7 Best Telescope in India For Beginners[2022] – Reviews & Buying Guide!

If you’re just getting into stargazing and are looking for the best telescope for beginners in India, this guide is for you. I’ll go over the different types of telescopes available and recommend some of the best options on the market, all within a budget of Rs. 5,000 to 30,000+. So whether you’re looking for a refractor, reflector, or hybrid telescope, I’ve got you covered.

There are three main types of telescopes: refractors, reflectors, and hybrids, and they all have their own uses. This variety is best for experienced astronomers but may be difficult for novices. That’s why I’ve compiled this hand-picked list. All you have to do now is pick something based on your preferences and budget.

Let’s get started!

COMPARISON: 7 best telescopes in India

Model
Design
Aperture
(mm)
Max Mag.
Best for
Quality
Refractor
50
90x
Terrestrial
The Moon
3.5/5
Refractor
40
63x
Terrestrial
The Moon
4/5
Refractor
50
118x
Terrestrial
The Moon
Mars
4.5/5
REFLECTOR
76
180x
Terrestrial
The Moon
Planets
4.7/5
Refractor
70
165x
Terrestrial
The Moon
Planets
4.6/5
Refractor
70
165x
Terrestrial
The Moon
Planets
3.9/5
REFLECTOR
130
307x
All up +
Stars
Nearby Galaxies
4.6/5

REVIEWS: 7 best telescopes in India to buy in 2022

7. L&S 90x Zoom telescope

Land and sky telescope

If you’re just starting out in the world of astronomy and want a cheap telescope to get a feel for the hobby, then the L&S 90x zoom telescope is a great choice. It’s very affordable, and while it doesn’t have the best resolving power, it’s still good enough to enjoy views of things like the moon, birds, and other terrestrial objects. Just keep in mind that you probably won’t be able to see deep-space bodies like planets and galaxies with this telescope.

L&S is a casual telescope and perhaps a monocular. It comes with erect eyepieces as well to help stabilize land-viewing.

Specifications

Type: Refractor
Aperture: 50 mm (1.97 in)
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Max Magnification: 90x
Focal Length: 360 mm (24 in)
Tripod: Aluminium
Value for Money: 95%

PROS
  • Cheap Price
  • Durable metal body
  • Suitable for beginners & kids
  • Lightweight makes carrying it easy
  • Useful for both sky & land
CONS
  • Refractor type - not for deep sky
  • Standard quality mount
  • Not best for intermediates or experienced observers

Final verdict

L&S is an Amazon choice telescope for the fact that it is worth the price. This model is best suited for casual and moody people who want to explore the world of stargazing. The cheapest in our list scope is useful for the moon and terrestrial spottings like birds and other earthly things. It also makes the perfect science gift for geeks.

6. Celestron 40mm refractor telescope

If you're looking for the best telescope in India that's beginner friendly and easy to use, Celestron 40mm is a great option. It features a 40mm primary lens aperture with up to 64x of useful magnification. You get two eyepieces, each of 20mm (with 25x Mag.) and 8mm (with 64x Mag.) for that.

This telescope is also multipurpose and can be used for both sky and terrestrial viewing. That means you can see space objects like the moon, some planets as well as natural objects, including mountains & birds. One of the best things about this telescope is that it's quite affordable.

So if you're looking for a starter telescope that won't break the bank, Celestron 40mm is a great option.

Specifications

Type: Refractor
Aperture: 40 mm (1.75 in)
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Max Magnification: 64x
Focal Length:500 mm (24 in)
Tripod: Aluminium
Value for Money: 95%

PROS
  • Suitable for beginners, kids, teens
  • Useful for both; Sky & land
  • Easy to use - no tool setup
  • Very low price
CONS
  • Not for deep sky
  • Tripod is not very strong
  • Small aperture
  • Not good for an intermediate observer

Final verdicts

There’s no such thing as perfect on the face of the earth. This 40mm model by Celestron is meant for new guys, for kids & teens to have some fun time. It's not for those experienced people.

5. PowerSeeker 50AZ telescope - *Best Seller*

If you're looking for a good-quality telescope that won't break the bank, we recommend the Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ. This telescope features a multi-coated refractive lens with 600mm FL, which gives you 118x of maximum useful magnification. You also get 2x Barlow lenses to double the magnification of your eyepiece. The best thing about this telescope is its weight, which is only 2.5kg, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.

With the Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ, you'll be able to see detailed craters on the moon and all sorts of distant ground activity. Deep sky objects won't be as visible, but with a little extra effort, you should be able to catch a glimpse of things like Mars or Jupiter. Overall, this is an excellent telescope for beginners and we highly recommend it.

