This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Choosing the right telescope to see planets involves understanding several key factors that impact performance and usability. Here’s an overview of the crucial factors we’ve considered in selecting the best telescopes:
- Aperture size: Crucial for clarity and detail, a larger aperture allows more light in, providing brighter and sharper images of planets.
- Magnification: Determines how large planets appear. Remember, higher magnification can lead to image distortion, so balance is key.
- Focal length: Affects the field of view and magnification. Longer focal lengths offer higher magnification, ideal for planetary details.
- Resolution: The ability to distinguish fine details. Higher resolution means clearer, more detailed planetary views.
- Tracking and mount: Ensures the telescope can follow the movement of planets smoothly, essential for clear, stable views.
- Eyepieces: Quality and suitability of eyepieces affect how well you can see and enjoy planetary details.
- Portability: If you plan to observe from different locations, consider the telescope’s size and weight for ease of transport.
Now that we understand the key factors to consider, let’s dive into our curated list of the 21 best telescopes for viewing planets, tailored to help you find the perfect match for your celestial adventures.
1. Celestron NexStar 6SE: Best computerized telescope
The Celestron NexStar 6SE is a high-quality computerized telescope perfect for amateur and professional astronomers. This telescope features a 6-inch aperture, allowing bright and clear images of planets and other celestial objects.
Remember, we said that a good telescope for planetary viewing should have a longer focal length of at least 1000mm or higher. The Celestron NexStar 6SE has a high-quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design with a focal length of 1500mm, which equips it to provide striking views at an economical price.
One of the key features of the Celestron NexStar 6SE is its computerized GoTo mount. This mount allows you to quickly find and track celestial objects with the simple push of a button.
The telescope also has a built-in GPS receiver and a database of over 40,000 deep sky objects, making it easy to locate and observe planets and other things in the night sky.
The Celestron NexStar 6SE is also portable and easy to set up, making it perfect for stargazing at home or on the go. It has a sturdy stainless steel tripod and an accessory tray for storing eyepieces and other accessories.
It has a slow f/10 focal ratio which makes it perfect for high magnification and a narrow field of view, making it ideal for observing intricate details on planets and other celestial objects.
Its perfect combination of the right aperture size, magnification, focal length, tracking and mount, and portability make it an excellent choice for amateur and professional astronomers.
2. Meade LX90: Sturdiest telescope to view planets
The Meade LX90 is a high-performance computerized telescope available in three aperture sizes (8-inch, 10, and 12) and perfect for amateur and professional astronomers alike. The featured aperture sizes of this model allow you to capture crisp, clear images of planets and other celestial objects.
Its Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical design provides sharp and detailed images across the entire field of view with minimal chromatic aberration.
All Meade LX90 models are built on the sturdy and stable LX90 aluminum double fork mount, allowing quick movement with adjustable speeds ranging from 1 to 7 degrees per second.
The 8″ LX90 features an 8-inch f/10 ACF optical system with a 2000mm focal length and Ultra-High Transmission Coatings for optimal image brightness and contrast.
It is fitted with advanced technology such as the Meade AudioStar computer system with a library of over 30,000 objects, multiple guided tours, high precision pointing, and Meade SmartDrive with permanent periodic error correction. The 16-channel genuine Sony GPS receiver ensures precise and effortless star alignment.
The other models have a focal length greater than the 2000mm that the 8″ model has.
Its combination of the ideal aperture size, AutoAlign technology, and AudioStar hand controller that provides a built-in speaker and a library of educational audio tours about the night sky features make it a great choice for any level of stargazer.
3. Orion SkyQuest XT8: The best budget-friendly telescope
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 is a classic Dobsonian telescope designed for amateur astronomers who want a large aperture telescope at an affordable price.
This telescope features an 8-inch aperture and a 1200mm focal-length parabolic mirror (f/5.9). These provide sharp and detailed images allowing you and your whole family to appreciate the bright, clear night sky views.
The Orion SkyQuest XT8’s Dobsonian is a simple yet solid and stable altazimuth design that allows for easy pointing and tracking of celestial objects.
It also has a 2-inch Crayford focuser that accepts both 1.25-inch and 2-inch eyepieces. This allows for a wide range of magnifications and fields of view.
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 is also relatively portable for its aperture size, making it perfect for stargazing at home or in the field. It has a sturdy base and a rocker mount, making it easy to move around and set up.
