With so many binocular brands and types ranging vastly in price, choosing binoculars can be challenging. How do you know if you need image stabilised binoculars, digital binoculars, night binoculars or long-range binoculars? Having been on many safari’s, bird watching trips and outdoor pursuits adventures, I know how frustrating it is when your equipment fails you. That’s why I’ve put together this binocular guide on the best binoculars for birding, travel and Wildlife.
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The Best Binos comparison guide
Are you trying to work out the best binoculars to buy? This guide has all the information you need to know along with my top picks and best-rated binoculars.
Want to see the top-rated binoculars now? Click here to see the best binoculars for bird watching and wildlife enthusiasts.
I suggest you start by checking out my comparison chart, then read the section on how to buy binoculars before going on to read my binocular reviews.
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Binocular Comparison Chart? |
| 2 | How to Choose Binoculars |
| 3 | The Terminology of Binoculars Explained |
| 4 | My Top 10 Safari, Wildlife and Birding Binocular Reviews |
| 5 | What are the Best Binoculars in the World? Swarovski EL |
| 6 | What are the Best Binoculars for Bird Watching? Vortex Viper HD |
| 7 | What are the Best Budget Binoculars for Birding? Bushnell H20 |
| 8 | What are the Best Binoculars for Safari? Olympus Pro 10×42 |
| 9 | What are the best Pocket Binoculars? Eschenbach 8×25 |
| 10 | What is the best Image Stabilized Binocular? Canon IS 14×32 |
| 11 | What are the Best Binoculars for Wildlife and Bird Viewing? Leica Trinovid HD 10×42 |
| 12 | What are the Best Cheap Binoculars for Birding? Celestron trailseeker 10×42 Celestron Outland 10×50 |
| 13 | What are the best Compact Binoculars? Olympus PC 10×25 |
Binocular Comparison Chart
There are so many good binoculars available to purchase that deciding which are the best binoculars for the money is not easy. The table below displays the best buy binoculars for different activities, price ranges, etc. You can find more information on all of these in my best binocular reviews below.
| Make | Image | Mag x | Ob Lens | Oz KG | Close Focus |
Eye Relief | Field of View |
Exit Pupil | Lens coat | Water proof |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swarovski EL |   |
8.5 | 42 | 29.5oz
835g |
4.9ft
1.5m |
20mm | 7.6° | 4.9 | Fully
Multi- Coated |
Yes | |
| Vortex Optics |   |
10 | 42 | 25.8oz
686g |
5 ft
1.5m |
16.5mm | 6.1° | 4.2 | Multi-
Coated |
Yes | |
| Bushnell H2O |   |
8 | 42 | 25.6oz
685g |
20ft
6m |
17 | 7.6° | 2.1 | Multi-
Coated |
Yes | |
| Olympus
|
  |
10 | 42 | 23.5oz
665g |
5ft
1.5m |
16 | 6.2° | 15 | Multi-
Coated |
Yes | |
| Eschenbach |   |
8 | 25 | 10.6oz
300g |
8.2ft
2.5m |
10 | 8.1° | 3.1 | Fully
Multi- Coated |
Yes | |
Canon IS 14×32  |
 |
14 | 32 | 27.3oz
775g |
6.6ft
2m |
14.5 but 11.5 in testing |
4.3° | 2.3 | Multi-
Coated |
NO | |
| Leica Trinovid |   |
10 | 42 | 25.75oz
730g |
5.9ft
1.6m |
15.5 | 6.2° | 4.2 | Fully
Multi- Coated |
Yes | |
| Celestron |   |
10 | 42 | 22.4oz
635g |
6.5ft
1.98m |
16.5 | 6.5 ° | 4.2 | Fully Multi- Coated |
Yes | |
| Celestron |   |
10 | 50 | 27oz
768g |
9.8ft
3m |
17.4 | 5.5° | 5 | Multi-
Coated |
Yes | |
| Olympus |   |
10 | 25 | 9.88oz
278g |
8.2ft 2.5m went lower in tests |
15 | 5.2° | 2.5 | Multi-
Coated |
NO |
Having all these facts and figures in one chart is fantastic, but you still might feel like your none the wiser as to which binoculars will suit your needs best. Don’t worry the next part of this guide discusses what you need to consider and the terminology used in this chart. You can return to the comparison chart later, and I’m sure it will make more sense.
