1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall
3. Best for planetary imaging
4. Best for portability
5. Best for beginners
6. Best combination package
7. Best for precision
8. Best for functionality
9. Best budget option
10. Best telescopes for seeing planets FAQ
11. How we test
The best telescopes for seeing planets can open up the solar system to you in a way you may never have seen before. Nothing beats being able to view celestial bodies like Venus, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn with your own eyes instead of on a television screen. From the intense storms of the Jovian cloud tops to the mesmerizing rings of Saturn, the telescopes we've mentioned in this guide will make the planets come alive right before your eyes.
While planets may seem small in the night sky, their brightness makes them excellent subjects for telescopes with high magnification and resolution. Our experts have put together a helpful guide, covering a range of telescopes suitable for viewing planets, including budget-friendly options and some more premium investments.
If you're looking for something to view the sky more generally, check out our guide to the best telescopes or best beginner telescopes. If you like to wander about at night and portability is your main concern, our best binoculars guide might be more up your street. And if you have any young budding astronomers in the family, we also have guides on the best telescopes for kids and best binoculars for kids.
Tom Kerss F.R.A.S. is a London-based astronomer, astrophotographer, author and consultant. Having previously worked at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, he is the founder of Stargazing✦London, which delivers world-class online astronomy and space courses with subject experts. Tom is also the host of the Star Signs podcast, providing updates from the world of space news, as well as what to look out for in the night sky. With a background in astrophysics and science communication, he is an avid stargazer and aurora-chaser who is always looking for his next astronomy adventure.
The quick list
See our quick list below if you want to dive right in, or scroll further down for more detailed reviews of each product.
Best telescope overall
The price is steep, but the optics and quality of this telescope are unmatched. It offers incredible views of the planets, as well as being capable of displaying further deep-sky objects.
Best for planetary imaging
The huge 11-inch aperture on this telescope makes it supremely good for planetary imaging. It will allow you to get a detailed surface view of even the most distant planets in our solar system.
Best for portability
This telescope packs a big punch in a small and compact package. With only a 28cm tube, you can still view the planetary surfaces in rich detail, and it also comes with a smooth motorized mount.
Best for beginners
This is a great affordable option for beginners looking to get a better view of the planets. It also comes with a handy smartphone mount so you can take photos of whatever you're viewing with ease.
Best combination package
This is an ideal package for a quick set-up. You get a good telescope for viewing the planets in detail, along with an equatorial mount, with no tools required to set it all up.
Best for precision
With a high-resolution and long focal-length optical system, this telescope can produce stunning views of the planets. With its 7.1-inch aperture, you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of some of the solar system's many moons.
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Best for functionality
This is a great option for those who enjoy using a smartphone app alongside their telescope. You can use the SkyPortal app to instruct the telescope to automatically slew to a celestial body of your choice.
Best budget option
With quick and easy alignment and a very affordable price point, this telescope makes a great option for beginners on a budget. It will give you high magnification of the planets and the moon.
Best telescopes for seeing planets we recommend in 2023
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Best telescope overall
✅ You're looking for outstanding optics: this telescope produces incredibly bright and sharp views of the planets and moons in our solar system.
✅ You like to get hands-on with your telescope: the effective handheld remote on this telescope will suit anyone who prefers traditional telescope controls over using an app.
❌ You're a beginner exploring stargazing for the first time: this telescope is a significant investment, so unless you have a very comfortable budget we'd recommend starting out with a simpler, more affordable model.
❌ You want to be able to control your telescope with an app: some of the other models on this list, such as the Celestron Astro Fi 102, offer a more app-friendly design.
🔎 Celestron NexStar 8SE: While an expensive investment, it will last for decades and is one of the best you can buy. Experienced astronomers will love the motorized mount and the option to add accessories. It makes a great companion for astrophotographers too. ★★★★½
Coming from Celestron’s extremely successful range of NexStar telescopes, we found it easy to see why this is their star buy when we took it for a spin in our Celestron NexStar 8SE review. The high-quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design means that this scope absorbs a phenomenal amount of light, enabling you to not only see the planets in a huge amount of detail but opening up a range of deep-sky objects as well. Smaller apertures are available in the NexStar 4SE, 5SE and 6SE models, but none compare to the awe-inspiring views offered by this 8-inch aperture, which lets in a whopping 78% more light than the NexStar 6SE.
