10 Best 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 an excellent choice for kids and beginners who are interested in exploring astronomy. With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright images of the moon and stars. The fully coated optics ensure high transmission of light, enhancing image quality and protecting your eyes. The included 3x Barlow lens and two eyepieces offer versatile magnification options, making it easier to locate and observe celestial objects using the 5x24 finder scope. The Altazimuth mount allows smooth and simple movement, making it user-friendly for beginners.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,363
Magnification
Mount
Portability
Most important from
21833 reviews
#2
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
The Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Refractor Telescope offers a solid setup for adults interested in astronomy, especially beginners. It has a 90mm aperture and 600mm focal length, which means it gathers decent light to provide clear and bright views of the moon, planets, and some brighter deep-sky objects. Its fully coated glass lens helps improve image quality while being gentle on your eyes. The telescope includes three eyepieces (24X, 60X, and 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens that triples magnification, allowing you to adjust your viewing power from moderate to quite high (up to about 360X with some combinations), though very high magnifications can sometimes reduce image clarity.
Rating
10.0
Aperture
Mount
Portability
Most important from
903 reviews
#3
Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube
The Celestron CPC 1100 is a powerful 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, offering excellent light-gathering ability thanks to its large 279mm aperture. This size allows for bright and detailed views of planets, the moon, and deep sky objects, making it suitable for both beginners ready to invest and experienced stargazers. With a long focal length of 2800mm, it provides high magnification potential, ideal for observing fine details in celestial objects.
Rating
9.4
Aperture
Mount
Portability
Most important from
71 reviews
Top 10 Best 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
Magnification: 3x Barlow lens, two eyepieces
Mount: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: aluminum tripod, carry bag
Eyepieces: two eyepieces
Chosen by 1363 this week
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 600mm
Magnification: 24X, 60X, 120X; 3x Barlow; 360X
Mount: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: 17 lbs, 38 in; car portable
Eyepieces: Three eyepieces and 3x Barlow
Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube
Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube
Aperture: 279mm
Focal Length: 2800mm
Mount: dual fork arm mount with GoTo
Portability: not very portable due to size
Eyepieces: Plossl
Sky-Watcher Skymax 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain - Large Aperture Compound-Style Reflector Telescope (S11540)
Sky-Watcher Skymax 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain - Large Aperture Compound-Style Reflector Telescope (S11540)
Aperture: 180mm
Mount: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: 19 pounds
Eyepieces: 28mm, 2-inch diagonal
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 114mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 114mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Aperture: 114mm
Mount: Altazimuth
Portability: 10.4 pounds
Eyepieces: 25mm, 10mm
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Smart Telescope, Professional Refractor Auto-focus Portable Digital Electronic Telescopes with 4K Astrophotography Camera, Internal And Externat Dual Screens Spotter for Adults and Beginners Astronomy
Smart Telescope, Professional Refractor Auto-focus Portable Digital Electronic Telescopes with 4K Astrophotography Camera, Internal And Externat Dual Screens Spotter for Adults and Beginners Astronomy
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 300mm
Magnification: 350x
Mount: Tripod Mount
Portability: 4.4 pounds
Eyepieces: Orthoscopic
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
Magnification: 32X to 240X
Mount: Altazimuth
Portability: Packed into included carry bag
Eyepieces: 10mm and 25mm
Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture Grey
Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture Grey
Aperture: 130mm
Mount: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: compact for easy transport
Eyepieces: 20mm and 9mm
SkyWatcher Flextube 250 SynScan Dobsonian 10-inch Collapsible Computerized GoTo Large Aperture Telescope, White, (S11810)
SkyWatcher Flextube 250 SynScan Dobsonian 10-inch Collapsible Computerized GoTo Large Aperture Telescope, White, (S11810)
Aperture: 10-inch (254mm)
Focal Length: 1200mm
Mount: Altazimuth
Portability: Collapsible tube design
Eyepieces: Two wide-angle Plossl eyepieces
#10
Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch App-Enabled Telescope – 203mm Dobsonian with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch App-Enabled Telescope – 203mm Dobsonian with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Aperture: 8-inch
Mount: Altazimuth Dobsonian
Portability: Not portable
Eyepieces: 25mm eyepiece
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Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes
Choosing the right telescope can be a thrilling yet daunting task, especially if you're new to stargazing. The key to finding the best telescope for you is to understand the different specifications and how they align with your needs and interests. Whether you're interested in observing planets, deep-sky objects, or just want a general-purpose telescope, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision.ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main optical component (the lens or mirror). It is one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. The larger the aperture, the more light it can collect, which means you'll be able to see fainter objects and more detail. Apertures can range from small (around 60mm) to very large (over 200mm). For beginners, an aperture of 70-100mm is usually sufficient for viewing the moon and planets. If you're interested in deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, you might want to consider a larger aperture, around 150mm or more.
Focal LengthThe focal 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 of the telescope. A longer focal length provides higher magnification but a narrower field of view, which is great for observing planets and the moon. Shorter focal lengths offer a wider field of view, making them better for deep-sky objects. For general use, a focal length between 700mm and 1000mm is a good starting point.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger the telescope can make objects appear. It is determined by the focal length of the telescope and the eyepiece being used. While high magnification might seem appealing, it's not always better. Too much magnification can make images blurry and hard to see. A good rule of thumb is to use a magnification of 50x per inch of aperture. For example, a 4-inch telescope should be used at no more than 200x magnification. Beginners should start with lower magnifications (20x to 50x) to get clear and stable images.
MountThe 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 simple and intuitive to use, ideal for beginners. Equatorial mounts are more complex and are designed to follow the rotation of the Earth, which is useful for long-exposure astrophotography. If you're just starting out, an altazimuth mount is usually sufficient. If you plan to get into astrophotography, 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 or if you have limited storage space. Smaller telescopes are generally more portable and easier to set up, making them a good choice for beginners or those who need to travel with their telescope. Larger telescopes offer better viewing capabilities but can be heavy and cumbersome to move. Consider your living situation and how often you plan to move your telescope when deciding on the right size.
EyepiecesEyepieces are the lenses you look through to see the magnified image. Most telescopes come with one or two eyepieces, but you can purchase additional ones to achieve different magnifications. The focal length of the eyepiece, combined with the telescope's focal length, determines the magnification. It's good to have a range of eyepieces to cover different viewing needs. For example, a 25mm eyepiece for wide-field views and a 10mm eyepiece for higher magnification. Beginners should start with the eyepieces that come with the telescope and gradually expand their collection based on their observing preferences.