Best telescope under 1000 for beginners

When it comes to finding the best telescope under £500, there are several features that need to be kept in mind. The main consideration should be the type of astronomy you want to do with it, your budget, and the size of your backyard or living room. Here I’ll go into great detail with all my thoughts on each aspect of a telescope.

Have you ever wanted to look through a state-of-the-art telescope; but didn’t have the money at the time? Today I’ll be telling you about my best telescope under £1000 , and explaining why it’s the best choice for personal use. My purpose is not just to sell these items, but also show you how they can help with your everyday life. At the end of this article, I’ll tell you how many of them there are.

Best telescope under 1000 for astrophotography

In my opinion, there is no better telescope under £1000 than the Meade ETX125AT5. It’s well-built, has a host of features that allow it to fulfill all your needs (such as imaging), and can be used for advanced observing (such as astro-photography). This telescope does everything I want it to do and you will too!

Another question that comes to mind when you’re out and about in your backyard or at the park is: “Do I have time to go observing tonight?”. Well, if you’re using an affordable telescope under £1000 then you can safely make it into the ‘one-hour’ category — usually.

Looking for the best telescope under $1000? That’s an excellent price point to find good value – solid capabilities without breaking the bank. In this post, we share our opinion of 7 best value picks for a telescope under 1000 dollars. You’ll definitely want to check these out before making your next purchase, along with our recommendations for next-level dobsonian, refractor and computerized telescopes.

Best telescope under £1000

See also:

• The Best Binoculars for Stargazing (Our Top 5 for 2022)
• Celestron NexStar 8SE Review: Yes, It’s Worth It! Here’s Why.
• Best Orion Telescope for Every Budget, Need and Skill Level

(Before we begin, please note that product pricing, price categories and availability are accurate as of the date of this post, but are subject to change. This post includes the author’s opinion, based on research and experience, of the “best” or “top” telescopes in this category; the opinions of others may vary.)

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Our Take on the Best Telescope Under $1000 (Top 7 Picks)

1. Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope 

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Our #1 pick for the best telescope under $1000 is the Celestron NexStar 4SE (in fact, the entire Celestron NexStar family is fantastic, as we cover here). The Celestron NexStar 4SE is a popular, computerized telescope that is one of the best telescope under 1000 dollars. It provides excellent optical performance with a 4″ primary mirror, and an easy-to-use computerized mount (i.e. it can automatically find and track 40,000 astronomical objects based on your location). The StarBright XLT optical coating enhaces light transmission for brighter images. The NexStar SE model also comes in a range of apertures and focal lengths, each at a different price point. The NexStar 4SE is one of the more affordable of the bunch that also includes NexStar 5SE, 6SE and 8SE. With the great optics, easy-use computerized features and portability, this family of telescopes is one of the best all-around.

Scorecard – Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope



Why We Like It

The NexStar 4SE is a great starter telescope, providing good value from a reliable brand that offers a 2-year warranty. You can set the NexStar 4SE up quickly in the backyard, easily pack and port it around. Coming in at 21 lbs, it’s light weight enough for travel / camping. It provides great images at the price point with its 53x magnification and 102mm aperture. The NexStar 4SE is even capable of astrophotography with the right accessories. Notably, the SkyAlign software can find 40,000 objects in the night sky and track them for you. This is a fantastic feature for beginners and more advanced amateurs.

Pros

• Best value for money in our opinion
• User-friendly design, fully computerized “GoTo” capability making it easy to track and find objects
• Simple setup; great portability for the price point
• 2-year Celestron warranty
• Good visuals, capable of beginner astrophotography

Cons

• We wish it came with more eyepiece options and GPS

Recommended Accessories

• If you want to connect your DSLR camera (Canon or Nikon), Celestron sells the appropriate T-adapter and T-rings here: See it on Amazon.com
• Celestron carrying case for NexStar optical tubes: See it on Amazon.com

2. Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

Image Credit: Orion (Used with Permission)

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Coming in at #2 on our list, the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope offers great bang for the buck to become, in our view, one of the best telescope under 1000 dollars. Orion has upgraded the classic SkyQuest XT8 in this Plus-version with a number of enhanced features and accessories. The scope looks fantastic in metallic blue, and the upgrades pack a real value punch of great image quality of planets and nebulae without breaking the bank. Dobsonians are not the most portable telescopes, but Orion has made efforts with the upgrades to lighten the weight (now around 42 lbs) and make for easy assembly / disassembly to transport the scope as needed.

