Best binoculars 2020: Get closer to nature this Cyber Monday

A pair of the best binoculars can help you get closer to nature. One of the positives of lockdown is that it has forced us to slow down and engage with our local surroundings more. You might not be heading off on a safari holiday right now, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to see right on your doorstep... and that's where a pair of the best binoculars for birdwatching or nature-spotting comes in. And if you want to gaze further afield, we've included the best binoculars for stargazing (make sure you also take a look at our latest guide to the best telescopes for some alternatives, too). 

Our first tip for choosing the best binoculars for you is to consider what you want to use them for. If mild, dry weather isn't a given, looking for a waterproof construction  – perhaps with a ridged rubber exterior to prevent slippage when hands are wet – and anti fogging features to go with it (grab a waterproof jacket and a decent pair of the best hiking boots too, to make sure you're fully protected).

If you're watching wildlife from afar, then you'll want to be seeking out a higher magnification too – say 15x or 20x – even if this means some extra bulk and weight when compared with a compact pair more suited to a day at the races, the theatre or a gig – when conditions allow those activities to resume, of course. If you need more advice, head to the bottom for sections on what you need to know when buying binoculars and how to choose the best binoculars for your needs. But, for now, let's delve into our official ranking of the best binoculars around…

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Cyber Monday binocular deals

The winter sales events are a great time to pick up a bargain pair of binos, and we'll be reporting on all the best binocular deals on Cyber Monday and beyond. In the past, we've seen price drops from a range of brands, as well as third party retailers such as Amazon. Our dedicated tool will pull in all the cheapest prices on the products in our ranking, and we'll also be sharing any early spotlight deals that crop up as the winter sales events continue.

The best binoculars to buy right now

Our pick for the best binoculars overall right now is the Nikon Prostaff 3S. These are rugged, non-slip rubber-armoured binoculars with a useful 10x magnification to bring the faraway that much closer, plus decent sized 42mm diameter objective lens for clarity of vision. Here we get a highly reflective silver alloy coating to the surface of the binoculars’ prism lenses, resulting in a brighter view. Though supplied by a tried-and-tested brand famed for optical excellence and a former Red Dot design award winner, the pricing suggests very fair value. 

These binoculars boast a particularly robust construction, including an O-ring that has been sealed to prevent moisture ingress, and nitrogen filled to banish fogging when out and about in the great outdoors. Fortunately, this hasn’t meant that these feel hefty – at just 575g in weight, they won't give you wrist ache. A long eye relief also offers increased comfort, particularly by those of us who wear glasses. With a decent overall spec offered by Nikon at an equally decent price, this quality option should provide years of able service.

Aimed at sporty go-getting types, these handily foldable compact binoculars offer a decent 10x magnification married to a 25mm objective lens, while the fact that they're waterproof with it ensures they can be used whether we're all at sea, or watching the races on dry land. Handily for spectacle wearers, built-in dioptric correction can be adjusted to individual eyesight, while rubber coating helps ensure they won't easily slip from our grip, even with wet fingers. Multi coated lenses help deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and crisp and clear viewing, plus while closest focus point is 1.5 metres, a central focus knob ensures adjustment is easy and convenient without needing to take a step back, or forward.

Relatively lightweight without being insubstantial, these 10x25 waterproof binos weigh a manageable 270g, while offering portable dimensions of 114x115x45mm in width, height and depth. In short, these are unfussy and reliable binoculars you can pick up out of the box and get using straight away, with added peace of mind provided by a generous 25-year warranty.

If your wallet is in rude health you might want to consider this very handsome range-topping offering from reliable and established brand Bushnell. The Bushnell Forge 15x56 binos offer us suitability for a broad range of viewing pursuits, whether we're hiking, bird watching or just travelling around seeing the sights. 

What's more these best-in-class binos deliver a IPX7 waterproof rating, a generous application of lens coatings and ED Prime glass construction, in combination providing clarity of vision whatever the weather conditions at the time. As these aren't the lightest of roof prism type binoculars, at around 1Kg in weight, a neck strap is provided for added comfort. An impressive 56x magnification coupled with a larger than average 56mm objective lens pulls the faraway closer, while letting in plenty of light to ensure a huge amount of detail can be viewed. 

Also worth mentioning, in closing, is that this option features Bushnell's exclusive 'EXO' barrier protection, a lens coating that bonds to the glass at a molecular level, repelling water, oil, dust and debris and preventing scratches – thereby providing just the sort of peace of mind you'd want from premium binoculars at this premium price point.

These rubber-wrapped glasses are extremely versatile and offer superior quality at a keen price. You'll drool over the dielectric high-reflective mirror coating and use of Extra-low Dispersion glass (ED), but all you need to know is that these binoculars perform incredibly well in all conditions. Their 56mm objective lenses provide a massive field of view that's almost as bright as if seen with the human eye. Couple that wide angle with a whopping 20x magnification and you have one of the best-priced pair of wildlife and birdwatching binos on the market. The mid-size Monarch 5 binoculars are also waterproof and come with handy flip-down lens caps in addition to deep rubber eye caps.

The Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10x26 are hugely versatile and surprisingly affordable. These rubber-ribbed compact binoculars are designed for a variety of outdoor activities, whether it's watching your favourite football team from afar or getting closer to a hippo without being disemboweled. Design-wise, they have a smoother focus control knob and, thanks to an ergonomic grip, feel comfortable in the hand. They also come with flexible rubber eye cups that shield the eyes from side drafts and bright sunlight. The UltraSharps have 10x magnification – ample for most situations – and a fair field of view.

Don't be put off by the petite size of the Zeiss Victory Pocket binoculars, which weigh just 290g and are small enough to stash away quickly and easily. Our pick for the best lightweight binoculars are packed with features normally associated with much heavier, pricier pairs, whether it’s the Schott fluoride glass, the ZEISS T* finishing treatment for brilliant clarity in all weather conditions, or the LotuTec lense coating, which repels water and makes dreaded rainy days less likely to obscure your vision. The combination of a compact design and view-enhancing coatings make the Victory Pocket some of the most versatile binoculars on the market – they’re incredibly popular with birdwatchers as well as long-distance hikers, thanks to their unbeatable reliability in changing light and weather conditions. 

The Hawke Frontier HD X 10x42 is a robust pair of rubber-coated magnesium alloy build binoculars is surely one of the most versatile, in being suitable for use in temperatures down to -15°C, or as high as 55°C. The core specification is decent too, with a 10x magnification rubbing up against a 42mm objective lens. Don’t be afraid to take this option outdoors in the rain either, as its fog proof nitrogen filled lenses feature a hydrophobic coating to repel water and the manufacturer generously offers a worldwide lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. 

High definition images and a stunning rendition of colours is further promised via fully multicoated optics with close focusing down to 2.5 metres, your image easily adjusted via a smooth and precision engineered focus knob. At a unit weight of a more than manageable 705g, there’s a distinct impression here that we’re getting what we’re paying for. This Hawke is as sharp as you’d expect.

The Celestron Nature DX 10x56 is another good mid-range candidate for the best binoculars you can buy. It will appeal to nature lovers by virtue of several of its key properties, including the fact that it’s waterproofed and nitrogen filled to avoid fogging in the cold and the damp, plus features a large 56mm lens which should prove effective in lower light conditions. The larger the lens, theoretically the more light it lets in. 

While it’s not the lightest option here at 1.13kg, meaning an overall size that makes it one for roomier pockets or stashing the glove box in the car, the Celestron Nature DX’s closest focusing distance is three metres, we get a long and comfortable eye relief with twist-up eyecups that should suit spectacle wearers, plus a durable polycarbonate build with multi coated optics to further aid clarity of vision. A well-specified option for outdoor use in all weathers and a wide variety of light conditions, this one should prove a bright idea, even in the dim. Overall we’d suggest this is a great value option at the price.

The RSPB Puffin Binoculars are the best binoculars for children, offering the perfect balance for parents looking to bridge the gap between a child’s first pair of binoculars and a pair which will actually do what binoculars are supposed to do. Available in pink or black, they offer 8 x magnification and will allow budding birdwatchers to see up to 110 metres – plus, the wide field of view means these binoculars are easy to hold still. 

A one-year warranty provides parents with some reassurance should their little darlings drop, dunk or knock them, and a surprisingly sturdy carrying strap and case is included. Another added extra is a handy bird identification guide, guaranteed to pique budding birdwatchers’ interest in the great outdoors. For even younger children, try the RSPB's Puffin Junior Binoculars, designed for children aged between 7 and 12. 

Distinguished optics company Swarovski is considered to be the Rolls Royce of binocular manufacturers, and these estimable eye extenders with 12x magnification have a well-earned place in this list. The binoculars are designed with an impressively wide 50mm front element offering an excellent field of view, and exceptional brightness that makes them perfect for taking on safari.

Ever wondered why some binoculars cost £25 and others like these sell for much more? Put your peepers against these and the answer becomes clear: the lenses are so precise that the subject appears as sharp and bright as if it were three feet away.

If you're thinking of getting into stargazing, you might want to give the Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 a try. You’ll need to employ a tripod or similar to keep these heavy binoculars steady, but the rewards when spotting distant night sky objects are plentiful. With a sturdy construction and premium build, these binoculars are for serious star aficionados – with provision made for glasses wearers too. The 100mm lenses provide a clear and sharp view of the night sky thanks to a fantastic optical design. 

