Best binoculars 2024: Top picks for stargazing, wildlife, birding and more

Expert holds one of the best binoculars while observing
The best binoculars are a powerful tool for viewing anything from wildlife to the night sky or sports events. (Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)

The best binoculars are the perfect companion for anyone who wants to get a closer look at wildlife, sporting events, or concerts. You can even use binoculars for stargazing. Binoculars are typically cheaper and more portable than telescopes, providing a convenient way of observing the sky during nighttime.

With the guidance of our expert reviewers, we've rounded up the best binoculars currently on the market to suit a range of purposes and buyer budgets. Although Black Friday Week is officially over, there are still deals hanging around — take the Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 binoculars are $195 on Amazon, making them 25% more affordable than usual.

December is a great time to get into stargazing, with the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice — the longest night of the year — arriving on Dec. 21. The extra hours of darkness offer plenty of time to zoom in on planets, like Jupiter and Mars (which will be visible all month), or even the familiar face of the moon. Can you spot any Apollo landing sites when the full Cold Moon rises on Dec. 15? (Here's our moon observation guide, if you need a hand.)

If you want extra portability, we've also rounded up best compact binoculars for small and lightweight models. And your little ones want to get involved, here are the best binoculars for kids.

The quick list


Best binoculars we recommend in 2024

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Best overall

Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars

Best binoculars overall: The finest stargazing binoculars money can buy with in-built stabilization

Specifications

Magnification: 10x
Objective lens diameter: 42mm
Field of view: 6.5-degrees
Eye relief: 14.5mm (0.57-inch)
Weight: 39.2 oz / 1.1kg

Reasons to buy

+
Optical Image Stabilizer 
+
Rugged build quality 
+
Lots of eye relief 

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky size 
-
Lens caps are loose 
-
AAA batteries required 
Buy it if

✅ You want the best of the best: Other than price and size, we really couldn't find major fault with these binoculars — we gave them 5 stars in our review.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're a casual user: These are an expensive pair of powerful binos, so if you're a casual sky-watcher or wildlife spotting, they'll be overkill.

❌ You want a lightweight binocular: These are undeniably heavy and bulky, so if weight is important to you, we'd suggest looking elsewhere.

The bottom line

🔎 Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars: They're not perfect, but they’re as close as you’ll get for hand-held astronomy. They're an outstanding choice for super-steady stargazing thanks to their image stabilization, waterproof design and large objective lenses. ★★★★★

For hand-held astronomy, the Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars are among the best you can get. Their standout feature is Canon's Optical Image Stabilization (IS). This clever technology uses gyroscope motion sensors to detect arm movements and a vari-angle prism to correct them by up to 0.8 degrees. With the push of a button, you can eliminate the movements caused by your hands shaking and get a steady image. This comes in particularly handy during long viewing sessions when your arms might get tired.

The Canon 10x42L IS WP use premium L-series glass with Canon's multi-layered anti-reflective lens coating (known as 'Super Spectra') to increase light transmission and reduce lens flare. This ensures a bright and clear view with accurate color reproduction. During our Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars review, we were really impressed with the incredibly sharp image which featured no chromatic aberration, which is just what you need for observing stars.

The main downside to the Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars is that they are, unfortunately, rather power hungry — but that's the same with any binos with high-tech features. Here, it's the IS system that requires so much power: We got through several AAA batteries in just one sky-watching session, so you'll need to bear that in mind if you're considering purchasing these and make sure you're well stocked-up on batteries every time you venture out. It's extra weight and bulk to carry around with you, and something else to think about when you're packing up your gear. We'd say that overall the Image Stabilization is worth it, though.

We also weren't wholly satisfied with the accessories provided with these binoculars, especially considering the price point. We struggled to get the one-piece lens caps to stay in place, and the carry case was a bit basic and flimsy, so you might want to upgrade it. But overall, these are still the best stargazing binoculars on our list thanks to the astronomy-centric glass and clever image stabilization feature.

