Telescopes on Amazon: The best deals 2024

Telescopes on Amazon: Image shows amateur astronomer pointing telescope at sky
(Image credit: Getty Images)

There is an abundance of telescopes on Amazon and many discounts to go with them, so if you're looking for a bargain, searching through the retailer's stock is a good option.

We've navigated our way through the vast array of telescopes on Amazon and their deals to highlight the very best discounts on offer below. Fortunately, Amazon stocks some of the best telescopes and a number of the best telescope deals on the market. You can also find a few of the best budget telescopes under $500 so, scanning the retailer for a bargain means you can view the stars and beyond without breaking the bank. There should be something for every astronomer in our guide, regardless of budget, experience and viewing needs.

We've also included some handy buying advice, which you can find below the deals in this guide. We also keep this page updated year-round so when new deals become available, you'll find them here. If you're looking to try your hand at astronomy or you want to inspire a budding astronomer, it could be worth checking out our best telescopes for beginners. As a rule of thumb, when looking for telescopes on Amazon, if a deal seems too good to be true, it often is and if we don't recognize the name of the manufacturer, we stay clear of the offer as we can't vouch for their quality. 

If you know exactly what it is you're looking for or there's a particular manufacturer you trust, take a look at our Celestron telescope deals, Sky-Watcher telescope deals, Meade telescope deals and Orion telescope deals guides. However, for the best telescopes on Amazon and their deals, read on below. 


Telescopes on Amazon: Today's best deals March 2024

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox: was $2999 now $1399

Save 53% on t

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FUnistellar-eVscope-eQuinox-Refractor-Computerized%2Fdp%2FB094BWR9YZ%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">was $2999 now $1399<a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FUnistellar-eVscope-eQuinox-Refractor-Computerized%2Fdp%2FB094BWR9YZ%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank">

Save 53% on t
he Unistellar eVScope eQuinox that offers enhanced vision, citizen science projects, 35 hours of storage, a motorized mount and is 100 times more powerful than your standard telescope, the eQuinox is able to pick out faint deep-sky targets, from galaxies to nebulas in exquisite contrast and clarity within moments — whether you're observing from a dark-sky location or from the inner city.

Note: Stock is running low so you should act soon. This is a slightly dated telescope, but that allows for a lower price point than it previously has been. 

Celestron Astro Fi 102 Telescope Was $529.95 Now $429.99.

Celestron Astro Fi 102 Telescope <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L0EQLTI/ref=asc_df_B01L0EQLTI1696197600000?tag=georiot-us-default-20&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-20&geniuslink=true" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $529.95 Now $429.99.

Save $100 on a telescope that features in our best telescopes guide. In our <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L0EQLTI/ref=asc_df_B01L0EQLTI1696197600000?tag=georiot-us-default-20&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-20&geniuslink=true" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"">Celestron Astro Fi 102 review, we found that it's reasonably priced and excellent for portability. 

Sky-Watcher SkyMax 150 Was $880 Now $739.20

Sky-Watcher SkyMax 150 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z4HX18M?tag=georiot-us-default-20&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-20&geniuslink=true" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $880 Now $739.20.

Save $140 on a telescope that also features in our best telescopes guide. In that very guide, we found it to be the best on the market for astrophotography. 

Sky-Watcher SkyMax 127 Was $880 Now $695.64.

Sky-Watcher SkyMax 127 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M8GYJD3?tag=georiot-us-default-20&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-20&geniuslink=true" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $880 Now $695.64.

Save over $180 on a telescope that we think is the best Go-To telescope for smaller budgets. While this telescope isn't the cheapest in this guide, this is Amazon's lowest price for well over a year.

Note: Stock is running low, so you'll have to act soon to make the most of this deal. 

Celestron 70mm Travel Scope DX - Portable Refractor TelescopeWas 119.95 now $93.59

Celestron 70mm Travel Scope DX - Portable Refractor Telescope  <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FCelestron-Refractor-Fully-Coated-Digiscoping-Smartphone%2Fdp%2FB07VY3CDG7%2Fref%3Dsr_1_4%3Fkeywords%3Dcelestron%252B70mm%252Btravel%252Bscope%26qid%3D1637875272%26s%3Delectronics%26sr%3D1-4%26th%3D1%26tag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was 119.95 now $93.59

Save 22% on this lightweight, portable Celestron telescope which is perfect for beginners. It comes with a large 70mm objective lens as well as a bonus bag, tripod, moon filter, Bluetooth shutter release and a smartphone adaptor.

