Best Telescopes of 2026

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2026

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Telescopes are optical instruments designed to observe distant objects in space. They come in different sizes and types, from small handheld models to large professional ones used by astronomers. Telescopes work by gathering and focusing light, allowing us to see far-off galaxies, stars, and planets in our solar system. They are essential tools for anyone interested in astronomy, whether you're a beginner or an experienced stargazer. With a good telescope, you can explore the wonders of the universe from the comfort of your own backyard.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Beginners Cover #TOP 1
EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Beginners
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Celestron 21035 Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope Kit Cover #TOP 2
Celestron 21035 Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope with Motor Drive Cover #TOP 3
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope with Motor Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 7 Telescopes

EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Beginners

EACONN
AU-80
80AZ White
EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Beginners Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack

The EACONN Refractor Telescope features a large 80mm aperture that captures more light, providing you with bright and clear images of celestial objects. Its rough adjustment and positioning gimbal makes it easy for you to adjust the telescope's altitude and azimuth, allowing for comfortable viewing. You will also appreciate the included accessories, such as two eyepieces for varying magnifications and a finder scope to simplify locating targets. Additionally, the design is portable, complete with a carrying backpack, making it convenient for outings and adventures in astronomy.

What We Like
Large 80mm aperture
Easy altitude and azimuth adjustment
Includes multiple eyepieces
Portable with carrying backpack
#TOP 2

Celestron 21035 Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope Kit

21035
Black
Celestron 21035 Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope Kit Cover
Celestron 21035 Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope Kit with Backpack, Black

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 is an exceptional portable refractor telescope, perfect for both beginners and experienced stargazers. Its superior optics, featuring a 70mm objective lens, ensure clear and bright images of celestial bodies. With two powerful eyepieces, you can enjoy both low and high-power views, making it suitable for exploring the night sky or observing terrestrial objects during the day. The included travel backpack and full-height tripod make it easy to take your telescope anywhere, allowing you to enjoy astronomy wherever you go.

What We Like
High-quality glass optics
Portable with custom backpack
Two powerful eyepieces
Full-height tripod included

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope with Motor Drive

31051
Grey
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope with Motor Drive Cover
Celestron 31051 AstroMaster 130EQ Motor Drive Newtonian Reflector Telescope, Dark Blue

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ offers an impressive manual German equatorial mount, making it easy for you to accurately locate and track celestial objects. With its motor drive, you can enjoy automatic tracking of stars and planets as they move across the night sky, enhancing your stargazing experience. The telescope features a simple, no-tool setup with a full-height adjustable steel tripod, allowing you to start observing in no time. Additionally, you receive essential accessories, including two eyepieces and a finderscope, which help you get the most out of your observations.

What We Like
Easy celestial tracking
Quick no-tool setup
Includes essential accessories
Sturdy adjustable tripod
#TOP 4

EACONN 80mm Aperture Refractor Telescope

EACONN
80AZ
80AZ Black
EACONN 80mm Aperture Refractor Telescope Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack

The EACONN Refractor Telescope features an impressive 80mm aperture, allowing you to capture more light for brighter and clearer images of celestial objects. Its rough adjustment and positioning gimbal make it easy for you to smoothly adjust the altitude and azimuth, enhancing your viewing experience. With the inclusion of two eyepieces, you can enjoy magnifications from 30x to 66x, making it simple to locate objects in the night sky. Additionally, the telescope comes with a mobile phone adapter, streamlining your photography efforts while stargazing.

What We Like
Large aperture for bright images
Easy altitude and azimuth adjustment
Includes multiple eyepieces
Mobile phone adapter for photography

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope with Accessories

31045
Black/Dark Blue
130EQ Newtonian
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope with Accessories Cover
Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope, Dark Blue

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ is a powerful and user-friendly reflector telescope, perfect for both beginners and experienced users. Its fully-coated 130mm primary mirror ensures high-quality views of celestial and terrestrial objects, making your stargazing experience more enjoyable. With a lightweight frame and manual German Equatorial mount, you can easily set up and adjust the telescope for precise positioning. The included two eyepieces and StarPointer red dot finderscope enhance your viewing experience, allowing for quick and accurate targeting of your desired objects.

What We Like
High-quality optics for clear views
Lightweight and easy to set up
Includes useful accessories
User-friendly for all ages
Precision adjustments for better viewing

Celestron 22030 Travel Scope with 80mm Lens

22030
Black
Celestron 22030 Travel Scope with 80mm Lens Cover
Celestron 22030 Travel Scope Portable Refractor Telescope with 80mm lens, Fully-Coated Glass Optics, Bonus Astronomy Software Package and Digiscoping Smartphone Adapter

The Celestron 22030 Travel Scope is an all-in-one telescope kit designed for astronomy enthusiasts. With its 80mm objective lens and fully-coated glass optics, you'll enjoy clear, bright views of celestial objects at night and land-based sights during the day. The inclusion of two powerful eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) allows you to switch between low and high magnifications, enhancing your viewing experience. Additionally, the telescope comes with a travel backpack and full-height tripod, making it easy to take on your adventures.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable design
Powerful eyepieces for versatile viewing
Includes travel bag and tripod
Smooth manual control for precise pointing
#TOP 7

SOLOMARK 80mm Aperture 900mm Refractor Telescope

80900-W
WHITE
SOLOMARK 80mm Aperture 900mm Refractor Telescope Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Carrying Bag and Designed Phone Adapter

The SOLOMARK Refractor Telescope features an impressive 80mm aperture, which allows you to capture more light for brighter and clearer images. Its stable tripod, equipped with a super azimuth gimbal, makes it easy for you to adjust and position the telescope comfortably. With specially configured WA eyepieces, you can enjoy magnifications of 90X and 45X, perfect for observing the lunar craters and various planets. Furthermore, the telescope is designed for easy assembly, making it suitable for beginners and kids alike.

What We Like
Large 80mm aperture
Stable adjustable tripod
Multiple magnification options
Easy to assemble
Portable carrying bag included
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best telescope to see planets with?

Five of the Best Telescopes to See Planets. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Refractor.Sky-Watcher Classic 6-inch Dobsonian.Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Newtonian Reflector.Celestron Omni XLT 102mm Refractor.Celestron NexStar 6SE Compound.

2. Which type of telescope is best?

A reflector telescope is said to be the best value for your money, as they offer the most aperture for your dollar. For example, a 6-inch diameter refractor telescope can cost up to 10X as much as a 6-inch Newtonian reflector.

3. How powerful can a telescope see planets?

Experienced planetary observers use 20x to 30x per inch of aperture to see the most planetary detail. Double-star observers go higher, up to 50x per inch (which corresponds to a ½-mm exit pupil). Beyond this, telescope magnification power and eye limitations degrade the view.

Editor's Notes

During our telescope research, we found 103 telescope products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 212,604 customer reviews through our big data system to write the telescopes list. We found that most customers choose telescopes with an average price of £166.31.

The telescopes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of telescopes, including EACONN, Celestron, SOLOMARK.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.