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  4. 10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More
  • 10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More 1
  • 10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More 2
  • 10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More 3
  • 10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More 4
  • 10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More 5

10 Best Telescopes for Beginners UK 2024 | Orion, Celestron and More

Picking a good kit for stargazing doesn't need to be complicated and expensive, which is why we've written this guide to buying a telescope for beginners. Whether you're a child or an adult, if you're serious about the stars, you'd better read this!


Read on to find out how Go-To software can give newbies a head start or how to find the best lens aperture and magnification to see amazing details on the Moon and Mars. From budget models to kid-friendly options, we've ranked the top 10 best in the UK on Amazon from excellent brands like Orion and Celestron.

Last updated 25/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Telescope for Beginners in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Choose a Telescope Based on Its Maintenance and Size of Aperture
  2. Select the Right Apertures Depending on the Distance You Want to See
  3. Go For a Magnification That’s Double the Aperture Size
  4. Beginners Should Opt For an Automated Targeted Target Finding Telescope
  5. Decide on How Portable and Stable You Need Your Stand to Be 
1

Choose the Right Type of Telescope Based on Your Preferred Maintenance Level and Size of Apertures

Choose the Right Type of Telescope Based on Your Preferred Maintenance Level and Size of Apertures

For Something That’s Portable and Easy to Set Up, Opt For a Refractor With 60-120 MM Apertures

Refractor telescopes use a single lens to collect light. This means they’re usually smaller, more portable and require less setup than reflectors, which use an arrangement of mirrors to reflect light. However, this, unfortunately, means that they don’t see as far as their bigger reflector cousins. 


You’ll usually see refractor telescopes with apertures between 60 and 120 mm. For suburban setups, or if you can get to a dark sky site, a 100 mm refractor should give nice detail on the Gas Giants and some very far away objects. For budding urban astronomers, though, or if you’re looking to delve into astronomy a bit deeper, a bigger reflector might be a better choice. 

Those Who Want Bigger Views of the Night Sky, Select a Reflector With Apertures Between 100-200 mm

Reflectors use several mirrors positioned inside a longer tube to get your image to the eyepiece. Unlike refractors, there’s no light splitting involved, so you should get crisp images of far away objects with ease. Reflectors usually start at around 100 mm and can go up to 750 mm or more for the amateur market. 


However, as a beginner, we wouldn’t recommend going much bigger than 150 or 200 mm. Past that point, you’d either need a mini-observatory setup or a trailer on the back of a van to carry it – neither of which is very beginner-friendly. Even with a 100 mm reflector, you should find stunningly detailed views of the Gas Giant planets and even further objects within the Milky Way on a clear night.


Just be aware that reflectors will need some maintenance. Because of their size and intricacy, the mirrors inside may sometimes need realigning or cleaning – a process known as collimation. It's not as difficult as it may sound, but it will require some work on your part. 


Why not have a night sky indoors too with a star projector?

To Get the Best of Both Worlds, Try a Cassegrain for High Magnification and Portability

Cassegrain telescopes (either Maksutov or Schmidt) use a combination of lenses and mirrors to feed the image into the eyepiece. This gives them a magnification and aperture size that belies their small size. If you're a more serious beginner after bigger views but would prefer a more portable telescope that's convenient to store, a Cassegrain might be the best option for you!


They’re usually much more portable than equivalent aperture reflectors and can be easily mounted on a flexible base. That said, like all reflectors, they flip the image upside down in the viewer. This isn't too bad for astronomy, but might be an annoyance for some. 

2

Select Telescopes of Apertures Around 60-70mm for Seeing Close-by Planets, or Above 100 mm for Anything Further Away

Select Telescopes of Apertures Around 60-70mm for Seeing Close-by Planets, or Above 100 mm for Anything Further Away

A beginners telescope can provide anything from awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way’s nebulae or Solar System planets like Jupiter and Saturn to smaller scale but slightly more detailed views of Mars, the Moon and maybe even Venus! What you can expect to see will depend on the size of the lens or aperture. 


