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10 Best Telescopes For Beginners 2025 in Canada

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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
9.9
Chosen by1,457
Aperture
Mount Type
Ease of Use
Aperture
Optics provide clear and bright images, making it a solid choice for beginners eager to see planets and lunar details.
Mount Type
Its stable tripod and smooth equatorial mount support steady tracking of celestial objects during observation.
Ease of Use
Assembly is mostly straightforward but can be a bit challenging without extra guidance or video tutorials.
Included Accessories
The included accessories like eyepieces and a moon filter add valuable versatility for different viewing conditions.

The SOLOMARK 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope is a solid choice for beginners interested in astronomy. Its 130mm aperture is quite large for this category, allowing you to see brighter and more detailed images of the moon, planets, and even some deep space objects. The fully-coated glass optics enhance image clarity, which is great when you’re just starting to observe the night sky.

The German Equatorial Mount is a big plus because it helps track celestial objects smoothly as they move, though it might take a little practice to get comfortable with the manual controls. The included adjustable aluminum tripod is stable and has a convenient accessory tray, making setup and adjustments easier. This telescope comes with useful extras like two eyepieces, a 1.5X Barlow lens to zoom in further, a moon filter to reduce glare during lunar viewing, and a smartphone adapter so you can capture your views.

The telescope is somewhat large and weighs about 15 kg, so it’s less portable compared to smaller beginner models. Manual focusing and equatorial mount adjustments can be a bit challenging for absolute beginners without guidance. For those willing to spend some time learning, this kit offers great value with quality optics and the tools needed to explore the sky in detail.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,457
Aperture
Mount Type
Ease of Use
Aperture
Optics provide clear and bright images, making it a solid choice for beginners eager to see planets and lunar details.
Mount Type
Its stable tripod and smooth equatorial mount support steady tracking of celestial objects during observation.
Ease of Use
Assembly is mostly straightforward but can be a bit challenging without extra guidance or video tutorials.
Included Accessories
The included accessories like eyepieces and a moon filter add valuable versatility for different viewing conditions.
#3

Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability
Aperture
The telescope delivers solid optical performance with good light-gathering capability, enabling clear views of the Moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects even under light-polluted city skies.
Mount Type
The manual German Equatorial mount requires patience and practice to master polar alignment and tracking, but the included motor drive helps maintain smooth tracking when properly aligned.
Portability
The telescope is moderately portable but the mount and accessories add bulk, making it better suited for home use or short trips rather than heavy fieldwork.
Ease of Use
Setup is straightforward but takes time; instructions are adequate though some assembly photos online, including official ones, show incorrect configurations that can confuse beginners.
Included Accessories
The supplied eyepieces are basic and upgrading to better eyepieces and star finders significantly enhances the viewing experience.

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD is a solid choice for beginners interested in exploring astronomy with a reflector telescope. Its 130mm aperture offers good light-gathering ability, allowing clear views of the Moon, planets, and some brighter deep-sky objects. The manual German Equatorial mount with slow-motion controls helps users track celestial objects more precisely, which is a plus for learning the night sky, though it has a steeper learning curve compared to simpler alt-azimuth mounts. Setup is straightforward and tool-free, and the adjustable-height tripod adds convenience for users of different heights.

Portability is moderate; while the telescope and tripod are relatively lightweight, the mount and accessories add some bulk, so it’s best suited for home use or short trips rather than heavy fieldwork. The package includes two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a StarPointer red dot finderscope for easier object location, and a motor drive powered by a 9V battery which aids in smooth tracking but requires battery management. A bonus astronomy software download is a helpful learning tool for beginners.

One drawback is manual focus and the need to get comfortable with the equatorial mount, which might take some patience for complete novices. The optical tube length and weight are typical for this class but might feel a bit cumbersome for younger children to handle alone. This telescope balances quality optics and useful accessories to support a beginner’s learning journey, especially for those willing to invest time in mastering manual controls and star tracking.

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Mount Type
Portability
Aperture
The telescope delivers solid optical performance with good light-gathering capability, enabling clear views of the Moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects even under light-polluted city skies.
Mount Type
The manual German Equatorial mount requires patience and practice to master polar alignment and tracking, but the included motor drive helps maintain smooth tracking when properly aligned.
Portability
The telescope is moderately portable but the mount and accessories add bulk, making it better suited for home use or short trips rather than heavy fieldwork.
Ease of Use
Setup is straightforward but takes time; instructions are adequate though some assembly photos online, including official ones, show incorrect configurations that can confuse beginners.
Included Accessories
The supplied eyepieces are basic and upgrading to better eyepieces and star finders significantly enhances the viewing experience.

Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes For Beginners

Choosing your first telescope can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming with all the options available. The key is to find a telescope that matches your interests, is easy to use, and encourages you to explore the night sky. As a beginner, you want something that is simple to set up, portable enough to move around, and powerful enough to show you interesting celestial objects. Understanding the main features will help you make a confident choice and get the most enjoyment from your stargazing experience.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror, and it is one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. More light means you can see fainter objects and more detail. Aperture sizes for beginner telescopes usually range from about 60mm to 130mm. Smaller apertures (60-80mm) are lighter and easier to handle, great for looking at the Moon and bright planets. Medium apertures (90-130mm) let you see more detail and some deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulae. If you want to see more than just the brightest objects, aim for the largest aperture you can comfortably handle and transport.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance from the telescope's lens or mirror to the point where it forms an image. This affects the magnification and field of view. Shorter focal lengths (under 700mm) give you a wider view, which is great for scanning the sky and viewing large objects like star clusters. Longer focal lengths (over 700mm) provide higher magnification, which is better for looking at planets and the Moon in detail. Think about what you want to observe most: wide views for general sky watching, or close-ups of planets and the Moon.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds your telescope steady and allows you to point it at different parts of the sky. There are two main types: alt-azimuth and equatorial. Alt-azimuth mounts move up/down and left/right, making them simple and intuitive for beginners. Equatorial mounts are designed to follow the motion of the stars, which is helpful for longer observations or astrophotography, but they can be more complex to set up. If you want easy, quick viewing, go for an alt-azimuth mount. If you’re interested in learning more about astronomy and tracking objects, consider an equatorial mount.
PortabilityPortability is about how easy it is to move and set up your telescope. Smaller, lighter telescopes are easier to carry outside or take to a dark-sky location, but they may have smaller apertures. Larger telescopes can show you more, but they can be heavy and take longer to set up. If you plan to observe from your backyard, size may not matter as much. If you want to travel with your telescope, look for something compact and lightweight.
Ease of UseEase of use covers how simple the telescope is to assemble, align, and operate. Some telescopes are ready to use out of the box, while others require more setup and adjustment. For beginners, a telescope that is easy to put together and doesn’t need complicated alignment is best. Look for models with clear instructions and minimal parts. If you’re new to astronomy, a simple design will help you spend more time observing and less time troubleshooting.
Included AccessoriesAccessories like eyepieces, finderscopes, and smartphone adapters can enhance your experience. Eyepieces determine the magnification, and having a couple of different ones lets you switch between wide and close-up views. A finderscope helps you aim the telescope at objects in the sky. Some beginner telescopes come with extra items like star charts or apps. Consider what’s included and whether you’ll need to buy anything else to get started. For beginners, having a few basic accessories included can make your first nights of stargazing much easier.