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10 Best Telescopes For Viewing Planets 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,383
Magnification
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
21384 reviews

Magnification
Offers decent magnification for observing celestial objects. The moon’s craters are clearly visible, and the level of detail is impressive for an entry-level telescope.
Mount Type
The telescope is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Portability
The lightweight design and moderate material quality make it easy to handle, even for someone new to telescopes.

The Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope is a solid choice for anyone interested in observing planets and celestial objects. With a 90mm aperture and a 600mm focal length, its optical quality is quite impressive for amateur astronomers. The fully coated optics provide bright and clear images, ensuring you get a good view of the night sky. It comes with three eyepieces (24X, 60X, and 120X) and a 3x Barlow lens, allowing for enhanced magnification options which can be beneficial for detailed planetary observation.

One of the strengths of this telescope is its user-friendly design. It’s easy to set up and focus, making it a great option for beginners. The adjustable tripod adds convenience, allowing users to find a comfortable viewing height. Additionally, it’s relatively portable considering its weight of 18 pounds, making it feasible for transporting to different viewing locations.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The manual focus may require a bit of patience, as it can be tricky to get the sharpest image for novice users. The altazimuth mount, while easy to use, may not be as smooth as more advanced mounts, which could lead to some frustration when tracking moving celestial objects. Also, the 90mm aperture, while good, may limit the telescope's effectiveness in capturing fainter objects compared to larger telescopes.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,383
Magnification
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
21384 reviews

Magnification
Offers decent magnification for observing celestial objects. The moon’s craters are clearly visible, and the level of detail is impressive for an entry-level telescope.
Mount Type
The telescope is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
Portability
The lightweight design and moderate material quality make it easy to handle, even for someone new to telescopes.
#2

Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Focal Length
Magnification

Most important from
21384 reviews

Aperture
With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Focal Length
With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Magnification
The telescope provides sufficient clarity for viewing objects such as Jupiter's moons or Saturn’s rings, although additional lenses or filters might enhance the experience.
Mount Type
The AZ (Altazimuth) mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Optical Quality
The telescope provides clear views of the moon and stars, with simple instructions and a few extra lenses for different views.
Portability
The telescope is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.

The Gskyer Telescope with a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length is a good option for kids and beginners interested in exploring planets and the moon. Its fully coated optics glass lens ensures high transmission for bright, clear images while protecting the eyes. The telescope's magnification capabilities are enhanced with two interchangeable eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, which can significantly increase the viewing power. Additionally, the 5x24 finderscope with cross-hair lines helps users locate objects more easily in the night sky.

The inclusion of a smartphone adapter and wireless remote makes it easy to capture celestial images, adding a fun element to the stargazing experience. The adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and carry bag contribute to the telescope's portability, making it convenient to transport and store.

However, it's important to note that the Altazimuth mount, while user-friendly, might limit more advanced tracking of celestial objects. The manual focus might also require some practice for sharp images. Weighing just 5.7 pounds, this telescope is suitable for young astronomers and those new to the hobby, offering a balance of ease of use and decent optical performance at a reasonable price point.

Rating
9.6
Aperture
Focal Length
Magnification

Most important from
21384 reviews

Aperture
With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Focal Length
With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides clear and bright views of the Moon, planets, and distant stars.
Magnification
The telescope provides sufficient clarity for viewing objects such as Jupiter's moons or Saturn’s rings, although additional lenses or filters might enhance the experience.
Mount Type
The AZ (Altazimuth) mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky.
Optical Quality
The telescope provides clear views of the moon and stars, with simple instructions and a few extra lenses for different views.
Portability
The telescope is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for kids, and the AZ mount allows for smooth, intuitive movements when aiming at objects in the sky.
#3

Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 450X,for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter

Rating
9.3
Aperture
Focal Length
Magnification

Most important from
222 reviews

Aperture
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification, perfect for exploring details on the moon, planets, and distant stars.
Focal Length
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification, perfect for exploring details on the moon, planets, and distant stars.
Magnification
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification, perfect for exploring details on the moon, planets, and distant stars.
Mount Type
The telescope is built well and sturdy, with a stable tripod that ensures clear views even on windy nights.
Optical Quality
It's an excellent value for its price, offering good performance with sharp and decent contrast optics.
Portability
The included carrying case keeps everything secure and makes the telescope easy to transport.

