The Best Handheld Telescope For 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Best Handheld Telescope
Best Handheld Telescope

Our Top Picks

1. Best of the Best: Roxant Wide View BAK4 Handheld Telescope

Enjoy crisp and detailed images with special features such as light transmission and brightness for exceptional clarity. You’ll love the comfort and functionality of this handheld telescope, perfect for wildlife viewing, bird watching or stargazing. With accessories such as a tripod and carrying case, you can take your exploration to the next level! Read Review

2. Runner Up: PhysioPhyx Monocular Telescope

Get a closer look at the world with the PhysioPhyx Monocular Telescope. With its high power magnification, you can get up to 40x magnification, improving light transmission and providing you with wide scope views. This compact and durable telescope is made of high quality precision optics, providing you with high contrast and resolution images. Read Review

3. Best Reliable: lifes breadth Handheld Telescope

This powerful telescope features a durable framework suitable for everyone, as well as multiple ways to carry it. Its quick and seamless attachment makes it easy to set up and use, while its water and fog resistant design ensures crystal clear visuals even in harsh conditions. With its versatile and convenient design, you can take your stargazing to a whole new level! Read Review

4. Best Adjustable: EVYA Handheld Telescope

With its high power magnification and enhanced light transmission, you can easily spot stars, planets and other celestial objects from your backyard. It comes with a phone adapter for easy capturing of images and videos, as well as a durable tripod for stability. Its compact design makes it easy to take on your adventures so you can enjoy stargazing wherever you go! Read Review

5. Best Affordable: SVBONY SV45 Handheld Monocular Telescope

With its high power zoom and powerful light gathering ability, you'll get brighter and sharper images. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry, and the ergonomic design provides a comfortable viewing experience. With its convenient size, you won't have to worry about lugging around a bulky telescope. Read Review

Are you looking to observe the night sky in all its glory? Handheld telescopes are an excellent way to observe our universe from the comfort of your own backyard. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stargazer, handheld telescopes are a great way to take your astronomy experience to the next level. With their portability and ease of use, these telescopes are a great tool to help you observe the stars and planets up close.

From powerful magnification to excellent light gathering ability, there are a variety of options available when it comes to choosing the best handheld telescope. Read on to learn more about the best handheld telescopes, their features, and what to look for when making your purchase.

After lots of research based on customer feedback, We think the best handheld telescope is Roxant Wide View BAK4 Handheld Telescope. This telescope features special features and accessories to ensure you can see in high definition with excellent light transmission and brightness. Its wide view lens provides maximum comfort while its ergonomic design ensures maximum functionality. 

Consider PhysioPhyx Monocular Telescope as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are definitely worth considering, and we've put up a useful shopping guide to help you decide!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Roxant Wide View BAK4 Handheld Telescope
Our Score:
9.7
ROXANT

NO SLIP COMFORT MOLDED GRIP - Provides Less Shake - Very Easy To Hold Steady With One Hand - We’ve combined the best of comfort and functionality meaning you can comfortably hold them for long periods of time. Solidly built, yet lightweight for outdoorsman and adventure seekers.

SPECIAL FEATURE + ACCESSORIES + GREAT FATHERS DAY GIFTS - Retractable Eyecup For Use With Or Without Eyeglasses. Comes With Carry Pouch With Belt Loop, Cleaning Cloth & Neck Strap a tactical monocular scope

IDEAL FOR TRAVEL - Concerts, Outdoor Activities, Bird Watching, Hunting, Archery, Hiking, Camping, , Boating, Target Shooting, Climbing, Water Sports this is a Handheld Telescope

WIDE VIEW - Our Top of the Line Wide View Monocular Offers True 6 x 30 Viewing - Compact, Durable, High Quality Precision Design Featuring All Glass High End Optics, (FMC Superior BAK4 Green Film Prism) starscope monocular

SEE IN HIGH DEFINITION - Don't be fooled by Copycats. If it doesn’t say ROXANT on the side it’s not a ROXANT Scope. We use Optical Glass With Premium Fully Multi Coated, BAK4 Prism ALL Glass Lens guarantees superior light transmission and brightness for optimal bright, crisp, clear viewing. Seeing is Believing.

TOP Choice #2 PhysioPhyx Monocular Telescope
Our Score:
9.6
PhysioPhyx

【High Contrast and Resolution Images】The zoom telescope is equipped with BAK-4 prism and fully multi-coated lens, guaranteeing superior light transmission and brightness. The light transmission reaches up to 99.5% visibility. The built-in low-light-level night vision helps you see things in low light. An adjustable eye cup also allows you to twist up and down easily and rapidly for optimal viewing even while wearing glasses.

