16 Best Dobsonian Telescope for Beginners | 2024 Top Picks

What is the best Dobsonian telescope for beginners? The best Dobsonian telescope for beginners is one that offers a lot of apertures and has a simple mount.If you are on a tight budget, then go with an 8-inch as it still has enough aperture to see most objects in the sky but does not cost as much as larger telescopes.The best size telescope for beginners is an 8 inch which costs less than $500 and can be transported easily.

List of best Dobsonian telescope for beginners

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
CELESTRON NEXTAR EVOLUTION 6″

CELESTRON NEXTAR EVOLUTION 6″

  • Optical Design
  • Focal length:1500mm
  • Aperture:150mm
  • Weight: ‎36 kg 300 g
  • Mount Type: Alt-Azimuth
Check Price
Sky-Watcher Classic 150 Dobsonian 6-inch Aperature Telescope

Sky-Watcher Classic 150 Dobsonian 6-inch Aperature Telescope

  • Brand Model: Traditional Dobsonian
  • Focal length:1200mm
  • Aperture:152mm
  • Weight: ‎33 Pounds
  • Mount Type: Alt Mount
Check Price
Celestron – NexStar 6SE Telescope

Celestron – NexStar 6SE Telescope

  • Model‎:11068
  • Focal length:1500 mm (59”)
  • Aperture:150 mm (5.91”)
  • Weight: ‎21 Pounds
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Check Price
NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope

NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope

  • Model‎: Celestron NexStar SLT Series
  • Focal length: 650mm (26”)
  • Aperture:130mm (5.12”)
  • Weight: ‎11.4 Pounds
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Check Price
Orion 8944 XT6 Sky Quest Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Orion 8944 XT6 Sky Quest Classic Dobsonian Telescope

  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Ratio: f/8.0
  • Eye Piece: Plossl
  • Lens Diameter: 150 mm
  • Mount Type: Alt Mount
Check Price
Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope

Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope

  • Eye Lens: Plossl
  • Lens Diameter: 150mm
  • Item Weight:23.5 Pounds
  • Lens Coating Description: Aluminum; Silicon Dioxide
  • Focal Length Description:750 millimeters
Check Price
ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Orion Sky Quest XT8 plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

Orion Sky Quest XT8 plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

  • Eye Piece: Plossl
  • Lens Diameter: 203mm
  • Telescope Mount: Alt Mount
  • Lens Coating Description: Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
  • Focal Length Description: 1200 millimeters
Check Price
Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 203 Millimeters
  • Lens Coating Description: Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
  • Focal Length: 1200 mm
  • Focal ratio: f/5.9
  • Eyepiece: Sirius plossl
  • Mount type: Dobsonian
Check Price
Sky Watcher Flex Tube 200 Dobsonian 8-INCH Telescope

Sky Watcher Flex Tube 200 Dobsonian 8-INCH Telescope

  • Focal length: 1200mm
  • Focal ratio: 5.9
  • Eyepieces: Plossl
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
  • Weight: 27 Pounds
Check Price
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope

  • Model Name: 11069
  • Lens Diameter: 203 mm
  • Mount Description: Alt Mount
  • Power: Solar Powered
  • Item Weight: 10.88 Kilograms
Check Price
Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch

Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch

  • Brand Model: Traditional Sky Watcher 8 inch
  • Mount Type: Alt-mount
  • Lens Coating: Fully Multi Coated
  • Aperture (mm): 203
  • Focal Length (mm):1200
Check Price
ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Sky Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian 10-inch Aperture Telescope

Sky Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian 10-inch Aperture Telescope

  • Brand: Sky Watcher
  • Brand Model: Sky watcher Traditional Dobsonian 10 inch
  • Mount Type: Alt mount
  • Lens Coating: Fully multi Coated
  • Item Weight: 40 Pounds
Check Price
Zhumell Z114 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope

Zhumell Z114 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope

  • Brand: Zhumell
  • Model Name: Zhumell
  • Eye Piece Lens Description: Wide Field
  • Telescope Mount Description: Altazimuth Mount
  • Item Weight: 47 Pounds
Check Price
SkyWatcher Flextube 250 SynScan Dobsonian 10-inch

SkyWatcher Flextube 250 SynScan Dobsonian 10-inch

  • Mount: Alt Mount
  • Power Source: Battery Powered
  • Item Weight: 55 Pounds
  • Lens Coating: Fully Multi Coated
Check Price
ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Sky Watcher  Flex Tube 300 Dobsonian 12 inch Collapsible

