Which binoculars are best

Some of the binoculars in our guide have large light-gathering objective lenses, making them suitable for for gazing into the night skies so you could use one instead of one of the best telescopes — our binoculars vs telescope for stargazing explains the differences between the two approaches.

These kinds of binoculars will not only allow you to survey the stars, but serve you well at dusk and dawn, too. Before we get into our best binoculars ranking, here's a quick guide to one of the key specs to look for when making your purchase: which magnification to go for. After all, pulling the far away up close and personal is the reason we're discussing binoculars in the first place.

Once you've decided on the pair of binoculars for you, we recommend checking out the best Black Friday deals to make sure you're getting a high-quality pair at the lowest price possible. And to help you out we're zooming in on those bargains with our live prices below, so you can immediately tell who's got the biggest savings and cash in on them! Black Friday binocular deals The winter sales events are on the horizon, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that this year's best Black Friday deals include some decent price drops on binoculars, monoculars, telescopes and accessories.

We'll be keeping a close eye on prices and reporting on all the top bargains right here on T3. When you buy a pair of binoculars you need to understand two numbers: magnification and objective lens size, which are always quoted on every pair as a combination of two numbers — typically 8x25, 10x25, 20x56, 25x and so on. In this case, both are small numbers, so the binoculars are portable, everyday binoculars for general use in daylight.

At the other end of the scale is a pair of bulky 25x binoculars — so 25x magnification and a mm objective lens — which are thus designed for looking deep into the night sky in darkness where maximum light-gathering is critical.

If it's low-light viewing specifically you're after, check out our guide to the best night vision binoculars and goggles. The difference in weight is startling; a pair of 8x25 binoculars will be super-light while 25x are too heavy to hold for more than a few minutes.

The bigger the magnification the more likely you are to get a serious shake, too. So the answer is to go for some binoculars in between.

Good middle-of-the-road sizes and 10x42, 10x50 or 15x 50, which have decent magnification and can be used in all light levels. Binoculars like these are practical and can be highly impressive.

About 15x is perfect for a safari. We love the Nikon Prostaff 3S. Our pick for the best binoculars overall right now, they're affordable and yet they have similar build quality and features found in high-end binoculars. The most useful feature is their 10x magnification, which brings distant objects that much closer, while good a sized 42mm diameter objective lens delivers clarity of vision even in low light.

The simple and easy to use design makes it straightforward to find sharp, stunning images in a matter of seconds. Boasting a robust construction, these binoculars feature soft rubber, non-slip armouring and an O-ring that's been sealed to prevent moisture from getting inside.

It's also filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging. A long eye relief also means they can easily be used by anyone who wears glasses. Whether you're looking for a go-to birding binocular, want to sample the stars, or you want to add more magic to weekend hikes, the Nikon Prostaff 3s delivers quality and accessible optics, and strong specs at an impressively low price. Head to our Nikon Prostaff 3s binoculars review for more info. The Bushnell Forge 15x56 are a range-topping pair of 'roof prism' binoculars from reliable and established brand Bushnell, and worth every penny of their premium price tag.

Suitable for a wide range of uses, the Bushnell Forge 15x56 are perfect when hiking, bird watching, stargazing, going on a safari, but they're not the kind of pair to sling in a daysack. Why not? Well, they're heavy and they're big. The upshot of that is they pull the faraway close while letting in plenty of light to ensure a huge amount of detail can be viewed.

A neck strap is provided for added comfort, but ideally you'll want to invest in a tripod to get the best from these. You can so expect a IPX7 waterproof rating and Bushnell's exclusive 'EXO' barrier protection, the latter a lens coating that bonds to the glass at a molecular level, repelling water, oil, dust and debris and preventing scratches.

That's exactly the kind of peace of mind you'll want these luxury binoculars. You'll find more info in our should I buy the Bushnell Forge 15x56 binoculars?

If it's value and versatility you're after, the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 make a strong case for being some of the best binoculars around. These roof prism binoculars use high-end, multi-coated BaK-4 glass to deliver crisp, bright close-ups of wildlife, landscapes, even in low light. In fact, you can use these to view celestial objects by night.

They're also practical, with a solid solid magnesium alloy build, water- and fog-proof qualities. Add to that some good quality extras in the box — a particularly stout carrying case, and a very useful harness strap that takes the weight of the binoculars off your neck — and these are extremely good value for money.

