Best Telescopes 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Specs That Don't Add Up
By Felipe Iglesias · Updated
Three of the best telescopes here publish an aperture and a focal length that do not agree. The computerised 130mm reflector lists a 325mm focal length, which is f/2.5. The 130mm equatorial lists 260mm, which is f/2. The 102mm Maksutov lists 204mm, also f/2. Meanwhile the two listings whose figures do agree give f/11.8 (127mm over 1500mm) and f/5 (150mm over 750mm). The exit pupil column is stranger still: it runs from 0.1mm on one 70mm refractor to 35mm on another. In theory a 35mm exit pupil on a 70mm lens means 2x magnification, while the two eyepieces in that box, 20mm and 10mm over 700mm of focal length, give 35x and 70x.
We ranked ten of the best telescopes on Amazon on four things you can check yourself: whether the aperture and focal length agree, whether the exit pupil is usable on the lens described, whether the magnification figures match the eyepieces supplied, and what the same optics cost elsewhere in the list. Where a spec table contradicts itself, we say so rather than pick a side.
At a glance
| # | Product | Price | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerised Reflector | £499.00 | 4.3 | View |
| 2 | Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 Tabletop Dobsonian | £315.00 | 4.4 | View |
| 3 | Celestron NexStar 127SLT Maksutov-Cassegrain | £599.00 | 4.3 | View |
| 4 | DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope | £499.00 | 4.5 | View |
| 5 | Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Motor Drive | £299.99 | 4.2 | View |
| 6 | Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerised Maksutov-Cassegrain | £599.99 | 4.4 | View |
| 7 | SOLOMARK 80mm Refractor, 900mm Focal Length | £139.99 | 4.4 | View |
| 8 | EACONN 80mm Refractor, 600mm Focal Length | £69.99 | 4.4 | View |
| 9 | Celestron Travel Scope 70 Refractor with Backpack | £89.95 | 4.3 | View |
| 10 | Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Refractor | £179.99 | 4.3 | View |
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Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerised Reflector
Our top pick among the best telescopes here: 130mm is the largest aperture in the SLT family, the GoTo mount holds 40,000+ objects, and 2,118 ratings average 4.3.
Pros
- 130mm aperture, the largest in the SLT range, per the listing
- 2,118 ratings averaging 4.3 — the second-highest review count on this list
- GoTo mount with more than 40,000 objects and automatic tracking
- SkyAlign: centre three bright objects and the mount aligns itself
- 5.17 kg complete with the 635mm tube
Cons
- Focal length given as 325mm against a 130mm aperture, i.e. f/2.5
- Exit pupil listed as 26mm, which implies 5x on a 130mm lens
- Battery powered only; no mains supply listed
- Manual focus, despite the computerised mount
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Brought a few months ago, absolutely brilliant for a beginner, I'm using the WiFi adapter/SkyPortal app with the mount and once you got the hang of alignment it's very easy to use.”
