The 10 Best Starter Telescopes Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Starter Telescopes
Best Starter Telescopes

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Gskyer Telescope

Take your viewing experience to the next level with Gskyer Telescope. You can get various magnifications for viewing pleasure with two different eyepieces (10mm and 25mm). Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Celestron Refractor Telescope

Embark on a celestial journey with the Celestron Refractor Telescope. This great telescope combines superior optics, user-friendly features, and a convenient travel backpack to provide an unparalleled stargazing experience. Read Review

3. Best Adjustable: ToyerBee Telescope

Explore the depths of the universe with ToyerBee Telescope. Equipped with a 70mm aperture and 300mm focal length, this telescope provides more light and more explicit images, even for beginners. Read Review

4. Best Control: SOLOMARK Telescopes

Explore the night sky in incredible detail with SOLOMARK Telescopes. The full-size stainless steel adjustable tripod provides a stable and durable base for your telescope, perfect for viewing at any angle or height. Read Review

5. Best Reliable: HEXEUM Telescope

Discover the wonders of the night sky with the HEXEUM Telescope. It features a 5x24 finderscope, making locating objectives in the night sky easier. Read Review

Are you looking to explore the night sky more deeply? If so, you may be in the market for a telescope. Telescopes allow us to view distant stars, planets, galaxies, and more and are the perfect tool for anyone interested in astronomy. But choosing the best starter telescope can be daunting.

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, there are several excellent options available for beginners. From mechanical designs to classic refractors, some telescopes are easy to use and give you a great night sky view. Whether on a budget or looking for something more advanced, there are the best starter telescopes.

After nearly hours of research, We think the best starter telescopes is Gskyer Telescope because the product has a magnification range of 16 to 120 times, which enables it to record images that are crisp and detailed of distant treetops and birds. Or you can check the Celestron Refractor Telescope as the telescope has a 70-millimeter aperture and a 300-millimeter focal length, which can let in more light and produce more explicit images, making it suitable for use by novices.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Gskyer Telescope
Our Score:
9.7
Gskyer

The Gskyer telescope provides crisp images from far away distances. It is possible to acquire various magnification levels using the 10 mm and 25 mm eyepieces. In addition to that, the product has a magnification range of 16 to 120 times, which enables it to record images that are crisp and detailed of distant treetops, birds, and other forms of animals, in addition to the moon, planets, and a variety of star configurations.

This product can adjust the image to have a dynamic view thanks to characteristics such as interchangeable lenses and a rack-and-pinion focusing system. While viewing distant objects, the eyepieces with a broad field of vision and the most recent generation of HD Gskyer eyepieces results in a more comfortable viewing experience. In general, almost features of this product is ok, except the remote camera will not perform as efficiently as it did when it was first used.

TOP Choice #2 Celestron Refractor Telescope
Our Score:
9.6
Celestron

The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope is a remarkable piece of equipment that stands out among its competitors. Its pan-handle Alt-Az control with clutch allows for smooth and precise pointing, ensuring you never miss a beautiful celestial object. The high-quality, fully-coated glass optics deliver crisp and detailed night sky views, while the lightweight frame makes it portable and easy to carry.

Equipped with a 20mm eyepiece for low-power and 10mm for high-power views, you can explore celestial wonders with exceptional clarity. Its large 70mm aperture objective lens offers enhanced brightness and image quality compared to smaller models. Plus, the setup process is quick and effortless, allowing you to spend more time observing the wonders of the universe and less time fumbling with equipment. The minor drawback is that the tripod should be improved to enhance stability and ease of use further.

TOP Choice #3 ToyerBee Telescope
Our Score:
9.4
ToyerBee

This is an excellent telescope for adults just starting in astronomy. The ToyerBee Refractor Telescope provides a magnification range of 15X to 150X, thanks to its three eyepieces and 3X Barlow lens. Moreover, it brings clear views of Jupiter's moons, the rings of Saturn, and the craters on the moon.

Because the telescope has a 70-millimeter aperture and a 300-millimeter focal length, it can let in more light and produce clearer images, making it suitable for use by novices. This telescope has a smartphone adapter and a wireless remote control for the camera. These features allow you to quickly connect your cell phone to the telescope by installing it on the phone adapter and then connecting it to the eyepieces. They allow you to explore the natural world through the screen, and you can snap some incredible pictures with them. Though the tripod is a little short, it is very stable in many places.

4 SOLOMARK Telescopes
Our Score:
9.2
SOLOMARK

This telescope has erect image optics that can be used for astronomical and terrestrial observations. The high transmission coatings on the fully multi-coated optical glass lens deliver breathtaking images while protecting your eyes. Also, you can make delicate pointing changes to the telescope in both right ascension and declination, thanks to the mount's inclusion of two slow-motion control cables.

This excellent telescope provides a clear view and high magnification power, making it appropriate for young people and those just starting. With this telescope, one can investigate the wonders of the cosmos by looking at the moon, planets, and even nebula. It comes with two-part oculars that can be replaced easily (PL10mm and PL20mm), each providing a variable magnification ranging from 35X to 70X and expanding the range of things that can be seen. Unfortunately, the screw nuts of the tripod legs may become loose after a prolonged time, so you need to tighten them to continue using this product.

5 HEXEUM Telescope
Our Score:
9.0
HEXEUM

This astronomical telescope has a 70mm aperture and a 500mm focal length (f/7.1), providing stunning views and protecting your eyes. Both adults and kids can use this product because it has two high-quality eyepieces and a Barlow lens that magnifies three times (25mm and 10mm). In addition, this telescope has a 5x24 finderscope, making it much easier to find objectives.

