The Best Telescopes 2025

1. National Geographic - 70mm Refractor Telescope with Astronomy App

70mm aperture; magnification from 26.9x to 124x; 700mm focal length; 9.7mm and 26mm eyepieces, and smartphone mount included; compatible with iOS and Android ARTelescope app

Embark on a fascinating adventure through our solar system and beyond with National Geographic’s StarApp70mm 80-30070 telescope. This refractor is great for lunar, planetary and deep sky observing and has a special mount that allows users to attach their smart phone to the telescope and use the ARTelescope App to locate and learn about constellations and planets. As observers move the telescope across the night sky, they will hear facts about the constellations and planets in the app’s database as they come into view. The telescope comes with two interchangeable eyepieces and a 2x Barlow lens to provide a versatile range of magnifications.

2. Celestron - NexStar 8 SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Computerized Telescope - Orange

Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 8SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering impressive views at an economical price.

3. Celestron - NexStar 5 SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Computerized Telescope - Orange

This Celestron NexStar 5SE 11036 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope features NexStar computer control and SkyAlign alignment technologies that allow you to easily view up to 40,000 celestial objects. The steel tripod with built-in wedge provides stability.

4. Celestron Nexstar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope

Reach amazing new heights with the Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope. Connect your device with NexStar SE technology that gives you built-in WiFi connectivity, StarSense technology, and SkyAlign technology to help you explore the universe in ways you never thought possible. The Celestron 4SE’s 4” primary mirror gves you excellent light gathering ability so you can take in all of the wonders of our solar system. The Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope has a patented single fork arm mount that is perfectly portable and easy to set up. Advanced Optics The Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope was designed with amazingly advanced optics so you never miss a thing while viewing. Featuring a 4” primary mirror, the 4SE has a focal length of 1325mm and focal ratio of f/13 for an incredibly long reach. With 53x magnification in the eyepiece, you can zoom into the depths of space. StarBright XTL optical coating collects and focuses light for incredible image observation. User Friendly Celestron engineers designed NeXStar SE computerized telescopes the best possible experience out under the stars. SkyAlign technology makes it easier than ever to immediately align three bright objects in your eyepiece. With SkySync, you can provide GPS coordinates to your viewing site to hone in on the closest objects in the sky. Easy Setup Setting up your NexStar 4SE is quick and painless thanks to the unique, single fork arm mount. The stainless steel tripod features easily adjustable legs to help you achieve a level, uniform height for your telescope. Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. Store all of your telescope accessories in the dedicated accessory tray. Superior Tracking If you're interested in taking your astronomical interests to the next level, the Celestron NexStar 4SE is an excellent and affordable way to get started. It utilizes the NexStar+ hand control to help you locate over 40000 celestial objects. A sturdy and durable construction gives the NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with ease.

Celestron’s iconic “orange tube” design is updated with all the latest features to provide the best stargazing experience for beginners and experienced observers alike. 4-inch aperture provides excellent light-gathering ability at an affordable price. You’ll get impressive views of the Moon and planets, along with deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, while retaining a compact form factor. Fully automated GoTo mount with database of 40,000+ celestial objects automatically locates and tracks objects for you. SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any three bright objects. Unique single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all break down into separate components for easy transport and quick assembly.

5. Celestron - Travel Scope 70 DX Portable Telescope - Gray/Black

40x and 100x power magnification; 114mm diameter; 1000mm focal length; f/9.0mm focal ratio; 2x 1.25" eyepieces: 10mm, 25mm, 2x Barlow lens; includes smartphone dock and tripod; StarSense Sky Recognition technology (with StarSense Explorer app)

