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.
Celestron StarSense 150mm Tabletop Dobsonian
Reflector
Tabletop Dobsonian
A tabletop 6” f/5 Dobsonian with StarSense Explorer tech for easy navigation. Good views but rivals may offer better value.
Orion AstroView 6 EQ
Reflector
German Equatorial
Tripod-mounted 6” f/5 Newtonian with a basic accessory package. Not the most sturdy or well-made; Dobsonians are generally a better option.
Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope
Reflector
Tabletop Dobsonian
No-longer-made PushTo version of the original Orion StarBlast 6 featuring sharp 6” f/5 optics paired with the convenience of Orion’s IntelliScope digital object locator.
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.
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.
Celestron Omni XLT 102
Refractor
German Equatorial
A classic high-quality 4” refractor offering stunning views of the Moon, planets, and other bright targets.
Celestron’s NexStar 102SLT
Refractor
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
4” GoTo refractor suffering from mechanical shortcomings and mediocre optical quality.
Explore Scientific 10” Truss Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
Expensive but compact with all-metal construction, Explore Scientific’s 10” Truss Tube Dobsonian fits almost anywhere, though it’s quite expensive to get up and running.
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.
SkyWatcher 8″ Dobsonian
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.
Apertura AD8 Dobsonian
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.
Zhumell Z8
Reflector
Dobsonian
Identical to the Apertura AD8, this 8″ Dobsonian is just as highly recommended.
Celestron Omni XLT 150
Reflector
German Equatorial
A beginner-friendly, medium-aperture telescope and equatorial mount. Offers quality views, though a bit cumbersome for a 6” reflector.
Explore Scientific 10″ Hybrid Truss Tube Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
A bit complicated for newbies, this telescope offers a large aperture and all the compactness of a truss tube Dobsonian, in a sturdy metal frame.
Orion SkyQuest XT8
Reflector
Dobsonian
A popular 8″ Dobsonian that may require additional accessories for an optimal experience, yet remains a solid recommendation for beginners.
Orion StarSeeker IV 130mm
Reflector
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
130mm GoTo reflector offering manual aiming options and WiFi-operated pointing, but other telescopes offer the same features for a lot less money.
Vixen R130SF/Porta II
Reflector
Alt-Az Fork
A 130mm f/5 Newtonian paired with a simple but elegant alt-azimuth mount and tripod, the R130SF itself doesn’t offer appreciably different views from other 130mm reflectors sold at a fraction of the price but the Porta II certainly makes for a nice mount.
Meade ETX90 AT
Maksutov-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
Meade’s flagship beginner telescope, the ETX-90’s latest incarnation offers plenty of features but commands an extraordinarily high price compared to the competition.
Celestron Omni XLT 120
Refractor
German Equatorial
A 4.7” refractor offering decent lunar, planetary, and deep-sky views and sporting high-quality construction/optics.
Celestron SkyProdigy 130
Reflector
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
An upgraded version of the NexStar 130SLT featuring Celestron’s StarSense AutoAlign, which rarely works as advertised and isn’t worth the hassle on this telescope.
Orion SkyQuest XT8 Intelliscope
Reflector
PushTo Dobsonian
Orion’s PushTo-equipped 8” Dobsonian, featuring a lightweight Dobsonian base and Orion’s Intelliscope digital setting circles to help you navigate the night sky.
SkyWatcher 8″ Flextube
Reflector
Dobsonian
While a bit more time-consuming to set up, this 8” Dobsonian stands out for its collapsible design, perfect for storing in tight spaces.
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 best value in its price range.
Explore Scientific FirstLight 8″ Dobsonian
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.
SkyWatcher 10” Classic Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
A basic but capable 10” Dobsonian equipped with two eyepieces and a 9×50 finder to get you started.
Explore Scientific 10″ FirstLight Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
Known for high-quality fittings and collapsible base, it needs additional eyepieces for a complete experience.
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.
Apertura AD10
Reflector
Dobsonian
Award-winning 10” Dobsonian with excellent features, accessories and performance for the price, sold exclusively by High Point Scientific.
Zhumell Z10 Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
Manufactured by GSO, this 10″ Dobsonian is identical to the Apertura AD10, providing excellent views and superb value for your money.
Orion SkyQuest XT10
Reflector
Dobsonian
A 10″ Dobsonian stripped to the bare essentials, the SkyQuest XT10 provides the same performance as any other quality instrument of its aperture.
SkyWatcher 10″ FlexTube Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
Popular for its collapsible design, this 10” Dobsonian is beginner-friendly but may have compromises in performance and value.
Meade ETX125AT GoTo Telescope
Maksutov-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
A compact 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain great for lunar and planetary viewing but limited in deep-sky and astrophotography capabilities.
Celestron NexStar 6SE
Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
A middle-of-the-pack 6″ Schmidt-Cassegrain with quality optics and sturdy mount, ideal for lunar, planetary, and some deep-sky viewing.
Celestron StarSense Explorer 10″ Dobsonian
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.
Apertura AD12 Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
Explore galaxies and nebulae with the 12″ AD12 Dobsonian, offering Apertura’s high-quality accessory bundle and features like a dual-speed focuser with a huge 12” primary mirror.
