Smart telescopes can find whatever you are looking for: stars, galaxies, planets and nebulas. With a smartphone, you can view your night sky target as the telescope does the imaging for you. They work by imaging the night sky, meaning you get to see and keep amazing astrophotographs of your chosen celestial object!
This technology is one of the hottest areas in amateur stargazing and astrophotography at the moment, with exciting new announcements coming fairly frequently. Recently, Vaonis has released the Vespera III and the Vespera Pro 2, which add upgraded optics to their already popular Vespera line. These scopes tend to be more expensive than other telescopes but we've selected smart telescopes to suit a range of budgets. If you want some ideas for what to set your smart telescope to observe, we have a detailed breakdown of skywatching for the whole month on our night sky guide. If you have a smart telescope and want to use it for safely observing the upcoming solar eclipse on Aug. 12, you will need to buy a solar filter for it. Unistellar has two different filters available, one for the Odyssey and one for their expert models, and Vaonis has its own filter for the Vespera line, too.
The best smart telescopes we recommend in 2026
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Best overall
✅ You want a telescope you can grow with: This scope is good for all experience levels, so you won't need to upgrade.
✅ You live in a town or city: It has a Smart Light Pollution Reduction feature, ideal for users who don't live near a dark sky site and want to use it in their backyard.
✅ You want to do long nights of stargazing: It has the longest battery life on this list at 11 hours.
❌ You want excellent moon views: Although we were impressed by the views of galaxies and deep space, we thought the lunar views were lacking.
❌ You're on a budget: You're unlikely to find a budget-friendly smart telescope and this one definitely isn't the cheapest.
🔎 Unistellar eQuinox 2: An easy-to-use motorized smart telescope that can locate night sky objects with the press of a button, it can have you exploring the stars in minutes with no prior knowledge. ★★★★½
Like most smart telescopes, the Unistellar Equinox 2 has an incredibly sleek and stylish design. It's almost identical to its predecessor, the Equinox. The simple design with a single button on the telescope itself makes this scope very easy to use, a dream for beginners who might not have any experience with telescopes.
In our Unistellar eQuinox 2 review, we noted that the app is well laid out, really fast and intuitive to use. It is divided into three distinct sections, allowing you to switch between telescope operation, engage with the astronomy community and monitor/change settings.
Overall, this telescope performs extremely well, making it easy to move around and search for different things in the night sky. One great feature is the Smart Light Pollution Reduction, perfect for people in cities and urban areas who want to stargaze in their back yard. We were blown away by the images it produced: We observed breathtaking galaxies like M51 (the Whirlpool Galaxy), M82 (the Cigar Galaxy), and several star clusters. However, we weren't too impressed with the lunar views, which seemed lacklustre in comparison.
If you plan to take the Unistellar eQuinox 2 out and about, we'd highly recommend buying the dedicated backpack, as it's a bit of a struggle to carry otherwise. Our only other quibble is that it doesn't orientate until it's already dark, so if you like to get set up in advance before the sun sets, you might have to rethink your schedule. In the winter months, however, and when you're in areas with a very dark sky, the eQuinox 2's GoTo function works wonderfully.
- Read our full Unistellar eQuinox 2 review
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Slim, sleek, neat package. |
Performance |
Impressive view of galaxies and nebulas. |
Functionality |
Doesn't orientate until well after twilight, easy once oriented. |
Best for larger budgets
✅ You focus on astrophotography: For users who want to capture stunning images of the night sky, this is the scope to go for.
✅ You favor ease of use: This scope is incredibly simple to use, perfect for those who don't want to spend ages finding celestial objects themselves.
❌ You don't have a large budget: This scope is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to cost, so users who don't have a big budget may want to consider other options.
❌ You're not fussed about astrophotography: If you aren't bothered about capturing detailed astrophotos, there are more suitable options out there that cost a lot less.
🔎 Unistellar eVscope 2: A fantastically designed telescope, brilliant for photographers who want to get into astronomy and have the budget or astronomers who want an all-in-one system that’s simple to use and set up. ★★★★½
The Unistellar eVscope 2 is a beautifully designed telescope with a minimalist feel and solid quality all around.
As we noted in our Unistellar eVscope 2 telescope review, it's easy to tell that every aspect of the telescope has been carefully designed. The Nikon eyepiece is comfortable to use and gives it more of a traditional feel, although the soft rubber surrounding does tend to trap dust and fibers.
