Best binoculars

Pick the best binoculars and they'll give you crisp and clear views of nature, the stars, sports and more.

Our research showed UK consumers are more interested in the best binoculars for bird-watching than any other types. So we bought pairs from Nikon, Olympus, Swarovski, RSPB and more to put them to the test and see which are best for spotting birds.

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

Read on for our full test results, as well as the key features to look out for, how to use your binoculars effectively, and how to get your head around the jargon when shopping.

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The best binoculars

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The binoculars we tested

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

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best binoculars from our tests. 

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Hawke Vantage 8x25 Binoculars

Cheapest price: £59 at The Birder's Store also available at Clifton Cameras

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Size and weight: 10.5 x 7.4 x 4.6cm (HxWxD); 295g

Type: Roof prism 

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 8x25mm

Close focusing distance: 6m

Field of view at 1,000m: 119m

Eye relief: 10mm

Other key features: Neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, 10-year warranty

Jessops 10-30x50 Full Size Zoom Binoculars MKII

Only available at Jessops: £64.99

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Size and weight: 17.6 x 19 x 6.4cm (HxWxD); 600g

Type: Porro prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 10-30x50mm

Close focusing distance: 10m

Field of view at 1,000m: 64m

Eye relief: 12.5-14.5mm

Other key features: Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, adjustable zoom, one-year warranty

Nikon ProStaff P7 10x42

Cheapest price: £259 at Clifton Cameras Jessops

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

Type: Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 10x42mm

Close focusing distance: 3m

Field of view at 1,000m: 122m

Eye relief: 15.7mm

Other key features: Lens caps, neck strap, and carry case included, 10-year warranty

Olympus 8x40 S

Cheapest price: £79, available at Amazon also available at Currys Jessops

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

Type: Porro prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 8x40mm

Close focusing distance: 4m

Field of view at 1,000m: 143m

Eye relief: 12mm

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

Praktica Falcon 8x40mm Binoculars

Cheapest price: £32.99 at Amazon Currys Very

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

Type: Porro prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 8x40mm

Close focusing distance: 6m

Field of view at 1,000m: 143m

Eye relief: 12mm

Other key features: Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, two-year warranty

Qunse X28 Mini Pocket Small Binoculars

Only available at Amazon: £16.99

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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 1,000m: 108m

Eye relief: 12mm

Other key features: Neck strap and lens cleaning cloth included

RSPB Avocet 10x42 binoculars

Cheapest price: £140 at RSPB also available at Viking Optical Centres

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

Type: Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 10x42mm

Close focusing distance: 3m

Field of view at 1,000m: 101m

Eye relief: 16.9mm

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

Swarovski EL 10x42 WB Swarovision Field Pro

Cheapest price: £1,690 at The Birder's Store Clifton Cameras Uttings

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Size and weight: X16 x 13.1 x 6.1cm (HxWxD); 840g

Type: Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 10x42mm

Close focusing distance: 3.3m

Field of view at 1,000m: 112m

Eye relief: 20mm

Other key features: Lens caps, neck strap, storage bag, lens cleaning cloth, soap, and cleaning brush included, 10-year warranty

Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars

Cheapest price: £244 at Amazon also available at The Birder's Store Uttings

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

Type: Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 10x42mm

Close focusing distance: 1.52m

Field of view at 1,000m: 100.5m

Eye relief: 15mm

Other key features: Lens caps, neck strap, carry case, chest harness, and lens cleaning cloth included, tripod mountable, lifetime warranty

Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 Binoculars

Cheapest price: £499 at Amazon  The Birder's Store Viking Optical Centres

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

Type: Roof prism

Magnification x objective lens diameter: 10x42mm

Close focusing distance: 1.6m

Field of view at 1,000m: 110m

Eye relief: 15mm

Other key features: Lens caps, neck strap, carry case and lens cleaning cloth included, two-year warranty

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How we tested binoculars

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

Our testing panel of mixed genders, ages and levels of experience spent a day in a public bird hide using each pair of binoculars to spot wildlife and decide which pair they like best.

Image quality and brightness

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

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

Ease of use

We assessed:

• How easy it was to adjust and focus each pair of binoculars
• How comfortable and secure they felt to hold
• How easily they could be used while wearing glasses. 

Some of our panel preferred lighter, more compact binoculars, and others liked weightier, more substantial pairs.

Waterproofing and durability

We subjected each pair of binoculars to a heavy shower and checked the lenses to see if any water managed to get inside.

We checked the binoculars for signs of structural weakness and stress-tested 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 a 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 the case anymore.

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

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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 only adjusts one lens and so compensates for when your eyes have slightly different prescriptions. The central focusing wheel adjusts both lenses simultaneously.

Follow these five easy steps and you'll 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 of your eyes.

Can you use binoculars with glasses?

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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Binoculars jargon explained

Binoculars can often be described in baffling language. While you don't need to know everything about their anatomy, an understanding of some of the key terms and features will help you get the best out of yours.

• Binocular numbers – usually displayed on the side of the binoculars. They indicate the magnification and the objective lens diameter. 10x42 binoculars would magnify an image by 10 times, and the objective lens diameter would be 42mm, meaning it would have a brighter image than if the lens was 25mm.
• 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.
• 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.
• Field of view – this describes how wide an area you can see through the binoculars. Sometimes it's written in degrees, but usually as a number. That number will be the width of the scene visible through the binoculars from 1,000m away. The greater the field of view, the wider the image you can see. Generally, the higher the magnification, the smaller the field of view.
• 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 them being too wobbly.