Verified purchase“After spending a number of decades as a backyard astronomer using binoculars, I have finally taken the plunge and bought a telescope. So what are my thoughts after 7 clear nights observing? Well firstly if you are thinking of doing the same DO IT.This telescope is good value for money. The instructions to put it together are short, clear and simple. It arrived on time and was very well packaged in 3 (yes 3) boxes plus the obligatory polystyrene and bubble wrap. Once put together my telescope now lives on its tripod and is easily portable by an over 60 year old.As a complete telescope beginner, it got me up and running immediately. - Except that unlike the description there were not batteries supplied - however having an outdoor power supply, I had ordered the power adaptor. The finderscope once aligned (alignment was easy) is very helpful. The two lenses supplied give good views compared to my hand held ancient but very good 16x60 binoculars which I am still using really as a wide angle view. - largely because of my hand shake when holding the bins... However I am looking to upgrade the lenses as quickly as money allows... The telescope is not however completely removed from vibration and t movement, but is much better if the tripod is not extended fully. However wind will wobble it as will human interference... annoying.So after a few sessions - as a total telescope beginner - largely because of cloudy skies or semi cloudy (rather annoying) skies what have I seen/was impressed with using only the lenses supplied (which most reviews suggest are not the best)?1. The telescope will seperate Saturn and the rings - just - using the lenses provided.2. Jupiter and the 4 moons look similar to a binocular view, but sharper and some banding on Jupiter can be seen.3. The moon (advise you to get a moon filter) is stunning.4. Views of clusters such as the Sword Handle/double cluster in Perseus, the Hyades, the Pleides, the Leaping Minnow in Auriga are good.5. Scanning through constellations such as Cygnus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia similar to viewing the Milky Way through binoculars has been fun.6. Binary stars - Albeiro in Cygnus, 30/31 Cygni, Epsilon Lyrae have been good.Again only with the lenses supplied, what have been disappointments?a. M31 - but also not great in binoculars.b. M27, M57, but I suspect they might be better with better lenses.c. Annoying having to re focus when you change lenses. (looking to get the Baader zoom asap)And what simple errors have I made?i. Not always waiting for my eyes to become accustomed to the dark.ii. Expecting to find things in the 9mm lense first - much easier to start with the wide angle 25mm.iii. Making sure that the telescope does not get stuck on the tripod when viewing objects nearly overhead.iv Assuming that everything will look better at a higher magnification - it doesn't.v. Standing up to observe using the telescope - does my back in - so I am now using an adjustable stool...Overall a good purchase and I am very pleased with it... However I can see that like the binoculars it will become addictive and will "demand" more money for lenses etc. etc...”
It takes first place on aperture and on evidence. The 130mm objective is the largest in Celestron's SLT range, the mount carries a database of more than 40,000 objects, and 2,118 ratings average 4.3 — the second-highest review count among the best telescopes here. However, the spec table lists a 325mm focal length beside that 130mm aperture. Divide one by the other and you get f/2.5, a ratio no mass-market Newtonian is built at.
In practice the appeal is the setup. This is a computerised telescope that aligns once you centre three bright objects in the eyepiece, then tracks whatever you pick. StarBright XLT coatings, a StarPointer red-dot finderscope, an altazimuth mount, 5.17 kg all-in, and a 635mm optical tube. Starry Night software comes as a download rather than a disc.
That said, check the maths before you buy. The exit pupil is given as 26mm, which means 5x on a 130mm lens — nothing in the box will do that — while the zoom ratio on the same page says 20. If you want a wide field or long-exposure imaging, this is not the mount for it: an altazimuth head tracks objects but does not rotate with the sky.
Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 Tabletop Dobsonian
The pick for most buyers: 150mm over 750mm gives a genuine f/5, and the three figures on the page actually agree with each other.
Pros
- 150mm aperture matched to a 750mm focal length — genuine f/5
- Borosilicate parabolic primary with RAQ coating, per the listing
- Collapsible tube retains collimation, says Sky-Watcher
- The cheapest route here to 150mm of aperture, at £315
- Rubber feet and a helical focuser at this price
Cons
- Manual only: no GoTo, no tracking motor
- 10.4 kg, and it needs a table or wall to sit on
- Exit pupil listed as 0.2mm, which contradicts f/5
- Only 104 ratings, against 2,118 on the model above
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“We use this all the time it is extremely easy to use and very portable we have seen many planets including Saturn and Venus. Great for moon observation and deep space did a lot of time looking into what one to get and this turned out to be exactly what we wanted! We are new to telescopes but this was definitely a great intro and will keep using it for years to come!”
Verified purchase“Amazing! This is an amazing at home telescope. Very simple to use and set up. You do need a big base to put this on though.”
This is a Dobsonian telescope whose numbers survive a calculator. The listing says 150mm aperture, 750mm focal length and f/5, and the three agree. Crucially, it is the largest aperture here for £315, and the only tabletop design on the list.
