Best Equatorial Refractor Telescopes of 2025

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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Equatorial Refractor Telescopes are a popular choice among amateur astronomers and professionals alike. These telescopes use lenses to gather and focus light, providing clear and detailed views of celestial objects. Equatorial mounts allow for easy tracking of objects as they move across the sky, while the refractor design reduces chromatic aberration and provides sharp images. These telescopes are perfect for observing planets, stars, galaxies, and other deep-sky objects. Equatorial Refractor Telescopes come in a range of sizes and prices, making them accessible to anyone with an interest in astronomy.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope Cover #TOP 1
Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope
ftb score rating icon 9.9
AmScope 80mm Refractor Telescope Cover #TOP 2
AmScope 80mm Refractor Telescope
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Sky Watcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 Refractor Telescope Black Cover #TOP 3
Sky Watcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 Refractor Telescope Black
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 6 Equatorial Refractor Telescopes

#TOP 1

Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope

21037
Black
70EQ Refractor
Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope Cover
Celestron: PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope - Manual German Equatorial Telescope for Beginners - Compact and Portable - Bonus Astronomy Software Package - 70mm Aperture

The Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope is a powerful refractor telescope designed for beginners. It features a German Equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing. The telescope is compact, lightweight, and portable, making it perfect for adults and kids to use together. It comes with multiple accessories, including 2 eyepieces, erect image diagonal, Finderscope, and a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. The package also includes a free download of top-rated astronomy software programs.

What We Like
Easy-to-use and powerful, perfect for beginners
Compact, lightweight and portable
Comes with multiple accessories
#TOP 2

AmScope 80mm Refractor Telescope

TLS-MEQ-80900
Red, Black
AmScope 80mm Refractor Telescope Cover
AmScope Refractor EQ Telescope with Equatorial Mount, 80mm Aperture, 900mm Focal Length, Stainless Steel Tripod and Red Dot Finder

The AmScope Refractor Telescope offers an 80mm aperture and a 900mm focal length, making it ideal for observing celestial objects with clarity. Its equatorial mount allows for smooth tracking, ensuring you can follow stars and planets effortlessly as they move across the sky. With three included eyepieces (26mm, 9mm, and 6.3mm), you can easily switch between different magnifications to enhance your viewing experience. The Red Dot Finder helps you quickly locate your targets, while the stainless steel tripod provides stability during your observations, making it a reliable choice for astronomy enthusiasts aged 12 and up.

What We Like
Clear celestial observations
Smooth tracking capability
Multiple eyepiece options
Quick target locating
Sturdy tripod design
#TOP 3

Sky Watcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 Refractor Telescope Black

Skywatcher Evostar-90 (EQ-2)
Black
Sky Watcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 Refractor Telescope Black Cover
Skywatcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 Refractor Telescope Black

The Sky Watcher Refractor Telescope is an excellent choice for stargazing enthusiasts of all levels. With magnifications of x36 and x90, this telescope boasts 65% more light gathering than a 70mm telescope, allowing for clear and bright views of the night sky. The multi-coated lens ensures high-quality imaging, and the box contents include a variety of accessories to enhance your stargazing experience. The 6 x 30 finder scope and 1.25in/31.7mm star diagonal make it easy to locate and observe celestial objects, while the EQ 2 equatorial mounting and aluminum stand provide stability and convenience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced astronomer, the Sky Watcher Refractor Telescope is a great choice for exploring the wonders of the universe.

What We Like
Clear and bright views
Multi-coated lens
Stable EQ 2 mounting
#TOP 4

Celestron AstroMaster 70EQ Telescope

21062
Multi Colored
70EQ Refractor
Celestron AstroMaster 70EQ Telescope Cover
Celestron - AstroMaster 70EQ Refractor Telescope – Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - BONUS Astronomy Software Package

The Celestron AstroMaster 70EQ is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users alike. Its fully-coated 70mm optics provide bright and clear images, making it easier for you to explore celestial and terrestrial objects. The lightweight frame and user-friendly manual German Equatorial mount allow for smooth adjustments, ensuring you can quickly focus on what interests you. With two included eyepieces, you can easily switch between different magnifications, enhancing your viewing experience. Plus, the included StarPointer red dot finderscope helps you locate objects effortlessly, making stargazing more enjoyable.

