All binoculars

Browse all 257 binoculars we list, with tripods and mounts further down, and narrow them with search and filters. Start with magnification and objective size, then weigh prism type, eye relief, weight and weather sealing.

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Cards show our score out of 10 where a model has one, and card specs come from each model's maker. Prices change often, so check the current price on the product page before you buy.

257 binoculars and 10 tripods and mounts.

Every binocular

Showing the top 20 of 257 binoculars by our score.

All binoculars: Every binocular we cover. Drawing of a binocular with its parts named.
Drawing made for this page: a binocular with its parts named. It is a schematic and does not show a particular model. Compare the models and source guides in all binoculars.

Tripods and mounts

The 10 tripods, adapters and mounts from our lists. Each opens its own page; the guide below compares them.

Read our tripod and mount guide

Also in our guides

Product reviews

Our single-product binocular reviews, newest first.

  1. Zen-Ray ZRS HD Binoculars Review
  2. Viper HD Binoculars Review: Everything You Need To Know
  3. Carson VP Series High Definition Binoculars Review
  4. Wingspan Optics FieldView 8X32 Compact Binoculars Review
  5. Celestron SkyMaster 25X100 Astro Binoculars Review
  6. Orion 9326 Giant View 25x100 Astronomy Binoculars Review
  7. Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars Review
  8. Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 Binoculars Review
  9. Athlon Optics Midas 8x42 ED Binoculars Review
  10. Nikon 8248 ACULON A211 10x50 Binocular Review
  11. Nikon Monarch 7 Roof Prism Binoculars Review
  12. Vortex Diamondback Binoculars Review
  13. Zeiss Terra ED Binoculars Review
  14. Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 Binoculars Review
  15. Celestron – Outland X 8x25 Binoculars Review
  16. Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars Review
  17. Swarovski 8.5x42 EL Review
  18. Maven C1 10x42 Binocular Review
  19. Leupold Cascade Binoculars Review
  20. Maven B1 42 mm ED Binocular Review
  21. Tasco TAS100832-BRK Focus Free Binocular Review
  22. BARSKA Focus Free 10x50 Binocular Review
  23. Bushnell Waterproof Spectator Sport Binocular Review
  24. Celestron Cavalry 10x50 Auto Focus Binocular Review
  25. Vortex Crossfire Vs Diamondback Binoculars Review
  26. Bushnell Marine 7x50 Waterproof Binocular Review
  27. Bushnell Auto Focus Powerview 10X50 Binocular Review
  28. Mahauk Go-Focus 10x25mm Binoculars Review
  29. Swarovski CL Pocket 8x25 Binoculars Review

Binocular buying questions

What do the numbers like 8x42 mean?

The first number is the magnification and the second is the objective lens diameter in millimeters. Nikon notes that at the same magnification, a larger objective gives a brighter image.

Divide the second number by the first for the exit pupil: 42 divided by 8 is about 5.3 mm. Our guide to a good binocular number goes further.

Is 8x or 10x better?

Choose 8x for a wider, steadier view and 10x for more detail at distance. Nikon notes that higher magnification makes the image less stable from hand movement and recommends up to 12x for general use.

On the makers' sheets, Celestron's Nature DX ED 8x42 shows a 7.5 degree field and Vortex's Diamondback HD 10x42 6.3 degrees.

Which binoculars should a beginner buy?

Start with a waterproof 8x42 or 10x42. Our numbers guide says those sizes are often recommended for bird watching and general wildlife because they balance magnification, field of view and portability.

If you are on a tight budget, the Under $100 collection is the place to start.

What size binoculars are best for stargazing?

Choose a larger objective, such as 10x50, and use a tripod for anything bigger. Our numbers guide suggests 10x50 or even 15x70 for the sky, noting they are heavier and need support.

Browse astronomy binoculars or read whether 10x50s show Andromeda.

Does field of view tell me how far I can see?

No. Nikon defines field of view at 1,000 m as the width of the area you can see at that distance without moving the binoculars.

