Nature lovers love good scenery. If you want to observe nature at its finest, a pair of binoculars is a common go-to for most people. You’ll be able to see your favorite bird up close with its intricate details. We have taken the time to list down several good pairs of binoculars for birding. Rest assured that it will be well within your budget range too.
What are the Best Budget Binoculars For Birding?
To find the absolute best budget binoculars for birding we have searched through most of the available inexpensive binoculars for birding and read all the comments left by people who bought and used them. Then we compiled the list of the top 10 budget binoculars for birding based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users. Feel free to use the results of hours of our research now and thank us later in the comments.
Oh, and just so you know, there are also Buying Guide and FAQ sections below the top products that provide a handy overview of things you may need to know before and after you buy your new budget binoculars for birding.
1. 10×25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching
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Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.6 Pounds (0.3 kg) Size: 4.3 x 3.9 x 2 Inches (10.9 x 9.9 x 5.1 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 10mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The 10×25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching is a good option for adults but also small enough for kids to use. This binocular is lightweight, so you will face fewer issues while traveling long distances. However, because the binocular is so lightweight, it may be slightly harder to keep it steady. Also, the diopter is not hard to adjust, so kids can learn how to use it with greater ease. Generally, this product provides good value for its price, considering the clarity it provides. Do take note that the eyepieces are slightly narrow. The accessories provided like the binocular casing and the binocular strap are only of acceptable quality.
Pros
- Binocular is lightweight,
- Binocular is small enough for kids to use,
- Diopter is not hard to use,
- Good value for its price
Cons
- Eye pieces could be too narrow for some people,
- Binocular case is not of the best quality
2. 20×50 Military Binoculars for Adults with Smartphone Adapter
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Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.6 Pounds (0.7 kg) Size: 7.9 x 7.9 x 3.1 Inches (20 x 20 x 8 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 20x Waterproof: Waterproof |
The 20×50 Military Binoculars for Adults are a good choice for those who want a durable and robust binocular. This binocular will be able to go with you on hunting and hiking trips. The neck strap on the binocular is not too tight, so you will feel comfortable using it. The lens caps are also attached to the binocular, so you do not need to be scared of losing them. Furthermore, there is a tripod attachment if you want to obtain a stabilized image. Do take note, however, that the binocular is not fog proof. Another point is that the smartphone adapter is not easy to use, and you may need to use it multiple times to be comfortable with it.
Pros
- Neck strap is not too tight,
- Lens caps are connected to binocular,
- Binocular has a robust exterior,
- There is a tripod attachment
Cons
- Binocular is not fog proof,
- Smartphone adapter is not user-friendly
3. Aurosports 10×25 Folding Compact Binocular with Weak Light Night Vision
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Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.6 Pounds (0.2 kg) Size: 3.7 x 3.6 x 2.1 Inches (9.4 x 9.1 x 5.3 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm Magnification: 10x Waterproof: Waterproof |
The Aurosports 10×25 Folding Compact Binocular with Weak Light Night Vision is a good option for activities like sporting events and concerts. The binocular is light and easy to carry around, whilst also having a robust exterior. It is also relatively easy to adjust the focusing setting on this binocular. This binocular is also waterproof to some water splashes, so you don’t have to worry about slight rain damaging it. A perk of this binocular is the slight night vision capability it provides so you can see clearer images at night. One thing to take note of is that the binocular is not fog proof, so you may need to wipe it every now and then.
Pros
- Item is light and compact,
- Binocular is easy to focus,
- Binocular has slight night vision capability,
- Binocular has solid exterior
Cons
- Binocular strap is not easy to adjust,
- Binocular is not fog proof
4. 10×50 Powerfull Binoculars for Adults
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Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.5 Pounds (0.7 kg) Size: 8.9 x 8.7 x 4 Inches (22.6 x 22.1 x 10.2 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 13mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
This 10×50 Powerfull Binocular is suitable for those who want to track rapid movement in sporting events or the wild. The wide field of view will help to ensure the moving object stays in your field of vision. This binocular is also suitable for outdoor activities because it is waterproof. Thus, it can withstand slight rain or water splashes. Also, the lenses are multi-coated to provide you with brighter images. Those with glasses, however, might not find this binocular to be suitable because it has short eye relief. The focus of the lenses may also require frequent readjustment, even for the same distance.
Pros
- Wide field of view,
- Waterproof,
- Lenses are multi-coated,
- Strong rubber exterior
Cons
- Short eye relief,
- Might need to constantly focus the lenses
5. Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars with Clear Low Light Vision
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Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.7 Pounds (0.3 kg) Size: 4.3 x 3.9 x 1 Inches (10.9 x 10 x 2.5 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm Magnification: 12x Eye Relief: 20mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars with Clear Low Light Vision are great for seeing far distances while still promising clarity. What we like about the binocular is how it is lightweight and portable, making it good for travel use. The binocular also does not fog up easily, so you do not have to clean the lenses that often. We also appreciate the good customer service they provide. If you are using the binocular for extended periods, take note that there may be a slight plastic odor. You also need to be careful to not hit against the focus knob accidentally to avoid changing the focus.
