Has March’s partial complete eclipse left you craving one other photo voltaic spectacle? Then you definitely’ll need to be well-equipped for the subsequent photo voltaic eclipse, and the identical is true when you’re into photo voltaic statement. That is the place the most effective photo voltaic telescopes are available.
Why photo voltaic telescopes? As a result of you may’t simply attain for a daily, unfiltered telescope. Staring on the solar with out safety may cause critical eye harm. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE, particularly by means of a daily telescope.
As a substitute, you may want a photo voltaic telescope with a built-in or attachable filter, one which meets the ISO 12312-2 security customary. This customary ensures that not more than 0.0032% of the solar’s harmful rays meet your eyes.
Do not be tempted to place the most effective photo voltaic telescopes away till the subsequent photo voltaic eclipse, both, helpful as they might be. The telescopes we have chosen can be utilized for normal photo voltaic statement as nicely, and a few double up as nighttime scopes. Or when you’re on the lookout for one thing extra transportable, we have rounded up the most effective photo voltaic binoculars and different photo voltaic viewing gear. Nonetheless, see our fundamental web page for the most effective telescopes general, to view nebulas, star clusters, galaxies and extra.
Photo voltaic eclipse gear offers April 2025
The short checklist
Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm Photo voltaic Telescope
Greatest general
Critical about photo voltaic viewing? This can be a {powerful}, versatile photo voltaic scope that needs to be with you for years.
Celestron EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50
Greatest for portability
Wish to watch the solar on the go? This scope is tremendous transportable and its low value makes it splendid for novices or these on a price range.
iOptron 80mm White Gentle Photo voltaic Telescope
Greatest for wide-field viewing
This telescope’s field-of-view and detachable filter means you may get expansive views of the sky, day or evening.
Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ telescope with free EclipSmart Photo voltaic Filter
Greatest for versatility
The PowerSeeker 127EQ is {powerful} sufficient to profit from photo voltaic eclipses and its detachable filter means you may prepare it on the evening sky.
PowerSeeker 60AZ Refractor with free EclipSmart photo voltaic filter
Greatest price range
A sensible choice for absolute novices or these on a low price range, and it really works equally nicely as a nighttime or photo voltaic telescope.
Lunt Photo voltaic 80mm f/7 Common Day & Evening Use Modular Telescope
Greatest premium
This telescope comes with a hefty price ticket, however it gives premium efficiency, each as a photo voltaic telescope or a standard evening sky scope.
The most effective photo voltaic telescopes we suggest in 2025
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Greatest general
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Purchase it if
✅ You need to watch the solar frequently: This can be a {powerful} scope that is suited to photo voltaic viewing past eclipse watching.
✅ You need detailed views of the solar: This photo voltaic scope’s filter permits you to view the solar’s chromosphere.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You simply need to watch eclipses. As {powerful} as this photo voltaic scope is, it is exhausting to justify its price ticket when you’re solely getting it out a few instances a yr.
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🔎 Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm Photo voltaic Telescope: In the event you’re critical about photo voltaic viewing, this can be a {powerful}, versatile photo voltaic scope that needs to be with you for years.
We have been significantly impressed by Sky-Watcher’s scopes, awarding the corporate’s Sky-Watcher 200P EQ5 telescope 4 and a half stars in our evaluation. You possibly can anticipate the identical high quality from the Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm Photo voltaic Telescope, which is geared in direction of common sun-watchers.
It is a bit of pricier than some scopes on this checklist, however it boasts an H-alpha photo voltaic filter, which allows viewing of the solar’s chromosphere. This implies you could possibly see photo voltaic prominences and different floor particulars, in comparison with a daily white gentle filter.
The Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm Photo voltaic Telescope comes with a photo voltaic finder, which needs to be particularly useful when monitoring a photo voltaic eclipse. This photo voltaic telescope additionally meets the ISO 12312-2 worldwide security requirements, guaranteeing you may watch eclipses with out worry of eye harm.
It comes with a 32x eyepiece, however has a max magnification of 150x in case you need to swap in among the finest eyepieces for telescopes. In the event you’re a critical sun-watcher, past simply observing the odd eclipse, this telescope is for you.
Greatest for portability
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Purchase it if
✅ You desire a transportable photo voltaic telescope: You possibly can transport this photo voltaic scope with ease and pack it away for the subsequent eclipse.
✅ You are on a price range: This photo voltaic scope’s value will not break the financial institution, splendid when you’re utilizing it occasionally.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You need to seize photos: We discovered its smartphone picture high quality missing.
❌ You desire a sturdy scope: We discovered the tripod barely wobbly and the scope a bit of plasticky.