Click here to jump straight to the reviews
How to Choose Binoculars
Type – There are two main types of binoculars:
- Porro Prism Binoculars – These have an M shape design, and the eyepiece and lens are not in line. The Porro prism type of binocular will often give you better value for money especially in the mid-lower end of the market although they are often not waterproof.
- Roof Prism Binoculars – The eyepiece and binocular tubes are in a single line and form an H shape. These tend to be more lightweight binoculars and are often more compact. Today these binoculars tend to dominate the market, but they usually cost more.
Do you wear glasses? If yes, make sure you check the eye relief.
For people who wear glasses, it’s important to take note of the eye relief before you buy binoculars. The eye relief gives you the furthest distance your eye can be from the eyepiece while still being able to see the whole field of view. If you still don’t understand eye relief this video will help.
Interpupillary distance
The interpupillary measurement is the distance between the pupils of both eyes. Most binoculars will adjust to fit any length, but some at the lower end of the market only allow for limited adjustment.
Weight
Binoculars with a magnification of 10x or more can be hard to hold steady for any length of time so its advisable to choose a make that is adaptable for a tripod.
Compact binoculars are often lighter, but they usually have a smaller objective lens, so they’re not advisable for use at sunset or sunrise.
If you’re looking for the best travel binoculars, then you should look carefully at the weight as binos can get heavy even when you wear them around the neck.
Waterproof and Fog proofing
Size and purpose
Binoculars come in a variety of sizes, and there are numerous models to consider when choosing a pair. Which binoculars are best, depends on how you intend to use them. People often think the higher the magnification, the better the binoculars, but this is not true.
A higher magnification reduces brightness and decreases the depth of the field of view. It is also likely to accentuate handshake which means less image quality.
8 x42 is often considered the best bird watching binocular size although anything between 7x and 10x is good.
12x or larger are the best binoculars for long-distance viewing, but you would generally use them in conjunction with a tripod.
7.5 x or lower are for people who find it challenging to hold higher magnification binoculars or for people who want a large field of view to watch fast-moving wildlife such as insects.
I would choose a pair of 8 x32 or 10 x42 if you’re looking for the best binoculars for wildlife viewing.
The Terminology of Binoculars Explained
Binocular Magnification
This number tells you how much larger the image will appear compared to what the naked eye can see.
Field of View
The field of view is usually measured in degrees. It is the width of the area that can be seen through the binoculars. The best binoculars for long-distance often have to compromise the field of view to get the higher magnification.
You can see from these two images that you get less of the surrounding tree with higher magnification.
Objective Lens Diameter
The larger the number, the brighter the image will be through the binocular.
Lens Coating
The light that enters the binoculars can be reflected many times through the set of lenses before it reaches your eye. Non coated lenses lose some light each time it is reflected.
Heres a list of the types of lens coatings that binoculars have from the cheapest to the most expensive.
- Coated Lenses – One or more surfaces have a single coating.
- Fully Coated – All air to glass surfaces have a single coating.
- Multi-Coated – One or more surfaces are multi-coated
- Fully Multi-Coated – All air to glass surfaces are multi-coated.
Fully multi-coated lenses are the best but are usually only used in high-end binoculars.
BAK4 Prisms
BAK4 prism is a type of glass that is usually used in more expensive binoculars as it is superior to BAK7 prisms. However, Chinese BAK4 glass is not the same thing as German-produced BAK4, so do read the small print.
