Best binoculars for bird watching 2024

The best binoculars give you crisp and clear views of nature, the stars, sports and more.

We buy pairs of binoculars from popular brands such as Nikon, Zeiss, Swarovski, RSPB and more to put them to the test. We've found that bird watching is the activity people most want to use their binoculars for, so our tests focus on finding the best binoculars for bird watchers.

We've discovered that although the best binoculars can be pricey, it's still possible to get a superb pair for much less.

It's worth knowing though that our repeat testing has found that really cheap binoculars are rarely any good.

The best binoculars

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The binoculars we've tested

All of the binoculars we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below. 

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Celestron Nature DX 10x42

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 13.5 x 12.6 x 5.2cm (HxWxD); 629g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 2 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 101 metres

Eye relief 14mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, 10-year warranty

Jessops MKII 10x42

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 14.5 x 18 x 8cm (HxWxD); 956g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 2 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 101 metres

Eye relief 15mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, one-year warranty

Leica 10×42 Trinovid HD

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 14 x 11.7 x 6.5cm (HxWxD); 730g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 1.6 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 113 metres

Eye relief 15mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, not tripod mountable, two-year warranty

Nikon Prostaff P3 10x42

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 15 x 13 x 5.4cm (HxWxD); 585g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 3 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 122 metres

Eye relief 15.7mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap and carry case included, not tripod mountable, 10-year warranty

Nikon ProStaff P7 10x42

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Most recently tested August 2022

Size and weight 15 x 13 x 5.5cm (HxWxD); 600g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 3 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 122 metres

Eye relief 15.7mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, and carry case included, 10-year warranty

Olympus 8x40 S

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 18.3 x 14.2 x 6cm (HxWxD); 715g

Type Porro prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 8x40mm

Close focusing distance 4 metres

Field of view at 1,000m 143 metres

Eye relief 12mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, and carry case included, five-year warranty

Opticron Verano BGA VHD 10x42

Available from Clifton Cameras (£349) (Out of stock), Opticron (£439)

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 14 x 13.4 x 5.5cm (HxWxD); 652g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 1.3 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 109 metres

Eye relief 18mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, 30-year warranty

Praktica Falcon 8x40mm Binoculars

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Most recently tested August 2022

Size and weight 145 x 180 x 55cm (HxWxD); 730g

Type Porro prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 8x40mm

Close focusing distance 6 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 143 metres

Eye relief 12mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, two-year warranty

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Qunse X28 Mini Pocket Small Binoculars

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Most recently tested August 2022

Size and weight 112 x 106 x 30cm (HxWxD); 200g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x25mm

Close focusing distance Not stated

Field of view at 1,000 metres 108 metres

Eye relief 12mm

Need to know Neck strap and lens cleaning cloth included

RSPB Avocet 10x42 Binoculars

Available from RSPB (£165), Viking Optical Centres (£165)

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Most recently tested August 2022

Size and weight 15 x 12.7 x 5.7cm (HxWxD); 615g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 3 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 101 metres

Eye relief 16.9mm

Other key features Lens caps, neck strap and carry case included, five-year warranty

RSPB HDX 10x42 Binoculars

Available from RSPB (£790), Viking Optical Centres (£790)

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 14 x 12.5 x 5.1cm (HxWxD); 660g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 2 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 113 metres

Eye relief 15.2mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, 10-year warranty

Swarovski EL 10x42 WB Swarovision Field Pro

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 16 x 13.1 x 6.1cm (HxWxD); 840g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 3.3 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 112 metres

Eye relief 20mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, storage bag, lens cleaning cloth, soap, and cleaning brush included, 10-year warranty

Viking 10×42 Badger

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 14 x 12.5 x 4.7cm (HxWxD); 590g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 3 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 102 metres

Eye relief 13.3mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, 5-year warranty

Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars

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Most recently tested August 2022

Size and weight 14.5 x 13 x 7 (HxWxD); 605g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 1.52 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 100.5 metres

Eye relief 15mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case, chest harness, and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, lifetime warranty

Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42

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Most recently tested March 2024

Size and weight 15 x 12.8 x 5cm (HxWxD); 795g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 2 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 115 metres

Eye relief 18mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case, and lens cleaning cloth included, not tripod mountable, two-year warranty

Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 Binoculars

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Most recently tested August 2022

Size and weight 14.2 x 12 x 4.8cm (HxWxD); 725g

Type Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter 10x42mm

Close focusing distance 1.6 metres

Field of view at 1,000 metres 110 metres

Eye relief 15mm

Need to know Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, two-year warranty

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How we test binoculars

We select bestselling binoculars for bird-watching from popular brands and retailers to be put through our tough tests. We buy every product we test.

