Best Telescope Under $1000 of 2024 – Top Picks & Reviews

by Ali Ahsanul karim

Best Telescope Under $1000 of 2024 – Top Picks & Reviews
Best Telescope Under $1000

There are lots of telescopes available on the market now. Even limiting your budget to less than $1,000 can leave you with an overwhelming collection from which to select.

Nevertheless, there are a number of features that define the top of these scopes. For example, top-notch refractor technology, big apertures, powerful optics, portability, and ease of assembly should join to produce a truly quality telescope regardless of which version you opt for.

Additionally, they need to possess strong reviews from previous buyers. The subsequent scopes possess these qualities, should you need to discover the most effective telescope under $1,000., making them some of your best choices.

Best Telescope Under $1000 for Astrophotography: Comparison Table

Product NameMagnificationLensField OF View
Celestron NexStar 5 SE 50x 125 mm53 ft (16 m) View Price
Orion 8946 36x2-Inch52 Degree View Price
Celestron NexStar 6 SE 60x 150 mm 0.73 Degree View Price

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Telescopes under $1000

Aperture size: The aperture of a telescope is a significant part that you should consider before purchasing. It is the amount of light that gets inside the scope. The diameter of the lens or mirror of the telescope determines the size of the aperture. The bigger the aperture is, the more bright and clear the image of the object will be. So, if you want a better clarity image, then telescopes with large apertures are the right choice.

Mount: If the telescope doesn’t have a stable and high-quality mount, then you will be not able to move the scope comfortably to track the celestial objects. A high-quality mount helps to move the scope in different directions to observe the sky without any difficulty. There are two types of mounts. The equatorial mount is recommended for pro astronomers, while Alzimuth mount is best for beginners.

Magnification: The eyepiece and the focal length that comes with the telescope determines the magnification. The power of the eyepiece defines the amount of the magnification of the scope. You can see the object clearly if the scope’s magnification is highest. So either you can purchase a telescope with high magnification power or can upgrade to a powerful magnification later.

Other factors: Purchasing a high-quality scope is not enough. You have to check whether it is easy to use and has user-friendly features, as these factors will be beneficial for beginners. Another most important factor is portability. A portable and compact scope is always a plus point, as you can take them anywhere to enjoy the night sky. Moreover, some telescopes come with extra accessories to make it more useful for the users.

Top 3 Best Telescope Under $1000

Trying to find the top telescopes under $1000. Here are the top 3 greatest telescopes versions that cost less than $1000.


1. Celestron NexStar 5 SE Telescope

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The NexStar 5SE telescope, from Celestron, joins quality along with portability to produce a modest, easy to use telescope that can appeal to seasoned star gazing enthusiasts.

The scope’s single fork arm and disassembly, along with its five-inch automatic and aperture alignment abilities, make it the perfect telescope for anybody looking to love a fast stargazing session as well as a quality stargazing experience.

The NexStar 5SE is one of Celestron’s line of mobile yet powerful telescopes. The scope was made to be small, light, and simple to transport from place to place and simple to set up to be able to offer an attractive alternative to star gazers that are tired of dragging around bigger telescopes or who simply have a brief time period in which to take pleasure in the nighttime skies.

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As with the other telescopes in this line, the 5SE makes transfer easier with the capacity to disassemble into several bits which can be taken in a comparatively little space as well as one branch mount. The 5SE is, in addition, not difficult to use for beginner stargazers

The Celestron NexStar 5SE is a great scope for rookie stargazing enthusiasts that are seeking a telescope that is user-friendly and comparatively cheap. In addition, it works for seasoned stargazers who desire a scope that may provide the kind of quality pictures to them they desire while proving more suitable to use than their bigger telescopes.

The NexStar 5SE provides an exceptional, and appealing, way to relish a star gazing avocation regardless of who uses it.

What do we like about it?

The computerized telescope comes with upgraded features and the latest technology for a marvelous experience. The fully-automatic GoTo mount helps to detect and track the objects in the sky quite efficiently and helps the beginners. It is portable and compact too.

Easy to transport, this telescope comes with a single fork arm design, orange tube design, and sturdy steel tripod, which can be set-up and disassemble very easily. The 5” aperture helps to provide a fantastic view of the planets and moon.

You can align the scope very quickly without any hassle with the help of the SkyAlign system.

What else?

This telescope is perfect for campsites and excursions to dark sky sites. You can connect your astronomical camera, or DSLR camera with the scope and take pictures of the celestial objects. It comes with additional accessories like a 25mm Plossl eyepiece, a red dot StarPointerfinderscope, Starry Night astronomy software, and a mirror star diagonal. Besides this, the excellent scope comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

What don’t we like?

The scope is quite expensive than other high-quality telescopes with a similar aperture. Moreover, it has a short battery life, so you need to find another option to keep it charged during observations.


2. Orion 8946 SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

source: Amazon.com

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The SkyQuest XT10 is a Dobsonian Newtonian telescope which, to the newbies, means that it is a substantial reflector telescope mounted in a foundation created by a man called Dobson a few decades past.

Although they seem clunky and bulky a Dobsonian telescope kit is really quite simple for nearly anyone over the age of 12 to use – you simply point the telescope at that is it and where you need to look at in the heavens.

The Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic uses traction system and a unique reconciliation to ensure where you would like it to be and the telescope remains both balanced. This is all achieved by using many sets of springs as well as the single thing about this is that it works, you should understand, plus it functions very well.

It is loved by folks for lots of reasons but the primary one is the fact that it is really simple to work, so it can be used by anybody. Subsequently it you have the tremendous 10-inch aperture significance that regardless of what component of the heavens you point it at you are not definitely going to be let down in the pictures you see, and of course, there is the sheer value for money this telescope offers also.

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Another important advantage of utilizing an Orion Dobsonian telescope is the fact that you get glowing and well-defined views of whatever you are taking a look at.

In short something like the XT10 might seem complicated but is really an excellent beginner/intermediate telescope for anybody give as a present, or to possess.

What do we like about it?

The easy to operate telescope has a simple point-and-view Dobsonian design to make it easy for the users to explore the sky. It’s large 10” aperture helps to give a great view of objects such as galaxies, nebulas, planets, and more.

The stable base and the CorrecTension system helps to keep the scope in place and prevents it from slipping. High-quality, this scope comes with excellent optics. You can use it yourself and also with your family.

The sturdy telescope has high-quality construction and is fairly-priced in terms of its efficient features.

What else?

The reflector telescope also comes with a 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece, a 2” Crayford focuser, dust caps, EZ Finder ll reflex sight, starry night software, and collimation cap, to make your astronomical experience more excellent. Moreover, this telescope is backed up with a 1-year warranty too.

What don’t we like?

The equatorial mount of the telescope might be tough to use as it is too heavy. As the scope weighs a lot, it might be challenging for the users to take it anywhere. The mirror situated at the bottom of the tube may get scratched or accumulated with dirt.


3. Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope

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The Celestron NexStar 6 SE is a Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, which essentially means it’s qualities and all the finest parts from both refractor and reflector telescopes. A catadioptric telescope such as the NexStar has an excellent group of optics for intermediate and beginner hobbyists.

A compound telescope like this does not take up almost as much space as some of the bigger Newtonian telescopes and could be far, far more streamlined than a refractor. Usually, a telescope with a 6-inch aperture would have to be a good deal bigger and not be quite as mobile as an outcome of that.

What you get together with the Celestron NexStar telescope is among the most recent compound telescopes in the Celestron range, which features both optimized StarBright XLT lens coatings as well as a computerized system to generate lining up planets and stars as easy as pie. The tiny physical size of the telescope also means that it is simple if needs to carry around.

Once the telescope is aligned you will uncover that it’ll trail to whatever nebula, star, galaxy or planet you need to look at virtually instantaneously. It is a huge development on computerized telescopes from some other producers – they take what feels like a miniature ice age to get prepared for screening and lined up.

With a telescope such as the Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope, it will not actually matter if you are a bit of an old hand at astronomy or you are just getting started out with this exception and amazing educational avocation you will discover that this telescope has something to offer you.

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What do we like about it?

The 6” aperture of the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope has an amazing light-gathering ability to provide a bright image of the solar system and the other objects in the sky. Its SkyAlign technology keeps the telescope aligned and makes it easy for you in detecting the objects.

The GoTo mount of the scope helps to track and detect the 40,000 celestial objects saved in its database. You can disassemble the scope easily with the help of its durable steel tripod for easy transportation, and it also helps to keep the scope stable. The portable scope can fit in your car quite easily, and you can take it anywhere in any dark sky site.

What else?

The scope comes with unique technology and features, which makes it the best telescope under $1000 for the beginners. It also comes with additional accessories like 25mm Plossl eyepiece, mirror star diagonal, and a red dot StarPointerfinderscope. This scope is compatible with all Celestron’s high-tech accessories.

What don’t we like?

Since the scope has advanced features and technology, the battery of the telescope doesn’t last long. So you need to have an alternative to keep it charged during observation. This scope is quite expensive than other high-quality telescopes.


4. Sky-Watcher ProED 100mm Doublet APO Refractor Telescope

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Among many of the ED-APOCHROMATIC refractors, this telescope is one of the best in the world. Only the highest quality materials, optical elements are used to manufacture this scope. It is particularly designed for beginners who have the utmost expectation when buying astronomical products. It could be a better choice for lifetime enjoyment of astronomical hobby.

What do we like about it?

This telescope provides a maximum magnification thanks to its powerful two eyepieces and two-inch dual-speed focuser with an adapter. The scope comes an aluminum carrying case to make it easy to take it anywhere. The 100 mm APO refractor with ED Schott glass provides a great experience in observing the sky with a clear image of the celestial objects each and every time.

What else?

All the APO refractors of Sky-watcher are constructed from the finest fabrication materials. This scope is designed perfectly to give an amazing and enjoyable experience to the astronomers. In comparison to its useful and upgraded features, this scope has a low price. You also get extra accessories with this scope. This best telescope under 1000$ is ideal for beginners as it is quite affordable.

What don’t we like?

The two powerful eyepieces are quite heavy, so while using them, it might be hard to get a clear image. The scope will be difficult to use for the first time, but as you get used to its features, it will be fine.

Ali Ahsanul karim

I'm Ali. BestTelescopeReview.com is my little place on the web to express what I've learned first-hand, specially about the telescope part. I am writing these articles to share my love for astronomy with you.