7 Best Barlow Lenses Of 2026 (2x & 3x): Reviewed
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A good Barlow lens is the key to building a solid collection of eyepieces without breaking the bank. It is one of the most important purchases you can make to improve your viewing sessions as it will give you instant access to double the magnification options you had before.
For instance, if you have a 30mm, 24mm, and 10mm eyepiece, having a Barlow in your collection effectively adds a 15mm, 12mm, and 5mm eyepiece to your collection.
Since one decent Barlow lens is much cheaper than three new eyepieces, it is really cost-effective.
So I took some time and reviewed 6 top Barlow lenses and stated their respective pros and cons below.
The Celestron X-Cel LX 3x Barlow Lens is a 1.25-inch apochromatic lens that triples the magnification of your eyepiece. It is one of the most popular Celestron Barlow lenses used by astronomers for astrophotography, owing to its great price and exceptional value. Users of this high-quality Barlow lens say that it produces images that are breath-taking, beautiful, and crisp, with highly satisfying contrasts.
Our Top 3 Picks
Top Barlow Lenses - Reviews
1. Celestron Omni 2x Barlow
- ENHANCED MAGNIFICATION - Doubles the magnification of any 1.25" eyepiece, providing a versatile boost to your telescope's power for detailed celestial observations.
- SUPERIOR IMAGE QUALITY - Features fully multi-coated optics, ensuring maximum light transmission and minimal reflections for bright, clear, and high-contrast views.
- INCREASED EYE RELIEF - Effectively doubles the eye relief of your eyepieces, allowing for more comfortable viewing sessions, especially beneficial for those wearing glasses.
- VERSATILE COMPATIBILITY - Accepts standard 1.25" eyepieces and telescope focusers, making it a valuable addition to any astronomer's accessory collection.
- PRECISION BARREL DESIGN - The 1.25" barrel is precision-machined for a secure and snug fit in your telescope's focuser, minimizing vignetting and maximizing image quality.
The Celestron Omni 2x Barlow is a solid entry-level Barlow lens that delivers a noticeable boost in magnification without demanding a big investment. As a 2× Barlow, it effectively doubles the power of any 1.25″ eyepiece you pair it with, turning, for example, a 10 mm eyepiece into the equivalent view of a 5 mm — giving you more versatility from your existing eyepiece collection.
The optics are fully multi-coated with blackened lens edges to improve light transmission and reduce internal reflections, which helps maintain decent contrast and clarity even at higher powers. The barrel fits standard 1.25″ focusers and is secured with a metal thumbscrew, giving it a no-nonsense, reliable build quality that feels higher than many bundled “free” Barlows.
In practical use, many hobbyists find the Omni 2x performs well for lunar and planetary observing on clear nights.
On planets like Jupiter and Saturn it can make features like cloud bands or rings easier to discern when atmospheric seeing cooperates — though very high magnification will always be limited by conditions rather than the accessory itself. Compared to truly premium Barlows (like Tele Vue or higher-end 2× models), it won’t deliver absolutely pinpoint sharpness, but for its price range it offers good optical performance without obvious distortion for most visual observing. Enthusiasts on astronomy forums note that while it’s not the very best in every optical metric, you often need to spend significantly more to get noticeably better results.
What makes this lens especially good for beginners and intermediate users is how it extends your practical eyepiece set. Instead of buying multiple short-focal-length eyepieces to reach higher powers, the Omni 2x gives you two magnification options per eyepiece, which is both cost-effective and convenient.
There are some reports of slight vignetting with longer focal length eyepieces and that the actual magnification can vary a bit depending on how you mount it — not unusual for lenses in this class — but most observers still appreciate the added flexibility and decent optical quality it brings to a small-telescope setup.
2. SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens
- The value must have 2x barlow lens doubles the magnification of any 1.25 inch eyepiece;double the capacity of an existing set eyepieces at the cost of a single eyepiece
- SVBONY barlow lens provide a high power magnification allow you look more closely and more detailed at the moon's surface and other planet
- 2X barlow lens adopts 2 element one group broadband green film multi coated optical glass; the housing is blackened to maximize image contrast; both that make image more crisp and sharp without additional chromatic aberration
- Quality aluminum stock and black anodized body with M42x0.75mm thread;work as a t adapter;connect DSLR or SLR camera to telescope easily via a separate sale t ring adapter
- Connect DSLR SLR camera to telescope easily;the T ring adapter you buy separately depending on the model of camera
The SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens is a budget-friendly way to double the magnification of any standard 1.25″ telescope eyepiece, giving you extra reach without the cost of additional eyepieces.
Its optics are fully multi-coated with broadband green film and blackened inside the barrel to help reduce stray light and improve contrast, which is impressive for a lens at this price point. The metal construction and internal brass compression ring help ensure a secure fit in the focuser and protect your eyepieces from scratches during insertion or removal, making it feel more solid than ultra-cheap alternatives.
In actual observing, this SVBONY Barlow performs as expected for a 2× focal extender — it gives you a clear boost in magnification for viewing the Moon, planets, and other bright targets.
Many users report that it does exactly what a 2× Barlow should do with minimal obvious distortions, especially when seeing conditions are reasonable, and it works fine with a variety of telescopes and eyepieces. While you won’t get the absolute sharpness or highest contrast of premium Barlows, this SVBONY model stands up well for visual use in entry to intermediate setups and doesn’t introduce glaring optical flaws at normal magnifications.
What really stands out is the value proposition: for beginners and those on a budget, this Barlow adds flexibility to your eyepiece collection and lets you experiment with higher powers without spending a lot. There are occasional reports from observers that cheap Barlows in general can slightly dim the image or that at very high powers the atmosphere and scope optics limit performance more than the Barlow itself, so don’t expect astronomical photography-grade results here.
Still, for lunar and planetary observing and general exploration, this SVBONY 2× Barlow is a reliable, well-reviewed accessory that delivers good performance for the money.
3. Celestron X‑Cel LX 3x Barlow Lens
- ENHANCED MAGNIFICATION - The Celestron X-Cel LX Barlow Lens triples the magnification of any 1.25-inch eyepiece, providing a closer view of celestial objects with enhanced detail and clarity.
- SUPERIOR OPTICAL QUALITY - Experience exceptional image quality with fully multi-coated optics, ensuring maximum light transmission and minimal distortion for bright, sharp, and high-contrast views.
- COMFORTABLE VIEWING - Enjoy extended observing sessions with generous eye relief, allowing comfortable viewing distances, especially beneficial for those who wear eyeglasses while using their telescopes.
- PRECISION FIT - The 1.25-inch barrel is threaded to accept standard eyepiece filters, letting you easily enhance your observations by reducing glare and increasing contrast for optimal viewing conditions.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION - Crafted with high-quality materials, the X-Cel LX Barlow Lens is built to last, providing years of reliable performance and protection for your valuable telescope accessories.
The Celestron X-Cel LX 3x Barlow Lens steps up from the more common 2× models by tripling the effective focal length of any 1.25″ eyepiece you pair it with, making it a powerful accessory for small to mid-aperture telescopes.
Its fully multi-coated, 3-element apochromatic optical design helps control chromatic aberration and stray reflections while maintaining decent brightness, which is especially important when pushing magnification higher. The build quality reflects Celestron’s X-Cel LX line standards — robust, well-machined metal with a rubber grip and threaded barrel that accepts standard 1.25″ filters for convenience.
In practical observing, this Barlow performs well on targets like the Moon and brighter planets under stable skies.
The three-element apochromatic optics help preserve contrast and edge sharpness better than simpler short, cheap Barlows, so you can often detect finer surface details when conditions allow. Because it increases magnification more than a 2×, it’s especially useful in telescopes with shorter focal lengths where available power from eyepieces alone can be limited. That said, as with all high-magnification accessories, overall performance is still bounded by seeing conditions and your telescope’s optics.
