7 Best Telescopes Under $300 In 2026; Reviews
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Here in this “Best Telescope Under 300” article we’ve rounded up 7 of the best telescopes of various types, specifications, and budget perfectly suited to be used by someone looking to take their astronomy game to the next level. Below, you’ll find in-depth reviews of each, as well as an elaborate buying guide to help you pick out the one that suits you the most.
Our Top 3 Picks
Best Telescope Under $300
With so many models with so many features available today, it can be a tedious task to find the best telescope in the 300 dollar price range. We have analyzed the main features ( aperture, focal length, ratio, portability, affordability etc.) that make a good telescope for intermediates that you can use to enjoy the night sky and fulfill your love for astronomy.
1. Dianfan 150EQ Astronomical Reflector Telescope
- 150mm Large Aperture: The Dianfan 150EQ astronomical telescope features a 150mm aperture and a 650mm focal length.Its powerful light-gathering ability delivers sharp,bright, clear images—perfect for beginners, experienced stargazers and families to explore the wonders of the night sky
- High Magnification & Flexible Viewing: Equipped with two eyepieces and a 2× Barlow lens, this telescope offers magnification from 26x–130x.It delivers detailed lunar views such as craters and lunar seas.It is great telescope for adults high powered
- Easy to assemble and use: Pre-assembled equatorial mount for convenience, it takes beginners about 20 minutes to set up the telescope.Enjoy smooth, precise tracking with a German-style new EQ mount featuring intuitive dials and slow-motion control cables. Ideal for exploring both the starry sky and distant landscapes, it offers inverted daytime views for terrestrial objects without affecting celestial observation
- Comprehensive Kit & Portability: It includes a red dot finderscope, a phone adapter, a moon filter and a carry bag for versatile use.Sturdy, custom-fit carrying bag is designed for easy transport and storage to protect the telescope. The bag measures 35.4 inches in length, 13.9 inches in width, and 9.4 inches in height, weighing 14 kg. It can be carried by hand or over the shoulder, offering convenient portability for outdoor stargazing
- Stable Tripod: Comes with a stainless steel tripod that provides solid support and stable views. The telescope height is 48.4–66.2 inches,it is easy to set up and user-friendly. Durable and reliable for every session,making stargazing and sky exploration effortless
The Telescope 150EQ Astronomical Reflector stands out in the budget category thanks to its 150 mm aperture and 650 mm focal length, which provide strong light-gathering capability for detailed views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and even some brighter deep-sky targets.
Its reflector design paired with a manual equatorial mount lets beginners and hobbyists track celestial objects more naturally as they move across the sky, a feature often found on more expensive telescopes.
Out of the box, this model comes with a thorough set of accessories—including two eyepieces, a 2× Barlow lens for extended magnification, a red-dot finderscope for easier object locating, a smartphone adapter for simple astrophotography, and a moon filter to reduce glare during lunar observation.
The included stainless steel tripod and carrying bag add to its usability, making setup and transport straightforward for weekend stargazing sessions.
While it’s still a beginner-oriented telescope and requires patience to learn how to use the equatorial mount effectively, reviewers and astronomy enthusiasts agree that it offers excellent value for the price and performs noticeably better than many sub-$300 scopes with smaller optics or simpler mounts.
For amateur astronomers who want a capable first telescope that grows with their skills, the 150EQ is a compelling choice in its price range.
2. Solomark 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope
- 【130mm Large Aperture】Large aperture 130mm telescope, high resolution, good light collecting ability, imaging brighter, more suitable for the observation of deep space celestial objective.
- 【High Quality Optics】The telescope adopts a sturdy and light fram structure, the carbon fiber was covering on the telescope surface, sophisticated technology. Objective lens features fully-coated glass optics, it can improve the optical system performance of astronomical telescopes, help you observe brighter, more detailed planets.
- 【German Equatorial Mount】German Equatorial with dial and fine-turned control cables. Adjust rod to desired position, then easily secure by tightening knob. Precise positioning and fast tracking of celestial bodies make your observation more stable. You can enjoy the amazing process of manual tracking of the moon and planets.
- 【Stable Tripod】The telescope comes with a high-quality large diameter adjustable aluminum alloy tripod. Extra a tray is attached for storing small temporary attachment. The tripod stable structure stable enable you to Locate celestial objects smoothly and accurately.
- 【Multiple Accessories】Come with 2 High-quality Eyepieces, a 1.5X Erecting Barlow Lens, a 1.25" 13% Transmission Moon Filter, a Cellphone Adapter. The telescope contains all the accessories you need to observe. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we will do our best to help you in 24 hours.
