10 Best Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer Telescope is an excellent choice for kids and beginners who are interested in exploring astronomy. With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright images of the moon and stars. The fully coated optics ensure high transmission of light, enhancing image quality and protecting your eyes. The included 3x Barlow lens and two eyepieces offer versatile magnification options, making it easier to locate and observe celestial objects using the 5x24 finder scope. The Altazimuth mount allows smooth and simple movement, making it user-friendly for beginners.

The adjustable aluminum tripod and carry bag enhance its portability, allowing you to take it on your travels conveniently. The added smartphone adapter and wireless camera remote are great for capturing and sharing your celestial discoveries. While this telescope is highly rated and popular, its manual focus might require some practice to get right, and it’s designed mainly for casual star-gazing rather than advanced astronomical research.

Nonetheless, for its price point and ease of use, it's a solid entry-level telescope for those starting their journey into astronomy.

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is a beginner-friendly telescope that leverages smartphone technology to offer a guided tour of the night sky, making it accessible even for those with no prior telescope experience. The standout feature is its patented StarSense sky recognition technology, which works through an app on your iPhone or Android device to help you find stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. This is particularly beneficial for users who may find traditional star maps and charts daunting.

The telescope boasts a 114mm Newtonian reflector mirror, which provides good light gathering capabilities, allowing for clear views of the Moon's craters, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula. The manual altazimuth mount with a slow-motion rod is straightforward to use, aiding in smooth tracking of celestial objects. The inclusion of 25mm and 10mm eyepieces allows for varied magnification options, enhancing the viewing experience.

However, the telescope's size and weight (10.4 pounds) might make it less portable for some users, especially if frequent transportation is needed. Additionally, while the StarSense technology is innovative, its reliance on a smartphone means users must have a compatible device and might face battery life limitations during extended stargazing sessions. The telescope's manual focus could also be a slight drawback for those who prefer automated systems. This telescope is well-suited for beginners who are keen to explore the night sky with some technological assistance, rather than seasoned astronomers looking for advanced features.

The MEEZAA Telescope is designed for adults and astronomy beginners who are eager to explore the night sky, offering a good balance between professional-grade features and user-friendly design. With a 90mm aperture and an 800mm focal length, this refractor telescope captures ample light and delivers clear, bright images of celestial objects. The fully multi-coated optical glass lenses enhance image brightness and clarity, making it suitable for observing lunar details and other celestial bodies. The telescope offers a versatile magnification range from 32X to 240X with the inclusion of two eyepieces (10mm and 25mm) and a 3X Barlow lens, which triples the magnification power of each eyepiece. This allows for detailed observations, though very high magnifications may require steady conditions to maintain image stability.

The telescope comes with an Altazimuth mount, which is straightforward to use and provides smooth tracking of objects across the sky. The adjustable stainless steel tripod is sturdy and allows for different observation angles, enhancing the viewing experience. Portability is a significant advantage, as all accessories can be packed into the included carry bag, making it convenient for transportation and storage. The phone adapter is a handy feature for capturing images through your smartphone, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for those who love astrophotography. Assembly is user-friendly with comprehensive paper guidelines, ensuring that even beginners can set it up without hassle. The technical support team is available 24/7, ensuring assistance is always at hand.

Some potential drawbacks include the manual focus, which might require frequent adjustment, and the relatively basic Altazimuth mount, which might not offer the precise tracking capabilities of more advanced mounts. However, these are minor issues considering the telescope's capabilities and the value it offers for its price range.