Best telescopes for beginners 2026

The best beginner telescopes treat you to awe-inspiring views of planets, galaxies and other cosmic wonders with minimal faff.

We've put beginner telescopes from Bresser, Celestron, Sky-Watcher and others to the test, using objective optical assessments to ensure superb stargazing, and a panel of testers to scrutinise every mount, focuser and finderscope.

All of the beginner telescopes we've tested cost less than £300 to buy, and we've found two outstanding Best Buys that will have you gazing at the cosmos in no time - one is also a Great Value pick.

We also cover everything a novice needs to know about telescope specs - from mount types to aperture sizes - with expert insight from Dr Greg Brown, senior public astronomy officer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

The beginner telescopes we tested

The telescopes we tested are listed below.

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The telescopes we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best beginner telescopes from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.

Acuter MaksyGo 60 Mini Mak Dobsonian Telescope

Available from First Light Optics (£99), Grovers Optics (£99), Rother Valley Optics (£99) The Widescreen Centre (£99)

Type and mount Maksutov-Cassegrain; Dobsonian mount

Focal length and aperture 750mm; 60mm

Included eyepieces 10mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 1.9kg, plastic tube 21 x 8.3cm (L x D), 6x21 crosshair finderscope, f/12.5 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 120x/9x, star diagonal and smartphone adapter included, removable discovery panel, two-year warranty

Bresser Classic 60/900 EQ Refractor Telescope

Type and mount Refractor; equatorial mount

Focal length and aperture 900mm; 60mm

Included eyepieces 4mm, 12.5mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 6.5kg, aluminium tube 90cm x 6cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 70cm - 120cm, 5x24 crosshair finderscope, f/15 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 120x/9x, star diagonal and 3x Barlow lens included, five-year warranty

Bresser Venus 76/700 AZ Reflector Telescope

Type and mount Reflector; alt-azimuth mount

Focal length and aperture 700mm; 76mm

Included eyepieces 4mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 5.3kg, aluminium tube 67.5cm x 13cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 60cm - 102cm, red dot finderscope, f/9.2 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 152x/11x, 3x Barlow lens, solar filter and smartphone adapter included, five-year warranty

Celestron Astromaster 127EQ Maksutov Telescope

Type and mount Maksutov-Cassegrain; equatorial mount

Focal length and aperture 1,500mm; 127mm

Included eyepieces 10mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 8.68kg, aluminium tube 33cm x 14.5cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 81.28cm to 129.54cm, red dot finderscope, f/11.8 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 254x/18x, star diagonal included, two-year warranty

Celestron Travel Scope 80

Type and mount Refractor; alt-azimuth mount

Focal length and aperture 400mm; 80mm

Included eyepieces 10mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 1.9kg, aluminium tube 45.7cm x 9.8cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 55.8cm - 132.1cm, spirit levels on tripod, 5x24 inverted crosshair finderscope, f/5 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 160x/11x, carry rucksack, smartphone adaptor and lens cleaning cloth included, two-year warranty

Stargaze and bird watch with the best binoculars

Centon 900x70 Telescope

Type and mount Refractor; equatorial mount

Focal length and aperture 900mm; 70mm

Included eyepieces 4mm, 12.5mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 0.6kg, aluminium tube 89cm x 7cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 70cm - 127cm, 5x24 crosshair finderscope, f/12.8 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 140x/10x, star diagonal and 3x Barlow lens included, one-year warranty

Omegon 70mm AZ2 Refractor

Type and mount Refractor; alt-azimuth mount

Focal length and aperture 700mm; 70mm

Included eyepieces 10mm, 20mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 4kg, aluminium tube 70cm x 7cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 67cm -119cm, red dot finderscope, f/10 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 140x/10x, star diagonal and 2x Barlow lens included, two-year warranty

Sky-Watcher Explorer BK 130 EQ2 Telescope

Type and mount Reflector; equatorial mount

Focal length and aperture 900mm; 130mm

Included eyepieces 10mm, 25mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 17kg, aluminium tube 84cm x 17cm (L x D), tripod extendable range 71cm - 123cm, red dot finderscope, f/6.9 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 260x/19x, 2x Barlow lens included, two-year warranty

Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P FlexTube Dobsonian Telescope

Available from First Light Optics (£194), The Widescreen Centre (£194), Rother Valley Optics (£229)

Type and mount Reflector; Dobsonian mount

Focal length and aperture 650mm; 130mm

Included eyepieces 10mm, 25mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 6.2kg, steel tube 35.5cm (retracted) - 60.9cm (extended) x 16.5cm (L x D), red dot finderscope, f/5 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 260x/19x, collimation cap included, carry handle, two-year warranty

Ursa Major 6" f/8 Planetary Dobsonian Telescope

Type and mount Reflector; Dobsonian mount

Focal length and aperture 1,200mm; 152mm

Included eyepieces 9mm, 25mm (1.25" width)

Need to know 23kg, steel tube 110 x 17.6cm (L x D), 6x30 crosshair finderscope, f/7.9 focal ratio, theoretical max/min magnification 304x/22x, four-slot eyepiece holder (on mount), two-year warranty

How we test telescopes

We buy and independently test every product we review, so you can be certain that what we say is trustworthy and unbiased.