Scorecard – Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope



Why We Like It

We love this telescope. If you are looking at Dobsonians telescopes for under $1000, then this is the one for you. With a Dobsonian, you trade off portability and a bit of ease-of-use for better viewing and images; but for those prioritizing image quality, the SkyQuest XT8 Plus is the one to consider.

The XT8 Plus also comes with some great features and accessories. These include (1) a 28mm DeepView eyepiece, which widens the field of view, (2) a 1.25″ 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece (120x), (3) a 2″ shorty Barlow, for even more zoom (240x when coupled with the 10mm), (4) easy finder scope, (5) dual-speed Crayford focuser for precise views, (6) thumb knobs for secondary mirror adjustments to help with collimation, and (7) the DeepMap 600, providing a map of the sky with interesting objects.

(If you like this telescope, you might also want to check out our full review of the Orion SkyQuest XT10, big brother to the XT8.  The XT10 has a Plus-version available as well.)

Pros

• Excellent image quality and visuals; best choice, in our opinion, for those who prioritize visuals
• Includes fantastic accessories and eyepieces

Cons

• Less portable than others on this list
• As a reflector, will require maintenance / collimation

3. Celestron NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope

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Also very highly rated and our top pick for beginners for the best telescope under 1000 dollars is the Celestron NexStar 127 SLT, a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with computerized Star Locating Technology (i.e. the “SLT”).  The telescope includes a database of more than 40,000 stars, galaxies and nebulae, which it can automatically locate for you after orientating itself based your location.  You can use the hand-held control to choose specific objects that you would like to see, or have the telescope take you on a tour of the night sky. This is an amazing telescope for a great price that’s perfect for viewing from cities or suburban areas.

Scorecard – Celestron NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope



Why We Like It

The NexStar 127SLT is, in our view, a fantastic telescope that, like its SE cousins, provides good value from a reliable brand that offers a 2-year warranty. At 18 lbs, the telescope is very portable. The controls and SLT automation make it extremely easy to use (alignment can be easily done via GPS coordinates); and it provides great images at the price point with its 60x and 167x magnification, 127mm aperture and 1500mm focal length. The field of view is narrower than the 130SLT version below, but the telescope provides great planetary views and is appropriately sized for its mount.

Pros

• Extremely easy to track and find objects
• Simple setup; great portability
• Good visuals within a narrow field

Cons

• Best used with power tank or cable

4. Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope

Image Credit: Orion (Used with Permission)

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The Orion 9005 AstroView is not only a one of the best telescope under 1000 dollars typically, but also our highest rated equatorial refractor telescope under $1000. It’s a grab-and-go scope with a 120mm aperture, 600mm focal length refractor with premium achromatic optics – providing high-contrast, high-powered images with a wide field, perfect for great views of the moon and the big, deep sky objects.  The manual equatorial mount is super sturdy, heavy, and precise for tracking objects.  Overall quality is excellent – from the optics, to the mount, to the accessories.

Scorecard – Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope



Why We Like It

We love the quality and sleek look of the Orion 9005. The visuals are great (multi-coated, with a well-baffled optical tube for high-contrast), capturing a wide view of the sky. This is the kind of telescope that you will want to view those larger deep sky objects like the Orion nebula or Andromeda galaxy. For planetary viewing, the scope works well with a Barlow lens (sold separately). The 36lb telescope and mount are less portable than some, but the setup is super sturdy and still able to be thrown in the car for camping or a trip to out of the city.  Orion has put some effort into the AstroView mount to make for quick disassembly or swapping out scopes. (The equatorial mount can also be upgraded with the EQ-3M electronic motorized drive for automatic tracking.)

The  scope comes with a great accessory package (typical for Orion) that includes a sturdy adjustable-height tripod, Orion’s standard Starry Night astronomy software, as well as two Sirius Plossl 1.25″ eyepieces eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) allowing for 24x and 60x magnification.  (Note: If you want higher magnification or planetary viewing, we recommend upgrading with a 2x or 3x Barlow lens.)

Pros

• Great build quality — sleek appearance and sturdy mount
• Good visuals for large object viewing
• Transportable and easy to disassemble

Cons

• Recommend buying a carrying case
• Equatorial mount can be more difficult to use
• Only 1-year warranty
• Need additional lenses for planetary viewing

Recommended Accessories

We would recommend purchasing: a 2x Barlow lens (See it on Amazon.com) or a 3x Barlow lens (See it on Amazon.com) with the Orion 9005.

5. Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope

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Another highly rated Celestron among our top five picks for the best telescope under 1000 dollars, the Celestron NexStar 130SLT offers a Newtonian Reflector with the same great SLT option as the NexStar127SLT above. The 130SLT provides a wider field of view compared with the 127SLT, and would be preferable if you were viewing large clusters and nebulae under a very dark sky. The optics permit you to see Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands, the Moon, & brighter deep sky objects.

The telescope includes a database of more than 40,000 stars, galaxies and nebulae, which it can automatically locate for you after orientating itself based your location.  You can use the hand-held control to choose specific objects that you would like to see, or have the telescope take you on a tour of the night sky. This is a great option if you’re looking for a “go-to” telescope with a wider field of view than the 127SLT.

Scorecard – Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope



Why We Like It

Like the Nexstar 127SLT above, the NexStar 130SLT provides good value from a reliable brand that offers a 2-year warranty. At 18 lbs, the telescope is definitely portable, and like the 127SLT, the controls and automation of the 130SLT make it extremely easy to use (alignment can be easily done via GPS coordinates). The telescope can be a bit much for the mount, but the 130SLT provides great images at the price point with its 130mm aperture, 650mm focal length, and 26x and 72x magnification.

Pros

• Extremely easy to track and find objects due to SLT
• Simple setup; great portability
• Good visuals; wider field of view than the NexStar 127SLT
• 2-year Celestron warranty

Cons

• Best used with power tank or cable
• A bit oversized for the mount

Recommended Accessories

You may want to pick up a Celestron power tank with your NexStar 130SLT: See it on Amazon.com

6. Orion 27191 StarBlast 6i IntelliScope Reflector Telescope

Image Credit: Orion (Used with Permission)

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Looking for a tabletop scope to avoid hassles with a mount? The Orion 27191 StarBlast 6i Intelliscope represents, in our view, one of the best telescope under 1000 dollars with tabletop form factor. The Orion 27191 provides a computerized, PushTo experience, helping beginner-to-intermediate astronomer easily locate deep sky objects.  (With a “PushTo” telescope, unlike a “GoTo”, you still move the telescope, but the computer helps you know where to point it.) With its sizeable 150mm aperture, 750mm focal length and 21x magnification, you can enjoy sharp, contrast-rich views of brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters, as well as planets, including Jupiter’s cloud bands. The Orion 27191 is easy to use right out of the box, and weighing 23.5 lbs, definitely transportable (if not a scope you want for general portability).

Scorecard – Orion 27191 StarBlast 6i IntelliScope Telescope Reflector Telescope



Why We Like It

The Orion 27191 is a sturdy, easy-to-use tabletop telescope under $1000, with computerized push-to capability that makes it an excellent option for at home viewing. The images are great, and the Orion 27191’s optics really excel at wide field, larger object viewing. Finding deep sky objects can be difficult, and that’s where the computer-assisted capability of this and other computerized scopes really comes in handy. It would be useful to combine this telescope with a Barlow lens for a bit more zoom capability.  For someone looking to avoid hassles with tripods and mounts, while also getting excellent images, this is a way to go.  Orion always (in our experience) includes quality accessories with their scopes, and this is no exception. The Orion 27191 comes with two Sirius Plossl 1.25″ eyepieces (25mm & 10mm ), an EZ Finder II aiming device, eyepiece rack and Starry Night software.

Pros

• Easy to find objects using computer-assisted capability and Starry Night software
• Straightforward setup with tabletop form factor
• Good visuals for a wider field of view
• Sturdy base and design

Cons

• As a tabletop, less portable than some telescopes
• Best combined with a Barlow lens for more zoom capability

Recommended Accessories

We would recommend purchasing a 2x Barlow lens with the Orion 27191: See it on Amazon.com

7. Orion 8297 8-Inch f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph Reflector Telescope

Image Credit: Orion (Used with Permission)

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Buy the Orion 8297 Newtonian Astrograph Reflector Telescope if you are an intermediate or even experienced beginner astronomer and all about image quality and/or astrophotography. The views / images are fantastic. The Orion 8297 offers a very large aperture at 203mm, with an f3.9 focal ratio, and its mirrors have enhanced reflectivity (94%) aluminum coatings with a protective quartz overcoat. Orion has also included a 2-inch dual-speed focuser, nine internal baffles and flat black interior with the 8297. All of this helps the Orion 8297 provide absolutely amazing, high contrast images, perfect for astrophotography, as well as just breathtaking enjoyment. The build quality is very solid as well, and Orion offers great service as always. For those most interested in image quality, the Orion 8297 is, in our view, one of the best telescope under 1000 dollars.

