Best Binoculars

Buying binos is not as easy or as simple as you may think.

The market is saturated with binos from different manufacturers, some of which are of good quality and others are of poor quality.

The goal is to find binos that meet your needs, and this means having all the features you need for a great viewing experience.

And they should also be of good quality.

It is easy to be fooled by the price tag, but you don’t want to spend money, no matter how little, on poor quality binos.

So when choosing binoculars, whether they are for birding, ocean viewing, wildlife watching, or hunting, make sure they are of good quality.

And one way you can do that is by checking user reviews and ratings of the binos. You may also talk to an expert who can give you some advice on what to check for when buying binos.

With that in mind, check out our top picks of the best binoculars based on activities and price tag.

Best Binoculars in October, 2023

SkyGenius 10×50 – Best Binocular for Sports and Football

Although there are some great quality binos for sports and football, if you are looking for the best one, then we recommend the SkyGenius 10x50mm binos.

The reason why this particular model is our top pick is not just because it has a slew of positive reviews and ratings, we did test it and a few other highly rated binos.

And we were quite impressed with its performance, features, and cost.

The SkyGenius features a 10x magnification, which is great particularly if you are in a stadium situated somewhere where it’s hard to see the game and the players properly. And you can easily adjust the magnification to remove any blurriness.

Furthermore, the lenses are multicoated to ensure that your images are always sharp and clear even in low lighting conditions. And with a field of view 367 feet, you are not going to miss any action.

The 18mm eye relief is adequate for eyeglass and non-eyeglass wearers. And the adjustable eyecups allow you to adjust to an eye relief that is most comfortable for you.

The construction of the SkyGenius is sturdy. It is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. But weighing at 28 ounces, some users may find the binos heavy.

Nikon 16212 LaserForce 10×42 – Best Rangefinder Binocular

For people who enjoy target shooting or hunting, they rely on binos to make accurate shots.

And these binos are fitted with features like rangefinders that allow you to know how far your target is in yards or meters.

With rangefinder binoculars, you can hit targets that are more than 1000 yards away. This is the reason why they are ideal for long-range shooting.

And the best rangefinder you can find anywhere in the Nikon 16212 LaserForce 10×42. We picked this rangefinder to be our top pick because it has amazing features and excellent performance.

The Nikon Laserforce Rangefinder is a 10x42mm bino. The magnification is adjustable allowing you to see targets that are far away.

This bino is a roof prism bino, so it’s compact and lightweight. This one weighs about 30 ounces, so you can carry it around easily.

The rangefinder is designed to give you accurate measurements of targets that are more than 1000 yards away. And it has an incline/decline feature that allows you to measure horizontal distances.

Via: @alabama_arsenal

As for the build, this model has an aluminum chassis with rubberized armor for a firm grip and to protect the bino from water damage.

The eye relief is great. You can adjust it using the eyecups. And the 320 field of view allows you to keep track of a moving target.

The only setback is the price tag. These binos are quite pricey, but given what they offer, they are definitely worth the price.

Night Owl NONB2FF – Best Night Vision Binocular

Birding, hunting, or hiking at night can be fun and exciting, but unless you have bionic eyes, you need a good night bino.

A quality night vision bino is one that comes with an infrared illuminator that allows you to see well at night.

Not all night vision binos have this feature. Those that don’t work well in low lighting conditions, but they don’t see in total darkness.

Also, for clearer and sharper visuals, you need night binos that use glass lenses that are of superior quality.

So when buying a night bino, you need to consider three factors: the environment, lighting conditions, and the outdoor activity you intend to engage in.

That said if you are looking for a quality night vision bino that offers crisp clear views at night then consider getting the Night Owl NONB2FF Pro Nexgen night vision bino. This is one of the best night vision binos you can buy if you are on a budget.

The Night Owl Pro Nexgen has a 24mm objective lens and a field of view of 107 feet. If you are focusing on a particular target like a deer or elk, you are not going to have a problem keeping track of it since the field of view is wide enough.

Plus it has a fixed-focus feature that helps eliminate the need to manually focus the bino to keep track of your target.

