10 Best Astronomical Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope is a solid choice for adults interested in astronomy. Its key strength lies in its high-quality optics with a 600mm focal length and a 90mm aperture, allowing for clear and detailed images of the night sky. The fully coated optics glass lens enhances image quality and protects your eyes.

The telescope also offers high magnification options with three replaceable eyepieces (24X, 60X, and 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens that triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece, making it suitable for viewing a variety of celestial objects. The adjustable aluminum tripod provides flexibility in viewing positions, with a height range from 31.5 inches to 49 inches. This makes it adaptable for different users and locations.

The telescope is user-friendly, requiring no tools for setup, which is ideal for beginners. However, its weight of 18 pounds might make it less portable compared to smaller models. The altazimuth mount is straightforward to use but may not offer the precision needed for advanced users who require more control over their viewing angles. Included accessories such as the reflex finderscope and manual focus add to the value. The product comes with a 12-month support warranty, which is reassuring for new users. Nonetheless, those seeking more advanced features or greater portability might need to consider other options.

The Gskyer Telescope is designed with beginners and kids in mind, making it a user-friendly option for those new to astronomy. It features a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, providing clear and bright views of the moon and stars. The fully coated optical glass lens ensures high-quality images while protecting the eyes, which is a major plus for young users.

The telescope comes with two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, offering versatile magnification options. The 5x24 finder scope helps in locating celestial objects with ease, making it less frustrating for beginners. The included smartphone adapter and wireless remote are excellent additions for those interested in capturing and sharing their astronomical observations.

It also includes an adjustable aluminum tripod and a carry bag, enhancing its portability and convenience for travel. However, the altazimuth mount, while simple to use, may limit precise tracking of celestial objects as compared to equatorial mounts. Weighing just 5.7 pounds, it is fairly lightweight, but some users may find the build quality less robust. In summary, the Gskyer Telescope is a great starting point for young astronomers or casual stargazers who value portability and easy setup, though more serious enthusiasts might eventually look for more advanced features.

The Sky-Watcher Skymax 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain is a solid choice for amateur astronomers looking for a telescope with a large 180mm aperture that captures plenty of light, making it great for detailed views of the moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects. Its Maksutov-Cassegrain design combines mirrors and a corrector plate to deliver sharp, high-contrast images with minimal stray light, thanks to its fully baffled tube. A key strength is the 94% reflectivity mirror coatings, which improve light transmission and image brightness.

The included Altazimuth mount is simple to use and intuitive for beginners, though it may not be ideal for precise tracking of celestial objects over long periods. Portability is reasonable; while not extremely lightweight at 19 pounds and about 30 inches long, it is manageable for those willing to carry a moderately sized setup. The package comes with useful accessories like a 28mm eyepiece, a 2-inch star diagonal for comfortable viewing angles, and a 9x50 finderscope to help locate objects in the sky.

This telescope suits users who want a quality optical system for detailed planetary and lunar observation and don’t mind a bit of extra weight or a simpler mount.