1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best under $500
4. Best under $300
5. Best under $200
6. Best under $100
7. Best for deep space observing
8. Best for backyard moon and planet gazing
9. Best for children
10. Best for smartphone astrophotography
11. Best EQ mount for youngsters
12. Further analysis
13. Best budget telescopes FAQ
14. How to choose
15. How we test
The best telescopes under $500 make the world of stargazing and astronomy more accessible to those on tighter budgets and can also be a great way of introducing kids to the hobby. We're seeing some fantastic deals so keep an eye on our telescopes deals page too, to make sure you're getting the best price available on your chosen scope.
When buying a budget item, it can be hard to know what is good value and what is just not up to the job. Our expert reviewers have tried and tested all the telescopes on this list so that you know you're investing your money in a quality product. We've categorized them under different price brackets and by their best features, including models for viewing the moon, planets and deep space and even models that work alongside your smartphone.
If you can afford to spend a little more or you're looking for a more advanced scope, we have guides to the best telescopes and best telescopes for deep space. And if you're just starting out and need something that's simple and straightforward to use, we also have a guide to the best beginner telescopes to get you started.
Josh Dury is a recognized landscape astrophotographer, presenter, writer and educator based near the Mendip Hills AONB in Somerset, United Kingdom. His work has been recognized by several photographic bodies, including The Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition, UNESCO, to major UK and international publishing and media outlets, including the BBC and ITV to name but two and photography suppliers Sigma and Benro. Josh has been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) as an active campaigner for Dark Skies. He also graduated with first-class honors from his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Photography at the University of the West of England (UWE).
Best budget telescopes under $500 we recommend in 2023
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The quick list
This is a quick overview of what's in the best budget telescopes under $500 in the guide below. The links allow you to check out the detailed review quickly.
Best overall
Best overall telescope under $500
This is a telescope with a 130mm aperture that allows for ideal viewing of galaxies, nebulas, planets and star clusters. The StarSense app locates targets that are visible in the night sky so astronomers can view them with ease. The telescope is easy to set up and use so it's ideal for those without much previous experience.
Best under $500
Best under $500
The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is similar to the DX 130AZ you will see at the top of this list. However, it has a smaller aperture. Despite this, it might be preferable for absolute beginners and we loved using it alongside the app when we tested it out. It's lighter and easier to transport than the DX 130AZ too.
Best under $300
Best under $300
The Orion StarMax 90 Tabletop offers all-round value at this price point. It features optics of decent quality, it's ready to use out-of-the-box, it has a decently sized aperture and the Maksutov-Cassegrain design means that there's no color-fringing. The tabletop design makes it an ideal choice for those who don't want a complicated setup.
Best under $200
Best under $200
The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is the stand-out budget option from Celestron. It features a large aperture and is great for setting up in a remote location and viewing the stars. The only real drawbacks we could see here is that the mounts might take a little getting used to and it's supposed to be portable despite its 22 lbs weight. A top choice for beginners.
Best under $100
Best under $100
The Celestron FirstScope 76 is usually priced comfortably under $100 and it's ideal for younger stargazers. It's sturdily built and is ready to use out-of-the-box. However, the primary mirror isn't adjustable so, it's good for viewing the lunar surface and broader views of the night sky, but not much more than that.
Best for Deep Space
Best for Deep Space
The Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ is the best for crisp, wide-angle views. It has a really solid build and it comes with a host of accessories from Barlow lenses to eyepieces to a moon map and more. It's f/4 focal ratio also means that wide-angled views is where this telescope excels and the EQ mount allows you to keep moving targets central in your eyepiece with slow-motion controls. At this price point, it offers pretty good value.
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Best for backyard moon gazing
Best for backyard moon gazing
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is an excellent choice for both intermediate and beginner stargazers on a budget. It offers a hassle-free viewing experience and works excellently with the StarSense app. It also comes with accessories, which help planets and distant star cluster become more visible. This is a great choice at this price point.
Best for children
Best for children
The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a great choice for budding astronomers and absolute beginners. It's easy-to-use mount allows for a pleasant viewing experience and it comes with numerous accessories that make it straightforward enough to view the moon and planets.
