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
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Permanently mounted Starpointer
- Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
- Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
- Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch - for smooth and accurate pointing
- Country of Origin: China
SaleBestseller No. 2
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope (Grey)
- 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. 3
Cezo 40X60 Magnification Zoom HD,Monocular Telescope for Adults and Children,High Power Telescope Gadget,Telescope with Built-in Compass
- 40x60 Zoom Lens：Delivers 40x60 optical magnification to get you 40X as close to what you are sights oot with your Phone,Super clear and high powered. Multi Coated optics guarantee superior light transmission and brightness.
- Flexible Tripod & Phone Clip：Anti-slip adapter can hold phone precisely and firmly over the eyepiece for photograph and video. Standard tripod resists shake and enables hands free viewing.
- HD vision monocular: 40X magnification with prism lens design, giving you a clearer and more colorful scenery
- Wide field of view: FMC multi-layer enhanced green film increases light transmission for brighter and higher-contrast images
- Equipped with a tripod and phone clip: set your hands free to see the more beautiful view through your phone
SaleBestseller No. 4
Marine Handheld Spyglass Brass Telescope Binoculars 7-inch with Safety Cap Best for Gift Item
- Ideal for using on Boats, Hiking Trips, Bird Watching and Gifting
- The functional brass spyglass telescope delivers a magnification of 10X
- Dimensions : 7 inches when fully extended and stows to a compact 3.5 inches
- True & Beautiful Art of Indian Artisans
- Material- Brass Material Plastic body, Color Brass
SaleBestseller No. 5
ZHIZUKA Telescope Zoom 90X HD Focus Astronomical Refractor with Portable Tripod Stand. F36050M High Power TeleScope Gift for Kids, Adults, Beginners to Explore Moon, Space, Planets, Stargazing, Wildlife Bird Watching Day-Night Sky, Hunting, Outdoor Travelling.
- Model F36050 Star Telescope: 18X, 27X, 60X, 90X magnification F36050 astronomical refractor telescope has good performance for observing celestial bodies, moon, stars, venus, mars, planets, etc. Telescope could be moved vertically (altitude) and horizontally (azimuth)
- Perfect Configuration:50mm Aperture, 360mm focal length, H6mm, H20mm 2 different interchangeable eyepieces, different magnification eyepieces could make you things observed at different distances and sizes objects. 1.5X Erecting Eyepiece: not only increases the magnification of telescope but also correct the direction of the image. A travel telescope with 18X magnification will have a magnification of 27X. and the travel telescope with 60X magnification will have a magnification of 90X
- Provides clear long distance view very easily. Works well at both day and night vision. Astronomy Galaxy Exploration & Good Habit Adaption. Educational Learning.
- Solid Tripod: Adjustable aluminum tripod is solid, not easy to brake, very durable and safe. Detailed and specific set up introduction. Best gift for beginners, kids, teens, entry-level amateur astronomers
- Perfect Gift Box. Package include: 1*Telescope, 1*Moon lens, 1*H20mm eyepiece, 1*H6mm eyepiece, 1*1.5X Erecting Eyepiece, 1*Tripod.
SaleBestseller No. 6
Lukzer 1PC Refractor Telescope 90X Astronomical Landscape Magnification with Tripod Best Gift for Kids to Explore Moon Space, View Wildlife, Watch Night-Sky
- A small refracting type telescope with a larger diameter (50mm), accounting for little place
- Can set 60X, 18X, the mirror group plus 1.5X, 90X, 27X
- Equipped with two different magnification eyepieces and 1.5X multiplier mirrors, so that you can freely mix, observe different distances and sizes objects
- Suitable for beginners astronomy enthusiasts, especially a best gift for your children
- Do not view sun through telescope as serious injury to the eye will occur
SaleBestseller No. 7
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Telescope
- Quick and easy no-tool setup, Focal Ratio: f/5. Adjustable, full height steel tripod with deluxe accessory tray
- 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
SaleBestseller No. 8
CEZO Telescope Zoom 90X HD Focus Astronomical Refractor with Portable Tripod Stand. F36050M High Power Astronomical Telescope, Telescope for Kids, Adults, Beginners (Telescope)
- 【Astronomy Exploration & Good Habit Adaption】As an astronomical telescope perfect for kids, it will attract kid’s attention to the mystery of universal which can let your children be far away from the phone and adapt a good study habit.
- 【Reflector Telescope & High Magnification】Including two eyepieces (6 mm and 20mm), our F50360M Telescope features fully-coated glass optics and high transmission coatings, which can create a brighter image quality and higher magnification power.
- 【Easy Installation & Friendly to Beginners】No need for any tools, even the astronomy beginners can easily and quickly assemble our telescope within one minute and make use of it without confusion or difficulties, which is ideal for your lovely children.
- 【Strong Tripod & 360 ° rotation design】38cm Being made of aluminum, the tripod has a sturdy but lightweight frame, convenient to carry and stable to observe, with the 360 ° rotation design providing you a full range of scenery needless to move.
SaleBestseller No. 9
Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ Telescope - Manual Alt-Azimuth Telescope for Beginners - Compact and Portable - Bonus Astronomy Software Package - 50mm Aperture
- 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. 10
Iktu 16x52 Monocular Dual Focus Optics Zoom Telescope for Birds Watching/Wildlife/Hunting/Camping/Hiking/Tourism/Armoring/Live Concert
- 【Incredible Clear Vision 】Super Clear, The fully coated optics, meanwhile, ensure superior light transmission and brightness, helping you see just about any target, whether you're searching for birds or trying to get a better view of the stage.
- 【High Contrast and Resolution Images 】 See things 16X closer and Get Clearer and Brighter with 52MM Objective lens and 18.5mm eye lens.The larger the objective lens, the more light that enters the binocular, and the brighter the image.Prism material，BAK4, clear image without black bars,it makes Super Clear and Sharp Images.
- 【Waterproof & Fog Proof Design 】the mirror is full of the high-purity nitrogen, waterproof and antifogging. You can use it in raining day and humid environment, and have no need to worry about this item.
- 【Compact Size with Wide View】The high power monocular is only 190mm high, super compact and enough to put into the pocket, convenient to carry for everywhere. Wide field of view 66M/ 8000M, it will show you a clearer and farther view, good for bird watching, hunting, hiking, or sightseeing etc.
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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