We regularly revisit the telescopes on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.

Optical quality

• We have the main mirrors and lenses in every telescope objectively tested with the help of Nichol Optical, which brings more than 30 years' experience of independently assessing and producing astronomical optics.
• Ronchi double pass autocollimation (DPAC) uses visual bands, where straight lines indicate an ideal surface. Deviations identify specific flaws: inward or outward curving signifies spherical aberration, while sudden, sharp bends at the ends indicate a turned edge. Kinks along the bands suggest zonal errors, and twisting of the lines during grating rotation suggests astigmatism.
• Our testing panel, comprising a mixture of Which? testers and hobbyist astronomers, check for colour fringing (fuzzy blocks of colour around the edges of objects) in the telescope's view during user testing.
• Our panel also judges how comfortable and clear the field of view is through the longest focal length eyepieces that come with each telescope.

Ease of use

• Our testing panel sets up each telescope individually and rates how easy it is to set up, including aligning the finderscope's view with the main tube, adjusting the mount (including polar alignment for equatorial mounts), and adjusting the focuser.
• We also assess how easy the initial out-of-the-box assembly process is, and how portable each telescope is.
• For beginner telescopes, our testing panel provides an overall recommendation as to whether we think the telescope is suitable for people new to using telescopes.

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

What are the different types of telescopes?

Refractor telescopes

• Pros: suitable for beginners (quick setup), minimal maintenance needed, versatile
• Cons: prone to colour fringing

These are among the most popular types of telescope. They use glass lenses instead of mirrors, and you look through an eyepiece at the base of the main tube.

Refractor telescopes often have long optical tubes, as light travels in a straight line to the eyepiece. Compared to some premium telescopes used by astrophotographers, refractors are generally more portable.

The optical tube on a refractor telescope is usually sealed, so dust is less likely to affect internal parts. For maintenance, all you need to do is keep the eyepiece free from smudges.

Some cheaper models can be prone to colour fringing, which means you might notice fuzzy blocks of colour around the edges of objects. This effect is also known as chromatic aberration. We've identified this issue in some, but not all, of the refractor telescopes we've tested.

Reflector telescopes

• Pros: often cheaper than refractors, not affected by colour fringing, shorter tubes will appeal to some
• Cons: mirrors will need to be realigned every so often, and dust can get inside the telescope

You use an eyepiece on the side to look through a reflector telescope, usually this is near the top end of the main tube.

These telescopes use primary and secondary mirrors to reflect light, so they aren't affected by colour fringing like some refractors. Because light isn't forced to travel in a single, straight line, the optical tubes are also shorter than those on refractor telescopes. This means reflectors are often the cheaper type to buy.

The mirrors inside a reflector telescope will shift slightly over time, so you'll need to realign them manually through a process known as collimation, plus the ends of the tube aren't sealed, so it is possible for dust to creep inside.

Catadioptric Telescopes

• Pros: portable, minimal maintenance needed, good for astrophotography
• Cons: often pricey, narrow field of view 

Also known as compound telescopes, these use a combination of mirrors and lenses to help you explore the stars. Common sub-types include the Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain.

Catadioptric telescopes offer particularly high focal lengths (which determine how close up and narrow your field of view is) despite their short tube lengths, making them particularly good for astrophotography.

However, they tend to be at the pricier end of the spectrum than other types of telescope, and the often narrow field of view means you'll have limited wide views of the sky unless you buy extra accessories that compensate for it.

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Is it worth buying a cheap telescope?

The general rule is that the higher the aperture of a telescope, the more expensive it is. A larger aperture allows the telescope to gather more light, which gives you brighter views of the solar system and star clusters.

Providing a typical price for a telescope is tricky because there are so many variations, but if you're trying to stick to a tight budget, there are still plenty of options – many telescopes designed for beginners cost between £50 and £200. Prices for professional-grade equipment can reach astronomical heights - beyond £10,000.

The beginner telescopes we've tested range in price from less than £100 up to nearly £300, and we've found that price is no indicator of quality.

Remember that two telescopes at wildly different prices will often see the same things if they have the same focal length and aperture. However, the quality of your view can still be affected by the quality of the lens and mirrors, other key components of the telescope, such as the mount and finderscope, and, of course, the weather.

What to look for when buying your first telescope

• Aperture size – Defined by the diameter of the main lens or mirror. Wider-aperture scopes take in more light, which gives you a better chance of seeing faint objects in the sky. Without breaking your budget, try to get the biggest aperture possible.
• Focal length – Determines the magnification level of the scope (along with the eyepieces that come included). Divide the telescope focal length by the eyepiece focal length to calculate magnification levels. A word of warning – magnification is important, but you'll see a blurry mess if the aperture is small.
• Type of mount – You'll need to choose between an AZ (alt-azimuth) mount and EQ (equatorial) mount. AZ is the easier of the two to use, as it requires basic vertical and horizontal adjustments. This includes Dobsonian mounts, which have a wide, flat base rather than a classic tripod.
  
