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Best Telescopes Under $300 [Top 10 Reviewed]

October 16, 2020 by Mary Robinette Kowal

I hope you agree with me when I say:

Being passionate about Astronomy is definitely interesting but not so interesting when it comes to the cost of it.

 If you want to treat your eyes, only a telescope would work best as it allows deep sky viewing.  

Before you juggle between which telescope to purchase, let me guide you through it. A Telescope is basically an instrument designed to see far away objects by making it appear large, hence closer. There are mainly 2 types of telescopes; Refractor Telescopes & Reflector Telescopes.

You should consider a few basic parts to ensure that you have the best telescope that would satisfy your needs. Some main parts of every telescope include the aperture, the focal length, the mounts and the eyepiece. You can have a look at this guide for more information.

The best telescopes in the world cost around thousands of dollars. However there are budget friendly telescopes with results as good as the expensive ones. Shown below are the best telescopes under $300 and the best telescopes under $200.

Best Telescopes Under 300 Dollars 2021

Here are our top picks for the best telescopes under 300 dollars. These include best professional telescopes along with the best ones for beginners.

TELESCOPESRATINGPRICE
Orion 8944 10/10 (Editor's Choice)
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Orion StarBlast II9.5/10
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Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope9/10
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Gskyer Telescope8/10
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Celestron ExploraScope 221039/10
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Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope8.5/10
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Orion 10012 SkyScanner, TableTop Reflector7.5/10
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Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope8/10
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Celestron 31036 AstroMaster8/10
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Orion StarBlast AutoTracker Reflector8/10
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1- Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Why we love it:

  • Comes with a big 6″ aperture at an amazing price.
  • Extremely ease to use.
  • Has 6″ diameter f/8 parabolic mirror.

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ Solid build❌ A bit heavy
✅ Provides a vibration free image❌ Only one eye piece included
✅ The eyepiece and lens can be upgraded

This is hands down the best professional telescope one can have. It comes with an altazimuth mount and a aluminum & silicon dioxide lens coating. You will have a lifetime of amazing views with the 6″ Dobsonioan. This telescope is very easy to use because of simple navigation and does not require to polar align. It also is the best telescope for deep space astronomy. Orion 8944 has high light gathering power, enough for deep-sky viewing. This telescope is going to take you to the space heaven.

This comes with a stable base that prevents from a shaky image while viewing at high powers. This is one of the best telescope for deep space astrophotography. Check out this amazing review if you are interested in a similar model, Orion Skyquest XT 10 Classical Dobsonioan Telescope.   

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2- Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope

Why we love it: 

  • Easy to use.
  • Large optics.
  • EQ 1 mount included.
  • Adjustable tripod.

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ Petite❌ No carry case included
✅ Great for family use
✅ Extra eye pieces included

This could possibly be the best telescope for viewing planets. This telescope makes all the distant objects appear bright and clear. Everything from moon to galaxies will seem to appear closer. This could keep you and your family occupied because of the fantastic wide-field astronomy telescope with large reflecting optics. With the help of the EQ-1 mount, you can easily keep moving objects still. It also has slow motion controls that could prevent from distorted views. The included eyepieces provide 18 and 45 high power views. It also includes the EZ Finder and a Moon Map 260.

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3- Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope

Why we love it: 

  • Affordable
  • Equipped with a large 70mm aperture
  • Fully coated lens
  • Various extra accessories

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ 2 year warranty & customer service.❌ Heavy weight
✅ Bonus bag, tripod & software
✅ Easy & quick set up.

What is the best telescope for beginners? you will know in a bit.

The Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope has 2 powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing. It alsoThe Celestron- 70mm is great for beginners as it includes two high-quality eyepieces that help with views appear in a very close range. It captures objects during both, day and night.

The 70mm aperture of this refractor telescope lays out bright views. The 70mm Travel Scope comes with prime quality entirely coated glass optics, a lightweight fixture, and a bag according to its measurements, to carry it all. Its one of the best quality telescopes in the market. It also offers its users to download the top ranked astronomy software for free. To maximize customer satisfaction, it comes with a 2 year warranty.

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4- Gskyer Telescope

Why we love it:

  • 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture.
  • Comes with two replaceable eyepieces.
  • Wireless Remote.
  • Fully coated optics glass lens.


 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ Adjustable tripod.❌ Too many parts may make it difficult to carry
✅ Easy to locate objects
✅ Convenient for travelling

Get your hand on the best professional telescope. The lens has been specially designed with high transmission coating to prevent eye damage. They also provide the users with two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens. The magnifying power is tripled due to the 3x Barlow lens. It is easier to locate afar objects because of the 5×24 finder scope that has a mounting bracket and cross-hair lines.

What further makes it the best refractor telescope under 200 is the fact that you also get a smart phone adapter and a camera remote, that too wireless, to take amazing astronomical shots. Portable tripod and carry bag also come along. This could fit the category of the best telescope for astronomy.

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5- Celestron ExploraScope 22103

Why we love it: 

  • Newtonian Reflector Telescope with a 114mm aperture.
  • Smooth and precise pointing with the help of slow motion rod.
  • Comes with  3x Barlow lens,  two eyepieces as well & tripod.

ProsCons
✅ 2 year warranty.❌ Only for adults
✅ Quick and easy set up.
✅ Sturdy tripod

For a beginner, the ExploraScope 114AZ is perfect to use. It is the best telescope under 200 to grab.The finder scope comes with 2 high and low magnification lenses. Other items include a well built tripod and 3x Barlow lens. It also provides an option to use the smart phone theough an app, Sky Portal. It is easy and quick to assemble because of the no tool set up design.

