Good refractor telescopes can show you crisp, bright images without much distortion. Unfortunately, a truly good refractor can cost more than an entry-level budget allows, and its straightforward design means the tube can be so long that it's not convenient to move. Newtonian scopes are excellent entry-level choices, especially with a basic Dobsonian mount. Dobsonian telescope tubes are set into a wood platform base, instead of the more familiar tripod. Star clusters resolve into tiny jewels of light rather than the nondescript smudges seen in lesser instruments.
Most manufacturers sell telescope packages that include all that good stuff.
These telescopes combine a lens and multiple reflecting mirrors. You'll recognize them instantly when you're shopping because they have short, stubby tubes. A good telescope of this type is often less than a foot long. Because they combine some of the good qualities of both reflecting and refracting telescopes, they do a decent job of displaying both bright and dim celestial objects. The good news is that cheaper models have the same high-end optics as the more expensive units.