Best Budget Golf Rangefinders 2023

Best Budget Golf Rangefinders

If you’re a golfer and don’t have a rangefinder in the bag, you’re missing out on a chance to improve your game. The best golf rangefinders (opens in new tab) offer significant advantages on the course by helping you hit shots with more confidence, improving your course management, and learning the distances you hit each of your clubs, all of which will lead to lower scores.

For some golfers, cost can be an obstacle when it comes to purchasing a rangefinder, but that shouldn’t be the case, as there are plenty of quality, affordable options to be found. In this guide, we break down our picks for the best budget golf rangefinders currently on the market, all of which can be had for less than $275 and many for significantly less. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a rangefinder or need to replace an old device without breaking this bank, use the information below to make a great choice for your game. (Also take a look at our guides on the best golf watches (opens in new tab) or best golf GPS (opens in new tab) devices if rangefinders aren’t for you).

Best Budget Golf Rangefinders

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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

TecTecTec KLYR Laser Rangefinder

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

TecTecTec KLYR Laser Rangefinder

Exceptional display optics along with speed and accuracy

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

☆

Specifications

Range:

800 yards

Magnification:

Slope functionality:

Yes

Protection:

Premium, water-resistant case

Battery life:

40-50 rounds

Today’s Best Deals

View at Amazon

Reasons to buy

Lightweight, compact design

Fast and accurate

Reasons to avoid

–

Not waterproof

The TecTecTec KLYR rangefinder has been one of the standout products we tested back in 2022 and it’s one of the best golf rangefinders regardless of price. It has a compact, lightweight design that makes it easy to handle, and it excelled on the course in terms of speed and accuracy when retrieving yardages. It has incredibly vibrant display optics and comes with a magnet that you can use to attach the device to a golf cart during play or to a belt clip that is provided.

The KLYR also has slope functionality that can be turned off for tournament play and a scan mode that allows players to shoot multiple targets at one time. The device is not waterproof but it comes with a sturdy carrying case for protection, and it’s available in yellow, black, and white.

Read our full TecTecTec KLYR Laser Rangefinder Review

golfbuddy laser lite rangefinder

(Image credit: Future)

GolfBuddy Laser Lite

One of the best value models in the category

Our expert review:

Specifications

Range:

880 yards

Magnification:

Slope functionality:

Yes

Protection:

IPX4 light rain

Battery life:

3,000 – 5,000 actuations

Today’s Best Deals

View at Amazon

Reasons to buy

Pin Mode feature works quickly and accurately

One of the best values in the category

Reasons to avoid

–

No slope switch on the device

The GolfBuddy Laser Lite, which received a Golf Monthly Editor’s Choice award for 2022, retrieves yardages in less than a second and vibrates when the target is locked. It also offers slope functionality and has three unique modes for players to use. Normal mode enables you to get a distance for anything you aim at, scan mode allows you to move between multiple targets with each distance being displayed, and pin mode helps you better identify the flag when there are obstacles behind it.

In our testing, we found normal mode to be highly effective and pin mode to be excellent, but the scan mode seemed somewhat redundant given the other available options. Finally, the Laser Lite weighs just 143 grams and offers IPX4 Level water resistance, a rarity for a rangefinder at this price point. If you are a fan of the brand we have also put together a guide on the best GolfBuddy rangefinders (opens in new tab) too.

Read our full GolfBuddy Laser Lite Review

Blue Tees Series 3 Max Laser Rangefinder Review

(Image credit: Future)

Blue Tees hasn’t been around for all that long but in a short time the company has made a nice splash in the rangefinder market. The Series 3 Max rangefinder in particular has been a highly successful product by offering golfers all of the functionality that they would expect from a top rangefinder at a price point that’s significantly lower than some competitors.

In fact, it’s one of the best golf rangefinders with slope on the market price point aside. In our testing, the Series 3 Max provided incredibly clear optics in all light conditions and returned yardages instantaneously. The device’s slope functionality can also be turned on and off easily using a switch, making it legal for tournament play, and for the money this rangefinder, which is available in navy, pink, and black, looks especially sharp.

