Conor Keenan
Having a reliable rangefinder can help you hit shots with more conviction as you know your exact distance to the target. They will also improve your course management as you can use them to zap hazards to see if they are within range or if you can let rip safe in the knowledge that you can't reach them.
Cost is a factor and not everyone can afford the best golf rangefinders like the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift or the Garmin Approach Z82. The regularity of how often you hit the links should be a factor in your buying decision - there's little point splashing out on a premium model if you play once a month. The good news is that the budget rangefinder market has only got bigger and better in the last few years as brands battle to provide the best value device for more casual players, or simply for those who want to save a bit of cash and potentially reinvest it in another part of their game.
The Quick List
Our top pick goes to a rangefinder that is feature packed, functional, accurate and available at a brilliant price. Don't let the lack of size put you off - the GolfBuddy 2S Pro is a brilliant device for those who don't want to break the bank.
There's a lot to like about the Mileseey PF1 Golf rangefinder, with it being incredibly easy to use and providing accurate yardages whilst taking up very little space in your golf bag.
An accurate, easy to use rangefinder that can keep up with models double the price. It lacks features, but that's OK - it makes up for it with the price tag and how easy it is to use.
This is a product that provides exceptional value for money. The display screen is clear, construction feels robust and it provides all the features of rangefinders two or three times the price.
A former entrant into our Editor's Choice List, the Series 3 Max from Blue Tees is a brilliant device. Despite it being a couple of years old, it remains a premium looking and performing laser rangefinder without the punchy price.
Shot Scope's Pro L2 rangefinder is brilliantly lightweight, very simple to use, has target lock vibration and slop adjustability, and is a high-performing device considering the price tag.
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This sensibly priced rangefinder performs well given the price, especially because the display is excellently clear and it has all the features you could need. We liked the compact size too.
Want to add a bit of personality to your rangefinder setup? Not only is the Pinned Prism+ a great rangefinder, it also offers a wide range of color options to allow golfers to express themselves a bit.
Best Budget Golf Rangefinders
Top pick
A deserved entrant in our Editor's Choice List of 2025, it was a no-brainer to select the Laser 2S Pro as our top pick in our budget rangefinders guide. It has a nice weight to it, not too heavy and not too light, whilst the simplistic color design will suit those who just want a simple laser that works.
Of particular note is the technology featured in this laser, specifically the different modes you can use it in. Standard mode gives straight-line distance, Pin Finder mode locks onto the pin with a quick vibration to confirm this, and finally, Scan mode allows you to continuously scan for five seconds to assess the lay of the land in front of you. Additionally you can toggle slope on and off in all three modes. The final mode to mention is Buddy mode which is the lasers triangulation technology similar to that of the Voice Caddie model above. As such you can get an accurate yardage without being stood near your ball.
In short, we couldn't fault this device given the combination of performance and the price tag. The only nitpick would be the display isn't as clear as other models but the clearest designs cost a lot more anyway.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Laser 2S Pro Rangefinder Review
Most compact
Coming at just 9.6 x 3.4 x 6.3 cm in terms of size, the PF1 from Mileseey takes our title for best compact rangefinder in this guide. What it lacks in size and weight, it very much makes up for in performance.
The display is clear and also has 6x magnification, giving you a range of up to 1,100 yards or 350 yards to a specific target like a flag. Given this device is available for less than $100, the price is made all the more impressive thanks to the presence of the slope feature. Also, the speed at which the rangefinder picked up distances was impressive - although it may not be as quick as the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift , the PF1 does offer significant value that does justify the ever so slight delay of 0.1 of a second.
The best budget rangefinders should all be easy to use given they lack the all singing, all dancing number of features as some of the best premium rangefinders and the PF1 does that very well. Overall, the Mileseey PF1 is a very decent performer that, if you want simplicity, will make a welcome addition to the golf bag.
- Read our full Mileseey PF1 Golf Rangefinder Review
Easiest to use
Inesis is a brand we are becoming big fans of due to the value for money it offers. It's a brand that features prominently in some of our other guides, so it's no surprise that we really like this rangefinder. It does not have all the bells and whistles of some of the best Bushnell rangefinders, but it's dead easy to use, fantastic value for money and does have some cool features such as slope functionality and a switch that allows you to turn it off for tournament play.
We actually tested this rangefinder against a more expensive device (the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift) and we found that it in terns of accuracy and ease of use there was nothing to choose between them. The only slight negative we noticed when comparing the two is that the Inesis does not show the battery level. This is not ideal as it might end up dying mid-round, but overall it's only a minor criticism, especially given the difference in prices.
We were impressed with the display optics and liked the sturdy carrying case it comes with. Another feature worth mentioning is First Target technology, which isolates the flag and then the measurements are confirmed by vibration. The device has a 6x magnification and is accurate to +/- 1 yard and you can set it to yards or meters depending on your preference.
