Top 10 Remarkable Wi-Fi and Smartphone Telescopes of 2025
Today's amateur astronomers can rejoice as fantastic technology and equipment make exploring the cosmos a breeze!
Remember when Go-To mounts first graced our skies, offering an electronic setup that simplified astronomy for newcomers, sparking both criticism and praise? Well, fast forward to the present, and wifi-controlled mounts and telescopes have taken their place, opening doors to a new generation.
Here's a glimpse of some fantastic models that have graced the horizon of amateur astronomy:
ZWO Seestar S50
This budget-friendly smart telescope features a 50mm apochromatic refractor, perfect for those on-the-go. The S50 is portable and easy to use, as it's controlled via a smartphone or tablet app. For an afternoon of celestial delights, simply drag the Seestar out of its shockproof case, set it up, and voila! View the Sun, Moon, nebulae, or even galaxies like the Horsehead or Whirlpool. Portability means you can catch brief cloud gaps or venture deep into the night sky.
Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P AZ GO-2
Wi-Fi enables this telescope's altazimuth mount to locate targets efficiently, thanks to the SynScan app. After pointing it north and powering up, your smartphone, connected via Wi-Fi, will determine your location using GPS. From there, the Go-To system can identify countless objects—from globular clusters to distant galaxies like Andromeda—providing beginners with a fun and easy introduction to stargazing.
Celestron Astro Fi 5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Wi-Fi system
This 5-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is an impressive option for observing planets, the Moon, and various deep-sky targets. The Wi-Fi/smartphone control works like a charm, and the downloadable SkyPortal app makes it a breeze to set up and navigate. Observe the Orion Nebula, Crab Nebula, or NGC 2392 and watch as high-quality images stream directly to your device.
Vaonis Vespera Observation Station
While this expensive option might not suit all budgets, its all-in-one design makes it appealing to urban astronomers. The Vespera is a Go-To refractor that swaps the traditional eyepiece for a computer and Wi-Fi connection. Simply download Vaonis' Singularity app, connect to the Vespera with your smartphone, set your target, and watch in real-time as the telescope brings the cosmos to you.
For additional insights, head to our telescopes reviews page or check out our recommendations for the best beginners telescopes or the best telescopes for kids.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-To_mount[2] https://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/beginner-s-guide-to-the-dwarfstar-imager/[3] https://www.astropix.com/blog/snoptikon-vespera-review-a-smartphone-controlled-telescope-for-travelers[4] https://www.telescope.com/blogs/news/test-review-zwo-satos-seestar-s50-apo-smart-telescope/
- The ZWO Seestar S50, a budget-friendly smart telescope, is ideal for astronomers on the move, allowing for captivating views of the Sun, Moon, nebulae, and galaxies like the Horsehead and Whirlpool through its 50mm apochromatic refractor.
- The Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P AZ GO-2, enabled with Wi-Fi, offers a streamlined observing experience using its SynScan app to locate targets efficiently and identify celestial objects such as globular clusters and galaxies like Andromeda.
- The Celestron Astro Fi 5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Wi-Fi system is perfect for observing planets, the Moon, and deep-sky targets, with its smartphone control and SkyPortal app providing effortless navigation for astronomers of any skill level.
- The Vaonis Vespera Observation Station, though expensive, caters to urban astronomers with its all-in-one design, replacing the traditional eyepiece with a computer and Wi-Fi connection, making it easy to observe celestial objects in real-time using just a smartphone.
- For more information on these and other telescope models, visit our telescopes reviews page or take a look at our recommendations for the best beginners telescopes or the best telescopes for kids.
- As technology continues to advance in the field of space-and-astronomy, gadgets like smartphones become increasingly essential tools for amateur astrophotography, helping stargazers capture breathtaking images of galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial wonders within our solar system and beyond.
