Best Telescope Brands Buyer's Guide

Looking for the Best Telescope Brand in 2020? We have created a comprehensive list of excellent products from top-notch brands to meet your Astronomy requirements.

Looking for the best telescope brands in 2020? We are here to help you! There are so many variations of telescopes in the market that it gets really confusing when trying the best telescopes brands in 2020.

That is why we have created this list of excellent products from top-notch brands to fix your issues. Every product has quality features of its own, so you can carefully go through all specs and choose the product that fits your needs the most. 

Let's get started!

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick


Celestron-AzroMaster 70AZ Telescope
  • Powerful refractor
  • High-quality
  • 70 mm optics
  • Quick setup

Astromaster 70AZ is considered the all-time favorite of the beginners. The mesmerizing night sky view, the Jupiters moon, and Saturn rings can be viewed clearly with this telescope.

The product has fully-coated glass optics and a lightweight frame. It requires no tools to assemble. The telescope possesses a sturdy, reliable tripod, which can be used up to full height and is adjustable. It also contains a panhandle.

The 10 Best Telescopes Comparison Chart

The 10 Best Telescope Brands in 2020

In this section, we review the Top 10 Telescope Brands in 2020 available for amateurs and professions.

Celestron-AzroMaster 70AZ Telescope

Astromaster 70AZ is considered the all-time favorite of the beginners. The mesmerizing night sky view, the Jupiters moon, and Saturn rings can be viewed clearly with this telescope.

The product has fully-coated glass optics and a lightweight frame. It requires no tools to assemble. The telescope possesses a sturdy, reliable tripod, which can be used up to full height and is adjustable. It also contains a panhandle. 

The best feature of it is a manual Alt-Azimuth Mount. If you are into astronomy and want to get started immediately, then it has all the features required. The two 1.25" eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), erect image diagonal, finderscope, and free Starry Night astronomy software will assist you. 

The product has a bonus point as it provides Mac-compatible astronomy software for interactive sky simulation, named as Starry Night Basic Edition and FREE download PC. 

These products can help all users to know what they are looking at, the guide maps, and assist them in planning what they want to search and view next. But, the feature that makes this product unique is that you can also view landscape during the day. 

PROS

  • Powerful refractor
  • High-quality
  • 70 mm optics
  • Quick setup
  • Lightweight frame
  • Adjustable tripod
  • Package accessories with the product
  • Excellent warranty

CONS

  • Mount is challenging to use
  • Not the right choice for faint objects
Celestron- NexStar 127SLT Telescope

The Celestron NexStar 127SLT offers a view of more than 40,000 stars, nebulae, galaxies, and more. It is a computerized telescope, so pinpoints with high accuracy and perception. It is effortless to handle and can be used by both kids and adults on camping nights and at home.

The MAKSUTOV-CASSEGRAIN optical design has a 127 mm aperture that collects light required to view our Solar System, Saturn's rings, the Moon, and Jupiter's cloud bands with details.

The product is from the world's most reliable company working from 1960. It gives a two-year warranty on the product and technical assistance.

PROS

  • Computerized
  • Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design
  • Free starry night software in the package
  • Efficient setup with skyline

CONS

  • Expensive
Orion 09007 SpaceProb Equatorial Telescope

Want to view the moons, brighter galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters with clarity and high precision? Then, you are in the right place. The Orion 09007 Space probe is what you are looking for.

This product has a 5.1-inch aperture reflector and 24-inch long optical tube design. Enough light is captured by the diffraction-limited parabolic mirror to let us view favorite objects. Its versatility can be judged that it can be used by the whole family. 

The mount helps to view the moving stars in the sky. It can be easily moved, so it is beneficial for camping. The SpaceProbe EQ reflector telescope includes a center-marked primary mirror for natural optical alignment And collimation cap. 

It has 130mm aperture primary, which is a diffraction-limited parabolic mirror, but the difference is of the money, which is high when it is used in other products.

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Great optical tube design
  • Two 1.25 inch Sirius Plossl eyepieces of 25mm and 10mm
  • EQ-2 equatorial telescope mount and adjustable tripod
  • Sturdy

CONS

  • Need maintenance
Celestron- 70mm Travel Scope Telescope

A telescope that provides a clear celestial and terrestrial view is none other than Celestron – 70 mm Travel Scope. The product is best for traveling as it weighs only 3.30 pounds. It can be used by the whole family. It has fully-coated, high-quality refraction glass optics having a refractor 70mm objective lens, which helps us to view celestial and terrestrial objects during the day at night.