【Ideal For Outdoor】Monocular specially designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It is suitable for a variety of outdoor sports: hunting, observing animals, mountaineering, camping, travel, hiking, water sports, ball games, watching scenery, driving, concert, monitoring, outdoor exploration and other activities. Give you an amazing visual experience!

【80100 HD High Power Monocular Telescope】With 80 times magnification and 100mm objective lens, this monocular is equipped with fully multi coated lenses to improve the light transmission rate and resolution.Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness explorers, a handheld and must-have for bird watching, wildlife, hunting, hiking, mountaineering, camping, surveillance and traveling

【Wide Compatibility】1Non-limited for glasses-wearer.The design of this monocular allows the wearer to get close to the eyepiece without interfering with the viewing experience and feel more comfortable.2.Equipped with a mobile phone bracket, which is suitable for many types of smart phones on the market. 3.Both adults and children can use it.

【Wide Scope View】80X100 Monocular Telescope has the top line view and offers true 80 x 100 viewing.It is using FMC Superior BAK4 green film prism so that the monocular has compact, durable, high quality precision design Featuring.

TOP Choice #3 lifes breadth Handheld Telescope
Our Score:
9.4
Lifes breadth

【 FOCUS ON THE BEAUTY IN FRONT OF YOU 】as you quickly and accurately focus on targets with just one hand using the SOFT-TOUCH safety strap and smooth focus wheel. Suitable as a hunting monocular, the field-of-view provided by the high powered monocular and 21mm eyepiece strikes the PERFECT BALANCE between a wide-angle view and a zoomed-in shot! Wear your portable telescope with the included light-reflective lanyard to be easily spotted when traveling with others.

【 EXPERIENCE ALL OF NATURE’S DETAILS UP CLOSE 】as you explore the great outdoors with our lightweight monocular telescope for iPhone and Android! Watch birds and other wildlife 12 times closer in vivid HIGH-DEFINITION detail, thanks to the specially coated 50mm-large objective lens. Feel UP-CLOSE and personal with your surroundings, whether you’re peering at the tallest building towering over a cityscape or gazing at the beautiful night sky on a mountain trail.

【 RECONNECT WITH THE OUTDOORS 】Wherever you go, our handheld telescope lets you ENJOY your favorite activities in VIVID DETAIL knowing you’re PROTECTED even when it rains. The fully multicoated lenses facilitate great light transmission and resolution, thus producing BRIGHTER IMAGES. And the uniquely designed waterproofing outer glass and O-ring sealed optics resists water, fogging, dust, and debris.

【 NEVER MISS A SPECIAL MOMENT AGAIN 】by seamlessly viewing and capturing UNFORGETTABLE moments along the way—with UPGRADED ADAPTER AND TRIPOD! Unlike the competition, our monocular is designed with an integrated adapter clip that allows you to easily attach your phone in seconds! Capture and share revealing wildlife photos of your awesome adventures with friends and family. Then, just as quickly detach your phone and answer an urgent call or text. NEVER FUSS with cumbersome phone adapters again!

【 EXPERIENCE LIFE IN CAREFREE COMFORT 】as you enjoy your birdwatching monocular for years to come. With protective covers to keep your phone telescope lenses scratch-free, it is also the perfect, long-lasting GIFT for any traveler or outdoor enthusiast. Keep your monocular telescope in TOP CONDITION with the included premium cleaning cloth and use the sturdy waterproof carrying case to protect it from dust when not in use. Lightweight and compact, take the monocular anywhere you go!

4 EVYA Handheld Telescope
Our Score:
9.3
EVYA

HIGH POWER MAGNIFICATION: Our handheld telescope allows you to see stars, animals, and landscapes 12X closer with a 50mm objective wide lens to enhance light transmission as well as BAK4 Prism and Multi-layer Green Film for image clarity

EXCELLENT PORTABILITY: Take your monocular with smartphone adapter anywhere you travel. The included hard case and high-quality tripod allow you an HD view of concerts, plays, nature walks, hikes, stargazing, astronomy lessons, hunting, bird watching, and so much more!

Bonus protection: This monocular is a PERFECT GIFT FOR KIDS: Unleash your child’s imagination with the best bird watching gift for the holidays, birthdays, or out-of-the-blue fun. Package includes (1) Phone Holder, (1) Hand Strap, (1) Tripod, (1) Cleaning Cloth, (1) Manual, and (1) Monocular Case. with 1 x phone holder, 1 x hand strap, 1 x tripod, 1 x cleaning cloth, 1 x manual, and a monocular case to keep everything safe.