For serious observers who want to extract extra power from their eyepiece set without buying a slew of ultra-short focal length eyepieces, this 3x Barlow is a versatile complement that avoids some of the optical compromises seen in bargain models. Users note that the X-Cel LX design tends to handle stray light and internal reflections well, contributing to cleaner views, though some critics mention that parfocal matching with eyepieces isn’t perfect — a common quirk with many Barlow lenses.
Overall, it’s a solid choice in the mid-tier Barlow category for visual astronomy and can meaningfully expand your observing potential when used under good sky conditions.
4. SVBONY Telescope Barlow Lens (5×)
- The value must have 5x barlow lens doubles the magnification of any 1.25 inch eyepiece;double the capacity of an existing set eyepieces at the cost of a single eyepiece
- Quality aluminum stock and black anodized body
- 3 element 2 group lenses with multi coated optics design make image more crisp and sharp
- Qulity and shorty aluminum stock and black anodized body for a convenient long term use
- 2 element one group broadband green film multi coated optical glass;the housing is blackened to maximize image contrast
The SVBONY 5× Barlow lens is a high-power magnifier that aims to dramatically boost the effective focal length of your telescope’s eyepiece — five times the normal magnification — which can make lunar craters and planetary details appear much larger at the eyepiece.
It uses fully multi-coated optics with broadband green film to improve light transmission and contrast, and the aluminum alloy construction feels solid and durable, especially for the price. The barrel is internally blackened to minimize internal reflections, helping preserve clearer views under night sky conditions.
In practical use, a 5× Barlow can be a double-edged sword: when conditions are excellent and your telescope has sufficient aperture, it can bring faint surface features into sharper view at high power.
However, such extreme magnification also magnifies atmospheric turbulence and optical shortcomings, and some users note that many telescopes simply can’t focus or deliver sharp images at the magnification levels this lens promises (a limitation noted even in product descriptions).
In other words, while it can produce dramatic magnification increases, the actual usable performance depends heavily on your specific telescope and sky conditions — it’s not a universal fix for seeing tiny details if the rest of your setup isn’t up to it.
For observers on a tight budget who want to experiment with very high magnification, this SVBONY 5× model is an interesting option that offers a taste of what extreme focal extension feels like without costing much. Just keep in mind the trade-offs: brightness drops as magnification climbs, and you may find that the images look dimmer or softer compared with views at lower powers — not a flaw of the lens itself, but a physical consequence of such high magnification.
If you’re aiming for moon and bright planet viewing under steady skies, and you already know your telescope reaches focus well at high power, this lens can be a fun way to push your gear further.
5. SVBONY 3× Barlow Lens
- Advanced Achromatic Lens;Superior sharpness and color correction;optical components;real physical computing magnification;triple the power of any 1.25" telescope eyepiece with the universal barlow lens
- For owners of fast short focal length telescopes;It not only increases the magnification;the image will be clearer than the average increase in magnification up to 15 times the image clarity
- 3x Barlow triples the magnification of any 1.25” eyepiece; Compatible with most 1.25 Inch diameter telescope eyepieces
- Includes both end caps to protect against dust and fingerprints; This Barlow comes with a set screw to securely hold your eyepieces
- Works on for Celestron; Orion;and most brands of telescope;full unit increases magnification of eyepiece by 3x
The SVBONY 3× Barlow Lens is designed to triple the effective focal length of any compatible eyepiece, giving you a significant magnification boost for lunar and planetary observing without buying extra short-focal-length eyepieces.
Its optics are fully multi-coated and the lens elements are edge-blackened to help reduce stray light and improve contrast compared with very cheap alternatives, which is notable at this price point. The metal body feels solid and robust for an inexpensive accessory, and the secure compression/locking mechanism helps hold eyepieces firmly in place during viewing.
