What are the best binoculars out there today? Well, if you've clicked on this article, the chances are you're asking the same question as us and want to know what makes a good selection.
The two main things to look out for are magnification and lens size. The former concerns how far you can zoom in on objects you want to look at, and whilst it's easy to assume that bigger is better, this isn't the case when it comes to astronomy.
This is because if you have a higher degree of magnification, your field of view will be smaller, so the two need to be well balanced if you intend to use it for stargazing.
And on the point of lens size; a larger lens can make the things you see sharper and clearer, especially in low light, which is handy for stargazing.
It's worth noting, though, that a bigger lens can make the binoculars a little bit bulkier, so you'll have to weigh up whether you'd rather have clearer sights or something more portable that's easier to carry around.
Binoculars collect light through their objective lenses, which means that the larger the objective lens, the more brightness and resolution the binoculars can have. If you have a pair already, it's not difficult to check your binoculars' fundamental brightness.
Price is also a key thing to consider. If you're just getting started, we'd say to go for more of an affordable pair - for this it might be worth looking at our list of the best binoculars under 100 instead.
But, of course, if you're more of an enthusiast, it's definitely worth spending a bit extra so you can get the best image quality possible.
If you want a good pair of binoculars to take with you on a camping trip for wildlife spotting, it might be worth also checking out our guides on the best coolboxes for camping and the best flashlights for camping.
With all that in mind, we’ve selected these binoculars based on their features, reviews, and other general points, that we think make them worth considering, plus, we’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions so you can pick the best one for you.
So, let’s get to it – here are some of the best binoculars out there today.
Best Binoculars
- Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42
- Meade Instruments 15x70
- Astro Canon 10x42L IS WP
- Opticron Adventurer II WP 10x50
- Olympus WP II 8x25
Best All-Round Binoculars - Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42
If you're on the hunt for a fantastic all-round pair of binoculars for general use as much as for stargazing specifically, then the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42s look like a marvellous choice.
Right off the bat, they feature 8x magnification and 42mm lenses which can offer you a nice blend of tidy magnification and a wider field of view than the more traditionally recommended 10x50 binoculars out there.
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This should result in some crisp images of everything from stars to planets and more, especially thanks to the multi-coated optics. In addition, these Celestron binoculars also feature nitrogen purging so the lenses won't fog up, and they're also waterproof, so will be good for use in practically any weather.
You won't find any false colour present with the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42s either so there shouldn't be any blue or purple hues around any bright objects you look at which should ensure images are clear.
Best Binoculars For Stargazing - Meade Instruments 15x70 Astro
For those wanting a brilliant set of binoculars for specifically stargazing, we'd say the Meade Instruments 15x70 Astros are a marvellous choice.
This comes courtesy of its 70mm lenses which should allow you to obtain some incredibly sharp images with great detail, and the 15x magnification can also give you the chance to get up close with planets and star formations alike.
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Moreover, you shouldn't find that the lenses of the Meade Instruments 15x70 Astros will fog up thanks to their multi-coated optics with BAK-4 glass, which should also help to make the images even clearer.
At 1.4kg, they are a little bit heavy, so it may be worth investing in a tripod to go with these binoculars, although you can use them without if you prefer. You also get a convenient carrying case for when you want to transport the binoculars around, too.
Best Premium Binoculars - Canon 10x42L IS WP
The Canon 10x42L IS WPs look like an incredible choice if you want to go all-out with a pair of premium binoculars.
They feature a 10x magnification alongside 42mm lenses so you get a great blend of a wide field of view and enough zoom for medium to long-range stargazing.
Where the Canon 10x42L IS WPs excel mostly though is the fact they feature Canon's image stabilisation so, with the click of a button, will allow you to get an incredibly steady image.
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Image stabilisation is usually reserved for cameras, but having them on a pair of premium binoculars like these does make a lot of sense, and can help you to properly focus on any stars and planets you may want to see with incredible clarity.
