Celestron
Celestron Inspire 100AZ
D
Ranked #10 in Telescopes
249 LP on the
category ladder
what's LP?
The Inspire 100AZ is highlighted as the most affordable beginner scope that still delivers clear, bright views. Its 100 mm aperture and simple Alt-Az mount make it a solid entry-level choice.
Consolidated from 17 cited sources across 10 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 7 positive sources
- 9 mixed sources
Flagged as a product to avoid
1 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.
Being sold off alongside other older models indicates potential limitations compared to newer technologies.
Flagged 7 August 2026
Pros & cons
- ✓ 100 mm aperture
- ✓ Clear, bright views
- ✓ Simple Alt-Az mount
- ✓ Least expensive beginner scope
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✗ Older design with fewer advanced features
- ✗ Limited optical performance for its size
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 14 articles, 2 video reviews and 1 community source
7 positive sources
W 
Wex Photo Video Jon Stapley, Leo White · reviewer · Feb 2023 
Live Science Article · Nov 2025 
Space Article · Oct 2025 
BBC Sky at Night Magazine [email protected] · reviewer · Feb 2026 Space Article · Nov 2025 Space Article · Nov 2025 Live Science Article · May 2025
Wex Photo Video Jon Stapley, Leo White · reviewer · Feb 2023 For our money, this is quite simply one of the best telescopes a beginner can buy right now. Well-priced and fully featured, the Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor couldn’t be easier to set up. Once you’ve opened the tripod, locked the accessory tray and attached the tube to the base via the quick-release mount, you’re ready to start gazing.Read L
Live Science Article · Nov 2025 The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is an excellent entry-level refractor telescope. We've even named it as the best beginner telescope in our best telescopes guide . It's a fantastic choice for anyone looking to start their stargazing journey, as approved by the 'Star Man' and our expert reviewer, Josh Dury.Read S
Space Article · Oct 2025 Reviews consensus: In our Celestron Inspire 100AZ review , we praised the sharp views of the moon and liked the handy smartphone adaptor and built-in red light for preserving night vision. There was some chromatic aberration but we thought it was a great value optical instrument nonetheless.Read B
BBC Sky at Night Magazine [email protected] · reviewer · Feb 2026 Experienced astrophotographers might wonder at our inclusion of the Celestron Inspire 100AZ in this list of best telescopes for astrophotography, but for complete beginners who want a good value scope that will let them capture images on their smartphone, this is a great choice.Read S
Space Article · Nov 2025 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.Read S
Space Article · Nov 2025 The Celestron Inspire 100AZ , a 4-inch refractor, will do a good job with planets, as will as 5-inch reflector like the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ .Read L
Live Science Article · May 2025 The optics of the Celestron Inspire 100AZ are very impressive.Read
9 mixed sources
T r/telescopes u/Tea_Chest4857 · owner 
Verified Reviews Verified Reviews · 1.1K subscribers · Mar 2026 Space Article · Oct 2022 
lightdesign lightdesign · 10 subscribers · Nov 2025 Space Article · Oct 2022 Live Science Article · Oct 2022 
Telescopic Watch Article · Feb 2026 Space Article · Dec 2022 
Digital Camera World Article · Jun 2022
https://telescopicwatch.com/celestron-inspire-100az-review/ It's not a bad scope, but because it's an achromatic refractor with a fairly short focal ratio it won't give the sharpest planetary views. You already have extra eyepieces. You could upgrade the diagonal, you could maybe try a fringe killer or minus violet filter, that's about it.Read thread V
Verified Reviews Verified Reviews · 1.1K subscribers · Mar 2026 Therefore, if you're new to astronomy and want a telescope that's easy to use, this might not be the best choice. However, for those who are willing to learn and invest some time in mastering the Altazmouth mount, the Celestron Inspire 100 offers impressive results. One of the things I like about the Celestron Inspire 100 is its 100 aperture lens.Watch S
Space Article · Oct 2022 As far as image quality goes, we had some minor false chromatic abberation on the 100AZ when viewing Jupiter, but less so than with other models. Its image quality for viewing planets and the moon was excellent. It's a little pricier than some models on this list, but it punches well above its weight.Read L
lightdesign lightdesign · 10 subscribers · Nov 2025 Don't buy it if you're an experienced telescope user seeking deep space observation capabilities. For that, a more advanced model like the Celestron Next 8SE would be necessary.Watch S
Space Article · Oct 2022 ❌ You want detailed views of deep sky objects: While this telescope can give great views of planets and the moon, objects further away may appear a little underwhelming.Read L
Live Science Article · Oct 2022 Don't buy it if ❌ You're an experienced astronomer: It's aimed more towards beginners, so it likely wouldn't be enough for more experienced users.Read T
Telescopic Watch Article · Feb 2026 It’s not a terrible scope, but we can tell this instrument was made to satisfy a price point and some marketing requirements.Read S
Space Article · Dec 2022 The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is an appealing solution if you want to view the moon and planets but don't want to spend big.Read D
Digital Camera World Article · Jun 2022 Reasons to avoid Limited to basic, short exposure photographyRead
1 stance not read source
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #10 of 15 on our telescopes tier list, in D tier. That placement draws on 17 cited sources across 10 outlets.
None of the 16 sources with a clear view is critical of it. Older design with fewer advanced features. Limited optical performance for its size.
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