All Telescope Reviews: 126 Telescopes Tested

Each of our telescope reviews goes into great detail about the features and capabilities of the scope in discussion. In order to help you choose the best telescope for your needs, we consider nine factors: optics, focuser, mount, accessories, moon and planet viewing capacity, wide-field viewing of DSO, ease of use, portability, and value. We then assign a final telescope rating of 1–5 stars to each telescope, with 5 being the best. There are many excellent telescopes available, but there are significant differences between them, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. Find all our in-depth reviews of telescopes below.
Why trust us?

When it comes to the telescopes we review, our editorial board (which is comprised entirely of astronomers) makes unbiased judgements. Please keep in mind that our performance rating system on this page is completely unrelated to any kind of monetary gain. Read our telescope testing methodology.

1.3/5

Celestron Travel Scope 50

Refractor

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

While seemingly a comprehensive package, this 50mm refractor (in fact stopped down internally) is best regarded as a low-quality child's toy.

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1.4/5

Celestron’s PowerSeeker 50AZ

Refractor

Altaz Fork Mount/Tripod

This tiny 50mm refractor is arguably the worst of Celestron's offerings, with inadequate optics, accessories, and an unstable tripod.

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3.4/5

Celestron FirstScope

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

A basic tabletop reflecting telescope, albeit with significant limitations such as the absence of a finder and poor eyepieces.

Read Review

1.9/5

Celestron 70mm Travel Scope

Refractor

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

Marketed as both an astronomical and terrestrial scope, it largely fails at both tasks. With compromised optics, an unstable tripod, and an overwhelming plastic presence, it's best suited for land spotting, albeit there are better choices available.

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4.4/5

Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

One of few acceptable telescopes in its price range, thanks to its sharp 4” parabolic primary mirror, quality accessories, and sturdy Dobsonian base.

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1.9/5

Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ

Refractor

 Altaz Fork Mount/Tripod

Like other PowerSeeker telescopes, this 60mm refractor’s poor construction and shoddy accessories make it a regrettable purchase.

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2.2/5

Celestron PowerSeeker 70AZ

Refractor

 Altaz Fork Mount/Tripod

A poor-quality “hobby killer” refractor with low-quality accessories and a shaky tripod; not recommended.

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2.7/5

Celestron’s AstroMaster LT 76AZ

Reflector

 Altaz Pan Head Tripod

This small reflector seems promising, but its accessories and mount disappoint compared to similarly priced tabletop Dobsonians.

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3.6/5

Sarblue Mak60 Tabletop Tripod

Mak-Cassegrain

 Altaz Tabletop Tripod

This configuration of SarBlue’s 60mm Mak is nearly unusable without a finderscope and atop a spindly mounting.

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2/5

Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ

Refractor

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

A mediocre 70mm refractor atop a wobbly pan-head tripod that lacks fine adjustments—functional, but not great.

Read Review

3.8/5

Sarblue Mak60 With Freestanding Tripod

Mak-Cassegrain

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

This tiny catadioptric is perfect for viewing the Moon and planets, but manual tracking at high magnifications on the tripod supplied can be challenging.

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3/5

Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ

Refractor

GoTo German Equatorial

Considered one of the better models in the PowerSeeker line, this 70mm refractor still faces issues with its small aperture and mediocre accessories.

Read Review

3.1/5

Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ

Reflector

German Equatorial

Though possessing limited light-gathering ability, this 3” reflector provides sharp images and sits atop a sturdy tripod.

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2.4/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114 AZ

Bird-Jones

Altaz Fork Mount/Tripod

While seemingly promising on paper, this model is let down by its mediocre mount and optics, which don’t allow you to get much out of the StarSense Explorer technology.

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1.3/5

Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ

Bird-Jones

German Equatorial

A best-selling telescope but offering extremely poor performance, cashing in on Celestron’s brand and reputation. Low-quality optics, mount, and accessories make this one a “hobby killer”.

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3.1/5

Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ

Refractor

GoTo German Equatorial

This 80mm long-focus refractor is good enough but suffers from its low-quality supplied eyepieces and finderscope.

