The Best Celestron Telescope For Beginners For 2024

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Celestron Telescope For Beginners
Best Celestron Telescope For Beginners

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Celestron 70mm Travel Scope

This telescope is equipped with a powerful 70mm objective lens and fully-coated glass optics for brighter, more detailed views of the night sky. It also comes complete with a full-height tripod, bonus accessories and a custom backpack to carry it all. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Celestron 127EQ Telescope

With its adjustable-height tripod, erect-image eyepiece and 4mm lens, you can observe celestial objects from afar with incredible clarity. The 3x Barlow lens helps to magnify your view and the Star Pointer Finder makes it easy to locate stars and planets. Read Review

3. Best Quality: Celestron 130EQ Telescope

This telescope features a large 130mm aperture, fully-coated glass optics, an easy to use manual German Equatorial mount, and a full-height tripod. Included are two eyepieces and a StarPointer red dot finderscope to help you locate celestial objects quickly and easily. Read Review

4. Best Efficient: Celestron 70mm Travel Scope DX

Explore the night sky with the Celestron Telescope for Beginners. This high quality refractor features fully coated glass optics, giving you vivid images of wildlife, the Moon, planets and more. With its ultra-portable design, you can take this telescope anywhere you go. Read Review

5. Best Performance: Celestron 80EQ Telescope

This easy-to-use and powerful telescope features a German Equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing, allowing you to easily locate stars, planets and more. Compact, lightweight and portable, the Celestron 80EQ is perfect for stargazers of any age. Read Review

Are you looking to explore the night sky? Celestron telescopes are some of the most popular on the market and could be the perfect way to get started in astronomy. Celestron has a wide range of telescopes for beginners, from entry-level models to more advanced models that feature higher quality optics and more features. In this article, we will look at the best Celestron telescope for beginners and what features you should look for to get the most out of your telescope.

With the right Celestron telescope, you’ll be able to view objects in the night sky with an amazing level of clarity and detail. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 Celestron telescopes for beginners and find the perfect one for your needs.

Our team had to focus on researching and sifting through 15 hours to get such results for readers. These studies are based on customer star reviews and interviews about their feelings when using the product. As result, We believe the best celestron telescope for beginners is Celestron 70mm Travel Scope. It is made of high-quality material to produce excellent images and has a compact design to easy carry out. If you're looking for additional options and more in-depth advice, you may check out the following buying guide & FAQs, especially Celestron 127EQ Telescope.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Celestron 70mm Travel Scope
Our Score:
9.9
Celestron

Unbeatable warranty and customer support: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.

Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day.

Bonus bag, tripod, and software: This Celestron telescope and full-height tripod can be taken anywhere in the included travel backpack. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

Large 70mm objective lens: Our refractor telescope is equipped with a large 70mm aperture objective lens that provides enhanced, brighter views compared to the 50mm model while adding very little additional weight. Setting up and using the Travel Scope is quick and easy.

Superior optics: The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope features high-quality, fully-coated glass optics, a potent 70mm objective lens, a lightweight frame, and a custom backpack to carry it all. Its quality is unmatched in its class and against competitors.

TOP Choice #2 Celestron 127EQ Telescope
Our Score:
9.7
Celestron

Unbeatable and customer support: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts

Compact and portable: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take the telescope to your favorite campsite or dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard. Optical Coatings: Aluminum

Multiple accessories: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope comes with 2 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

Perfect entry-level telescope: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an easy-to-use and powerful telescope. The PowerSeeker series is designed to give the new 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

TOP Choice #3 Celestron 130EQ Telescope
Our Score:
9.6
Celestron

UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Purchasing from an Authorized Dealer on Amazon gives you a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.

NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR OPTICAL DESIGN: With a large, 130mm aperture, the AstroMaster 130EQ can gather enough light to see our Solar System and beyond. View Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s Galilean moons, the Moon's craters, and more.

EASY TO SET UP AND USE: This is a great telescope for kids and adults to use together. It features a manual German Equatorial mount for smooth and accurate pointing. Setup is quick and easy, with no tools required.

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: We’ve included 2 eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a full-height tripod, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope. You'll also receive a FREE download of one of the top-rated astronomy software programs.

POWERFUL TELESCOPE FOR ASTRONOMY BEGINNERS: The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian reflector is ideal the telescope for beginners. It features fully-coated glass optics, a full-height tripod, 2 eyepieces, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope.

4 Celestron 70mm Travel Scope DX
Our Score:
9.4
Celestron

Superior optics: The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope features high-quality, fully-coated glass optics, a potent 70mm objective lens, a lightweight frame, and a custom backpack to carry it all. Its quality is unmatched in its class and against competitors.

Bonus bag, tripod, moon filter, 2x barlow, bluetooth shutter release, smartphone adapter and software: Highly portable and ready for your digiscoping adventures. Also includes a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

Large 70mm objective lens: Our refractor telescope is equipped with a large 70mm aperture objective lens that provides enhanced, brighter views compared to the 50mm model while adding very little additional weight. Setting up and using the Travel Scope is quick and easy.

Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with 2 high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day.

5 Celestron 80EQ Telescope
Our Score:
9.2
Celestron

MULTIPLE ACCESSORIES: The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope features 2 eyepieces (20mm and 4mm), erect image diagonal, finderscope, plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

COMPACT AND PORTABLE: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take the telescope to your favorite campsite or dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard.

PERFECT BEGINNERS TELESCOPE: The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ 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 refractor 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.

7 Celestron 80mm Travel Scope
Our Score:
8.8
Celestron

BONUS BAG, TRIPOD, AND SOFTWARE: Take your Travel Scope anywhere in the included travel backpack.The scope and tripod are easy to set up and use. You'll also receive a FREE download of one of the top-rated astronomy software programs.