Best for smartphone astrophotography
Best for smartphone astrophotography
The Celestron Inspire 100 AZ is well suited to adult beginners and even offers a nice introduction to astrophotography. It comes with accessories including a smartphone adaptor and eyepieces which help with viewing the lunar surfaces as well as other planets.
Best EQ mount for young skywatchers
Best EQ mount for young skywatchers
The Orion SpaceProbe II 76 is an excellent choice for younger skywatchers. It's well made and it comes with a good range of accessories too. On top of that, it's lightweight and easy enough to transport around, making it a great choice for such a low price point.
The best budget telescopes we recommend in 2023
The best overall telescope under 500 dollars
✅ You're looking to get into astrophotography: this telescope is a good entry-level model for astrophotography. There's a docking station for your phone on this telescope that will allow you to snap photos of what you can see through the scope.
✅ You like the use of technology while stargazing: this telescope really shines when used alongside the StarSense app. The app has a huge database and will point you toward various visible night sky targets.
❌ You're a purist: by this, we mean someone who doesn't want the aid of technology and either likes or really doesn't mind spending time setting up their telescope.
❌ You're an absolute beginner: this telescope is actually a decent choice for beginners but, if we're being picky, there are cheaper options in this guide that are just as good for those taking their first steps into astronomy.
🔎 Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is genuine quality on a budget. It offers a fun, easy stargazing experience and is suitable for intermediate and novices alike. It also offers a stepping stone for those getting into astrophotography. At this price point, you have to nit-pick to find anything negative about it. ★★★★
We've touched upon why it's a top choice of telescope in our Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ review, not just for its optics, its aperture and being an entry-level choice for astrophotographers, but this telescope offers more than just that. So, without further ado, here's what makes the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ the best overall budget telescope under $500.
Aperture: The 130mm aperture of this telescope gives it a great ability to gather a lot of light. This results in brighter and, in this case, clearer images. This makes it perfect for observing not only the moon but also galaxies, nebulas, planets and star clusters.
Optics: This telescope features a five-inch primary mirror with highly reflective coatings, allowing night sky targets to appear clear and bright, given the size of the aperture.
Technology: This telescope stands out thanks to its StarSense app technology. With this app, it can locate and identify the objects visible in the night sky, and then guide you to them. This creates an easy and enjoyable experience, making it ideal for beginners who perhaps don't have much prior experience.
Accessories: With this model, you should expect to find a tripod, a smartphone dock, a finderscope and eyepieces as included accessories. While we wish the eyepieces provided more powerful viewing, considering the price, the quality and included accessories still make this a worthwhile product.
Quality of build: It's both reliable and sturdy, offering quality views of the night sky that don't leave you with a sense of it being cheaply made. The mount and optical tube are well-designed, and despite the large aperture, it remains lightweight and portable. However, it's worth noting that this guide also includes the DX 102AZ model, which is even lighter and more portable.
- Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Newtonian Reflector. |
Functionality | Easy-to-use for navigation. |
Performance | Large aperture and good optics, performs well. |
The best budget telescope under 500 dollars
✅ You want to take your telescope with you: the DX 102AZ is lighter and more easily transported than the DX 130AZ so if you don't just want to view the stars from your backyard, this is a good option.
✅ You like or want the help of technology: The StarSense app will locate visible targets in the night sky and point you towards them.
❌ You're an absolute beginner: This wouldn't be a bad choice at all if you were an absolute beginner, but there are other models in this guide that are perfectly suited for beginners that cost less.
❌ You want to view more distant targets: to put it simply, the DX 130AZ has a larger aperture which helps with seeing objects deeper into space.
🔎 The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ works well for both beginner and intermediate astronomers and offers a satisfying and simple stargazing experience. The aperture isn't as large as the DX 130AZ but it is easier to transport around. ★★★½
Aperture: Its pretty sizeable 102mm aperture allows ample light to pass through to your eyes, enabling clear, visible views of celestial objects near and far.
Optics: The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ comes with fully coated glass optics, ensuring that the nighttime celestial subjects look sharp and clear.
Technology: Like the DX 130AZ (also in this guide), this telescope is best when paired with the StarSense app. The app identifies visible night sky objects and guides you to your chosen target. That said, it is still possible to use the telescope without needing the app.
