In 1610, Galileo Galilei pointed a simple spyglass (no, not a cheap telescope) with only 20x magnification at the sky. He discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter and saw something strange around Saturn. Not the clear rings as we know them today, but protrusions, “appendages” that he couldn’t explain. Yet with that primitive instrument, he laid the foundation for everything we now know about our solar system.
What Galileo could do with 20x magnification, you can do today too. As long as you make the right choice.
What if You Have less than €100 to Spend?
Be realistic: you won’t get a good telescope for under €100. What you will buy is frustration — wobbly tripods, blurry images, useless accessories, and empty promises like “600x magnification”.
Is your budget below €100? Consider binoculars instead.
A good pair of 8×42 or 10×50 binoculars will show you surprisingly much:
- The moon with its shadows and craters
- Jupiter’s four largest moons
- Star clusters like the Pleiades
- Satellites, the ISS, the Milky Way
You’ll also learn a lot: how to navigate, where to look, and how light pollution affects your view. These are skills every stargazer needs — telescope or not.
From €100 Things Start Getting Interesting
If you have more than €100 to spend, you can start with real telescopes that deliver results. No marketing tricks, but solid optics on a stable mount.
The first step: know what you want to see. The moon? Jupiter? Or do you dream of galaxies? Your choice depends on your goal and budget.
What Can You Expect from a Cheap Telescope?
If you choose the right one, you can observe:
- The moon in detail, including terminator line, craters, and mountain ranges
- Jupiter as a disk with cloud bands and four moons
- Saturn including rings
- Mars as a red disk, sometimes with polar cap
- Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy (under dark skies)
What’s not realistic in this price range:
- Colors in nebulae or galaxies
- Extreme detail on planets
- Deep-sky views like astrophotos
What should You Avoid?
Most bad purchases have the same characteristics:
- “600x magnification” on the box
- Telescope on a thin metal or plastic tripod
- Many accessories that add no value
- Poor quality eyepieces or Barlow lenses
In short: anything that promises too much for too little money should be avoided.
The Best Cheap Telescopes by Budget
Below are the models that are truly worth it. Selected for optical quality, stability, and ease of use.
Budget: €100 – €300
A tabletop Dobsonian within your budget
- Click here to view a list of tabletop Dobsonians that fit your budget. The larger the second number, the better for planets.
- Simple, robust, and optically strong
- Suitable for moon, planets, and first deep-sky objects
Celestron FirstScope (only for very low budget)
- Simple design for children or beginners
- Limited range, but good for lunar observations
Bresser Messier 130/650 Dobsonian
- Larger aperture, more light
- Ideal for both planetary and deep-sky observation
- Stable and easy to use
Budget: €300 – €600
- Excellent range and light gathering
- Shows more structure in nebulae and star clusters
- Best balance between price and performance
Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobsonian 130/650
- Helpful smartphone assistance for finding objects
- Interesting for those who lack experience but want convenience
Can a Cheap Telescope Show Deep-Sky Objects?
Yes, but with limitations. With a 130mm or larger telescope you can see:
- Orion Nebula as a nebulous patch
- Andromeda as a faint galaxy
- Double stars like Albireo
The more aperture you have (in mm), the more light you collect. And the darker your surroundings, the better the result. Deep-sky objects require not just a good telescope, but also the right conditions.
Which Cheap Telescope is Right for You?
For planetary observation:
- Go for a compact Dobsonian like the Omegon N 102/640 or the Bresser 130/650
- Use a good 10mm or 6mm eyepiece (replace the standard included ones if necessary)
For deep-sky exploration:
- Start with 130mm aperture or more
- Dobsonians are by far the best value for money here
For convenience and navigation help:
- Choose a model with StarSense or app support if you have little experience
Summary: What Really Works under €300?
- Don’t buy a telescope under €100. Instead, invest in good binoculars.
- Choose a Dobsonian. No frills, but great value for money.
- Pay attention to aperture and focal length: The first and second number. The first number for deep sky, the second for planets
- Forget magnification. Good optics and stability determine your image quality.
Want certainty in your choice? Use our telescope selection guide or directly view the selection in our category cheap telescopes.