If it wasn't for the eVscope 2's eye-watering price tag — $5,000 — we'd recommend it as one of the best smart telescopes for beginners. In theory, it absolutely is thanks to its easy set up and intuitive controls, but very few astronomy beginners will have such a large budget to spend. If you do? Look no further.
One thing to note is that this telescope is solely operated through an app, so with just a tap of your phone screen. Since you'll need to rely on your phone for Unistellar's compatible app, make sure you come prepared with a fully-charged battery, or bring one of the best power banks out with you.
Although the image can sometimes lag, the Explore mode is really helpful for astronomers of any skill level. It accurately shows you all the objects visible in the night sky based on the date and time you're using it, which greatly reduces the guesswork.
The 7.7MP camera isn't as good as a regular telescope with an eyepiece, but it's definitely on par with if not even better than many specialized astrocams on the market. We think it's as close to perfect as you can get right now for beginner astrophotographers.
Overall, there's no denying that the $5,000 price tag will make it inaccessible to many users. But when you think about the technology it packs, it's akin to one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market, so we think it's worth the money if you can afford it.
- Read our full Unistellar eVscope 2 telescope review
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Incredibly stunning looks and solid telescope construction. |
Performance |
Object go-to is intuitive and fast. |
Functionality |
App allows you to easily go-to celestial objects. |
Best mid-range value
✅ You want quality images: The 8.3MP sensor produces amazing images, with the ability to boost it to 24MP with Vaonis' Live Mosaic Capture.
✅ You want to travel with it: While slightly heavier than the original Vespera, the Vespera II is still incredibly portable.
❌ You want to see planets: The Vespera II is best suited for nebulas and deep space viewing.
❌ You want to do long sessions: The battery life has decreased to 4 hours, so it won't suit long stargazing sessions unless you have a power bank.
Vaonis Vespera II: An incredible smart telescope that is inexpensive, beginner-friendly and produces amazing images of nebulas. We were very impressed, although the short battery life is disappointing. ★★★★★
We liked the original Vespera, but our main complaint was the underwhelming 2MP images it produced, lacking clarity and detail. Thankfully, with the release of the Vespera II, Vaonis has boosted the megapixel count to 8.3MP, which delivers way more detail on the deep sky objects. Better yet, Vaonis' patented Live Mosaic Capture can boost the resolution up to a massive 24MP.
The Vespera II features live autofocus and image enhancement which automatically gets rid of bad images and uses image-stacking to enhance clarity in real-time. Extra-low dispersion glass is used to ensure fantastic image quality across the field of view, and the telescope saves images as RAW files which you can edit in one of the best photo editing apps. It produces fantastic images of nebulas with incredible detail and clarity, although it isn't any good for planetary viewing.
It does have one drawback, however, which is its short battery life. It's super portable and easy to carry around, so it's a shame that the battery only lasts for 4 hours, especially when you compare it to the original Vespera which had an 8-hour battery life. Technically, you can take it out to remote dark sky spots thanks to its portability, but you'll only have 4 hours of use (without a power bank) once you're there. Plus, it doesn't include a tripod, so you'll have to spend extra money on top of the $1,590 price tag, which is disappointing.
On the other hand, it is $900 cheaper than the newly released Vespera III, so if you are looking to get a solid model on a medium budget, we would highly recommend the Vespera II.
- Read our full Vaonis Vespera II review
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Portable and fairly lightweight, but requires separate tripod. |
Performance |
Produces amazing images of nebulas, but isn't good for viewing planets. |
Functionality |
Battery life has decreased to 4 hours. |
Best for resolution
✅ You want the best resolution possible: The 12.5MP sensor produces amazing images, with the ability to boost it to a huge 50MP with Vaonis' Live Mosaic Capture.
✅ You want to do some longer astrophotography sessions: The Pro model has a boosted battery life of up to 11 hours meaning that you can shoot for longer without any added power.
❌ You want to do planetary imaging: The Vespera Pro, like the rest of the line up, has a pretty wide field-of-view and means that planets or planetary nebula will look really small.
❌ You are on a tight budget: Clocking in at $2,990, this price tag is not for the faint of heart and needs a big budget.
