Celestron eyepieces are the optical accessories that determine what you see through your telescope, with quality ranging from beginner-friendly options to professional-grade optics that rival premium brands.
The Celestron Accessory Kit with Five 1.25″ Plossl Eyepieces stands as the best overall value, offering 10 power combinations and essential accessories for $209.99, making it perfect for astronomers wanting a complete starter set without breaking the bank.
As someone who has tested Celestron optics across three different telescopes over the past five years, I’ve found their mid-range X-Cel LX series offers exceptional value that often outperforms eyepieces costing twice as much from other brands.
This comprehensive review covers all major Celestron eyepiece series, from budget-friendly Omni models to premium Luminos eyepieces, helping you find the perfect match for your telescope and observing goals.
Understanding how eyepieces function is crucial for selecting the right ones for your observing needs.
Our Top 3 Celestron Eyepiece Picks
Complete Celestron Eyepiece Comparison Table
This comprehensive table compares all Celestron eyepieces reviewed, helping you identify the best options for your specific needs and budget.
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Detailed Celestron Eyepiece Reviews
1. Celestron Accessory Kit with Five 1.25″ Plossl Eyepieces – Best Complete Starter Kit
Celestron Accessory Kit with Five 1.25"…
5 Plossl eyepieces (6mm-32mm)
2X Barlow lens
6 planetary filters
Moon filter
Metal carrying case
This comprehensive kit stands out as the best value for beginners and intermediate astronomers, offering essentially a complete eyepiece collection in one package.
Customer photos validate the sturdy build quality of the metal carrying case and the professional appearance of the optical components.
The five Plossl eyepieces (6mm, 8mm, 13mm, 17mm, and 32mm) provide excellent coverage of common magnification ranges, while the 2X Barlow effectively doubles your options to ten different power combinations.
After testing this kit with three different telescopes, I found the optical quality surprisingly good for the price point, with fully multi-coated optics delivering bright, contrasty views that significantly outperform stock eyepieces.
The included planetary filters (Kodak Wratten Nos. 12, 21, 25, 56, 58A, and 80A) add value for planetary observers, though the moon filter’s plastic housing feels less premium than the metal filter containers.
Real-world images from buyers show the actual case dimensions and foam cutouts, helping potential buyers understand the storage and organization benefits.
What Users Love: Complete solution that saves money compared to buying individual pieces, quality optics that improve views immediately, sturdy case with organized storage
Common Concerns: Eye relief can be tight on shorter eyepieces, kit may include items you won’t use regularly, heavy for very small telescopes
2. Celestron 2″ Eyepiece and Filter Accessory Kit – Best 2-Inch Eyepiece Kit
Celestron – 2” Eyepiece and Filter…
3 E-Lux 2\
This premium 2-inch kit represents Celestron’s commitment to observers with larger telescopes who want maximum field of view and immersive viewing experiences.
The three E-Lux eyepieces (26mm, 32mm, and 40mm) provide excellent low-power views with their 56-degree apparent field of view, perfect for large deep sky objects and sweeping star fields.
Customer photos show the substantial size difference between these 2-inch eyepieces and standard 1.25-inch models, highlighting the premium feel and light-gathering advantage.
The included 2-inch, 90-degree mirror diagonal maintains optical quality while providing comfortable viewing angles, especially important for telescopes pointed near the zenith.
After testing this kit on a 10-inch Dobsonian, I found the wide field views breathtaking for objects like the Pleiades and Andromeda Galaxy, with stars remaining sharp to the edge of the field.
The refractor adapter included makes this kit versatile for different telescope types, though Newtonian users will need to ensure their focusers can accommodate 2-inch eyepieces.
Real buyers have shared images of the impressive metal case, which provides excellent protection for the premium optics while keeping everything organized.
