Tabletop telescopes<\/a> are among the best telescopes for beginners because of their light weight and easy set-up. Simply put them on a table or sturdy surface and they’re ready to go.

The Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 Virtuoso GTi is a compact telescope with a Wi-Fi-controllable Go-To mount, meaning you can observe chosen targets at the touch of a button.<\/p>

Its long focal length makes it ideal for observing the Moon, planets and double stars, as well as some brighter deep-sky objects.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>

Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Design:<\/strong> Maksutov-Cassegrain altaz Go-To Wi-Fi tabletop telescope<\/li>
Optics:<\/strong> 127mm (5-inch) primary mirror<\/li>
Focal length:<\/strong> 1,500mm, f\/11.8<\/li>
Mount:<\/strong> Wi-Fi, computerised, altaz and single-arm<\/li>
Ports: <\/strong>Power connector, camera port, hand-controller port, integrated Wi-Fi adaptor, on-off switch<\/li>
Tracking rates: <\/strong>Sidereal, lunar, and solar; alignment free<\/li>
Extras: <\/strong>Red-dot finder, 25mm and 10mm 1.25-inch-fit eyepieces, spirit level<\/li>
Weight: <\/strong>10kg (total kit weight)<\/li> <\/ul> Read our full Skymax-127 Virtuoso GTi tabletop telescope review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
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Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 5.1-inch<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"\"$
best telescopes for beginners <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

Computerised Go-To telescopes automatically located night-sky objects that a beginner might otherwise struggle to find, but they do still need to be aligned.
For beginners, this can be tricky, often involving the use of a smartphone app to navigate the night sky, so why not use the same app to align the telescope?<\/p>
Celestron\u2019s StarSense Explorer app is at the core of how this combination works.<\/p>
Also included with the DX 130AZ are two 1.25-inch eyepieces, 25mm and 10mm, which give 26x and 65x power, respectively. These will serve beginners well.<\/p>
When you first begin your session, the app asks you to point the telescope towards a clear patch of sky with stars and wait for the red bullseye on the screen to turn yellow.<\/p>
Then you follow the directions to your target, wait for it to turn green and look through the eyepiece.<\/p>
We loved the twin-knobbed, low-gear focusing control and we were able to quickly achieve sharp views of the Moon’s cratered southern highlands.<\/p>
The StarSense app also has lists such as \u2018tonight\u2019s best objects\u2019, each labelled \u2018City Viewable\u2019 or \u2018Dark Sky Viewable\u2019, helping beginners manage expectations.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics: <\/strong>130mm (5.1-inch) Newtonian reflector<\/li>
Focal length:<\/strong> 650mm, f\/5<\/li>
Mount: <\/strong>Altaz with slow-motion controls<\/li>
App control: <\/strong>StarSense Explorer app with StarSense Sky Recognition technology and planetarium<\/li>
Extras: <\/strong>StarSense dock for your smartphone, 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, StarPointer red dot finder<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 8.1kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 5.1-inch review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
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Vaonis Hestia<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"Vaonis$ <\/figure>

The Vaonis Hestia uses a smartphone as a viewfinder to enable you to capture astro images easily and share them straight to social media.
It’s about the size of a weighty novel, it’s travel-friendly, good for on-the-go astronomy and simple to use.<\/p>
The Vaonis Hestia doesn’t produce super-sharp images, but its results are good enough for beginners, and certainly good enough for sharing on social media.<\/p>
Photographing the Moon is the Hestia\u2019s speciality, as it easily fits into the Hestia\u2019s 1.8\u00b0 field of view.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics:<\/strong> Six lenses in three groups<\/li>
Aperture:<\/strong> 30mm (1.2-inch)<\/li>
Focuser:<\/strong> Manual focus ring<\/li>
Field of view:<\/strong> 1.8\u00b0<\/li>
Magnification:<\/strong> 25x<\/li>
Limiting magnitude:<\/strong> 7\u20138<\/li>
App control:<\/strong> Gravity (iOS and Android)<\/li>
Extras:<\/strong> Tripod with pan-and-tilt head, solar filter, solar pointer, carry case<\/li>
Dimensions:<\/strong> 17 x 24 x 5.5cm\u00a0<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 850g<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Vaonis Hestia review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
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Sky-Watcher StarQuest 130P Newtonian reflector<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"\"$ <\/figure>