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 is a great value telescope perfect for observing deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulas, planets, and the Moon.
Its combination of the correct aperture size, focal length greater than 1000mm, solid mount, precision optics, a wide range of magnifications, and field of views make it an excellent choice for any astronomer seeking serious deep sky object viewing adventures.
4. Sky-Watcher ProED 100mm Doublet APO: Best general-purpose telescope
The Sky-Watcher ProED 100mm Doublet APO telescope is designed for the discriminating amateur astronomer looking to elevate their viewing experience.
One of the standout elements of this telescope is its advanced apochromatic refractor optical design that eliminates chromatic aberrations and provides clear and color-corrected images.
The telescope also comes with a 2-inch Crayford-style precision dual-speed focuser that allows for fine focusing.
It has a signature green Vixen-style dovetail plate that makes it easy to mount to various mounts, including Sky-Watcher’s EQM-35, HEQ5, and EQ6-R!
The Sky-Watcher ProED 100mm Doublet APO features a 100mm aperture and a focal length of 900mm, which is less than the recommended length for viewing planets.
However, its combination of good aperture size, advanced apochromatic refractor optical design, precision focuser, and Vixen-style dovetail plate make it a great choice if you want to elevate your viewing experience.
5. Takahashi FC-76D: Best lightweight telescope
The Takahashi FC-76D comes in two models: the lighter, more affordable FC-76DC, and the FC-76DS. Both variants boast a 76 mm apochromatic fluorite doublet, delivering sharp, color-accurate images.
These telescopes feature a versatile M50 thread focuser, compatible with both 1.25″ and 2″ visual backs and accessories. While some users report image shift, especially with heavy CCD camera use, this issue is generally limited to extensively used units.
Despite being compact and not meeting the recommended 1000mm focal length, the FC-76D’s portability, durability, and dual-purpose design for both imaging and high-magnification viewing make it a standout choice for those prioritizing mobility without sacrificing quality.
6. Vixen R200SS: Best telescope for extremely sharp images with no chromatic aberration
Check the current price on Amazon
The Vixen R200SS is a reflector telescope that features a 200mm aperture and a fast f/4 focal ratio, making it perfect for observing and imaging planets, nebulas, galaxies, and other deep-sky objects.
With its high-quality parabolic mirror, this telescope can provide sharp and detailed images of deep-sky objects with no chromatic aberration.
This telescope does not come with a tripod or mount head, making it an excellent choice for those who already own a stable rig and want to enhance their observing capabilities.
The telescope features a moderate 800mm focal length and also comes with a 2-inch focuser that accepts 2-inch eyepieces. This allows for a wide range of magnifications and fields of view.
Its large aperture size of 200mm, moderate focal length, and high-quality parabolic mirror give exceptionally sharp images with no chromatic aberration. This makes it a fantastic choice for serious amateur and professional astronomers who want a high-performance telescope for viewing planets.
7. ZWO ASI290MM Mini: Best miniature camera for auto-guiding and viewing planets
Check the current price on Amazon
The ZWO ASI290MM Mini is a compact and powerful monochrome camera designed for Astro-imaging. With its high-quality Sony IMX290 1/3″ sensor, this camera can capture bright and clear images of planets, the Moon, and the Sun. However, you must purchase a separate safe solar filter accessory to capture the sun.
The ZWO ASI290MM Mini has a USB 2.0 interface for fast data transfer of up to 20.4 frames per second at maximum resolution.
The suitable camera drivers and image capture software for the 290MM Mini can be found in the Software and Drivers section on the ZWO website.
Its compact and lightweight design makes it a great addition to your imaging payload. Its miniature sensor size and slender profile take up minimal space, similar to that of a 1.25″ eyepiece.
The ZWO ASI290MM Mini is compact but still a powerful auto-guiding option for deep sky astrophotography. Its 2.9 μm x 2.9 μm pixel size and 12-bit ADC make it a capable choice for guiding your telescope during long exposure shots.
8. Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT: High-performance telescope with a large aperture size for stunning views of deep-sky objects
The Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT provides a fantastic stargazing experience for intermediate and professional astronomers.
This telescope features a massive aperture of 11 inches (279mm), allowing exceptional light-gathering capabilities and stunning views of deep-sky objects.