How far you can make out detail depends on the subject, the light, the air and how steady you hold the pair, as our 12x50 guide explains.

What does the score on each card mean?

It is our own rating out of 10, the score our buying guide gave that exact model. It is not a customer rating, so open the product page and its guide for the reasons behind the score. A card without a score is one we have not tied to an exact review yet.

How to choose binoculars

Read magnification and objective size

Read 8x42 as 8 times magnification through 42 mm objective lenses; together they set the exit pupil, and the exit pupil sets how bright the view stays as light fades. Our guide to what the numbers mean covers field of view, eye relief, exit pupil and close focus.

Common sizes at a glance
SizeExit pupilSuits
8x324.0 mmLight carry in good light
8x425.3 mmBirds, wildlife, all-round use
10x424.2 mmMore reach, still hand-held
10x505.0 mmDim light and the night sky
12x504.2 mmDistance from a steady rest

Why exit pupil matters at dusk

A bigger exit pupil helps only when your own pupil is open wide. Nikon gives the eye's pupil as about 2 mm in daylight and 7 mm in the dark, so a 5 mm exit pupil earns its weight at dawn and dusk.

Birds and hunting

Choose 8x42 for birds and game in cover and 10x42 for open country. Compare picks in bird watching and hunting binoculars.

Stars and long range

Go bigger in the objective for the sky and higher in magnification for distance, and add support for both, since Nikon notes the image gets less stable as magnification climbs and highly recommends a tripod. See astronomy and long range binoculars.

Boats and travel

On a boat a waterproof 7x50 gives a 7.1 mm exit pupil, and for travel a pocket pair keeps weight down: Zeiss lists the Terra ED Pocket 8x25 at 10.9 oz. Browse marine and travel binoculars.

Sports and kids

For a stadium, pick a wide field of view so you can follow play; for children, start with a light, simple pair. See sports and kids binoculars.

Roof or Porro prisms

Choose roof for a slim, compact pair and Porro for a larger body that is simpler to make. Nikon explains that the Z-shaped light path makes Porro binoculars larger, while the straight path of a roof prism gives a slim body.

Celestron adds that Porro pairs give a richer three-dimensional image from their widely spaced objectives.

Coatings and ED glass

Look for fully multi-coated optics, phase-coated roof prisms and, if you can, ED glass. Celestron defines fully multi-coated as multiple coatings on every glass surface, and says phase coating stops the low-contrast image a roof prism can give.

Celestron also says ED glass virtually eliminates color fringing.

Eye relief if you wear glasses

If you wear glasses, choose long eye relief and twist-down eyecups. Nikon recommends longer eye relief for eyeglass wearers; our guide on binoculars and glasses shows how to set the eyecups.

Weight you will carry

Check the weight on the maker's sheet before size alone decides for you. Zeiss lists the Terra ED Pocket 8x25 at 10.9 oz, Nikon the Monarch M5 8x42 at 22.2 oz, and Celestron the SkyMaster 25x70 at 52 oz, which belongs on a tripod.

Waterproof, fogproof or water resistant

Buy a pair the maker calls waterproof if you will use it in rain or near water. Vortex says its Diamondback HD is gas purged and O-ring sealed for fogproof and waterproof performance; Celestron calls its SkyMaster 25x70 water resistant and not nitrogen filled, which is a lower bar.

What changes between the price bands

Higher bands add more pairs that list ED glass and advanced prism coatings. Our Under $100 collection mixes Porro and roof pairs, the Under $300 collection is where several makers list ED glass, and the Under $500 collection adds the Nikon Monarch M5 and M7, which list ED glass with phase and dielectric coatings.

Where the extra money goes

Our guide on why some binoculars are so expensive puts the extra cost down to glass, coatings, build, features and brand, including warranty and service, and Vortex's VIP warranty is one example of the cover a maker can add.

Shop by collection

Ranked lists by use, price band and brand.

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