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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 by1,450
Magnification
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
21543 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 by1,450
Magnification
Mount Type
Portability

Most important from
21543 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
21543 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
21543 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 for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.

Rating
9.3
Optical Quality
Portability
Mount Type

Most important from
4621 reviews

Optical Quality
The telescope delivers clear views of the moon and stars, making it an excellent choice for beginners eager to explore the night sky.
Portability
The carrying bag and compact design make it very convenient to take outdoors and start observing without hassle.
Mount Type
While the mount can feel a bit shaky, stable and properly focused images are achievable with some care.

This HEEXUM telescope is a solid choice for adults and beginners interested in planetary viewing. Its 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length allow it to gather a decent amount of light, producing bright and fairly detailed images of the moon and planets. The included eyepieces and 3x Barlow lens offer flexible magnification options ranging from 24x to about 180x, which is sufficient for casual stargazing and spotting planetary details. The altazimuth mount is simple to use and helps with easy object tracking, making it beginner-friendly. Its fully multi-coated lenses improve image clarity and brightness, enhancing the viewing experience.

Portability is a strong point here, with a lightweight design, adjustable aluminum tripod, wireless remote, phone adapter, and carrying bag included. This makes it convenient to take outdoors and start observing quickly without complicated setup. However, the manual focus system requires some practice to get sharp images, and while the 80mm aperture is good for entry-level use, it limits deep-sky and faint object viewing compared to larger telescopes.

The altazimuth mount is less precise for extended tracking compared to equatorial mounts, although it's easier to handle for beginners. In summary, this telescope provides a well-rounded package for those new to astronomy or casual observers who want a portable, easy-to-use instrument mainly for lunar and planetary viewing.

Rating
9.3
Optical Quality
Portability
Mount Type

Most important from
4621 reviews

Optical Quality
The telescope delivers clear views of the moon and stars, making it an excellent choice for beginners eager to explore the night sky.
Portability
The carrying bag and compact design make it very convenient to take outdoors and start observing without hassle.
Mount Type
While the mount can feel a bit shaky, stable and properly focused images are achievable with some care.

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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