Best amateur telescope

Summary –

Space is an intriguing zone where humans can seldom go and make their mark. Space stations like NASA can spend billions of dollars on sending rockets and research probes into space, but, it is a far-fetched dream for the average person. However, things are not as gloomy as it sounds because, with the best amateur telescope, you can do your space research from the comfort of your home. The professional equipment is usually complex to set up and quite expensive, but those designed for beginners are more affordable and ready to help you zoom onto planets during those starry nights.

See also: Best High-Performance Desktop Pcs

Best amateur telescope

Best Budget Amateur Telescope for All

Celestron 21023 Cometron Firstscope White Edition

When you come to know the actual pricing of this product and how compact it looks, you can easily understand why it is one of the most wanted choices among beginners. After all, when you can purchase a real telescope for just $50 or less, anyone would want to jump into this new hobby. This particular model is handy because it doesn’t require any tools to set it up, and you can assemble it instantly once you take it out of the box.

Included in the bundle are two Kellner eyepieces that can be fit in when necessary. Some of these terms may sound like complex jargon, but you can go online to read articles on space and telescopes or watch YouTube videos on the subject to understand most of it. The Celestron 21023 Cometron Firstscope also comes bundled with a finderscope, which is a must-have accessory for beginners.

It is one of the famous brands out there, and you can be assured of the build quality and support services if needed. The 20123 is a follow-up to the Firstscope with some useful improvements, and it is a use-on-the-go type model that doesn’t require any complex set up process. However, make sure to use it with care and pack it up when you carry it outside because it is small and may break if not handled with care.

What Makes the Celestron 21023 Cometron Firstscope a Great Beginner’s Telescope?

• The pricing is a crucial factor because you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to look into space.
• It is compact, and there is no need to use tools to set it up.

Recommended For:

• A telescope exclusively made for beginners, Celestron’s best amateur telescope, is compact. You can also carry it to your friend’s location to view the space and planets but, make sure to keep it safe as it is small and needs extra care while transporting and moving it around.

Best Refractor Telescope for Adults and Kids Alike

SVBONY SV501 70mm Refractor Telescope

Buying a new telescope is easy if you are just focused on the budget. At the same time, if you want to be able to view the stars and the moon, then the telescope will need to be a bit powerful. The SVBONY SV501 70mm Refractor Telescope is usually marketed as a kids’ telescope, but it is much more powerful than what you may assume. The product has an excellent 70mm objective lens combined with a focal length of 420mm.

It may sound like overkill at first, but with this telescope, you will be able to view the craters on the moon from your home comfortably. Being a multipurpose telescope, you can see the stars in the night or even use it to enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance. The beginner’s build is handy as it comes included with a tripod. The telescope uses M42 threads, the same that is found on DSLR cameras and firmly attaches to the photography equipment of your choice. The tripod is also firm with three aluminum legs.

The SV501 has an adjustable stand so that both kids and adults can use it by simply adjusting the height of the tripod. The durable product is dust-proof, and the optics finderscope allows you to focus on your object properly. A 90-degree zenith mirror powers the telescope, which will enable you to observe both space and distant objects in the earth’s horizon.

What Makes the SVBONY SV501 70mm Refractor Telescope a Solid Product?

• The refractor telescope is easy to use – to view planets in space as well as observe distant objects in the earth’s horizon.
• It comes bundled with a tripod and is ideal for both kids and adults making it a family-friendly gadget.

Recommended For:

• Kids as well as adults. The size of the telescope is much larger, allowing you to view some great details on the moon or other planets. It can be used to see wildlife or nature during a trip. The adjustable stand supports viewing by both kids as well as adults, and therefore, it is suitable for the family.

A Beginner’s Telescope

AW 70mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope

Going into the world of astronomy maybe for those special people who love to stargaze all night long. After all, natural beauty is something that takes time to get accustomed to. The AW 70mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope is a great way to start this enjoyable hobby because it is affordable, easy to use, and is small so that you can easily take it out on a camping or a stargazing trip.

The bundle includes a tripod so that there is no need to purchase any additional accessories. Considered as one of the best and popular beginner’s telescopes, the AW product features a large 70mm aperture that can take in as much light as possible to provide crystal clear images. You can’t expect professional-grade solutions out of this model, but it still works great.

The refractor telescope has a 5 x 24 finderscope, and these scopes are essential for any newcomer to focus on a specific object in space quickly. The bundle is quite expansive as it includes a tripod, eyepiece, finderscope, and an aiming platform. Everything is provided to make it easier for newbies to get into the world of stargazing. You can also use it to enjoy a relaxing weekend night in a camp or the top of a tall building.

What Makes the AW 70mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope Ideal?

• An affordable and best amateur telescope to explore and find out if stargazing is an ideal hobby for you.
• The product is easy to use, and the finderscope is very handy that you can easily focus on distant, small objects.