It has two quality eyepieces of 20mm and 10mm, which help in producing sharp, crisp, and high-quality views. The product can be easily assembled and requires no tool. "Starry Night Astronomy Software," which has information about the celestial objects, is included in the assistant package.

PROS

  • Powerful eyepieces for up-close viewing
  • An assistance package includes tripod, software and bonus bag
  • Superior optics
  • Unbeatable warranty
  • Ultra-portable backpack kit

CONS

  • Not the right choice for faint objects
Orion StarBlast Equatorial Telescope

The Orion StarBlast Reflector Telescope is a favorite of both beginners and experts due to its convenience, excellent optics, clear and bright stars, and planets. It is easy to use. It has a large reflecting optics that helps to view everything from a single star to galaxies, from moons to the planets.

The big, 4.5 inch-aperture telescope tube amazes everyone by its clear images: the 4.5-inch aperture and 450mm focal length help to show brighter images of the celestial objects. The whole package includes a mount, telescope, 10mm and 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepieces, MoonMap 260, and a tripod.

PROS

  • EQ-2 equatorial telescope mount and adjustable tripod
  • Sturdy
  • Reliable
  • A sizeable 4.5-inch aperture telescope tube
  • 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepieces

CONS

  • The optical tube is vulnerable to dust
  • Needs regular maintenance
Orion 10015 StarBlast Reflector Telescope

The Orion 10015 Starblast Reflector Telescope is best for entry-level and intermediate astronomy enthusiasts as they can just grab it and go to their destination. It is an exceptionally high-quality optics for the reflector. It is lighter in weight so you can go to the picnic, camping, sightseeing, night out taking it.

The telescope has a focal length of 450mm, wide-field f/4 reflective optics, and significant 4.5 inches (114mm) aperture, which helps to view a clear and bright image of the celestial objects in the sky even if they are faint. 

The Jupiter moons, Saturn's rings, and galaxies can be easily viewed. The package includes EZ Finder II reflex sight for easy aiming, 1.25 inch Kellner telescope eyepieces of 17mm and 6mm, collimation cap, and Starry Night astronomy software.

PROS

  • 4.5 inches aperture
  • Compact telescope
  • Stable tabletop base
  • Comes with various accessories

CONS

  • Needs regular maintenance
Gskyer Telescope

Stargazing is undoubtedly a unique and mesmerizing experience. But, to help enthusiasts to quench their thirst, many telescopes are here. The Gskyer Astronomical Refracting Telescope promises high magnification and is affordable.

25 mm, and 10 mm eyepieces produce a bright, high magnification image. The product is compact and can be used by kids, enthusiasts, and astronomers. You can also enjoy landscape views during the day. The magnification is increased by the 3X Barlow lens. 

Delivering 99% total light transmission while protecting your eyes, the optical lens enhances the brightness. Step by step guide to assembling the product and usually takes 25-30 min.

PROS

  • Easy to set up
  • Compact and easy to carry and store
  • Clear Picture
  • You can attach a phone to it

CONS

  • Some practice is required for Locating the target
Meade Instruments Portable Astronomy Telescope

Meade Instrument Portable Refracing Astronomy Telescope has a 70mm aperture that offers bright and sharp images. The Infinity 70 Refractor is the best for someone who has never experienced the divine heaven above us.

The Optical design is an Achromatic Refractor. The Alt-azimuth Mount feature of the slow-motion control rod makes it easy for the viewer to track the moving celestial objects. The accessories package includes Red-Dot Viewfinder (3) Eyepieces that provide varying levels of magnification, Aluminum Tripod, 2x Barlow Lens, and 90 Degree Erect Prism.

PROS

  • Red dot viewfinder
  • 70mm Aperture
  • Portable
  • Multiple Eyepieces
  • Accessories Included
  • Manual Adjustable Alt-azimuth (AZ) Mount

CONS

  • Not the right choice for faint objects
Meade Instruments- Polaris 127mm Astronomy Telescope

Meade Instrument Portable Backyard Reflecting Astronomy Telescope has an optical type of viewfinder. The guide is given with the product to assist you. It has a large aperture that is 127 mm large. The focal ratio is f/7. 9, while the focal length is 1000 mm.

It has 3 eyepieces that are low, medium, and high magnification eyepieces of 26mm, 9mm, and 6. 3mm. For each eyepiece, the 2x Barlow lens multiplies the magnifying power. It is a great telescope, and you will have an amazing time stargazing with the help of this.

