If you are looking for a telescope that is affordable and can help you get started with observing the night sky, then you should consider buying the best telescopes under $1000. Telescopes under $1000 come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you’re sure to find the one that works best for you.
When buying telescopes under $1000, it’s important to consider your needs. Do you want a telescope that is easy to set up and use or do you want a more sophisticated model that can take great photos and videos? Additionally, you’ll want to consider the size of the telescope and the type of viewing you want to make. Do you want a telescope that can see objects up close, or do you want something that can take you far away from Earth?
After you’ve decided on the required features, size, and type of telescope you want, it’s time to find a model that fits your budget. Besttechsmart has a wide selection of telescopes under $1000 that are sure to meet your needs
1. NexStar 4SE Telescope – Computerized Telescope for Beginners and Advanced Users
Celestron’s iconic orange tube telescope combines 4 inch Maksutov-Cassegrian optics with updated technology and the latest features for an amazing stargazing experience for beginners and experienced observers alike.
4-INCH APERTURE MAKSUTOV-CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPE
The 4-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability to deliver impressive views of the Moon and planets along with deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula while retaining a compact form factor.
FULLY AUTOMATED GO-TO MOUNT
With a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, the NexStar SE’s Go-To mount locates and tracks objects for you. It’s the perfect telescope for astronomy beginners. The NexStar SE is also compatible with StarSense and SkyPortal WiFi.
EASY TO SET UP & USE
Assembling the telescope takes just a few minutes. Once you’re set up, built-in SkyAlign technology helps you align the telescope fast. When you’re done observing, the telescope breaks down into small components for easy storage.
UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT
Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Purchasing from an Authorized Dealer on Amazon gives you a 2-Year U.S. Warranty and unlimited support from our team of U.S.-based experts.
BONUS FREE STARRY NIGHT SOFTWARE
Your Celestron NexStar 4SE includes a free download of Starry Night Special Edition, one of the top-rated astronomy software programs. Simulate the night sky, learn about celestial objects, plan your observing session, and more.
- Celestron’s iconic “orange tube” design is updated with all the latest features to provide the best stargazing experience for beginners and experienced observers alike.
- 4-inch aperture provides excellent light-gathering ability at an affordable price. You’ll get impressive views of the Moon and planets, along with deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, while retaining a compact form factor.
- Fully automated GoTo mount with database of 40,000+ celestial objects automatically locate and tracks objects for you. SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any three bright objects.
- Unique single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all break down into separate components for easy transport and quick assembly. Optical Tube: Aluminum
- German (Publication Language)
2. NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope – Compact and Portable
The NexStar 127SLT telescope is a high-quality, computerized telescope that is compact and portable. It has a quickrelease fork arm mount and an optical tube that can be quickly attached and detached from the mount. This makes it easy to set up and take down, without the need for any tools. The StarPointer finderscope helps with alignment and accurately locating objects. The auxiliary port can be used to attach additional accessories, such as a GPS accessory. The telescope also includes The SkyX Planetarium software, which allows you to explore the night sky in detail.
The NexStar 127SLT telescope is a high-quality, computerized telescope that is compact and portable. It has a quickrelease fork arm mount and an optical tube that can be quickly attached and detached from the mount. This makes it easy to set up and take down, without the need for any tools. The StarPointer finderscope helps with alignment and accurately locating objects. The auxiliary port can be used to attach additional accessories, such as a GPS accessory. The telescope also includes The SkyX Planetarium software, which allows you to explore the night sky in detail.
The NexStar 127SLT telescope is a high-quality, computerized telescope that is compact and portable. It has a quickrelease fork arm mount and an optical tube that can be quickly attached and detached from the mount. This makes it easy to set up and take down, without the need for any tools. The StarPointer finderscope helps with alignment and accurately locating objects. The auxiliary port can be used to attach additional accessories, such as a GPS accessory. The telescope also includes The SkyX Planetarium software, which allows you to explore the night sky in detail.
The NexStar 127SLT telescope is a high-quality, computerized telescope that is compact and portable. It has a quickrelease fork arm mount and an optical tube that can be quickly attached and detached from the mount. This makes it easy to set up and take down, without the need for any tools. The StarPointer finderscope helps with alignment and accurately locating objects. The auxiliary port can be used to attach additional accessories, such as a GPS accessory. The telescope also includes The SkyX Planetarium software, which allows you to explore the night sky in detail.