Celestron 70mm Travel Scope Was $109.95 Now $80.69.
Save 27%

Celestron 70mm Travel Scope <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FCelestron-Refractor-Telescope-Beginners-Astronomy%2Fdp%2FB001TI9Y2M%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $109.95 Now $80.69.
Save 27%
when you apply the coupon on an ideal bit of kit for stargazers, this is a 'grab and go' model that requires minimum setup. The lightweight telescope comes with a handy backpack, so you can port the telescope around easily too. 

Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian:&nbsp;Was $319.95 $249.95.

Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-31042-AstroMaster-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B000MLL6R8/r?tag=georiot-us-default-20&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-20&geniuslink=true" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $319.95 $249.95.

You can save $70 when you apply the coupon at checkout on this 114mm push-to German Equatorial Newtonian telescope for a good 22% off its original price. The telescope ships with a fully adjustable steel tripod, finderscope, 20mm and 10mm eyepieces.

Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Now: $133.56

Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FCelestron-21037-PowerSeeker-70EQ-Telescope%2Fdp%2FB001592LFC%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Now: $133.56
A great compact beginner's refractor telescope, this model comes with two eyepieces, an erect image diagonal, a Finderscope, plus a 3x Barlow lens. 

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

Celestron AstroMaster 50AZ Telescope Was 63.95 Now $47.99
You can save 25%

Celestron AstroMaster 50AZ Telescope <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FCelestron-PowerSeeker-50-Refractor-Telescope%2Fdp%2FB0000UMLYI%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was 63.95 Now $47.99
You can save 25% on this lightweight telescope, which is well-suited to beginner astronomers. It comes with plenty of accessories: four eyepieces, a finderscope and a 3x Barlow lens. It also boasts an easy-to-use alt-azimuth mount, which allows for a quick and fuss-free set up. 

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Was 299.95 Now $176.99
The price on this model has just dropped by over $120

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FCelestron-StarSense-Smartphone-App-Enabled-Compatible%2Fdp%2FB083JW2YJ5%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was 299.95 Now $176.99
The price on this model has just dropped by over $120 as it was previously $299.95. It’s a great refractor telescope for beginners that works in tandem with the StarSense app.

Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope now $279.99.

Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=72128&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FOrion-SpaceProbe-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope%2Fdp%2FB00D05BKOW%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fcrid%3D1IUKSERUHHIQD%26keywords%3Dtelescopes%26qid%3D1682681944%26refinements%3Dp_89%253ABushnell%257CCelestron%257CMEADE%257COrion%257CSky%2BWatcher%252Cp_n_deal_type%253A23566065011%26rnid%3D23566063011%26s%3Delectronics%26sprefix%3Dtelescopes%252Celectronics%252C148%26sr%3D1-2%26tag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">now $279.99.

This is a telescope that offers a 5.1 inch aperture for bright views of the moon and planets, as well as a wide field of view for star clusters. It also comes with accessories including eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), camera adaptors, moon maps and more. 

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

Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Was $219.95 Now $144.99.&nbsp;

Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21049-PowerSeeker-127EQ-Telescope/dp/B0007UQNKY/ref=sr_1_3?tag=georiot-us-default-20&crid=3BHJV961OZGFV&keywords=Celestron%20Powerseeker%20127EQ&qid=1698691599&s=electronics&sprefix=,electronics,285&sr=1-3&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-20&geniuslink=true" data-link-merchant="amazon.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $219.95 Now $144.99

Save 34% on this easy-to-use entry level telescope. It features a large 127mm objective lens diameter that offers great light gathering ability to see the moon, craters and other planets. It also features accessories including two eyepieces (20mm and 4mm), a 3x Barlow lens and free download of astronomy software. 

Buying advice

If you're looking to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, you will need either specific solar equipment or a sufficient solar filter. Specialist solar telescopes are available and so are solar filters for telescopes. To achieve safe solar observation, protective gear is a must.

When purchasing one of the telescopes on Amazon, or any telescope for that matter, you need to consider your budget and what you want to achieve from your stargazing experience. It can be worth your time to wait for annual sales events like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, but you can still bag a bargain through the year. There are three main types of telescope and each have different advantages, so we've explained each one below - so you know what to look out for in your next scope. Alternatively, you can check out our best telescopes guide for more information. 

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. 

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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.