Telescope reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 194 Reddit reviews across 8 subreddits and 107 posts to rank the best Telescope brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/telescopes, r/AskAstrophotography, r/askastronomy, r/space, r/Astronomy. Top-rated brands include Dobsonian (4.7/5), Apertura (4.5/5), Seestar (3.9/5).
Stats
Reviews194
Subreddits8
Posts107
Brands51
Products71
194 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Dobsonian
4.7
(35)
"8" Dobsonian: the de facto recommendation."
"An 8in Dobsonian is a good start."
"I would recommend spending some time (days/weeks even) looking for a used 8" dob within that price range."
"8" dobsonian, or bigger."
"An 8” Dob would be a perfect upgrade."
"Check your local used market for an 8" Dobsonian."
"A 6 or 8 inch dobsonian is the best telescope at that price and dobsonians are the best telescopes for beginners."
"The largest dobsonian you can afford, preferably with goto/tracking."
"Look for a dobsonian mounted newtonian reflector - the largest aperture you can budget for."
"I paid less than $800 for a 10" dobsonian."
#2
Apertura
4.5
(17)
"Apertura AD6 for under $500 is even better value IMO, if you are willing to spend closer to your max budget."
"I just got the apertura AD10 and it’s awesome."
"Get a six inch Dobsian from Apertura."
"On this subreddit the answer is always a 8" Dobsonian. Specifically the Apertura AD8."
"So far I’m loving it (and have spent way too much money on lenses)."
"Best with equipping worth $300 over others"
"Quick setup, good views."
"The 8" dob would be an ideal purchase."
"I have since purchased a Apertura AD8 Dobsonian 8" it arrives tomorrow which will be fully transportable"
"Still a solid value."
#3
Seestar
3.9
(18)
"Get them the seestar S50. The can plop it down and go inside the house and run it off their ipad."
"Seestar S30 or S50 sounds perfect for what you’re describing."
"Don't try to build your own setup to do this if you have no idea what you're doing. A Seestar S50 or Dwarf III are the cheapest options."
"I do think dwarf 3 or another Seestar will be the best for your situation."
"How about a “robot” scope like the see star s50 or s30."
"Something that is targeting imaging should be considered - like a Seestar S50."
"Seestar s50. You can hold the iPad / iPhone at any height."
"If it;s for kids, Id suggest: Seestar S30 (the latest) but for 150usd more, I d go forthe Seestar S50."
"Most of the advice here is to get a dobsonian and that may be the best choice."
"I have ordered a Seestar S50 smart telescope ($500) and also backed a campaign on Kickstarter called EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescope."
#4
Celestron
4.3
(16)
"These are fantastic for lunar and planetary observation."
"On a larger budget, a SCT or Mak on a solid mount and tripod would also work well."
"Decision made and a Celestron 8" Dob arrived today."
"Got a celestron recently as a gift, the starsense explorer set up is really fantastic."
"Celestron C90 would be my choice, as they're very easy to use and set up."
"I think an 8 inch SCT (EdgeHD not required) would be a much better option."
"Id personally look at a C90 from celestron."
"I'd go for a little Celestron C90 (a 90mm Maksutov) or a small refractor on a Twilight Nano mount."
"A Celestron C90 Maksutov with a steady Phototripod would be a good fit."
"Celestron Travelscope, on Amazon for around £90. I have had one of these for years and it still gets a lot of use."
#5
Zhumell
4.4
(11)
"I got a Zhumell Z10 from Facebook marketplace for $450 because the guy lost the lenses it came with. Deal of the year for me."
"Zhumell z130 for about $270 will be perfect for your budget."
"The best option for a new scope in your $250 price range is the Zhumell Z130."
"I would recommend the Zhumell Z100."
"130p is light years better then the other."
"It is currently $270 and is a great deal."
"Optics are ok, very clear for the price."
"The closest to $100 that's recommendable in any way in my opinion is the $140 Z100."
"Z130 if you can go $240"
"Most affordable telescope I could remotely recommend would be a Zhumell Z100 at $150."
#6
Skywatcher
4.3
(10)
"Try a small tabletop dobsonian like these."
"I'd personally recommend a Skywatcher heritage 150p. It's a tabletop dobsonian designed for a table."
"With that budget you might be able to get something like the zhumell z100/114/130 or if you can shop used look for a skywatcher heritage 150p."
"Used or a sky watcher heritage table top GoTo Dobsonian telescope"
"Any major brand 8 inch dob will be a good scope."
"That is a 150mm parabolic reflector with f/7 focal ratio."
"Your probably best with a Skywatcher telescope."
"You can get a flex tube telescope from skywatcher 150p which is on a dob mount"
"Sky watcher heritage dobsonian is what I would recommend if you have a budget of only 300"
"You can buy a SkyWatcher 150P that's also motorized, like those Virtuoso mounts."
#7
ZWO
3.8
(8)
"I personally love my Seestar S50, on sale for $399... It's smart telescope that does all the hard stuff so you can focus on looking at the sky and get a decent picture of nebulas and galaxies."
"I just bought a ZWO Seestar S50. I haven't had much time to use it yet but the reviews are good and have a few pics of the moon."
"For OP, for the price, I think it's hard to beat the s50. I'm loving it."
"At that price it’s Seestar S50 or Dwarflabs Dwarf 3. I’d favour the S50 for most things."
"Look at a SeeStar S50. Allows you to do limited astrophotography, and learn processing techniques with free software."
"Your best bet would be to capture an "almost" new moon where there is a small crescent. This can be acomplished with something beginner friendly like the Seestar S30."
"I have considered an S50 and may get one in the future."
"The best you will do for that money is a ZWO SeeStar S50."
#8
SkyWatcher
4.5
(4)
"I found what may be a great deal on a SkyWatcher 8" dobsonian."
"Very good optics for the price range, very easy to get set up with and even easier to use"
"Is a good choice if the price is right"
"I would recommend nothing larger than the Skymax 102 for that mount"
#9
Seestar S50
4.3
(4)
"SeeStar S50. Above your price range.... Amazing images, almost too easy."
"U/icy_Access8225 have ordered a Seestar S50 smart telescope ($500)..."
"I have ordered a Seestar S50 smart telescope ($500)..."
"I have ordered a Seestar S50 smart telescope ($500) and also backed a campaign on Kickstarter called EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescope ($180)."
#10
Heritage
4.3
(4)
"The heritages are pretty much the best you can get for the lowest investment."
"The Heritage is a great all rounder that offers portability without sacrificing too much on quality."
"Provide some great views and they're as cheap as a quality telescope can get"
"Also recommended, it is also a good value"
#11
EduSnap 2-in-1 Smart Telescope
4.0
(4)
"...backed a campaign on Kickstarter called EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescope ($180)..."
"EduSnap also comes with an eyepiece so I can do both Visual Observation and Astrophotography."
"...check out this EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescope, newly launched in Kickstarter..."
"Hey, you can probably check this smart telescope for kids education called EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescope."
#12
Bresser
4.0
(4)
"Bresser 5" tabletop Dobson would be in that price range."
"Tabletop dobsonians are great for the price and reasonable portable and intuitive to use."
"It's good enough to see distinct stripes on Jupiter and rings of Saturn."
"Consider 130-150 tabletops like Bresser or Heritage."
#13
Askar
5.0
(3)
"The 71f since its very cheap for what it delivers"
"Seems to be the right beginner scope."
"If you can stretch your budget $100 more, the Askar 71F is a fantastic choice."
#14
Takahashi
5.0
(3)
"Takahashi gears at that price, or telescopes with big hand made polished mirrors and televue eyepieces… wow that sounds like a dream to me"
"There are excellent scopes in your $7000 price bracket (Takahashi and Stellarvue come to mind)"
"I'd recommend the Takahashi FS-60 that is mentioned in my flair, or at least something similar in size."
#15
Orion
5.0
(3)
"Orion starblast 4.5"
"Now I found an Orion Skyquest XT8."
"Portable and good views of the planets."
#16
Sky-Watcher
4.0
(3)
"Sky-watcher 8in dobsonian or a celestron nrxstar 6se or even better 8se."
"I would recommend getting a 150p200p Sky-Watcher dob as they are easy to use and great for looking and planets the moon and some deep sky objects."
"I would recommend getting a 150p200p Sky-Watcher dob as they are easy to use and great for looking and planets."
#17
Nexstar
5.0
(2)
"This will do you well for Jupiter and forever."
"If you want something computerized that will find things for you and be a bit more compact than a dob, get a Nexstar 6SE."
#18
Dobsonian 8in
5.0
(2)
"Me personally, I will be purchasing an 8in Dobsonian real soon."
"I'm an absolute noob & absolutely loving my Dobsonian."
#19
StellaLyra 8" f/6 Dobsonian
5.0
(2)
"It has FAR better accessories than Sky Watcher."
"StellaLyra has well over £200 better equipping than other Dobsons."
#20
Skywatcher Heritage 130p
5.0
(2)
"Skywatcher Heritage 130p/zhumell z130 or similar."
"For Australia Heritage 130p is likely the best for that price level with good optics."
#21
Meade
5.0
(2)
"Personally, I'd get the S50 and would then look for a used Meade ETX 90/105/125 tabletop."
"LX200 Meade 10" or 12" depending on the cost."
#22
Tabletop Dobsonian
4.5
(2)
"This is fantastic. https://a.co/d/aEhPM71"
"At that budget level tabletop Dobson would give the most performance."
#23
Askar 71f
4.5
(2)
"The Askar 71f is phenomenal, especially for the price."
"The Askar 71f has been great for me and it's 600 before tax."
#24
Obsession
4.5
(2)
"Get an ultralight dobsonian. Obsession 22" UC easily fits in a regular car."
"If you want to go really high end you could possible look into Obsession telescopes."
#25
Dwarflabs
4.0
(2)
"At that price it’s Seestar S50 or Dwarflabs Dwarf 3. The Dwarf 3 can do wider angle stuff."
"I really love my Dwarf 3."
#26
Zhumell Z100
4.0
(2)
"Try to get a zhummel Z100, or if you can stretch, a Z114. Both are great scopes."
"If you can get a Zhumell Z100 in budget, that. It's not perfect but it wins on ease of use."
#27
Dwarf
4.0
(2)
"Maybe one of those wee smart telescopes? A Dwarf 3 or a Seestar S30/S50 could be cool."
"Seestar S30 ($350), Seestar S50 ($400 used), or Dwarf 3 ($500)."
#28
EduSnap
4.0
(2)
"You can check out this campaign on Kickstarter called EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescope ($180 after pre-order discount)."
"Seestar S50 and EduSnap 2-in-1 smart telescopes are good for amateurs as they are comparable in specs and beginner-friendly."
#29
iOptron
5.0
(1)
"This 16" would be great for observing planets."
#30
80mm Refractor
5.0
(1)
"The easiest to use are my 80mm refractor that I found on eBay for $80."
#31
FLO
4.0
(1)
"Have a decent part on beginner telescopes."
#32
Explore Scientific
4.0
(1)
"Both have received pretty good reviews, and both have more aperture than what you are looking at."
#33
Astronomers Without Borders
4.0
(1)
"It's very good."
#34
Gskyer
4.0
(1)
"We've been able to observe and photograph planets - they are loving it."
#35
Odyssey
4.0
(1)
"Odyssey Pro has some more aperture, but fraction of price would get telescope giving far more out of the Moon."
#36
Ursa Major
4.0
(1)
"The Ursa Major has a longer focal length for higher magnification."
#37
Sarblue
4.0
(1)
"It is a lot cheaper than the Celestron C90 and a Tripod is included."
#38
Omegon
4.0
(1)
"I paid just under 500€ for my Omegon 203/1200 manual dobson."
#39
Goto 8" Dob
4.0
(1)
"If you have 1k, I would suggest buying a goto."
#40
SkyWatcher Classic
4.0
(1)
"Get an 8 inch dobsonian, maybe like the sky watcher classic."
#41
SkyWatcher 150P 6"
4.0
(1)
"What does everyone think about the Skywatcher 150P 6"?"
#42
Apertura AD8
4.0
(1)
"Apertura AD8 has 300 USD worth better equipping."
#43
Celestron CG-4
4.0
(1)
"I like Celestron CG-4 / Sky-Watcher Eq3-2 (steel leg version) a lot."
#44
Inspire 100AZ
4.0
(1)
"I have the Inspire 100AZ which is essentially the same and find it a very nice beginner scope."
#45
GSO 6" F/8 Dobsonian
4.0
(1)
"New, that would be a GSO 6" / 150mm F/8 Dobsonian package."
#46
Telescopic Watch
4.0
(1)
"You could also look at https://telescopicwatch.com/ for some detailed info on them."
#47
Heritage 150
4.0
(1)
"Heritage 150 is a good all-around telescope and should work well."
#48
Sky Prodigy
3.0
(1)
"How cheap is the sky prodigy? Sub 200, might be a worthy buy!"
#49
Celestron Z130
3.0
(1)
"Its good, but the focuser is kinda iffy. Id try and spring for a Z130."
#50
Virtuoso
3.0
(1)
"The Virtuoso is the only scope that checks all your boxes within your budget."
#51
Celestron AZ70
3.0
(1)
"Celestron AZ70. Bought mine second hand."
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