The Best Binoculars

What To Look For

In this article, we’ve scoped out the competition and rounded up a few of our favorite binoculars. Our search wasn’t easy considering the many choices available to us, but we prioritized a few criteria to narrow down the field. We tried to choose binoculars with varying levels of magnification and high-quality lenses, and of course, we took budgetary restrictions into account. Those criteria led us to select Occer’s compact binoculars as our favorite — not because they are the absolute best, but because they offer the best features and quality at their price point. We didn’t forget the birdwatchers among us, though, which is why we selected SkyGenius’s nifty pair as a close second. There’s more where these came from, so read on to discover our favorite binoculars.

Occer Compact Binoculars

From dawn till dusk

With a number of features to help you see clearly in low-light environments and a bargain price point, this option scores the top spot on our list.

Best Overall

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Although they aren’t powered night vision goggles, Occer’s binoculars perform spectacularly in low light conditions. In other words, you won’t be able to see in total darkness with them, but they do provide bright, clear images in both dusk and dawn. They achieve these bright images partly through their use of BAK4 prisms, which offer enhanced light transmission and superior sharpness. Even if you’re not an early riser and don’t plan on using your binoculars at the crack of dawn, this option is still a great choice. Waterproof, strong, and compact in size, Occer’s binoculars are a sure-fire way to enhance your adventures.

Pros:

• Though these can’t compete with premium-grade binoculars, considering the price, they’ll get you most of the way at a fraction of the cost.
• Given their affordable price and their quality, these binoculars make for an excellent gift for an outdoorsy friend or family member.

Cons:

• The 12x magnification is great for viewing distant objects, but it can make it hard to hold a steady image without the help of a mount.

SkyGenius Powerful Full-Size Binoculars

Eagle's eye view

These powerful binoculars are our go-to choice for spotting birds of all feathers.

Best For Bird Watching

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You don’t need to be a genius to see why SkyGenius is an excellent choice. Their powerful binoculars sport a durable construction and precise glass that’s ready to take on those muddy adventures in the bush. This particular pair features a 10X magnification through its 50mm lenses. That means you can peer at even the flightiest of birds from a safe distance without disturbing them. Best of all, the focusing is precise and smooth, so you can quickly adjust on the fly.

Pros:

• Rather than dishing out the cash on a top-tier pair of binoculars, this pick is affordable enough to justify buying multiple pairs. That way, you and your partner or friend can turn your birdwatching hobby into a group activity.
• They’re a bit heavy, but this actually is a positive. The weight makes it easier to keep the binoculars steady, which is essential to focusing the viewfinder on any subject — especially wildlife.

Cons:

• If you plan on using these to watch birds near feeders right outside your window, these may provide too much magnification.

Hontry Binoculars for Adults and Kids

Get a grip

These affordably priced and grippy binoculars are compact enough to keep on you at all times.

Most Portable

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This option from Hontry has everything we look for in a pair of binoculars and comes in a compact size. This grab-and-go pair of binocs features 10x magnification. They’re perfect for a wide range of activities, such as concerts, birdwatching, sporting events, and much more. We also love the grippy, rubbery sides which help keep a steadier hold for a smoother viewing experience. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re only 0.6 pounds in weight, so your arms get a little break from the work. Better yet, the optics are surprisingly high in quality, with multi-coated lenses for brighter images. Through a pair of Hontry binoculars, images are sharp, clear, and high-contrast.

Pros:

• The 10mm eye relief is far enough that you don’t have to cram your eyeball into the binoculars to see an image.
• Backpackers keen on limiting the weight and size of their pack will find this pair to be a perfect accessory. Better yet, you can even fit them into a baggy pocket during your hike.

Cons:

• The lightweight build won’t tire out your arms as quickly, but some folks with shaky hands prefer a heavier pair to help steady their grip.

Adasion Binoculars for Adults

Nearer to nature

With a durable waterproof build and a smartphone adapter for taking photos, this option has helped many photographers in their hunt for the perfect shot.

Best For Landscapes

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Another great overall option, we recommend this pick from Adasion to anyone interested in nature photography. With Adasion, image quality is key. The BAK4 prism system provides high brightness, while the multi-coated lenses enhance color contrast and clarity. And if you want to snap a picture of that distant bird or a shot of your football star in action, the Adasion binoculars come with a smartphone adapter that lets you line up your phone with one of the eyepieces. Then, pop the whole rig onto a tripod and you’ve got yourself a telephoto camera setup.

Pros:

• The 12x magnification means less sneaking up on elusive wildlife, so you can watch from a distance without blowing your cover.
• The instructions are well-written, and they make it easy to calibrate the lens to your liking.

Cons:

• There is no female tripod mount thread included, though you can get an inexpensive adapter for steadier shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my binoculars while wearing glasses?

If you’re nearsighted and need glasses to see distant objects clearly, you don’t actually need to wear your glasses when using binoculars. Thanks to the magic of optical physics, you can adjust the focus of binoculars to accommodate for your blurry vision.

Of course, it can be kind of annoying to keep popping off your glasses every time you want to use your binoculars. For those that intend to keep their glasses on their face, we recommend checking if your binoculars of choice have adjustable eyecups. You may also want to opt for binoculars with a wider eye relief since your eyes will have to rest further away from the viewing lens.

How far can I see with binoculars?

Check the product listing for the magnification power. This tells you how many times larger an image will appear when compared to the image you would see with the naked eye. For example, 8x magnification will make an image appear eight times larger.

Does that mean binoculars with a higher magnification power are better? Not always. The more you magnify an image, the harder it is to keep a steady hold on the binoculars. It’s also more difficult to track moving objects and keep them in focus.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

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