The bino has a sturdy construction that has a rubber armor for non-slip gripping and waterproof performance.

Leica 40318 Trinovid 8×42 HD – Best Binocular for Birding

Birding has over the years become a popular outdoor activity.

And for some bird watchers, it is a career. So having a good pair of binoculars is essential.

While you don’t need a bino that has very high magnification, you do need one that has a large objective lens.

An ideal bino for bird watching should have a 7x or 8x magnification, and an objective lens that is 42mm or bigger.

You may choose to go with a 10x bino, but you may have some problems with it when it comes to viewing and portability.

Binos that have such high magnification tend to be heavy and the viewing becomes a problem when you increase the magnification. So try to avoid binos with high magnification if you are looking to buy binos specifically for bird watching.

Via: @drewweber

When it comes to which bird watching binos to buy, if you don’t mind spending an extra few bucks, then we recommend the Leica 40318 Trinovid 8×42 HD Binoculars. Although these binos are quite expensive, they are outstanding. They come with multicoated lenses for sharp and clear views.

For objects that are far away, you can zoom the magnification up to 8 times to bring them closer for your viewing pleasure. The bino has a 414 feet field of view, which is wide enough to keep a target in your view even when it’s on the move.

Via: @leicauk

Don’t worry if you wear eyeglasses, this bino has an eye relief of 17mm which is sufficient for people with poor eyesight.

Celestron 71332 Nature DX 8×42 – Best Binocular for Alaska Cruise

Alaska is a beautiful place with many incredible breathtaking views.

And if you are planning a cruise to see the natural wonders of Alaska, make sure you have a pair of quality binoculars with you to take in the scenic views.

If you don’t already have one, you can get one that offers excellent performance without spending too much of your hard-earned money.

There is a huge array of nature binos to choose from, but it can get tricky figuring out which one to buy. But having done our research and tested a few top rated binos, the Celestron 71332 Nature DX 8×42 bino was our favorite.

And the reason it’s our favorite is that aside from having great features and excellent performance, it comes with a great price tag.

The Celestron Nature DX binoculars come with a 42mm objective lens to give you crisp clear views and an 8x magnification to see objects that far off.

The bino is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. It features a rubberized armor that protects the binos from water damage. The armoring also makes the bino shockproof and gives you a comfortable and firm grip.

Via: @instafr4nk

It is lightweight, which is a great feature since ts hard to set up a tripod when you are on a cruise ship. So you can enjoy the views of Alaska without getting tired of holding or carrying the binos.

And the best thing of all is that they come in objective lens caps to protect your lenses from damage, a carrying case, lens close, neckstrap, and other amazing accessories.

Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 8×42 – Best Binocular for Spying/ City Viewing/ Peeping

Some people don’t buy binos for birding, hunting, hiking, or camping, they buy them for spying, city viewing, or peeping.

Now, spying on people from a public area is illegal, but if you do it from your home, apparently it’s not illegal.

Peeping on someone is downright creepy but some degree of scopophilia in some states is not considered illegal.

However, in some states, peeping it is completely illegal.

Having said that, if you are looking for best binos for city viewing, spying or peeping, then check out the Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 8×42 binos. After reading numerous user and expert reviews, we picked this model as our top pick.

Via: @kat_named_rach

The Nikon Monarch 5 is a compact bino that weighs 20 ounces, so you can carry it around easily. The rubber armoring protects the bino from shock and water damage.

The Monarch 5 also has a rubber armoring to protect it from water and shock damage. So in case you drop them by mistake, the rubber armoring can protect them from getting damaged. Unless they drop from a high height.

Via: @markuslockinger

Another great feature is the eye relief. These binos have an eye relief of 19.5mm, so you can use glasses with these binos. The eyecups are designed for comfort and you can, therefore, use them over an extended period without your eyes get tired quickly.

Nikon 7541 MONARCH 3 10×42 – Best Binocular For Surveillance

Binoculars for surveillance are commonly used by law enforcement.

But you can also buy one if you need to do some surveillance.

And one of the best binos to buy for this type of undertaking is the Nikon 7541 MONARCH 3 10×42.

