Looking for telescopes on Amazon can be a little daunting, especially given the sheer number of models available from the online retailer. So, picking the right one for you might be a little harder than than first thought. However, we're here to help as we've scoped out the best models and discounts and put them in this handy guide for you check out.
Online retailers are pushing their Summer sales and Amazon is no different. Although Amazon Prime Day may be over, there are still some top deals when it comes to telescope on Amazon. It's worth noting that because of the wide range of telescopes and deals available, if something seems too good to be true, it generally is. Having said that, Amazon is home to some of the best telescopes and best telescope deals on the market.
Another thing to keep in mind is if you don't recognize a brand, normally you're better off staying clear of it. However, if you do know what make of telescope you like, then be sure to check out our brand-specific guides for Celestron telescope deals, Sky-Watcher telescope deals, Meade telescope deals, Orion telescope deals.
The good news is, if you're looking for big names for low prices, Amazon can provide that, especially if you're looking for budget telescopes under $500. We've also included some buying advice to help you understand the market a bit better. As we've mentioned before, there are loads of telescopes on Amazon and if you're looking for the best deals and models then all you have to do is read our round-up below.
Telescopes on Amazon: Today's best deals
Buying advice
There are three main types of telescope: refractors, reflectors and catadioptrics. Below, we’ve gone into the benefits and drawbacks of each design. If you want a full breakdown, have a look through the guidance in our article on the best telescopes.
Refractors
These telescopes are usually best for providing high-magnification views of targets like planets and the moon. They're also very easy to set up and maintain. Combine this with the fact that they usually retail for a lower price point and you can see why this is a popular option with beginners. They do tend to suffer from a visual problem called ‘chromatic aberration’, where bright objects in the sky appear to be surrounded by a halo. However, this shouldn’t dampen the experience for any viewers.
Reflectors
With wider apertures, these types of telescopes are able to take in more light and therefore better suited for spotting fainter objects. They tend to be useful for views of low-magnification targets like galaxies and nebulas. Unfortunately, these types of telescopes can suffer from something called the ‘coma’ effect, where objects appear elongated instead of spherical/ circular. Again, though, this is a minor issue - and probably something you can get used to at this low price point.
Catadioptric
There are two main catadioptric designs: the Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain. Both types often come with a computerized GoTo system, which can work out your position and location - and align with night sky targets that you program into the device. They also usually fix the problems mentioned above (coma and chromatic aberration.) As such, they're also usually more expensive. Typically, you'll find that the Schmidt-Cassegrain designs have bigger apertures, and the Maksutov-Cassegrain sport smaller apertures, so the former is better for fainter deep sky targets and the latter will offer high magnification views.
Deals you missed
When a deal has expired, we'll move it below. That way, you can compare current prices to those in the past. You'll also get a sense of what to look for when you're seeking out telescopes on Amazon.