Generally, the bigger the lens, the more distance and detail you will see. That’s because larger lenses let more light in - simple really! Beginner scopes for amateur astronomers usually start with apertures around 60 or 70mm in diameter. Any less than that, and you’ll struggle to see details on even the closest objects like the Moon or Mars.


In a dark sky site, anywhere outside of a big town or city, 70 or 80mm will be enough to see the Gas Giant planets and even some interstellar (outside the Solar System) objects. However, those in light-polluted suburban or inner-city areas may need a 100-plus mm telescope for the same views. 


Did you know that you can also see the moon and some close-by planets with binoculars?

3

Go For a Magnification That’s Double the Aperture Size - Anything Larger Is Unnecessary

Go For a Magnification That’s Double the Aperture Size - Anything Larger Is Unnecessary

Magnification is when you narrow your field of view to make details easier to see, similar to when you squint your eyes to see something in the distance. Magnification is great for looking at (relatively) nearby astronomical objects, like Mars or The Moon, as you can pick out more detail.


However, there are problems when magnifying extremely faraway objects in a telescope. In a small scope, the field of view can become too narrow to let in enough light from the target - no matter the magnification. You should never buy a telescope based on magnification alone because if the aperture isn’t wide enough, you won’t be able to make use of it. 


As a rule of thumb, the maximum magnification should be two times your aperture size. So, for a typical 80mm beginners’ telescope, you’ll only need 150x magnification. Anyone claiming 600x magnification or more on a small telescope is selling you a feature that sounds good but is basically useless. 

4

If You’re Brand New to Astronomy, Buy a Go-to or Automated Target Finding Telescope to Make Spotting Planets Easier

If You’re Brand New to Astronomy, Buy a Go-to or Automated Target Finding Telescope to Make Spotting Planets Easier

It has never been easier to get into amateur astronomy. A large part of that is thanks to the advent of Go-To or automated target finding telescopes. All you have to do is find one star, or at most three, and the telescope will automatically align itself


Once set up, you can plug in the name or astronomical location (in degrees of the sky) of the object you want to look at, and the telescope will either move itself or alert you once you've got the scope positioned in the right place. Some Go-To scopes even come with an inbuilt database of thousands of astronomical objects to instantly direct you to the right spot with no effort required. Easy!


High-end scopes will come with this technology built-in, usually with a keypad or touch screen on the scope itself. They might even have their own wi-fi network in some cases. Just note that budget options with automated finding tech will often require you to set up a laptop, or phone with an app, to use this feature.  

5

Decide on the Type of Stand You Need Depending on Your Preferred Levels of Portability, Stability and Movement

Decide on the Type of Stand You Need Depending on Your Preferred Levels of Portability, Stability and Movement

Since a key part of astronomical observation is having a steady scope, the type of mount or stand you get is essential. Nearly all scopes come with a supplied stand. In the case of smaller refractors, this is usually a tripod mount with three legs. These are good if you need to move your scope regularly, as they fold up easily. 


Another popular stand design is a Dobsonian mount. These are usually found on larger “light bucket” reflectors, but some refractors will come with this style of mount too. These days, Dobsonian mounts tend to have one stand with a circular base that can be rotated for complete viewing freedom on all axes. Unfortunately, this extra movement can make them unstable on rough surfaces. 


Altazimuth mounts operate a bit like the Dobsonian, but with less vertical freedom and on a much smaller scale. Often found on smaller refractors, They are little bowl-shaped joints with grooves to slot your scope in and a rotating disc inside. Before John Dobson popularised Dobsonian mounts for telescopes in 1965, wooden azimuths were the standard for all telescopes. 

