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Binoculars can come as cheap as $50 or less or as expensive as costing over a thousand dollars. However, if you are a hunter, hiker, spectator, birding enthusiasts, stargazer, or outdoor lover, it’s important that you invest in a good pair of binoculars.
This way, you can get images of superb quality while also bringing all the action to your eyes while you are from a safe distance away. The high-end binos in the market usually cost several thousands of dollars but you can get a good binocular with almost similar functionality for a budget of $1000 or less.
You just have to get your hands on these binoculars to know what you are paying for. The absolute precision and full color you’ll get will let you know that you’ve made the right decision. But as you’d expect, several binoculars fall under the $1000 price mark in the market.
Some of these binos perform better than the others and it’s in light of this that I’ve made a list of the very best binoculars under 1000 dollars available on the market today. I came up with this list after doing extensive research and testing as well as having a chat with a number of people that use binoculars professionally.
Below are the best binoculars under $1000 available on the market, their pros and cons as well as their specifications.
Reviews & Buying Guide Contents
The 7 Best Binoculars Under 1000 Dollars for 2024
- Nikon Monarch HG 10X42 Binoculars
- Vortex Optics Kaibab 18X56 HD Binoculars
- Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars
- ZEISS Conquest 8X42 HD Binoculars
- Styrka S7 Series 10×42 ED BinocularSOur Top Pick
- Swarovski CL Pocket 8×25 Binoculars
- Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 Binoculars
Best Binoculars Under 1000 Dollars – The Guide
The 7 Best Binoculars Under 1000 Dollars for 2024
Nikon Monarch HG 8X42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 Binocular, Black (16027)
The Nikon Monarch HG 8×42 binocular features Nikon’s ED lenses which work in collaboration with the included prisms for maximum light transmission and color retention. ED glass is usually used in high-end binoculars and reduces chromatic aberrations and greatly increases the quality of the image produced. So it’s a big deal that this bino has state-of-the-art ED glass.
The body of the Nikon Monarch HG is made of magnesium alloy. And this makes this binocular very compact, lightweight, and durable. I like that the lens of this binocular is fully multicoated and this also brings about improved light transmission. As a result, this binocular performs well in low-light situations. When it comes to optical performance, you can rely on the Nikon Monarch HG.
As you’d expect of a high-quality binocular, the Monarch HG is both waterproof and fog proof. As a result, this binocular is capable of withstanding the elements and this also enhances its durability. The locking diopter allows you to save the current settings and the scratch-resistant glass means image quality won’t be compromised.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm / 1.65 in
- Dimensions : 14 x 13.2 x 5.1 cm / 5.7 x 5.2 x 2.1 in
- Weight : 666 g / 23.5 oz
- Field of view: 435 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Features ED lenses for better image clarity and color.
- Magnesium chassis makes this bino lightweight and durable.
- Fully multi-coated lens for better light transmission.
- Completely waterproof and fogproof.
- Locking diopter allows you to save current settings.
Cons
- The focus wheel can be a bit stiff. But this is not a deal breaker.
Vortex Optics Kaibab 18×56 HD Binoculars
Vortex Optics Kaibab HD Binoculars 18x56
Hunting or wildlife watching enthusiasts are totally going to fall in love with this binocular. The Vortex Optics Kaibab HD 18×56 binocular is proof that a gun isn’t necessarily the most important tool a hunter needs. If you are serious about spotting animals, then you are going to need high-performing optics and this is where this binocular comes in. It’s not every binocular that’s capable of zooming in on details of an animal 2 miles. Thus binocular can do this with ease.
Bird watchers should also take a look at this binocular as it has the ability to produce a clear, true color, and high-definition image. I was pleased to find out that this binocular is very comfortable to carry and use despite the high magnification and optical quality.
The configuration of the room prism is also responsible for the compactness and lighter weight of the Kaibab HD. The slim profile of this binocular is also buffered with an ultra-hard and scratch-resistance exterior lens coating.
This bino is also capable of withstanding the elements thanks to the fog proof and waterproof design. And the twist eyecups allow people wearing eyeglasses to comfortably use this binocular.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 18x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm / 2.2 in
- Dimensions : 19.5 x 14 cm / 7.7 x 5.7 in
- Weight : 1233 g / 43.5 oz
- Field of view : 194 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Compact roof prism design.
- High definition magnification.
