Gazing up at the night sky offers a profound connection to the universe, and a quality refractor telescope is your perfect portal to the stars. Known for their crisp, high-contrast views and low-maintenance design, refractors are excellent for observing the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. Their sealed optical tubes also protect against dust and moisture, making them a durable choice for astronomers of all levels.
Whether you are taking your first steps into astronomy or are an experienced observer looking for a sharp, portable instrument, there is a refractor telescope suited to your needs. This roundup highlights ten of the best options available, from simple, user-friendly models for beginners to advanced setups capable of stunning astrophotography. Finding the right telescope can turn your stargazing sessions into unforgettable celestial adventures.
Our Recommended Refractor Telescopes
- Celestron Advanced VX 6″ Refractor Telescope
- Celestron – AstroMaster 90AZ Telescope – Refractor
- Gskyer Telescope, 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor
- Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope
- Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture AZ Mount for Beginners
- SVBONY SV503 Portable Telescope Tube, 70ED F6
- Celestron – PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope – Manual
- Telescope for Kids & Adults – 70mm Aperture 500mm
- Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope – Refractor
- Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ
Celestron Advanced VX 6″ Refractor Telescope
For the serious astronomer ready to step up their game, the Celestron Advanced VX 6″ Refractor offers a remarkable combination of power and precision. Its large 6-inch aperture and fully coated optics provide stunning clarity and exceptionally bright views of celestial objects, making it a significant light-gathering instrument. The Advanced VX mount is a cornerstone of this setup, delivering a rigid and stable platform that is crucial for high-magnification planetary viewing and long-exposure astrophotography, effectively minimizing disruptive vibrations.
Navigating the night sky is simplified with the computerized NexStar+ hand control, which features a database of over 40,000 celestial objects. This system allows you to effortlessly locate planets, galaxies, and nebulae, making your guided stargazing sessions both productive and awe-inspiring. This telescope is a complete package for those who demand superior optical performance and advanced tracking capabilities.
Celestron – AstroMaster 90AZ Telescope
The Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ is a powerful and user-friendly telescope, making it an ideal choice for beginners eager to learn the night sky. Its high-quality 90mm optics are fully coated, delivering crisp and detailed views of the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, and Jupiter’s moons. The straightforward setup and intuitive operation mean you can be observing within minutes of unboxing, without a steep learning curve.
This refractor is designed for versatility, suitable for both astronomical and terrestrial viewing. You can study the stars at night and then use it during the day for bird watching or observing distant landscapes. With an adjustable-height tripod and a bonus astronomy software package, the AstroMaster 90AZ provides excellent value and a fantastic introduction to the hobby.
Gskyer Telescope, 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor
Gskyer’s 80mm AZ refractor telescope balances performance and accessibility for budding astronomers. The 80mm aperture and 400mm focal length work together to capture a significant amount of light, resulting in bright and clear images of celestial targets. The optical glass is coated to enhance image brightness and protect your eyes, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience during long observation sessions.
This telescope comes with a versatile set of accessories for optimum magnification, including three eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, allowing you to adapt your view to different objects. The 6×30 finder scope helps with locating targets, and the adjustable aluminum tripod provides a stable platform for various viewing positions, making it a complete kit ready for your first night under the stars.
Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope
The Orion AstroView 120ST is a wonderful wide-field refractor that excels at providing crisp views of larger deep-sky objects. Its substantial 120mm (4.7″) aperture gathers plenty of light, making it well-suited for observing nebular clouds, star clusters, and galaxies with impressive resolution. The 600mm focal length offers a great balance between wide-field capability and the ability to achieve pleasing, detailed views of the Moon and bright planets.
Mounted on a stable equatorial mount, this telescope provides the smooth, precise control needed to track objects as they move across the night sky. This feature is particularly beneficial for longer observing sessions and serves as a solid foundation for those interested in starting astrophotography. It’s a powerful instrument for intermediate users looking to see more of the cosmos.