The Celestron NexStar 8SE comes with a hefty price tag of around $1,500, but its features make it a valuable investment for both experienced astronomers and beginners. With a database of 40,000 celestial objects and a 'tour mode' that guides you to popular targets, it offers a user-friendly experience. The motorized single fork arm mount allows smooth slewing to your selected object using the handheld remote. Once aligned, the NexStar 8SE provides clear views across the entire field, and it's compatible with various accessories.
While the cost is quite steep, we were impressed by the excellent build quality, featuring a sturdy steel tripod that's easily portable. With proper care, this telescope has the potential to last for decades. If you can afford it, the quality of this scope justifies the investment. However, if this scope is a bit beyond your budget, the rest of the list provides competitive alternatives that are definitely worth considering.
- Read our full Celestron NexStar 8SE review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Solid scope with a hands-on feel. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Outstanding optics and sharp views. | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | Quick to set up and store away. | ★★★★ |
Best for planetary imaging
✅ You want the biggest aperture you can get: its 11-inch high-performance mirror is the biggest on our list, offering huge magnification.
✅ Planetary imaging is your primary goal: this telescope can render even the most distant planets in fine detail.
❌ You're on a budget: this telescope is astronomically expensive and there are many cheaper models out there.
❌ You don't want to be buying extra accessories: this telescope only comes with one eyepiece supplied in the box.
🔎 Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 EdgeHD: if your budget can stretch to it, this telescope will give you an incredible view of the surface of any planet in our solar system, with magnification to spare. ★★★★½
Planetary imaging is a captivating hobby, and thankfully you can get started with any telescope that has a tracking mount. But if you're serious about capturing our neighboring worlds, a telescope with a large aperture is essential.
The CPC Deluxe 1100 EdgeHD's massive 11-inch main mirror resolves the surfaces of the most distant planets, revealing unprecedented detail. With greater resolution, it captures more data for imaging sensors. On more forgiving targets, such as Venus and Jupiter, it resolves remarkable detail, and even unskilled observers can spot landmarks such as deserts, polar ice caps, and even dust storms on Mars with relative ease.
The CPC mount is sturdy and reliable, providing excellent tracking for extended imaging sessions. It can also be converted into an equatorial platform with a wedge for deep-sky astrophotography. While it's a bit heavy, two people can quickly set up and dismantle this telescope in the field within minutes.
Keep in mind that the package includes only one eyepiece, so you might want to budget for additional ones, especially if you're keen on planetary imaging. Fortunately, there's an upgrade option available if planetary imaging becomes a significant interest.
- If astronomical imaging is your thing, check out our review of the Unistellar eVscope 2
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Solid but heavy design. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Ultra-high resolution and detail. | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | Good but only one eyepiece supplied. | ★★★★ |
Best for portability
✅ You want something extremely portable: this telescope is ideal for taking with you on night-time adventures out in the field, or even taking on holiday with you.
✅ You're looking for great imagery: you'll get rich colors and high contrast with this telescope.
✅ You want neat and easy tracking: the built-in tracking on this telescope makes it easy to navigate the night sky.
❌ You're worried about lens damage: the lens on the front of this model is quite exposed.
❌ You want a highly effective red dot finder: we thought that red dot finder on this telescope could definitely be improved, though it was fine for basic positioning.
🔎 Sky-Watcher Heritage-90P Virtuoso: as the most portable option on our list, this would be a great choice for those who like to take their telescope on stargazing trips out in the field. ★★★★½
The Heritage-90 Virtuoso may be compact, but its power is impressive. Utilizing two mirrors and a meniscus lens, it packs a substantial 1.25m focal length into a tube that's just 28cm long. With a comfortable 7mm eyepiece, it can achieve its maximum effective magnification. This portability sets it apart from some of the other models we've mentioned in this list.
The Maksutov-Cassegrain design is renowned for delivering sharp and high-contrast images, similar to a refractor telescope. This design is particularly well-suited for observing planetary surfaces and atmospheres, including the bands and moons of Jupiter. The Heritage-90 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope exemplifies this design, offering excellent views of the planets at a relatively affordable price.
While the included red dot finder is not the best, the motorized Virtuoso mount makes it easy to point the telescope at objects in the sky. The smooth slewing controls allow you to track objects as they move across the sky, making it easier to keep them in view.
The mount can be upgraded at any time via Sky-Watcher's Synscan GoTo device, giving it the ability to find more than 40,000 objects in the night sky for you automatically. It can also track the sky to counteract the Earth's rotation, keeping your object of interest within the field of vision at all times.
