Best Telescope Under $300

If you are interested in astronomy a home telescope is a must. While it is interesting learning about the solar system, there is nothing quite like seeing different planets and stars for yourself.

You do not have to break the bank to purchase a good quality telescope. There are many available at a great price. All of the telescopes we have featured in this article are below $300 and are of great quality.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the five best telescopes under $300. We have included telescopes of different prices within this range. 

Do not forget to check out our buyer’s guide, which will tell you everything you need to know about purchasing a telescope!

Best Telescope Under $300 Buying Guide

Our buyer’s guide will inform you of everything you should know before purchasing a telescope.

Cost

While telescopes under $300 may not have the same magnification and power as one that costs thousands of dollars, that does not mean they are not worth purchasing. 

A telescope under $300 is a great starting point and will allow you to stargaze and see some planets. You do not need to spend an excessive amount of money to purchase a good quality telescope. 

Types Of Telescope

Before you choose a telescope, it is useful to have some knowledge of the different types of telescopes available as this may change your overall decision.

Here is a summary of the two different types that are available and how you can tell the difference between them:

Reflector

A reflector telescope does not have a lens as such. Instead of the glass at the end of the telescope being curved, it sits flat.

Instead of being a lens, it acts as a protective shell instead. The shell can be made out of plastic in addition to glass depending on the make and model.

A lense causes light to warp, which a reflector telescope does not do. Instead, it uses a mirror. This mirror is located at the back of the telescope. It is the mirror that is curved rather than glass or plastic.

As it is curved it directs the light so that it hits a second mirror. The smaller mirror is then what directs the light to the user’s eye through the eyepiece.

It is fairly easy to spot this type of telescope. The eyepiece is particularly close to the front of the telescope in comparison to other types of telescope where the eyepiece is found at the back. 

If you are looking for a telescope on a budget, this would be your best option. The larger apertures for reflector telescopes are cheaper in comparison to refractors. 

There are other types of reflector telescope available, such as compound/catadioptric. While these are great options, you will rarely find these types under $300.

Unlike refractor telescopes, reflector telescopes will need to be calibrated fairly regularly. This is called collimation.

Refractor 

Refractor telescopes are one of the more popular choices. When you picture a telescope, this design likely is what you will imagine.

These telescopes operate by refracting light. The lens of the telescope directs light onto a mirror. The light then refracts off the mirror, into the eyepiece, and then into the user’s eye. 

These telescopes need little maintenance and require no adjustments like the reflector models. While there are many refractor telescopes available at a good price, the larger the aperture the more expensive this option becomes. 

If you are looking for a telescope with a larger aperture for a cheaper price, this may not be the best option.

Mount Type

In addition to the style of telescope you purchase, the mount that the telescope comes with is equally important. 

There are two different mount types available. They both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Alt-Azimuth MountsThe first type of mount available is the Alt-Azimuth. This is the best option for beginners and the easiest type of mount to use. This mount can move horizontally and vertically on two axes.

Alt refers to the horizontal altitude movement, and Azimuth refers to the vertical movement. This can also be referred to as the compass bearing movement. 

If you are familiar with tripods for a camera, these types of mount work in a very similar way. 

When you have found the angle you are happy with, you simply tighten the telescope with the knob to secure it in place. When you want to move the telescope again, you unscrew the knob and it can be moved. 

Equatorial Mounts 

Equatorial mounts are designed specifically with telescopes in mind. They help users to track objects in space with ease.

As the object you are locked on to will move due to the earth’s constant movement, equatorial mounts allow you to follow the course of what you are tracking more easily. 

While they are designed with ease in mind, if you are a beginner, they may not be the best type of mount to begin with. This is because they do require some practice to use. Once you are more comfortable with using a telescope, they are a good option, however. 

It is worth noting that both of these mounts can be computerized or motorized. 

Eye Piece

The eyepiece of the telescope is important to an extent.

They will vary in size and shape so you should choose one that feels the most comfortable for you. The better the eyepiece the clearer and better view you will have overall.

Size

The size of the telescope does affect how good the telescope is overall. Typically, the larger the telescope or aperture, the better it will be overall. This is why it is better to choose the largest telescope within your budget.

However, it is worth noting the differences between the refractor and reflector telescopes. If you placed both types side by side, reflector telescopes will be slightly smaller due to how it uses light.

Aperture

As we have mentioned above, the aperture of a telescope is key. The larger the aperture the better the telescope will be overall.

When you are choosing a model, this is the most important thing you should take into consideration.

Ease of Use

The ease of use is important when choosing a telescope. You do not want to purchase over a complicated one. A good telescope will be easy to set up at use.

As mentioned above, reflector telescopes do require collimation from time to time. While this is fairly easy to do, it is more maintenance in comparison to refractor telescopes. 

Given this, if you are a beginner or you are purchasing a telescope for a child, a refractor telescope may be the slightly easier option, to begin with. 

Materials

The materials your telescope is made from is worth considering. You should purchase a telescope that has good quality materials.

As they are not cheap to purchase, you want to ensure that they are going to be durable and last, especially if you are planning to use the telescope outside.

Warranty

Finally, it is worth double-checking whether or not the telescope you are purchasing has a warranty.

While this is not essential, it will reassure you should anything potentially go wrong with your telescope.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some frequently asked questions about telescopes that you may have.

Can You See The Flag On The Moon With A Telescope?

The answer to this question may be slightly disappointing. While the flag is still on the moon, with a home telescope you will be unable to see it. 

While you will be able to see the moon and its craters fairly clearly, the magnification of home telescope lenses is far too small. You would need a huge telescope to see small details like a flag.

To put it into perspective, the Hubble space telescope is 2.4 meters in diameter and is far too small to see the flag. In addition to this, the Keck telescope is 10 meters in diameter. Even this telescope is unable to see the flag on the moon!

Is Buying A Telescope Worth It?

The answer to this question all depends on each person. For someone interested in astronomy and stargazing, a home telescope is certainly worth it.

Being able to see different planets, the moon, and the stars at a closer distance with your own eyes is far better than seeing photos of them online.

If you are not interested in this hobby, it is unlikely that a telescope will be worth it for you. 

While there is a dispute over whether or not telescopes under $300 are worth it, they are a good starting point. They may not be the most advanced in technology but are an excellent gift for children or someone who wants a better understanding of the galaxy. 

The larger and more advanced the telescope, naturally the better it will be overall. 

What Is A Good Strength For A Telescope?

When looking to purchase a telescope, you should be aware that the highest magnification your telescope will reach is around 50 times the aperture of the telescope in inches.

The higher the aperture, the better the overall strength and magnification it will be.