10 Best Beginner Telescopes 2026 in the United States
#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.
The Gskyer Telescope is designed with beginners and kids in mind. It features a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, which are suitable for observing the moon and stars. The fully coated glass optics ensure clear and sharp images while also protecting your eyes. The telescope comes with an Altazimuth (AZ) mount, which is user-friendly and ideal for beginners as it allows smooth horizontal and vertical movements.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,156
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability
Most important from
22687 reviews
#2
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
The MEEZAA Telescope is a great choice for astronomy beginners looking to explore the night sky. With a 90mm aperture and 800mm focal length, this refractor telescope captures a significant amount of light, delivering bright and clear images. The fully multi-coated optical lenses further enhance image quality, making celestial observations more enjoyable. It comes with two eyepieces (10mm and 25mm) and a 3X Barlow lens, offering a wide range of magnification from 32X to 240X, which is ideal for viewing detailed lunar features and other celestial objects.
Rating
8.5
Aperture
Focal Length
Portability
Most important from
809 reviews
#3
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 900mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults High Powered - Multi-Coated Professional Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount, Portable Carry Bag, Phone Adapter
The Hawkko 90900 telescope is a solid choice for astronomy beginners, offering a 90mm aperture and 900mm focal length, which enable clear and detailed views of celestial objects. Its fully multi-coated lenses enhance image quality with high light transmission and contrast, making it easier for users to enjoy moon and star observations. The telescope's Altazimuth (AZ) mount is simple to maneuver, allowing for easy direction and height adjustments, which is great for beginners still getting the hang of tracking objects in the sky.
Rating
8.2
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability
Most important from
460 reviews
Top 10 Best Beginner Telescopes 2026 in the United States
#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.
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
Aperture: 70mm
Focal Length: 400mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 5.7 pounds
Eyepieces: Two eyepieces, 3x Barlow lens
Finderscope: 5x24
Chosen by 1156 this week
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 800mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth (AZ) mount
Portability: Carry bag included
Eyepieces: 10mm and 25mm
Finderscope: Straight-Through
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 900mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults High Powered - Multi-Coated Professional Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount, Portable Carry Bag, Phone Adapter
Telescope, 90mm Aperture 900mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults High Powered - Multi-Coated Professional Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount, Portable Carry Bag, Phone Adapter
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 900mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: Carry bag included
Eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm
Finderscope: Straight-Through
SkyWatcher Flextube 300 SynScan Dobsonian 12-inch Collapsible Computerized GoTo Large Aperture Telescope (S11820)
SkyWatcher Flextube 300 SynScan Dobsonian 12-inch Collapsible Computerized GoTo Large Aperture Telescope (S11820)
Aperture: 12 inches
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: Collapsible
Eyepieces: Two wide-angle
Finderscope: 9x50
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
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
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 800mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 12 pounds
Eyepieces: 10mm and 25mm Kellner
Finderscope: 5x24 straight-through
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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
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
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 900mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: 12.12 pounds
Eyepieces: Three eyepieces, 3x Barlow lens
Finderscope: Straight-Through
Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.
Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 600mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 6.2 pounds
Eyepieces: 25mm, 10mm
Finderscope: 5x24
Dianfan Telescope,90mm Aperture 800mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy,Portable Professional Refractor Telescope for Beginners,with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter,Carry Bag
Dianfan Telescope,90mm Aperture 800mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy,Portable Professional Refractor Telescope for Beginners,with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter,Carry Bag
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 800mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: Lightweight, carrying bag
Eyepieces: Two eyepieces, 3X Barlow lens
Finderscope: Reflex
Sky-Watcher Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor – Compact and Portable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy (S11100)
Sky-Watcher Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor – Compact and Portable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy (S11100)
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 640mm
Mount Type: Rings/V-Rail
Portability: 7.3 pounds, 32 inches
Eyepieces: 5mm and 25mm
Finderscope: 8x50 Right Angle Correct
#10
Hawkko Telescope for Adults & Kids – 80mm Aperture 500mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, (20X-150X) Portable Refractor Telescope Kit for Beginners with Decorate Stickers, AZ Tripod, Phone Adapter
Hawkko Telescope for Adults & Kids – 80mm Aperture 500mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, (20X-150X) Portable Refractor Telescope Kit for Beginners with Decorate Stickers, AZ Tripod, Phone Adapter
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 500mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: Lightweight tripod, adjustable, easy assembly
Eyepieces: Two eyepieces and Barlow lens
Finderscope: Straight-Through
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Buying Guide for the Best Beginner Telescopes
Choosing the right telescope as a beginner can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. The key is to understand the basic specifications and how they align with your needs and interests. By focusing on these key specs, you can make an informed decision and find a telescope that will provide you with hours of stargazing enjoyment.ApertureThe aperture is the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror. It determines how much light the telescope can gather, which affects the brightness and clarity of the images you see. A larger aperture allows you to see fainter objects and more detail. For beginners, an aperture of 70mm to 130mm is usually sufficient. If you are interested in viewing planets and the moon, a smaller aperture will work fine. For deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, a larger aperture is better.
Focal LengthThe focal length is the distance between the telescope's main lens or mirror and the point where the image is brought into focus. It affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is great for viewing planets and the moon. A shorter focal length offers a wider field of view, which is better for observing star clusters and galaxies. Beginners should consider what they are most interested in observing to choose the right focal length.
Mount TypeThe 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 simpler and more intuitive for beginners. Equatorial mounts follow the rotation of the Earth, which is useful for tracking objects over time but can be more complex to set up. Beginners may find altazimuth mounts easier to use, while those interested in astrophotography might prefer equatorial mounts.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. If you plan to take your telescope to different locations, a lighter and more compact model will be more convenient. Consider the weight and size of the telescope, as well as how easy it is to assemble and disassemble. Beginners who want to observe from various locations should prioritize portability.
EyepiecesEyepieces are the lenses you look through to see the magnified image. Different eyepieces provide different levels of magnification. Most telescopes come with one or two eyepieces, but you can purchase additional ones to enhance your viewing experience. For beginners, having a range of eyepieces with different magnifications can be helpful. Start with a low-power eyepiece for wide views and a high-power eyepiece for detailed observations.
FinderscopeA finderscope is a small, low-power telescope mounted on the main telescope to help you locate objects in the sky. It provides a wider field of view, making it easier to find and center objects before viewing them through the main telescope. For beginners, a finderscope with a red dot or crosshair can be particularly useful for aligning the telescope with celestial objects.