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15 Best Telescopes Under $250 in 2022【Beginners & Pros】

February 21, 2022 by Maria Chan

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 PointersRATINGPRICE
Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.510/10 (Editor's Choice)
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Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector9.5/10
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Zhumell Z1149/10
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ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids8/10
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Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture8/10
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Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ7.5/10
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Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope8/10
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MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope8/10
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IDS Home Eastcolight 230328.5/10
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Emarth Telescope, 70mm/360mm8/10
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SOLOMARK Telescope 80EQ8/10
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OYS 80mm Telescope7/10
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OYS 70mm Telescope7/10
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TELMU Telescope7/10
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SOLOMARK Telescope for Adults6/10
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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

Order at Amazon


 

ProsCons
✅Easily assembled.❌ Not enough power to see planets.
✅ Has high magnification.
✅ Easy to use
✅ Excellent scope.

Image Clarity

The Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 is one of the greatest telescopes for the money. It has a big lens and an outstanding resolution, which enables you to capture vivid photos of the night sky as well as colors all day.

The Product Dimensions

The 23.5 x 18.5 x 25-inch eyepieces provide a wide variety of viewing possibilities, making this telescope ideal for spotting features on the moon. It is regarded as an incredibly easy to use telescope which is great for amateurs

All these features combined make this the finest telescope for the money.

You can get Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 on telescope.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅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

Wifi/app control

The finest quality of this telescope is the app/wifi control. It’s almost as if there’s wifi on nearly every object in the sky. The slewing is also quite reliable, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to appreciate and learn about the night sky. Definitely the telescope for the money, with a plethora of features.

Some more features.

It is not only strong and lightweight but also compact and portable. The mount and base are adequate given the size and value.

You can get Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope on telescope.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅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.

The Size

It is a very well-designed telescope that provides a great view of the planets, stars as well as the moon. It is even more obvious through this than using field binoculars in a city environment. It is lightweight, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Focusing.

The entire catching mirror construction is made of metal, struts and the mirrors are well thought out for little obstruction. The eyepiece extender is bombproof, has 0 game and allows good focusing.

You can get Zhumell Z114 on highpointscientific.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Easy to carry.
❌ Not labelled.
✅Lightweight
✅ Suitable for all ages.
✅ Easy installation.

Aperture

The larger the aperture, the more light enters the telescope. Greater light indicates you can see more clarity at the same resolution and can raise the magnification without compromising on too much detail. It also implies you’ll be able to see objects at a distance.

Image Quality

This also has a fantastic base that not only allows for easy repositioning but also prevents vibrations for a stable image. When it comes to image quality, this is without a doubt the finest model we reviewed.

You can get ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids on walmart.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅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.

The Dimensions

If you are searching for a decent quality telescope with a nice beginning set of accessories, the Gskyer 80mm may be the one for you. It comes with a smartphone attachment, a picture tv remote, 3 eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens, and a lot more.

Navigation

It features a very low focus distance and a broad field of view, making it excellent for the understanding and exploring the sky. However, please remember that this is not a high-end telescope; rather, it is a piece of entry-level equipment for beginners to get started.

You can get Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture on walmart.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅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

The Aperture

The Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ is designed to make astronomy accessible to beginners, with a reasonable aperture and good optics for the price. The planets, moon, stars, and brighter galaxies will be visible, and the f/4 focal ratio assures brilliant pictures of the subjects you want to explore. The telescope is ideal to get a consistent image.

What’s so special?

The texture of the moon and Saturn’s rings are special attractions, although keep in mind that objects will seem tiny through the eyepiece owing to the broad angle of vision. The same may be said of “faint fuzzies,” which look as brilliant spots of light even when there is some light pollution

You can get Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ on bhphotovideo.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅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.

Color Distortion.

This type also performs well in terms of color distortion. Many telescopes exhibit red-shifting or blue-shifting. It is almost as perfect as you could wish for. It is a reasonably good pick for the semi-serious stargazer since it has a very big lens that collects a strong light and allows you to see dim stars even in regions with high light pollution.

The Pricing.

The features make it the greatest value telescope for money on our list. Unfortunately, it is not comparable to the celestron 114lcm pictures since the tripod is unsteady and occasionally shifts when in use. However, if you’re searching for a nice telescope, you will surely enjoy this one.

You can get Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope on bhphotovideo.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Good quality for the price.
❌ Poor quality mirrors.
✅Very easy to assemble.
❌Table-top tripod is weak.
✅Lightweight for easy transport.
✅Intuitive design functions.

Cost and Specs

It is a low-cost telescope with certain advantages. It does include a big 700-millimeter lens. That’s larger than you’d think for the cost and lets in a lot of light. There’s also a set of lenses that provide 16x to 200x magnification, which is adequate but not as good as some of the others here. It also features a fragile tripod, which may make focusing on anything smaller than the moon difficult.

Overall Value

It is not a brand with exceptional optical quality or one that obviously puts a great deal of effort into design and production. Hence because of the drawbacks, this telescope is best suited as a beginner model. And given the pricing, it seems sensible to spend a little more and obtain a telescope with greater versatility and higher overall value.

