Review of the Best Telescopes Under 200$

Astronomy enthusiasts and aspirants often find themselves in a pickle when it comes to deciding what kind of a telescope to buy, considering the large pool and brands of telescopes there are. Many prefer using binoculars because they are inexpensive in contrast to telescopes.

best telescope under 200$

However, the comprehensiveness and intricacies of the telescope are unmatched and unrivaled due to their specialization. Thus, if the stars, planets, and night-time viewing tickles your fancy, getting yourself, a telescope will undoubtedly be the best instead of getting binoculars.

Choosing the best telescope can be a lengthy process and certainly not something that can be done in the spur of the moment; they do not come cheap. An adequate amount of research has to be invested in selecting the right product that fits all your sundry requirements.

Various factors such as the type, magnification, lens/mirror diameter, mounting options need to be considered to get the perfect unit.

The renowned manufacturers will undoubtedly demand a fortune for a top-quality instrument. Hence, familiarizing yourself with each model's intricacies is imperative if you want to get the best unit under your budget.

Review of the Best Telescopes Under 200 in 2022

1. Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD - Best Telescope Under 200$

Best Telescope Under $200

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4.75/5

Manufacturing one of the best kinds of reflector telescopes out in the market, the Celestron has left no stone unturned in equipping this model with all the essentialities of an ideal telescope. Reflector telescopes use mirrors instead of the lens (like in refractors) that reflect the light to form an image.

The reflectors are more of an ideal choice than the refractors for beginners as the former are cheaper than the latter. Moreover, the cost of maintenance and recurring expenses are considerably less as well.

Therefore, if you are apprehensive about investing a cartload of money on a first telescope, the reflectors are certainly a much better choice for a telescope.[Read More]

Features

  • Equatorial mount
  • Red-dot finder
  • 33X magnification
  • Detailed observation
  • No tools required for the set-up

Pros

  • High-magnification
  • Top-quality optics
  • Easy adjustments to the telescope and the mount
  • High- definition viewing
  • Lightweight and sturdy mount

Cons

  • Non-adjustable focuser

2. Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 - Best Telescope for Beginners Under 200$

Best Telescope for Beginners Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4.5/5

The compact and portable size telescope erupts fancy in the minds of an array of people because one of the problems that a telescope poses is the hassle of finding a spot for it and the set-up of the unit. Telescope undoubtedly requires a large permanent space, and this becomes an impediment for most people.

Owing to the compactness of the Orion 10015, searching for a permanent spot has become abundantly easy. The set-up process has been eliminated consummately as the unit comes pre-assembled in the package.

So, it basically narrows down to 'unpack and view!'. This is a perfect unit for people who have never used a telescope before and need time to get accustomed to the instrument's intricacies.[Read More]

Features

  • Tabletop base
  • EZ Finder II
  • 4.5-inch aperture
  • Pre-assembled
  • Focal length of 450mm

Pros

  • No hassle in the set-up
  • Compact and Portable
  • Lightweight
  • Quality optics
  • Easy adjustments

Cons

  • High-maintenance

3. Gskyer AZ 70400 - Best Telescope for Planets Under 200$

Best Telescope for Planets Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4.4/5

When it comes to a beginner model, a simplified telescope is much preferred. Most beginners are not very well associated or familiar with the intricate concepts and specifications of the telescope.

Thus, a simple design with all the key features incorporated makes up for an ideal first telescope. Gskyer Telescope has all the features and specifications that will assist you in fathoming the basics.

With the quality optics producing high resolutions images, you will go into an entirely different dimension through your lenses' path and explore the features of the galaxy. It requires no complicated tools for the set-up and adjustments; even a complete novice can get hold of the operation in no time.[Read More]

Features

  • Fully-coated optical lens
  • No tools needed for set-up
  • Magnification from 60X to 120X
  • Simple design

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Ideal for beginners
  • No hassle of assembling
  • Durable
  • High resolution

Cons

  • Getting used to pin-pointing objects

4. Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ - Best Reflector Telescope Under 200$

Best Reflector Telescope Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4.4/5

As something that can be expected from a Celestron launch, this unrivaled reflector gives you a whole new look into the mysteries of the galaxy we will live in.