Accessories: In addition to the optical tube and the preassembled tripod and mount, this telescope package includes two eyepieces, a finderscope, an accessory tray, and a convenient smartphone dock, so you can enjoy not only stunning celestial views but also capture beautiful astrophotos with ease.
Quality of build: We're splitting hairs, but when we reviewed the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ, we found that at times some of the controls can feel a little stiff, the optics a little delicate and the accessory tray can be a little fiddly, but overall it's made well enough. Given the price, it's clear you're not getting the best telescope ever made but it doesn't feel cheap or poorly assembled, and we think you'll be happy enough with the build quality.
- Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Achromatic refractor. |
Functionality | Intuitive push-to system for finding objects. |
Performance | Good app and good optics lead to a good experience. |
The best budget telescope under 300 dollars
✅ You don't want to have to set up the telescope: this telescope is ready to use out-of-the-box and its simple design means it's easy to use too.
✅ You're a beginner: the tabletop design means you just need to place it on a flat surface to be able to stargaze. It's easy to set up and use design, so it's perfect for beginners as they won't get frustrated with a complicated setup.
✅ Your priority isn't deep space: given its smaller design and that it carries less power (magnification), this telescope is best suited for views within the solar system.
❌ Your priority is outdoor viewing: it has a tabletop design, so you'd need to carry a flat surface around with you, which isn't exactly practical for outdoor use outside of your backyard.
❌ You want technology assistance: this is ready-to-use out of the box and you will have to find night sky targets without assistance.
❌ You want to view targets outside our solar system: as already mentioned, it's not the biggest or the most powerful telescope and is designed for views within the solar system.
🔎 The Orion Starmax 90 Tabletop telescope is a fantastic choice of telescope for those wanting an easy stargazing experience of views within our solar system. It is ready to use out of the box and just needs a flat surface. ★★★★½
We're moving further away from that $500 mark and exploring more budget options. Already it's evident that there's less technology on offer, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality views, just because you're spending less.
The Orion Starmax 90 features a tabletop design so it's perfect for inspiring budding astronomers as it's compact and lightweight, will fit well on any flat surface around the house and is easy to use — it has decent optics too.
Aperture: At 90mm, this telescope's aperture falls on the smaller side compared to others in this guide, but it's still quite respectable, especially considering its low price. While it lets enough light through to observe the planets in our solar system, it will struggle to view anything further like deep-space objects.
Optics: Inside the 1250mm focal tube is an internal focuser, which moves the primary lens back and forth.
Technology: Unfortunately, this is where the telescope lacks. While its Maksutov-Cassegrain design effectively eliminates color fringing, it lacks the convenience of a motorized mount, a dedicated app or smartphone connectivity to automate much of the tracking and imaging work for astrophotography. That said, some people prefer this!
Accessories: The accessories included here do make up somewhat for the lack of technology, with eyepieces, a reflex sight and a moon map all included. While it's not groundbreaking, they enhance the stargazing experience, and it's hard to ask for much more at this price point.
Quality of build: Generally good. The aperture and optics combine to give you a surprisingly wide field of view for such a compact instrument. The fact that you can get good views of our solar system at this price point and from a telescope of this size demonstrates that it's a well-made model.
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Tabletop Maksutov-Cassegrain. |
Functionality | Ready-to-use with internal focuser. |
Performance | No color fringing, deep space targets will be a struggle. |
The best budget telescope under 200 dollars
✅ You're a novice astronomer: this telescope is Celestron's flagship model for entry-level telescopes, so definitely worth considering if you're starting out.
✅ You don't want a complicated setup: while it's not exactly ready to use out-of-the-box when we tested it, we did find it could be set up in under an hour.
✅ You're on a strict budget: this model comes in under $200, while some components reflect that, it does perform well and especially for its price point.
❌ You're looking for quality accessories: the accessories included will enhance your viewing experience, it's just that the accessories included with other telescopes in this guide are of a higher quality.
❌ You're not starting out in astronomy: this is very much a beginner's telescope and other telescopes in this guide offer a little more.
❌ You are willing to spend more on your next telescope: by this we mean more than what this telescope is worth as there are other scopes in this guide that offer more but, they also cost more.
🔎 The Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ is Celestron's starring light for entry-level telescopes. If you're starting out and on a budget, this is worth getting. However, if you're not just starting out or you have a larger budget, other telescopes might offer you a little more. ★★★
The Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ is ideal for beginners and boasts some decent specs and accessories to enhance your stargazing experience, as we found in our Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ review. Costing less than $200, it's a very tempting option for those trying their hand at astronomy.
In the specs below, you'll see what makes it worth getting and what lets it down. Unfortunately, as the price point gets lower and lower it becomes increasingly unlikely that you'll find a telescope to compete with the very best. Having said that, it doesn't mean you can't get something decent without having to break the bank.
Aperture: unsurprisingly given the name, the aperture of this telescope is 127mm and allows plenty of light to pass through with reasonable economy.
Optics: Celestron typically delivers quality, and the optics here are no exception. This telescope has a Bird-Jones Newtonian design, utilizing a spherical primary mirror instead of a parabolic one, and there are additional components in the secondary mirror to help achieve a focal length of 1000mm within a compact 440mm tube. However, the trade-off of this design is slightly dimmer images.
Technology: This telescope lacks both an app for guiding you to specific night sky targets or a motorized mount for tracking them. Its technology is quite basic, relying mainly on the optics and eyepieces we talk about below. Overall, it's a no-frills telescope, so it doesn't score particularly high here technology.
Accessories: the standard package has two eyepieces (20mm and 4mm) and a 3x Barlow lens. Unfortunately, these eyepieces don't quite have the desired impact on your stargazing experience that you would hope for; you'll probably want to upgrade them.
Quality of build: generally good. It has a sturdy tripod and mount and it gathers plenty of light. Given that you can get clear enough views of the moon and stars, you can't ask for too much more at this price point. However, some plastic components feel cheap and the eyepieces fall short of what you'd hope they could deliver.
- Read our full Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Bird-Jones Newtonian design. |
Functionality | Can be used for terrestrial viewing, eyepiece gives sharp views. |
Performance | Good, lightweight finderscope but color can be muted through the glass. |
The best budget telescope under 100 dollars
✅ You're looking to buy for a budding astronomer: it's portable, robust and easy to use. It won't give you the most spectacular views of deep space but it will capture the imagination of young astronomers.
✅ You want an easy viewing experience: it's easy to use and is ready to use out-of-the-box. Its tabletop design means you just need a flat surface to view the stars.
✅ You're looking for a low-risk purchase: as this telescope comes in at under $100, it's in the cheapest price bracket you can realistically get for a telescope. So, if you're not totally wowed by your stargazing experience, you haven't broken the bank in the process.
❌ You want to view deep space: unfortunately, this telescope is best suited to viewing the moon and the stars, thanks to its wide field of view. However, the design and the optics aren't suitable for stunning views of far-out galaxies and nebulas.
❌ You want crystal clear views: the views from this telescope aren't pin-sharp, which is unfortunate but you also have to bear in mind that at this price point, you can't expect a telescope to compete with the very best models.
🔎 The Celestron FirstScope 76 is ideal for young stargazers and absolute beginners alike, as the name suggests. It's easy to use and robust, which is about as much as you can ask for at under $100. Sometimes the views can lack clarity but overall, it's a good choice at this price and because of that, it's a low-risk purchase. ★★★
As the name suggests, the Celestron FirstScope 76 is made with younger astronomers in mind. It's also suitable for absolute beginners who may not want to get too serious straight away. The price point for this (coming in at under $100) is suitable for those groups too as it means they don't have to break the bank to get into a new hobby.
Naturally, telescopes that cost under $100 probably won't compete with the top models for power, optics or technology. But, that doesn't mean you can't have fun without spending a fortune. It also doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a fulfilling stargazing experience just to save some money. Below, you can take a closer look at the specs that this telescope boasts.
Aperture: as the name suggests, it has a 76mm aperture. While this might not let in enough light for bright images of distant night sky objects, it's good enough for decent views of the moon and nearby stars.
Optics: when we reviewed the Celestron Firstscope 76, we found it quite tricky to collimate, which is unfortunate, but it does have a fast focal ratio and a 300mm focal length, meaning views of the lunar surface and the broader night sky are achievable and enough to wow younger or beginner astronomers.
