Buying Guide · Refractor Telescopes
Refractor telescopes use lenses to gather and focus light — unlike reflectors, they need no collimation, rarely need servicing, and retain their optical alignment permanently. They excel at high-contrast planetary and lunar views, double star splitting, and daytime terrestrial use. From a 70mm beginner scope to a premium apochromatic instrument, these are the best refractors in 2026 at every budget.
| Telescope | Aperture | Focal Ratio | Best For | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ ← Best Beginner | 70mm | f/12.9 | Moon, planets, first telescope | Budget |
| Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ | 70mm | f/9 | Beginner with EQ tracking | Budget |
| Celestron Inspire 100AZ | 100mm | f/6.6 | Phone photography, variety | Mid-tier |
| Celestron Travel Scope 70 | 70mm | f/6 | Travel, backpacking, casual use | Budget |
| NexStar 4SE (102mm Mak) | 102mm | f/13 | GoTo, planetary, no collimation | Mid-tier |
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Refractor telescopes use a glass lens at the front of the tube to gather and focus light. This seemingly simple optical design has profound practical advantages over reflectors and Schmidt-Cassegrains, explaining why refractors remain the most popular telescope type for beginners, travellers, and dedicated planetary observers:
The practical recommendation: choose a refractor if you primarily want to observe the Moon, planets, double stars, or use the telescope for daytime viewing — and if you value a maintenance-free instrument over maximum deep-sky capability. For comparison with other telescope types, see our complete beginners telescope guide.
Not all refractors are created equal. The two main optical designs — achromatic and apochromatic — differ fundamentally in how they handle chromatic aberration (false colour fringing).
Two-element lens (doublet) made of crown and flint glass. Focuses red and blue light at the same point but leaves a residual secondary spectrum — a soft purple or blue fringe visible on bright, high-contrast subjects (the Moon's limb, bright planets, stars). The severity increases at faster focal ratios: f/12+ achromats show very little CA; f/6 achromats show noticeable fringing. All budget refractors are achromats. They are perfectly suitable for visual observing and produce excellent planetary and lunar views when the focal ratio is f/8 or longer.
Three-element lens (triplet) using ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass — often fluorite or FPL-53 — that brings three wavelengths (not two) to the same focus, effectively eliminating chromatic aberration. APO refractors produce pin-sharp, colour-free stellar images even at fast focal ratios (f/5–f/7). They are the preferred instrument for serious visual planetary observing and particularly for astrophotography where CA in images cannot be eliminated by eye. APOs cost significantly more — typically 3–5× the price of an equivalent-aperture achromat.
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ
The AstroMaster 70AZ is the definitive beginner achromatic refractor — its long focal ratio of f/12.9 is the key differentiator. At f/12.9, chromatic aberration is essentially a non-issue for visual observing; the optical quality per dollar is exceptional. The 900mm focal length delivers 36× with the included 25mm eyepiece (comfortable wide-field lunar surveys) and 90× with the 10mm (Saturn's rings visible and cleanly separated). The alt-azimuth mount is basic but adequate for casual observing sessions. The AstroMaster 70AZ is an honest, no-compromise beginner refractor that performs significantly better than its price would suggest — particularly on the Moon, planets, and double stars. Full review: AstroMaster 70AZ review.
Celestron Inspire 100AZ
100mm f/6.6 · 660mm FL · Built-in smartphone holder
The Inspire 100AZ steps up from the AstroMaster 70AZ in aperture (100mm vs 70mm — 2× the light gathering area) and adds a smartphone adapter built directly into the focuser housing. At 100mm, globular clusters begin to resolve individual stars at the outer edges, bright galaxies like Andromeda are noticeably more impressive, and the Moon and planets are brighter and more detailed. The f/6.6 focal ratio introduces more noticeable chromatic aberration than the AstroMaster 70AZ's f/12.9 — there is visible purple fringing on the Moon's limb at high magnification. This is the trade-off for more aperture in a shorter, lighter tube. For observers who plan to photograph the Moon with a smartphone and also want the deep-sky improvement, the Inspire 100AZ hits a practical sweet spot. Detailed comparison: Inspire 100AZ vs AstroMaster 70AZ.
Celestron Travel Scope 70
70mm f/6 · Included backpack · Lightweight design
The Travel Scope 70 is designed for portability first — it includes a dedicated backpack, assembles in minutes, and weighs about 3 pounds complete. For hikers, campers, and travellers who want a grab-and-go astronomical instrument that also doubles for daytime scenic viewing, the Travel Scope 70 occupies a unique position in the market. The f/6 focal ratio introduces more chromatic aberration than the AstroMaster 70AZ, but for casual travel use and the Moon, it delivers perfectly acceptable views. Do not buy this telescope as a primary astronomical instrument — the AstroMaster 70AZ is optically better for home use. Buy it specifically if portable, take-anywhere convenience is the primary requirement.
