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 2020
Best Buy Telescopes Online Reviews
SaleBestseller No. 1
Pie Matrix Pegasus 76700 Newtonian Reflector Telescope with 235x Ultra HD Zoom,Fully Coated Glass Optics,Alt-Az Mount, Professional Telescopes to Explore Moon, Saturn Rings, Planets & Deep Sky Objects
- PROFESSIONAL-GRADE TELESCOPE FOR ENTHUSIASTS: The Pie Matrix Pegasus 76700 Newtonian Reflector Telescope is the ultimate choice for both beginners and experienced stargazers, providing exceptional performance for celestial viewing and deep sky observation.
- 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.
- Versatile Eyepiece Options for Custom Viewing: The telescope includes 20mm, 12.5mm, and 6mm eyepieces, offering a wide range of magnification options from 35X to an impressive 235X (with the included Barlow lens), allowing you to tailor your viewing experience to your preferences
- Large 3-Inch Aperture for Stunning Clarity: Boasting a 3-inch (76mm) aperture and a 700mm focal length, this telescope delivers detailed and breathtaking views of planets, the moon, star clusters, and prominent deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy.
- Highly Reflective Aluminum/SiO2 Coated Mirror: Equipped with a highly reflective aluminum/SiO2 coated mirror, the Pegasus 76700 ensures crystal-clear, sharp images, enhancing your stargazing sessions with superior image quality.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Cezo Telescope for Kids & Adults, 70mm Aperture Astronomical Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners (15X-150X), 300mm Portable Scope with Mobile Holder to Explore Moon Space,Planets & Stargazing
- Superior 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 full positive telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Telescope for giftting
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 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. 5
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope (Black)
- Quick and easy no-tool setup with permanently mounted starpointer
- Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
- German equatorial mount with setting circles - to accurately locate and track sky objects
- 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. 6
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. 7
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. 8
Celestron – StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope – Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More – 130mm Newtonian Reflector – iPhone/Android Compatible
- UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR SMARTPHONE: Let your iPhone or Android phone take you on a guided tour of the night sky—no telescope experience required. Just follow the arrows to locate stars, planets & more!
- PATENT-PENDING STARSENSE SKY RECOGINITION TECHNOLOGY: This one-of-a-kind scope uses your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time.
- APP GENERATES A LIST OF TONIGHT’S BEST OBJECTS TO VIEW: The app tells you what’s in the sky based on your exact time & location. View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker locations.
- EASY TO SET UP AND USE: Manual altazimuth mount with smooth, dual-axis slow-motion controls makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to view in the telescope’s eyepiece.
- HIGH QUALITY 5” NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR: Highly reflective coatings and large aperture give you enough light gathering ability to view all the best celestial objects.
SaleBestseller No. 9
Audavibe Professional 150x Refractor Telescope with Long Adjustable Stand, Arya's Space Odyssey App & High Magnification for Astronomy Beginners, Star Gazing & Cosmic Exploration (50070)
- 150X Magnification for Stunning Views: Experience breathtaking clarity with magnification from 20X to 150X, perfect for observing the Moon, planets, stars, and deep sky objects in exceptional detail.
- 70mm Aperture for Bright, Clear Images: The large 70mm objective lens captures more light, delivering brighter and sharper views, making celestial observation easier and more enjoyable for beginners and seasoned astronomers.
- Fully Coated Optics for Enhanced Performance: High-transmission coatings reduce light reflection and increase light transmittance, ensuring vivid, high-quality images even in low-light conditions.
- Adjustable, Portable Design: Comes with an adjustable tripod and long stand, allowing for flexible viewing positions. The lightweight, portable design makes it ideal for travel and outdoor stargazing.
- Arya’s Space Odyssey App Integration: Unlock 1,000+ fascinating space facts, explore the night sky with the interactive Skymap, and enjoy fun educational AstroReels, all through the companion app for an immersive learning experience.
- Perfect for Astronomy Beginners & Enthusiasts: Whether you’re just starting your astronomical journey or enhancing your exploration, this telescope offers the ideal combination of performance and ease of use for all ages.
SaleBestseller No. 10
Zhizuka ZH400 Telescope 50mm Aperture 400mm Refractor with Phone Mount and Long Portable Tripod Stand Astronomical Refracting Scope for Kids Beginners and Adults with Phone Adapter
- 50mm Large Aperture: Zhizuka telescopes for astronomy has a 500mm (f/5.5) focal length and 50mm aperture.Its 50mm large aperture provides excellent light-gathering power, delivering sharp and bright images of celestial objects–even in low light conditions.Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
- 【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, 20mm and 12.5mm, you can get magnification of 18X to 28.8X. 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. Perfect Kids Gift for Moon & Planets Viewing,
- 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.
- Easy to Assemble and Use:The telescope is designed to be user-friendly , it can be set up quickly without additional tools.You can find a lot of fun in assembling and develop the child's hands-on and observation skills.It comes with a detailed illustrated manual for easy set up and use.It is the perfect gift for kids or astronomers.
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.
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