Best Budget Golf Rangefinders 2024

Not every golfer carries a rangefinder in their bag, but they really should as over the course of a year not having one will undoubtedly cost them shots. Having a precise yardage won't always make a difference to the average golfer as sometimes the strike won't be what it needs to be. But is there anything more frustrating than flushing an iron and seeing it come up a little short or a little long, and knowing that if you had gone with the correct club you'd be tapping in for birdie?

The best golf rangefinders allow you to 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. All of this, plus knowing the distances you hit each of your clubs and then having a device that will show you exactly which club you need, will lead to lower scores. Basically it's a way of improving your scores without actually doing much at all.

WATCH: Dan Parker runs through the best golf rangefinders on the market

Knowing exactly how far from the pin is essential as not only does it inform you which club you should be hitting, but sometimes the number will be between clubs so having that exact distance allows you to determine just how hard (or easy) you need to swing that club to hit the right number. This removes those nagging doubts when you're guessing the number based on the location of the 150 yard marker, or even when you have a golf GPS device that gives you basic front, middle and back numbers. While the best golf GPS watches will serve you well in the majority of situations, sometimes you can't see the bottom of the flagstick and so can't be sure where on the green the flag is located. The difference between the front and back of the green can be two clubs in some cases, so a laser is essential for getting that precise number.

We've all had that horrible moment of indecision in the middle of the backswing when you suddenly worry that you have too much (or not enough) club and it impacts your downswing. A rangefinder solves that problem by providing clarity.

Cost is a factor and not everyone can afford the best models such as the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift or the Garmin Approach Z82. How often you play may also influence your decision, as if you only get out there once a month you probably don't want to be shelling out hundreds of bucks on a device you're hardly going to use. The good news is that there are plenty of quality, affordable options to be found and we have tested them all. 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 you are wanting to replace an old device without breaking the bank, the list below should help you to make an informed choice.

The Quick List

Best Budget Golf Rangefinders

Best overall

We said above that you don't need to spend a fortune on a laser as there are high quality, affordable options out there, and this model is a perfect example of what we mean. Although not the newest model on this list, we tested the TecTecTec KLYR rangefinder (pronounced clear) a while ago yet it remains one of our absolute favorite rangefinders on a budget. It is ideal for anybody looking for their first rangefinder or for anyone just looking for a quality laser at a great price.

It's compact and lightweight (it weighs less than 1.5lbs) and in our on course testing the KLYR excelled in terms of its speed and accuracy when delivering distances. It's very user friendly too and there's nothing too complicated about it, so it should appeal to the golfer who isn't exactly tech savvy.

The 'clear' name comes from the crystal clear vision through the lens of the device, which provides a vibrant picture that we found made it really easy to pick out our target, even in difficult light conditions. The accuracy was excellent and a nice bonus is that the KLYR also has slope functionality that can be turned off for tournament play, as well a scan mode that allows players to shoot multiple targets at one time.

The only minor drawback we found is that the device is not waterproof, so you need to be careful in downpours. It does come with a sturdy carrying case for protection though, and you have three color options to choose from; yellow, black, and white. A sturdy magnet allows you to attach the device to a golf cart during play or to the provided belt clip.

• Read our full TecTecTec KLYR Laser Rangefinder Review

Best value

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 fantastic value 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

Best color choice

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. 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. It also comes in a choice of colors including navy, pink, and black and overall this is one of the sharpest looking rangefinders we've tested.

• Read our full Blue Tees Series 3 Max Laser Rangefinder Review

Best simplicity

This is an ideal choice for the golfer who just wants something to 'plug in and play' at a friendly price point. 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 very lightweight and as such 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 lightweight

The original Laser Lite was one of the best budget rangefinders we had tested given the features and accuracy on offer, but its replacement - the GolfBuddy Laser Lite 2 offers an even better user experience. For one thing it’s three grams lighter so it gives that lightweight feel which many golfers prefer. We also noticed in testing that it is thinner and a little more compact than its predecessor. While this is generally a good thing, golfers with shaky hands will require something with a bit more weight to it if they are to consistently be able to lock onto the target.

We found in our testing that the Laser Lite 2 is very accurate and actually produced similar numbers to the Bushnell Tour V6, which is one of the top rangefinders on the market. When the slope mode was activated, the numbers were very close when going uphill and it was only on shots that played downhill where we noted that the differences were noticeable.

Other nifty features we liked with the L2 include a Scan mode, which is where you hold down the main button and scan the surroundings through the viewfinder. This is really cool as distance will change as you can different features such as hazards and potential lay up spots. We found this to be particularly handy when standing on the tee and assessing what lies ahead. Another thing we liked was the new Pin Finder mode, which activates automatically when you press and hold the measurement button when not in Scan mode. One final thing, unlike some others on this list, this device is IPX4 water resistant, which means it will keep light showers at bay but you'll want to keep it protected in heavier rain.

• Read our full GolfBuddy Laser Lite 2 Review

Specifications table

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 entire review team is comprised of avid golfers so rangefinders will get a thorough testing. Indeed, to get the truest picture of how a product performs we will often compare them side by side with other models for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability as well as other features. That way we can give honest and insightful feedback to you, the reader. It is important to stress that no manufacturer can buy a good review from us. Our testing team reviews golf equipment and provides their own opinion as it relates to a product's merits, ensuring that you are getting the most accurate assessment of each product to help you make an informed choice when buying.

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

Obviously this is the most important thing because if a laser isn't accurate then it's actually worse than not having one at all. Incorrect numbers mean you are acting on misinformation which could lead to you playing the wrong club and either coming up short, or even worse, over shooting the green. Accuracy is what usually separates the models we have selected above from some of the cheaper ones from unrecognised brands that you may find on Amazon, so it's important to be wary of how inconsistent and unreliable some very cheap models can be. We would always recommend that you read reviews before buying, ideally reviews written by us at Golf Monthly.

Slope

Slope is not an essential feature but it is very useful for golfers who play on hilly courses as it will adjust the distance based on elevation. An uphill shot plays longer than a downhill one, but it isn't always easy to know just how much longer, or vice versa. Slope functionality does that for you, so if you want a rangefinder with slope then be sure to check out the technical specifications before buying, as not all of them have slope functionality. This function is illegal in competition play however so if you do play competitively make sure to choose a model that is clear as to whether it is in slope mode or not to avoid any potential rule infractions!

Convenience

The whole point of a laser is to be quick and convenient to use, otherwise they can be a distraction and cause you to feel stress when you need a clear head. You just want to get it out, measure the flag and then put it away in its case again. If a laser is complicated or takes a while to display a measurement, then it adds time rather than saves it and can cause you to feel unsettled. Our recommendation for ensuring this isn't an issue is to simply try out some models in retailers and pro shops before you buy, or read our reviews of the product.

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

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.

FAQs

If you want more golf tech buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf launch monitors, best golf simulator, or the best value golf watches.