- High quality 127mm (5") Maksutov-Cassegrain
- Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for quick tool no set up
- StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
- Auxiliary port for additional accessories such as GPS accessory
- Includes "The SkyX" Planetarium software
3. NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope – Compact and Portable – Newtonian Reflector Optical Design – SkyAlign Technology
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a computerized star locating telescope that is compact and portable. It has a database of more than 40000 stars, galaxies, nebulae and more. With a large 130mm aperture, the NexStar 130SLT can gather enough light to see our Solar System and beyond. The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is the ideal telescope for adults and kids to use together. It is compact, lightweight and portable. Its easy to transport just about anywhere your favorite campsite, a dark sky observing site or simply the backyard. The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is fast to set up with SkyAlign. Celestrons proprietary SkyAlign procedure has you ready to observe in minutes. Center any 3 bright objects in the eyepiece and the NexStar 130SLT aligns to the night sky ready to locate thousands of objects. The Celestron NexStar 130SLT comes with a 2-year US warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
- COMPUTERIZED STAR LOCATING TELESCOPE: The Celestron NexStar 130SLT offers a database of more than 40,000 stars, galaxies, nebulae, and more. Simply choose an object and the telescope finds it for you in the night sky and tracks it as it moves.
- NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR OPTICAL DESIGN: With a large, 130mm aperture, the NexStar 130SLT can gather enough light to see our Solar System and beyond. View Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands, the Moon's craters, and the Orion Nebula in brilliant detail.
- COMPACT AND PORTABLE: The ideal telescope for adults and kids to use together, the NexStar 130SLT is compact, lightweight, and portable. It's easy to transport just about anywhere—your favorite campsite, a dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard.
- FAST SETUP WITH SKYALIGN: Celestron’s proprietary SkyAlign procedure has you ready to observe in minutes. Center any 3 bright objects in the eyepiece and the NexStar SLT aligns to the night sky, ready to locate thousands of objects.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Purchasing from an Authorized Dealer on Amazon gives you a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
4. Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope
SkyWatcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope is a unique design that offers a bright and bold viewing experience at a fraction of the cost of other optical designs. This telescope collapses for ease of portability while keeping collimation. The proprietary tension control handles allow for accurate movement without the need for perfect balance. The fully multicoated borosilicate primary and secondary mirrors deliver exceptional views. The Teflon bearings ensure smooth azimuth movement. This telescope comes complete with all accessories such as 2inch Crayfordstyle focuser with 1 14inch adapter, two super wideangle eyepieces 25mm and 10mm, and 8×50 rightangle finder scope. The Dobsonian weighs only 40 pounds fully assembled, 24 pound tube, and 26 pound base.
- LARGE APERTURE: Get a bright, bold viewing experience at a fraction of the cost of other optical designs.
- INNOVATIVE COLLAPSIBLE DESIGN: Unique strut design allows for optical tube to collapse for ease of portability while keeping collimation.
- PROPRIETARY TENSION CONTROL HANDLES: These patented handles allow for accurate movement without the need for perfect balance.
- 94% REFLECTIVE MIRRORS: Fully multi-coated borosilicate primary and secondary mirrors deliver exceptional views.
- TEFLON BEARINGS: Proprietary Teflon bearings ensure smooth azimuth movement.
5. Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope
The Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope is a large aperture reflector telescope that is perfect for the beginning astronomy enthusiast or the whole family. The 8 diameter reflector optics lets you view the Moon and planets in close up detail and has enough light grasp to pull in pleasing views of faint nebulas galaxies and star clusters. The ultrastable Dobsonian base keeps the reflector optical tube perfectly balanced for point-and-view ease of use. The included 2 Crayford focuser accepts 125 and 2 telescope eyepieces, a 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece, an EZ Finder II reflex sight, collimation cap, Starry Night software, and more.
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- A large aperture Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope at a very affordable price!
- 8" diameter reflector optics lets you view the Moon and planets in close up detail, and has enough light grasp to pull in pleasing views of faint nebulas, galaxies and star clusters
- A perfect Dobsonian telescope that can last a lifetime for the beginning astronomy enthusiast or whole family
- The ultra-stable Dobsonian base keeps the reflector optical tube perfectly balanced for point-and-view ease of use
6. Celestron Omni XLT 120 Reflector Telescope
The Celestron Omni XLT 120 Reflector Telescope is a high-quality telescope that is perfect for beginners. Some of its pros include its StarBright XLT coatings, which increase the amount of light that is transmitted to the eye, and its CG4 German equatorial mount, which makes it easy to track objects in the night sky. Additionally, the telescope comes with a variety of accessories, including a 6×30 optical finderscope, a sturdy tripod, and a 25mm eyepiece.
However, there are a few cons to consider as well. First, the telescope is a bit on the heavy side, so it may be difficult to move around. Second, the CG4 German equatorial mount is not as sophisticated as some of the other mounts on the market, which can make it more difficult to use.