Close focus
The close focus range is the shortest distance at which you can get an image-focused. If you want to be able to see insects and butterflies look for a low number here.
Eye Relief
As I mentioned, earlier this number is essential for people who wear spectacles.
Exit pupil
The exit pupil is the amount of light that is sent through the binoculars to your eye.
If the exit pupil is smaller than your eye pupil, then you’ll probably find it harder to get a good image, and the binoculars will not be suitable with low light conditions.
As a guide, young healthy eyes tend to vary between 2 and 7mm as we age the maximum pupil size decreases to around 5mm.
Heres a basic example to explain
For an 8 x 42 pair of binoculars, the exit pupil is 5.5.
This means that if your maximum pupil size is less than 5 these binoculars would not be the best, particularly in dimmer light conditions.
My Top 10 Safari, Wildlife and Birding binocular reviews.
You should by now have a little more of an idea about what type of binoculars you are looking for and how much you want to spend. However, if you need a little bit more information, have a read through my reviews and suggestions as to which binoculars are the best for specific activities and what you can expect for the price.
What are the best binoculars in the world?
Wondering what the best high powered binoculars are? I think the best binoculars are Swarovski EL 8.5×42
If your a serious bird watcher or wildlife enthusiast you will not be disappointed with the Swarovski.
These are perfect for people who want the top-rated binoculars and aren’t concerned by the price tag.
Performance
The Swarovski El 8.5 x42 offer excellent, bright clear images even in low light conditions. In daylight, the image is so sharp and clear its easy to forget that you’re looking through binoculars.
They’re comfortable to hold, and their close up focus is superb. The light, but smooth and accurate focusing wheel makes focusing incredibly simple, and the eye relief will suit all people regardless of whether you wear glasses.
They are designed for ultimate comfort with a padded strap that is easily adjustable and fabulously constructed eyecups. They’re amongst the most powerful binoculars, and their design is incredibly stylish.
The EL stands for ergonomic light, which means that these binoculars feel much lighter than they are. There’s a lot of glass in their construction, but the magnesium frame helps compensate for this. The thumb indents in the rubber armouring guide you to the perfect balancing points. They’re simply a joy to use.
Value
Of course, something which offers such high-quality performance comes at a cost. The Swarovski El 8.5 x42 are high-end binoculars at over $1500. If you’re looking to invest in quality and endurance, then they offer good value. They come with a lifetime guarantee, and Swarovski is renowned for their outstanding customer service.
What comes in the box
- Carrying Strap
- Flexible Strap Connector
- Eyepiece Covers
- Integrated Objective lens covers
Warranty – Lifetime guarantee
My verdict
What are the best binoculars for bird watching?
If you can’t afford the Swarovski but are after a good pair of bird watching binoculars, I recommend the Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42
These are the best affordable binoculars, and with an eye relief of 16.5, they’re suitable for people who wear glasses.
The design, optics technology and engineering are fantastic in these binoculars, and very few can rival the power and performance you get from these binos at such a great price.
Performance
Like Swarovski, these binoculars have thumb dents in the back so that they can be held with optimal balance and with their frames made from polycarbonate they are lightweight and easy to balance for long periods.
The rubber amour ensures that they are robust when using outdoors and they are fully waterproof. The interior lenses are fog proof. However, the exterior lens may briefly fog if taken from cold to humid conditions. The fog proofing does protect against fungal growth though.
The focusing wheel is smooth and takes 1.5 turns to get from its close up range to infinity. It also locks in the position which is a great little feature ensuring that you can see immediately through them every time you unbox them.
The high definition ED glass which is usually only used in the high-end range of binoculars ensures that images are bright, crisp and clear and that they perform well in low light conditions too. Their close focus range of 1.6m makes them great for those who wish to spot, birds, insects and butterflies.
Value
The design, optics technology and engineering are fantastic in these binoculars, and very few can rival the power and performance you get from these binos at such a great price.