- High image quality and accurate color rendition.
- Lightweight and very durable.
- Versatile focus range.
- Twist eyecups.
Cons
- No major shortcomings.
Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars
Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars
3 used from $495.99
The Canon 12×36 IS binocular is very compact and portable and this makes the binocular suitable for different activities like bird watching, hunting, and more. The optical performance of the Canon 12×36 is excellent and the incorporated IS (Image stabilization) system takes magnification up a notch in the high-contrast detail you can see.
Image-stabilized binoculars come with a mechanism that helps to decrease the apparent motion of the view due to binocular movement. Such binoculars are designed to minimize image shaking in hand-held applications.
It is the finely-tuned Porro prism construction and optical coatings that provide outstanding image resolution and minimize the loss of light. There is also the doublet field-flattener which brings about sharp and virtually distortion-free images from edge-to-edge. The long eye relief means people using glasses can comfortably use this binocular.
I must mention that this binocular is resistant to water and fogging and therefore not waterproof. Still, this binocular can easily handle light rain but don’t get carried away.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 12x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36 mm / 1.42 in
- Dimensions : 17.53 x 12.7 x 7.11 cm / 6.9 x 5 x 2.8 in
- Weight : 660 g / 23.3 oz
- Field of view: 262 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Image stabilization.
- High definition optics.
- Performs well in low light situations.
- Lightweight.
- Resistant to water and fogging.
- Durable.
Cons
- There might be mild chromatic aberrations but this won’t ruin the viewing experience and will only be noticed by experienced professionals.
ZEISS Conquest 8×42 HD Binoculars
Zeiss 8x42 Conquest HD Binocular with LotuTec Protective Coating (Black)
3 used from $771.59
I don’t think this list will be complete without a binocular from Zeiss. Zeiss is a brand well-known for producing high-quality binoculars. Most of their binoculars are high-end and very expensive. And I was very happy to see them manufacture a bino in the $1000 price range.
This binocular has everything you could want in a binocular falling in the mid-price range. The glass used to make this bino is of stunning quality and the coatings are superb. And the result of this is bright, clear, and colorful view.
The wide field of view, ergonomic design as well as the rotating eyecups are well-designed and of the highest quality. People using glasses can comfortably use this bino without any problem.
I also like that this binocular is very versatile and can be used for a wide range of activities like birdwatching, hunting, sporting, and so on. The LotuTec coatings are designed to resist moisture and water and at the same time prevent scratches, dents, and other damages.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm / 1.65 in
- Dimensions : 12 x 16 cm / 4.7 x 6.5 in
- Weight : 794 g / 28 oz
- Field of view: 384 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Excellent quality glass.
- High-quality coating.
- Completely weatherproof.
- Tripod adaptable.
- Versatile.
- Durable.
Cons
- N/A.
Styrka S7 Series 10×42 ED BinocularsOur Top Pick
Styrka S7 Series 10x42 ED Binocular, ST-35522 - Hunting, Wildlife and Bird Watching, Sports, Sightseeing and Travel - Waterproof - Professional Quality - Styrka Strong
Thanks to the extra-low dispersion (ED) optical glass, this Styrka S7 binocular produces razor-sharp images and superb color correction while eliminating chromatic aberrations. The ED glass also allows this binocular to perform excellently in low light situations, a feature you won’t generally find in lower-priced binoculars. So you can be sure that you’ll get value for your money when you purchase this binocular.
Styrka coated the surfaces of the lens of this binocular multiple times with SXL-MAX anti-reflective broadband coatings. And the result of this is maximum brightness, sharpness, color, and image contrast across the entire visible light spectrum.
The high-quality BAK 4 prism used in this binocular is also phase and dielectric coated and this results in the increase in light transmission through the prism system for bright, high-contrast images with better resolution, superior clarity, and detail.
Thanks to the twist-up eyecups which you can twist up or down, this binocular can be used by people wearing glasses. The waterproof and fogproof design (thanks to the nitrogen purging) makes this bino durable and resistant to the elements.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 10x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm / 1.65 in
- Dimensions : 14 x 12.7 x 5 cm / 5.5 x 5.06 x 2.06 in
- Weight : 652 g / 23 oz
- Field of view: 342 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Produces razor-sharp images while eliminating chromatic aberrations.
- Several quality coatings.
- High-quality prisms.
