The best binoculars 2024: for birdwatching and astronomy
We've tested and rated the best binoculars and to bring focus to your wildlife-watching and stargazing
Whether you want a closer view of that bird of prey you've just spotted on your hike, or are exploring astronomy for the first time, a pair of the best binoculars is an easy way to elevate your experience.
The best binoculars are also ideal for surveying the terrain on a backpacking adventure, watching climbers inch up a crag or enjoying paragliders soaring on the thermals, while some even boast enough magnification to cope with stargazing. So a quality pair is an essential item for any hiking backpack, or camping trip.
Here we feature the best binoculars for birdwatching, lightweight missions and stargazing, as well as some of the finest monoculars available. We've tested them in a range of conditions and settings to find the ones you can rely on in the field.
The quick list
Here's our quick list – a brief rundown of our top recommended binoculars. For more on each pair, click through to the detailed reviews further down this guide.
Best overall
Incredible clarity and brightness in a wide range of conditions. Some of the priciest binoculars on test, but you can see why.
best lightweight
Lightweight, and boasting waterproofing that means you can get up close to your subjects in all weathers, this is a pair of bins you can happily chuck in your backpack without feeling weighed down
Best for general wildlife
A joy to use thanks to the crisp image and natural colors they produce. Great if you aspire to serious wildlife watching.
For serious birders
Lack of distortion at the edges makes these ideal for tracking birds as they zip across the sky, though they may be overkill for novices.
Best for stargazing
Get impressive views of the lunar surface, Jupiter, cloud nebulae, and even a hint of the rings of Saturn.
Best value
A pair of adventure-ready, high-performing binoculars that won't break the bank. Waterproof, with outstanding image quality.
Best for kids
With a bright, sharp image, a shape that works for smaller hands, and a light build, these are a great first pair of binoculars that can be tucked easily into a waterproof jacket pocket.
Best for campers
Large viewing fields and close minimum focus distance make these the closest thing you’ll get to full-sized binoculars in a pocket-friendly format.
Best for hikers
Super light, compact and easy to justify throwing in a backpack or bike pannier just in case. These were the pair we kept coming back to during the test.
Toughest binoculars
Excellent all-rounders with a particularly robust build and hydrophobic coating to shrug off grime in the field.
best monocular
An easy, more portable alternative to a pair of binoculars, the Whitby Gear Monocular is perfect for watching wildlife on the go, and has a durable finish in a compact design
best lightweight monocular
Portable and lightweight, we love this neat bit of kit for its quality optics, grippy exterior and waterproof qualities – all great for when you are on the move
best for video
A monocular with a built-in night vision camera. A fun option that could have serious applications for those with an interest in nocturnal wildlife.
The best binoculars we recommend in 2024
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The best binoculars overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
There are two brands that sit at the upper price limit we have set for this test and they are both worth serious consideration, if your budget and wildlife aspirations allow. While Zeiss represents the best of German manufacturing, Kowa delivers Japanese optical excellence. On test, the smooth glide of the focus wheel let us know we had stepped up a price point, and the design put us in the aesthetic territory of more expensive brands. But far more important is the quality of image, and neither pair will disappoint.
Both models are a step up from others in this test that serious birder will value, but these just edged it in terms of clarity and brightness of image in a range of conditions, making them our top recommendation. We tested the 8x32 pair to give a direct comparison to the Zeiss Terra ED 8x32. You might prefer to opt for the larger objective lens of the Kowa BD8x42 or greater magnification of the BD10x42. All perform exceptionally well and represent our best in test.
Read our full Kowa BD32-8XD binoculars review
The best lightweight binoculars
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you're looking for a good quality pair of waterproof binoculars at a mid-range price then the Noc Provisions Field Issues are a great option. The focusing wheel is well-sized, smooth to operate and impressively precise, making this pair easy to use in the field.
Bird watchers may well be looking for a lower magnification than on offer here and if you want a close focusing pair these also aren't the best choice. But what they provide is great clarity and contrast, in a compact design.
The lenses are fully multi-coated and are available both as 10x32 and 8x32 - our expert tester tried the 10x32 option. The ribbed barrels make them easy to hold and their 473g (16.7 oz) weight makes them easy to pop into your backpack, although you may want to invest in a carry case, as the bag they come in doesn't feel super-protective. These binoculars are also rated waterproof and fogproof, so you can be confident that a downpour on the trails won't see them off prematurely.
