1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
of Teradyne, Inc. on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-25868; 33-16077; 33-42352; 33-38251;
33-55123; 33-64683; and 333-07177) and Form S-3 (File No. 33-44347) of our
report dated January 17, 1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements of Teradyne, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, which report is included
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
March 26, 1997