1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall
3. Best smart telescope
4. Best value
5. Best premium telescope
6. Best for serious observers
7. Best compact smart telescope
8. Best for versatility
9. Best for traditional astrophotography
10. Best telescopes for deep space FAQs
11. How we test
The best telescopes for deep space viewing can open up a whole new world of astronomy that you can't access with some of the more basic scopes that are more suited to viewing planets. We've rounded up the best currently on the market right here.
Thanks to having larger apertures than most scopes, deep space telescopes let in more light than most, bringing distant objects into focus more — including those from outside of our solar system.
The very best telescopes for deep space can cost thousands of dollars, but that doesn't mean they all have to break the bank. Of course, features and quality will vary somewhat depending on your budget, but we've included a range of deep space scopes with different price points to suit different budgets.
You'll also find more traditional telescopes and those with built-in computers and other smart technology here. The best smart telescopes are often better suited to beginners while experienced users will often appreciate a traditional experience requiring manual alignment.
We've selected the best telescopes for deep space with the help of our expert reviewers. Many of the scopes we've featured here have been extensively reviewed, and you'll find links to our reviews for more information.
If you're looking for a more generalist telescope, check out our guide to the best telescopes overall, and if you're only really interested in viewing our Solar System, you may find a more suitable option in our guide to the best telescopes for seeing planets. Those who are new to space observation may wish to explore our guide to the best beginner telescopes, and we've also rounded up a list of the best telescopes under $500 for those who are shopping on a tighter budget.
The quick list
Below we've summarized our top picks of the best telescopes for deep space, including their main characteristics, who they might be suited for, and where to purchase them. If you're after more information, click the links to read more in the boxes below, and you'll be taken to more in-depth reviews.
Best overall
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is no small investment when it comes to the cost, but this feels like a telescope that is really built to last. Edge-to-edge sharpness across the field of view and superb design means astronomers can upgrade this scope to last for years.
Best smart telescope
The eVscope 2 is an unusual type of telescope that may well appeal to those who are newcomers to the telescope world. This system makes it easy and convenient to navigate the night sky even without any prior astronomy experience, particularly as there's no need for polar star alignment.
Best value
For those looking for quality deep-space viewing on a budget, this offers fantastic value for money, but if you're able to invest a bit more then we'd recommend checking out the Flextube Synscan Go-To version of the same telescope, which maintains the same brilliant optics.
Best premium telescope
If you're a serious amateur astronomer developing a deep understanding of both the sky and the telescope, then the Celestron Advanced VX Edge HD is a good option.
Best for serious observers
If you're a seasoned sky-watcher looking to upgrade your kit, the Sky-Watcher Flextube 16-inch 400P Synscan comes equipped with a 16-inch aperture to give users an astonishing view of deep space.
Best compact smart telescope
For tech-savvy sky-watchers looking for a modern way to view the night sky, this telescope is a very nifty bit of kit that can capture stunning images of deep sky objects such as star clusters, nebulas and galaxies and can even handle being used in light-polluted cities.
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Best for versatility
While probably best for planetary and lunar observations, this scope acts as a great all-rounder, including for deep sky observing. Costing less than $1000, we think it's a reasonable price for a top-quality piece of stargazing equipment.
Best for traditional astrophotography
If you want to jump into deep sky photography, capturing star clusters, nebulas and galaxies and you're shopping on a budget, this telescope might be a great choice for you.
Tom Kerss F.R.A.S. is a London-based astronomer, astrophotographer, author and consultant. Having previously worked at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, he is the founder of Stargazing✦London, which delivers world-class online astronomy and space courses with subject experts. Tom is also the host of the Star Signs podcast, providing updates from the world of space news, as well as what to look out for in the night sky.
The best telescopes for deep space we recommend in 2024
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Best overall
✅ You want a portable telescope: at just 32 lbs, this is one of the more lightweight models.
✅ You want excellent optics: this telescope provides sharpness across the entire field of view.
✅ You want to get the best bang for your buck: considering the quality you get with this telescope, it offers great value.
❌ You're on a budget: while it's good value, it's not cheap, and the outlay is expensive too.
❌ You want the fastest speeds: there's a little lag while slewing which could get in the way for some.
