10 Best Cheap Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ is an affordable option for amateur astronomers and casual stargazers. With a 90mm aperture and a 600mm focal length, it offers a clear and bright view of celestial objects, making it great for beginners. The fully coated optics enhance image quality while protecting your eyes, ensuring a good viewing experience. The included three eyepieces (24X, 60X, 120X) along with a 3x Barlow lens allow for versatile magnification options, which is a fantastic feature for exploring various objects in the night sky.

Portability is another strong point, as the adjustable aluminum tripod makes it easy to set up and use in different locations. Its height range of about 31.5 inches to 49 inches caters to users of various heights. Additionally, the telescope is designed to be user-friendly, requiring no tools for assembly and offering quick focusing, which is ideal for novices.

There are some drawbacks to consider. Weighing 18 pounds, it’s not the lightest telescope out there, which might hinder portability for some users. The manual focus can be a bit challenging for those who prefer more automatic mechanisms. Also, while it's suitable for viewing planets and the moon, its performance may not be adequate for deep-sky objects, limiting its use for more advanced astronomical pursuits.

This HEXEUM telescope offers a robust package for both adult beginners and more experienced astronomers. With an 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length, it provides clear and bright images of the night sky. You get two eyepieces for 24X and 60X magnification, and a 3x Barlow lens that can boost magnification up to 180X, making it easier to view details on the moon and other celestial objects. The 5x24 finder scope also helps in locating objects quickly.

The telescope comes with an AZ mount, which is straightforward and easy to use, especially for beginners. It’s light at 6.2 pounds and portable, with a carrying bag and phone adapter included, making it great for stargazing on the go. The setup is user-friendly, requiring no tools, so even novices can start stargazing immediately. Additionally, it includes a wireless remote control for convenience.

However, the manual focus might be a bit challenging for complete beginners, and the included eyepieces, while decent, may not provide the best quality views compared to more expensive models. This telescope is a good choice for those looking for an affordable, portable, and easy-to-use option for casual stargazing.

The CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is an excellent choice for beginners who want to explore the night sky without needing extensive knowledge of astronomy. Its standout feature is the StarSense App, which works with your smartphone to guide you in locating stars and planets. This makes the telescope particularly user-friendly, as it provides real-time feedback and suggests objects to view based on your location and time. The 130mm Newtonian reflector offers impressive light-gathering capabilities, allowing users to see details on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and even some deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula.

The telescope has a manual altazimuth mount that’s easy to set up and operate, with slow-motion controls that make tracking celestial objects straightforward. Weighing 18 pounds and with dimensions of 30 x 32 x 50 inches, it is reasonably portable, but you might need assistance moving it due to its weight and size.

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a solid option for newcomers who appreciate technology and want a guided experience in stargazing. It excels in ease of use and viewing capabilities but may require a bit more effort in terms of setup and manual adjustments than some users might expect.