Scorecard – Orion 8297 8-Inch f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph Reflector Telescope



Why We Like It

The Orion 8297 excels for its visuals and in particular its astrophotography.  The focal ratio and design allow for shorter exposure times due to the amount of light the scope can take in. The mirror placement and sizing also address common problems experienced by astrophotographers in getting light to DSLR sensors when using Newtonian reflectors. Given the affordable price point, the trade-offs (you have to expect them) with the scope go to ease-of-use and accessories. Mounts and lenses come separately; and like with all Newtonians, you will likely want a collimation laser and coma corrector to go along with your purchase.

Pros

• Amazing astrophotography and excellent viewing images
• Great Orion service
• High-quality, thoughtful design

Cons

• Mounts, lens, collimation laser and coma corrector all come separtely
• Not very portable or beginner friendly

Recommended Accessories

Click here to expand

Honorable Mention: Orion StarSeeker IV 130mm GoTo Reflector Telescope Kit

Image Credit: Orion (Used with Permission)

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Our final pick for one of the best telescope under $1000 packs value. The Orion StarSeeker IV is a great computerized, go-to telescope under $1000 that offers many upgrades over its predecessors. The StarSeeker IV’s 130mm aperture, 650 mm focal length and parabolic reflecting optics provide bright, wide-field views. The optics are sufficient to see moon and planets (e.g., rings of Saturn and Jupiter) as well as Messier and other deep sky objects. The included tripod is well built and provides sturdy support.

Orion has improved the dual-encoder, go-to capability to keep track of post-alignment manual movements, making for much easier use. This saves on battery life as the user can now limit the go-to function to final adjustments. Finally, as promised, this Orion StarSeeker IV comes with a go-to hand controller, 23mm (28.2x) and 10mm (65x) wide-field 60-degree eyepieces, easy-finder sight, power-doubling 2x shorty Barlow, moon filter, a handy AC-to-DC adapter, and Orion’s DeepMap 600 and MoonMap 260. We told you it packed a lot of value in there!

Scorecard – Orion StarSeeker IV 130mm GoTo Reflector Telescope



Why We Like It

The overall value of this package is superb. You get an easy-to-use, high quality telescope and a lot of accessories for your money. This kit is an excellent starting place for a beginner just starting out or an intermediate user looking to re-stock. The scope itself has good optics, capable of viewing planets and even deep space objects. The accessory lenses included in the kit give you a lot of variation to explore. The moon filter and MoonMap 260 make it easy to study craters and landing sites on our lunar neighbor. Orion’s go-to capability, including the improvements to the dual-encoder, also make this a very easy-to-use, reasonably portable telescope. We love this package as a holiday gift or for personal use; it’s really an unbeatable value pack.

Pros

• Excellent go-to capability
• Superb package of accessories
• Quality product

Cons

• Not ideal for astrophotography

Best Telescopes Under $1000
If you have been searching for a new or used telescope, you have no doubt been surprised by the huge number of choices out there.

Telescopes cost anywhere from under a $100 to $10,000 or more, but if you’re like most of our customers, you want a scope that falls somewhere in the middle…but that’s a BIG middle! Never fear! According to our amazing team of telescope experts at High Point Scientific, if you can invest between approximately $500 and $1000 on a visual telescope, you will end up with something that will serve you well for years to come.

THE BEST TELESCOPES FOR SALE UNDER $1000 INCLUDE:
Celestron NexStar 4SE – $679.00
Celestron NexStar 5SE – $939.00
Apertura AD8 Dobsonian – $699.95
Apertura AD10 Dobsonian – $949.95
Honorable Mention: Celestron NexStar 6SE – $1,099.00
With that advice in mind, here is the short list when it comes to the best telescopes under $1000:

CELESTRON NEXSTAR 4SE – $679.00
Celestron NexStar 4SE

The first telescope on our list is the Celestron NexStar 4SE. The 4″ Maksutov optical design of the Nexstar 4SE gives greater sharpness, a longer focal length, and higher contrast than traditional reflecting telescopes thanks to its smaller secondary mirror. The telescope has a focal length of 1325mm, and 4” of aperture with a limiting stellar magnitude of +13.4. This magnification is great for observing the Moon and deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula!

