Published September 2026 · Updated as new products are released

At Agena Astro, we spend every day helping astronomers of all experience levels choose telescopes. After working with thousands of products across nearly every major astronomy brand, we’ve learned that the “best telescope” is rarely the same for everyone.

For our Best Telescopes for 2027 guide, we’ve chosen the models we believe stand out most for smart telescopes, astrophotography, and visual observing. Our selections are based on a combination of real-world performance, usability, versatility, customer feedback, and value. We’ve selected a winner for each major use case so you can quickly find the model that best fits your goals.

We’re calling this our Best Telescopes for 2027 guide because these are the models we believe are the strongest choices heading into 2027. As new telescopes are released, we’ll update this list accordingly.

Our Top Telescope Picks for 2027 at a Glance

Why Trust Us & How We Chose

20+ years in astronomy retail · 200+ years combined astronomy experience · 5,000+ products · 30,000+ five-star reviews

Our picks are based on hands-on product experience, testing, customer feedback, and decades of helping astronomers build complete observing and imaging setups. Because we support customers before and after the sale, we also see the things that rarely make it into a spec sheet: which products work well together, where customers run into problems, and which gear continues to earn strong feedback over time.

Unlike many other best telescope roundups, our picks aren’t driven by affiliate relationships or centered on a single in-house brand. Our goal is simple: recommend the equipment we would confidently recommend to a friend or family member asking us for advice.
 

Meet the Team Behind the Picks

Mack Murdoc

Astrophotographer of 10 years and host of the Agena Astro YouTube Channel

Nicole Smith

Astrophotographer of 7 years and Content Specialist at Agena Astro

Brian Fulda

Astrophotographer and visual astronomer of 10 years; Head of Marketing at Agena Astro

Explore More 2027 Buying Guides

This guide highlights our best overall telescope picks across all major categories. Have a better idea of what you’re shopping for? Explore our dedicated guides for more focused recommendations beyond the picks featured here.

  • Best Smart Telescopes for 2027 — Compare the top all-in-one smart telescopes for easy observing and imaging.
  • Best Beginner Telescopes for 2027 — Our top picks for first-time telescope owners and new astronomers.
  • Best Astrophotography Telescopes for 2027 — The best imaging telescopes for wide-field, deep-sky, and more.
  • Best Astrophotography Mounts, Cameras & Accessories for 2027 — Our top picks for building or upgrading a complete imaging setup.

Best Telescope Overall

Seestar S50 Pro All-In-One Smart Telescope

Seestar S50 Pro All-In-One Smart Telescope Seestar S50 Pro All-In-One Smart Telescope
Aperture
50mm
Main Camera
8.3 MP
Lenses
Telephoto + Wide
Battery Life
Up to 9 hrs
Storage
128 GB
Weight
6.2 lb

The all-new Seestar S50 Pro checks every box for what a smart telescope should be. It combines detailed 4K deep-sky imaging, wide-field astrophotography, and incredible ease of use in one compact system. From galaxies and nebulae to the Milky Way, star trails, the Sun, Moon, and more, the S50 Pro gives you more ways to explore and capture the sky than almost any telescope in its class.

Why We Picked It

The Seestar S50 Pro earns our Best Overall Telescope for 2027 pick because it delivers a remarkably complete astronomy experience while remaining easy enough for a complete beginner to use from day one. The telescope, mount, cameras, focusing, tracking, filters, image processing, and control are all integrated into one portable system you can operate from your phone or tablet.

Its 50mm main optic and 8.3MP imaging sensor provide excellent detail for deep-sky targets, while the secondary wide-field camera opens up much larger areas of the sky. That means you can move from imaging galaxies and nebulae to the Milky Way, mosaics, and star trails without changing equipment.

It’s also much more than a deep-sky imaging telescope. Solar, lunar, and daytime modes add even more versatility, while built-in processing makes it possible to capture and share impressive results without learning the complexities of a traditional astrophotography workflow.

Perhaps most impressive is the value. At under $1,000, the S50 Pro costs a fraction of what you could easily spend piecing together a comparable telescope, mount, camera, filters, and accessories individually. That combination of image quality, versatility, portability, ease of use, and price is ultimately why it takes our top spot.

