If you're just starting out in amateur astronomy, choosing the right telescope can seem daunting. To make the decision easier, here’s a guide to the seven most popular types of telescopes for beginners, covering various sizes and use cases. We’ve also provided both budget-friendly and premium options to suit a range of needs and preferences.

1. Refractor Telescopes (70-100mm Aperture)

Refractor telescopes are often the first choice for beginners due to their simple design and minimal maintenance. They use lenses to gather and focus light, providing sharp, clear views of the moon, planets, and bright stars. A refractor with a 70-100mm aperture is a good starting point, balancing ease of use with sufficient light-gathering power for enjoyable stargazing.

- Best For: Moon, planets, bright star clusters, and bright nebulae

- Budget Examples (i.e. $200 - $1600 AUD):

- Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ – Affordable, portable, and easy to use, ideal for first-time astronomers.

- Sky-Watcher 80ED – An 80mm doublet refractor, offering sharp, high-contrast views with minimal chromatic aberration, ideal for both planetary and wide-field deep-sky observation.

- Sky-Watcher 82ED – A versatile 82mm ED refractor, delivering bright, high-contrast images, perfect for visual observing and astrophotography.

- Sky-Watcher Evostar 90 – Offers superior optical quality with a 90mm aperture, excellent for high-contrast planetary views.

- Sky-Watcher 100ED - A 100mm doublet refractor with premium ED glass, providing excellent contrast and detail for planetary viewing and deep-sky imaging.

- Premium Examples (i.e. $2000+ AUD):

- Takahashi FC-76DCU – A 76mm fluorite doublet refractor, offering sharp, high-contrast planetary views and portable for both visual and imaging use.

- TeleVue TV-85 – A 85mm doublet refractor, delivering crisp, clear views, ideal for planetary observation and basic astrophotography.

- Takahashi FSQ-85ED – An 85mm quadruplet refractor, offering a flat field perfect for wide-field astrophotography, with exceptional optical quality.

- Astro-Physics Stowaway – A compact 92mm triplet refractor, known for its superior wide-field views and excellent portability.

- TeleVue NP101is – A 101mm 4-element refractor, designed for both visual observing and astrophotography, providing a flat, sharp image across the field.

2. Dobsonian Telescopes (6-10 inch Aperture)

Dobsonian telescopes are known for their simplicity and large apertures, making them perfect for viewing faint deep-sky objects. They use a reflector design with a stable, user-friendly base, making them one of the best value-for-money options in astronomy. A 6-10 inch Dobsonian provides excellent light-gathering ability without being overly cumbersome for beginners.

- Best For: Deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies, as well as planets

- Examples (i.e. $300 - $1000 AUD):

- Sky-Watcher 6” Classic Dobsonian – A great entry-level 6-inch scope with excellent light-gathering capacity.

- Sky-Watcher 200 Dobsonian – A 200mm f/5 reflector, perfect for deep-sky observing, offering a large aperture for exceptional light-gathering power and bright, detailed views of celestial objects.

- Orion SkyQuest XT10 Plus – A great 10-inch Dobsonian with a large aperture, offering stunning views of faint galaxies and nebulae.

3. Reflector (Newtonian) Telescopes (114-150mm Aperture)

Reflector telescopes use mirrors to gather light, and they're popular among beginners because they provide a lot of aperture for the price. A reflector in the 114-130mm range is perfect for viewing a wide range of celestial objects, from the moon and planets to star clusters and brighter nebulae.

- Best For: General-purpose stargazing, including the moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects

- Budget Examples (i.e. $300 - $1000 AUD):

- Orion SpaceProbe II 114mm – Affordable and versatile, with enough light-gathering power to explore many celestial objects.

- Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P FlexTube – Compact and powerful, with a collapsible design for easy transport and storage.

- Sky-Watcher 130 PDS – A 130mm f/5 parabolic reflector, ideal for deep-sky observing, offering a wide field and excellent light-gathering ability for clear, bright images.

- Sky-Watcher 150 PDS – A 150mm f/5 parabolic reflector, designed for deep-sky astrophotography, providing a larger aperture for enhanced light collection and detailed views.

- Premium Examples (i.e. $3000+ AUD):

- Takahashi Epsilon-130D/ED – A 130mm f/3.3 astrograph, perfect for deep-sky astrophotography, offering a fast, wide field with minimal aberrations.

- Takahashi Epsilon-160D/ED – A 160mm f/3.3 astrograph, perfect for deep-sky astrophotography, offering a fast, wide field with excellent sharpness and minimal aberrations.

4. Reflector (Compound & Catadioptrics) Telescopes (90-150mm Aperture)

Reflector telescopes, specifically compound and catadioptric designs, combine mirrors and lenses to offer versatile and compact optical systems. These telescopes are popular among beginners and intermediate astronomers for their portability, ease of use, and ability to provide crisp images across a wide range of celestial objects. With an aperture of 90-150mm, they are suitable for observing planets, the moon, and various deep-sky objects while maintaining a manageable size for transport and storage.

- Best For: General stargazing, including planets, the moon, star clusters, and some deep-sky objects

- Examples (i.e. $200 - $1500 AUD):

- Celestron C90 Mak – An affordable and compact 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope that offers sharp views of the moon and planets, ideal for beginner astronomers on a budget.

- Sky-Watcher 127 Skymax – A popular 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope that balances performance and price, providing excellent optics for planetary and lunar observation without breaking the bank.