You can get MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope on walmart.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Super lightweight
❌ Flimsy tripod
✅Simple to use.
✅Set up is quick and easy.
✅Lightweight and portable.

Optical Performance.

This 50mm telescope is one of the best ultra-portable with the excellent optical performance.  We love the large aperture which allows for super sharp images, and we love the user-friendly combination of  STAR WALK 2.

User Friendly.

It is ideal for families with small children and offers a wide variety. The app for the phone is also fantastic. It displays what you are looking at, sends notifications, and alerts you when there are forthcoming meteor showers to view. But look through the telescope, you must place it on a table.

You can get IDS Home Eastcolight 23032 on ubuy.co.it

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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

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Great magnification
❌ No focus.
✅gift idea for those who enjoy science and astronomy
✅.No-tool Set Up
✅Adjustable Tripod

Objective Lens.

Both the telescope and the tripod are of excellent quality. The objective lens and eyepiece offer crisp and concise vision. The telescope includes an official guide that includes easy-to-follow comprehensive directions as well as suggestions on aperture, optical quality, moon-gazing, while seeing the night sky.

Easy to put.

It is suitable for beginners and is very simple to assemble and operate. The 70mm lenses appear to be detailed! Not only that, but the pricing is quite reasonable.

You can get Emarth Telescope, 70mm/360mm on walmart.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Perfect beginner's telescope.
❌Low focus
✅Compact❌Difficult to align
✅.Portable
✅Lightweight

Easy to Use

It is pretty simple to learn how to use and comprehend as a beginner wanting to get into astronomy. This has been a fantastic lens, and you can get really smooth images with it. There are several accessories. You can even use it with a camera pick-up that connects to the computer to view what you’re looking at on the monitor and photograph it.

The lens.
The lenses are quite sharp, and the mechanical aspects are extremely well built. This is an excellent product that is both durable and simple to use.

You can get SOLOMARK Telescope 80EQ Refractor Scope on ubuy.com.tr

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅focus adjustments are smooth

❌Wobbly tripod
✅sturdy and fully adjustable
✅.Setup is easy

The looks & quality

In this list of finest value telescopes, this is a fantastic piece because it’s is both flexible, robust, and completely movable.  It has a nice appearance and feels to it. The focus settings are precise, and the surface on the actual telescope tube is matte, with vibrant color.
Resolution 

The telescope’s image resolution is outstanding. It’s certainly adequate as a first scope. It’s a wonderful terrestrial scope for stargazing, and it’d be a great way to get an adult or youngster interested in astronomy.

You can get OYS 80mm Telescope on ubuy.com.lb

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Ideal for traveling.

❌Not easy to assemble.
✅Higher magnification
✅.Lightweight

The accessories

It comes with a variety of lenses as well as extremely good casings to protect them from damages A tripod to put the telescope on, and a phone holder to record video, snap photos, or simply have several people see the vision at the same time. All of this fits into a cushioned backpack, which is ideal for packing and taking camping or on a trip.

The optics.
There is no blurriness in the optics. Animals and star formations are well visible. You can get a decent view of the moon when it’s in the sky. This also brings the planets closer when they are in closer range with Earth, and one can definitely see more stars if they go out somewhere dark, where there’s not so much light pollution. Indeed, one of the finest telescopes for planets.

You can get OYS 70mm Telescope, Telescopes for Adults on ebay.com

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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

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Easily Assembled

❌The small set screw is useless.
✅Lightweight to carry
✅.Extremely portable

Worth the value.

This seems to be a great telescope, especially for the price. And it is suitable for amateurs. It is good enough to be worth the trouble of ordering, assembling, and viewing through it. The best thing about this is that it comes with a phone mount to get awesome pictures and has 2 different viewing lenses with also a spotting scope.

Accessory packed

It is a beginner’s telescope that can easily hold a phone steadily and is perfect for looking at the moon and stars. It goes with a travel backpack, which is really convenient for travel and keeping all parts together. Not only this but it’s very easy to assemble and use.

You can get TELMU Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm on walmart.com

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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.

Order at Amazon

ProsCons
✅Easy to assemble.
❌ Adjustable tripod height is too short.
✅Perfect clarity.❌ Difficult to focus.
✅ Great packaging.
✅ Great option for beginners.

Easy to use

The mount is sturdy, and the adjustability is enough after tightening the locks. Also, because of the robust mount, it is equipped with 2 slow-motion control cords that allow for precise adjustments. Indeed a great telescope for beginners!

Breeze to Set-up

Not only is this telescope equipped with features, but it’s also a breeze to set up and use, which makes it an ideal fit for beginners. With two different eyepieces, you can get 35X and 70x magnification that can help you explore some true deep sky marvels.

You can get SOLOMARK Telescope for Adults on ubuy.com.tr

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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.

Source
  • The invention of the telescope 
  • The Spitzer Space Telescope Mission
  • Lessons learnt from COMPTEL for future telescopes
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Maria Chan
Maria Chan
Author at Dope Guides
I am a Space enthusiast and have been into deep space research for over 8 years. Inspired by the likes of Mary Robinette Kowal and others to write great content.
Maria Chan
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