In real-world use, a 3× Barlow like this can bring impressive magnification gains to bright targets such as the Moon and planets when the sky conditions are good.
Users often find that contrast and detail look reasonably crisp for a budget optic, though you should temper expectations: higher magnification also amplifies atmospheric turbulence and optical limitations of your scope, so the best views will be on nights with stable seeing and with telescopes capable of focusing sharply at high power. This model’s performance generally reflects good value for the money — more magnification than 2× options without wildly degrading image quality.
What makes this SVBONY 3× Barlow compelling is how it extends your eyepiece range affordably: if you only have a few eyepieces, adding this Barlow effectively gives you three times as many focal length options.
It’s well suited for beginners and intermediate hobbyists who want extra reach for lunar and planetary detail without spending on premium optics; just be aware that such high magnification can dim the image and reduce the true field of view, which are trade-offs inherent to any 3× Barlow design.
6. Bysameyee 2X Barlow Lens
- Doubles the Magnification: This 2X Barlow lens doubles the magnification and capacity of any 1.25 inch eyepiece at the cost of a single eyepiece.
- Interface with M42x0.75 Thread: With T/T2 (M42x0.75mm) male thread for T/T2 connectors, work as a t adapter. Connect DSLR or SLR camera to telescope easily via a separate sale t ring adapter. (Adapter not included)
- Multilayer HD Broadband Green Film Optical Glass Lens: Offer a high quality observation without introducing additional chromatic aberration. Chromatic corrected; provide high transmittance; ensure clear; sharp views.
- Quality Made: Aluminum stock and black anodized body, precision machined; sturdy for a long term use.
- Free Dust Cap: Keeps lens clear easily with 2 pairs of dust cover. With safety undercut and brass compression ring, ensure the eyepiece barrels will not be marred by the captive set screw.
The Bysameyee 2X Barlow Lens is a standard 2× magnification extender that effectively doubles the focal length of any 1.25″ eyepiece you pair it with, giving you more flexibility from your existing eyepiece set. Its optics are fully multi-coated with broadband film, which helps reduce glare and improve light transmission compared with very cheap single-coated alternatives, yielding clearer and more contrasty views through your telescope.
The lens also features a metal construction with an M42 camera interface, giving it a more solid feel than many ultra-budget models and even letting you connect a DSLR or astrophotography camera with the right adapter — a useful bonus for beginners exploring lunar and planetary imaging.
In real-world observing, this Barlow does exactly what a 2× unit should: it increases magnification on subjects like the Moon or bright planets without introducing dramatic optical flaws. Most users report that it fits securely in standard focusers and doesn’t add noticeable softening or aberrations at normal powers, making it a good value choice for entry-level astronomy kits.
That said, to achieve the best possible focus and avoid back-focus limitations, some telescopes may require slight adjustments or additional accessories — a minor practical consideration rather than a flaw in the optics themselves.
Where this Barlow really shines is its value proposition: for observers who want to explore higher magnifications without investing in multiple short-focal-length eyepieces, it effectively doubles your eyepiece options at a modest price.
It’s a great complement to beginner and intermediate setups and pairs particularly well with mid-range telescopes that benefit from a bit more power on lunar and planetary targets.
Just remember that like all 2× Barlows, increasing magnification also dims the image and relies on good atmospheric seeing, so performance will vary with sky conditions.
7. Astromania 1.25″ 3× Short Focus Barlow Lens
- 3x Increase in Magnification: Superior sharpness and color correction; optical components; real physical computing magnification
- It not only increases the magnification; the image will be clearer than the average increase in magnification up to 15 times the image clarity
- Premium Barlow: Bayonet SLR cameras can be connected to increase the multiples of the camera to take pictures
- Essentially triple the power of any 1.25 inch telescope eyepiece with the universal Barlow Lens; suitable for high contrast and high power applications in any telescope
- Compatible with most 1.25 Inch diameter telescope eyepieces; telescope filters; DSLR camera and other T-thread type accessories
The Astromania 1.25″ 3× Short Focus Barlow is designed to triple the effective focal length of standard 1.25″ eyepieces, giving you more magnification from the eyepieces you already own without the need to buy extra, ultra-short focal length oculars.