The Sky-Watcher StarQuest 130P Newtonian is short, which makes it a nice, easy scope for beginners to handle.
Plus, it weighs just 8kg and is easy to assemble. This means it’s a great choice for newcomers but also, for more experienced astronomers, it’s not as likely to get left in storage and remain unused.<\/p>
The 130P Newtonian may not be an imaging telescope, but we did manage to attach a smartphone adaptor to the 25mm eyepiece and were able to use our iPhone to capture an image of the Moon.<\/p>
The StarQuest 130P is easy to use, and it’s well-made. As a result, it’s made our list of the best telescopes for beginners.<\/p>
But it could also work as a grab-and-go scope for more experienced observers.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics <\/strong>130mm (5.1-inch) parabolic mirror<\/li>
Focal length<\/strong> 650mm (f\/5) focal length<\/li>
Mount <\/strong>Equatorial\/altazimuth mount<\/li>
Focuser <\/strong>Rack and pinion<\/li>
Extras <\/strong>Red dot finder, 1.25-inch 10mm and 25mm eyepieces, slow-motion control cables<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 8kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full StarQuest 130P Newtonian review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
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Acuter Voyager MAK80 telescope<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"\"$ <\/figure>

The MAK80 is compact and is suited for a range of uses, including birdwatching as well as practical astronomy.
The tube is just 270mm long and the telescope’s focal length is 800mm, giving a focal ratio of f\/10.<\/p>
This makes it well-suited for observing the planets, the Moon and double stars.<\/p>
The MAK80 comes in a box with a soft carry case, an 8x 21mm finderscope and two eyepieces, 20mm and 10mm, giving magnifications of 40x and 80x.<\/p>
Included is also a phase-coated 90\u02da roof prism star diagonal and a smartphone holder, should you wish to photograph what you’re observing and share it on social media.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Design:<\/strong> Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope<\/li>
Optics:<\/strong> 80mm (3.15-inch) primary mirror<\/li>
Focal length: <\/strong>800mm, f\/10<\/li>
Mounting:<\/strong> 45mm Vixen-style Sky-Watcher dovetail bar<\/a> with standard \u00bc-inch tripod thread<\/li>
Extras:<\/strong> 8x 21mm finderscope; 20mm and 10mm 1.25-inch eyepieces; star diagonal; smartphone; adaptor; carry case; giftbox<\/li>
Weight: <\/strong>1.8kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our full Acute Voyager MAK 80 telescope review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

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ZWO SeeStar S50<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"Seestar$ <\/figure>

The ZWO Seestar S50 is a smart telescope with a 50mm apo refractor.
It’s compact and lightweight, making it a great option if you’re after something portable for taking to dark-sky sites.<\/p>
The ZWO Seestar S50 is operated via a smartphone or tablet via the designated Seestar iOS or Android app.<\/p>
It’s easy to set up and get going.<\/p>
We found it provided great shots of the Moon and Sun (the latter using the solar filter for safety).<\/p>
This is a great smart telescope for beginners at a competitive price point, giving views of deep-sky objects and Solar System planets.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics:<\/strong> 50mm triplet apo refractor<\/li>
Focal length:<\/strong> 250mm, f\/5<\/li>
Sensor:<\/strong> Sony IMX462<\/li>
Mount:<\/strong> Altazimuth<\/li>
Power:<\/strong> 6,000 mAh battery<\/li>
Tripod:<\/strong> Carbon fibre<\/li>
Connectivity:<\/strong> USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth<\/li>
Control:<\/strong> Seestar iOS\/Android app<\/li>
Extras:<\/strong> Dew heater, dual-band OIII\/H-alpha filter, 580\u2013630nm solar filter, 64GB storage<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 2.5kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full ZWO SeeStar 50 review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
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WideSky 80 refractor<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"WideSky$ <\/figure>

