The Best Binoculars of 2025

You don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get a set of solid binoculars, a fact proven by the NOCS Provisions Pro Issue ($329). Many budget options leave much to be desired, but these binoculars surprised tester Nick LeFort with solid optical clarity, except in low-light situations.

Earlier this summer, the Pro Issues came along to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Aside from being an all-around great place to explore, VINS has a unique forest canopy walk that takes you up and above the trees. Once you get up there, you can see everything for miles – and there’s a massive gap in the trees where the Ottauquechee River runs.

This area has a lot of bird and animal action depending on when you’re there. These binoculars provided a crisp and clear view of it all. What’s more, VINS was selling the entire line of NOCS Provisions products in their gift shop. 

Since then, the Pro Issue has been a go-to for LeFort. With these binos in hand, he spotted a few deer off in the distance on an old and unused trail, and even did a little stargazing. In all instances and in all weather conditions, the Pro Issue binoculars outperformed all of the other binoculars (and monoculars) on this list. Their textured, rubber grip was a godsend, given that most of this summer has been wet. 

For under $300, the NOCS Provisions Pro Issue binoculars are easily accessible for everyone; however, don’t expect them to be as crisp as our best overall pick, the ZEISS SFL. Whether you’re just looking to have fun with binoculars or if you take your birdwatching and sky-gazing seriously, you’ll love these binos. You’ll enjoy the 6-foot range of focus, which keeps things in your general area crisp and clear while benefiting from the 429 feet of view, which helps you catch any movement on the periphery.

Buy If: You’re on a budget and want good clarity, need durability, or are looking for your first set of binoculars.

Pass If: You need excellent low-light performance, or want the best optical clarity, and are willing to pay for it.

The Swarovski NL Pure 10×42 Binoculars ($3,199) are a long-range, low-light workhorse with stellar glass. Our team has been using binoculars for decades and has tried them all. But the difference in quality (even compared to other high-end options like the Maven B1.2 8×42) was immediately clear when looking through these to check out a distant moose in Grand Teton National Park. 

Thanks to a wide field of view and Swarovski’s innovative tech, the image transmitted through the NL Pures is much clearer, even at the edges, than others tested, including the Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10×42 Binoculars. SWAROVISION technology utilizes field flattener lenses that counteract curvature, ensuring sharpness from the center to the edges of the image. This means no refocusing is needed when moving your eye, so you don’t miss a detail. 

With a 42 mm objective lens, the NL Pure 10x42s let in more light than the previous choice for best premium binoculars, the Maven B1.2 8×42. This means better viewing at dawn or dusk when wildlife is most active, on cloudy days, or in environments like the ocean or the Arctic where contrast is low.  

Another big difference is their ergonomic design, which makes them enjoyable to hold for long periods of time. Flattened tubes where your hands fall and a textured no-slip grip make them easier to hold, even for people (or kids) with smaller hands. Though they’re the heaviest on the list, they’re well-balanced and somehow don’t feel too heavy even after holding them all day. 

One place for improvement is the eye cups. They twist in and out through seven different options so you can find a comfortable and functional fit. However, the mechanism is tricky, and the eyepieces twisted off completely after a while. Though you can put them back on, it seems that when this happens once, it tends to be a chronic issue. Hopefully, Swarovski improves this feature.

The other downside is the warranty. While acceptable, a 10-year cap on mechanical issues and no accident coverage are kind of a bummer at this sky-high price. Check out our full guide to binocular warranties here!

At over $3,000, the price may be a barrier to purchase. However, these are binoculars you buy once and keep for life. They’re that good. If you’re looking for that long-term relationship with a pair of binoculars that delivers unsurpassed image quality and the best ergonomics and feel, take a look at the Swarovski NL Pure 10 x 42.

Buy If: You want the best, and price is no object.

Pass If: Having the best warranty is essential to you, you need something lightweight, or $3k for binoculars just ain’t in the cards.

The Celestron Outland X 10×42 Binoculars ($120) are priced so that people who are new to binoculars or folks looking for another pair can pick them up and enjoy them without a heavy investment. Though they may not be as premium as some other binos on this list, they’ve certainly earned their spot here. But don’t let their budget-friendly price fool you, you can still expect a quality build and clear optics from the Outland X.

The initial appeal of these binoculars is their compact size. But since our team tested them in the middle of one of the hottest and wettest summers on record, they needed to be both fog-proof and weather-resistant. If the Outland Xs could meet these demands, then they would be optimal for outdoor enthusiasts. After more than a month in the elements, they did.

