There can be no better combo than a sky full of stars and a good telescope
Like everything else, telescopes have come a long way since the early days, especially their overall use case. At present, they are not only implemented by astrologers to study celestial bodies but also used by stargazing enthusiasts to take a brief glance at our universe. These magnificent giants in the sky cannot be seen by the naked eye. Whether it’s hiking or any major recreational activity, you will definitely need the help of a pair of telescopes. Probably the best telescope your budget allows.
I have compiled this list for you, the reader, to make it easy so that you can choose the prime telescope for yourself under $1000 or even a bit over it. Each of them is selected on the basis of their portability, aperture strength, focal length, refractive index as well as mounting capability, so no matter which one you pick, it will still be worth it.
I have also included a small guide on How To Choose A Telescope after the Conclusion. Be sure to read that up so that you know how to select the ideal telescope for yourself. With that said, let’s get straight onto the reviews!
Before you go and buy, you should know the different Types:
Refractor: Most common type with low maintenance. The prices however keep increasing pretty steeply as the aperture increases. Refractor tubes have a lens at the front.
Reflector: Most inexpensive type with a mirror at the end of the tube to gather light. Reflector tubes need to be adjusted for optical alignment now and then. So only go for these if you can handle the hassle.
Compound: These use a combination of mirrors and lenses, are compact and lightweight but expensive as well. The two most popular types are Schmidt-Cassegrains and Maksutov-Cassegrains.
Focal length: The objective’s focal length determines the power or magnification of the telescope. This is simply the objective’s focal length divided by that of the eyepiece.
The top telescope of this list comes from Sky-Watcher. It got all the bells and whistles to kickstart your journey in modern astronomy. The Maksutov-Cassegrain scope gives you sharp, crisp, and clear images with the flexibility of using it for astronomy, spotting, and astrophotography, all three.
It uses a perfect aperture and focal ratio blend to give you a realistic feel as you observe nearby stars and galaxies. The great thing about this device is the fact that it utilizes 177x magnification which is 5-7 times greater than your ordinary astronomical telescope.
Other than that, it is also extremely vital for those who fundamentally study lunar details. It is based upon aluminum and quartz-coated lenses that work on par with modern equipment and provide 94% reflectivity. If price, precision & performance is something dear to you, then getting this device is worth the shot.
Added Features
Like any other top-of-the-line product, the Sky-Watcher Skymax 180mm is equipped with a wide plethora of features that separate it from the rest. For once, it features primary mirror focusing mechanics, which work wonders when it comes to planetary viewing. Secondly, it uses a huge 7.1” lens system that can capture light off objects millions of light-years away. You will also love its signature metallic coating, which improves reflectivity and allows it to deliver superior contrast.
There is a large visual aperture on this telescope which gradually helps in enhancing the overall magnification. Plus, there are many accessories available with its purchase, including a 2-inch 90-degree star diagonal and a 28mm 2-inch eyepiece. This way, you will get the most out of your buck in the long run. The f/15 focal length gives a dark background so that you can deeply immerse yourself in this heavenly experience.
❌ Tripod is not the best of quality in the price range.
✅Ultra-high transmission coatings.
❌Outdated manual and documentation.
✅Advanced Coma free technology.
Why do we recommend it?
Sometimes we need a bit of convenience or ease of use in our day-to-day accessories. If that’s the case, then you will definitely praise the up next product on our listing; that is the LX90-ACF by Meade. This 8” telescope is well-deserving of the second spot. Meade has gone the extra mile by introducing the ACF technology, i.e. Advanced coma-free. Coma is an optical defect that distorts the image. Well, thanks to this model, you won’t have a distorted image.
It is explicitly designed with a top of line fully coated glass optics in order to deliver superior results. You will absolutely love how wide the aperture lens is incorporated into this model. Once adjusted correctly, it can be rightfully used to discover deep space constellations without any major complications.
Nonetheless, the LX90-ACF is probably one of the perfect telescopes you can get. Meade will make sure your celestial viewing experience is the finest. Conversely, each and every view out of this telescope is bright as it can get, thanks to Ultra-High Transmission Coatings. This telescope is easy to use, set up, and carry making it one of the ideal telescopes, although a bit on the pricier side.
Added Features
This incredible professional telescope offers multicoated optics, GPS Receiver, two-finder scopes, level north technology, and an Auto-start controller with auto-align software. That’s a lot of autos there! Besides having a fully-featured Objective Lens, it comes equipped with a computerized GoTo mount setup. This means that the telescope can be adjusted automatically, giving you further ease of mind. Meade LX90-ACF also provides a separate AudioStar hand box controller with this model. According to manufacturers, this will allow you to connect with 30,000+ object-database to further strengthen your stargazing experience.