If you want to fast-track to the complete GoTo system and are interested in a more powerful telescope with a similarly compact design, you might want to check out the Heritage-90's big brother, the Skymax-127 Virtuoso GTI.
- Check out our telescope deals hub to see if you can pick up a bargain
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Super compact and portable. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Great colors and contrast. | ★★★★ |
| Functionality | Smooth slewing and tracking. | ★★★★ |
Best for beginners
✅ You want a multifunctional telescope at an affordable price: the innovative smartphone mount will allow you to try your hand at some basic astrophotography along with your stargazing.
✅ You're mainly interested in viewing the planets and the moon: this telescope does a good job of bringing the planets and moon into sharp focus, but it doesn't let in enough light for deep-sky viewing.
❌ You want to view deep-space objects: though this telescope can view some more distant objects, the aperture isn't up to true deep-space observation.
🔎 Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor telescope: with some nice additional features like a smartphone mount and built-in red light, this telescope is a great way for beginners to start exploring the moon and planets. ★★★★
When we reviewed the Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor telescope, we found it to be a great telescope for beginners looking to get a better view of the moon and the planets without breaking the bank. It sits at around $350, making it one of the most affordable options here, but that means you don't get a fancy motorized mount with this telescope. Instead, it comes mounted on a simple altazimuth mount that allows for manual movement via the panhandle, so you might want to pair it with a stargazing app if you've not yet got the confidence to navigate the night sky on your own.
If you're into astrophotography, this telescope has a pretty cool feature — the lens cap doubles as a smartphone mount, so you can use your phone to take breathtaking photos of the planets and the night sky.
The telescope is lightweight and we found it to be very easy to set up and take down. However, the optical tube is 26 inches/660mm long, so it does take up a bit of space.
While the 4-inch aperture doesn't capture enough light for distant space objects, this telescope provides a good view of planets, especially with the 20mm eyepiece. We observed detailed moon craters and even caught a glimpse of Andromeda (M31) and some bright star clusters. While it may not be the best telescope out there, we think it's a reliable choice for beginners and offers good value for its price, with some fun extra features.
- Read our full Celestron Inspire 100AZ review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to set up and take down. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Good for viewing the moon and planets. | ★★★ |
| Functionality | Handy additional features. | ★★★★ |
Best combination package
✅ You want something sturdy: the mount on this telescope is well matched to its weight and feels solid and substantial.
✅ You're looking for an equatorial mount: this telescope package comes with an effective equatorial mount that can even be operated one-handed.
❌ You're particularly interested in deep-space objects: this telescope gives detailed views of the planets, but isn't quite up to viewing deep-space objects.
🔎 Celestron Omni XLT 102: this telescope offers a nice combination package that feels sturdy and robust. It includes an equatorial mount and can give you a detailed view of the planets. ★★★★
The Celestron Omni XLT 102 is a unique package featuring a high-quality telescope and mount combination. It's easy to set up, requiring no tools, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced astronomers.
The 4-inch F/10 achromat gives fine views, and its focal length makes it a good match for some of the best planetary eyepieces. Unfortunately, only one is supplied in the box, but with the addition of a 10mm and Barlow lens (take a look at our best eyepieces guide), you can achieve a magnification of 36x, 72x, 100x and 200x. At this top end, the Omni XLT 102 will show you some lovely details on our neighboring planets.
Celestron also sells a 120mm model (read our Celestron Omni XLT 120 review) and a 150mm version of the same telescope. However, it's worth noting that all three models come with the same CG-4 equatorial mount, and the larger ones may approach the weight limit of the mount. Nevertheless, the mount feels stable during use and quickly dampens any vibrations.
Being an equatorial mount (where the polar axis is parallel to the Earth's rotation), it takes some getting used to, but once you do, you'll find that it makes planet tracking simple and easy to do one-handed. For those looking to go fully hands-free, Celestron offers a separate dual-axis auto-tracking upgrade kit that can be installed at any time.
- Find one of the Best telescopes for kids for those with younger astronomers
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Sturdy equatorial mount. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | High magnification of planets. | ★★★★ |
| Functionality | Can be improved with added accessories. | ★★★ |
Best for precision
✅ You're looking for excellent optics: the images produced by this telescope are sharp, vibrant and detailed.
✅ You want a larger aperture: the 7.1-inch primary mirror on this telescope performs incredibly well.