In fact, the only real downside is that the lens caps aren't the snuggest fitting. Check out our Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars review for more info. While you're paying a premium for the high-end features here, this pair of Olympus binos actually offers good value for money, especially when compared against offerings from 'luxury' brands like Leica and Zeiss.

A particular draw is the fact that they offer high-quality Zuiko optics that will be familiar to fans of its photography brand. Due to the fact that they're relatively compact and lightweight for the level of specification on offer, yet usefully high powered with it, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to bring the faraway that bit closer will find it's plenty good enough for general purpose, everyday use.

A pared-back design indicates fuss-free usage, while a rubberised exterior prevents finger slippage. The construction is such that any ingress from water if submerged at a depth of one metre for five minutes is prevented — not that we'd need to put that to the test under regular circumstances.

They're also nitrogen-filled to avoid fogging in adverse conditions. Handily, the Olympus 10x42 Pro can be folded inwards or expanded outwards to adjust exactly to the distance between our eyes.

Found between the eyepieces is a very large and obvious ridged focus wheel, whilst the right eyepiece boasts a dioptric adjustment wheel for a more precise focus for those who wear glasses. For non-spectacle wearers the length of the eye relief is manually adjustable too, with the eyepieces extending when twisted anti-clockwise. A large smooth-feel focus wheel aids operation and a long 18mm eye relief delivers viewing comfort. Capable of being tripod mounted if desired, a strap, lens cloth and carry case comes as standard, plus a limited lifetime warranty.

While the Bushnell Powerview 2 10x42 may feature-wise be a pretty basic pair of binoculars, the aluminium-alloy chassis gives them a real premium feel. You certainly get the impression this pair could survive a knock or two though we wouldn't recommend testing this on purpose. The reasonably large objective lens ensures good light transmission, and the ridged focus control wheel is satisfying and intuitive to use. With rubber grips for a secure hold, the Bushnell Powerview 2 is an all-around well designed set of binoculars, at a pretty reasonable price.

To shoot for the stars, you obviously need a pair of binoculars with a high magnification factor — as well as ones with excellent light gathering abilities. Multi coated lenses combine with BaK-4 prisms to allow for increased light transmission and therefore high contrast images with bags of detail.

Stargazers will also benefit from the fact that this option can be tripod mounted, while it also has its own centre support rod for increased stability. A polycarbonate and aluminum build provides both robustness and portability, while we also get a product that is waterproofed and fog-proofed with it, which is especially useful on cold winter nights. Read more: Opticron Savanna WP 6x30 binocular review.

While the 10x magnification factor of the Steiner 10x 26mm Safari UltraSharp Binoculars is certainly impressive, what also grabs your attention is how light they are, weighing just g, but a glance at the specs reveals a lot of this is due to the pretty small 26mm objective lenses. Handling is excellent, however, with an ergonomic grip and intelligently laid-out controls, and optical quality is near top of the range.

They're not quite at level of, say, the Canon or Zeiss see below binoculars, but at this price they're really nothing to sneeze at. Made with high-contrast optics that deliver an image of exceptional quality, these binoculars represent some of the best value for money on this list. As well as being great in low light, they're suitable for outdoor use, thanks to a durable polycarbonate construction filed with dry nitrogen gas to prevent fogging in cold and wet conditions.

Add in multi-coated optics and this is a robust, well-specified pair of binos suitable for everyone from beginners to intermediate users. This bright, sharp and reliable model from the Olympus pro line up a new 8x42 version is also available features nano coating for the first time in the range.

Compact, ergonomically designed and of rugged construction that prevents any ingress from water if submerged at a depth of one metre for five minutes, close up performance is also impressive, with the ability to view subjects as near as 1. Nitrogen filling prevents fogging while the design is slim and simple. An extendable eye relief provides comfort for spectacle wearers, as do a dioptric adjustment ring, flip down lens cap and a new strap mount.

A year warranty provides extra peace of mind. Fashioned to survive almost anything, the Leica Trinovid-HD 10x42 binos get our vote for the best binoculars for bird watching right now. Their ergonomic design and steady grip allows for accurate and precise focusing, delivering both razor sharp close-ups of our feathered friends, plus long distance clarity. The Nikon Monarch HG 10x30 binoculars are not only compact and relatively portable at g, the magnesium alloy build has the benefit of being water and fog proofed too.