What comes in the box
- Comfortable padded neoprene neck strap
- lens cleaning cloth. Rainguard
- Objective lens cover.
Warranty – Vortex binoculars come with their VIP warranty, and this is fully transferable if you sell them.
My Verdict
What are the best budget binoculars for birding?
The H2O Bushnell 8 x 42
Bushnell binoculars have been around for over 65 years and have an excellent all-round reputation. Bausch and Lomb binoculars were also made under their name until 2005 when they decided not to renew the license.
They’re fully waterproof, and their 10x magnification means they’re great for wildlife spotting.
Performance
The Bak-4 prism lenses give bright, crisp and clear images and the multi-coated optics offer excellent light transmission. These are robust binoculars and will withstand harsh weather as they’re 100% waterproof and have a non-slip rubber armour which allows exceptional grip even when wet.
They have adjustable eyecups so users who wear glasses won’t have difficulties and they’re very lightweight. They are also a great choice if you’re looking for the best binoculars for hunting.
Value
These bins offer incredible value for money so long as you remember that they are entry-level binoculars. The image quality is not going to be comparable to those in the higher price brackets but its exceedingly good.
What comes in the box
- Neck Strap
- Carrying case with Belt Loop
- Rubber lens covers for protection
Warranty- Limited lifetime warranty
My Verdict
What are the best binoculars for safari?
The Olympus Pro 10 X 42
They are entirely waterproof binoculars, and the nitro filling ensures that they are fog proof. The nano-coated lens ensures that images are bright and sharp.
These binoculars are suitable for those that wear glasses, and their ergonomic design makes them easy to balance and hold.
Performance
The antireflection coating on the lenses reduces glare and reflections and improves light transmission. It also protects against abrasions which is good for those who will use them outdoors. They are waterproof and perform well in bad weather.
These binoculars have an impressive close-up focus range and a pretty decent field of view, which makes them great for spotting birds and wildlife. Their slip-resistant rubber armouring with raise palm pad ridges improves the grip and makes them easy to hold. They are also capable of being mounted on a tripod if necessary.
Value
These are a great alternative to the Vortex HD 10x 42 binoculars but I don’t think they offer quite as good value for money and the warranty is not as good.
What comes in the box
- Soft case
- Strap
- Eyepiece lens cap
- Objective lens cap
Warranty -15 years
My Verdict
What are the best pocket binoculars?
The Eschenbach Sektor F 8×25
Performance
As small, lightweight binoculars go these produce good quality images in daylight. For small binoculars, they have a wide field of view which makes them easier to spot moving objects.
Their Bak4 prism lenses which are fully multi-coated give great crisp images although they are not the best in lower light conditions. They’re incredibly lightweight and are one of the best backpacking binoculars. However, their small size does make them a little awkward to hold if you’re used to bigger binos. They’re also not great for people who wear glasses.
Value
For the size and price, these are excellent value so it’s no surprise that they are often featured in best compact binocular reviews.
What comes in the box
- Carrying strap
- Objective lens covers
- Belt bag
Warranty – 10-year
My Verdict
What are the best image stabilised binoculars?
The Canon IS 14×32
If you’re looking for a good pair of zoom binoculars that can be handheld, these are worth consideration. With the help of a couple of batteries, all handshake disappears, and the images are crystal clear.
Performance
Usually, lenses of this size would require a tripod, but it is possible with the IS to get steady images without one. The downside, however, is that they have a narrow field of view and the images are not that bright.
The matte rubber armour covering makes them easy to hold and offers some protection, although you should note that these binoculars are not waterproof. The centre focus wheel has a light, smooth action and the image quality is excellent across the whole field of view although they don’t have a particularly good close focus range. Eye relief isn’t very long, so these are not the best binoculars for sale if you wear glasses.
Value
What comes in the box
- soft, well-padded Cordura case
- Wide, Comfortable neck strap
My verdict
What are the best binoculars for wildlife?
