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If we were to rank instruments in terms of whimsy, the ukulele would surely fall somewhere near the top, thanks both to its jaunty tone and small size, which allow it to be played in a variety of amusingly unlikely places, like a public bus or atop a unicycle. But contrary to what you may have been taught by a decade of manic pixie dream girls, you should really carry your uke in a case, and not just carry it about town by the neck willy-nilly.
While a hard case will offer the best defense in case of major accidents, we like the light weight and convenience of a soft ukulele case, which usually includes padding to provide at least some measure of protection from the elements.
The first thing to note when shopping for a case is the size, as it should fit snugly around your instrument. In most cases, a 21-inch case fits a 21-inch soprano ukulele, a 23-inch case fits a 23-inch concert ukulele, and a 26-inch case suits a 26-inch tenor. Most instruments vary slightly in size, and the case must be longer than the instrument, so make note.
When we rounded up our recommendations, we also made note of the durability and quality of the cases’ materials, how convenient and easy-to-use it is (I.e. zippers), and style of strap, as some prefer backpack style while others prefer a single strap.
No matter what case you choose, the best ukulele soft cases allow you to transport your instrument with ease, while giving you a safe and secure place to store it for travel or at home.