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture AZ Mount for Beginners
This Gskyer 70mm model is an excellent travel telescope designed with beginners in mind. Its 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length provide bright, clear images, while the fully coated optics glass lens ensures high light transmission for stunning views of the Moon and stars. The package is thoughtfully put together, including a carry bag for easy transport and protection.
What sets this model apart for many new users is the inclusion of smartphone astrophotography capabilities. It comes with a phone adapter and a wireless camera remote, allowing you to capture and share images of your observations directly through your phone’s screen. With two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, it offers a range of magnification options to start your astronomical journey.
SVBONY SV503 Portable Telescope Tube, 70ED F6
The SVBONY SV503 is not just a telescope; it’s a high-performance optical tube assembly built for both visual astronomy and astrophotography. The key to its performance is the 70mm objective lens that features an S-FPL51 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element. This specialized glass virtually eliminates chromatic aberration, the color fringing common in standard refractors, resulting in sharp, high-contrast, and true-color images.
With its micro-reduction rack-and-pinion focuser, achieving precise focus is smooth and straightforward. This telescope tube is an ideal choice for experienced observers and ambitious beginners who are serious about image quality. It can be mounted on a variety of tripods and equatorial mounts, offering flexibility for different uses and skill levels.
Celestron – PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope
The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is a powerful entry-level telescope that uses a Newtonian reflector design to offer substantial light-gathering ability in a compact form. Its 127mm aperture allows you to see detailed views of the Moon’s craters, the rings of Saturn, and brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula. This makes it a fantastic tool for adults and kids to use together while learning the night sky.
It is equipped with a manual German Equatorial mount, which includes a slow-motion altitude rod for easy and accurate tracking of celestial objects as they move. While it has a learning curve, mastering this mount provides valuable insight into how the sky works. Its portable design makes it easy to take on camping trips or to a darker observing site away from city lights.
Telescope for Kids & Adults – 70mm Aperture 500mm
This 70mm aperture refractor is a versatile and user-friendly option designed for the whole family. With a 500mm focal length, it provides a good balance of magnification and field of view, ideal for observing the Moon and planets. The fully multi-coated optics enhance light transmission, providing bright and clear views while protecting your eyes during extended viewing.
Convenience is a major benefit of this model. It comes with two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens for a range of magnifications, a 5×24 finderscope for locating objects, and a wireless remote control for hands-free operation. The inclusion of a phone adapter, carrying case, and adjustable tripod makes it a complete, portable package ready for any stargazing adventure.
Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a classic beginner telescope that delivers reliable performance and straightforward operation. Its fully coated 70mm glass optics provide crisp, detailed views of celestial favorites like the Moon and planets, as well as terrestrial subjects during the day. The simple altazimuth mount makes it incredibly easy to point and track objects, which is perfect for those who are new to astronomy.
This telescope features an adjustable-height tripod that allows for comfortable viewing whether you are sitting or standing. As with other models in the AstroMaster series, it includes a bonus astronomy software package to help you plan your observing sessions. It’s a solid, no-fuss instrument that focuses on making stargazing accessible and enjoyable from the very first use.
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ
A popular and trusted model, the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is consistently recommended as a top entry-level refractor telescope. It is designed to be powerful enough for adults yet simple enough for kids to operate, making it a great family activity. The bright, clear views through its 70mm optics will reveal the major craters on the Moon and the moons of Jupiter, providing a thrilling introduction to the solar system.
The telescope’s quick setup and intuitive controls mean you spend less time assembling and more time observing. Its ability to switch between night sky and daytime terrestrial viewing adds to its versatility and value. For anyone seeking a quality first telescope from a reputable brand, the AstroMaster 70AZ is a perennial favorite that promises to ignite a lifelong interest in astronomy.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in the 10 Best Refractor Telescopes for Stargazing
Choosing your first, or even your fifth, refractor telescope can feel a bit overwhelming with all the options out there. I’ve been through it, and I want to help you understand the key things to consider so you can find a scope that you’ll enjoy using for years. It’s not just about the price tag; it’s about matching the tool to your interests and expectations.
