By Alexander Merz · Published on · Details checked on 14 September 2026
A good first telescope doesn’t have to cost 1,000 euros – but under 300 euros the wheat is separated from the chaff especially ruthlessly. In this price range lurk the notorious “department-store telescopes” that advertise “525× magnification!” and end up causing nothing but frustration. Here we show you which telescopes under 300 euros really work – we picked all three for aperture, stability and ease of use. The current price and availability are shown on each product page.
⚡ The quick answer: The best telescopes under 300 euros are the Omegon AC 70/700 ($199.95€ 119, a fuss-free start for the Moon & planets), the Skywatcher Heritage 100P ($129.95€ 179, a compact tabletop Dobson with a parabolic mirror) and – now also under the 300-euro mark – the Skywatcher Heritage 130/650 FlexTube ($305.00€ 265) with plenty of aperture for deep-sky.
What really matters under 300 euros
Three rules protect you from bad buys:
- Aperture beats magnification. What counts is the diameter of the lens or mirror – not the advertised maximum magnification. A useful magnification is roughly twice the aperture in millimetres.
- The mount makes the difference. A wobbly tripod ruins even the best optics. That’s why Dobsonian designs are unbeatable in this price range: the money goes into the optics instead of the tripod.
- Buy from a specialist dealer. There you get tested quality, advice and a right of return – instead of no-name goods from a marketplace.
Our top 3: the best telescopes under 300 euros
1. Omegon AC 70/700 AZ-2 – the classic for getting started
The 70 mm refractor shows you lunar craters, Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons – exactly the objects that thrill you at the start. Set it up, look in, done: no collimation, no technical hurdles. Fully equipped with two eyepieces and a Barlow lens. Who is it for? For everyone who wants to test, hassle-free, whether the fascination lasts – also ideal as a family telescope.
Current price: $199.95€ 119
2. Skywatcher Heritage 100P – the compact tabletop Dobson
100 mm of aperture with a genuine parabolic mirror – a rarity in this price range. The tabletop Dobson weighs only a few kilos, fits in any car boot and can even be screwed onto a photo tripod. With it you can already see the bright deep-sky classics: the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades, the Andromeda Galaxy. Who is it for? For beginners with little space and anyone who wants maximum optics for the money.
Current price: $129.95€ 179
3. Skywatcher Heritage 130/650 FlexTube – the upgrade
For a long time the FlexTube sat just above the 300-euro mark – now it can be had cheaper and fits fully within budget. You get 130 mm of aperture in the ingenious collapsible FlexTube design. That means: considerably more deep-sky, more planetary detail, and yet the telescope still fits on a bookshelf. Our most-recommended travel and balcony telescope. Who is it for? For everyone who wants to start “properly” right away, without paying the price of a large Dobson.
Current price: $305.00€ 265
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For children: age-appropriate beats big
For younger stargazers from around age 8, the Bresser Junior AC 70/900 is a good choice – or take a look at our detailed guide Telescope for kids with recommendations by age group.
What you will NOT get under 300 euros
Honesty is part of the deal: in this price range there is no usable astrophotography gear (that requires a tracking mount from around €400 upwards) and no meaningful GoTo automation. If you want to observe and photograph fully automatically, take a look at the new smart telescopes – they start at just under €500. The cheapest entry with usable image quality is currently the DWARF 3 for around $549.00€ 529.
By the way: a good pair of astronomy binoculars (from around €100) is a fully valid start too – many experienced observers still reach for binoculars regularly to this day.
Ready for more? Our tip for advanced users
If your budget allows a little more, the jump to significantly more aperture is the best investment: this is where nebulae, globular clusters and galaxies become visible that stay out of reach in the €300 class. Our best-selling telescope for advanced users:
Skywatcher Dobson Telescope N 200/1200 Skyliner Classic
200 mm of aperture — the most sky for your money. Set it on the ground, point by hand: nebulae, clusters and galaxies for years to come.
Price: € 479
Frequently asked questions
What is the best telescope under 300 euros?
The best overall package is the Skywatcher Heritage 100P ($129.95€ 179): a genuine parabolic mirror, a stable Dobsonian mount, compact. If you want to spend around €120, go for the Omegon AC 70/700.
Can I see planets with a telescope under 300 euros?
Yes! Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands and its four large moons, and the phases of Venus are all visible with every device recommended here.
Are cheap discount-store telescopes an alternative?
Usually not: wobbly tripods, the simplest optics and exaggerated magnification claims often lead straight to giving up the hobby. Better a solid entry-level device from a specialist dealer.
How do I work out the useful magnification?
Rule of thumb: at most twice the aperture in millimetres. A 100 mm telescope thus manages a useful magnification of up to about 200×. Work it out yourself with our telescope calculator.
You’ll find more choices and background knowledge in our big guide Telescope for beginners.
🏆 Also interesting: Telescope Test 2026: The 6 best telescopes of all price ranges compared