Best Budget Golf Rangefinders 2025

Not every golfer carries a rangefinder in their bag, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't. In a game of fine margins, being able to learn the exact distance you are from the flag, a bunker or other hazard could prove invaluable as you seek to shoot the lowest score possible. Golf is hard enough as it is without having to second guess yardages - is there anything more frustrating than flushing an iron only for it to land 10 yards short or long of your target?

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. Rangefinders can also help you diagnose how far you hit each club, a vital bit of knowledge to be aware of when on the course - it's an easy way to help improve scores by doing very little work.

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

Knowing the distance to the flag not only informs you what club you should be hitting but also how hard you should be hitting it - not every yardage is a full shot, sometimes you have step on an iron to get a little more distance out of it, others times you're swinging a little easier at it to take a few yards off it. This distance control is a difficult skill to master but one that can be assisted by using a rangefinder or another golf GPS device. Take away the variable on walking out your yardage or roughly translating how far you think you are from a 150 yard marker or notable yardage.

The best golf watches can also help with getting the right yardage but they don't always give you the full story. We can't always see the bottom of the flag and thus may not be totally aware of where on the green it is, for example. 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.

Cost is a factor and not everyone can afford the best models such as 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.

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.

Keep in mind, however, that this device is not waterproof. It may withstand a light shower but be careful of using it when the weather takes a serious turn for the worse. Thankfully, a sturdy carrying case comes with it and can provide a safe haven for it if the rain begins to come down.A sturdy magnet allows you to attach the device to a golf cart during play or to the provided belt clip as well.

• 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 review team is made up of avid, passionate golfers who have used all bits of golf tech throughout the years - from the best rangefinders and golf watches to 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

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.