The best binoculars for general wildlife
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Testing these binoculars was a joy. Our tester spent one morning watching a juvenile kestrel on his local patch. Wide-angle views made it easy to track the bird as it practiced hunting in the scree. When it came to rest in a tree opposite, he could pick out the subtle shift in faun and chestnut browns and its blue-gray head and tail feathers, thanks to its crisp image and the natural colors that these binoculars produce.
If your aspirations tend towards serious bird and nature watching, then I would highly recommend you try these for yourself. They look and feel exceptionally good and the focus wheel, while a little firmer than others, adds to the feel of a well-constructed pair of binoculars that promise a lifetime of use.
Read our full Hawke Endurance 8x42 binoculars review
The best binoculars for serious birders
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Of all the pairs in this test, these binoculars are mostly likely to get appreciative nods from other birders. They represent a significant step up in outlay, and casual users may not notice a great deal of difference from pairs like the Nikon or Hawke, but if your aspirations match this price point, then these (and the Kowa BDs) are where you should be looking. Small differences in performance will represent a good return on your investment over many years of use.
These felt really good to hold and the large focus wheel made it easy to adjust as we followed birds zipping across the sky. There’s very little sense of distortion at the edge of the image and you get bright, natural colors that allow you to really appreciate the action. We tested these in a range of conditions and while they are undoubtedly impressive, they did not quite deliver the brightness of image that we expected in lower light conditions.
Read our full Zeiss Terra ED 8x32 review
The best binoculars for stargazing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These binoculars wouldn’t look out of place on the set of a WW2 naval epic, being used by a lookout scanning the ocean for U-boats. The whopping 70mm objective lens is designed to gather light, while the 15 times magnification promises impressive views of the lunar surface, Jupiter, cloud nebula and even a hint of the rings of Saturn. When we pointed them into a seemingly clear section of sky, stars started to appear that weren't visible with to naked eye.
At this price point a pair of binoculars are probably a better bet than a telescope. We found that they gathered more light and, because we were using both our peepers, we got a more 3D view. Hand-held, it's a struggle to prevent image wobble, so we had to either balance our elbows on a wall or use the tripod adaptor to get the stability required. But at this price, we think everyone should have a pair of these: they are guaranteed to enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the night sky.
Read our full Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binoculars review
The best binoculars for value
6. Nocs Standard Issue
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The quirky looking Nocs Standard Issue Collection Binoculars are a great choice for buyers looking for a pair of adventure-ready, high-performing binoculars without breaking the bank.
The Nocs binoculars use high-grade Bak4 prisms and fully multi-coated lenses that together provide a wide field of view and outstanding image quality in all light conditions. They’re also fully waterproof, have fog-proof lenses, feature a non-slip ergonomic grip and we found that they are as ruggedly built as any other model in this guide.
The Nocs weigh in at a highly portable 11.85oz (336 g) and are small enough to fit inside a large pocket or the hood of a daypack. Their manufacturers also protect your purchase with a highly reassuring 'no matter what' lifetime warranty and throw in a smartphone adapter that lets you capture photos and video clips through the lenses. The binoculars come in a variety of wild and vibrant colors: marigold yellow, cobalt blue, poppy orange, granite gray, seafoam green, cypress, flat earth and squid ink.
The best binoculars for kids
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These are porro prism binoculars (see ‘how to buy section’ below) and while they might look slightly old fashioned, there are some distinct advantages. Because light takes a simpler route from the objective lens to your eyeball, there is less technology required inside to deliver the same image quality. That means you potentially get the same performance as a pair that cost far more.
We found that these Kowa YFs are really impressive. They deliver a bright, sharp image with good color and very little sense of fuzziness at the edge. The field of view is wide enough for them to work as a primary pair of bird-watching binoculars and they offer excellent close focus. They are great for smaller hands, and perfect for young birders who want their first pair of bins. If you’re buying on a budget, these are robust, light, easy to pack, sit neatly in a waterproof jacket pocket and are ready for action when you need them. So not just for kids and beginners, these are among the best binoculars for anyone at this price point.