Despite its low price, the Inesis Golf 900 feels like a premium product, as does the nice, sturdy carry case.
- Read our full Inesis Golf 900 Laser Rangefinder Review
Cheapest with slope
Year on year we see more and more budget rangefinders hitting the market and they only seem to be improving every year. We can now even get our hands on rangefinders with slope for less than $100, and we think the GoGoGo Sport VPro GS03 Laser Rangefinder is the best budget option with this very helpful feature.
If slope isn't essential to your rangefinder experience then you can get this device without it for even cheaper, but we think it's worth the extra little bit of money.
There's a lot to like here other than the price - our first impression was that the soft, velvety finish of the GS03 feels great in the hands and coupled with some strategically placed raised grip contouring, it is a very comfortable hold. Once held up to our eye we were greeted with a beautifully crisp display, so we immediately went to try out the slope mode which is available via a small flick of a switch on the side of the GS03 and this is very easy to read. We compared the readings with one of the best bushnell rangefinders and they were basically the same identical to within 0.2 of a yard which was extremely encouraging. This is a brilliantly well-rounded device that is one of, if not the best budget golf rangefinder with slope.
- Read our full GoGoGo Sport VPro GS03 Laser Rangefinder Review
Best magnification
Blue Tees are a fairly new brand but we are already big fans of theirs. In a very short space of time Blue Tees have made a nice splash in the rangefinder market, with models such as the excellent Series 3 Max leading the way. This is one of the best golf rangefinders with slope on the market, especially given the price point.
This device performed excellently in our testing, with the standout being the clarity of the display coupled with the 7x magnification. We found that the Series 3 Max provided incredibly clear optics in a variety of light conditions and we noted that it was very easy to use too, returning yardages very quickly. The impressive speed with which we were able to get yardages was a huge plus point for us, while the slope functionality is another bonus. This can be easily turned on and off using a switch, so you can use this laser for tournament play as well as for pleasure golf.
Another feature worth noting is the magnetic strip which securely holds the device to anything metal, thus making it ideal for use with a trolly or buggy.
- Read our full Blue Tees Series 3 Max Laser Rangefinder Review
Best lightweight
This is an ideal choice for the golfer who just wants something to 'plug in and play' at a friendly price point that's also lightweight and easy to use. It's a fairly simple rangefinder that offers a very solid performance at a price that is significantly less than many other rangefinders on the market. Whilst you get fewer features as a result, not every golfer wants all that functionality so for those that want simple, reliable, accurate distances, the L2 is just the job.
The first thing we noticed in our testing is that it is the weight, or lack of - this means it perhaps doesn't feel as premium as other models, but given the price that's to be expected. A word of warning though, if you have shaky hands then lightweight lasers will not get the job done for you and you'll need something sturdier. The L2 locks onto targets very quickly, it has 6x magnification and the slope functionality is very simple to turn on or off. In terms of accuracy, we found the L2 to be competitive with many more expensive models.
It only measures up to 700 yards but even that is way more than you will need. We enjoyed the built-in magnet as well, which made it easy to attach to a trolley or buggy and overall we see this being a very popular model because of the combination of performance and price.
- Read our full Shot Scope Pro L2 Rangefinder Review
Best display
Nikon may be a brand synonymous with high-quality cameras and other imaging products, but in recent years they've dipped their toes into the golf rangefinder market with a good deal of success. The 20i GIII continues to build on the good work done by the brand in this field and we liked this product so much it made our Editor's Choice list.
The GIII is packed with handy features to enhance the user experience and we really enjoyed testing this product out on the course. The multilayer-coated 6X magnification and super clear screen really stood out for us, while we found that picking out flagsticks was exceptionally easy even in the dimmer late evening light. Added assurance comes from the ‘Locked On Quake’ feature which vibrates gently to confirm you have zapped the flag.
This is certainly one of the most compact laser rangefinders on the market, measuring 91cm x 73cm x 37 cm and weighing only 130 grams, and that may split opinion. The compact size won't be for everyone but we feel that its sleek design really compliments the dimensions well, making it one of the cleanest-looking rangefinders we've seen. It's only a tad larger than a smartphone so it sits very well in the palm of the hand and is easy to use.
- Read our full Nikon Coolshot 20i GIII Laser Rangefinder Review
Best color choice
The Pinned Prism+ Rangefinder is that one person in your friend group that always seems to be ahead of the fashion trends. Oh, baggy cargo pants are in again? Well, he's been wearing them for 6 months already.
Everything about this device feels modern and, frankly, pretty cool. If it were a person it would be a cool 20-something year old who is really good at surfing (and let's you know about it).
Enough of the rambling then, we do we love this device so much? Well, I've given it the label of best color choice, so we'll start with the looks - they really set it apart from anything else on the market. I chose it in my favourite green colourway, but there are six other colours to choose from, including red, navy, black, pink and white. Even the ‘Pinned’ font has a charm to it that no other rangefinder I’ve tested can boast. It also feels very premium once it is in your hand and that level of quality carries over to the case supplied which is one of the best I've ever used.