Recommended For:

• Those on a budget. The AW 70mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope has all the items required to get you into the world of skywatching and enjoy some spectacular view of the moon and stars, among other interesting elements you might find in space. The model is quite budget-friendly and also has all the accessories, making it the complete solution

An Easy Pick for Young Minds

SVBONYSV25 Refractor Telescope

Getting into the world of astronomy may sound like an expensive and sophisticated hobby. But, the SVBONY SV25 Refractor Telescope helps you overcome these doubts very easily. After all, this is one refractor telescope that is easy to set up, is quite affordable, and can also be used by kids with some minor monitoring.

SVBONY is a well-known brand that has plenty of products up its sleeve, and many of them are affordable, which makes the brand popular among beginners. The SV25 is one of the best amateur telescopes that can be used to view the moon and craters on it in detail. Besides, the 60mm aperture allows you to cover most of the prominent things in space.

A surprising addition is that there is a phone mount using which you can take pictures of stars or even make videos during an eclipse. As all entry-level products can be used to watch space and also objects at a distance, you can encourage your kids to use them during trekking or safari. It is certainly not a fully customizable solution for professionals but perfect for amateurs.

What Makes the SVBONYSV25 Refractor Telescope Great for Kids?

• Be it, beginners or kids, anyone can use the SV25 for stargazing without having to spend a fortune.
• The compact size makes it easy to carry around, and there is no need to spend hours setting it up.

Recommended For:

• A budget-friendly telescope for everyone, the SVBONYSV25 Refractor Telescope is great for kids and young adults who like to get into the world of stargazing and watching the space, unveiling its deep mysteries from the comfort of their homes or outdoors.

A Powerful Telescope with Onboard Computer

Celestron 11069 Nexstar 8SE Telescope

With so many different types of telescopes at different price tags, it may be challenging to make an immediate choice on the best amateur telescope. Instead, you can go with a product that is capable of automatically processing everything and allowing you to stargaze without going through hard manual procedures. The Celestron 11069 Nexstar 8SE Telescope is the right solution for anyone who loves to enjoy space instantly.

This particular model is the best amateur telescope because the heavy lifting is entirely handled by the on-board computer. Besides, Celestron is a brand known for its high-quality products that you can rely upon. Over 40,000 recognized objects in space are pre-programmed, and all you have to do is take the telescope out of the box, select the object, and follow the guidance provided.

The telescope has a large 8-inch aperture that absorbs maximum light to deliver high clarity to the objects you view in space. Everything is fantastic except for the price tag which will put off some of the enthusiasts. When you have to spend over a thousand dollars to stargaze, it becomes a costly hobby to justify. You can explore the cosmos with maximum details, and the bundle includes phone adapter, eyepiece, filter kit, among all things to get you started.

What Makes the Celestron 11069 Nexstar 8SE Telescope the best Automated Solution?

• The telescope is sturdy and has thousands of celestial objects programmed into it that you can view while being assisted by the built-in computer.
• It is quite expensive but an excellent addition to true enthusiasts.

Recommended For:

• Those who want to take photographs of the objects in space. The Celestron 11069 Nexstar 8SE Telescope is what every hobbyist would love to have because you don’t have to manually find planets and stars as everything is automated with the help of its computing capabilities. It also has the accessories needed to take photos of those beautiful objects in space if your wallet can handle the pricing

Best Amateur Telescope that Includes an Astronomy Software

Celestron 21036 Powerseeker 70AZ Telescope

When getting into a brand new hobby, be it photography or exploring the space, many would feel lost among professional jargon and the pricing. The Celestron 21036 Powerseeker 70AZ Telescope, however, balances everything, and there is no need to worry about setup guides or knowing the terms to explore the cosmos. The bundled astronomy software makes life easier for complete newbies.

The Celestron 21036 has a good build quality, and the fact it uses an altazimuth mount lets you set it up without having to align or calibrate it for accuracy manually. There are millions of stars in space. The software tries to help you out in understanding its prominence and how to find them. While it is still a beginner’s product, you can watch the moon and other stars.

The 21036 is a versatile product that comes bundled with a sturdy tripod ideal for setting it up and going on a stargazing space exploration. At the same time, you can also opt for the 80mm or other higher versions to get better clarity of what you watch. The product is an all-rounder for people of all ages.

What Makes the Celestron 21036 Powerseeker 70AZ Telescope a Good Choice?

• The product quality is excellent, easy to use, and requires minimal time to get started.
• Bundled astronomy software makes things interesting for beginners.

Recommended For:

• The serious hobbyist. The pricing is slightly on the steeper side, but it is still affordable for most users besides helping them with the software tool. The versatile Celestron 21036 is available in different variants, including a less-expensive 50AZ refractor model that goes all the way up to the 80AZ short refractor variant.

