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14 Best Rated Telescope Under $500 2023

We’ve got all the info you need to know about the best telescopes under $500 in 2023. You can find them in any telescope store or online.

But before we get into that, let’s first talk about what makes a good telescope. There are three main types of telescopes: reflector, refractor, and compound. Each type has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to understand what each one offers before making your purchase.

Reflector telescopes use mirrors to reflect light from distant objects back toward the viewer. They tend to be less expensive than other types of telescopes but require more maintenance because their mirrors require periodic cleaning.

Refracting telescopes use lenses rather than mirrors for magnification purposes. These are easier to maintain than reflectors but tend to be more expensive depending on the size of the lens used in its construction.

A compound telescope is a hybrid between these two other types—it features both a mirror and a lens (like a refractor) but also uses mirrors at either end of its tube (like a reflector). Compound telescopes tend to offer better image quality than any other type because they offer both wide-angle views.

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Comparison Table

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  • SCORE
    8.4
    AI Score

    Reviews are based on big data aggregated from sales pages and product buyer reviews. All ranking arrangements are automatically AI-driven according to product buyer reviews.

  • Brand
    Celestron
12
  • SCORE
    8.4
    AI Score

    Reviews are based on big data aggregated from sales pages and product buyer reviews. All ranking arrangements are automatically AI-driven according to product buyer reviews.

  • Brand
    Celestron
13
  • SCORE
    8.2
    AI Score

    Reviews are based on big data aggregated from sales pages and product buyer reviews. All ranking arrangements are automatically AI-driven according to product buyer reviews.

  • Brand
    ESSLNB
14
  • SCORE
    8.0
    AI Score

    Reviews are based on big data aggregated from sales pages and product buyer reviews. All ranking arrangements are automatically AI-driven according to product buyer reviews.

  • Brand
    Scopex

Last update on 2023-06-01 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Lumia Shaffer
Lumia Shaffer

I'm Lumia Shaffer! I'm a Kirby Research author, with a passion for writing, I've researched and published many in-depth product research articles!
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/KirbyLumias