These are the best Nikon lenses under $500, chosen for how they deliver real optical quality, reliable autofocus, and versatile focal coverage without straining your budget—mixing smart new Z-mount picks, excellent used F-mount classics, and a few third-party bargains that punch way above their price. Value here is about sharpness where it counts, calm color and contrast, useful stabilization, and compact builds you’ll actually carry. For Nikon Z shooters, anchor with the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (tiny, fast, great all-rounder for people, food, and travel) and the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (street and landscapes in a pocketable shell); Z DX users should grab the kit-killers: NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR (shockingly sharp, stabilized, featherweight) and Z DX 50–250mm f/4.5–6.3 VR (tele reach for wildlife, kids’ sports, and compressed views)—together they cover nearly everything for well under $500 each. Need an affordable full-frame zoom? The NIKKOR Z 24–50mm f/4–6.3 keeps a travel kit light with surprisingly clean files; for low-light portraits on DX, the Viltrox Z 56mm f/1.4 (and its 23/33mm f/1.4 siblings) bring fast apertures and confident AF on a student budget. On the used F-mount side (adapt seamlessly via FTZ), the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is the no-brainer fast normal—sharp, light, flattering bokeh—while the AF-S 35mm f/1.8G (DX or FX versions) is a crisp walk-around for streets and interiors; the AF-S 85mm f/1.8G often lands well under $500 used and is a portrait gem with creamy blur and snappy AF. For reach, the AF-P 70–300mm f/4.5–5.6 VR (FX) is a sleeper tele with quick focusing and good VR; DX shooters can score the AF-P 70–300mm DX VR even cheaper. Ultra-wide on a budget? The AF-P DX 10–20mm f/4.5–5.6 VR delivers rectilinear interiors and landscapes with effective stabilization, while used third-party wides like the Sigma 10–20mm f/3.5 or f/4–5.6 and Tokina 11–16mm f/2.8 remain value legends. For constant-aperture speed on DX, the Sigma 17–50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM or Tamron 17–50mm f/2.8 (VC/non-VC) give bright, stabilized mid-range coverage for events and travel; classic Tamron 28–75mm f/2.8 (older F-mount) is another used steal for FX or FTZ. Image priorities at this price: dependable AF (AF-P/AF-S or native Z), honest contrast that grades easily, VR/IBIS synergy to keep shutters hand-holdable, and compact fronts so CPL/ND filters stay cheap; for portraits, the 50/1.8G or Z 40/2 deliver instant bokeh wins, and for video, the Z DX 16–50/50–250 duo and Sigma/Tamron 17–50/2.8 keep breathing and focus noise modest. Buying smart matters—favor clean glass and snappy AF motors over cosmetic perfection, and don’t fear lightly used copies to unlock higher tiers under $500. A simple kit recipe: on Z DX, run 16–50 VR + 50–250 VR and add Viltrox 23/33/56 f/1.4 for low light; on Z FX, start with Z 40/2 + 24–50 and adapt an AF-S 85/1.8G for portraits; on F-mount DSLRs, pair 35/1.8 (DX or FX) + 50/1.8G with AF-P 70–300 VR for reach, and add a Sigma/Tamron 17–50/2.8 for event speed. Whether you’re exploring city streets, shooting family weekends, learning portraits, or grabbing handheld video, the best Nikon lenses under $500 deliver sharp images, steady handling, and creative flexibility that make budget gear feel premium where it matters most.