10 bestTelescopesof July 2025
112M consumers helped this year.
1
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm AZ Mount Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Astronomy Beginners with Stainless Tripod & Carrying Bag & Phone Adapter
MEEZAA
10.0
20% off
2
Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting, Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings AZ Mount with Tripod Phone Adapter, Wireless Control, Carrying Bag
Koolpte
10.0
3
Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults, Professional Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, Comes with 1.5X Barlow Lens Smartphone Adapter & 13% T Moon Filter
SOLOMARK
9.8
4
MEEZAA Telescope for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Fully Multi-Coated Optics High Transmission Telescopes with Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carrying Bag
MEEZAA
9.6
5
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72 APO Doublet Refractor – Compact and Portable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy (S11180)
Sky-Watcher
9.4
OtherUp to 12% off
Portable and Powerful 16x-120x Astronomical Telescope, Easy to Assemble and Use, Ideal for Adult & Beginners. Includes Manual in English, Mobile Adapter, Case, Tripod, 2 Eyepieces, 3X Lens
Telescope for Astronomy for Adult Beginners - Professional, Portable and Powerful 20x-250x - Easy to Mount and Use - Astronomical Telescope for Moon, Planets and Stargazing
Orion 10012 SkyScanner 100mm Tabletop Reflector Telescope (Burgundy)
SkyWatcher S11510 Maksutov-Cassegrain 102mm (Black)
6
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Carrying Bag and Designed Phone Adapter
SOLOMARK
9.1
7
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack
EACONN
8.8
8
Sky-Watcher Evolux 82ED Doublet Apo Refractor Telescope- Compact and Procurable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography, White (S11310)
Sky-Watcher
8.5
9
Sky-Watcher AZ-GTE with StarTravel 80 Refractor – Modular Go-to Alt-Az Tracking Mount for Time-Lapse and Panoramas – WiFi Enabled App Controlled
Sky-Watcher
8.3
10
Orion SkyScanner BL135mm Dobsonian Reflector Telescope
Orion
8.0
A Guide to Selecting the Best Telescopes
Choosing the right telescope can open up a whole new world of stargazing and astronomy. The best telescope for you depends on what you want to observe, how much space you have, and how portable you need it to be. It's important to understand the main features of telescopes so you can match them to your interests, whether that's looking at the moon, planets, or deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. By learning about the key specifications, you'll be able to make a choice that keeps you excited about exploring the night sky.
Aperture
Aperture refers to the diameter of the main lens or mirror of the telescope, and it's one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. More light means you can see fainter objects and get clearer, brighter images. Aperture sizes are usually measured in millimeters or inches. Small apertures (under 80mm/3 inches) are good for casual viewing of the moon and bright planets. Medium apertures (80-130mm/3-5 inches) let you see more detail and some deep-sky objects. Large apertures (over 130mm/5 inches) are best for serious deep-sky observation. If you want to see faint galaxies or nebulae, go for a larger aperture, but if you're mainly interested in the moon and planets, a smaller one will do.
Focal Length
Focal length is the distance from the telescope's lens or mirror to the point where it forms an image. This affects the magnification and field of view. Short focal lengths (under 700mm) give you a wider view, which is great for scanning large areas of the sky and viewing star clusters. Long focal lengths (over 1000mm) provide higher magnification, making them better for detailed views of planets and the moon. If you want to see wide areas of the sky, choose a shorter focal length, but if you want to zoom in on planets, a longer focal length is better.
Mount Type
The mount is what holds the telescope steady and allows you to move it. There are two main types: alt-azimuth and equatorial. Alt-azimuth mounts move up/down and left/right, making them simple and intuitive for beginners. Equatorial mounts are designed to follow the rotation of the sky, which is helpful for tracking objects as they move, especially if you want to do astrophotography. If you want easy setup and use, go for an alt-azimuth mount. If you plan to track objects for long periods or take photos, an equatorial mount is a better choice.
Portability
Portability refers to how easy it is to move and set up your telescope. Smaller, lighter telescopes are easier to carry and set up, making them great for travel or quick observing sessions. Larger telescopes can be heavy and bulky, but they often offer better views. If you plan to observe from different locations or need to store your telescope in a small space, prioritize portability. If you have a permanent spot for observing, you can consider a larger, less portable model.
Eyepieces and Accessories
Eyepieces determine the magnification and field of view you get from your telescope. Most telescopes come with one or two eyepieces, but you can buy more to get different views. Lower magnification eyepieces are good for wide views, while higher magnification ones are better for close-ups. Other accessories, like finderscopes or smartphone adapters, can make observing easier or more fun. Think about what you want to see and how you want to use your telescope, and make sure it comes with or can use the accessories you need.
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