Choosing the right telescope can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. With so many types, features, and technical terms flying around, it can be tricky to figure out which one’s right for you.

With expert advice from Lizzie James, Product Specialist at Jessops, we’ll guide you through the best telescopes for beginners, those on a budget, for viewing planets, and everything in between. By the end, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to choose the perfect telescope and start exploring the night sky.

Contents

What is a telescope?

How to choose a telescope

The best telescopes for every stargazer

Frequently asked questions

Lizzie explains: "A telescope is a device that helps you observe distant objects, like planets, stars, and galaxies. It works by gathering light through a large lens or mirror, which then focuses it so you can see a clear, magnified image."

"There are two main types: the most common being reflector telescopes, which use curved mirrors to gather and focus the light, and refractor telescopes, which use lenses to bend light."

"A telescope lets you look deep into the night sky and see all sorts of amazing things, whether you're watching the moon or spotting distant stars."

Telescope type

When selecting a telescope, the type you choose influences things like image quality, portability, cost, and maintenance. The three main types include:

Reflector

Reflector telescopes use mirrors to gather and focus light. The large primary mirror collects the light, and a smaller secondary mirror directs it to the eyepiece. Reflectors are a fantastic option for those who want a lot of light-gathering power at a lower price point. Plus, they're typically lighter than other models, making them a more portable option. 

However, reflectors do require more maintenance, and the mirrors need to be realigned every so often (a process known as collimation).

Refractor

This type of telescope uses lenses to bend light. The main lens at the front gathers light, while another lens at the eyepiece magnifies the image. 

Refractor telescopes are known for their sharp, clear views and require minimal maintenance, thanks to their closed-tube design, which keeps the optics protected from dust.

However, refractors can become quite expensive, especially as the lens size increases. Larger lenses are difficult and costly to manufacture with high precision, which can drive up the price. Additionally, they tend to be heavier compared to reflectors.

Catadioptric 

Catadioptric options combine mirrors and lenses, offering the benefits of both designs. These are more compact and require less upkeep than reflectors. They provide sharp images and are versatile enough for a variety of stargazing and astrophotography needs. However, they tend to be pricier.

Lizzie says: "When choosing the best telescope, it all comes down to what you value most. Reflectors offer great light-gathering power at a budget-friendly price but require more upkeep. Refractors deliver crystal-clear views with less maintenance, but can get pricey and less portable as the lens size grows. Catadioptrics strike a nice balance with sharp images and low maintenance, making them a solid all-rounder, but they come at a higher cost.”

“Think about your budget, experience level, and what you’ll be using the telescope for to find the best fit for you."

Aperture size

The aperture — which is the diameter of the primary lens or mirror — is one of the most important factors in a telescope’s performance. It affects both the light-gathering ability (brightness of the image) and resolving power (sharpness of details). A larger aperture allows the telescope to collect more light, offering brighter and clearer images, especially for faint objects like galaxies and nebulae.

“Aperture sizes typically range from 2.8 inches to 10 inches,” says Lizzie. “If you go for a larger aperture, like 10 inches, you’ll get much brighter and more detailed views. However, keep in mind that the bigger the aperture, the bulkier and heavier the telescope, which can make it less portable.”

Magnification

Magnification is how much larger an object appears through your telescope, and you might be wondering how much you need. But, you can technically have as much magnification as you want, depending on the focal length of both the telescope and the eyepiece.

To calculate magnification, you divide the telescope’s focal length by the eyepiece's focal length. For example, a 100mm telescope with a focal length of 800mm paired with a 10mm eyepiece will give you a magnification of 80x (800 ÷ 10).

"While you can increase magnification by swapping out eyepieces, it’s important to know that too much magnification won’t always improve your view," says Lizzie. "The amount of detail you can see depends on your telescope's aperture and the quality of the atmosphere.”

“If you push the magnification too far, the image may become blurry or dim. You want to strike a balance — too low magnification wastes light, and too high can reduce image quality.”

