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10 Best Telescopes 2025 in the UK

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,475
Portability
Mount Type
Portability
The telescope's portability is a standout feature, with everything fitting into a light, easy-to-carry bag.
Mount Type
Assembly is quick and straightforward, making it easy to set up at any location.

The EACONN telescope is designed for adults and beginners in astronomy, offering an 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length, which are suitable for capturing bright and clear images of the moon and planets. Its fully coated green optics glass lens enhances light transmission and reduces reflections, providing better image quality. The telescope comes with a rough adjustment and positioning gimbal, making it easier to adjust the altitude and azimuth, which is beneficial for beginners learning to navigate the night sky.

Accessories include two eyepieces (K20mm and K9mm) offering magnifications between 30x and 66x, a 5x24 finderscope with a crosshair for easier object location, and a mobile phone adapter for convenient imaging, enhancing its usability. Its portable design, including a backpack and adjustable tripod, makes it ideal for travel and outdoor use, and the easy assembly process is well-supported with manuals and video instructions.

The telescope's fixed focus might limit more advanced users looking for precision adjustments. The lightweight and compact nature (840 grams) ensure it is manageable for most users, but advanced astronomers might find the features basic. This product is a great gift for beginners and kids, providing a user-friendly and accessible introduction to astronomy.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,475
Portability
Mount Type
Portability
The telescope's portability is a standout feature, with everything fitting into a light, easy-to-carry bag.
Mount Type
Assembly is quick and straightforward, making it easy to set up at any location.
#2

Telescope, Telescopes for Adults Astronomy Professional, 90mm Aperture 1000mm High Powered Telescope for Beginners & Kids with Precision Adjustment Vertisteel AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter

Rating
9.6
Magnification
Portability
Magnification
Very easy to assemble for my son's first telescope; we watched all the planets this February.
Portability
It takes time to find and tune, but practicing during the day makes it easier to fine-tune at night.

The SOLOMARK 90mm Aperture 1000mm High Powered Telescope is a versatile option for both beginners and more experienced stargazers. With a large 90mm aperture and 1000mm focal length, this telescope is well-suited for clear and bright observations of planets, stars, and galaxies. The magnification range of 50x to 100x allows for flexibility in viewing different celestial objects. The Altazimuth mount, known as the Vertisteel AZ, offers smooth and intuitive adjustments, making it easier to track moving objects across the sky. This feature, coupled with the adjustable and sturdy tripod, facilitates stable and comfortable long-term observations.

One of the standout features of this telescope is its user-friendly design, which ensures easy assembly and use, making it ideal for families and newcomers to astronomy. The inclusion of a phone adapter adds value, allowing users to capture and share their astronomical experiences easily.

However, at 7 kilograms, it may not be the most portable option for those who plan on transporting it frequently to different stargazing locations. Additionally, the manual focus might require some getting used to, especially for those who prefer automated systems. While it is robust and offers good performance, it might not cater to professional astronomers looking for more advanced features.

The SOLOMARK telescope is a solid choice for amateurs and casual astronomers looking for an accessible, high-quality viewing experience. Its ease of use and thoughtful add-ons like the phone adapter make it a family-friendly tool for exploring the night sky.

Rating
9.6
Magnification
Portability
Magnification
Very easy to assemble for my son's first telescope; we watched all the planets this February.
Portability
It takes time to find and tune, but practicing during the day makes it easier to fine-tune at night.
#3

Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults, Professional Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, Comes with 1.5X Barlow Lens Smartphone Adapter & 13% T Moon Filter

Rating
9.4
Aperture
Mount Type
Aperture
The 130mm aperture provides clear and bright views of celestial objects, from craters on the Moon to distant galaxies.
Mount Type
The equatorial mount ensures smooth tracking, and the build quality feels sturdy and reliable.

The Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector offers a robust option for amateur astronomers, particularly those interested in deep space observations. Its 130mm aperture is a standout feature, providing excellent light-gathering capability which results in brighter and more detailed images of celestial objects. This makes it particularly suitable for those keen on exploring deep space and viewing planets. The German Equatorial Mount is another strength, designed for precision and ease in tracking celestial bodies, though it may require a bit of a learning curve for beginners to use effectively.

The optics benefit from fully-coated glass, enhancing clarity and detail, and the package includes helpful accessories such as two eyepieces and a Barlow lens, which offers increased magnification versatility. The inclusion of a smartphone adapter is a nice touch for those wanting to capture and share their observations.

On the downside, the telescope's manual focus may not appeal to users looking for automated features. Additionally, while the construction is relatively portable for its size, the overall weight is almost 15 kilograms, which might be cumbersome for some users to transport. Finally, while the tripod is adjustable and stable, it may not be as sturdy on uneven ground, which is something to keep in mind if you plan on moving it around frequently.

This telescope is best suited for those who are serious about expanding their astronomical knowledge and are comfortable with a manual and somewhat heavier setup. It's a solid choice for someone looking to delve deeper into stargazing as a hobby, provided they are prepared for a bit of setup and manual operation.

Rating
9.4
Aperture
Mount Type
Aperture
The 130mm aperture provides clear and bright views of celestial objects, from craters on the Moon to distant galaxies.
Mount Type
The equatorial mount ensures smooth tracking, and the build quality feels sturdy and reliable.

Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes

Choosing the right telescope can open up a whole new world of stargazing and celestial exploration. The key to finding the best telescope for you is understanding the different specifications and how they align with your observing goals. Whether you're interested in viewing planets, deep-sky objects, or just want a general-purpose telescope, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main optical component, which can be a lens or a mirror. It is the most crucial specification because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. More light means brighter and clearer images, allowing you to see fainter objects. Aperture sizes can range from small (around 60mm) to large (over 200mm). For beginners, a telescope with an aperture of 70mm to 100mm is often sufficient for viewing the moon and planets. If you're interested in deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, consider a larger aperture of 150mm or more.
Focal LengthThe focal length of a telescope is the distance from the lens or mirror to the point where the telescope forms an image. It affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is great for viewing planets and the moon. However, it also means a narrower field of view, which can make it harder to locate objects. Shorter focal lengths offer a wider field of view, making them better for observing star clusters and nebulae. Choose a focal length based on what you want to observe: longer for detailed planetary views, shorter for wide-field deep-sky observations.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger a telescope can make an object appear. It is determined by dividing the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece. While high magnification might seem appealing, it's not always better. Too much magnification can lead to blurry images if the telescope's aperture isn't large enough to support it. A good rule of thumb is to use 50x magnification per inch of aperture. For general use, having a range of eyepieces to provide different magnifications is beneficial, allowing you to adjust based on what you're observing.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope and allows it to move. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. Altazimuth mounts move up-down and left-right, making them intuitive and easy to use, ideal for beginners. Equatorial mounts are aligned with the Earth's axis, allowing for smoother tracking of celestial objects as they move across the sky, which is useful for astrophotography. Choose an altazimuth mount for simplicity and ease of use, or an equatorial mount if you're interested in more advanced tracking and photography.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. This is important if you plan to take your telescope to different locations for stargazing. Smaller telescopes are generally more portable and easier to set up, making them great for beginners or those who travel frequently. Larger telescopes, while offering better views, can be cumbersome and require more effort to transport and assemble. Consider how often and where you plan to use your telescope when deciding on the right balance between size and portability.