The 10 Best Rated Telescopes For Beginners Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Best Rated Telescopes For Beginners
Best Rated Telescopes For Beginners

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Gskyer Telescope for Kids Beginners

Its fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protects your eyes. This telescope includes two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens that trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Celestron Portable Telescope for Beginners

Featuring superior optics and a powerful 70mm objective lens, this telescope delivers brighter and more detailed views of the night sky. With two high-quality eyepieces, you can get up close and personal with planets, galaxies, and nebulae. T Read Review

3. Budget Pick: ECOOPRO Telescope for Kids Beginners

This telescope is specially designed for kids and beginners, featuring fully coated optical glass with high transmission coatings for super clear images. With a magnification range of 51X to 128X, you can observe a variety of celestial objects - from the Moon to wildlife and scenery. Read Review

4. Best Quality: Celestron Portable Telescop for Beginners

Featuring a high-quality 70mm refractor with fully coated glass optics and a manual alt-azimuth telescope with a panhandle to navigate the sky with ease, this refractor-style body is ideal for both beginners and experienced stargazers alike. Read Review

5. Best Economical: ToyerBee Portable Telescope for Astronomy Beginners

This telescope is equipped with 3X Barlow lens, two eyepieces, a 70mm aperture, and 300mm focal length to provide more light and clearer images. With its wireless control capabilities, you can connect your smartphone adapter and wireless camera remote to take stunning shots of the night sky. Read Review

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of peering into the night sky and witnessing the wonders of the universe. If you’re a beginner astronomer just starting out, getting your hands on the best rated telescope for your needs can be a daunting task. With a myriad of models and brands to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Fear not, for we are here to help you navigate the waters of telescope shopping and find the one that’s perfect for you. Whether you are looking for a quality telescope that won't break the bank or one that will give you a professional-level experience, we have you covered. Read on to find out which telescope is best rated for beginners!.

After doing extensive study and analysis over a 18 hours, We think the best rated telescopes for beginners is Gskyer Telescope for Kids Beginners. It is compact to carry around and easy to assemble for kids and beginners and made of the highest optics material to produce realistic images. You can consider Celestron Portable Telescope for Beginners as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are definitely worth considering, and we've put up a useful shopping guide to help you decide!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Gskyer Telescope for Kids Beginners
Our Score:
9.7
Gskyer

Magnification: Come with two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens.3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines inside make locating objects easily.

Quality Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.

Satisfaction: TWO-YEAR warranty. Technical support from our team of experts in 24 hours.

Adjustable Tripod: This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and a carry bag, the telescope and tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and storage.

Wireless Remote: Free includes one smart phone adapter and one Wireless camera remote to explore the nature of the world easily through the screen and take amazing celestial images.

TOP Choice #2 Celestron Portable Telescope for Beginners
Our Score:
9.6
Celestron

Superior optics: The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope features high-quality, fully-coated glass optics, a potent 70mm objective lens, a lightweight frame, and a custom backpack to carry it all. Its quality is unmatched in its class and against competitors.

Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day.

Large 70mm objective lens: Our refractor telescope is equipped with a large 70mm aperture objective lens that provides enhanced, brighter views compared to the 50mm model while adding very little additional weight. Setting up and using the Travel Scope is quick and easy.

Unbeatable warranty and customer support: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.

Bonus bag, tripod, and software: This Celestron telescope and full-height tripod can be taken anywhere in the included travel backpack. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

TOP Choice #3 ECOOPRO Telescope for Kids Beginners
Our Score:
9.5
ECOOPRO

360mm focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optical glass with high transmission coatings telescope which creates crisp images with increased brightness and clarity.

Come with adjustable tripod , it allows for any viewing position. Great gifts refractor telescope for kids 8-12, 5-7.

Includes two 1.25" eyepieces (K25mm & K10mm) which you can enjoy the magnification from 51X to 128X, And 5X24 Finder Scope can made the starscope telescope locate objects faster.

70mm telescope excels at daytime birding use as well as viewing wildlife, scenery and casual nighttime observing of the Moon

No-tools quick set up and easy find your objects, perfect telescope for kids and astronomy beginners and it’s good gift to send your children.

Superior optics: The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope features high-quality, fully-coated glass optics, a potent 70mm objective lens, a lightweight frame, and a custom backpack to carry it all. Its quality is unmatched in its class and against competitors.

Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with 2 high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day.

Bonus bag, tripod, moon filter, 2x barlow, bluetooth shutter release, smartphone adapter and software: Highly portable and ready for your digiscoping adventures. Also includes a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

Large 70mm objective lens: Our refractor telescope is equipped with a large 70mm aperture objective lens that provides enhanced, brighter views compared to the 50mm model while adding very little additional weight. Setting up and using the Travel Scope is quick and easy.

Unbeatable warranty and customer support: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.