The Leica Trinovid HD 10 X 42
The ergonomic design and steady grip allow for accurate and precise focusing. The Leica Trinovid is better than the Viper HD, but the price tag is also higher.
Performance
These are relatively compact binoculars, and there ergonomic design with matte black rubber armouring makes them easy to hold. Like all good roof prism binoculars, they are fully waterproof, and fog proof and there considerable interpupillary distance makes them suitable for most face shapes.
The phase-coated Bak 4 glass fully multi-coated lenses give images which are razor-sharp especially when focusing close up but the long-distance clarity is also fantastic. They perform well in various light conditions, and they will withstand all types of weather conditions.
Value
These are aimed at the higher end of the market, and if you can afford to pay around $1000, then I’d recommend them. The image quality is everything and more than you would expect from a good pair of Leica binoculars.
What comes in the box
The unique adventure strap offers a comfortable and secure carrying solution. The strap wraps around the binocular and it doubles as a smart carrying case.
Warranty – Lifetime if you register them with Leica
My Verdict
What are the best cheap binoculars for birding?
The high-quality optics make the Celestron TrailSeeker 10×42
Performance
The Bak-4prisms are fully multi-coated, and nitro purged to prevent mould, and internal fogging. The fully padded eyecups are comfortable, and the long eye relief ensures that these binos are suitable for people who wear glasses. The magnesium frame means that the weight of the binoculars is much lower than you would expect.
Compared to other binoculars in its price range, the TrailSeeker offers a better close focus along with a broader field of view. The ergonomic design makes them comfortable to hold, and for extended viewing periods, they are adaptable for tripod use.
Value
For the price, these binos offer high-level outdoor performance and are therefore a great budget option for birding and wildlife viewing.
What comes in the box
- A comfortable carry harness,
- Deluxe padded neck strap
- A single piece eyepiece cover
- Tetherable objective covers
- Padded carrying case
- Lens cleaning cloth
Warranty – Lifetime warranty
My verdict
The Celestron Outland X 10×50
These are a great pair of wildlife or birding binoculars thanks to their magnification and sturdy polycarbonate build.
Performance
The Bak-4 multi-coated lenses produce excellent images in low light, and the smooth focusing wheel is easy to use. They are capable of being mounted on a tripod, and the long-distance eye relief means that they are suitable for people who wear glasses.
Although you can purchase cheaper binoculars, these are exceptionally good value for money. They are both waterproof, and fog proof and the rubber armour provides excellent grip in all conditions. The only negative is that the large objective lens makes this bino’s a little heavy.
What comes in the box
- A neck strap
- Objective lens caps,
- Eyepiece rain guard
- Durable carrying case
- Lens cloth
Warranty – Lifetime warranty
My verdict
What are the best compact binoculars?
The Olympus Tracker 10×25
Performance
The smooth focusing ring is easy to use, and the high magnification gives excellent sharp images which are much brighter than you’d expect from such a small objective lens.
The BaK-4 prisms are multi-coated to improve their image brightness, sharpness and the high-performance optics offer UV ray protection.
The contemporary design makes them exceedingly stylish although they are not waterproof. The centre focusing knob is well placed, and they have a great close up focus range.
They are extremely lightweight which makes them a great set of travel binoculars. They are, however, tricky to hold and the field of view is somewhat narrow at 5.2 degrees. I should also point out that they are not great for people with a pupillary distance over 70 millimetres.
Value
For the price, these are small, powerful binoculars and the best compact binoculars for birding so long as the weather is dry.
What comes in the box
- Case
- Neckstrap
- Lens cover
Warranty – Manufacturer’s warranty
My verdict
I hope you’ve found this review useful if you wish to return to the comparison chart click here.
Often when your out on the field using your binoculars its essential to wear a good pair of boots. You can check out my reviews of the best hiking boots for women here.
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Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.
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Interesting stuff to read. Keep it up.