Pros
- Customer service is good for customers’ queries,
- Binocular is lightweight,
- Binocular does not fog up easily,
- Binocular is great for looking at far distance
Cons
- There is a slight plastic odor from the binocular,
- Focus knob can be tighter
6. 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars for Bird Watching
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Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.8 Pounds (0.8 kg) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 10x Waterproof: Water-resistant |
The 10×50 Powerful Binoculars for Bird Watching is a good option for those who want to have decent functions of a binocular without having to spend a bomb on it. The tough rubber exterior will protect the binocular and make it longer-lasting. With the wide field of view, the binocular is suitable to track rapid movement in birding or sporting events. It is also not hard to use the focus knob, so you will have fewer issues focusing on the image at different distances. Note that the binocular is on the heavier side, and might not be suitable for activities that require a lot of traveling. Also, the case and strap provided are not of the highest quality.
Pros
- Tough rubber exterior increases durability,
- Wide field of view,
- Provides clear images for its price,
- Not hard to adjust focus knob
Cons
- Binocular is heavy,
- Binocular case and strap are not of good quality
7. 20×50 High Power Military Binoculars
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Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.8 Pounds (0.8 kg) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 20x Eye Relief: 26mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The 20×50 High Power Military Binoculars are a good option for those who want a wide field of view in their binoculars. The binocular has a strong rubber coating that can endure the elements of the weather. This binocular also features easy adjustment of the center-focus knob. A plus point about this binocular is how the lens cap is attached to the binocular itself so you don’t have to worry about losing them. We also like how the binocular is relatively lightweight, so you can carry it around for longer periods of travel. Do take note that if you are buying this binocular, you will not be able to attach it to a tripod because there is no screw-hole.
Pros
- Not difficult to adjust the binocular’s settings,
- Comfortable size to grip,
- Lens cap are attached to binocular to prevent losing them,
- Binocular is lightweight
Cons
- Binocular strap is not too secure,
- No attachment to pair with a tripod
8. Bushnell Falcon 133410 Binoculars with Case
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Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.3 Pounds (0.6 kg) Size: 8 x 6.3 x 3 Inches (20.3 x 16 x 7.6 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 35mm Magnification: 7x Eye Relief: 12mm |
The Bushnell Falcon 133410 could be the solution for those who want a slightly cheaper one without spending a bomb on it. The binocular is robust because of its solid rubber exterior coating. You might also appreciate how there are eyecups that can be folded down to protect the lenses. This pair of binoculars is also greatly for observing rapid movement due to its wide field of view. Coupled with its fully-coated lenses, you can get bright images. One point to note is that the binocular is slightly heavy for its magnification. Also, the binocular case provided does not offer good protection.
Pros
- Rubber exterior is robust,
- Fold-down eyecups attached,
- Lenses are fully-coated,
- Wide field of view
Cons
- Binocular is slightly heavy,
- Binocular case does not offer good protection
9. Alatino 10×42 Compact Binoculars
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Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.1 Pounds (0.5 kg) Size: 5.9 x 5.1 x 2.4 Inches (15 x 13 x 6.1 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 20mm Waterproof: Water-resistant |
The Alatino 10×42 can be used for many activities like bird watching and concerts. The long eye relief the binocular provides allows those with glasses to adjust accordingly. We also like the rubber exterior on the binocular which will protect it against external forces. It will also increase comfortability when used for long periods. This binocular is also pretty lightweight when compared to other models. One downside is the slightly narrow eyepieces. Thus, depending on the individual, the image in one eye may be slightly blocked. There may also be a slight odor stemming from the binocular.
Pros
- Long eye relief,
- Good rubber protection for binocular,
- Lightweight,
- Images are magnified clearly
Cons
- There is an odor stemming from the binocular,
- Eyepieces are slightly narrow
10. 10 x 50 Professional High Definition Large Field of View Binoculars
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Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.7 Pounds (0.8 kg) Size: 7.6 x 7 x 2.5 Inches (19.3 x 17.8 x 6.4 cm) Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 10mm Waterproof: Water-resistant |
This 10×50 binocular is suitable for those who like observing rapid movement for the purpose of birding, sporting events, and more. The binocular also has a comfortable rubber coating so you will be able to hold it for long periods. When you are done using the binocular, you can also keep it in a robust binocular casing that will protect it well. Other than the product details, we also appreciate the responsive customer service in providing the appropriate replies or refunds to customers. Do note that the binocular is slightly heavy. Also, it may not be very easy to adjust the focus knob.
Pros
- Customer service is fairly responsive,
- There is a comfortable exterior rubber coating,
- The binocular casing protects the binocular well,
- Wide field of view
Cons
- Not easy to adjust the focus,
- Binocular is on the heavier side
Verdict
We went through most of the budget binoculars for birding available today and considered what people who used them are saying about these inexpensive binoculars for birding. We also looked closely at their pricing and specs to find that 10×25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching is the overall best budget binoculars for birding out there.
