Best 5 Portable & Compact Telescopes For Sale Reviews In 2022
Do you spend a lot of your free time traveling around and you love to observe your surroundings and the night sky?
Then a portable telescope is a perfect choice for you.
Read on and find out what are the best five portable compact telescopes you can currently find for sale.
Beneficial Features Of Portable Telescopes
Lightweight Design
All portable telescopes usually feature a very lightweight design to ensure that you can easily transport them anywhere you go. Most of the models even come with a carrying case that is designed to protect your telescope during the transportation process.
Powerful Magnifying Features
Most of the portable telescopes you can find on the market come with very powerful magnifying eyepieces that provide a beautiful view of either a wide field of view or specific small details. If you want to have a telescope with even higher magnifying features you should look for the one that comes with a powerful Barlow lens.
Multipurpose Use
You can find many different portable telescopes that allow you to use them both during the day and night. That means that you will be able to observe both celestial and terrestrial objects, To ensure that you can get the most beautiful view with your telescope look for the one that features an erect image diagonal.
Affordable Prices
If you are running on a tight budget you can still find many great portable compact telescopes at affordable prices. The cheapest telescope on this list costs less than forty dollars while the most expensive one costs around four hundred and still they both offer many admirable features.
Best 5 Portable & Compact Telescopes
Best Portable Handheld Telescope
Orion 10149 StarBlast 62mm Compact Travel Refractor Telescope
Beautiful View
This compact handheld telescope will provide you with the most perfect view of different bright sky objects. You will be able to see rings of Saturn, moons around Jupiter, and even the smallest details such as Moon’s craters and mountains.
Celestial & Terrestrial Observation
The best thing about this compact telescope is that you can use it to observe both celestial and terrestrial objects. To achieve the best view of your surroundings simply insert the 45-degree correct-image diagonal and enjoy a right side up view of different terrestrial objects.
Completely Portable
You can take this compact handheld telescope anywhere you go. It even comes with a hard carrying case that is specially designed to keep the telescope safe during the transportation process. The carrying case is lined with the foam so you never have to worry that the optics of this telescope will get scratched.
Threaded T-Adapter
This portable telescope comes with a threaded T-adapter barrel that allows you to securely attach your astrophotography accessories. Thanks to that feature you can use this telescope to capture the most beautiful photographs. Note that these accessories do not come included with the telescope.
Vixen Style Dovetail
Even though this compact telescope features a handheld design you can still mount it on a tripod. It features a Vixen-style dovetail mounting block so you can mount it either on a dovetail-saddle equipped mount or on a regular field or photograph tripods.
Beneficial Features:
- multipurpose use
- 4-element lens system
- 45-degree correct-image diagonal
- 20mm and 4mm Plossl eyepieces
Best Portable Dobsonian Telescope
Zhumell Z130 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope
Tabletop Design
This portable Dobsonian telescope features a grab-and-go tabletop design. Thanks to that feature you can take this telescope anywhere you go. Once you reach your destination you only need to find a high flat surface where you can place your telescope and you are ready to start observing the night sky.
Dobsonian Base
Another great thing about this compact telescope is that it comes on a Dobsonian base that allows you to move the telescope in up and down and left to right motion. Thanks to that feature you will be able to easily move the telescope in the direction of the object you want to observe.
Parabolic Primary Mirror
This ultra-compact Dobsonian telescope comes with a parabolic primary mirror that is specially designed to eliminate any visual defects such as spherical aberration. Because of that feature, you can be sure that this telescope will provide you with a much sharper view.
Different Eyepieces
The best thing about this portable telescope is that it features two different eyepieces that offer different magnifying features. Both eyepieces are interchangeable so you will be able to easily choose the magnifying power at which you want to observe a specific object.
Red Dot Finderscope
This portable Dobsonian telescope comes with a red dot finderscope that is added to help you locate the object you want to observe and to align the telescope. Everything you need to do is look through the finderscope and move the telescope until the red dot merges with the object you want to observe.
Beneficial Features:
- 1.25-inch focuser
- durable sturdy construction
- lightweight and portable
Best Portable Telescope For Stargazing
Meade Instruments – Portable Refracting Astronomy Telescope
Different Eyepieces
This portable telescope for stargazing features two different eyepieces including a low 26mm eyepiece and a high 6.3mm eyepiece. Use the low one to get a beautiful image of a wide field of view and the high one to observe specific details on one object.