Most of the telescopes, especially the ones used for astronomical purposes, are quite bulky in nature. However, that’s not the case with the Meade LX90-ACF. It’s around 14inch lengthwise while weighting just under 45pounds. Thus, it’s clear that you can store it almost anywhere within your living space.
However, you will need to get the hang of setting it up since the manual and documentation are outdated. Plus the tripod isn’t actually the best in the price range. But still, I would easily put it in my top 3 for the most powerful home telescopes.
Fully multi-coated, three-lens ED optics and versatile f/7.0.
A two split-clamp tube rings for easy storage
Rotatable 3 inch dual-speed for added adjustments.
Pros
Cons
✅115mm (4.5 inch) aperture triplet ED apochromatic.
❌ relatively expensive
✅Rock-solid, rotatable 3 inch dual-speed (11:1) Crayford focuser.
❌Difficult to find.
Why do we recommend it?
Only because this model is difficult to find, have it put it at number 3. Otherwise, it would’ve easily topped the show. The Orion 10087 EON is the most amazing refractor telescope available in the market for under $1800. It’s perfect for astrophotography and serious visual applications as well. The fully multi-coated, three-lens ED optics and versatile f/7.0 bring out high contrast image, superb color correction, and sharpness.
If you are familiar with stargazing and want a quality product that will allow you to observe deep-celestial bodies with ease, then you can’t go wrong picking the Orion 10087 EON. Design-wise, it’s straight from your typical sci-fi genre.
The overall body is sleek and is complemented by several high-end materials, including aluminum, to provide it with additional strength. Now some might say that it is a bit pricy compared to traditional telescopes, but when you account for its implacable design and wide field of view, it’s worth every penny. Another prime thing about this device is that there are several Multilayer anti-reflection coatings on the lens, which maximize the light transmission and remove any eyestrain.
The 3 inches dual-speed Crayford focuser also ensures a speedy image focus. So less time focusing and more time viewing.
Added Features
With basics aside, let’s talk about some of the aspects on which Orion easily outclass its competition. Firstly, it’s 115mm fully coated objective lens allows you to study even the faintest deep-space objects with precision. It’s also not bulky as well and lengthwise; it only covers 11inches which makes it relatively easy to use. Another thing to note about this telescope is that its assembly is straightforward as it gets.
It is available in a detachable format, so whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you will be able to set it up within mere minutes. There are even things like two heavy-duty hinged tube rings and a mounting bar available with the purchase to give further ease to the end-user.
This one is also relatively lightweight therefore making it easy to carry and medium-sized equatorial mounts to easily support it. Did I mention it? It comes with a hard-case, narrow Vixen-style dovetail, thread-on metal objective cap as well. Seems like a pretty sweet deal doesn’t it? At only 15.2lbs, the Orion 10087 EON is easily one of the best professional scopes. If you are on a budget, here are some telescopes that might help.
Currently, Amazon picks the perfect Catadioptric Telescopes.
Easy to assemble and break down.
2 years warranty and unlimited customer support.
Advanced light-gathering through an 8-Inch aperture.
Pros
Cons
✅8 inch diameter.
❌Outdated hardware.
✅includes a NexStar software for an interactive simulation.
❌Star alignment is not easy.
✅Automatically locates.
Why do we recommend it?
Coming in at number 4 is Celestron 11069 NexStar 8SE. This amazing piece of equipment was designed to keep the beginner in mind however the quality and features can easily be used by professionals as well. The 8” primary mirror makes it near to possible to even view Pluto, provided there are dark enough skies.
For a beginner, this thing can really spark up an interest in astronomy and celestial giants. Although the hardware is still very outdated and difficult to operate. You need some special kind of cable for this to attach to a computer while other competitors have been relying upon USB now. In addition, even as an intermediate viewer, you will still need to get the hang of how to align it with stars. Apparently its not as easy as Celestron claims.
But other than that, it’s an absolute unit that is worth considering for someone looking to spend on an Astronomical telescope in 2022. Taking a closer look at this model, you will also find that it is a motor-driven variant that includes a reasonable aperture. Its portable design will allow you to capture deep-space stars and galaxies from the comfort of your balcony. Furthermore, it comes in a single fork construction, making it relatively easy to adjust and use.
Added Features
The reason why it’s listed among the top 5 telescopes in 2022 on our list is because of its several over-the-top attributes. Celestron 8SE offers added convenience for any ordinary stargazer. It boasts sky align technology which makes setting up this bad boy a breeze. If that’s not to your liking, then you will probably praise its substantial database. With its detailed database, you can easily find up to 40 thousand objects in the night sky without any inconvenience.
