The 10 Best Celestron Telescopes, Tested And Researched

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Best Celestron Telescopes
Best Celestron Telescopes

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Celestron 70mm Travel Telescope

Thanks to a potent 70mm objective lens, you'll be able to capture all the celestial wonders that await. Plus, with bonus accessories and a custom backpack to carry it all, you'll be ready to explore wherever the night takes you. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope

Discover a new world of celestial wonders with the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope. With its fully coated glass optical components and high transmission coatings, this telescope ensures enhanced image brightness and clarity. Read Review

3. Best Design: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope

The Celestron AstroMaster telescope allows kids and adults to explore the stars together. Featuring a manual German Equatorial mount for smooth and accurate pointing, setup is quick and easy with no tools required. Read Review

4. Best Portable: Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope

This powerful yet user-friendly refractor telescope features fully coated glass optics and a sturdy yet lightweight frame, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced stargazers. Read Review

5. Best Exactly: Celestron 70mm Travel Refractor Telescope

The telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day. Read Review

Are you interested in exploring the night sky? Investing in a telescope is a great way to do so, and Celestron is one of the best telescope brands on the market. With the best Celestron telescope, you can explore stars, planets, galaxies, and more in stunning detail. Celestron telescopes come in various sizes and designs so that you can find the perfect one for your needs.

Celestron has the best selection to suit any budget, from refractor telescopes to GoTo telescopes. With their advanced optics and precision engineering, Celestron telescopes are perfect for amateur astronomers and professionals alike. 

Our team had to focus on researching and sifting through 17 hours to get such results for readers. These studies are based on customer star reviews and interviews about their feelings when using the product. As a result, We believe the best celestron telescopes is Celestron 70mm Travel Telescope which has a diameter of 70 millimeters and an aperture of 70 millimeters, offering more detailed and distinct views. If you're looking for additional options and more in-depth advice, you may check out the following buying guide & FAQs.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Celestron 70mm Travel Telescope
Our Score:
9.9
Celestron

This Celestron telescope is an easy-to-use manual alt-azimuth telescope equipped with a pan handle for convenient sky exploration. The mount is sturdy thanks to a 1.25" steel tripod, the height of which can be modified by the user according to their preferences.

Compared to the 50mm model, this refractor telescope's large objective lens, which has a diameter of 70 millimeters and an aperture of 70 millimeters, offers more detailed and distinct views. The optics made of fully coated glass bring stunning images of wildlife, the Moon, and the planets. The beginner's telescope for astronomy comes with two high-quality eyepieces, one measuring 20 millimeters and the other measuring 10 millimeters. These eyepieces offer low-power and high-power views. Although adjusting the finderscope is a bit difficult in the beginning, you don't have to worry about it because you will get used to it after some time.

TOP Choice #2 Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope
Our Score:
9.8
Celestron

Thanks to slow-motion control knobs, you'll be able to quickly follow objects as they move across the night sky. In addition, you may carry this telescope to your preferred dark sky-observing location or camping spot because of its small size and lightweight.  Views of the Moon, the rings encircling Saturn, and the Galilean moons of Jupiter are brought into sharp focus by quality optics that are made entirely of glass.

You may also travel beyond the Solar System and investigate places like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and other galaxies. The primary 20mm and 4mm eyepieces can increase their magnification power by a factor of three when using the additional 3x Barlow lens. After a long time, the Barlow lens may not work well as it was in the beginning. However, you don't need to worry too much because it still gives you a clear image.

TOP Choice #3 Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope
Our Score:
9.6
Celestron

The AstroMaster 130EQ telescope has a huge aperture of 130 millimeters, which allows it to gather sufficient light to reveal objects beyond our Solar System. Additionally, it is equipped with a manual German Equatorial mount, which facilitates accurate and smooth aiming. This telescope is excellent for star parties, camping vacations, and spontaneous observing sessions in your backyard because of its small size and low weight.

