Looking for great close-up views of wildlife, birds, sports, or the stars? Here’s our pick of the best binoculars
Binoculars aren’t only for birdwatching. If you’re a twitcher though, they’re a must. Going to the races? They will be handy for seeing your horse cross the finish line. And if you’re into sports in general, then a decent pair can change the way you watch events. Today’s more compact and lightweight binoculars are great for spotting wildlife when you’re on vacation or hiking, and there’s no better way to start exploring the stars than an affordable set of binoculars.
The challenge is making the right choice. There are lots of options out there, with price variations in the extreme; but does this translate to the quality on display? Is there a significant difference between premium models and those that are more wallet-friendly? We’re here to help you make a smart decision, and if you don’t know your objective lenses from your Porro prisms, our handy buying guide is sure to leave you in the know.
How we test binoculars
To test binoculars, we conduct comparative tests between two or more models over a period of at least one week, carrying them with us on countryside and coastal walks, and using them for stargazing and nature viewing. We also test them against a familiar reference pair for consistency.
During the test period, all binoculars are run through some basic optical tests at fixed range, and taken to a local wetlands nature reserve during daylight hours and in the early evening to evaluate performance in both bright and low-light conditions. In addition, we look carefully at the build quality, weatherproofing, and shock-proofing. We also test the focus controls and optical adjustments, as well as considering the quality of any cases or accessories provided.
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The best binoculars you can buy in 2024
1. Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42: Best jack-of-all-trades binoculars
Price when reviewed: $380 | Check price at Amazon
The best jack-of-all-trades in the binocular business are light, practical, and offer up a bright, sharp image with a wide field of view. The Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42 deliver on all these fronts. The field of view is an impressive 8.12-degrees and the “phase-coated” optics deliver a crisp image (this does soften a little at the edges of the field of view, however). The TrailSeeker’s close focusing is an impressive 6.6ft, so you’ll be able to observe insects and flowers, as well as our feathered friends, close-up.
Despite this, and a comparatively reasonable price, the TrailSeekers are well designed and well built, and they come with a generous selection of extras. The tough-feeling green rubber housing is fully waterproof, and the eyecups are adjustable in three stages, with eye-relief stretching all the way out to 0.67in.
What’s most impressive, though, is the range of accessories, with a neoprene-padded strap, high-quality carry bag, lens cleaning cloth, and even a shoulder harness all supplied in the box.
2. Pentax SD 8×42 WP: Best waterproof binoculars
Price when reviewed: $269 | Check price at Amazon
Once the price goes above $200 or so, there are plenty of good binoculars to be had. The Pentax SD 8×42 WP are right up there with some of the best mid-range options available, yet are still very affordable.
These are Roof prism binoculars, and despite not using extra-low dispersion glass (ED), the glass is fully multi-coated to reduce flare and glare. They’re also fully waterproof, to the extent they can be submerged in up to 3ft of water. Should you choose to add on a warranty, you will have a pair of binoculars that are likely to last you a long time.
Image quality is superb, offering a decent 7.5-degree field of view and excellent sharpness across the frame. Color reproduction is neutral, and brightness is a hair’s breadth better than our other mid-price pick, the Celestron TrailSeeker.
My only complaint is that the focus adjust wheel is a little stiff and takes effort to shift. Oddly, the diopter adjustment wheel, which is handily located just behind it, is far easier to tweak.
Overall, at the price, the Pentax SD 8×42 WP are a great buy, and well worth the extra over the usual budget favorites.
3. Canon 12×36 IS III: Best for image stabilization
Price when reviewed: $633 | Check price at Amazon
Image stabilization isn’t just for cameras: Canon has also built its shaky hands reduction tech into its range of binoculars, and it works incredibly well. Pop a pair of AA batteries into a compartment on the Canon 12 x 36 IS III’s belly, press a small button on the top and, like magic, all hand shake disappears, leaving you with a crystal clear, super-steady image.
Normally we wouldn’t recommend using a pair of 12x magnification binoculars without a tripod, but with stabilization these work just fine, and are optically amazing. They present a sharp, bright image right out to the very edges of your field of view with neutral color representation.
There are some downsides, though. The high magnification level means the field of view isn’t particularly broad – at just 5-degrees – you’ll spot less than you would with a pair of the much less expensive Celestron TrailSeekers. These aren’t quite as bright to look through as much lower-priced binoculars, plus there’s visible color fringing around objects set against bright backgrounds. They don’t focus particularly closely, either, so they’re not great for peeking at insects and flowers. Eye-relief isn’t very long, either, at 0.57in – glasses-wearers, beware.
The accessories supplied in the box are also disappointing. The strap isn’t padded; bizarrely, you don’t get lens’ caps for the objective lenses; and the rubber, non-adjustable, roll-down eyecups won’t be to everyone’s taste. Even the ocular lens caps aren’t tethered. However, for that impressively good image stabilization, we’re willing to forgive a lot.
4. Nikon Aculon A211 10×50: Best binoculars for beginner stargazers
Price when reviewed: $125 | Check price at Amazon
For entry-level stargazing, 10×50 is arguably the sweet spot, giving you a wide enough field of view for constellations and star-hopping, but enough light-gathering power and magnification for good views of the moon. With the right conditions, you could even view some star clusters and the larger planets. Here, Nikon’s Aculon A211 10x50s deliver plenty of bang per buck.
These are Porro prism binoculars with high-quality BAK-4 prisms and Nikon’s multi-coated Eco-Glass, and they deliver a crisp, bright image that’s perfect for back-garden astronomy or low-light wildlife watching. The 6.5-degree field of view isn’t huge by 8×42 standards, and the close focusing distance is fairly long at almost 23ft, but that goes with the higher magnification. If you’re looking for a slightly more versatile pair, you can step down to the 8×42 version.
What’s more, you’re not just getting decent optics, but a solid, rubber-armored build, smooth focusing, and a comfortable, lightweight design. Sure, at 1.99lb the Aculons weigh more than most equivalent Roof prism binoculars, and they do get tiring over prolonged use; but compared to some budget 10x50s, they’re well balanced and easy-going. Nikon also bundles a case and a comfy padded strap.
5. Swarovski NL Pure 10×42: Best binoculars overall
Price when reviewed: $2,999 | Check price at Amazon
Swarovski’s range of binoculars is generally regarded as one of the very best in the business, and you’ll see its products hanging around the necks of many celebrity and professional naturalists. Its newest range, however – the NL Pure – is next-level brilliant, combining an astonishingly wide field of view with ultra-sharp optics, neutral color rendition, and the best ergonomics we’ve ever experienced in a pair of binoculars.
In fact, the field of view is so wide – on the 10×42, it’s 7.6-degrees and the same as the older EL 8.5×42 – that you can step up in magnification without the usual pitfalls of doing so. We generally prefer 8x binoculars over 10x or 12x binoculars because, normally, they strike a better balance between magnification and field of view. However, these binoculars give you the best of both worlds. The 8x NL Pure offer an even wider field of view at a frankly unbelievable 9.1-degrees.
The large, raised central focus wheel makes these binoculars incredibly easy and quick to focus, and the ergonomically shaped barrels mean they’re extremely comfortable to hold. If you love spending lots of time outdoors peering at far-away wildlife, these are the binoculars for you. They’re also robust and waterproof down to a depth of 13ft.
We tested the NL Pure 10×42 for a month and didn’t want to give them back at the end of the loan. The only bad thing about them is that buying a pair of our own would require a serious financial commitment. If you’re passionate about your birdwatching, though, you can’t get better than this.
