10 Best Portable Telescopes 2025 in the United States

The Gskyer Telescope is well-suited for beginners and kids interested in astronomical observations. With a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, it offers decent optical quality, allowing users to explore stars and the moon with clear and bright images. The fully coated optics glass lens enhances image clarity and protects the eyes.

This telescope comes with two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, providing versatile magnification options, and a 5x24 finder scope to help locate objects easily in the night sky. The wireless remote and smartphone adapter are great for capturing and sharing celestial images, making the experience interactive and fun. Additionally, the adjustable tripod and carry bag enhance the portability aspect, making it convenient for travel and storage.

However, the Altazimuth mount, while easy to use, may not be as stable or suitable for advanced astronomical tracking compared to more sophisticated mount types. At 5.7 pounds and with dimensions of 24.8 x 4.92 x 8.46 inches, it's lightweight and compact, adding to its portability. This telescope is a solid choice for those starting out in astronomy, offering a good balance of features and ease of use at a beginner-friendly price point.

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-use, portable telescope that leverages smartphone technology to enhance the stargazing experience. With its 130mm aperture, this telescope does an admirable job capturing clear images of celestial objects, including the Moon's craters, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and even deep sky wonders like the Orion Nebula. The high optical quality ensures that you'll have a satisfying viewing experience, whether you're at home or out in darker skies.

One of the standout features is the StarSense app, which simplifies the process of locating stars and planets. This app, together with its patented sky recognition technology, allows even beginners to navigate the night sky without prior telescope experience. The manual altazimuth mount with smooth controls makes following targets straightforward, and the setup is user-friendly, making it accessible for families or individuals just starting in astronomy.

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is ideal for novice astronomers and families looking for a fun and educational way to explore the night sky. It combines good optics and modern technology, making it a strong contender in the portable telescope category.

The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a computerized telescope designed for both beginners and more advanced users. One of its key strengths is its 130mm aperture, which allows for detailed views of celestial objects like Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands, and the Moon. The computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects makes locating and tracking stars and galaxies straightforward, while the SkyAlign technology simplifies initial setup. This makes it user-friendly, even for those who are new to stargazing.

The Newtonian Reflector design ensures good optical quality for both planetary and deep-sky observations. Additionally, the included StarPointer red-dot finderscope aids in manually locating objects before switching to computerized tracking. Portability is a major advantage, given its compact design and lightweight build at 11.4 pounds, making it suitable for camping trips and quick setup at different viewing sites.

However, the Altazimuth mount, while easy to use, might not provide the stability and precision required for more detailed astrophotography compared to an equatorial mount. The manual focus and reliance on battery power could also be seen as drawbacks for some users. With a free Starry Night software download and a strong two-year warranty backed by Celestron’s customer support, it offers good value. This telescope is best suited for those looking for a portable yet powerful device that's easy to set up and use, particularly for casual and moderately serious observing.