Get a new perspective on nature and the Universe with the ideal day-to-night telescope, Travel Scope™ 70 DX. This refractor telescope includes a full height tripod and lots of bonus accessories, include a smartphone adapter so you can capture images and video through the eyepiece. It all packs up into a high-quality custom backpack—ready to go wherever your adventures take you. Whether you take it along on your next camping trip or enjoy an impromptu backyard stargazing session, setting up the telescope is a breeze. Even on your first time out, you can assemble the telescope and its accessories in just a few minutes. The adjustable tripod legs allow you to customize the telescope’s height or place it on raised surfaces like a picnic table. By night, Travel Scope™ 70 DX delivers great views of the planets, the Moon, star clusters and brighter deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. During the day, Travel Scope™ 70 DX doubles as a spotting scope. Enjoy amazing views of birds, wildlife, boats on the water, migrating whales, and so much more. The entire telescope kit weighs just 3.3 pounds, so you can take it anywhere, hassle-free. Smartphone adapter and Bluetooth shutter release Create your own stunning images and video of celestial or terrestrial objects with the smartphone adapter. With its light, rigid frame, this accessory allows you to connect any smartphone to your Travel Scope’s eyepiece. The additional magnification provided by the eyepiece allows your phone to capture great images of the Moon and planets. This smartphone adapter installs easily by clamping over the top of an eyepiece. The smartphone is held in position with the help of tightening knobs that securely lock your phone in place. To capture the best image, Celestron has also provided a Bluetooth shutter release that allows you to trigger the camera’s shutter on any Android or iOS smartphone remotely, without disturbing the placement of your phone and telescope. NOTE: Some large and/or bulky phone cases (including folio style cases) may need to be removed for the phone to fit in the adapter. Manual Alt-Azimuth telescope Navigate the sky confidently with Travel Scope™ 70 DX’s intuitive pan handle. The Alt-Az control with clutch allows for smooth tracking and accurate pointing. Like a photographic tripod, you can move the clutch in an up/down, left/right fashion to follow your object in the eyepiece. Deluxe Accessories Included In addition to the smartphone adapter and Bluetooth shutter release, Travel Scope™ 70 DX includes a full selection of optical accessories, including two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), an erect image diagonal, a finderscope, a 2x Barlow lens, and a 1.25” Moon filter. The two eyepieces offer different magnifications so you can view your subject at low or high power. The erect image diagonal allows for more comfortable viewing and right-side-up images. The permanently mounted finderscope will help you locate objects and quickly center them in your telescope’s eyepiece. Lastly, the Moon filter reduces glare and increases contrast on the surface of the Moon. Travel Backpack Pack up your optical tube, tripod, eyepieces, and accessories safely and securely in the included custom backpack. Starry Night Software Download Celestron’s Starry Night Software and learn about the night sky, celestial objects, and how to plan your next observing session. Celestron Starry Night Software is the premier astronomy software package on the market, providing detailed information, plus tips and tricks for viewing our Solar System and beyond. Downloadable Robert Reeves’ Lunar Landscapes eBook Familiarize yourself with the Moon, our neighboring world, with Robert Reeves’ Lunar Landscapes eBook. This fascinating guide will take you on a tour of the Moon’s top geographical features, from the crater Tycho to the Sea of Tranquility where Apollo 11 astronauts landed.

6. Celestron - Starsense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope App-Enabled Newtonian Reflector Telescope - Silver/Black

40x and 100x power magnification; 114mm diameter; 1000mm focal length; f/9.0mm focal ratio; 2x 1.25" eyepieces: 10mm, 25mm, 2x Barlow lens; includes smartphone dock and tripod; StarSense Sky Recognition technology (with StarSense Explorer app)

Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with StarSense Explorer—the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky. Dock, Launch, Explore Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster, or more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you’ll be navigating the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After aligning your phone to the telescope’s optics (a quick, 2-minute procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear onscreen, guiding you as you to move the telescope. When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green. Smartphone Compatibility StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016. For a complete compatibility list, click here. Patent-Pending StarSense Sky Recognition Technology StarSense Explorer uses patent-pending technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly reorient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database. While other astronomy apps may claim that they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers, which aren’t as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece. Sturdy Altazimuth Mount StarSense Explorer LT’s simple altazimuth mount makes it easy to move the telescope to find your target. An altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod helps you fine tune the telescope’s pointing position and follow targets as they appear to drift across the night sky. It’s all anchored by an adjustable, full-height tripod. Dazzling Views with High Quality Optics With a large 114mm (4.5”) objective lens, this telescope has enough light gathering ability to bring out detail in celestial objects. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the trapezium in the Orion Nebula, and beautiful Pleaides Open Star Cluster. Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites Even if you live in a light polluted city location, StarSense Explorer is advanced enough to be able to pick out Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and a few more of the most famous celestial objects. But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. With this 4.5” Newtonian and relatively dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Open Star Cluster, and so many more are easily within your reach. The entire telescope kit weighs just 10.4 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site. Everything You Need to Observe Immediately When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer LT, you’ll find: 114mm Newtonian reflector optical tube StarSense dock for your smartphone Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece 2x Barlow lens to double the power of each eyepiece StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app Altazimuth mount with slow motion control rod Full-height tripod with an accessory tray to keep you organized

7. Celestron - Starsense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Newtonian Reflector Telescope - Silver/Black

114 mm aperture; magnification from 19x to 52x; 500mm focal length; red dot viewfinder; camera adapter and full-size tripod included

Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with StarSense Explorer—the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky. Dock, Launch, Explore Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster, or more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you’ll be navigating the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After aligning your phone to the telescope’s optics (a quick, 2-minute procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear onscreen, guiding you as you to move the telescope. When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green. Smartphone Compatibility. StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016. For a complete compatibility list, click here. Patent-Pending StarSense Sky Recognition Technology. StarSense Explorer uses patent-pending technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly reorient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database. While other astronomy apps may claim that they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers, which aren’t as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece. High Quality Altazimuth Mount with Slow Motion Control. An ultra-stable altazimuth mount provides a sturdy foundation for StarSense Explorer DX. Slip clutches and geared slow motion controls in both axes help you move the telescope smoothly and zero in your target. As celestial objects appear to drift across the night sky, you’ll be able to follow them with just a turn of the knobs. It’s all anchored by an adjustable, full-height tripod. Dazzling Views with High Quality Optics. With a large 130mm (5”) objective lens, this telescope has enough light gathering ability to bring out impressive detail in celestial objects. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the trapezium in the Orion Nebula, and beautiful Pleaides Open Star Cluster. Highly reflective coatings on both the primary and secondary mirror enhance the views even more. Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites. Even if you live in a light polluted city location, StarSense Explorer is advanced enough to be able to pick out Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and a few more of the most famous celestial objects. But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. With this 5” Newtonian and relatively dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Open Star Cluster, and so many more are easily within your reach. The entire telescope kit weighs just 18 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site. Everything You Need to Observe Immediately. When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you’ll find:130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube StarSense dock for your smartphone. Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece. StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app. Altazimuth mount with slow motion controls. Full-height tripod with an accessory tray to keep you organized