The tube collapses for transport while, according to Sky-Watcher, holding collimation. The primary mirror is borosilicate and parabolic, with a Radiant Aluminum Quartz coating. There is a 1.25-inch helical focuser, a reflex finderscope and rubber feet to damp vibration. Total weight is 10.4 kg, which makes this a table-and-garden instrument rather than a backpack one.
The catch is the mount. A tabletop Dobsonian needs a flat, solid surface at a sensible height, and there is no motor and no GoTo — you find the objects yourself. Worth noting, too, that the exit pupil column says 0.2mm; on a 150mm aperture that would be 750x, which an f/5 focal length cannot deliver. If you want an app to point the scope for you, look further down this list.
Celestron NexStar 127SLT Maksutov-Cassegrain
One of only two listings here whose aperture and focal length match: 127mm over 1500mm is f/11.8.
Pros
- 127mm and 1500mm agree, giving f/11.8
- Dawes limit of 0.91 arc seconds fits a 127mm aperture
- GoTo mount with 40,000+ objects and tracking
- 8.21 kg and a 381mm tube — compact for the focal length
- 1,149 ratings at 4.3
Cons
- £599, the joint-highest price on this list
- 1.7-degree field of view: narrow for deep-sky objects
- Battery powered; no mains option listed
- Same 4.3 rating as the £499 model, for £100 more
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“I'm not professional, these are just my impressions.WARNING 1: this might be a begining of an expensive hobby! You will likely want accessories, filters, eyepieces, and maybe larger aperture for deep sky. Search for what you can see with a telescope (especially if you're interested in Nebulae/galaxies) if it's you first one to manage expectations.WARNING 2: you won't see details and colours you see in pictures online including mine (except maybe for Moon). Cameras are far more sensitive and have longer exposures than our eyes. Search Orion Nebula or M81 through a 5, 8, 10 inch telescope for example to have an idea and compare with pictures.Overall, I'm very happy with the telescope, optics seem quite good without noticeable chromatic aberrations, tracking is OK with options to fine-tune during use.After using this, I'm curious to try something with a larger aperture to see more details in deep sky, but it doesn't mean I'm enjoying this telescope any less. For me it hits a good balance of power, ease of use, and portability. Though 8-inch aperture ones would probably last you much longer if you're going to get into the hobby more seriously, those are much more expensive and heavy.You are paying a premium for goto functionality and compact design compared to some other 5-inch options, but I found goto to be very helpful especially at first.This vs a Dobsonian:Observing with a tripod is so much easier especially when what you're looking at is low. Optical tube is much more compact compared to Dob of comparable aperture and f-ratio, but later would probably be cheaper. As far as I can tell, a typical Newtonian reflector would be far less tolerant to collimation issues than this design. Learning with this is certainly easier.If it's your first telescope - be prepared you won't see the colours and details you see in pictures online. Those are captured with cameras with longer exposures and higher sensitivity than human eyes and are heavily processed. This being said, I got this picture of Orion Nebula with an old unmodified DSLR through this telescope in a single exposure, no stacking or additional hardware.What can you see?Moon - amazing! Very bright, very sharp clear small details, no weird colours.Planets - they appear about small pea-sized, rings of Saturn are clearly visible, as well as bands of Jupiter (in colour). You can get them bigger with additional eyepieces or Barlow lenses, but with ones I got (admittedly not the highest quality) I couldn't see more details - same thing just bigger and a little blurrier.Deep sky objects - probably the coolest thing to photograph, but visually seeing it for the first time it's amazing how dim those are in general. I could see Orion Nebula and some other DSOs. In Orion Nebula I could see general shape, but no colour when observing from Peak District. You can probably see more from a darker site, but I haven't tested it. Overall the aperture is considered small for visual DSO observation, but I could see something.Moon, snow, atmospheric conditions (e.g. turbulent air) will all affect your observation. Relative positions of earth to other planet also affects the details you see.Mount, focuser etc:I've read complaints about the mount not being sturdy enough online. It's definitely more shaky than a heavy Dobsonian, but for me it's perfectly useable. You do need to wait a couple seconds after adjusting focus for it to get stable, but you absolutely can get clear view and pictures after that.GoTo depends on how good your alignment is and has couple clever features - there is a "precision goto" option in the menu where it first navigates to nearby easy to see object for you to correct error and then it goes to actual target.Mount doesn't fold flat with optical tube as SE model does.The tripod is a bit bigger than a typical photo tripod when folded.If you're thinking of getting this and using mount for later optical tube upgrades, search for mount limits - you probably won't put much more onto it. I've read online people ignoring limits and putting 6se and even 8se on it, but it will be even shakier and I have no idea how long it will last if you did it and I doubt warranty will cover it.You need to align red dot finder and the telescope before observation, otherwise finding anything is very difficult.The mount is Alt-Az, as opposed to equatorial if it makes difference for you.”
