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10 Best Telescope For Watching 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
The Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope is a solid choice for adults interested in astronomy. With a 90mm aperture and 600mm focal length, it offers clear and bright images of celestial objects, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced users. The fully coated optics help ensure good light transmission and eye protection, which is crucial for enjoyable stargazing sessions.
Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,394
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type
Most important from
21607 reviews
#2
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
The Gskyer Telescope is designed for beginners, especially kids, and offers a 70mm aperture with a 400mm focal length. These features allow for clear and bright views of the moon and stars. The telescope comes with fully coated optics, which ensure high transmission of light and protect users' eyes. It includes two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, boosting magnification options and making it versatile for different celestial objects.
Rating
9.6
Aperture
Focal Length
Mount Type
Most important from
21607 reviews
#3
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 130mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
The CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a user-friendly telescope designed to make stargazing accessible to everyone, regardless of experience. One of its most significant strengths is the StarSense technology, which, combined with the StarSense Explorer app, allows users to easily locate celestial objects by following on-screen arrows. This feature makes it an excellent choice for beginners who may find traditional telescopes challenging to use.
Rating
9.3
Aperture
Most important from
1300 reviews
Top 10 Best Telescope For Watching 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
Aperture: 90mm
Focal Length: 600mm
Magnification: 360x
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Eyepieces: 24X, 60X, 120X
Chosen by 1394 this week
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
Aperture: 70mm
Focal Length: 400mm
Magnification: 3x Barlow lens
Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: tripod and carry bag
Eyepieces: two eyepieces
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 130mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 130mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
Aperture: 130mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Eyepieces: 25mm, 10mm
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
Aperture: 130mm
Magnification: 20mm and 9mm eyepiece
Mount Type: Altazimuth Mount
Portability: compact and portable
Optical Design: Newtonian reflector
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
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
Aperture: 114mm
Mount Type: Altazimuth
Portability: 10.4 pounds
Eyepieces: 25mm, 10mm
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Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope – Manual Reflector for Beginners – Aluminized Mirror – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Includes Accessories Plus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope – Manual Reflector for Beginners – Aluminized Mirror – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Includes Accessories Plus Astronomy Software Package
Aperture: 130mm
Mount Type: CG-3 Equatorial
Portability: 17 pounds
Eyepieces: 20mm and 10mm
Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults, Professional Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, Comes with 1.5X Barlow Lens Smartphone Adapter & 13% T Moon Filter
Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults, Professional Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, Comes with 1.5X Barlow Lens Smartphone Adapter & 13% T Moon Filter
Aperture: 130mm
Focal Length: 650mm
Magnification: 1.5X Barlow lens
Mount Type: Equatorial Mount
Portability: 32.8 pounds
Eyepieces: Two high-quality eyepieces
#10
Celestron Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor – Compact and Portable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy
Celestron Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor – Compact and Portable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy
Aperture: 120mm
Mount Type: Fiber Optic
Portability: Tube weighs about 14 pounds
Optical Design: Doublet APO
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Buying Guide for the Best Telescope For Watching
Choosing the right telescope for watching the night sky can be an exciting yet daunting task. The key to making the right choice is understanding the various specifications and how they align with your needs and interests. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced stargazer, knowing what to look for in a telescope will help you make an informed decision and enhance your stargazing experience.ApertureThe aperture is the diameter of the telescope's main optical component (the lens or mirror). It determines how much light the telescope can gather, which directly affects the brightness and clarity of the images you see. A larger aperture allows you to see fainter objects and more detail. For beginners, an aperture of 70-100mm is a good start, while more advanced users might look for 150mm or larger. Consider what you want to observe: planets and the moon require less aperture, while deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae benefit from a larger aperture.
Focal LengthThe focal length is the distance between the telescope's main optical component and the point where the image is brought into focus. It affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is great for observing planets and the moon. A shorter focal length offers a wider field of view, which is better for viewing star clusters and galaxies. Choose a focal length based on your primary interests: high magnification for detailed views of planets, or a wider view for deep-sky objects.
MagnificationMagnification is determined by the combination of the telescope's focal length and the eyepiece used. While high magnification can bring objects closer, it can also make the image dimmer and less sharp. It's important to have a range of eyepieces to adjust magnification based on what you're observing. For general use, start with a magnification of 50-100x and adjust as needed. Remember, more magnification isn't always better; clarity and brightness are equally important.
Mount TypeThe mount is what holds the telescope and allows you to aim it. There are two main types: alt-azimuth and equatorial. Alt-azimuth mounts are simpler and easier to use, moving up-down and left-right, making them ideal for beginners. Equatorial mounts are more complex but allow for smoother tracking of celestial objects as they move across the sky, which is useful for long observation sessions and astrophotography. Choose a mount based on your experience level and whether you plan to do more casual observing or detailed tracking.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. If you plan to observe from different locations or travel to dark-sky sites, a lightweight and compact telescope is essential. Consider the size and weight of the telescope and mount, as well as how easy it is to assemble and disassemble. For home use, a larger, more stable setup might be preferable, but for on-the-go stargazing, prioritize portability.
Optical DesignTelescopes come in different optical designs: refractors, reflectors, and compound (catadioptric) telescopes. Refractors use lenses and are known for their sharp images and low maintenance. Reflectors use mirrors and offer larger apertures at a lower cost but require regular alignment. Compound telescopes combine lenses and mirrors, providing versatility and compactness. Choose an optical design based on your preferences for image quality, maintenance, and portability.