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AttributesNotes
DesignRugged build quality, but bulky.
PerformanceProduce bright and colorful images.
FunctionalityOptical image stabilization.

Best optical performance

Nikon Monarch HG 10x42

Best optical performance: Some of the best optics on the market in an easily transportable roof prism design

Specifications

Magnification: 10x
Objective lens diameter: 42mm
Field of view: 6.9-degrees
Eye relief: 17mm (0.67-inch)
Weight: 1.5 oz (680g)

Reasons to buy

+
Highly portable
+
Sharp views across the whole field of view

Reasons to avoid

-
No image stabilization
-
Negligible color fringing
Buy it if

✅ You want some of the best on the market: If you're prepared to pay for them, these binoculars have a premium finish and deliver stunning optical performance. They'll last you for years to come.

Don't buy it if:

You specifically want image stabilization: This may be the only thing missing from this pair of binos, so if that's important to you, there previous option in this guide might be better for you.

The bottom line

🔎 Nikon Monarch HG 10x42: A premium package with a premium price, these binoculars are not ideal for beginner users unless you have deep pockets or a real passion for wildlife- or sky-watching that you plan on pursuing for years to come. ★★★★½

Optics don't get much better than those on the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 binoculars. But it's no surprise, when these binos come from Nikon, a brand synonymous with cameras and high-quality optical equipment. The Monarch HGs use a Field Flattener Lens System, which ensures that images are sharp all the way across the field of view and not just at one specific point. Coupled with their Extra-low Dispersion glass, which practically eliminates chromatic aberration, these binoculars are very hard to beat indeed.

During our Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 review we tested these binoculars in a range of challenging conditions and were pleased with the results every single time. Light transmission is good because the 42mm objective lenses are large enough to allow light to pass through even in twilight hours. Every single glass element also contains multilayer coatings to help improve the transmission of light, which Nikon reported as being 92% or higher.

Whilst they're undeniably pricey binoculars, we feel you're getting real quality for your money with this pair. Everything about them feels premium. The magnesium alloy body is slim and lightweight enough to slip into a coat pocket, but they feel balanced in the hand and come coated in a grippy rubberized armor. They're also entirely waterproof, so you don't need to worry about getting caught out in bad weather, and they're nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging as well.

Even the accessories feel high-quality. These binoculars come with a cushioned neck strap, objective lens caps and a premium carry case that has a secure safety catch to prevent them from falling out during transit (no relying on velcro here). We also enjoyed other unexpected details like the locking mechanism on the diopter adjustment ring which means it can't get accidentally knocked out of place. The only thing they lack is image stabilization technology.

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AttributesNotes
DesignPremium finish all over.
PerformanceRazor sharp views from edge to edge.
FunctionalityOnly way to improve would be inclusion of image stabilization.

Best for affordable stargazing

Celestron Nature DX 12x56

Best for affordable stargazing: A wide aperture and 12x magnification make these excellent for observing the cosmos

Specifications

Magnification: 12x
Objective lens diameter: 56mm
Field of view: 5.5 degrees
Eye relief: 16mm (0.63-inch)
Weight: 36.2 oz / 1028g

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent build quality
+
Close focusing

Reasons to avoid

-
A little heavy for prolonged use
-
Image could be a touch sharper
Buy it if

✅ You want to take them anywhere in any weather: They were created with the outdoor enthusiast in mind, and they're waterproof and fogproof so you can use them anywhere.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want to use them for prolonged periods: They may become quite heavy if you plan on using them for long periods.

The bottom line

🔎 Celestron Nature DX 12x56: They offer bright and clear views, with a wide aperture for gathering light and excellent magnification for stargazing and wildlife spotting. ★★★★½

The Celestron Nature DX 12x56 binoculars are a great deal for under $250, perfect for casual wildlife spotting, bird watching or stargazing. The build quality is fantastic: They have a full rubber housing and they're completely waterproof, fogproof and nitrogen-purged. The Nature DX 12x56 binoculars include a tripod mount that could be useful for longer viewing sessions and a rain guard that protects the lenses from getting watermarked.

