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10 Best Telescopes For Beginners 2025 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
9.8
Chosen by1,325
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type

Most important from
21541 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 (Altazimuth) mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Portability
The lightweight and portable design makes it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Eyepieces
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for those new to astronomy.
Finderscope
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for those new to astronomy.

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.

This telescope is designed with portability in mind, featuring an adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and a convenient carry bag, making it easy to transport for outdoor stargazing sessions. The inclusion of a smartphone adapter and a wireless remote is a fantastic bonus, allowing users to capture images of what they're observing and share their experiences easily.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind. The manual focus may require a bit of patience and practice for beginners who are unfamiliar with focusing telescopes. Additionally, while the finderscope is helpful for locating objects, those more interested in deeper space observations might find the telescope's limitations as they begin to explore more complex celestial targets.

As a beginner’s telescope, the Gskyer Telescope stands out with its user-friendly features and solid performance for casual astronomers. It is well-suited for kids and novice enthusiasts, providing an engaging way to start exploring the wonders of the universe.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,325
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type

Most important from
21541 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 (Altazimuth) mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Portability
The lightweight and portable design makes it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Eyepieces
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for those new to astronomy.
Finderscope
The included eyepieces and finderscope make locating objects easier, even for those new to astronomy.
#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.

Rating
9.6
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
4619 reviews

Mount Type
The setup is super easy, and the tripod is of great quality, making movement seamless.
Portability
This telescope is light-weight yet stable, easy to move around and adjust, ideal for home use.

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.

The 5x24 finderscope aids in locating objects, which is crucial for beginners. The altazimuth mount provides simple up-and-down, left-and-right movement, optimal for novice users who may find equatorial mounts complex. The telescope's lightweight design and carrying bag make it easy to transport, and the inclusion of a phone adapter and wireless remote control adds convenience for capturing images.

However, while the manual focus and reflex finderscope are beneficial for learning, they may require some practice to use effectively. Also, the build quality, while adequate, may not be as robust as higher-end models. Despite these minor drawbacks, the HEXEUM AZ80600 is a strong choice for those new to stargazing, offering a good balance of quality and ease of use.

Rating
9.6
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
4619 reviews

Mount Type
The setup is super easy, and the tripod is of great quality, making movement seamless.
Portability
This telescope is light-weight yet stable, easy to move around and adjust, ideal for home use.
#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
9.3
Ease of Use
Aperture
Portability

Most important from
49 reviews

Ease of Use
Setup is impressively quick and hassle-free, with clear instructions enabling assembly in under 30 minutes.
Aperture
The telescope delivers crisp and bright views, especially of the moon’s craters, providing a rewarding stargazing experience for beginners.
Portability
Portability is a strong suit thanks to the included carry case and lightweight design, making it easy to take on trips or backyard sessions.
Mount Type
The altazimuth mount offers smooth tracking and simple adjustments, perfect for newcomers learning to follow celestial objects.
Magnification
While the 3x Barlow lens boosts magnification, it requires practice to focus properly and can introduce shakiness if not handled carefully.

The HUGERSTAR telescope is a solid choice for beginners interested in astronomy. Its 90mm aperture and 800mm focal length offer bright and clear views, making it good for observing the moon, stars, and even some planets. The included eyepieces and 3X Barlow lens allow magnification between 32x to 240x, which covers a wide range of viewing options without overwhelming a new user. The altazimuth (AZ) mount is simple to use and adjust, helping beginners easily point the telescope without complicated controls.

Portability is decent thanks to the adjustable stainless steel tripod and included carrying bag, so you can take it outside or on trips. The moon filter enhances lunar viewing by reducing glare, and the phone adapter is a handy addition for capturing and sharing your observations. Assembly is straightforward with clear instructions and no tools required, making it beginner-friendly. On the downside, the manual focus and Kellner eyepieces are basic and may not offer the sharpest images compared to more advanced models. Also, weighing almost 11 pounds, it might be a bit heavy for younger users or quick setup on the go.

This telescope combines good optics with ease of use, making it a practical pick for adults new to stargazing who want a reliable and moderately powerful starter telescope.

Rating
9.3
Ease of Use
Aperture
Portability

Most important from
49 reviews

Ease of Use
Setup is impressively quick and hassle-free, with clear instructions enabling assembly in under 30 minutes.
Aperture
The telescope delivers crisp and bright views, especially of the moon’s craters, providing a rewarding stargazing experience for beginners.
Portability
Portability is a strong suit thanks to the included carry case and lightweight design, making it easy to take on trips or backyard sessions.
Mount Type
The altazimuth mount offers smooth tracking and simple adjustments, perfect for newcomers learning to follow celestial objects.
Magnification
While the 3x Barlow lens boosts magnification, it requires practice to focus properly and can introduce shakiness if not handled carefully.

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.

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