and what unique features the ukulele may add to your collection. This comparison can make all of the difference!  

Travel Friendly 

Another benefit of owning a soprano ukulele is how travel friendly they are! Many ukulele owners are able to fit their ukuleles in their luggage while still having room for other items. If flying however, I recommend that you travel with a more robust ukulele such as a carbon/plastic ukulele by companies like Enya, OUTDOOR, or Klos. There is something special about being able to have a ukulele with you wherever you go! 

Price 

For a beginner ukulele, I feel that the price is set slightly higher than other ukuleles in its class at $65 US. However, I feel that if you would like a ukulele that is ready right out of the box, you can’t go wrong with the Kala 15S! 

Consistency 

When purchasing a mass produced ukulele (as opposed to a custom made ukulele) quality control from ukulele to ukulele is very important. I own two ukuleles (whose brand I will not mention here) and one of them has much better intonation than the other. After purchasing four KA-15S’ for our music teaching studio I can gladly say that this instrument is consistent from instrument to instrument in every way. 

What It Comes With 

On top of all this, the Kala 15S ukulele comes with high-quality Aquila strings as well as a Graph Tech nut, thereby enhancing sound and tuning stability. Sound wise, the nut on this instrument is a definite upgrade from your $30-$40 ukuleles. Unfortunately, this ukulele only comes in a cardboard box, without a gig bag or tuner. For its price range however, the workmanship is excellent with no major defects or blemishes.  

Other Comparable Ukuleles to the KA-15S

Enya Nova Soprano Ukulele – For the ultimate travel friendly and durable ukulele this ukulele is hard to beat at about $50 US. Its body is at least half as slim. The only thing this ukulele lacks is the warmth of tone that you would get from the Kala KA-15s.

Hricane Soprano Ukulele (UKS-1) – This relatively unknown ukulele brand has been a very good producer of discount ukuleles in my teaching studio. The benefits of acquiring this ukulele is that it comes with lots of extras; gig bag, digital tuner, strap, extra strings, picks, and a cleaning cloth. These are all things that a ukulele player should own in addition to their instrument. $50-$60 US.

Martin S1 or equivalent – On the much more expensive side, branch out to see if a solid top ukulele is something you would like compared to laminate ukuleles. If you just want to try out a ukulele or aren’t sure you want to commit to taking care of a solid top instrument, like the Martin S1, the KA-15S or other recommended laminate or carbon/plastic instruments above may be more to your liking. As you grow in skill however, you may find that the price justifies the means! $400 US.

Should You Buy the Kala KA-15S Soprano Ukulele?

Overall, the Kala-15S soprano ukulele is a decently affordable option for those who want a quality instrument at reasonable cost. Moreover, it is suitable for travelers because of its small size but durable enough to withstand light travel rigors. From folk to pop, jazz and blues, this ukulele is suitable for almost any musical genre. This ukulele is a nearly perfect ukulele for beginner ukulele players especially with smaller hands and fingers. Again, my recommendation is to go try out ukes, including the Kala KA-15S, to see if it is the right fit for you! 

Where to Buy

John Allnutt

Writer & Ukulele Teacher

John has been teaching music since 2008 and resides in Richmond, Kentucky with his wife Laura and dog Sam. In his spare time he enjoys growing and cooking food, roasting coffee, playing board games, and spreading joy through playing and teaching music.