The NexStar 4SE uses a 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain (Mak) optical design — not a traditional refractor, but functionally it shares the refractor's defining characteristics: sealed optical tube, zero collimation required, excellent planetary performance, and long focal ratio (f/13). The Mak is essentially a compact refractor's optical qualities in a much shorter tube, combined with the NexStar GoTo system's automated pointing and tracking. For observers who want the no-maintenance, high-contrast planetary performance of a long-focal-ratio instrument with computerised GoTo, the NexStar 4SE is the answer. Full review: NexStar 4SE review.
At 102mm and f/13, the NexStar 4SE Mak delivers some of the crispest planetary views in its price class — the sealed Maksutov design eliminates all the maintenance concerns of reflectors (collimation, mirror cleaning, spider diffraction spikes), and the f/13 focal ratio minimises any residual aberration. GoTo tracking keeps Jupiter and Saturn centred at 150× without constant nudging. The trade-off vs the AstroMaster 70AZ: substantially higher cost for the GoTo mount hardware, and the Mak's long effective focal length (1,325mm) makes it specialist planetary rather than versatile all-round.
| Factor | Refractor | Newtonian Reflector | Dobsonian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collimation needed | Never | Monthly (or more) | Monthly |
| Aperture per dollar | Low | Medium | Highest |
| Planetary performance | Excellent (high contrast) | Good | Good |
| Deep-sky performance | Limited (aperture) | Good | Excellent |
| Daytime use | Excellent | Inverted image | Inverted image |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Regular | Regular |
| Cool-down time | 10–15 minutes | 30–60 min | 30–60 min |
Choose a refractor if: You primarily observe the Moon, planets, and double stars; you want a maintenance-free instrument that always performs without adjustment; you use the telescope for daytime viewing too; or you travel and need a compact instrument. Choose a Dobsonian if: Maximum deep-sky performance per dollar is the priority; you'll observe from dark skies; you don't mind occasional collimation. See our full comparison: best Dobsonian telescopes.
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The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is the best beginner refractor in 2026. Its f/12.9 focal ratio provides excellent chromatic aberration control — making it better for planetary and lunar views than the faster-ratio alternatives — and it is the entry-level refractor most experienced astronomers recommend without reservation. The 70mm aperture is sufficient for satisfying Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, and double star observing. Review: AstroMaster 70AZ review.
No — this is one of the defining advantages of refractors. The lens is permanently fixed in the tube during manufacturing and cannot shift out of alignment. Unlike Newtonian reflectors where the mirrors must be periodically adjusted, a refractor maintains its optical alignment indefinitely. This makes refractors particularly good for beginners who don't want to learn collimation, and for travel use where the telescope may be bumped or transported frequently.
Chromatic aberration (CA) is a purple or blue fringe that appears on bright, high-contrast subjects (Moon's limb, bright stars, Venus) in achromatic refractors. It exists because glass refracts different wavelengths of light slightly differently. The severity depends on focal ratio: f/12+ refractors show minimal CA that most observers find non-distracting; f/6 refractors show more visible fringing. CA does not prevent useful observing — the AstroMaster 70AZ at f/12.9 provides beautiful planetary views with negligible CA. It becomes a significant concern primarily for astrophotography, where it appears in images even if not visible to the eye.
Refractors are decent but not ideal for deep-sky observing, primarily because of aperture constraints. A 70mm refractor is limited to the brightest deep-sky objects — Orion Nebula, Beehive Cluster, Andromeda Galaxy outline, Pleiades. A 100mm refractor handles more targets. For observers who want to pursue globular clusters, faint galaxies, nebulae, and the full Messier catalogue, a Dobsonian reflector (which delivers 130–200mm aperture at the same or lower cost) is the better choice. Refractors excel at the Moon, planets, and double stars; Dobsonians excel at deep-sky. See: best Dobsonian telescopes.
A refractor's thin lens thermalises faster than a reflector's thick mirror — typically 10–20 minutes for a 70–100mm refractor. This is a significant practical advantage over 130mm+ Newtonians and Dobsonians which need 30–60 minutes of cool-down before delivering stable planetary images. The fast cool-down makes refractors excellent for impromptu or short observing sessions — take it outside, wait 15 minutes, and the images are already stable.
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Best Telescopes for Beginners 2026
Refractors, Dobsonians, GoTo scopes — all types compared for beginners.
Best Dobsonian Telescopes 2026
The alternative to refractors — maximum aperture for deep-sky observing.
Inspire 100AZ vs AstroMaster 70AZ
Detailed comparison of the two best beginner achromatic refractors.
Best GoTo Telescope 2026
Computerized pointing — including the NexStar 4SE Mak-Cass option.
Telescope Magnification Guide
Calculating working magnifications for f/12.9 and f/6.6 refractors.
Best Telescope Eyepiece Sets 2026
Upgrade kits for the AstroMaster 70AZ and Inspire 100AZ.
