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

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  • The world’s most beloved telescope! The classic, 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain revolutionized amateur astronomy in the 1970s. Now, the iconic “orange tube” design is updated with all the latest features to provide the best stargazing experience for beginners and experienced observers alike.
  • Large, 8-inch aperture with excellent light-gathering ability provides spectacular views of the Moon and planets, along with deep sky objects like the Whirlpool Galaxy and Hercules Globular Cluster. Tripod leg diameter: 50.8mm Stainless Steel
  • Fully automated, GoTo mount with database of 40,000+ celestial objects automatically locates and tracks objects for you. SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any three bright objects.
  • Unique single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all break down into separate components for easy transport and quick assembly.
  • Tripod leg diameter: 5.08 cm, height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): 96.52 cm - 142.24 cm, optical tube length: 43.2cm, optical tube diameter: 23.2 cm
Best Runner-Up
2
4.8
ECOOPRO Telescopes for Kids

ECOOPRO Telescopes for Kids

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • Astronomical Telescope can set 60X, 18X, the mirror group plus 1.5X, 90X, 27X. A small refracting type telescope with a larger diameter (50mm), accounting for little place.
  • High Quality: Coated all-glass optics for enhanced image brightness and clarity.Refractive astronomical telescope with 50mm aperture and 360mm focal length, 90x maximum power.
  • Equipped with two different magnification eyepieces and 1.5X multiplier mirrors, so that you can freely mix, observe different distances and sizes objects.
  • Easy Use: Small and lightweight telescope due to durable aluminum construction, easily for hand held use,Quick and easy to assemble, NO extra tools required.
  • High Powered Telescope: suitable for entry-level amateur astronomers and children to explore land and sky.
Best with Wide Field of View
6
4.4
Celestron 21023

Celestron 21023

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • Quick and easy no-tool setup. Slow motion controls for smooth tracking
  • Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use. Fully coated glass optical components with high transmission coatings for enhanced image brightness and clarity. 3x Barlow lens triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece
  • Accessory tray for convenient storage of accessories
  • BONUS Astronomy Software download with a 10,000-object database, printable sky maps and 75 enhanced images
Cheapest Option
10
4
EMARTH Telescope

EMARTH Telescope

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  • 【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.

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