Best For
Astronomers who want a highly capable, easy-to-use telescope for deep-sky imaging, wide-field astrophotography, solar and lunar observing, and everyday astronomy without the complexity of building a traditional telescope rig.
✓ What We Like
  • Excellent deep-sky image quality in an all-in-one system
  • Dual-camera design adds true wide-field imaging
  • Extremely easy setup and automated operation
  • Versatile for deep sky, Milky Way, Sun, Moon, and more
  • Outstanding capability for around $1,000
× What We Don't Like
  • No eyepiece for traditional visual observing
  • Not ideal for capturing small targets like planets

Best Beginner Smart Telescope

Seestar S30 Pro All-In-One Smart Telescope

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro All-In-One Smart Telescope ZWO Seestar S30 Pro All-In-One Smart Telescope
Aperture
30mm
Main Camera
8.3 MP
Lenses
Telephoto + Wide
Battery Life
Up to 6 hrs
Storage
128 GB
Weight
3.6 lb

The Seestar S30 Pro is one of the easiest ways for a beginner to start capturing the night sky. It handles the complicated parts for you — alignment, focusing, tracking, image stacking, and processing — so you can choose a target in the app and start getting results without first learning how to build or operate a traditional astrophotography setup.

Why We Picked It

The S30 Pro earns our Best Beginner Smart Telescope for 2027 pick because it’s incredibly easy to use while still offering plenty of capability for new users to grow into. Its 4K dual-camera system gives you both a telephoto view for deep-sky targets and a much wider view for the Milky Way, landscapes, and other large scenes.

It’s also remarkably affordable for everything it includes. The telescope, cameras, mount, focusing system, filters, controller, and battery are all built into one compact 3.6 lb unit, while a tripod and solar filter are included. For beginners, that means you can start exploring deep-sky objects, the Moon, Sun, and wide-field subjects without piecing together a traditional astrophotography rig or making a major upfront investment.

Best For
Beginners, families, and casual astronomers who want an easy, portable way to capture impressive images of the night sky without building a traditional astrophotography rig.
✓ What We Like
  • Extremely easy to use, even with no astrophotography experience
  • Dual cameras cover both deep-sky and wide-angle imaging
  • Compact 3.6 lb design is ideal for travel and quick sessions
  • Built-in filters and included solar filter add a lot of versatility
  • Excellent capability and image quality for the price
× What We Don't Like
  • No eyepiece for traditional visual observing
  • Not ideal for capturing small targets like planets
  • 30mm aperture limits detail vs. larger S50 Pro

Best Astrophotography Telescope Overall

Askar 103 APO f/6.8 Triplet Refractor Telescope

Askar 103 APO f/6.8 Triplet Refractor Telescope Askar 103 APO f/6.8 Triplet Refractor Telescope
Aperture
103mm
Focal Length
700mm
Focal Ratio
f/6.8
Image Circle
Full Frame
Optical Design
Triplet Refractor
Weight
10.5 lb

The Askar 103APO is a highly versatile imaging refractor that strikes a balance between portability, resolution, and flexibility. Its 103mm triplet design gives you excellent image quality, while its optional flatteners and reducers let you work at multiple focal lengths — from 420mm all the way up to 700mm — so it can handle everything from wider nebulae to smaller deep-sky targets without locking you into one type of imaging.

Why We Picked It

The Askar 103APO stands out because it gives astrophotographers a lot of room to grow. At its native 700mm focal length, it has enough reach for many galaxies, planetary nebulae, and smaller deep-sky targets, while still remaining relatively compact and lightweight.

Its versatility is what sets the Askar 103APO apart from other refractors. Askar offers three dedicated imaging accessories for the 103APO: a 1.0x full-frame flattener for imaging at 700mm f/6.8, a 0.8x reducer/flattener that brings it to 560mm f/5.4, and a 0.6x reducer/flattener that takes it all the way down to 420mm f/4.0. That gives you three very different imaging configurations from the same telescope, covering everything from larger nebulae and star fields to smaller deep-sky targets.

It also hits a sweet spot in size. You get a meaningful step up in aperture and resolution over smaller astrographs, but without moving into the size, weight, and mount demands of larger refractors. For imagers who want one refractor that can cover a lot of ground, the 103APO is an easy pick.

Best For
Astrophotographers who want a versatile refractor that can cover a wide range of target sizes, from larger nebulae to smaller deep-sky objects.
✓ What We Like
  • Versatile design can be configured from 420mm to 700mm
  • 103mm aperture offers a strong balance of portability and resolution
  • Triplet optics deliver excellent color correction and image quality
  • Well suited to both wider and more medium-scale deep-sky imaging
  • Easier to mount and manage than larger refractors
× What We Don't Like
  • Flatteners and reducers are sold separately and are required for imaging
  • Native focal ratio is not as fast as dedicated wide-field Petzval designs

Best Beginner Astrophotography Telescope

Askar 71F Quadruplet APO Refractor Telescope

Askar 71F Quadruplet APO Refractor Telescope Askar 71F Quadruplet APO Refractor Telescope
Aperture
71mm
Focal Length
490mm
Focal Ratio
f/6.9
Image Circle
Full-Frame
Optical Design
Quadruplet
Weight
5.5 lb

Our Best Beginner Astrophotography Telescope pick for 2027, the Askar 71F combines a flat-field quadruplet design, full-frame coverage, and excellent image quality at a price that’s difficult to beat.