Specializing in the beginner's models, the 70EQ has all the attributes with can be comprehended by a complete novice and an instrument that can be operated by someone completely oblivious about a telescope's functions. 

So, even if you are ignorant about the universe yet inquisitive to know about it, this is your stop because you have found the ideal first telescope, which you can get at a fairly affordable price when compared to alternatives.[Read More]

Features

  • Reflector
  • 70mm objective lens
  • Red-dot finder
  • Pre-assembled trip-pod

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Quality resolution
  • Ideal for travelling
  • Easy set-up

Cons

  • Prone to damage

5. Meade Instruments Polaris 90mm - Best Orion Telescope Under 200$

Best Orion Telescope Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4/5

People who prioritize convenience over optical quality will find solace in this Polaris launch that has a German Equatorial mount, a hallmark addition of the Polaris, that will facilitate smooth and easy viewing.

People who are not familiar with the instrument's intricacies would largely disengage from getting to know this ideal due to the price range and highly simplified operation.

For the most part, the Polaris is made up of metal, including the mount, which gives a fairy nice ring considering how much you are paying for it. 

The aperture of 130mm ensures the enormous entrapment of light and views the night sky's magnificence on a much larger and improved scale.

It comes with a red-dot finder, so the precision and the quick location are sorts of a given. The adjustments to the focuser are easy, and the magnification power itself is great.

Final words: 

A quintessential choice if you do not want to splash a cartload of money (which is usually how much telescopes cost) into something you would eventually use or maybe get it for short-term use.

Features

  • German Equatorial mount
  • Largely made of metal and steel
  • Low, medium and high magnification eyepieces
  • Red-dot finder

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Ideal first purchase
  • Lightweight
  • Easy viewing

Cons

  • Weak scope

6. Orion SkyScanner 10012 - Best Lightweight Telescope Under 200$

Best Lightweight Telescope Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4/5

The tabletop telescope is mostly preferred for its lightweight and the convenience it allows; Orion perfected it with the 10012 model. With the parabolic mirror, the night sky observation with a hint of modernity, and the quality will leave you baffled.

The enhanced quality of the scope makes it compete with many of its league models, but it stays clear by a mile. It eliminates the hassle of gathering necessary tools for set-up and tools for the operation and gives you a carefree experience.

The wide field of view and high magnification ensures that the largest to smallest celestial bodies are right in front of your eyes and location they become easy once you get the hang of it, which will be quick considering how easy it is to use it.

Final words:

The perfect model for traveling, you can take it up on the hills for a pleasant time with the night sky at a minute’s notice. It basically “pack it like a laptop in a bag and leave for the trip”—one of the reasons it stays clear on the top when it comes to tabletop telescopes.

Features

  • Parabolic mirror
  • Tabletop scope
  • 40X magnification
  • EZ Finder II

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Compact and Portable
  • Ideal for travelling
  • Does not heave on your pockets

Cons

  • Red-dot finder scope is not working sometimes.

7. Emarth TELE-01 - Best Telescope Under $200 for Easy Install

Best Telescope Under $200 for Easy Install

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 4/5

No tools are required for this Emarth TELE-01 set-up; the efforts have been reduced to next to nothing. The installation is quick and easy to get and will be done in a jiff when you get accustomed to using this model.

The optic's quality is one of the best ones when it comes to traveling scopes as high-resolution is at your disposal even on the plains, better on high altitudes.

The eyepieces can be interchanged, and it has much impact on the overall functionality of the instrument. The device's lightweight and compactness will enable you to slip the device in a bag and be on the go at a minute's notice.

Final words:

A well-built exterior that cannot be toppled down that easy, the Emarth guarantees a long year of service if the necessary maintenance has been ensured on your part, which is a lot for a telescope to offer, considering how prone to the damage they are.

Features

  • High Magnification
  • Adjustable Tripod
  • Premium Quality Optics
  • No-tool Set Up

Pros

  • Allows different viewing positions
  • Eye protection
  • Suitable for bird watching

Cons

  • Extend only upto 4 feet

8. Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ - Best Celestron Telescope Under 200$

Best Celestron Telescope Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 3.9/5

Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ bends slightly towards the professional sphere, which could be bought as an upgrade to the beginner's model. The set-up is relatively easy, and no hassle of using complicated tools to assemble or disassemble it.