- Sky-Watcher 150 Skymax – A 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope that offers exceptional light-gathering capability and portability, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and more experienced astronomers.

- Meade LX65 6-inch SCT – A high-quality 6-inch compound (Schmidt-Cassegrain) telescope that combines advanced optics with GoTo technology, perfect for serious stargazers seeking automated object tracking and imaging capabilities.

5. Computerised (GoTo) Telescopes (4-5 inch Aperture)

For those who want a little extra help navigating the night sky, a computerised or GoTo telescope is a great choice. These telescopes automatically locate and track celestial objects, making stargazing more convenient. A 4-5 inch (100-127mm) computerised telescope offers a great mix of modern tech and optical performance for beginners.

- Best For: Automated object location, moon, planets, bright deep-sky objects

- Examples (i.e. $1000 - $1600 AUD):

- Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ – Uses your smartphone to help locate objects in the sky, making it easy to find planets and star clusters.

- Celestron NexStar 4SE – A well-known and reliable computerised telescope with impressive optics and an extensive object database.

6. Telescopes (50-80mm Aperture)

For stargazers who like to observe from multiple locations, a compact travel telescope is a great option. These are lightweight and portable, making them easy to take on the go. A travel telescope in the 50-80mm aperture range is perfect for casual moon and planet viewing, as well as some brighter deep-sky objects.

- Best For: Portability, casual stargazing from various locations

- Budget Examples (i.e. $200 - $1000 AUD):

- Celestron Travel Scope 70 – Lightweight, affordable, and comes with a backpack, perfect for stargazing on the go.

- Sky-Watcher 62ED – A compact and lightweight telescope with excellent optics, ideal for both terrestrial and astronomical viewing, perfect for travel and quick setup.

- Sky-Watcher StarTravel 80 – Offers superior optics in a portable design, with great performance for a travel scope.

- Premium Examples (i.e. $1300+ AUD):

- William Optics Redcat 51 – A 51mm apochromatic refractor with a fast f/4.9 focal ratio, designed for wide-field astrophotography and visual observation, featuring exceptional build quality and portability.

- Takahashi FC50 – A high-quality 50mm fluorite refractor known for its superb optics and colour correction, making it an excellent choice for serious astronomers seeking a premium travel scope.

- Takahashi FS60 C/CB – A versatile 60mm doublet refractor with exceptional optical quality and portability, perfect for both visual observation and astrophotography.

- Takahashi FCT-65D – A 65mm apochromatic refractor that combines compact design with high-end optics, ideal for discerning astronomers looking for a lightweight yet powerful travel telescope.

- Astro-Physics Stowaway – A compact 92mm triplet refractor, known for its superior wide-field views and excellent portability.

7. Smart Telescopes (50-60mm Aperture)

Smart telescopes are a new category of highly automated, app-driven telescopes that make stargazing more accessible than ever. These telescopes often come with built-in cameras and Wi-Fi control, allowing you to easily capture images of celestial objects and explore the night sky without needing extensive manual setup. While relatively new, they offer exciting possibilities for beginners, especially those interested in astrophotography.

- Best For: Automated stargazing, astrophotography, app-based control

- Examples (i.e. Under $1000 AUD)

- Dwarf II Smart Telescope – A compact, affordable smart telescope with image-capturing capabilities and app-based controls for beginners.

- ZWO Seestar S50 – Offers advanced imaging capabilities, app integration, and automation for a highly intuitive stargazing experience.

Tips for Choosing Your First Telescope

When selecting your first telescope, consider these factors:

- Aperture: The size of the aperture determines how much light the telescope gathers, which affects how well you can see faint objects. Larger apertures are better for deep-sky viewing, but they can be bulkier.

- Portability: Some telescopes are designed to be easily transported, while others are more suitable for permanent setups in one location.

- Ease of Use: For beginners, simpler designs like refractors and Dobsonians are often the easiest to start with. For those who want extra assistance, computerised or smart telescopes offer convenience.

When choosing a telescope, it's essential to consider your mount decision and budget, as the mount is just as vital as the optics—especially for those looking to delve into astrophotography. This is why Dobsonian telescopes are often regarded as great value for money, providing in-built stable mounts that enhance visual experiences without straining your budget.

Whichever type and size you choose, take your time learning the features and enjoy the process of exploring the night sky. And remember, binoculars (such as 7x50 or 10x50 models) are a fantastic way to familiarise yourself with the stars before committing to a telescope purchase. There’s an entire universe waiting for you to discover!

Please note: The examples provided are not direct recommendations but rather illustrations of budget and premium options available in the market that may meet your requirements. We encourage all individuals interested in purchasing a new telescope to conduct their due diligence by researching through forums, online resources, astronomical clubs, and reputable suppliers. Also, don't forget the online marketplaces (i.e. Ice In Space) where you may find that dream scope you are after much cheaper!

Disclaimer:

The thoughts and impressions shared in this review are based on our personal experience with the product. It’s important to note that everyone’s experience may differ depending on their setup, preferences, and expectations.

In the interest of transparency, we are open about how the equipment is provided for review. If we purchased the item ourselves, borrowed it from a supplier, manufacturer, or another amateur astronomer, or if it was donated or gifted by a supplier or manufacturer, we will clearly state so in the review (at the bottom).

We strive to be objective in our evaluations and do not allow gifts, loans, or financial incentives to influence our reviews or alter our opinions. Our goal is to offer honest and impartial assessments to help others make informed decisions.