Why We Picked It

The Askar 71F gets our pick because it’s simple to set up, works with a wide range of cameras and mounts, and delivers excellent image quality for the price. Its four-element flat-field design also means you don’t need to buy or carefully space a separate field flattener — one less thing to worry about when building your rig!

At 490mm focal length, it’s a great fit for many popular deep-sky targets, and the optional 0.75x reducer brings it down to 368mm at f/5.2 for faster, wider-field imaging. It’s also ready for full-frame cameras and weighs just 5.5 lb, so you have plenty of room to grow without needing a huge mount.

For beginners and intermediate imagers, that combination is hard to beat: easy setup, strong image quality, plenty of versatility, and an affordable price point.

Best For
Astrophotographers who want a versatile, full-frame-capable refractor with excellent image quality and a simple, frustration-free setup at a relatively affordable price.
✓ What We Like
  • Built-in flat-field design — no separate flattener required
  • Full-frame capable with excellent edge-to-edge correction
  • Versatile 490mm focal length for many popular deep-sky targets
  • Compact 5.5 lb OTA works well on smaller mounts
  • Excellent optical performance for the price
× What We Don't Like
  • Native f/6.9 is slower than dedicated fast astrographs
  • Focal length is not ideal for very small galaxies, planets, or other high-resolution targets

Best Wide Field Astrophotography Telescope

Askar 50P f/3.8 Quadruplet Petzval APO Refractor

Askar 50P f/3.8 Petzval APO Refractor Telescope Askar 50P f/3.8 Petzval APO Refractor Telescope
Aperture
50mm
Focal Length
190mm
Focal Ratio
f/3.8
Image Circle
APS-C
Optical Design
Petzval Refractor
Weight
3.1 lb

The Askar 50P is a tiny, ultra-fast astrograph built for huge swaths of sky. The Askar 50P pairs a 50mm aperture with a very short 190mm focal length and fast f/3.8 optics, making it a great choice for large nebulae, Milky Way regions, and other sweeping deep-sky targets.

Why We Picked It

The Askar 50P stands out because it gives you an exceptionally wide field of view in a compact, purpose-built astrophotography telescope. Its quadruplet Petzval design provides built-in field correction, so you don’t need to add a separate flattener to get sharp stars across the frame.

At just 190mm focal length and f/3.8, it can capture very large targets that simply won’t fit in the frame with most refractors. That makes it especially useful for sprawling nebulae, large star fields, and Milky Way imaging — and its fast focal ratio helps you collect a lot of signal quickly!

For imagers who want to go truly wide without moving to a camera lens, the 50P is an easy pick. It gives you the convenience and mechanics of a dedicated telescope with the huge field of view normally associated with much shorter optics.

Best For
Astrophotographers who want an ultra-wide, fast imaging telescope for large nebulae, Milky Way regions, and expansive deep-sky targets.
✓ What We Like
  • Highly affordable price point for a Petzval astrograph
  • Ultra-wide 190mm focal length fits huge targets in a single frame
  • Fast f/3.8 optics help collect signal quickly
  • Built-in field correction means no separate flattener is required
  • Compact and lightweight for portable imaging rigs
× What We Don't Like
  • Too wide for detailed images of deep-sky targets
  • 50mm aperture provides less resolution than larger refractors
  • Only compatible with cameras with up to APS-C sized sensors

Best Beginner Telescope Overall

Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 f/5 Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope

Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 f/5 Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 f/5 Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope
Aperture
150mm / 6"
Focal Length
750mm
Focal Ratio
f/5
Eyepieces
10 & 25mm
Telescope Type
Manual Dobsonian
Weight
15.3 lb

The Heritage 150 hits a sweet spot for beginners: it’s easy to get started with, affordable enough to feel approachable, and capable enough to remain useful long after your first few observing sessions.

Why We Picked It

The Heritage 150 is one of our favorite beginner telescopes because it combines simple operation, meaningful aperture, and excellent value. There are no batteries, apps, or alignment routines to worry about — just place it on a sturdy surface, extend the tube, insert an eyepiece, and start observing.

Its 150mm aperture is large enough to deliver impressive views of the Moon and planets while also revealing star clusters, nebulae, and brighter galaxies under darker skies. The collapsible design keeps it surprisingly compact for a 6-inch telescope, and the included eyepieces and red-dot finder give new astronomers what they need to get started.