- Twist-up eyecups comes in handy for people wearing glasses.
- Waterproof and fogproof.
- Durable.
Cons
- The carrying case could be of better quality.
Swarovski CL Pocket 8×25 Binoculars
Swarovski CL Pocket 8x25 Binoculars Sand
This binocular is a pocket binocular because of its compactness and lightweight. The compactness I’m talking about here means this binocular can easily fit into your pocket or purse. So if you want something very light, then you should go for this binocular.
I like that Swarovski solved some of the issues associated with pocket binoculars with the Cl Pocket 8×25. One of such solutions is the eyecups which are big by design. It’s common to see many pocket binoculars having small eyecups that are too small to rest against the bony orbit of the eye and this makes it difficult to hold the binocular steady. But you don’t have to worry about this with this binocular due to their generous, large-sized eyecups.
The long eye relief is another nice touch especially for people wearing glasses. You’ll also like the fact that the CL Pocket 8×25 is hand-friendly and it’s very easy to grip. The armor covering can be easily handled either with gloves on or not. I also like that the focus knob is very easy to use.
When it comes to optical performance, this bino shines thanks to the high-end optics, And they are also nitrogen-filled, fogproof, dustproof, and dirtproof.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm / 0.9 in
- Dimensions : 11 x 6.3 x 4.6 cm / 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.8 in
- Weight : 345.9 g / 12.2 oz
- Field of view: 357 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Incredible compactness and portability.
- Large-sized eyecups.
- Hand-friendly and easy to use.
- High optical performance.
- Fully weatherproof.
- Durable.
Cons
- No major shortcomings.
Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 Binoculars
Leica Ultravid BR 10x25 Robust Waterproof Compact Binocular with AquaDura Lens Coating, Black 40253
4 used from $599.00
The Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 is a powerful binocular that provides good detail identification even at long distances. You’ll get a high level of optical performance from this binocular thanks to the high-quality optics it features.
Must also talk about the small size of this binocular which makes it one of the most portable binoculars in the world. I like that this bino has adequate eye relief and this allows a person wearing glasses to see the full field of view. And if you don’t wear glasses, you’ll still be able to see the full field of view. All you have to do is just pull out the eyecups to their extended position.
Thanks to the central focusing knob, you can quickly and precisely focus this binocular. There is also a coating on the surfaces of the lens which protects the optical systems against water, dirt, scratches, and abrasion. The Ultravid BR is completely waterproof and can withstand subversion to a depth of 16.5ft./5m.
Quick Specifications
- Magnification : 10x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 26 mm / 1.02 in
- Dimensions : 15 x 13 x 5 cm / 4.7 x 4.8 x 1.6 in
- Weight : 297 g / 10.5 oz
- Field of view: 302 ft @ 1000 yards
Pros
- Good detail identification even at long distances.
- High definition optics.
- Adequate eye relief.
- Easy to use the central focusing knob.
- Waterproof.
- Durable.
Cons
- No lens cover included.
Best Binoculars Under 1000 Dollars – The Guide
Now that you know what are the best binoculars under 1000 dollars you can get today, let’s get to the buying guide. Because, knowing what the best models are is great, but knowing exactly why they are great and how to choose your binoculars is even better!
What Is ED Glass?
I mentioned ED glass a couple of times when giving the descriptions of the binos above and made a big fuss about the glass. You may have already figured out that ED glass is very important or special. ED glass stands for Extra-low Dispersion glass and it’s highly sought after in the optics industry. You can go online and do some research on ED glass and you’ll see all sorts of fantastic (as well as scientific) information about the glass. But I’m going to keep things pretty simple here, haha.
The special thing about ED glass is the brightness, image clarity, vibrant colors as well as resolution of details it produces. If you are a serious hunter or birdwatcher, you’ll do well to get a bino that has ED glass. Also, ED glass prevents or reduces chromatic aberrations which occur when your binocular is unable to focus lights of different wavelengths. Chromatic aberrations manifest as faint halos around objects which results in poor image quality. Using an ED glass will help prevent this.
So when you see a binocular that has ED glass, it means that the manufacturer is very serious about image quality. Note that the fact that there’s ED in the name of a binocular doesn’t actually mean the binocular contains ED glass. That’s why I included binos that not only have ED glass but high-quality ED glass in this list
What To Take Into Consideration When Choosing Your Binoculars
Size and Weight
Binoculars can be classified as compact, midsize, or full-size when it comes to size. And it’s the size of the objective that actually determines the size of a binocular. Generally, compact binoculars have objective lens that does not exceed 30mm (8×25, 10×28, etc.).
