I hope you agree with me when I say this:
“Staring deep into the beautiful night sky is something that cannot be replicated, and a great invention to further enhance this experience are telescopes”
Telescopes are certainly useful, but they are not always affordable. Spending additional money for an extra set of eyes may be a chore that some people cannot afford. But, thankfully, this compilation will surely assist you in obtaining the finest telescope under 250, since I took it upon myself to compile a list of suitable telescopes. The objective is not only to provide you with the most amazing telescopes but also to provide you with some more information.
Furthermore, we have provided a buying guide at the conclusion for your convenience. So, continue reading to get answers to queries like “what is the finest home telescope?” and so on.
Things to consider before buying:
Aperture Size: The aperture size is the most visible difference between telescopes at a specific price. The aperture is the opening in the front telescope where the lens rests, and its size is proportional to the aperture size. The lens is frequently referred to as the “objective,” therefore the size of the lens, the objective, or the aperture are all the same on a particular telescope.
Size of the telescope: Needless to say, the size of the telescope is very important. We have detailed why is this in the buying guide at the end.
Ease of Use: The right telescope needs to be very easy to use. The user should be able to understand all of it’s features without reading the user manual
Best Telescopes under 250 in 2022:
Here are our top picks for the finest telescopes for under 250 dollars:
Green Laser Pointers | RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|
Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 | 10/10 (Editor's Choice) | |
Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector | 9.5/10 | |
Zhumell Z114 | 9/10 | |
ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids | 8/10 | |
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture | 8/10 | |
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ | 7.5/10 | |
Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope | 8/10 | |
MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope | 8/10 | |
IDS Home Eastcolight 23032 | 8.5/10 | |
Emarth Telescope, 70mm/360mm | 8/10 | |
SOLOMARK Telescope 80EQ | 8/10 | |
OYS 80mm Telescope | 7/10 | |
OYS 70mm Telescope | 7/10 | |
TELMU Telescope | 7/10 | |
SOLOMARK Telescope for Adults | 6/10 |
1. Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5
Why we love it?
- It is a real reflecting telescope.
- A perfect telescope for beginning amateur astronomers.
- Designed with the type of quality that you’d see only in costly versions
- Provides stunning broad sights of the sky at night.
- An ideal telescope for inexperienced astronomers because it’s easy and clear
Pros | Cons |
✅Easily assembled. | ❌ Not enough power to see planets. |
✅ Has high magnification. | |
✅ Easy to use | |
✅ Excellent scope. |
2. Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope
Why we love it?
- Excellent value package.
- It’s a real, bonafide reflector telescope.
- It is useful for viewing the Moon as well as planets.
- Big enough to reflect optics.
- It comes with an EQ-1 mount, making it simpler to keep it handy.
Pros | Cons |
✅Excellent Metal Build Quality | ❌ You can NOT remove the scope from the stand. |
✅ Easy to pack and set up. | ❌ The plug for connecting power is very cheap. |
✅ Good optics. | |
✅ Lightweight |
3. Zhumell Z114
Why we love it?
- the mount and telescope are well constructed
- primary mirror is perfectly collimated and requires no adjustment
- Has a modular lens cap that stops down the entrance aperture for viewing bright objects.
- Perfect for beginners who want to start this hobby.
- Great for kids’ usage because of the compact size.
Pros | Cons |
✅Perfect for beginners. | ❌ Screws are tight and hard to turn. |
✅ Easy to use. | ❌ Focuser is made out of plastic. |
✅ grab-and-go telescope for easy stargazing | |
✅ Extremely Portable. |
4. ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids
Why we love it?
- large-aperture lens which makes the images brighter and clearer.
- Great helper for kids & adults & astronomy beginners because it’s suitable for all ages
- Has a wireless camera remote to explore nature.
- Has 2 eyepieces with a refractor telescope.
- Can easily adapt Adapt to different view positions.
Pros | Cons |
✅Easy to carry. | ❌ Not labelled. |
✅Lightweight | |
✅ Suitable for all ages. | |
✅ Easy installation. |
5. Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture
Why we love it?
