Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Stargazers can always use better optics or a better light for reading star charts. Binoculars are an easy start: the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 is Live Science's best value stargazing binoculars, the Nikon Prostaff P7 its pick for casual observers, light enough for travel, and the SkyMaster Pro 20x80 its best overall for the night sky.
The Fenix HM55R is Live Science's best overall headlamp, with a red light that preserves night vision, and the Nitecore NU25 is Outdoor Life's best value headlamp. For telescopes, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is Live Science's best fuss-free scope, the Inspire 100AZ its best budget pick, and the Dwarf Mini its best smart telescope for travel. The splurges are the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro, Live Science's best smart telescope overall, and the Celestron NexStar 6SE, its best overall beginner telescope, which finds and tracks objects for you. Every pick is on my telescope starter list with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they'd rather watch birds by day; the birdwatching starter kit has birding binoculars and feeders.
Best headlampmid pick · 105 g
Best for reading star charts without ruining their night vision
Live Science's best overall headlamp: light, rechargeable, with excellent battery life and a red light that preserves your night vision.
Heads up. Runners can find lighter options
1 outlet. Live Science best overall headlamp.
$50-100
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mid pick · Pocket-size
Best for a rechargeable headlamp
Outdoor Life's best value headlamp: ultralight, simple and affordable, and it recharges over USB.
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best value headlamp.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 | budget | $50-100 | star clusters and the moon on a budget | 1 outlet |
| Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 | mid | $200-300 | handheld stargazing and daytime use too | 1 outlet |
| Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 | mid | $200-300 | spotting Jupiter's moons from a tripod | 1 outlet |
Best binocularsbudget pick · 15x70
Best for star clusters and the moon on a budget
Live Science's best value stargazing binoculars: big lenses that drink in light, and fantastic value for the price.
Heads up. Noticeable color fringing, a stiff focus wheel, and heavy enough to need a tripod
1 outlet. Live Science best value binoculars for stargazing.
$50-100
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mid pick · 10x42
Best for handheld stargazing and daytime use too
Live Science's best binoculars for casual observers: excellent optics, a high-quality build and a light design for travel.
Heads up. Not powerful enough for deep-sky viewing
1 outlet. Live Science best binoculars for casual observers.
$200-300
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mid pick · 20x80
Best for spotting Jupiter's moons from a tripod
Live Science's best binoculars for stargazing overall: high magnification for fantastic night-sky views, and hard to beat for reach and clarity at the price.
Heads up. Absolutely massive and heavy, and not handy for everyday viewing
1 outlet. Live Science best binoculars for stargazing overall.
$200-300
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ | budget | $150-200 | families and the curious who want to start tonight | 1 outlet |
| Celestron Inspire 100AZ | mid | $300-500 | saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons from the backyard | 1 outlet |
| Dwarflab Dwarf Mini | mid | $500+ | city skies and trips | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · 70 mm
Best for families and the curious who want to start tonight
Live Science's best fuss-free telescope: one of the easiest and most intuitive scopes for new users, with bright, sharp views of the moon and planets.
Heads up. You'll probably want better eyepieces, and it's not suited to deep space
1 outlet. Live Science best fuss-free telescope.
$150-200
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mid pick · 100 mm
Best for saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons from the backyard
Live Science's best budget pick: portable, affordable and easy to use, with impressive views for the money.
Heads up. No automatic mount, and not suited to deep space
1 outlet. Live Science best budget beginner telescope.
$300-500
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mid pick · 30 mm
Best for city skies and trips
Live Science's best smart telescope for travel: a tiny, affordable scope that makes deep-sky, solar and lunar imaging possible almost anywhere.
Heads up. Only 2 MP images, a four-hour battery, and no tripod in the box
1 outlet. Live Science best smart telescope for travel.
$500+
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Top picksplurge pick · 30 mm
Best for galaxy and nebula photos straight to their phone
Live Science's best smart telescope overall: a portable scope that makes deep-sky astrophotography remarkably easy, with room to grow.
Heads up. Planets look very small, and EQ mode needs an extra wedge
1 outlet. Live Science best smart telescope overall.
$500+
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splurge pick · 150 mm
Best for moon and planet photos with a GoTo mount
Live Science's best overall beginner telescope: easy to use, crisp views, and it finds and tracks objects for you.
Heads up. Takes a while to set up, and there's no manual backup
1 outlet. Live Science best overall beginner telescope.
$500+
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Yes, they're an easy way to start. The Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 is Live Science's best value stargazing binoculars, with big lenses that drink in light, and the SkyMaster Pro 20x80 is its best overall, best used on a tripod.
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is Live Science's best fuss-free telescope, one of the easiest and most intuitive for new users. For a bigger gift, the Celestron NexStar 6SE, its best overall beginner telescope, finds and tracks objects for you.
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