Read our full Kowa YF 8x30 binoculars review
The best binoculars for campers
8. Zeiss Terra ED Pocket
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Across a broad product range, Zeiss offers models of binoculars for every application and budget. For hikers and campers, the Terra ED Pocket 8x25 is our pick of the bunch. These binoculars offer 8x magnification and use high-quality hydrophobic, anti-reflective coated lenses that provide clear, crisp, and colorful images in all light conditions. The large viewing fields and close minimum focus distance make these just about the closest thing you’ll get to a full-sized binoculars in a trail-ready and pocket-sized format.
The lightweight, compact, folding design makes these binoculars easy to bring along on any outdoor adventures and to sports events, while the quality of the optics means they are also a great choice for dedicated bird-watching trips. Overall, they have very user-friendly ergonomics, with grippy covering armor and an intuitively located diopter knob making handling and focusing a cinch.
The best binoculars for hikers
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We found that these binoculars are perfect for long bike rides, walks or multi-day trips. They're light, compact and easy to justify throwing in a rucksack or bike pannier just in case.
Smaller objective lenses should mean they don’t perform as well in lower light conditions, but we were very impressed when we tested these alongside three larger lens binoculars. As the sun was going down, watching a climber tackle routes in the Avon Gorge, the Opticrons produced clear, bright images good focus across the color range.
With the widest field of view in this test they make it easier to track a bird in flight or to spot interesting behaviour in a larger flock. They compare favourably with the most expensive models in this test and these were the pair we kept coming back to during the test.
Read our full Opticron Explorer WA ED-R + 8x32 binoculars review
The best binoculars for durability
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Every pair of binoculars in this test represent great value and performance and these are no exception. The image quality is good and they would meet the needs of most users, so if you are looking for a pair of binoculars at this price point then these are an excellent investment. What’s more, they are designed to be impressively robust. Bushnell is a US brand that specialises in sports optics for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.
These come with a hydrophobic coating to deal with dust, oil and water and a lifetime ‘ironclad’ guarantee. You can apparently immerse them in three foot of water for up to 30 minutes. We found that they are indeed tough, but didn’t have the quality feel of other binoculars and the eyecups didn’t twist as easily as we would have liked. But if you’re looking for the guarantee of bomb-proof performance and great value for money then these should be on your shortlist.
Read our full Bushnell Prime 8x42 binoculars review
The best monocular
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Our expert reviewer loved how easy it was to use this monocular. The smooth, effective focusing mechanism and well-specced lens and magnification mean you can pick out the details on what you're looking at beautifully, and the light weight makes it less likely that you'll get any shake.
You don't get a neck lanyard with this design, but there's a wrist lanyard and lens caps included in the price, which is also very wallet-friendly. One of the lens caps isn't attached, so you'll need to take not to lose it - in our experience lens caps are a bit like socks. They can disappear mysteriously when you're not looking!
Tipping the scales at just 352g, about the same as a can of Coke, you're not going to feel weighed down by this monocular, and it's compact size makes it easy to squeeze into any pack. The 8X magnification isn't super powerful, but the advantage of a shorter lens is that it's easier to home in on what you want to see.
Overall, this is a great first purchase if you're keen to get up close with nature, and the simple controls make it easy to use for beginners too.
The best lightweight monocular
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Now here's a neat bit of kit that will help you get the most out of your backcountry nature walks. If you're time-strapped, enjoy fast hikes and getting out in the rough, or just don't like to be weighed down, the Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8x32 will enhance your adventures with minimum maintenance.
It is half the weight of a pair of binoculars, and the compact shape is handy for slipping in and out of pockets. A ridged exterior gives great grip, and the waterproof and fog proof design means you won't have to seek shelter from the rain, or stop to worry over a misted-up lens.
Of course, where you gain in weight and usability, you lose in field of vision and close focus. But, better to catch those chance encounters on the go than not at all. And our expert hiker and wildlife watcher still rated the monocular for its multi-coated lenses and anti-reflective qualities, which gave a clear image that was easy to focus using the oversized wheel.
In fact, he was totally impressed with the Field Tube 8x32, which delivered on low-key wildlife watching during outdoor pursuits.
Read our full Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8x32 review
The best for video
13. Bushnell Equinox Z2 3x30
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This is relatively expensive and are clearly designed for a very different purpose to others in this test. Whether your adventures take you out on wild camping trips or you want to know what’s roaming around at night in your back garden or local patch, these are worth consideration. It doesn't have the magnification of others in this test, but this monocular uses infrared sensors to deliver an effective night vision range of up to 200 yards (182 meters). What’s more, you can capture the action, as the Z2 allows you to record video at 1080p HD and then upload images and videos using Wi-Fi or leads.