Verified purchase“As a novice to telescopes but not astronomy, this telescope is more bang for buck than you can imagine.Managed to attach my DSLR successfully and use the SkyAlign feature to capture the Moon and Venus in all their glory. Its a sizeable piece of kit and works better with a power cable rather than batteries.The tripod is great, solid and has a spirit level to help you ensure you have a level platform too.Definitely need to invest in some new eyepieces, but will do that later. Need to get accustomed and get the best out of what I have first. Best investment made and glad that I did!”
This Maksutov Cassegrain telescope is one of only two listings among the best telescopes here whose aperture and focal length agree: 127mm over 1500mm, or f/11.8. It is a long, slow tube, which suits the Moon and the planets. The Dawes limit is quoted at 0.91 arc seconds, consistent with that aperture, and the exit pupil at 3.53mm.
The mount does the work: more than 40,000 objects, SkyAlign on three bright stars, automatic tracking. The optical tube measures 381mm and the complete setup weighs 8.21 kg. By contrast with the 130mm reflector above, this one trades field of view for focal length — 1.7 degrees is what the page lists.
Even so, at £599 it is the joint most expensive item here, and its 1,149 ratings average the same 4.3 as the £499 reflector. A Maksutov also needs time to settle to outside temperature, and f/11.8 gives you a narrow window on anything wide. If faint galaxies matter more to you than planets, a bigger aperture costs less than this.
DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope
The highest-rated item here at 4.5 from 428 ratings, and the only one that is a camera rather than an eyepiece telescope.
Pros
- 4.5 from 428 ratings — the highest score on this list
- 1.35 kg and 22.2cm wide, so it fits a daypack
- Dual lenses: 35mm and 150mm, per the listing
- Automatic tracking and in-app processing, no PC required
- Box includes carry bag, magnetic solar filters and USB-C cable
Cons
- Three different focal length figures in the same spec cell
- 35mm objective against a 127mm Maksutov elsewhere on this list
- No eyepiece: screen-only viewing
- £499 for a fixed-lens device that cannot be upgraded
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“I've spent a lifetime spending budget levels on telescopic items that kind of worked....kind of didn't and left feeling .. disappointed.Cut to 2026....holy hell this thing is awesome. I felt lucky to be able to afford this as it is expensive BUT ....it's simplicity is what makes it work. I've yet to upgrade the firmware and get used to the settings so YouTube and AI helped a lot but it took me 10 minutes to get 89 stacked images of Saturn and Neptune. . NEPTUNE!!!! from my urban Bournemouth back garden with all that light pollution. Made so much better because I can leave it outside and I can use it from the warmth of my kitchen!! I wanted to get the moon but became tired and jacked it in for another night. Planets are never going to be Hubble quality with this thing but think about being able to get the rings and general shape of Saturn!!! Incredible. I'm so looking forward to getting deep sky stuff when I'm more familiar.In real life it seems heavier and larger than you think but that is no criticism. I also purchased a fairly decent tripod so stability is not a problem. The unit, even when moving under motor power, is very stable. This thing is entirely adjustable as you 'view' it by way of smart phone or tablet. From what I've seen, with these Sony sensors, one can get stunning images that transcends from just space.Having just started with it, I have no difficulty in recommending this Dwarflab 3. Amazing.UPDATE....now connected to home WiFi and firmware updated seemlessly. I've attached a sun picture I've taken from my back garden using the supplied solar filter. ALWAYS use the solar filter. Look how majestic that thing is. Sun spots, the lot.UPDATE 2....I continue to be amazed at this bad boy! I woke up early, about 430am and saw the moon up. This is a composite image of 189 stacked images, took about 5minutes. The sky was actually lightening up as well, given the sun was starting to get up. Just incredible.”
