Telescopes at Walmart in 2023: Best deals

Telescopes at Walmart: Image shows man standing next to telescope looking at moon
(Image credit: Getty Images)

There's plenty of telescopes at Walmart to choose from and many deals to scope out this holiday season. 

We've rounded up the best telescopes at Walmart and the best deals we can spot in the process. The online retailer has a huge range of models to choose from, so it's no surprise you'll find some of the top budget telescopes under $500 and Celestron telescope deals on there too. With the holidays in full swing, we've included some handy buying advice, so you know what to be on the lookout for.

We keep this page updated year-round and we're keeping a keen eye out for deals on telescopes at Walmart. If it's skywatching discounts you're chasing, our guides for telescope deals, best binoculars and binoculars deals are worth checking out. 

Of course, we're hoping to see some of the best telescopes heavily discounted but, if there's a manufacturer you know and trust, our guides for Sky-Watcher telescope deals, Meade telescope deals and Orion telescope deals are worth checking out. However, for the best deals on telescopes at Walmart, read on below.

Telescopes at Walmart in 2023

Telescopes at Walmart: Best deals

Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope Was $679

Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope Was $679 now $579.99.

Save $100 on an excellent telescope that features in our best telescopes guide. We've reviewed the Celestron NexStar 4SE and we think it's the best out there for beginners. 

Orion StarMax 90mm Tabletop Telescope Now $229.99

Orion StarMax 90mm Tabletop Telescope Now $229.99.

This on an excellent telescope that we think is one of the best for under $500. In fact, we rate it as the best you can get for under $300. 

Note: This isn't technically a deal but this is the same price as when it previously was on sale. 

Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Telescope Now $179.99

Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Telescope Now $179.99.

Another telescope that features in our guide for the best budget telescopes. We think it's the best for clear, wide-angle views and is decent value at this price point. 

Note: Again, this isn't technically a deal but is the same price as when it was previously on sale.  

Celestron AstroMaster 70EQ Was $178

Celestron AstroMaster 70EQ Was $178 Now: $145.90

Walmart has knocked over $150 off the price of this beginner-friendly refractor telescope, which is great for seeing things like the moon and nearby planets. The AstroMaster line has been designed for people who want to use telescopes both for stargazing and terrestrial purposes. This model comes with two eyepieces and has an equatorial mount, making it easier to track objects across the night sky.

Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ was $225

Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ was $225 now $193.80.

Save over $30 on a good quality beginner telescope. It features a 90mm objective lens with quality glass optics and a range of accessories which include a smartphone adaptor, a Bluetooth remote, two eyepieces, a red dot finder and a free download of the Starry Night software. This telescope has a no-tool set up too. 

Celestron Nexstar 6SE computerized telescope and filter kit Was $1199.99

Celestron Nexstar 6SE computerized telescope and filter kit Was $1199.99 Now $999.99

Save $200 on a sophisticated computerized telescope bundle. A good-sized aperture and objective lens means you'll get crystal clear views of whatever it is you want to see in the night sky. You'll find it thanks to the software and database that comes with the telescope - featuring over 40,000 celestial objects and you get eyepieces, planetary filters and an aluminum case.

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ $479.95 at Walmart.

This telescope is one of the best budget telescopes under $500. A 130mm aperture and 650mm focal length means crisp and clear views of nebulas, star clusters and galaxies. You also get the help of the excellent StarSense app and it's a highly portable telescope. 

Note: This isn't a deal but it's a quality telescope for under $500. Although, it has been a slightly lower price in recent times. 

Celestron PowerSeeker 80AZS now $179.95

Celestron PowerSeeker 80AZS now $179.95

This is a telescope that offers genuine quality at a more affordable price. It has fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy Alt-Azimuth mount, fast f/5 focal ratio and has a no-tool set up. 

Note: This isn't technically a deal but it's on sale for less than it has been previously.

Buying advice

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Optical Tube Best Budget Telescopes

(Image credit: Amazon)

When it comes to buying a telescope you need to consider two main factors: Your budget and what you're wanting to view. Black Friday is here on November 24 and there are some deals ahead of the annual sales event worth checking out, but we'll also likely see some large discounts then too. There are three main types of telescopes out there, and figuring out what you want to view will help you decide what type of telescope you will need. There are refractors, reflectors and catadioptric telescopes. 

For beginners, refractor telescopes are often a popular choice due to their easy to maintain and use style. They're often mounted to alt-azimuth mounts so they're straightforward to use and the mounts themselves are easy to manufacture so the price tends to be cost-effective too. They're best used for focussing on specific targets like moons and planets due to the fact that they're good for showing high-magnified and high-contrast images. 

Reflector telescopes tend to have larger apertures and are better for low-magnification targets like nebulas and galaxies. You get two types of reflector telescope: Dobsonians and Newtonians, although there’s some crossover between these. In brief, though, Dobsonians are easier to maintain and often found attached to the alt-azimuth mount. Newtonians are more commonly affixed to equatorial mounts, which allow you to follow the rotation of the night sky more accurately, but they require more upkeep. 

Finally, catadioptric telescopes fix issues found in both of the above types of scope – such as chromatic aberration and the coma effect – and they are typically equipped with a GoTo system. These systems are essentially mini computers that align your telescope to particular night sky objects. You get two types of catadioptrics, the Schmidt-Cassegrain and the Maksutov-Cassegrain. As a general rule, the Maksutov-Cassegrain is better for viewing planets, while the Schmidt-Cassegrain models are a little more versatile and feature bigger apertures, so they’re preferred by astrophotographers. 

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Ruth Gaukrodger

Ruth has worked across both print and online media for five years, contributing to national newspaper titles and popular tech sites. She has held a number of journalist roles alongside more senior editorial positions, and was formerly acting as a commissioning editor for Space.com until 2022.

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