Specifications

Type: Refractor
Aperture: 50 mm (1.97 in)
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Max Magnification: 118x
Focal Length: 600 mm
Tripod: Aluminium
Value for Money: 93%

PROS
  • High-quality telescope
  • Suitable for beginners
  • Reasonable price
  • Easy, no tool setup required
  • Can see craters of the moon, some planets & nature
CONS
  • Altazimuth mount shakes thus not so good
  • Observing is hard when you see the distant objects
  • Not for deep sky
  • Not for intermediates

Final verdict

If you are interested in galaxies and nebulas, then you need a budget of more than 20000. It's near impossible to find a deep space telescope under 10000. However, the Powerseeker 50az is a legitimate deal for beginners who want a dual-purpose scope to see the moon's craters, some blur planets, nebulas, and nature/bird watching. So if you are starting out, this could be a great option for you.

Love Books? Find out these 9 popular astronomy books for beginners.

4. Celestron firstscope 76mm telescope

Celestron's Firstscope is a great telescope for beginners who are looking for an easy-to-use and affordable option. This telescope is a reflector type with 76mm of aperture, which makes it great for deep-sky hunting. It also has a smooth tabletop Dobsonian mount, which is typically found in more expensive models. This telescope is perfect for anyone who wants to view the moon, and planets like Venus, Mars, Jupiter, or Orion's nebulas.

Firstscope’s compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry it to those dark locations so you can stargaze better.

However, keep in mind that you may not be able to see all the details of these objects due to factors like the time of year and your location. With practice and patience, you should be able to spot them.

Specifications

Type: Reflector
Aperture: 76 mm (3 inches)
Mount Type: Dobsonian
Max Magnification: 180x
Focal Length: 300 mm (24 in)
Value for Money: 99%

PROS
  • Large reflector aperture
  • Portable and no tool setup required version
  • Highly reasonable price
  • Suitable for beginners and kids
  • Dobsonian mount
CONS
  • Minor (fixable) issue with the mount
  • Barlow lens needed for deep space observation

Final verdict

The first scope is undoubtedly one of my favorite telescopes as it offers a great return on investment. I will say one next sentence to help you decide. The telescope is for beginners/intermediates with an interest in the solar system, and nebulas and with a budget of less than 15,000 INR.

 Check on Amazon

3. Astromaster 70mm EQ refractor telescope

The Celestron 70EQ is a great all-around telescope for beginners. It comes with a 70mm refractive aperture and 700mm focal length, which gives you a magnification boost of up to 165x. You also get a 3x Barlow lens for free.

The Celestron 70EQ can do all the things that all the above telescopes can. You can see Jupiter and its moons, Orion nebulas & some star systems through this telescope. But things aren't clear beyond that. That's all a Celestron 70mm telescope is capable of.

Specifications

Type: Refractor
Aperture: 70mm (Approx. 2.75 inches)
Mount Type: Equatorial
Max Magnification: 165x
Finderscope: Yes, 5x24
Focal Length: 700 mm (28 in)
Tripod: Aluminium
Value for Money: 80%

It has received over 21+ reviews on Amazon with average ratings of 3.8/5. Read more review here.

PROS
  • High-quality lens
  • Suitable for beginner stargazers
  • Can be used for land viewing as well
  • Lightweight, easy to carry
  • Equatorial mount
CONS
  • Expensive & overpriced
  • EQ is tricky for beginners
  • The solar system is not so great

Final verdict

Except for the price, this telescope is pretty good. It’s useful for a beginner looking for some planets like Jupiter, and Mars. Can be also used for land purposes. It is lightweight & easy to carry. German equatorial mount has awesome slow-motion tracking. It's reasonable at this price. 

Or buy the 70AZ version from Amazon

2. Series travel scope 70 telescope

The Celestron Traveler Telescope is one of the best options for backpackers who want to enjoy stargazing. It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in the provided backpack. The telescope has an objective lens of 70mm and a focal length of 400mm. It also comes with two eyepieces (10mm and 20mm) and a standard alt-azimuth mount. The Celestron Traveler Telescope offers amazing visuals for the moon and terrestrial viewing, though you'll need a Barlow lens for best results when observing planets and other celestial objects.

Specifications

Type: Refractor
Aperture: 70 mm (2.76 inches)
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Max Magnification: 165x
Finderscope: 5x24
Focal Length: 400 mm (16 inches)
Tripod: Aluminium
Value for Money: 89%

PROS
  • Portable and easy to use
  • Ideal for travelers
  • Suitable for land and sky
  • Useful for beginners
CONS
  • Little overpriced
  • Mount needs improvement
  • Barlow lens needed for larger, useful magnification

Final verdict

Celestron’s Travelscope is a starter, versatile model. There's no better telescope in India at this price. Planets are not so impressive without a Barlow.

So buy it if you're looking for a scope for casual observation. The moon, birds, and land viewing on a limited budget. But do NOT buy it, if you are passionate about deep space with little more money to spare - because there's a better one then!

1. Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ

[Deep sky, highly recommended]

As a beginner, you might be overwhelmed by the vastness of the night sky and not know where to start. But with the Celestron Astromaster 130mm telescope, you'll be up and running in no time. This high-performance telescope series is perfect for beginners, offering quality, features, price value, and unmatching performance.

The Celestron Astromaster 130mm telescope has a whopping 130mm reflecting aperture and 364x magnification, making it possible to see objects millions of miles away clearly. It also comes with an advanced equatorial mount (EQ) that is smooth and easy to use when observing deep objects like planets or galaxies.

There's a load of observable objects possible with this beast. For instance, you can clearly see planets and their moons, nebulae and star systems, etc. It's also good for terrestrial use - thanks to the erect image optics. So whether you're looking to explore the universe or learn more about our planet, the Celestron Astromaster 130mm telescope is a great choice for beginners.

Specifications

Type: Newtonian Reflector
Mount Type: Equatorial
Aperture: 130 mm (Approx 5.11'')
Max Magnification: 307x
Finderscope: Built-on StarPointer
Tripod: 1.25-inch steel tube legs
Optical Tube Length: 610 mm
Value for Money: 100%

Go deeper: Astromaster 130 EQ V/s 130 AZ, find which is better here.

PROS
  • The most affordable mid-end model
  • 130mm of large reflector aperture
  • Best for deep-sky observers
  • Smooth Equatorial mount
  • Easy to use, no tool setup needed
CONS
  • You need a Barlow lens for more useful magnification

Final verdict

Go bring it up! If space is your obsession and everything you want to do is to go deep sky. It is the right thing & time for you. This 130mm telescope is all you need to spot the moon, planets, star systems, and more. Get yourself a Barlow lens to enjoy your scope’s ability to its fullest.

Check ratings and price here

Telescope buying guide for beginners

What to look for in a telescope? The 150x or 300x magnification? Don't ever fall for that. A telescope is more than just a magnifier. It collects light. Here's what goes into making the best telescope for beginners in India.

The aperture

The aperture, known as the objective lens, is at the instrument's heart. You can easily spot it on the face side of the scope. The larger it is, the more significant amount of light it captures.

The minimum 3" aperture is best for stargazing; anything lower than that is for occasional viewers.

Refractor or reflector type?

The refractor-type telescope features a glass aperture which is heavy and widespread for casual stargazing and terrestrial observation. On the other hand, the Reflector is a mirror, best suited for deep sky observation and NOT for terrestrial. More on this here.

The mount

And finally, last but not least, is the mount. Trust me, a strong, stable, and smooth-to-move mount is a must. If you are a beginner & want simplicity, then choose Altazimuth. The Equatorial mount is sophisticated and designed for deep sky observations.

And remember- practice is the key! No matter how expensive the instrument you buy, there's no replacement for your efforts and time. For the best experience, try to have 2-3 sessions every week and keep learning new things.

This is what you should look for:

Priority 1. Aperture- Larger, better. More than 3" is best for deeper space.

Priority 2. Mount- Equatorial & Altazimuth are both excellent.

Priority 3. Magnification- Not so important. It's affected via a universal eyepiece.

Tip: Larger aperture = larger supported magnification.

Now that you know what to look for in a telescope, happy shopping!

What's the telescope price in India?

So the telescope market is not as huge as the US. But it's still a big one. There are a lot of top manufacturers, including Celestron, Meade, and Orion, that offer their top pieces. So, on the rough scale, the telescope price ranges from as little as Rs 5000 for L&S 50mm to 30,000 for 150mm. That means there's plenty of variety of telescopes available in India.

The top 3 telescopes in India within each price bracket

Telescope
Aperture
Best for
Price
PowerSeeker 50Az
50mm
Terrestrial
Birdwatching
Mars
Speciality Firstscope
76mm
All above+
Moon
Jupiter
Mars
Astromaster 130EQ
130mm
All above+
Solar System
Nebulas

Over to you!

So there you have it, a comprehensive list of the best telescopes in India for every budget. Remember, the bigger the aperture, the better. Just keep in mind your needs. If you are just a casual observer or want a telescope as a gift, then either the Powerseeker 50 or Specialty scope would be a good choice. And if you are serious and looking for the long term, then go for the Astromaster 130. Here's a comparison between 130EQ & 130AZ.

And keep in mind, that finding planets and nebulas takes more time & effort than most amateur stargazers think. Practice is the key!