Best Amateur Telescope with Automated Object Recognition

Meade LX90-ACF

Gazing through the stars is easy, but trying to find specific comets or planets may be quite difficult for newcomers. The Meade LX90-ACF is powered by Sony’s GPS sensor that makes stargazing as fun as it should initially be. The telescope quickly falls under the professional category not only because of the cost but also for the fact that it can automatically help you find what you are looking for.

Be prepared to be amazed because by using this telescope, you can immediately spot over 30,000 objects in space, including comets, planets, stars, and other beautiful objects in the celestial arena. The GPS makes this possible, and all you have to do is follow the guided marking to view what the telescope suggests. A surprising addition is ‘Tonight’s Best Feature,’ similar to how Netflix might show recommendations to the user to watch something new and exciting.

The Meade LX90-ACF is duly supported by the manufacturer with frequent updates that add newly discovered stars and objects so that there is always something new to view in your library. The entire concept sounds innovative and easy to use, making this more of an amateur telescope than a professional product that may need lots of tweaking. If you love guided tours of space from the comfort of your home, this should be on your list.

What Makes the Meade LX90-ACF an Easy to Use Product?

• The guided GPS-based navigation makes it one of the easiest telescopes to use.
• It has a feature that informs you of what’s interesting to watch each night.

Recommended For:

• New entrants into the field of stargazing as well as professionals. The Meade LX90-ACF is priced on the higher side, which may make it a tough pick for beginners, but it is one of the best and most trusted telescopes for its usability. All you have to do is follow the guidelines to watch thousands of stars and comets without having to keep searching for them, which is often a deterrent for newcomers.

Best Telescope for the Frequent Traveler

Celestron Travel scope 70

Ideally named as a travel scope and not a telescope, the Celestron Travel scope 70 is primarily built for those who are always on the move for various reasons. After all, a congested city may not be the best place to view those beautiful stars in the sky. You can carry this product anywhere you go because it is extremely rugged and portable. The Travelscopeis an affordable gadget for almost anyone.

The Celestron product comes bundled with a backpack and all the accessories as a kit to get you started as soon as you decide to become a stargazer. While the quality of the telescope may not be on par with more expensive, professional products, this is still an excellent starter’s kit. Powered by a large 70mm refractor lens and powerful eyepiece for easy viewing, it is easy to set up and even includes a tripod.

Apart from all these additions, the Celestron Travel scope 70 provides the Starry Night Astronomy Software package. The value-for-money accessories and the way they help simplify stargazing for beginners makes this product an easy suggestion for anyone who likes to travel while taking occasional breaks to stare into the night sky.

What Makes the Celestron Travel scope 70 a Sturdy Solution?

• The build quality is rugged, and it gives confidence to the user to carry it anywhere.
• The travel scope has excellent light absorption capabilities making viewing pleasure, especially for beginners.
• It is provided with a backpack and accessories so that you can use it without spending anything further.

Recommended For:

• Newbies to stargazing. Celestron has products in a wide range of pricing and quality, but the Celestron Travel scope 70 is affordable, works great when used outdoors, and has a backpack with accessories. Everything is provided at such an easy to digest pricing that makes the Celestron Travel scope 70 a recommended product besides being the best amateur telescope for all.

A Telescope Made for Your Tabletop

Orion 10012 Skyscanner 100mm Tabletop Reflector Telescope

For the lucky few who have a table facing the window, maybe you don’t want to mount your telescope on a tripod? Besides, it is handy to be able to pull the telescope closer and take a glance into the sky during the night. The Orion 10012 Skyscanner 100mm Tabletop Reflector Telescope is unique in terms of color choices and the design as it is meant to be placed on your tabletop.

The product is very compact, with a minimal footprint. While there are a couple of brands that make the best amateur telescopes, Orion does have its brand value and market share. The bundle includes EZ Finder II Reflex Sight allowing spotters to quickly find the lunar craters, stars, and passing comets without having to search through space for hours.

Make sure to choose this product only if your area is not polluted by too much light, especially if you live in a metropolitan city. The build quality of the Orion product is top-notch because, surprisingly, the company has used a metal build instead of plastic. The setup inspires confidence as it is easy to use on the tabletop and looks amazingly portable with the vibrant, colorful finish.

What Makes the Orion 10012 Skyscanner 100mm Tabletop Reflector Telescope a Portable Choice?

• The telescope is the best portable solution you can pick because of its tabletop design.
• The included EZ Finder allows you to find the planets, moon craters, and other exciting objects nearby with relative ease.

Recommended For:

• Those looking for a compact, tabletop telescope. The Orion 10012 Skyscanner 100mm Tabletop Reflector Telescope is compact, easy to use, but it is a bit expensive for newcomers. If you don’t mind the price and the absence of a tripod, this is one perfect solution to be kept on your table for stargazing during free nights.

