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10 Best Available Telescopes 2025 in the United States

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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.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Celestron - NexStar 8SE Telescope - Computerized Telescope for Beginners and Advanced Users - Fully-Automated GoTo Mount - SkyAlign Technology - 40,000+ Celestial Objects - 8-Inch Primary Mirror

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,334
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
1408 reviews

Mount Type
The StarSense Auto Align feature greatly enhances the alignment process, making it effortless and accurate, even in light-polluted areas.
Portability
The NexStar 8SE is manageable in terms of weight, though some users find it a bit heavy for single-person transport.

The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a versatile telescope suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Its standout feature is the 8-inch aperture, which allows for impressive light-gathering capability, making it possible to observe detailed views of the Solar System and beyond. The computerized GoTo mount, equipped with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, simplifies locating and tracking objects, which is ideal for novice astronomers.

The SkyAlign technology further eases setup, allowing users to align the telescope in minutes, which adds to its user-friendly appeal. The single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod ensure that the telescope is both stable and portable, although its 23.99-pound weight might still be cumbersome for some when transporting. The NexStar 8SE's optical design, based on Schmidt-Cassegrain technology, provides clear and sharp images, and it is compatible with additional features like StarSense technology and Wifi for enhanced usability.

However, the manual focus might be less intuitive for some users, and the reliance on battery power could necessitate frequent replacements, especially during extended use. The telescope comes with a solid 2-year warranty and excellent customer support, offering peace of mind for buyers. This telescope is ideal for enthusiasts who seek a blend of advanced features and ease of use, making it a strong contender in the available telescope category.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,334
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
1408 reviews

Mount Type
The StarSense Auto Align feature greatly enhances the alignment process, making it effortless and accurate, even in light-polluted areas.
Portability
The NexStar 8SE is manageable in terms of weight, though some users find it a bit heavy for single-person transport.
#2

CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope – Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More – 130mm Newtonian Reflector – iPhone/Android Compatible

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
1244 reviews

Aperture
The 130mm aperture is powerful enough to observe a wide range of celestial objects, from planets to distant galaxies.
Mount Type
The telescope's slow-motion controls allow for smooth and precise tracking of celestial objects.
Portability
The telescope's assembly is straightforward and user-friendly, taking about 30 minutes to set up.
Optical Design
Even with significant light pollution, the telescope provides clear views of planets and stars, making backyard astronomy exciting.

The CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a beginner-friendly telescope that integrates smartphone technology for an interactive stargazing experience. The standout feature is its StarSense sky recognition technology, which uses your iPhone or Android smartphone to help locate stars, planets, and other celestial objects. This makes it an excellent choice for users with no prior telescope experience, as the app guides you through the night sky with ease.

The app also provides a list of the best objects to view based on your specific location and time, enhancing your stargazing sessions whether you are in the city or a darker site. The telescope features a 130mm Newtonian reflector, which is suitable for observing the Moon, planets, and some deep sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. The highly reflective coatings on the primary mirror help in gathering ample light for clear viewing.

The manual altazimuth mount with dual-axis slow-motion controls provides smooth tracking of celestial objects. However, the manual operation might be a drawback for those who prefer motorized mounts for convenience. Weighing 18 pounds and with dimensions of 30 x 32 x 50 inches, it is moderately portable but may still be cumbersome for some users to transport frequently. Additionally, the reliance on a smartphone might be seen as a limitation if your phone is not compatible or if you prefer a more traditional stargazing experience without digital aid. In summary, the CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is an innovative and user-friendly telescope ideal for beginners who appreciate the blend of modern technology with classic stargazing.

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
1244 reviews

Aperture
The 130mm aperture is powerful enough to observe a wide range of celestial objects, from planets to distant galaxies.
Mount Type
The telescope's slow-motion controls allow for smooth and precise tracking of celestial objects.
Portability
The telescope's assembly is straightforward and user-friendly, taking about 30 minutes to set up.
Optical Design
Even with significant light pollution, the telescope provides clear views of planets and stars, making backyard astronomy exciting.
#3

Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture Grey

Rating
9.4
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
3462 reviews

Mount Type
The mount and tripod could be more stable, but adding anti-vibration pads and weights significantly improves performance.
Portability
The scope is easy to assemble and portable, making it great for travel and escaping city light pollution.