Technology: unfortunately, this telescope lacks advanced technology, but that's okay. For a telescope designed for kids in this price range, adding too much tech could make it unreliable and frustrating for young stargazers. However, it does have a fast focal ratio.
Accessories: again, this telescope is ready to use out-of-the-box and is very much a no-frills scope. However, that does mean that it lacks accessories and unfortunately, that also means a finderscope is not supplied.
Quality of build: Surprisingly, this telescope is quite sturdy, which is unexpected since it didn't score well in terms of technology and accessories. Given its price, you might have expected something flimsy. However, it boasts a solid build and can likely withstand bumps and knocks when used by younger stargazers.
- Read our full Celestron Firstscope 76 review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Tabletop Newtonian reflector. |
Functionality | "Wow" factor for young viewers, loose focuser tube. |
Performance | Optics can struggle to pick out detail. |
Best for deep space observing
✅ You want an EQ mount: Though difficult at first, an EQ mount will reward you with better tracking.
✅ You want to see deep space: Not many scopes at this price point will let you.
❌ You don't want a learning curve: EQ mounts take a bit of getting used to.
🔎 Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ: Outstanding value for an extensive piece of equipment, this versatile EQ mount is a brilliant all-rounder. Though it may take some time for beginners to get the hang of, the initial setup is a breeze. ★★★★
Aperture: The Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ is a reflector telescope with a 4.5-inch aperture and a 450mm focal length. This means that it can collect a lot of light from the night sky, resulting in bright and clear images of celestial objects.
Optics: The optics in the Orion StarBlast II 4.5 telescope are impressive considering its price. Its primary mirror is crafted from high-quality glass, and the secondary mirror is aluminum coated with a special film that reflects more light to the eyepiece, improving your overall viewing experience.
Technology: This isn't a Go-To or Push-To scope, so there isn't any technology to speak of. It does feature a fast focal ratio though, which means it can collect a lot of light in a short amount of time, which is ideal for deep sky observations.
Accessories: The Orion StarBlast II 4.5 includes everything you need to begin stargazing. It offers 25mm and 10mm Plossl eyepieces for 18x and 45x magnification. Additionally, it comes with educational tools: the DeepMap 600 star chart and MoonMap 260. You also get a smartphone camera adapter, a high-quality red dot finder, an adjustable-height tripod and a 2x Barlow lens.
Quality of build: The build quality is generally very good, considering the scope's price range. It feels solid and we think it could withstand accidental knocks and bumps. It should last for many years.
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Overall very good build quality. |
Functionality | Impressive optics for the price. |
Performance | Collects lots of light, ideal for deep space observing. |
Best for backyard moon and planet gazing
✅ You want to see the moon and planets: This small aperture telescope impresses with its planets. The Barlow lens is useful for great views of Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon.
❌ You want to see beyond the moon and planets: Although the app will point you anywhere in the sky, the optics are only suited to the moon and planets.
🔎 The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is an entry-level scope that will give users decent views of the moon and planets, but deep sky targets look dim. ★★★
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is aimed at beginners and comes equipped with StarSense technology, but it's really best for seeing the moon and planets rather than deep sky objects.
Aperture: The aperture on this telescope is 4.5 inches/114mm and it has a focal ratio of f/9, which means that it very much favors the magnification of bright objects and can struggle to show much light and detail from faint deep sky objects.
Optics: With its Newtonian reflector, we found it easy to view Jupiter and its moons using the 25mm lens, but the color rendition left a bit to be desired. The planet and its moons appeared sharp and filled the field of view, but this did come at the cost of quite a bit of chromatic aberration. Deep sky objects like the Andromeda galaxy (M31) only produced a small, faint blob, so we wouldn't recommend this scope for deep space.
Technology: This is a 'push to' telescope that works alongside the StarSense app, which is fantastic for helping beginners to align the telescope to their desired target. It works in seconds and is highly accurate and a breeze to use.
Accessories: This kit comes with 1-inch/25mm and 0.4-inch/10mm Kellner eyepieces, along with a 2x Barlow lens. You also get an aluminum tripod with a 1.25-inch Amici diagonal plastic mount and a basic StarPointer red dot finderscope.