❌ You're going to use it on the go: this telescope is so power-hungry we recommend you use it with mains power.
🔎 The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a fantastic telescope and one that would suit a beginner, intermediate or advanced skywatcher. Something simple enough for a beginner to get to grips with, but also please an advanced sky watcher is quite hard to come by. ★★★★½
Design: The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and it's our top choice for exploring deep space. Its eye-catching orange design is a signature of Celestron, giving it a sleek and sophisticated look.
Despite its large aperture and long focal length, it's impressively compact and lightweight, thanks to its catadioptric design, making it relatively easy to carry around to dark sky locations. Equipped with a motorized single fork arm mount, the controller is user-friendly and intuitive. The large buttons are easy to navigate, even in the dark or while wearing gloves, ensuring a hassle-free stargazing experience.
Performance: Undoubtedly, one of the best aspects of the NexStar 8SE is its superb optics. In our Celestron Nexstar 8SE review, we could get extremely sharp and bright views of the surface of the Moon, and it's capable of viewing much more distant objects, too, in the right conditions.
We found some lag between pressing a button on the controller and the motor beginning to turn. Still, the motor is incredibly smooth when slewing and tracking objects, so it would be ideal for anyone wanting to do long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography.
Functionality: The NexStar 8SE is easy and convenient to set up and take down, making it a good option for anyone short on space at home. Celestron's SkyAlign technology makes it simple enough to align without prior knowledge. Once aligned, the motorized mount can automatically slew to your chosen target, making it very beginner-friendly.
Keep in mind that the NexStar 8SE needs eight AA batteries, which is quite a lot. You might want to consider using rechargeable batteries or plugging it into the mains for power. Despite this small downside, we think this telescope is still great for both beginners and experienced sky-watchers.
- Read our full Celestron NexStar 8SE review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Compact and user friendly, although not the most lightweight. |
| Performance | Motor is impressively smooth when slewing and tracking. |
| Functionality | We liked the in-built hand controller. |
Best smart telescope
✅ You're a beginner: the setup is really simple and effortless.
✅ You care about the looks: the design of this telescope is super sleek.
✅ You want a good app: this one is well-designed and intuitive.
❌ You're on a budget: this telescope is one of the more expensive ones on this list.
❌ You're a purist: the smart functions and tech may not appeal to traditional sky-watchers.
❌ You are used to the highest quality: the 7.7MP resolution isn't as good as what you can get with traditional telescopes.
🔎 Photographers will absolutely love the eVscope 2 because it looks and feels much more like a premium photography kit. Purist astronomers who are used to using finder scopes, alignment processes and slightly dated handheld control remotes may find it a little jarring to start with, but the speed and beauty of the eVscope 2 is definitely worth trying out. ★★★★½
Design: The Unistellar eVscope 2 is an incredibly sophisticated device that merges a telescope with a camera, so you don't need extra camera gear. It has a 4.5-inch reflector and a built-in camera with a 7.7MP image sensor, making it simple to take and share pictures.
We loved the sleek and minimalist design of this scope. There is just a single power button on the main body of the telescope, with the rest of the controls being accessed via the Unistellar app. It's an appealing option for those looking for an innovative way to view and photograph the night sky.
Performance: If you prefer traditional telescope gear, you'll like the Nikon eyepiece that comes with the set. But if you're into modern tech, there's also an electronic eyepiece available. This one features an OLED screen similar to what you find on mirrorless cameras. It's different from the optical view and can't be swapped with Barlow lenses or other magnifiers. Still, we like using it because the screen is excellent quality, with fantastic contrast and deep blacks.
If you're primarily using the Unistellar eVscope 2 as an astrocamera, you might find its 7.7MP sensor a little restrictive compared to a true DSLR or mirrorless camera. You won't be able to blow up photos very large for display. That said, we've found that the eVscope 2 performs valiantly compared to many dedicated astrocameras, and using it is very straightforward, taking out a lot of the hassle. If you're a beginner astrophotographer, then, this is a great place to start.
Functionality: The eVscope 2 is incredibly easy to set up. It aligns itself automatically once it's been powered up and connected to the app, so it requires no previous knowledge of the night sky. The app is intuitive, allowing for manual or automatic navigation via the Explore mode. The only downside for beginners is the price, as all this technology makes this one of the most expensive telescopes on our list.
