A photon leaps off the sun and, about 500 seconds later, bounces off our Earth. Light has been dancing and rebounding from faraway and nearby celestial objects for more than 13 billion years. It’s time you caught some of it for your very own.
That’s what telescopes do; they gather light. But to collect that radiance, you’ll need to pick the telescope that fits your needs and budget. Our editors have selected a few of the best options in five categories.
| The Best Telescopes of 2017 | |||
| Model: | Best For: | Avg. Price | Where to Buy: |
| Celestron FirstScope | Children | $49.95 | Amazon |
| Levenhuk LabZZ MTB3 Combo | Teaching | $59.95 | Amazon |
| Celestron SkyProdigy 130 | Hobbyists | $589.99 | Amazon |
| Orion SkyQuest XT8i IntelliScope | Enthusiasts | $659.99 | Amazon |
| Celestron Regal M2 100ED | Traveling Enthusiasts | $849.95 | Amazon |
| Levenhuk Blaze 90 Spotting Scope | Grab-and-Go | $214.95 | Amazon |
| Celestron AstroFi 102 Mak-Cas Wi-Fi | Techie Beginners | $419.95 | Amazon |
| Orion StarBlast 6i | Hands-On Beginners | $499.99 | Amazon |
| Astronomers Without Borders OneSky 130 | Gift-Giving | $199.99 | Astronomers w/out Borders |
| Levenhuk Strike 80 | Tight Budgets | $139.95 | Amazon |