Eyepiece and focal length

When choosing a telescope, the eyepiece and focal length are key factors in determining magnification. The focal length of your telescope is fixed, but you can adjust magnification by swapping out eyepieces with different focal lengths.

For example, a shorter focal length eyepiece, like a 5mm, will provide higher magnification, bringing distant objects into sharper view. A longer focal length eyepiece, like a 25mm, offers lower magnification and a wider field of view, ideal for observing larger objects like star clusters or galaxies.

"It's a good idea to have a range of eyepieces for low, medium, and high magnifications," Lizzie adds. "For example, with a 100 mm f/10 telescope, a 20mm, 10mm, and 5mm eyepiece will cover a range from sweeping views of the deep sky to detailed observations of the Moon or planets."

"This Celestron telescope is one of the best all-rounder telescopes out there,” says Lizzie. “The combination of powerful Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, 6-inch aperture and the included 25mm eyepiece gives you incredible views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like the Whirlpool Galaxy.” 

“It’s fully computerised with a GoTo mount, so it automatically locates over 40,000 celestial objects for you — perfect for beginners and seasoned stargazers alike.”

“Plus, with SkyAlign, setting it up is quick and easy, and it’s portable enough for you to take anywhere. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade, this telescope really does it all!"

"The Celestron StarSense Explorer 130 is perfect for stargazing and a great option for beginners at £299," says Lizzie. "With its smartphone integration and StarSense app, locating celestial objects is simple — just dock your phone and follow the on-screen arrows.”

With its 130mm aperture, you'll get clear views of celestial objects like the Moon, Jupiter’s moons, and the Orion Nebula. 

The telescope’s short focal length provides a wide field of view, making it easier to locate and track objects in the sky. This is especially helpful for beginners, as it allows you to see more of the sky at once without constant adjustments. 

Lizzie adds: “The 19x to 260x magnification range, combined with two included eyepieces (10mm and 25mm), offers versatility for both wide-field views and detailed observations. Plus, its compact tabletop design makes it easy to set up and transport, so you can take it anywhere for a great stargazing experience."

Lizzie suggests: "The Celestron NexStar 127SLT is ideal for viewing both planets and galaxies. The telescope’s highest useful magnification of 300x lets you zoom in on planetary details, like the phases of Venus or the polar caps on Mars, bringing these distant worlds into clear focus."

"Thanks to the fully computerised Altazimuth mount, finding and tracking over 40,000 celestial objects is as easy as pushing a button. And with SkyAlign technology, setup is quick — just point at three bright objects, and the telescope automatically triangulates its position, so you're ready to start observing any other object in the sky." 

It’s also incredibly portable. The no-tool setup and sturdy stainless steel tripod make it easy to transport, whether you're heading out for a quick stargazing session or planning a longer night of observing.

"The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT80AZ is perfect for beginners,” says Lizzie. “Especially at £299. The real magic comes from the StarSense Explorer app, which works with your smartphone to analyse the night sky. Simply dock your phone, launch the app, and it calculates your position in real-time, guiding you with arrows to your target. And the telescope’s Altazimuth mount is super simple to use, and the sliding rod makes fine adjustments a breeze as you follow celestial objects across the sky.”

“It’s affordable yet offers fantastic quality for new astronomers. The 80mm aperture is the sweet spot for beginners — it’s large enough to gather plenty of light for bright, clear views, yet compact and easy to manage. Whether you’re observing the craters on the Moon, the bands on Jupiter, or even some deep-sky objects like star clusters, it gives you just the right amount of detail to start your stargazing journey."

“Plus, the included 25mm and 10mm eyepieces provide magnifications of 24x and 48x, so you can switch between wide views of the night sky and closer, more detailed looks at planets and stars."

Lizzie says: "For anyone looking to get started with stargazing on a budget, the Centon 600x50 Telescope is a fantastic option. It offers impressive magnification — up to 300x — making it perfect for young stargazers or beginners eager to explore the Moon, planets, and more, without breaking the bank."

