10 Best Beginners Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer Telescope is a solid choice for beginners looking to explore the night sky. With a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, it offers decent light-gathering capabilities, allowing users to see celestial objects like the moon and some planets with clarity. The fully coated optics enhance image quality, protecting your eyes while making stargazing more enjoyable. This telescope also comes with two replaceable eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, which significantly increases magnification, making it versatile for different viewing situations. The 5x24 finderscope is helpful for locating objects in the sky, an essential feature for newcomers who may struggle with initial alignment.

Portability is another strong point; the adjustable aluminum tripod and included carry bag make it easy to transport, which is ideal for those who want to take their observations to different locations. The smart phone adapter and wireless remote enable users to capture images of their findings, blending traditional stargazing with modern technology.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. While the optical system is decent, it may not satisfy more experienced astronomers seeking higher quality optics for deeper space observations. The manual focus can also be a challenge for beginners, as it requires a steady hand and patience to adjust properly. Additionally, some users have noted that the build quality feels a bit less robust compared to higher-end models, which might raise concerns about longevity with frequent use. Finally, being a refractor telescope, it may not be as effective at viewing certain deep-sky objects compared to larger, more advanced telescopes.

The HETEKAN 90mm Aperture 900mm Refractor Telescope is a good choice for beginners interested in planetary observation. Its 90mm aperture allows for bright and clear views of celestial objects, making it easier for novices to see details on the Moon and planets. The telescope offers a range of magnifications from 36X to 450X, thanks to its three eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens. This flexibility is beneficial for exploring different types of celestial objects at various levels of detail.

The included 5x24 finderscope helps locate objects in the night sky, although some users might find a straight-through finderscope a bit challenging to use initially. The altazimuth mount is straightforward, allowing smooth horizontal and vertical movements, which is ideal for beginners who need easy navigation of the night sky. The adjustable tripod, which can extend from 28.5 to 45 inches, ensures that users of different heights can comfortably use the telescope. Despite its sturdy design, the telescope is relatively lightweight at 12.12 pounds, making it quite portable for taking to different observation sites.

A smartphone adapter is also included, which adds to the modern convenience of capturing celestial images. Setting up the telescope is reported to be simple with a detailed guide provided, and customer support is available for any additional help. However, the manual focus might require some practice to get sharp images, and the large size of the optical tube (900mm) might be cumbersome for some users. Despite these minor drawbacks, the HETEKAN telescope offers a solid package for beginners and young astronomers to start their journey into stargazing.

This telescope is designed with beginners in mind, providing an 80mm aperture and a 600mm focal length, which helps capture clear and bright images of celestial objects. The two eyepieces included (25mm and 10mm) allow for easy magnification options of 24X and 60X, while the 3x Barlow lens can enhance that power even further. The 5x24 finderscope makes locating objects a breeze, which is ideal for those new to stargazing.

Portability is a strong point, as it comes with a carrying bag and an adjustable aluminum tripod, making it easy to transport to different viewing locations. The wireless control feature is also a nice touch, enabling users to capture images with their phones, which can enhance the stargazing experience.

There are some aspects to consider. While the telescope is easy to set up without tools, the manual focus might not be as smooth as some more advanced models, which could be slightly frustrating for those who desire quicker adjustments. Also, while the optical quality is generally good, more experienced users might find it lacks the performance of higher-end telescopes when it comes to more distant or detailed observations.