The HETEKAN 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescope is a high-powered telescope designed for adults, kids, and beginners interested in planetary observation. One of its main strengths is the large 90mm aperture, which allows plenty of light to enter, resulting in brighter and clearer images. This, combined with fully multi-coated optical glass lenses, ensures minimal light reflection and stunning imagery. The telescope offers a wide range of magnification from 36X to 450X, thanks to its three eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, making it suitable for detailed lunar and planetary viewing.

The 900mm focal length helps in providing sharp and clear images of celestial objects. The inclusion of a phone adapter is a nice touch, allowing users to capture and share their observations easily. The adjustable stainless tripod is sturdy and offers versatile viewing angles with 360-degree horizontal and vertical movements, catering to users of different heights.

However, there are some drawbacks. The altazimuth mount, while easy to use for beginners, might not provide the precision required for advanced users looking for detailed astrophotography or long-exposure shots. Additionally, at 12.12 pounds, the telescope is not the most portable option available, which may be a consideration for those who need to transport it frequently. Despite these points, the HETEKAN telescope is an excellent choice for those starting their journey in astronomy, providing a good balance of power, functionality, and ease of use.

Rating
9.3
Aperture
Focal Length
Magnification

Most important from
222 reviews

Aperture
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification, perfect for exploring details on the moon, planets, and distant stars.
Focal Length
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification, perfect for exploring details on the moon, planets, and distant stars.
Magnification
The 90mm aperture and 900mm refractor lens provide sharp, bright images with powerful magnification, perfect for exploring details on the moon, planets, and distant stars.
Mount Type
The telescope is built well and sturdy, with a stable tripod that ensures clear views even on windy nights.
Optical Quality
It's an excellent value for its price, offering good performance with sharp and decent contrast optics.
Portability
The included carrying case keeps everything secure and makes the telescope easy to transport.

Buying Guide for the Best Telescopes For Viewing Planets

Choosing the right telescope for viewing planets can be a rewarding experience, but it requires some understanding of the key specifications that will impact your viewing experience. The right telescope will allow you to see the planets in our solar system with clarity and detail. Here are the key specifications you should consider when selecting a telescope for planetary observation, along with explanations to help you make an informed decision.
ApertureThe aperture of a telescope is the diameter of its main optical component (the lens or mirror). This spec is crucial because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. A larger aperture allows you to see more detail and fainter objects. For planetary viewing, an aperture of at least 70mm (2.8 inches) is recommended, but larger apertures (100mm or more) will provide better resolution and more detailed views of planets. If you are primarily interested in viewing planets, aim for a telescope with an aperture that balances portability and performance.
Focal LengthThe focal length of a telescope is the distance from the lens or mirror to the point where the telescope forms an image. This spec affects the magnification and field of view. A longer focal length provides higher magnification, which is beneficial for viewing planets. Telescopes with focal lengths of 1000mm or more are ideal for planetary observation. However, if you want a wider field of view for other types of astronomy, a shorter focal length might be more versatile. Consider your primary use when choosing the focal length.
MagnificationMagnification is determined by the combination of the telescope's focal length and the eyepiece used. While high magnification can bring planets closer, it can also make the image less sharp if the telescope's aperture is not large enough. For planetary viewing, a magnification of 100x to 200x is typically sufficient. Remember that the maximum useful magnification is about 50 times the aperture in inches (or 2 times the aperture in millimeters). Choose a telescope that allows you to achieve this range of magnification with the eyepieces provided or available.
Mount TypeThe mount is the part of the telescope that supports it and allows it to move. There are two main types: altazimuth and equatorial. An altazimuth mount moves up-down and left-right, which is simpler to use and good for beginners. An equatorial mount is aligned with the Earth's axis and is better for tracking planets as they move across the sky. For planetary viewing, an equatorial mount is often preferred because it makes it easier to follow the planets' motion. Choose a mount that matches your comfort level and observing needs.
Optical QualityOptical quality refers to the precision and clarity of the telescope's lenses or mirrors. High-quality optics will provide sharper and more detailed images. Look for telescopes with fully multi-coated optics, which reduce reflections and increase light transmission. This is especially important for viewing planets, where fine details matter. Research user reviews and expert opinions to gauge the optical quality of a telescope before purchasing.
PortabilityPortability is an important consideration if you plan to transport your telescope to different viewing locations. Smaller, lighter telescopes are easier to carry and set up, but they may have smaller apertures and lower magnification. If you have a dedicated observing spot at home, a larger, less portable telescope might be a better choice. Consider how and where you will use the telescope most often when evaluating portability.

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