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🔎 The Celestron EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50 is finest fitted to eclipse watching on the go and its low value makes it splendid for novices or these on a price range.
Celestron is without doubt one of the main names in optical know-how, and their merchandise common seem in our guides to the most effective binoculars and finest telescopes. The Celestron EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50 might not have the facility of the Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm, however it’s a wonderful little scope when you want portability, and its price range value makes it nice for novices.
We had good issues to say about this scope in our EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50 evaluation, awarding it 4 stars. It comes with its personal backpack, so eclipse-chasers can simply take it on the go, or pack it away till the subsequent eclipse. We had been additionally impressed by its finderscope, which is healthier than we would anticipate for a scope of this value.
It is super-easy to arrange, which means you will be eclipse-watching in minutes and, because of the built-in ISO 12312-2 complying white gentle filter, your eyes will stay secure. Its tripod might be sturdier, however regardless of its measurement, it nonetheless gives glorious views of the solar.
Greatest for wide-field viewing
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Purchase it if
✅ You desire a versatile scope: You should utilize this photo voltaic scope at evening, with out its filter.
✅ You are on a price range: That is photo voltaic scope is not the best possible on the market, however it gives respectable viewing high quality for the cash.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You desire a ready-to-go setup: You will have to purchase a separate tripod to make use of this telescope as there’s not one included. It is also not a photo voltaic telescope out of the field, however requires attachment of the photo voltaic filter.
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In the event you purchase among the finest tripods to go along with it, the iOptron 80mm White Gentle Photo voltaic Scope is a stable, fairly-priced scope for daytime and nighttime viewing.
Solely use this telescope for photo voltaic statement as soon as you have geared up it with the SolarLite filter. The iOptron 80mm White Gentle Photo voltaic Scope is an efficient alternative when you’re on the lookout for a flexible scope. With its filter connected, you may get nice views of every photo voltaic eclipse, and we expect it is among the finest items of photo voltaic viewing package.
However that is not all. By detaching its 60mm white gentle filter, you may flip it right into a nighttime scope. Its vast FOV means you may get expansive views of the sky, day or evening. And, as a nighttime scope, you may get clear views of our photo voltaic system, the moon included, excellent for the subsequent lunar eclipse.
You have to to pair it with among the finest tripods, because it would not include a tripod included, so it is probably not splendid for novices. However its picture high quality is great and, contemplating its value level and flexibility, the iOptron 80mm is a worthy buy.
Greatest for versatility
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Purchase it if
✅ You desire a versatile scope: This can be a nice alternative if you are going to use it for a number of functions.
✅ You are on the lookout for a fairly priced scope: You will get cheaper, however that is nonetheless an excellent value contemplating how versatile the scope is.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You do not need to spend any extra: Whereas you should use this as is, to take advantage of out of it, you may need to spend extra on extra eyepieces.
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On this value vary, the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is difficult to beat for its versatility, although you may want to purchase further eyepieces to actually take advantage of out of this scope.
We had good issues to say about this scope in our Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ evaluation. And so long as you be sure to purchase the Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ with the free solar filter, you may discover this can be a pleasingly versatile scope. Solely use this telescope for photo voltaic statement as soon as you have connected the EclipSmart filter it ships with.
Its 5-inch aperture opens up the skies, day or evening and, in concept, you may get a large 750x with the offered Barlow lens. That stated, we would nonetheless suggest investing in the most effective telescope lenses to actually profit from this scope.
Celestron’s EclipSmart filter meets the ISO 12312-2 security customary, so you may view upcoming eclipses in security, then take away it to stargaze. It is also a good suggestion to control any kids to be sure that little fingers do not pull the filter off.
It boasts a well-engineered German equatorial mount, a critical enchancment on the Celestron EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50’s barely wobbly tripod, and it is easy to assemble too. Photo voltaic and lunar eclipses apart, it is also a succesful scope for nature-watching.
Greatest price range
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Purchase it if
✅ You do not need to break the financial institution: That is an inexpensive solution to watch the eclipse in security, and it may be used for nature watching and stargazing too.
✅ You need portability: Whereas this is not the smallest scope on this checklist, it is nonetheless gentle sufficient to hold about with relative ease.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You are a critical sun-watcher: That is superb for novices, however for astonishing views of the solar, think about investing in a photo voltaic telescope with an H-alpha filter.
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🔎 Probably the most inexpensive of all our photo voltaic scopes picks, the Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ is an efficient alternative for absolute novices or these on a low price range.