However, there’s a flip side to every coin. First and foremost, these aren’t for star gazing like their sisters, the Celestron Skymaster Pro 15×70. Also, though the Outland X has a smooth focus wheel that provides crystal-clear imagery, the edges of the field of view are generally blurry. This increases at higher magnifications, which is even more noticeable in low light. These downsides wouldn’t deter us from continuing to use these binoculars, however, they’re worth mentioning.

Overall, the Celestron Outland X 10×42 Binoculars are for anyone looking to break into birdwatching or any outdoor activity where you need to get a clear view of things off in the distance.

Buy If: You’re jumping into the world of binoculars and are unsure if you’ll use them much, need a backup pair, or want something inexpensive that isn’t junk.

Pass If: You plan on using binoculars consistently.

The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 ($339) binoculars are legendary in the binocular world. They’re lightweight, durable, waterproof, and fogproof. Additionally, the visual experience is unparalleled, which is one of the reasons why they’re the best for birdwatching. With a price tag under $300, they’re giving some of the premium-priced binos a real run for their money.

The Monarch M5s, like their more expensive sibling — the M7s — are designed for users of all skill levels. They’re well adapted for hiking, sky gazing, and hunting, but the fact that they take very little adjusting or fine-tuning helped corral them into the birdwatching category. Additionally, while panning, the distortion is minimal. Nikon’s Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass is designed to work while you’re on the move and in all light conditions.

During testing, following a hummingbird in flight and locking in on it while it hovered was a non-issue. Being the fastest and most elusive of birds, this was a major factor in the decision-making process.

But testing wasn’t just limited to the backyard. Even on rainy days and windy nights on the beach, these binos performed extremely well. Part of this is due to the rubber casing allowing you to keep a solid grip on them in all conditions.

That said, there were zero issues with fog, which is common of all of the binoculars on this list, but not of all binoculars. Our only complaint is the average close range of focus. If you’re looking for a higher-end option ideal for birdwatching, give the Vortex Viper HD 10×42 a try.

When it comes down to tracking down our feathered friends, half of the excitement is keeping up with them. The Monarch M5s were the cream of the crop for the job.

Buy If: You want the most compact, full-sized binocular.

Pass If: You want top-tier clarity.

High-quality glass meets unmatched portability in the Maven M.2 12X50 Monocular ($500). The optical clarity provided by this monocular is excellent, which Maven achieved by taking its premium binocular, the B.6, and eliminating one of the tubes.

GearJunkie contributor and hunter Morgan Nowels was admittedly skeptical about putting his trusty binoculars aside and relying solely on a monocular in the field. However, after a few hunts with the M.2, he began to see the light in investing in such a niche optic.

The M.2 is extremely unobtrusive. It easily fits in a jacket pocket or an exterior small pocket on a backpack. Feeling naked would be a good way to describe it, and it was freeing to ditch a clunky harness. Likewise, the compact nature makes this the perfect optic to leave in a truck glove box, always at the ready for wildlife viewing on a drive.

As far as optical clarity and low-light performance go, it’d be tough to find a monocular that can beat it. The image quality is excellent. It’s a great way to experience premium glass without the premium price tag, because you’re only paying for half of a binocular. And that is why the value of this optic is tough to nail down. On one hand, it’s a very expensive monocular. On the other hand, it’s dirt cheap for the level of optical performance you get.

There are downsides to it, some of which are flat-out negatives, and others that can be solved by moving to its smaller cousin, the M.1 10X42. The most glaring negative is that it isn’t tripod compatible. At first, Nowels was very concerned about that, because 12-powered optics are often shaky when free-handed. However, the M.2 was surprisingly stable and is easily used without support. It would still be nice to have the option for long glassing sessions, though. Eye fatigue also hits quicker with a monocular, but there’s really nothing to be done about that.

Additionally, the 12 power makes for a much narrower field of view, which can make it challenging to pick up targets instantly that you spotted with the naked eye. Thanks to the larger objective lens, the M.2 is also quite heavy, so while it is compact, it does have some heft.

But, when hunting, that 12-power is great when picking apart thick cover in search of an antler tine on a bedded buck, or easily identifying antler size at a distance. The M.2 is like having a micro spotting scope in your pocket at all times.

