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10 Best Binoculars
for the Money

The 10 Best Binoculars for the Money

Zoom In!

Whether you use them for viewing nature, bird watching, hunting, stargazing, or other outdoor adventures that let you see the world up close, the best binoculars for the money allow for stunning views. We have researched over 30 different new products and selected the ten that are a worthy addition to anyone's gear. Let’s take a closer look.

Binocular Basics: How to Select the Best Binoculars

Binoculars are finely-crafted instruments and choosing the right ones can make or break a perfect long-distance viewing opportunity. Since they are lots of features to choose from, knowing which to pick can be tricky. Let's take a look at the most important factors to consider when looking for the best binoculars.

best binoculars

Magnification

The binoculars’ magnification shows how much larger they make objects appear. The higher the magnification, the better you will be able to see what you are looking at far away.

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Lens Diameter

Viewing quality is influenced by the lens diameter, meaning the size of the lens opening. A larger diameter correlates with a greater magnification and better light sensitivity.

best compact binoculars

Eye Relief Size

Eye relief size is a measurement of how far away your eye is from the eyepiece. Usually, most eye relief sizes should do the job but if you wear glasses, look for a higher eye relief size.

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Weight

How heavy a set of binoculars determines your overall comfort level while viewing and carrying. Luckily, most modern compact binoculars are pretty lightweight.

Reviews and Buying Guide: Best Binoculars for the Money

With thousands of different binoculars available on the market today, it is very easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. Not only are there numerous factors to consider when buying, but overall performance can vary. To make it easy for you to pick the best binoculars we have narrowed down our research to a list of the top 10 best binoculars. All products featured in the binocular reviews below are great choices. Read on!

Looking for different types of binoculars? We've just released our new buying guides for the best small binoculars, top range finding binoculars, and best compact binoculars. Our expert reviews team has picked the best and most affordable models - no BS, just plain English tips on how to shop for the binoculars you need.

Bushnell Falcon 7x35 Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
7x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
35mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
12mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
1.3 lbs.

Bushnell binoculars are synonymous with quality, and for good reason. With the Bushnell Falcon, you're guaranteed HD-quality optics resulting in stunning clarity and resolution. Ergonomically designed for maximum comfort, the Falcon offers 7X magnification with an auto-focusing prism that reduces the amount of time it takes to zero in on your subject.

The Falcon binoculars are lightweight at only 21 oz and offer a fantastic 420-foot field of view at 1,000 yards. This incredibly affordable set of binoculars comes from a world leader in optics technology, so you know you are buying quality. Thanks to its sturdy yet lightweight construction, as well as outstanding clarity, the Bushnell Falcon is one of our top recommendations.

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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
10x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
70mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
18mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
3 lbs.

Some of the very best binoculars come from Celestron, and the SkyMaster is no exception. Designed primarily for celestial viewing, this product is equally comfortable scanning the night sky as it is looking at objects here on Earth. The SkyMaster features a large-aperture design, meaning the lens diameter is larger than many compact binocular models. This has the advantage of letting more light into the system for outstanding image quality.

The optics are multi-coated to prevent light scattering and the long eye relief size makes them perfect to use if you wear glasses. The focusing apparatus is well-tuned, allowing for fine focusing. We found these binoculars easy to use right of the box, offering excellent image quality. A built-in adapter also lets you mount the binoculars on a tripod for stable viewing. The Celestron SkyMaster is a very good set of binoculars due to its large aperture size, attractive price, and low-light sensitivity. They are among the best binoculars we've seen.

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Eoncore 12x32 Digital Camera Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
12x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
32mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
38mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
1.4 lbs

Combining binoculars with a high-definition digital camera, the Eoncore takes far-away viewing to the next level. Use the camera with built-in LCD screen to take high-quality photos and videos, or simply look into the eyepieces as you would regularly. We liked that these binoculars are compact and lightweight making them easy to transport just about anywhere and perfect for outdoor activities. The Eoncore also works very well in low light conditions thanks to the built-in high-sensitivity image sensor. This digital camera binoculars set wins hands down in the versatility department thanks to its dual optics/camera capability. It is a great choice with lots of value.

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Tasco Essentials 10x25 Compact Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
10x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
25mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
15mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
1 lb.

Probably some of the best compact binoculars around, the Tasco Essentials Binoculars offer impressive optical quality in a small housing. With such features as lens coatings, fold-down eyecups, and a shock-resistant rubberized coating, this product leaves nothing to be desired when looking for an all-around versatile set of compact binoculars. Give the products affordable price it is really hard to go wrong here. Simple and easy to use in a very convenient size with excellent optics, the Tasco Essentials Compact Binoculars are a great choice.