Unboxing the WideSky 80, we found it has the look and the feel of telescope worth twice the price.
It’s robust, clean and sturdy, making for a trustworthy telescope that could survive trasnportation to far-flung dark-sky sites.<\/p>
The WideSky 80’s aperture of 80mm means it’s by no means a powerful light-gatherer when observing deep-sky objects, but we did get a view of the Andromeda Galaxy on a clear night.<\/p>
We got great views of the Pleiades open star cluster and Bode’s and Cigar Galaxies.<\/p>
Each of these targets returned a beautiful view through the WideSky 80<\/p>
This telescope certainly holds its own for visual observing, and it fared well as an astrophotography instrument too.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics: <\/strong>ED doublet with fully multi-coated Ohara FPL-53 glass<\/li>
Aperture:<\/strong> 80mm<\/li>
Focal<\/strong> length:<\/strong> 500mm, f\/6.25<\/li>
Focuser:<\/strong> Heavy duty dual-speed 2-inch rack and pinion hybrid drive with 10\/1 (ratio from coarse to fine) and brass compression ring<\/li>
Extras:<\/strong> Retractable dew shield, 2- to 1.25-inch adaptor, aluminium case, Vixen-style dovetail-profile mounting foot<\/li>
Weight: <\/strong>2.9kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full WideSky 80 refractor review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ refractor<\/strong><\/h3> Best budget beginner’s telescope<\/strong><\/h4> $\"Simple,$ <\/a>
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ refractor review <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

The StarSense Explorer phone dock, which incorporates a smartphone holder and a mirror, turns this simple, basic manual telescope into one that can easily locate objects via a touchscreen phone and the StarSense app.
This is a sturdy, reliable refractor that\u2019s good value for those beginning their adventure in amateur astronomy.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics<\/strong> 70mm fully coated objective lens<\/li>
Focal length<\/strong> 700mm, f\/10<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> Manual altazimuth mount with smooth, altitude slow-motion control<\/li>
App control <\/strong>StarSense app with StarSense sky recognition technology and planetarium<\/li>
Extras <\/strong>StarSense dock for your smartphone, 25mm and 10mm eyepieces,2x Barlow lens, 90\u00ba erect image diagonal, StarPointer red dot finderscope<\/a><\/li>
Weight <\/strong>3.35kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
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Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P Tabletop Dobsonian<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a>
Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P Tabletop Dobsonian <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

This compact, lightweight scope is easy to store and convenient for bringing out at a moment’s notice once the clouds clear.
You could even place it on a sturdy patio table during your observing sessions.<\/p>
Importantly, the scope also gives good views of a range of celestial wonders; particularly the planets.<\/p>
This would be an ideal first telescope for a budding young astronomer.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Aperture<\/strong> 100mm (4-inch)<\/li>
Focal Length<\/strong> 400mm (f\/4)<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> Wooden altaz<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 2.8kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>
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Celestron Omni XLT AZ 102 refractor with basic mount<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a>
Celestron Omni XLT AZ 102 Refractor\/basic mount <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

This scope comes with a finderscope, diagonal, eyepiece and mount that boasts slow-motion controls.
Setting it up is relatively quick and easy due to the mount and tripod coming pre-assembled.<\/p>
All you need to do is attach the telescope to the mount, add the diagonal and eyepiece and you’re ready to go.<\/p>
It offers pin-sharp views of stars and galaxies and, weighing just 6.2kg, can be easily moved around your viewing spot or taken on trips to dark-sky sites.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Aperture<\/strong> 102mm (4 inches)<\/li>
Focal Length<\/strong> 660mm (f\/6.5)<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 6.2kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Celestron Omni XLT AZ review here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>
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Bresser Messier AR-80\/640 AZ NANO Telescope<\/strong><\/h3> Best budget transportable telescope<\/strong><\/h4> $\"\"$ <\/a>
Bresser Messier AR-80\/640 Nano refractor <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

This 3-inch telescope enables observations of a wide range of celestial objects and comes with an altaz mount that’s intuitive to use.
The whole package is a doddle to set up. An aluminium dew shield cuts down on unwanted light and keeps dew at bay, while the supplied red dot finder makes locating bright celestial objects easy.<\/p>
Emphasis is on lightweight materials, making it a good \u2018grab and go\u2019 instrument to encourage beginners to leave the light pollution<\/a> behind and head for a dark-sky site.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Focal Length<\/strong> 640mm (f\/8)<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> Twilight Nano altaz<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 5kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Bresser Messier AR-80\/640 review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>
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Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor<\/strong><\/h3> Honourable mention: classic telescope for beginners<\/strong><\/h4> $\"Celestron$ <\/a>
Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

