Best Refractor Telescopes of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025

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Refractor telescopes are optical instruments that use lenses to bend and concentrate light, allowing users to observe distant objects with great clarity. These telescopes are popular among astronomers and hobbyists alike, as they provide crisp images of celestial bodies and are relatively low maintenance compared to other types of telescopes. Refractor telescopes come in a range of sizes and prices, making them accessible to anyone with an interest in stargazing. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a beginner, a refractor telescope can provide hours of enjoyment and insight into the mysteries of the universe.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Celestron 22035 Travel Scope DX 70mm Telescope Kit Cover #TOP 1
Celestron 22035 Travel Scope DX 70mm Telescope Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope Cover #TOP 2
Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Telescope Cover #TOP 3
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Telescope
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Refractor Telescopes

Celestron 22035 Travel Scope DX 70mm Telescope Kit

22035
Silver
70 DX with Backpack
Celestron 22035 Travel Scope DX 70mm Telescope Kit Cover
Celestron 22035 Travel Scope DX 70mm Portable Refractor Telescope with Fully-Coated Glass Optics, Backpack, Astronomy Software Package, and Digiscoping Smartphone Adapter

The Celestron Travel Scope DX is an all-in-one telescope kit designed for astronomy enthusiasts. With fully-coated glass optics and a large 70mm objective lens, you can enjoy brighter and more detailed views of celestial objects at night and land-based sights during the day. The powerful eyepieces, including 20mm and 10mm options, allow you to experience both low- and high-power viewing. Additionally, attaching your smartphone lets you capture stunning images and videos of the Moon, planets, or wildlife, enhancing your stargazing experience.

What We Like
Complete telescope kit included
Powerful eyepieces for varied viewing
Large aperture for brighter images
Smartphone adapter for easy capturing
#TOP 2

Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope

21061
Blue
70AZ Refractor
Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope Cover
Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope, Dark Blue

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a powerful refractor telescope perfect for both adults and children. It features high-quality 70mm optics that allow you to clearly view celestial and terrestrial objects. With a lightweight frame and a manual Altazimuth mount, you’ll enjoy smooth and accurate pointing, making it easy to locate and observe your desired targets. Additionally, the included eyepieces and StarPointer red dot finderscope enhance your stargazing experience, allowing for quick adjustments and precise aiming.

What We Like
High-quality optics for clear viewing
Lightweight and portable design
Easy to set up and use
Includes useful accessories

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Telescope

c22450
Grey/Black
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Telescope Cover
Celestron 22450 StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Refractor Telescope, 32 Inch Tube Length, f/10 Focal Ratio, Silver/Black

The Celestron StarSense Explorer Telescope transforms your stargazing experience with its innovative smartphone guided tour feature. You can easily navigate the night sky without any prior telescope experience. Its award-winning StarSense technology analyses star patterns overhead, providing real-time positioning to help you locate celestial objects. The accompanying Explorer app generates a list of visible objects, making it simple for you to spot planets, bright nebulae, and more, whether in the city or under darker skies.

What We Like
Smartphone guided navigation
Real-time star pattern analysis
List of visible celestial objects
Easy to use for beginners
#TOP 4

SOLOMARK 80mm Aperture Professional Telescope

80900-B
BLACK
SOLOMARK 80mm Aperture Professional Telescope Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Carrying Bag

The SOLOMARK Telescope features an impressive 80mm large aperture, allowing you to capture more light for brighter and clearer images. The stable tripod with a super azimuth gimbal enables you to easily adjust and position your telescope for optimal viewing. With high-quality WA eyepieces, you can enjoy multi-magnifications, providing breathtaking views of lunar craters and planets. Furthermore, this telescope is designed for easy assembly, making it perfect for beginners and kids who want to explore the wonders of astronomy.

What We Like
Bright and clear images
Stable and adjustable tripod
Multi-magnification options
Easy to assemble
#TOP 5

Celestron Inspire 80AZ Telescope with Smartphone Adapter

22402-CGL
Blue
80 mm
Celestron Inspire 80AZ Telescope with Smartphone Adapter Cover
Celestron 22402 Inspire 80AZ Refractor Telescope with Built-In Smartphone Adapter - includes Two Eyepieces, 90° Erect Image Diagonal, Height-adjustable Tripod and Accessory Tray, Blue

The Celestron Inspire 80AZ Telescope is an excellent choice for budding astronomers. With its 80mm refractor design and fully coated glass optics, you can enjoy clear, bright images of celestial objects. The panning handle allows for smooth and precise adjustments, ensuring you never miss a moment of the night sky. Additionally, the included smartphone adapter lets you easily capture and share your observations, making stargazing a social experience. Plus, the lightweight frame and adjustable height tripod provide convenience and comfort during your explorations.