- Read our full: Unistellar eVscope 2 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Very sturdy tripod and simple telescope mount. |
| Performance | Object go-to is intuitive and fast. |
| Functionality | App allows you to easily go-to celestial objects. |
Best value
✅ You want great aperture on a buget: this telescope offers an unrivalled aperture-to-price ratio.
✅ You want a sturdy scope: the mount on this model feels particularly strong.
✅ You want immersive deep-sky views: this telescope accepts 2-inch eyepieces.
❌ You want electronic go-to functions: this telescope is not equipped with them.
❌ You want the most ergonomic telescope: it can be uncomfortable at some angles.
🔎 For those looking for high-quality deep-space on a budget, the Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Classic is a fantastic choice. ★★★★½
Design: A telescope with a slightly bigger aperture can gather a lot more light, making images appear brighter. For instance, an 8-inch mirror gathers 77% more light than a 6-inch mirror, even though it's only 33% wider. The Sky-Watcher Skyliner-200P is the best affordable choice for deep-sky stargazing in this category. It focuses on giving you great performance without unnecessary fancy features.
The Skyliner-200P is a weighty telescope at 24kg, but its compact footprint of 54cm makes it easy to fit in tight storage spaces when stored upright. It is also quick to set up and pack away compared to other telescopes of this size.
Performance: Although the basic Dobsonian mount does not automatically locate or track celestial objects, its smooth movements make manual tracking easy. The 50mm finder, essentially a small telescope, can initially locate and center objects before observation with the primary mirror.
The telescope also features a dual-size focuser, which can accept 2-inch eyepieces — a must for anyone seeking the most immersive deep-sky views. 2-inch eyepieces have the advantage of being able to achieve wider fields of view at lower magnifications, enhancing the vistas on offer for the specs.
Functionality: If you want to explore deep space without breaking the bank, this telescope is a great deal. It's a sturdy, classic model that traditionalists will appreciate. But if you're interested in electronic features, you might want to check out the Flextube Synscan Go-To version of the same telescope. It has the same excellent optics but comes with user-friendly electronic functions.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Quite heavy at 24kg. |
| Performance | Dobsonian mount feels strong and sturdy. |
| Functionality | No electronic Go-To function. |
Best premium telescope
✅ You want a portable telescope: this one is compact and easy to store.
✅ You want some smart features: you get automatic alignment with StarSense.
✅ You want to take it on the go: this telescope has a built-in rechargeable battery.
❌ You want to use it for professional long-exposure photography: it needs a more robust mount.
❌ You want more aperture: this telescope is pricey considering its limited aperture.
❌ You're on a budget: this telescope is not the cheapest on this list.
🔎 If you're a serious amateur astronomer developing a deep understanding of both the sky and the telescope, then the Celestron Advanced VX Edge HD is a good option. The telescope is as good as you could wish for in its size range. ★★★★★
Design: We're impressed by how compact the Celestron Advanced VX Edge HD is. It's perfect for taking with you on outdoor excursions, especially with its rechargeable battery making transportation a breeze. Despite its small size, don't underestimate its power. This telescope boasts an 8-inch aperture and a Schmidt-Cassegrain component reflector, delivering remarkable optical performance.
You'll also find a computerized equatorial mount within the VX Edge HD, with its main axis pointed at the celestial pole. As a result, the same mount can be used with a range of other telescopes and even cameras, so it's ideal if you're into astrophotography.
Performance: The 40mm eyepiece included in the pack offers 50x magnification, which gives you nice views of star clusters, nebulas and galaxies. We'd recommend buying an additional 20mm and 10mm eyepieces to get the very best out of this telescope, which will give you 100x and 200x views, respectively.
The scope can offer beautiful views of Jupiter, Saturn, globular clusters, the Messier Objects and at a push, galaxies down to the 12th magnitude, so it should be enough to please most serious astronomers. We found it to be optically superior to standard Schmidt-Cassegrains, especially when moving away from the image's center.
Functionality: Setting up the equatorial mount can be a bit tricky and might not be the best choice for beginners. You'll need to align its polar axis with Polaris and then use bright stars to fine-tune its alignment with the computer. However, once it's all set, finding and tracking objects is effortless. It connects smoothly to Celestron's SkyPortal app, giving you access to a database of over 120,000 celestial targets to choose from.