Zhumell Z12 Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
A 12″ Dobsonian scope designed for deep-sky enthusiasts, identical to the Apertura AD12 in every way and similarly offering unforgettable views at the eyepiece.
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.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
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.
SkyWatcher 8″ FlexTube GoTo Dobsonian
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.
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.
Celestron StarSense Explorer 12” Dobsonian
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.
Vaonis Vespera Smart Telescope
Refractor
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
A tiny 50mm astrophotography rig equipped with advanced features in a compact and convenient package.
SkyWatcher 10″ FlexTube GoTo Dobsonian
Reflector
GoTo Dobsonian
A 10″ motorized Dobsonian with a collapsible tube, featuring full GoTo and Sky-Watcher’s FreedomFind technology allowing for manual aiming.
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.
SkyWatcher 12″ FlexTube Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
The 12″ FlexTube Dobsonian offers a balance in portability and performance, easing transport without compromising on observational power.
Orion SkyQuest XX12i IntelliScope
Reflector
PushTo Dobsonian
A 12″ truss tube Dobsonian providing impressive views and with Orion’s Intelliscope technology to assist you in finding your target.
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.
Explore Scientific 12″ Truss Tube Dobsonian
Reflector
Dobsonian
A compact, all-metal truss tube Dobsonian with premium features – accessories sold separately.
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.
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.
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.
Celestron Advanced VX 700 Maksutov
Maksutov-Cassegrain
GoTo German EQ
A 7″ Maksutov excelling in planetary views but with limited usefulness beyond. The Advanced VX mount complements it well, despite the high price.
Celestron CPC 800 GPS SCT
Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
An 8″ aplanatic SCT with all-round usefulness but underperforming compared to specialized telescopes at this price.
Meade 8″ LX90 ACF
Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
Meade’s low-cost rival to the 8” fork-mounted Schmidt-Cassegrains sold by Celestron, offering optical performance on par with the EdgeHD design but without any of the astrophotography-friendly hardware or software features of Celestron’s telescopes and mounts like HyperStar or CWPI.
Celestron Advanced VX 8” EdgeHD
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo German EQ
An 8″ aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain versatile in functionality, but under-mounted for astrophotography and comparably pricey for visual observation.
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.
Celestron Advanced VX 800 RASA
Schmidt Camera
GoTo German Equatorial
An 8″ F/2 astrograph designed for deep-sky astrophotography, the RASA is fast but demands specific accessories and familiarity with astrophotography.
Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25″
Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
Celestron’s C9.25 XLT optical tube is excellent, but it’s rather big for the lightweight and compact NexStar Evolution mount to carry, even with the addition of a beefed-up tripod borrowed from the CPC telescopes.
Celestron NexStar Evolution 8″ EdgeHD
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
A high-quality 8″ telescope but with few advantages over the regular NexStar Evolution 8, considering the additional cost.
Celestron CGEM II 800 8″ SCT
Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo German Equatorial
An 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and equatorial mount designed for imaging; we’d recommend you upgrade to the EdgeHD version if that’s your goal.
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.
Celestron CPC 800 EdgeHD
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
An 8″ aplanatic SCT with all-round usefulness but underperforming compared to specialized telescopes at this price.
Celestron CPC 925 XLT GPS
Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
Celestron’s 9.25” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube coupled to a simple and capable alt-azimuth fork mount.
SkyWatcher 14″ FlexTube GoTo Dobsonian
Reflector
GoTo Dobsonian
A monster 14” Dobsonian with GoTo and Sky-Watcher’s unparalleled FreedomFind technology to quickly navigate between stunning deep-sky objects.
Celestron Advanced VX 9.25″ EdgeHD
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo German Equatorial
An under-mounted 9.25″ EdgeHD telescope, unsuitable for deep-sky imaging and offering no otherwise relevant advantages over the regular C9.25 XLT.
Celestron CGEM II 800 8″ RASA
Schmidt Camera
GoTo German Equatorial
An 8″ specialized telescope optimized for deep-sky astrophotography, offering short exposure times but unsuitable for visual observation.
Celestron CGX 800 8″ EdgeHD
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo German Equatorial
An astrophotography-oriented setup from Celestron, offering excellent all-round performance for both visual and imaging needs.
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.
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.
Celestron CGX 925 SCT
Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo German Equatorial
A versatile 9.25″ Schmidt-Cassegrain mounted on the CGX, Celestron’s advanced equatorial mount designed for astrophotography and easy setup.
Celestron CPC 925 EdgeHD
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
A 9.25″ aplanatic SCT offering decent visual and astrophotography capabilities in a single, albeit rather bulky, package.
Meade 8″ LX200 ACF
Aplanatic SCT
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
An 8″ aplanatic SCT with good all-round performance but lacking in value and modern features compared to Celestron’s EdgeHD offerings.
Celestron CGEM II 1100 11″ SCT
Schmidt-Cassegrain
GoTo German EQ
A large 11″ Schmidt-Cassegrain and equatorial mount, mainly designed for visual observation and planetary imaging.
Unistellar eVscope 2
Reflector
GoTo Alt-Az Fork
Marketed as innovative, this “digital telescope” falls short in functionality and value, with high cost and lackluster performance compared to traditional telescopes.