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
We've all had a moment where we wished we had a pair of the best binoculars to hand. There are few things more magical than an unexpected and spectacular encounter with wildlife. Whether it's a golden eagle diving into the void between mountain ridges or a scampering herd of deer, the ability to see such phenomena up close and into focus is priceless.
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 two of the finest monoculars. We've tested them in a range of conditions and settings to find the ones you can rely on in the field. For us, the best binoculars of 2024 are the Kowa BD32-8XD, which deliver a crystal-clear image and exceptionally close focus. If you're on a budget, we recommend checking out the Nocs Standard Issue, which strike a great balance of image quality, weight, and value.
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
Super compact, light, and constructed of durable aluminum, on test we found the Echo Zoom as trail-worthy as they come
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Reasons to buy
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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
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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
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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
12. Brunton Echo Zoom Monocular
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The curious hiker always wonders what’s ahead of them on the trail. Is that an eagle? Is that the canoe portage? Is that notch in the skyline the saddle I need to reach to continue my route? Many pairs of binoculars can help answer those questions, but few do so at so little a cost in weight as the Echo Zoom Monocular.
Compact, light, and constructed of durable aluminum, on test we found the Echo Zoom Monocular as trail-worthy as they come. It also has a flexible eyecup that is comfortable all day long, can focus as close as 10 ft/3m, boasts a 10x-30x zoom, and provides sharp enough images to distinguish fine details on birds, flora and fauna at great distances. The Echo Zoom comes with a handy case and wrist strap that let us attach it to our belt or wrist for quick access, while the included lens cloth keeps the monocular clean and clear.
The best for video
13. Bushnell Equinox Z2 3x30
Specifications
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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.