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10 Best 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

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

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,238
Magnification
Mount
Portability

Most important from
21692 reviews

Magnification
Offers decent magnification for observing celestial objects like the moon’s craters, Jupiter's moons, and Saturn’s rings.
Mount
The AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids and easy to set up and operate.
Eyepieces
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for beginners.

The Gskyer Telescope is an excellent choice for kids and beginners who are interested in exploring astronomy. With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright images of the moon and stars. The fully coated optics ensure high transmission of light, enhancing image quality and protecting your eyes. The included 3x Barlow lens and two eyepieces offer versatile magnification options, making it easier to locate and observe celestial objects using the 5x24 finder scope. The Altazimuth mount allows smooth and simple movement, making it user-friendly for beginners.

The adjustable aluminum tripod and carry bag enhance its portability, allowing you to take it on your travels conveniently. The added smartphone adapter and wireless camera remote are great for capturing and sharing your celestial discoveries. While this telescope is highly rated and popular, its manual focus might require some practice to get right, and it’s designed mainly for casual star-gazing rather than advanced astronomical research.

Nonetheless, for its price point and ease of use, it's a solid entry-level telescope for those starting their journey into astronomy.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,238
Magnification
Mount
Portability

Most important from
21692 reviews

Magnification
Offers decent magnification for observing celestial objects like the moon’s craters, Jupiter's moons, and Saturn’s rings.
Mount
The AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Portability
Lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids and easy to set up and operate.
Eyepieces
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for beginners.
#2

Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting Telescopes Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings AZ Mount with Tripod Phone Adapter, Wireless Control, Carrying Bag.

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Magnification
Mount

Most important from
4708 reviews

Aperture
Fantastic lens strength with clear and concise images.
Magnification
Able to see beautiful nebulae and even moons of Jupiter and Mars.
Mount
Sturdy tripod and smooth focusing mechanism enhance usability.
Portability
The telescope is light-weight, easy to assemble, and very easy to use.

The HEXEUM Telescope with an 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length is a solid choice for both beginners and more experienced astronomy enthusiasts. Its large aperture allows for capturing more light, leading to clearer and brighter images, which is great for observing the moon and planets. The included eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) provide good magnification options, and the 3x Barlow lens enhances this further.

The 5x24 finder scope makes locating objects simpler, aiding in the user experience. The telescope's optical quality is also commendable, thanks to the fully multi-coated lenses that enhance image brightness and clarity. This model is quite portable due to its adjustable aluminum tripod, phone adapter, wireless remote control, and carrying bag. Setting it up is straightforward, requiring no tools, making it user-friendly even for novices.

However, at 6.2 pounds, it might be slightly heavy for some users to carry around for extended periods. The Altazimuth mount provides decent stability but may not be as precise for tracking celestial objects as an equatorial mount. Customer service seems reliable, offering lifetime maintenance and prompt responses to queries.

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Magnification
Mount

Most important from
4708 reviews

Aperture
Fantastic lens strength with clear and concise images.
Magnification
Able to see beautiful nebulae and even moons of Jupiter and Mars.
Mount
Sturdy tripod and smooth focusing mechanism enhance usability.
Portability
The telescope is light-weight, easy to assemble, and very easy to use.
#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

Rating
9.3
Aperture
Focal Length
Magnification

Most important from
172 reviews

Aperture
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification.
Focal Length
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification.
Magnification
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification.
Mount
The telescope is built well and sturdy, and the tripod is stable.
Portability
The carrying case is a thoughtful touch, making it easy to take the setup on the go.

The HETEKAN Telescope for Adults and Beginners is designed for those interested in exploring the night sky, particularly for lunar and planetary observation. This refractor telescope features a 90mm aperture which allows more light to enter, providing bright and clear images. Its fully multi-coated optical glass lenses minimize light reflection, enhancing image quality while protecting the viewer's eyes. With a focal length of 900mm and a variable magnification range from 36X to 450X, thanks to three different eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, this telescope delivers a versatile viewing experience.

The included 5x24 finder scope helps in locating celestial objects more easily. The telescope comes with an adjustable stainless steel tripod that offers 360-degree horizontal and 180-degree vertical movement, making it adaptable for users of different heights (adjustable from 28.5 to 45 inches). Additionally, it includes a phone adapter, allowing users to capture images of their observations. Setup is straightforward, supported by a detailed guide and customer service for further assistance.

However, at a weight of 12.12 pounds and its dimensions, it may not be the most portable option for those looking to travel frequently with their telescope. The Altazimuth mount is user-friendly but might lack the precision required by more experienced astronomers. This telescope is ideal for beginners and intermediate users who want a reliable and high-powered device for stargazing.

Rating
9.3
Aperture
Focal Length
Magnification

Most important from
172 reviews

Aperture
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification.
Focal Length
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification.
Magnification
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification.
Mount
The telescope is built well and sturdy, and the tripod is stable.
Portability
The carrying case is a thoughtful touch, making it easy to take the setup on the go.

Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes

Choosing the right telescope can be a thrilling yet daunting task, especially if you're new to stargazing. The key to finding the best telescope for you is to understand the different specifications and how they align with your needs and interests. Whether you're interested in observing planets, deep-sky objects, or just want a general-purpose telescope, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main optical component (the lens or mirror). It is one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. The larger the aperture, the more light it can collect, which means you'll be able to see fainter objects and more detail. Apertures can range from small (around 60mm) to very large (over 200mm). For beginners, an aperture of 70-100mm is usually sufficient for viewing the moon and planets. If you're interested in deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, you might want to consider a larger aperture, around 150mm or more.
Focal LengthThe focal 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 of the telescope. 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 deep-sky objects. For general use, a focal length between 700mm and 1000mm is a good starting point.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger the telescope can make objects appear. It is determined by the focal length of the telescope and the eyepiece being used. While high magnification might seem appealing, it's not always better. Too much magnification can make images blurry and hard to see. A good rule of thumb is to use a magnification of 50x per inch of aperture. For example, a 4-inch telescope should be used at no more than 200x magnification. Beginners should start with lower magnifications (20x to 50x) to get clear and stable images.
MountThe 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 move up-down and left-right, making them simple and intuitive to use, ideal for beginners. Equatorial mounts are more complex and are designed to follow the rotation of the Earth, which is useful for long-exposure astrophotography. If you're just starting out, an altazimuth mount is usually sufficient. If you plan to get into astrophotography, 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 or if you have limited storage space. Smaller telescopes are generally more portable and easier to set up, making them a good choice for beginners or those who need to travel with their telescope. Larger telescopes offer better viewing capabilities but can be heavy and cumbersome to move. Consider your living situation and how often you plan to move your telescope when deciding on the right size.
EyepiecesEyepieces are the lenses you look through to see the magnified image. Most telescopes come with one or two eyepieces, but you can purchase additional ones to achieve different magnifications. The focal length of the eyepiece, combined with the telescope's focal length, determines the magnification. It's good to have a range of eyepieces to cover different viewing needs. For example, a 25mm eyepiece for wide-field views and a 10mm eyepiece for higher magnification. Beginners should start with the eyepieces that come with the telescope and gradually expand their collection based on their observing preferences.

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