Madelene Schutt

Written by Madelene Schutt

Published: 12 Feb 2024

Camryn Rabideau

Reviewed by Camryn Rabideau

8-best-telescopes-for-beginners
Source: Popphoto.com

Are you interested in stargazing and exploring the wonders of the night sky? Whether you're a beginner or just starting out, finding the right telescope can be a daunting task. But fear not, as we've compiled a list of the 8 Best Telescopes for Beginners to help you kickstart your astronomical journey. From easy-to-use models to affordable options, there's something for everyone. So, get ready to embark on an exciting celestial adventure with the perfect telescope for you!

Top Picks:

Overall Score: 8/10

The Gskyer 130EQ Professional Astronomical Reflector Telescope is a high-quality telescope designed for exploring the night sky. With its 5.1 inch aperture and all-glass optical components, it offers enhanced image brightness and clarity, making it ideal for observing the Moon, planets, galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters. The telescope also features a toothless focusing base, complete parts, and wireless remote control. It comes with a 1-year warranty and lifetime maintenance for added peace of mind.

Key Features

  • Reflector Telescope with 5.1 inch aperture
  • Toothless Focusing Base for user-friendly experience
  • Complete Parts for easy observing from any position
  • Wireless Remote Control for easy device pairing
  • Satisfaction Quality with 1-year warranty and lifetime maintenance

Specifications

  • Color: EQ130650
  • Dimension: 33.70Lx9.30Wx18.40H
  • Size: EQ130650

Pros

  • High-quality images
  • User-friendly
  • Easy to set up
  • Comes with complete parts
  • Wireless remote control

Cons

  • Poor assembly instructions
  • Telescope may not stay steady
  • Lack of instructions for beginners
  • Confusing assembly pictures

The Gskyer 130EQ Professional Astronomical Reflector Telescope offers impressive image quality, user-friendly design, and helpful customer support. While it may have some shortcomings in its assembly instructions, it delivers an outstanding celestial viewing experience for both beginners and experienced astronomers.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ Refractor Telescope is designed for beginners. This telescope features fully-coated glass optics, adjustable tripod, and bonus astronomy software package. It is quick to set up and comes with a two-year warranty. Although some users have had issues with the tripod and mount, the telescope itself is praised for its clarity when viewing celestial objects. It is a powerful and budget-friendly option for those new to astronomy and stargazing.

Key Features

  • Powerful refractor telescope with fully-coated glass optics
  • Sturdy and lightweight frame with adjustable tripod
  • Includes 2 eyepieces, a Star Pointer red dot finderscope, and bonus astronomy software

Specifications

  • Color: Multicolor
  • Dimension: 16.54Lx6.30Wx3.94H
  • Size: 90AZ Refractor

Pros

  • Clarity and quality of views
  • Easy and quick setup
  • Budget-friendly for beginners

Cons

  • Issues with included tripod and mount
  • Some customers received previously opened or used products

The Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ Refractor Telescope is a fantastic option for beginners and those new to stargazing. While there have been some reported issues with the tripod and mount, the telescope itself provides clear and detailed views of celestial objects. Overall, it’s a valuable and budget-friendly tool for exploring the night sky.

Overall Score: 9/10

Discover the wonders of the universe with the Telescope 70mm Aperture 500mm. Perfect for both kids and adults, it comes with a phone adapter, wireless remote, and a carrying bag for easy transport. The excellent quality optics provide stunning views and protect your eyes, while the high magnification and finderscope make spotting objects easy. This telescope is loved by beginners and experienced users for its portability, easy assembly, and clear views. Whether it's for stargazing in your backyard or exploring new worlds at a campsite, this telescope is a fantastic choice.

Key Features

  • Excellent Quality Optics
  • High Magnification
  • Portable And Convenient
  • Satisfaction Quality

Specifications

  • Color: 70500-Black
  • Dimension: 22.80Lx5.00Wx8.60H
  • Size: 70500-Black

Pros

  • Easy to assemble and use
  • High-quality optics with clear views
  • Comes with phone adapter and wireless remote
  • Portable with a carrying bag

Cons

  • Spotting scope feels a little cheap
  • Phone adapter doesn't fit larger phones

The Telescope 70mm Aperture 500mm is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to explore the night sky. Its quality optics, portability, and included accessories make it a versatile and enjoyable tool for beginners and experienced users alike. With stunning views of the moon and stars, this telescope is a great way to spark a love for astronomy in people of all ages.

Overall Score: 9/10

A high-quality, easy-to-use telescope with a large aperture and wireless remote, perfect for beginners and kids interested in astronomy. It includes three eyepieces, a phone adapter, a tripod, and a 3X Barlow lens for excellent magnification. Available in black color and compact in size for easy travel and storage.

