10 Best Beginners Telescopes 2025 in the UK

The Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ is a beginner-friendly telescope that offers a solid introduction to stargazing with its 130mm aperture, which is decent for observing celestial objects like the moon and planets. This Newtonian reflector telescope uses fully-coated glass optics, enhancing image clarity and brightness, which is a standout feature for the price point. It's equipped with a manual German Equatorial mount, allowing smooth and precise tracking of objects across the sky, though it may require some learning to master its use. The telescope's focal length of 650mm means you get a good balance between magnification and field of view, which is ideal for beginners exploring various celestial objects.

Despite its capabilities, the AstroMaster 130EQ is relatively lightweight, making it portable and easy to transport, which is great for those who want to take it to different viewing locations. Setup is straightforward with no tools required, saving beginners from potential frustration. The included accessories, such as two eyepieces and a StarPointer red dot finderscope, add value by enhancing the telescope's usability right out of the box.

On the downside, the manual operation might not provide the ease of use some beginners crave, especially when compared to computerized models that automatically align and track objects. Additionally, while the equatorial mount is excellent for tracking, it could be challenging for complete novices to set up correctly at first.

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ is an excellent starter scope, balancing performance with ease of use. It's well-suited for beginners who are willing to spend a bit of time learning to operate the manual mount and want a telescope that can deliver clear, bright images of celestial wonders.

The Celestron 22403 Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope is a solid choice for beginners looking to dive into stargazing. With a 100mm aperture, it allows for clear and bright views of celestial objects, making it easier for novices to spot and enjoy various wonders in the night sky. The focal length of 660mm provides a good balance between wide-field viewing and higher magnifications, which is ideal for a beginner to explore a variety of astronomical targets.

The telescope's altazimuth mount, which is simple to use, offers smooth manual control for easy and accurate pointing, a significant advantage for those new to telescopes. Additionally, it comes with two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), allowing for different magnifications to suit various observations. The built-in smartphone adapter is a thoughtful inclusion, making it easy for users to capture images of their observations and share them with friends or on social media. The lightweight frame and adjustable height tripod enhance its portability, allowing users to take it to different locations easily.

The manual focus might be a bit challenging for some beginners initially, though it provides a valuable learning experience. The included red LED flashlight, star diagonal, and StarPointer Pro red dot finderscope are useful accessories that further enhance its usability. While the product is a great starter package, some users might find the setup instructions a bit sparse, so a bit of patience may be required during the first assembly. The Celestron 22403 Inspire 100AZ offers great value for beginners with its quality optics, useful accessories, and ease of use features.

The OYS 70mm Aperture Telescope is designed specifically with beginners in mind, making it a suitable choice for both kids and adults starting their journey into astronomy. One of the standout features is its 70mm aperture, which allows for brighter and clearer images of celestial objects. Combined with a 400mm focal length, this telescope offers decent magnification levels for a beginner, with the included eyepieces providing 20X and 44X magnification options. The fully multi-coated optics help in improving image quality by enhancing light transmission, ensuring a more enjoyable viewing experience.

The altazimuth mount is user-friendly, providing simple up-and-down and side-to-side movements which are ideal for beginners who may find more complex mounts intimidating. Portability is a key strength of this model; it is lightweight at just under 1 kg and comes with a backpack for easy transport, making it perfect for trips or stargazing sessions in different locations. The inclusion of a phone adapter is a thoughtful touch, allowing users to capture and share their observations with ease.

However, while it is highly portable and easy to set up, the manual focus might require some practice and the tripod, while adjustable, may not be the most stable on uneven surfaces. Additionally, the 5x24 finder scope is basic and might necessitate some adjustment for optimal use. This telescope is a great gift idea and an excellent starting point for beginners, combining ease of use, portability, and decent optical performance.