Read Review

2.3/5

Celestron PowerSeeker 114EQ

Reflector

German Equatorial

A decent 114mm telescope hindered by a weak mount and low-quality accessories. Replacing the accessories and mount can transform it into a decent instrument.

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1.8/5

Celestron ExploraScope 114AZ

Bird-Jones

Alt-Az Fork

Flawed Bird-Jones optics and a wobbly tripod make this telescope far from ideal compared to optically excellent Dobsonians of the same aperture available at the same price.

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4.1/5

SarBlue Mak70

Mak-Cass

Altaz Fork Mount/Tripod

A larger version of the Mak60, this telescope offers sharp optics and decent accessories but is limited in aperture, excelling mainly in observing the Moon, planets, and double stars.

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3.7/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80 AZ

Refractor

Altaz Fork Mount/Tripod

An 80mm long refractor with decent optics and easy aiming thanks to its StarSense Explorer technology, but limited by its small aperture and rather expensive for the quality and performance it offers.

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3.7/5

Explore Scientific FirstLight AR80 with Twilight Nano

Refractor

Altaz fork Mount/Tripod

Explore Scientific’s FirstLight AR80 offers decent views of the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects and makes for an ideal “grab n’ go” setup atop the lightweight Twilight Nano, though the accessories could be better.

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2.6/5

Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ

Refractor

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

Like other AstroMaster telescopes, it is not recommended due to its substandard mount and tripod, with better alternatives available at the same price point

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1.7/5

Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ

Bird-Jones

German Equatorial

Despite positive reviews, this telescope’s disastrously flawed optics and poor-quality accoutrements make it a poor pick compared to our top picks.

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4.4/5

SkyWatcher Heritage 130P

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

Compact 130mm Dobsonian, perfect for kids and travel, with a user-friendly collapsable tube, mount, and decent provided accessories.

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Editor's Choice
2.4/5

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ

Reflector

German Equatorial

Praised beginner telescope with several out-of-box issues; not recommended.

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4.5/5

SkyWatcher Heritage 150P

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

Portable 150mm Dobsonian with collapsable tube, great eyepieces, and still light enough to carry in one hand. What more is there to ask for in a telescope?

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Editor's Choice
2.9/5

Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ

Refractor

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

Decent 4” refracting telescope atop a glorified photo tripod, with poorly supplied accessories.

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4.2/5

Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PS AZ5

Reflector

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

As a beginner’s telescope, or as a “grab n’ go” complement to a larger and bulkier telescope, the 130PS AZ5 is a solid choice

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3.5/5

Celestron Inspire 100AZ

Refractor

Altaz Pan Head Tripod

Affordable 4” refractor with beginner-friendly features but lacking in performance, stability or quality given the price point.

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4.3/5

Bresser Messier 5″

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

High-quality 130mm Dobsonian. Heavier/bulkier than collapsible-tubed 130mm offerings but offering better performance in light-polluted environs.

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3.8/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ

Refractor

Alt-Az Fork Mount/Tripod

Small aperture scope with smartphone-aided PushTo system; arguably less capable than its 130mm reflector sibling.

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4/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130 AZ

Reflector

Alt-Az Fork Mount/Tripod

130mm f/5 reflector with smartphone-aided PushTo system and 2” focuser atop a manual mount.

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1.9/5

Celestron 114 LCM

Bird-Jones

Altaz GoTo

Bird-Jones design with poor optics and low-quality mount; not recommended for any use case.

Read Review

4/5

Celestron StarSense 130mm

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

130mm tabletop Dobsonian with Celestron’s award-winning StarSense Explorer technology – albeit lacking the 2” focuser of some of Celestron’s other 130mm f/5 offerings.

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4.4/5

Bresser Messier 6”

Reflector

Tabletop Dobsonian

It's certainly a good telescope and one among the best 6" telescopes.