Quality of build: The build quality is one of the downsides to this telescope. We found the bearings to be stiff and it had a bit too much recoil, which sometimes made positioning a challenge. We'd like to see better hand controls on future models.
- Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Lightweight, but tripod is flimsy. |
Functionality | Excellent StarSense app. |
Performance | Best for viewing the moon and planets |
Best for smartphone astrophotography
✅ You want to dabble in smartphone astrophotography: The innovative lens cap turns into a smartphone holder.
❌ You want to observe the Sun: The unusual hood design can't take solar filters, so should never be used to look at the sun.
❌ You have limited space for a scope at home: It has quite a large footprint, but it is easy enough to set up and pack down in between sessions.
🔎The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is an appealing solution if you want to view the moon and planets but don't want to spend big. ★★★★
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is a fun telescope for viewing the moon and planets. It comes with a lens cap that doubles as a smartphone mount, enabling you to try your hand at some basic astrophotography while you're out stargazing.
Aperture: It comes with an achromatic refractor with a 4-inch/100mm aperture and a relatively short focal length of 660mm. This is great for viewing the moon and planets, and it also shows Andromeda (M31) and some of the brighter star clusters clearly, but you'd need a wider aperture to go any further into deep space.
Optics: The 20mm eyepiece gave bright and detailed views of planets like Jupiter and Saturn but the 10mm eyepiece tended to be a bit blurry. Whilst we did see some chromatic aberration in the form of purplish halos, we found this generally less intrusive than on some cheaper refractor telescopes.
Technology: This telescope features an altazimuth mount and attaches to the tripod using a Vixen-style dovetail plate, making it easy to set up and take down. It also comes with a very handy built-in red light for finding your accessories in the dark. A standout feature is its innovative smartphone mount, which enables you to use the dust cap to line your phone up with the eyepiece and take some neat astro shots.
Accessories: In the box you get 10mm and 20mm Kellner eyepieces, the dust cap smartphone mount, a StarPointer Pro red dot finder, a 90-degree image erect diagonal and a large tripod.
Quality of build: We found the altazimuth mount to only be of average quality, so it lacks a bit of precision, with the left-right swivel being a bit stiff and having some unwanted recoil. However, the altitude movement is much more precise, and the mount feels fairly solid and easy to nudge into place.
- Read our full Celestron Inspire 100AZ review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Panhandle movement, achromatic lens. |
Performance | Excels with lunar views, slight chromatic aberration. |
Functionality | Easy set-up and take-down, built in smartphone adapter. |
- Read our full Celestron Inspire 100AZ review
Best for children
✅ You have a small budget: This telescope is very affordable, but the quality matches the low price point.
❌ You want something that's going to last: It won't impress enough to hold the interest of beginners for a long time.
🔎 Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ: This lightweight refractor uses its relatively long length to produce natural-looking views of planets and the moon, but for anything else it's underwhelming. ★★★
The Celestron AstroMaster 7AZ telescope is a relatively lightweight and affordable telescope primarily aimed at beginners wishing to get a decent view of the solar system.
Aperture: It has a 2.76-inch/70mm achromatic refractor housed inside a 35-inch/900mm tube, which gives it a focal ratio of f/13. This helps the telescope to offer a higher magnification with a narrower field of view. However, it really does struggle with deep sky objects and is best-suited to viewing the moon and planets within our solar system.
Optics: The real plus of the AstroMaster 7AZ is its ability to show the moon and planets in true color. Many of the achromatic refractor telescopes aimed at beginners suffer from significant color aberration when looking at bright objects, whereas the unusually long length of this telescopes helps to keep them looking clean and natural.
Technology: This is a manual telescope and features a pan handle with a clutch for holding it in position and making adjustments. It's simple to set up but can be a bit harder to use. The red dot StarPointer finderscope can be difficult to align with the field of view in the eyepiece, so beginners may need a bit of practice.
Accessories: The AstroMaster 7AZ comes with a height-adjustable tripod, 10mm and 20mm eyepieces, erect image star diagonal, red dot finder, and StarryNight Basic software.
Quality of build: For such an affordable telescope, we found it had a very solid tripod and the build quality was not bad overall. But like many other telescopes in this price range, it did have a bit of overreach and recoil that made it tricky to lock on to targets.