Verified purchase“Great bit of kit, small amount of money for what it does”
Of everything on this list, this is the smart telescope for astrophotography: a 1.35 kg unit with two lenses, app control and automatic tracking. It also carries the best score here, 4.5 from 428 ratings. However, a single cell in the spec table gives the focal length three times over — '35 mm f/4.28', '150 mm focal length' and '737 mm equivalent focal length' — and those describe different things.
In use it works from a phone. The telephoto lens handles deep-sky targets and daylight subjects; the wide-angle lens covers the Milky Way and star trails. Processing happens in the DWARFLAB app, so no computer is needed. It measures 22.2cm wide and weighs 1.35 kg including the battery, and the page lists a 10-year spare part availability window.
That said, there is no eyepiece, so you look at a screen rather than through glass, and a 35mm objective will not show you Jupiter the way a 127mm Maksutov will. The box includes the scope, a carry bag, magnetic solar filters and a USB-C cable. If you want to observe with your own eye, skip it.
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Motor Drive
The cheapest 130mm here at £299.99, and the best telescope under 500 if you want a motor drive on an equatorial head.
Pros
- Cheapest 130mm on this list at £299.99
- CG-3 equatorial mount with setting circles and a motor drive
- 1,956 ratings, so a large sample to read through
- Full-height adjustable steel tripod; 7.71 kg complete
- Equatorial tracking suits anyone thinking about imaging
Cons
- 260mm focal length against a 130mm aperture, i.e. f/2
- Zoom ratio of 130.0 on the page just repeats the aperture
- Lowest rating here: 4.2 from 1,956 ratings
- Supplied eyepieces would give roughly 13x and 26x
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Complicated to setup. Took me almost two hours. The hardest thing was putting the battery in the motor. You would think Celestron would make that easier. Have to admit it's all very heavy when built.I'm looking forward to clear skies to give a good test.”
Verified purchase“It took a bit to figure out set up and adjustments but yeah, that is Jupiter and it's 4 moons!!! I also bought the collimator laser and a barlow lens (don't buy a x5, it is too overpowered). The red dot finder needed a lot of adjustment but once done, it worked perfect. I highly recommend the YT channel: Small optics. Lovely guy and very helpful with everything you need to know as a begginer. It is quite big but each man overcompensates in different ways xD Get one!!”
Here is where the arithmetic gets awkward. The listing gives 130mm aperture and a 260mm focal length, and 260 divided by 130 is f/2. At the same time, the same page quotes an optical zoom of 130.0, which is the aperture figure reused as a magnification. Either way, £299.99 buys the cheapest 130mm instrument here.
In practice the mount is the point: a CG-3 equatorial head with setting circles and a motor drive that tracks objects as they drift. That is the right design if you ever want to try imaging. The steel tripod is adjustable and full height and weighs 3.4 kg on its own, while the complete scope is 7.71 kg. Starry Night Basic software is a download, with a 36,000-object database.