- A perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon
- This telescope allows for many different viewing positions.
- Fully coated optics glass lens.
- Come with two replaceable eyepiece
- Tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and storage.
Pros | Cons |
✅High magnification. | ❌ No assembly instructions. |
✅Good value for money. | ❌ Tripod is small. |
✅Best for beginners. | |
✅ Can see beyond the stars. | |
✅ A good entry level telescope. |
6. Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ
Why we love it?
- Best for both kids and adults.
- Needs less maintenance
- No tools are required for assembly.
- Includes a travel tripod for better mobility
- Gives great close-ups of the moon.
Pros | Cons |
✅Great for beginners. | ❌ arrives completely disassembled |
✅Lightweight design. | ❌ Cheaply built and hard to focus |
✅Can see beyond the stars. | |
✅ Comes with all needed accessories | |
✅ Got two eyepieces |
7. Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope
Why we love it?
- Fully-coated glass optics offers durability.
- Unbeatable warranty and customer support.
- Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing.
- Incredible warranty and customer service.
- Have two high-quality eyepieces for better viewing.
Pros | Cons |
✅Minimal color distortion | ❌ can't expand out far enough. |
✅Well worth the investment.. | ❌the focus doesn't stay. |
✅Good value for money. | |
✅Easy to carry. |
Looking for more specific telescopes? Check out our guide on the finest 8-inch Dobsonian telescopes
8. MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope
Why we love it?
- wide range of different magnification.
- objective lenses make the images brighter.
- eyepieces give you variety for any viewing situation.
- comes with a table-top tripod, which means better stability
- Comes with a phone adapter.
Pros | Cons |
✅Good quality for the price. | ❌ Poor quality mirrors. |
✅Very easy to assemble. | ❌Table-top tripod is weak. |
✅Lightweight for easy transport. | |
✅Intuitive design functions. |
9. IDS Home Eastcolight 23032
Why we love it?
- Has a precision optical instrument.
- Best for kids because of easy to use design
- creates stunning images with increased brightness and resolution.
- Helps to enhance the exploration of space.
- You can easily find the positions of planets, stars, etc.
Pros | Cons |
✅Super lightweight | ❌ Flimsy tripod |
✅Simple to use. | |
✅Set up is quick and easy. | |
✅Lightweight and portable. |
10. Emarth Telescope, 70mm/360mm
Why we love it?
- quick and easy to set up
- great for watching wild lives
- come with an easy to understand manual
- Provides optimal protection for your eyes
- Perfect gift idea for those who love science and astronomy
Pros | Cons |
✅Great magnification | ❌ No focus. |
✅gift idea for those who enjoy science and astronomy | |
✅.No-tool Set Up | |
✅Adjustable Tripod |
11. SOLOMARK Telescope 80EQ Refractor Scope
Why we love it?
- Gives a perfect combination of quality, value, and features.
- Deliver crisp views of the moon.
- Offers multiple accessories.
- Ideal for observing the night sky.
- It’s very easy to use.
Pros | Cons |
✅Perfect beginner's telescope. | ❌Low focus |
✅Compact | ❌Difficult to align |
✅.Portable | |
✅Lightweight |
Want to extend your budget a bit? Check out our guide on the greatest telescopes under the $300 budget range.
12. OYS 80mm Telescope
Why we love it?
- Come with two replaceable eyepieces
- It’s very easy to operate
- Reliable full-size tripod for better stability
- Perfect for astronomy beginners with ease of use
- The image quality is excellent.
Pros | Cons |
✅focus adjustments are smooth | ❌Wobbly tripod |
✅sturdy and fully adjustable | |
✅.Setup is easy |
Also interested in Binoculars? Do give a read on our article 8 Best 20×50 Binoculars Review in 2022.
13. OYS 70mm Telescope, Telescopes for Adults
Why we love it?
- Has a large aperture.
- Comes with a phone adapter with 10mm eyepiece
- diagonal prism ensures you get an erect image
- ideal for both celestial and terrestrial viewing.
