The Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope is our choice as the best quick setup telescope for beginners. Our optical experts rated the Celestron as a recommended entry-level telescope, which is perfectly suited to budding skywatchers. Even for the uninitiated, it’s a breeze to use, thanks to its user-friendly features and sturdy build, which also makes the 100AZ a great choice as one of the best telescopes for kids.
Even at full price, the Celeston 100AZ is a relatively affordable telescope option. However, at Amazon ahead of Black Friday 2025, the Celestron Inspire 100AZ has dropped by 20% to just $303.59, which is a $76.36 saving on the usual Amazon price of $379.95.
With such a significant discount, if you’ve been considering investing in the Celestron Inspire 100AZ for yourself or as a Christmas Gift for a child, then now may well be the time. Even with Black Friday weekend just around the corner, running from Nov. 28 to Cyber Monday on Dec. 1, this price, with the additional $30 coupon, is exceptional and unlikely to go any cheaper.
Be sure to check out our Black Friday 2025 hub for more discounts and bargains, updated regularly on the run-up to the big shopping weekend.
In his Celestron review, tester Jamie Carter praised the Inspire 100AZ for its innovative features. Jamie loved the ease of use and that it delivered sharp views of planets and the moon.
Jamie also noted that even for beginners, it’s easy to operate, and with the integrated Red LED flashlight, it makes swapping out eyepieces easy in the dark. Other well-thought-out, user-friendly features included the handy smartphone adaptor. It means using your smartphone for astrophotography with the included Celestron Starry Night Astronomy Software and SkyPortal mobile app is an absolute breeze.
Elsewhere, its lightweight frame makes it supremely portable, ideal if you want to take it somewhere where light pollution is a non-issue. Jamie also highlighted the overall robust build quality, particularly its tripod, meaning it can handle a little overzealous handling from children and newbies.
Overall, we reckon this scope punches well above its weight, and if you’re after capturing the planets and the moon, it’s absolutely perfect for that task.
Key features: Aperture: 3.94-inch/100 mm, Focal length: 25.98-inch/660 mm, Focal ratio: f/6.5, 20mm and 10mm eyepieces, Integrated smartphone adapter, Red LED flashlight, Celestron Starry Night Astronomy Software and SkyPortal mobile app included.
Product launched: August 2016.
Price history: Before today’s deal, the Celestron 100AZ telescope hit $279 in July, and this price is easily the best 100AZ telescope price we’ve seen this year.
Price comparison: Walmart: $303.59 | Best Buy: $305.99
Reviews consensus: In our Celestron 100AZ telescope review, we scored it with a 4 out of 5 star rating. Our expert tester noted that “The Celestron Inspire 100AZ has more to get excited about than many of its cut-price rivals.” Our rating is on par with Amazon reviews, and the 100AZ has an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars, with 70% of those being top marks..
Space: ★★★★ Live Science: ★★★★
Featured in guides: Best Telescopes, Best Telescopes for Beginners, Best Telescopes for Kids
✅ Buy it if: You want a portable, budget telescope that will offer superb views of the planets and moons and let you capture those views on your smartphone. It’s sturdy enough that it should stand up to a little rough handling from beginners and children.
❌ Don’t buy it if: You want great views of the stars and other non-planetary bodies, or if you want to be able to find specific stars at the click of a button. If you’re prepared to pay extra, take a look at the other models in our Best Telescope Guide.
Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.