Two $399 Smart Telescopes Prove Budget Gear Can Kickstart Your Stargazing
CNET tests two budget smart telescopes—the Dwarf Mini and the ZWO Seestar S30 ($399 each)—finding that their compact design, built‑in cameras, and app controls lower entry barriers for astrophotography. The Dwarf Mini is lighter and quickest to set up and excels at sun and moon shots and wildlife, while the Seestar S30 includes more accessories, stronger daytime tracking, and better post‑processing; in side‑by‑side field tests (sun, moon, Arcturus, Pinwheel Galaxy, landscape timelapse, pelicans) both require stacking and occasional compromises on image quality. Overall, there’s no clear winner: pick based on whether portability or tracking/gear matters more, as both are solid gateways into affordable astrophotography.
