Binoculars are a long-term investment, so it makes sense to choose carefully. And with hundreds of models on the market, how do you choose the right pair?
Before diving into a model-by-model comparison, start by deciding what general kind of binoculars you’re looking for: Full-size, Compact, or Pocket. We’ll quickly cover what each of these categories has to offer—then you can read our in-depth reviews and decide which particular make and model is right for you.
How to Read Binocular Specs
Binocular listings will prominently display two important numbers (8×42, 10×32, 7×25, etc.). The first number is the magnification, and the second number is the size of the objective lens (the far end of the binoculars, in millimeters). That second number is useful for identifying whether a binocular is full-size (around 42 mm), compact (around 32 mm), or pocket (around 25 mm). Almost all binocular models are offered in multiple magnifications (8x and 10x are most common).
Binocular Types at a Glance
Full-Size Binoculars: A Workhorse Design Capable of large, bright images
Overview: Full-size binoculars have objective lenses around 42 mm wide, making them the largest and heaviest of these 3 main types. However, what they lose in portability they can make up for with a large, bright image.
Advantages: Though they’re larger than compact or pocket designs, modern construction means they’re still pretty small and light. Larger birders may find this a good size and may find smaller binoculars fiddly or cramped by comparison. Full-size binoculars also tend to have large, roomy eyecups which fit comfortably around the eyes and block out peripheral light for better contrast.
Disadvantages: Full-size binoculars take up more room in a pack and feel heavier around your neck than other models. On average, they weigh about a half-pound more than compact binoculars and nearly a full pound more than pocket binoculars. See our comparison of size and weight for more than 60 binocular models.
Our Advice: For many birders, full-size binoculars will handle all your needs, providing a comfy feel, roomy eyecups, and bright image in a relatively small package. They’re also your best choice if you’re looking for a starter or budget binocular. Lower-priced binoculars may not have top-flight glass or optical coatings, but with those large lenses they can still provide a good viewing experience.
Compact binoculars: Smaller, Easier to Handle, and Bright, too
Overview: With objective lenses around the 32-mm mark, compact binoculars are a step down in size and, for many people, a step up in comfort and portability. Compact binoculars have become increasingly popular in recent years as improvements in glass and optical coatings have made their way into consumer models. Those improvements mean a birder can choose smaller binoculars while still retaining a pleasingly bright and sharp image.
Advantages: Their smaller size can be just right for smaller people who find full-size binoculars bulky or hard to hold. Their lighter weight can help reduce neck or back strain over extended periods. They’re easier to stash in a pack or keep in a car for impromptu birding. And compact binoculars often have a slightly better field of view than full-size models.
Disadvantages: If you’re shopping for compact binoculars, be on the lookout for a couple of common issues. The smaller lenses create a narrower “exit pupil” (the beam of light that enters your eye). In some models this can give a sense of tunnel vision, with dark areas surrounding the image. It can be partially fixed by adjusting eyecups, but this can be tricky.
Our Advice: Compact binoculars can hit a sweet spot of easy-to-carry yet bright and sharp optics. But if you’ve decided compacts are for you, be wary of the lowest end of the price range. We found a wider range of image quality in compact models than in full-size models—and this makes sense because those smaller lenses give manufacturers less margin for error. If you budget a little more to get better glass and optical coatings, you’ll be rewarded. Our review of affordable compact binoculars can help you find good options while staying under $500.
Pocket Binoculars: Bins You Barely Know Are There
Overview: These are the smallest of all birdwatching binoculars, with objective lenses about 25 mm. They’re so small they can do double duty as theater glasses, and they all but disappear into a purse or jacket pocket—though it’s harder to get great image quality from such small lenses.
Advantages: This is the design to choose if carrying optics gives you neck or back strain, or if you have more interests than just birding and want to carry multiple kinds of gear. For people with narrow-set eyes, this design also offers the most adjustability to fit your face.
Disadvantages: Kind of like the tiny cell phones of the 2000s, it’s possible for binoculars to feel too small. Pocket binoculars can be fiddly to get adjusted; the eyecups can be too small to comfortably fit around your eyes; and the focus wheels are sometimes so tiny that it’s hard to make fine adjustments.
Our Advice: If you want the smallest of binoculars, it’s worth it to buy premium. In terms of area, pocket binocular lenses (25 mm) are just one-third as big as full-size binoculars (42 mm). To provide a bright image with such small lenses, they need top-shelf components. The good news is that some pocket binoculars do have very impressive optics, but to find these you’ll generally need to look toward the top end of the price range.
