Best Telescope for Viewing Planets and Galaxies – 2024

It takes 500 seconds to reach the light from sun to our earth. Lights are all around and it has been rebounding and dancing from nearby objects and faraway planets, stars and galaxies for around 13 billion years. It’s time for you to catch some that light for your own.

To do that, you need a telescope. Telescopes gather lights and show the beauty of the universe. However, they are various types and kinds to choose from. From hundreds of top telescopes around, it is very important to choose best telescopes for your need.

Do you think Galileo is the first person who uses the telescope? Well, the first record of telescope found in Netherlands. A patent was submitted in 1608. Later in 1609, Galileo heard about the telescope and built his own telescope to observe the sky. At first, lenses were used in reflecting telescope and the use of mirror introduced the refracting telescope. In present day, there are different kinds, shapes and functioning telescopes are around. Some are specifically designed for night sky only and some are for both celestial and earthly objects. There are also lot manufacturers around who build different types of telescopes.

Who does not love the beauty of the night sky? To perfectly view the beauty and mystery of the sky and other land objects you need best telescopes that fit your needs and budget. With hundreds of designs and functionalities, it is hard to choose right one for your need. Having experiences in this regard, we find it quite useful to share our reviews of some really good electric telescopes, so that you can get what suits you best.

How Do We Pick The Telescope for Viewing Planets and Galaxies?

There are multiple ways to choose the best telescope from the market. It is easier to choose by the ratings and comments from the user. However, this is not enough to choose right ones as, the collection of telescopes is huge and you need to pay deep attention to find best telescopes.

So, we have prepared this list considering all necessary factors which includes durability, design, materials, functionality and price. We have also considered how they perform in a long term to meet your need. We have done all of this only to make sure that, you are happy with your brand new telescope that satisfy your demands with its performance.

 Best Telescope for Viewing Planets and Galaxies – Top 10 Reviews

01 Orion Dobsonian Telescope

Who does not like to see the beauty and mystery of the sky? If you want to explore the wonders of the sky with an affordable priced good telescope then, Orion Dobsonian Telescope is excellent pick for you. With high quality build and durable design, this Dobsonian telescope can last lifetime. This telescope equipped with 8” (inch) reflector optics for close-up detail of the moon and planets. The sufficient light grasp of this telescope enables you to view the pleasing sight of star clusters, galaxies and nebulas.

Among affordable priced telescope, this is one of the best telescopes that combine elegant design with mechanical simplicity, precision optics and solid stability. With this best home telescope you and your family can enjoy watching the bright and clear night sky.

Specifications

Pros

• Elegant and classic Dobsonian reflector telescope
• Affordable price
• Equipped with 8” (inch) reflector optics for close-up detail
• Ultra-strong and stable base for perfect ease of use
• High quality build and durable design for lifetime longevity

Our Remarks

Orion Dobsonian Telescope is a classic, elegant reflector telescope. With all its features and excellent build quality, this is definitely the best telescope under 500 USD. If you are looking for affordable but excellent telescope then this is for you.

02 Orion TableTop Reflector Telescope

Do you want to see the detailed view of night sky more clearly, yet want a compact telescope? Orion TableTop Reflector Telescope is there for your need. It is perfectly sized, compact enough to place in the desk yet large enough for viewing more clearly and brightly. It includes parabolic 100mm aperture primary mirror which can boost to 400mm focal length. With this primary mirror Orion TableTop Reflector Telescope can make you and your family amazed with detailed and gorgeous view of night sky.

This is a low powering wide-angle reflector telescope. Even in mediocre viewing conditions, bright planets such as Mars, Jupiter and Saturn shine brightly in the 100mm reflector of this very good telescope. From our best small telescope reviews, this is definitely a top telescope you can buy.

