r/lists • Posted by David Miller🔬 Science

Best Beginner Telescopes Under $500 for Stargazing

Hey fellow stargazers! David Miller here, and I'm super excited to share my top picks for beginner telescopes that won't break the bank. You don't need to spend a fortune to get breathtaking views of the Moon, planets, and even some stunning deep-sky objects. These scopes are all under $500 and perfect for anyone just starting their journey into the cosmos!

13 items0 reactions0 followersCreated 6/10/2026

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#	Title	Price (USD)	Aperture	Optical Design	Mount Type
1	Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ	259.95	114mm	Newtonian Reflector	Alt-Azimuth (Smartphone Enabled)
2	Orion SkyScanner 100mm Tabletop Reflector	159.99	100mm	Newtonian Reflector (Dobsonian)	Tabletop Alt-Azimuth
3	Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ	289	114mm	Newtonian Reflector	Equatorial (EQ)
4	Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector	279.99	114mm (4.5")	Newtonian Reflector	Tabletop Alt-Azimuth
5	Celestron Inspire 100AZ	379.95	100mm	Refractor	Alt-Azimuth
6	Explore Scientific FirstLight 102mm Achromatic Refractor with Twilight Nano AZ Mount	199.99	102mm	Achromatic Refractor	Alt-Azimuth
7	Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector	349.99	130mm	Newtonian Reflector	Equatorial (EQ)
8	Meade StarNavigator NG 114 Reflector	389	114mm	Newtonian Reflector	Motorized Alt-Azimuth (GoTo)
9	BRESSER Messier AR-90/900 NANO AZ Telescope	199	90mm	Achromatic Refractor	Alt-Azimuth
10	Svbony SV501P 70mm Refractor	105.99	70mm	Refractor	Alt-Azimuth
11	Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope	279.95	150mm (6")	Newtonian Reflector	Tabletop Alt-Azimuth
12	Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ	149.95	127mm	Newtonian Reflector	Equatorial (EQ)
13	Orion Observer 90mm Refractor with Equatorial Mount	124.95	90mm	Refractor	Equatorial (EQ)