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Celestron Telescopes

10 Best Celestron Telescopes 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Celestron 31145 NexStar 130SLT Portable Computerised Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Quick-Release Fork-arm Mount, Accessory Tray and 'Starry Night' Special Edition Software, Grey

Celestron 31145 NexStar 130SLT Portable Computerised Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Quick-Release Fork-arm Mount, Accessory Tray and 'Starry Night' Special Edition Software, Grey

Celestron

10.0 score

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The Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope is a solid choice for both beginners and seasoned stargazers. With a 130mm aperture, it captures a significant amount of light, allowing you to observe details such as Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s cloud bands. The Newtonian reflector design is ideal for clear and bright viewing.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,487
Aperture
Magnification
Mount Type

Most important from
2109 reviews

Aperture
The red dot finder and the 5" lens are sufficient to see common celestial objects, and the tracking and auto-alignment features are highly effective.
Magnification
Upgrading eyepieces and purchasing a power supply enhances the overall experience, making it a game-changer for extended use.
Mount Type
The tripod can be a bit wobbly, but adding anti-vibration pads and a sandbag weight significantly improves stability.
Portability
Portability is a significant advantage, especially when equipped with the right case for travel to dark sky sites.
Optical Design
The scope's optical quality is impressive, offering clear views of planets, stars, and terrestrial scenes.
#2
10.0 score

Celestron – Origin Intelligent Home Observatory – All-in-one Astroimaging and Stargazing Smart Telescope – 6-inch RASA Telescope – Fully-Automated GoTo Mount – User-Friendly – iOS/Android Compatible

Celestron – Origin Intelligent Home Observatory – All-in-one Astroimaging and Stargazing Smart Telescope – 6-inch RASA Telescope – Fully-Automated GoTo Mount – User-Friendly – iOS/Android Compatible

Celestron

10.0 score

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The Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory is a cutting-edge telescope designed for both stargazing and astrophotography, making it ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike. With a 6-inch aperture and fast f/2.2 focal ratio, it offers exceptional brightness and clarity, allowing users to capture stunning images of celestial objects with minimal exposure time. One of its standout features is the AI-powered astrophotography capability, which automatically stacks and processes images in real-time, enabling users to enjoy sharp, colorful views of galaxies and nebulae without needing much technical knowledge.

Rating
10.0
Optical Design

Most important from
22 reviews

Optical Design
The f/2.2 optics require much less exposure time compared to traditional scopes, delivering impressive results quickly.
#3
9.9 score

Celestron Starsense Explorer 12" Smartphone app-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope

Celestron Starsense Explorer 12" Smartphone app-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope

Celestron

9.9 score

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The Celestron Starsense Explorer 12" Dobsonian is a powerful telescope designed for those who want to see deep-sky objects in great detail. Its large 12-inch aperture with a parabolic mirror and XLT coatings allows it to gather a lot of light, making faint nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters more visible. The manual focus system combined with the Dobsonian altazimuth mount provides smooth and intuitive movement, which is great for beginners and casual observers alike.

Rating
9.9
Aperture
Magnification
Mount Type

Most important from
142 reviews

Aperture
Collimation is straightforward and the images are crisp and clear, showcasing the power of the 12-inch aperture with the right eyepieces.
Magnification
Adding quality 2-inch eyepieces and accessories like a laser collimator and a fan enhances the viewing experience without compromising the scope’s excellent baseline performance.
Mount Type
Despite its large size and weight, the Dobsonian mount glides smoothly and is surprisingly easy to maneuver and keep objects centered.
Portability
Its size demands some effort in handling, but solutions like a moving dolly make it manageable and practical for regular use.