Pros | Cons |
✅Ideal for traveling. | ❌Not easy to assemble. |
✅Higher magnification | |
✅.Lightweight |
14. TELMU Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm
Why we love it?
- Great value for the price point
- No tools are required for refractor telescopes.
- Easy to attach and use.
- The ease of use makes it a great beginner telescope
Pros | Cons |
✅Easily Assembled | ❌The small set screw is useless. |
✅Lightweight to carry | |
✅.Extremely portable |
15. SOLOMARK Telescope for Adults
Why we love it?
- best for terrestrial and astronomical use.
- creates stunning images and protects your eyes.
- can be installed without any additional tools.
- Offers erect image optics.
- Comes with a smartphone adapter with 10mm eyepiece.
Pros | Cons |
✅Easy to assemble. | ❌ Adjustable tripod height is too short. |
✅Perfect clarity. | ❌ Difficult to focus. |
✅ Great packaging. | |
✅ Great option for beginners. |
Conclusion
Gone are the days when it was really hard for us to explore the starry sky with ease, the beauty of the starry sky always intrigued most of us for further exploration. The only issue was that the equipment that was available, were either expensive or hard to find. That’s not the case anymore, and this guide on the finest telescopes under $250 is the perfect example. With a measly budget of just 250$, you can get a premium personal telescope.
With the compilation, we’ve provided you with a vast information source on the finest telescopes that money can buy. So why wait anymore, choose your pick, and start exploring!
Buying Guide:
It goes without saying that selecting a telescope may be difficult. There are several styles, specs, and alternatives to choose from, considering one’s budget. Below, we have provided a telescope buying guide with our opinions on selecting the best telescope money can buy including the factors to assist you to make your selection.
The Aperture
The aperture size i.e. the main light-gathering opening influences how much light can be absorbed. The larger the aperture, the greater light can enter the telescope. Greater light implies greater detail at the same magnification, and it also implies you can raise the magnification without compromising on details. Please remember that the total effective magnification increases with the size of the aperture. This is typically around 50 times the aperture size, thus an 80-millimeter telescope would have a peak magnification of 400x under ideal viewing conditions. This aperture size and characteristics are seen in even the most suitable telescopes for seeing planets.
The Price
A good-quality refractor will cost significantly higher (for a similar aperture size) than a reflector. So, if you are searching for a great personal telescope for the money, you should definitely opt for a reflecting telescope. It will definitely suit you the most!
The Size
Reflectors are shorter than refractors because they bend light using mirror mechanisms often used for reflecting telescopes. Each of the primary varieties of telescopes, however, has perks and downsides.
Easy usage
A refracting telescope is unmatched in its elegance. According to consumer reports on telescopes, it’s among the finest consumer telescopes to date. If you want a portable telescope that can be put up very quickly, a refractor is a way to go. However, if you have a lot of funds, a large-aperture reflector will provide a better perspective of the universe. It is an excellent telescope for seeing planets and other astronomical objects. The professional telescope reviews attest to this.
It actually depends on a variety of things, such as your locality, season of the year, telescope design, weather conditions, moon fullness, and the level of light pollution in your vicinity. As a result, we’ve prepared a collection of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help answer your queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best telescope for a beginner?
All of the telescopes listed above are ideal for beginners. Simply look through their characteristics and select one that meets the majority of your needs. They are not only recognized as the top beginner telescope for the money, but they also include a variety of features that will help you become a pro.
What kind of telescope should I buy to see planets?
Telescopes with a big aperture are ideal for seeing planets since the greater the magnification, the larger the image. Always look for versions with similar attributes above, then choose the lowest-priced option. Also, make sure to explore one telescope review. It provides everything you need for a great experience at the greatest price.
What is the cost of a good quality telescope?
A decent telescope can range in price from $200 to $8000. Costs vary based on whether you are just starting out or searching for a competent telescope. The targeted usage and demands of a particular person will define the qualities of a good telescope.
Which is the best telescope in the world?
Zhumell Z114, Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope, and ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids are currently on top these days.
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