Search Results
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

BEST TELESCOPES OF 2026

Updated
Updated
BEST OF THE BEST
Celestron NexStar 6SE
Celestron
NexStar 6SE
Advanced Astrophotography Telescope
Powerful and compact telescope designed for both beginners and experienced astronomers. It offers a fully automated GoTo mount, making it easy to locate and track celestial objects.
Check Price
Check price at Amazon
Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Easy to set up and use
  • High-quality optics
  • Extensive object database
  • Portable design
CONS
  • Higher price point
  • Requires power source for GoTo mount
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro
Orion
StarBlast 4.5 Astro
Compact Beginner Telescope
Reflector Telescope is a great starter telescope for budding astronomers. It offers a 4.5-inch aperture and a sturdy tabletop mount for easy use and setup.
Check Price
Check price at Amazon
Pros & Cons
PROS
  • User-friendly for beginners
  • Bright, clear views
  • Compact and portable
  • Stable tabletop mount
CONS
  • Limited aperture size
  • Not suitable for advanced astrophotography
Sky-Watcher 8-Inch Dobsonian
Sky-Watcher
8-Inch Dobsonian
High-Performance Reflector Telescope
Telescope is known for its impressive light-gathering capabilities and ease of use. It features a large 8-inch aperture and a stable Dobsonian mount.
Check Price
Check price at Amazon
Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Excellent light-gathering power
  • Affordable for its size
  • Stable and easy to use
  • Durable construction
CONS
  • Bulky and heavy
  • Manual tracking only
Meade Instruments Infinity 102mm AZ
Meade Instruments
Infinity 102mm AZ
Portable Refractor Telescope
Refractor Telescope offers a great combination of performance and portability. It's ideal for beginners and includes a sturdy altazimuth mount.
Check Price
Check price at Amazon
Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Clear and sharp images
  • Portable design
  • Includes multiple eyepieces
CONS
  • Limited for deep-sky observation
  • Manual tracking
BEST OF THE BEST
Celestron NexStar 6SE
Advanced Astrophotography Telescope
Aperture: 150mm (6 inches)
Focal Length: 1500mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Mount Type: Computerized Altazimuth
Weight: 21 lbs (9.53 kg)

The Celestron NexStar 6SE combines advanced technology with easy-to-use features, making it an excellent choice for stargazing enthusiasts. The telescope features a 6-inch aperture, providing bright and detailed views of planets, stars, and galaxies.

Its fully automated GoTo mount allows users to quickly locate over 40,000 celestial objects with the push of a button. The telescope is also equipped with SkyAlign technology, simplifying the alignment process by allowing users to align on any three bright objects in the sky.

The NexStar 6SE is compact and portable, making it easy to transport to different observation sites. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced astronomer, the NexStar 6SE offers a rewarding viewing experience.

PROS
  • Easy to set up and use
  • High-quality optics
  • Extensive object database
  • Portable design
CONS
  • Higher price point
  • Requires power source for GoTo mount
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro
Compact Beginner Telescope
Aperture: 114mm (4.5 inches)
Focal Length: 450mm
Focal Ratio: f/4
Mount Type: Tabletop Altazimuth
Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 kg)

The Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope is designed for those new to astronomy. Its 4.5-inch aperture and fast focal ratio provide bright, clear views of the night sky, including the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects.

The telescope's compact size and lightweight design make it easy to move and set up, while the tabletop mount offers stability for precise observations. The included EZ Finder II reflex sight helps users quickly locate objects, and the two included eyepieces provide different magnification options.

The StarBlast 4.5 is an excellent entry-level telescope for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the universe.

PROS
  • User-friendly for beginners
  • Bright, clear views
  • Compact and portable
  • Stable tabletop mount
CONS
  • Limited aperture size
  • Not suitable for advanced astrophotography
Sky-Watcher 8-Inch Dobsonian
High-Performance Reflector Telescope
Aperture: 203mm (8 inches)
Focal Length: 1200mm
Focal Ratio: f/5.9
Mount Type: Dobsonian Altazimuth
Weight: 53 lbs (24 kg)

The Sky-Watcher 8-Inch Dobsonian Telescope is a favorite among amateur astronomers for its excellent performance and affordability. With an 8-inch aperture, this telescope provides stunning views of celestial objects, including planets, star clusters, and nebulae.

The large aperture allows for greater light-gathering power, resulting in brighter and more detailed images. The Dobsonian mount is simple to use and provides a stable platform for observations. The telescope's sturdy construction ensures durability, while the smooth, easy-to-use controls make it accessible for users of all skill levels.

The Sky-Watcher 8-Inch Dobsonian is an excellent choice for those looking to delve deeper into the night sky.

PROS
  • Excellent light-gathering power
  • Affordable for its size
  • Stable and easy to use
  • Durable construction
CONS
  • Bulky and heavy
  • Manual tracking only
Meade Instruments Infinity 102mm AZ
Portable Refractor Telescope
Aperture: 102mm (4 inches)
Focal Length: 600mm
Focal Ratio: f/5.9
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Weight: 11.6 lbs (5.26 kg)

The Meade Instruments Infinity 102mm AZ Refractor Telescope is perfect for those who want to explore the night sky without the complexity of more advanced setups. This refractor telescope features a 102mm aperture, providing clear and sharp images of the Moon, planets, and other celestial objects.

The altazimuth mount is easy to use, allowing smooth movement in both horizontal and vertical directions. The telescope comes with three eyepieces, offering different levels of magnification, and a red dot viewfinder to help locate objects.

The lightweight and portable design make it easy to take this telescope to different observation locations. The Infinity 102mm is a great choice for beginners who want a reliable and easy-to-use telescope.

PROS
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Clear and sharp images
  • Portable design
  • Includes multiple eyepieces
CONS
  • Limited for deep-sky observation
  • Manual tracking
Celestron NexStar 130SLT
Computerized Reflector Telescope
Aperture: 130mm (5.12 inches)
Focal Length: 650mm
Focal Ratio: f/5
Mount Type: Computerized Altazimuth
Weight: 18 lbs (8.16 kg)

The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is designed to make astronomy accessible to everyone. Its 130mm aperture provides bright and detailed views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like star clusters and galaxies.

The telescope features a fully computerized GoTo mount, which automatically locates and tracks objects in the night sky, making it easy for users to find and observe celestial objects. The SkyAlign technology simplifies the alignment process, allowing users to get started quickly.

The telescope is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport to different observation sites. With its advanced features and user-friendly design, the NexStar 130SLT is a great choice for anyone looking to explore the universe.

PROS
  • Easy to use
  • Bright, detailed views
  • Automated object tracking
  • Portable and lightweight
CONS
  • Requires power source
  • Higher price point

How our picks compare

SpecificationCelestron NexStar 6SEOrion StarBlast 4.5 AstroSky-Watcher 8-Inch DobsonianMeade Instruments Infinity 102mm AZCelestron NexStar 130SLT
Aperture150mm (6 inches)114mm (4.5 inches)203mm (8 inches)102mm (4 inches)130mm (5.12 inches)
Focal Length1500mm450mm1200mm600mm650mm
Focal Ratiof/10f/4f/5.9f/5.9f/5
Mount TypeComputerized AltazimuthTabletop AltazimuthDobsonian AltazimuthAltazimuthComputerized Altazimuth
Weight21 lbs (9.53 kg)13 lbs (5.9 kg)53 lbs (24 kg)11.6 lbs (5.26 kg)18 lbs (8.16 kg)