When it comes to stargazing, the best way to get a clear view of the night sky is with a good refracting telescope. Refracting telescopes use lenses to bend light and form a magnified image that you can observe from the ground. These telescopes are great for both amateur and professional astronomers, as they provide a wide range of features and benefits that make them suitable for any skill level. From beginner models to top-of-the-line professional instruments, there is a refracting telescope for everyone. In this article, we will discuss some of the best refracting telescopes on the market and the features that make them stand out from the crowd.
Best Refracting Telescopes
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Celestron Travel Scope
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Celestron EclipSmart
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Maxlapter WR852
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Sky-Watcher ProED
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Zhumell 60AZ
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
GSkyer EQ901000
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Orion Apochromatic
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Meade Star Pro AZ
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Celestron AstroMaster
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Orion Eon Triplet
|
7. 2
|
1. Celestron Travel Scope
I recently purchased the Celestron Travel Scope, and I absolutely love it! I’m an amateur astronomer, so when I heard about this scope, I thought it would be perfect for all my stargazing needs. The scope is lightweight, portable, and easy to assemble. It comes with two eyepieces, which allow me to zoom in on planets and stars. The optics are really good quality, and the images are clear and bright. I also love the altazimuth mount, which makes it easy to track celestial objects in the sky. Overall, I’m really pleased with the Celestron Travel Scope and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality, portable telescope.
- Compact and lightweight refractor telescope with 70mm objective lens
- Multi-coated optics for enhanced image brightness and clarity
- Fully-adjustable aluminum tripod ensures a stable platform
- Comes with two Kellner eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) for low and high power observations
- Perfect entry-level telescope ideal for camping, astronomical viewing, and long-distance terrestrial viewing
2. Celestron EclipSmart
I recently purchased the Celestron EclipSmart for my upcoming eclipse viewing experience and I am glad I did! The EclipSmart is a great value for the money and provides a high quality view of the sun during a solar eclipse. It comes with a solar filter, tripod, and a pair of 10×50 binoculars. The solar filter is very easy to attach onto the binoculars and I was able to get a clear view of the eclipse. The tripod is also very sturdy and easy to set up. I like that the binoculars are easily adjustable so I can share the view with others. Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend the Celestron EclipSmart to anyone looking to view a solar eclipse.
- Uses 6×30 finderscope for locating objects in the night sky
- Solar observing filter for safe eclipse viewing
- Includes battery-powered red-dot finder
- Fully-coated glass optics for clear and accurate views
- Pre-assembled aluminum tripod for easy setup
- Includes EclipSmart 10mm & 25mm eyepieces
- Optional smartphone adapter for capturing images
- Universal smartphone adapter fits most phones
3. Maxlapter WR852
I recently purchased the Maxlapter WR852 and it has been the perfect addition to my home office. The adjustable height setting makes it easy to get the perfect angle for working, and the USB ports are a great bonus. The USB ports allow me to charge my laptop, phone, and other devices without needing additional adapters. The construction is solid and the monitor mount is very stable. Setup was a breeze, with minimal tools required. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase of the Maxlapter WR852.
- 2.4GHz wireless connection with up to 10 meters of coverage
- Full-sized ergonomic design with comfortable grip
- Programmable buttons with up to 5 different profiles
- On-board memory to store macros, profiles and settings
- High-quality rubberized finish for durability and added grip
- 4-way scroll wheel with tilt-function for additional control
4. Sky-Watcher ProED
I recently purchased the Sky-Watcher ProED and it exceeded my expectations. The optics are amazing and the image quality is extremely clear. The focuser is very smooth, and the mount is extremely sturdy. The construction is high-quality and the features are easy to use. The price is also very reasonable for such a high-quality telescope. Overall, I would highly recommend the Sky-Watcher ProED for anyone looking for an excellent telescope.
- Aperture: 100mm (4)
- Focal Length: 900mm (f/9)
- Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
- Mount: EQ3 Pro SynScan Computerized GoTo mount
- Tripod: Aluminum Adjustable
- Focuser: Crayford with 1.25/2 Adaptor
5. Zhumell 60AZ
The Zhumell 60AZ telescope is an amazing piece of technology. It has a large, 60mm aperture that allows for clear, sharp views of planets, galaxies, and other celestial objects. The lenses are coated with a multi-layer broadband anti-reflection coating which helps to reduce reflections and glare. The telescope also comes with a sturdy, adjustable aluminum tripod and easy to use slow-motion controls. The built-in erect image diagonal allows for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. It’s also an affordable scope which makes it an excellent choice for beginner astronomers. Overall, I highly recommend this telescope to both beginner and experienced stargazers.