A Powerful Telescope for Professionals

Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope

The Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope is a powerful solution even for professionals because you can get lots done with this affordable product. The level of clarity with which users can view the moon craters, stars, and passing comets is breathtakingly good. If you are a person who loves stargazing and looking up in the sky at night, this should be on your wishlist.

The telescope has a solid construction and has a large body that is easy to hold. Such a setup allows you to take it outdoors with confidence. An additional factor that makes it travel-friendly is that there is no need to carry any tools. You can set it up in a forest camp, in a cabin in the woods, or on the terrace in a matter of minutes. The bundle also includes all the tools essential to get a newbie started.

The Celestron Product bundles a 10mm and 20mm eyepiece combined with a finderscope. The scope uses a StarPointer red dot, which makes life easier for stargazers to point the range at specific objects to zoom in on them. Furthermore, there is an equatorial mount designed to help you follow moving stars or comets effortlessly. The light absorption capability is much higher and generates crisp images of craters and stars.

What Makes the Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope Amazing?

• The quality of images viewed through this telescope is just the best you can get.
• It is portable and can be installed in any spot without having to have any proprietary tools.

Recommended For:

• The serious astronomer. The Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope is the best for serious stargazers who would enjoy looking at crystal clear images of the moon, stars, comets, and everything beautiful that space has to offer. The pricing is slightly on the higher side, but it is a product worth owning if you are serious about astronomy.

A Tabletop Telescope from a Noted Brand

Celestron 76mm Firstscope Apollo 11 Edition

Buying a special edition telescope is not something a beginner would do, but this one is not too expensive and is a tabletop product. Placing the Celestron 76mm Firstscope Apollo 11 Edition on your table will make sense as it is designed for the same. You don’t need a tripod or go for any installation procedure to place this telescope and have it ready for stargazing.

Celestron always makes some excellent products and is one of the most popular, widely recommended telescope brands that you can depend upon. They have gone a step ahead with the Apollo 11 edition, which is a unique edition product with a bunch of goodies that revolves around a theme. The product is inspired by the moon landing and commemorates the 50th anniversary since its successful venture.

The Dobsonian telescope has a 76mm aperture reflector and also comes bundled with a book. There are over 50 different exciting facts about the moon and the lunar surface that you can read. Once done, the telescope will allow you to directly take a look at the craters, new planets, and many more. The compact design allows you to use it on a tabletop or even hold it in your hand while on the terrace.

What Makes the Celestron 76mm Firstscope Apollo 11 Edition a Compact Solution?

• The telescope is designed to be used on a tabletop that saves time and setup procedure.
• The bundled book and the unique design is captivating.

Recommended For:

• The astronomically inclined collector. The Celestron 76mm Firstscope Apollo 11 Edition has a 50th-anniversary special edition book that talks exciting stuff about the lunar surface. It includes a commemorative coin and a unique moon-wrap design on top of the telescope, making it a fresh choice for collectors.

Best Amateur Telescope with a Hefty Price Tag

Orion Skyquest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Kit

Once you have decided to go all-out into the world of astronomy, think no further. Invest in a product such as the Orion Skyquest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Kit that is meant for professionals. While an actual professional product may even cost thousands of dollars, you can get this one for half of the price but have features that deliver picture-perfect quality.

Designed for ease of use and to deliver the great image clarity, the product has a Dobsonian design and a sturdy look to it. The model feels solid to hold in the hands with a build quality that justifies the price tag. The company claims that they have made one of the telescopes, which are the easiest to use. This telescope has an 8-inch parabolic primary mirror, which allows you to spot farther and smaller space objects.

The bundle includes a safety film solar filter. For newbies who find it difficult to browse through the endless cosmos, the telescope model is bundled with a DeepMap 600 folding star chart. Just find your way on the chart. Once you have spotted the location, it is only a matter of time before you can point your telescope at it and find the star or a passing comet.

What Makes the Orion Skyquest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Kit Reliable?

• Despite the pricing, it is the best choice for a professional stargazing experience.
• The product includes a map and makes it easy to find objects in space besides being very rugged.

Recommended For:

• The professional, but also suited for the amateur. Orion Skyquest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope is a rather expensive solution for total newbies, but it delivers excellent image quality, has a sturdy build, and is easy to setup. The additional accessories are not some of the best, yet they help navigate space from the comfort of your home with some guidance.

Bottomline

The best amateur telescope models are mostly manufactured by Celestron, a company that specializes in making telescopes. Instead of going through different types of products and the technologies used in those, we have created a pretty straight-forward list that is meant for beginners. There are tabletop models, those designed for travel, and tripod variants to be used on the rooftop. Most of them are budget-friendly, making it easier for you to purchase. Pick up one of your choices and see how you can use it in real life for stargazing and space exploration.