"The telescope includes two eyepieces: a 20mm for a wider field of view and a 6mm for higher magnification to zoom in on planets. The 3x Barlow lens also triples the magnification of any eyepiece it’s used with, giving you more flexibility for different views."

“Another great feature is the finder scope, which helps you easily locate objects in the sky before using the main eyepiece. It works by providing a wider, lower-magnification view, allowing you to quickly align the telescope with your target.”

"While its 50mm aperture limits light-gathering ability, it’s great for observing bright objects like the Moon and planets. However, it may struggle with fainter deep-sky objects in light-polluted areas. That said, for the price, it’s an excellent way to kick off your stargazing journey."

"The tabletop design, lower price point, and compact size make this the perfect telescope for kids,” explains Lizzie. “It's a fun, easy way to introduce little ones to stargazing.”

“It's incredibly simple to use — just take it out of the box, pop in an eyepiece, and you’re ready to go! The easy-to-use azimuth mount allows you to simply rotate the telescope to find your target, making it perfect for younger users. With a 76mm aperture, it provides bright, sharp views of the Moon's craters, Saturn's rings, and star clusters."

"It's lightweight and portable, so kids can easily handle it. Plus, the custom lunar wrap and Robert Reeves’ Lunar Landscape eBook provide a fun way to learn about the Moon's features and history."

Lizzie says: "The Unistellar Odyssey Pro may be pricey, but you get what you pay for. It’s one of the best smart telescopes available today, packed with cutting-edge technology that makes stargazing easier than ever before.” 

Thanks to its integration with the Unistellar app, this telescope allows you to observe the universe from any location — even light-polluted cities. The Smart Star Finder makes it incredibly easy to jump from one celestial object to another with just one click, automatically targeting objects like the Moon or deep-sky wonders such as the Orion Nebula without any hassle.

With Stellar Autofocus, you’ll enjoy crystal-clear images as the telescope continuously refocuses to maintain perfect sharpness throughout your observation. Designed in collaboration with Nikon, the electronic eyepiece offers breathtaking clarity and ultra-high contrast, ensuring vibrant colours and deep blacks for every detail.

Plus, Deep Dark technology filters out noise and light pollution, providing sharper, more vivid images even in urban settings.

Lizzie recommends: "The Celestron NexStar 5SE is perfect for anyone looking to dive into astrophotography. The built-in wedge allows you to track long exposures, which is essential for capturing stunning, detailed pictures.”

"To take images, you can use a Celestron NexImage camera, specifically designed for astrophotography, or connect your own DSLR or mirrorless camera using a compatible Celestron T-adapter for the Schmidt-Cassegrain design. You'll also need the correct T-ring for your camera brand."

To learn more, read our Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography.

With its 127mm aperture and StarBright XLT coatings, you’ll get bright, sharp views of planets, the Moon, and even deep-sky objects like galaxies.

It’s also compatible with accessories like StarSense AutoAlign, which automatically aligns the telescope for you, and SkySync, which provides GPS coordinates to help the telescope pinpoint the best objects to observe and photograph.

Lizzie says: "If you’re after a portable telescope that’s ready to go whenever you are, the Celestron Travel Scope 80 is the perfect pick. Weighing only 2.04kg and with a custom backpack included, it’s easy to take along on trips or set up in your garden for some quick stargazing.”

"The Alt-Az mount and pan handle control make it easy to find and follow objects, while the adjustable tripod ensures you can get the perfect viewing height. Plus, the smartphone adapter lets you capture amazing photos of celestial objects, so you can share the beauty of the night sky with friends and family."

At Jessops, we have a wide range of telescopes from leading brands like Celestron and Unistellar.

If you're looking for more advice and inspiration, take a look at our blog. If you have any questions or you're still unsure about which telescope is right for you, contact us today.