Wish to zoom in on the eclipse with out spending a fortune? We predict the Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ with free photo voltaic filter is the most effective price range photo voltaic telescope. And, regardless of its low price, it isn’t a toy; it is a step above Celestron’s entry-level scope, the 50AZ, and has sufficient energy and flexibility to turn out to be your go-to telescope. Keep in mind, solely use this telescope to have a look at the solar as soon as you have connected the photo voltaic filter it comes with (additionally that can be purchased individually).
It is simple to make use of, because of its alt-azimuth mount, making it splendid for novices and youngsters, so long as you be certain the photo voltaic filter is on earlier than letting little eyes watch the eclipse.
It is also compact and light-weight sufficient that you may pack it into your automobile or put it away when you do exactly need it for eclipse viewing. And when you do resolve to make use of it for nighttime viewing, its 60mm aperture will drink in sufficient gentle so that you can pick stellar objects.
Those that’ve bought this scope have been proud of it, describing it as “an awesome little scope” and a “unbelievable entry-level scope”. A handful of individuals state that the tripod might be higher, in step with our evaluation of the Celestron EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50, however for this value the Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ with free photo voltaic filter is price choosing up.
Greatest premium
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Purchase it if
✅ You need good, close-up views of the solar: This telescope is an actual powerhouse and its H-alpha filter helps you to view the Solar’s Chromosphere
✅ You desire a versatile scope: Whereas Lunt specialises in photo voltaic scopes, this specific scope will also be used for night-time statement.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You are working to a price range: At over 5 thousand {dollars} this scope is just not low-cost, however you are getting what you pay for.
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🔎 This Lunt 80mm Common Telescope is a premium telescope at a premium value, from an organization who specialise in photo voltaic scopes. In the event you’re a critical sky watcher, with a watch on each the solar and the nighttime skies, this scope ought to greater than ship.
The Lunt 80mm Common Telescope is not low-cost, however there is a motive for that. Lunt has a popularity for delivering high quality scopes, crafted out of premium supplies. That is, as one glad buyer described it, “The Ferrari of telescopes.” It is a true common telescope, designed for final efficiency throughout day and evening. Beware that it’s good to arrange the suitable photo voltaic modules so as to observe the solar throughout the day.
Its H-alpha filter ought to afford you beautiful views of the floor of the solar, together with floor particulars like sunspots, photo voltaic pores and extra. Lunt’s pressure-tuned system permits you to make tiny, tiny changes to convey photos into focus. It is also sturdily constructed, however nonetheless manages to be transportable.
This scope’s person critiques are extraordinarily constructive, with one purchaser praising the way it allow them to pick particular person photo voltaic filaments, one thing their earlier scope had been unable to do. It is price noting that whereas there seems to be a delay on shopping for these scopes from Lunt, the Lunt 80mm Universal Telescope is in stock at Agena Astro.
It would not include a tripod, however when you’re spending this a lot on a telescope, it is sensible you’d need among the finest tripods.
Greatest photo voltaic telescopes: Comparability
|
Product |
Max magnification |
Aperture |
Focal size |
Filter kind |
Eyepieces included |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm Photo voltaic Telescope |
150x |
3-inches / 76mm |
25-inches / 630mm |
H-alpha |
20mm 70 Diploma 1.25″ 32x magnification |
8.4 lbs (3.81kg) tube |
|
Celestron EclipSmart Journey Photo voltaic Scope 50 |
118x |
2-inches / 50mm |
14-inches / 360mm |
White gentle |
20mm (0.78-inch) Kellner (1.25-inch), 18x magnification |
2 lbs/918g (complete package) |
|
iOptron 80mm White Gentle Photo voltaic Scope |
189x |
3.15-inches / 80mm |
16-inches / 400mm |
SolarLite white gentle (detachable) |
25mm (16X), 10mm (44X) |
3lbs / 1.4kg |
|
Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ with free EclipSmart photo voltaic filter |
250x |
5-inches / 127mm |
39-inches / 1000 mm |
EclipSmart white gentle (detachable) |
20mm erecting eyepiece, a 4mm high-power eyepiece, 3x Barlow lens. |
22lbs/10 kg (complete package) |
|
Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ telescope with free EclipSmart photo voltaic filter |
142x |
2.4-inches / 60mm |
28-inches / 700mm |
EclipSmart white gentle (detachable) |
20mm and 4mm, erect picture star diagonal, Barlow Lens |
2.4 lbs / 1.09 kg all package |
|
Lunt 80mm Common Telescope |
140x |
3.1-inches / 80mm |
22-inches / 560mm |
H-alpha (detachable) |
1.25″ Nighttime Star Diagonal, 1.25″ Diagonal for Terrestrial statement, 19mm Flat Discipline Eyepiece |
9.25lbs / 4.2kg |
Photo voltaic Telescope FAQ
How do I select the appropriate photo voltaic telescope for me?
