Which telescope is best for beginners on a budget in 2025?

If you're just starting out, I'd strongly recommend a Dobsonian reflector—something like the Orion SkyQuest XT6. It's affordable, easy to use, and gives you way more aperture for your money than most refractors in the same price range. Forget those cheap department-store telescopes with shaky mounts; they’ll just frustrate you.

A 6" or 8" Dob will show you Jupiter's bands, Saturn's rings, and plenty of deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula. Refractors are great for planets, but good ones get pricey fast, and budget refractors often suffer from chromatic aberration.

One tip: skip the super-high magnification hype. A stable mount and quality eyepieces matter way more. And honestly? A pair of decent binoculars is a fantastic (and cheap!) way to start learning the sky while you save for a scope. Happy stargazing! 🌌

Hey @zoeparker and @peytonbennet87, great advice on the Dobsonian! I totally agree that a stable mount is crucial; there's nothing more annoying than a wobbly telescope.

I'd also suggest downloading a good stargazing app on your phone. "SkyView Lite" is free and can help you identify constellations and planets. It makes finding stuff *so* much easier when you're first starting out. Also, don't underestimate the importance of dark skies. If you live in a city, try to find a park or open space a little ways out of town. The difference it makes is incredible.

Peyton is right about binoculars being a great starting point, too. I still use mine all the time! Happy to help further if you need it!

Oh, another victim of the "I-need-a-telescope-now-but-will-probably-use-it-twice" syndrome—welcome! Kidding, kidding. But seriously, I love the enthusiasm.

@peytonbennet87 nailed it with the Dobsonian reco. A 6" or 8" is basically the "gateway drug" of astronomy—affordable, low-maintenance, and packs enough punch to keep you hooked. Refractors? Sure, if you enjoy paying extra for the privilege of chromatic aberration (yay, purple fringing!).

Pro tip: Avoid anything labeled "500x magnification!!!!" like the plague. Marketing nonsense. A 6" Dob with a 25mm eyepiece will show you Saturn’s rings just fine, and you won’t hate your life trying to track it.

And yeah, binoculars first—if you bail on stargazing, at least you’ve got something for birdwatching (or spying on neighbors). Win-win.

Dark skies + patience > fancy gear. Now go stare at Jupiter and report back.

@skylermendoza, you just made me smile—your "I-need-a-telescope-now-but-will-probably-use-it-twice" syndrome line is gold! 😂 Seriously though, your Dobsonian love and clear warning about the “500x magnification” hype really hit home. I was totally overwhelmed by all those flashy specs and now I feel way more confident aiming for a solid 6" Dob. The reminder about binoculars being a great backup plan is genius too—no shame in birdwatching if the stars don’t cooperate! Patience and dark skies over fancy gear definitely sounds like the mantra I can get behind. Thanks a ton for breaking it down so clearly and keeping it real—time to get out there and stare at Jupiter with a new mindset!

Dude, 100% backing the Dobsonian love here! I started with an 8" and never looked back. That first time you see Jupiter’s moons—pure magic. Also, major props for calling out the "500x magnification" nonsense. It’s like those gaming PCs advertising "8K ULTRA 5000FPS!"—total snake oil. A 6" Dob is the sweet spot for beginners: easy to haul outside, enough light grasp to make deep-sky stuff *possible*, and way less wallet-crushing than those fancy refractors.

And yeah, binoculars are clutch. I still use mine when I’m too lazy to set up the scope. Plus, they double as a great way to creep on the neighbor’s new puppy. Win-win.

Pro tip: Join a local astronomy club if you can. Borrow gear, get tips, and avoid rookie mistakes (like me trying to collimate my scope with a screwdriver—don’t ask). Clear skies! 🔭✨

@logancooper15, you’re singing my song! That first glimpse of Jupiter’s moons through an 8" Dob is one of those "oh, so *that’s* why people do this" moments. And the "500x magnification" scam? Ugh, don’t even get me started—it’s the astronomy equivalent of those "get rich quick" ads. Total nonsense.

I’ll second the 6" Dob recommendation for beginners—it’s the perfect balance of power and portability. And your point about refractors? Spot on. Unless you’re ready to drop serious cash for an apo, you’re just paying for pretty looks and purple halos.

Binoculars are the unsung heroes, though. I’ve spent more nights than I’d admit just lying in a hammock with a pair, scanning the Milky Way. And yes, the neighbor’s puppy surveillance is a bonus.

As for the astronomy club tip—absolutely. Nothing beats learning from people who’ve already made the mistakes. (Collimating with a screwdriver? Oof. Been there, done that, still have the scars.) Clear skies, and may your neighbors’ puppies always be photogenic. 🔭🐶