Top telescopes for beginners

At All-Star Telescope we like to say that the best beginner telescope is the one that you'll actually use. It has to be easy enough to use and light enough to manage.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links on this article, we may earn a commission. Gazing up at the stars can spark a love for astronomy in kids that lasts a lifetime. But the quest begins with a single step — choosing the right telescope. In the world of astronomy, telescopes are the magic portals that unlock the wonders of the universe. How we made our list of best telescopes for kids : The following guide was curated by the seasoned star-spotters at Astronomy Magazine. We may earn a commission if you purchase telescopes from the links below.

Top telescopes for beginners

Looking to buy your first telescope but don't know where to start? We've picked out some of the best beginner telescopes on the market. The best telescopes for beginners are those that are easy to set up, won't stretch your budget and yet give you great views of night sky targets. But if you're starting out as a newcomer to astronomy, it can be difficult to know what to look for when buying your first telescope. Beginners face a seemingly daunting array of different types of telescope, different brands and different price ranges. It can be difficult to wade your way through the jargon of practical astronomy and work out which is best suited to your observing needs. There is one simple thing to consider when buying your first telescope, and that's making sure you get an instrument you'll actually use. After something specific? Jump to some of the best telescopes for beginners on our list via the links below. If your first telescope is too large and unwieldy or requires a lot of tinkering, you'll be put off. You may find it difficult to transport and your scope could be consigned to the garden shed or garage, never to be used again. Join your local astronomy society , attend a star party or find your nearest astronomy kit stockist.

Overall, we think the Celestron NexStar Evolution 9. The EQ mount does take some getting used to for beginners, but the initial setup is a breeze.

Few things are as awe-inspiring as being under a clear night sky, looking up, and gazing at a seemingly infinite array of stars overhead. So we rounded up 14 telescopes, and, after months of holding star parties, we think the Celestron NexStar 5SE is the best telescope for a curious amateur. It gathers enough light for you to view the best features of our solar system, and it provides enough power for you to begin exploring deep-sky objects. In addition, this model has an electronic GPS database preloaded with almost 40, celestial objects, so after you calibrate the scope, it can scan the skies for you. This electronic telescope lets you program it to find objects in the night sky automatically, saving you the effort of reading star charts and manuals.

Best overall 3. Best for quick setup 4. Best for basic astrophotography 5. Best Maksutov-Cassegrain 6. Best for backyard 7. Best for wide-field observation 8. Best computerized telescope 9. Best grab-and-go telescope Best budget telescope

Top telescopes for beginners

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Maybe you have had a casual interest in astronomy for years, looking up at the night sky every chance you get. What kind should you get? What are the best telescopes for beginners? How much do you really have to spend? Which is best for you? This overview will help shed some light.

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Generally, Dobsonian telescopes are less expensive than refracting telescopes due to mirrors being less expensive to manufacture than lenses, which is why they are often recommended to beginners that are not ready to spend large amounts of money on their first telescope. This mismatch causes field curvature, making stars at the image edges appear blurry. With this information, the Astro Fi can automatically point to your desired target when you press a button. At lower magnifications, the image you observe can appear bright and in good resolution, whereas at higher magnifications, the same amount of light is dispersed over a larger area, resulting in a bigger but blurrier image. Best computerized telescope. In our Celestron Astro Fi review , we noted that the optics provide good views of the moon and we could easily pick out the planets. If you want a more traditional experience of stargazing, we'd recommend going for something else, but the Unistellar eQuinox 2 is practically unparalleled with how easy it is to use as long as you can operate a smartphone. Luckily, we've trawled the market to find the best telescopes available you can buy and extensively tested and reviewed them to help you decide. Other good telescopes. Alternatively, you could use a can of pressurized air to spray the glass surface and remove any excess dust particles. The tripod has an adjustable height range of Automated comet hunting.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.

This smart telescope is incredibly user-friendly and operated with just a single button. We had this telescope fully assembled and ready to go in under an hour, which was quite fast, when compared with the process for some other Dobsonian telescopes. Let's assume that these particular eyepieces are of the commonly used Plossl variety. Best grab and go telescope. When it comes to astrophotography, refracting telescopes are the most commonly used due to their overall visual clarity and because they are much more portable and easier to keep on target with a GoTo mount than manually pointed Dobsonians. It's also an excellent choice for beginners who are eager to delve into the celestial wonders of the night sky, and it'll serve you well even if you have no prior astronomy experience. Basic plastic casing, tripod needs weighing down. EdgeHD optical design outperforms Schmidt-Cassegrain. For the best views of faint objects, a Dobsonian telescope is hard to beat. Best for basic astrophotography: This telescope is ideal for introducing budding enthusiasts to astrophotography. New to Birding? Best premium 6.