To decide on the appropriate photo voltaic telescope it’s good to think about what you need to use it for and the way a lot you are keen to spend. If you would like a photo voltaic telescope completely for watching eclipses you needn’t spend 1000’s of kilos. The Celestron EclipSmart Travel Solar Scope 50, for instance, is an efficient choice when you plan on packing away the scope after every eclipse.
If it is versatility you are after, a scope that can be utilized for day and nighttime viewing, then the PowerSeeker 127EQ telescope with free EclipSmart Solar Filter is a strong however pocket-friendly buy.
In the event you think about your self a seasoned skilled, and have the price range, the Lunt Solar 80mm f/7 Universal Day & Night Use Modular Telescope is the mannequin to go for. It could be costly, however it’s a super-powerful premium high quality scope that needs to be with for years, and it doubles up as a night-time scope.
Briefly, when you’re solely inquisitive about eclipse-watching, you may spend much less, however for critical photo voltaic viewing, you need to lean in direction of the premium finish of the market.
How is a photo voltaic telescope completely different from a traditional telescope?
The basic distinction between a traditional telescope and a photo voltaic telescope is that the latter is supplied with a particular filter, sometimes a white gentle or H-alpha filter, that blocks out dangerous gentle and permits you to view the solar in security. So when you’re trying straight on the solar throughout an eclipse, you may sometimes see an orange circle, slowly lined by a darkish disc. Dearer photo voltaic telescopes might produce other options that make them extra appropriate for photo voltaic statement, comparable to built-in chromatic aberration correction.
How is a white gentle filter completely different from an H-alpha filter?
To view the solar in security you require, at minimal, a white gentle filter, which block out probably dangerous wavelengths of sunshine. With sufficent magnification, it’s going to mean you can see the solar’s seen photosphere, letting you decide up on photo voltaic spots and photo voltaic pores, which remains to be spectacular to behold.
Nonetheless, you may also get H-alpha filters which let you see into the chromosphere of the solar, providing you a extra detailed take a look at our star. An H-alpha filter removes much more gentle than a white gentle filter, blocking out every part however the H-alpha wavelength band (656nm). That is the wavelength emitted by hydrogen atoms, so you may see hydrogen emissions within the Solar’s chromosphere; photo voltaic flares, photo voltaic filaments and extra.
So why would not you purchase a photo voltaic scope with an H-alpha filter? As a result of they’re sometimes far more costly than white gentle filters. It is as much as you to resolve whether or not the extra photo voltaic spectacle is price it.
How have you learnt a photo voltaic telescope is secure to make use of?
In the event you’re shopping for a photo voltaic telescope, you it is necessary to purchase a scope that meets the ISO 12312-2 security customary. Meaning not more than 0.0032% of the solar’s harmful rays meet your eyes. And whereas that quantity is probably not stamped on the telescope itself, it needs to be someplace on the packaging, product itemizing or each. In the event you do not see the usual listed someplace, you could possibly be risking your eyesight.
How we take a look at the most effective photo voltaic telescopes
Our skilled workers and reviewers have a few years expertise observing stars each throughout the day and at evening. Every telescope is put by means of a rigorous evaluation course of the place we assess its means to carry out primary features, examine its optical high quality for distortions comparable to coma and chromatic aberrations and analyze options of significance, just like the varieties of filters used and their security.
In fact, observing the solar will be harmful so we level out to by no means look straight on the solar with out appropriate safety and filtration. The place telescopes require filters to be connected earlier than daytime photo voltaic statement we level this out but in addition ask readers to examine their very own handbook when organising new photo voltaic telescopes, each for the primary time and on subsequent makes use of.
Replace log
Going ahead this log might be used to file main updates to this web page comparable to removing or addition of merchandise, updates about celestial occasions and new technical data from our consultants.
To ensure you are getting sincere, up-to-date suggestions on the most effective photo voltaic viewing tools to purchase right here at Area.com we be certain to place each product by means of a rigorous evaluation to totally take a look at. We think about every product primarily based on quite a few elements, from its development and design, to how nicely it features as an optical instrument and its efficiency within the discipline.
Our skilled workers and educated freelance contributors completely take a look at every product. This ensures sincere reviewing primarily based on the value, class and meant use.
With full editorial independence, Area.com are right here to make sure you get the most effective shopping for recommendation, whether or not you can purchase an instrument or not, making our purchasing guides and critiques dependable and clear.
If this information has impressed you to spend money on some astronomy gear, try the most effective telescopes, finest binoculars and finest cameras to get you began.
