For beginners

Choosing a telescope for beginners: what to look for?

A first telescope doesn't need to be complicated. Three things determine whether you'll enjoy it.

1. Look at the mirror or lens, not at the magnification. The diameter of the mirror or lens (the aperture) determines how much light you gather, and therefore how much you see. A box with "600x magnification" written on it is a warning sign, not a selling point. A good beginner telescope has at least a 100 mm aperture.

2. Choose a simple mount. The less stands between you and the starry sky, the more often the telescope actually comes out. That's why we almost always recommend a Dobsonian for beginners: set it up, point it, look. No alignments, no cables, no forty-page manual.

Be realistic about your budget. Below €100, you'll mostly buy frustration. Between €200 and €450 is the sweet spot for a first serious viewer. Doubting? Read our budget guides. up to €100, up to €300 and up to €500.

Our recommendations for beginners

• Sky-Watcher Heritage 130POur best-selling beginner telescope. Compact, collapsible, 130 mm mirror, and it’s outside in under a minute. Ideal for the Moon, planets, and the brightest deep-sky objects.
• Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P or Omegon Advanced X N 203If you want to get it right from the start, an 8-inch Dobsonian is the best buy in the entire hobby. Most mirror for your money, and big enough to keep you going for years. Check out all Dobson telescopes.
• Celestron StarSense ExplorerDo you find treasure hunts exciting? This series uses your smartphone to navigate to every object in the sky.

Do you want to delve deeper before you choose? Then read our complete Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners. If you're buying for a child, look under the telescopes for children.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a good telescope for beginners cost?
Count on €200 to €450 for a viewer you'll enjoy for years. Below that, exceptions exist, but the risk of a bad purchase grows rapidly.

What magnification do I need?
Less than you think. Most observations you'll make between 50x and 150x. The quality of the optics and the size of the mirror determine what you see, not the number on the box.

Can I try out a telescope first?
Yes. You can with us a telescoop huren before you buy, and view models by appointment at the Observeum observatory in Burgum.