5 Best Telescopes Under $300 (October 2026)
The best telescopes under 300 dollars include the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ for a phone-guided first night, the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 Tabletop Dobsonian for a big aperture on a table, and the MEEZAA 90 mm 800 mm Refractor for a refractor kit with a bag.
On this page (11 sections)
- The best telescopes under 300 dollars in detail
- Side by side: aperture, mount and setup under 300 dollars
- How we picked these five budget telescopes
- What a budget telescope gives you and what it doesn't
- Mount choices at this price
- Accessories worth a look under the cap
- How the budget picks compare on the first night
- Buying tips for a budget telescope
- What to skip under the cap
- Safety for a budget telescope
- Choosing the best telescope under 300 dollars
The best telescope under 300 dollars is the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ, because its phone app helps a first-timer find targets. This list covers five scopes that stay under that cap and still show the Moon and planets well.
We compared each scope on aperture, mount type, eyepieces and setup effort. We also checked what the box includes, since a missing finder or eyepiece can add to the cost later.
If you're still choosing between scope types, read the Telescopes for Adults guide. It explains the main types in plain terms.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a phone-guided first nightCelestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ
8.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a big aperture on a tableSky-Watcher Heritage 130 Tabletop Dobsonian
8.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Best for a 130 mm reflector with slow-motion knobsCheck it - 5
Check itCelticbird 80 mm 600 mm Refractor
Best for a low-cost refractor with a backpack
The best telescopes under 300 dollars in detail
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ ranks first because it offers the most help of any scope in this group. Its app builds a target list and guides you with on-screen arrows until the object is centered.
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ
- 114 mm Newtonian reflector
- Phone app guides you to targets
- Altazimuth mount with a preassembled tripod
- 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces and a 2x Barlow
The most help of any scope in this group, with an app that points to targets and a mount that arrives preassembled.
Pros
- App gives a target list and on-screen arrows
- Mount and tripod arrive preassembled
- Two-year US warranty from Celestron
Cons
- Needs a phone and a clear sky
- Less aperture than the 130 mm scopes here
The LT 114AZ is a 114 mm Newtonian reflector on an altazimuth mount. The mount and tripod arrive preassembled, so the first job is docking your phone and following the arrows.
Celestron says the view is sharp and vivid on the Moon, on planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and on bright deep-sky objects. The box includes 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces and a 2x Barlow lens.
The app needs a clear sky and a phone that fits the dock. Celestron backs the scope with a two-year US warranty.
Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 Tabletop Dobsonian
- 130 mm reflector
- 650 mm focal length
- Arrives fully assembled
- Two-year warranty
A 130 mm mirror on a simple tabletop base, with no alignment step and no mount to learn.
Pros
- Large mirror for the price
- Arrives fully assembled
- Simple base you aim by hand
Cons
- Needs a sturdy table at a comfortable height
- Only two eyepieces in the box
The Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 is the largest mirror in this group on a simple base. Its 130 mm aperture gathers more light than the 114 mm scope, and it arrives fully assembled.
The tabletop Dobsonian base has no alignment step, so you aim the tube by hand and start looking. Its 650 mm focal length and 10 mm and 25 mm eyepieces cover a useful range of power for the Moon and planets.
The trade-off is the table. It needs to be sturdy and at a height you can sit or stand at comfortably, and only two eyepieces come in the box.
Sky-Watcher gives the scope a two-year warranty, which is a useful safety net for a first telescope.
MEEZAA 90 mm 800 mm Refractor
- 90 mm refractor
- 800 mm focal length
- 10 mm and 25 mm eyepieces with a 3x Barlow
- Phone adapter, carry bag and adjustable tripod
A complete refractor kit with a sealed tube, a tripod and a carry bag, for a budget buyer who wants to start quickly.
Pros
- Complete kit in one carry bag
- Sealed tube with no mirror to align
- Phone adapter is in the box
Cons
- Expect some color fringing on bright objects
- Smaller aperture than the 114 mm and 130 mm scopes
The MEEZAA 90 is a complete refractor kit for a budget buyer. The box includes two eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens, a phone adapter, a stainless steel tripod and a carry bag.
Its 90 mm lens is the largest refractor aperture in this group, so bright targets look brighter than through a 70 mm or 80 mm scope. A refractor has a sealed tube, so there's no mirror to line up before the first night.
The tripod adjusts from 28 to 46 inches, which helps you find a comfortable viewing height. Expect some color fringing around the brightest objects, such as Jupiter.