This is ideal for moons and closer planets. Can be pushed to the boundaries over 200x magnification as well if the objects are bright enough. A normal 6” telescope can show nebulae in detail. The thing this one with the extra 2” can do.
Additionally, the whole process in Celestron NextStar 8SE is computerized, so whether it’s tracking objects or adjusting eyepiece, it has you regulated. Just keep in mind the power consumption as it runs through an alternate battery. But other than that, you won’t find any issue with it.
Provides an excellent color correction for crisp visuals.
An unmatched double objective lens for the professional use case.
Included with a 10:1 dual-speed Crayford-style focuser.
Quality Optical Design and construction.
Evolves with skill.
Pros
Cons
✅Dual-Speed Focuser.
❌Expensive as compared to features.
✅Comes with complete hardware including a hardcase and RACI etc.
Why do we recommend it?
Sky-watcher takes another spot on the list. If you are searching for a high-quality telescope for stargazing from a reputable brand, then the EvoStar is worth the investment. It not only provides good value for the money but also comes with a specified warranty plan so you can rest assured in the long run. With this in hand, you can observe a vast array of celestial bodies without having any major concerns about things like durability and performance.
There is no doubt that the telescope from Sky-Watcher boasts higher accuracy and the EvoStar 120 is a living example of that. It uses a 120 Millimeters objective lens under proprietary Metallic high-transmission Coatings to give you crystal clear visuals.
The Evo-star’s Apochromatic Refractors produce the sharpest, highest quality optical imaging available. This is a high-end telescope, not exactly for beginners. It features a double objective lens with one made from premium Japanese Ohara FPL-53 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass. This virtually finishes the chromatic irregularity.
Added Features
In terms of overall features, the EvoStar 120 APO from Sky-Watcher is quite packed. It is primarily an apochromatic refractor, which means that the model will converge colors of multiple wavelengths into the focus, eliminating any distortion or color fringing. So, if you’re in the market for astrophotography, this device is worth consideration.
Furthermore, its focal length is limited to 600mm, with an aperture size of 80mm, which is great for studying nebulas or other faintest galaxies. Just keep in mind that there is no mount included with this variant, so you have to buy it separately.
It provides a relatively wide-view and speedy focus thanks to the dual-speed focuser. It comes with tube rings, a mounting plate as well as a hard case to ensure safe and sound portability. After all, what is the point of having a telescope if you can’t even travel with it to some deserted places away from the city and light pollution?
Telescopes, especially the ones suited for astronomy, come in a wide range of sizes and configurations, but not many can deliver up to the standards when it comes to overall portability. If you agree with me, then the up next product, i.e., Orion ED80T, will suit your needs. It is basically a miniature apochromatic refractor Telescope with a solid body in a flexible price tag. If durability and compactness are something you want from your astronomical gear, we definitely recommend this star observer.
It seems like Skywatcher, Orion and Celestion have made very strong names in this industry. The Orion ED80T CF is no exception. Given its size and feature, but won’t exactly put it in professional kits. This is very compact and portable. The tube is made from carbon fiber so we know, this tube won’t break easily.
Added Features
The Orion 9534 ED80T CF is one of the most perfect telescopes under 1000 dollars, and that’s for some specific reasons. It features FPL-53 glass which is by far one of the best in this range to be used in a triplet configuration.
On top of that, it operates under a carbon-fiber refractor tube, which gives it a bit of luxury as well as integrity. This scope is quite suited for observing heavenly bodies due to the fact that it features 480mm focal length, with magnification power up to 160x.
There is a 2″ to 1.25″ eyepiece adapter to further give you versatility in your end decision. This also acts as a somewhat programmable telescope that operates through Starry Night Special Edition astronomy software. This will help many beginners in finding their astronomical objects. There have been customer complaints regarding dust inside the glass. The issue is not actually dust but the fact that it is nearly impossible to clean if it is in there.
Gold-standard Anchormaster telescope with a classical feel.
The handcrafted scope is from solid brass and mahogany wood.
Equipped with the ability of image correction.
Quality optics with 50mm aperture.
Pros
Cons
✅Reasonable aperture of 50mm.
❌Limited magnification.
✅One of the best-looking models available.
❌Small field of vision.
Why do we recommend it?
One of the things which we personally miss about past telescopes is their vintage feel and classical aesthetics. As time went by, more and more manufacturers have been shifted to sleeker designs with better functionalities right off the bat. However, even today, there is still a company that makes refined telescopes with classical significance, BARSKA.