The Newtonian reflector known as the AstroMaster 130EQ provides sharp and detailed views of various celestial objects, including Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and more. Simply rotating the knobs, the EQ mount will enable you to track objects more smoothly. However, the EQ mount may be a little challenging for beginners. Therefore it is recommended that you practice adjusting it as much as possible to get used to it.

4 Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
Our Score:
9.5
Celestron

Suppose you are searching for a dual-purpose telescope that is expertly constructed and durable; the Celestron AstroMaster is an excellent option to consider. The AstroMaster Series 70AZ Refractor Telescope is a powerful and user-friendly telescope with a lightweight frame and fully-coated glass optics. Its frame is made of aluminum, and its optics are fully-coated glass.

This telescope is used versatile because it may be used during the daytime to see things based on the ground. Combining the two eyepieces and the powerful 70mm aperture optics produces excellent magnification. The first eyepiece, a 20mm one, has a magnification of 45x, while the second, a 10mm one, can zoom up to 90x. Because of this combination, you can concentrate on faraway objects with extraordinary clarity and perception. However, if you are tall, you could discover that viewing through the eyepiece is a little bit difficult; therefore, you need to sit on a low stool to see well.

The Celestron telescope is only 3.3 pounds, so it takes only a few seconds to put it together without needing any equipment. Moreover, when you are finished with your watching session, everything may be easily stored in the convenient carrying backpack that is included. The body of this product is designed in the style of a refractor, making it suitable for seeing terrestrial and celestial objects.

Images of wildlife, the Moon, and other planets are rendered in stunning clarity using optics made of fully coated glass. In addition, this telescope comes with a smartphone adapter that enables you to connect any smartphone to any telescopic eyepiece with an outer diameter of 45 mm or less to engage in digiscoping. The additional magnification factor allows your smartphone to photograph the Moon and the planets through the eyepiece. Even though the tripod seems a little flimsy, it is extremely solid, enabling you to feel assured placing it anywhere.

6 Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope
Our Score:
9.2
Celestron

You'll fall in love with the advanced technology and user-friendly features packed into the PowerSeeker refractor telescope from Celestron, regardless of whether you're an amateur astronomer or just getting more familiar with operating a telescope. This is a powerful and simple-to-work telescope. It is designed to improve the experience for novice astronomers, but it also provides excellent images for astronomers with intermediate levels of competence. 

You can acquire clear views of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, and Jupiter's Galilean moons because of the strong magnification and user-friendly controls featured on this telescope. The German Equatorial mount and the telescope's slow-motion rod help this telescope to point precisely and smoothly. The primary 20mm and 4mm eyepieces can increase their magnification power by a factor of three when using the additional 3x Barlow lens. However, after a significant amount of time, the mounting hardware in the declination axis can become loose, which would cause the scope to shake slightly. As a result, you need to tighten it up to prevent it from interfering with your observation.

This telescope provides a database of more than 40,000 stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other astronomical objects. Your target will be located with exquisite precision by the telescope, and it will follow it independently. Because of its small size, it is simple to move and quick to put together in almost any environment.

This telescope lets you view many Messier objects, such as the globular cluster in Hercules (M13) or the Great Nebula in Orion. You can also view the details of the lunar surface, the rings of Saturn, the polar ice caps on Mars, the cloud belts on Jupiter, and several other astronomical phenomena (M42). The NexStar 130SLT can be set up and made ready for use in a matter of minutes thanks to the pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod that comes with it. Nevertheless, with extended use, the focus knob may not be as sensitive as it was when you first started using it. Consequently, it may affect the ability to focus very precisely, particularly at higher levels.

More To Consider

8 Celestron 80mm Travel Telescope
Our Score:
8.9
Celestron
9 Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
Our Score:
8.8
Celestron
10 Celestron NexStar 5SE Telescope
Our Score:
8.6
Celestron

What to Look For in a best celestron telescopes?

You may know that best celestron telescopes is a kind of product many customers are hesitant to pay for. It is not due to its quality but the fact that there are many factors you must consider. Nevertheless, all your worry is not a problem for us. Our knowledgeable staff will help you with the right decision.

Tech-evaluated and high-rated products are available in our list of eligible items. Here are some indispensable things you shouldn’t ignore:

Mount

There are many types of telescope mounts available. Some even have computerized models that track and follow the movement of the skies. A sturdy Dobsonian or altazimuth mount will make stargazing enjoyable. Telescopes not mounted on a computerized mount should not be moved or adjusted for focus.
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.

Objective

The objective is the main light-collecting element of a telescope. A larger objective will allow for greater detail and reveal smaller targets. A reflector design makes it possible to have a larger telescope objective for a more affordable price. However, a refractor with the same size would be expensive.

Optical Design

There are many optical options for telescopes. These include reflectors and refractors as well as compound telescopes. Each telescope has its strengths and weaknesses. Refractors are my favorite type of telescope from an astrophotography standpoint, but they might not be the best choice for beginners.
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.

Aperture

This aperture is recognizable by photographers. It controls how much light enters the telescope, just like on a manual camera. The aperture is the diameter of either the primary or lens mirror. A telescope with a larger aperture will draw more light, which can result in deeper views. The most important spec to be aware of is F-ratio. For wide-field observation and photography, low f-ratios such as f/4 and f/5 are best. However, high f-ratios such as f/15 make deep-space objects and nebulae easier to capture and see. Both can be done with midpoint f-ratios.

Portability And Weight

A telescope that is easy to transport and set up takes would be a good choice. You will be less motivated to use your telescope when it is set up and taking too much time.
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.

Eyepieces

There are many telescope eyepieces on the market. There are many options for magnification and viewing angles. A set of telescope eyepieces allows you to see large areas of the night sky and high magnification views on planets. If taken care of properly, a quality telescope eyepiece will last a lifetime.

FAQs

Why Is Aperture Size So Important When Choosing A Telescope?

What is the importance of aperture size when selecting a telescope?
Aspect size is a crucial aspect of choosing a telescope. A telescope's aperture size is a key factor in determining its ability to harvest light. The bigger the aperture, or primary mirror, the better the telescope will be at capturing that light and the greater the number of objects and details you can see.

Reflector telescopes have a major advantage: it is much simpler and more affordable to create a larger mirror than a larger lens. A refractor equipped with an 80mm objective lens will give you better view of the celestial objects than a mirror with a larger 114mm. The differences get even more pronounced when you go up to a 150mm or 130mm mirror.

What Is A Good Magnification For A Telescope To See The Planets?

To see the larger planets of our solar system, you need a magnification that is at least 30x. Magnification of at least 100x is required for planets like Mars. However, it is possible to go higher. Remember that the aperture plays a significant role in viewing any object through your telescope. It determines whether or not you are able to see finer details and how bright they appear.

What Are The Three Main Types Of Telescopes?

Three types of telescopes exist: refractors (or reflectors), catadioptrics (or catadioptrics). The lenses used by refracting telescopes to make an image. To gather light, reflectors telescopes make use of mirrors. Catadioptric telescopes use both.

Can You See Galaxies With A Telescope?

While any telescope will show you at most the Andromeda Galaxy with a minimum of effort, the quality of your views as well as the number of galaxies depend on the aperture of your telescope, the sky conditions and light pollution, and your observation skills.

Are Telescopes Easy To Maintain And Service?

You will need to collimate your telescope (or at least make sure you check it every time you take it out), and clean it every few months or so. The only thing required for collimation is a star or a collimation tool. Cleaning is usually a simple rinse with distilled or ophthalmic water (for mirrors), or with optical tissue or coating-safe lens cleaner (for lenses).

How Much Does A Telescope For Beginners Cost?

There are many factors that can affect the cost of a telescope. A good telescope doesn't necessarily have to cost a lot of money. However, cheaper models might not offer the same magnifying power or other features needed by someone who is just beginning.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

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