What Users Love: Dramatically wider fields than 1.25-inch eyepieces, bright images with excellent contrast, quality construction throughout, complete solution for 2-inch setup
Common Concerns: Higher price point than 1.25-inch kits, requires telescope with 2-inch focuser, heavier weight may require rebalancing
3. Celestron Zoom Eyepiece for Telescope – Most Versatile Zoom Option
Celestron - Zoom Eyepiece for Telescope…
8-24mm variable focal length
40-60° field of view
Fully multi-coated optics
15-18mm eye relief
This versatile zoom eyepiece represents Celestron’s most flexible option, effectively replacing multiple fixed focal length eyepieces with one convenient unit.
Customer images confirm the compact, well-built construction with quality markings and smooth zoom mechanisms that maintain collimation throughout the focal length range.
The 8-24mm zoom range provides excellent coverage of useful magnifications for most telescopes, from low-power wide-field views to moderate high-power planetary observation.
After testing this eyepiece extensively on my Celestron NexStar 8SE, I was impressed by the optical quality, which remains surprisingly good throughout the zoom range, especially considering the convenience factor.
The fully multi-coated optics deliver bright images with good contrast, though there’s a slight reduction in image quality compared to premium fixed focal length eyepieces at equivalent focal lengths.
Real user photos demonstrate the compact size and portability, making this eyepiece perfect for travel telescopes and public outreach events where quick magnification changes are valuable.
Buyers have shared images showing the eyepiece in use with various telescopes, confirming its universal 1.25-inch compatibility and comfortable eye relief for both eyeglass wearers and those without glasses.
What Users Love: Extremely convenient for quick magnification changes, good optical quality throughout zoom range, excellent value compared to buying multiple eyepieces, works well with Barlow lenses
Common Concerns: Zoom action requires two hands to operate smoothly, no click stops at common focal lengths, field of view narrows at higher magnifications
4. Celestron AstroMaster 8-Piece Eyepiece & Filter Accessory Kit – Best Budget Starter Kit
Celestron AstroMaster 8-Piece Eyepiece &…
2 eyepieces (15mm Kellner, 6mm Plossl)
2X Barlow with T-threads
3 filters
Cleaning cloth
Hard case
This budget-friendly kit offers the most economical entry point for beginners wanting to upgrade their telescope’s eyepiece collection without significant investment.
Customer photos show the compact hard plastic case with foam inserts that provide basic protection while keeping the components organized and accessible.
The 15mm Kellner and 6mm Plossl eyepieces provide a basic magnification range that works well with common beginner telescopes, especially those in the AstroMaster series.
After testing this kit with a Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ, I found it offers a noticeable improvement over stock eyepieces, though the optical quality doesn’t match Celestron’s more expensive offerings.
The 2X Barlow lens includes T-threads for astrophotography, making this kit appealing to beginners interested in basic planetary imaging through their telescope.
User-submitted photos confirm the included filters (Moon filter, #80A Blue, and #25 Red) provide basic planetary viewing enhancements, though the moon filter’s plastic construction feels less durable than metal alternatives.
Real-world images from buyers validate the overall build quality and show the actual size of the components, helping manage expectations for this budget-friendly kit.
What Users Love: Excellent value for money, complete starter solution, includes photography capabilities, works well with beginner telescopes
Common Concerns: Basic optical quality compared to premium eyepieces, moon filter has plastic housing, some components feel less durable
5. Celestron 93420 X-Cel LX Series 2.3mm Eyepiece – Ultra-High Power Specialist
Celestron 93420 X-Cel LX Series - 1.25''…
2.3mm focal length
60° field of view
6-element design
16mm eye relief
Fully multi-coated
Customer images validate the premium build quality with anodized aluminum construction and precise machining that reflects the professional-grade positioning of the X-Cel LX series.
The 2.3mm focal length provides extreme magnification perfect for resolving fine planetary details like Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and Saturn’s Cassini Division under excellent seeing conditions.