SUPERIOR OPTICS: The 80mm Travel Scope comes complete with fully-coated glass optics, a potent 80mm objective lens, a full-height tripod, bonus accessories, and a custom backpack to carry it all. Its quality is unmatched among competitors in its class.

POWERFUL EYEPIECES FOR UP-CLOSE VIEWING: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views. Observe celestial objects at night and land-based objects during the day.

UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Purchasing from an Authorized Dealer on Amazon gives you a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.

LARGE 80MM OBJECTIVE LENS: This refractor telescope features a large, 80mm aperture objective lens that provides brighter, more detailed views compared to the 50mm model while adding very little additional weight.

8 Celestron 114EQ Telescope
Our Score:
8.6
Celestron

Powerful reflector telescope: The Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian telescope is a powerful and user-friendly reflector telescope. It features fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy and lightweight frame, 2 eyepieces, a StarPointer red dot finderscope and an adjustable tripod.

Included accessories: We’ve included 2 eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a tripod, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope. Accessories also include a free download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

High-quality 114mm optics: The heart of the system is a fully-coated 114mm primary mirror. The AstroMaster mount features 2 slow-motion control knobs that allow you to make precision adjustments to view celestial and terrestrial objects.

Quick setup & lightweight frame: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together features a lightweight frame and a manual German Equatorial mount for smooth and accurate pointing. Setup is quick and easy, with no tools required.

9 Celestron LT 114AZ Telescope
Our Score:
7.9
Celestron

StarSense Explorer app automatically generates a list of objects currently visible. View planets, brighter nebulae and galaxies, star clusters, and double stars from the city. Or take your telescope to darker skies to view faint, deep sky objects.

Manual altazimuth mount with altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to view in the telescope’s eyepiece.

Unleash the power of your smartphone to take you on a guided tour of the night sky—no telescope experience required.

Award-winning and patented StarSense sky recognition technology uses your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time.

114mm (4.5”) Newtonian reflector with highly reflective coatings and enough light gathering ability to view all the best celestial objects.

10 Celestron 60AZ Telescope
Our Score:
8.4
Celestron

PERFECT BEGINNERS TELESCOPE: The Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ 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.

COMPACT AND PORTABLE: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take the telescope to your favorite campsite or dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard.

MANUAL YOKE MOUNT: Navigate the sky with our refractor telescope. It features a yoke mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing. Adjust rod to desired position, then easily secure by tightening cross knob.

MULTIPLE ACCESSORIES: The Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ Telescope features 2 eyepieces (20mm and 4mm), erect image diagonal, a finderscope, plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

UNBEATABLE WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.

What to Look For in a best celestron telescope for beginners?

The best celestron telescope for beginners is a product type that many customers feel hesitant to select because of the challenges in evaluating its features. It comes to trust! When studying a significant purchase, many factors must be considered. Our best celestron telescope for beginners knowledge will help you make an ideal decision.

Our article here will highlight some outstanding items and provide solutions to FAQs and guides to buying. You should keep in mind some main criteria of best celestron telescope for beginners below:

Aperture

This aperture is recognizable by photographers. It controls how much light enters the telescope, just like on a manual camera. The aperture is the diameter of either the primary or lens mirror. A telescope with a larger aperture will draw more light, which can result in deeper views. The most important spec to be aware of is F-ratio. For wide-field observation and photography, low f-ratios such as f/4 and f/5 are best. However, high f-ratios such as f/15 make deep-space objects and nebulae easier to capture and see. Both can be done with midpoint f-ratios.

Mount

There are many types of telescope mounts available. Some even have computerized models that track and follow the movement of the skies. A sturdy Dobsonian or altazimuth mount will make stargazing enjoyable. Telescopes not mounted on a computerized mount should not be moved or adjusted for focus.
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.

Eyepieces

There are many telescope eyepieces on the market. There are many options for magnification and viewing angles. A set of telescope eyepieces allows you to see large areas of the night sky and high magnification views on planets. If taken care of properly, a quality telescope eyepiece will last a lifetime.

Optical Design

There are many optical options for telescopes. These include reflectors and refractors as well as compound telescopes. Each telescope has its strengths and weaknesses. Refractors are my favorite type of telescope from an astrophotography standpoint, but they might not be the best choice for beginners.
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.

Portability And Weight

A telescope that is easy to transport and set up takes would be a good choice. You will be less motivated to use your telescope when it is set up and taking too much time.
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.

Objective

The objective is the main light-collecting element of a telescope. A larger objective will allow for greater detail and reveal smaller targets. A reflector design makes it possible to have a larger telescope objective for a more affordable price. However, a refractor with the same size would be expensive.

FAQs

What is a Celestron telescope?

Celestron telescopes are astronomical instruments used to observe distant objects in space such as stars, planets, galaxies, and more. They use specially designed lenses and mirrors to magnify and enhance the view of these objects, allowing amateur and professional astronomers to explore the night sky.

How do I set up a Celestron telescope?

Setting up a Celestron telescope is a relatively straightforward process. Start by placing the telescope in a secure and level location, such as a tripod mount or a sturdy table. Then attach the telescope tube and mount to the tripod using the necessary hardware. Finally, align the telescope using the provided instructions and adjust the focus to achieve the best image quality.

What accessories do I need for my Celestron telescope?

Depending on your needs, you may need to purchase additional accessories for your Celestron telescope. These can include eyepieces, filters, adapters, and other accessories. You may also want to invest in a star chart or astronomy software to help you find objects in the night sky.

How do I use my Celestron telescope?

Using your Celestron telescope is fairly straightforward. Start by pointing the telescope towards the desired object in the night sky. Then use the focus knob to adjust the focus until the object is clear. Finally, adjust the eyepiece to get the best possible image.


2 ratings

About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio