The best telescopes are great for scoping out massive stars, but they’re just as useful for looking at planets, and with a high-quality lens, you can get a clear view of almost every planet in the solar system.
The only problem is that astronomy can be quite complex, and if you don’t know how to find the best telescope for your needs, there is a good chance that you’ll end up with a lacklustre experience.
Below I have outlined what I consider to be the best retail level telescopes on the market today.
Our Top Pick
The Best Telescopes List 2025
Best Buy Telescopes Online Reviews
SaleBestseller No. 1
Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ Refractor Telescope
- Perfect beginners telescope: The Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ 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.
- Manual yoke mount: Navigate the sky with our refractor telescope. It features a yoke mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing. Adjust rod to desired position, then easily secure by tightening cross knob.
- 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 backyard.
- Multiple accessories: The Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ Telescope features 4 eyepieces (20mm, 12mm, 4mm, and 1.5x image erecting eyepiece), star diagonal, a finderscope, plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Pie Matrix Phoenix 60700 Astronomical land & Sky Refractor Telescope with 175x Ultra Zoom,Fully Coated Glass Optics, Alt-Az Mount,Professionals to Explore Moon,Saturn Rings, Planets & Deep Sky Objects
- Versatile Observation: The Pie Matrix Phoenix 60700 Refractor Telescope is perfect for both terrestrial and celestial observation, making it ideal for on-the-go viewing. It offers breathtaking views of planets, the moon, star clusters, and brighter stars, providing a versatile experience for various types of observations
- 2-YEAR BRAND WARRANTY: Enjoy peace of mind with a 2-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. For support, reach out to our 24/7 customer care team at 1800 203 6638 or support@thepiematrix.com.
- Enhanced Stargazing Experience: The adjustable tripod stand allows for exploration at various heights and surfaces, making it suitable for both beginner and professional astronomers. With its precise optics and easy-to-use design, the Phoenix 60700 lets you explore the lunar landscape and observe stars with remarkable detail
- Adjustable Tripod: The telescope comes with adjustable tripod legs, allowing you to customize its height or place it on raised surfaces. This added convenience ensures a comfortable and personalized viewing experience
- High-Quality Optics: Featuring a 60 mm aperture, 700 mm focal length, and an f/11.6 focal ratio, the telescope provides clear and sharp images with a resolution of 2.31 Arc Seconds. The optical tube is made of metal, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance
SaleBestseller No. 3
Cezo Telescope for Kids & Adults, 50mm Aperture Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Astronomy Beginners (18X-28.8X), 360mm Portable Scope with Tripod Stand and Mobile Holder (50-MM)
- Cezo 50mm Large Aperture Telescope: The telescope is equipped with a 50mm large aperture objective lens which makes the images brighter and clearer. The bigger the aperture is, the bigger the field of vision will be, so you can see clearer images. Professional telescope can help adults & kids view the planets and moon.
- Cezo Telescope For Astronomy 18X-28.8X Magnification: Our refractor telescope is equipped with two eyepieces (H12mm and H20mm) The 3x Barlow lens (Which is not included in the package) trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. So you can get magnification from 18X to 150X. Whether watching stars and moon at night or observing planets, CEZO telescope is the best gift for kids & adults & astronomy beginners.
- {Easy to assemble & dismount} Cezo astronomical telescope kids has 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 Telescope for Gifting.
- Adjustable Tripod: With an adjustable tripod, our astronomical telescope’s height can adjust from 16’’ to 46’’, which can adapt to different view positions. It’s also convenient to be carried when you go out and travel.
SaleBestseller No. 4
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Telescope
- Quick and easy no-tool setup, Focal Ratio: f/5
- Permanently mounted StarPointer
- German Equatorial mount with Setting circles - to accurately locate and track sky objects
- TheSkyX - First Light Edition astronomy software with a 10,000 object database, printable sky maps and 75 enhanced images
- Adjustable, full height steel tripod with deluxe accessory tray
SaleBestseller No. 5
Audavibe Educational 140x Astronomical Telescope with APP | 1000+ Facts on Solar System, Spacesuits, Launchers, Celestial Bodies, etc | AstroReels, Skymap & AR Based Fun Learning (40070)
- DISCOVER: The Audavibe 140x Astronomical Telescope (40070) offers a thrilling exploration of the cosmos. Connect your phone to the telescope and use the companion app to unlock over 1000 intriguing facts about the Solar System, Celestial Bodies, Space Exploration, Astronauts, Spacesuits, and more. Dive into real-time space exploration with the Skymap feature and enjoy AstroReels for fun, educational, and space-themed videos.
- LEARN: Explore over 1,000 fascinating facts across five engaging categories - Solar System, Celestial Bodies, Space Exploration & Technology, Astronauts & Spacesuits, and Space Achievements. Use the interactive Skymap to easily identify planets, stars, and constellations. Participate in educational quizzes and challenges to enhance your space knowledge and understanding.