Sky Watcher Flex Tube 300 Dobsonian 12 inch Collapsible

  • Brand: Sky-Watcher
  • Model Name: S11740
  • Eye Lens: Plossl
  • Lens Diameter: 305mm
  • Telescope mount: Alt Mount
Check Price
Zhumell Z130 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope

Zhumell Z130 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope

  • Model Name: Zhumell
  • Eye Piece Lens Description: Wide Field
  • Telescope Mount Description: Altazimuth Mount
  • Item Weight: 47 Pounds
Check Price
Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD Computerized Telescope

Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD Computerized Telescope

  • Brand: Celestron
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 280 Millimeters
  • Telescope Mount: Altazimuth Mount
Check Price

If you want to find the perfect telescope, it’s difficult for beginners and pros alike. With so many models out there with varying features – including price range- how do we choose? We’ve analyzed what makes a good one.

Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Reflector Dobsonian Telescope

The Marius-KP is a state-of-the-art telescope that produces crisp, bright images with its 200mm (8″) parabolic primary mirror lens. It comes with two eyepieces – one 30mm for wide-field views and another 9 mm which will give higher magnification when paired up. For ease of use, the Laser Collimator was very helpful! We found it fairly portable because you can break it down into 2 manageable pieces; take this along on your next weekend away from city light.

Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Reflector Dobsonian Telescope

Specification

  • Model: Zhumell
  • Aperture: 10”
  • Focal Length: 1250 mm
  • Focuser: 5
  • Eyepieces: Wide Field
  • Weight: 60 lbs.
Pros
  • Easy to use and assemble.
  • 200mm aperture will give you brighter views of the moon and planets.
  • You’ll be able to see the rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter, and more
Cons
  • Prices are slightly high

Buy now

Orion Sky Quest XT10i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope

As a more advanced user, this large 10-inch Dobsonian telescope will suit you better. It features an IntelliScope Systems computerized system that can help find over 14000 celestial objects and take users on tours of the best sights in any month or year.

Orion Sky Quest XT10i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope

Specification

  • Aperture: 254mm (10 inch)
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Motorized: No
  • Focuser: 2″ Crayford
  • Eyepieces: Sirius Plossl one eyepiece is 25mm and other is 10mm
  • Weight: 55.3 lbs (25 kg)
  • Dimensions: 69.3 x 64.8 x 13.7 centimeters
Pros
  • This scope is very easy to use.
  • It’s not portable.
  • Better view of the sky.
Cons
  • Prices are slightly high.

Buy now

Orion Sky Quest XT6 PLUS Reflector Dobsonian Telescope

The New Orion Sky Quest XT6 PLUS Dobsonian Reflector Telescope is a new version of the classic XT6 telescope that features some awesome design enhancements. With its eye-catching blue optical tube, this instrument has all you’ll ever need for observing at night

Orion Sky Quest XT6 PLUS Reflector Dobsonian Telescope

Specification

  • Aperture: 150mm
  • Focal length: 1200 mm
  • Model: Orion
  • Focuser: 1.25″ Rack-and-pinion
  • Eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl
  • Mount: Altazimuth
Pros
  • The aperture of 150mm.
  • 1200mm focal length.
  • Orion Shorty 2x Barlow.
Cons
  • It’s not computerized.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher 8in. Flexible 200P Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope

The telescope is perfect for viewing deep-sky objects and the planets. It has a large 8-inch aperture, 1200mm focal length mirrors made from Borosilicate glass with silicon dioxide coating on it which will give you crystal clear images of Saturn’s rings or Jupiter’s moons! You can also use this powerful instrument to search out craters on Mars as well as see what other celestial bodies are up in space such likes Europa, Ganymede & Callisto while observing their surfaces close up without any confusion about where exactly they’re supposed to go at night time tonight. For ease, during finder navigation, there are tension control handles that allow accurate movement so finding stars won’t pose many challenges anymore.