This bino features a 10x magnification for long-distance viewing and a 42mm objective lens that uses fully multicoated lenses for bright and clear images.

If you wear eyeglasses, you are not going to have a problem with these binos as they have an eye relief of 17mm which is adequate. And you can adjust the eye relief using the adjustable eyecups that are made of rubber for added comfort.

The Monarch 3 has a compact build made of polycarbonate material which is durable and rugged. The binos are also waterproof and can withstand the harshest environments.

And best of all the binos come with a 25-year warranty.

Athlon Optics 113004 Midas 8×42 – Best Binocular for Wildlife Viewing

For some, wildlife viewing is a hobby and for others its a career.

And such an activity requires quality binos that allow you to see wildlife and even small animals like insects easily.

This is why we recommend the Athlon Optics 113004 Midas 8×42 binos.

These roof prism binos come with a 42mm objective lens that uses ED glass to remove or prevent chromatic aberration.

It has an 8x magnification for long-distance viewing and excellent eye relief for people who wear glasses. The field of view is wide enough to help you track wildlife that is on the move.

As for the build, these are roof prism binos, so they are compact and lightweight. They are also purged with argon to protect them from water damage.

These binos are not expensive, which makes them ideal for newbies who are looking to buy premium binos at an affordable price.

Fujifilm Fujinon Polaris 7×50 FMT-SX – Best Binocular for Whale Watching and Ocean Viewing

Powerful and hardwearing, the Fujifilm Fujinon Polaris 7×50 FMT-SX binos is one of the best binos for whale watching and ocean viewing.

The 7x bino features a 50mm objective lens that gathers enough light to deliver high resolution and clear images even in poor lighting conditions.

The bino uses field flattener lenses to minimize color fringing and image distortion thereby delivering sharp and clear images.

And the large objective lens delivers a  field of view of 394 feet, which is wide enough to help you track objects that are on the move.

But putting aside the weight and size of the bino, its a great bino with excellent image quality.

Via: @hcvt77

Plus it’s rubber-coated to protect it from water and shock damage. And best of all, the bino comes with a lifetime warranty and accessories that include a carry case, lens cover, and lens cloth.

Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22×50 – Best Binocular for Long Distance Viewing

The Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22×50 is a Porro prism bino designed for long-distance viewing.

While there are many other similar products, this is straight-up one of the best binos for long-distance hunting or viewing.

Porro prism binos are loved for their image quality. The only problem is that they are large and heavy.

But if you need to view targets or objects that are more than 1500 yards away without a problem, you need a bino that has the capability to do so.

This is why we recommend the Nikon Aculon A211. The bino has a variable magnification of 10x to 22x allowing you to zoom in and out when viewing targets or wildlife. And there is a control knob that allows you to adjust the magnification quickly and easily.

If you wear glasses, using these binos is not going to be a problem at all as they come with adjustable rubber eyecups. And the eyecups allow you to adjust for eye relief providing you with extreme comfort.

Via: @laybyland.au

As for the build, some users are going to find the bino heavy. It is a Porro prism bino after all, which are heavier and larger than roof prism binos. But it has a durable build that comes with rubber armoring to protect the unit from shock and water damage.

It is also inexpensive, which makes it ideal for budget-conscious buyers and newbie who are looking to buy the first pair of binos without spending too much money.

Bushnell 191042 Legend Ultra HD 10×42 – Best Binocular for Elk Hunting

When it comes to buying binos for elk hunting, we recommend the Bushnell 191042 Legend Ultra HD 10×42 binoculars.

The image clarity of these roof prism binos is quite remarkable.

Featuring a 42mm objective lens, this binos uses ED glass to reduce color fringing and deliver clear images.

And the lenses are fully multicoated to add to the clarity, sharpness, and brightness of your images.

The Bushnell Legend Ultra has a magnification of 10x, which according to expert hunters is perfect for hunting and long-distance shooting. So for elk hunting, this are definitely the binos you would want to have.

Via: @guntimebrandon

Also, they are weatherproof. The magnesium chassis has a rubber armoring for shockproof and waterproof performance. They are also compact and lightweight.

So you can carry them around easily and use them for an extended amount of time without needing a tripod mount.

Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7 8×42 – Best Binocular for Deer Hunting

Nikon has always produced some of the best optics in the world.

And it comes as no surprise that the best binocular for deer hunting is a Nikon product.

The Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7 8×42 has a wide field of view that allows you to track your target.

The objective lens of the bino uses ED glass, which enhances color fidelity and brightness. And the lenses are also coated with high-reflective prism coatings to provide high-resolution images.

The bino has a sturdy or durable construction. And its nitrogen purged to make it waterproof and fog proof.

Via: @johnwdavisjr

And best of all, the bino comes with a lifetime warranty and amazing accessories.

Canon 4625A002 15×50 – Best Image Stabilized Binocular

One of the best features of the Canon 4625A002 15×50 binocular is the image stabilizer feature.

Let’s face it unless you have superhuman vision, your eyes can only see so far and so clearly particularly if you are in a moving car.

So if you are on safari, you need a good pair of image stabilization binoculars because even if your handshakes when viewing, this feature corrects that by delivering steady images.

So even if you crank up the magnification to its highest, as long as the image stabilization feature is on, you are not going to have shaky images.

In addition to that, the bino provides a large field of view, so even if your target is on the move, you are not going to miss it out have a hard time tracking it. And the 50mm objective lens is wide enough to help you catch all the action.

The build is sturdy. These are Porro prism binos, so they are quite large and heavy. So if you are looking for binos that have the same size objective lens, get roof prism binos as they are compact and lightweight.

Also, another aspect of these binos that may discourage buyers is the price tag. The Canon image stabilization binos are quite expensive. But the trade-off is the image stabilization feature, the quality build, and the image clarity of the binos.

Bestguarder NV-900 4.5-22.5×40 – Best Binocular with Camera

With technological advances in the optics industry, today you can buy binos that have a built-in camera and even a video recorder.

And if you are looking for a bino with such capabilities, then consider getting the Bestguarder NV-900 4.5-22.5×40.

The bino comes with an inbuilt camera and infrared illuminator to help you see when there is total darkness.

And depending on the lighting conditions, you can adjust the illuminator to a lower or higher mode.

The objective lens is 40mm in size and due to the wideness of the lens, you can see objects clearly and you can also keep track of them when they are on the move.

You can view your photos and videos in HD using the LCD screen and save them on the 32GB SD card that comes with the bino. And if you want to transfer your videos and photos to your computer, there is a port that allows you to connect to your computer.

Via: @chunling2048

This bino uses batteries, and it comes with a cord for charging the batteries. You can extend the battery life by shutting off the infrared illuminator when you don’t need it. But even when it’s on, the batteries can run for about 20 hours.

As for the build, the bino is sturdy and durable, and it’s also weatherproof. But do not attempt to use the binoculars underwater as they are not that water-resistant.

Zeiss 524212 Conquest HD 10×42 – Best Binocular for Under $1000

Zeiss is world-renowned for producing superior optics and while many of their products are expensive, they do make binos for people who are budget-conscious.

And one of the best binos you can buy for under $1000 is the Zeiss 524212 Conquest HD 10×42.

The 10×42 bino uses HD lenses that deliver high-resolution visuals.

The 42mm objective lens delivers sharp and bright images because it gathers enough light. And with the wide field of view, you can quickly and easily keep your target in your view even if it’s on the move.

And you can also use it in any weather condition since the lenses are purged with nitrogen for fog-proof performance.

Via: @god9er

And like most quality binos, this unit has rubber armoring to give you a solid grip and protect the bino from water and shock damage.

Buyer’s Guide

The biggest challenge when choosing binos is knowing which ones to buy. Binoculars vary in style, design, and performance. And some are designed for specific activities.

So if you are looking for quality binoculars that meet your needs, here are some features you need to consider before you make a purchase.

Magnification and Size of the Objective Lens

Knowing what magnification you need depends on the activity. If you are hunting, expert hunters recommend buying a bino that has a 10x magnification. You could get one with 8x or 9x as it would work just as well.

Via: @britshooter

If you are birding, an 8x magnification would be ideal. You may want to avoid binos with very high magnification because they are usually heavy and the images appear distorted when you crank up the power.