Read Review

4.4/5

Ursa Major 6″ Planetary

Reflector

Dobsonian

It may not be as capable as an 8″ scope or as compact as a fast f/ratio 6″ tabletop Dobsonian, but it is still a high-quality instrument.

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4.4/5

Bresser 6″ f/8 Planetary

Reflector

Dobsonian

A 6" Dobsonian with great optics, a 2" focuser and some other good features.

Read Review

4.4/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 150P

Reflector

Dobsonian

Popular, affordable 6" f/8 Dobsonian telescope, ideal for hobbyists seeking a versatile "grab n’ go" scope and including a basic accessory package.

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4.1/5

Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 Virtuoso GTi

Maksutov-Cassegrain

Dobsonian GoTo

While certainly an unusual pairing, it’s an excellent tabletop setup and can be attached to a sturdy tripod too.

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4.8/5

SkyWatcher Virtuoso GTi 150P

Reflector

GoTo Tabletop Dobsonian

High-quality, versatile, and portable GoTo 6" f/5 tabletop Dobsonian telescope in a lightweight, compact package at a competitive price.

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Editor's Choice
3.4/5

Celestron Astro Fi 90

Refractor

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

90mm refractor on a smartphone/tablet-controlled GoTo mount and tripod. Decent, but the other Astro Fi scopes are better performers.

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3.7/5

Celestron Astro Fi 102

Maksutov-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Compact 4” Maksutov-Cassegrain with smartphone-operated GoTo, easy for newcomers and offering sharp views, though limited in target choices.

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3.2/5

Celestron NexStar 90SLT

 Maksutov-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Optically excellent 90mm GoTo Maksutov-Cassegrain, but time-consuming setup for a small scope that’s only useful for the Moon, planets and other bright objects.

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3.6/5

DwarfLab DWARF II Smart Telescope

Refractor

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Tiny telescope/camera suitable for wide-field shots, more useful for non-astronomical applications than for serious astrophotography.

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4.1/5

Celestron AstroFi 130

Reflector

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A tripod-mounted 130mm Newtonian with phone-controlled GoTo, albeit power-hungry and not any different in views from a 130mm tabletop Dobsonian.

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3.3/5

Celestron NexStar 130SLT

Reflector

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A decent telescope limited by its tripod stability; similar models such as the Astro Fi 130 or Virtuoso GTi 130mm provide more features and sturdier mountings.

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3.9/5

Sky-Watcher Star Discovery 150i

Reflector

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

It could be perfect if the manufacturer just added a proper mirror cell and a better, preferably 2” focuser.

Read Review

3.4/5

Celestron NexStar 4SE

Maksutov-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A 4” GoTo Maksutov-Cassegrain on a heavy-duty tripod. Sturdy and capable, but only insofar as what any other 4” Maksutov offers. Rather heavy/bulky.

Read Review

2.7/5

Celestron’s NexStar 102SLT

Refractor

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

4” GoTo refractor suffering from mechanical shortcomings and mediocre optical quality.

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4.3/5

Explore Scientific 10” Ultra Light Dobsonian

Reflector

Dobsonian

Expensive but compact with all-metal construction, Explore Scientific’s 10” Ultra Light Dobsonian fits almost anywhere, though it’s quite expensive to get up and running.

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3.5/5

NexStar 127SLT Telescope

 Maksutov-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A 5” Maksutov-Cassegrain with a GoTo mount, the NexStar 127SLT is a sharp but perhaps undermounted telescope.

Read Review

4.1/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 200P

Reflector

Dobsonian

A simple but powerful 8” Dobsonian with a basic accessory package offering the same performance as other models but with a lower price tag.

Read Review

4.5/5

Ursa Major 8″

Reflector

Dobsonian

It's an economical 8″ Dobsonian telescope boasting many of the fundamental design features seen in pricier 8″ models but pared down to the bare essentials.

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4.9/5

StellaLyra 8″

  Reflector

Dobsonian

A highly praised 8" Dobsonian, offering a comprehensive start in astronomy. Features like a cooling fan and dual-speed focuser ensure minimal aftermarket buys.