Specifications

Pros

• Wide angle, low powered reflector telescope
• Entry level and low priced but powerful telescope
• Includes parabolic 100mm aperture primary mirror which can boost to 400mm focal length
• Perfectly usable in mediocre seeing situations
• Compact design to sit easily on your desk

Our Remarks

Orion TableTop Reflector Telescope is one the cheap telescopes that offer decent features. It is small in size yet powerful enough to see the beauty of night sky in more details. While using, make sure you have perfectly attached every nuts and screws. Put your telescope on smooth surface. Make sure to clean your telescope regularly, specially the mirror and optics. Use clean and soft cloth while cleaning. Always use a lens cover when you do not use your telescope for added protection. Take good care of your telescope and you will have a long lasting happy user experience.

03 IOTC Handheld Brass Telescope

Do you remember the 19th century’s spyglass? Are you interested to use one of them? Well, if you prefer an old designed modern spyglass telescope then, IOTC Handheld Brass Telescope comes to you with a nice wooden box. It is made of brass, wood, leather, metal and glass. This is a 15-inch handheld telescope. You can fold it for easy portability. You can also adjust this telescope according to distance. Unlike some other cheap telescopes this low priced one also offers nice viewing experience.

This is nice looking vintage reproduction of old telescopes that was used widely in 19th century. With lower costs this one offers great usability.

Specifications

Pros

• Nice looking long vintage spyglass telescope
• 15-inch telescope for long distance viewing
• Can be folded and carried around
• Adjustable according to the distance
• Made of brass, wood, leather, metal and glass

Our Remarks

With technological advancements, telescopes are evolved a lot. However, there are still some nice spyglass telescopes around for either aesthetics or practical use. IOTC Handheld Brass Telescope is one of them. It is low priced yet quite functional telescope. Do not touch the glass, keep it clean and store it in dry place. While carrying this telescope, use the provided wooden box to ensure safety. Use it with caution and you will have nice looking handheld spyglass for aesthetics as well as for practical use.

04 Meade Infinity Telescope

Meade Infinity Telescope is a beautiful refractor telescope. If you want to view the beauty of both terrestrial and astronomical objects, then Meade Infinity Telescope is ideal for you. Even if you have not used telescope before, the Meade Infinity Telescope is a good telescope to get started. With its 2.8-inch (70mm) aperture, this telescope gives you sharp, bright and detailed images for both celestial and land objects. With the feature of altazimuth mount and slow-motion control rod, you can track celestial objects with great accuracy. For viewing different objects such as land, moon, and planets, this telescope comes with two different eyepieces which provide high, medium and low magnification.

Whether you are viewing the Saturn’s ring, lunar crates, Jupiter’s moons or earthly objects this Meade Infinity Telescope allows you to explore the world and beyond.

Specifications

Pros

• Best refractor telescope with affordable price
• 8-inch (70mm) aperture for sharp, bright and detailed images
• Comes with 2 different eyepieces for high, medium and low magnification
• Ideal for both terrestrial and astronomical objects
• Altazimuth mount and slow-motion control rod for tracking celestial objects with great accuracy

Our Remarks

For beginner and first-time observer, Meade Infinity Telescope is the best refractor telescope to buy. With its affordable price and great functionality, one can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience for both night sky and earthly objects. For greater accuracy and longer use, follow user instructions. However, refractor telescopes are easier to use compared some other telescope. It does not contain mirrors, so you do not have to align, collimate and you are ready to use these telescopes after unpacking.

05 Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope

Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope is an entry level reflector telescope. This high quality Dobsonian telescope comes with 76mm reflector which makes it ideal for entry beginner and entry level astronomer. This is one of the chip telescopes in the market but offers quite good functionality compared to other high-end telescopes. This is a compact, lightweight and portable telescope despite of its 76mm large primary mirror.

The Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope comes with two different eyepieces. The 4mm and 20mm eyepieces allow you to magnify up to 75X times. With its 76mm optical tube, it can capture enough light allowing you to see the brighter, clearer detailed view of celestial objects. See distant objects like Saturn’s ring and Orion nebula clearly with this good telescope.