The focus knobs turn smoothly and easily. During our Celestron Nature DX 12x56 review, we appreciated that the binoculars can focus on objects less than 10 feet away, making them great for spotting wildlife in your backyard. If you wear glasses, you'll appreciate the 16mm eye relief provided by the twist-up eyecups.

Despite coming in at under $250, we think the optics on the Celestron Nature DX 12x56 binoculars are comparable to some more expensive models. That's because they have multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms, which are generally regarded as being the best. The Nature DX are only let down by their lack of sharpness, which may be disappointing for more advanced or professional users, but if you're a casual user we think these binos are amongst the best you can buy.

If you want a high-quality pair of binoculars for bird watching or wildlife watching and can forgo some level of sharpness that more expensive models can provide, these are attractive. They are also suitable for sky watching and, thanks to the rubber armoring, are hardy enough to be taken anywhere without worrying about the elements.

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AttributesNotes
DesignFogproof and waterproof.
PerformanceBright images even when observing in low light.
FunctionalityA little heavy for prolonged use.

Best binoculars under $300

Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binocular

Best binoculars under $300: Fogproof and waterproof for use in all weathers

Specifications

Magnification: 8x
Objective lens diameter: 42mm
Field of view: 8.1 degrees
Eye relief: 17mm (0.7-inch)
Weight: 23.1 oz / 654g

Reasons to buy

+
No fogging 
+
Bright images 
+
Wide field of view

Reasons to avoid

-
Carry case can’t house harness strap
-
Lack magnification for serious astro
Buy it if

✅ You want to travel with them: We found these binos were lightweight enough to travel with them easily, although perhaps not the best for prolonged periods of handheld use.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're serious about astro: These binos lack the magnification needed for dedicated astro use, particularly for observing deep sky objects.

The bottom line

🔎 Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars: Traveling stargazers will love them as they work well after dark and strike a balance between quality, affordability and portability. The TrailSeeker 8x42’s minimalist design makes them a more attractive option than large and heavy deep-sky astronomy-centric binoculars ★★★★½

We think the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars make a great pair for amateur astronomy, whilst also having the flexibility to be used for a range of other pursuits. Their price point sits just above the more affordable mass-market binoculars, and this means that you get high-quality BaK-4 glass and multi-coated optics, as well as waterproofing and nitrogen purging to make these binoculars safe to use in any weather conditions.

In our Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars review we were very pleased with the build quality on these binoculars. They're constructed from a lightweight magnesium frame with rubber coating for grip and protection. They also come with a useful range of accessories, including a thick and comfortable neck strap, a padded carry case and an innovative harness strap that spreads the weight of the binoculars over your shoulders for longer viewing sessions.

If you're looking for good binoculars for stargazing, the Celestron TrailSeeker binoculars — despite coming from Celestron — might not be the best choice on the market thanks to their 8x magnification and 42mm lens diameter. Ultimately, they're at the lowest useful end, so while they're not completely useless, you won't be able to enjoy any views of deep space. We have found them capable of offering adequate views of star clusters and the Milky Way, however, thanks to their wide viewing angle.

It's also worth noting that the TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars don't have Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, so we experienced a fair bit of color fringing, particularly when viewing bright objects such as the moon. It's not a surprise at this price point, however — and Celestron do have a model with ED glass, but as you'd expect it's notably more expensive.

Their specifications make them an entry-level choice in some ways; you wouldn’t want to go any lower than their 8x magnification and 42mm objective lens size. Although the TrailSeeker 8x42 are good all-rounders, 10x50 binoculars remain the sweet spot for stargazing.

Glasses-wearers will also find this pair easy to use thanks to their generous 17mm eye relief, which can be set in three different positions depending on your preference.