However, Aurosports 10×25 Folding Compact Binocular with Weak Light Night Vision is a very good affordable alternative for those who want to get one of the budget inexpensive binoculars for birding.
For those who need the absolute best of the best, regardless of the price, 20×50 Military Binoculars for Adults with Smartphone Adapter is the premium pick.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying Budget Binoculars For Birding
Binocular Features For Birding
There are a few critical features needed in the binoculars for bird watchers, one of which is waterproof coating, given one may be exposed to different environmental conditions. Also, binoculars with image stabilization are great because they give a less shaky view and reduce the amount of hand holding, so you don’t get too tired of holding your binoculars up. To add on, binoculars with a wide field of view are also important because you can scan through a wide area much quicker without having to move around alot. Get a pair with a minimum 8X magnification for clarity of the images. Lastly, get a pair of binos with adjustable eye cups so they can provide enough eye relief, since you’ll typically be scanning through the scenery for a long time.
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens’ size determines the amount of light entering the binoculars. Therefore, the larger it is, the better the image in terms of quality, especially in dark places. When buying a pair of binoculars, check for the lens size, which is the numeric figure right after the X on its description. A ratio of 5 to magnification is best, so in a case where you have an 8 X 25 versus a 8 X 40, the 8 X 40 has better images because generally the lens diameter is wider.
Magnification
Binoculars with a high magnification may sometimes not be beneficial. For instance when hunting/fishing, you do not want a binoculars with magnification that is too high because it reduces the quality of the images. The best magnification is between 7X and 8X. High magnification narrows the field of view, but if your aim is to zoom in on far away items, then higher magnification is your best bet.
Portability
Its important that you get a portable pair of binoculars, especially when bird spotting and hunting. You do not want bulky binoculars as they’ll be harder to carry around and will tire you eventually with the weight. Portablity may sometimes also mean having a neck strap so you can wear it around your neck and leave it to hang when you are walking. There are also mini binoculars and foldable ones that can fit into the pocket and easen your load. Choose one that is easy for you to carry around and still meets your hunting or spotting needs.
Weatherproofing
It is useful to get a pair that is weatherproof, especially if you are going to use your binoculars for multiple outdoor expeditions that make have constant change in weather. If a binoculars is described as weatherproof, it is almost certain that it is not fully waterproof, but potentially just water resistent. However, they may have protection against fog, dust damage and other differing weather conditions, such as moist weather condtions, without damaging them. Always store your binoculars well and dry after use and do not expose your binoculars too much to sun or moisture as it will be damaged with time.
Fog Resistance
You definitely want to get a pair of binoculars that can withstand both hot and cold conditions. External fogging is normal, but internal fogging as it can ruin your binoculars completely. To avoid this, get yourself binoculars with nitrogen filling. Fog proofed binoculars are sealed internally with O rings to prevent moisture from getting into the optical tubes. All fog proof binoculars are waterproof, but not all waterproof binoculars are fogproof.
Questions and Answers About Budget Binoculars For Birding
What is the best magnification for bird watching binoculars?
The best magnification for birders is between 8 and 10X. The perks of each magnification are different according to distance and needs. An 8X binocular has a broader field of view than a 10X, so an 8X magnification is best for close-range bird watching. With it, you can scan through a wider field of view without adjusting it consistently. The images are also brighter but smaller. A 10X is much better for distance bird watching but will have a narrow field of view and a darker image.
Can you use a camera tripod for binoculars?
You can use a camera tripod for your binoculars. Simply mount them to a standard camera tripod with a pan head. You can also purchase a binocular mount to use with your camera tripod, as long as it is sturdy and capable of supporting the weight.
What kind of binoculars are best for bird watching beginners?
If you are a beginner, it would be advisable to start with a pair of binoculars that are not too expensive. When it comes to the kind of binoculars best suited for beginners, it depends what you’re going to use them for. There are two main categories of binoculars: roof prism and porro prism. Roof prism binoculars are generally more lightweight and compact, and are actually suited to birdwatching and hunting due to its clearer imaging. Porro prism binoculars, on the other hand, are suited to more general uses like hiking or scouting, and can tend to be slightly heavier too.
What is a good field of view for binoculars?
Binoculars with a good field of view (F.O.V) should allow you to see more of the terrain and detect your prey without having to adjust your binoculars. Additionally, when targeting a moving animal, binoculars with a good field of view should also support a long-distance view within the circular frame of lenses without shifting the binoculars. In general for a distance of 1,000 meters, most high-quality binoculars have a field of view of 300 to 375 feet.
What is a good zoom for binoculars?
A magnification of 6 to 10X is a good enough zoom for your binoculars. This magnification is easier to use, especially when fishing or doing light activities. This pair of binoculars is also more portable. However, for stable images, tracking moving objects, and birdwatching, an 8 to 10X magnification is ideal because the pictures are more precise and have enough brightness. A large magnification may make the images less transparent and shakier.