Scoping out the best telescopes on Best Buy can be a little daunting at times, given the number of models available from the retailer. We've picked out the best models that we think are worth the money and put them in this handy guide below.
If you do your research, you can find some of the best telescopes on the market right now on Best Buy, but it's all about getting the best price. If you don't quite find what you're looking for here, you should check out our telescopes deals guide for all the biggest discounts on the best models. But, if you are wanting help finding the best telescopes on Best Buy then all you have to do is keep reading.
Not ready for a telescope? Read our best binoculars guide More top deals: Telescopes on Amazon See the latest discounts: Telescopes at Walmart
Our advice is to stick to reliable trusted brands, as we can't vouch for lesser-known names. You can check out brand-specific guides for Celestron telescope deals, Sky-Watcher telescope deals, Meade telescope deals, Orion telescope deals. We've tried out a lot of telescopes from these brands and can vouch for quality and reliability.
If you're new to telescopes or looking to keep spending to a minimum, you might want to check out budget telescopes for under $500 which feature some of the best telescopes for beginners. Below, you'll find the best telescopes on Best Buy as well as some buying advice, so you know what to look out for. This handy guide is all the research you'll need for the biggest discounts from the retailer. So, for the best telescopes on Best Buy, read on.
Today's best telescope deals at Best Buy
Buying advice
There are three basic types of telescopes: refractors, reflectors and catadioptrics. Refractors are great for highly magnified views of planets and moons, while reflectors offer better views of deep-sky objects, star clusters and galaxies. Catadioptric telescopes correct some of the visual problems found in these older styles – such as chromatic aberration – but they tend to be a little more expensive.
Reflectors
Reflectors are usually either Newtonian or Dobsonian in design. Newtonian telescopes are good for a wide range of viewing targets and are often useful for astrophotography – however, they require a lot of maintenance and can be complicated to set up, whereas Dobsonians are more straightforward.
Refractors
This type of telescope is ideal for beginners, offering a straight-forward assembly and a lower price point. They do, however, tend to suffer from chromatic aberration, where bright objects appear to have a kind of halo. This doesn't ruin the viewing experience, so don't let this put you off too much.
Catadioptric
Catadioptric telescopes fall into two broad categories: Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain. Schmidt-Cassegrains traditionally have bigger apertures, while Maksutov-Cassegrains usually have small apertures. As such, the Schmidt-Cassegrain is usually better for astrophotography and for broader views, while the Maksutov-Cassegrain is great for sharp views of planets and moons. Both types often come with a computerized GoTo system, which can work out which way the telescope is pointing and automatically adjust it to align with chosen targets.
Choosing a telescope
With all these variations, it can be tricky to figure out which telescope is best for you. We recommend taking two main things into consideration: personal budget and what you’d prefer to view in the night sky.
Lower budget models will usually be reflector or refractor telescopes, while catadioptrics are more expensive. If you’d prefer high magnification views of planets and moons, go for either a refractor or a Maksutov-Cassegrain design. For views of deep-sky objects, star clusters and galaxies, opt for a reflector or a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. And if you need more detailed guidance, have a look through our piece on the best telescopes, which goes into more detail on all of the above.