The Barska Anchormaster is no doubt a piece of art. It looks like something right out of “The Golden Compass” movie. The craftsmanship on this is unmatched. It completely gives an antique and extremely valuable vibe. If you only intend to keep it inside, then this one is hands down the perfect telescope. However, looks are not the only things that matter. In terms of usability, this model does lack behind the other ones mentioned in the list. It sports a reasonable aperture of 50mm.
Keep in mind that it is a refractive telescope, so you can still get decent magnification power to observe celestial bodies but don’t expect anything extraordinary from it.
Added Features
BARSKA Anchormaster is not only luxurious in terms of design but also quite functional in viewing astronomical objects. It comes equipped with image-correcting lenses, which enhance visuals for both beginners and novices. It can be adjusted through your home balcony or window in just a couple of minutes, so you can start observing celestial bodies right off the bat. You can get this model in both 50 & 80mm configurations to make a statement for your needs.
The achromatic lenses are amazing for refractor design structured images. The high-resolution lens will make a right-side-up image for the naked eye. The anchor master comes with brass arc mounts that allows maneuverability of the scope. It does have limited magnification and a small field of vision. But as far as the design goes, this is by far one of the most elegant and powerful home telescopes.
It’s a sight to behold, the heavenly bodies, stars, mesmerizing nebulae, Saturn’s rings, and whatnot. Once you buy your first professional telescope that is capable of showing objects many lightyears away, you are sure to be immersed in this hobby from top to bottom. People have taken up astrophotography as a full-time profession. A heavy-duty DSLR paired with a powerful telescope can capture images of galaxies. Who knows one day you might capture a picture of extraterrestrials cruising down the space highway.
Best Telescopes On A Budget
When it comes to telescopes, there are many options on the market. Starting from under $100 and going beyond to tens of thousands of dollars.
You will need to calculate the Field of view before using any telescope, for that you can use our Telescope Field of View Calculator. The $100 ones are miniature scopes, more like a kid’s toy and the tens of thousands of dollars one? Well, let’s just leave them for professional scientists. Do you need to also ask yourself questions like what are the heavenly bodies that I want to observe? How much spare room do I have to get started? How long will it take me to set up my stargazing telescope? And how much money am I willing to spend? Other than that, you also need to think about what will be the ideal location for using your telescope.
Are you willing to take it outside with you, or do you want to have a clear view in the comfort of your home? These are some of the things which will probably impact your purchase, make sure to take them under consideration next time you visit eBay. If the given telescope is able to mount additional attachments, then it’s a great thing, but you don’t have to stress over it much. Most budget-oriented telescopes will easily be able to hold on to your camera or video recorder, so try not to overburden yourself and spend more time comparing ease of use and portability. All in all, for a person who loves to travel, escape the light pollution, set up a camp, a bonfire in the middle of a desert, and likes to gaze upon nature’s roof; the ideal options can be found ranging from a $1000-1800.
Guide
How To Choose A Telescope:
It’s not easy choosing the telescope that’s right for your observing interests, lifestyle, and budget. With so many options on the market, it makes sense to understand the different kinds of features and attributes of telescopes so that it becomes easy to choose your first telescope. After that, whether it’s a telescope for home use, for professional photography, a telescope under $300, or anything. It will be extremely easy so let’s dive in.
Aperture:
Generally, your telescope should have at least 2.8 inches aperture. A larger aperture means a better view of the fainter object. But a small one can do a pretty decent job as well- especially if you live away from the city lights.
Mounts:
The most underrated part of the telescope. On some mounts, the scope can move in all 4 directions like a camera tripod. These are usually known as “Alt-Az” mounts. There are then Dobsonian mounts which basically are elegant simple wooden platforms and a variation of the Alt- Equatorial mounts are designed to track the motion of the stars by turning on a single axis. They tend to be larger and heavier plus you need to align them properly with the North Star. Choosing a telescope is a high ordeal for many. Since you are spending a hefty amount on it, you want to make sure you buy the finest telescopes. Even we want to make sure you do hence, this article.
Area Of Interest:
Stargazing is basically a vast field, so the area of interest or basis of study will be different for yours as compared to mine. That’s why I would advise only to choose the telescope that is specific to your needs. Some consumers prefer to have a glance over bright luminous objects such as the moon, while others tend to focus on nebula and star clusters. Planets are also widely preferred by astronomy fans, but they will require strong telescopes with a focal ratio of f/11 or higher. If none of them are to your liking, then terrestrial landscapes are also worth a shot. You can observe clear blue skies to get a closer glimpse of nature.
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.
I hope you will all agree with me when I say
Why do we recommend it? 
Why do we recommend it? 
Why we love it:
Why do we recommend it? 
Why do we recommend it? 
Why do we recommend it? 
Why do we recommend it? 
Why do we recommend it?
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