10 Best Celestron Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope is a versatile and user-friendly option for astronomy enthusiasts. One of its key strengths is the ability to control the telescope wirelessly using your smartphone or tablet through the Celestron mobile app. This feature makes it quite accessible even for beginners and adds to the convenience with its easy-to-use planetarium interface and SkyAlign technology for alignment of celestial objects. The telescope offers a substantial aperture of 235mm, enabling clear and bright views of celestial bodies. Its focal length provides good magnification options, which is essential for detailed observations.

The StarBright XLT optical coatings further enhance the image quality by increasing light transmission. The computerized GoTo mount with high-performance worm gears and motors ensures precise tracking and minimal backlash, which is great for smooth and accurate observations. Also, the rechargeable lithium-ion battery supports up to 10 hours of continuous use, allowing for extended stargazing sessions without interruption. On the downside, the telescope is quite heavy, weighing over 21 kilograms (46.9 pounds), which could pose a challenge in terms of portability.

Additionally, while the manual focus and reflex finderscope are good, some users might prefer an automatic focusing system for ease of use. The design is practical with integrated carry handles and accessory trays, but the size might still be cumbersome for some. This telescope is well-suited for serious amateur astronomers who appreciate a blend of modern tech features and robust optical performance, though it may not be the best choice for someone looking for a lightweight, highly portable option.

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 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.