10 Best Celestron Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a user-friendly telescope designed for beginners and enthusiasts who want to explore the night sky without prior experience. One of its standout features is the integration with your smartphone through the StarSense app, which guides you to stars, planets, and more by using patented sky recognition technology. This makes it particularly appealing for those who might feel intimidated by traditional telescope setups.

The 130mm aperture provides a decent amount of light gathering ability, allowing you to observe craters on the Moon as well as planets like Jupiter and Saturn, along with some deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. The bright, reflective coatings on the primary mirror enhance viewing quality. Its manual altazimuth mount is straightforward to use, featuring dual-axis slow-motion controls to help you track objects smoothly. However, because it is manually operated, it might require a bit of practice to get used to.

In terms of portability, its dimensions are fairly manageable, making it suitable for travel to darker observation sites. On the downside, the manual focus and lack of motorized features may limit the telescope's appeal to those who seek more high-tech convenience in their stargazing experience. Additionally, while the StarSense app is very helpful, it does require a smartphone to access its full potential. This telescope is a great option for beginners and intermediate users looking for a blend of modern technology and traditional telescope functionality.

The Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD Computerized Telescope is a high-performance telescope designed for experienced amateur astronomers. One of its standout features is the large 280mm aperture, which allows for excellent light gathering and the ability to view faint celestial objects with clarity. The focal length of this telescope is substantial, contributing to high magnification potential, which is ideal for detailed observations of planets and deep-sky objects.

The telescope includes the StarBright XLT coatings, significantly enhancing light transmission and producing brighter images, a valuable feature for serious astroimagers. The dual fork arm mount with upgraded gears and motors ensures superior tracking and pointing accuracy, making it easier to follow objects across the sky. With features like All-Star Polar Alignment and Permanently Programmable Periodic Error Correction, this telescope is well-suited for astroimaging when paired with the HD Pro Wedge.

It's worth noting that the telescope is quite heavy, weighing 45 kilograms (99 pounds), which impacts its portability and could make it challenging to transport and set up for some users. The manual focus and reliance on a DC power supply might be seen as drawbacks for those looking for more automated options. Despite these minor inconveniences, the telescope remains a top-performing piece of equipment. It's an excellent choice for those who are serious about their stargazing and astrophotography, though it may be less suitable for beginners or those seeking a more portable solution.

The Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory is a cutting-edge telescope designed for both stargazing and astrophotography, making it ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike. With a 6-inch aperture and fast f/2.2 focal ratio, it offers exceptional brightness and clarity, allowing users to capture stunning images of celestial objects with minimal exposure time. One of its standout features is the AI-powered astrophotography capability, which automatically stacks and processes images in real-time, enabling users to enjoy sharp, colorful views of galaxies and nebulae without needing much technical knowledge.

The telescope's automated setup using StarSense technology is another major advantage. It aligns itself after connecting to the user-friendly app, making the entire experience accessible and enjoyable, especially for those who might find traditional telescope setup daunting.

This telescope excels in providing high-quality images and ease of use, making it a great choice for those looking to dive into astronomy without the steep learning curve. Its limitations in portability may not suit everyone, but for many enthusiasts, it represents a fantastic entry point into the world of stargazing and astrophotography.