Celestron’s Inspire range of refractors are made with the beginner in mind, but the 100mm version is our pick.
It’s a classic telescope and easily one of the best telescopes for beginners.<\/p>
It offers a good aperture, a focal length of 660mm and plenty of features.<\/p>
The scope would appeal to younger astronomers as it\u2019s affordable and attractively designed.<\/p>
It comes with a tripod, 2 eyepieces, a diagonal and a red light LED torch.<\/p>
One particular bonus is its smartphone adaptor: ideal for those thinking about getting started in astrophotography<\/a>, or for sharing your observations on social media.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>
Optics<\/b> Achromatic lens<\/li>
Aperture<\/b> 100mm (4 inches)<\/li>
Focal Length<\/b> 660mm, (f\/6.5)<\/li>
Focuser<\/b> Single-speed rack and pinion with micrometer scale<\/li>
Mount<\/b> Manual Altazimuth<\/li>
Extras<\/b> Red-dot finder, erect image star diagonal, 10mm and 20mm eyepieces, red light LED torch, printed instruction manual<\/li>
Weight<\/b> 6.1kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Celestron Inspire 100AZ review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>
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Meade Lightbridge Mini 130 Dobsonian<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a> <\/figure>

Tabletop telescopes are an obvious choice for a list of beginners’ scopes, and with the Lightbridge Mini 130 you can be viewing in minutes.
No tripod, mount or polar alignment required: just set it onto a steady garden table or even a rolling trolley for wheeling in and out of storage.<\/p>
What’s more, this scope comes with two eyepieces that offer a wide view for satisfying observations of a range of targets.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>
Aperture<\/b> 130mm (5.1 inches)<\/li>
Optics<\/b> Parabolic mirror<\/li>
Focal length<\/b> 650mm (f\/5)<\/li>
Mount<\/b> Wooden altaz<\/li>
Extras<\/b> Red-dot finder, 9mm and 26mm eyepieces (1.25-inch fit), Autostar software<\/li>
Weight<\/b> 6.1kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Meade Lightbridge Mini 130 review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>

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Sky-Watcher EVOSTAR-90 (AZ PRONTO) with mount<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a> <\/figure>

There’s a saying in amateur astronomy: the best kind of telescope is the one you’ll actually use.
The Evostar-90 AZ is simple to assemble and, at a combined weight of 6.25kg, light enough to lift.<\/p>
Its AZ Pronto mount and tripod system is easy to use: locking clamps can be loosened to move it manually, and there are slow-motion controls to help you fine-tune onto targets.<\/p>
The tripod has an adjustable height range of 78.5-150cm, and is sturdy, helping avoid too much vibration.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Aperture<\/strong> 3.5-inch<\/li>
Focal<\/strong>Length<\/strong> 900mm (f\/10)<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> AZ Pronto<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 6.25kg (tube 2.4kg, mount and tripod 3.85kg)<\/li>
Supplier<\/strong> Optical Vision<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Sky-Watcher EVOSTAR-90 review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>
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Sky-Watcher SkyHawk 1145P SynScan altaz Go-To Newtonian<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a>
Sky-Watcher SkyHawk 1145P SynScan altaz Go-To Newtonian <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

The Newtonian reflector has always been a popular choice for people starting out in astronomy \u2013 it offers the most aperture for your money of any optical design.
Sky-Watcher’s SkyHawk 1145P is a reflecting telescope equipped with a parabolic primary mirror at a competitive price.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>
Optics<\/b> Parabolic Newtonian<\/li>
Aperture <\/b>114mm (4.5 inches)<\/li>
Focal length <\/b>500mm (f\/5)<\/li>
Finderscope <\/b>6×24 finderscope<\/li>
Mount<\/b> Computerised altaz HD Go-To<\/li>
Eyepieces<\/b> 10mm and 25mm, both 1.25-inch fit<\/li>
Extras<\/b> 2x Barlow lens<\/a>, 1.25-inch fit<\/li>
Weight<\/b> 6.3kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Sky-Watcher SkyHawk 1145P review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>
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Celestron 114LCM computerised telescope<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a> <\/figure>