For someone buying their first serious telescope, the Heritage 150 offers a lot of capability without a steep learning curve or a major investment. For those with a more limited budget, the smaller Heritage 130 model offers a similar experience with a slightly smaller aperture.

Best For
Beginners and first-time telescope owners who want an affordable, easy-to-use telescope with enough aperture to explore the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more.
✓ What We Like
  • Excellent 150mm aperture for the price
  • Extremely simple and intuitive for first-time telescope owners
  • Great views of both planets and brighter deep-sky objects
  • Collapsible design makes a 6-inch telescope surprisingly portable
  • Includes two eyepieces and a red-dot finder to get started
× What We Don't Like
  • Requires a sturdy table or other elevated surface for comfortable viewing
  • Manual mount does not automatically find or track objects
  • Reflector optics require occasional collimation

Best Beginner GoTo Telescope

Sky-Watcher Virtuoso Gti 150p GoTo Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope

Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P GoTo Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P GoTo Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope
Aperture
150mm / 6"
Focal Length
750mm
Focal Ratio
f/5
Eyepieces
10 & 25mm
Telescope Type
GoTo Dobsonian
Weight
19.2 lb

The Virtuoso GTi 150P is a great choice for observers who want the simplicity of a tabletop Dobsonian with some help navigating the sky. Its GoTo system can automatically find and track targets, while its 6-inch aperture gives you plenty to explore.

Why We Picked It

The Virtuoso GTi 150P takes everything we like about the Heritage 150 above and adds automatic object finding and tracking. After a quick alignment, the free SynScan Pro app gives you access to a database of more than 10,000 objects and can automatically move the telescope directly to the target you select. 

Its 150mm aperture provides rewarding views of the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and brighter galaxies, while the collapsible design keeps the telescope compact enough for storage and travel. We especially like Sky-Watcher’s Freedom Find system, which lets you move the telescope manually without losing its alignment. A 25mm eyepiece, 10mm eyepiece, and red-dot finder are also included, so there’s very little else you need to start observing.

The Virtuoso GTi 150p offers one of the largest apertures combined with GoTo and tracking in its price range. If you're looking for  slightly more affordable, the Virtuoso GTi 130p features a slightly smaller aperture at an even lower price.

Best For
Beginners and casual observers who want the aperture and simplicity of a Dobsonian with the added convenience of automatic object finding and tracking.
✓ What We Like
  • GoTo makes thousands of objects much easier to find
  • 150mm aperture delivers excellent views for its compact size
  • Automatically keeps objects centered once they’re located
  • Can still be moved manually without losing alignment
  • Includes 25mm and 10mm eyepieces plus a red-dot finder
× What We Don't Like
  • Requires a sturdy table or other elevated surface for comfortable viewing
  • Initial alignment adds a few steps before observing
  • Reflector optics require occasional collimation

Best Beginner Full-Size Dobsonian

Sky-Watcher 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Sky-Watcher 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope Sky-Watcher 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope
Aperture
203mm / 8"
Focal Length
1200mm
Focal Ratio
f/5.9
Eyepieces
10 & 25mm
Telescope Type
Manual Dobsonian
Weight
45 lb

For observers who want to move beyond a tabletop scope, the Sky-Watcher 8" Classic hits one of the best sweet spots in visual astronomy. Its 8-inch aperture gathers enough light to make deep-sky observing far more rewarding, while the simple manual Dobsonian design keeps the experience straightforward and affordable.

Why We Picked It

The 8" Classic is the kind of telescope we often recommend to someone who wants serious visual capability without a major investment. The 203mm aperture gives you noticeably more reach on galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, the Moon, and planet detail than smaller beginner scopes, while the 1200mm focal length remains very forgiving for general observing.

It also comes well equipped out of the box with two eyepieces and a 9x50 finderscope, plus a 2" focuser that leaves plenty of room for future eyepiece upgrades. The tradeoff is size: at about 45 lb combined between the tube and base, this is more of a backyard telescope than a grab-and-go option.