Sky-Watcher 8in. Flexible 200P Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope

Specification

  • Model: Sky Watcher S11700
  • Aperture: 1 1/4-inch
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Focuser: 2-inch Crayford-style
  • Eyepieces: super wide-angle eyepieces (25mm and 10mm)
  • Weight: 27 Pounds
Pros
  • The aperture of 150mm.
  • 1200mm focal length.
  • Orion Shorty 2x Barlow.
Cons
  • It’s not computerized.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher 10in. Flextube 250P Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope

This 10-inch telescope is a must-have for any stargazing enthusiast. With its impressive 250 mm lens and folding system, you won’t have to worry about bringing these wonders of modern technology with you on your next adventure

Sky-Watcher 10in. Flextube 250P Collapsible Dobsonian TelescopeSpecification

  • Aperture: 254 mm (10 in)
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Motorized: No
  • Focuser: 2″ Crayford-style focuser with 1.25″ adaptor
  • Eyepieces: Plossl 25mm and 10mm
  • Weight: 42 lbs (19 kg)
  • Dimensions: 38 x 27 x 19 inches
Pros
  • Perfect for astronomy and other applications requiring a large aperture Collapses down to just 5.5″ in length
  • The aperture of 10″, 1200mm focal length.
Cons
  • Slightly high price.

Buy now

Orion 8944 Sky Quest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

The large 150mm (6″) aperture and simple base make it easy to navigate through your night sky. It is a very quick setup with no need for polar alignment, even my children found this task light enough that they could do it themselves! Plus there’s a 1.25″ rack-and-pinion focuser included in the package as well as an EZ Finder II aiming device that provides great views on deep sky objects like galaxies or star clusters from their first time out into space using our equipment without any help at all.

Orion 8944 Sky Quest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

  • Specification
  • Aperture: 150mm (6”)
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Eyepieces: 25mm
  • Mount: Altazimuth
Pros
  • Use for hunting, bird watching, and more
  • Large aperture for easy viewing.
  • Easy point and view.
Cons
  • It’s not easily transportable.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher S11610 Traditional 8-Inch Dobsonian Telescope

The SkyWatcher S11610 is a great choice for beginners, with its reasonable price point and a wide assortment of accessories. It comes with great features to make sure your pictures turn out perfect and its stylish white color helped me decide on this one

Sky-Watcher S11610 Traditional 8-Inch Dobsonian Telescope

Specification

  • Aperture: 200mm (8”)
  • Focal Length: 1200 mm
  • Focuser: 2-inch Crayford-style
  • Eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm
  • Weight: 45 pounds
Pros
  • Use for hunting, and bird watching.
  • Large aperture for easy viewing.
  • Easy point and view.
Cons
  • It’s not easily transportable.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher S11620 Traditional Dobsonian 10-Inch Telescope

The 10″ Dobsonian telescope offers the most aperture for your money. After being impressed by the Skywatcher 8″, we decided to try out this bigger version, and what a difference! It also comes in white – which is handy as it has a tension control handle that allows you to change settings easily without releasing them when changing from observing deep-sky objects, galaxy groups/clusters, etc., planetary viewing, or just casual stargazing on stars alone with no light pollution interference at all since they have large 254mm (10″) Newtonian type lenses made specifically designed so they will reject incoming ambient light thus revealing more details than other types.

Sky-Watcher S11620 Traditional Dobsonian 10-Inch Telescope

Specification

  • Aperture: 254mm (10”)
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Focuser: 2-inch Crayford-style
  • Eyepieces: Super 25 mm and 10 mm
  • Weight: 40 pounds
Pros
  • Large aperture.
  • Low price.
  • Easy to use.
Cons
  • Heavier in weight.

Buy now

Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Reflector Dobsonian Telescope

This model is great for professional skywatchers, but we enjoyed it just as much. The Sky-Watcher 130mm APO refractor is a high-performance, large aperture Newtonian Reflector Telescope with dual-speed Crayford focuser that offers bright images thanks to its parabolic 305 mm lens. The included laser collimator makes it easy for you to get the perfect image every time

Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Reflector Dobsonian Telescope

Specification

  • Aperture: 305mm (12”)
  • Focal Length: 1500mm
  • Focuser: Dual-speed Crayford focuser
  • Eyepieces: 30mm (2”) and 9mm (1. 25”)
  • Weight: 47 pounds
Pros
  • Portable for easy transport.
  • Lightweight.
  • Clear, crisp views of the stars.
Cons
  • Slightly Higher price

Buy now

Orion 8945 Sky Quest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

The Orion Sky Quest XT8 Classic Dobsonian is one of the best model because it provides night after wonderful stargazing enjoyment. This powerful telescope can be used for both beginners and experts alike

Orion 8945 Sky Quest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Specification:

  • Model: Orion
  • Color: Black
  • Focuser: 2″ Crayford
  • Eyepieces: 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
Pros
  • Clear, crisp views of the stars.
  • Lightweight.
  • Easy to transport.
Cons
  • Higher price.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher Heritage 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian 5-inch Aperture Telescope

The Sky-Watcher Heritage 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian 5-inch Aperture Telescope is perfect if you’re just starting or have never had a larger scope. The design of this model means that it’s easy for beginners to use, but offers great results as well.