PROS

  • Portable
  • Multiple Eyepieces
  • Accessories Included
  • One year warranty

CONS

  • Needs regular maintenance
Meade Instruments 222001 Adventure Scope Telescope

If you are interested in a telescope that can be used both day and night, then Meade Instruments 222001 Adventure Scope Telescope is what you are looking for. It has an 80mm aperture. Moreover, the telescope comes with both low & high magnification 1.25-Inch eyepieces.

The telescope comes to a lightweight tripod made of Aluminum that makes it easy for you to use the telescope and keep it stable. You get various other accessories along with a carrying bag to store your telescope in.

PROS

  • Comes with a carrying bag
  • Simple design
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy design

CONS

  • Not an excellent choice for faint objects

Buying Guide

The following list of aspects has been chosen after extensive research and critical analysis to help you choose between the best of the products and get your actual money's worth. 

Aperture 

The basic mechanism of a telescope is based on collecting light rays that deflect off of surfaces in outer space, such as planetary bodies, converge them at a mutual point to produce a magnified image on an imaging plane. 

This mechanism seems simple, but in reality, it is quite complex as even a slight change in the curve of the mirror can produce devastating distortions in the image. The aperture is the distal end of a spherical tube that holds all other additional mirrors and focal planes in it. 

The light rays that are reflected from other surfaces enter the telescope through the aperture, and thus an image is formed. The wider the aperture is, the greater number of light rays it will be able to collect in order to form a better and clearer image. 

As the aperture gets wider, not only the quality of the image will be increased, but minute details of faraway objects will also be clearer thus making it any telescope with a wide aperture a better choice for research and analysis. 

If you are only looking to purchase a telescope to initiate interest in an individual in the field of astronomy or to gaze into space to observe nearby planets and comets then any telescope with a typical aperture will be able to fulfill your needs. The typical aperture size is 70 mm or 2.8 inches wide. 

Type of telescope 

There are 2 basic types of telescopes available in the market. 

Refracting Telescope

The Refracting telescope is the much older edition of telescopes, but the technology has stuck around for centuries because of its effectiveness and practicability. The main object in the refracting telescope is its primary curved lens that is placed at the aperture to catch onto reflected light rays. 

The type and number of curved lenses depend upon the telescope, but it can range from one to many. The rest of the mechanism is the same for both telescopes as light rays converge at the focal point to project an image the focal plane that can be then viewed from the eyepiece or the image can be captured in some advanced telescope to be later projected onto other screens and studied in detail. 

Reflecting Telescope

The reflecting telescope is only different in one aspect; they have a curved mirror instead of a curved lens at the aperture to work as a primary object to collect light rays. The reflecting telescope is known to better view objects from very far away in space such as nebulae, and refracting telescopes are better known for studying nearby planetary bodies. 

Telescope Brands

There are 4 popular telescope brands in the market right now, and we have reviewed their products above. The brands are:

  • Orion

Orion has been making telescopes and binoculars since 1975, committed to producing the best quality and unmatched valued products.

  • Celestron

Celestron is a great brand as it provides over two years of warranty and technical assistance to the users of its products.

  • Gysker

Gysker is another famous company, and it is known for producing high-quality, affordable telescopes.

  • Meade Instruments

You can get all sorts of astronomical products from Meade instruments such as telescopes, binoculars, solar telescopes, etc. The customer reviews of these products have been highly positive and show customer satisfaction on their part.

Image Quality

Other than the focal length, focal plane, and size of the aperture, there are many factors that can counter in to produce a good quality image or destroy it completely. One of the very demonic villains of the field of optics is the chromatic and monochromatic aberrations. 

These chromatic aberrations are caused by a slight deflection of lenses or a slight change in the curve of the lens, which then produces a distorted image. The reason that the picture gets distorted is that the light rays fail to converge at the focal plane, one or two of the light rays deflect from the focal plane and converge at any other point, which results in distortion. 

There are other external factors as well that can become the cause of distortion in the image. If the lens isn't properly clean or the air is dusty, the image will have some distortion. But the major type of disturbing distortion is often the result of malfunctioning of the telescope. 

That is the reason people often depend upon the high-ranked telescopes with good suggestions, so they don't have to endure such mishaps on their voyages. 

Accessories

Any product can enhance the experience of its customers by adding some accessories that increase the practicality of their product. Especially in the case of telescopes, there are many accessories that can increase the level of practicability and many other accessories that are just cherry on top for increasing the joy of the experience. 

The very basic and most vital accessory for a telescope is base support. It is not possible for anyone to hold a telescope in their hands while looking for astronomical mirrors; neither is it comfortable, nor is it practical. 

Thus, base support is an essential accessory for any telescope as it provides support and steadiness to a telescope, thus securing it from damage and providing a comfortable experience. It is vital that you must decide the spot where you intend to set up your telescope as base supports can be of different types.