If you’re on a tighter budget, or don’t want to also invest in a tripod, take a look at the Celestron SkyMaster 25 x 70 binoculars, which are easier to use handheld. And be sure to check out our guide to the best telescopes for some more traditional stargazing options.

These compact binos are ideal for spotting when light levels are low, for example for winter birdwatching.  A high level of contrast and clarity is promised thanks to the coatings found on the prisms, and there's also no need to worry about the weather conditions that winter use might inflict. These binoculars are fully water and fog proof, making them well suited to all kinds of outdoor conditions.

The ultra lightweight design also makes them one of the lightest 42mm roof prism binoculars on the market. Comfort has been considered here too. Glasses wearers will appreciate the 3-position retractable eyecups, while the textured coating of the binoculars makes them comfortable to hold.

If you find it difficult keeping your arms steady while using binoculars, consider these high-tech glasses that use Canon's tried-and-tested optical image stabilising technology to smooth out the shakes. The battery-powered IS system – similar to the one Canon uses on its DSLRs and camcorders – is comprised of a vari-angle prism that constantly makes adjustments to maintain a near perfectly still image. 

It's an ideal system for long-range wildlife watching and even better for marine use where a rocking boat makes it nigh impossible to keep an image steady. The Canons have ample 18x magnification and a big, bright 50mm objective front lens that offers a wide 67Ëš field of view. Just be sure to have a couple of spare AA batteries to hand because you don't want your whale-watching exercise to end in shaky disappointment.

If you're looking for top quality binoculars that don't break the bank, then the Avalon 10 x 42 Pro HD binoculars could be the best binoculars for you. They are the world's lightest professional-grade binos, yet are very reasonably priced and come with a cleaning cloth, case and neck strap in the box. They are waterproof and feature multi-coated optics to provide the best possible image in a range of situations. 

We’ve picked them for plane spotting because of how light they are, as it makes holding them and tracking fast moving objects easy and comfortable. With a 10x magnification, they are good for long-distance viewing, without being so distant so as to make it tricky to keep up with a moving target.

If you’re really keen to ensure your choice of binos is the very best of the best, then investigate this option from cutting edge optical specialist Zeiss, a world renowned brand whose glass can be found in premium products from Panasonic and Sony, with the Victory family of products said to be the best Zeiss has to offer. A seven lens eyepiece and a 10x magnification makes it suited to pretty much any pursuit, particularly the viewing of wildlife where it brings the faraway up close and delivers a performance that could be described as crystal clear. 

With a large exit pupil measuring over 5mm revealing detail in dark shadows, versatility is key when it comes to this premium option. It also provides comfort in spades via an ergonomic grip that ensures comfort even when hand holding the product for extended periods.

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What to know when buying binoculars

There are two key numbers to pay attention to when it comes to choosing the best binoculars for your needs and determining whether you’re being offered a good level of specification for the price. Firstly, there’s magnification. Secondly, there's the (objective) lens size: in combination they’re written as 10x30, to give just one example. 

This denotes a 30mm lens with 10x magnification. As on a camera, the bigger the lens, the more light is let in and the brighter the image. Binoculars for handheld use may offer up to an 8x or 10x magnification, which is fine for general-purpose use. 

For more specialist pursuits, you may want something more powerful still, while being aware a higher magnification can also magnify any hand shake, unless the binoculars can be tripod mounted (via a common screw thread) or have built-in image stabilisation.

Further qualities to examine include the build and robustness, and whether they offer comfortable features such as a long eye relief, enabling the binos to be held further from your face. Naturally, the more features offered, the higher the price.

Choosing the best binoculars for your needs

Price is a factor when shopping for binos. Generally speaking, the most substantially built, powerful and optically precise binoculars will set you back a fair bit, but there are more affordable alternatives to the top brands… if you’re prepared to compromise.

That's why we’ve rounded up a selection of the best binoculars to not only match your unique viewing requirements – and help you get closer to that crystal clear, steady and magnified image – but to suit a range of budgets too.

For nature walks and rambles, consider a lightweight, portable and compact pair of binoculars that can be stashed in a jacket pocket. Some degree of weather-proofing and anti fogging might also be advisable in the great outdoors. 

For bird and wildlife watching, you’ll want to add high magnification factor to the list, as you’ll most likely be observing from a distance. Some means of tripod mounting might also be useful, to avoid hand-holding your binos for prolonged periods. For low light observation, a bigger, brighter lens is worth investigation.

You may also be offered a choice of 'roof prism' or 'porro prism' binoculars. Roof prism tends to be the most popular, as the way the light passes into and out of the prism allows for a more compact construction. That means smaller binos. The drawback, however, is that the surface of the prism does not reflect 100 per cent of the light. By contrast, porro prism binoculars tend to offer a brighter image at a lower cost, even if they are a bit bulkier.

Considering how the above points apply to your viewing needs should help you quickly refine your choices when buying binos.