The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a computerized telescope with a 130mm aperture, making it capable of capturing substantial light for viewing celestial objects like Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands, and the Moon. Its Newtonian Reflector optical design is known for providing clear and bright images. The computerization feature is handy for beginners as it includes a database of over 4,000 celestial objects and utilizes SkyAlign technology to help locate and track objects accurately. This makes it user-friendly for those who may not have extensive knowledge of the night sky.

The inclusion of a computerized hand control enhances the ease of use further by allowing users to navigate the sky without manual adjustments. The telescope's portability is a significant advantage, making it suitable for travel and outdoor use, such as camping trips, thanks to its compact form factor. However, it requires batteries for operation, which can be an inconvenience if not planned for in advance. The Altazimuth mount is easy to use but may not provide the precision of an equatorial mount when it comes to tracking objects over extended periods.

The package includes two eyepieces (20mm and 9mm), which offer different magnification levels, but additional eyepieces might be required for specific viewing preferences. The NexStar 130SLT comes with a free Starry Night software download, which is a valuable educational tool for users to learn more about astronomy. The product is backed by a two-year warranty and customer support, adding to its reliability. The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is well-suited for beginners and casual stargazers who are looking for a portable and easy-to-use telescope with computerized capabilities, though more experienced users might seek more advanced features and mounts.

Rating
9.4
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
3462 reviews

Mount Type
The mount and tripod could be more stable, but adding anti-vibration pads and weights significantly improves performance.
Portability
The scope is easy to assemble and portable, making it great for travel and escaping city light pollution.

Buying Guide for the Best Available Telescopes

Choosing the right telescope can be a thrilling experience, especially if you're passionate about astronomy. The key to finding the best telescope for you is understanding the different specifications and how they align with your needs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced stargazer, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision and enhance your viewing experience.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror. It's one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather, which affects the brightness and clarity of the images you see. Apertures can range from small (around 70mm) to large (over 200mm). For beginners, a smaller aperture (70-100mm) is usually sufficient for viewing the moon and planets. Intermediate users might prefer a medium aperture (100-150mm) for better detail and faint objects. Advanced users often opt for larger apertures (150mm and above) to observe deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance between the telescope's 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 but a narrower field of view, which is great for observing planets and the moon. Shorter focal lengths offer a wider field of view, making them better for viewing star clusters and galaxies. Beginners might prefer a shorter focal length for easier navigation and broader views, while more experienced users might choose longer focal lengths for detailed observations.
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 general stargazing, a magnification of 50x to 100x is usually sufficient. Higher magnifications (150x and above) are better for detailed views of planets and the moon. Beginners should start with lower magnifications to get comfortable with the telescope and gradually increase as they gain experience.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope steady and allows you to move it smoothly. There are two main types: alt-azimuth and equatorial. Alt-azimuth mounts move up-down and left-right, making them simpler and more intuitive for beginners. Equatorial mounts are aligned with the Earth's axis and are better for tracking objects across the sky, which is useful for astrophotography and more advanced observations. Beginners should start with an alt-azimuth mount for ease of use, while intermediate and advanced users might prefer equatorial mounts for precision tracking.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. Smaller, lighter telescopes are more portable and convenient for casual stargazing or travel. Larger telescopes offer better performance but can be bulky and harder to move. If you plan to observe from different locations or travel with your telescope, consider a more portable model. If you have a dedicated observation spot and don't need to move the telescope often, a larger, less portable model might be suitable.
Optical DesignTelescopes come in different optical designs, including refractors, reflectors, and compound (catadioptric) telescopes. Refractors use lenses and are known for their sharp images and ease of use, making them great for beginners. Reflectors use mirrors and offer larger apertures at lower costs, ideal for viewing faint objects. Compound telescopes combine lenses and mirrors, providing versatility and compactness, suitable for intermediate and advanced users. Choose a refractor for simplicity and sharp views, a reflector for deep-sky observation, or a compound telescope for a balance of both.

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