Best Altazimuth Telescopes of 2026

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2026

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Altazimuth telescopes are a type of telescope that allows for easy and intuitive movement in both horizontal and vertical directions. They are designed for amateur astronomers who are looking for a telescope that is easy to use and provides a clear view of the night sky. Altazimuth telescopes come in a variety of sizes and styles, and can be used for a range of astronomical observations, from stargazing to planetary viewing. They are a great option for those who are just starting out in astronomy, as well as for more experienced astronomers who want a portable and versatile telescope.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 Deluxe Refractor Telescope Cover #TOP 1
Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 Deluxe Refractor Telescope
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Bresser Arcturus 60/700 Telescope with Tripod Cover #TOP 2
Bresser Arcturus 60/700 Telescope with Tripod
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Celestron NexStar 6SLT Telescope with Software Cover #TOP 3
Celestron NexStar 6SLT Telescope with Software
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 4 Altazimuth Telescopes

#TOP 1

Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 Deluxe Refractor Telescope

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Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 Deluxe Refractor Telescope Cover
Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 (Az5) 102mm (4") F/4.9 Deluxe Alt-Azimuth Refractor Telescope

The Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 is an excellent telescope for stargazers of all levels. With magnifications of x20 and x50, you can easily observe celestial objects in stunning detail. The powerful 102mm objective lens provides 62.5% more light gathering than an 80mm lens, enhancing your viewing experience. Its 500mm focal length (f/4.9) allows for a wide field of view, making it easier to track moving objects in the night sky. Additionally, the supplied eyepieces, including 10mm and 25mm, ensure you have the right tools for varied observations.

What We Like
High light-gathering ability
Versatile magnification options
Wide field of view
Includes useful eyepieces
#TOP 2

Bresser Arcturus 60/700 Telescope with Tripod

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Bresser Arcturus 60/700 Telescope with Tripod Cover
Bresser Refractor Telescope Arcturus 60/700 Alt-Azimuth with tripod

The Bresser Arcturus Telescope is an ideal choice for beginners eager to explore the night sky. With its achromatic lens and azimuth mount, you can easily observe the moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects. The 60 mm objective lens diameter and 700 mm focal length enhance light collection, allowing for clearer images. Additionally, the included smartphone adapter enables you to capture your first stunning photos of celestial bodies effortlessly. The azimuthal mount simplifies alignment, making it quick and easy for you to enjoy successful stargazing.

What We Like
Great for beginners
High maximum magnification
Includes smartphone adapter
Easy alignment with azimuth mount
Comes with useful accessories
#TOP 3

Celestron NexStar 6SLT Telescope with Software

CE22088-DS
Grey
Celestron NexStar 6SLT Telescope with Software Cover
Celestron 22088 NexStar 6SLT 6 Inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with Fully Computerised Altazimuth Mount, Starry Night Special Edition Software, and SkyPortal App

The Celestron NexStar 6SLT is a sophisticated computerised telescope that allows you to explore over 40,000 celestial objects with ease. Its compact and lightweight design makes it versatile for both astronomical and terrestrial viewing. You will find the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design delivers exceptional performance across various focal lengths, enhancing your stargazing experience. With the innovative SkyAlign feature, you can quickly set it up by centring any three bright objects, enabling you to start your observations in just minutes.

What We Like
Computerised star locating
Compact and lightweight design
Versatile optical performance
Quick setup with SkyAlign
Free astronomy software included
#TOP 4

Bresser Newtonian Reflector Telescope Venus 76mm Tripod

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Visible carbon
Bresser Newtonian Reflector Telescope Venus 76mm Tripod Cover
Bresser Newtonian Telescope Venus 76/700 Alt-Azimuth with tripod

The Bresser Venus 76 Telescope is a Newtonian reflector with an azimuth mount, perfect for beginners wanting to explore the night sky. With magnifications between 35x and 525x, you can easily observe the moon, planets, and bright deep sky objects in great detail. Its 76 mm mirror offers the largest aperture in entry-level models, letting in more light for clearer views. Additionally, a smartphone adapter is included, so you can effortlessly capture and document your observations using your phone’s camera.

What We Like
Large 76 mm aperture
Wide magnification range
Includes smartphone adapter
Beginners-friendly azimuth mount
Comes with useful accessories
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which telescope has an altazimuth mount?

Dobsonian telescopes: John Dobson popularized a simplified altazimuth mount design for Newtonian reflectors because of its ease of construction; Dobson's innovation was to use non-machined parts for the mount that could be found in any hardware store such as plywood, formica, and plastic plumbing parts combined with ...

2. What is an Altazimuth refractor telescope?

Meade Infinity 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope. The Infinity 70mm Alt-azimuth telescope features a slow-motion control rod that allows for easy tracking of objects in the night sky. Includes a Red-Dot Viewfinder, 2x Barlow lens, and two eyepieces. The Infinity 70mm weighs approximately 6 lbs.

3. Which is better alt-azimuth or equatorial?

Alt-az mounts are considered superior for visual astronomy because they provide such comfortable viewing positions at the eyepiece. Many experienced visual astronomers recommend alt-az mounts for this reason. All in all, equatorial mounts are designed with the astrophotographer in mind.

4. What is an Altazimuth?

Definition of altazimuth : a telescope mounted so that it can swing horizontally and vertically also : any of several other similarly mounted instruments.

Editor's Notes

During our altazimuth telescope research, we found 39 altazimuth telescope products and shortlisted 4 quality products. We collected and analyzed 14,055 customer reviews through our big data system to write the altazimuth telescopes list. We found that most customers choose altazimuth telescopes with an average price of £235.85.

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

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.