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AttributesNotes
DesignFogproof and waterproof.
PerformanceGood quality optics, slight color fringing.
FunctionalityWide field of view.

Best budget binoculars

Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 Binocular

Best budget binoculars: Space and weight saving binoculars to take on your travels

Specifications

Magnification: 10x
Objective lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: 6.8 degrees
Eye relief: 12mm (0.47-inch)
Weight: 27 oz / 765g

Reasons to buy

+
Compact and lightweight
+
Waterproof and fog-resistant 
+
Shock resistant

Reasons to avoid

-
Lenses need collimating 
-
Greater magnification needed for astro
Buy it if

✅ You're a beginner: If you've used binoculars before, then these are unlikely to impress you, but they're perfectly suited to beginners.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You specialize in astro: While they do give decent views of the night sky, anyone focusing solely on astronomy would likely want to go for a more powerful pair.

The bottom line

🔎 Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 Binocular: A great value pair of binoculars, well suited for entry-level and all-round use. They're also great for occasional night sky use and are easy to set up, use and adjust. If you're an astronomer on a budget, these are a decent choice, although we do question their longevity. ★★★★½

These are affordable skywatching binoculars that would be ideal for anyone just starting out who wants to get the most for their money.

In our Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 binocular review, we found the moon looks amazing through these binoculars, easily fitting into the view with just a hint of false color. In July 2020, the UpClose G2 10x50 binoculars were very effective in spotting the naked-eye comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE). We managed to spot three stars within the Trapezium Cluster near the center of the Orion Nebula (Messier 42), but you'd need a pair with higher magnification if you want to see the fourth bright star in this star-forming area.

If you're on a budget, then, the UpClose G2 10x50 binoculars are a fantastic choice, particularly if you're just starting out on a stargazing hobby. They're light enough to carry around and if you're out trekking, they're ideal to throw in a backpack without adding too much extra bulk.

They're not all perfect, though; of course some corners have been cut considering the price. We've discussed the pitfalls in more detail in our review, but you'll need to adjust the alignment of the lenses (collimation) for one.

They aren't waterproof, either, and they haven't been nitrogen-purged, so we wouldn't recommend using them in inclement weather. While the rubber armor and aluminum housing is labeled as water-resistant, we certainly wouldn't like to push our luck with them. They're liable to fog up in the cold — although they were fine during a two-hour session in near-freezing conditions.

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AttributesNotes
DesignBasic build design and quality.
PerformanceSurprisingly little chromatic aberration.
FunctionalityNeeds greater magnification for astro.

Best for moon views

Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 Binocular

Best for moon views: These binoculars have superb magnification and detail, but they're heavy

Specifications

Magnification: 15x
Objective lens diameter: 70mm
Angular field of view: 4.4 degrees
Eye relief: 18mm (0.71-inch)
Weight: 3 lbs / 1.36kg

Reasons to buy

+
Great price for giant binoculars
+
Excellent eye relief
+
Optics offer good detail

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy, requires tripod
-
Some softness around edges
Buy it if

✅ You want good quality without breaking the bank: Given the high magnification, sturdy build and large objectives, we think these offer a lot for the price.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want to view planets or small distant galaxies: They don't excel in this area, they're more suited to providing dramatic wide-field views or larger objects.

The bottom line

🔎 Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 Binoculars: These offer a top stargazing experience for a reasonable price. They won’t give you close-ups of planets or reveal the most distant galaxies, but they make up for it by providing dramatic wide-field views in a good, dark sky. ★★★★½

Celestron is a well-respected brand with a strong reputation and the SkyMaster binoculars, including the 15x70 'giant' model, deliver excellent views at an affordable price. Despite being a bit on the heavy side, these binoculars are durable and we think they offer impressive quality for their cost.

The SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars' number one advantage is how much light they can gather. The 70mm objective lenses pull in a huge amount of light and, coupled with the 15x magnification, they're perfect for gazing at the stars with. Objects in the night sky are much clearer than they are with less powerful binoculars, although it's worth noting that there's some blurring around the edges of the lens — a common trait of cheaper models.

