Best Altazimuth Refractor Telescopes of 2026

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

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Altazimuth refractor telescopes are a popular choice for amateur astronomers due to their ease of use and versatility. These telescopes feature a simple two-axis mount that allows for smooth and precise movement in both horizontal and vertical directions, making it easy to track celestial objects as they move across the night sky. The refractor design uses lenses to gather and focus light, resulting in clear and sharp images of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Altazimuth refractors are also relatively lightweight and portable, making them an excellent choice for stargazers who like to travel or observe from different locations.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope Cover #TOP 1
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Gskyer Telescope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Cover #TOP 2
Gskyer Telescope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Celestron 70mm Travel Scope Cover #TOP 3
Celestron 70mm Travel Scope
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Altazimuth Refractor Telescopes

#TOP 1

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope

22452
Black/Grey
114 LT
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope Cover
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 114mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope is a smartphone app-enabled telescope that comes with a 114mm Newtonian reflector optical tube, 25mm, and 10mm Kellner eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, and a red dot finderscope. It features a manual altazimuth mount with slow motion control rod, full height tripod, and an accessory tray. The patent-pending StarSense sky recognition technology uses your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real-time. The manual altazimuth mount with smooth dual-axis slow-motion controls makes it easy to follow on-screen arrows to your desired target, and when the bullseye turns green, it's ready to view in the telescope's eyepiece.

What We Like
Easy assembly
Smartphone app integration
Accurate sighting with laser
Great detail for lunar observation
Good tool for learning about the night sky
#TOP 2

Gskyer Telescope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount

AZ 70400
AZ70400
AZ70400
Gskyer Telescope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Cover
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.

The Gskyer Telescope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount is a great entry-level telescope for beginners and kids. It comes with two replaceable eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens, a 5x24 finder scope, a wireless remote, and an adjustable aluminum alloy tripod. It has a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, which is enough to explore stars and moon. Customers have praised its solid mount and easy setup, but have noted that it can be difficult to use and that the position locking is not ideal.

What We Like
Decent value for money
Easy to assemble
Adjustable height
#TOP 3

Celestron 70mm Travel Scope

21035
Black
70 with Backpack
Celestron 70mm Travel Scope Cover
Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel

The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope is an ideal telescope for beginners, offering fully-coated glass optics, a large 70mm aperture objective lens, and two high-quality eyepieces for low- and high-power views. The telescope comes with a full-height tripod, a custom backpack for easy portability, and a bonus software package for astronomy enthusiasts. The Travel Scope's superior optics and unbeatable warranty make it a top choice for amateur stargazers.

What We Like
Large 70mm aperture objective lens provides brighter, more detailed views
Two high-quality eyepieces for low- and high-power views of celestial and land-based objects
Comes with custom backpack and tripod for easy portability

HEXEUM Telescope 70500

AZ50070
70500-White
HEXEUM Telescope 70500 Cover
Telescope for Kids & Adults - 70mm Aperture 500mm AZ Mount Fully Multi-Coated Optics Astronomical refracting Portable Telescopes, with Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Remote Control White

The HEXEUM Telescope 70500 is a great choice for amateur astronomers and kids alike. It features a 70mm aperture and 500mm focal length, providing stunning views and protecting your eyes. It comes with two excellent-quality eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) and a 3x Barlow lens, trebling the magnifying power of each eyepiece. It also includes a phone adapter and an adjustable aluminum tripod, as well as a wireless remote control and carrying bag for easy portability. With its lifetime maintenance and great customer reviews, this telescope is a great gift for beginner astronomers.

What We Like
Excellent quality optics
High magnification
Portable and convenient
Great gift ideas
Lifetime maintenance
#TOP 5

Celticbird 80mm 600mm AZ Refractor Telescope

80600
80600white
80600
Celticbird 80mm 600mm AZ Refractor Telescope Cover
Celticbird Telescope for Adults High Powered, 80mm Aperture 600mm AZ Mount Refractor Telescope for Kids Beginners - Portable Telescopes for Adults Astronomy with Backpack, Phone Adapter, Moon Filter

The Celticbird 80mm Telescope offers bright and clear views thanks to its large 80mm aperture and high-quality coated lenses that let in more light and reduce glare. It comes with a sturdy, adjustable aluminum tripod that can be set between 17.7" and 52", making it comfortable for both kids and adults. You’ll find it easy to carry and store since all parts fit neatly into the included backpack. Plus, the upgraded phone adapter lets you capture amazing photos of your celestial discoveries. With two eyepieces for different magnifications and a moon filter to enhance contrast, this telescope is perfect for exploring the moon and planets like Saturn and Jupiter.