That said, this carries the lowest rating here at 4.2 from 1,956 ratings, and the 20mm and 10mm eyepieces supplied would give roughly 13x and 26x on a 260mm focal length — far too little to be useful. An equatorial mount also takes longer to set up than a tabletop Dobsonian. If you want a first scope for the Moon and planets, the £315 f/5 above is the easier buy.
Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerised Maksutov-Cassegrain
A 102mm Maksutov with a 0.11-degree field of view — the narrowest here — and a focal length that does not match its aperture.
Pros
- Fully automated GoTo mount with 40,000+ objects
- 4.4 from 740 ratings
- Compact 343mm tube and 10.4 kg all-in
- XLT coatings listed
- 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain design in the orange tube
Cons
- £599.99 — the highest price on this list
- 204mm focal length against a 102mm aperture, i.e. f/2
- 0.11-degree field of view, the narrowest here
- Exit pupil of 0.5mm implies 204x, with no eyepiece named
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“This is an excellent telescope. I've had a few telescopes in the past, but this one is much better. Really good quality and great size, but I recommend also buying the CELESTRON WIFI MODULE because I couldn't figure out why it wasn't connecting to my laptop, and then I realised I had to buy this additional product. They are about £130, so not cheap but definitely worth it as its not included with the telescope. Even if you don't want to do it online, you can align one planet in the sky, and it automatically knows where the others are. It works very well and is overall a great product. Building the stand/tripod might be a bit tricky, so I recommend watching a YouTube tutorial.”
Verified purchase“This upgrade has been fab. Seeing Jupiter and 4 of its moons and Saturn and its rings has been amazing! The moon has been beautiful to look at also.”
The 4SE has the smallest aperture of any of the best telescopes on this page, and the only orange tube. It is fully automated, with a GoTo database of more than 40,000 objects, and 740 ratings average 4.4. However, the page lists a 102mm mirror with a 204mm focal length — again f/2, the same ratio as the two reflectors above.
Used as intended, it is a compact Mak: 10.4 kg in total, a 343mm tube, XLT coatings and a motorised altazimuth mount that finds and tracks. The field of view is quoted at 0.11 degrees, the narrowest on this list, which makes it a Moon-and-planet instrument above all.
That said, £599.99 is the highest price here, and there is no equatorial mode for long exposures. The exit pupil is listed as 0.5mm, which on a 102mm lens means 204x; no eyepiece is named on the page, so that figure cannot be checked. If you want wide views or a cheap first setup, this is not it.
SOLOMARK 80mm Refractor, 900mm Focal Length
The longest focal length here relative to aperture, 80mm over 900mm, if you can live with a manual altazimuth head.
Pros
- 80mm aperture over a 900mm focal length — the longest ratio here
- 227 ratings averaging 4.4 at £139.99
- Gimbal head with altitude and azimuth scales on a full-height tripod
- 5x24 finderscope, erect-image diagonal and phone adapter included
- 4.49 kg including the carry bag
Cons
- Zoom ratio of 10x contradicts the 90x and 45x in the bullets
- Focus type listed as fixed focus
- Manual mount: no tracking and no GoTo
- Exit pupil of 0.89mm fits the 10mm eyepiece but not the 20mm
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“This telescope is very straightforward to set up — it took less than 10 minutes to assemble and the instructions were clear and easy to follow.I tested it on a clear night viewing the moon, and the image quality was surprisingly good. Focusing was simple and the view was clear with no noticeable distortion. For a beginner-friendly telescope, it performs better than expected in terms of clarity and ease of use.The stand feels very stable once set up, which helps keep the image steady when adjusting or focusing. The eyepieces are also good quality for the price and give a decent viewing experience.One small downside is that the plastic protective caps on the eyepieces can come off quite easily if they are knocked or not stored carefully, so they need a bit of attention when not in use.Overall, it feels suitable for both beginners and casual adult use. I've used it on every clear full moon since getting it, and it's a nice, simple telescope for occasional astronomy rather than professional-level observing.”