Specifications

Pros

• Entry level low priced reflector telescope- ideal for beginners and entry level astronomer
• Come with 76mm reflector for bright and detailed view of night sky
• Lightweight and portable telescope despite having a 76mm large primary mirror
• Comes complete with two eyepieces, 20 mm and 4 mm, allowing for magnification up to 75X
• With 76mm optical tube it can capture decent amount of light

Our Remarks

Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope is the first choice for entry level astronomer. This is one of the best home telescopes you can buy. With all its features and quality, this is also one of the best telescopes under 500 USD. Do not touch the glass, keep it clean and store it in dry place. Use it with caution and you will have a very good telescope for everyday use.

06 Celestron 21038 Telescope

Celestron 21038 Telescope is a Travel Scope black telescope. It is designed for travelling purposes and it also offers excellent features over the price. Optical elements are coated glass made which ensures crisp and clear images. For correctly oriented views this telescope erects diagonal images. The built-in altazimuth mount feature helps to point and locate objects smoothly. The full-sized aluminum tripod ensures sturdy and stable platform in almost any situations. For added comfort in travelling, there is also a custom backpack included with this telescope.

By far, this can be considered as one of the best telescopes at a very attractive price that ensures smooth operation and comfort. High range telescope price is way high for home users which make this one the best home telescope around. If you are an astronomy lover then, go for this one and enjoy clear, brighter and detailed night sky and earthly scenarios.

Specifications

Pros

• Designed for travelling purposes with excellent features
• Coated glass made optics for crisp and clear images
• Built in altazimuth mount feature for pointing and locating objects smoothly
• Full sized aluminum tripod ensures sturdy and stable platform
• Backpack and astronomy software included
• Comes with a non-tool design for easy setup

Our Remarks

The high-quality material of this telescope ensures durability and stability. With this high-end build quality, this telescope requires minimal maintenance and provides lifetime peace in mind. While travelling, be careful of accidental damages. After using clean the optics and keep it in a dry place. The set up comes with a non-tool design and you do not require any tools to assemble and dissemble which makes easier to operate and maintain. With all these features, this is a one of the top telescopes for home and personal use.

07 Celestron PowerSeeker Refractor Telescope

Do you love astronomy but know less as you’re a beginner? Do you love to see the night sky and enjoy the beauty that it holds? Well, Celestron PowerSeeker Refractor Telescope is perfect is a very powerful yet portable refractor telescope which makes it perfect for new astronomer. The easy and no-tool setup design helps beginners to view celestial objects in a less possible time. Altazimuth mount provides motion control for tracking moving objects. The coated glass made optics with transmission coatings creates bright and clear images. There is also a Barlow lens used with 3X zoom for tripling the power of eyepieces.

With added features, portability and low-price tag, this is one of the best telescopes for new astronomers. For home users, Celestron PowerSeeker Telescope is the best refractor telescope for hours of amusement for your entire family.

Specifications

Pros

• Powerful yet portable refractor telescope for new astronomer
• Easy and no-tool setup design
• Optics are made of coated glass with transmission coatings for bright and clear images
• Barlow lens used with 3X zoom for tripling the power of eyepieces
• For correctly oriented views this telescope consists of erect image glasses

Our Remarks

Celestron PowerSeeker Refractor Telescope is an affordable high quality for both beginners and family members who love to see bright, detailed night sky. This is the best home telescope for you and your family. Take good care, travel with caution, store in dry place and you will have a top telescope for lifetime usage.

08 Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope

The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope is an affordable but powerful telescope for viewing both terrestrial and extraterrestrial objects. This is a good telescope that combines features, quality, value and price. This telescope comes with portable design so, you can travel the world with it and enjoy the earthly beauty as well as celestial wonders. The easy and quick no-tool setup helps astronomer assemble and dissemble the telescope very easily. Fully coated and high transmission coating optics provides clearer and brighter images. The Barlow lens with 3X magnification also triples the power of every eyepiece.

If you want an affordable and yet powerful, easy to operate telescope for both earthly and celestial objects then The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope is great deal for the money. Compared to high end telescopes this is the best telescope under 500 USD.