- FOR SPACE ENTHUSIASTS: Perfect for aspiring astronomers and curious minds, this telescope and app combo sparks imagination and fosters a deep interest in space science, astronomy, and history. It’s an ideal tool for educational purposes and a fantastic gift for young explorers and space enthusiasts alike.
- IN THE BOX: The package includes a 140x telescope tube, a sturdy tripod stand, a 1.5x erecting scope, a zenith mirror, two eyepieces, a moon lens, a space passport, a visa stamp, a sticker sheet, and a user manual. (Tablet/smartphone not included.) If you’re looking for a unique, educational telescope, the Audavibe 140x Astronomical Telescope is the perfect choice for discovery!
- COMPATIBLE DEVICES: This smart telescope works seamlessly with the companion app, available for free download from the App Store or Play Store. An internet connection is required for the app. Compatible with iPad 5th gen & above, iPad Air all models, iPad Pro all models, iPad Mini 2 & above, iPhone 6 & above, and Android tablets and smartphones with ARCore compatibility and 3GB RAM and above.
SaleBestseller No. 6
Amazon Basics | 40X60 Magnification Zoom HD Monocular | for Adults and Children | High Power Gadget | Outdoor Telescope with Built-in Compass
- 40X Magnification: Experience objects up to 40 times closer with our high-powered magnification, perfect for detailed nature observations and sporting events.
- Enhanced Vision: A 60mm objective lens ensures bright, clear images in low light and a wide field of view for easy tracking of moving subjects.
- Compact and Lightweight: Despite its powerful magnification and large lens, this monocular is designed to be lightweight and portable, ideal for adventures.
- User-Friendly Design: Designed for simplicity, it includes a focus knob for quick adjustments, catering to children and beginners alike.
- Versatile Viewing: Ideal for nature walks, sporting events, and stargazing, it often features a tripod mount for extended observation sessions without hand fatigue.
SaleBestseller No. 7
STARSENSE Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone APP-Enabled Newtonian Reflector Telescope
- Unleash the power of your smartphone to take you on a guided tour of the night sky—no telescope experience required.
SaleBestseller No. 8
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope (Black)
- Manual German equatorial mount with setting circles - to accurately locate and track sky objects
- Adjustable, full height steel tripod with deluxe accessory tray
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25-inch steel tube legs - Provides a rigid and stable platform
- All coated glass optics for clear, crisp images
SaleBestseller No. 9
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ MD Telescope with Smartphone Adapter
- Manual German equatorial mount with setting circles - to accurately locate and track sky objects
- Adjustable, full height steel tripod with deluxe accessory tray
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Accessories include a 20mm and 10mm eyepiece, a finderscope, and a motor drive
- Motor drive automatically tracks celestial objects as they appear to move across the night sky
SaleBestseller No. 10
EACONN Telescopes, Telescope for Kids and Adults Beginners, 70mm Aperture 400mm Focus Length Refractor Travel Telescope with AZ Mount for Observe The Moon and Landscape
- The children's telescope adopts a 70mm objective lens, 400mm focal length, and high transmittance fully coated glass optical element, which can produce clear and sharp images. It is very suitable for viewing celestial and terrestrial objects.
- The astronomical telescope is equipped with two interchangeable eyepieces (12.5mm and 20mm) for powerful eyepiece and magnification. Children can enjoy magnifications ranging from 20x to 32x. The 5x24 viewfinder with crosshairs makes it easy to locate targets.
- The telescope is equipped with a custom phone adapter that allows for free adjustment of the phone's camera focus, capturing stunning images and sharing them with friends.
- The beginner telescope adopts an adjustable aluminum alloy tripod, which can be freely adjusted from 12 inches to 38 inches to achieve different observation positions. Installation is very simple and does not require additional tools.
- The perfect gift for astronomy beginners and children. Put it at home to see the moon, or take this travel telescope on the road to see the scenery. Enjoy various family happy moments around this cool technology gift. And provide timely service to customers, answering any questions about telescopes.
How To Choose The Right Telescope For You?
Chances you are going to use the telescope for amateur astronomy. Because if you are a professional in this field, you wouldn’t rely on our review post. Because we have only reviewed telescopes that are low-cost and beginner-friendly. In that case, Dobsonian telescopes are your friend. This type of telescope is better for you as they are easy to use, portable, and budget-friendly.
Next, if you want to look at the deep-sky objects, then you should opt for a telescope with a larger aperture. For the record, you should take a telescope that has an aperture of at least 70 mm or 2.8 inches. Of course, in this case, the more the better.
Another important thing to note is that the magnification is not everything. You can theoretically magnify infinitely on a telescope. But that doesn’t mean it will produce a clear image of the object.
As a result, the main priority should be the diameter of the aperture. The aperture of the telescope determines how sharp and bright the image will appear with its light-gathering and power resolving capability. That way, you should look for a telescope with a larger aperture.
At the same time, you should buy a portable telescope that is easy to set up and use. There is no use of buying a gigantic telescope if you cannot manage or set it up with ease. Also, portable telescopes will come in handy if you need to carry with you from one place to another.
Leave a Comment