10 Best Celestron Telescope For Beginners 2025 in the United States

The Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is a fantastic choice for both beginners and advanced users looking to dive into the world of astronomy. With a 6-inch aperture, it offers excellent light-gathering capabilities, making it ideal for viewing the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula. The Schmidt-Cassegrain design ensures sharp images, which is a definite plus for new stargazers hoping to enjoy clear views.

One of the standout features is its fully-automated GoTo mount, which allows you to locate and track over 40,000 celestial objects with ease. This technology is particularly beneficial for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by the vastness of the night sky. The built-in SkyAlign technology simplifies the setup process, allowing you to get started quickly—great for those who want to spend more time observing than assembling.

However, while the NexStar 6SE excels in many areas, it does come with a few drawbacks. Its 21-pound weight may be a bit cumbersome for some users, potentially limiting portability if you plan to take it to various locations. Additionally, while the 25mm eyepiece is included, beginners might find the need for additional eyepieces as their skills develop and they seek more detailed views. On the support side, Celestron provides a solid warranty and unlimited expert assistance, which is reassuring for new users. Plus, the inclusion of Starry Night software is a fantastic bonus that enhances the experience by helping users plan their observing sessions and learn about celestial bodies.

The Celestron NexStar 6SE is an excellent telescope for those starting in astronomy, offering a great mix of technology and optical performance, though potential users should consider its weight and eyepiece needs as they advance in their stargazing journey.

The Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope is a fantastic choice for beginners looking to dive into astronomy. Its 130mm aperture allows for impressive light gathering, making celestial objects like Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s cloud bands visible in crystal-clear detail. The computerized star locating feature is a game-changer, as it provides access to a database of over 4,000 celestial objects, simplifying the stargazing experience. Plus, the included Starry Night software offers an interactive way to learn about the night sky, which is particularly useful for newcomers.

Portability is another strength of this telescope; its compact design makes it easy to transport, whether you’re going on camping trips or simply heading to a darker area to observe the stars. The Altazimuth mount and the included 20mm and 9mm eyepieces further enhance its user-friendliness, allowing for both manual adjustments and computerized tracking of objects.

There are some points to consider. While the telescope's weight of 11.4 pounds is manageable, it may still be cumbersome for younger users or those with mobility issues. The manual focus can take some practice to get used to, which might be a minor hurdle for absolute beginners. Additionally, the device is battery-powered, meaning you’ll need to keep an eye on power levels during extended use.

The Celestron NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope is a solid choice for beginners looking to explore the night sky. One of its standout features is the 127mm aperture, which enables it to gather sufficient light for observing celestial objects like Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon with impressive clarity. The Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design enhances image quality, making it suitable for detailed viewing of various astronomical phenomena.

The computerized star locating system is a significant advantage for newcomers. With access to a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, users can easily select an object, and the telescope will find and track it, reducing the learning curve associated with manual telescopes. The SkyAlign technology allows for quick setup, enabling users to get to observing almost immediately by simply centering three bright objects.

Portability and compactness are also strong points, making the NexStar 127SLT easy to transport for outdoor stargazing sessions, whether in your backyard or at a remote campsite. This is particularly beneficial for families and individuals who want to share the experience of stargazing. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. While it is lightweight at 18.1 pounds, some may find it slightly cumbersome for long walks to observing sites. Additionally, being battery-powered means you'll need to consider power management if you plan extended sessions. The manual focus may also require some practice to achieve sharp images, particularly for inexperienced users. Lastly, while the included Starry Night software is a great bonus for beginners to plan their observations, some users might prefer a more intuitive interface. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Celestron NexStar 127SLT is a highly recommended telescope for anyone starting their journey into astronomy.