As well as all the testing and measuring we do, we send a panel of mixed genders, ages and levels of experience for a day in a public bird hide using each pair of binoculars to spot wildlife and decide which pairs they like best.

We regularly revisit the binoculars on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

Ease of use

We assess:

• how easy it is to adjust and focus each pair of binoculars
• how comfortable and secure they feel to hold
• how easily they can be used while wearing glasses. 

Some of our panel prefer lighter, more compact binoculars, and others like weightier, more substantial pairs.

Image quality and brightness

When spotting birds with the binoculars, testers judge each pair for:

• how crisp and clear the image is
• how comfortable they are with the brightness of the image
• how easily they are able to spot, track and view nature at near and far distances.

Waterproofing and durability

• We subject each pair of binoculars to a heavy shower and check the lenses to see if any water gets inside. So far we haven't found a single pair that lets any water in, so you can be confident they'll withstand a heavy downpour.
• We check the binoculars for signs of structural weakness and stress-test their straps.

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Types of binoculars

There are two main types of design: roof prism and porro prism. Each type differs in the way the prisms channel light through the binoculars to your eyes. You can tell these apart based on the shape of the binoculars.

Roof prism binoculars

These have an H-shaped design, where the eyepiece and the binocular tubes are in a single, straight line. Roof prism binoculars are the more modern of the two types and generally tend to be more compact, which is good news if you’re planning on taking them travelling.

But expect to pay slightly more for the improved durability and lightweight design – roof prism binoculars are usually pricier than porro prism pairs, so bear that in mind when shopping around.

Porro prism binoculars

These have a traditional M-shaped design, where the eyepiece and the lens are not in line. In the middle of the binoculars you’ll spot a mechanism that can be turned to slightly alter the position of the tubes.

It used to be that porro prism binoculars provided a clearer, sharper image than roof prism binoculars, but that's not really true anymore. 

These binoculars are also far bulkier than roof prism binoculars, so may be a burden on a lengthy hike through the mountains.

Monoculars vs binoculars: how do they differ?

In terms of how they're used and the technology inside them, there really isn't anything to split monoculars from binoculars.They do exactly the same thing - provide a close-up view of objects or settings that are far away - but monoculars have you look through one eyepiece rather than two.

However, there are pros and cons to using monoculars rather than binoculars:

Pros

• They're often cheaper to buy than binoculars as they're smaller and require less materials to make
• As they're half the size of binoculars, they're more portable and lightweight. Most will easily fit into a coat pocket.
• They can also be easier to focus, especially if you have slightly different prescriptions in each of your eyes, as you only need to bring the image into focus for the one eye you're using.

Cons

• They aren't as comfortable to use for longer periods, as keeping one eye shut for a long time can become uncomfortable and you might strain the eye you're using to look through the monoculars if you do it for too long.
• Monoculars have a thinner field of view than binoculars, meaning that you'll see a thinner picture than you would at the same magnification through binoculars. This can make it challenging to spot and track moving objects, especially birds.

See also: How to buy the best telescope

What do the numbers on binoculars mean?

When someone talks about binoculars' numbers, they're referring to the level of magnification and the diameter of the objective lens. These affect how closely you can observe an image and how bright it will be, respectively.

The numbers are usually displayed on the side or central focusing wheel of the binoculars. The higher the numbers are, the greater the magnification and brightness.

For example, 10x42 binoculars would magnify an image by 10 times, and the objective lens diameter would be 42mm, meaning it should produce a brighter image than if the lens were 25mm.

Brightness is not determined solely by the objective lens diameter, though – other factors, such as the materials the lens is made from and any coatings it has, will also have an impact.

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What strength binoculars are best?

This depends on what you want to use your binoculars for.

