10 Best Telescopes in 2023 [Compact Design]


There’s something magical about looking up at the stars. It’s a reminder that we are just a small part of a much bigger universe. With the right telescope, you can see things that are billions of miles away.

Best Overall
1
4.9
Celestron 11069 NexStar 8 SE

Celestron 11069 NexStar 8 SE

View On Amazon
  • NEXSTAR COMPUTERISED TELESCOPE: The NexStar 8SE Computerised Telescope features Celestron’s iconic orange tube design with updated technology and the latest features for amazing stargazing for beginners and experienced observers
  • 8-INCH APERTURE: The eight-inch primary mirror in this Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for adults and kids to be used together packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that our Solar System has to offer, while retaining a compact form factor
  • FULLY-AUTOMATED GOTO MOUNT: Featuring a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, the GoTo mount built into our telescopes for astronomy beginners automatically locates and tracks objects for you
  • EASY TO ASSEMBLE AND BREAK DOWN: The single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all assemble and break down from separate components for easy transportation. SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready in minutes
  • BONUS FREE STARRY NIGHT SOFTWARE: The NexStar 8SE Telescope includes a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs for an interactive sky simulation
Best Runner-Up
2
4.8
ECOOPRO Telescopes for Kids

ECOOPRO Telescopes for Kids

View On Amazon
  • 360mm focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optical glass with high transmission coatings creates crisp images with increased brightness and clarity
  • Includes two 1.25" eyepieces (K25mm & K10mm) which you can enjoy the magnification from 16X to 40X, And 5X24 Finder Scope can locate objects faster
  • No-tools quick set up and easy find your objects, perfect telescope gift for kids and astronomy beginners
  • 70mm telescope excels at daytime birding use as well as viewing wildlife, scenery and casual nighttime observing of the Moon
  • ECOOPRO offers lifetime VIP customer service, please let us know if you have any questions with the telescope or our service
Best with OTA Focal Length
3
4.7
SVBONY SV503 Telescope

SVBONY SV503 Telescope

View On Amazon
  • Extra-low Dispersion glass; SV503 Telescope OTA is designed with ED glass; will give you the crystal clear image;SV503 80ED telescope produces an especially colour true and high contrast image; just right for more discerning observers
  • Dual-speed rack and pinion focuser;The gear ratio of the dual speed 2-inch toothed focuser is 1: 10; which makes it easy to achieve accurate focus
  • Top-quality Material; The appearance of the SV503 OTA is baked with high-end fine-grained paint; with exquisite appearance and delicate feel;all machined by CNC
  • all optical surfaces multi-coated; The whole optical lens adopts the technology of ultra-wideband multilayer coating; 80mm aperture; fully multi-coated ED optics deliver outstanding views; day or night
  • Areas of application; 80mm F7 astronomy telescope SV503 would be better begin for astronomy amateurs to do astrophotography
Best from Bresser
4
4.6
Bresser Refractor Telescope

Bresser Refractor Telescope

View On Amazon
  • An equatorial mounted achromatic lens telescope with tripod and further accessories for beginners. Due to the large aperture a very high light collecting power is achieved, which makes it ideal for observing the moon, planets and bright deep sky objects.
  • Up to 675x magnifications can be achieved with the accessories. The smartphone adapter allows you to take photos of the moon and other celestial objects with your own mobile. The equatorial mount allows an easy and fast tracking.
  • Further features are a tripod with accessory tray and an LED viewfinder. The telescope can be set up very quickly and is easy to operate.
  • Dimensions: 90x10x10 cm / Weight: 798 g
  • Scope of delivery: telescope with mount and tripod; viewfinder; 2 eyepieces; 3x Barlow lens; zenith mirror; smartphone adapter; planetarium software (for download); instruction manual
Best Under-Budget
5
4.5
Mijiao Astronomical Telescope

