If you’re hunting for the best binoculars under 100, then we’ve got you covered right here.
As with many of the best telescopes under 200, getting an affordable pair of binoculars should allow you to experience the power of handheld spotting at a decent price. This will be particularly useful if you're just starting out with stargazing or wildlife watching.
They tend to utilise lesser quality optics, as well as some more affordable materials within their general construction; but all in all, a cheaper pair of binoculars will still provide you with a good viewing experience for both stargazing or general outdoor usage.
As with any of the best binoculars out there, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the respective magnification and lens size of these more affordable pairs.
A larger lens, for instance, is likely to make the things you’re viewing appear sharper and clearer, especially in low light. This looks to be similar to the size of a telescope’s aperture, which will let more light into the lens, making objects appear clearer.
On the front of magnification, it’s worth noting that if you have a higher degree of magnification, your FOV (field of view) will be smaller. A higher magnification will be better if you want to get as close as you can to something, whilst going for a lower figure will give you the chance to view more at once with a wider FOV.
With all this in mind, we’ve selected these binoculars based on our research into their specs, features, general 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 ones for you.
So with that being said, let’s get into it – here are some top picks for the best binoculars under 100 available today.
Best Binoculars Under 100
- Opticron Oregon WA 10x50
- Celestron UpClose G2 10x50
- Bushnell 10x42 All-Purpose Binoculars
- Pentax Binoculars UD 10x21
Best Binoculars Under 100 Nikon - Nikon Aculon 10x25
The Nikon Aculon 10x25s look like a great all-round pair of binoculars for beginners, and those on a budget.
What you'll find is a compact pair of binoculars that can easily fold in and be stowed in a bag, which is handy if you're going to be travelling around. This is also reflected in their 275g weight.
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The Nikon Aculon 10x25s also features a 25mm objective lens, alongside a 10x magnification which make these quite a versatile choice, whether you're stargazing, birdwatching, or just out on a hike.
There are a good amount of options for focusing, with a central knob for convenient adjustment, as well as a dioptre control to allow fine-tuning, so you can get things just right.
Best Binoculars Under 100 Opticron Opticron Oregon WA 10x50
The Opticron Oregon WA 10x50s look to be an excellent set of binoculars for those wanting a handy all-round set.
They feature 10x magnification with a 50mm lens size that should give you some rather clear imagery with a convenient FOV so you can view objects in the night sky with ease.
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The Opticron Oregon WA 10x50s also have a useful fine focusing knob on the side so you can get things just right, as well as long eye relief eyepieces for glasses wearers, too.
You'll also find that the optics are fully coated with BAK-4 glass, which prevents any aberrations, and will provide you with an uninterrupted view of the skies above.
Best Binoculars Under 100 Celestron - Celestron UpClose G2 10x50
Celestron is best known for making some of the best telescopes out there, but it's also worth noting that their optical expertise extends into the world of more affordable binoculars, as the UpClose G2 10x50s demonstrate.
You'll be getting some versatile 10x magnification with 50mm coated lenses that should give you some bright and sharp images with some great contrast, too.
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In addition, the Celestron UpClose G2 10x50s are water-resistant, so will be good for most situations, whether you're out on a rugged trail or just in a large open space with the night sky over you.
Moreover, these binoculars also feature a rubber-covered aluminium body that should be rather durable, and have some ergonomic thumb indents and finger ridges for extra comfort.
Best Binoculars Under 100 Bushnell - Bushnell 10x42 All-Purpose Binoculars
For those wanting a brilliant pair of all-round binoculars with a larger set of lenses, the Bushnell 10x42 All-Purpose Binoculars look like a fantastic option.
They feature a nitrogen-purged construction which will prevent them from fogging up in damp conditions. Whilst this may not sound like much, it's a feature traditionally reserved for more premium pairs of binoculars, so it's nice to see on a more affordable pair such as these.
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The Bushnell 10x42 All-Purpose Binoculars also have3 42mm lenses, and a 10x magnification, which will provide you with a good viewing experience in a vast range of situations. 10x magnification is a great starting point, and 42mm lenses should ensure what you're viewing should look wonderfully clear.
A weight of 720g also means these are pretty light for the lens size, and their black plastic frame should also be pretty durable, too.
Best Binoculars Under 100 Pentax - Pentax Binoculars UD 10x21
If it's an especially light pair of binoculars you're after, the Pentax Binoculars UD 10x21 look to be an excellent choice.
They weigh just 195g, which makes them the lightest binoculars on this list by a fair margin, and mean that you'll certainly be able to take these on your travels without them taking up too much space.
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In addition, the Pentax Binoculars UD 10x21 feature a 10x magnification, alongside 21mm lenses that should give you some clear views of the skies.
Moreover, you'll find some multi-coated optics that should give you some rather sharp images with good contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are binoculars under 100 worth it?
In our humble opinion, a pair of binoculars under 100 is definitely worth it if you're wanting a more affordable solution for viewing objects in good clarity.
They may sacrifice things such as nitrogen-purged constructions, as well as higher quality materials in their construction, but overall, a more affordable pair of binoculars is worth it for general usage especially.
What should I look for in a pair of binoculars under 100?
We'd say to look for a pair of binoculars with between 6.5 and 10x magnification to offer you a good all-round field of view.
A larger lens size may be advisable if you're especially interested in stargazing, whilst smaller lenses, such as 25mm are better for more general usage.
Which binocular magnification is best?
As a general rule, anything between 6x and 10x is considered to be the best for most applications, as it'll give you either a wide field of view. But if you have a specific use in mind for your binoculars, it's worth checking which kinds of distances are involved, so you can find out which magnification is best for you.
Are 10x50 binoculars good?
In short, yes. 10x50 is actually a really good starting point for binoculars, given their wider lenses that should give you a bright image and good low-light performance.
They will be larger than other binoculars with smaller lenses, but for the extra heft, you will be getting higher-quality images.
Is 12x50 better than 10x50?
This all depends on personal preference. The only real difference here is the extra magnification on offer with 12x compared to 10x.
If you're wanting as much zoom as possible, then it will be worth it, whilst if you're content with seeing objects with 10x magnification and don't need any extra, then 10x50 will more than suffice.
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