• Bird watching, whale watching and other wildlife viewing – a magnification of around 8-10 and an objective lens diameter of around 32-42mm is ideal. Some of the most popular brands of binoculars for bird watching include RSPB, Zeiss and Canon.
• Star gazing and astronomy – you can use a variety of magnification levels depending on how closely you want to view specific objects or take in a wider field of view. Anything from 7x to 25x can work well. But you'll want as wide an objective lens diameter as possible, as you'll want your binoculars to take in as much light as they can so you can see the sky as clearly as possible. 42mm up to 100mm is considered good. Some of the most popular brands of binoculars for star gazing include Celestron, Tring Astronomy Centre and Opticron.
• Hiking, sport and general use – you'll probably want a pair of binoculars that are more compact and durable, so smaller magnifications of around 6-8 and objective lens diameters of 25-28mm should be fine. Some of the most popular brands of binoculars for the outdoors include Silva, Vortex and Nikon.

What is field of view and what does it mean?

For binoculars, field of view describes how wide an area you can see through the binoculars. Sometimes it's written in degrees, but usually it's written as a number, referring to metres. That number will be the width of the scene visible through the binoculars from 1,000 metres away. The greater the field of view, the wider the image you can see.

For example, a pair of binoculars with a field of view of 150 metres means that if you look at a spot that's 1,000 metres away, your view from one side to the other will be 150 metres wide.

Higher-magnification binoculars are more zoomed in and focus on a smaller area, so you'll have a tighter field of view when you look through them. This can make it trickier to keep objects in view, especially if they're on the move, such as birds.

Best binoculars features explained

Binoculars can often be described in baffling language. While you don't need to know everything about their design, an understanding of some of the key terms and features will help you buy the pair that's right for you.

• Objective lens diameter – the measurement of the lenses at the end of the binoculars where light enters them (measured in millimetres). The larger the measurement, the more light the binoculars can take in, making the image appear brighter (all other factors being equal).
• Central focusing wheel – used to bring an image into focus for both eyes equally. It should be used in combination with the dioptre adjustment (see below).
• Dioptre adjustment – the dioptre adjustment compensates for differences in the prescriptions of your eyes and helps you to get an evenly clear image. It should be used in combination with the central focusing wheel.
• Eye relief – the distance between your eyes and the magnification lenses, which are the lenses you look through (measured in millimetres). Most binoculars have twisting eyecups that give you extra eye relief if you're not wearing glasses. Those wearing glasses shouldn't need to use the eyecups.
• Tripod mounts – binoculars with magnifications of 10x or higher will be tricky to hold steady by hand. Some are tripod-mountable, which keeps them steady so you can see clear, high-magnification images without too much wobble.

How to focus binoculars

To see the best possible image, it’s essential to focus your binoculars properly.

Most have a central focusing wheel and a dioptre adjustment for focusing images. The dioptre adjustment is an important feature, as it adjusts only one lens and so compensates for eyes that have slightly different prescriptions. The central focusing wheel, on the other hand, adjusts both lenses simultaneously.

Follow these five easy steps to get the best image possible:

1. Move the central hinge

Look through your binoculars at a plain scene, such as grass or sky, and move the central hinge until you see a single bright circular image.

2. Cover the right barrel

Cover the barrel that has the dioptre adjustment. This is usually on the right-hand side.

3. Use the central focusing wheel

Look at a fixed object in the distance through the remaining lens, then use the central focusing wheel to focus the binoculars until the image appears clear and sharp.

4. Cover the left barrel

While looking at the same image, cover the left barrel.

5. Use the dioptre adjustment

Uncover the lens that has the dioptre adjustment (usually the right lens) and adjust it for your other eye to make the image appear clear and sharp. Now both lenses should produce a perfectly crisp and clear image for both your eyes.

Can you use binoculars with glasses?

Mostly, yes. The binoculars’ eye relief measurement tells you the furthest distance your eye can be from the eyepiece and still see the whole field of view. If you wear glasses, look for eye relief of more than 14mm, or 17mm for thick glasses.

Most binoculars have sliding eyecups or rubber eyepieces that can be rolled back, allowing the eye to sit closer to the lens. It’s best to try a number of pairs while wearing your glasses before buying.

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