They're a great choice if you wear glasses too, since the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars have an impressive 0.7 inches (18mm) of eye relief, so you should be able to use them comfortably.

Optically the star images were excellent at the center of the field of view, but the distortion was evident towards the edges, with the stars appearing as streaks. This is not very disturbing, as one’s vision is only sharp at the center anyway, but it means that you would have to move the binoculars to explore a large starfield. To get edge-to-edge sharpness in binoculars of this size you will have to pay a great deal more.

At 11 inches (280mm) in length and weighing 3 lbs (1.36kg), we found in our Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 binocular review that they certainly have a lot of heft. Using them handheld isn't impossible, but for maximum comfort, it's best to use a tripod with these binoculars. Their powerful magnification makes views of the moon truly stunning, and we were especially impressed by how the lunar surface looked three-dimensional.

Despite the larger 70mm objective aperture, the higher magnification of 15x reduces the apparent field of view to 4.4 degrees, compared to typical 10x50s or 12x50s that provide a degree more.

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AttributesNotes
DesignRobust construction.
PerformanceOptics give good detail.
FunctionalityExcellent for viewing larger deep-sky objects.

Best mid range model

Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binocular

Best mid-range model: The pair you need if a wide field of view and a good sturdy build quality top your brief

Specifications

Magnification: 10x
Objective lens diameter: 50mm
Angular field of view: 8.1 degrees
Eye relief: 17mm (0.67-inch)
Weight: 1.89lbs / 861g

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy, well-constructed build
+
Multipurpose optics
+
Manageable weight

Reasons to avoid

-
A little false color in views
-
Slight blurring at the edge of FOV
Buy it if

✅ You want to travel with them: These binoculars' lightweight design makes them extremely manageable to travel with.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're on a tight budget: While they're not the most expensive option on this list, anyone on a tight budget could certainly find a more affordable pair.

The bottom line

🔎 Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binocular: If you want to move up to the next level with your binocular stargazing, then the roof prisms on these binoculars bring super-sharp views and come with a useful harness and an excellent padded case. ★★★★

The Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD binoculars have a lot going for them. We think they're reliable and sturdy, and useful whether you're watching wildlife or doing the occasional bit of astronomy. Their design is outstanding, particularly thanks to the focusing knob that's easy to adjust even if you're wearing very thick gloves.

The eyecups, too, are a standout feature, thanks to being customizable and twistable. The eye relief goes to 17mm, which we think is very generous and useful if you wear glasses. The Crossfire HD binoculars are lightweight, too: they weigh only 1.89lbs (0.86kg) so you'll barely notice them in a backpack or in your luggage while you're traveling.

The Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD are roof prism binoculars, which means a relatively compact and space-saving design of two tubes joined by a small hinge in the center that houses the optics and the focusing knob. The lens caps on the 50mm objective lenses are tethered to the hinge.

The Vortex Crossfire HD 10x50 binoculars provide a sharp and clear view, particularly if you're into astronomy; they make stars look like perfect pinpoints of light. You might notice some color distortion when looking at brighter objects, but this is common for binoculars in this price range. However, they offer a great balance of brightness and sharpness across the entire field of view. During our Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD review, we only observed a tiny drop-off towards the very edges of the field of view.

There are a few downsides to them, of course. Although these binoculars come with a harness, we realized during our testing that the padded case forms part of the harness so you can't use one without the other, which is a little frustrating.

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AttributesNotes
DesignSturdy, well constructed build.
PerformanceBright and sharp images.
FunctionalityExcellent padded case and harness.

Best family binoculars

Celestron Cometron 7x50

Best family binoculars: Surprisingly good optics make these alluring to adults and kids alike

Specifications

Magnification: 7x
Objective lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: 6.8 degrees
Eye relief: 13mm (0.5-inch)
Weight: 1.68 lbs / 773g