With a database of 40,000 plus deep sky objects, the Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT has a computerized GoTo mount that automatically locates and tracks celestial objects precisely. It also features a long focal length of 2800mm and a built-in GPS receiver, which helps with precise location and time settings.
Overall, the Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT is a powerful telescope perfect for observing planets. Its large aperture size, computerized GoTo mount, and GPS precision tracking make it a great choice.
9. Meade LS 8″ ACF: Excellent for educational guided sky tour
Check the current price on Amazon
The Meade LS 8″ ACF is an award-winning high-performance telescope. It features an advanced coma-free (ACF) optical design that reduces astigmatism and delivers sharp and clear images of planets, stars, and deep sky objects.
The 8″ aperture allows maximum light gathering, making it possible to see faint objects in great detail.
The telescope also has an Altazimuth mount, making it easy to find and track objects in the night sky.
The easy-to-use hand-held controller gives access to a database of over 100,000 celestial objects, allowing you to explore the universe easily.
Simply choose an object and push the “GoTo” button, and the telescope will automatically put your selected object in the eyepiece. The Meade LS 8″ ACF is the perfect telescope for anyone who wants a seamless stargazing experience.
10. Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G Computerized GoTo Telescope: Best smooth, stable, and smart performance telescope
Check the current price on Amazon
The Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G Computerized GoTo Telescope is a state-of-the-art telescope perfect for beginners and professional astronomers.
With its advanced GoTo mount, the telescope can automatically locate and precisely track over 42,000 celestial objects, making it easy to explore your deep sky curiosities. It also has a high-quality stainless steel tripod with adjustable legs that provide a stable base for observing.
The Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G GoTo Mount is packed with various features that make it perfect for visual and astrophotographic use. Additionally, it offers nine different slew speeds, with the capability of moving up to 4.2 degrees per second.
This computerized GoTo mount requires a 12V DC power supply, such as the Orion Dynamo (sold separately), or an AC-to-DC adapter with a minimum 4A current output.
An optional 5-amp AC-to-DC converter is also available (sold separately) to ensure a smooth and stable performance. Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or just a visual observer, the Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G GoTo Mount will provide a reliable and accurate platform for all your observing needs.
You may also like: Are GoTo Telescopes Worth It?
11. Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED DS Pro: Cost-effective high-contrast high-power views telescope
The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72ED DS Pro telescope is designed to deliver exceptional visual and photographic performance.
It features a proprietary combination of matched lenses that minimize color fringing, even when observing bright planetary objects, resulting in sharp and clear images.
The telescope utilizes Sky-Watcher’s unique Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC) to eliminate virtually all false colors.
Additionally, the optical tube is light-baffled to reduce stray light and has a matte black finish inside to prevent reflections.
The telescope also includes a dual-speed focuser for precise focusing, providing minimal image shift.
The EvoStar ED refractor series is an ideal choice for visual astronomers who are interested in exploring the world of astrophotography. It offers a cost-effective pathway to professional-level imaging without breaking the bank.
12. Takahashi TOA 130: High-quality imaging and visual astronomy telescope
The Takahashi TOA 130 is a professional-grade telescope designed for the most demanding astronomers. The telescope features an aperture of 130mm and a focal length of 1000mm, making it ideal for observing deep-sky objects such as nebulas and galaxies, planets, and the Moon.
The telescope has an apochromatic refractor lens that corrects chromatic aberrations, providing the sharpest images possible. The telescope also includes a 69 mm diameter rack-and-pinion focuser for precise focusing.
This telescope is perfect for professional astronomers, advanced amateurs, and serious imaging enthusiasts looking for an excellent scope for deep-sky exploration.
13. William Optics ZenithStar 73 II Apo: High-performance compact telescope
The William Optics ZenithStar 73 II Apo is a top-of-the-line telescope designed for serious amateur and professional astronomers. The telescope features a 73mm aperture and a highly corrected apochromatic doublet lens, providing sharp and clear images of stars, planets, and deep-sky objects.
The telescope also includes a dual-speed rack and pinion focuser for precise focusing. It’s designed for portability and convenience, weighing in at just 5.5 lbs making it easy to take with you on the go.
Its compact size means you don’t need a bulky equatorial mount to handle the weight, making it ideal for astrophotography.
The Zenithstar 73, or Z73, has been praised for its versatility and impressive performance by users. Many have successfully used the telescope to capture various deep-sky objects in their backyard.