The carry bag keeps the tube and accessories together, which helps if the scope lives in a closet or a car trunk between sessions.
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ
- 130 mm Newtonian reflector
- German equatorial mount
- Slow-motion control knobs
- 20 mm and 10 mm eyepieces and a built-in StarPointer
A 130 mm reflector on an equatorial mount, for a buyer who is willing to learn the mount in exchange for the aperture.
Pros
- 130 mm aperture with slow-motion knobs
- Built-in StarPointer finder
- Two-year US warranty from Celestron
Cons
- Equatorial mount takes practice to set up
- Harder to aim quickly than an altazimuth base
The AstroMaster 130EQ gives you a 130 mm reflector on an equatorial mount, and it stays under the cap. Celestron says the two slow-motion knobs make it smooth to aim at planets and deep-sky objects.
The box includes a 20 mm eyepiece with a built-in erect image corrector, a 10 mm eyepiece and a built-in StarPointer finder. Equatorial mounts take practice, so a first-timer may need a few evenings before setup feels quick.
For a buyer who is willing to learn the mount, the extra aperture is a real benefit. Celestron backs the scope with a two-year US warranty.
Celticbird 80 mm 600 mm Refractor
- 80 mm refractor
- 600 mm focal length
- Altazimuth (AZ) mount
- Backpack, adjustable aluminum tripod and phone adapter
The budget pick in this group, with a backpack and a tripod that pack together for a first telescope on a tight budget.
Pros
- Budget pick with a backpack
- Altazimuth mount is simple to aim
- Celticbird says no tools are needed for setup
Cons
- Smallest lens in this roundup
- Fainter objects look dimmer than through the 114 mm or 130 mm scopes
The Celticbird 80 is the budget pick in this group. Its 80 mm lens and 600 mm focal length give bright views of the Moon and planets, and the scope packs into a backpack with its tripod.
The box includes 20 mm and 9 mm eyepieces, an adjustable aluminum tripod and an upgraded phone adapter. Celticbird says no tools are needed to set it up, which keeps the first night simple.
Its smaller lens means fainter objects look dimmer than through the 114 mm or 130 mm scopes. It's best for the Moon and the brightest planets, and it's a fine first step for a budget buyer.
Side by side: aperture, mount and setup under 300 dollars
The five budget picks run from 80 mm to 130 mm of aperture. Two of them share the 130 mm size, so the mount type is the difference that matters most between them.
| Product | Best for | Aperture | Focal length | Mount | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ | a phone-guided first night | 114 mm | 1000 mm | Altazimuth | 8.7 |
| Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 Tabletop Dobsonian | a big aperture on a table | 130 mm | 650 mm | Tabletop Dobsonian | 8.4 |
| MEEZAA 90 mm 800 mm Refractor | a refractor kit with a bag | 90 mm | 800 mm | Altazimuth | 7.7 |
| Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ | a 130 mm reflector with slow-motion knobs | 130 mm | 650 mm | German equatorial | 7.3 |
| Celticbird 80 mm 600 mm Refractor | a low-cost refractor with a backpack | 80 mm | 600 mm | Altazimuth | 7.0 |
The two 130 mm scopes give the most light in this group, and the LT 114AZ gives the most help. The MEEZAA 90 and the Celticbird 80 are the simplest to carry, while the AstroMaster 130EQ asks for the most practice.
How we picked these five budget telescopes
We compared the specs, features and setup notes for each scope. Then we checked how each one serves a first-time adult buyer who wants a real view without overspending.
Four things decided the order:
- How much light does the aperture gather for the Moon and planets?
- How much help does the scope give a first-timer, with an app, a finder or a simple base?
- How easy is the mount to aim, and how much practice does it need?
- What does the box include, such as eyepieces, a tripod and a finder?
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. Scores in this roundup run from 7.0 to 8.7, so every pick here has a trade-off to weigh.
What a budget telescope gives you and what it doesn't
A budget telescope can show the Moon's craters, Jupiter's bands and Saturn's rings when the air is steady. It won't show faint galaxies or nebulae as they look in photographs, and no scope in this price range will.
Plan for a first telescope to be a window on the sky, not a camera. Set expectations for the Moon and planets first, then add deep-sky targets once you're comfortable with the scope.
Mount choices at this price
Altazimuth and tabletop Dobsonian mounts are the easiest to aim, so they suit most first-timers. An equatorial mount gives smooth tracking of a planet, but it takes practice to set up.
For a closer look at the difference, read how to choose a telescope for beginners. It explains the mount types in plain terms.
