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The 8 Best dobsonian telescopes of 2025

Are you trying to find dobsonian telescopes among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling dobsonian telescopes on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 11 hours of research and did 20 dobsonian telescopes tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best dobsonian telescopes you can buy today

No. 1
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope for Adults - High Powered Beginner Astronomy Telescope for Moon, Planets & Deep-sky Objects
  • Perhaps the best beginner Dobsonian reflector telescope you can buy - big 6" aperture at an amazing price
  • A beginner may use a 60mm telescope for a few months or years before deciding they need to upgrade to a better telescope - a 6" Dobsonian will give you a lifetime of wonderful views
  • Simple navigation and no need to polar align makes this Dobsonian reflector telescope extremely ease to use for the whole family
  • The 6" diameter f/8 parabolic mirror is fantastic for Moon and planetary views, and also has enough light grasp for deep-sky viewing of nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters
  • The stable Dobsonian base provides a vibration free image even when viewing at a high powers, and features smooth enough motions to make tracking of celestial objects a breeze
No. 2
Celestron – 76mm Signature Series FirstScope – Compact and Portable Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope – Ideal Telescope for Beginners – Features Custom Moon Map Wrap – BONUS Astronomy Software Package
  • Compact and portable tabletop telescope designed for beginners and astronomy enthusiasts.
  • Features a 76mm aperture for clear and detailed views of celestial objects.
  • Dobsonian mount for easy and intuitive pointing and tracking.
  • Includes a custom moon map wrap for identifying lunar features.
  • Bonus astronomy software package for enhancing your stargazing experience.
No. 3
Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Telescope – Solid-Tube – Simple, Traditional Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, White (S11610)
  • LARGE APERTURE: Get a bright, bold viewing experience at a fraction of other optical designs.
  • PROPRIETARY TENSION CONTROL HANDLES: These patented handles allow for accurate movement without the need for perfect balance.
  • 94% REFLECTIVE MIRRORS: Fully multi-coated borosilicate primary and secondary mirrors deliver exceptional views. Faintest Steller Magnitude:14.2.
  • TEFLON BEARINGS: Proprietary Teflon bearings ensure smooth azimuth movement.
  • COMES COMPLETE: All accessories such as, 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with 1 1/4-inch adapter, two super wide-angle eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), and 9x50 straight-through finder scope are included with purchase.
  • STURDY AND LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: When fully assembled, the Dobsonian weighs only 45 pounds fully assembled (20 pound tube, 25 pound base).
  • Max focal length: 1200.
  • Light Gathering (compared to next size down): 78%
  • Parabolic primary mirror with Radian Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)
No. 4
Celestron–StarSense Explorer 10-inch Dobsonian Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope – Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Nebulae, Planets & More –10-inch DOB Telescope – iPhone/Android Compatible
  • PATENTED STARSENSE SKY RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY: This one-of-a-kind telescope uses patented, award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology and your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time.
  • STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: The app generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time & location. View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites.
  • MASSIVE 10” NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR: A high-quality parabolic primary mirror and high-reflectivity XLT optical coatings give you enough light gathering ability to view all the best celestial objects.
  • MANUAL DOBSONIAN BASE: Large diameter altitude bearings with variable tensioning and Teflon azimuth bearings make it easy to point and aim your Dob. Follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to view.
  • UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
SaleNo. 5
Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher Heritage 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian 5-inch Aperture Telescope – Innovative Collapsible Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, Black/White (S11705)
19 Consomer Reviews
Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher Heritage 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian 5-inch Aperture Telescope – Innovative Collapsible Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, Black/White (S11705)
  • LARGE APERTURE: The Heritage 130mm provides users with over 5 inches of aperture, delivering breathtaking views at a fraction of cost of other telescopes.
  • ALL-IN-ONE COMPACT DESIGN: By combining the base and optical tube into a single tabletop package, this telescope is easy to transport and ready to use at any given moment.
  • NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: Fully assembled right out of the box, the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 combines full-sized optics with ease of operation, perfect for budding astronomers.
  • FULLY LOADED WITH ACCESSORIES: Box includes two 1.25-inch eyepieces (10mm and 25mm) and a starpointer finderscope.
  • TWO-YEAR WARRANTY: Sky-Watcher warrants your telescope to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a full two years.
  • Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings
No. 6
Sarblue Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope 60 with Dobsonian Mount, 60mm Aperture 750mm Focal Length, with Finderscope and Phone Adapter, Tabletop Telescopes for Kids Adults Beginners Astronomy
  • The mak telescope stands out from other beginner level telescopes by providing sharp and crystal clear views with almost no chromatic aberrations. You can enjoy viewing both distant celestial objects including the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, and vivid terrestrial targets in nature.
  • This tabletop telescope is an upgraded version of Maksutov Planet Mate 60 Telescope. Simple navigation and no need to align make it extremely easy to use. The Dobsonian mount enables vibration free viewing, and with the finderscope, aiming and tracking your target is a breeze.
  • Included 20mm eyepiece renders 37.5X power. The telescope is small but powerful for its size, having 750mm focal length in a small 200mm tube. You can use other 1.25'' eyepiece to change magnification.
  • The telescope features a detachable lid, which reveals the internal structure of the tube and how it works inside. It can be a great astronomical educational kit. And the included universal phone mount helps you easily capture the moment and share with your loved ones.
  • If you're not happy with our mak60 telescope or need professional suggestions, contact us anytime and our customer care will help you. And you will also receive 1-year hassel-free warranty for the telescope.
No. 7
Celestron Starsense Explorer 12" Smartphone app-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope
  • A large 12 inch parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings helps you make the most of StarSense technology. Locate faint, deep-sky objects in seconds and see them in more detail than ever before. StarSense Explorer Powered by SkySafari app automatically generates a list of objects currently visible. View planets, brighter nebulae and galaxies, star clusters, and double stars from the city. Or take your telescope to darker skies to see even more.
No. 8
Orion SkyScanner BL135mm Dobsonian Reflector Telescope for Adults & Families Beginning Their Astronomy Journey - Easy-to-Use with Great Views
  • Compact Dobsonian telescope offers beginning stargazers hands-on ease of use for scanning the night sky
  • Big 135mm (5.3") primary mirror delivers bright, detailed views of the lunar surface, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands and moons, bright star clusters and gaseous nebulas
  • Great intermediate size - not too big, not too small - for good portability
  • Comes with quality 25mm Kellner and 10mm Plossl eyepieces that deliver 44x and 110x magnifying power, and a 3x Barlow lens that triples the magnification
  • Also includes red dot LED finder scope and Orion's MoonMap 260 to help you identify craters, mountains, and more on the lunar surface
SaleNo. 9
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
6,207 Consomer Reviews
Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package
  • Powerful reflector telescope: The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD telescope is a powerful reflector telescope for astronomy beginners. It features fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy and lightweight frame, two eyepieces, a StarPointer red dot finderscope and an adjustable tripod.
  • High-quality 130mm optics: The heart of the system is a 130mm glass optic objective lens. The AstroMaster mount features two slow-motion control knobs that allow you to make precision adjustments.
  • Quick setup & lightweight frame: This telescope for kids and adults to be used together features a lightweight frame manual German Equatorial mount for smooth and accurate pointing. Setup is quick and easy, with no tools required for assembly.
  • Included accessories: We’ve included two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a travel tripod, motor drive, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.
  • Unbeatable customer support: Buy with confidence from the world’s telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.
No. 10
Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 150P Collapsible Tabletop GoTo Dobsonian Telescope
  • 150mm aperture for bright, bold views
  • Fast f/5 optics for increased light gathering power
  • 750mm focal length perfect for viewing the Moon, planets, galaxies, and nebulae
  • Built in Wi-Fi and full GoTo performance via the SynScan Pro app
  • Patented Freedom Find technology uses dual encoders to allow manual control while retaining alignment

How to choose a good dobsonian telescopes

Does the idea of finding a fantastic dobsonian telescopes make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in dobsonian telescopes. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top dobsonian telescopes products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top dobsonian telescopes on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top dobsonian telescopes brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top dobsonian telescopes based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the dobsonian telescopes were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good dobsonian telescopes, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your dobsonian telescopes.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting dobsonian telescopes for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our dobsonian telescopes. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what dobsonian telescopes should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on dobsonian telescopes.