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10 Best Beginner Telescope For Teens 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#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.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,451
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type

Most important from
22319 reviews

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 is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, this telescope is ideal for kids, making it easy to set up and operate.
Ease of Use
The Gskyer Telescope offers an easy-to-use and engaging introduction to stargazing, perfect for young astronomy enthusiasts.
Accessories
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for beginners.

The Gskyer Telescope, with its 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, is a solid choice for teens who are new to stargazing. The aperture allows enough light to see celestial objects clearly, and the fully coated optics enhance image quality while protecting the eyes. The telescope comes with two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, which significantly boosts magnification options, making it easier for beginners to explore the stars and moon in detail. The 5x24 finderscope is a helpful tool for locating objects in the night sky, though some users might find it a bit challenging to align initially.

The altazimuth mount is simple to use, allowing smooth movement and easy tracking of objects. One of the standout features is the included phone adapter and wireless remote, which make it fun and easy to capture images of celestial objects directly to a smartphone. This adds an engaging, modern twist to the stargazing experience. The adjustable tripod is durable and offers flexibility in viewing positions. Furthermore, the telescope's portability is enhanced by the included carry bag, making it convenient to transport for outdoor viewing sessions. Weighing in at just 5.7 pounds, it's lightweight and manageable for teens.

However, manual focusing might require some patience, typical of telescopes in this category. While it is a great starter telescope, its simplicity might leave more advanced users seeking additional features. Nonetheless, the Gskyer Telescope presents a balanced mix of ease of use, good optical performance, and valuable accessories, making it an excellent beginner-friendly option for teens.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,451
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type

Most important from
22319 reviews

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 is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, this telescope is ideal for kids, making it easy to set up and operate.
Ease of Use
The Gskyer Telescope offers an easy-to-use and engaging introduction to stargazing, perfect for young astronomy enthusiasts.
Accessories
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for beginners.
#2

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

Rating
9.7
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
22319 reviews

Aperture
Provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars, sparking curiosity and exploration.
Mount Type
The AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements, making it easy to track celestial objects.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids to move around easily.
Ease of Use
An excellent choice for young astronomy enthusiasts, offering an easy-to-use and engaging introduction to stargazing.
Accessories
Simple to set up and operate, with clear instructions and included eyepieces aiding beginners in locating objects.

The Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ is a solid choice for teens who are beginners in astronomy. The 90mm aperture combined with a 600mm focal length allows for clear and detailed viewing of celestial objects. The fully coated optics provide high transmission coatings, ensuring that images are both bright and crisp, which is great for observational learning and stargazing.

The telescope comes with three eyepieces (24X, 60X, 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens, offering a range of magnification options to suit different viewing needs and experiences. The adjustable aluminum tripod extends from 31.5 inches to 49 inches, making it versatile for users of varying heights and ensuring comfortable viewing positions. Weighing 18 pounds, it's relatively portable but might be slightly heavy for younger teens to carry around frequently.

The Altazimuth mount makes it easy to navigate the sky, ideal for beginners who are still learning how to track celestial objects. The ease of operation is a significant advantage, with no tools required for setup and quick focusing, it’s user-friendly for those new to telescopes. The package includes several accessories, which add value, and the 12-month support and customer service offer peace of mind. However, the manual focus may require some practice for young users, and the 18-pound weight could be a bit cumbersome for prolonged or frequent outdoor use. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Gskyer Telescope stands out as an accessible and high-quality option for young astronomy enthusiasts.

Rating
9.7
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
22319 reviews

Aperture
Provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars, sparking curiosity and exploration.
Mount Type
The AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements, making it easy to track celestial objects.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids to move around easily.
Ease of Use
An excellent choice for young astronomy enthusiasts, offering an easy-to-use and engaging introduction to stargazing.
Accessories
Simple to set up and operate, with clear instructions and included eyepieces aiding beginners in locating objects.
#3

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

Rating
9.1
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
281 reviews

Aperture
Optics deliver crisp, bright images with clear lunar details and good views of brighter planets, making stargazing truly enjoyable.
Mount Type
The altazimuth mount and aluminum tripod provide a stable and comfortable viewing experience suitable for both kids and adults.
Portability
The carrying case adds great convenience for transporting the telescope to astronomy clubs or camping trips.
Ease of Use
Setup is straightforward but can feel a bit cumbersome initially, yet the overall value and performance are well worth it.
Accessories
The phone adapter makes astrophotography accessible and fun, allowing users to capture and share their celestial discoveries.

