Telescopes at Walmart in 2023: Deals on the best models from Celestron and others

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

If you're looking for telescopes at Walmart, you've come to the right place as we've scoped out the very best that the retailer has to offer. 

There's an extensive range of telescopes at Walmart to choose from so it will come as no surprise that you can find some of the best telescopes on the market as well as  a number of budget telescopes under $500. Below, we've rounded up the best discounts you can find at Walmart and as you'll see, there's plenty of Celestron telescope deals available at Walmart. 

Of course, if you know what you want then it could be worth checking out our brand-specific guides for Sky-Watcher telescope deals, Meade telescope deals and Orion telescope deals. We do keep this page updated through the year so when fresh deals become available, you'll find them below. 

By checking out telescopes at Walmart and seeing what deals are available, you can bag a bargain. It's worth remembering that the best binoculars and finding the best binoculars deals can give you stunning night sky views without breaking the bank. However, below you'll find the biggest discounts on telescopes at Walmart and even one or two of the best telescopes for kids, so if you want to save big on your next telescope, all you have to do is read on below. 

Telescopes at Walmart in 2023

Telescopes at Walmart: Best deals

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80 AZ: Now: $229 (opens in new tab)

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80 AZ: Now: $229 (opens in new tab)

This telescope can connect with a smartphone to pivot to celestial objects. A robust altazimuth mount allows for easy movement between objects, and you'll be able to see planets, large galaxies and the moon through this 80mm refractor.

Note: While this isn't technically a deal, this telescope was previously on sale for this exact price, and is on sale at Amazon (opens in new tab) for $10 less. 

| Now: $58 (opens in new tab)

Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ | MSRP: $129.95 | Now: $58 (opens in new tab)

Save over $70
on this refractor telescope, which is perfect for beginners hoping to look at the moon and nearby planets. It features an alt-azimuth mount, which makes it a bit cheaper than equatorial models, and comes with two eyepieces.

Celestron Travel Scope 60 Portable Telescope with Backpack and Tripod was $99.99 (opens in new tab)

Celestron Travel Scope 60 Portable Telescope with Backpack and Tripod was $99.99 now $38 (opens in new tab).

Save over $60 on this refractor telescope that could be the perfect choice for getting into star gazing. It's suitable for both kids and adults and features fully-coated glass optics, a 60mm objective lens, two eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens and a free download of astronomy software. This comes pre-built and is a low-risk investment from a reliable manufacturer. 

National Geographic Explorer 114 EQ telescope was $199.99 (opens in new tab)

National Geographic Explorer 114 EQ telescope was $199.99 now $179.49 (opens in new tab)

Save over $20 on a telescope that has deep space exploration in mind. It features a 114mm aperture along with two eyepieces, an adjustable tripod, a red dot finder as well as software and a star map. 

now $1199.99 (opens in new tab)

Celestron Nexstar 6SE computerized telescope and filter kit now $1199.99 (opens in new tab)

Get a great price 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.

Note: This isn't on sale but this price is lower than when it previously was. It's a good price to pay. 

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope (opens in new tab)

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ $631.58 $449.95 at Walmart (opens in new tab).

Save nearly $200 on this telescope that we rate as 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: The before price has been raised so it seems like a bigger deal than it actually is, but the price is reasonable. This is in stock in Amazon (opens in new tab) for the same price.  

Buying advice

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ tube

(Image credit: Celestron)

When it comes to buying a telescope you need to consider two main factors: Your budget and what you're wanting to view. 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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