Whether you're scouting terrain, watching birds in your backyard, stargazing, or getting season tickets at Fenway, binoculars bring the world closer, making it sharp and clear far beyond what your eye is capable of seeing. To choose the right pair of binos, you must be clear about what you're going to use them for. If you'd just like to watch some birds at the feeder in your backyard and perhaps overcome the limitations of the cheap seats at the ballpark, there's no need to spend a fortune. On the other hand, if you go birding in diverse locations or are planning a big hunt in unfamiliar territory, it's often worth the extra money to get something a little more powerful.
If you're looking for binoculars for bird-watching, check out our guide All the Gear You Need to Start Birding . Be sure to check out our other guides, including The Best Gear to Make Your Backyard More Fun , The Best Hiking Gear , and How a Birdfeeder Can Bring You Joy .
Updated April 2024: We've added two new Celestron binoculars, a new section explaining some common terms and a section on how we test. We've also updated prices and links throughout.
Binoculars are usually listed with two number specifications; for example, the Nikon Monarch M5 are 8x42. Here's what that means:
The number 8 refers to the magnification power . Objects seen through these binoculars will be eight times bigger than when you look with your naked eye. Newcomers should stick with 6X or 8X. They have enough power that you'll see things clearly, but they don't magnify so much that you'll struggle to find what you want to see or have trouble following fast-moving objects (though all binoculars take some practice).
The 42 refers to the size of the front lens in millimeters . The larger the front lens (also called the objective lens), the more light reaches your eye. That means the image will be bigger, brighter, and clearer. A pair of 8x42 binoculars should be significantly brighter and offer a better viewing experience than a pair of 8x32 binoculars, even though both provide the same magnification. But the larger you get, the more glass they will use—so they'll weigh more. The weight difference between an 8x32 pair and a 10x42 pair is significant if you're wearing them all day. We suggest sticking with lenses in the 26-50 range. Our top pick is roughly in the middle, at 8x42, generally considered the sweet spot for most people.