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Editor's Choice
4.5/5

Bresser Messier 8”

Reflector

Dobsonian

This 8” Dobsonian may not be a first pick but stands out with premium design features to accommodate heavier aftermarket accessories and a base that packs flat.

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4.1/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 200P FlexTube

Reflector

Dobsonian

While a bit more time-consuming to set up, this 8” Dobsonian stands out for its collapsable design, perfect for storing in tight spaces.

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4.7/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer 8

Reflector

PushTo Dobsonian

An 8" Dobsonian with unique StarSense Explorer tech for easy sky navigation. Offers good views but may not provide the best value in its price range.

Read Review

3.9/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 6″

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

It's a decent scope, but for about the same price there are options for telescopes with more aperture or fully motorized tracking/GoTo

Read Review

3.7/5

Celestron NexStar 6 SLT

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Not only are there Dobsonians and other GoTo 6” telescopes available, but multiple configurations of the C6 XLT optical tube on the Astro Fi and StarSense Explorer mounts are superior and cost about the same amount as the 6SLT.

Read Review

4.4/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 200P

Reflector

Dobsonian

A basic but capable 10” Dobsonian equipped with two eyepieces and a 9x50 finder to get you started.

Read Review

4/5

Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS EQ5 Pro

Reflector

Equatorial GoTo

It’s certainly acceptable for someone starting out in astrophotography, though a little bit shackled by the limitations of the EQ5 Pro mount.

Read Review

4/5

Sky-Watcher Explorer 200PDS/EQ5 Pro

Reflector

Equatorial GoTo

Although primarily engineered with astrophotography as its core focus, the bundle can also cater to the demands of visual observers.

Read Review

3.7/5

Celestron NexStar 5SE

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Popular but costly for beginners, this telescope offers decent quality but provides inferior views compared to more affordable alternatives.

Read Review

4.9/5

StellaLyra 10"

Reflector

Dobsonian

Award-winning 10” Dobsonian with excellent features, accessories, and performance for the price, sold exclusively by First Light Optics.

Read Review

Editor's Choice
4.7/5

Bresser Messier 10”

Reflector

Dobsonian

Known for high-quality fittings and collapsible base, it needs additional eyepieces for a complete experience.

Read Review

4/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 200P FlexTube

Reflector

Dobsonian

Popular for its collapsable design, this 10” Dobsonian is beginner-friendly but may have compromises in performance and value.

Read Review

4/5

Celestron NexStar 6SE

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A middle-of-the-pack 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain with quality optics and a sturdy mount, ideal for lunar, planetary, and some deep-sky viewing.

Read Review

4.7/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer 10″

Reflector

PushTo Dobsonian

A 10" Dobsonian with a lightweight base and StarSense Explorer technology to aid you in exploring the night sky, the StarSense Explorer 10” Dobsonian offers an unmatched experience for newcomers.

Read Review

4.6/5

StellaLyra 12"

Reflector

Dobsonian

Explore galaxies and nebulae with the 12" StellaLyra Dobsonian, offering a high-quality accessory bundle and features like a dual-speed focuser with a huge 12” primary mirror.

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Editor's Choice
3.7/5

Celestron Advanced VX 6″ Newtonian

Reflector

GoTo German Equatorial

An entry-level astrophotography kit, Celestron’s 6" Newtonian on the Advanced VX mount is an okay tool for the job if you don’t mind upgrading the focuser straightaway.

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3.7/5

Celestron NexStar 8SE

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Celestron’s flagship 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain is paired with a number of mount and tripod options; the 8SE is certainly the most affordable but far from the sturdiest of these configurations.

Read Review

4/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 200P FlexTube GoTo

Reflector

GoTo Dobsonian

Automated tracking in an 8" Dobsonian. The 8” FlexTube GoTo offers convenience, albeit with a price that rivals that of larger manual scopes.

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4.1/5

Celestron NexStar Evolution 6

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A high-quality 6" telescope with an integrated battery and WiFi. Pricey, with identical views to the more affordable Celestron NexStar 6SE.