Verified purchase“Really good quality. Easy to assemble. Great for its price.”
If you are hunting the best telescope for beginners under £150, this 80mm refractor is the obvious candidate: 227 ratings at 4.4 and a 900mm focal length, the longest here relative to its aperture. The listing also quotes a zoom ratio of 10x, yet the bullets say the 10mm and 20mm eyepieces deliver 90x and 45x. Both figures cannot be right.
In practice the tripod matters more than the optics at this price. SOLOMARK fits a super azimuth gimbal with altitude and azimuth scales to an aluminium full-height tripod, and adds a 5x24 finderscope, an erect-image diagonal and a phone adapter. Everything packs into the supplied bag, and the kit weighs 4.49 kg.
That said, the focus type is listed as fixed focus, which sits oddly with an eyepiece-based refractor, and the exit pupil of 0.89mm implies roughly 90x — plausible with the 10mm eyepiece, not with the 20mm. The mount is manual, so you point it yourself. If you want tracking or GoTo, step up to the computerised models above.
EACONN 80mm Refractor, 600mm Focal Length
The cheapest telescope here at £69.99 — and the same 80mm refractor with the same eyepieces also appears at £99.99.
Pros
- £69.99 — the lowest price on this list
- 642 ratings at 4.4
- Two eyepieces, K20 and K9, give 30x to 66x per the listing
- Phone adapter, 5x24 finder and backpack included
- 80mm over 600mm is a workable f/7.5
Cons
- The same telescope is listed at £69.99 and at £99.99
- Weight given as 840 g on one page and 3.15 kg on the other
- Zoom ratio of 64 disagrees with the 30x-66x in the bullets
- Manual mount, no tracking
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Brilliant piece of kit I love it a lot of scope for the price and you can attach your phone as well”
Verified purchase“Great quality, easy to transport, clear vision and sleek look suitable for beginners and very easy to put together and use. Focus is easy to adjust.”
If you want the best refractor telescope here for the least money, this is it. It is a telescope for adults astronomy at a starter price: 80mm aperture, 600mm focal length, K20 and K9 eyepieces giving 30x to 66x, and 642 ratings at 4.4. The catch is the paperwork. The same 80mm/600mm refractor, with the same two eyepieces, is listed at £69.99 and at £99.99, and the two spec tables give the kit's weight as 840 g on one page and 3.15 kg on the other.
In use it does the simple things: an altazimuth mount with a scaled positioning gimbal, a 5x24 crosshair finder, a phone adapter and a backpack. It suits the Moon, bright planets and daytime landscape viewing. As a result it is a reasonable first instrument for a child of 8 to 12.
However, the zoom ratio field says 64 while the eyepieces work out at 30x to 66x, and a 2.3 kg gap between two weights for the same set is not a rounding error. The mount is manual and the focuser is basic. If you want to see structure in galaxies or hold a planet steady at high power, this will frustrate you.
Celestron Travel Scope 70 Refractor with Backpack
The most-reviewed telescope on this list by a distance, at 14,391 ratings, and the one with the strangest exit pupil figure.
Pros
- 14,391 ratings at 4.3 — the largest sample here
- 70mm over 700mm gives a manageable f/10
- The 20mm and 10mm eyepieces give 35x and 70x
- Backpack, full-height tripod and panning handle included
- 1.91 kg optical tube with a two-year warranty
Cons
- Exit pupil listed as 35mm, which would be 2x on a 70mm lens
- Eyepiece description says Barlow; the box list has none
- 70mm aperture is the joint-smallest here
- No motor and no GoTo: manual altazimuth only
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Celestron is a trusted name for good reason. This travel scope is a good basic scope clear optics a 10mm and 20mm eyepieces and a crisp diagnonal. You can add a camera like ZWO Svbony for great pics use filters for moon and solar viewing NOT included.”
