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Bresser Junior 60/700 Telescope Review 2026: Best Budget Refractor for UK Beginners?

Updated September 2026 · By TelescopeReviews UK

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Quick Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0/5 — DECENT FOR THE PRICE

The Bresser Junior 60/700 is an honest budget refractor — 60mm of aperture, 700mm focal length, and views of the Moon and Saturn that genuinely impress for the price. Not as capable as the National Geographic 76/350 at a similar price, but the refractor design means no collimation and low maintenance — a genuine advantage for casual observers and parents buying for children.

  • ✅ Buy if: Budget is strictly under £80 and you want a low-maintenance refractor
  • ❌ Skip if: Budget reaches £100+ — the National Geographic 76/350 gives better views for similar money
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Key Specifications

Optical designAchromatic refractor
Aperture60mm
Focal length700mm
Focal ratiof/11.7
Mount typeAlt-azimuth
Eyepieces included6mm and 18mm (1.25 inch)
FinderRed dot finder
Weight2.1kg (assembled)
TripodIncluded
MaintenanceNone — sealed tube

Build Quality and Design

The Bresser Junior 60/700 is an alt-azimuth refractor. Stability can vary with magnification, setup and the supporting surface; higher magnification may make vibration more noticeable.

The sealed refractor tube is the main advantage — no collimation needed, ever. For parents buying for children who may handle the telescope roughly, this is genuinely valuable.

📐 Key Design Points

  • Tube: Refractor optical tube ✅
  • Mount: Basic alt-azimuth — functional at low power
  • Tripod: included
  • Eyepieces: 6mm (117x) and 18mm (39x) included
  • Weight: 2.1kg — child can carry it

What You Can Expect to See

The Moon

  • At 39x (18mm eyepiece): If conditions are suitable, you may see the full lunar disc, crater detail along the terminator, mountain ranges and mare.
  • At 117x (6mm eyepiece): If seeing is steady, you may distinguish crater detail in Tycho, Copernicus and Clavius.

Saturn

  • At 39x: If conditions are suitable, Saturn may appear as a small disc with its rings separate from the planet.
  • At 117x: If seeing is steady, the rings may appear more distinct, though the Cassini Division may remain beyond reach at this aperture.

Jupiter

  • At 39x: If conditions are suitable, you may see Jupiter's disc and Galilean moons as points of light, though cloud bands may be difficult at 60mm.

Double Stars

  • At 117x: If conditions are suitable, you may separate Albireo into its blue and gold components.

⚠️ Chromatic Aberration Note

As an achromatic refractor, the Bresser Junior 60/700 shows some colour fringing (purple/green) around bright objects like the Moon. This is normal for budget achromatic refractors and does not affect deep-sky views. It is most noticeable at high magnification on the Moon.

Who Should Buy This Telescope?

✅ YES — Buy if:

  • Budget is strictly under £80
  • Low maintenance is important (no collimation ever)
  • Child aged 8-13 will use it
  • Casual observer wants a simple grab-and-go telescope
  • Christmas or birthday gift on a tight budget

❌ NO — Consider alternatives if:

  • Budget reaches £100 → National Geographic 76/350 gives more aperture
  • Budget reaches £170 → Heritage 130P transforms what you can see
  • Adult is primary user → Heritage 130P minimum
  • Deep-sky objects matter → Reflector with more aperture

Alternatives to Consider

Also see our best budget telescope guide, our best telescope for kids guide, and our how much does a telescope cost breakdown.

National Geographic 76/350

Why consider: Similar price, more aperture (76mm vs 60mm), better all-round performance. Our preferred choice at this budget.

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Celestron FirstScope 76

Why consider: For younger children aged 6-9 — tabletop design at child height, same aperture class.

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Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P

Why consider: If budget stretches to £170 — dramatically better views, 130mm vs 60mm aperture.

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Frequently asked questions

For its price — yes. It shows the Moon in good detail, Saturn's rings clearly, and requires no maintenance. It will not satisfy serious observers or adults wanting deep-sky views, but as a budget first telescope for a child or casual observer, it delivers honest performance.

The National Geographic 76/350 has more aperture (76mm vs 60mm) which means brighter, more detailed views of all objects. At similar prices, the National Geographic is usually the better choice. The Bresser Junior has the advantage of the refractor design — no collimation ever needed.

No — the sealed refractor design means the optics are permanently aligned from the factory. This is one of the main advantages over reflectors at this price point, particularly for children's use.

Ages 8-14. The 2.1kg weight is manageable for children, and the simple alt-azimuth mount is straightforward to operate. Younger children (6-8) may find the focusing and aiming challenging without adult help.

For a child aged 8-14 on a strict budget — yes. The Moon and Saturn views will impress on Christmas night, and the no-maintenance design means it will still work correctly months later. If budget allows, the National Geographic 76/350 is a better gift choice. See our Christmas gift guide for more options.

🏆 Our Final Verdict

The Bresser Junior 60/700 is a decent budget refractor that delivers honest performance for under £80. It will not challenge more capable telescopes like the National Geographic 76/350 or Heritage 130P, but its no-maintenance sealed tube and manageable weight make it a sensible first telescope for children aged 8-13. If your budget is tight and you specifically want a refractor, it is a reasonable choice — but most buyers will get more value from a similarly priced reflector.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0/5

Recommended for: Children aged 8-13, parents on a strict budget, casual observers wanting a low-maintenance refractor

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