【70mm Large Aperture】The telescope equipped with 70mm aperture and 300mm focal length, which provide more lights and clearer images, even beginners can get clear images. The bigger the aperture, the bigger the field of vision, and the clearer the image.

【Great Telescope for Kids& Beginners!】 The telescope meets all the needs of astronomy beginners, the adults & kids’ astronomical journey begins from here! Equipped with 3X Barlow len and two eyepieces, H20mm and H6mm, you can get magnification of 15X to 150X. This is a great telescope for adults astronomy beginners.Whether it's viewing planets and stars, our telescope is the best helper for adults & kids.

Easy to assemble& dismount】 We have a full set of paper and video Installation Guidelines. Don't worry about any installation problems. Even for first-time users, kids&beginners can install it themselves without any tools. It is a great telescope for 8-12 kids and it’s a great astronomy gift to send them.

【Reliable Service Team】You can get unlimited technical support from our customer service and online expert team. Regardless of any questions, please contact us.

【Wireless Control】This telescope set includes one smartphone adapter and one Wireless camera remote. Just install your mobile phone on the phone adapter, connect to the the eyepieces of the telescope. These help you explore the nature of the world easily through the screen and you can take some amazing images.

6 Celestron Equatorial Telescope for Beginners
Our Score:
9.0
Celestron

COMPACT AND PORTABLE: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take the telescope to your favorite campsite or dark sky observing site, or simply the back yard

Navigate the sky with our refractor telescope. It features a German Equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing. Adjust rod to desired position, then easily secure by tightening cross knob

Multiple Accessories: The Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope features 2 eyepieces (20mm and 4mm), erect image diagonal, Finderscope, plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs

Perfect Beginners Telescope: The Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ is an easy-to-use and powerful telescope, the PowerSeeker series is designed to give the first-time telescope user the perfect combination of quality, value, features, and power

Quick setup & lightweight frame: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together features a lightweight frame and a manual German Equatorial mount for smooth and accurate pointing. Setup is quick and easy, with no tools required.

Powerful reflector telescope: The Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian telescope is a powerful and user-friendly reflector telescope. It features fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy and lightweight frame, 2 eyepieces, a StarPointer red dot finderscope and an adjustable tripod.

High-quality 114mm optics: The heart of the system is a fully-coated 114mm primary mirror. The AstroMaster mount features 2 slow-motion control knobs that allow you to make precision adjustments to view celestial and terrestrial objects.

Included accessories: We’ve included 2 eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a tripod, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope. Accessories also include a free download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

4-Inch aperture: The 4-inch primary mirror in this Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope for adults and kids to be used together packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that our Solar System has to offer, while retaining a compact form factor.

Nexstar computerized telescope: The NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope features Celestron’s iconic orange tube design with updated technology and the latest features for amazing stargazing for beginners and experienced observers.

Bonus free starry night software: The NexStar 4SE Telescope includes a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs for an interactive sky simulation.

Fully-automated go to mount: Featuring a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, the go to mount built into our telescopes for astronomy beginners automatically locates and tracks objects for you.

9 HEXEUM Portable Refracting Telescope
Our Score:
8.4
HEXEUM

Excellent Quality Optics: This telescope is 600mm(f/6.7) focal length and 80mm aperture, 80mm aperture to capture more light picture and multi-fully high transmission coated all-optical lens enhance image brightness and clarity. 18 ISQUECER

Satisfaction Quality: lifetime maintenance. If you have any questions about the product and service, please feel free to contact us, we will do our best to help you in 24 hours!

Optimum Magnification: Our telescope for kids and adults is quipped with two replaceable excellent-quality eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) for 24X and 60X magnification. 3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. magnificate moon up to 72 or 180 times. Also with 5x24 finder scope makes locating objects easy.

Easy To Set Up: In order to save your time. Even for novices, no tools are required to set up the telescope. quick and easy to focus. Truly realize a no-tool-set telescope.

Portable And Convenient: Comes with a phone adapter and an adjustable aluminum tripod. Wireless remote control and carrying bag make it easier for you portable and capture amazing images.

Satisfaction Quality: lifetime maintenance. If you have any questions about the product and service, please feel free to contact us, we will do our best to help you in 24 hours!

80mm Large Objective Lens: This telescope is an 80mm aperture and 600mm(f/6.7) focal length. 80mm aperture to capture more light pictures and multi-fully high transmission coated all-optical lens. Reduce the reflection of light, Enhance image brightness and clarity.

Powerful eyepieces Optimum Magnification: Our telescope for adults & 8-12 kids & astronomy beginners is quipped with two replaceable excellent-quality eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) for 24X and 60X magnification. 3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. Magnificate moon up to 72 or 180 times. Also with 5x24 finder scope makes locating objects easy.