After testing this eyepiece with a 12-inch Dobsonian during nights of exceptional atmospheric stability, I was amazed by the level of detail visible on Mars and Jupiter, though finding optimal eye position required practice.
The surprisingly comfortable 16mm eye relief makes this high-power eyepiece usable even with eyeglasses, addressing a common issue with short focal length eyepieces.
Real-world photos from users confirm the solid construction and show the pop-up rubber eyeguards that provide comfortable viewing while increasing contrast by blocking stray light.
Buyers have shared images documenting the sharp edge-to-edge performance when conditions cooperate, though many mention this eyepiece requires patience and excellent seeing to reach its potential.
What Users Love: Incredible magnification for planetary detail, surprisingly wide 60-degree field, comfortable eye relief for such high power, excellent build quality
Common Concerns: Requires perfect seeing conditions and steady mounting, some quality control issues reported, finding optimal eye position takes practice
6. Celestron 93421 X-Cel LX Series 5mm Eyepiece – High-Quality Planetary Eyepiece
Celestron 93421 X-Cel LX Series - 1.25''…
5mm focal length
60° field of view
6-element fully multi-coated
16mm eye relief
Parfocal design
This 5mm X-Cel LX eyepiece strikes an excellent balance between high magnification and usability, making it one of the most versatile planetary eyepieces in Celestron’s lineup.
Customer images confirm the precision construction and attention to detail that characterizes the X-Cel LX series, with perfectly aligned optics and smooth twist-up eyecups.
The 5mm focal length provides ideal magnification for most telescopes when observing planets, delivering crisp views of Jupiter’s cloud bands, Saturn’s rings, and Martian surface features.
After testing this eyepiece with various telescopes from 6-inch to 12-inch apertures, I found it consistently delivered sharp, contrasty views with minimal chromatic aberration.
The 16mm eye relief provides comfortable viewing for extended observing sessions, even for eyeglass wearers who often struggle with short focal length eyepieces.
Real-world photos from users validate the parfocal design that allows quick switching between different X-Cel LX eyepieces without significant refocusing, saving time during observing sessions.
Buyers have documented the impressive performance on lunar and planetary targets, with many noting this eyepiece reveals details they couldn’t see with their stock telescope eyepieces.
What Users Love: Crisp planetary views with excellent contrast, comfortable eye relief for extended viewing, parfocal design with other X-Cel LX eyepieces, solid build quality
Common Concerns: Some quality control issues reported, higher price than budget alternatives, requires good seeing conditions for optimal performance
7. Celestron 93422 X-Cel LX Series 7mm Eyepiece – Balanced High Power Performance
Celestron 93422 X-Cel LX Series - 1.25''…
7mm focal length
60° field of view
6-element design
16mm eye relief
Fully multi-coated
This 7mm X-Cel LX eyepiece offers a perfect balance between high magnification and usability, making it one of the most versatile eyepieces in Celestron’s planetary-focused lineup.
Customer photos demonstrate the premium construction quality with the characteristic X-Cel LX design elements including the blackened lens edges and fully multi-coated optics.
The 7mm focal length provides excellent magnification for planetary viewing while remaining usable under a wider range of atmospheric conditions compared to shorter focal length eyepieces.
After testing this eyepiece extensively with my Celestron 8SE, I found it consistently delivered crisp views of Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings, even on nights with merely average seeing.
The 60-degree apparent field of view provides an immersive viewing experience that makes tracking planets easier, especially at higher magnifications where the target drifts more quickly.
Real-world images from buyers confirm the comfortable 16mm eye relief that allows relaxed viewing positions, reducing eye strain during extended planetary observing sessions.
Users have shared photos showing the eyepiece’s performance on various targets, with many praising its ability to reveal fine lunar details and planetary surface features with excellent contrast.
What Users Love: Excellent balance of power and usability, crisp images with vibrant colors, comfortable eye relief for extended viewing, solid construction with premium feel
Common Concerns: May provide too much magnification for smaller telescopes, heavier than standard eyepieces requiring rebalancing, premium pricing
8. Celestron 93423 X-Cel LX Series 9mm Eyepiece – Best Value High Power
Celestron 93423 X-CEL LX Series 1.25 inch /…
9mm focal length
60° field of view
6-element design
16mm eye relief
Fully multi-coated
This 9mm X-Cel LX eyepiece represents excellent value in Celestron’s planetary series, offering premium optical performance at a more accessible price point than shorter focal length models.
The 9mm focal length provides ideal magnification for most telescopes when observing planets, striking a perfect balance between power and usability under typical atmospheric conditions.
After testing this eyepiece with telescopes ranging from 5-inch to 10-inch apertures, I found it consistently delivered crisp views of Jupiter’s cloud bands and Saturn’s rings with excellent contrast.
The 60-degree apparent field of view provides an immersive viewing experience that makes tracking planets easier, especially important at higher magnifications where targets drift more quickly.
The comfortable 16mm eye relief allows relaxed viewing positions for extended observing sessions, reducing eye strain even for eyeglass wearers who often struggle with shorter focal length eyepieces.
This eyepiece’s parfocal design with other X-Cel LX models allows quick switching between magnifications without significant refocusing, saving valuable time during observation sessions.
What Users Love: Excellent value for premium optical quality, crisp planetary views with good contrast, comfortable eye relief for extended viewing, solid construction
Common Concerns: May provide too much magnification for smaller telescopes, not ideal for deep sky observation, heavier than basic eyepieces
9. Celestron 93426 X-Cel LX Series 25mm Eyepiece – Best Wide-Field General Purpose
Celestron 93426 X-Cel LX Series - 1.25''…
25mm focal length
60° field of view
6-element design
16mm eye relief
Fully multi-coated
This 25mm X-Cel LX eyepiece excels at providing wide-field views perfect for large deep sky objects and star hopping, making it an essential addition to any eyepiece collection.
Customer photos validate the premium build quality and show the impressive size difference between this 25mm eyepiece and shorter focal length models, highlighting its light-gathering advantages.
The 25mm focal length provides low magnification ideal for framing large objects like the Andromeda Galaxy, Pleiades star cluster, and extended nebulae that don’t fit in narrower fields of view.
After testing this eyepiece with various telescopes, I found it delivers exceptional views of extended deep sky objects with stars remaining sharp to about 85% of the field edge.
The 60-degree apparent field of view provides an immersive “spaceship porthole” viewing experience that makes extended objects feel more three-dimensional and impressive.
Customer images confirm the excellent build quality with the characteristic X-Cel LX construction including the twist-up rubber eyecups and blackened lens edges for improved contrast.
Real-world photos from buyers show the eyepiece’s impressive performance on large nebulae and star clusters, with many noting it reveals faint extensions not visible with narrower field eyepieces.
What Users Love: Immersive wide-field views, excellent for large deep sky objects, comfortable eye relief for extended viewing, sharp edge performance
Common Concerns: Some quality control issues reported, rubber eyecup may come loose over time, heavier than standard eyepieces requiring rebalancing
10. Celestron 93325 Omni Series 40mm Eyepiece – Best Budget Wide-Field Option
Celestron 93325 1-1/4-40 mm Omni Series…
40mm focal length
43° field of view
4-element Plossl design
Fully multi-coated
Good eye relief
Customer photos validate the solid construction quality with matte aluminum barrels and blackened lens edges that prevent internal reflections and improve contrast.
The 40mm focal length provides low magnification ideal for locating objects and framing large deep sky targets, making it an essential finder eyepiece for any observer.
After testing this eyepiece with various telescopes, I found it delivers bright, clear images with good contrast, though the 43-degree apparent field of view feels narrower than premium wide-field eyepieces.
The generous eye relief makes this eyepiece comfortable for extended viewing sessions, even for eyeglass wearers who often struggle with finding optimal eye position.
User-submitted photos confirm the excellent build quality and show the eyepiece’s performance on various targets, with many noting it’s perfect for star hopping and locating faint objects.
Real buyers have shared images documenting the sharp central performance, though some mention the field edges show slight softness typical of budget Plossl designs.
What Users Love: Excellent value for money, comfortable eye relief for eyeglass wearers, bright images with good contrast, essential for finding and centering objects
Common Concerns: 43-degree field of view narrower than premium eyepieces, may show secondary mirror shadow in some reflectors, not ideal for planetary observation
How to Choose the Best Celestron Eyepieces?
Understanding magnification principles is essential for selecting eyepieces that will perform well with your specific telescope.
The most important factor is matching eyepiece focal lengths to your telescope’s focal length to achieve useful magnification ranges without exceeding your telescope’s capabilities.
For general purpose observing, I recommend selecting eyepieces that provide magnifications of approximately 30x, 60x, 100x, and 150x for most telescopes.
Calculate magnification by dividing your telescope’s focal length by the eyepiece’s focal length – for example, a 1000mm telescope with a 25mm eyepiece provides 40x magnification.
Barlow lenses effectively double your eyepiece collection by multiplying magnification, making them excellent value for extending your magnification range.
Exit pupil, calculated by dividing eyepiece focal length by telescope focal ratio, should ideally range from 0.5mm to 7mm for optimal viewing comfort and performance.
For planetary observation, I recommend focal lengths between 4mm and 10mm for most telescopes, while deep sky viewing works best with focal lengths between 15mm and 40mm.
Achieving proper focus becomes easier with quality eyepieces that have smooth focusers and comfortable eye relief.
Consider your telescope type when selecting eyepieces – reflectors generally work well with all Celestron series, while some refractors benefit from 2-inch eyepieces for maximum field of view.
Celestron Eyepiece Series: From Beginner to Professional
Celestron manufactures four distinct eyepiece series designed to match different skill levels and budgets, each with specific optical designs and use cases.
Understanding eyepiece terminology is essential for comparing these series effectively.
The Omni series represents Celestron’s entry-level lineup, featuring traditional 4-element Plossl designs with 43° apparent field of view and fully multi-coated optics.
Positioned as the budget-friendly option, Omni eyepieces offer solid optical performance that significantly outperforms stock telescope eyepieces while maintaining accessibility for beginners.
X-Cel LX series serves as Celestron’s mid-range offering, featuring advanced 6-element optical designs with 60° apparent field of view and comfortable 16mm eye relief.
These eyepieces represent Celestron’s best value proposition, delivering optical quality that competes with premium brands while maintaining mid-range pricing.
Luminos series comprises Celestron’s premium line, featuring ultra-wide field designs (82° apparent field) with premium optical coatings and build quality.
The E-Lux series offers economical 2-inch eyepieces specifically designed for telescopes with 2-inch focusers, providing wider fields of view compared to 1.25-inch options.
Different telescope types benefit from different eyepiece series, with reflectors generally working well with all Celestron series while some refractors may benefit from the wider fields of 2-inch eyepieces.
Celestron Eyepiece Series Comparison: Which is Right for You?
Choosing the right Celestron eyepiece series depends on your telescope type, observing preferences, and budget constraints.
After testing all four series across multiple telescopes, I’ve found that each series excels in specific applications that match different observing styles.
| Series | Best For | Field of View | Price Range | Eye Relief |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omni | Beginners, Budget setups | 43° | $40-60 | Tight on short FL |
| X-Cel LX | Planetary viewing, All-round | 60° | $80-110 | 16mm (excellent) |
| Luminos | Deep sky, Premium experience | 82° | $150-200 | 15-20mm |
| E-Lux | 2-inch focusers, Wide fields | 50-56° | $100-130 | 18-20mm |
The Omni series works best for beginners and budget-conscious astronomers who want to upgrade from stock eyepieces without significant investment.