Key Features

  • Superior quality optics with anti-reflection coatings
  • 70mm Large Aperture with 400mm focal length
  • 20X-200X Magnification with 3 eyepieces and a 3X Barlow lens
  • Portable & Stable with adjustable aluminum tripod and phone adapter
  • Wireless Remote for easy exploration and image capture

Specifications

  • Color: Black-70400
  • Dimension: 9.00Lx22.80Wx5.50H
  • Size: Black-70400

Pros

  • Easy to assemble and use
  • Comes with a phone adapter for photo and video capture
  • Lightweight and compact for travel
  • Offers different magnifications for versatility
  • Includes useful accessories and wireless remote

Cons

  • Tripod is not stable when fully extended
  • No carrying case included for portability
  • Tripod may not be tall enough for users over 6' tall
  • Difficulty adjusting the finder scope
  • Challenges in using the 3X Barlow lens

The Koolpte Telescope is an exceptional choice for beginners and kids interested in astronomy. With its high-quality optics, ease of use, and versatile magnifications, it offers great value for its price. While it may have some minor drawbacks with stability and height, its overall performance and features make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the night sky.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope is a refractor telescope that provides a quick and easy setup, making it ideal for both terrestrial and astronomical use. It comes with fully coated glass optics, an adjustable height tripod, and a bonus astronomy software package.

Key Features

  • Quick and easy no-tool setup
  • Permanently mounted Star Pointer
  • Erect image optics – Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
  • Quick release dovetail attachment – no tool setup
  • Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch – for smooth and accurate pointing. Optical Lens Diameter 2.6

Specifications

  • Color: Blue
  • Dimension: 14.96Lx5.12Wx3.94H
  • Size: 70AZ Refractor

Pros

  • Quick and easy setup
  • Permanently mounted Star Pointer
  • Fully coated glass optics
  • Comes with a bonus astronomy software package

Cons

  • Tripod can be stiff and jerky
  • Finder scope may be inaccurate

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope is a great option for beginners and intermediate astronomers, with its sturdy design and bonus astronomy software package. However, some users may find the tripod and finder scope to be less than ideal. Overall, it offers great value for its price, and its potential for growth with additional accessories makes it a worthwhile investment.

Overall Score: 7/10

The Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope is designed for beginners and comes with a full-height tripod, 2 high-quality eyepieces, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope. It can automatically locate 4,000 celestial objects and includes a free download of top-rated astronomy software. While it has a sturdy motorized altazimuth mount and an unbeatable warranty, some users have reported issues with its computerized functionality and tripod stability.

Key Features

  • Computerized automatic telescope with Sky Tour button
  • Includes full-height tripod and 2 high-quality eyepieces
  • Bonus free Starry Night software download
  • Unbeatable 2-Year US Warranty and support

Specifications

  • Color: Silver
  • Dimension: 35.00Lx16.00Wx11.00H
  • Size: 114 LCM Newtonian

Pros

  • Automatically locates celestial objects
  • Includes high-quality eyepieces and full-height tripod
  • Free download of top-rated astronomy software

Cons

  • Issues with computerized functionality
  • Tripod stability concerns

The Celestron 114LCM Telescope is a great entry-level option for amateur astronomers. While it has some drawbacks, such as computerized functionality issues and tripod stability concerns, it offers valuable features and warranty. Overall, it’s a reliable telescope for beginners with its automatic tracking and high-quality images.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Celestron 76mm Signature Series FirstScope is a compact and portable tabletop telescope designed for beginners and astronomy enthusiasts. It features a 76mm aperture for clear and detailed views of celestial objects, along with a Dobsonian mount for easy and intuitive pointing and tracking. In addition, it includes a custom moon map wrap and a bonus astronomy software package for enhancing your stargazing experience.

Key Features

  • Compact and portable design
  • 76mm aperture for clear views
  • Dobsonian mount for easy tracking
  • Custom moon map wrap
  • Bonus astronomy software package

Specifications

  • Color: Black
  • Dimension: 10.00Lx10.00Wx15.00H
  • Size: Signature Series – Moon First Scope Telescope

Pros

  • Great for beginners and children
  • Includes bonus astronomy software package
  • Compact and portable
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Lacks a finderscope or red dot sight
  • Telescope may have limitations on more distant objects

The Celestron 76mm Signature Series FirstScope is a fantastic option for beginners and children to explore the night sky. Despite some limitations, its compact and portable design, along with the bonus astronomy software package, make it a valuable tool for sparking interest in astronomy.

Overall Score: 7/10

The CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope is a beginner-friendly telescope that allows you to explore the night sky using your smartphone. The telescope uses patented StarSense sky recognition technology to automatically locate stars, planets, and more. It comes with a high-quality 130mm Newtonian reflector and dual-axis slow-motion controls, making it easy to set up and use. The telescope includes the StarSense Explorer app, which generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time and location. This telescope is ideal for both city and dark site sky viewing.