Use of extra low dispersion ED glass corrects chromatic aberration that can cause colour fringing, while comfort is provided via a soft-to-the-touch neck strap. A tripod adaptor for each is an optional extra. Suitable for pretty much every pursuit, especially the watching of wildlife, the 10x magnification of our pick, the Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 , not only brings the faraway up close, but the optical performance has a crystal clarity thanks in part to a seven-lens eyepiece.

This particular model is also the most versatile, as well as the most premium, with an evenly balanced weight distribution and ergonomic grip making hand-holding the binos for a prolonged period a pleasure. Zeiss also claims that a large exit pupil measuring over 5mm reveals the details in dark shadows or dim dusk. Read more: Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 binoculars review.

This battery-operated option enables you to get a wobble-free image by just pressing in a button on the binoculars — and the stabilizing effect is both instant and jaw-dropping.

As well as rock-solid stability, these porro prism binoculars sit comfortably in your hand and sport a comfortably long at 16mm eye relief, plus a large 4. Binoculars have lots of different specs, but there are two key ones that are best to focus on if you want to keep things simple.

These are: magnification and lens size. Most binoculars will list both in their name. When you're browsing for binoculars, you'll quickly notice that their names tend to include something like "10x20" or "6x30".

These two numbers refer respectively to the magnification factor, and the size of the lenses. This model surpassed the other premium models in our testing, offering both better image quality and superior comfort. Its ability to maintain perfect clarity across the entirety of the image is what sets the EL apart, whereas most models leave some blurring at the edges. This creates an incredibly immersive image that made us feel like we were sitting just a few feet away from our avian subjects.

There's just one downside of the EL , and it's a big one: price. These cost as much as a used car and are more of an investment than a purchase. However, if you're a serious birder who wants the best of the best or you're embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime safari, these will undoubtedly take your experience to the next level. Read review: Swarovski EL 8.

These binos manage to offer clarity and brightness that rivals that of models that cost orders of magnitude more, while remaining in a reasonably palatable price range. The brightness is what really impressed us. Throughout testing we were treated to bright images with vivid colors, even as the sun began to go down and the shadows got long.

When shopping for your first pair of binoculars, sticker shock is common. If spending several hundred dollars on a new hobby makes you nervous, the Celestron Nature DX 8x42 is a perfect choice. In this price range, the image quality is by far the best we've seen. In fact, it rivals models that cost more than twice as much in that regard. The supple focus knobs and easy eyecup adjustments continue the list of beginner-friendly features.

We enjoyed the 6. The low price does entail some drawbacks. The rubber coating of the Nature DX 8x42 feels lower quality than higher-priced models, and the hinges likewise feel slightly less sturdy.

The glass is also of lower quality, so low light situations yield slightly dim images. However, the large 42mm objective lenses help in these situations, meaning they perform a bit better in low light than the compact models often found in this price range.

Overall, these complaints were minor, and we would wholeheartedly recommend these to anyone looking for a pair on a budget. Read review: Celestron Nature DX 8x If you're looking for an affordable option that is lightweight, compact, and of good quality, it's hard to do better than the Vortex DiamondBack HD 8x Weighing in at a svelte 14 ounces, these still provide good optical clarity and an exceptional performance-to-weight ratio.

Combine that with sturdy construction, a surprisingly comfortable grip, and a relatively low price, and you have the perfect option for backpacking birders on a budget. The lack of brightness is the only real downside of the DiamondBack HD 8x28 , which is a sacrifice you have to accept if you want the small size and weight of 28mm objective lenses.

The lenses still gather plenty of light in most situations — just don't expect any miracles on an overcast predawn morning. The Leica 10x25 Ultravid BCR is the perfect pair for a backpacking bird nerd that wants to check some more species off their life list while not being weighed down.

Despite a small 25mm objective lens and an impressively lightweight of 9. For those with larger hands, the smaller barrels and smaller focus knobs may be less comfortable to hold and use, but overall we were pleased with the Ultravid's comfort.