Those keen on astrophotography can also attach a camera to take pictures of planets and deep sky objects, with exciting results. Our only niggle was that we felt we needed a slightly sturdier mount when using heavy photography gear for long exposures.
- Read our full Celestron Advanced VX Edge HD review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, rugged computerized mount. |
| Performance | Finds and tracks celestial objects reliably. |
| Functionality | Great views of all types of celestial objects. |
Best for serious observers
✅ You want smart features: this telescope has built-in go-to and tracking.
✅ You want great optical quality: the performance of this telescope is unbeatable, especially with deep-sky views.
✅ You want a portable telescope: this one is fairly light and easy to disassemble.
❌ You're a beginner: this telescope is quite complex and not the most intuitive.
❌ You don't have much space: this telescope is very large when fully assembled.
❌ You're after super precise kit: the tracking performance isn't the most accurate.
🔎 The Sky-Watcher Flextube 16-inch 400P Synscan will best suit seasoned astronomers who are well-used to handling complex pieces of kit and don't need very accurate tracking. ★★★★½
Design: When it comes to seeing the incomparable beauty of the deep sky, nothing compares with the experience of looking through a giant Dobsonian telescope — even if you need a step ladder to get up to the eyepiece! The imposing Sky-Watcher Flextube 16-inch 400P Synscan has a 16-inch aperture to give users an astonishing view of celestial objects in deep space.
The telescope's truss tube design is really smart. You can dismantle it in around 20 minutes, and despite its size, it's not overly heavy. Also, you have the option to use a fabric shroud to cover the truss assembly, which helps block out extra light and keeps the mirrors safe and protected.
You can power it using a DC plug or an external power tank, and it provides pretty accurate location and tracking capabilities through the Sky-Watchers Synscan computer handset.
Performance: With built-in Go-To and tracking technology, you'd think the Sky-Watcher Flextube should be easy enough to use. But in fact, it's rather complex. It's not the most intuitive telescope on the market, so we wouldn't recommend it for beginners. Its tracking performance also isn't the best, and if precision is important to you, it's probably one that's best to avoid.
If you can get over the learning curve of setting it up and can cope with tracking being a little off, you likely won't find anything to rival this telescope in terms of optics. It's one of the best we've seen in terms of performance and offers spectacular views of the deep sky.
Functionality: With dual-encoder technology, you can slew the telescope manually without having to reposition it. Each axis remembers its position, so you can switch between celestial objects smoothly while keeping tracking intact. This telescope provides an impressive experience for viewing deep-sky objects, thanks to its large mirror, especially when you're observing galaxies and nebulas under dark skies.
Still, it's not as intuitive for beginners as some of the other options, so we'd say that it's probably best to start with something less complex and work up to this one if you catch the deep sky bug.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Very large when fully assembled. |
| Performance | Unbeatable deep-sky views. |
| Functionality | In-built Go-To and tracking. |
Best compact smart telescope
✅ You want an automatic telescope: you can operate this one all in the app.
✅ You want social features: this telescope allows you to connect with other users.
✅ You live near a city: this telescope can cut through light pollution.
❌ You want the sharpest optics: what it has in smart features, this scope lacks in sharpness.
❌ You're on a budget: this is one of the most expensive telescopes on this list.
❌ You're a purist: if you're a traditionalist sky-watcher, this isn't the one for you.
🔎 The Vaonis Vespera is a new and impressive, albeit very expensive, way of glimpsing deep-sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae even from a light-polluted city. It's easy to use and exceptionally travel-friendly. ★★★★½
Design: The Vaonis Vespera Observation Station offers a sleek and modern twist on traditional telescopes, focusing on exploring deep space. It's essentially a camera that uses live image stacking to send images to up to five smartphones or tablets via the Singularity app, instead of using an eyepiece. This allows it to have a compact white body, weighing only 10 lbs / 5 kg and measuring 15 x 8 x 3.5 inches / 40 x 20 x 9 cm, making it easy to store at home.
It's fully automated and easy to use, making it a great option for beginners and those with less experience. The Vaonis Vespera is also a fantastic option for those who live in light-polluted cities to get a better look at the night sky, especially if you buy the optional light pollution filter for an extra $199/£158.
