10 Best Portable Telescope 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor offers a solid aperture of 90mm and a focal length of 600mm, making it capable of providing clear and detailed views of celestial objects. The fully coated optics glass lens ensures high transmission coatings, which protect your eyes and deliver impressive image quality. This telescope includes three eyepieces with varying magnifications (24X, 60X, 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens that enhances the magnifying power, catering to both beginners and more seasoned stargazers. The adjustable aluminum tripod allows for flexibility in viewing positions, ranging from a height of 31.5 inches to 49 inches, which adds to the ease of use.

The altazimuth mount type is user-friendly and ideal for quick and easy focusing without the need for additional tools, making it accessible for novices. However, the telescope's weight of 18 pounds might be a drawback for those seeking a highly portable option. While the adjustable tripod and compact dimensions (38 x 12 x 8 inches) make it somewhat portable, it may not be ideal for extended travel or frequent relocation. The presence of the reflex finderscope ensures easier targeting of objects, increasing usability.

The package also includes a 12-month worry-free support and friendly customer service, which is a nice added bonus. This telescope is well-suited for adults interested in astronomy, offering high optical quality and usability despite being slightly heavier than other portable options.

The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a versatile and portable telescope suitable for both adults and kids. It features a 130mm aperture, which is ample for observing details within our Solar System and some deep-sky objects. The Newtonian reflector optical design enhances the light-gathering capability, providing clear and detailed views of celestial objects like Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s cloud bands. The computerized hand control with SkyAlign technology is a standout feature, allowing users to easily locate and track over 4,000 celestial objects. This makes it particularly user-friendly for beginners who might struggle with manual star-hopping.

The Altazimuth mount is stable and easy to set up, although it may not be as precise for advanced astrophotography as an equatorial mount. Portability is a strong point, with the compact design making it ideal for camping trips and quick set-ups at different viewing sites. However, it requires battery power, which means you need to keep spare batteries handy during longer sessions. The inclusion of the StarPointer red-dot finderscope and two eyepieces (20mm and 9mm) adds to the value, though some users might eventually wish to upgrade eyepieces for better performance.

The free Starry Night software is a nice bonus, offering interactive sky simulations to enhance the user experience. With a two-year warranty and strong customer support from Celestron, it offers peace of mind for new astronomers. However, the manual focus might be a slight drawback for those hoping for automated features. This telescope strikes a good balance between ease of use, portability, and optical quality, making it an excellent choice for amateur astronomers on the go.

The Celestron NexStar 127SLT is a computerized telescope with a 127mm aperture, capable of capturing detailed views of celestial objects like Saturn’s rings and the Orion Nebula. Its Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design ensures high optical quality, reducing aberrations and enhancing clarity. The Altazimuth Mount with computerized hand control allows for precise location and tracking of over 40,000 celestial objects, which benefits beginners and intermediate astronomers. The SkyAlign technology simplifies the setup process, making it quick and user-friendly.

Portability is a strong point, as the telescope's compact and lightweight design enables easy transportation, whether to a campsite or just the backyard. The included Starry Night software adds an educational layer, allowing users to simulate the night sky and plan their observations. However, the manual focus might be less convenient for some users who prefer automatic focusing. Additionally, the reliance on battery power could be seen as a limitation, requiring users to ensure they have spare batteries for extended sessions.

The included accessories and the robust support from Celestron, including a two-year warranty, add value and peace of mind for the investment. While it weighs 18.1 pounds, which may still be cumbersome for some, this telescope is ideal for both adults and kids looking for a reliable, feature-rich, and portable option for both casual and more serious stargazing.