If you’re asking what is the best telescope to buy, you’ve come to the right place. The answer isn’t the same for everyone, because the best scope depends on what you want to see and your experience level.
This guide will help you cut through the confusion. We’ll look at the main types of telescopes, key features, and great models for beginners and beyond. You’ll learn how to make a smart choice without overspending.
What Is The Best Telescope To Buy
There is no single “best” telescope. Instead, the best one for you is the one you’ll use most often. It should match your goals, budget, and lifestyle. A huge, complex telescope that’s a pain to set up will likely end up in a closet.
Think about what excites you. Is it the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, or distant galaxies? Your target will influence your choice. Also, consider where you live. City skies need different gear than dark country skies.
The Three Main Types of Telescopes
All telescopes gather light, but they do it in different ways. Knowing these types is your first step.
- Refractor Telescopes: Use lenses. They have a long, tube shape. Image quality is usually sharp and contrasty. They are low-maintenance but can get expensive for larger sizes.
- Reflector Telescopes: Use mirrors. They offer the most aperture (light-gathering power) for your money. The tube is shorter and wider. They need occasional alignment but are great for deep-sky objects.
- Compound Telescopes (Catadioptric): Use a mix of mirrors and lenses. Models like Schmidt-Cassegrains are compact and versatile. They are portable and good for both planets and deep space, but often cost more.
Key Features to Understand
Don’t get lost in tech specs. Focus on these three critical elements.
Aperture: The Most Important Spec
Aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror. It’s measured in inches or millimeters. Bigger aperture collects more light. This means you can see fainter objects and more detail.
For a beginner, a 70mm (2.8-inch) refractor or a 114mm (4.5-inch) reflector is a solid start. Avoid tiny, wobbly “department store” telescopes. They often have big magnification claims but poor aperture.
Focal Length and Focal Ratio
The focal length is the distance light travels inside the scope. It determines magnification with an eyepiece. The focal ratio (f/number) is focal length divided by aperture.
- Lower f/ratio (e.g., f/4 to f/6): “Fast” scopes. Wider field of view, brighter images. Excellent for nebulae and star clusters.
- Higher f/ratio (e.g., f/10 to f/15): “Slow” scopes. Narrower field, higher magnification per eyepiece. Great for planets and the Moon.
The Mount: Your Telescope’s Foundation
A good mount is as important as the optics. A shaky mount makes viewing frustrating.
- Alt-Azimuth (Alt-Az): Moves up-down and left-right. Simple and intuitive. Perfect for beginners.
- Equatorial: Aligned with Earth’s axis. It tracks stars smoothly as they move. Needed for serious astrophotography but has a steeper learning curve.
- GoTo Mounts: Computerized. They can find and track objects automatically. Very helpful under light-polluted skies, but they add cost and require power.
Top Telescope Recommendations for 2024
Here are some highly-regarded models across different categories. Remember to check current prices and reviews.
Best Overall Beginner Telescope
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian: This 6-inch reflector offers superb value. The simple Dobsonian mount is stable and easy to point. You get a lot of light-gathering for the price, making it fantastic for viewing planets and deep-sky objects. Its a consistent favorite for good reason.
Best for Planetary Viewing
Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain: This 4-inch compound scope has a long focal length in a short tube. It delivers crisp, high-contrast views of the Moon and planets. The computerized GoTo mount helps you find targets quickly, even if your unfamiliar with the night sky.
Best for Deep-Sky Objects (Galaxies, Nebulae)
Apertura AD8 8-inch Dobsonian: An 8-inch aperture pulls in much more light than a 6-inch. This means galaxies and nebulae appear brighter and with more structure. This model often includes nice accessories like a cooling fan and good eyepieces right out of the box.
Best Refractor for Beginners
Explore Scientific FirstLight 102mm Refractor: A 4-inch refractor on a solid alt-azimuth mount. It provides sharp, low-maintenance views with great color correction. It’s excellent for lunar, planetary, and wide-field viewing and is very user-friendly.
Best Portable / Travel Telescope
Meade ETX90 Observer: A compact Maksutov-Cassegrain with excellent optics. The tube is small enough to fit in a carry-on bag. It can be used on a tabletop or with a tripod. It’s a capable scope that won’t hold you back, making it perfect for campers or apartment dwellers.