Verified purchase“Superb optics and a lot of kit for little money. Some people complain about the height of the tripod but it can be extended further by raising the central pole.The software download only works on Windows or Mac though, so if you have a Chromebook don't expect to use it.”
With 14,391 ratings at 4.3, this is the most-reviewed item here by an order of magnitude. The 70mm aperture and 700mm focal length give f/10, and the two supplied eyepieces, 20mm and 10mm, deliver 35x and 70x. As a cheap first look at the Moon with a backpack, that is a long-proven combination.
The kit travels: a full-height tripod, a panning handle with clutch for smooth pointing, a StarPointer red-dot finder, a diagonal and a custom backpack, with the optical tube at 1.91 kg. The glass is fully coated and the listing offers a two-year warranty.
Worth noting the exit pupil column, which says 35mm. On a 70mm lens a 35mm exit pupil would mean 2x magnification, while the eyepieces in the box give 35x and 70x — roughly seventeen times apart. The eyepiece description also says 'Barlow', although no Barlow appears in the box list. If you want a wide field or a driven mount, keep looking.
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Refractor
A 70mm refractor that uses your phone to find objects, with the smallest exit pupil figure in the whole article.
Pros
- StarSense phone dock and app for point-and-follow finding
- 25mm and 10mm eyepieces plus a 2x Barlow in the box
- Manual altazimuth mount with slow-motion control
- 3.35 kg with a full-height tripod
- The app lists what is visible from a city, per the listing
Cons
- Exit pupil listed as 0.1mm, which implies 700x
- The spec table names the model 'Astromaster LT70', not StarSense
- 812mm optical tube listed against a 700mm focal length
- Only 185 ratings, the smallest sample here
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Once set up, this is great. You could see the moon with ease, good quality, lots of enjoyment, good value for money.”
Verified purchase“Ordered this as an upgrade for our avid stargazer Son. He loves it!Instructions clear and well built - took around 20 minutes to complete the assembly.One small problem. The laser sight was damaged so we need to organise a replacement. These things happen I suppose.”
The LT 70AZ shares its 70mm aperture and 700mm focal length with the Travel Scope above, and adds StarSense: a phone dock and an app that read the sky and point you to a target. Among the best telescopes for anyone who wants an app in the loop, this is the cheapest route. It also has the fewest ratings here, 185 at 4.3.
The app builds a list of what is visible from where you stand, including from a city, and the mount is manual altazimuth with a slow-motion rod, so you follow the on-screen arrows until the bullseye turns green. The box includes 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, a 2x Barlow, an erect-image diagonal, a red-dot finder and a full-height tripod, at 3.35 kg.
Even so, the spec table has problems. The exit pupil is given as 0.1mm, which on a 70mm aperture implies 700x — nothing a 70mm refractor can deliver at any sensible magnification. The model name in the same table reads 'Astromaster LT70', while the listing title says StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ. And the optical tube is listed at 812mm against a 700mm focal length. If you want the fewest unverifiable claims, this is not the one.
Final Verdict
Not every one of the best telescopes here needs a clean spec sheet to be useful, but two come close. For most homes, the 150mm tabletop Dobsonian at £315 is the pick: it is the only large-aperture model here whose f/5 ratio agrees with its own numbers, and it needs no batteries. If you want the mount to find objects for you, the 127mm Maksutov at £599 is one of just two listings where aperture and focal length match, and it tracks what you point at. For a first look at the Moon on a small budget, the 80mm refractor at £69.99 does the job — though note that among the best telescopes here it also appears at £99.99, with the weight quoted as 840 g on one page and 3.15 kg on the other. Either way, the two that add up are the two worth starting with.
Written by
Felipe Iglesias
Founder & Lead Reviewer
Felipe is a computational engineering student who has been working in SEO since he was sixteen. He founded ranked10 and researches every guide on the site.
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