Read our full Blue Tees Series 3 Max Laser Rangefinder Review

Mileseey Professional Precision Golf Rangefinder

(Image credit: Mileseey)

Mileseey Professional Laser Golf Rangefinder

Exceptional functionality at a budget price point

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

☆

Specifications

Range:

660 yards

Magnification:

Slope functionality:

Yes

Protection:

Waterproof

Battery life:

5000 actuations

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Easy to use

Accurate yardages that can rival more premium models

Small and lightweight allows for ease of use

Reasons to avoid

–

Slope adjustment can’t be switched off

There might not be a laser rangefinder on the market that currently offers as much functionality at such a low price as the Mileseey Professional Precision Golf Rangefinder. And there’s a lot to enjoy about it too! If you’re new to the rangefinder market, this is one that is definitely worth considering, thanks to how easy it is to use and the accurate yardages it provides.

It is extremely compact and lightweight, weighing 168 grams, which is perfect if you enjoy using a lightweight bag on the course. When we took it out for a spin, we were able to grasp the rangefinder in our hand with no issues and it comes in a sturdy case that keeps it protected from harsh weather conditions. But the main selling point of this rangefinder is how easy it is to use. After putting the batteries in, you’re up and running straight away and can toggle between yards, meters and KM/H using the handy buttons on the top of the device.

It comes with three modes; Normal, Scan and Pin, each helping you work out accurate yardages to the flag. While it doesn’t pick up distances as fast as some premium models, it is still relatively quick. The biggest issue with this device is that the slope function cannot be turned off, so it won’t be legal for tournament play. But for casual rounds at your home club, this is a great, affordable option.

Read our full Mileseey Professional Precision Golf Rangefinder Review
(opens in new tab)

Inesis Golf 900 Laser Rangefinder

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Inesis Golf 900 Laser Rangefinder

Impressive accuracy at a value price point

Specifications

Range:

1300 yards (flag 350 yards)

Magnification:

Slope functionality:

Yes

Protection:

Certified IPX2 (can handle light rain)

Battery life:

5000 actuations

Today’s Best Deals

View at Decathlon UK

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Excels in terms of accuracy

Ample features at its price point

Reasons to avoid

–

Lacks a premium look

As our other equipment guides have proven, we have become fans of Inesis gear of late and the same can be said of this rangefinder. Competitively priced, this device boasts slope functionality and a slope switch to easily turn the feature off for tournament play. We also tested the Inesis Golf 900 rangefinder against a more expensive device (the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift) and we found it more than kept up in terns of accuracy and ease of use.

Also of note, First Target technology isolates the flag and measurements are confirmed by vibration. The device is accurate to +/- 1 yard and can measure in yards or meters. The display optics are also impressive and a sturdy carrying case is included for added protection.

Read our full Inesis Golf 900 Laser Rangefinder Review

Voice Caddie L5 Rangefinder

(Image credit: Mark Townsend)

When we initially tested the Voice Caddie (opens in new tab) L5 rangefinder, what stood out most was its simplicity, and we mean that in a good way. This device is just very easy to understand and use on the golf course, which we believe most golfers would appreciate. That’s not to say that the Voice Caddie L5 doesn’t have ample functionality, however.

Included among its features are two modes, Normal and Pin, to help you get the correct yardage, as well as slope functionality to give you actual and adjusted yardages. We were also impressed with the clarity of this device’s display, and its compact size makes it easy to handle while playing. One downside to the L5 is that yardages are not offered in meters, but otherwise this is a great product and a great value.

Read our full Voice Caddie L5 Laser Rangefinder Review

nikon coolshot 20 gii laser rangefinder

(Image credit: Future)

One of the first things we noticed when testing the Nikon Coolshot 20 GII was its lightweight, compact design, which makes the device easy to operate on the golf course. It also proved to be very quick in displaying yardages, and the display optics were quite clear, exceeding our expectations for a device at this price point.