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10 Best Telescopes for Beginners in the UK

mybest UK product recommendations are reviewed and curated by our writers in-house. We focus on in-depth research and analysis of product reviews to carefully select the best products available for the best prices.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Orion

StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector100015

Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector 1

£195.99

Mid

A High-Quality, Compact Telescope at an Affordable Price

2

Sky-Watcher

Heritage 76 Mini

Sky-Watcher Heritage 76 Mini 1

£74.99

Low Mid

An Excellent Budget Telescope for Kids and Absolute Beginners

3

Celestron

AstroFi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov22202

Celestron AstroFi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov 1

£349.00

High Mid

Easy-To-Use Motorised Scope That’s Portable and Features Its Own WI-FI Connection

4

Sky-Watcher

Flextube EQ-5

Sky-Watcher Flextube  1

£699.00

High Mid

A Telescope With a 200 mm Aperture for Picking Out Fine Details Over 20 Million Light Years Away

5

Celestron

Travel Scope 12036

Celestron Travel Scope  1

£109.99

Low Mid

A Best-Selling, Lightweight Scope With Easy Set-up and a Free Carry Case

6

Celestron

Computerised Telescope22097

Celestron Computerised Telescope 1

£629.90

High Mid

Adjustable, Easy-To-Carry Scope With User-Friendly Computerised Interface and Lots of Accessories

7

Svbony

Astronomical TelescopeSV25

Svbony Astronomical Telescope 1

£75.99

Low Mid

The Perfect Starter Scope for Detailed Views of the Moon, Complete With Sturdy Tripod

8

BOBLOV

Astronomical Telescope for Adult/Kids

BOBLOV Astronomical Telescope for Adult/Kids 1

£199.99

Mid

A No Frills Refractor Lens With a High Degree of Customisation Available

9

Meade Instruments

Infinity 60AZ

Meade Instruments Infinity  1

£67.09

Low Mid

A Simple, Yet Effective Design With Easy Set-Up, Complete With Tripod

10

Celestron

NexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope11049

Celestron NexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope 1

£549.00

High Mid

A Great All-Rounder With Inbuilt Go-to Technology and a 102 MM Aperture

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

OrionStarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector100015

StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£195.99
Mid
Reference price
£195.99
Mid

A High-Quality, Compact Telescope at an Affordable Price

The Orion Starblast is a super-compact and easy to set up scope that is perfect for beginners. The 114 mm aperture is bigger than most in this price range, and the excellent prebuilt Dobsonian mount offers an outstanding field of view.


Even from light-polluted suburban skies, the Orion StarBlast 4.5 can pick out awe-inspiring details on Jupiter and Saturn, including transiting moons and more! It can even image a few deep sky objects under the right conditions. 

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No.2

Sky-WatcherHeritage 76 Mini

Reference price
£74.99
Low Mid

An Excellent Budget Telescope for Kids and Absolute Beginners

This gorgeous looking scope was released to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's invention of the telescope. It really does look fantastic and is sure to inspire you in your astronomical journey just by looking at it. 


The SkyWatcher 76 mini-packs as much optical punch as some of the £100+ models on the list. You will get fantastic views of Jupiter's clouds and Saturn's rings from this scopes' lovely Dobsonian mount. An all-around great mini telescope.

No.3

CelestronAstroFi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov22202

AstroFi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£349.00
High Mid

Easy-To-Use Motorised Scope That’s Portable and Features Its Own WI-FI Connection

Although slightly more expensive, the Celestron Astro-Fi is one of the easiest telescopes for those looking to become deeply immersed in the field of astronomy. The Cassegrain design makes this scope highly portable, especially when detached from the tripod. 


The big draw, though, is that it has its own Wi-Fi connection. This feature provides unrivalled convenience when skywatching from remote sites that may not even have a phone signal. The 102 mm aperture is wide enough to see many deep-sky objects, and the motorised scope will even find them for you. Easy! 

No.4

Sky-WatcherFlextube EQ-5

Flextube  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£699.00
High Mid
Reference price
£699.00
High Mid

A Telescope With a 200 mm Aperture for Picking Out Fine Details Over 20 Million Light Years Away

The SkyWatcher Explorer features the largest aperture on the list. For a 200 mm scope, it's surprisingly easy to assemble. In general, with larger size telescopes, you don't get many concessions for newbie astronomers, so the simple set-up was nice to see.


From dark sites, this scope will pick out the detailed colours of Jupiter's and Saturn's moons, as well as amazing faraway galaxies like Messier 52 (The Whirlpool Galaxy), which is over 20 million light-years away! 

