Just sharing my experience: I was cautious about budget and snagged a used Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX II for $240. Just watch for flare, but its sharp and tank-like, ngl!

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is honestly an amazing pick if you want a constant aperture without spending a fortune. Its basically a gold standard for budget DX wide-angles, especially for the D5600. Heres the technical breakdown of why this lens is so good:

• Constant f/3.5: Most budget zooms like the AF-P drop to f/5.6 when you zoom in. This stays at f/3.5, which is fantastic for low light or keeping your exposure settings consistent while zooming.
• Build quality: Since its an EX series lens, it feels like a tank compared to the plastic kit lenses. It has a high-quality finish and a really solid zoom ring.
• Internal focus: The front element doesnt rotate, which is vital if youre using a circular polarizer for those landscape skies.
• HSM: The Hyper Sonic Motor is really quiet and fast, which I love for quick shots. You can usually find these used for around $180-$220, so it fits your $300 budget with plenty of room left for a decent tripod or a nice bag. Just watch out for the 82mm filter size tho, its pretty big and filters can be pricey, but the sharpness is totally worth it imo!

^ This. Also, I've been using the Tamron for years and honestly I'm super satisfied with how it performs on my DX bodies. It just works well for the price and I've had no complaints so far...

• Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD is my top pick. You can usually find it used for under $300 and the image stabilization is a total game changer for handheld landscape shots. It's also weather sealed, which is a nice peace of mind thing when you're out in the elements.
• Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS if you want to go prime. I was kinda scared of manual focus at first but for landscapes it's actually super easy. It's crazy sharp for a budget lens and really gives those wide, dramatic shots you're looking for. I've been really happy with the Tamron especially, it stayed on my camera for almost my whole trip to Zion last year. Definitely worth checking out!

Oh man, I totally get the struggle... kit lenses just dont cut it for those big vistas! For your situation, I would suggest looking at two main contenders that I've used over the years. Honestly, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR is hard to beat for under $300 because it's LITERALLY feather-light and the Vibration Reduction is fantastic for handheld shots. Here is the technical breakdown:
* Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR: Best for hiking and travel. It's surprisingly sharp across the frame, though the plastic mount feels a bit cheap.
* Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II: If you can find it used, the f/2.8 is amazing for astro, but it's basically a brick to carry around. Tbh, unless you're shooting stars, the Nikon is the better daily driver. It handles flare much better than the older Tokina designs—which is HUGE for landscapes. Plus, the AF-P motor is silent! Definately go with the Nikon if you want that modern performance on ur D5600. Cheers!

Honestly, trying to find the right wide angle is such a headache... I feel your pain. I spent forever looking at different brands and just felt totally overwhelmed by the options. It's so stressful trying to pick something that isn't gonna break or have weird issues. I'm usually pretty happy sticking to the basics because at least I know they work, but the price jump for some of the native stuff is wild. I think I heard someone say that third-party lenses can be hit or miss with the autofocus on these bodies? Not sure if that's actually a thing or just people being picky tho. IIRC there was some drama about firmware stuff too. I just want something reliable that wont give me an error code in the middle of a trip, ya know? Its such a toss up between saving money and just wanting the peace of mind that comes with staying brand-loyal.

@Reply #7 - good point! Dash_Dam is spot on about that weather sealing, its saved my gear more than once when a storm rolled in unexpectedly. One thing I would suggest you be really careful about tho is the focus motor compatibility. Since your D5600 doesnt have an internal motor in the body, you gotta make sure the lens has its own built-in. I see people snag what they think is a bargain on an older lens only to realize they are stuck with manual focus... which is a total pain for landscapes when you are losing light quickly. Also, make sure to check for decentering. Quality control on budget wide-angles can be a bit of a lottery. If you buy used, try to take a test shot of a flat wall and see if one side is way blurrier than the other. If it is, just send it back immediately and dont look back. Youll get a good copy eventually and itll totally change your game. Let me know if you find a listing and want a second set of eyes on the specs before you buy!

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saw this earlier but just now jumping in. ugh, honestly, searching for decent wide-angle glass on a budget is such a massive headache. i feel your pain because i spent weeks obsessing over charts and still ended up with a lens that had decentered elements and mushy corners. it's super frustrating how many of these older dx lenses have weird quirks or just feel like they're gonna fall apart the second you take them out in the field. you really gotta be careful when looking at used stuff too... make sure to watch out for those deals that look way too good to be true because you often end up with hidden fungus or a dying autofocus motor that sounds like a blender. i've tried to diy clean and calibrate a few old lenses myself and it’s just a total disaster, so dont even go there. it's just so stressful trying not to waste money on something that'll just sit in your bag because the image quality is trash. tbh, it’s a total minefield out there and it makes the whole hobby feel like a chore sometimes.