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10 Best Telescopes For Beginners 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
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 an appealing choice for beginners looking to explore the night sky. With a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, it offers good light-gathering ability, allowing for clearer views of celestial objects such as the moon and stars. The telescope's fully coated optics enhance image quality and make stargazing enjoyable without straining your eyes. One of its strengths includes a 3x Barlow lens, which significantly increases the magnification, giving users more versatility with the two included eyepieces.
Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,227
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type
Most important from
21607 reviews
#2
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 well-suited for beginners in astronomy due to its user-friendly setup and portability. The 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length allow for brighter and clearer images, making it easier for novices to observe celestial objects. The fully multi-coated lenses enhance image quality while the included eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) and a 3x Barlow lens offer a range of magnifications to explore the night sky in detail.
Rating
9.6
Mount Type
Portability
Most important from
4650 reviews
#3
Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 450X,for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter
The HETEKAN 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescope is designed for adults, kids, and beginners who are enthusiastic about exploring the night sky. One of its main strengths is its large 90mm aperture, which allows for excellent light gathering and bright, clear images of celestial objects. This is particularly beneficial for viewing the Moon and planets in detail. The telescope also offers a wide range of magnification from 36X to 450X, thanks to the three included eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, making it versatile for different levels of observation.
Rating
9.3
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type
Most important from
153 reviews
Top 10 Best Telescopes For Beginners 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
Aperture: 70mm
Focal Length: 400mm
Portability: adjustable tripod, carry bag
Eyepieces: 3x Barlow lens, two eyepieces
Finderscope: Reflex
Chosen by 1227 this week
Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.
Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 600mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: lightweight with carrying bag
Eyepieces: 25mm, 10mm, 3x Barlow lens
Finderscope: 5x24
Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 450X,for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter
Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 450X,for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 900mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: 12 pounds, 32 inches length
Eyepieces: Three eyepieces, 3x Barlow lens
Finderscope: Straight-Through
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 900mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults High Powered - Multi-Coated Professional Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount, Portable Carry Bag, Phone Adapter
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 900mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults High Powered - Multi-Coated Professional Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount, Portable Carry Bag, Phone Adapter
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 900mm
Magnification: 36X to 270X
Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ) mount
Portability: 11 pounds
Ease of Use: Easy with instructions
HUGERSTAR Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 800mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Adults Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount Stainless Tripod, Carry Bag and Moon Filter
HUGERSTAR Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 800mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Adults Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount Stainless Tripod, Carry Bag and Moon Filter
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 800mm
Magnification: 32x to 240x
Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ)
Portability: Adjustable tripod, carrying bag, 11 lbs
Ease of Use: Simple use, no tools needed
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MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 800mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: Stainless steel tripod, carry bag
Eyepieces: Two eyepieces, 3X Barlow lens
Finderscope: Straight-Through
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 700mm - Vertisteel AZ Mounting Base, Highly Adjustable Telescopes, Ideal for Adults, Astronomers & Kids with Carrying Case, Wireless Remote, Phone Adapter (White)
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 700mm - Vertisteel AZ Mounting Base, Highly Adjustable Telescopes, Ideal for Adults, Astronomers & Kids with Carrying Case, Wireless Remote, Phone Adapter (White)
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 700mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: lightweight, portable
Eyepieces: Kellner
Finderscope: Reflex
#10
Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Beginners, Fully Multi-Coated High Light Transmittance for Ground&Moon Observation（Silver Gray）
Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Beginners, Fully Multi-Coated High Light Transmittance for Ground&Moon Observation（Silver Gray）
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 900mm
Magnification: 36x to 270x
Mount Type: Altazimuth mount
Portability: Adjustable tripod, carrying bag, 12.7 lbs
Ease of Use: Tool-free setup, manual focus, no motors
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Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes For Beginners
Choosing a telescope for beginners can be an exciting journey into the world of astronomy. The right telescope can open up a whole new universe of stars, planets, and celestial objects for you to explore. When selecting a telescope, it's important to understand the key specifications that will affect your viewing experience. By knowing what each spec means and how it impacts your observations, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs and interests.ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main optical component, which can be a lens or a mirror. This spec is crucial because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. A larger aperture allows you to see fainter objects and more detail. Apertures are typically measured in inches or millimeters. For beginners, a telescope with an aperture of 70mm to 130mm is a good starting point. If you're interested in viewing planets and bright deep-sky objects, a larger aperture will be beneficial.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance between the telescope's main optical component and the point where it forms an image. This spec affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification but a narrower field of view, which is great for observing planets. A shorter focal length offers a wider field of view, making it easier to locate and view larger objects like star clusters. Beginners might prefer a telescope with a moderate focal length (around 500mm to 1000mm) for a balanced experience.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger the telescope can make objects appear. It's determined by the combination of the telescope's focal length and the eyepiece used. While high magnification can be tempting, it's not always better. Too much magnification can make images blurry and hard to focus. For beginners, a telescope that offers a range of magnifications (from 20x to 200x) is ideal. This allows you to start with lower magnification to find objects and then increase it to see more detail.
Mount TypeThe mount is what supports the telescope and allows you to aim it. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. Altazimuth mounts move up-down and left-right, making them simple and intuitive for beginners. Equatorial mounts are more complex but allow for easier tracking of celestial objects as the Earth rotates. For beginners, an altazimuth mount is usually recommended due to its ease of use. If you plan to do more advanced observations or astrophotography, you might consider an equatorial mount.
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 for better viewing conditions. Smaller telescopes are generally more portable and easier to handle. For beginners, a lightweight and compact telescope is ideal, especially if you need to carry it to a dark-sky site. Consider the weight and size of the telescope and its mount when making your choice.
Ease of UseEase of use encompasses how user-friendly the telescope is, including setup, alignment, and operation. Some telescopes come with features like computerized mounts or smartphone apps that help you locate and track objects. For beginners, a telescope that is easy to assemble and operate is crucial to avoid frustration. Look for models with clear instructions and intuitive controls. Features like a red dot finder can also make it easier to aim the telescope.