First, let’s talk about the aperture. This is the diameter of the telescope’s main lens, and it’s the most important spec. A larger aperture gathers more light, which means you can see fainter objects like distant galaxies and nebulae, and it also allows for higher, sharper magnifications on planets. Don’t get fooled by high magnification claims on the box; a bigger aperture is almost always a better investment. For a beginner, something in the 70mm to 100mm range is a fantastic start.
Next is the focal length and focal ratio. The focal length (e.g., 900mm) essentially determines the telescope’s “power” or native magnification potential. The focal ratio (f/number) tells you the “speed” of the scope. A lower f/number like f/5 is considered “fast” and is great for wide-field views of star clusters and large nebulae. A higher f/number like f/10 is “slow” and is better suited for high-magnification views of the Moon and planets. Think about what you most want to look at.
The mount is just as critical as the optical tube. A wobbly mount will ruin your view, no matter how good your lenses are. There are two main types: alt-azimuth (which moves up-down and left-right) and equatorial (which is aligned with Earth’s axis to track stars smoothly). Alt-azimuth mounts are simpler for beginners, while equatorial mounts are better for astrophotography. Look for a mount that feels solid and moves smoothly.
Finally, pay close attention to the accessories. The eyepieces that come with the telescope are your gateway to the cosmos. A scope that includes a couple of decent Plössl eyepieces is a great value. Also, a good finderscope—either a red-dot finder or a small optical finder—is essential for actually pointing the telescope at what you want to see. A sturdy tripod that minimizes vibrations will make your stargazing sessions much more pleasant. By weighing these factors—aperture, focal length, mount type, and accessories—you’ll be well-equipped to select one of the best refractor telescopes for your stargazing adventures.
FAQ
What can I realistically see with a beginner refractor telescope?
With a typical 70mm to 80mm starter refractor, you can see an incredible amount of detail on the Moon, including craters and mountain ranges. The rings of Saturn and the cloud bands of Jupiter are clearly visible, along with its four largest moons. You can also spot brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and beautiful star clusters like the Pleiades. It’s a fantastic window into our solar system and beyond.
Are refractor telescopes good for looking at planets?
Yes, absolutely. Refractors are excellent for planetary observation. Their sealed optical tube and simple lens design often provide very sharp, high-contrast views with minimal maintenance. Because planets are bright, you don’t necessarily need a huge aperture to see details like Jupiter’s bands or Saturn’s rings. A refractor with a longer focal length (f/8 or higher) can be particularly good for this, offering the magnification needed to bring those distant worlds into clear view.
What is the main disadvantage of a refractor telescope?
The primary trade-off is an optical effect called chromatic aberration. This is when the lens acts like a prism, splitting light into different colors and causing a faint purple fringe around very bright objects like the Moon or planets. Higher-quality refractors use special extra-low dispersion (ED) glass to correct this, but they are more expensive. For most beginners, the amount of chromatic aberration in an entry-level achromatic refractor is not a major issue and is a fair compromise for the scope’s ease of use and sharp views.
Can I use a refractor telescope for astrophotography?
You can, but there are some important considerations. Refractors are often preferred for astrophotography because they are typically sharp and require no optical collimation (alignment). However, you will need a very sturdy equatorial mount that can track the stars accurately to compensate for Earth’s rotation. For simple shots of the Moon and planets with a smartphone adapter, many refractor setups will work. For long-exposure deep-sky photos, you’ll need a specific setup, often starting with a small, fast refractor and a robust Go-To equatorial mount.
Why are some refractor telescopes so much longer than others?
The length of the telescope is its focal length. A longer tube generally means a longer focal length and a higher focal ratio (e.g., f/10). These “longer” scopes are better suited for high-magnification viewing of planets and the Moon. Shorter, “fatter” refractors have a shorter focal length and a lower focal ratio (e.g., f/5), which makes them ideal for capturing wide, sweeping views of star fields and large nebulae. It’s all about the design purpose, and both types have their place among the best refractor telescopes for stargazing.