The telescope is a lovely gift for children just starting to show an interest in astronomy. Besides, the tripod that comes with this item is made of durable, strong metal, and it has a mechanism that lets you adjust the tripod's height to meet your needs. It includes a wireless remote control that can connect quickly and easily to various intelligent devices. This product is generally easy to assemble, but the mounting instructions for one round plastic plate on the telescope are missing. Nevertheless, you don't need to worry too much because you can watch the instructional videos on Youtube to learn how to assemble it.

6 SARBLUE Telescope
Our Score:
8.9
SARBLUE

The Maksutov-Cassegrain lens and the high-precision, fully multi-coated optical glass in this telescope reduce spherical and chromatic aberrations effectively. Also, it allows for beautiful, contrast-rich images to be viewed during the day or lets you watch at various locations and astronomical objects like Saturn and Jupiter. Still, this product would be best if it had a red dot finder to help you find things more quickly. 

This telescope is an excellent option for everyone traveling because of its portability and capacity for stargazing. Because the cover can be removed, examining how the telescope's internal parts are put together is simple. The telescope's exceptional 20 mm eyepiece magnifies 37.5, giving you quick and potent views of distant objects. In addition, it has excellent optics that virtually eliminate aberrations to make the natural scenes in front of you as crisp and lifelike as possible. 

7 KIOSESI Telescope
Our Score:
8.7
KIOSESI

This is an excellent telescope for seasoned astronomers and those just starting in the field. It has a 3X Barlow lens and two eyepieces (H20mm and H6mm), providing a magnification range of up to 200X. With this product, you can watch animals through this refractor telescope during the day and view planets through a moon filter when you use it at night. But, this telescope has a minor drawback: the phone holder may slip out of place if you use a weighty phone to mount it when you want to capture moon images from this telescope.

This telescope has a focal length of 400 millimeters, an aperture of 70 millimeters, and optical lenses of the best quality. As a result, it enables you to watch things at far away distances with more clarity. Also, the height of the instrument may be adjusted anywhere between 16 and 49 inches thanks to the tripod included with the refractor telescope. Using this product, you can see from various viewing angles a consequence of the top of the tripod's ability to spin horizontally (through 360 degrees) and vertically (through 90 degrees).

More To Consider

8 HUTACT Telescope
Our Score:
8.5
HUTACT
9 EACONN Telescope
Our Score:
8.3
EACONN
10 SkySpy Telescope
Our Score:
8.2
SKYSPY

Which Criteria Do Our Experts Advice To Consider When Purchasing Of best starter telescopes?

According to our experts, you should understand some sides of the product to get the finest one. Like others, best starter telescopes of 2024 might include many factors for you to take into account. For that, each among best starter telescopes will have unique features and challenges as well to consist of.

The focus on the following features of best starter telescopes is highly recommended, given they have come together with tech-evaluated certification:

Aperture

This aperture is recognizable by photographers. It controls how much light enters the telescope, just like on a manual camera. The aperture is the diameter of either the primary or lens mirror. A telescope with a larger aperture will draw more light, which can result in deeper views. The most important spec to be aware of is F-ratio. For wide-field observation and photography, low f-ratios such as f/4 and f/5 are best. However, high f-ratios such as f/15 make deep-space objects and nebulae easier to capture and see. Both can be done with midpoint f-ratios.

Mount

There are many types of telescope mounts available. Some even have computerized models that track and follow the movement of the skies. A sturdy Dobsonian or altazimuth mount will make stargazing enjoyable. Telescopes not mounted on a computerized mount should not be moved or adjusted for focus.
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.

Eyepieces

There are many telescope eyepieces on the market. There are many options for magnification and viewing angles. A set of telescope eyepieces allows you to see large areas of the night sky and high magnification views on planets. If taken care of properly, a quality telescope eyepiece will last a lifetime.

Objective

The objective is the main light-collecting element of a telescope. A larger objective will allow for greater detail and reveal smaller targets. A reflector design makes it possible to have a larger telescope objective for a more affordable price. However, a refractor with the same size would be expensive.

Optical Design

There are many optical options for telescopes. These include reflectors and refractors as well as compound telescopes. Each telescope has its strengths and weaknesses. Refractors are my favorite type of telescope from an astrophotography standpoint, but they might not be the best choice for beginners.
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.

Portability And Weight

A telescope that is easy to transport and set up takes would be a good choice. You will be less motivated to use your telescope when it is set up and taking too much time.
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.

FAQs

What type of telescope should I get as a beginner?

The best type of telescope to get as a beginner is a refractor telescope. Refractor telescopes are the most user-friendly and have the fewest optical components, making them the easiest to use. They are also the most affordable and can provide great views of the Moon and other planets.

What is the best starter telescope?

The best starter telescope depends on your budget and desired features. Some popular choices for first-time telescope users include refractors, Dobsonians, and GoTo telescopes.

What should I look for in a starter telescope?

Look for a telescope with a good quality optical system, a sturdy mount, and a robust tripod. Additionally, consider the aperture size, focal ratio, and focal length to ensure it is suitable for the type of observing you plan to do.

What is the difference between refractor and reflector telescopes?

Refractors use a series of lenses to gather and focus light, while reflectors use a curved mirror to both collect and focus light. Refractors are usually lightweight and require less maintenance than reflectors, but they typically have a smaller aperture and less light-gathering capabilities. Reflectors are usually heavier, but they can provide higher magnifications and a wider field of view.


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About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

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