Celestron\u2019s 114LCM combines reasonable optics with a computerised mount to give beginners a tantalising taste of what there is to see in the cosmos.
It\u2019s quick and straightforward to assemble as there are just three main sections: tube, base and tripod.<\/p>
This scope really whets the appetite, and that\u2019s what a beginner\u2019s telescope is all about.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Focal length<\/strong> 1000mm (f\/9)<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 5kg (OTA 2kg)<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Celestron 114LCM review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

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Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P Flextube Dobsonian<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/a> <\/figure>

Sky-Watcher\u2019s Heritage telescopes are portable and uncomplicated to set up, and can be simply placed on a tabletop for instant observing of the night sky.
You can be stargazing in minutes, without the hassles of a more complicated system such as an equatorial mount.<\/p>
At 7.5kg, the Heritage 150P Flextube is lightweight, making it great for bringing out to catch gaps in the clouds, or whisked away easily to a dark-sky site.<\/p>
Collapsed down, it’s easily transported and set up quickly in a dark-sky location.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics<\/strong> 150mm (6-inch) parabolic mirror<\/li>
Focal length<\/strong> 750mm (f\/5)<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> Single-arm, wooden altazimuth Dobsonian mount<\/li>
Focuser <\/strong>Rack and pinion<\/li>
Extras<\/strong> red dot finder, 1.25-inch 10mm and 25mm eyepieces<\/span><\/li>
Weight <\/strong>7.5kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

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Sky-Watcher Star Discovery P150i Wi-Fi telescope<\/strong><\/h3>
Best app-controlled telescope for beginners<\/strong><\/h4>
$\"Sky-Watcher$ <\/figure>

The Star Discovery P150i Wi-Fi can be set up and observing the night sky in about 15 minutes.
Its mount takes 8 AA batteries or a 12V power tank plugged into the power port, and 2 eyepieces are supplied, of 25mm and 10mm focal length.<\/p>
These give nice views of deep-sky objects and the Moon.<\/p>
There’s no hand controller supplied because the mount is controlled using an app that operates via an inbuilt Wi-Fi network.<\/p>
Once connected, this provides the ability to instantly slew to a range of celestial targets.<\/p>
This is one of the best telescopes for beginners who want to be able to control what they see via a smartphone app.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Design <\/strong>Newtonian altaz, Go-To, Wi-Fi-controlled telescope<\/li>
Optics <\/strong>150mm (6-inch) parabolic primary mirror<\/li>
Focal<\/strong> length<\/strong> 750mm, f\/5<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> Wi-Fi, computerised, altaz, single-fork arm<\/li>
Ports <\/strong>Power connector, camera, hand-controlller, integrated Wi-Fi adaptor<\/li>
Tracking rates <\/strong>Sidereal, Lunar and Solar<\/li>
Tripod <\/strong>Adjustable with accessory tray<\/li>
Extras <\/strong>Red dot finder, 25mm and 10mm 1.25-inch fit eyepieces, bubble level<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 8kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Sky-Watcher Discover P150i Wi-Fi review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
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Starbase 80 refractor and mount package<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"\"$ <\/figure>

The Starbase 80 is a quality grab and go achromatic telescope suitable for entry level. It sits on a portable easy-to-use altaz mount and benefits from good optics.
Assembly is easy: with the mount and tripod in one section, you just need to attach the tube and rings, then add the slow-motion controls and altitude clamp.<\/p>
Were able to locate bright deep-sky targets like the Orion Nebula and the Pleaides, and we were also able to find the hazy central bulge of the Andromeda Galaxy and several bright double stars.<\/p>
We turned the Starbase 80 to the Moon and found it crisp in both the 14mm and 6mm supplied eyepieces.<\/p>
This is a great beginners’ scope and mount package that will provide hours of viewing pleasure.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics<\/strong> 80mm<\/li>
Focal length<\/strong> 800mm (f\/10) focal length<\/li>
Mount <\/strong>Altaz mount with adjustable steel tripod<\/li>
Focuser <\/strong>Rack and pinion<\/li>
Extras<\/strong> Peep hole finder, 6mm & 14mm 1.25 inch-fit eyepieces, smooth slow-motion control cables, star diagonal and accessories tray<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 6kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Starbase 80 refractor and mount package review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