Overall, the Celestron Omni XLT 120 Reflector Telescope is a high-quality telescope that is perfect for beginners. It is easy to use and comes with a variety of accessories. However, it is a bit on the heavy side and the CG4 German equatorial mount could be more sophisticated.
- CELESTRON’S LEGENDARY OMNI XLT REFRACTOR OPTICAL TUBE: Celestron technicians hand select the glass for each lens in your Omni XLT refractor so only the finest grade optical glass is used.
- STARBRIGHT XLT OPTICAL COATINGS: Every air-to-glass surface in the Omni XLT’s optical path is fully multi-coated with our proprietary StarBright XLT anti-reflective coatings for the maximum level of light transmission to the eye.
- ULTRA-PRECISE GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT: Celestron CG-4 manual EQ mount with setting circles, worm gear slow-motion controls and ball bearings on both axes.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Everything you need to begin observing immediately—6x30 optical finderscope, sturdy full-height steel tripod with 1.75” legs, 1.25” star diagonal, and a 25mm multicoated eyepiece.
- BONUS ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE: Learn more about the night sky with your FREE download of Starry Night, one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs with a database of more than 36,000 celestial objects and printable sky maps.
7. Omni XLT 150 Newtonian Reflector Telescope – Hand-Figured Refractor with XLT Optical Coatings
The Omni XLT 150 Newtonian Reflector Telescope is a top-of-the-line product that offers many features and benefits for the serious astronomer. Celestron’s legendary Omni XLT optics and Starbright XLT coatings provide maximum light transmission and clarity, while the German equatorial mount with setting circles and ball bearings allows for smooth, precise tracking of celestial objects. The included 6×30 optical finderscope and sturdy tripod make finding objects and setting up the telescope easy and hassle-free. The included 25mm multicoated eyepiece provides a wide field of view for observing a variety of objects, and the bonus astronomy software allows you to explore the night sky even further.
- CELESTRON’S LEGENDARY OMNI XLT NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR OPTICAL TUBE: Celestron technicians hand select the glass for each lens in your Omni XLT refractor so only the finest grade optical glass is used.
- STARBRIGHT XLT OPTICAL COATINGS: Every air-to-glass surface in the Omni XLT’s optical path is fully multi-coated with our proprietary StarBright XLT anti-reflective coatings for the maximum level of light transmission to the eye.
- ULTRA-PRECISE GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT: Celestron CG-4 manual EQ mount with setting circles, worm gear slow-motion controls and ball bearings on both axes.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Everything you need to begin observing immediately—6x30 optical finderscope, sturdy full-height steel tripod with 1.75” legs, 1.25” star diagonal, and a 25mm multicoated eyepiece.
- BONUS ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE: Learn more about the night sky with your FREE download of Starry Night, one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs with a database of more than 36,000 celestial objects and printable sky maps.
FAQs
There are a lot of telescopes on the market, and it can be tough to figure out which one is the best for you. If you’re looking for a telescope under $1000, here are the five most common questions people ask, along with the answers.
1. What are the different types of telescopes?
There are three main types of telescopes: refractors, reflectors, and catadioptric.
Refractors use a lens to collect light and focus it into an image. This type of telescope is good for viewing planets and other objects near to the sun.
Reflectors use a mirror to collect light and focus it into an image. This type of telescope is good for viewing objects in the night sky.
Catadioptric telescopes use a combination of lenses and mirrors to collect and focus light. This type of telescope is good for viewing both planets and objects in the night sky.
2. What are the different sizes of telescopes?
Telescopes come in a variety of sizes, from small tabletop telescopes to large professional telescopes.
The size of a telescope determines its magnification and field of view. Larger telescopes have a higher magnification and a narrower field of view.
3. What are the different types of mounts?
Telescope mounts come in two main types: altazimuth and equatorial.
Altazimuth mounts are the most common type of mount. They allow the telescope to move up and down and side to side, but not in circles.
Equatorial mounts allow the telescope to move in circles, making it easier to track objects in the night sky.
4. What should I look for in a telescope?
When choosing a telescope, you should consider the size, type of mount, and type of telescope.
You should also consider the type of objects you want to view. If you want to view planets, you should choose a refractor telescope. If you want to view stars and galaxies, you should choose a reflector telescope.
5. What is the best telescope under $1000?
There is no one “best” telescope under $1000. However, some telescopes are better than others for certain types of viewing.
If you want to view planets, the best telescope under $1000 is a refractor telescope. If you want to view stars and galaxies, the best telescope under $1000 is a reflector telescope.