Vaonis Vespera Pro: One of the best smart telescopes for wide-field viewing, with an intuitive control system and a huge 12.5MP sensor for detailed astrophotography, although the price may deter those on a budget. ★★★★½
The Vaonis Vespera Pro is aimed at those users who want some of the sharpest wide-field images they can take with a smart telescope. The 12.5MP Sony IMX676 sensor allows users to take individual images of star clusters, galaxies and nebulas with the highest resolution on the market. Following on from that, if astrophotographers use the patented CovalENS mosaic mode, they are able to photograph a huge swathe of the sky, which is then stitched together into a huge 50MP photograph.
Due to the wide field-of-view, the Vespera Pro is mainly suited to capturing deep-sky objects that appear larger in the sky, as well as the sun and the moon. We got some good images of the great Hercules cluster (M13), the Cigar galaxy (M82) and Bode's galaxy (M81). Astrophotographers who focus on planetary nebulas or planets will be disappointed as the Vespera Pro does not do well for these 'smaller' targets.
It is controlled by Vaonis' smart device Singularity app, which allows you to select your night sky target and start imaging. 'Expert' mode lets you customise exposure and image settings, while a separate 'plan my night' mode allows you to program the telescope to perform imaging on a chosen sequence of targets. This is good for when you want to sit back and relax while your telescope does the work of trawling through the stars and hunting down the treasures of the night sky.
The battery life of the Pro version is a huge 11 hours, which is double that of the Vespera II with its meagre 4 hours. It will charge you for the privilege though, with the model still retailing for $2,990.
- Read our full Vaonis Vespera Pro review
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Same light weight as the Vespera II with new sensor. |
Performance |
Detailed 12.5MP images of galaxies and star clusters |
Functionality |
Battery life of 11 hours and mosaic resolution up to 50MP. |
Best for versatility
✅ You're into astrophotography: This scope can view the moon, planets and deep space, making it a great all-rounder for astrophotography.
✅ You want to travel with it: It's substantially lighter than the other models in the Unistellar range, so it's great for taking to remote dark sky sites.
❌ You're on a budget: Although it's not a scope you'd need to replace any time soon, not everyone's budget stretches to $3,999.
❌ You want super detailed images: If high resolution is what you're after, the Equinox 2 or eVscope 2 would be a better option.
🔎 Unistellar Odyssey Pro: An ideal blend of portability with stunning optical views, the Odyssey Pro is great for viewing all types of celestial objects and is light enough to take on stargazing trips with you. ★★★★½
If you've been reading this guide and wishing there was a telescope combining the optical prowess of Unistellar scopes with the portability of the Vespera, then you're in luck. The Odyssey Pro is the newest offering from Unistellar, and it hits that sweet spot.
While it doesn't quite match the resolution of the Equinox 2 or the eVscope 2, the Odyssey Pro stands out for its portability. Weighing just 14.3 lbs (6.5kg) for the complete kit, it's noticeably lighter and easier to handle than these two scopes, which weigh 19.8 lbs (9kg) each. This makes it a better choice if you want to take it along with you to remote dark sky locations.
One thing to note is that the Odyssey Pro has a shorter battery life compared to the other Unistellar telescopes in this guide. It'll last around five hours after a full charge, so if you're planning a long night of stargazing, you'll want to pack a power bank into your kit.
In our Unistellar Odyssey Pro review, we noted its smaller form factor which makes for easier portability during travelling. This aligned with what we thought about the model prior to testing. Whilst able to deliver quiet operation and stunning images of nebulas and star clusters, we found that it was still rather poor at planetary imaging. It is a lighter model than the eQuinox 2 and the eVscope 2, whilst also being a more beginner model with complete autofocus and no need for mirror alignment.
- Read our full Unistellar Odyssey Pro review
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Sleek black finish, more lightweight than the other Unistellar models. |
Performance |
Very good for viewing planets and excellent for deep space. |
Functionality |
5 hours battery life is decent, but not as long as the other Unistellar models. |
Best for portability
✅ You want easy portability without sacrificing optical quality: It's easy to take and set this telescope up anywhere and still delivers high end optical performance with an apochromatic quadruplet reflector.
✅ You like group stargazing: This is very portable and great for group viewing sessions. With the Seestar app you are able to connect up to a total of eight devices to observe as deep sky objects materialise on-screen.