Mijiao Astronomical Telescope

View On Amazon
  • High Quality Optical: This small refracting astronomical telescope has theoretical resolution: 2.000 arcseconds, 50mm aperture and 360mm focal length, 90 times maximum power, fully coated optical glass with high transmittance coating produces stunning bright and clear. the kids telescope is perfect for kids/beginners or astronomy enthusiasts to explore birds and animals, get up close with nature, peer into outer space, and get smart about science.
  • 90X Magnification: Telescope for Adults Equipped with 2 eyepieces with different magnifications, H20mm (view terrestrial objects on the land), H6mm; Astronomical Telescope can set 18X, 60X magnification, the mirror group plus 1.5X erecting eyepieces magnification reach 27X, 90X , and special moon mirror can effectively avoid the reflected light, and then the moon's surface will be seen more clearly. You can freely match the telescope multiples to observe objects at different distances and sizes.
  • Adjustable Tripod: This telescope comes with adjustable tripod, easy to assemble, no tools required. It can be adjusted 180° vertically and 360° horizontally, enables different viewing positions with the adjustable tripod. The fold-able and portable tripod design ensures a steady base with quick and easy no-tool setup of different observation angles.
  • Easy Set up and Use: It's easy and quick to set up even for beginners, easily for hand held use, both telescope binoculars and tripod can fit in the bag for easy travel and stargazing on the go. Perfect for outdoor play & at home learning. Get kids outside to explore the world and stay curious! So you also can keep your kids company and help your little astronomer awaken their interest in exploring the universe.
  • Perfect Gift for Kids: This children telescope will encourage your kids to learn about nature and outer space, make a great holiday or birthday gift idea for your kids who loves science and astronomy. Telescope has no sharp objects and no toxic or harmful materials, absolutely safe for your kids. It's a nice science toys for your children to explore nature, sky, stars, moon, and the landscape by themselves.
Best with Wide Field of View
6
4.4
Celestron 21023

Celestron 21023

View On Amazon
  • Fast focal ratio offers a wide field of view, perfect for observing comets, star clusters, galaxies, and more
  • Lightweight and portable, a great grab-and-go telescope
  • Simple design makes it easy for beginners to use
  • No-tool setup means you are up and observing in no time
  • Includes a finderscope and 2 Kellner eyepieces
Best with Smart Digital Reflector
7
4.3
Unistellar eVscope eQuinox

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox

View On Amazon
  • Unistellar eQuinox Digital Telescope: With the eVscope eQuinox, you can enjoy the beauty of deep space, protect the planet against near-earth asteroids, conduct hands-on science, and so much more
  • Enhanced Vision: 100x more powerful than a regular telescope. Technology that allows a live observation of faint objects thanks to the live accumulation of the light we receive from them
  • Autonomous Field Detection: Our system instantly recognizes the objects in its field of view by comparing what it sees with a coordinates database of tens of millions of stars
  • Citizen Science: The Unistellar Network is the first global community of citizen astronomers, 5 000 strong and counting
  • A Dedicated App: With the push of a button and tap of the app, your eQuinox recommends the most spectacular targets and launches into deep-space observations, in minutes
Easy to Assemble
8
4.2
Celestron 21039

Celestron 21039

View On Amazon
  • Easy to assemble 50 mm refractor suitable for celestial and terrestrial viewing
  • Pre-assembled, no tool set-up aluminum tripod with accessory tray for convenient storage of accessories
  • 3x Barlow lens triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece
  • Fully coated glass optical components with high transmission coatings for enhanced image brightness and clarity
  • The Sky Level 1 planetarium software with 10,000 object database and enhanced images
Best with Slow motion control
9
4.1
Celestron 21049 Powerseeker

Celestron 21049 Powerseeker

View On Amazon
  • PERFECT BEGINNERS TELESCOPE: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an easy-to-use and powerful telescope. The PowerSeeker series is designed to give the first-time telescope user the perfect combination of quality, value, features, and power
  • MANUAL GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT: Navigate the sky with our Newtonian Reflector telescope. It features a German Equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing. Adjust rod to desired position, then easily secure by tightening cross knob
  • COMPACT AND PORTABLE: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take the telescope to your favourite campsite or dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard
  • MULTIPLE ACCESSORIES: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope comes with two eyepieces (20mm and 4mm), plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. Users can also download BONUS Starry Night Astronomy Software Package
  • UNBEATABLE WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from the world’s #1 telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty
Cheapest Option
10
4
EMARTH Telescope

EMARTH Telescope

View On Amazon
  • 【High Magnification】360mm(f/5.1) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optical glass with high transmission coatings creates stunning images with increased brightness and clarity. Protect your eyes.Perfect Refracting telescope for beginners or kids to explore sky
  • 【No-tool Set Up】This telescope is quick and easy to set up even for the novice and will encourage to love learning about space, great holiday or birthday gift idea for your son who love science and astronomy
  • 【High Quality Optics】Includes two 1.25" eyepieces (K25mm & K10mm) which you can enjoy the magnification from 14.4 and 36x, And 5X24 Finder Scope can locate objects faster
  • 【Adjustable Tripod 】This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable aluminum tripod, the telescope and tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and on-the-go stargazing
  • 【Multifunction Travel Telescope】70mm telescope excels at daytime birding use as well as viewing wildlife, scenery and casual nighttime observing of the Moon

She has contributed to Perseus Promos, Hazlitt, Rolling Stone, New Republic, Atlantic, GQ, Racked, VICE and The New Inquiry.

Related Articles