Performance: The Vespera's image sensor, a Sony IMX462, takes multiple images and stacks them on top of one another, and you can watch this whole process taking place through the app. The app will tell you how long you need to photograph your target to get the best results — this varies depending on the object you're targeting.
Despite claiming to be 'ultra HD', it's worth noting that the images produced by the Vespera are relatively low in resolution, with a maximum of 1920x1080 pixels. We also found the images a little soft and you won't be able to zoom in too close on the details. Still, for beginners and anyone on a budget, it's certainly adequate.
Functionality: Setting up the Vaonis Vespera couldn't be simpler. Its star recognition software is incredibly advanced, automating the entire process. You'll just need your smartphone nearby, as it uses its GPS to calibrate itself. Plus, it automatically tracks targets and adjusts itself for the Earth's rotation while also determining the best focus settings for different situations.
Its price point means it's out of the budget of most beginners, unfortunately, but if you are a newcomer to astronomy who can stretch to its $1400+ price tag, you'll absolutely love how easy this telescope is to use.
- Read our full Vaonis Vespera Observation Station review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sleek & futuristic design. |
| Performance | Can't observe planets, but copes well with light pollution. |
| Functionality | Easy to set up and has an excellent smartphone app. |
Best for versatility
✅ You want high-quality optics: this telescope renders no chromatic aberration or fringing.
✅ You want want an all-rounder telescope: it can do planetary and lunar observations as well as deep-sky observing.
✅ You want a lightweight telescope: at 12.5 lbs, this is one of the lighter models on this list.
❌ You are a beginner: complete novices may struggle with this complex telescope.
❌ You want a wide field of view: this telescope has a smaller one than some others on this list.
🔎 The Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 is a versatile telescope offering excellent optics. For the price, it's a great mid-field telescope, suitable for seasoned sky-watchers. ★★★★
Design: The Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 is a versatile telescope perfect for observing planets, the moon, and deep space objects. Priced at under $1000, it provides fantastic value for good quality stargazing equipment. However, it's important to note that sometimes it comes with a tripod, and sometimes it doesn't, depending on where you buy it. So, it's a good idea to do some research before making your purchase.
Performance: The Skymax 150 excels in optics, delivering exceptional performance with no chromatic aberration or color fringing. The sharpness remains consistent across the entire field of view, and you can even achieve high-contrast images if that's what you're aiming for.
The main downside of the Skymax 150 is its somewhat narrow field of view. Although nebulas and clusters look amazing, getting them fully in view can be a bit tricky. Still, you can see galaxies and some planetary nebulas with it.
Functionality: If you're a newcomer, there's a good chance you'll find the Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 a little unwieldy to use. It's rather complex, and while it's not completely unintuitive, its lack of comprehensive instructions may be off-putting to beginners.
Still, as far as all-rounder telescopes go, the Skymax 150 does a great job of offering fantastic views thanks to its high-quality optics. It's super lightweight, too, which makes it a great choice for traveling with or taking out into the field.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Not always supplied with a tripod. |
| Performance | Excellent optics are the standout feature. |
| Functionality | Narrow field of view compared to others. |
Best for traditional astrophotography
✅ You're on a budget: this delivers great optics at an affordable price.
✅ You're after precision optics: the mechanics on this telescope are impressive.
✅ You're a sky-watching purist: this traditional astrograph will suit you.
❌ You don't already own eyepieces: none are included with this telescope.
❌ You want smart features: this astrograph is a traditional piece of kit.
❌ You want a bundle of accessories: Orion doesn't sell this with a mount.
🔎 The Orion 6-inch f/4 Newtonian Astrograph is a great telescope for purists who know their way around traditional telescopes. It delivers precision optics at an affordable price. ★★★★
Design: Designed for astrophotography, the Orion 6-inch F/4 Newtonian Astrograph can be used as a traditional telescope thanks to the included extension tube, but you'll need to supply your own eyepieces. You'll also need to supply your own mount as Orion doesn't sell this telescope as a bundle, but there are plenty of excellent computerized equatorial mounts to choose from.