What to Expect When You Start Observing
Managing expectations is key. You won’t see Hubble-like color images through the eyepiece. Planets will be small discs. Galaxies will look like faint gray smudges.
The magic is in knowing your looking at these objects with your own eyes. Detail emerges with patience and a dark sky. Start with easy targets like the Moon and Jupiter. Let your skills develop over time.
Essential Accessories to Consider
Your telescope will likely come with one or two basic eyepieces. These upgrades will greatly improve your experience.
- Better Eyepieces: A good 6mm or 8mm “gold-line” eyepiece for planetary viewing is a cheap upgrade. A wide-field eyepiece (e.g., 32mm Plössl) is great for star clusters.
- A Barlow Lens: This doubles (or triples) the magnification of your existing eyepieces. It’s a cost-effective way to expand your range.
- A Red Flashlight: Preserves your night vision. Essential for reading star charts without ruining your eyes’ adaptation to the dark.
- A Planisphere or Star Chart App: Apps like SkySafari or Stellarium are incredible tools for learning the night sky.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Chasing High Magnification: The most useful magnification is often between 100x and 200x. Atmospheric conditions usually limit views beyond that. Stability and brightness matter more.
- Ignoring the Mount: A $500 optic on a $50 mount is a bad deal. Prioritize a solid, stable mount.
- Buying Too Much Telescope: A massive, complex instrument can overwhelm a beginner. Start with something manageable you’ll actually use.
- Observing from a Bright Deck: Let your eyes adjust to darkness for at least 20 minutes. Avoid looking at your phone. Find the darkest spot you can, even if its just your backyard.
Your 5-Step Buying Checklist
- Set a Real Budget: Include $100-$200 for potential accessories like eyepieces or a better finderscope.
- Define Your Primary Interest: Planets, deep-sky, or a bit of everything? This guides the scope type.
- Check Practicalities: Where will you store it? Can you carry it outside in one trip? If not, you might not use it.
- Read Owner Reviews: Look for comments on stability, optical quality, and ease of use. Forum are a great resource.
- Consider the Used Market: Sites like Cloudy Nights Classifieds have well-cared-for equipment at good prices. It’s a fantastic way to get more scope for your money.
FAQ Section
What’s a good telescope for a beginner adult?
A 6-inch Dobsonian reflector is often the top recommendation. It offers the best balance of light-gathering power, ease of use, and affordability. You’ll see a lot without a steep learning curve.
How much should I spend on my first telescope?
Plan to spend between $300 and $600 for a quality beginner setup. This range avoids the terrible “toy” telescopes but doesn’t overcommit. Significant jumps in quality and capability happen in this bracket.
Can I see planets with a cheap telescope?
Yes, you can see Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons with even a small, decent telescope. However, a “cheap” telescope from a toy store will likely fail. Stick to brands like Celestron, Orion, or Sky-Watcher for entry-level models.
Is a computerized telescope worth it for a beginner?
It can be, especially if you live in an area with light pollution. It helps you find objects you might otherwise miss. The downside is less learning of the night sky, higher cost, and need for power. A simple Dobsonian forces you to learn the constellations, which is a valuable skill.
What can I see with a 70mm telescope?
A 70mm refractor is great for the Moon, Jupiter’s moons, Saturn’s rings, and bright star clusters like the Pleiades. It’s less capable on faint galaxies and nebulae, but it’s a portable and low-maintenance option.
Should I get a reflector or refractor?
Reflectors give you more aperture per dollar, making them ideal for deep-sky objects. Refractors offer sharp, contrasty views with no maintenance, excelling on the Moon and planets. For a pure beginner on a budget, a reflector is usually the better value.
Next Steps After You Buy
First, practice setting up your telescope during the day. Learn how to align the finderscope. This avoids night-time frustration. Then, start with the Moon. Its bright, easy to find, and full of incredible detail.
Join a local astronomy club if possible. Members are happy to offer advice, and you might get to look through different telescopes before you buy another one. Most importantly, be patient. Astronomy is a hobby that rewards persistence. The sky won’t run away, so take your time and enjoy the journey of learning.