8. National Geographic - 114mm Achromatic Reflector Telescope

114 mm aperture; magnification from 19x to 52x; 500mm focal length; red dot viewfinder; camera adapter and full-size tripod included

Observe the sky with this National Geographic 80-20114 carbon fiber wrap reflector telescope. The 500mm focal length and 114mm aperture provide an excellent definition of deep-sky photography, while the interchangeable Plossl eyepieces and a 2x Barlow lens deliver enhanced magnification. This National Geographic carbon fiber wrap reflector telescope has an adjustable tripod with an accessory tray for convenient stability and storage.

9. Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 is a compact and portable refractor telescope perfect for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. With its 70mm fully coated glass optics and lightweight frame, this telescope offers clear and detailed images of the moon, planets, star clusters, and other celestial objects. The included accessories, such as two eyepieces, an erect image diagonal, and a finderscope, make it easy to set up and start observing in just a few minutes. The adjustable tripod and backpack case allow you to take this telescope with you on all your adventures, providing a convenient way to explore the wonders of the night sky wherever you go.

Enjoy the convenience of a 70mm refractor telescope with fully coated glass optics and a lightweight frame, perfect for terrestrial and celestial viewing on the go. The included custom backpack allows you to store the telescope and accessories comfortably, making it easy to transport wherever your adventures take you. Setting up the telescope is a breeze, with a quick and easy, no-tool assembly that will have you observing in no time. The telescope comes with a variety of accessories, including two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a 45° erect image diagonal, and a 5x24 finderscope, providing you with a comprehensive observing experience. The pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch allows for smooth and accurate pointing, ensuring you can easily track your celestial targets. The adjustable height tripod enables you to customize the telescope's height or place it on raised surfaces, providing a stable and versatile observing platform. Weighing just 3.3 pounds, this compact and portable telescope is perfect for impromptu observing sessions or taking on your adventures.

10. Celestron EclipSmart Solar Telescope 50 with Backpack

Solar events like eclipses are a rare occurrence so when they happen you want to be able to get the have the best view possible. Staring into, or even in the direction of, the sun is painful and can quickly lead to permanent vision damage. Special glasses and homemade cardboard viewers are better options, but for the ultimate eclipse viewing experience you need Celestron’s EclipSmart Travel Scope 50. This finder scope is specially designed for safely viewing solar events while providing the clearest possible image. Its large, multi-coated lens provides a clear image while the Solar Safe finderscope makes it easy to safely line the telescope up with the sun. Solar Safe Technology This EclipSmart finderscope is equipped with Solar Safe technology to protect your eyes from harmful radiation and light waves during every step of the observation process. The finderscope allows for easy alignment of the telescope without looking directly at the sun – just line up the shadow of the pointer with the target reticle and the sun will appear in the eyepiece. The telescope itself is designed with non-removable glass solar filters that block IR and UV light as well as 99.999% of all visible light. This makes it possible to get a clear image of the sun without risking permanent vision damage. To ensure maximum protection, the Solar Safe technology has been independently evaluated by SAI Global Assurance Services. Stunning Image Quality In addition to being designed for ultimate vision protection while you’re viewing the sun, this telescope also provides excellent image reproduction. Its large 50mm lens gathers a large amount of light for crisp, clear images and the included 20mm Kellner eyepiece offers 18x magnification which creates a wide field of view and provides powerful zoom capability. The glass lens elements have also been treated with a multi-coating that increases light transmission and reduces glare and ghosting. Tripod Mount for Stable Viewing This EclipSmart telescope comes with a photo-style alt-azimuth mount & tripod which allows easy adjustment and aiming of the telescope while offering great stability. The telescope can point straight overhead without interference thanks to this tripod and mount, as well. Lightweight Backpack for Transport and Storage In addition to the tripod and mount, this telescope also includes a lightweight backpack. This backpack is designed to fit the telescope, tripod and all accessories while providing protection from bumps and drops. It ensures your equipment will be safe from harm during transport and storage.

Dedicated white-light solar telescope for the observer on the go. The 50mm refracting telescope uses Celestron's Solar Safe, ISO compliant, full-aperture glass filter material to ensure the safest view of solar events. The kit comes complete with everything you need, including the dedicated solar telescope, a Solar Safe finderscope, tripod, a high quality 20mm (18x) Kellner eyepiece and a nylon backpack to carry everything in. This telescope makes it easy to share an eclipse with the whole family and offers much higher magnifications than you would otherwise get using handheld solar viewers or binoculars. none