❌ You want something that's very portable: although this telescope is relatively compact, it's still quite heavy to move around.
❌ You're on a tight budget: this is quite a pricey telescope and there are plenty of more affordable options out there.
🔎 Sky-Watcher Skymax-180 PRO: this telescope is a beast when it comes to optics and produces incredible views of the planets and moons, but it's quite an investment. ★★★★
The Sky-Watcher Skymax-180 PRO is designed specifically for exploring the solar system. Its high-resolution, long focal-length optical system delivers flawless views of planets, capturing vibrant details similar to a more expensive apochromatic refractor. With a 7.1-inch primary mirror, it also provides enough light grasp to reveal many of the moons in our solar system.
While the included 2-inch/28mm eyepiece doesn't fully unlock the telescope's potential, we'd recommend investing in a more powerful 8mm or 10mm planetary eyepiece that will enhance its formidable optics.
For maximum accuracy and stability, the Skymax-180 PRO is mounted on a HEQ5 PRO equatorial mount — a heavy-duty mount that is designed to carry large payloads. This makes it ideal for a variety of photography uses, including high-resolution planetary and lunar imaging, as well as deep-sky imaging.
If you plan to purchase another telescope in the future, it is beneficial to 'over-mount' the scope. This means choosing a mount that is rated for a heavier payload than the telescope you currently have. This provides additional stability, which is especially important at higher magnifications.
The combination of the Skymax-180 PRO and the HEQ5 PRO mount is a popular choice among visual observers and astrophotographers alike. It is a versatile and powerful setup that can be used for a wide range of applications.
- Read our guide on the Best telescopes for deep space
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Excellent optical system. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | High-resolution, vibrant views. | ★★★★ |
| Functionality | Works best with extra eyepieces. | ★★★★ |
Best for functionality
✅ You're a beginner: we think this is a great option for beginners because it doesn't require any prior knowledge.
✅ You want something portable: this telescope is lightweight and convenient for taking out in the field with you.
❌ You're looking for great optics: there is some image fall-off around the edge of the field of view.
❌ You like the feel of a premium product: this telescope is mostly housed in plastic and we found the tripod a bit flimsy.
🔎 Celestron AstroFi 102: this telescope would suit beginners who want to use an app and plan on taking their telescope out and about. ★★★½
The Celestron Astro Fi 102 is perfect for beginners who enjoy technology and want a closer look at planets. Once you've completed the initial setup of the motorized mount (which may take a bit of time), it becomes user-friendly with the SkyPortal app, compatible with both iOS and Android.
The app, which we found to work seamlessly during our Celestron Astro Fi 102 review, features approximately 100k celestial objects, which you can 'instruct' the instrument to slew automatically. It slews quickly and quietly, and you can even use a USB video game controller to position the scope, which is a desirable feature for gamers.
While the telescope may not feel like the most expensive product on the market, the materials used in its construction make it lightweight and portable, making it ideal for transporting to stargazing locations. Nevertheless, it's still important to protect it effectively during transport to avoid inflicting any damage.
With the right eyepieces, this telescope offers clear, close-up views of the Moon, Saturn's rings, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune under the right conditions.
- Read our full Celestron Astro Fi 102 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, but tripod could be sturdier. | ★★★ |
| Performance | Nice automatic motorized mount. | ★★★★ |
| Funcionality | Works well with SkyPortal app. | ★★★★ |
Best budget option
✅ You're a beginner on a budget: this telescope offers an affordable way to start viewing the planets.
✅ You like using an app: the StarSense app makes it easy to operate this telescope and it even comes with a built-in smartphone holder.
❌ You want precise optical clarity: this telescope does suffer from some chromatic aberration on bright objects
❌ You want to view deep-sky objects: while it's good for viewing the planets, this telescope can't offer a proper view of deep-sky objects.
🔎 Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ: this is a good entry-level telescope for seeing the planets, but the optics won't allow you to see further objects like galaxies. ★★★
From our Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ review, you'll see that this telescope is best used to view the moon and planets, as it's designed to give a high magnification of bright objects.
While this is an affordable telescope, some sacrifices have been made in terms of image quality. When viewing bright objects, you may notice some chromatic aberration (color fringing), and the colors may not be as accurate as those produced by some of the more expensive models.