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Polaris Optics Spectator 8X32 Compact Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
8x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
32mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
15mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
1.4 lbs.

If you have been wondering how to choose binoculars, Polaris Optics makes it easy with their new Spectator product. These outstanding compact binoculars are perfectly designed for bird watching, sports, birding, and for enjoying nature. They are as versatile as they are comfortable to carry. Image detail is crisp and brilliant thanks to the wide viewing capabilities and fine-tuned focusing. Ergonomically designed with rubberized grips for comfort, the Polaris Optics Spectator is an excellent way to see your world up close.

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Merytes 10x25 Compact Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
10x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
25mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
10mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
0.54 lbs

Merytes takes an interesting approach with their Portable High Definition Binoculars, adding a blue film to the optics to improve image quality and crispness without affecting color. In addition to excellent optics with a fixed-ratio magnification and exquisite image composition, the product is exceptionally sturdy and lightweight. They are perfect for small hands or situations where a set of compact binoculars is required. Due to the binoculars' excellent optical engineering and small size, Merytes' Portable High Definition Binoculars is a very good buy for any occasion.

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Bushnell H2O 8x25 Waterproof Compact Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
8x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
25mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
17mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
0.75 lbs.

Bushnell's new H20 model is, as the name suggests, a fully waterproof set of binoculars that is designed to be fog proof. These compact binoculars feature BAK-4 prisms that show incredibly bright and crisp images. The H2O also incorporates a highly ergonomic design due to a rubberized coating over a sturdy metal exterior, which also makes the binoculars virtually shock proof.

The H20 bincolulars are perfect for viewing on the water. Exposing them to rain or wetness is never an issue thanks to the O-ring protected segments which will keep the optics dry. Additionally, the optics have been purged of nitrogen to ensure they never fog up. Thanks to Bushnell's renowned optics as well as the compact size and advanced waterproofing, the H2O is the perfect set of binoculars to take with you wherever you go.

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Vortex Optics Diamondback 10x42 Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
10x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
42mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
14mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
1.53 lbs.

Vortex binoculars have long been a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts, and the Diamondback continues that tradition. Designed for the elements, the set is waterproof and fog proof while providing an excellent 42mm lens diameter for exquisite image quality. The coated optics ensure proper light distribution throughout, resulting in crisp, clear images.

These compact binoculars are easy to transport and are perfect for any environment, and the green finish makes it ideal for hunting. Excellent low light ability makes them great to use in less than ideal lighting situations thanks to a large lens diameter. The eyecups are soft and comfortable and felt great during use. Because of these characteristics, the Vortex Optics Diamondback are one of the best binoculars for the money.

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Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
20x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
50mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
9mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
3.4 lbs.

If you ever needed a tip on how to buy binoculars, just take a look at Bushnell's PowerView. The quality and specs of these binoculars are just stunning, thanks to 20X magnification and a 50mm lens diameter. Perfect for viewing in low-light conditions, the high-quality optics are incredible. Get up close to an object, as close as 45 feet, or enjoy a big 170-foot wide field view at 1,000 yards away.

The PowerView is covered by a non-slip rubberized shell, so it is very shockproof. The unique Porro prism system will ensure clear, crisp images every time, and the InstaFocus system makes fine-tuning your images a snap. It is a fantastic product, thanks to Bushnell's high-quality optics and design, and is without a doubt an excellent choice.

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Nikon ACULON A211 10x50 Binoculars

Best Compact Binoculars for the Money
Review and Buying Guide

Magnification
10x

Review and Buying Guide

Lens Diameter
50mm

Review and Buying Guide

Eye Relief Size
11.8mm

Review and Buying Guide

Weight
2.8 lbs.

Nikon binoculars are known for their quality and good price, and the 8248 ACULON is no different. A whopping 50mm lens diameter makes these binoculars the perfect image-gathering tool. The binoculars’ 10X magnification will let you see far away objects clearly and sharp. The multi-coated Eco-Glass lenses glide around seamlessly thanks to the fine-tuned focus knob that allows you to zoom in on the action with ease.

The ACULON Binoculars are perfect for many different environments, and the rubberized non-slip coating will help protect them from the elements. The Nikon 8248 ACULON offers excellent image quality, versatility, and precision-crafted optics. They are one of the top Nikon binoculars for the money.

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