- Read our full Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ review
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Lightweight design. |
Performance | No 'false color', but dull deep-sky objects. |
Functionality | Difficult to lock on to targets. |
Best EQ mount for young skywatchers
✅ You want stunning views of the moon: The 3-inch aperture will allow in enough light for fantastic views of the moon and neighboring planets.
❌ You plan to stick with sky watching long term: If you want to develop your skills, you'll soon be limited by this scope.
🔎 Orion Space Probe II: You want an inexpensive means of seeing the moon and nearby planets in all of their glory. ★★★
Aperture: With its 76mm aperture, you can enjoy stunning views of Saturn's rings and moons, and even catch a glimpse of some of the brighter nebulas.
Optics: The optics are nice and are much better than many mother telescopes at this price point, which are often optically compromised. The tube features collimation screws on both mirrors should you need to align the optics — you could practice your collimation techniques for your current (or future) more expensive telescopes.
Technology: There isn't any technology to speak of— this is a traditional telescope for manually slewing across the sky using the equatorial mount (which can take some practice to get used to).
Accessories: The supplied 25mm and 10mm Kellner eyepieces are surprisingly good quality for this price point. It's great that there is a red dot finder scope included too. A moon map (MoonMap 260) is also included to help you identify 260 popular lunar features.
Quality of build: The build quality is decent. The optical tube is good quality, but the mount is just okay; it doesn't seem very durable. For most careful hobbyists, it should last long enough. Those who stick with astronomy may want to upgrade in the future.
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Decent enough, but may need a future upgrade. |
Performance | Surprisingly good accessories included. |
Functionality | No tech to speak of, more of a traditionalist scope. |
The best budget telescopes under 500 dollars comparison
Category | Model | Score |
Best overall telescope under $500 | Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ | ★★★★ |
Best budget telescope under $500 | Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ | ★★★★ |
Best budget telescope under $300 | Orion StarMax 90 Tabletop | ★★★★ |
Best budget telescope under $200 | Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ | ★★★ |
Best budget telescope under $100 | Celestron FirstScope 76 | ★★★ |
Best budget telescope for deep space | Orion Starblast II | ★★★★ |
Best for backyard moon and planet gazing | Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ | ★★★ |
Best budget telescope for smartphone astrophotograpjy | Celestron Inspire 100AZ | ★★★★ |
Best budget telescope for children | Celestron AstroMaster 70 AZ | ★★★ |
Best EQ mount budget telescope for youngsters | Orion SpaceProbe II 76 | ★★★ |
Best budget telescopes under 500 dollars Frequently Asked Questions
The top most frequently asked questions on the best budget telescopes under $500 as answered by our contributing expert, astronomer Josh Dury.
What is the best budget telescope under $500?
I think the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is the best budget telescope on the market; not only is it designed with Celestron optical coatings providing greater sharpness and contrast of astronomical objects but it's also compact and easy to maneuver. Its 130mm aperture is ideal for viewing of galaxies, nebulas and planets.
What is the best budget telescope for deep space?
The Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ is the best budget telescope for deep space observation thanks to its f/4 focal ratio, allowing greater light gathering. It offers wider views when observing galaxies and nebulas, too. Its equatorial mount is ideal when you want to track celestial objects; it just takes a bit of getting used to in the first intance.
What is the best budget telescope for astrophotography?
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is the best budget scope for basic astrophotography. It's easy to maneuver and locate objects in the night sky thanks to its built-in StarPointer Pro finderscope. The smartphone adaptor allows users to capture photos of the lunar surface and the planets on their smartphone.
What is the best budget telescope for beginners?
The Celestron FirstScope 76 is suitable for young users who want to get closer to the stars for less than $100. Its table-top mount allows for casual observing. Its Celestron optical coatings benefit enhanced light gathering, providing sharper views of nearby astronomical targets while being affordable and compact in its design.
What is the best budget telescope for viewing planets?
The best-suited budget telescope for viewing the planets is the Orion StarMax 90. Its Maksutov-Cassegrain design means the user experiences reduced color fringing, which is essential when observing planetary details. The reasonable 90mm aperture diameter provides good light gathering when viewing the brighter planets of our solar system.
What is a really good affordable telescope?