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6- Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope

Why we love it: 

  • Features a fully coated 70mm glass optic objective lens.
  • Is useable at both, day time and night time.
  • For smooth and precise pointing, it has been designed with Alt-Az control.

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ Specially made for beginners.❌ Heavy weight
✅ Compact for storage.
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Here we have the AstroMaster 70AZ that is always ready to use in minutes. This is the best telescope for space as it powerful enough to look at the moon and the planets. It is also budget friendly as it is the best telescope under 300. Included are extra lenses, a travel tripod, and a red dot finder scope. We would recommend you to grab this amazing piece, the best automatic telescope.

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7- Orion 10012 SkyScanner, TableTop Reflector

Why we love it:

  • Designed with a 100mm mirror optic made of glass.
  • Has a table top design with wide-angle, low-power viewing.
  •  Provided with two eyepieces for magnification and also works with eyepiece filters.

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ Specially made for beginners.❌ Heavy weight
✅ Compact for storage.
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Do you want to bring those faintest stars closer? Choose this best telescope under 200. It comes in handy and is easily manageable because of its delicate base. The other telescopes available in market are not as lightweight as this one. Hence its the best telescope money can buy .

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8- Celestron – PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope

Why we love it: 

  • Designed with a no tool set up.
  • The mount is designed with a slow motion altitude rod.
  • 3x Barlow lens and 2 extra eyepieces are also included

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ 2 year warranty❌ Takes time to focus
✅ BONUS Starry Night Astronomy Software Package ❌ Not the best one for travelling

Yet again this one is the answer to, “what is the best telescope for beginners?”

It does not come with an easy set up, but it is definitely worth the patience. However, once it all collimated, the image would stay sharp forever. It has optical coating all over. This telescope can be used by people of all ages. It comes in handy and is carriage able because of being light weight unlike other telescope. It is undoubtedly the best beginner telescope for planets.

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9- Celestron 31036 AstroMaster

Why we love it: 

  • Designed with a permanent StarPointer finderscope.
  • SiO2 and aluminum has been coated all over the glass mirrors.
  • Compatible with all mobile phone devices.

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅Quick and easy no-tool setup❌ Carry bag not included
✅Comes in 3 styles

Do you want to have a blast discovering the skies over your head? Experience it with AstroMaster. It is the best telescope under 200. If you are a beginner, you will enjoy using this for the ease of use. It is the best telescope for daily use and the best telescope money can buy. It is currently on sale, and is surely the best telescope for sale near me.

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10- Orion StarBlast AutoTracker Reflector

Why we love it:

  • This 14 mm reflector comes with auto tracking.
  • Shorty 2x Barlow included.
  • Additional items included to plan stargazing sessions.

 

 

 

 

ProsCons
✅ Guide book included❌ On the pricey side

The shorty 2x Barlow doubles the magnification of both included eyepieces. Hence makes it the best telescope for viewing planets. It has abundant aperture to see breathtaking views of objects in the solar system. It also tracks all the objects you observe through the built in auto tracker mount. Therefore, this could be the best telescope under 300 to grab.

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Conclusion 

As we end the list of best telescopes, we hope it is simple for you to understand which type would be the best telescope eyepiece for viewing planets and galaxies. The list of best telescopes we have compiled comprises of not only those which are of prime quality but also those that wont leave a dent on your wallet.

We have made finding an affordable and yet durable telescope under 300 dollars easy for you. We hope you find the best telescope under 300 and the best telescope under 200 here with us. You can also have a look at the best astronomy Apps for your phone.

 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

  • Which is the best professional telescope?

Celestron NexStar. You can check out the review for Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope.

  • Which is the best telescope in the world? 

James Webb Space Telescope is one of the best telescopes in the world.

  • Which is the best refractor telescope under 200? 

Gskyer Telescope.

You can have a look at the best refractor telescopes for beginners on our website. 

  • Which is the best telescope for space? 

Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ Reflector Telescope is a good telescope for space. 

  • List of Telescope for sale near me are? 

The telescopes for sale near me are as follow;

Gskyer Telescope 70mm and Gskyer Telescope 80mm. These are professional telescopes for sale.

  • Should a beginner get their hands on a binocular first or a telescope? 

Binoculars are not for deep sky viewing. Therefore, a telescope is preferable if you are interested in astronomy. A beginner can go for a telescope that falls under the beginner category. You can have a look at the few options listed above for your convenience and ease.

  • Which is the best telescope for deep space astrophotography? 

The Celestron 127eq Powerseeker Telescope.  Refractor is the best telescope for deep space astrophotography. It is also the best affordable deep space telescope. Dont forget to check out the review for The Celestron 127eq Powerseeker Telescope. 

  • What is the best telescope eye piece for viewing planets? 

Orion 08890 1.25-Inch Premium Telescope. You can buy telescope online.

  • What is the best telescope money can buy? 

The best telescope money can buy is Orion StarBlast 4.5. It is the best buy telescope.

 Keep your eyes on the stars and have a good time discovering the space heaven! 

To assemble your own telescope, check this out.

If you liked this article and want to know more about astronomy, check out :

  • Best 10×50 Binoculars For Astronomy

  • 7 Best Telescopes Under $1000 that perform pretty good

 

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Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal
Hey! I'm Mary Robinette Kowal, an author, speaker &  producer on anything & everything tech and space related. I'm best known for winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel. Writing about space is a huge passion of mine, so here’s a little piece of my mind.
Mary Robinette Kowal
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