The Best Refractor Telescopes of 2024

Said to be the best pick for beginners, the Gskyer AZ70400 includes a wireless remote to make viewing even easier. Despite the relatively low price of this telescope, the optics in its 70mm diameter lens are good and the number of accessories included is a big draw. Along with a travel bag, the Gsyker telescope comes with an adjustable tripod, a finder scope, multiple Barlow lenses for magnification from 3x to 120x, additional eyepieces, a smartphone adapter, and the aforementioned wireless remote. At 5.7 pounds, this telescope is easy to transport no matter where your adventures may take you. And a two-year warranty ensures peace of mind when you’re on the road.

Some users aren’t sold on the included tripod, because of its low height and how lightweight it is, but have found this a minor inconvenience; it’s still able to fit on a universal tripod and it doesn’t take away from the ease of assembly. Others aren’t fans of the Bluetooth app associated with this telescope, especially because of the subscription fees, but it isn’t required.

Pricier than the 70400, the AZ90600 comes with a larger 90 mm diameter lens and even more add-ons. Three replaceable eyepieces (24x, 60x,120x), one 3x Barlow lens, and a tripod with 31.5-inch to 49-inch height adjustability, the 90600 is a great investment if you’re looking to upgrade your telescope or are above novice when it comes to stargazing. With the increase in price, there is a big increase in weight, and you’ll want to find a more permanent spot in your home for this 17.86-pound telescope.

A manual isn’t included for the additional lenses so you’ll want to make sure you’re in the mood to take some time to learn about the different lenses and their uses. While lenses may throw a learning curve, the assembly of the AZ90600 is easy and there are no reported issues when putting this telescope together. We think this is a good choice for people looking for a more in-depth view of the universe with a little extra time and space on their hands.

For casual viewing of the night sky from the comfort of your home, the Celestron Astromaster is a solid pick. A beast at 18 pounds, with a 70 mm lens, the Astromaster isn’t a telescope you’ll want to tote around. Setup is quick and easy with no tools required and when you’re ready to go you’ll be working with an adjustable height tripod complete with an Alt-Az control panning handle for smooth, accurate pointing.

While the tripod is sturdier than other included tripods, some users find it hard to set their sights on a moving object due to the clutch mechanism but overall this is a nonissue. Included are two eyepieces, a 20 mm and 10 mm, as well as a red-dot finder scope. The magnification ranges from 10x on the low end to 165x on the high.

This is the type of telescope that takes up a lot of space, so if you’re looking for a compact option for your home, we’d suggest checking out some other options—or considering a reflector telescope.

Super light when assembled at 4.2 pounds, the Celestron travel scope has a 70 mm lens diameter with two high-quality eyepieces that provide low (10x) and high-power (165x) views of celestial objects at night and terrestrial objects during the day. With a custom backpack to make transport easy, this telescope is a great choice for traveling to more remote locations for stargazing or bird watching and users love it for viewing wildlife during the day. For more detailed viewing of planets you may want to invest in an additional Barlow lens as this telescope isn’t as high powered as the more expensive options on the market but it’s great for beginners who want to explore a new hobby and it comes with an astronomy software download to help expand your knowledge.

Due to it being lightweight, the tripod that comes with the Travel Scope 70 isn’t the sturdiest and the legs are quite short, making it better for use when sitting down. Overall, we like this telescope for beginners looking to explore from different places.

If you aren’t ready to invest in a big, expensive refractor telescope, this Hexeum telescope is a fantastic choice. With an included carry bag and a wireless remote control makes it easy to capture images no matter where your adventures take you.

This telescope offers three height options and three angle options and offers up to 180x magnification. Set up and use is easy enough that this would be a good choice for beginners and reviews mention that it's a great telescope, especially for the price. Despite the ease of use, some reviews mention that the tripod feels a little flimsy in comparison to the heavy 6-pound scope but we wouldn't let this deter you if you're looking for an easy to use refractor telescope at a great price