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10 Best Cheap Telescopes 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,498
Mount Type
Portability
Ease of Use

Most important from
21409 reviews

Mount Type
The AZ mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Portability
Easy to set up and lightweight, making it ideal for kids who can move it around easily.
Ease of Use
The simple instructions and extra lenses make it a great starter telescope for kids interested in astronomy.

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.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,498
Mount Type
Portability
Ease of Use

Most important from
21409 reviews

Mount Type
The AZ mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Portability
Easy to set up and lightweight, making it ideal for kids who can move it around easily.
Ease of Use
The simple instructions and extra lenses make it a great starter telescope for kids interested in astronomy.
#2

Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.

Rating
9.4
Mount Type
Portability
Ease of Use

Most important from
4518 reviews

Mount Type
Setup is super easy, and the tripod is of great quality, allowing seamless adjustments.
Portability
Light-weight and portable, this telescope is stable and can't be easily knocked over.
Ease of Use
This telescope is incredibly well-built, sturdy, and easy to set up, making it perfect for beginners and young astronomers.

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.

Rating
9.4
Mount Type
Portability
Ease of Use

Most important from
4518 reviews

Mount Type
Setup is super easy, and the tripod is of great quality, allowing seamless adjustments.
Portability
Light-weight and portable, this telescope is stable and can't be easily knocked over.
Ease of Use
This telescope is incredibly well-built, sturdy, and easy to set up, making it perfect for beginners and young astronomers.
#3

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 130mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners

Rating
9.1
Aperture
Ease of Use

Most important from
1257 reviews

Aperture
The telescope's 130mm aperture offers impressive light-gathering capabilities, allowing for detailed views of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and deep-sky objects.
Ease of Use
The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is perfect for beginners and those returning to astronomy after a long break.

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.

Rating
9.1
Aperture
Ease of Use

Most important from
1257 reviews

Aperture
The telescope's 130mm aperture offers impressive light-gathering capabilities, allowing for detailed views of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and deep-sky objects.
Ease of Use
The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is perfect for beginners and those returning to astronomy after a long break.

Buying Guide for the Best Cheap Telescopes

Choosing the right telescope can be a thrilling yet daunting task, especially if you're new to stargazing. The key to finding the best telescope for you is to understand the different specifications and how they align with your needs. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore the night sky or an amateur astronomer seeking to upgrade your equipment, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror. It is one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. The more light it gathers, the better the image quality and the more details you can see. Apertures can range from small (around 70mm) to large (over 200mm). For beginners, an aperture of 70mm to 100mm is usually sufficient to see planets and some deep-sky objects. If you're more serious about astronomy, you might want to consider a larger aperture.
Focal LengthThe focal length is the distance between the telescope's main lens or mirror and the point where it forms an image. This spec affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification but a narrower field of view, which is great for observing planets. A shorter focal length offers a wider field of view, making it easier to locate objects in the sky. For general use, a focal length between 500mm and 1000mm is a good starting point.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger the telescope can make objects appear. It is determined by dividing the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece. While high magnification might seem appealing, it's not always better. Too much magnification can result in blurry images if the aperture isn't large enough to support it. For most users, a magnification range of 50x to 150x is ideal for a variety of celestial objects.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope and allows you to point it at different parts of the sky. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. Altazimuth mounts are simpler and easier to use, making them great for beginners. Equatorial mounts are more complex but allow for more precise tracking of celestial objects, which is useful for astrophotography. Choose a mount based on your experience level and what you plan to observe.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. If you plan to take your telescope to different locations, a lighter and more compact model will be more convenient. However, more portable telescopes often have smaller apertures. Consider how often you'll be moving your telescope and balance portability with the other specs that are important to you.
Ease of UseEase of use is crucial, especially for beginners. Some telescopes come with features like computerized mounts that automatically locate celestial objects, which can be very helpful if you're just starting out. Manual telescopes require more effort to find objects but can be more rewarding as you learn to navigate the night sky. Think about how much time and effort you're willing to invest in learning to use your telescope.

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