We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Telescopes Telescopes For Beginners 2025 in the United States

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope

The Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope is designed for beginners looking to explore the night sky. Its 90mm aperture and 600mm focal length offer a good balance for capturing bright celestial objects, making it a suitable choice for newcomers in astronomy. The fully coated optics help in delivering clear and vibrant images, which is a significant advantage for users wanting to enjoy their stargazing experience without straining their eyes.

One of the telescope's strengths lies in its high magnification capabilities. It comes with three interchangeable eyepieces (24X, 60X, 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens that allows for greater flexibility in viewing different celestial bodies. This feature enhances the learning experience as users can observe various objects in greater detail.

The adjustable aluminum tripod is another plus, offering different viewing heights, which can accommodate users of various sizes. Additionally, the telescope is designed to be easy to operate, making it an excellent option for those who may not have prior experience. However, it’s worth noting that the telescope weighs 18 pounds, which could be a drawback for some users when it comes to portability. While it can be moved, it may not be the most convenient option for travel or quick setups. The manual focus might also be a bit challenging for absolute beginners who may prefer a more automated focusing system.

The reflex finderscope is adequate for locating objects but may require some practice to use effectively. Some users might find the setup a bit cumbersome if they are eager for an immediate viewing experience. The Gskyer Telescope presents a solid choice for beginner astronomers, offering good optics and magnification options at a reasonable price. Its weight and manual focus system could pose challenges, but the benefits in image quality and ease of use make it a worthy contender for those venturing into astronomy.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Aperture
With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Focal Length
With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Mount Type
The AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Portability
The telescope is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids.
Eyepieces
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for beginners.
Finderscope
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for beginners.
#2

Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.

The Gskyer Telescope is a good choice for beginners, especially kids, who are interested in exploring astronomy. With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it offers clear and bright images of the moon and stars. The fully coated optics glass lens enhances image quality while protecting your eyes, which is especially important for young users.

The included eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens provide versatile magnification options, making it easier to observe various celestial objects. The 5x24 finderscope helps in locating objects quickly, although it might require some practice for precise alignment. The Altazimuth mount is simple to use, providing smooth movement horizontally and vertically, which is ideal for beginners who may find more complex mounts challenging.

Portability is another strong point - the adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and the carry bag make it convenient to travel with and store the telescope. The addition of a smartphone adapter and wireless remote is a nice touch, allowing users to capture images and share their observations easily. At 5.7 pounds, it might still be a bit bulky for very young children to handle alone. The manual focus might require some patience to get right, but it's a valuable skill for budding astronomers to learn. This telescope strikes a good balance between ease of use, portability, and quality, making it an excellent starter kit for anyone new to stargazing.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Aperture
While the 70mm aperture is typical for an entry-level telescope, it may not offer the same experience as more advanced models, particularly in areas with light pollution.
Mount Type
Lightweight and portable, this telescope is ideal for kids, with an AZ mount that allows for smooth, intuitive movements.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, this telescope is ideal for kids, with an AZ mount that allows for smooth, intuitive movements.
Eyepieces
The included eyepieces and finderscope simplify locating objects, even for beginners.
Finderscope
The included eyepieces and finderscope simplify locating objects, even for beginners.
#3

Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.

The HEXEUM AZ80600 telescope is a solid choice for both adults and beginner astronomers. Its 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length allow for bright and clear views of celestial objects, thanks to multi-coated lenses that enhance image quality. The telescope is equipped with two eyepieces, offering 24X and 60X magnification, and a 3x Barlow lens that can triple the magnification, making it versatile for different viewing conditions. The included 5x24 finderscope helps in easily locating objects in the night sky.

The Altazimuth mount makes it straightforward to move the telescope up, down, and side to side, which is great for beginners who might struggle with more complex mounts. Portability is a strong feature of this telescope, weighing only 6.2 pounds and coming with a carrying bag, making it easy to transport and set up in different locations. The package also includes a phone adapter and wireless remote control, allowing users to capture and share their stargazing experiences easily.

Assembly is user-friendly with no tools required, and the product comes with a satisfaction guarantee and lifetime maintenance support, which can be reassuring for novices. However, some users might find the manual focus a bit challenging at first and the finderscope, while useful, could be improved for even easier object location. Despite these minor drawbacks, the HEXEUM AZ80600 offers excellent value with its combination of quality optics, portability, and user-friendly features, making it a notable option for beginner astronomers.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Mount Type
Set up is super easy, and the tripod is of great quality, making movements seamless.
Portability
The telescope is light-weight, easy to assemble, and very easy to use, making it an excellent beginner telescope.

Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes Telescopes For Beginners

Choosing the right telescope as a beginner can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. The key is to understand the basic specifications and how they align with your needs and interests. By focusing on the essential features, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your stargazing experience. Here are the key specifications to consider when selecting a telescope for beginners.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror. It is one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. A larger aperture allows you to see fainter objects and more detail. For beginners, an aperture of 70mm to 130mm is usually sufficient. If you are interested in viewing planets and the moon, a smaller aperture will do. However, if you want to explore deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, a larger aperture is better.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance between the telescope's main lens or mirror and the point where it forms an image. It affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is great for viewing planets and the moon. A shorter focal length offers a wider field of view, making it easier to locate and observe larger objects like star clusters. Beginners should consider what they are most interested in observing to choose the appropriate focal length.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope and allows you to point it at different parts of the sky. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. Altazimuth mounts are simpler and easier to use, making them ideal for beginners. They move up and down and left to right. Equatorial mounts are more complex but allow for more precise tracking of celestial objects as they move across the sky. If you are just starting out, an altazimuth mount is usually the best choice.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. This is important if you plan to take your telescope to different locations or if you have limited storage space. Smaller, lighter telescopes are easier to carry and set up, making them more convenient for beginners. Consider where you will be using the telescope most often and choose one that fits your lifestyle.
EyepiecesEyepieces are the lenses you look through to see the magnified image. Different eyepieces provide different levels of magnification. Most beginner telescopes come with one or two eyepieces, but you can always purchase additional ones. A good starting point is to have a low-power eyepiece for wide views and a high-power eyepiece for detailed views. Understanding the types of objects you want to observe will help you choose the right eyepieces.
FinderscopeA finderscope is a small auxiliary telescope mounted on the main telescope. It helps you locate objects in the sky more easily. There are two main types: optical finderscopes and red dot finders. Optical finderscopes provide a magnified view, while red dot finders project a red dot onto the sky to indicate where the telescope is pointing. For beginners, a red dot finder is often easier to use and can make locating objects quicker and more intuitive.

FAQ

Most Popular Categories Right Now