My enjoyment of the Prism+ didn’t stop at how it’s designed; the performance stacks up, too. The highlight is, without a doubt, the 4K OLED display. It’s unbelievably clear and uses red graphics that really pop out in all light conditions. The 7x magnification is as much as you can get on the market, too. Having the slope functionality is also brilliant, but the lack of a scan functionality is a little disappointing - albeit that's the only real criticism of this laser, which we deservedly awarded 5 stars out of 5.
- Read our full Pinned Prism+ Rangefinder Review
Specifications table
Model | Range | Magnification | Slope functionality | Battery |
GolfBuddy 2S Pro Rangefinder | 1093 yards | 6x | Yes | 5,000+ actuations |
Mileseey PF1 Golf Rangefinder | 1100 yards (350 flag) | 6x | Yes | 5 hours |
Inesis Golf 900 Laser Rangefinder | 1,300 yards | 6x | Yes | 5000 actuations |
GoGoGo Sport VPro GS03 Laser Rangefinder | 1000 yards (250 flag) | 6x | Yes | 40-50 rounds |
Blue Tees Series 3 Max Laser Rangefinder | 900 yards | 7x | Yes | 3,500 - 4,000 actuations |
Shot Scope Pro L2 Rangefinder | 700 yards | 6x | Yes | Approx 5,800 measures |
NIkon Coolshot 20i GIII Rangefinder | 800 yards | 6x | No | Approximately 10,000 times |
Pinned Prism+ Rangefinder | 1000 yards | 7x | Yes | 70 rounds |
How we test for the best budget golf rangefinders
At Golf Monthly we take product testing very seriously and we have a comprehensive testing procedure when it comes to all laser rangefinders. This involves using the different models out on the course over a number of rounds and in different conditions. Through this extensive testing we are able to get an accurate feel for how each specific model deals with variables such as sunlight, rain, and wind etc.
Our review team is made up of avid, passionate golfers who have used all bits of golf tech throughout the years - from the best golf GPS devices to best golf simulators and launch monitors. This helps us build an extensive base of knowledge to help review each product, often comparing them against older models or products in which they will be competing directly against. We look out for a range of factors to judge each rangefinder on, including accuracy, display, waterproofing and durability before informing our readers with sound, bias-free buying advice.
We pride ourself on our impartial reviews, built upon a tried and tested reviews structure. No brand gets preferential treatment, nor can a manufacturer 'buy' a good review - we simply call it how we see based on our experience and expertise in each field.
How to choose the best budget golf rangefinder
Before pressing 'buy' or entering your pin number at the checkout desk, here's a few things to consider before deciding which budget rangefinder to opt for...
Accuracy
As much as it would help your game to get a detailed, accurate yardage to the flag to help your dial in your distance control with your irons and wedges, it could prove equally harmful to your game to be basing this off data from an inaccurate rangefinder. Accuracy separates the good from the bad in the rangefinder market with the unrecognized brands you often find on Amazon the culprits for inaccurate devices. We'd recommend staying away from lesser known brands and opting for manufacturers we've included in this list if accuracy is something you value (it should be!)
Slope
Slope is far from an essential feature to have but once you experience it you'll never want to own a rangefinder without it? Having a rangefinder with slope essentially means your device will give you a yardage that takes into consideration how far up or down hill your shot is. For example, on a downhill Par 3 the yardage could be 150 yards but the yardage could play 145 yards thanks to the distance down the hill it plays. Vice versa, you might have to take an extra club when hitting uphill to allow for the slope. Premium rangefinders often offer this feature and it becomes invaluable when you get used to it - but it isn't essential.
Convenience
We all want a distance measuring device that we can use easily. One that slides out of it's protective cover easily and gives us a yardage to the flag almost instantaneously. Thankfully, given the increasing quality of rangefinders over the years most options on the market are dead easy to use - make sure you get one of them.
Strength
Linking with the above point, good lasers have to be able to take a heavy knock 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. Many golf bags also come with dedicated pockets just for storing your laser in, but if you don't have that then a strong carry case is essential.
Waterproofing
If you play golf in a part of the world susceptible to the odd rain shower, having a waterproof ranegfinder is very important - at the end of the day you don't want to splash out mega buck for a device only for it to break in your second round thanks to a surprise sprinkling of rain that wasn't in the forecast. Take the stress away and opt for a device that can withstand a bit of moisture.
FAQs
Are cheap rangefinders worth it?
To answer simply, yes, but only if its the right rangefinder. There are lots of models out there that come at cheap prices but lack in performance and/or durability, 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.
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 2, Blue Tees Series 3 and other models from Inesis, Voice Caddie and even Nikon.
If you want more golf tech buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf launch monitors, best cheap launch monitors, or the best value golf watches.