It is considered a premium wide-field imaging refractor in a compact package, making it a perfect option for those searching for a high-quality telescope.
14. Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST Reflector Telescope: Best portable high-performance telescope
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST reflector telescope is an excellent choice for the more serious beginner or intermediate stargazer.
Its 130-millimeter parabolic primary mirror provides impressive views of deep-sky objects, and it comes equipped with a sturdy and precise EQ-2 equatorial mount and a stable tripod.
The EQ-2 mount allows for easy tracking of celestial objects, and the adjustable-height aluminum tripod includes an accessory tray for conveniently storing eyepieces, flashlights, and other accessories. Despite its impressive capabilities, the SpaceProbe 130ST EQ weighs only 27 pounds once assembled, making it easy to take stargazing trips.
Whether you’re looking for a first telescope or a portable option to complement your larger telescope, the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope is an excellent choice.
15. Celestron NexStar130SLT Computerized Telescope: Delivers crystal-clear and vivid images with a precise and seamless computerized motor
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT telescope is perfect for both severe beginners and intermediate stargazers. With a powerful 130mm primary mirror, the telescope offers 30% more light-gathering power than the popular NexStar 114SLT.
This computerized telescope has a database of over 4,000 stars, galaxies, nebulae, and more, allowing for pinpoint accuracy and easy tracking of celestial objects. The Newtonian reflector optical design is fully color-corrected, making it ideal for astronomical use.
The telescope has a fully computerized NexStar+ hand control and SkyAlign alignment technology, making it easy to set up and align.
The included StarPointer Finderscope with a red dot finder makes it simple to locate objects in the night sky. The telescope is lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for camping trips or excursions to dark-sky sites.
The 130SLT also comes with a free download of Starry Night Basic Edition astronomy software, allowing for an interactive sky simulation. With the power of this computerized telescope, you can view details of the lunar surface, Saturn’s rings, and a number of the Messier objects.
You may also like: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope Review
16. Gskyer Telescope 80mm AZ Refractor Telescope: Best telescope for beginners
Gskyer Telescope Refractor, is perfect for beginner and intermediate stargazers. With an 80mm aperture and 400mm focal length, this telescope offers stunning views of deep-space objects. It features an AZ Altazimuth mount including eyepieces (K25mm: 16X, K10mm: 40X, K5mm: 80X) and a 6*30 finderscope making it easy to locate and track celestial objects with precision.
The telescope also has a sturdy stainless steel tripod, a 48° Erecting BAK4 prism and a 3X Barlow lens for added magnification. The package also includes an accessory tray and phone attachment for remote control.
17. Celestron NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope: Best telescope for all experience levels
The Celestron NexStar 127SLT is the perfect telescope for stargazers of all ages and experience levels. Building on the success of the popular NexStar 114SLT, this telescope boasts 20% more light-gathering power thanks to its 127mm primary mirror.
The computerized hand control allows you to access a database of over 40,000 stars, galaxies, nebulae, and more, and the telescope’s Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design provides fully color-corrected views that are perfect for astronomical use.
The telescope is easy to set up and transport thanks to its pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod and SkyAlign alignment technology.
Simply center any three bright objects in the eyepiece, and the NexStar SLT aligns with the night sky, ready to locate thousands of objects. The included StarPointer Finderscope with a red dot finder makes aligning a breeze.
The NexStar 127SLT also comes with a free download of Starry Night Special Edition astronomy software for an interactive sky simulation. With the power of this computerized telescope, you’ll be able to see the details of celestial objects.
18. Sky-Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian Telescope: Easy to use, cost-effective solution for bright, detailed deep-sky observing
The Sky-Watcher Traditional Dobsonian telescope is the perfect choice for beginners looking for high-quality light-gathering capabilities.
Developed in the 1970s by John Dobson, a Vedantan monk, and sidewalk astronomer, the Dobsonian-style telescope offers an inexpensive solution for bright, detailed visual observing.
One of the standout features of the Sky-Watcher Traditional Dobsonian telescope is its large aperture, which provides users with the highest possible aperture for their money compared to similar telescopes.
The telescope utilizes a simple yet effective design that is optimized for visual observation of faint objects, such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
Another unique feature of the Sky-Watcher Traditional Dobsonian telescope are its patented Tension Control Handle, which allows for easy tension adjustment and enables the telescope to move freely around the sky.