Buy If: You need something compact, you want to experience high-end optics without the price, you use optics intermittently throughout the day, or you are looking for “truck binos.”

Pass If: You need something for extended glassing sessions, such as spot-and-stalk hunting or a day of birding at a refuge.

Choosing the best hunting binoculars is tough. For this list, to be totally honest, we were torn between three different sets of binos. Two of those were Mavens. The Maven C.3 10×50 binos ($550) won top honors for a few reasons. Where these binos beat out the competition is pretty clear. It all comes down to performance, price, weight, and low-light capability. The C.3 10x50s just outperforms in those categories with few drawbacks and offer a price-to-performance ratio that is just hard to overcome.

Okay, let’s dig into why the C.3s, a mid-tier, budget-friendly, unlikely candidate, made the top-honors spot. It all comes down to the perfect balance. There are other hunting binos on the list that have more reach but less low-light capability. Some of the other options offer better clarity but also tip the scales with heftier weights. The C.3s fall in that sweet spot of doing everything really well and not breaking the bank while doing it.

When it comes down to it, the only real drawback to this glass is a narrow field of view. You are going to have to scan just a bit more to cover your scene, which is something very few people will even notice.

In the end, the C.3s performed with incredible clarity, a rugged, comfortable feel, minimal weight, great reach, and incredible low-light capability — all at nearly a quarter of the price of much of the competition. We’re certainly of the opinion that glass is a good place to spend your money, but this is one of those few times that top price doesn’t always equal top performance.

Buy If: You’re a hunter or birder and want the best bang for the buck, or you need a well-rounded binocular.

Pass If: You want the best optical performance available.

Easily the most unique pair of binoculars on the list, the SIG ZULU6 HDX 20X42 ($1,199) has changed what binoculars are capable of. Thanks to electronic image stabilization technology, these binoculars offer impressive 20X magnification! In the past, that level of power was reserved only for tripod-mounted optics, due to the inherent instability of human hands.

The first look through the ZULUs is trippy. The technology works perfectly, and it can be a little odd to view something through binoculars with a rock-steady image. It is awe-inspiring.

Users can cycle through two modes: Scan Mode and Target Mode. Scan mode is best when you’re looking for your target. It’s very responsive to your movements and provides decent stability once you’ve found your target. But if you then switch into target mode, the image stabilization increases by over 50%. It can actually get difficult to get the image to move.

Now, the high zoom and image stabilization come with some tradeoffs. First, the binoculars are a bit bulky and oddly shaped. You may need to get a new bino harness to accommodate them. They also lack the low-light performance you can find with other binoculars on this list. And of course, high magnification can make target acquisition difficult.

Outside of those things, these are some sweet binoculars. If you want to have high magnification, it’s the only way to go. You’ll be impressed.

Buy If: You need high magnification, are using binoculars on a boat (whale watching, charter captains), or are a hunter looking to replace your bulky spotting scope and tripod.

Pass If: High magnification doesn’t suit your needs, or you regularly use binoculars in low light.

Appeal might not be the first thing you think of when you think of binoculars, but when considering binoculars for kids, colors like Poppy, Canary, and Glacial can be a big draw. This was one of the factors considered when choosing the NOCS Provisions Standard Issue 8×25 ($100) for the best binoculars for kids.

Additionally, the $100 price tag, easy fine-tuning, and clarity were major deciding factors. You don’t have a long attention span with kids, so you need binoculars they like from the get-go.

The rubber coating on the Standard Issue binoculars isn’t only great for grip, but you’ll appreciate it when your kids drop them in the dirt and they bounce around on the ground. You’ll also be a fan of the IPX7 certified rating, which not only allows these binos to get wet but also allows them to be submerged for 30 minutes.

Our testers kids loved how lightweight and easy they were to use. A little goes a long way with the focus knob, but it’s not so sensitive that people of all ages will struggle to use them. They’re also easy to clean, which is important because little kid hands are always grubby and grimy. Based on their waterproof construction, you could dip them in the ocean and wipe them down with a towel. Easy peasy.

Even though the Standard Issue’s award is aimed at kids, adults will also enjoy these binoculars. For less than $100 and with a close focus range of 13 feet, there will be some distortion, especially right in front of your field of view. However, the compact size and light weight make them a great pair of binos for casual use.

Buy If: You have kids and don’t trust them with your binoculars, or need a durable, super-compact option that you can take anywhere.