Read Review

4.5/5

Celestron StarSense Explorer 12”

Reflector

Dobsonian

With a lighter base and StarSense Explorer tech, this 12" Dobsonian is a bit easier to use than its manual counterparts, while offering spectacular views of deep-sky objects as well as those in our own Solar System.

Read Review

3.7/5

Vaonis Vespera Smart Telescope

Refractor

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A tiny 50mm astrophotography rig equipped with advanced features in a compact and convenient package.

Read Review

4.3/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 200P FlexTube GoTo

Reflector

GoTo Dobsonian

A 10" motorised Dobsonian with a collapsable tube, featuring full GoTo and Sky-Watcher’s FreedomFind technology allowing for manual aiming.

Read Review

3.5/5

Celestron Advanced VX 8 Newtonian

Reflector

GoTo German Equatorial

An 8" Newtonian on the Advanced VX mount, suitable for visual use but a little undermounted and underperforming for astrophotography purposes.

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4.5/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 250P FlexTube

Reflector

Dobsonian

The 12" FlexTube Dobsonian offers a balance in portability and performance, easing transport without compromising on observational power.

Read Review

4/5

Celestron Advanced VX 6″ SCT

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo German Equatorial

Read Review

3.2/5

Celestron Advanced VX 6″ Refractor

Refractor

GoTo German Equatorial

A big and impressive 6” refractor, this scope is cool to look at but completely impractical and lacking in performance for the price.

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4.3/5

Explore Scientific 12″ Ultra Light Dobsonian

Reflector

Dobsonian

A compact, all-metal truss tube Dobsonian with premium features—accessories sold separately.

Read Review

2.5/5

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox

Reflector

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A “digital telescope” offering convenience but disappointing in quality and performance, often misconstrued as a satisfactory telescope for novices.

Read Review

4.2/5

Celestron NexStar Evolution 8

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

An 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain with integrated WiFi and battery, offering convenience and quality views, along with some astrophotography capabilities.

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4/5

Celestron Advanced VX 8″ SCT

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo German EQ

A versatile 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain on the Advanced VX mount, offering various capabilities for changing interests within astronomy.

Read Review

3.8/5

Celestron CPC 800 GPS SCT

Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

An 8" aplanatic SCT with all-round usefulness but underperforming compared to specialised telescopes at this price.

Read Review

4.2/5

Celestron Advanced VX 9.25″ SCT

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo German EQ

This 9.25" SCT on the Advanced VX mount is ideal for planetary viewing and deep-sky observation, but not for deep-sky astrophotography.

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3.9/5

Celestron Advanced VX 11″ SCT

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo German Equatorial

Celestron’s Advanced VX can technically hold the C11 XLT optical tube, but we’d recommend you consider a heftier mount like the CGEM II before choosing this combination of telescope and mounting.

Read Review

4.7/5

SkyWatcher SkyLiner 350P FlexTube GoTo

Reflector

GoTo Dobsonian

A monster 14” Dobsonian with GoTo and Sky-Watcher’s unparalleled FreedomFind technology to quickly navigate between stunning deep-sky objects.

Read Review

4.4/5

Celestron CPC 1100 GPS

Schmidt-Cassegrain

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

A high-performance 11” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with GPS functionality for easy alignment and tracking.

Read Review

3.8/5

Vaonis Stellina Smart Telescope

Refractor

GoTo Alt-Az Fork

An all-in-one 80mm apochromatic refractor designed exclusively for astrophotography, providing ease of use and automated image processing.

Read Review

3/5

Unistellar eVscope 2

Reflector

 GoTo Alt-Az Fork

Marketed as innovative, this “digital telescope” falls short in functionality and value, with a high cost and lacklustre performance compared to traditional telescopes.

Read Review

Our Reviews of Telescopes That Are Discontinued or Unavailable in the UK

Apertura

Celestron

Explore Scientific

Sky-Watcher

Meade

Orion

SarBlue

Zhumell

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