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10 Best Portable Telescopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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 well-suited for beginners and kids interested in astronomical observations. With a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, it offers decent optical quality, allowing users to explore stars and the moon with clear and bright images. The fully coated optics glass lens enhances image clarity and protects the eyes.

This telescope comes with two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, providing versatile magnification options, and a 5x24 finder scope to help locate objects easily in the night sky. The wireless remote and smartphone adapter are great for capturing and sharing celestial images, making the experience interactive and fun. Additionally, the adjustable tripod and carry bag enhance the portability aspect, making it convenient for travel and storage.

However, the Altazimuth mount, while easy to use, may not be as stable or suitable for advanced astronomical tracking compared to more sophisticated mount types. At 5.7 pounds and with dimensions of 24.8 x 4.92 x 8.46 inches, it's lightweight and compact, adding to its portability. This telescope is a solid choice for those starting out in astronomy, offering a good balance of features and ease of use at a beginner-friendly price point.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Aperture
Aperture size matters much more than magnification in telescopes; this 70mm aperture is decent for an entry-level scope.
Mount Type
It's lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Portability
It's lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Optical Quality
The Gskyer Telescope is an excellent choice for young astronomy enthusiasts, offering clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Ease of Use
Setting up the telescope was surprisingly easy and took just about 5 minutes.
#2

Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting Telescopes Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings AZ Mount with Tripod Phone Adapter, Wireless Control, Carrying Bag.

The HEXEUM Telescope with an 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length offers a balanced entry point for beginners and casual stargazers. Its 80mm aperture allows it to capture more light, resulting in brighter and clearer images, especially beneficial for viewing celestial objects like the moon and planets. The telescope includes two quality eyepieces with 24X and 60X magnification, and a 3x Barlow lens that can further increase magnification up to 180X, enhancing its versatility in viewing different objects.

The addition of a 5x24 finder scope simplifies locating objects in the sky. The Altazimuth mount is easy to use and suitable for beginners, offering smooth movement to track celestial objects. Portability is a significant strength, thanks to its lightweight design, adjustable aluminum tripod, wireless remote control, phone adapter, and a carrying bag, making it convenient to transport and set up. The no-tool assembly is a user-friendly feature, allowing quick setup and easy focusing, even for novices.

Optical quality is enhanced with fully multi-coated lenses, ensuring high transmission and clear, bright images. On the downside, manual focusing may require a bit of practice to achieve sharp images, and while the mount is user-friendly, it may not offer the precision needed for advanced astronomical observations. This telescope is well-suited for beginners, kids, and adults who are looking for an affordable, portable, and easy-to-use telescope with good optical performance.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Mount Type
The sturdy tripod and smooth focusing mechanism make it a pleasure to use.
Portability
An excellent beginner telescope that is easy to move and adjust.
Optical Quality
The telescope's lens strength is fantastic, providing a stable and enjoyable viewing experience.
Ease of Use
This telescope is lightweight, easy to assemble, and very easy to use.
#3

Telescope for Kids & Adults - 70mm Aperture 500mm AZ Mount Fully Multi-Coated Optics Astronomical refracting Portable Telescopes, with Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Remote Control White

The HEXEUM 70mm Aperture 500mm AZ Mount Telescope is a versatile option suitable for both kids and adults who are beginners in astronomy. One of its major strengths is its 70mm aperture and 500mm focal length, which provide clear and impressive views. The fully multi-coated optics protect the eyes and enhance the viewing experience. The telescope includes two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) along with a 3x Barlow lens, offering high magnification options. Additionally, the 5x24 finderscope aids in locating objects more easily, which is a great feature for beginners.

The telescope is highly portable, thanks to its lightweight design (4.99 pounds), adjustable aluminum tripod, and carrying case. The inclusion of a phone adapter and a wireless remote control makes it even more user-friendly for capturing images and sharing them. However, the Altazimuth mount (AZ) may have limitations in terms of stability and smoothness when tracking celestial objects compared to an equatorial mount (EQ).

While the optical quality is good for beginners, more advanced users might find it lacking in comparison to higher-end models. The package makes it a great gift option, encouraging learning and exploration without screen time. This telescope is a well-rounded choice for anyone starting their journey into astronomy, though it may not meet the needs of advanced astronomers seeking higher precision and stability.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Mount Type
The adjustable aluminum tripod is highly appreciated for its stability and ease of use.
Optical Quality
The HEXEUM 70mm Telescope offers amazing clarity, almost like looking at pictures in magazines.

Buying Guide for the Best Portable Telescopes

Choosing the right portable telescope can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to explore the night sky with ease. When selecting a telescope, it's important to consider several key specifications that will impact your viewing experience. Understanding these specs will help you find a telescope that fits your needs, whether you're a beginner or an experienced stargazer. Here are the key specifications to consider when choosing a portable telescope.
ApertureThe aperture is the diameter of the telescope's main lens or mirror, and it determines how much light the telescope can gather. This is important because more light allows you to see fainter objects and more detail. Apertures are typically measured in millimeters or inches. Smaller apertures (around 70-90mm) are more portable and suitable for beginners or casual viewing. Medium apertures (100-150mm) offer a good balance between portability and performance, making them ideal for intermediate users. Larger apertures (200mm and above) provide the best views but are less portable. Choose an aperture based on your interest in deep-sky objects and your willingness to carry a heavier telescope.
Focal LengthThe focal length is the distance between the telescope's main lens or mirror and the point where it forms an image. It 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. For beginners, a focal length of 400-800mm is a good starting point. Intermediate users might prefer 800-1200mm for more detailed views. Advanced users may opt for even longer focal lengths for specialized observations.
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. They move up-down and left-right, similar to a camera tripod. Equatorial mounts are more complex but allow for more precise tracking of celestial objects as they move across the sky. They are better suited for intermediate and advanced users, especially those interested in astrophotography. Choose a mount based on your experience level and whether you plan to take long-exposure photos.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to transport and set up the telescope. This is crucial if you plan to take your telescope to different locations. Smaller, lighter telescopes are easier to carry and set up, making them ideal for casual stargazing or travel. Larger telescopes offer better performance but can be cumbersome to move. Consider how often you'll be transporting your telescope and whether you have a convenient place to store it when not in use. If portability is a priority, look for telescopes that are specifically designed to be lightweight and compact.
Optical QualityOptical quality refers to the clarity and sharpness of the images produced by the telescope. High-quality optics reduce distortions and provide clearer, more detailed views. This is important for both casual viewing and serious observations. Look for telescopes with high-quality glass and coatings that enhance light transmission and reduce glare. Beginners can start with entry-level optics, but as you gain experience, you may want to invest in better quality to improve your viewing experience. Pay attention to user reviews and expert recommendations to gauge the optical quality of different models.
AccessoriesAccessories can enhance your stargazing experience and make your telescope more versatile. Common accessories include eyepieces, which determine the magnification, and finderscopes, which help you locate objects in the sky. Other useful accessories are Barlow lenses, which increase magnification, and filters, which improve contrast and reduce glare. Beginners should start with a basic set of accessories and gradually add more as they become more experienced. Consider what types of objects you want to observe and choose accessories that will help you achieve the best views.

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