Again, the primary drawback of this pair is the price. If you're willing to deal with the weight of a full-sized pair, such as the Viper HD , you can get brighter optics for less. However, if you want quality optics in the most portable package possible and are willing to pay for it, the Leica 10x25 Ultravid is the cream of the crop.

Author Max Mutter has spent countless hours peering through binoculars, starting with a childhood fascination with bird watching and culminating in a career as a field biologist for the likes of the U. S Fish and Wildlife Service, the U. Forest Service, and several non-profit conservation organizations.

Max's professional and academic fieldwork has brought him to four continents, and his research at Oxford University into the impacts of natural gas extraction on avian populations was recently published. Max has been leveraging his binocular knowledge and expertise as both a tester and writer in GearLab's bino review since , and he's now tested over 50 different models.

For this review, we researched more than pairs before selecting 30 of the best to run through our rigorous, side-by-side testing process. We've spent over hours and counting in the field with these binoculars. The conditions ranged from sunny plains to dark, shady forests. We also took painstaking side-by-side photos through most of our binoculars, so our readers can get a better idea of exactly how the optics compare.

Related: How We Tested Binoculars. Binoculars are generally described with two numbers, separated by an x, such as 8x The first number refers to the magnification, or how many times larger the lenses will make something appear. The second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens the big lenses at the front in millimeters.

Larger objective lenses can let more light make it to your eyes, resulting in a brighter image. However, it also means the model will be larger and heavier.

It's important to know what numbers you should be looking for in a model, so we broke down the ideal uses for all magnifications and objective lens sizes below. Among stargazers, 9x63 is also popular because the much larger lenses gather more light and can illuminate more stars. In this section, we focus on the models that would work best for most people. If birding is more of a lifestyle than a hobby for you, and you're willing to spend the big bucks to get the best pair possible, see our high-end shootout section below.

Related: Buying Advice for Binoculars. For binoculars, image quality is largely dependent on the quality of glass used, and good glass is expensive. Therefore, if you pay more, you tend to get better performance. However, that trend definitely is not linear. We also believe that the Vortex Diamondback HD and Celestron Nature DX offer better performance than their prices suggest, which makes either a great choice for anyone shopping on a budget.

For this review, we define clarity as the amount of detail one can see through the lenses. We tested it by using the ISO chart. Now into it's eleventh year, the BBR Annual Bino Awards is the main platform I use to highlight the very best binoculars that I have reviewed in a range of different categories over the last days or so.

Once again, I have been very fortunate to have tested some truly outstanding instruments and many of the top binoculars currently on the market which has meant that the competition to win an award this year has been tougher than ever.

I often get asked why haven't you reviewed "x" binocular from "x" brand. The answer is that unlike many binocular review sites you find on the web that simply make their evaluations up having never used, touched or even seen the instrument in question. I only review binoculars that I have actually used and tested. Therefore not only is it physically impossible for me to "review" as many as these other sites, but I am also at the mercy as to which brands are willing to send me their products to put under the spotlight.

Find Binoculars By Price. Best Value Binoculars. This is the place to start if you are either undecided as to if binoculars are what you need for astronomy, if you are not sure what features you need to look for of if you want to browse and compare some of the top astronomy binoculars on the market.

Once you have read this guide, you can take a look at all my reviews and then explore in more detail all the other articles within the astro section. Binoculars for Astronomy. Large Binocular Telescopes with Angled Eyepieces. I'd also say that whilst it is possible to enjoy birdwatching without them, binoculars along with your bird book are the most essential tools to any birder.

So no mater if you are a newbie birder, seasoned professional, if you like like backyard birding or going on birdwatching holidays.

This section has all the advice, tips as well as many suggestions and reviews of the best quality binoculars for your particular needs and at your budget. Choosing the Best Birdwatching Binoculars. In an survival, evacuation, get home in an emergency or indeed pretty much situation when the SHTF, the right pair of binoculars are one of the most essential pieces of kit as they enable you to:. I get quite a lot of people asking me why I have not reviewed a specific binocular. Not only is it impossible for me to review every set of binoculars on the market, but sometimes too much choice can be a bad thing - for example I find that when I visit many websites that sell binoculars, I am often baffled by the sheer amount of binoculars all being described as the greatest on earth, or I am sometimes disappointed by the quality of binoculars being described as the ultimate binocular.