  An EQ mount uses RA (right ascension) and Dec (Declination) movements and is useful for astrophotography, as it can be 'polar aligned' with the North Star and so easily compensates for the Earth's rotation, keeping an object in view for a photo.
  
  Dr Greg Brown, senior public astronomy officer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, notes: 'The bigger and heavier your telescope, the sturdier your mount must be to keep a still image that is resistant to gusts of wind and accidental nudges.'
• Finderscope – The mini scope on the side of your main telescope tube, and an essential tool for a smooth stargazing experience. You'll need to align the centre point of the finderscope (usually a red dot laser sight or a crosshair) with what you see through the main tube, so a finderscope that's sturdy and straightforward to align is important.
• Portability – Important if you plan on taking your telescope on a hike.
• Extras - Some telescopes come bundled with educational extras such as booklets or download links for mobile apps. Dr Brown told us: 'As great as a telescope is for seeing things in the sky, to know where to look, you need to have some kind of guide. Lots of options exist – from printed, year-long guides of the highlights in the sky to apps on your phone. Use them to plan an observing session in advance.'

Joel Bates, Which? telescopes tester and principal researcher/writer, says:

You've got to get that first purchase right. So many beginners give up because they've ended up buying a telescope that's either so complicated that it overwhelms you, or one that doesn't have those key features you need for awe-inspiring views.

In our tests of beginner telescopes, simplicity combined with capability is what wins out. When I took our top-scoring beginner telescope for a spin, on the first night I used it, I had it set up in minutes and was gazing in awe at the primary bands of Jupiter. That's the sort of experience that sets you off from buying your first telescope to enjoying a lifelong hobby.

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Best telescopes for viewing planets, galaxies and the Moon

Telescopes suitable for viewing planets and the Moon will have an aperture of at least 70mm. A very high aperture will let you see fainter objects in deep space, but you might consider that overkill for a starting scope, given that the price will also likely rise.

Aperture is also the key spec for viewing galaxies. 70mm will do for viewing Andromeda or perhaps Triangulum, but 100mm or larger is better for viewing other, deeper galaxies.

Focal length is also important. Complete beginners should aim for a telescope focal length of 400mm to 1,000mm. The lower end of that scale is adequate if you want wide views of the night sky, but a higher focal length is much better for observing planets and galaxy cores.

According to Dr Brown, a 700mm focal length telescope and a 10mm eyepiece can completely fill your view with the Moon.

Magnification levels that are too high can harm your experience, as you'll have a narrower field of view and a dimmer image. You'll also need to shift your telescope’s aim more frequently to keep the target in view.

Make sure you pay attention to the claimed focal length when buying a telescope online. Plus, specs are often printed or engraved on the telescope itself – usually near the eyepiece.

Planets visible at night

Even a beginner-friendly telescope can help you observe the seven classical planets visible to the naked eye, although how easy it will be varies considerably.

Dr Brown told Which?: 'Uranus and Neptune will be the trickiest to spot – tiny, pale blue specks are difficult to distinguish from the stars in the background. Both are achievable, though, particularly if conditions are good.

'Mercury is easily bright enough to be seen, but the difficulty is in finding a time it's high enough above the horizon to be visible while the Sun is below it.

'Venus is often bright enough to be seen during the day and is stunningly bright at night, while Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all easy to observe. Jupiter and Saturn, in particular, are well worth a look with the Galilean moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn both being easy to spot.'

For more on what to look for in the sky, you can find the astronomers of the Royal Observatory Greenwich on the Look Up! astronomy podcast.

Best telescopes for kids

If your little ones are interested in science and space, there are some important features to look out for when shopping for a telescope.

Picking a model with an effective finderscope can help – most, but not all, telescopes have them. These stick to the side of the scope and project a bullseye onto a clear window to help centre objects you want to study through the main scope.

Alt-azimuth mounts are ideal for children as they move effortlessly in any direction. Avoid telescopes with EQ mounts, as it's unlikely your little stargazer wants to deal with precise, angled movements.

Best places to use a telescope

To get the very best views, it helps to escape light pollution – that means distancing yourself from cars, buildings and street lights. Parking yourself in an area near mountains can help block out light that would usually negatively affect your view.

However, even in urban areas, a modest telescope still offers plenty to see.

Dr Brown says: 'The easiest objects to observe in the night sky, which also happen to be among the most impressive to see, are easily visible even in the brightest city lights. The Moon and brighter planets are easily visible regardless of how much light is around.'

The UK has plenty of spots ideal for stargazing, including several International Dark Sky Reserves:

• Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park
• Cranborne Chase
• Exmoor National Park
• North York Moors National Park
• South Downs National Park
• Snowdonia National Park
• Yorkshire Dales National Park

Research 'dark sky reserves' and national parks to find spots near you. Local Facebook groups focusing on astronomy might also come in handy if you're looking for ideas.