What We Like
High-quality optics
Lightweight and portable
Easy setup
Multiple eyepieces included
#TOP 5

Celestron AstroMaster 90EQ Refractor Telescope

21064
Multi Colored
90EQ Refractor
Celestron AstroMaster 90EQ Refractor Telescope Cover
Celestron - AstroMaster 90EQ Refractor Telescope - Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package

The Celestron AstroMaster 90EQ Refractor Telescope is a powerful and user-friendly telescope for adults and kids, featuring fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy and lightweight frame, and an adjustable tripod. It includes two eyepieces, a StarPointer red dot finderscope, and an erect image star diagonal. With a quick and easy setup, no tools required, it allows you to view celestial and terrestrial objects with precision. Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs.

What We Like
Powerful and user-friendly refractor telescope
Sturdy and lightweight frame with an adjustable tripod
Quick and easy setup, no tools required
#TOP 6

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R

S30300
White
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Cover
Sky Watcher EQ6-R – Fully Computerized GoTo German Equatorial Telescope Mount – Belt-driven, Motorized, Computerized Hand Controller with 42,900+ Celestial Object Database

The Sky-Watcher Mount is a computerized German equatorial telescope mount designed for both visual observing and astrophotography. Its belt-driven stepper motors provide precise and accurate tracking while eliminating periodic error. With a 44-pound payload capacity, this mount can handle most optical tubes. It also features a built-in illuminated polar finderscope for quick and easy polar alignment. The SynScan hand controller comes with a database of over 42,000 celestial objects, providing endless opportunities for observation. The built-in handle makes it easy to transport and set up wherever you go.

What We Like
Precise tracking
Whisper-quiet slewing
44-pound payload capacity
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are 3 disadvantages of refractor telescopes?

Disadvantages:. Very high initial cost relative to reflector.A certain amount of secondary spectrum (chromatic aberration) unavoidable (reflector completely free of this) The colours cannot focus at one point.Long focal ratios can mean that the instrument is cumbersome.

2. 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.

3. What are the 4 main types of telescopes?

Types of TelescopesOrion Observer 90mm Equatorial Refractor TelescopeOrion Observer 90mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope KitAmScope TLS-MEQ Refractor EQ TelescopeVisionking 900/ 60mm Refractor Equatorial Mount Space Astronomical Telescope Color WhiteVixen Optics AX103S Apo Goto Refractor Telescope with SXD2-PFL Mount 4.0" / 100 103mm, Computerized Go To, 1.25", Equatorial, Color White, 10 lbVixen Optics AX103S-P 103mm f/8 Apo Goto Refractor Telescope with Pillar 4.0" 100 103mm, Computerized Go To, 1.25", Equatorial, Color White, 10 lbVixen SX2-SD103SOrion EON ED Triplet Apochromatic Refractor TelescopeVixen AP 81/625 AP-SD81S IISky-Watcher Newton Telescope, 70/900 EQ1 Telescope Equatorial Mount, BlackCelestron AstroMaster 70AZOrion ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic Refractor TelescopeSky Watcher Esprit ED Triplet APO RefractorBarska 231 Power 70060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope AE11124Celestron Advanced VX 22020iOptron 6002 900X70 Refractor TelescopeMeade - Polaris 60mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope Model 60eq-dSkywatcher Evostar 90Bresser Classic 60/900. Refractor Telescopes.Reflector Telescopes.Dobsonian Telescopes.Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescopes.

Editor's Notes

During our equatorial refractor telescope research, we found 16 equatorial refractor telescope products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 47,249 customer reviews through our big data system to write the equatorial refractor telescopes list. We found that most customers choose equatorial refractor telescopes with an average price of $243.87.

The equatorial refractor telescopes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of equatorial refractor telescopes, including Celestron, AmScope, Sky Watcher. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 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.