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10 Best Available Telescopes 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Odyssey - UNISTELLAR Smart Telescope (no Eyepiece), 85mm f/3.9 (320mm) Digital & Computerized, App-Controlled Motorized Alt-Az, Enhanced Vision, RAW/FITS Export, 64GB, Tripod, 5h Battery (Black)
The Unistellar Odyssey is a smart digital telescope designed to make stargazing easier and more accessible, especially for beginners or casual observers. Its 85mm aperture allows for good light gathering, making planets, galaxies, and nebulae visible in impressive detail when combined with its Dynamic Signal Amplification technology. This feature enhances faint celestial objects, showing them in vivid color, which is a standout advantage compared to many traditional telescopes.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,389
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability
Most important from
31 reviews
#2
Celestron – Origin Intelligent Home Observatory – All-in-one Astroimaging and Stargazing Smart Telescope – 6-inch RASA Telescope – Fully-Automated GoTo Mount – User-Friendly – iOS/Android Compatible
The Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory is a standout choice if you're looking for a smart, easy-to-use telescope that combines stargazing with astrophotography. Its 6-inch aperture and fast f/2.2 focal ratio allow it to collect bright, clear images, making celestial objects like galaxies and nebulae appear detailed and colorful. What sets it apart is its patented RASA optical design and AI-powered image processing, which automatically stacks photos in real-time—this means you get beautiful astrophotography results without needing to manage complicated settings.
Rating
9.7
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability
Most important from
28 reviews
#3
Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture Grey
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a computerized telescope with a 130mm aperture, making it capable of capturing substantial light for viewing celestial objects like Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands, and the Moon. Its Newtonian Reflector optical design is known for providing clear and bright images. The computerization feature is handy for beginners as it includes a database of over 4,000 celestial objects and utilizes SkyAlign technology to help locate and track objects accurately. This makes it user-friendly for those who may not have extensive knowledge of the night sky.
Rating
8.8
Mount Type
Portability
Most important from
2136 reviews
Top 10 Best Available Telescopes 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Odyssey - UNISTELLAR Smart Telescope (no Eyepiece), 85mm f/3.9 (320mm) Digital & Computerized, App-Controlled Motorized Alt-Az, Enhanced Vision, RAW/FITS Export, 64GB, Tripod, 5h Battery (Black)
Odyssey - UNISTELLAR Smart Telescope (no Eyepiece), 85mm f/3.9 (320mm) Digital & Computerized, App-Controlled Motorized Alt-Az, Enhanced Vision, RAW/FITS Export, 64GB, Tripod, 5h Battery (Black)
Aperture: 85mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 6.5 kg, 17x8x5 inches
Chosen by 1389 this week
Celestron – Origin Intelligent Home Observatory – All-in-one Astroimaging and Stargazing Smart Telescope – 6-inch RASA Telescope – Fully-Automated GoTo Mount – User-Friendly – iOS/Android Compatible
Celestron – Origin Intelligent Home Observatory – All-in-one Astroimaging and Stargazing Smart Telescope – 6-inch RASA Telescope – Fully-Automated GoTo Mount – User-Friendly – iOS/Android Compatible
Aperture: 6-inch
Focal Length: f/2.2
Mount Type: GoTo mount
Portability: over 40 pounds
Optical Design: RASA
Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture Grey
Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture Grey
Aperture: 130mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: compact
Optical Design: Newtonian
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 130mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 130mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Aperture: 130mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 18 pounds
Optical Design: Newtonian
Celestron – AstroMaster 90EQ Refractor – Manual Telescope for Beginners – Fully-Coated Optics – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Includes Accessories Plus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron – AstroMaster 90EQ Refractor – Manual Telescope for Beginners – Fully-Coated Optics – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Includes Accessories Plus Astronomy Software Package
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 900mm
Mount Type: Equatorial Mount
Portability: Moderately portable
Optical Design: Refractor
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Sky-Watcher Skymax 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain - Large Aperture Compound-Style Reflector Telescope
Sky-Watcher Skymax 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain - Large Aperture Compound-Style Reflector Telescope
Aperture: 127mm
Focal Length: longer side
Mount Type: Vixen-style dovetail
Portability: 12 pounds, 28 inches long
Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 114mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 114mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Aperture: 114mm
Mount Type: Manual altazimuth mount
Portability: 10 pounds
Optical Design: Newtonian reflector
#10
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Buying Guide for the Best Available Telescopes
Choosing the right telescope can be a thrilling experience, especially if you're passionate about astronomy. The key to finding the best telescope for you is understanding the different specifications and how they align with your needs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced stargazer, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision and enhance your viewing experience.ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror. It's one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather, which affects the brightness and clarity of the images you see. Apertures can range from small (around 70mm) to large (over 200mm). For beginners, a smaller aperture (70-100mm) is usually sufficient for viewing the moon and planets. Intermediate users might prefer a medium aperture (100-150mm) for better detail and faint objects. Advanced users often opt for larger apertures (150mm and above) to observe deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance between the telescope's lens or mirror and the point where it forms an image. It affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification but a narrower field of view, which is great for observing planets and the moon. Shorter focal lengths offer a wider field of view, making them better for viewing star clusters and galaxies. Beginners might prefer a shorter focal length for easier navigation and broader views, while more experienced users might choose longer focal lengths for detailed observations.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger the telescope can make objects appear. It's determined by the combination of the telescope's focal length and the eyepiece used. While high magnification can be tempting, it's not always better. Too much magnification can make images blurry and hard to focus. For general stargazing, a magnification of 50x to 100x is usually sufficient. Higher magnifications (150x and above) are better for detailed views of planets and the moon. Beginners should start with lower magnifications to get comfortable with the telescope and gradually increase as they gain experience.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope steady and allows you to move it smoothly. There are two main types: alt-azimuth and equatorial. Alt-azimuth mounts move up-down and left-right, making them simpler and more intuitive for beginners. Equatorial mounts are aligned with the Earth's axis and are better for tracking objects across the sky, which is useful for astrophotography and more advanced observations. Beginners should start with an alt-azimuth mount for ease of use, while intermediate and advanced users might prefer equatorial mounts for precision tracking.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. Smaller, lighter telescopes are more portable and convenient for casual stargazing or travel. Larger telescopes offer better performance but can be bulky and harder to move. If you plan to observe from different locations or travel with your telescope, consider a more portable model. If you have a dedicated observation spot and don't need to move the telescope often, a larger, less portable model might be suitable.
Optical DesignTelescopes come in different optical designs, including refractors, reflectors, and compound (catadioptric) telescopes. Refractors use lenses and are known for their sharp images and ease of use, making them great for beginners. Reflectors use mirrors and offer larger apertures at lower costs, ideal for viewing faint objects. Compound telescopes combine lenses and mirrors, providing versatility and compactness, suitable for intermediate and advanced users. Choose a refractor for simplicity and sharp views, a reflector for deep-sky observation, or a compound telescope for a balance of both.