A major upgrade to its predecessors on various fronts such as aperture, magnification, and field of view. With a lightweight frame, the instrument's handling becomes fairly easy, and none can come close to the quality of the optics, as can be expected from a Celestron launch.

The German Equatorial mount is equipped with two control knobs, making virtually all the telescope adjustments considerably easier. The mount makes it easier to keep track of your targets and moving celestial bodies easily. And the clarity of the image it offers is unmatched.

Final words:

To get a clear view of your targets, the movements of various celestial bodies by keeping a close eye, 114EQ will help immensely. The instrument's significant upgrades underwent a much-preferred choice over the models that came before it and a serious contender for the best telescope under 200$.

Features

  • Reflector telescope
  • 14mm optics
  • Lightweight frame
  • German Equatorial mount
  • Red-dot finder

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Uncomplicated operation
  • Easy to follow the target
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Doesn’t have motor drive

9. Zhumell Z130 - Best Small Telescope Under 200$

Best Small Telescope Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 3.7/5

Zhumell Z130 is utility-packed even in its small size. The sheer compactness yet unmatched utility sets it apart and earns it a reputable position in the world of telescopes.

The lesser-used Dobsonian Base allows quick and swift movement of the telescope, which requires next to nil effort and allows easy following of the targets you are looking at.

To put the cherry on top, the red-dot finder makes it much easier to keep track of the object you observe and facilitates the utmost precision with no room for mistake. 

The telescope's aperture boosts the entrapment of light, which will make the object visible to your eyes. The magnification enlarges the image without distorting it even an inch if bounded by the limits.

Final words:

The instrument's design alone is enough to win its buyers because who doesn't like a small package with everything worthwhile inside of it.

This is the most concise description of the Z130 because the compactness itself says a thousand words, the functionality unmatched.

Features

  • Red-dot finder
  • Dobsonian mount
  • 1.25” focuser

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Durable

Cons

  • Support is not good

10. Celestron Portable Refractor Telescope - Best Refractor Telescope Under 200$

Best Refractor Telescope Under 200$

Review

Picture quality
Durability
Portability
Sturdiness
Easy to assemble

Overall Rating - 3.65/5

Professionally designed, the Celestron 70mm wins the race of telescope with an affordable price tag yet a reliable terrestrial viewing. The device has been engineered to use for both children and adults alike.

The 70mm objective lens wins its points for displaying sharp and bright images without distortion and maintaining a wide field of view.

The brand name itself has described the image quality; its lightweight and compactness is just a cherry on the top. It makes the viewing of the sky plausible even during the day, therefore plus points for the versatility. 

Final words:

Whether it be viewing nature and the wildlife on a summer afternoon or viewing the stars from the hills on a chilly night, you will get the best experience out of this Celestron launch at an affordable price.

You could even move up to advanced models with satisfaction because there is no such thing as spending too much on telescopes.

Features

  • Fully-coated glass optics
  • Powerful eyepieces
  • Refractor telescope

Pros

  • Portable
  • Easy to use
  • Better viewing angle

Cons

  • Issues in lens focus

Conclusion

Telescopes are one of the most common instruments for professional as well as recreational purposes. Despite such generality, most people tend to overlook their needs for it and subsequently end up paying too much on something they did not even want.

Because of their expensive price tags, there is a method to familiarising yourself with telescopes and it begins with getting the most basic model to get yourself a little idea about what you would be needing in the future. I hope this article nudged you to buy the best telescope within your budget.

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About the Author

Tim

I am Tim, a weather enthusiast who loves to watch hurricanes and all other harsh weather conditions. I studied B.Sc(Meteorology) at the University of Miami. With excellent knowledge of Weather Forecasting, Meteorology, and Environmental Science, I am currently working in San Francisco as a Meteorologist. Also, I am a member of The Weather Channel and AccuWeather. In this blog, I will write a detailed review of Weather instruments that you need for survival and other activities.