The Solomark 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope delivers standout performance in the under-$300 category, thanks to its 130 mm aperture that gathers plenty of light for bright, detailed views of the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
Its fully coated optics and sturdy carbon-fiber-style tube help maximize image brightness and clarity compared with smaller, cheaper scopes, making this a solid choice for beginner and intermediate stargazers who want more than just a toy telescope.
Equipped with a German equatorial mount, adjustable aluminum tripod, and a set of useful accessories—including two eyepieces, a 1.5× erecting Barlow lens, a moon filter, and a smartphone adapter—this telescope balances functionality with value.
The equatorial mount allows users to track celestial objects more precisely as they drift across the sky, which is particularly helpful during long observing sessions and for learning basic celestial navigation skills.
While it’s still a beginner-oriented instrument and manual focusing takes some practice, most users find that the 130EQ offers far better views and performance than many basic scopes under $300, especially when it comes to viewing planets and the lunar surface. For people who are serious about exploring the night sky without overspending, this model hits a sweet spot in terms of optical capability, build quality, and accessory package—earning its place among the best budget telescopes available.
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3. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Reflector Telescope
- SMARTPHONE-POWERED SKY TOUR: No experience needed! Just dock your phone, launch the StarSense Explorer app, and follow the on-screen arrows to locate stars, planets, nebulae, and more.
- PATENTED STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY: Unlike other astronomy apps, StarSense Explorer uses sky recognition technology to turn your phone into a celestial navigation system, analyzing star patterns overhead to pinpoint your telescope’s position.
- TONIGHT’S BEST TARGETS, INSTANTLY: The app generates a curated list of the top objects to see based on your time and location. See planets, bright nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city—and even more from dark skies.
- SIMPLE SETUP, SMOOTH TRACKING: Features a manual altazimuth mount with altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod. Follow the on-screen arrows to your target; when the bullseye turns green, you can view it clearly through the eyepiece.
- 114MM REFLECTOR WITH IMPRESSIVE VIEWS: The 4.5" Newtonian reflector with high-reflectivity coatings delivers sharp, vivid views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and deep-sky favorites like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy.
The StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ brings something unique to the budget telescope category by combining traditional optics with modern smartphone-guided navigation. It uses Celestron’s patented StarSense technology, which turns your phone’s camera and sensors into a sky analyzer that helps you locate stars, planets, nebulae, and other celestial objects without needing complex star charts or prior astronomy knowledge.
Just dock your phone, launch the StarSense Explorer app, and follow the onscreen arrows until the bullseye turns green—indicating the telescope is pointed at your target.
Optically, the 114 mm (4.5″) Newtonian reflector delivers bright, detailed views of key objects like Jupiter’s moons, Saturn’s rings, and lunar surface features, with the included eyepieces and 2× Barlow lens giving a useful range of magnifications. The alt-azimuth mount and full-height tripod are easy to set up and move, making this a straightforward telescope for beginners and families.
Even in light-polluted urban skies, you can enjoy many of the most famous celestial sights, and in darker locations, the telescope’s light-gathering capability reveals even more.
Where this model really shines is in its ease of use and learning curve: instead of spending hours figuring out your star charts, the StarSense system essentially guides you to interesting objects. That makes the 114AZ especially appealing if you or younger observers are new to astronomy and want rewarding views right away.
For under $300, it’s a compelling blend of accessible technology and solid optical performance that helps beginners feel confident and excited about exploring the night sky.
4. Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ
- PERFECT ENTRY-LEVEL TELESCOPE: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an easy-to-use and powerful telescope. This 127mm Newtonian Reflector offers enough light gathering ability to see planets, the Moon's craters, distant stars, the Orion Nebula, and more.
- MANUAL GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT: With its slow-motion altitude rod, the German Equatorial mount allows you to navigate the sky with ease. Find celestial objects quickly and follow them smoothly & accurately as they appear to drift across the night sky.
- COMPACT AND PORTABLE: The ideal telescope for adults and kids to use together, the PowerSeeker is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take it to your favorite campsite, a dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard.
- MULTIPLE ACCESSORIES: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope comes with 2 quality eyepieces (20mm and 4mm) plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. You'll also receive a FREE download of one of the top-rated astronomy software programs.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is a classic entry-level reflector telescope that’s long been recommended for first-time astronomy shoppers thanks to its 127 mm aperture and 1000 mm focal length, which gather a significant amount of light for bright views of the Moon, planets, and star clusters—features that are hard to find together under the $300 price point.
Its German equatorial mount with slow-motion controls helps users track celestial objects smoothly as they drift across the night sky, and the included eyepieces plus a 3× Barlow lens provide a useful range of magnifications for exploring different targets.