Top 10 Best Celestron Telescopes 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score
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Celestron

Celestron 31145 NexStar 130SLT Portable Computerised Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Quick-Release Fork-arm Mount, Accessory Tray and 'Starry Night' Special Edition Software, Grey

Aperture: 130mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: compact
Optical Design: Newtonian

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Chosen by 1487 this week

#2
10.0  score
Slide 1

Celestron

Celestron – Origin Intelligent Home Observatory – All-in-one Astroimaging and Stargazing Smart Telescope – 6-inch RASA Telescope – Fully-Automated GoTo Mount – User-Friendly – iOS/Android Compatible

Aperture: 6 inches
Focal Length: f/2.2
Mount Type: GoTo Mount
Portability: Limited

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#3
9.9  score
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Celestron

Celestron Starsense Explorer 12" Smartphone app-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope

Aperture: 12 inch
Mount Type: Dobsonian altazimuth mount
Portability: Heavy, large, 80+ pounds, 4.5 feet
Optical Design: Dobsonian reflector

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#4
9.7  score
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Celestron

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 102mm Refractor with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners

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21% OFF
#5
9.6  score
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Celestron

Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube

Aperture: 11-inch
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 29.5 kg
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain

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#6
9.4  score
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Celestron

Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch App-Enabled Telescope – 203mm Dobsonian with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners

Aperture: 8-inch
Mount Type: Manual Dobsonian
Portability: 43.4 pounds
Optical Design: Newtonian reflector

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#7
9.3  score
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Celestron

Celestron 22452 StarSense Explore LT114AZ Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Smartphone App-Enabled Technology - Includes Two Eyepieces, 2X Barlow Lens, Phone Dock and Height-Adjustable Tripod, Black

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8% OFF
#8
9.1  score
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Celestron

Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

Aperture: 235mm
Mount Type: GoTo
Portability: Heavy, over 21 kg
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain

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#9
8.9  score
Slide 1

Celestron

Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope – Manual Reflector for Beginners – Aluminized Mirror – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Includes Accessories Plus Astronomy Software Package

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#10
8.7  score
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Celestron

Celestron Nexstar 6SE 150mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope with Skyportal Wi-Fi Kit

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Buying Guide for the Best Celestron Telescopes

Choosing the right telescope can be a thrilling yet daunting task, especially if you're new to stargazing. The key to finding the best telescope for you is to understand the different specifications and how they align with your needs and interests. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore the night sky or an experienced astronomer seeking advanced features, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision.
ApertureAperture refers to the diameter of the telescope's main optical component (the lens or mirror). It is one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. A larger aperture allows you to see fainter objects and more detail. For beginners, an aperture of 70-100mm is usually sufficient for viewing the moon and planets. Intermediate users might prefer 100-200mm for deeper sky objects, while advanced users often go for 200mm or more to observe distant galaxies and nebulae.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance between the telescope's main lens or mirror and the point where it forms an image. This spec affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is great for viewing planets and the moon. Shorter focal lengths offer a wider field of view, making them better for observing star clusters and galaxies. Beginners might start with a focal length of 400-800mm, while more experienced users might choose 1000mm or more depending on their specific interests.
MagnificationMagnification is how much larger the telescope can make objects appear. It is determined by dividing the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece. While high magnification can be tempting, it's important to remember that too much magnification can make images blurry. A good rule of thumb is to use 50x magnification per inch of aperture. Beginners should start with lower magnifications (20x-50x) to get clear, stable images, while more advanced users can experiment with higher magnifications for detailed views of planets and the moon.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope and allows you to point it at different parts of the sky. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. Altazimuth mounts are simpler and easier to use, making them ideal for beginners. Equatorial mounts are more complex but allow for more precise tracking of celestial objects, which is useful for astrophotography and advanced observations. Choose a mount based on your experience level and whether you plan to do more casual viewing or detailed study.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. This is important if you plan to take your telescope to different locations or if you have limited storage space. Smaller, lighter telescopes are easier to move and set up, making them ideal for beginners and those who travel frequently. Larger telescopes offer better performance but can be cumbersome to transport. Consider your lifestyle and how often you plan to move your telescope when making your choice.
Optical DesignTelescopes come in different optical designs, including refractors, reflectors, and compound (catadioptric) telescopes. Refractors use lenses and are known for their sharp images and low maintenance, making them great for beginners. Reflectors use mirrors and offer larger apertures at a lower cost, ideal for deep-sky viewing. Compound telescopes combine lenses and mirrors, providing versatility and compactness, suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Choose an optical design based on your viewing preferences and maintenance willingness.

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