The second most essential accessory for a telescope is an adjustable tripod stand. The tripod stand further enhances the safety of base support and provides a comfortable experience by its adjustability feature. 

With an appropriate stand, you will not have to worry about adjusting the telescope every now, and then as once it is placed at an appropriate length for your posture, you can lock it in further protecting the delicate device. 

Other accessories such as extra eyepieces are not per se essential, but they do enhance the quality of experience. If you want to experience any of the astronomical wonders with any special person, an extra eyepiece provides you with the ability to view it together, so you do not have to struggle with pointing out or missing anything. 

Astronomy Software 

We are living in an era of technology; anything that cannot be digitalized seems like extended trouble or something that has to do with ancient ages. With our increasing dependence on technology, every little aspect of our lives has evolved towards digitalization, and so does telescopes. 

The latest technology and types of telescopes ensure a built-in software that can project any captured image to a connected digital device's screen. This feature, nowadays, is not an accessory but an essential as it helps increase the practicality of the device and eases the process of research and analysis. 

Magnification Range 

The power of the telescope to view images of space objects that lie beyond the boundaries of vision is its magnification power. The stronger the magnification power, the more range of area the telescope can cover. 

Magnification range determines the quality of images of faraway objects, after a certain limit, a telescope is set to produce a blurry image, and that is most likely the end of its magnification range. The focal length is the primary determinant of the magnification range and the ability of a telescope to be able to focus on distant objects. 

In scientific words, the focal length is the distance between the center of the primary object, which is the lens or the curved mirror, and the focal plane where the image is formed. With greater focal length, the greater the magnification range ensues. 

Portability

The special appearances of certain deep space objects can often only be viewed from higher mountain peaks or deserted plains where there is less involvement of artificial light. To get to these locations oftentimes, one has to trek and go through a certain distance or travel while carrying all the equipment on themselves. 

If the telescopic equipment can break down into parts and become compact, it helps a great deal in relieving the consumer off of the stress of carrying it all the way to the desired location. The weight of the telescope and its accessories is also crucial here if the material that is used in the construction of the telescope has a greater material mass than carrying such a heavyweight object can also become a cause of pain and stress. 

Last but not least, a carrying bag as an accessory that has divisions to perfectly secure all the parts of the equipment separately is a huge relief from the stress carrying the telescope. 

Warranty

There is always a chance of malfunction, even with the highest quality products due to unforeseen circumstances. That is, warranties exist so that consumers do not lose money for faulty products and can either get their products fixed or get a refund. 

For a telescope, a warranty is a very crucial thing; as this device is hi-tech, it is very delicate as well. Even the slightest error in any one of the aspects of a telescope can create distortions leading to false observations that can further malign the complete data set. 

A warranty ensures that any damage to your telescope will be fixed within due time, and any malfunctioning object will be replaced, so you continue on your quest to explore the universe. 

Customer support

In many ways, a technical support team can guide a person using the device for the very first time. Even for professionals who switch from one type of telescope to another or switch brands, they need some sort of introductory information or a data set so that they can understand their device in a better way.

For such purposes, any technical support team available on call, 24-hour website assistance or a guide book/ manual can work perfectly, if all three combined are available, then that is a bonus and only proves the surety of a brand onto their product.

FAQs

How to choose between various leading brands of telescopes?

It is essential that you may not look for a brand name when it comes to telescopes, the specs they offer are way too vital than the logo imprinted on the body. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of all telescopes with each other and purchase the one that is within your range and offers most of the features you desire.

Secondly, look for suggestions from professionals in the field, because they know the products very well. The companies that we have mentioned above are top-notch and will not fail you in any way.

Are there different telescopes for viewing faraway objects and closer planetary bodies?

Yes, as the reach of any telescope depends upon its magnification range, thus deeply falling onto its focal length, there are different types of telescopes for viewing faraway objects and closer planetary bodies. The telescopes with a higher magnification range can help you view much farther than the ones with smaller ranges.

Final Words

There are very few trustable brands in this field of astronomy as manufacturing a telescope is nothing but a highly technical job, and even a minute error can create disastrous aberrations and ruin the entire device completely.

The best telescopes are the ones from which we can see not only the stars by their high-quality lens but also planets and meteors. You can't have the best experience if you don't know the telescope. 

We have given reviews of the top ten products of the top four best telescope brands in 2020. We hope it will provide all the information you need. 

The best telescope brands in 2020 we have mentioned at the top are truly some of the best, so do not hesitate to choose one of them as your permanent astronomy buddies that will help you unravel the truths of the universe