Out of the box, this telescope comes with two eyepieces (20 mm and 4 mm), a finderscope, a 3× Barlow lens, and even bonus astronomy software that can help beginners learn the night sky. Reviewers commonly note its bright views of lunar craters and the ability to make out Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings with patience and proper setup—making it a compelling choice for the price.
While some find the mount and optics require adjustment and care (like collimation and balancing), these trade-offs are typical for telescopes in this budget category and are offset by the generous accessory package.
That said, it’s important to acknowledge that the PowerSeeker 127EQ isn’t a plug-and-play telescope; it demands some learning curve and hands-on involvement. Beginners who enjoy learning the sky and tweaking their gear will appreciate how much optical capability this model offers for under $300, but those seeking instant star-hopping without fuss might find simpler alt-azimuth scopes easier at first.
Still, for hobbyists ready to invest a little time into setup and tracking, this PowerSeeker represents strong value and a gateway into deeper sky observing without breaking the bank.
5. MEEZAA 150EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope
- 150mm Large Aperture: This astronomical reflector telescope for adults features a 650mm focal length and 150mm aperture, delivering excellent light-gathering power for bright, clear images. Ideal for deep space observation, planets, and the Moon in stunning detail
- High Magnification & Clear Optics: Equipped with two eyepieces (25mm & 10mm) and a 2X Barlow lens, this telescope for astronomy beginners offers magnification from 26X to 130X. The red dot finderscope ensures fast targeting, while the moon filter reduces glare for comfortable lunar viewing
- Stable German Equatorial Mount: Upgraded Equatorial mount with precision dials and slow-motion control knobs provides smooth pointing and accurate manual tracking. Follow the Moon, planets, and stars across the sky with ease, perfect for beginners learning astronomy and advanced stargazers
- Sturdy Tripod & Carry Bag: Heavy-duty stainless steel tripod with adjustable height ensures stable viewing. A built-in accessory tray keeps eyepieces organized. All parts, including the telescope tube, fit into the carry bag for convenient storage and travel
- Complete Accessories & Easy Setup: Includes telescope tube, Equatorial mount, tripod, 2 eyepieces, 2X Barlow lens, red dot finderscope, moon filter, phone adapter, carry bag, and instructions. No tools needed, quick to assemble. Perfect telescope for adults, astronomy beginners, and families to enjoy stargazing together
The MEEZAA 150EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope impresses right out of the box with its 150 mm aperture and 650 mm focal length, giving it excellent light-gathering ability for bright, detailed views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and even some brighter deep-sky objects.
A larger aperture like this is rare in the under-$300 price range, and it’s what makes this scope capable of showing more contrast and clarity than many smaller budget models.
Equipped with a manual equatorial mount, solid adjustable tripod, and a generous accessory package—including multiple eyepieces, a 2× Barlow lens to extend magnification, a cellphone adapter for casual astrophotography, and a moon filter to tame glare—this telescope balances value and functionality well for beginners and hobbyists alike.
The equatorial mount allows you to track celestial objects as they move across the sky, which is a nice learning feature that will grow with your skills as an amateur astronomer.
While it’s still a learning curve for absolute beginners (especially mastering the equatorial mount and focusing precisely), the MEEZAA 150EQ offers exceptional optical capability for its price, outperforming many entry-level scopes that skimp on aperture or accessories.
For anyone who wants a telescope that delivers real astronomical views without overspending, this model earns its place among the top budget telescopes under $300.
6. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ App-Enabled Telescope
- SMARTPHONE-POWERED SKY TOUR: No experience needed! Just dock your phone, launch the StarSense Explorer app, and follow the on-screen arrows to locate stars, planets, nebulae, and more.
- PATENTED STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY: Unlike other astronomy apps, StarSense Explorer uses sky recognition technology to turn your phone into a celestial navigation system, analyzing star patterns overhead to pinpoint your telescope’s position.
- TONIGHT’S BEST TARGETS, INSTANTLY: The app generates a curated list of the top objects to see based on your time and location. See planets, bright nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city—and even more from dark skies.
- SIMPLE SETUP, SMOOTH TRACKING: Features a manual altazimuth mount with altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod. Follow the on-screen arrows to your target; when the bullseye turns green, you can view it clearly through the eyepiece.
- 80MM REFRACTOR WITH IMPRESSIVE VIEWS: The 3" Refractor with high-reflectivity coatings delivers sharp, vivid views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and deep-sky favorites like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy.
The StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ is an 80 mm refractor telescope designed especially for beginners and casual stargazers who want a simple way to explore the night sky without needing star charts or complex astronomy knowledge. Its fully coated glass optics and modest aperture deliver bright, clear views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and many prominent star clusters, making it a solid starter instrument for backyard observing sessions.
The telescope also comes with essential accessories like two eyepieces, a 2× Barlow lens, a red-dot finderscope, and a full-height tripod, so you can begin exploring right out of the box.
What sets the StarSense Explorer LT apart from typical beginner telescopes is its StarSense smartphone technology, which uses your phone’s camera, GPS, and sensors to analyze the sky in real time and guide you toward celestial objects. By placing your phone in the telescope’s dock and using the StarSense Explorer app, you’ll see on-screen cues that help you aim at stars, planets, or deep-sky objects without guessing or memorizing constellations—essentially turning your smartphone into an interactive star-hopping assistant.
This is especially helpful for first-timers who might otherwise struggle to locate targets in the wide night sky.
Despite its ease of use and innovative guidance system, the LT 80AZ does have limitations typical of smaller telescopes. The 80 mm aperture isn’t large enough to pull in very faint galaxies or nebulae, and the basic alt-azimuth mount lacks fine motion controls, so you’ll need patience and steady hands at higher magnifications.
Still, for beginners who want engaging views of brighter celestial objects and an intuitive way to find them, this StarSense-enabled model represents a fun and educational entry point into amateur astronomy within a budget-friendly price range.
7. MEEZAA Professional 90 mm Refractor Telescope
- Professional Astronomical Refractor Telescope: If you are interested in astronomy or like to explore the night sky, the MEEZAA astronomical telescope is for you. A perfect telescope for adults astronomy beginners to explore nature and the universe
- 90mm Large Aperture: The astronomy telescope has an 800mm(f/8.88) focal length and 90mm aperture. The 90mm aperture captures more light pictures, fully multi-coated optical glass lenses with high transmission coating improve image brightness and clarity
- Optimum Magnification (32X-240X): Our telescope for adults high powered is equipped with two eyepieces(10 mm and 25 mm) and a 3X Barlow lens. The 3X Barlow lens triples the magnification of each eyepiece, allowing us to observe unprecedented lunar details
- Convenient Accessories: Includes an adjustable stainless steel tripod (28 to 46 inches) for flexible viewing. All accessories fit neatly into the carry bag. Use the phone adapter to capture photos and videos, sharing moments. Ideal for backyard astronomy, camping nights, and outdoor star parties
- Quick Setup, Big Discoveries: With a detailed paper manual, 90% of users assemble in 10 minutes. MEEZAA telescopes are trusted by thousands for learning astronomy, exploring nature, and creating unforgettable moments under the stars
The MEEZAA Professional 90 mm Refractor Telescope offers impressive value with its 90 mm aperture and 800 mm focal length, a combination that lets it gather a good amount of light for bright, clear views of the Moon, planets, and many of the brighter stars and clusters.
The optics feature fully multi-coated high-transmission glass, which enhances contrast and reduces glare so that images in the eyepiece appear sharper and more detailed than uncoated lenses typically deliver. This setup makes it a good choice for beginners who want an upgrade from toy-level telescopes without spending a fortune.
Out of the box, it comes with essential accessories like two interchangeable eyepieces, a 3× Barlow lens to extend magnification, an adjustable alt-azimuth mount with a sturdy tripod, and a smartphone adapter that lets you take basic photos or videos through the eyepiece.
The adjustable tripod and simple mount make setup and use fairly straightforward, so even new astronomers can start observing in a short time. The inclusion of a carry bag also adds convenience if you want to take it to darker skies for better views.
While the 90 mm aperture won’t compete with larger telescopes on extremely faint deep-sky objects, it performs very well for its class—especially on lunar features, planetary details, and brighter nebulae.
For hobbyists who want an affordable, easy-to-use telescope that delivers enjoyable views and encourages learning the night sky, this MEEZAA model strikes a strong balance of optical capability, portability, and price in the under-$300 segment.
Best Telescope Under $300 - Buying Guide
If you’re in the market for a new 300 dollar telescope, you should first know what its main features are all for. The following is a basic guide to the most important characteristics of any telescope.
Features To Consider When Choosing A Good Telescope Under $300
Types Of Telescopes
Refractor Telescope
When most people think of a telescope, the refractor type is what’s going to pop into their minds. This kind of telescope uses a lens to focus light on a single mirror, which is angled to direct the light through an eyepiece into your eye.
The simplicity and reliability of the design makes it easy to use and requires little maintenance. These are excellent for observing objects, planets, the Moon and the galaxies.
Since the optical system is basically a straight line, there are no obstructions from secondary mirrors as there are in Newtonians or catadioptrics.