Pass If: You’re looking for a do-all, primary set of binoculars, or will be in any form of low-light.

The Diamondback HD binoculars by Vortex ($240) were one of the hottest runner-ups in this guide. These optics are highly impressive for the price, and with an ironclad warranty, they’re a favorite among hunters for a reason. In fact, Tester Morgan Nowels used a set of these for four hunting seasons before feeling the need to upgrade.

Users should always prioritize lens quality when buying a pair of binoculars. In this category, Vortex is especially hard to beat. The brand’s patented HD optics are designed to give the ultimate viewing experience in terms of resolution, sharpness, light capture, and color fidelity. These binoculars offer good clarity, which is suitable for most users, although not the best. If you want the best, jump into some of Vortex’s more expensive models or other premium picks on this list. But for the price, the Diamondback HD is tough to beat.

Further, binoculars are often tossed in backpacks or exposed to the elements on the trail. Vortex recognizes this and has protected its Diamondback HD lenses with ArmorTek to shield them from grime, dirt, oil, scratches, and anything else that could compromise the viewing experience.

Beyond the optics, the Diamondback HD binoculars’ build is tough to beat. At their core, these binoculars are light and durable, and the outer rubber coating adds an extra layer of protection and grip. In the event that something does happen to them, Vortex will be sure you’re taken care of with one of the best warranties in the optics world.

Vortex excels in the accessory department, as the Diamondbacks are compatible with both car window mounts and tripod adaptors to help steady the optics when viewing. Like many other binos, Vortex packages its binoculars with a neck strap, lens covers, and a protective case and harness. The only downsides? A tricky-to-manage harness and a few clunky elements on the binoculars themselves.

When considering the best binoculars available, the difference between these and our other top choices is subjective — they’re hard to beat.

Buy If: You’re on a budget, and want a warranty that backs your purchase no matter what.

Pass If: You expect silky-smooth, easy-to-use adjustments or top-of-the-line optical performance.

Read Review: Pocket Sized and Powerful Enough: Nocs Provisions Field Tube Review

While binoculars are fantastic, sometimes a lightweight monocular is better. For day-to-day adventures, the NOCS Provisions Field Tube 8×32 ($130) is a favorite of the GearJunkie crew. 

These are the one-eyed version of the NOCS Field Issue binoculars, designed for all users, in all environments, and in all scenarios. In binocular form, the Field line fits in between the Standard Issue and Pro Issue lines. They represent the best of both worlds in terms of magnification, weight, clarity, and price. Now take one side off, and increase the ease of use by having to only use one eyeball.

Previously the Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube 8×32 ($75) was ranked as the best monocular. However, the Field Tube is a well-rounded and overall improvement over the Zoom Tube. It has an increase in IPX rating (from IPX4 to IPX7), in the field of view (384’ to 405’), and overall clarity. However, with that comes a price increase of $50.

The Field Tube quickly found its way into our testers daypack, and it hasn’t left since. That was partly because it’s compact enough to fit in a water bottle pocket, and monoculars are easy to dial in and track something out in the field. There’s no need to adjust the width to get both eyes comfortable. You just pick your preferred eye and move the focus knob. 

You might think that at nearly a thousand dollars, the Maven B1.2 8×42 ($1,150) binoculars are wicked expensive – and generally speaking, you’re right. However, in the world of premium binoculars, this is a bargain. Maven makes some of the highest-quality binoculars available. From the field of view to the clarity to the overall build — the B1.2s are Maven’s flagship binos for a reason.

Aside from its durable, waterproof, and fog-proof design, the Maven B1.2 binoculars offer incredibly crisp and clear images. They were even a tad bit sharper than some of the highest-priced pairs on the list.

Where most other binoculars suffer from some level of edge distortion, the B1.2s do not. You might not think this is a big deal, but when you’re trying to zero in on a particular subject, they eliminate the need to move your head when something appears at the perimeter of your field of view. Which, by the way, is 420 feet — giving you a considerable landscape to explore without distortion.

It would be a stretch to say that the B1.2s are compact, but they are smaller than the original B.1 binoculars that they are based on. When it comes down to carrying something around your neck or having to sit still and stare through it for a while, weight and balance become a factor. That is unless you want to carry around a tripod, but for $950, you don’t want to have to invest any more money.

The big picture here is that though the B1.2s are incredibly easy to use by people of all skill levels, they’re made for people who use and rely on their binoculars more than the average user.