Sky-Watcher Heritage 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian 5-inch Aperture Telescope:

Specification

  • Aperture: 5 inches
  • Eyepieces: 1.25-inch eyepieces (10mm and 25mm)
  • Weight: 7.5 Pounds
Pros
  • Get a great view of the stars
  • Clear and powerful 130mm aperture.
  • Fully assembled, so no assembly required.
Cons
  • High weight.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300 Dobsonian 12-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope

The Sky-Watcher Flextube 300 Dobsonian 12″ Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope is an excellent choice for beginners. It has large, easy to view intensely, and provides clear images that will excite your inner astronomer. It comes with everything you need in a kit, including an easy-to-use carrying case for storage when not in use. The white finish makes it look sleek and stylish on your shelf next to other high-End products.

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300 Dobsonian 12-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope

Specification

  • Brand: Sky-Watcher S11740
  • Focal Length: 1500mm
  • Focuser: 2-inch Crayford-style
  • Eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm
  • Weight: 35 Pounds

 

Pros
  • Get a bright, bold viewing experience.
  • Collapsible design for easy portability.
  • More affordable than other optics.
Cons
  • Heavies in weight

Buy now

Orion 10014 SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

The SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope is designed to give you the full power of any planet or star with an easy-to appreciate eyepiece set up.

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300 Dobsonian 12-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope

Specification

  • Aperture: 4.5″
  • Focal Length: 900mm focal length
  • Eyepieces: Sirius Plossl, 25mm and 10mm
  • Model: Orion
Pros
  • Compact and lightweight for easy traveling.
  • Clear views of everything.
  • Explore the sky with your family.
Cons
  • Heavier in weight.

Buy now

Sky-Watcher Classic 150 Dobsonian 6-inch Aperature Telescope

Sky-Watcher Classic 150 tube Dobsonian telescope is perfect for beginners. It has a simple design and is easy to use so you can start exploring the universe with your friends in no time!

The Sky-Watcher Traditional 6 inch Solid Tube Aperature Observer Eyepiece Telescope features an all-black finish that will match well any décor, it comes equipped withSkyQuest ETX 125/ formulate Mountaineer 4 AA battery-operated planisphere reflector optics

Sky-Watcher Classic 150 Dobsonian 6-inch Aperature Telescope

Specification

  • Model SkyWatcher Traditional Dobsonian 6″
  • Focal Length: 1200
  • Focuser: 2-inch Rack-and-Pinion
  • Eyepieces: (25mm and 10mm)
  • Weight: 33 Pounds
Pros
  • Affordable price.
  • Easy movement of your blade.
Cons
  • Slightly higher price.

Buy now

Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Kit

 The Orion SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian Telescope features a classic design and powerful optics, but it also has an easy-to-use mounting system. This makes this scope perfect for beginners who want to get started with astronomy without having any technical know-how or experience using the equipment before

Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Kit

Specification

  • Model: Orion Plossl
  • Aperture: 203mm (8″) aperture
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Eyepieces: 1.25″ eyepiece
Pros
  • See galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters up close.
  • Explore the surface of the moon in amazing detail.
  • Discover new planets and distant stars.
Cons
  • Costly.

 

Buy now

Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

The SkyQuest XT8 PLUS Dobsonian is a great telescope for any astronomy enthusiast. It can be used to view dust lanes in nebulas, resolve the cores of prominent globular star clusters and reveal some subtle structures found in faint galaxies.

Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

Specification

  • Model: Orion
  • Focal Length: 1200mm
  • Focuser: 2″ dual-speed Crayford
  • Eyepieces: 2″ 28mm DeepView eyepiece
Pros
  • Best telescope for the money.
  • Clear and crisp images of planets, nebulae, galaxies, and more.
  • Comes with everything you need to start stargazing right away.
Cons
  • Expensive.