It features a fully multi-coated, 3-element optical design and apochromatic glass intended to control reflections and improve contrast compared to very cheap single-element barlows. The housing is fully metal and CNC-machined, with internal barrel blackening to help reduce stray light — traits that can help maintain clearer views when observing bright targets like the Moon and planets.
In actual use, the 3× magnification can significantly boost detail on high-contrast targets under good seeing conditions, effectively making a long focal length eyepiece behave like a much shorter one.
If your telescope and the night’s atmospheric stability allow it, this can bring lunar craters or planetary features into sharper focus than you’d get otherwise. However, as with all high-magnification Barlows, you’ll often be limited by atmospheric turbulence and your telescope’s optical quality rather than the accessory itself, and very high powers can sometimes push a setup past its useful focus.
For beginners and hobbyists on a budget, this Astromania 3× model delivers good optical value and flexibility for visual observing without a steep price tag. It’s a practical way to stretch your eyepiece collection for lunar and planetary work, though it’s not aimed at premium astrophotography or professional-grade performance.
Some users note that Chinese-made accessories like this can vary in quality from item to item, so expectations should be calibrated accordingly — solid for casual observing, but not a substitute for high-end optics if you’re chasing the absolute best image quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is A Barlow Lens?
Barlow lenses are a cost-effective way to increase the magnification of your eyepieces.
It was invented in the 19th century by mathematician/astronomer Peter Barlow.
Barlows contain a concave lens that is placed between your telescope’s objective lens or mirror and eyepiece. (Actually, they contain more than one glass element to reduce chromatic aberration).
Their effect is to increase the magnification of any eyepiece used with them, usually 2 or 3 times. As you’d expect, a 2x Barlow doubles your eyepiece magnification, whilst a 3x trebles it.
When should you buy a Barlow lens?
A Barlow lens is an easy way to increase the magnification of your telescope and using a Barlow lens effectively doubles the number of eyepieces that you have in your collection.
This means that whenever you want a greater variety of magnification options without buying multiple eyepieces or another telescope, you should just go ahead and buy a Barlow lens instead.
How does an achromatic Barlow lens work?
If we say a Barlow lens is achromatic, it means it is composed of two lenses stuck together and become one. It is mostly a combination of convex and concave lenses.
The overall result is an enhanced performance by effectively reducing chromatic aberration or splitting of colors and lights in various directions.
An achromatic lens for a Barlow means is made with at least two lenses. While apochromatic Barlows typically have three or more lenses.
Can you stack Barlow lenses?
Yes! you can stack Barlow lenses on one another provided they are the same barrel size (1.25″ or 2″) and the maximum useful magnification according to your telescope’s aperture size and the focal length of the eyepiece.
This technique is used for viewing brighter elements across the celestial sky.
Is a Barlow lens worth it?
Good quality Barlow lenses are completely worth the price.
Having a Barlow lens not only doubles the magnification, but it also doubles your collection of eyepieces as well.
Conclusion
So what’s the best Barlow lens?
To answer that question, we would need a deeper glance into your needs.
Barlow lenses are a great and affordable way to magnify the image from your telescope, but you have to choose them carefully.
A 2X Barlow lens is probably the best all-rounder, while Barlows offering higher magnification should be reserved for telescopes with large aperture and relatively fast f-ratio, as the image dimmers with the magnification.
Written by:
Prakash Chandra
I am a science and technology enthusiast who is curious about emerging concepts in spaceflight, aerospace, and robotics. My passion for astronomy started in my childhood, and my craze for writing started when my works got published in my school's newspaper.
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