The StarSense app streamlines the alignment process, making it quick and easy, which is a dream for beginners. The telescope operates as a 'push to' scope, meaning the mount doesn't automatically turn to locate your selected target. Instead, arrows on your phone screen guide you to the right position. Just follow the instructions on the screen, turn the telescope accordingly, and once a bullseye appears on your screen, your target will be centered in your field of view. Keep in mind that there are no slow-motion controls, so achieving precise adjustments may require some practice.
With the included Barlow lens, you will be treated to spectacular views of Saturn, Jupiter and the moon, but don't count on this scope to see objects in deep space because it doesn't allow enough light.
- Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Useful phone dock. | ★★★ |
| Performance | Optics limited to planets. | ★★★ |
| Functionality | StarSense app alignment works well. | ★★★ |
Best telescopes for seeing planets 2023: Frequently Asked Questions
Which telescope is best for viewing planets: Refractors or reflectors?
When shopping for a telescope on a budget, there's an argument to be made for choosing a smaller refractor over a similarly priced but larger reflector. This is because the secondary mirrors and struts in Newtonian reflectors can distort the incoming light, reducing image contrast.
For many dedicated planetary observers, a large refractor is the ideal telescope. However, refractors can be bulky, heavy, and expensive, so probably not a purchase to make if you aren't in it for the long run.
Compound telescopes, such as Maksutov-Cassegrains and Schmidt-Cassegrains, offer a good compromise, providing good image quality in a relatively compact and affordable package.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of telescope is right for you is to try both and see which one you prefer.
What telescope eyepiece do I need to view planets?
There are also other optical accessories to consider when shopping for a planet-hunting telescope. Eyepieces with greater magnifications can help get larger views of the tiny planets, you should opt for one with medium to high magnification.
Astronomers should also consider Barlow lenses to help attain high magnifications of between 120-250x (within the optical limit of the telescope). This will allow you to observe in the sweet spot on most nights when the seeing is average. Our list includes some of the best telescopes for seeing and capturing planets.
What telescope do I need to see Saturn's rings?
This all depends on the telescope and eyepiece combination. Telescopes have a focal length and so do telescope eyepieces. But telescope eyepieces also have an apparent field of view, which when calculated alongside the focal lengths, determines the true field of view when looking through the eyepiece and telescope.
A simple way to get started calculating which telescope or eyepiece you need to see Saturn's rings is to use the following basic formula:
Telescope focal length / eyepiece focal length = Magnification
Apparent field of view / Magnification = True field of view
You can then compare the true field of view of the combination against the size of any object you wish to observe to see how well you'll be able to view it, including Saturn's rings, Jupiter's red spot and more. But remember that surface brightness and atmospheric conditions as well as weather will ultimately decide how well you can view any night sky object, including a planet.
How we test the best telescopes for seeing planets
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best telescopes to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every telescope through a rigorous review to fully test each instrument. Each telescope is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as an optical instrument and its performance in the field.
Each telescope is carefully tested by either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each telescope and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use. For example, comparing a 10-inch Dobsonian to a 2.76-inch refractor wouldn’t be appropriate though each telescope might be the best pick in their own class.
We look at how easy it is to set up, whether computerized or motorized mounts are reliable and quiet, and if a telescope comes with appropriate eyepieces and tripods. We also suggest if a particular telescope would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best experience possible.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on telescopes, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
Aperture: Diameter of the primary mirror or lens, which allows a telescope to collect light.
Field of view: Area of sky visible through the eyepiece.
Focal length: A telescope's tube length. Short focal lengths offer a wide field of view and a small image.
Focal ratio: Also known as the telescope's speed. Small focal ratios provide lower magnifications, wide field of view and a brighter image.
Magnification: Relationship between the telescope's optical system and the eyepiece.
Unlike the deep sky, which remains almost unchanged throughout our lives, the planets constantly bring us new and sometimes surprising reasons to look again. They're easy to find and inspiring to take in — real worlds that our descendants or even we may visit one day.
Any telescope can make them look impressive, but a well-tuned high-contrast instrument is what is needed to really do them justice, and you'll be thankful to have one to hand when something special occurs, like the arrival of an incredible gas giant storm, or a night of exceptionally steady seeing that invites you to max out the power. If you plan to take your own astrophotos, it's well worth considering a telescope mount with tracking capability, altazimuth or equatorial — both are suitable for short exposures. At such long focal lengths, the Earth's rotation quickly moves things out of the field of view, and dedicated planetary imaging cameras have small sensors. Regardless of which telescope you choose, you're in for an exciting new hobby as a Solar System explorer. Enjoy the magnificent highlights of our celestial neighborhood.