When it comes to the objective lens, this again also depends on the activity. For outdoor activities like birding, hunting, wildlife watching, ocean viewing, and whale watching, you need a bino that has a 42mm objective lens or larger.

Binos with large objective lenses tend to deliver brighter, sharper, and clear images than those with small objective lenses. Reason being is because they gather more light. But on the flipside, they are quite heavy.

Via: @ju_lia_nna

So if you need to walk around with your bino, consider getting one that doesn’t have a very large objective lens.

Lens Coatings

Most quality binos come with lenses that are coated with anti-reflective coatings to provide clear, sharp, and bright visuals. The more layers of coatings the lenses have, the better the image quality.

There are three types of lens coatings: coated, multcoated, and fully multicoated. Coated means that the lenses have only one layer of coating. Multicoated means the lenses are coated on more than one surface and usually for image brightness.

Binos that have fully multcoated or multcoated lenses deliver better image quality than coated lenses, however, they are also more expensve. We recommend going for binos that come with lenses that have multiple layers of coatings for an improved and better viewng experience.

Construction

Construction is also an important factor when choosing a bino. You don’t want a bino that cannot withstand harsh environments. And there are three key elements to consider when it comes to construction: waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.

Most quality binos have all these three qualities and some are even designed to perform under water. You may not necessarily need a bino that works under water, but you do need to get one that is waterproof in case of rain.

Via: @polunek

Also check to see if the lenses of the binos are fogproof. If there are argon or nitrogen purged, then they are not going to fog up.

And lastly, the binos need to resist some level of shock in case you drop them by mistake. You are going to find that many superior binos have a rubber armor and that’s to protect the binos from shock and to give you a firm grip.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is of importance to people who wear and don’t wear eyeglasses. If you wear eyeglasses, you need binoculars that come with adjustable eyecups to adjust for eye relief. But if you have good eyesight, choosing binos that have this feature is entirely up to you.

Via: @uranuskim

Eye relief to have a full field of view of your target or object. So for a better viewing experience, get a bino that has an adjustable eye relief.

Prism Type

Binoculars come with prisms to help correct the image orientation, and they are of two types: Porro and roof prisms.

Porro prism binos are cheaper and have better image quality than roof prism binos. But they are also heavier and this owing to their design. They are angle shaped, where the lenses are on the outside and the eyepieces on the inside.

Via: @opticstrade.outdoor

With roof prism binos, the prism glass is not at an angle; instead, it’s straight. This makes them compact and lightweight than their counterparts. The problem is they are more expensive than Porro prism binos.

So choosing which type of prism to go with depends on the activity. For bird watching, ocean viewing, wildlife, either can do. But for hunting or target shooting, roof prisms are more ideal.

Conclusion

Binos offer a better of way of viewing anything, whether it is far or near. And whether you are on a budget or not, you can get a quality bino. The key thing is to get a bino that meets your needs.

So before you purchase any binos, whether you an avid birder, target shooter, or hunter, make sure that they are of superior quality and that they meet your needs.

Here are The Advisor’s best binoculars by…

Best Binoculars by Type:

1. Best Night Vision Monocular
2. Best Night Vision Binocular
3. Best Rangefinder Binoculars
4. Best Binoculars with Camera
5. Best Image Stabilized Binoculars

Best Binoculars by Activity:

1. Best Binoculars for Sports and Football
2. Best Binoculars for Yellowstone
3. Best Binoculars for Alaska Cruise
4. Best Binoculars for Birding
5. Best Binoculars for Spying/City Viewing/Peeping
6. Best Binoculars for Surveillance
7. Best Binoculars for Wild Life Viewing
8. Best Binoculars for Whale Watching and Ocean Viewing
9. Best Binoculars for Long Distance Viewing

Best Binoculars by Budget:

1. Best Binoculars Under $1000
2. Best Binoculars Under $300

Hunting Binoculars:

1. Best Hunting Binoculars under $100
2. Best Binoculars for Elk Hunters
3. Best Hunting Binoculars under $200
4. Best Binoculars for Deer Hunting