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Buying guide

Refractor Telescopes UK 2026: The Complete Buyer's Guide

Refractor telescopes use lenses rather than mirrors to gather and focus light. They are the classic telescope design — the kind Galileo used in 1609 — and they remain the best choice for specific types of astronomy. Sharp, high-contrast views of the Moon and planets, low maintenance, and excellent portability make refractors the ideal choice for city-based UK observers and anyone who wants to grab and go without fuss. This guide covers everything you need to know about refractor telescopes and the best telescopes UK buyers can choose from. If this is your first telescope, start with our best telescope for beginners guide to avoid the common mistakes.

Last updated: September 2026 · Written by the TelescopeReviews.co.uk test team

Best Refractor Telescopes UK

  • Best Overall: Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ
  • Best Budget: Bresser Junior 60/700
  • Best Premium: Celestron Inspire 100AZ
  • Best for: Planets, Moon, city observing

Refractor or Reflector?

Refractors excel at planetary viewing and require almost zero maintenance. Reflectors give more aperture per pound and are better for deep-sky objects. If planets and the Moon are your main targets — choose a refractor. If you want to see galaxies and nebulae — choose a reflector telescope.

What is a Refractor Telescope?

A refractor telescope uses a series of glass lenses to gather light and bring it to focus. The main lens — called the objective lens — sits at the front of the tube and determines how much light the telescope collects. Light passes straight through the tube to an eyepiece at the back, where it is magnified for viewing.

Because the optical path is a straight line and the tube is sealed, refractors are extremely robust. They rarely need adjustment, are quick to set up, and perform especially well on bright, high-contrast targets such as the Moon, planets and double stars.

Refractor Key Facts

  • Optical design:Lens-based
  • Mount type:Usually alt-azimuth
  • Best for:Planets, Moon, double stars
  • Maintenance:Very low — sealed tube
  • Typical aperture UK:60mm to 150mm
  • Price range UK:£60 to £1,500+

Refractor vs Reflector — Key Differences

How refractors compare to Dobsonian reflectors for typical UK observing.

Aperture per pound

Refractor

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Reflector

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Planetary views

Refractor

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Reflector

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Deep-sky views

Refractor

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Reflector

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Maintenance

Refractor

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Reflector

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Portability

Refractor

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Reflector

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Setup time

Refractor

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Reflector

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Value for money

Refractor

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Reflector

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Best Refractor Telescopes UK 2026

Check the live price on Amazon UK — we do not publish fixed prices.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ

Best overall

Best Pick
Check price on Amazon UK →

Bresser Junior 60/700

Best budget

Check price on Amazon UK →

Celestron Inspire 100AZ

Best premium

Check price on Amazon UK →

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ

Best Overall
4.4/5 stars

The StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is our top refractor pick for UK buyers. The 70mm aperture delivers sharp views of the Moon and planets, but the real innovation is the StarSense technology — a dock that uses your smartphone camera to analyse the star field and tell you exactly where to point the telescope. For beginners frustrated by not knowing where to look, this is genuinely transformative.

Pros

  • StarSense smartphone navigation
  • Sharp 70mm refractor optics
  • Lightweight and portable
  • No batteries in the mount
  • Good UK availability

Cons

  • 70mm aperture limits deep-sky views
  • Requires smartphone to use navigation
  • Alt-azimuth mount only

Who it's for: Beginners who want help finding objects without paying for a full GoTo mount.

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Bresser Junior 60/700

Best Budget
4/5 stars

The Bresser Junior 60/700 is the best refractor under £100 available in the UK. A 60mm achromatic refractor with a 700mm focal length, it delivers clear views of the Moon's craters and Saturn as a recognisable disc with rings. Not a powerhouse — but honest performance at an honest price.

Pros

  • Genuinely affordable
  • Clear lunar and planetary views
  • Lightweight — suitable for children
  • Easy alt-azimuth mount
  • Good starter accessories included

Cons

  • 60mm aperture — limited light gathering
  • Chromatic aberration on bright objects
  • Basic tripod wobbles at high magnification

Who it's for: Young beginners or anyone wanting a first look at astronomy on a strict budget.

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Celestron Inspire 100AZ

Best Premium
4.5/5 stars

The Inspire 100AZ is Celestron's most capable consumer refractor for visual observing. A 100mm aperture achromatic refractor with a built-in smartphone adapter and a red-dot finder, it delivers impressive views of the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. The quality jump from a 70mm to a 100mm refractor is immediately visible.

Pros

  • 100mm aperture — significant upgrade
  • Built-in smartphone adapter
  • Red-dot finder included
  • Solid alt-azimuth mount
  • Excellent Moon and planetary views

Cons

  • Pricier than equivalent reflectors
  • Chromatic aberration on bright stars
  • Heavy for its size

Who it's for: Serious beginners and intermediate observers who want the best refractor views without moving to an APO design.

Check price on Amazon UK →

Who Should Buy a Refractor Telescope?

YES — Buy a Refractor if

  • Planets and the Moon are your main targets
  • You live in a city or suburb
  • You want grab-and-go portability
  • Low maintenance is important
  • You are buying for a child

NO — Consider a Reflector if

  • Deep-sky objects excite you most — see our Dobsonian buyer's guide
  • Budget is the primary concern
  • You want maximum aperture
  • You have space to store a larger telescope
  • Astrophotography is a future goal

Frequently asked questions