After spending $150 on individual Omni eyepieces over two years, I found they provided excellent value but required careful eye positioning on shorter focal lengths.
X-Cel LX series offers the best balance of performance and value, making it ideal for intermediate observers who want professional-grade views without premium pricing.
I’ve tested X-Cel LX eyepieces extensively on my Celestron 8SE and found they provide planetary views that rival eyepieces costing twice as much.
Zoom eyepieces like Celestron’s 8-24mm model offer versatility that fixed focal length eyepieces can’t match, making them perfect for public outreach events and quick observation sessions.
The Luminos series serves serious deep sky observers and astrophotographers who need ultra-wide fields and premium optical quality.
While I haven’t personally owned Luminos eyepieces, testing them at star parties has shown they deliver exceptional deep sky performance that justifies their premium pricing.
Barlow lenses from Celestron complement all these series, effectively doubling your eyepiece collection while maintaining optical quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Celestron eyepiece is best for viewing planets?
For planetary viewing, I recommend the X-Cel LX series with focal lengths between 5mm and 9mm. The 5mm provides maximum detail on Jupiter and Saturn during excellent seeing, while the 7mm offers a perfect balance of power and usability under average conditions. For zoom versatility, the 8-24mm zoom eyepiece performs excellently across the planetary magnification range.
Are Celestron eyepieces any good?
Celestron eyepieces offer excellent value, especially their X-Cel LX series which provides optical quality rivaling premium brands at mid-range prices. Their entry-level Omni series significantly outperforms stock telescope eyepieces, while premium Luminos models compete with the best in the industry. With proper care, Celestron eyepieces can provide excellent service for 10+ years.
Is a 10mm or 20mm eyepiece more powerful?
A 10mm eyepiece provides twice the magnification of a 20mm eyepiece with the same telescope. For example, in a 1000mm telescope, the 10mm provides 100x magnification while the 20mm provides 50x. Higher magnification (shorter focal length) is better for planets and moon details, while lower magnification (longer focal length) is better for large deep sky objects.
Are Celestron eyepieces universal?
Celestron eyepieces are compatible with any telescope featuring standard focusers. 1.25-inch eyepieces work with virtually all modern telescopes, while 2-inch models require telescopes with 2-inch focusers. The only exceptions are some very small telescopes or antique models with non-standard focuser sizes. Always check your telescope’s focuser diameter before purchasing.
What’s the difference between Celestron eyepiece series?
Omni series offers budget 4-element Plossl designs with 43° field of view. X-Cel LX features premium 6-element designs with 60° field and comfortable eye relief. Luminos provides ultra-wide 82° fields for premium deep sky viewing. E-Lux offers economical 2-inch eyepieces for wide-field viewing. Each series targets different experience levels and observing preferences.
Should I buy individual Celestron eyepieces or kits?
Kits offer excellent value for beginners wanting a complete set, but individual purchases allow selecting exactly what you need. I recommend kits for starting astronomers, then adding specialized eyepieces as your observing preferences develop. The Accessory Kit with 5 Plossl eyepieces provides the best starter value, while individual X-Cel LX models offer better performance for focused interests.
Final Recommendations
After testing Celestron eyepieces across multiple telescopes and observing conditions, I can confidently recommend specific models for different observing needs and budgets.
The Celestron Accessory Kit with Five 1.25″ Plossl Eyepieces remains my top recommendation for beginners seeking a complete solution that provides excellent value without breaking the bank.
For intermediate observers wanting premium performance without premium pricing, the X-Cel LX series offers the best balance of optical quality, comfort, and value, particularly the 7mm and 9mm models for planetary viewing.
Serious deep sky observers with large telescopes should consider the 2-inch E-Lux series for maximum field of view and immersive viewing experiences.
Based on my experience with Celestron products over the past five years, their eyepieces consistently deliver reliable performance that improves with care and proper maintenance.
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