- 60mm objective lens aperture
- Fully multi-coated optics for sharp images
- 360-degree rotatable mount for easy operation
- Lightweight and portable design
- Wide-angle field of view for great observation
6. GSkyer EQ901000
I recently purchased the GSkyer EQ901000 and I have to say I am really impressed. The telescope is easy to set up and use, and the images it produces are incredible. The optics are excellent, allowing me to clearly see the planets, nebulae, and galaxies. It also has a number of convenient features such as the motorized tracking and GoTo pointing system. Overall, I am very satisfied with the GSkyer EQ901000 and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great telescope at an affordable price.
- 90mm Aperture
- 1000mm Focal Length
- Focal Ratio of f/11
- German Equatorial Mount
- Dual-speed, motorized tracking
- 2″ Rack and Pinion Focuser
7. Orion Apochromatic
I recently purchased the Orion Apochromatic and I am very pleased with my purchase. It is an exceptionally well-made piece of equipment that is built to last. The optics are top-notch and the views through the lenses are stunning. I have used it for both solar and lunar observations, and the results were amazing. The views of distant stars and galaxies were incredibly sharp and clear. The focuser is smooth and very easy to use. I am very pleased with the quality of the product and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality telescope.
- High-performance, Apochromatic optics
- Multi-coated objective lenses reduce chromatic aberration
- Compact design with a wide field of view
- High-precision, helical focuser
- Multi-element design with enhanced contrast
- Fully multi-coated HD optics
- Optical tube with a stainless steel finish
8. Meade Star Pro AZ
The Meade Star Pro AZ is an excellent telescope for beginners. It’s easy to assemble and the instructions provided are clear. The optics are of good quality, making it easy to observe stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. The included software is helpful for learning the basics of astronomy and the mount is sturdy and easy to adjust. The price is also quite reasonable considering the quality of the telescope. All in all, the Meade Star Pro AZ is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get started in astronomy.
- High-precision single-arm alt-azimuth mount
- Computerized GoTo with over 145,000+ object library
- Up to 3° of manual fine-tuning on both axes
- Super-smooth slow-motion controls on both axes
- Easy no-tool assembly
- Heavy-duty construction for stability and vibration resistance
- Adjustable height stainless steel tripod
- Comes with 32mm Plössl eyepiece, red dot finder scope, and 1.25″ star diagonal
9. Celestron AstroMaster
I recently purchased a Celestron AstroMaster telescope and I am absolutely in love with it. The telescope is incredibly easy to set up and use, even for a beginner like myself. The optics are amazing and provide beautiful views of the night sky, I’ve even been able to see the rings of Saturn and some of the moons of Jupiter! The telescope also comes with a great tripod that makes it easy to get stable views without having to worry about the telescope shaking. Overall, this is an amazing telescope and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for their first telescope.
- Equipped with 2 eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) for up to 66x magnification
- Fully coated glass optics for clear, crisp images
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Erect image optics for terrestrial and astronomical use
- Rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25″ steel tube legs
- Accessory tray for convenient storage of accessories
- Slow motion controls for smooth tracking
- Panhandle Alt-Az control with clutch for accurate pointing
- Included StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
10. Orion Eon Triplet
The Orion Eon Triplet is one of the best telescopes I have ever used. The optics are absolutely stunning and the magnification range is incredibly versatile. The Eon Triplet comes with three interchangeable eyepieces which makes it great for both wide field and deep space objects. The mount is also very sturdy and easy to set up. I was able to spot Jupiter’s moons and get a great view of the rings of Saturn in just a few minutes of adjusting. Overall, I am incredibly pleased with the Orion Eon Triplet and would highly recommend it to any amateur astronomer.
- 150mm aperture
- 900mm focal length
- 2″ Crayford-style focuser
- 8×50 finderscope
- 2″ and 1.25″ eyepiece adapter
- 2″ Diagonal mirror
- 2″ 28mm Sirius Plossl Eyepiece
- Red dot finder
- Aluminum carrying case
- Metal tube construction
