Finding a truly usable telescope under €100 is challenging, but not impossible. While this budget comes with clear limitations, the right choice can still offer meaningful and enjoyable views of the night sky — especially for beginners. In this guide, we focus on two carefully selected telescopes that stand out for their learning value, stability, and realistic performance.
What to Expect From a Telescope Under €100
Telescopes in this price range are not designed for deep-sky astrophotography or high-magnification planetary detail. Instead, they are best suited for observing the Moon, the brighter planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and learning the basics of how telescopes work.
The biggest limitation is usually not the optics, but the mount. Many low-cost telescopes suffer from unstable tripods that make focusing and tracking objects frustrating. Understanding this limitation is key to setting realistic expectations and avoiding disappointment.
Top Picks Under €100
These two models were selected not because they promise miracles, but because they offer the most honest and educational observing experience at this price.
Acuter Newtony 50 Discovery
A compact Newtonian reflector with a 50 mm aperture and 200 mm focal length. At first glance it may look like a toy, but it offers far more than that.
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Sky-Watcher Heritage 76 Dobsonian
The Sky-Watcher Heritage 76 is a small Dobsonian reflector with a 76 mm aperture and a stable tabletop mount — a rare advantage in this budget range.
Check Prices on AstroshopWhy Mount Stability Matters More Than Power
One of the most common beginner mistakes is focusing on magnification numbers. In reality, a stable mount is far more important. Shaky tripods make it difficult to focus, track objects, and enjoy the view — especially at higher magnifications.
This is why the Dobsonian design of the Sky-Watcher Heritage 76 is such a strong choice in this price range, and why very small Newtonians like the Acuter Newtony are best used as learning tools rather than powerhouses.
Final Thoughts
Some people call entry-level telescopes “hobby killers,” and in many cases, that reputation is deserved. However, with realistic expectations and the right choice, even a telescope under €100 can deliver genuine enjoyment.
You won’t see galaxies in full detail, but you will explore lunar craters, watch Jupiter’s moons change position, and begin to understand the night sky. And for many, that first experience is what sparks a lifelong interest in astronomy.