In addition to its impressive technical features, the Sky-Watcher Traditional Dobsonian telescope comes with various accessories to enhance your observing experience. These include a beefy 2-inch Crayford-style focuser, a 9×50 finderscope, and two eyepieces (10mm & 25mm), perfect for the beginning astronomer.
19. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope: Budget-friendly telescope with superior optical performance for observing the moon and planets
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope is a great option for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials.
With the StarSense Explorer app, you’ll be able to navigate the night sky quickly and confidently. The app uses the camera on your smartphone to align with the telescope’s optics and then generates a list of celestial objects that are currently visible.
The app guides you as you move the telescope, and the bullseye turns green when the object is ready to view.
One of the standout attributes of this telescope is its StarSense Sky Recognition Technology. The app uses a Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA) to match star patterns to its internal database, which is much more accurate than other apps that rely solely on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers.
This telescope is compatible with most modern smartphones, including iPhone 6 and up, and most devices running Android 7.1.2 or later manufactured since 2016.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly telescope that offers an easy and accurate way to navigate the night sky, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope is a great option. We highly recommend it.
Read also: StarSense Telescopes: A Detailed Overview of the Collection
20. SVBONY SV503 80 ED OTA: Best telescope for deep-sky viewing or photography
The SV503 Telescope OTA is made of top-quality materials, with a high-end fine-grained paint finish and a delicate feel. It features a dual-speed rack and pinion focuser, with a gear ratio of 1:10, making it easy to achieve accurate focus.
All the optical surfaces of the telescope are multi-coated, and the 80mm aperture fully multi-coated ED optics deliver outstanding views, both day and night making it an ideal choice for astronomy amateurs looking to do astrophotography.
If you want a high-quality telescope, consider getting this high-performance telescope.
Read also: Is SVBONY a Good Brand? My experience with SVBONY products.
21. Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain: Best optics Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
The Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope is the alternative to Schmidt-Cassegrains and Newtonians.
It features a large visual aperture (150mm), high contrast, and long focal length (1800mm) in a compact package providing better planetary detail than other telescopes.
Furthermore, it uses a meniscus-shaped corrector plate which eliminates any spherical anomaly caused by the primary mirror, providing refractor-like views and superior contrast.
As customary with all Sky-Watcher products, the Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain includes a bundle of accessories, including:
- 28mm 2-inch eyepiece
- 2-inch 90-degree star diagonal
- 9×50 straight-through finderscope
If you’re looking for a high-quality planetary telescope that offers both visual and imaging capabilities, the Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope is an excellent choice.
Tips for finding and observing planets through a telescope
Finding and observing planets through a telescope can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help make your planet-watching experience as enjoyable as possible:
- Know when to look. Planets are typically visible in the evening and early morning hours when they are near the horizon, and the sky is dark. It’s best to observe them during their peak visibility times.
- Use a star chart. Knowing the planet’s position in the sky is important before you start observing. A star chart or planetarium app can help you locate the planets in the sky.
- Use a telescope with a good aperture. A telescope with a large aperture will allow you to see more detail on the planet’s surface. A telescope with a GoTo mount will also make it easier to locate and track the planet.
- Use a filter. A filter can help to enhance the details of a planet’s surface, such as the polar caps on Mars or the cloud bands on Jupiter.
- Use high magnification. Use the highest magnification possible to see the most detail on a planet’s surface. However, be aware that high magnification can make keeping the planet in the field of view difficult.
- Use a Barlow lens. A Barlow lens can increase the magnification of your telescope, which can be helpful when observing planets.
To learn more, you can check: 13 Tips for Finding and Observing Planets through a Telescope
Takeaway – Unlock the secrets of the solar system with the best telescopes for observing planets
The 21 best telescopes highlighted in this article are a great investment for any amateur or professional astronomer looking to explore our solar system. We provided a wide range of options, from beginner-friendly models to advanced telescopes with advanced features.
Some key features to look for in the best telescope for planetary observation include aperture size, focal length, and ease of use (portability).
With the right telescope, you can experience the beauty and wonder of the planets in our solar system like never before. So, if you’re ready to take your stargazing to the next level, choose one appropriate for you among these 21 best telescopes to see planets.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter where you’ll find the latest cosmic discoveries, expert stargazing tips, and exclusive subscriber deals. Embark on your cosmic journey if you haven’t already!
Read also:
