5 Best Binoculars for Birding

When you are going for a birdwatching adventure, you will need all the important gear so that you are guaranteed the best experience. This includes the best pair of binoculars that should serve you for the entire time that you are bird watching.

The basic factors that you need to consider when choosing the perfect type of birdwatching binoculars to include;

Clarity of the image you get from the binoculars
Weight of the binoculars
Field of view of the binoculars
Availability of a close focus
Weatherproof features of the birding binoculars
General quality
Price
General feel you get from it.

Since you are going to use your binoculars for a long period of time, you want to get the best you can get in the market. The most upgraded types have features that not only provide you with the best bird watching experience but also provide you with a highly reliable binocular. You obviously want to use your binoculars for a long period of time, and for that, you want to get the high-end options.

Some of the binoculars recommended for birding can be quite closely as some can be bought at $1000. These are highly upgraded ones and are of the best quality when it comes to providing you with the best birding experience. However, what sets them apart is their components that are made from high-quality materials that make them resilient. This guarantees that these types of binoculars are able to persevere through any conditions without getting damaged.

Some of the bird watching binoculars that are in the market today are discussed in the review below. This is a comparison table indicating their various features and what you can expect to get from them.

Top Three Binoculars for Birding

The Best Binoculars for Birding in the market

1. Vortex Viper HD (8 x42)

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Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars 8x42

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Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars 8×42

8x magnification and 42mm objective lenses, the 2018 Viper HD is a high-end, full-size yet compact binocular that is suited for any hunt. An easy-to-grip, rubber armored chasis with perfectly placed thumb indents provides superior ergonomics.
A high density optical system delivers exeptional resolution and edge to edge clarity. XR anti-relfective lens coatings give bright, full views even in low light situations.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Field of view at: 409 ft/135.8 m
Close focus: 65 ft/1.98 m
Eye relief: 18 mm
Weight : 24.5 oz/694.6 g

This is an affordable bird watching binoculars that you can purchase for the best bird watching experience. However, it has a better performance than most of them above this price range as you will figure out from the features it possesses. For instance, it produces images that are bright and clear because of its dispersion glass that is extra-low.

The Vortex Viper HD (8 x42) also contains a completely multi-coated set of lenses and dielectric prism coatings that do a perfect job in optimizing and increasing the transmission of light through it. The magnification strength of 8x is just perfect for bird watching from wherever you are watching the birds from.

When you purchase these particular birding binoculars, you get an alternative that is more than two times the quality of the more expensive ones. This might just be the reason why most people find it to be a favorite birding binoculars.

Other important features of the binoculars that are worth mentioning include its easy-to-hold rubber grip that is also armored with chassis. There are also thumb indents that provide excellent ergonomics for holding the binoculars perfectly. There is also an argon purging and an O-ring that is used for the seals and makes the binoculars to be waterproof and hence highly durable and reliable.

For the protection of the exterior lenses, there is a scratch-resistant armotek that protects it from damage. It also protects it from damage by oil and too much dirt from the surroundings.

The Vortex Viper HD is a birding binoculars that offer an unmatched resolution, and its edge to edge clarity is simply breathtaking. This is even in a situation when there is low light from the field of view.

An additional feature that you would find to be quite helpful is its locking, right-eye diopter, which tailors each of the barrels to focus on your eyes. There is also a highly effective center focus wheel that provides a smooth mechanism so that you achieve a sharper focus.

However, if you can afford a further upgraded set of binoculars, then you can ignore this and go for them. This is because most of the binoculars have more to offer for the more money you spend on them.

Pros

Cons

2. Celestron Nature DX 8×42 Binocular

Celestron – TrailSeeker 8x42 Binoculars – Fully Multi-Coated Optics – Binoculars for Adults – Phase and Dielectric Coated BaK-4 Prisms – Waterproof & Fogproof – Rubber Armored – 6.5 Feet Close Focus

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Celestron – TrailSeeker 8×42 Binoculars – Fully Multi-Coated Optics – Binoculars for Adults – Phase and Dielectric Coated BaK-4 Prisms – Waterproof & Fogproof – Rubber Armored – 6.5 Feet Close Focus

BaK-4 PRISMS WITH PHASE AND DIELECTRIC COATINGS: This premium-quality binocular features BaK-4 Prisms with Phase and Dielectric Coatings, which allow for increased light transmission through the prism system for brighter and sharper images with enhanced contrast and resolution. All other optical surfaces are fully multi-coated with anti-reflective coatings to enhance image detail even more
DURABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT BODY: The TrailSeeker Binocular has a durable magnesium alloy frame that is light in weight and fully waterproof for use in any weather conditions. It is ergonomically designed to ensure easy handling during use in the field, making it a great bird watching binoculars for adults

SPECIFICATIONS:

Field of view at: 388 ft @ 1,000 yds
Close focus: 6.5 ft
Eye relief: 18 mm
Weight : 1.8 lbs.

If you are just beginning in bird watching, then this particular birding binocular would be ideal to go for. It combines the perfect features to provide you with valuable birding binoculars that you can use for your birding experience. Its images are also just the best thanks to its capabilities that are highly effective.

Like most of the birding binoculars, it is rated at 8×42 optics, which provides the best images as far as bird watching is concerned. The images of the birds are magnified effectively to whatever the desired size is, and you get one of the best fields of view that is only common with the costly birding binoculars in the market.

It is designed with features that make it highly durable, and it has the capacity of withstanding the harsh outdoor weather. However, it lacks in the area of eyecups and would also do with a focus knob. However, if you are an amateur, you will enjoy working with this birding binoculars because of the sufficient features it provides you with.

Pros

Cons

3. Nikon Monarch 7 8×42 Binocular

SPECIFICATIONS:

Field of view at: 351 ft @ 1,000 yds
Close focus: 8.2 ft
Eye relief: 17.1 mm
Weight : 1.4 lbs

If you are looking for a high-end birding binoculars, then this is an option that will do. This is a pair of binoculars that you can purchase for the best bird watching experience. It has a better performance than most of those within this price range as you will figure out from the features it possesses. For instance, it produces images that are bright and clear because of its dispersion glass that is extra-low.

What sets these binoculars apart from most of them within this price range is the fact that it is manufactured by a brand that has a reputation in such products. For instance, its ability to get high-quality images through low light situations is simply unmatched. There are also other seamless features that make it amongst the best you can use for birding experience.

The Nikon Monarch 7 8×42 Binocular also contains a set of lenses and dielectric prism coatings for optimizing and increasing the transmission of light through it. The magnification strength of 8x is just perfect for bird watching from wherever you are watching the birds from.

When you purchase these particular birding binoculars, you get an upgrade binocular that is more than two times in performance when compared to its peers. This might just be the reason why most people find it to be a favorite birding binoculars.

The grip is simply excellent, and there are straps that make it a comfortable birding binoculars. For the protection of the exterior lenses, there are scratch-resistant features that protect it from damage. It also protects it from damage by oil and too much dirt from the surroundings.

The Nikon Monarch 7 8×42 Binocular is a birding binoculars that offers an unmatched resolution, and its edge to edge clarity is simply breathtaking. This is even through a situation when there is low light from the field of view.

Pros

Cons

4. Zeiss 8×25 Terra ED Compact Pocket Binocular

SPECIFICATIONS:

Field of view at: 357 ft @ 1,000 yds
Close focus: 6.2 ft
Eye relief: 16 mm
Weight : .68 lbs

If your perfect type of birding binoculars is a lightweight one, then this is one that you will enjoy using. It is just at the perfect weight, which provides you with an excellent birding experience because of being easy to handle at a weight of only .68 lbs. You would not even feel the burden of carrying them around.

They are stylish birding binoculars, and apart from their weight, their compactness is also a sleek inclusion in its design. You can also fold it after using it and place it together with your other gear quite comfortably.

The magnification strength that is rated at 8x is just perfect for getting the best view of the image. It is a strong enough magnification that ensures that you sort of get in on the action. The optics also provide a field of view that is satisfactory for a lightweight birding binocular of its kind.

When you are moving around with a lot of items in your birding gear, this would be the best birding binoculars to take with you. This is thanks to both its lightweight and also because of its compact design that ensures that it occupies the least space among your items. Therefore, it does the perfect job of minimizing your storage space and helping you have more space for other gear.

The Zeiss 8×25 Terra ED Compact Pocket Binocular does not compromise on the quality that it offers you, even though it is a compact and light binocular. Instead, it is quite practical and functional much to your delight.

Apart from its compact structure, it feels great in your hands, and there is a grip that provides you with practical handling experience. There is also a focus knob that does not need too much effort to turn while adjusting the image you get from the binoculars.

An additional feature that you would enjoy working with is the fact that the binoculars are coated in Zeiss’ trademark Hydrophobic Zeiss MC. This works to optimize the clarity you get from the image. You will also benefit from the limited lifetime warranty you get from purchasing one of these.

Pros

Cons

5. Leica Trinovid HD (8×42)

SPECIFICATIONS:

Field of view at: 372 ft/124m
Close focus: 5.9 ft/1.8m
Eye relief: 17 mm
Weight : 25.8 oz/730g

The Leica Trinovid HD (8×42) is one of the most awesome birding binoculars that you can use for your birding experience. This is through its combination of the most effective features that get you an excellent of the images from whatever distance they are from you.

Like the best birding binoculars in this list, the images from this particular type of binoculars are out of the ordinary. You will realize that the image of the birds is bright even through low light situations, and it appears to be sharp. There is also a vast array of colors that you get from the display of these birding binoculars.

Pros

Cons

Birding Binoculars Shopping Guide:

Shopping for binoculars should not be tricky for you as this guide has you covered. This guide explains the features and factors that you need to consider when selecting the best bird watching binoculars you can use for your experience.

The magnification

As seen from most binoculars in this review, they are rated at 8×42. This is the most recommended for birdwatching. The magnification usually depends on how close to the birds you are going to get and the size of the birds too. 8×42 or 10×50 would be an ideal option to go for because it gets you just the perfect image as you would not need to zoom into the birds too much, and the image would be just as you want. It won’t appear shaking like in other options of magnification.

You can get at least one with 7x up to 10x to enjoy your bird watching experience. If the birds are a long distance away, you can get the 10x magnification binoculars for the best performance. This magnification would be the best for watching shorebirds or raptors in the open or even when you go for an open plain birding safari.

Going for the 8x magnification strength would be ideal if you are going to watch the birds from a shorter distance. For instance, if you are going to be in the forests next to the natural habitats of the birds. The 8x is the best because they are conveniently light and offer performance that would do for the beginners. You might find them to be helpful in locating birds more effectively because of their relatively wide field of view-much wider than the 10x binoculars.

The diameter of the objective lens

The second number in 8×42 describes the objective lens diameter. The best size you would get from bird-watching binoculars is rated at 42 mm. This is the best size of the objective lens that will provide just enough light to filter into the optics and get the best images of the birds you want to watch. Any other option would not perform well under low light situations and would produce an image that is rather too bulky.

The field of view

When going to buy birding binoculars, many people ignore the feature that is the size of the field of view. This is amongst the most important details that will help you get excellent birding binoculars. This factor can be described as how much of an image can be seen on the frame of the binoculars from a given distance. The best size of the field of view will provide you with the best scope of the image and will also provide you with an easy experience when working with the binoculars of your choice.

Weatherproof features on the birding binoculars

The best binoculars have features that make them weatherproof as well as resistant to some particles that might damage them. Weatherproofing of the birding binoculars works to guarantee that you are able to use the binoculars through all the seasons of the year without it developing any complications. The best of them could be comfortably used even when it is raining because of seals that prevent any amount of moisture from reaching the lens of the binoculars. Upgraded types of binoculars have features that make them proof against damage caused by fog, dust, and even shock.

Close focus

If you are going to go and station yourself too close to the habitat of the birds, you want to go for birding binoculars that have a great close focus. This will help you have the perfect images of objects that are close to you. It should have the best focus for objects less than 8ft from you.

FAQs

What is the best magnification for birding binoculars?

This depends on how close to the birds you are going to get and the size of the birds too. You can get at least one with 7x up to 10x to enjoy your bird watching experience. If the birds are a long distance away, you can get the 10x magnification binoculars for the best performance. This magnification would be the best for watching shorebirds or raptors in the open or even when you go for an open plain birding safari.

The 8x will be ideal if you are going to watch the birds from a shorter distance. For instance, if you are going to be in the forests next to the natural habitats of the birds. The 8x is the best because they are conveniently light and offer performance that would do for the beginners. You might find them to be helpful in locating birds more effectively because of their relatively wide field of view-much wider than the 10x binoculars.

What does 8x42 mean in birding binoculars?

The first part, 8, represents the strength of the magnification while the second part, 42mm, is the diameter of the objective lens, also referred to as the link. If the aperture of the objective lens is too small compared to the magnification strength, the images seen from the binoculars won’t be as you wish. Instead, they may not be as bright as you would want them to be, and you would find it more difficult the birds in the first place because the field of view is too narrow.

Why are most birding binoculars 8x42?

As indicated above, the 8 is the magnification strength, while the 42 is the aperture of the objective lens. This is an excellent option and combination for birding that provides a better image of the birds from whatever position you are in. You would find it to be the best combination in terms of weight, size, brightness, magnification as well as the field of view.

For the purpose of the field of view, it is wide enough, so your image covers an excellent scope of what you are viewing.

Conclusion

Bird watching is only fun if you have the best gear for the activity, and this includes the binoculars that you take with you. The best types of binoculars can be checked from the magnification strength and also the aperture of their objective lens. A suitable one should enable you to view the birds more effectively without having to move too close to them. You wouldn’t want to interfere with the normal livelihood of the birds.

Gabriel Tackett

Double major in Engineering and Geology at the University of Minnesota. Experienced shooter & hunter for over 15 years. Certified NRA officer for over 10 years working as a writer at Ballachy.com .