Film during the day to deliver color images on the screen, which switches to black and white at night for sharper clarity and contrast. We found it to be a fun option that could have serious applications for those with an interest in nocturnal wildlife.
Best binoculars comparison table
Model | List price | Weight | Magnification | Style |
Kowa BD32-8XD | $400 (US) | 560g / 19.75oz | 8 | Premium binoculars |
Nocs Provisions Field Issue Waterproof | $175 (US) / £185 (UK) | 473g / 16.7oz | 10 | Mid-range binoculars |
Hawke Endurance 8x42 | $339 (US) / £289 (UK) | 705g / 24.86oz | 8 | Premium binoculars |
Zeiss Terra ED 8x32 | £400 (UK) | 660g / 23.3oz | 8 | Standard binoculars |
Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 | $120 (US) | 1361g / 48oz | 15 | Stargazing binoculars |
Nocs Standard Issue Collection Binoculars | $95 (US) | 335g / 11.85 oz | 8 | Good value binoculars |
Kowa YF 8x30 | £160 (UK) | 470g / 16.6oz | 6 | Entry-level binoculars |
Zeiss Terra ED Pocket | £330 (UK) | 310g / 10.9oz | 8 | Premium binoculars |
Opticron Explorer WA ED-R + 8x32 | $329 (US) / £229 (UK) | 440g / 15.5oz | 8 | Premium, lightweight binoculars |
Bushnell Prime 8x42 | $140 (US) / £140 (UK) | 510g / 17.9oz | 8 | Premium binoculars |
Whitby Gear 8x42 Monocular | £49.95 (UK) | 352g / 12.4 oz | 8 | Monocular |
Noc Provisions Field Tube 8x32 | $125 (US) | 239g / 8.4oz | 8 | Lightweight monocular |
Bushnell Equinox Z2 3x30 | $299.99 (US) | 420g/14.8oz | 3 | Monocular video camera |
How we test the best binoculars
At Advnture, we test binoculars in the backcountry and in the conditons they were designed to be used in. We assess their performance against their specifications, paying close attention to qualities like clarity, ease of use, portability, grip and weight. When arriving at the final rating, we consider the user experience against the value of the product.
How to choose the best binoculars
Binoculars are an exceptionally personal purchase. What feels right for one person may not work for another. What delivers a good image for one person may not work quite as well for you. So there is no substitute for getting your hands on a pair of binoculars before you buy.
To help you narrow down your choice there are two questions to ask yourself when looking for the best binoculars: what is your budget and what do you want to use your binoculars for?
If you're off on a once-in-a-lifetime safari trip, you might want to splash the cash on an all singing, all dancing model that provides great magnification and crystal clear vision. However, if you're looking for an additional boon to your hiking essentials, you'll want something light and compact, a model that you don't mind stuff into your daypack. Often overlooked for this kind of application are monoculars, which are smaller, cheaper and lighter than their dual optic counterparts.
Read on for more answers to all your binocular buying questions...
FAQs about binoculars
What are the best binocular brands?
When it comes to the price points featured in this guide, we think Kowa, Zeiss, Nikon and Celestron make the best binoculars for hiking and wildlife watching trips. Kowa are a Japanese brand that boast supreme optical excellent, while Zeiss have all the hallmarks of quality German manufacturing. Meanwhile, we love Celestron's SkyMaster 15x70s for a spot of stargazing. Nikon are a popular brand and a very good shout if you're looking for exceptional value.
Should I go for roof or porro prism binoculars?
There are two types of binoculars in this test: the traditional porro prism binoculars that have an ‘M’ shape to them, and the more modern roof prism binoculars that seem to be just a tube where the light travels directly from one end to the other.
The truth is very different: roof prism binoculars require high quality prisms and lenses to send the light on a much more complicated path from the objective lens to the eye.
So while these more fashionable binoculars are often more compact and sleeker in design, the porro prism alternatives should not be overlooked. Less technology inside and a less complicated path for the light to follow, means they offer better image quality and brightness for your money.
What is an objective lens?
Objective lenses are the front lenses in a pair of binoculars. The diameter of a pair's objective lenses and its magnification are the numbers you often see in the name. So, a 8x42 binocular has a magnification factor of 8 and an objective lens diameter of 42mm.