Reflector Telescope
Reflector telescopes feature a clear piece of glass or plastic at the front of the tube. These don’t warp the light, so they aren’t lenses, but instead a protective shell to keep dust out.
A mirror sits at the back of the tube. It’s curved to focus light on a second mirror, which directs light through the eyepiece and to your eye.
Reflector telescopes are easily identified by the fact that the eyepiece is found near the telescope’s front. These tend to be the least expensive, and you can get larger apertures for a lower price than with other models. The one downside to reflector telescopes is that they must be calibrated regularly in a process called “collimation.”
Compound Telescope (Catadioptrics)
Compound telescopes use an initial lens to focus light onto a mirror at the back of the telescope. The mirror focuses light onto a smaller mirror mounted on the back of the lens, which directs light through a tube that runs through the center of the first mirror and out the back of the telescope.
Compound telescopes are very lightweight relative to other types, and they don’t require collimation like reflector telescopes do.
Aperture
The aperture is always one of the first considerations you need to make when buying a telescope of any kind. Even though it sounds somewhat complex, a telescope’s aperture is basically the diameter of its mirror or lens, depending on whether it’s a reflecting or refracting telescope. The larger the aperture of a telescope, the brighter the images you can view through the lens will be.
Focal Ratio
This represents the speed of the optics. Fast focal ratios (f/3 to f/5) are used for getting a brighter image with a wider field of view and that is why they are used for observing the deep sky. Slower focal ratios (f/6 and above) are better for observing our solar system (the Moon and the planets that surround us) or planets in general, as well as observing binary stars.
Focal Length
The focal length of a telescope has a direct influence on the amount of magnification. Basically, what this means is that the longer the scope’s focal length, the higher its magnification.
Do not assume that the tube length of the scope is its focal length. Complex scopes, despite having short tubes, usually deliver a sharp and clear image. This means that longer focal length is achievable through the proper combination of lenses and mirrors.
Magnification
To get an image suitable for observing with our eyes, a telescope uses a second lens, or collection of lenses, called an eyepiece at the focal plane. The eyepiece magnifies the image from the objective.
The eyepiece also has a focal length. The magnification of a telescope and eyepiece is very simple to calculate. If the focal length of the objective is “F” and the focal length of the eyepiece is “f”, then the magnification of the telescope/eyepiece combination is F/f. For example, if a telescope has an objective lens with focal length of 1200 mm (about 48”) and it has an eyepiece of focal length 25 mm (about 1”), then it will have a magnification of 1200/25=48x.
Eyepieces
Eyepieces determine the magnification and field of view of a telescope. Different eyepieces are used to view different objects.
Some objects, such as nebulae and star clusters, appear quite large and are best viewed at low magnifications (which give a wider field of view), whereas planets appear very small and are normally viewed with high-magnification eyepieces.
Most telescopes come supplied with one or two eyepieces. Ideally, you’d like to have a set that spans a range of magnifications.
You can expect to spend anywhere from $40 to $250 on a good eyepiece.
A Barlow lens is also worth considering: it multiplies each eyepiece’s power by two or three times, effectively doubling your eyepiece collection.
Mounts
There are 3 common types of mounts available — the altitude-azimuth or “alt-az” mount, the Dobsonian mount, and the equatorial mount. The first one lets you easily move the telescope up and down, as well as clockwise and counterclockwise, whereas the second one’s main function is to reduce stress on the internal components.
Equatorial mounts let you turn the telescope as desired to track celestial objects, making them extremely useful for long-exposure photography; however, they require careful calibration for the same.
Finderscope
A finder scope comes included with a telescope and is normally mounted on the telescope itself.
Each finder scope has either a battery-operated red dot or a set of crosshairs to allow you to align and center an object in its sights.
Aligning the finderscope before viewing through your telescope is an essential step that will help you locate what you’re looking for through the more powerful telescope.
Conclusion
In the crowded budget category, the Dianfan 150EQ Astronomical Reflector Telescope clearly stands out as the best telescope under $300. Its large 150 mm aperture delivers brighter, more detailed views than most competitors at this price, while the equatorial mount allows smoother tracking and real skill progression for beginners.
Add in the generous accessory bundle and strong overall performance, and the Dianfan 150EQ offers the best balance of power, value, and long-term usability—making it the smartest choice for anyone serious about stargazing without overspending.
Written by:
Chandrashekhara Rao
I grew up in a rural community with a dark sky, and that is where I learned to appreciate planets and stars at an early age. I have been fascinated with all things astronomical since I was a kid and started with a cheap-and-cheerful 60mm refractor on a wobbly tripod.
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