What We Like
Large 80mm aperture
Adjustable stable tripod
Portable backpack included
Phone adapter for photos
Multiple eyepieces and moon filter
#TOP 6

EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope

AU-80
White
EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack

EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope is a perfect choice for astronomy beginners and kids. With its true 80mm aperture and fully coated green optics glass lens, this telescope captures more light and delivers bright and clear images. The rough adjustment and positioning gimbal with scale make it easy to adjust the altitude and azimuth, allowing you to point the telescope wherever you want. It comes with all the necessary accessories, including two eyepieces with different magnifications, a finder scope with a crosshair, and a customized mobile phone adapter. The telescope is easy to assemble and carry, with a bag and an adjustable tripod included. Whether you want to observe the moon, view planets, or indulge in bird watching and landscape viewing, this telescope is a great gift that will bring you and your family endless fun times.

What We Like
True 80mm aperture
Fully coated green optics glass lens
Rough adjustment and positioning gimbal
#TOP 7

EACONN 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope

80AZ
Black
EACONN 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope Cover
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack

The EACONN 80mm Refractor offers an 80mm aperture with fully coated optics that let you see brighter and clearer images by capturing more light and reducing glare. It features an easy-to-use rough adjustment and a positioning gimbal with a scale, allowing you to smoothly move and aim the telescope exactly where you want. This model comes with two eyepieces providing 30x to 66x magnification and a 5x24 finder scope to help you quickly locate objects in the sky. Plus, a mobile phone adapter lets you attach your phone for easy photo capture. It’s simple to assemble and portable, making it great for beginners and travel.

What We Like
Large 80mm aperture
Adjustable positioning gimbal
Two eyepieces with finder scope
Mobile phone adapter included
Portable with carrying bag
#TOP 8

Koolpte 70mm Refracting Telescope

40070
Black-70400
Koolpte 70mm Refracting Telescope Cover
Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescopes (20x-200x) for Kids & Adults, Portable Travel with Tripod Phone Adapter, Remote Control, Easy to Use, Black

Koolpte Refracting Telescope is a superior quality telescope that offers bright, clear, and high-contrast images. With its 70mm large aperture and 400mm focal length, it provides excellent light collecting ability and is perfect for exploring the night sky. The telescope comes with 3 eyepieces and a 3X Barlow lens, offering magnification options from 20X to 200X, making it suitable for both kids and adults interested in astronomy. Its portable design, including a phone adapter and adjustable aluminum tripod, allows you to easily capture photos and videos of celestial objects. The wireless remote and 5x24 finder scope make it convenient to locate and explore objects in the sky.

What We Like
Powerful and clear view
Lightweight and easy to assemble
Comes with various lenses and accessories
#TOP 9

Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope

AZ90600
White
AZ90600
Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope Cover
Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope

The Gskyer Telescope is an entry-level refractor telescope with a 600mm(f/6.7) focal length and 90mm aperture. It comes with three replaceable eyepieces(24X, 60X,120X) and one 3x Barlow lens, and an adjustable aluminum tripod. It is easy to operate and no tools are required for focusing. Customers have praised the telescope for its good value and quality optics, but noted that the aperture size is small and it is difficult to use for novice users.

What We Like
Decent value
Easy to assemble
Adjustable height
#TOP 10

ToyerBee 70mm Aperture Refractor Telescope

YC0001
BLACK
11.5 inch
ToyerBee 70mm Aperture Refractor Telescope Cover
Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture Refractor (15X-150X) Portable Travel Telescope with Phone Adapter & Wireless Remote, Astronomy Beginners Gifts, Black

The ToyerBee 70mm Aperture Refractor Telescope is a great choice for astronomy beginners, with a 70mm aperture and 300mm focal length for more light and clearer images. It comes with 3X Barlow len and two eyepieces, H20mm and H6mm, for a magnification of 15X to 150X. It also includes a smartphone adapter and wireless camera remote, making it easy to explore the world through the screen. It's a great telescope for 8-12 kids and a great astronomy gift.

What We Like
Decent value for the money
Easy to assemble
Includes phone adapter and wireless remote
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which telescope has an altazimuth mount?

Dobsonian telescopes: John Dobson popularized a simplified altazimuth mount design for Newtonian reflectors because of its ease of construction; Dobson's innovation was to use non-machined parts for the mount that could be found in any hardware store such as plywood, formica, and plastic plumbing parts combined with ...

2. What is a Richfield telescope?

The original definition of "Richest Field Telescope" is the telescope that can show the most stars in the field of view. With modern 2 inch eyepieces, the scope needs to be fast to maximize the field view while keeping the exit pupil maximized at around 7mm.

3. Is a refractor telescope better?

If you are interested in astrophotography, purchasing a refractor is a better option because of it's specialized optic design that captures deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae. If you are interested in brighter celestial objects like the Moon or planets or a beginner, a reflector telescope is ideal.

Editor's Notes

During our altazimuth refractor telescope research, we found 16 altazimuth refractor telescope products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 298,056 customer reviews through our big data system to write the altazimuth refractor telescopes list. We found that most customers choose altazimuth refractor telescopes with an average price of $72.95.

The altazimuth refractor telescopes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of altazimuth refractor telescopes, including Celestron, Gskyer, HEXEUM, CELTICBIRD, EACONN. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Alan Eaton Avatar

Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.