Best Binoculars (2023): Nikon, Celestron, Swarovski, Zeiss

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One caveat: Cabela’s frequently sells the pre-2018 model at a deep discount, but doesn’t label it as such. I haven’t tested that model, and while the deal is pretty good, the optics are definitely different and potentially inferior.

More fantastic 10×42 binoculars

• The best luxury upgrade: Maven B1.2 ED 42mm Binoculars ($1,000). These are on my list of the top three of all time. If you can afford these, but not the Leicas, don’t feel bad. Images are clear, crisp and sharp with no distortion or soft edges. I used them every day for two months and only noticed purple streaks once. They are expensive but worth the money.
• Budget selection: Nikon Monarch M5 10×42 ($285). These are the stronger magnification version of our top pick, and everything I say about them holds true for the 10×42 as well. For those on a budget, this is a great 10×42 option.
• Another good budget pick: Celestron Regal ED 10×42 ($340). Celestron Regal EDs are what I call a sleeping deal. Which is to say, you’ll find very little information about these online, but they’re great binoculars and the price is almost impossible to beat. You get a large field of view (6.5 degrees), a clear, sharp image, and very little chromatic aberration. I have not tried a better binocular that costs less.
• Another update: Nikon Monarch HG 10X42 ($957). Nikon Monarch HGs offer a slightly wider field of view and are brighter and sharper than Vortex or Celestron. I like Maven B1.2 better, but that could be a matter of taste. If you want to go ahead in terms of prices, the Swarovski EL 10×42 ($2,399) They are deservedly legendary.

Best compromise choice

What if you want 8x magnification, but not the size and weight of 8×42 binoculars? That’s where 8×32, 8×30, and even 7×32 in some cases come into play. They offer the same magnification, but a narrower field of view. For walking and traveling light, this size is a good compromise. Because the field of view in 8×32 isn’t as wide, it can be more difficult to track small objects like a fluttering warbler through foliage, but with a little practice it’s not too difficult to manage.

I’m still in the process of testing more models in this size range, but here are my picks so far.

best compact choice

Compact binoculars often come with a significant compromise in image quality. Depending on your use case, the weight savings may be worth it, but in general, I suggest bird watchers and hunters stick with 32mm or larger binoculars. Yes you can bird watch with 8×25 but it is often frustrating.

Maven’s C.2 series is the first compact binocular I tried that didn’t leave me frustrated. Yes, the 28mm’s field of view is narrow when you’re used to 42mm, but these are so small and light (only 4.5 inches and weigh only 12 ounces) that I barely noticed them around my neck. If you want compact, lightweight optics that still deliver a bright, sharp image, these are the binoculars to get. They are good for general use: wildlife, sports, travel, or any time you need binoculars but don’t want to know you have binoculars.

• Another option: Zeiss Terra ED 8×25 ($380). I haven’t tested them extensively, but I’ve used them enough to know that they’re light (10.9 ounces) and give a very good, sharp image. They have 8X magnification and come with a nice sturdy waterproof case. The foldable design means they fit easily in your pocket too. The downside is that they are more expensive than the Nikon Monarch 8×42 but offer a much smaller field of view.
• Best Budget Compact: Nocs 8×25 Standard Edition ($95). These are detailed below, but the short story is that these are wonderfully compact and lightweight, and the price is right, but the image quality could be better. A great choice for the ballpark or general use, but not so great for bird watchers and hunters.

Before I dive into why Nocs are great for kids, let me be clear: Nocs are not kids’ binoculars. They would fit well into the older ultralight category. They are good compact binoculars. I “borrow” them from my kids all the time. I also wouldn’t recommend these as the best first pair of binoculars for young children (in which case, see our budget pick below). But for anyone over the age of 8, these are a great first pair of compact binoculars.

You get a good magnification, with a waterproof (IPX7 rating) and fogproof design in a lightweight (11.8-ounce) package. These also have two things that make them specifically great for kids: a sturdy build and a good rubberized grip. I can’t tell you how many trees and rocks have been smashed while around my son’s neck, and they’re still like new.

More great binoculars for kids

• Economy selection for children: Let’s go binoculars ($25). If you have young children who are new to using binoculars, the price of the Nocs might be too high. If you want to see if your kids are actually using their binoculars before taking the plunge, there are a multitude of options. I’ll be blunt: none of these are great, but they’re cheap and lightweight and don’t cost a fortune. Another option is the Obuby Binoculars ($30).

Image Stabilized Binoculars: I’m still testing as this is a huge category, but so far my top pick is the Fujinon 14×40 Techno-Stabi Image Stabilized Binoculars ($1,500). If you’re on a boat, these are the binoculars you want. They offer industry-leading stabilization of plus or minus 6 degrees, almost no image lag, have an IPX 7 water resistance rating, and as an added bonus, they float. I did most of my testing on a SUP, which is about the most unstable boat I could find, and this made it possible to bird watch without going ashore. They’re not cheap, but they definitely deliver.