The Best Amature Telescope in 2023
Norberto Pacocha Sep 27, 2023 2:23 PM
An amateur telescope, also known as a beginner's telescope, is a telescope designed for casual use by hobbyists and amateur astronomers, usually available at an affordable price. Unlike professional-grade telescopes, amateur telescopes are designed for portability, ease-of-use, and convenience. Amateur telescopes typically have apertures of 6–10 inches (150–250 mm), and are used to observe a wide range of celestial bodies, such as the Moon, planets, comets, stars, star clusters, and galaxies.
Amateur telescope makers are often hobbyists who build their own telescopes from kits or from scratch, using commercially available parts. Amateur telescopes are typically made using simple materials, such as PVC pipe and plywood, and are often equipped with basic accessories, such as mountings, eyepieces, and finderscopes.

Quick Comparison
No | Image | Product | Score | Check |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope | 8.8 | Check Price |
2 | ![]() | Telescopes for Adults, 70mm Aperture and 700mm Focal Length Professional | 8.8 | Check Price |
3 | ![]() | Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm | 8.8 | Check Price |
4 | ![]() | Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes | 8.6 | Check Price |
5 | ![]() | Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm | 8.6 | Check Price |

Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
Color: Grey
Dimensions: 8 x 28 x 12 Inches
Warranty: 2 years warranty
Verdict:
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a computerized star locating telescope with a large 130mm aperture, providing excellent views of the night sky. With SkyAlign technology for quick setup, Starry Night software for simulation, and unbeatable warranty and support, the NexStar 130SLT is an ideal choice for viewing the stars.
Specs:
• Computerized star locating telescope
• Newtonian reflector optical design
• 130mm aperture
• SkyAlign technology
• Computerized hand control
• Starry Night software
Pros:
• Large aperture provides excellent views of the night sky
• SkyAlign technology for quick setup
• Starry Night software for simulation
• Unbeatable warranty and support
Cons:
• Expensive

Telescopes for Adults, 70mm Aperture and 700mm Focal Length Professional
Color: Black
Dimensions: 7.99999999184 x 35.99999996328 x 12.49999998725 Inches
Verdict:
Telescopes for Adults, 70mm Aperture and 700mm Focal Length Professional Astronomy Refractor Telescope is a great telescope for both kids and adults. It has excellent optics quality, easy setup and comes with a phone adapter and tripod for convenience.
Specs:
- 70mm Aperture
- 700mm Focal Length
- 10mm and 20mm Plossl eyepieces
- Magnification of 70X and 35X
- Equatorial Mount
- No-Tool Setup
- Phone Adapter
- Tripod
Pros:
- Excellent optics quality
- Easy setup
- Phone adapter and tripod included
Cons:
- Expensive for beginners

Verdict:
The Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm is an excellent telescope for astronomy beginners and adults. It has a large 80mm aperture, powerful eyepieces with high magnification and a wireless remote control for easy portability. The set up is easy and requires no tools and the tripod is adjustable for stability. With lifetime maintenance, this telescope is an excellent choice for those getting into astronomy.
Specs:
- 80mm Large Objective Lens
- 600mm(f/6.7) Focal Length
- Two Replaceable Eyepieces (25mm and 10mm)
- 24X and 60X Magnification
- 3x Barlow Lens
- 5x24 Finder Scope
- Adjustable Aluminum Tripod
- Wireless Remote Control
- Carrying Bag
Pros:
- Large 80mm Aperture for more light
- Powerful eyepieces for high magnification
- Wireless remote control for easy portability
- Easy to set up, requires no tools
- Adjustable tripod for stability
- Lifetime maintenance
Cons:
- More expensive than other telescopes

Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes
Check PriceVerdict:
The Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults is a great choice for amateur astronomers who want to explore the night sky with a reliable and high-quality telescope. It comes with a variety of helpful accessories such as eyepieces, a 1.5X Erecting Barlow Lens, a 1.25" 13% Transmission Moon Filter, and a Cellphone Adapter, making it easy to observe and capture images of the night sky.
Specs:
Aperture: 130mm
Optics: Fully-coated glass
Mount: German Equatorial
Tripod: Aluminum alloy adjustable tripod
Accessories: 2 Eyepieces, 1.5X Erecting Barlow Lens, 1.25" 13% Transmission Moon Filter, Cellphone Adapter
Pros:
• Large 130mm aperture provides great light gathering ability and image clarity
• German Equatorial mount allows for precise positioning and fast tracking of celestial bodies
• Sturdy and adjustable aluminum alloy tripod provides stability and support
• Comes with a variety of helpful accessories for easy observation and imaging
Cons:
• May be too bulky and heavy for some users

Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm
Color: White
Dimensions: 7.9 x 23.4 x 5.4 Inches
Warranty: 2 Year
Verdict: The Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm is an excellent telescope for both beginners and experienced telescope users. It features excellent quality optics, optimal magnification, portability, and easy setup, making it a great choice for astronomy enthusiasts.
Specs:
• 600mm (f/6.7) focal length and 80mm aperture
• Two replaceable eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) for 24X and 60X magnification
• 3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece
• 5x24 finder scope
• Phone adapter and adjustable aluminum tripod
• Wireless remote control and carrying bag
Pros:
• Exceptional quality optics
• Optimal magnification with eyepieces and Barlow lens
• Portable and convenient with carrying bag and remote control
• Easy to set up, no tools required
Cons:
• Higher price point than some other telescopes

Gskyer Telescope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope
Color: AZ70400
Dimensions: 8.46 x 24.8 x 4.92 Inches
Warranty: 1-Year Warranty


HSL Telescope Adults
Color: 1.White
Dimensions: 6.5 x 17.5 x 12.4 Inches
Warranty: Two year warranty

Telescope Kids Beginners Adults
Color: blue
Dimensions: 4.41 x 18.11 x 8.11 Inches

SOLOMARK Telescope 80EQ Refractor Professional Telescope -700mm Focal Length Telescopes

StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope
Color: Silver
Dimensions: 8.9763779436 x 38.976377913 x 16.929133841 Inches
Warranty: 2-YEAR WARRANTY
Last update on 2023-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Refractor Telescopes in 2023: A refractor telescope is a type of telescope that uses a lens to gather light from the night sky and create an image of the stars and planets..

The best amateur telescope for general use is the Celestron NexStar 8 SE. Image source: Amazon.com
What is the best amateur telescope for beginner astronomers?
The Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope is one of the best amateur telescopes for beginner astronomers. It has a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length that make it ideal for viewing both celestial and terrestrial objects. It also includes two eyepieces and a Barlow lens that provide magnification of up to 120x. This telescope is lightweight, compact, and easy to use, making it an ideal choice for those just starting out in astronomy.
What features should I look for when choosing an amateur telescope?
1. Aperture size - The size of the main lens or mirror. The bigger the aperture, the more light your telescope will collect, resulting in a brighter and higher quality image.
2. Focal Length - The distance from the main lens or mirror to the point of focus. The longer the focal length, the more magnified the image will be and the more detail you will see.
3. Mount Type - The type of mount your telescope uses to track the stars. The type of mount you need will depend on how you intend to use the telescope. If you plan to take long exposure photos or observe faint objects, then a motorized equatorial mount is ideal.
4. Accessories - Look for a telescope that comes with accessories such as filters, eyepieces, and software to help you get the most out of your telescope.
5. Warranty - Look for a telescope that offers a good warranty to help protect your investment.
What is the best way to use an amateur telescope?
The best way to use an amateur telescope is to start with the basics. Make sure the telescope is set up properly and that it is properly aligned. It helps to align the telescope using a star chart or planetarium software. Once the telescope is set up and aligned, start by learning about the sky and the different objects that can be seen. Begin by pointing the telescope at the brightest objects in the sky, such as the Moon and planets, and then gradually move on to dimmer objects like star clusters and galaxies. Record your observations in a journal to help you remember what you have seen. Doing research on the objects you have seen can also help you to better understand them. Finally, take your time and enjoy the observing process!
How much does a good amateur telescope cost?
The cost of a good amateur telescope can vary greatly depending on the type, size, and features you are looking for. Generally, a good quality telescope can range from $200 - $10,000.
The Best Telescope Under $5000 in 2023: If you are looking for a good telescope under $5000, you should look no further than the Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope..

An amateur telescope is an optical device used to observe distant objects in the night sky, such as stars, planets, and galaxies. Image source: Amazon.com