The Best Telescopes Under $500: Finding the Perfect Telescope for Your Needs 2023
David Marsh Jun 8, 2023 11:21 PM
If you consider yourself an amateur astronomer, then you probably already know that telescopes can be quite expensive. However, that doesn't mean there aren't some high-quality telescopes that fall well under $500. In this blog post, we'll take a look at five of the best telescope under $500 on the market today. Keep reading to learn more!
HOW WE PICKED & TESTED
- Budget scopes: We looked for scopes under $500 with features we’d expect on a more expensive model, such as good-quality optics, a sturdy tripod, and a wide field of view.
- Expert testing: A panel of expert telescope reviewers tested each model’s optics, clarity, and ease of use.
- Ruggedness: A telescope should be easy to carry and set up, but we wanted some models that could survive in tough environments.
And the winners:
Best Overall Telescope: Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting Telescope Fully
Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting Telescope Fully has some of the most advanced optics we've seen in a portable telescope, and its speed is on a par with much larger professional units. Its focus is precise, and the fully multicoated optics produce sharp, colorful images.
Features We Like
- Wireless Control - The wireless Bluetooth remote control allows you to point, track and magnify with ease.
- Carrying Bag - The included carrying case means you can take your telescope anywhere - Ready to Go in 5 minutes!
- Tripod Phone Adapter - Tripod phone adapter allows you to use your phone as a telescope, allowing you to capture and share the beauty of the night sky.
- 1-Year Limited Warranty - The 1-year limited warranty protects your investment.
Check Today's Deal
Best Value Telescope: Celestron – StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ may not be the fanciest telescope on the market but it has a lot to offer for its price. The smartphone app adds several useful features, such as a finder scope with a 7x magnification and built-in light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness based on the environment, an alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls, and more.
People who like to explore the night sky and aren't looking for cutting-edge technology will appreciate this telescope. The mount is sturdy, the optics are decent, and the mount and tripod feel like they'll last a long time. However, the telescope itself isn't as stable as a more professional model (the counterweights need to be balanced periodically). All-in-all,Celestron – StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope is an excellent telescope for the price.
Features We Like
- Works with Celestron’s StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets and More
- 114mm StarBright XLT Reflector Delivers Crisp, Bright Images
- Bold, Ergonomic Design for Comfort and Control
- Three-Stage AutoStar II Computer-Smiths Optimized for Daylight or Moonlight Use
- Includes Tripod, Power Cord, 8x21 Finderscope, Deluxe Backpack
Check Today's Deal
Best Saving Product: Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope - Manual German Equatorial Telescope
The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is a lightweight, portable, and extremely user-friendly telescope. It is perfect for beginners and those who are interested in exploring the night sky. The telescope comes with accessories, which include a 2.5" sunshade, finderscope, finderscope cap, neck strap, finderscope diopter adjustment tool, and an aluminum tripod with accessory tray, and 6-inch aluminum tripod.
This telescope provides you with the ability to perform several functions, including tracking objects, aligning the telescope, and tracking celestial objects. This telescope is powerful enough to capture the details of the moon, planets, and constellations. However, it is important to have knowledge of astronomy and how to use these tools in order to appear in front of the night sky. Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope - Manual German Equatorial Telescope is ideal for beginners, but experienced individuals will appreciate its power as well.
Features We Like
- Comes with an Equatorial Mount
- Comes with 1 Year Warranty
- Comes with Starry Night Astronomy Software Package
Check Today's Deal
- AI Score9.8
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandHEXEUM
- AI Score9.7
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandCelestron
- AI Score9.6
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandCelestron
Gskyer Telescope, Telescopes for Adults, 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope,Telescope
CHECK LATEST PRICE- AI Score9.4
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGskyer
- AI Score9.2
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandCelestron
- AI Score9.0
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGskyer
- AI Score8.8
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandCelestron
- AI Score8.8
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandSOLOMARK
- AI Score8.8
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandABOTEC
Telescope, Gskyer 130EQ Professional Astronomical Reflector Telescope, German Technology Scope,
CHECK LATEST PRICE- AI Score8.6
The AI Score algorithm meticulously scrutinizes data from a multitude of websites, providing you with an all-encompassing score. It is important to note that AI Score is an impartial tool, devoid of any affiliations or influences from manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGskyer
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
To help you narrow down the choices, here are some important things to consider buying a telescope:
- Use the best telescope under $500 and enjoy a better view of the sky: One of the important things to consider when looking for a telescope is whether the telescope has the necessary features for stargazing. Telescopes which have large objectives designed for viewing distant objects, as well as large field angles.
- The best telescope under $500 should also have other features which are critical when viewing stars: Some of the other features to look for in the best telescope under $500 include the ability to view faint objects, telescopes that are compact and lightweight, telescopes with high magnification, and telescopes which allow you to view the night sky from different locations.
- Consider other factors as well: Other factors to consider when buying a telescope include cost, the magnification of the telescope, the size of the telescope, the telescope’s design, the telescope’s objective and eyepiece, and the telescope’s field of view.
- Consider the warranty: A good warranty is important because telescopes can be repaired or replaced if something goes wrong.
In conclusion, these are the top 10 best telescope under $500 for the year 2022. Each telescope offers great features and value for money.
So for the best overall, Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting Telescope Fully is absolutely amazing. It is bright, portable, easy to adjust, and easy to set up. The included tripod makes it even easier to set up, and you can even use the phone app to adjust the scope. The image quality is phenomenal, and it's a lot of fun to use. The optical tubes are very well built, and should provide years of quality use. Overall, it is a fantastic value, and highly recommended.
For the best value, Celestron – StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope an help you see the universe in a new light. This smartphone telescope has built-in StarSense technology, which allows you to align and align the telescope with your smart device using just your device’s GPS and compass.
For the best-saving product, Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope - Manual German Equatorial Telescope is perfect to take with you on camping trips, family outings, or for use at home. The EQ mount and solid build ensure that this telescope is durable enough to withstand daily use, and the large 127mm aperture lens provides sharp, detailed views of the moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
Whether you're a beginner stargazer or a seasoned veteran, these telescopes are sure to give you the opportunity to explore the night sky with clarity and precision.
Investing in one of these telescopes is a great way to benefit from the amazing views of the cosmos while staying within your budget.
Don't forget to check: