I’ve been hunting for the best telescopes for beginners for a while now. My favorite part about summers in my home state of Georgia is getting to see all the stars on a clear night. The house I grew up in was in a wooded part of town, and as soon as spring started every year, I’d spend at least an hour out on the porch each night trying to see if I could point out Orion’s Belt or the Big Dipper.
When I moved to New York City for college, I had to adjust to barely seeing any stars in Manhattan even on the clearest nights, and even though I now live in Brooklyn, I can only get a slightly better view from my roof. If you’re a suburb-to-city transplant like me (or just a new astro-enthusiast), the best telescopes for beginners can help you find your favorite constellations and planets from any rooftop or park. Today’s telescopes aren’t like Galileo’s — nowadays, you can find lightweight devices that can be easily transported anywhere. Whether you know absolutely nothing about telescopes or this is the 15th article you’ve read to convince yourself to bite the bullet, the best telescopes for beginners will help you reach new celestial heights.
— Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-Inch
— Best for Kids: Gskyer 90mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope
— Best Value: Celestron FirstScope Telescope
— Best Computerized: Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
— Best Portable: Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70
— Best Starter Set: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ
How We Picked the Best Telescopes for Beginners
As a journalist and product reviewer, I’ve interviewed astronomers and astrophysicists about finding the best telescopes. I used what I learned from them, as well as outside research, to narrow down my choices for the best telescopes for beginners based on the following criteria:
Aperture: A telescope’s aperture describes the diameter of the lens — and, therefore, how much light it lets in. The more light, the greater detail you’ll be able to see. I went for models with apertures of at least 3 or 4 inches, depending on the type of telescope. For another perspective on light, check out our guide to the best lava lamps.
Magnification: The magnification of a telescope tells you how far you can zoom in with your telescope. It’s calculated by dividing the focal length by the length of the eyepiece, according to Sky & Telescope. I looked for devices with magnifications of at least 30x for those who want to see details on large planets like Jupiter and Saturn.
Ease of Use: Like I said before, you don’t need a Galileo-esque telescope to check out Jupiter. I prioritized telescopes that are easy to carry around so that you’ll actually want to use them. I also looked into those with special features like finderscopes to help you locate specific celestial objects. Get inspired with some of the best space games.
The Best Telescopes for Beginners: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-Inch
Why It Made The Cut: With a large 8-inch aperture, precise controls, and additional accessories, the Sky-Watcher Traditional Dobsonian 8-inch is an ideal option for absolute beginners.
Specs:
— Aperture: 8 inches
— Maximum Magnification: 400x
— Telescope Type: Newtonian reflector
— Mount Type: Alt-azimuth
Pros:
— Dobsonians are ideal for beginners
— Large aperture and magnification
— Adapter, eyepieces, and finderscope included
Cons:
— Heavy
— Expensive
Dobsonian telescopes are some of the best telescopes for beginners. Their alt-azimuth, or two-axis, mounts are easy to maneuver, they let in plenty of light, and they offer simple setup. The Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-Inch is one of the best for its ease of use — it uses Sky-Watcher’s proprietary tension control handle to make swiveling and adjusting a breeze. Two eyepieces (one 25mm and one 10mm) help widen the field of view, and a two-inch focuser with 1.25-inch adapter adds to the telescope’s flexibility.
If you’re looking to upgrade from whatever slightly-crappy viewfinder app you downloaded to your smartphone, the Classic 200 comes with a 9x50 finderscope. The only downside to this otherwise robust device is that it’s heavy at 45 pounds. It detaches into two pieces — a 20-pound tube and 25-pound base — that make it slightly easier to carry around, but it may be difficult to haul around on foot.
Best for Kids: Gskyer 90mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: This lightweight telescope comes with an adjustable tripod, three eyepieces, and tool-free operation, making it excellent for young astronomy buffs looking to get into stargazing.
Specs:
— Aperture: 90mm (3.54 inches)
— Maximum Magnification: 120x
— Telescope Type: Refractor
— Mount Type: Alt-azimuth
Pros:
— Three eyepieces (24x, 60x, and 120x)
— Adjustable tripod included
— Alt-azimuth mount for easy adjustments
— Under $300
Cons:
— Not easy to carry
Young stargazers can learn how to use a telescope with the Gskyer 90mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope. It comes with three eyepieces — 25mm, 10mm, and 5mm pieces that correspond to magnifications of 24x, 60x, and 120x, respectively — and an adjustable tripod to help kids get a precise view. The device also uses an easily maneuvered alt-azimuth mount, making it a great telescope for kids.
As far as telescopes go, this one is pretty affordable, especially given the included accessories. The only downside is that while this Gskyer device is lighter than the Sky-Watcher Classic 200, it’s still a bit heavy for kids at nearly 18 pounds.
Best Value: Celestron FirstScope Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: The Celestron FirstScope Telescope is lightweight, less than $100, and comes with a robust accessory kit.
Specs:
— Aperture: 76mm (2.99 inches)
— Maximum Magnification: 75x
— Telescope Type: Newtonian reflector
— Mount Type: Alt-azimuth
Pros:
— Super affordable
— Accessory kit includes eyepieces, moon filter, and finderscope
— Only 3.6 pounds
Cons:
— Not ideal for viewing planets
It’s hard to find affordable telescopes, much less one that comes with the bells and whistles you need for optimal use. This telescope from Celestron goes for less than $100, giving you the maximum bang for your buck as you wade into stargazing. It’s just 3.6 pounds, meaning you can easily bring it anywhere for on-the-go viewing. It comes with 20mm and 4mm eyepieces, which offer magnifications of 15x and 75x respectively.
The magnifications and aperture offered here are lower than others on our list, and as such, it can make viewing certain celestial objects difficult (for example, you likely won’t be able to view harder-to-see planets like Mars).
Best Computerized: Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is equipped with a database of thousands of stars, planets, and galaxies and a complementary device to help you locate them yourself.
Specs:
— Aperture: 130mm (5.12 inches)
— Maximum Magnification: 307x (only 26x and 72x eyepieces included)
— Telescope Type: Newtonian reflector
— Mount Type: Alt-azimuth
Pros:
— Lightweight
— StarPointer finderscope included
— Computerized hand control
Cons:
— Expensive
Computerized telescopes can be great for absolute beginners because they have thousands of celestial bodies logged and ready to pinpoint. The Celestron NexStar 130SLT offers a database of thousands of stars, galaxies, and more. The Sky Tour device helps point out objects that will be easy for you to find based on when and where you’re looking.
This pick is on the lighter side, weighing in at a little over 11 pounds, meaning you can take it anywhere for precise stargazing. It also comes with two eyepieces — one that’s 25mm and one that’s 9mm, for magnifications of 26x and 72x respectively (though the telescope’s maximum useful magnification is 307x, with the right eyepiece). Its one downfall is that it’s expensive. If you’re itching for a computerized telescope at a slightly lower cost, we also like the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Reflector Telescope.
Best Portable: Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70
Why It Made The Cut: Weighing in at 3.3 pounds, this telescope is easily portable. It also comes with a tripod, smartphone adapter, and custom backpack for carrying.
Specs:
— Aperture: 70mm (2.76 inches)
— Maximum Magnification: 168x (only 20x and 40x eyepieces included)
— Telescope Type: Refractor
— Mount Type: Alt-azimuth
Pros:
— Lightweight
— Comes with finderscope and Moon filter
— Also great for birdwatching and daytime viewing
Cons:
— Low aperture and magnification
If you want a versatile telescope, look no further than the special edition Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70. The ultra-light device comes with a backpack for easy carrying, and the smartphone adapter and Bluetooth remote shutter release allow you to take photos remotely. It also includes a tripod, finderscope, and Moon filter for even more precise use.
While the telescope has plenty of bells and whistles, its low aperture and magnification don’t make for the best planetary viewing. It is, however, great for daytime use too — you can take it out to the field for some birdwatching, or you can get a good view of the Moon as it starts to rise before the sun sets.
Best Starter Set: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ
Why It Made The Cut: Weighing in at 3.3 pounds, this telescope is easily portable. It also comes with a tripod, smartphone adapter, and custom backpack for carrying.
Specs:
— Aperture: 100mm (3.9 inches) - 150mm (5.9 inches)
— Maximum Magnification: 307x
— Telescope Type: Newtonian reflector
— Mount Type: Equatorial
Pros:
— Easy to set up
— Lightweight frame
— Includes free astronomy software program
Cons:
— Included eye pieces may be uncomfortable
For the fresh-faced astronomer, picking the right telescope can be a tough choice — but the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ is built with newbies in mind. This powerful, lightweight telescope requires zero tools for set up, making assembly quick and easy. With fully coated glass optics, two eyepieces, and a StarPointer red-dot finderscope, this telescope is the whole package. Included in this deal is a free download of Celestron’s Starry Night software, so you can learn everything there is to know about what’s in front of your lens.
The AstroMaster’s included tripod provides a sturdy base of stainless steel, enabling you to navigate the night sky wobble-free. The two slow-motion knobs on this telescope also allow for straightforward precision adjustments and seamless tracking of celestial objects. Celestron has inarguably outdone itself with this streamlined design that can be appreciated by novices and pros alike. This low cost comes with everything included and would be a deal to pass up on.
Things to Consider Before Buying The Best Telescopes for Beginners
Portability
You know the phrase “out of sight, out of mind?” If you’re a beginner, that’ll likely apply to your telescope — if it’s so heavy or cumbersome that you can’t take it anywhere outside your home, you’ll probably be less inclined to use it. If you’re set on a larger telescope, look for one that can detach into a few more easily-carried pieces so you can bring it on-the-go.
Reason for Use
It’s important to know what you want to be able to see with your telescope. If you want a telescope that’s good for daytime use and that can show you the Moon and some large planets like Jupiter and Saturn, you likely won’t need a telescope with a magnification much more than 40x. If you want to see planets like Mars or further celestial objects, look for magnifications in the 100x range.
Cost
It’s no secret that telescopes can be expensive, but the cost doesn’t have to be prohibitive. While you definitely don’t need to drop nearly $1,000 for a good telescope, note that cheaper options may not have the magnification or finderscope features useful for planetary viewing.
FAQs
Q: How much does a telescope for beginners cost?
The cost of a telescope can vary widely — the range on this list alone goes from less than $100 to nearly $1,000. You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get a good telescope, but cheaper models may lack the magnifying power and extra features that would be useful for someone just starting out. Find some other ideas for budding astronomers in our guide to the best space gifts.
Q: What is a good magnification for a telescope to see the planets?
If you’re looking for planets in our solar system, a magnification of about 30x is the minimum you’d want to see larger planets like Jupiter and Saturn. For bodies like Mars, you’ll want at least 100x magnification (though going higher won’t hurt). Don’t forget that aperture is also important when it comes to viewing anything through your telescope, as it determines how bright the images are and whether you can see finer details.
Q: What are the three main types of telescopes?
The three types of telescopes are refractors, reflectors, and catadioptrics. Refracting telescopes use lenses to create an image. Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather light and produce an image. Catadioptric telescopes combine both methods.
Final Thoughts on the Best Telescopes for Beginners
— Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-Inch
— Best for Kids: Gskyer 90mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope
— Best Value: Celestron FirstScope Telescope
— Best Computerized: Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
— Best Portable: Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70
— Best Starter Set: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ
You don’t need to be an astronomy buff to enjoy stargazing on a clear night — and you also don’t need to take out a second mortgage to get a good telescope. For the best telescopes for beginners we recommend the Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-Inch as the best overall, but if you want something lighter, go for the Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70. If budget is top of mind, the Celestron FirstScope Telescope is a great starter telescope.
Why Trust Us
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This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.
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