Specifications

Pros

• Affordable but powerful and portable telescope
• Ideal for viewing both terrestrial and extraterrestrial objects
• Easy and quick no-tool setup for easy assemble and dissemble the telescope
• Fully coated and high transmission coating optics provides clearer and brighter images
• Barlow lens with 3X magnification for tripling the power of every eyepiece

Our Remarks

Celestron PowerSeeker telescopes are easy to operate, portable and powerful for new astronomer and home users. The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope is no difference. With its features, durable design and excellent price tag, this is definitely one of the best telescopes of the market. Make sure to clean your telescope regularly, specially the mirror and optics. Use clean and soft cloth while cleaning. Always use a lens cover when you do not use your telescope for added protection. Take good care of your telescope and you will have a long lasting happy user experience with this telescope.

09 Celestron AstroMaster Telescope

If you need a dual-purpose and a very good telescope regardless the price tag then Celestron AstroMaster Telescope is best suited for you. This Celestron AstroMaster Telescope is capable of providing perfect views of earth and sky. The easy and quick no-tool setup helps astronomer assemble and dissemble the telescope very easily. The coated glass made optics with transmission coatings creates bright and clear images. With Celestron AstroMaster Telescope, you can view the Moon and planets of our solar system like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars brightly and clearly. This telescope is capable of producing more detailed view of these celestial objects.

Specifications

Pros

• Capable of providing perfect views of earth and sky
• Easy and quick no-tool setup for easy assemble and dissemble
• Coated glass made optics with transmission coatings creates bright and clear images
• Erect image glasses for correctly oriented views this telescope consists of
• 25″ steel tripod for stable and sturdy platform

Our Remarks

With added features, portability and the right price tag, this telescope is one of the best telescopes for astronomers. Compared to high range telescope price, this telescope offers great usability and features for both home users and astronomy lovers. Take good care, travel with caution, store in dry place and you will have a top telescope for lifetime usage If you are an astronomy lover then, go for this one and enjoy clear, brighter and detailed night sky as well as land scenarios.

10 Celestron NexStar Telescope

Celestron NexStar Telescope is one of the best telescopes of the market to view deep sky objects. This is a computerized telescope that produces very clear and detailed image of planets, moon and other celestial objects. Motor drive is used with this model for automatic tracking of objects. With this telescope you will be able see ice caps of Mars, Venus, Moons of Jupiter, Saturn’s ring, lunar surface in a detailed view and much more. This telescope can also be used as a spotting scope for land objects.

Specifications

Pros

• 127mm (5″ inch) high quality Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Clear and sharp imagery of the earth and the sky
• Computerized GoTo spotting scope
• The SkyX Planetarium software included
• StarPointer finderscope for perfect alignment and to locate objects accurately

Our Remarks

Despite the little high price tag, with its features, this telescope is one of the best telescopes for astronomers. This is a high range telescope that offers great usability and features for both home users and astronomy lovers. Take good care, store in dry place and you will have a top telescope for both astronomical purposes and landmarks viewing. If you want some extra money for clearer and detailed view then, go for this one and enjoy clear, brighter and detailed night sky.

Final Verdict

It is now time to choose the best Telescopes for your need. After reading above discussion, we believe you can consider yourself knowledgeable enough to choose the right one for you. So, are you ready to buy the desired one? This is what we tried to achieve. Our goal was to offer realistic products review with necessary insights of best telescopes of the market. However, our final insights of reviewed top telescopes are still to present.

Quality is very important and dominant factor for a lot of people. If you desire quality and want to spent right amount of money then, Orion Dobsonian Telescope and Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope are excellent picks.

If price is the first contributing factor for buying good telescopes and you want some quality as well then, there are two fine choices await you, such as Meade Infinity Telescope and Celestron 21038 Telescope.

If you are one of them who have distinct elegance in your taste then, Celestron AstroMaster Telescope and Celestron NexStar Telescope should be the winners.

If you want a minimalistic electric meat grinder that does the job yet costs a little, we recommend IOTC Handheld Brass Telescope.

The choice is still yours to make. Happy Buying!