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Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P AZ GO-2<\/strong><\/h3> $\"\"$ <\/figure>

The Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P AZ GO-2 is compact enough to be portable, yet powerful enough to give great views of deep-sky objects.
And, its Wi-Fi-enabled mount enables observers to seek out celestial targets using a smartphone as a controller.<\/p>
Assembly is straightforward and well-explained in the printed manual, and once set-up we got great views of globular clusters<\/a> and the Andromeda Galaxy<\/a> and Bode’s Galaxy<\/a>.<\/p>
We observed planetary nebulae<\/a> M27 and M57, the Double Cluster<\/a> and the double stars Albireo<\/a> and Epsilon Lyrae<\/a>.<\/p>
We also enjoyed Jupiter and Saturn, easily observing Jupiter\u2019s bands and Saturn\u2019s rings<\/a>, as well as several of their moons.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics:<\/strong> Newtonian reflector, parabolic primary mirror<\/li>
Focal length:<\/strong> 650mm, f\/5<\/li>
Mount: <\/strong>Wi-Fi Go-To altazimuth<\/li>
Extras: <\/strong>Red dot finder, 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, 2-inch eyepiece adaptor, SynScan app, Vixen-style dovetail, tripod, battery box and pouch, compass, manual<\/li>
Weight: <\/strong>8.4kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our full Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P AZ GO-2 review<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>

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Unistellar eVscope eQuinox telescope<\/strong><\/h3>
Best high tech telescope for beginners<\/strong><\/h4>
$\"\"$ <\/figure>

Most people setting out to buy their first telescope likely aren’t going to have a high budget, but if you do and you’re looking for a completely different experience from an ‘ordinary’ telescope, you might consider the Unistellar eVscope eQuinox.
This is a 4.5-inch, f\/4 reflector with a built-in camera sensor that tracks and stacks images in real-time to produce rich images of deep-sky objects.<\/p>
It’s very much one of the best telescopes for beginners if you like your gadgets, and can afford it.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics<\/strong> 114mm (4.5-inch) reflector<\/li>
Focal<\/strong> length<\/strong> 450mm, f\/4<\/li>
Sensor<\/strong> Sony Exmor IMX224<\/li>
Mount<\/strong> Motorised single-arm, altaz, Go-To<\/li>
Power<\/strong> In-built lithium-ion rechargeable (12-hour) battery<\/li>
Tripod <\/strong>Aluminium, adjustable height<\/li>
Ports<\/strong> USB-C for power, and USB-A for charging a smartphone<\/li>
App<\/strong> control<\/strong> Unistellar app for smartphones<\/li>
Weight<\/strong> 9kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full eVscope eQuinox review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>
SQUIRREL_13052650<\/p>

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>

Vaonis Vespera Observation Station<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"Vaonis$ <\/figure>

Another modern telescope for those on a high budget, the Vaonis Vespera Observation Station is designed to take all the effort out of observing the night sky.
The Vespera is a telescope, but also a camera, and produces its view of targets by continually imaging that target, stacking the images to produce an ever-crisper view.<\/p>
Align the telescope, download the app and you can simply click on whichever galaxy, nebula or star cluster to want to see.<\/p>
The telescope does the rest.<\/p>
If you’re after a basic telescope that will teach you how to navigate the night sky, this is not it.<\/p>
But if you love gadgetry and want to be able to explore the night sky at the click of a button, download images of what you see and share online, this might be the one for you.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Optics: <\/strong>Apochromatic quadruplet refractor<\/li>
Focal length: <\/strong>200mm, f\/4<\/li>
Sensor: <\/strong>Sony Exmor IMX462 CMOS<\/li>
Mount: <\/strong>Motorised single arm, altaz, Go-To<\/li>
Power: <\/strong>7,000mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery<\/li>
Tripod: <\/strong>Tabletop aluminium, fixed height<\/li>
Ports: <\/strong>Proprietary USB-C for charging, Wi-Fi<\/li>
App control: <\/strong>Singularity<\/li>
Weight: <\/strong>5kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Vaonis Vespera Observation Station review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
SQUIRREL_13052197<\/p>

<\/div>
Celestron StarSense Explorer 114mm tabletop Dobsonian<\/strong><\/h3>
$\"StarSense$ <\/figure>

Budget but quality tabletop telescopes are perfect for beginners, and the Celestron StarSense Explorer 114mm tabletop is one such instrument.
It offers a respectable aperture within a portable unit and will give you great views of features on the Moon, star clusters and Solar System planets.<\/p>
This isn’t a Go-To system that will automatically find targets for you, but using the StarSense Explorer app on your smartphone, you’ll be assisted in aligning the telescope and locating objects.<\/p>
It’s easy to set up and gives you good views of a range of targets, making this a rewarding grab-and-go starter telescope set.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Key specs<\/strong><\/h3>

Price:<\/strong> \u00a3299.99<\/li>
Optics:<\/strong> 114mm (4.5-inch) parabolic primary mirror, Newtonian reflector<\/li>
Focal length:<\/strong> 450mm, f\/4<\/li>
Mount:<\/strong> Altaz tabletop Dobsonian\u00a0<\/li>
App control:<\/strong> StarSense Explorer<\/li>
Focuser:<\/strong> 1.25-inch rack and pinion<\/li>
Extras:<\/strong> StarSense smartphone dock, Star\u00adPointer red dot finder, eyepiece rack, collimation cap, 17mm and 10mm Kellner eyepieces<\/li>
Weight:<\/strong> 6kg<\/li> <\/ul>
Read our full Celestron StarSense 114mm tabletop Dobsonian review<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
SQUIRREL_13104690<\/p>
How we test the best telescopes for beginners<\/strong><\/h2> $\"When$ <\/figure>
The telescopes on our list were tested using the same criteria: assembly, build and design, ease of use, features and optics. The features we looked at included:<\/p>
Finderscope<\/strong><\/h3> Finding what you want to look at is the first step, so we examined the finderscopes<\/a> supplied, testing how easy they were to use. We checked whether they were awkward to look through and if they were easy to align with the main scope.<\/p>
Focuser and eyepieces<\/b><\/h3> Fine focusing is vital for sharp views, but the focuser shouldn\u2019t be too stiff or have too much play in movement. We also inspected the eyepieces<\/a> to see if they provided a useful range of magnifications.<\/p>
Mount<\/b><\/h3>
We checked that the mount was sturdy enough to support the telescope and had no play in either of the axes. The telescope should be able to move freely to take in as much of the sky as possible without being hindered by the tripod.<\/p>
Optics<\/b><\/h3>
It goes without saying that the best telescopes for beginners will have good optics. Optical surfaces should be free from defects, so we looked for imperfections on the front objective lens. Using the supplied eyepieces, we checked to see if the optics gave crisp views at the centre and at the edge of the field of view.<\/p>
Tripod<\/b><\/h3>
We looked at how stable the tripod was as the telescope was moved into various observing positions. The legs need to be steady with little flexure, and any vibrations should quickly dampen down otherwise they could spoil the view.<\/p>
What are your recommendations for best beginners’ telescopes? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a> or via Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> or Instagram<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Key specs<\/strong><\/h3> Aperture<\/strong> 100mm (4-inch)<\/li> Focal Length<\/strong> 400mm (f\/4)<\/li> Mount<\/strong> Wooden altaz<\/li> Weight<\/strong> 2.8kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P review<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p> SQUIRREL_13052196<\/p> <\/div>

Key specs<\/strong><\/h3> Aperture<\/strong> 102mm (4 inches)<\/li> Focal Length<\/strong> 660mm (f\/6.5)<\/li> Weight<\/strong> 6.2kg<\/li> <\/ul> Read our <\/strong><\/em>full Celestron Omni XLT AZ review here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p> SQUIRREL_13052656<\/p> <\/div>