Telescopes Under $500

Telescopes Under $500 gathers entry-level scopes for a first night under the stars. Most are easy-to-set-up kits that get beginners observing the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky targets without overspending; a few are telescope tubes sold without a mount.

You will find value-focused models from Explore Scientific and National Geographic, spanning small-aperture refractors and short Newtonian reflectors. For a first scope, favor a steady mount and usable aperture over headline magnification claims.

New to choosing a telescope? Start with our Telescope Buyer's Guide.