❌ You want full manual imaging control: For astrophotographers who want full control over their work, the S30 Pro lacks precision controls like custom exposure times and gain control.
❌ You love planetary observation: Whilst able to image planets, images just aren't as spectacular as the S30 Pro's deep sky imagery and a planetary enthusiast would be much better with one of the best telescopes for seeing planets.
🔎 ZWO SeeStar S30 Pro: A compact smart telescope with exceptional optical quality that allows for beautiful deep-sky imagery wherever you are. ★★★★
The Seestar S30 Pro is the ultimate portable deep-sky imaging machine and is the lightest apochromatic quadruplet reflector model available at 3.6 lbs (1.65 kg). That level of optical quality is also found in the Vaonis Vespera II but it comes in at roughly three times the weight of the S30 Pro. On top of being the lightest smart telescope with this level of optics, ZWO has upgraded the sensor from the original S30 to 8.3MP, upgraded the wide-angle camera to 4K and incorporated a dew heater for perfect imaging in whatever temperature.
Our astronomy expert tested the S30 Pro and got some amazing astrophotography, capturing the Orion nebula (M42), Bode's galaxy (M81), the Whirlpool galaxy (M51) and the Hercules globular cluster (M13). The on-device image stacking automatically discards any bad frames with star trails and builds a detailed image out of the best frames. All you have to do is select exposure time and wait for the image to materialise on your smart device screen.
Astrophotographers with more experience will enjoy the equatorial (EQ) shooting mode (with the Seestar TH10 Fluid Tripod Head purchased separately) and foreground lock for more control over their image and how to shoot. That being said, it currently lacks precision features like custom exposure times and gain control. It does support the FITS file format so that you can refine sub-frames in your chosen post-processing software.
The app functionality is exceptional, with some very interactive features like multiple device viewing that allows eight separate devices to watch the same observation and plan mode for setting multiple targets for imaging overnight when you are tucked up in bed. The S30 Pro is available for $699 and is $300 more expensive than the regular S30. This might seem steep but it is much more affordable than rival smart telescopes from Vaonis and Unistellar, whilst still maintaining optical quality.
- Read our full ZWO SeeStar S30 Pro smart telescope review
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Compact apochromatic quadruplet |
Performance |
Easy set-up and sharp deep-sky images |
Functionality |
Great app functionality and built-in dew heater |
Best for deep sky images
✅ You want automated imaging: Focusing, tracking and choosing targets for photography is all automated and controlled from the app.
✅ You want sharp images of galaxies and nebulas: The Origin Mark II can get incredibly contrasted images of galaxies and nebulas with amazing detail for smart telescope photography
❌ You like need a lightweight smart telescope: At just under 42 lb, the entire setup is not light weight in the slightest and might be uncomfortable for taking on long trips to dark sky sites.
❌ You are on a budget: The Origin Mark II retails for around $4,200 so it really is one of the most expensive telescopes on this list.
🔎 Celestron Origin Intelligent Observatory Mark II: This high-end optical instrument can be setup within minutes and can capture pro-level images of the deep sky, but it is a heavy bit of equipment. ★★★★
The Celestron Origin Intelligent Observatory Mark II is heavy, coming in at 41.6 lb (18.87 kg), but that weight means that you are getting quality optics from one of the biggest names in the industry.
The only difference from the original Origin model is the upgraded Sony IMX67 sensor, which boasts better low-light performance, finer pixels and a bigger 8.3 MP resolution. This is also good news for owners of the original Celestron Origin model because they can simply purchase the new sensor for a fraction of the priceand just replace it on their older model.
We tested it in a Bortle 4 area and got some incredibly sharp results of Bode's galaxy (M81), the Whirlpool galaxy (M51) and the Needle galaxy (NGC 4565). The clarity and detail on our images of these deep space wonders really is a cut above the rest in terms of smart telescope astrophotography. The results were helped by a Celestron Origin nebula filter (sold separately), which helps to block out artificial light and boost light coming from star forming regions.
It is effectively the same telescope as the original model but with an upgraded sensor, but it does make a world of difference. It retails for $4,200, so it is on the more expensive end of smart telescopes, but it is worth it if you are serious about getting the best deep-space images with a Go-To telescope.