2x Barlow Lens
To achieve an even more detailed view of the objects you are observing you should use the powerful 2x Barlow lens that comes included in the package with this portable telescope for stargazing. It can double the magnifying power of each eyepiece you combine it with.
Altazimuth Mount
Another great thing about this compact telescope is that it comes on an altazimuth mount that offers slow-motion controls. Thanks to that feature you will be able to easily locate and keep a precise track on different celestial objects as they appear to move across the sky.
Aluminum Tripod
To ensure that you can enjoy the most comfortable observing experience with this portable telescope for stargazing the manufacturer of the telescope included a sturdy aluminum tripod. The tripod will provide additional stability for the telescope providing you with a perfectly clear image.
Perfect For Traveling
You can take this portable telescope for stargazing everywhere you go. It is very lightweight and easy to carry around. Make sure you protect it during the transportation process to ensure that the optics don’t get damaged. Once you reach your destination simply set it up and enjoy the most beautiful view.
Beneficial Features:
- slow-motion controls
- powerful magnifying features
- red dot viewfinder
- altazimuth mount
- astronomical software
Best Portable Telescope For Astrophotography
Celestron – 80mm Refractor Telescope
Fully Coated Glass Optics
This portable telescope for astrophotography features fully coated superior glass optics that are specially designed to provide you with powerful light transmittance. Thanks to that feature you will be able to enjoy the most beautiful bright images of the objects you are observing.
Erect Image Diagonal
The best thing about this compact telescope is that it comes with an erect image diagonal that allows you to observe your surroundings right side up. That means that you can use this telescope to observe both celestial and terrestrial objects that surround you.
Phone Adapter
Another great thing about this portable telescope is that it comes with a phone adapter which is specially designed to hold your smartphone in its place. Because of that feature, you will be able to capture all the beautiful views that this telescope provides and share them with your family and friends.
Adjustable Tripod
You can be sure that this compact telescope will provide you with the most comfortable observing experience. It comes with a full-length aluminum tripod that allows you to adjust its features according to your needs. That means that you can choose whether you want to use it as a full length or a tabletop telescope.
Perfect Traveling Companion
This portable telescope for astrophotography is a perfect traveling companion. It even comes with a backpack that is specially designed to fit the telescope, tripod, and all additional accessories you want to use. You can even take it on your hiking trips and enjoy the view of your surroundings.
Beneficial Features:
- superior optics
- powerful eyepieces
- 2x Barlow lens
- Starry Night educational software
- no-tool setup
Best Portable Compact Refractor Telescope
Vivitar Telescope Refractor With A Tripod
Powerful Telescope
This compact refractor telescope offers very powerful features and it will provide you with the most amazing view of the objects you are observing. That is why this telescope is a great choice both for beginners and for professional astronomers.
Different Magnifying Eyepieces
The best thing about this compact refractor telescope is that it comes with different magnifying eyepieces that provide you with the magnifying power of sixty and a hundred and twenty times. That means that you will be able to see even the tiniest details on the objects you are observing.
Adjustable Tripod
This compact refractor telescope also features an adjustable tripod that is specially designed to provide this telescope with additional stability and to provide you with different viewing positions. Thanks to that feature you will be able to enjoy all the amazing views that this telescope provides.
Hard Shell Carrying Case
You can take this compact refractor telescope anywhere you go. It comes with a hard shell carrying case that is designed to keep the telescope safe from getting damaged during the transportation process. Once you reach your destination set the telescope up and enjoy the beautiful views.
Protective Cap
The objective lens of this compact refractor telescope comes with a protective cap that keeps the lens safe from any scratches that may occur. Also, the package includes storage cases that are specially designed to fit the eyepieces of this telescope.
Beneficial Features:
- 3x finder scope
- interchangeable eyepieces
- adjustable tripod
- mirrored diagonal eyepiece
Conclusion: What Are The Best Two Portable And Compact Telescopes I Would Recommend Buying?
The best two portable and compact telescopes I would recommend buying are Meade Instruments – Portable Refracting Astronomy Telescope and Celestron – 80mm Refractor Telescope. You can use both telescopes to observe both celestial and terrestrial objects. They provide the most beautiful view and offer many beneficial features to ensure you can enjoy the best observing experience.
If you are interested in finding out more about the best affordable telescopes on the market read this article about the best telescopes under 100 dollars and find out what is the best telescope you can currently find on the market.