Key Features

  • UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR SMARTPHONE: no telescope experience required
  • Patented starsense sky recognition technology
  • STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: generates a list of the best objects to view
  • EASY TO SET UP AND USE: Manual altazimuth mount with smooth, dual-axis slow-motion controls
  • HIGH-QUALITY 130MM NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR: features highly reflective coatings
  • UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support

Specifications

  • Color: Silver
  • Dimension: 38.98Lx16.93Wx8.98H
  • Size: 130 DX Reflector

Pros

  • Easy to use with smartphone app
  • High-quality reflector with reflective coatings
  • Generates list of best objects to view
  • Unbeatable warranty & support

Cons

  • Flimsy mount and wobbly tripod
  • Focusing mechanism may be challenging
  • Finder and eyepieces may be subpar

The CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Telescope is an excellent choice for beginner astronomers who want to easily explore the night sky using their smartphone. Despite some minor issues with the mount and eyepieces, the telescope provides a great viewing experience and comes with a powerful app to guide users through stargazing. With a high-quality reflector and reliable support, this telescope offers great value for its price.

  • Consider Your Budget
    • Before starting your search for the best telescope, determine how much you are willing to spend. Telescopes can range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand.
  • Decide Your Purpose
    • Are you interested in stargazing, astrophotography, or both? Understanding your purpose will help you narrow down your options and find the best telescope for your needs.
  • Aperture Size
    • The aperture size of a telescope determines how much light it can gather. The larger the aperture, the more detailed and clearer your views will be. Consider getting a telescope with a larger aperture for better clarity.
  • Types of Telescopes
    • Refractor Telescopes: These use lenses to gather and focus light. They are generally low-maintenance and offer sharp images.
    • Reflector Telescopes: These use mirrors to gather and focus light. They are typically more affordable and great for deep-sky observations.
    • Compound Telescopes: Also known as catadioptric telescopes, these use a combination of lenses and mirrors. They are versatile and offer a good balance between portability and power.
  • Mount Type
    • Dobsonian Mount: Known for their stability and easy maneuverability, great for beginners.
    • Equatorial Mount: Allows for tracking celestial objects as they move across the sky, ideal for astrophotography.
  • Portability
    • Consider how portable you need your telescope to be. If you plan on traveling to different locations for stargazing, a compact and lightweight telescope may be more suitable.
  • Accessories
    • Look for telescopes that come with additional accessories such as eyepieces, finderscopes, and tripods. These can enhance your viewing experience and make it easier to locate celestial objects.
  • Magnaification
    • While magnification is important, it's not the only factor to consider. A telescope's maximum useful magnification is typically 50 times its aperture in inches. Keep this in mind when comparing different telescopes.
  • Read Reviews
    • Before making a purchase, read reviews from other users. This can give you insight into the telescope's performance, durability, and ease of use.
  • Consider Future Upgrades
    • If you anticipate wanting to upgrade your telescope in the future, consider a model that is compatible with additional accessories and attachments.
  • Warranty and Support
    • Check the warranty and customer support options offered by the manufacturer. It's important to have peace of mind knowing that you can get assistance if needed.
  • Visit a Local Astronomy Club
    • Connecting with other astronomy enthusiasts can provide valuable guidance and recommendations when choosing the best telescope for your needs.
  • Avoid Impulse Buys
    • Take your time to research and compare different telescopes before making a decision. It's important to make an informed choice based on your specific requirements.
  • Consider Environmental Factors
    • If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, consider a telescope with a narrow field of view or built-in light pollution filtering to enhance your viewing experience.
  • Check for Deals and Discounts
    • Keep an eye out for promotions, sales, and discounts on telescopes. You may be able to find a high-quality telescope at a more affordable price.

Frequently Asked Questions about 8 Best Telescopes For Beginners

How do I know which telescope is best for me?

The best telescope for you depends on what you want to observe and your budget. Research different types of telescopes and consider factors like aperture, portability, and ease of use before making a decision.

Can I use a telescope to see planets and stars from my backyard?

Yes, you can use a telescope to see planets like Jupiter and Saturn, as well as stars and clusters, from your backyard. Just make sure to set up in an open area away from city lights for the best view.

Do I need to have experience to use a telescope?

No, you don’t need to have experience to use a telescope. There are many user-friendly telescopes on the market that are perfect for beginners. Additionally, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn how to use your new telescope.

How much does a good telescope cost?

The cost of a good telescope can vary depending on the type and quality. You can find a decent beginner telescope for around $200-$300, but more advanced telescopes with high-quality optics can range from $500 to several thousand dollars.

Are there any accessories I should consider purchasing with a telescope?

Yes, there are several accessories that can enhance your stargazing experience, such as a moon filter, additional eyepieces, and a sturdy tripod. It’s also a good idea to invest in a star chart or astronomy guide to help you navigate the night sky.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.