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
Design |
Heavy Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt astrograph design with new 8.3MP sensor |
Performance |
Reliable go-to location, tracking and imaging of deep-space. |
Functionality |
Easy-to-use app operation with plenty of ports for extra hardware. |
Best smart telescopes: Comparison
Product |
Rating |
Image resolution |
Focal length |
Aperture |
Optical design |
Focal ratio |
Battery life |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unistellar eQuinox 2 |
★★★★½ |
6.2MP |
450mm |
4.5 inches |
Newtonian Reflector |
f/4 |
11 hours |
19.8 lb |
Unistellar eVscope 2 |
★★★★½ |
6.2MP |
450mm |
4.5 inches |
Reflector |
f/4 |
9 hours |
19.8 lb |
ZWO SeeStar S50 smart telescope |
★★★★½ |
2MP |
250mm |
2 inches |
Apochromatic (APO) triplet refractor |
f/5 |
6 hours |
19.8 lb |
Vaonis Vespera II |
★★★★★ |
8.3MP |
250mm |
2 inches |
Refractor |
f/5 |
4 hours |
12.96 lb |
Vaonis Vespera Pro |
★★★★ |
12.5MP |
250mm |
2 inches |
Apochromatic (APO) quadruplet refractor |
f/5 |
11 hours |
11 lb |
Unistellar Odyssey Pro |
★★★★½ |
4.1MP |
320mm |
3.35 inches |
Newtonian Reflector |
f/3.9 |
5 hours |
14.3 lb |
Vaonis Stellina |
★★★★ |
6.4MP |
400mm |
3.15 inches |
Apochromatic doublet refractor |
f/5 |
5 hours |
24.25lbs |
Celestron Origin Mark II |
★★★★ |
8.3MP |
335mm |
5.98 inches |
Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph |
f/2.2 |
6 hours |
41.6lbs |
Smart telescope FAQs
What's the difference between a smart telescope and a traditional telescope?
Unlike traditional telescopes, smart telescopes are designed to be autonomous. With minimal to no set-up required, you should be able to put the telescope outside, sync it with a smartphone app, and start observing and imaging the night sky immediately.
They are especially useful for beginner astronomers with little night sky knowledge, and most have light pollution suppression systems in place to produce good images in cities.
Are smart telescopes only for advanced users?
Not at all. In fact they're a fantastic option for beginners as their fully-automated controls and features do a lot of the work for you! They're super user-friendly and you don't need to have any prior knowledge of telescopes or what's in the night sky, as the smart telescope will have an extensive database of celestial objects to choose from, so you just need to select one (that's visible in the night sky) and it'll take you to it automatically.
The only thing that could potentially be a dealbreaker for beginners is the price, as, unsurprisingly, smart telescopes are a lot more expensive than traditional telescopes. That said, the cheapest option on this list is around $1500. Plus, there's less chance you'll outgrow a smart telescope as your skills grow, so it'll prove to be a good investment in the long run if you can afford it.
Are smart telescopes worth it?
In our opinion, yes. If you're more of a traditionalist then a smart telescope may not be the best choice for you, but we think smart telescopes are a fantastic option for anyone who wants to get into stargazing without the steep learning curve. They're expensive, sure, but you're less likely to outgrow a smart telescope because they cater to users of all skill levels, plus they don't skimp on tech (not to mention, some of them include eyepieces from some of the top camera brands like Nikon).
Update Log
Editor's note 06/02/26: Removed Vaonis Stellina. Added ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.
How we test the best smart telescopes
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best smart telescopes to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every smart telescope through a rigorous review to fully test each instrument. Each smart telescope is reviewed based on numerous aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as an optical instrument and its performance in the field.
Our expert staff and knowledgeable freelance contributors thoroughly test each smart telescope. This ensures honest reviewing based on the smart telescope's price, category, and intended use.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on smart telescopes, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
Aside from this comprehensive list, we do also have brand-specific telescope guides for Celestron and Skywatcher deals for those loyal to their favorite brands. Like this guide, we also keep those updated year-round, so they're always worth checking out. There are plenty of stores out there that dabble in skywatching equipment as well. Do Best Buy sell telescopes? They sure do, and we have a guide on Telescopes at Best Buy.
Still wondering 'what telescope should I buy'? We have also selected our favorite budget telescopes under $500, best beginner telescopes and best telescopes for kids and not just what the best telescope to buy for adults is, in case you're looking for those specifically.