Accessories worth a look under the cap
Most budget scopes come with two eyepieces and a finder. A Barlow lens is a cheap way to add power later, but it dims the image as the power climbs.
Our telescope Barlow lens guide explains when a Barlow helps and when it doesn't. Read it before you buy extra eyepieces, since a Barlow can give you more power for less money.
How the budget picks compare on the first night
Every scope in this roundup can show the Moon on its first night, but the setup steps differ. The LT 114AZ and the Heritage 130 arrive ready to use, while the MEEZAA 90 and the Celticbird 80 need a tripod set up and the finder aligned.
Best telescope under 300 dollars: what changes at the cap
Under the cap, the biggest difference is the mount rather than the lens. An app-guided altazimuth scope saves the most time at the eyepiece, a Dobsonian base saves the most setup, and an equatorial mount gives the most control once you've learned it.
The mirror size matters too. The two 130 mm scopes gather the most light, while the 80 mm and 90 mm refractors are the smaller scopes to carry outside.
Who each budget pick suits
Start with the LT 114AZ if you want the most help on a first night, since its app and arrows do most of the finding. A buyer who wants the most light on a table should look at the Heritage 130, and one who wants a kit that packs up quickly should look at the MEEZAA 90 or the Celticbird 80.
The AstroMaster 130EQ suits a buyer who wants a 130 mm mirror and is happy to learn an equatorial mount. It's the right pick when that learning is part of the appeal, rather than a hurdle to clear.
Buying tips for a budget telescope
Most budget buyers do best by checking the box before they check the price. Confirm the eyepieces, finder and tripod are there, since a missing piece can cost more than the difference between two models.
Check the box on arrival
Open the box on the first day, and check each part against the manual. A cracked eyepiece or a missing finder is much easier to sort out before the return window closes.
Once the parts check out, focus on a distant tree or rooftop in daylight before you take the scope out after dark. That quick test shows whether the focuser, the finder and the mount all work together.
Choose a target well away from the sun, and cap the scope when you finish.
Read the warranty before you buy
Celestron and Sky-Watcher both state two-year warranties for several of the scopes here, but warranty terms can differ by seller. Read the terms before you buy, and keep the receipt with the box, since a warranty only helps if you can prove the purchase date.
What to skip under the cap
Skip any scope that leads with a huge magnification number. The eyepiece sets the power, and the aperture sets the detail you can see at that power.
Skip kits that bundle accessories you won't use on a first night, such as filters and cases. A simple kit with two good eyepieces and a steady mount beats a crowded box.
Skip a scope whose mount you can't picture yourself aiming. The mount is where a first telescope either becomes a habit or a shelf ornament.
Safety for a budget telescope
Never point a telescope at the sun unless it has a certified solar filter made for that model. Looking at the sun through an unfiltered telescope can cause permanent eye damage, so keep the first targets to the Moon, planets and stars.
Choosing the best telescope under 300 dollars
If you want the easiest first step, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is the best telescope under 300 dollars on this list. Its app and arrows get you to targets faster than any other scope here.
If you want a big mirror on a simple base, the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 is the choice, as long as you have a sturdy table. Pick the MEEZAA 90 or the Celticbird 80 for a portable kit, or the AstroMaster 130EQ if you're ready to learn an equatorial mount.
For a beginner-focused list with more detail on setup, see the best beginner telescopes for adults.
If you're unsure what each price tier buys, how much does a good telescope cost explains it in plain terms.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a phone-guided first night
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ
8.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a big aperture on a table
Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 Tabletop Dobsonian
8.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
What can you get for under 300 dollars?
A capable first telescope, with a mount, eyepieces and a finder in the box. Several scopes here sit under that cap, including the app-guided LT 114AZ and the Heritage 130, so you don't need to stretch for a useful first view.
Is a 130 mm telescope worth it over an 80 mm one?
A 130 mm reflector gathers far more light than an 80 mm refractor, so the Moon and planets look brighter and show more detail. The tradeoff is size, since the bigger tube and mount take more room on a table or in a car.
Should I buy a used telescope to save money?
A used scope can be a good deal if the optics are clean and the mount moves smoothly. Check the lens or mirror for scratches, make sure the eyepieces, finder and tripod come with it, and ask whether any warranty transfers.
Which telescope under 300 dollars has the most aperture?
The Heritage 130 and the AstroMaster 130EQ both have 130 mm of aperture, and the LT 114AZ comes close at 114 mm. The Heritage is a tabletop Dobsonian that's simple to aim, while the AstroMaster uses an equatorial mount that takes practice to learn.