The Orion SpaceProbe II 76 is the best suited telescope for its budget. Its newtonian-reflector design is well-built and user friendly whilst supporting greater focal lengths and light gathering for viewing brighter astronomical targets. Its lightweight build and equatorial mount will provide easier observation when tracking your astronomical targets.
Is it worth buying a cheap telescope?
Definitely. Astronomers need to start somewhere so what better than getting to know the ropes when starting with a beginners telescope to build up your confidence and observe the night-sky. Using telescopes are not necessarily difficult so with some prior knowledge of astronomical targets, the telescope will be your aid.
What size telescope do I need to see Jupiter?
I would suggest the more light gathering the better. More light gathering allows us to resolve fainter planetary details, including its weather bands and weather phenomenon, including the great red spot. This is also better suited to viewing its planetary systems, including the galilean moons.
Can you see the rings of Saturn with a cheap telescope?
You bet you can! When using an affordable telescope coupled with variable eyepieces it is possible to distinguish the rings of Saturn which look discernibly different, appearing more elongated than other planets. It is also possible to observe the cassini division between the rings.
Is a $100 telescope worth it?
I believe any form of telescope is 100% worth it. The reason why? It gets more of us interested in astronomy and looking up to the stars. As a result, we begin to appreciate night-sky more and how we observe the seeable universe above our heads.
How to choose the best budget telescope for you
When choosing the best budget telescope for you, there are a few different factors you should consider. They range from what you want from your stargazing experience to value for money, to overall quality and more. Here, we'll highlight what you should be looking for and go into detail for each category.
Intended use: now this is crucial because if you're not looking to jump in at the deep end or you just want to see the moon and some stars, then something like the Celestron FirstScope 76 is ideal. But that wouldn't work if you wanted to explore nebulas and galaxies. So you must consider what you want to view and how much time (and money) you want to invest into stargazing.
Budget: unfortunately, this is arguably the most important one. However, this is why we've compiled this guide, so you know what's out there on a budget. It's vital you know how much you're willing to spend so you can see what's in your price range. It also sets expectations as telescopes can cost thousands and it's unlikely that models costing hundreds (or less) can compete with the power or sophistication of those top-end models. Remember, a low budget doesn't mean you have to miss out on a fulfilling stargazing experience.
Value for money: another important factor to consider is whether or not you're getting good value for money. For this, we recommend sticking to known manufacturers and reputable retailers. If you find a deal, great. But, sometimes if a deal seems too good to be true, it is. However, it's important to look at what you're getting for your money. Are you getting quality optics? Are there sufficient accessories? Have you got enough technology to satisfy your wants and needs? Sometimes waiting and saving to spend a little more can be worth it in the long term, so make sure to shop around before purchasing.
Quality: this one might seem a bit obvious, but it's important to know you're getting a quality product when you purchase a telescope. Have a look at the materials the scope is made of, have a look at the reviews and check out the specs of what you're buying. It doesn't matter how cheap a product is, you don't want it if it doesn't work. Research, knowing what you're buying and checking for quality are all important.
Manufacturer/Retailer: this point ties in with some of the others above but when you're looking for a budget telescope, you'll find that there's a seemingly endless number of options. Not all of them are reliable. Therefore, you should stick to known manufacturers you can rely on and have a history of producing good products. You should also stick to known retailers so that you know you're getting what you pay for and there's some accountability, and often a warranty, should something go wrong.
How we test the best budget telescopes under 500 dollars
Here at space.com, we get knowledgeable writers or expert in-the-field freelancers to review the telescopes that we recommend personally. Most of the telescopes you see in the guide above have been thoroughly tested and reviewed by people who know what to look for. Of course, most doesn't mean all. Where we haven't personally tested and reviewed a telescope, only models that have been carefully researched and approved make the cut.
We've included links to reviews in the guide above and in those reviews we consider design, performance, key specs and whether or not a telescope is worth purchasing. You will also find key points both for and against a particular model, bullet-pointed, and more often than not, we suggest alternative telescopes if what you're reading isn't for you.
It's not just budget telescopes under $500 that we review — we test a plethora of products, from high-end telescopes, binoculars and cameras, to headlamps and power banks. Our writers also review each product on its own merit and with complete impartiality so that our readers can rely on and trust in our opinion for credibility.