Best For
Visual observers who want a substantial step up in light-gathering power for the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects without the added cost of computerized features.
✓ What We Like
  • 8-inch aperture is a major step up for deep-sky observing
  • Excellent balance of aperture, price, and manageable size
  • Simple manual design is easy to use and highly reliable
  • Includes two eyepieces and a 9x50 finderscope
  • 2" focuser supports a wide range of future eyepiece upgrades
× What We Don't Like
  • Manual mount does not automatically find or track objects
  • 45 lb combined weight makes for a bulky telescope
  • Reflector optics require occasional collimation

Best Premium Beginner Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope — Advanced Bundle with PowerTank & Eyepiece Set

Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope — Advanced Bundle with PowerTank & Eyepiece Set Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope — Advanced Bundle with PowerTank & Eyepiece Set
Aperture
203mm / 8"
Focal Length
2032mm
Focal Ratio
f/10
Eyepieces
6-32mm
Telescope Type
GoTo SCT
Weight
32 lb

The NexStar 8SE is a great choice for observers who want serious visual capability with the convenience of a computerized telescope. Its 8-inch aperture gives you plenty to explore, while the compact design and automatic object finding make a large telescope much easier to live with.

Why We Picked It

The Celestron NexStar 8SE combines a generous 8-inch aperture with computerized GoTo and tracking, giving you detailed views of the Moon and planets along with enough light-gathering power to explore star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. It’s also a well-established, proven telescope platform that has remained popular for years with broad accessory support and a long track record in the field. Once aligned, its hand controller can automatically point the telescope toward objects from a database of more than 40,000 targets.

Our Advanced Bundle gives you much more than the telescope and mount alone. With a 14-piece eyepiece and filter kit, portable PowerTank, AC adapter, and optics-cleaning tool, it covers many of the first upgrades and accessories new 8SE owners actually need — giving you more viewing options and a more complete setup right out of the box.

Best For
Visual observers who want a proven, powerful computerized telescope that can automatically find and track objects while delivering excellent views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky targets.
✓ What We Like
  • Excellent 8-inch aperture for planets and deep-sky objects
  • GoTo makes thousands of objects easier to find and track
  • Compact tube packs substantial aperture into a portable size
  • Our Advanced Bundle includes extra eyepieces, filters, and portable power
  • Large accessory ecosystem makes it easy to expand over time
× What We Don't Like
  • Costs more than a comparable-aperture manual Dobsonian
  • Not intended for serious long-exposure deep-sky imaging

Best Solar Telescope

Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76Ha H-Alpha Solar Telescope

Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76Ha H-Alpha Solar Telescope Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76Ha H-Alpha Solar Telescope
Aperture
76mm
Focal Length
630mm
Focal Ratio
f/8.3
Eyepieces
20mm
Telescope Type
H-Alpha Refractor
Weight
8.4 lb

The Heliostar 76Ha turns the Sun into a surprisingly dynamic observing target, revealing prominences, filaments, active regions, and fine surface detail that simply aren’t visible through a traditional white-light solar filter. Its combination of impressive H-alpha performance and a relatively portable 76mm design makes it our favorite dedicated solar telescope for 2027.

Why We Picked It

The Heliostar 76Ha delivers the kind of high-contrast solar views normally associated with more complex and expensive setups. Its narrow H-alpha system brings out prominences, filaments, active regions, and fine surface detail, while the 76mm aperture provides enough resolution to make those features genuinely impressive visually and through a camera.

While it costs more than some smaller H-alpha solar telescopes, we think the jump in image quality and overall capability makes it worth the price. You get more resolution, stronger contrast, and a more complete observing experience without stepping all the way up to a much more expensive premium system.

It’s also a particularly complete package, with a built-in solar finder, 20mm eyepiece, smartphone adapter, sunshade, mounting rings, and hard carrying case included.

Best For
Solar observers who want a dedicated H-alpha telescope capable of showing dramatically more detail and activity than a standard white-light solar setup.
✓ What We Like
  • Excellent contrast on prominences, filaments, and solar surface detail
  • 76mm aperture provides impressive resolution without becoming cumbersome
  • Includes eyepiece, solar finder, smartphone adapter, sunshade, and case
  • Suitable for both visual solar observing and imaging
  • Relatively lightweight at just 8.4 lb
× What We Don't Like
  • Significantly more expensive than basic white-light solar observing
  • Dedicated exclusively to observing and imaging the Sun
  • Mount is sold separately or as a bundle

Still Not Sure Which Telescope Is Right for You?

There’s no single telescope that’s best for every astronomer. The right choice depends on what you want to see or photograph, how portable you need your setup to be, and how hands-on you want the experience to be.

At Agena Astro, we carry more than 400 telescope models for every experience level, giving you the largest variety of in-stock telescopes in North America to choose from. Our telescopes range from Beginner Telescopes, Smart Telescopes, Astrophotography Telescopes, Refractor Telescopes, Dobsonian Telescopes, Solar Telescopes, and more, with options across a wide range of budgets and goals.

Still not sure which one is best for you? Our team helps astronomers of all experience levels choose telescopes and build complete observing and imaging setups, and we’re always happy to help you narrow down the right option for your goals and budget.