What We Like
High-quality glass optics
Easy to control and adjust
Smartphone adapter for photos
Lightweight and portable design
#TOP 6

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Telescope

22460
Silver
DX 102 Refractor
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Telescope Cover
Celestron 22460 StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope, iPhone/Android Compatible, Grey

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX is a 102mm refractor telescope that features patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology, allowing you to easily locate celestial objects. By using your smartphone, the telescope analyses star patterns overhead, providing real-time positioning. The StarSense Explorer App automatically generates a list of visible objects, making stargazing effortless, whether you're in the city or under darker skies. With stable, slow-motion control, you can smoothly track your desired targets, ensuring a delightful viewing experience.

What We Like
High-quality optical coatings
User-friendly smartphone integration
Easy tracking of celestial objects
Includes useful accessories
#TOP 7

EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Beginners

EACONN
AU-80
white black
EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Beginners Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack

The EACONN Refractor Telescope features a large 80mm aperture that captures more light, providing you with bright and clear images of celestial objects. Its rough adjustment and positioning gimbal makes it easy for you to adjust the telescope's altitude and azimuth, allowing for comfortable viewing. You will also appreciate the included accessories, such as two eyepieces for varying magnifications and a finder scope to simplify locating targets. Additionally, the design is portable, complete with a carrying backpack, making it convenient for outings and adventures in astronomy.

What We Like
Large 80mm aperture
Easy altitude and azimuth adjustment
Includes multiple eyepieces
Portable with carrying backpack

OYS 70mm Aperture 400mm Telescope for Beginners

OYS
TEL-01
OYS 70mm Aperture 400mm Telescope for Beginners Cover
Telescope, Telescopes for Adults, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount, Telescope for Kids Beginners, Fully Multi-Coated Optics, Astronomy Refractor with Tripod, Phone Adapter, Backpack

The OYS Beginner Telescope is an excellent choice for both novice astronomers and children. With its 400mm focal length and large 70mm aperture, you can enjoy stunning images that are bright and clear. The variable magnification, featuring two eyepieces, allows you to view objects at 20X or 44X magnification, making it easier to explore celestial bodies and landscapes. Its portable design means you can set it up quickly and take it anywhere with ease. Plus, the included phone adapter lets you capture amazing moments to share with family and friends.

What We Like
High-quality optics
Portable and lightweight
Variable magnification options
Phone adapter for easy sharing
#TOP 9

HETEKAN 90mm Professional Refractor Telescope

HETEKAN
HETE-90900
Black
Telescope 90900
HETEKAN 90mm Professional Refractor Telescope Cover
Telescope,Telescope for Adults, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 36X-450X, for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter

The HETEKAN Refractor Telescope is perfect for both adults and children eager to explore the night sky. With its 90mm multi-coated optical lens, you can enjoy brighter images while observing lunar features and planets in stunning detail. The high magnification range of 36X to 450X allows for versatile viewing, making every observation an exciting experience. Coupled with practical accessories like a phone adapter, you can easily capture images and videos of celestial objects, enhancing your astronomical adventures.

What We Like
High magnification range
Multi-coated optical lens
Includes phone adapter
Adjustable stainless steel tripod
Easy for beginners

Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX Telescope Kit

22007
Black & Grey
60 DX with Backpack
Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX Telescope Kit Cover
Celestron 22007 Travel Scope 60 DX Portable Refractor Telescope with Smartphone Adapter – Ideal for Beginners with Fully Coated Glass Optics, Tripod, Backpack and Bonus Accessories, Black/Grey

The Celestron Travel Scope 60 is a portable telescope kit that includes everything you need to start your astronomical journey. With its 60mm refractor and fully coated glass optics, you can enjoy clear images of celestial bodies at night and observe birds and wildlife during the day. The included smartphone adapter allows you to capture stunning photos and videos, enhancing your viewing experience. The intuitive pan handle and Alt-Az control ensure smooth tracking and accurate pointing, making navigation easy and enjoyable for you.

What We Like
Includes smartphone photography accessories
Day-to-night viewing capabilities
Portable and easy to carry
Smooth tracking and navigation
Comes with bonus accessories
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a refractor telescope better?

If you are interested in astrophotography, purchasing a refractor is a better option because of it's specialized optic design that captures deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae. If you are interested in brighter celestial objects like the Moon or planets or a beginner, a reflector telescope is ideal.

2. Is a refractor telescope better than a reflector?

Refractors generally have the edge over reflectors for a quality image, both from the standpoint of lens/mirror quality and precision optical mountings, and lack of central obscurations. Equally important in a choice of telescope type is the focal length and the resulting field of view.

3. What is a disadvantage of a refractor telescope?

1. Very high initial cost relative to reflector. 2. A certain amount of secondary spectrum (chromatic aberration) unavoidable (reflector completely free of this)

4. What are refractor telescopes used for?

Refracting telescopes. Commonly known as refractors, telescopes of this kind are typically used to examine the Moon, other objects of the solar system such as Jupiter and Mars, and binary stars.

Editor's Notes

During our refractor telescope research, we found 206 refractor telescope products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 58,254 customer reviews through our big data system to write the refractor telescopes list. We found that most customers choose refractor telescopes with an average price of £146.05.

The refractor telescopes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of refractor telescopes, including Celestron, SOLOMARK, EACONN, OYS, HETEKAN.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.