The Nikon Coolshot 20 GII also features a proprietary algorithm that measures the distance to the closest of overlapping subjects to pick out the flag and other targets more easily, and it can also measure continuously for up to eight seconds when scanning the terrain, both of which were excellent attributes during our testing. In terms of its aesthetics, this Nikon rangefinder also looks quite sharp with its contrasting white and black colors.

Read our full Nikon Coolshot 20 GII Laser Rangefinder Review

Swipe to scroll horizontally

ModelRangeMagnificationSlope functionalityBatteryTecTecTec KLYR Laser Rangefinder800 yards6xYes40-50 roundsGolfBuddy Laser Lite880 yards6xYes3,000 – 5,000 actuationsBlue Tees Series 3 Max Laser Rangefinder900 yards7xYes3,500 – 4,000 actuationsVoice Caddie L5 Rangefinder1,200 yards6xYesN/A (Automatic power shut-off)Inesis Golf 900 Laser Rangefinder1,300 yards6xYes5000 actuationsNikon Coolshot 20 GII Laser Rangefinder800 yards6xNoN/A (Automatic power shut-off)Mileseey Professional Laser Golf Rangefinder660 yards6xYes5000 actuations

How we test for the best budget golf rangefinders

At Golf Monthly we have a comprehensive testing procedure around all laser rangefinders. As you would expect, this involves using different models out on the course over a number of rounds and in different conditions, as this gives us an idea about how particular models deal with sunlight, rain, and wind.

As the entire review team is comprised of avid golfers, rangefinders usually get a thorough testing and often get compared to one another side by side for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability, and other features. That way we can give honest and insightful feedback to you, the reader. The final thing we wanted to mention in this section is no manufacturer can buy a good review. Our testing team reviews golf equipment and provides its own opinion as it relates to a product’s merits.

How to choose the best budget golf rangefinder

So you have decided you want a laser rangefinder that falls into the budget category, but what are some of the things you should be aware of before buying? Let’s take a look.

Accuracy

This is the most important factor when buying a laser. If it isn’t accurate, it is pointless because it will provide misinformation which could lead to you playing the wrong club and a bogey or two may ensue. Accuracy is what usually separates the models we have selected above, and the ones you can find on Amazon, so be wary of how inconsistent and unreliable some very cheap models can be.

Slope

Do you want your model to offer slope measurements too? If so check out the technical specifications of certain models. Always be careful here though, because if a model is not clear on whether it is in slope mode or not, if you use it in competition you could be in trouble.

Waterproofing

A good laser will work just as well in the rain as it will in the sun, which makes waterproofing important. Here we would recommend doing research on which models offer full waterproof protection, and those that are only water-resistant as that can be a big difference especially if you play a lot of golf in the rain.

Strength

Linking with the above point, good lasers have to be able to sustain a drop or two because we all drop things every now and again. Here, check out which models have some degree of impact resistance, and be sure to check if the laser comes with a case because lots of models come with strong cases that conveniently clip onto your golf bag now.

Convenience

Speaking of convenience, lasers have to be quick and easy to use. Get it out, measure the flag, put it away in its case. If a laser is complicated or takes a while to display a measurement, then it adds time rather than saves it. To work this out, we would often recommend trying out some models in retailers and pro shops.

FAQs

What is a good inexpensive rangefinder?

There are several really good rangefinders that come with relatively cheap prices at the moment, including the TecTecTec KLYR, GolfBuddy Laser Lite, Blue Tees Series 3 and other models from Inesis, Shot Scope and even NIkon.

Are cheap rangefinders worth it?

To answer simply, yes, but it has to be the right rangefinder. There are lots of models out there that come at cheap prices but performance is lacking, which is exactly why we have tested a whole host of budget options and reviewed them thoroughly. We have then collated the top models into a guide on the best budget rangefinders.

If you want more golf tech buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf launch monitors (opens in new tab), best golf simulator (opens in new tab), or the best value golf watches (opens in new tab).