The HUGERSTAR Telescope is a solid choice for teens just starting in astronomy. Its 90mm aperture and 800mm focal length deliver bright and clear views of the moon, stars, and planets, which is quite good for a beginner telescope. The altazimuth mount is simple to use and helps beginners easily aim the telescope without complex setup. It comes with two eyepieces and a 3X Barlow lens, allowing magnifications from 32X up to 240X, which offers flexibility as skills improve.

The adjustable stainless steel tripod fits different heights, making it comfortable for teens to use, and the included carry bag adds convenience for storage and travel. One standout feature is the phone adapter, so users can capture images through the telescope, which is fun and appealing for young users. The moon filter reduces glare, helping to see lunar details more clearly and comfortably. Assembly is quite straightforward with no tools required, and most users finish setup quickly, making it beginner-friendly.

The telescope weighs about 12 pounds, which might be a bit heavy for younger teens to carry alone over long distances. Manual focusing and the straight-through finder scope might require some patience and practice to master. Although viewing deep space objects may be less satisfying compared to larger models, this telescope offers a great balance of quality, ease of use, and helpful accessories for teens eager to explore the night sky without feeling overwhelmed.

Rating
9.1
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
281 reviews

Aperture
Optics deliver crisp, bright images with clear lunar details and good views of brighter planets, making stargazing truly enjoyable.
Mount Type
The altazimuth mount and aluminum tripod provide a stable and comfortable viewing experience suitable for both kids and adults.
Portability
The carrying case adds great convenience for transporting the telescope to astronomy clubs or camping trips.
Ease of Use
Setup is straightforward but can feel a bit cumbersome initially, yet the overall value and performance are well worth it.
Accessories
The phone adapter makes astrophotography accessible and fun, allowing users to capture and share their celestial discoveries.

Buying Guide for the Best Beginner Telescope For Teens

Choosing a beginner telescope for teens can be an exciting journey into the world of astronomy. The right telescope can spark a lifelong interest in the stars and planets. When selecting a telescope, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure it meets the needs and interests of the young astronomer. Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision and find a telescope that is both user-friendly and capable of providing clear, enjoyable views of the night sky.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror. It is one of the most important specifications because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. A larger aperture allows for brighter and clearer images, which is crucial for viewing faint objects like distant galaxies and nebulae. For beginners, an aperture of 70mm to 100mm is usually sufficient. This range provides a good balance between portability and performance, making it easier for teens to handle and set up the telescope while still offering impressive views of the night sky.
Focal LengthThe focal length is the distance between the telescope's main lens or mirror and the point where the image is brought into focus. It affects the magnification and field of view of the telescope. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is great for viewing planets and the moon in detail. However, it also narrows the field of view, making it harder to locate objects. For beginners, a focal length between 400mm and 800mm is ideal. This range offers a good balance, allowing for both wide-field views of star clusters and detailed observations of planets.
Mount TypeThe mount is the part of the telescope that supports it and allows it to move. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. An altazimuth mount moves up and down and left to right, making it simple and intuitive to use, which is perfect for beginners. An equatorial mount, on the other hand, is aligned with the Earth's axis and is better for tracking objects as they move across the sky, but it can be more complex to set up and use. For teens just starting out, an altazimuth mount is usually the best choice due to its ease of use and straightforward operation.
PortabilityPortability is an important factor, especially for teens who may want to take their telescope to different locations. A portable telescope is lightweight and easy to transport, making it more likely to be used frequently. When considering portability, look for telescopes that are compact and come with a carrying case or bag. Telescopes with a collapsible or tabletop design are also good options. Ensuring the telescope is easy to move and set up will encourage more frequent use and exploration of different observing sites.
Ease of UseEase of use is crucial for beginners to ensure a positive and frustration-free experience. Features like simple assembly, intuitive controls, and clear instructions can make a big difference. Some telescopes come with additional aids like red dot finders or smartphone apps that help locate celestial objects. Choosing a telescope that is user-friendly will help teens quickly learn how to operate it and enjoy their stargazing sessions without getting discouraged by complicated setups or difficult-to-use equipment.
AccessoriesAccessories can enhance the stargazing experience and make the telescope more versatile. Common accessories include eyepieces, which determine the magnification, and Barlow lenses, which increase the magnification of any given eyepiece. A good beginner telescope should come with at least one or two eyepieces of different focal lengths to provide a range of magnifications. Other useful accessories might include a star chart, a moon filter to reduce glare, and a sturdy tripod. These extras can help teens get the most out of their telescope and explore a variety of celestial objects.

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