Moreover, they're also waterproof and can therefore be useful to use in a lot of different weather conditions, and a rubberised grip can also make them rather comfortable to hold for extended periods of time.
Best Budget Binoculars - Opticron Adventurer II WP 10x50
At the other end of the scale comes the Opticron Adventurer II WP 10x50 which will provide a great option for anyone on a budget or just looking to get into using a pair of binoculars for stargazing.
You'll find these feature a great all-round blend of magnification and lens size with 10x and 50mm respectively, which is arguably the best you can get for astronomy and should result in some clear images with marvellous contrast and a convenient FOV.
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With a weight of 770g, these are also relatively light and should mean you can use them for a good period of time before you may need to set them down and rest.
The Opticron Adventurer II WP 10x50s are also fully multi-coated with BAK-4 class which will allow you to experience a properly uninterrupted view of the galaxy with little to no aberrations present.
These are also handily waterproof, which can allow you to use them in any weather, as well as for more rugged tasks than a relaxing bit of stargazing if you so wish.
Best Compact Binoculars - Olympus WP II 8x25
The Olympus WP II 8x25s look like a fantastic choice if you're on the lookout for some powerful binoculars but in more of a compact frame.
Their 8x magnification will be good for medium-range viewing and the 25mm lenses can offer you some great optics with clear imagery and can aid in making what you see that little bit brighter and sharper.
It's also worth noting that these binoculars' lenses are also fully multi-coated and feature BAK4 prisms with phase coating so anything you look at should look marvellous which is definitely helped along by the 8x magnification and 25mm lenses.
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The optics of the Olympus WP II 8x25s are also nitrogen-filled meaning you won't be getting any fog appearing on the inside of the lenses, and they're also both waterproof and dirtproof, which makes this Olympus pretty rugged.
They also feature a slightly smaller stature, weighing in at just 260g, which makes these a brilliant choice for taking on the go with you, whether you're camping and want to do some stargazing, or you're on a hike and fancy stopping just to marvel at the world around you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are always a few questions that pop up time and time again when it comes to binoculars, so here are our two cents to help you make an informed decision.
What strength of binoculars is best?
This majorly depends on what you're going to be using the binoculars for.
Generally speaking, we'd say anything from 8x to 10x will give you a great all-round view, although if you do want to look at things further away, then upwards of 15x magnification will serve you well.
If you're wanting more information on what strength of binoculars is best and for what use case, then manufacturer Olympus has a useful guide on the matter, plus more of a general guide on what to look for in a pair of binoculars, too.
What should I look for in binoculars?
When it comes to binoculars, there are a couple of key things you want to look out for.
As discussed in the intro, magnification, or the strength of the binoculars is going to be key, as is the lens size. These correspond to either how far you can zoom in and sometimes, how detailed the images can be.
We'd say to look for upwards of 10x magnification and 50mm lenses, and then you can scale up or down depending on your preferences.
In addition, the weight of your binoculars is going to be important from a purely functional perspective. If you're going to be using them for long viewing sessions, then opting for a lighter pair may be better, although heavier sets can be used, especially when paired with a tripod.
Moreover, you'll also want to make sure that the binoculars have multi-coated lenses with some decent glass (usually BAK-4) so your optics will offer some great clarity.
How much should I spend on binoculars?
This all depends on what you're going to be using the binoculars for.
If you're looking for a convenient pair you can carry around with you for general sightseeing, then spending around $200 will get you a good all-rounder. If you're wanting more of a premium and specialist choice, then we'd say to head north of $500.
What does 8x21 mean on binoculars?
In short, the first number refers to the magnification and the second refers to the size of the lens. So, in this example, a pair of binoculars will have 8x magnification with a 21mm lens.
Likewise, in taking the Canon 10x42L IS WPs as an example, these feature 10x magnification with 42mm lenses.
Can you hold 12x binoculars?
In short, yes. 12x binoculars should be light enough for you to hold and in a more general sense, give you good magnification and a decent FOV, which won't be too narrow and cause you to be shaky.
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