While the magnification determines how large objects will appear, the diameter of the objective lens determines how much light the instrument can gather and the difference is exponential. For example, if you double the size of the lens, you get four times the light gathering capability. So, for low light applications, the larger the objective lens, the better. It makes sense when you start to think about astronomical telescopes, which have huge objective lenses for looking into the night sky. However, if you're on a sunny safari, too much light may not be such a good thing...
What is the best magnification for binoculars?
The best magnification for binoculars will depend on what you intend to watch, how far away it is and whether or not it will be moving.
We think that the sweet spot for most nature watching is a pair of 8x42 binoculars. Larger magnification can make it harder to deliver a stable image with a pair of handheld binoculars. A x10 magnification is probably fine for most people, but don’t go over this unless you intend to use them with a tripod.
For bird watching, we think that a pair of binoculars around the 8x32, 8x42 mark are ideal, although a pair of 10x32 or 10x42 are also worth considering.
When it comes to which is better, 10x42 or 20x50, the latter are excellent for longer ranges, making distant objects look much closer than they are and great for looking at far away objects that aren't moving. However, the greater magnification equals a narrower field of vision, which makes finding and keeping your focus on moving objects more difficult.
With this in mind, a binocular with an 8 or 10 factor magnification is useful to catch the action in flocks of birds or to find and then track fast moving species. Binoculars that deliver natural colors will help if you need to ID tricky species. If you have an interest in butterflies, bees and dragonflies, then look for a pair that offer a close focus of 2m or less.
What is the most popular binocular size?
8x magnification is the most popular binocular size, as it allows you to get a close look at what you're studying but gives you enough of a wide view to track moving objects. As mentioned, we think the sweet spot for most nature watching is a pair of 8x42 binoculars. The vast majority of the binoculars in this guide feature 8x magnification.
What is a good price for binoculars?
You can expect to pay anything from $100 to $400 for a pair of quality binoculars, with the lower end representing good budget options and the upper end being the more premium pairs. Of course, you can spend less than this, though the quality is likely to suffer. Likewise, you can also spend more but the difference in performance starts to become negligible compared to the increase in price.
What else should I look for in a pair of the best binoculars?
From brightness issues to guidance for glasses wearers, we consider other factors to consider when buying binoculars.
What does 'brightness' mean in binoculars?
Not all things are equal, which is why manufacturers will shout about the technology inside their binoculars that allow them to bounce light around to deliver a brighter, sharper image. Many manufacturers offer a number for ‘relative brightness’ but this is really just based on the size of the objective lens. In reality, the quality of glass and manufacturing as well as the technology used will deliver very different results. If you're looking to take in the wonders of the Northern Hemisphere night sky, you'll need a large objective lens and high magnification.
What do glasses wearers need to know when buying binoculars?
Some people will need to wear glasses while they use their binoculars. If you’re near-sighted and require glasses for reading this will be less of a problem.
Eye relief is the distance a binocular can be held away from the eye while still giving you the full field of view. If you use glasses then you need to look for a pair that have an eye relief of 16mm or more. Test them out with your glasses on if possible.
Should I worry about a lifetime guarantee for binoculars?
Smaller binoculars are easier to slip into a jacket pocket and carry on longer multi-day trips. If you are doing something more adventurous than carrying your binoculars from a car to a bird hide, then they need to be robust and durable. A lifetime or long guarantee is a good indication of the manufacturer’s faith in their product. We have had binoculars replaced in the past, so it’s worth looking for this extra security.
Do binoculars need to be waterproof or rain resistant?
Even general bird watchers need to know that their binoculars can cope with rain and wet weather. A solid construction and anti-fogging is important. If you’re planning long walks in rainy conditions, then a quality carry case and lens protectors are helpful. Even better, stash your bins in a decent dry bag for peace of mind.
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Former Editorial Development Director for Lonely Planet, editor of Trail and BBC Wildlife magazine, and editor-in-chief of Trail Running magazine, Matt got the outdoor bug as a teen on gruelling UK Ten Tors events around Dartmoor. He has hitch-hiked to Egypt, cycled through India, enjoyed the delights of the High Atlas, slept on volcanoes while living in Central America, climbed in the Alps and tackled some of Scotland’s really big routes, from Tower Ridge and the Cuillin to the Aonach Eagach. He’s got a passion for butterflies and ukuleles. If you see him in a campfire situation… approach with caution.