No.5

CelestronTravel Scope 12036

Reference price
£109.99
Low Mid

A Best-Selling, Lightweight Scope With Easy Set-up and a Free Carry Case

This Amazon exclusive scope, made in partnership with experienced telescope maker Celestron, is the number one best selling scope on the UK's biggest e-commerce site, so it must be good!


The 21035 is super-easy to set up, very lightweight and comes with a free carry case and accessory tray. The 70mm aperture should be able to see all the inner planets with reasonable detail. Although, from a dark sky area, you might see even more, which is all the more reason to love this scope's high portability! 

No.6

CelestronComputerised Telescope22097

Computerised Telescope 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Computerised Telescope 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£629.90
High Mid

Adjustable, Easy-To-Carry Scope With User-Friendly Computerised Interface and Lots of Accessories

This telescope by Celestron may not be the price point everyone is looking for, but if you're willing to shell out for a superior scope, this is an excellent buy. The super impressive Go-To software, paired with tonnes of accessories, provides the perfect kit to read the sky, even if you're a beginner.


This high-end telescope comes with an adjustable tripod, a red dot finderscope, a star diagonal, and two eyepieces. The 127 mm aperture is a great size and will be more than enough for great planetary views from even suburban skies

No.7

SvbonyAstronomical TelescopeSV25

Astronomical Telescope 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£75.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£75.99
Low Mid

The Perfect Starter Scope for Detailed Views of the Moon, Complete With Sturdy Tripod

If you're not yet sure you're fully ready to dive into the world of astronomy and are just looking to dip your toes in the water, this Svbony 2V25 is a great little starter scope.


The 60 mm aperture will get you some pretty detailed views of the Moon, and from a decently dark spot, you might even catch a glimpse of the majestic planets as well. The supplied tripod mount is easy to set up too. Overall, a surprisingly good scope for such a low price!

No.8

BOBLOVAstronomical Telescope for Adult/Kids

Astronomical Telescope for Adult/Kids 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£199.99
Mid
Reference price
£199.99
Mid

A No Frills Refractor Lens With a High Degree of Customisation Available

For the price, this scope offers almost unparalleled viewing potential. It provides a high degree of customisation, allowing users to adjust their tripod mount depending on personal preference and ground conditions.


While it may be a bit better for astronomical photography than some others in the list, it lacks the Go-To features and is a little more complicated to use as it doesn't come with many instructions. Thus, rendering it a little intimidating for uncertain beginners.

No.9

Meade InstrumentsInfinity 60AZ

Infinity  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£67.09
Low Mid
Reference price
£67.09
Low Mid

A Simple, Yet Effective Design With Easy Set-Up, Complete With Tripod

If you're after a slightly higher-end beginners option, Meade's Infinity 60AZ could be the one for you. The overall build looks and feels solid compared to similar models, and the supplied tripod can be set up within minutes.


The 60mm aperture provides decent views of most objects in the nearby Solar System, such as Jupiter's moons and Saturn's rings, especially on a dark night. You will need to be comfortable learning to align your scope yourself, but don't worry, there are plenty of tutorials online! 

No.10

CelestronNexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope11049

NexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£549.00
High Mid

A Great All-Rounder With Inbuilt Go-to Technology and a 102 MM Aperture

This great little scope from Celestron comes with inbuilt Go-To software and a mechanised stand, so you can spend your time admiring the view rather than trying to find it. 


At first glance, the NexStar 11049  ticks all the boxes. However, the 102 mm aperture is not enough to see many objects advertised in the 40,000-strong index, especially from more urban areas. The motor also requires no less than 8-AA batteries which aren't exactly economical either. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Size Telescope for Viewing Planets?

It all depends on which planets you want to see. For example, a 4-5 inch diameter telescope will be fine for viewing close planets such as our Moon and Jupiter's moons. However, if you want to see further afield planets like Neptune and Uranus, you'll need about an 8-inch telescope.

Written and researched by David Weir

Top 5 Telescopes for Beginners

No. 1: OrionStarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector100015

No. 2: Sky-WatcherHeritage 76 Mini

No. 3: CelestronAstroFi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov22202

No. 4: Sky-WatcherFlextube EQ-5

No. 5: CelestronTravel Scope 12036

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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