The optical tube assembly can be removed and placed on any standard photo tripod without additional adapters, making it even more versatile and portable! The single-arm fork mount is fully computerized and includes a go-to hand controller with a very large database consisting of nearly 40,000 objects. The NexStar 4SE by Celestron sits on a sturdy tripod which offers maximum stability when looking at distant objects. Using the simple star alignment, you’ll easily be able to identify and track any object you choose!

CELESTRON NEXSTAR 5SE – $939.00
Celestron NexStar 5SE

The next telescope on our list is the “bigger brother” to the NexStar 5SE. This telescope uses a slightly different design than the 4SE and is considered a “Schmidt-Cassegrain” telescope. The telescope features a larger light gathering capability (5 inches vs 4 inches), which will increase your ability to peer into the cosmos. Additionally, the telescope comes with a slightly lower focal length of 1250mm, making the focal ratio f/10. This makes the telescope an even better choice for observing deep-sky objects with roughly the same magnification as the Celestron 4SE with the included 25mm E-lux eyepiece.

The telescope also comes with the NexStar SE hand controller that includes 40,000 different objects for you to view. The NexStar 5SE by Celestron sits on a sturdy tripod which offers maximum stability when looking at distant objects. Overall, the telescope optical tube weighs 17.6 lbs and the tripod 10 lbs, making this telescope fairly easy to take out to your favorite observing site.

APERTURA AD8 DOBSONIAN – $699.95
Apertura AD8 Dobsonian

It has been said that the best value for a visual telescope is a Dobsonian telescope. The Apertura AD8 is a Newtonian telescope, meaning that it uses mirrors to create an image. The mirror is eight inches in diameter with a focal length of 1200mm which yields a focal ratio of f/6 The long focal length makes this telescope ideal for observing the planets, yet “fast” enough to be able to observe many faint and bright nebulae, star clusters, and more.

Through this telescope, you’ll be able to observe beautiful detail on the Orion Nebula, all of the major Moons of Saturn and Jupiter, the core and dust lanes of the Andromeda Galaxy, and distant galaxies in the Virgo cluster millions of light-years away!

The telescope is seated on an easy-to-use alt-azimuth “rocker box” mount that allows you to direct the telescope anywhere in the sky. The overall telescope weight is roughly 38 lbs. Setting up the telescope is easy: simply carry the telescope outside, set it down on the rocker box, take the dust cap off, and you’re ready to go! The telescope comes with a Crayford focuser that will accept any 1.25” eyepiece, a 6×30 finder, a 25mm Plossl, and a lens cap to protect your mirrors from dirt and dust.

APERTURA AD10 DOBSONIAN – $949.95
Apertura AD10 Dobsonian

The Apertura 10″ Dobsonian Telescope is the largest telescope you can buy under $1,000 in terms of light gathering capability. The huge 10″ primary mirror opens up the Universe, providing access to thousands of celestial objects, and the “fast” f/5 focal ratio displays a pleasingly wide field of view when observing the night sky.

Sitting on a simple Dobsonian alt-azimuth mount, the Apertura 10″ Newtonian is an excellent telescope to help you learn the location of celestial objects in the sky by “star-hopping”. It is great for beginners since learning how to use the Apertura Dobsonian takes just a few minutes. Older children LOVE a Dobsonian because they can push it around and discover the Universe with their own eyes, without help from their elders. More seasoned amateur astronomers enjoy a “light-bucket” Dobsonian for its low price per inch of aperture, its stealth-like silence, and because there are no bells and whistles to get between the astronomer and the night sky.

HONORABLE MENTION: CELESTRON NEXSTAR 6SE – $1,099.00
NexStar Telescope Under $1000

If you’re willing to expand your budget a bit beyond $1,000 – we recommend the Celestron NexStar 6SE. With a little bit more aperture (and light gathering capability) than the 5SE, you’ll be able to see even deeper into the cosmos. The tried and true NexStar SE mount and intuitive GoTo hand controller is equipped with a 40,000 object library database. Additionally, you may use other accessories, like the Celestron StarSense, which offers cutting-edge align assist technology, or the Celestron SkyPortal, for wireless control of your telescope via your smartphone and a free app that’s available for both Apple and Android devices.

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