Rank #6 in Best Telescopes 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Specs That Don't Add Up
Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerised Maksutov-Cassegrain
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Celestron NexStar 4SE is a computerised Maksutov-Cassegrain on a fully automated GoTo altazimuth mount, and it sits at number six in this guide. Celestron's bullets describe a four-inch primary mirror in a compact orange tube, a mount carrying more than 40,000 celestial objects in its database, and a free download of Starry Night software. The price is £599.99, and 740 ratings average out at 4.4 out of 5.
Two numbers on the same spec sheet do not sit together. It lists a 102 mm objective lens diameter and a 204 mm focal length, which makes the instrument f/2 — and it also lists a 343 mm optical tube, longer than the focal length that tube is meant to contain. The same sheet gives an exit pupil of 0.5 mm and a field of view of 0.11 degrees, and its Product Features row says GPS while the product name and the bullets say SkyAlign. Every figure on this page comes from the Amazon listing, not from testing of our own.
How those 740 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.4 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £599.99 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 out of 5, from 740 ratings |
| Objective lens diameter | 102 mm |
| Focal length (as listed) | 204 mm — f/2 against the 102 mm aperture |
| Optical tube length (as listed) | 343 mm, longer than the listed focal length |
| Exit pupil diameter (as listed) | 0.5 mm |
| Field of view (as listed) | 0.11 degrees |
| Mount | Altazimuth, fully automated GoTo with a database of more than 40,000 objects |
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.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Telescopes 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Specs That Don't Add Up.
Questions people ask
What aperture does the Celestron NexStar 4SE have?
The listing gives a 102 mm objective lens diameter, described as a four-inch primary mirror in a Maksutov-Cassegrain design.
What focal length is listed for it?
204 mm. Against the 102 mm aperture that works out at f/2, and the same sheet also lists a 343 mm optical tube — longer than the stated focal length.
Does the mount find objects by itself?
Yes. Celestron lists a fully automated GoTo altazimuth mount with a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, along with SkyAlign technology.
How is the Celestron NexStar 4SE powered?
The spec sheet says battery powered, with one lithium metal battery required and included.
Is a WiFi module included?
The bullet points list a free Starry Night software download as the bonus, and no WiFi module appears in the bullets or the spec sheet. One buyer writes that they had to buy a Celestron WiFi module separately, at about £130.
What does the sheet say about coatings and eyepieces?
XLT coating is listed, and the eye piece lens description is given as Plossl.
Comments
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