10 Best Telescopes For Viewing Planets 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope is a solid choice for anyone interested in observing planets and celestial objects. With a 90mm aperture and a 600mm focal length, its optical quality is quite impressive for amateur astronomers. The fully coated optics provide bright and clear images, ensuring you get a good view of the night sky. It comes with three eyepieces (24X, 60X, and 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens, allowing for enhanced magnification options which can be beneficial for detailed planetary observation.

One of the strengths of this telescope is its user-friendly design. It’s easy to set up and focus, making it a great option for beginners. The adjustable tripod adds convenience, allowing users to find a comfortable viewing height. Additionally, it’s relatively portable considering its weight of 18 pounds, making it feasible for transporting to different viewing locations.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The manual focus may require a bit of patience, as it can be tricky to get the sharpest image for novice users. The altazimuth mount, while easy to use, may not be as smooth as more advanced mounts, which could lead to some frustration when tracking moving celestial objects. Also, the 90mm aperture, while good, may limit the telescope's effectiveness in capturing fainter objects compared to larger telescopes.

The Gskyer Telescope with a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length is a good option for kids and beginners interested in exploring planets and the moon. Its fully coated optics glass lens ensures high transmission for bright, clear images while protecting the eyes. The telescope's magnification capabilities are enhanced with two interchangeable eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, which can significantly increase the viewing power. Additionally, the 5x24 finderscope with cross-hair lines helps users locate objects more easily in the night sky.

The inclusion of a smartphone adapter and wireless remote makes it easy to capture celestial images, adding a fun element to the stargazing experience. The adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and carry bag contribute to the telescope's portability, making it convenient to transport and store.

However, it's important to note that the Altazimuth mount, while user-friendly, might limit more advanced tracking of celestial objects. The manual focus might also require some practice for sharp images. Weighing just 5.7 pounds, this telescope is suitable for young astronomers and those new to the hobby, offering a balance of ease of use and decent optical performance at a reasonable price point.

The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope is a well-regarded option for both beginners and experienced users interested in viewing planets. One of its standout features is the 8-inch aperture, which allows for excellent light gathering. This means you can observe bright, detailed images of planets and other celestial objects. The telescope's computerized GoTo mount is a significant advantage, as it can automatically locate and track over 40,000 celestial objects, which is particularly useful for novice astronomers who might struggle to find objects in the sky.

Portability is another positive aspect, thanks to its single fork arm design and a sturdy tripod that makes assembly and disassembly straightforward. This makes it easier to transport, a useful feature if you're planning to set up in different locations.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The manual focus might be challenging for some users, especially if you're accustomed to fully automated focusing options. Additionally, while the telescope is relatively compact for its aperture size, it still weighs nearly 24 pounds, which could be cumbersome for some users to carry around. The StarPointer red dot finderscope is helpful, but it may not be precise enough for everyone, especially for those used to higher-end finders. Finally, the 2-year warranty and strong customer support from Celestron are reassuring for buyers.