Buy now

How to Choose the Best Kind of Telescope for Your Beginner Needs

In this new and exciting world of astronomy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the many options available. It can be hard deciding what kind or size telescope will work best for you – especially if money isn’t an object! But before we dive into which type is right for us all, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves: “What do I need? What am / how often am I going to use my scope?” Answering these questions first helps narrow down our search so we only purchase one that meets those needs specifically.

To start off answering them, think about where in your home you’ll keep it and then consider its purpose.

Size of the telescope

Aperture is the key to finding a good telescope. The larger it is, the more light will pass through and allow you to see fainter objects as well as detail on nearby bright stars like our moon or Jupiter’s moons! If your beginner scope has 4-inch diameter mirrors then be sure that this size would work for viewing solar system bodies including planets Earth-based observation of Neptune/ Uranus isn’t impossible even though these are small celestial bodies because there just aren’t many other options available at first glance.

It’s time to upgrade from those small telescopes For you can see fainter, deeper-sky objects like star clusters and galaxies with the naked eye it is necessary that have a nice large telescope. Larger than 4 inches but not too big so as always keep in mind what will be most convenient.

Magnification of telescope

A telescope’s aperture is more important than its magnification, even though this may be advertised. Magnification depends both on the focal length of your eyepiece and what you’re viewing through it; if looking at different objects will require a change in how small an object looks to give yourself better vision then choose which ones the best suit that goal.

A larger aperture will allow you to see more detail even if it’s not at a higher magnification. Smaller telescopes are only useful when they have big magnifications because the smaller size of these lenses means that there isn’t much light entering into them, so without enough illumination from stars or other celestial bodies all your viewing experience will just be a blurry mess due to solely atmospheric conditions in our atmosphere! However with clear skies on hand then an increase up to 200x may prove helpful for beginners

Mount of the telescope

A telescope is a must-have for any astronomy enthusiast, but there are many different types and styles. You need to consider your mount type as well; an altitude azimuth (alt-az) or equatorial will help you locate objects easily throughout the night sky while tracking their movements with ease using either one of these two mounts’ axes aligned with Earth’s rotational axis which makes them good choices if this sounds like something that interests you.

Equatorial mounts are hard to use for beginners, so I recommend an alt-az mount. But if you want object tracking as they move across the night sky then consider equating your telescope with one of these types of guiding systems and point one axis towards Polaris (also known as North Star).

If you want to learn about the stars and planets, then a computerized mount telescope might not be your best option. These instruments can do everything for beginners–from finding objects in space that interest them up until giving information about what we call “night skies.” However, don’t get discouraged because there are other ways! There’s no need when using something like Sky Safari Pro or Map Project: Night Skies app which will show reference points around every corner (even if it’s just an open field)

You may also like:

how does a dobsonian telescope work?

Dobsonian Telescope Mirror

what is a dobsonian telescope?

Conclusion

Before you go out and buy a best Dobsonian telescope for beginners to play with or for the whole family, think about which one will work best for your needs. If you’re looking at telescopes as an investment in something fun to do on cold winter nights, then probably not so much of a need there. But if you are thinking that astronomy may be more than just entertainment that it could even become your profession someday–then knowing exactly how long and hard you plan on using your scope is key.

In this new world of Astronomy where we have access to many options available, having a goal can help us better decide what kind or size telescope would best suit our needs. let us know what type of best Dobsonian telescope for beginners you are interested in and we’ll help narrow down your search.

 Faqs

Is the Dobsonian telescope good for beginners?

A best Dobsonian telescope for beginners is intuitive and easy to use, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners. All you need do is move the scope in a direction of your choosing with this type of mount

Which is the best Dobsonian telescope for beginners ?

The Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope is our top pick for the best all-around telescope. The powerful 8 inch (203 mm) primary mirror provides great resolving power, while still being small and portable enough to fit in your vehicle’s trunk

How to choose a Dobsonian telescope?

You’ll want at least 2.8 inches (70 mm) for observing with any degree of success; however, if you’re serious about astronomy try investing in a Dobsonian instead – these types are cheap and provide an excellent viewing experience without too much hassle on your end

Are Dobsonian good telescopes?

Dobsonian telescopes are the best buy for amateurs and professionals alike. They’re also very affordable, which is great because they won’t dent your wallet as other expensive equipment can. The big advantage of this type of optical arrangement?  Its ability to gather lots of light – meaning you’ll be able to see fainter objects more clearly.