The Orion 6-inch F/4 Newtonian Astrograph also comes with a straight-through optical finder that has a standard mounting bracket. This finder can be used to attach a guide scope later on, which will help you achieve more precise tracking for those longer exposure shots.
Performance: If you're on a budget and want to start deep sky photography, capturing star clusters, nebulas and galaxies, this telescope might be a great choice for you. Pairing excellent mechanics with fast, bright optics, it's a no-nonsense astrograph — a telescope engineered specifically with astrophotography in mind.
Functionality: Orion has strengthened the focuser to support the weight of a camera and filter assembly mounted on the side of the tube, allowing it to work with any camera, including DSLRs and Mirrorless bodies. Its compact and lightweight build means you don't need a huge mount, making it a great option for beginners and serious deep-sky photographers alike.
- See the best Orion telescope and binocular deals on the market
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | No eyepieces or mount included. |
| Performance | A more traditional piece of kit. |
| Functionality | Compatible with any camera. |
Best telescopes for deep space: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best telescope for deep space observation?
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is the best telescope for deep space observation due to its huge 8-inch aperture which drinks in dim starlight, its 2032mm focal length in a small, compact Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptric design and the fact is lends itself well to eyepiece and telescope accessory upgrades.
What's the best deep space telescope on a budget?
The Sky-Watcher Skyliner-200P Classic offers fantastic value for money and due to its Dobsonian design, it's straightforward to use. Great, sharp optics combined with a detailed 2-inch eyepiece will give immersive deep-space views, though it's pretty hefty at 52 lbs (23.6kg) so only serious skywatchers will want to travel with it.
What's the best telescope to photograph deep space?
For speed and simplicity, the Unistellar eVscope 2 is undoubtedly the best deep space telescope for imaging. Set up with the smartphone app and the smart telescope automatically aligns itself within just a few moments.
What makes a telescope good for deep space observation?
The number one factor in determining the relative deep-sky performance of any two telescopes is the aperture of the objective. Larger apertures collect more light, allowing fainter objects to become visible in the field. In general, mirrors are less expensive than lenses, so reflecting-type telescopes offer more bang for your buck when it comes to deep-space views.
For astrophotography, highly corrected fast optics are more important, as well as sturdy and accurate mounts that can track the sky. Computerized mounts are a must for imagers, and they also have advantages for visual observers. If you're new to the deep sky, consider a telescope that helps you find these faint objects that don't pop out as readily as the planets or bright stars. It could be a push-to system, which tells you how hot or cold you are, or a fully-fledged go-to system that steers itself to your preferred target. Here are some of the best telescopes for deep space exploration and photography.
You can experience deep space on a budget, or invest in a no-compromise giant home observatory. Be sure to consider models which prioritize aperture and light grasp, as this will be essential for picking out the faintest targets, and if you intend to enter the world of astrophotography, choose something that's going to be suitable from the beginning, even if you don't have the equipment you need yet.
A sturdy equatorial mount with built-in go-to and tracking will unlock the longest exposures, allowing you to maximize the potential of your optical tube assembly. These larger, mirror-type telescopes usually require more maintenance than their smaller, more robust lens-type counterparts, but there's nothing you can't do yourself without some practice and understanding. At times it can seem unforgiving compared to the simplicity of looking at the moon, but the deep sky is worth the investment. Have fun exploring the wonders of the Universe!
How we tested the best telescopes for deep space
At Space.com, we take our telescope reviews seriously. To guarantee that you get the most honest and up-to-date recommendations on the best telescopes for deep space, we subject each instrument to a thorough and rigorous review process. Our expert staff and knowledgeable freelance contributors conduct these reviews and consider various aspects, such as construction, design, optical performance and field performance. This ensures that our reviews are fair and backed up with real-life experience.
We take into account factors such as price, intended use, and class during our reviews. For instance, while a 10-inch Dobsonian and a 2.76-inch refractor may be the best picks in their respective classes, comparing them would be inappropriate.
We evaluate the ease of setup, reliability, and noise level of computerized or motorized mounts, as well as whether a telescope comes with appropriate eyepieces and tripods. We even suggest additional equipment if it would enhance your experience. At Space.com, we are committed to providing reliable and transparent buying guides and reviews. With complete editorial independence, you can trust us to provide you with the best buying advice on telescopes and whether you should purchase a particular instrument or not.
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