Telescope Buying Guide
Your window to the cosmos. A comprehensive beginner's guide to choosing the right telescope, mount, and optics.
A Word About This Guide
The Telescope Buying Guide is presented by SunshineNate and KLD Astro. The advice here is based on our combined years of experience as amateur astronomers, or recommendations from other experienced amateur astronomers who we know and trust.
This section of the guide contains no affiliate links. The information here is intended to help you decide what type of telescope is right for you. The Buyer Decision Tree and 2026 Scope Options tabs contain affiliate links to online stores where you can buy the telescopes and equipment you see here. If you use these links to make a purchase, Nate may receive a small commission. We will indicate whenever we use one of these links.
The integrity of the guide is very important so we want to state that no single brand, retailer, or related company has sponsored the guide, nor will we ever accept sponsorships for the guide. If you buy your astronomical gear using one of these affiliate links, we greatly appreciate it. However, we will never link to a product or a store that we do not support or recommend.
If you have questions or comments about anything in this guide, we encourage you to reach out.
Telescope Buying 101: Three Rules to Live By
Here are three basic rules to keep top of mind when shopping for your first telescope.
1. Avoid Big-Box Store Telescopes
Those glossy boxes with dramatic space photos are tempting — but most beginner telescopes sold in big-box stores are poorly made. They often have:
- Low-quality optics
- Flimsy mounts
- Plastic accessories that break easily
These scopes frustrate new users and are one of the biggest reasons people quit the hobby early.
2. Try Before You Buy
If you live near a city, there's a good chance you have a local astronomy club. Clubs host public observing nights where you can:
- Look through different telescopes
- Ask experienced observers questions
- Learn what you actually enjoy observing
This is one of the best ways to make a confident buying decision. You can find clubs through Sky & Telescope or local astronomy organizations.
3. Don't Over-Buy
More telescope does not mean more enjoyment. Buying too cheap leads to frustration. Buying too much too fast leads to burnout. Think about:
- What you want to observe
- How much time you realistically have
- Your budget
The best telescope is the one you'll actually use.
Know the Lingo: Types of Telescopes
These days there are as many types of telescopes as there are types of stars. There are scopes for visual observing, photography, smart scopes, deep sky, and planetary. Finding the right one can be difficult. Start your decision making process by knowing what the basic types are and what they're good at.
Optical Tubes
The optical tube is the part of the telescope you look through, and which type you choose should be based on what type of observing you want to do. Rather than diving into a bunch of technical details, we're going to provide a high-level description and break each type of tube down by what it's best for.
Reflectors
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather and focus light. The most popular type for beginners is the Dobsonian, which is a reflector mounted on a simple, sturdy base.
Pros
- Best "bang for your buck" (largest aperture per dollar)
- Simple to set up and use (especially Dobsonians)
- Great for faint deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae)
Cons
- Larger models can be bulky and heavy
- Require occasional maintenance (collimation/alignment of mirrors)
- Open tube design requires care to keep clean
Recommended For
- Beginners who want maximum capability on a budget
- Visual observers targeting deep-sky objects
Refractors
Refractors use lenses to bend light. They look like the classic "spyglass" telescope. They are rugged and require very little maintenance.
Pros
- Sharp, high-contrast views (great for Moon & planets)
- Very low maintenance (sealed tube protects optics)
- Easy to transport
Cons
- More expensive per inch of aperture than reflectors
- Long tubes can be unwieldy on some mounts
- Cheaper models suffer from "chromatic aberration" (color fringing)
Recommended For
- Planetary and lunar observers
- Astrophotographers (high-end models)
- People who want a "grab-and-go" scope
Cassegrains
Cassegrains (Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain) use a combination of lenses and mirrors to fold a long focal length into a short, compact tube.
Pros
- Very compact and portable for their power
- Good all-around performance
- Often come with computerized (Go-To) mounts
Cons
- Expensive compared to reflectors
- Narrow field of view (harder to see large objects)
- Cool-down time required before best viewing
Recommended For
- Observers with limited storage space
- Those who want computerized finding capability
Mounts: The Other Half of the Telescope
Telescopes Have Two Main Parts
It's helpful to know that every telescope is made up of two distinct parts: the optical tube and the mount. The optical tube is the part that you look through. The mount is what the telescope sits on and what you use to move the scope around. A steady mount is just as important as good optics.
Alt-Az vs. Equatorial
Alt-Az (Altitude-Azimuth) mounts are simple: they move up-down and left-right. They are intuitive and great for visual observing. Dobsonians use this type of mount.
Equatorial (EQ) mounts are designed to track the rotation of the sky. They are more complex to set up and use but are essential for long-exposure astrophotography.
Go-To vs. Manual Mounts
Manual Mounts: You push the telescope yourself to find objects.