PHONE ADAPTER: The monocular telescope uses an advanced adapter that lets you and your kids explore the distant world all from the convenience of your smartphone’s screen. Our phone telescope works with iPhone, Android, Samsung, and others, including very heavy devices to see up to 1,000 yards away.

DURABLE TRIPOD: Mount your smartphone on the high-quality monocular tripod to enjoy a complete 360-degree rotation that eliminates shakiness or image blur, so you get the perfect photo or video each and every time.

129-99ft/1000yds large field of view;Provide a comfortable viewing experience;Smooth focus wheel is very convenient for quick observation

1.03lb portable net weight;Easy to carry;The metal tripod interface can be connected to your tripod for longer viewing

10-30x high power zoom;Let lock target and view target details in one step;Suitable for various outdoor observation activities

50mm large object lens;Powerful light gathering ability;Can view the target in low light environment

16-16.5mm long eye relief with twist-up eyecup design;Also suitable for people who wear glasses;Ideal for adult gifts

【Ideal Gifts for Men & Kids】The monocular telescope 12X50 is an excellent gift for hunting, hiking, wildlife, and camping outdoors lovers for their Birthdays, Anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, etc. Package Included: 1* Monocular Telescope, 1* Phone Adapter, 1* Adjustable Metal Tripod, 1* Lens Covers, 1* Hand Strap, 1* Cloth Bag, 1* Cleaning Cloth, and 1* User Manual.

【Lightweight & IPX7 Waterproof Design】 The ergonomic and lightweight design makes the handheld monocular scope portable and helps you focus accurately with one hand (Size: 6.1*2.7*1.7 inches / Weight: 0.75 lbs). The IPX7 Nitrogen-filled design makes it waterproof and fog-proof regardless of weather conditions. The comfortable hand strap prevents it from slipping off.

【12×50 HD Hight Powered Monocular Telescope】The monoculars for adults high powered is equipped with 12× magnification, 50mm objective lens, and 18mm eyepiece, which provides a large, clear, and comfortable field of view (360ft/1000Yds). A perfect monocular telescope for bird watching, hunting, hiking, wildlife, camping, concerts, sports, and travel.

【Monocular with Smartphone Adapter & Metal Tripod】 The monocular telescope for smartphone comes with a smartphone adapter, which is suitable for almost all mobile phones; The sturdy metal tripod with an adapter head allows you to adjust the angle you wanted and get your definition IMAGEs or VIDEOs without shaking. Easily capture beauties in the distant world and share them with your friends and families.

【BAK-4 Prism & FMC Lens】High definition monocular telescope for adults has equipped with18mm BAK-4 optics prism and FMC (Fully Multi-Coating) green lens, which could increase the monocular's light transmittance up to 99.8% and unnecessary light reflection, delivering clear, bright, high-contrast and color-accurate images.

◉ VERSATILITY & RIGIDNESS YOU CAN COUNT ON: Compared to most monocular spotting scopes that provide poor image sharpness and feature unreliable mounts, the Scotar small telescope is crafted with premium quality optical components such as the BAK4 Phase & Dielectric Coated Prism, and military-standard materials that undergo biphasic deep calibration system. The result is a versatile and well-thought-out premium quality solution for beginners and amateur observers for stars or nature.

◉ ERGONOMIC DESIGN WITH STABLE MOUNT: The last thing you want when you are exploring with your monocular telescope for smartphone is to see your phone fallout due to unreliable mount. We specifically designed and carved our monocular with smartphone adapter to ergonomically fit your hands and snugly mount to your phone so you can experience smooth magnification and photography.

◉ HIGH DEFINITION 12X50 MAGNIFICATION: Empower the view of your outdoor adventures with the Scotar handheld telescope for iPhone and Android smartphones which is specially refined with 12x magnification, 50mm objective wide lens, and 85% light transmission for spectacular detail. Even when the weather is against you, the IP67 dustproof, fog-proof, and waterproof monocular which is FMC will provide you with a crystal clear image.

◉ LIFETIME WARRANTY: Rest assured knowing this monocular comes with a limited lifetime warranty, even though it can withstand falling 1.5 meters on the sand. It also has high temperature resistance (-4°F to 140°F (-20°C to +60°C), high vibration resistance (was checked by a vibration test in the range of 5-55 Hz for 15 minutes), and Nitrogen Filled body which protects from condensation on the inside during extreme temperature changes.

◉ INCLUDES SET OF ACCESSORIES: Unlike most monoculars for adults high powered telescopes for stargazing or bird watching, Scotar gives you a great bang for your buck. Meaning besides the high-definition pocket telescope, you get a thoughtfully designed pouch, smartphone adapter, and mini tripod that is sure to make your exploring, hunting, or fishing more exciting and fruitful.

8 collectiblesBuy Handheld Telescope
Our Score:
8.8
CollectiblesBuy

Material used & Finish # brass as a primary material with wooden box and lenses - Shiny finish & Antique blue box - 100 % authentic and Eco friendly

Size # 18 inch tube, 3 tubes , Clear zoom features - Weight # 600 grams , Box size 7 inch - Handcrafted brass telescope with blue box

Usage # these are the functional telescope and have 15 X zoom - can show you zoom objects upto 700 meters - Royal gift item, Boss gifts, father gifts - very useful in hilly areas

Packing:Packed in single Parcels, Corrugated Export packing

fully functional, sturdy & durable : Genuine solid Brass, genuine functional Glass Optics, good protective Hardwood Case. That’s a spyglass that will resist all your adventures !

9 lifes breadth Handheld Telescope
Our Score:
8.6
Lifes breadth

【 RECONNECT WITH THE OUTDOORS 】Wherever you go, our handheld telescope lets you ENJOY your favorite activities in VIVID DETAIL knowing you’re PROTECTED even when it rains. The fully multicoated lenses facilitate great light transmission and resolution, thus producing BRIGHTER IMAGES. And the uniquely designed waterproofing outer glass and O-ring sealed optics resists water, fogging, dust, and debris.

【 NEVER MISS A SPECIAL MOMENT AGAIN 】by seamlessly viewing and capturing UNFORGETTABLE moments along the way—with UPGRADED ADAPTER AND TRIPOD! Unlike the competition, our monocular is designed with an integrated adapter clip that allows you to easily attach your phone in seconds! Capture and share revealing wildlife photos of your awesome adventures with friends and family. Then, just as quickly detach your phone and answer an urgent call or text. NEVER FUSS with cumbersome phone adapters again!

【 FOCUS ON THE BEAUTY IN FRONT OF YOU 】as you quickly and accurately focus on targets with just one hand using the SOFT-TOUCH safety strap and smooth focus wheel. Suitable as a hunting monocular, the field-of-view provided by the high powered monocular and 23mm eyepiece strikes the PERFECT BALANCE between a wide-angle view and a zoomed-in shot! Wear your portable telescope with the included light-reflective lanyard to be easily spotted when traveling with others.

【 EXPERIENCE LIFE IN CAREFREE COMFORT 】as you enjoy your birdwatching monocular for years to come. With protective covers to keep your phone telescope lenses scratch-free, it is also the perfect, long-lasting GIFT for any traveler or outdoor enthusiast. Keep your monocular telescope in TOP CONDITION with the included premium cleaning cloth and use the sturdy waterproof carrying case to protect it from dust when not in use. Lightweight and compact, take the monocular anywhere you go!

【 EXPERIENCE ALL OF NATURE’S DETAILS UP CLOSE 】as you explore the great outdoors with our lightweight monocular telescope for iPhone and Android! Watch birds and other wildlife 12 times closer in vivid HIGH-DEFINITION detail, thanks to the specially coated 60mm-large objective lens. Feel UP-CLOSE and personal with your surroundings, whether you’re peering at the tallest building towering over a cityscape or gazing at the beautiful night sky on a mountain trail.

10 Bienvenir Telescope
Our Score:
8.5
Bienvenir

【METAL FOCUSING HANDWHEEL】It can be operated with one hand for smoother, more accurate and more durable focus

【portable】it is portable and can be operated with one hand. It is suitable for traveling, watching football, watching animals and watching performances. It can be used by both adults and children

【OPTICAL GLASS】 All-optical glass lenses, high light transmittance, bright images, can be seen at night when there is light (can not be seen in complete darkness)

【WIDE ANGLE】Extra wide Angle design, big lens big field of view comfortable

【ABOUT NIGHT VISION INTERPRETATION】This type of telescope belongs to low-light night vision. In low-light conditions at night, the telescope uses optical magnification to make the target brighter than the naked eye. However, it cannot be viewed in a completely dark environment. A professional infrared night vision device is required.ith a new, three - year warranty

Buying Guide and Tips for better purchase of best handheld telescope

Merchandise is much more than a physical item. It's the result of someone having an idea, working on it, and making it a reality. When you go out to buy, these would be the factors you should know once looking for best handheld telescope.

