The 10 Best Telescopes as of June 2026

How we ranked these telescopes

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

Performance (35%) — how well each telescope does its core job.
Value (25%) — quality and features for the price.
Build & reliability (20%) — materials, longevity and warranty.
Features (20%) — meaningful extras that improve the experience.

At a glance: top 10 compared

Swipe across to see all columns, including Amazon links →

#	Telescopes	Score	Best for	Type	Approx. Price	Amazon links
1	Celestron NexStar 5SE	9.0	Best overall	Computerised Maksutov-Cass	$700	View Price
2	Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian	8.9	Best for deep sky	Dobsonian reflector	$400	View Price
3	Celestron NexStar 8SE	8.8	Best premium	Computerised SCT	$1,400	View Price
4	Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P	8.7	Best tabletop value	Tabletop Dobsonian	$160	View Price
5	Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ	8.7	Best app-guided	Reflector (phone-assisted)	$350	View Price
6	Sky-Watcher Skymax 102	8.5	Best for planets	Maksutov-Cassegrain	$260	View Price
7	Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ	8.5	Best beginner reflector	Newtonian reflector	$180	View Price
8	Sky-Watcher Evostar 90	8.4	Best refractor	Refractor	$230	View Price
9	Celestron Travel Scope 70	8.2	Best travel & budget	Small refractor	$80	View Price
10	Sky-Watcher Heritage 76	8.2	Best for kids	Mini tabletop reflector	$60	View Price

The full ranking

Best overall

Celestron NexStar 5SE

9.0Our number one pick.

The NexStar 5SE pairs a sharp, compact optical tube with a computerised GoTo mount that finds and tracks thousands of objects automatically, the do-it-all scope that grows with you. It is an investment and eats batteries, but the optics and ease are exceptional.

Optics: 9.2Mount: 9.4Ease: 9.0Value: 8.4

Pros

Sharp compact optics
Auto-locating GoTo mount
Grows with your skills

Cons

Pricey
Hungry for batteries

Check price on Amazon≈ $700

Best for deep sky

Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian

8.9A superb runner-up.

The Skyliner 200P's big 8-inch mirror gathers huge amounts of light for stunning views of galaxies and nebulae, all on a simple, stable Dobsonian base that's superb value. It is large to store and move, but the deep-sky views are exceptional.

Optics: 9.6Mount: 8.6Ease: 8.6Value: 9.2

Pros

Huge light-gathering mirror
Stunning deep-sky views
Great value

Cons

Large and heavy
Manual finding

Check price on Amazon≈ $400

Best premium

Celestron NexStar 8SE

8.8Rounds out our top three.

The NexStar 8SE's 8-inch aperture and computerised mount deliver bright, detailed views of planets and deep-sky objects with easy auto-tracking, a scope many keep for life. It is expensive and heavy, but the views and capability are excellent.

Optics: 9.4Mount: 9.2Ease: 8.8Value: 8.2

Pros

Large 8-inch aperture
Computerised tracking
Detailed bright views

Cons

Expensive
Heavy setup

Check price on Amazon≈ $1,400

Best tabletop value

Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P

8.7A standout in the upper half.

The Heritage 130P packs a capable 130mm mirror into a collapsible tabletop Dobsonian that's light, quick to set up and brilliant value for beginners. It needs a sturdy surface, but the views and value are excellent.

Optics: 9.0Mount: 8.6Ease: 9.0Value: 9.4

Pros

Capable 130mm mirror
Collapsible and portable
Outstanding value

Cons

Needs a stable table
Manual finding

Check price on Amazon≈ $160

Best app-guided

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ

8.7A well-rounded mid-table pick.

The StarSense Explorer uses your phone and Celestron's app to point you to objects in real time, taking the frustration out of finding things without a motor. The mount is manual, but the app-guided finding and optics are excellent.

Optics: 8.8Mount: 8.6Ease: 9.2Value: 8.8

Pros

Phone app finds objects
Good 130mm optics
Beginner-friendly

Cons

Manual (non-motorised) mount
Needs a smartphone

Check price on Amazon≈ $350

Best for planets

Sky-Watcher Skymax 102

8.5Great value in the middle of the pack.

The compact Skymax 102 Maksutov excels at high-magnification views of the Moon and planets, showing crisp detail in a portable tube. Its long focal length narrows the field for deep sky, but for planetary detail it is excellent.

Optics: 9.0Mount: 8.2Ease: 8.6Value: 8.6

Pros

Crisp planetary views
Compact and portable
Great on the Moon

Cons

Narrow field of view
Mount sold separately on some kits

Check price on Amazon≈ $260

Best beginner reflector

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ

8.5A dependable pick if the price is right.

The AstroMaster 130EQ offers a good-sized 130mm mirror on an equatorial mount that teaches you to track the sky, a classic, affordable beginner reflector. The mount takes practice, but the optics and value are excellent.

Optics: 8.8Mount: 8.2Ease: 8.4Value: 9.0

Pros

Good 130mm aperture
Teaches sky tracking
Affordable

Cons

Fiddly EQ mount
Some assembly

Check price on Amazon≈ $180

Best refractor

Sky-Watcher Evostar 90

8.4Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

The Evostar 90 refractor gives sharp, contrasty views of the Moon and planets with no mirror to align and little maintenance, a tidy choice for low fuss. The aperture limits faint deep-sky objects, but for easy lunar and planetary use it is good.

Optics: 8.6Mount: 8.4Ease: 8.8Value: 8.6

Pros

Sharp lunar/planetary views
No mirror alignment
Low maintenance

Cons

Limited on faint objects
Long tube

Check price on Amazon≈ $230

Best travel & budget

Celestron Travel Scope 70

8.2A budget-friendly option worth a look.

The Travel Scope 70 is a light, affordable refractor with a backpack and tripod for grab-and-go skywatching and daytime use. It is a starter-grade scope, but for travel and a first look at the sky it is good value.

Optics: 8.2Mount: 8.0Ease: 8.8Value: 9.0

Pros

Light and portable
Comes with backpack
Affordable

Cons

Small aperture
Wobbly tripod

Check price on Amazon≈ $80

Best for kids

Sky-Watcher Heritage 76

8.2Rounds out our top ten.

The Heritage 76 is a tiny tabletop reflector that's simple, sturdy and cheap, a lovely first telescope for children to explore the Moon. The small mirror limits faint objects, but for kids and value it is good.

Optics: 8.0Mount: 8.4Ease: 9.0Value: 9.0

Pros

Simple and sturdy
Great for children
Very affordable

Cons

Small aperture
Tabletop only

Check price on Amazon≈ $60

Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the telescopes in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the Celestron NexStar 5SE, which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian and Celestron NexStar 8SE are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best telescopes without overthinking it, the Celestron NexStar 5SE is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ $700

Our top picks at a glance

Celestron NexStar 5SE

Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P

Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian

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How we ranked these telescopes

At a glance: top 10 compared

The full ranking

Celestron NexStar 5SE

Pros

Cons

Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian

Pros

Cons

Celestron NexStar 8SE

Pros

Cons

Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P

Pros

Cons

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ

Pros

Cons

Sky-Watcher Skymax 102

Pros

Cons

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ

Pros

Cons

Sky-Watcher Evostar 90

Pros

Cons

Celestron Travel Scope 70

Pros

Cons

Sky-Watcher Heritage 76

Pros

Cons

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

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