- Pros: Cheaper, no batteries needed, faster setup, learn the sky better.
- Cons: Harder to find faint objects initially.
Go-To Mounts: Computerized motors find and track objects for you.
- Pros: Finds thousands of objects automatically, keeps them in view.
- Cons: More expensive, requires power/batteries, setup takes time (alignment), technical glitches can happen.
Accessories (Don't Go Overboard)
For visual observing there are a few accessories you can add that will make your experience much more enjoyable. You don't need to go crazy but consider a few things below.
Eyepieces
Most telescopes come with basic eyepieces. Upgrading them can significantly improve your view.
Low Power (25mm-40mm): Wider field of view. Best for finding objects and viewing large targets like the Pleiades or Andromeda Galaxy.
High Power (6mm-10mm): Narrow field of view. Best for seeing details on the Moon and planets.
Zoom Eyepieces (8mm-24mm): A convenient all-in-one option that lets you dial in the magnification without swapping lenses.
Tip: Don't buy a massive "eyepiece kit" with filters and lenses you'll never use. Buy one or two quality eyepieces instead.
Finder Scopes
A good finder makes locating objects much easier.
Magnifying Finders (e.g., 9x50): Small telescopes that gather light, helping you see faint stars to hop between.
Red Dot Finders: Simple sights that project a red dot on the sky. Zero magnification. Great for rough alignment.
Telrad: The gold standard for many visual observers. Projects concentric red rings onto the sky, making it incredibly intuitive to point the telescope.
Other Helpful Accessories
- Apps: SkySafari, Stellarium, or Star Walk are invaluable for planning observing sessions and identifying objects.
- Planisphere: A simple, analog star chart wheel. It never runs out of batteries and helps you learn constellations.
- Red Flashlight: Essential for reading charts without ruining your night vision.
- Observing Chair: Comfort is key! An adjustable chair lets you observe for longer without back strain.
Smart Telescopes
In the past few years 'smart' telescopes have become more popular as they've become more affordable. These scopes use integrated cameras and computers to 'stack' images of deep sky objects, and they're controlled through an app on your phone or tablet. There are a handful of brands that offer smart telescope options, including some that are familiar in the astronomy community.
Cost
Smart telescopes range from around $400 to over $4,000. While entry-level models are accessible, higher-end models offer better resolution and build quality.
Observing Experience
You do not look through an eyepiece. You view the image on a phone or tablet screen. For some, this disconnect takes away the magic. For others, it's the only way they can see faint objects from light-polluted cities.
Targets
They excel at deep-sky objects (nebulae, galaxies). They are generally not ideal for planets or the Moon due to their wide field of view.
Your Goals
If you want to learn the sky and find things yourself, a smart telescope removes that challenge. If you want results quickly and easily shareable images, they are fantastic.
Smart telescopes are simply a different tool. They open the hobby to people who might be intimidated by traditional gear or limited by light pollution.
Non-Telescope Options
If you're not ready to invest in a telescope, either because of cost or because you're not sure if it's a hobby you'll stick with, there are still great options to start with.
Binoculars
Binoculars are the most underrated tool in astronomy. They are intuitive, portable, and provide wide-field views that telescopes can't match.
A pair of 10x50 or 7x50 binoculars is perfect for beginners. They are easy to hold and show craters on the Moon, the moons of Jupiter, and bright star clusters.
The Celestron SkyMaster series offers larger apertures (like 15x70) for deeper views, though you'll likely need a tripod to hold them steady.
Ultra Wide Angle Binoculars
These are low-magnification (2x-3x) "constellation binoculars." They act like super-glasses for the sky.
They allow you to see entire constellations at once, but with many more stars than your naked eye can reveal. They are fantastic for scanning the Milky Way from a dark site and are incredibly easy for anyone to use.
Final Thoughts
Taking the time to research your first telescope is the most important part of the process. Avoid the extremes of buying the cheapest option available or over-buying a complicated setup. The goal is to get an instrument that you'll enjoy using, not one that will collect dust in a closet.
Consider Buying Used
Used telescopes are often a great value. Astronomers tend to take good care of their gear. Check:
- Cloudy Nights Classifieds
- Astromart
- Local astronomy club classifieds
Watch Out for Defunct Brands
Some formerly major brands (like Meade and Orion) have gone out of business or faced restructuring.
- Parts may be impossible to find.
- Customer support may not exist.
- Be careful when buying these on the used market.
Join Your Local Astronomy Club
This cannot be overstated. It is the single best resource you have.
- Try gear before you buy.
- Get help setting up your new scope.
- Make friends who share your interest.
- Find clubs near you.
The Astronomical League
Joining a club often gets you membership in the Astronomical League.
- Access to observing programs (challenges).
- Great for structured learning.