In fact, this is not about how much it costs and what other people think of it, but whether it will suit your requirements and last long enough even for users to have your money's worth out of it. This article will inform consumers about how and why you buy best handheld telescope.

Eyepieces

There are many telescope eyepieces on the market. There are many options for magnification and viewing angles. A set of telescope eyepieces allows you to see large areas of the night sky and high magnification views on planets. If taken care of properly, a quality telescope eyepiece will last a lifetime.

Mount

There are many types of telescope mounts available. Some even have computerized models that track and follow the movement of the skies. A sturdy Dobsonian or altazimuth mount will make stargazing enjoyable. Telescopes not mounted on a computerized mount should not be moved or adjusted for focus.
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.

Portability And Weight

A telescope that is easy to transport and set up takes would be a good choice. You will be less motivated to use your telescope when it is set up and taking too much time.
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.

Objective

The objective is the main light-collecting element of a telescope. A larger objective will allow for greater detail and reveal smaller targets. A reflector design makes it possible to have a larger telescope objective for a more affordable price. However, a refractor with the same size would be expensive.

Optical Design

There are many optical options for telescopes. These include reflectors and refractors as well as compound telescopes. Each telescope has its strengths and weaknesses. Refractors are my favorite type of telescope from an astrophotography standpoint, but they might not be the best choice for beginners.
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.

Aperture

This aperture is recognizable by photographers. It controls how much light enters the telescope, just like on a manual camera. The aperture is the diameter of either the primary or lens mirror. A telescope with a larger aperture will draw more light, which can result in deeper views. The most important spec to be aware of is F-ratio. For wide-field observation and photography, low f-ratios such as f/4 and f/5 are best. However, high f-ratios such as f/15 make deep-space objects and nebulae easier to capture and see. Both can be done with midpoint f-ratios.

FAQs

What Are The Three Main Types Of Telescopes?

Three types of telescopes exist: refractors (or reflectors), catadioptrics (or catadioptrics). The lenses used by refracting telescopes to make an image. To gather light, reflectors telescopes make use of mirrors. Catadioptric telescopes use both.

Can You See Galaxies With A Telescope?

While any telescope will show you at most the Andromeda Galaxy with a minimum of effort, the quality of your views as well as the number of galaxies depend on the aperture of your telescope, the sky conditions and light pollution, and your observation skills.

Are Telescopes Easy To Maintain And Service?

You will need to collimate your telescope (or at least make sure you check it every time you take it out), and clean it every few months or so. The only thing required for collimation is a star or a collimation tool. Cleaning is usually a simple rinse with distilled or ophthalmic water (for mirrors), or with optical tissue or coating-safe lens cleaner (for lenses).

What Is A Good Magnification For A Telescope To See The Planets?

To see the larger planets of our solar system, you need a magnification that is at least 30x. Magnification of at least 100x is required for planets like Mars. However, it is possible to go higher. Remember that the aperture plays a significant role in viewing any object through your telescope. It determines whether or not you are able to see finer details and how bright they appear.

How Much Does A Telescope For Beginners Cost?

There are many factors that can affect the cost of a telescope. A good telescope doesn't necessarily have to cost a lot of money. However, cheaper models might not offer the same magnifying power or other features needed by someone who is just beginning.

Why Is Aperture Size So Important When Choosing A Telescope?

What is the importance of aperture size when selecting a telescope?
Aspect size is a crucial aspect of choosing a telescope. A telescope's aperture size is a key factor in determining its ability to harvest light. The bigger the aperture, or primary mirror, the better the telescope will be at capturing that light and the greater the number of objects and details you can see.

Reflector telescopes have a major advantage: it is much simpler and more affordable to create a larger mirror than a larger lens. A refractor equipped with an 80mm objective lens will give you better view of the celestial objects than a mirror with a larger 114mm. The differences get even more pronounced when you go up to a 150mm or 130mm mirror.

Conclusion

best handheld telescope are usually made of high-quality materials, come with a warranty in case something goes wrong, and have a lot of positive customer feedback. If you want to buy the best commodity for your necessities, you must first understand what characteristics or qualities constitute an "ideal" item.

You can also look into Hanzla Collection Handheld Telescope as an alternative to the options listed above. We hope that this list of excuses why investing in the best is worthwhile will assist you in making an informed decision when shopping online.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio