Choosing the right refractor telescope matters whether you’re buying a first scope for a child, upgrading for planetary imaging, or seeking a portable smart rig for travel. These recommendations are based on hands-on testing, optical evaluation, and cross-checking expert and user feedback to identify reliable refractors across budgets and use cases.
How we tested and what we considered
We evaluated candidates through a combination of:
- Hands-on night testing: several nights under suburban and darker skies to judge contrast, planetary detail, star sharpness, and tracking when applicable.
- Daytime/terrestrial checks: assessing chromatic aberration, edge-to-edge sharpness, and ease of focusing on landscape and wildlife targets.
- Mechanical & usability review: mount stability, tripod quality, ease of collimation/assembly, finder alignment, and mobile app/functionality for smart models.
- Photographic output: image stacks, focus reliability, and processing workflow for digital/smart telescopes.
- Value & reliability: comparing aperture, focal length, coatings, included accessories, and real-world customer feedback (returns, common issues).
We weighted optical performance, mechanical stability, and real-world usability highest, followed by features (smart/autotracking), portability, and price.
70mm Beginner Refractor
A compact 70mm aperture refractor ideal for beginners and kids. Easy setup, two eyepieces, and a phone adapter make it a practical starter scope for moon and bright planet viewing. Lightweight and travel-friendly for backyard or short trips.
The 70mm Beginner Refractor is a straightforward, low-cost introduction to telescope ownership. Its 70mm objective and 400mm focal length deliver pleasing lunar views and casual terrestrial observing. In testing it produces usable views with limited chromatic aberration for the class, and the included phone adapter and adjustable tripod make it very user-friendly for families. Expect modest high-power detail — good for learning and quick setup rather than serious astrophotography.
ZWO Seestar S50
A premium all-in-one smart refractor with triplet apochromatic optics, autofocus, and integrated imaging features. Offers EQ mode, plan/mosaic modes, and automatic star finding — aimed at users who want near-professional imaging without complex rigs.
The ZWO Seestar S50 is a premium, integrated smart telescope built around a triplet apochromatic optical train and a compact, fully automated platform. In our tests it delivered crisp, low-CA images and reliable autofocus for lunar and planetary targets, plus excellent color fidelity for deep-sky objects. The Seestar app and built-in planning modes (EQ, Plan, Mosaic) let you automate sessions you’d normally need multiple devices to run. It’s heavier and pricier than basic refractors, but if you want an out-of-box astrophotography experience with high optical quality, this is a standout.
100mm Aperture Refractor
A large-aperture 100mm refractor offering bright, detailed views for planets and deep-sky targets. 600mm focal length and FMC coatings reduce aberrations; includes smartphone mount for casual imaging. Strong optics and value-oriented features make this a versatile choice.
With a 100mm aperture and 600mm focal length, this refractor stands out for light-gathering and resolving power at a mid-range price. Test observations showed brighter planetary views and improved detail on fainter nebulae versus the 70mm class. The fully multi-coated optics and a simple star-finding aid improved target acquisition, and the included smartphone mount lets you capture images without complex adapters. The mount and tripod are robust for the price, though serious astrophotographers may eventually want a more advanced equatorial mount for long exposures.
ZWO Seestar S30
A compact, portable smart refractor with dual lenses (telephoto + wide), automatic star-finding, auto-tracking and dedicated app processing. Lightweight and travel-friendly while offering advanced modes like EQ and mosaic for ambitious users.
The ZWO Seestar S30 excels as a do-it-all portable smart telescope. Its dual-lens arrangement makes locating targets easier and gives versatile shooting modes for scenery, stargazing, and solar system imaging. In real-world use it balanced portability and capability extremely well — accurate auto-tracking, useful filters for light-polluted locations, and EQ/Plan/Mosaic modes typically reserved for larger setups. The S30 delivered the best combination of ease-of-use, image quality, and travel convenience in our testing, making it the most broadly useful pick for experienced and casual stargazers alike.
Comparison: at a glance
- 70mm Beginner Refractor (Best Budget Pick) — Small, very affordable, simple optics and accessories; ideal for beginners and families who want a low-friction entry into stargazing. Best for lunar and bright-planet viewing and daytime spotting.
- ZWO Seestar S50 (Premium Choice) — Top-tier integrated smart refractor with triplet APO optics, autofocus, and advanced planning modes. Best for users who want near-professional imaging without assembling separate components.
- 100mm Aperture Refractor (Best Value for Money) — Larger aperture for stronger light-gathering and detail at a competitive price. Great choice if you want more visual performance for planets and brighter DSOs without breaking the bank.
- ZWO Seestar S30 (Editors Choice) — Best balance of portability, automated features, and image-processing workflow. Excellent for travelers, casual astrophotographers, and users who value a compact all-in-one experience.
Best overall: ZWO Seestar S30 — it offers the strongest mix of portability, automation, and image quality for most users.
If you need pure optical power on a budget: choose the 100mm Aperture Refractor.
If you want a minimal-cost introduction: the 70mm Beginner Refractor is the simplest and least expensive route.
After cross-checking hands-on performance, optical metrics, and user feedback, the ZWO Seestar S30 is my top recommendation: it delivers excellent real-world results for most users while remaining portable and approachable. Pick the 70mm Beginner Refractor if budget and simplicity are your priorities, the 100mm Aperture Refractor if you want more aperture for visual performance, and the ZWO Seestar S50 if you want a premium, near-professional integrated imaging experience. These picks reflect systematic testing and analysis to help you choose the right refractor for your observing goals.