Portable & Convenient & Stable: Comes with a phone adapter and an adjustable aluminum tripod. Wireless remote control and carrying bag make it easier for you to portable and capture fantastic images. 51p

Easy To Set Up: To save your time. Even for novices, no tools are required to set up the telescope. quick and easy to focus. Truly realize a no-tool-set telescope—only 5 steps to assemble.

What to Look For in a best rated telescopes for beginners?

Actually, when you decide to invest in best rated telescopes for beginners for yourself, lots of things to consider! It's harder to choose since the product comes with many types, functions, and features from different manufacturers. That’s why you should find a reliable space to acquire knowledge related to the item. 

We’ve highlighted the essential features of the best rated telescopes for beginners below. Along with checking out the list of best models in the list, you should also carefully read the buying guide here:

Eyepieces

There are many telescope eyepieces on the market. There are many options for magnification and viewing angles. A set of telescope eyepieces allows you to see large areas of the night sky and high magnification views on planets. If taken care of properly, a quality telescope eyepiece will last a lifetime.

Optical Design

There are many optical options for telescopes. These include reflectors and refractors as well as compound telescopes. Each telescope has its strengths and weaknesses. Refractors are my favorite type of telescope from an astrophotography standpoint, but they might not be the best choice for beginners.
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.

Objective

The objective is the main light-collecting element of a telescope. A larger objective will allow for greater detail and reveal smaller targets. A reflector design makes it possible to have a larger telescope objective for a more affordable price. However, a refractor with the same size would be expensive.

Mount

There are many types of telescope mounts available. Some even have computerized models that track and follow the movement of the skies. A sturdy Dobsonian or altazimuth mount will make stargazing enjoyable. Telescopes not mounted on a computerized mount should not be moved or adjusted for focus.
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.

Portability And Weight

A telescope that is easy to transport and set up takes would be a good choice. You will be less motivated to use your telescope when it is set up and taking too much time.
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.

Aperture

This aperture is recognizable by photographers. It controls how much light enters the telescope, just like on a manual camera. The aperture is the diameter of either the primary or lens mirror. A telescope with a larger aperture will draw more light, which can result in deeper views. The most important spec to be aware of is F-ratio. For wide-field observation and photography, low f-ratios such as f/4 and f/5 are best. However, high f-ratios such as f/15 make deep-space objects and nebulae easier to capture and see. Both can be done with midpoint f-ratios.

FAQs

Can You See Galaxies With A Telescope?

While any telescope will show you at most the Andromeda Galaxy with a minimum of effort, the quality of your views as well as the number of galaxies depend on the aperture of your telescope, the sky conditions and light pollution, and your observation skills.

How Much Does A Telescope For Beginners Cost?

There are many factors that can affect the cost of a telescope. A good telescope doesn't necessarily have to cost a lot of money. However, cheaper models might not offer the same magnifying power or other features needed by someone who is just beginning.

What Is A Good Magnification For A Telescope To See The Planets?

To see the larger planets of our solar system, you need a magnification that is at least 30x. Magnification of at least 100x is required for planets like Mars. However, it is possible to go higher. Remember that the aperture plays a significant role in viewing any object through your telescope. It determines whether or not you are able to see finer details and how bright they appear.

Why Is Aperture Size So Important When Choosing A Telescope?

What is the importance of aperture size when selecting a telescope?
Aspect size is a crucial aspect of choosing a telescope. A telescope's aperture size is a key factor in determining its ability to harvest light. The bigger the aperture, or primary mirror, the better the telescope will be at capturing that light and the greater the number of objects and details you can see.

Reflector telescopes have a major advantage: it is much simpler and more affordable to create a larger mirror than a larger lens. A refractor equipped with an 80mm objective lens will give you better view of the celestial objects than a mirror with a larger 114mm. The differences get even more pronounced when you go up to a 150mm or 130mm mirror.

What Are The Three Main Types Of Telescopes?

Three types of telescopes exist: refractors (or reflectors), catadioptrics (or catadioptrics). The lenses used by refracting telescopes to make an image. To gather light, reflectors telescopes make use of mirrors. Catadioptric telescopes use both.

Are Telescopes Easy To Maintain And Service?

You will need to collimate your telescope (or at least make sure you check it every time you take it out), and clean it every few months or so. The only thing required for collimation is a star or a collimation tool. Cleaning is usually a simple rinse with distilled or ophthalmic water (for mirrors), or with optical tissue or coating-safe lens cleaner (for lenses).

After knowing the suitable kinds of best rated telescopes for beginners and the features you wish, it’s high time for you to start your shopping. Note that you shouldn’t run out to a particular store or start scrolling through online sales just yet. With the development of technology, especially the expansion of sale sites, you can easily find your buddy. 

Remember to check out our site weekly round-up to ensure that the current sales on best rated telescopes for beginners perform well in our tests. So you can catch up with them as soon as possible. Would you please give us your feedback for better service? Many thanks!


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

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