Best Binoculars for Bird Watching from Economy to Best of the Best (2018)
Below are the top picks for the best binoculars
for bird watching in 2018
by price range based on:
- Image clarity
- Weight
- Field of view
- Close focus
- Overall quality
- Price
- And overall feel
We have summarized the best birding binoculars into price categories: Economy, Mid, Top-Affordable and Best of the Best. If you can afford a little extra, the mid-price range bird watching binoculars - the Nikon Monarch's - are your best bet considering performance, quality and price.
Jump to Best Binoculars in Each Category:
Economy (Under $200)
Mid-Priced ($200-$500)
Top-Affordable ($500-$1,000)
Best of the Best Over $1000
Best Binoculars for Bird Watching by Price Range:
Best Economy Binoculars (under $200)
Nikon Action Extreme 7x35 ATB Binoculars
The 7x35 Nikon Action Extremes were the best quality binoculars in the economy group.
Features:
- Exceptional Wide Field of View (FOV)
- BAK-4 Multilayer Coated Prisms
- 100% Waterproof/Fogproof Nitrogen Filled, O-Ring Sealed
- Rubber Armoring/Non-Slip Grip and Shockproof for those of us who occasionally bang or drop our bins when we get excited seeing a new bird!
- Low-priced - Now under $150!
Excellent Binoculars!
"I bought these binoculars because they were the top rated ones on the moderate priced list by a very influential ornithology organization.
You could spend a lot more to get the same quality binoculars in a smaller size, but you probably wouldn't get better quality binoculars.
I just returned from a trip to Costa Rica where I used them constantly. I was amazed at how easy it was to see birds with these binoculars even in dark rain forest conditions.." -A. Claymaker, New England
→View All Nikon Action Extreme Binoculars
Can't beat this one for the price and quality. Well reviewed and a best seller at most binocular retail stores.
You can read more about the different sizes and reviews here at our Nikon Action Binoculars page.
One downside is these are porro prism binoculars that do weigh more than roof prism binoculars and are a little bulkier. Check out the Monarchs below in the mid-price range if you want a more stream-lined set of birding binoculars with less weight.
Best Mid-Price Birding Binoculars ($200-$500)
Nikon Monarch 5 ATB 8x42 Binoculars
The 8x42 Nikon Monarchs actually came in second place to the Katmai 6x32 in the mid-price class, but Cornell advised that the Monarch's are actually better binoculars for bird watching, the Katmai better for butterfly watching.
Features:
- New ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) High-Reflective Multilayer Prism Coating for Bright, Crisp Images
- Phase-Correction/Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- 100% Waterproof/Fogproof
- Weighs only 20.8 ounces
- Has features of other more expensive brand binoculars (Leupold, Bushnell, Steiner, etc.) priced over $500 - The Monarchs are under $300, best binoculars to for price if you don't want to spend over $1,000.
"Most popular binocs (Monarchs) under $1,000 in my birding groups. Now I see why.
Clear, light, bright, great close and far, waterproof.
Birds and bugs clear with every marking visible. You can even see the veins on leaves.
Don't need to look through my eyeglasses because the diopter is exceptional." - Judy, NYC
The Monarch's are lightweight, waterproof, and very comfortable. Many of the reviewers thought they were just as good as binoculars 2-3x more in price.
More Nikon Monarch Binocular Reviews:
Comparison table and review of all Nikon
Monarch Binoculars including Monarch 3, Monarch 5, Monarch 7
ATB models and the Nikon Monarch X.
There is also our Nikon Monarch 5 ATB 8x42 Binoculars Review.
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars a Close Second for Mid-Price
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 Binoculars
As a close second choice in the mid-price category to the Monarch's, we think the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars are one of the best in this category for birding binoculars, especially if you prefer the 10x magnification model.
Here is our complete review that includes a comparison table with the Nikon Monarch's.
Top Affordable Binoculars for Birding ($500-$1,000)
By far the best choice in this category would be the Vortex Vipers.
Features:
- HD (High-Density), ED (Extra-Low) Dispersion Glass for bright, sharp images
- Fully multi-coated, phase correction lenses
- ArmorTek lens coating for scratch-resistance
- Excellent close-focus of 5 feet (8x42s)
- Waterproof and Fogproof
- Durable, metal-reinforced twist-up eyecups
- Locking diopter adjustment
- Vortex VIP Warranty (Unlimited lifetime warranty - you don't even have to fill out a warranty card or have a receipt!)
"For the money, you are going to have a tough time doing better.
No they aren't Swarovski's, but they don't cost $2,500 either....
The Vortex optics are far better than any other binocs I have tried in this price class and maybe better than those in the next grade up." - Lihla
The Vortex HD Vipers come in several sizes, from 8x32 to 15x50. We think either the 8x42 or the 10x50 models would be a great choice for bird watching. If you want a lighter pair, get the 8x, if you want more magnification, get the 10x.
Best of the Best: Most Expensive Binoculars (over $1,000)
The Zeiss Victory 8x42 Binoculars scored the highest in the "Top Gun," best of the best category. It scored the highest for overall quality, producing clear, bright, crisp, near perfect images.
If you can afford it, you can't go wrong with the Zeiss Victory HTs.
Long story short, several of (Cornell's) perennial binocular favorites all earned "excellent" ratings, but the binocular that earned top rating, and was ostensibly considered the finest binocular they had ever tested, was the Zeiss 8X42.
When I had an opportunity to look through them outside of a local sporting goods store in the rural area where I live, I was immediately taken by their incredible clarity and image quality.
But what really drew me to them was the absolutely perfect eye relief distance. They simply got it right and I have never been able to say that about any other brand, regardless of price or prestige.
I bought them on the spot and "have never looked back!"
I consider them one of the finest investments I have ever made." -Dr. Keith Hunziker
Other Top Expensive Bird Watching Binoculars
In addition to the Zeiss Victory, other honorable mentions include the Swarovski EL and SLC models, Leica Trinovid and Geovid HD, and Nikon EDG binoculars. You may also want to take a look at the Swarovski SLC HD Binoculars Review.
Learn More About Choosing Binoculars for Bird Watching
Bird
Watching Binoculars 101 and Birding
Binoculars 102
Learn how to choose the best binoculars for bird watching. Learn more
about binoculars and their features before making a purchase.
Spotting
Scopes 101 and Spotting
Scope 102
Learn about the different features of spotting scopes and which are
best for birding.
For additional information about the ratings, go to Cornell's Picks of the best binoculars for bird watching.
More Reviews of Favorite Birding Binoculars
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 Binoculars - Another good choice in the mid-price range, especially if you want the 10x magnification.
Nikon Monarch Binoculars - Comparison of All Monarch Models
Budget Nikon Action Binoculars - Comparison of Models
Best Birding Binoculars - Our picks in 3 price ranges.
Types of Binoculars: Image Stabilized, Jason, Mini, Kids, Zoom, Digital, Infrared, High Power
Best Image Stabilized Binoculars for Birding
Jason Binoculars - Auto Focusing Binoculars
Digital Binoculars with Camera and Video Built-In
No More Binocular-Neck... Get a Harness!
Binocular Tripod Adapter
Care & Repair
Spotting Scopes
Spotting Scopes 101 and Spotting Scope 102
Best Bird Watching Spotting Scopes
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