Midsize binoculars are larger than the compact models and have objective lens sizes that range between 30mm to 40mm (10×30, 8×32, etc.). Full-size binoculars on the other hand have the largest objective lens of all, exceeding 40mm (8×42, 10×50, etc.).
The size of the binocular you go for depends on your preferences and the type of activity you want to partake in. Compact binoculars, sometimes called travel binoculars, are lightweight and portable and offer you a type of convenience that’s unparalleled. This makes them easier to transport, store and use.
Mid-size binoculars are a bit bulkier than compact binoculars but they are not so bulky that they are difficult to transport, become a burden, or slow you down. Full-size binoculars are very powerful but also very bulky. You’ll definitely have to use a tripod with full-size binoculars. One thing you need to understand is that there are always tradeoffs between the size and performance of a binocular.
If you prioritize performance over anything else, you’ll want to go for a bigger binocular. But usually, you won’t have to go as far as full-size binos as there are several midsize and compact binoculars with top-notch eyepiece design and coatings that perform similarly full-size binoculars.But if you really want to travel light, then you should look for smaller binos.
Magnification and Objective Lens Diameter
The magnification power and objective lens diameter of a binocular are specified clearly by the manufacturer. You must have seen something like 8×25, 10×42 in the reviews of the binoculars above. The first number is usually the magnification power and it refers to the number of times the image that the binocular produces has been enlarged/magnified. This means that a binocular with a magnification power of 10 enlarges the images you are seeing ten folds.
How much light that can enter the binocular and ultimately your eyes is determined by the size of the objective lens. Bigger objective lens means more light will be able to enter the binocular and this will result in images of better quality. But there is a limit to how big the objective lens can be as there is a corresponding increase in the size of the binocular as the objective lens gets bigger. Manufacturers usually find a balance between objective lens diameter and binocular size.
Field Of View
The field of view of a binocular refers to the width of the area you see when using a binocular. The larger the field of view of a bino, the easier you’ll be able to locate objects or animals as you can see wider. Activities like hunting and birdwatching generally require binoculars with a large field of view.
Weather-resistant / Waterproof / Fog-Proof
One of the things about the outdoors is that the weather can be very unpredictable. It can be sunny one moment and then boom, it starts raining suddenly. And this is why you need weatherproof binoculars which are either waterproof, fog proof or both.
Waterproof binoculars come with completely sealed O-rings which prevent water from penetrating the binocular. It’s common to see manufacturers using an internationally accepted standard to quantify the extent to which a binocular is waterproof.
The interior of binoculars are filled or purged with inert or unreactive gases like nitrogen or argon to make them fogproof. Fogging is said to occur in a binocular when moisture penetrates to the inside and condenses on the optical components thereby compromising image color as well as durability. And let me just mention that there is no significant difference between nitrogen or argon as far as fog proofing a binocular is concerned.
N.B: All fog-proof binoculars are waterproof, but NOT all waterproof binoculars are fog-proof.
Prisms
Popular prisms used to manufacture binoculars include BAK4, BK7, and SK15 prisms. And the type of prisms used in a binocular will impact the optical performance of the binocular. BAK4 is generally considered the best prism that can be used in a binocular because of its stunning light transmission properties. The prism also has a higher refractive index and lower critical angle.
SK15 is another excellent prism with superb properties that can give BAK4 a run for its money. Some manufacturers even prefer to use SK15 in their binos because SK15 has the highest refraction of all the prism material. And this leads to the production of high-contrast images.
BK7 is more affordable than the previous two but has a lower optical performance. Some manufacturers favor BK7 because it is the cheapest prism material.
Lens Coatings
Coating the lens of a binocular will generally improve the optical performance as there will be a reduction in glare and reflections. But all coatings are not equal. And this is why you should go for binos with high-quality coatings.
Binoculars usually come as coated, multi-coated or fully multi-coated. Binoculars with fully multi-coated lenses perform excellently due to the multiple layers of coating materials that are applied to the whole lens.
Multi-coated lens, in which the lens has multiple layers of coating, comes next while coated lenses have the least performance due to the single layer of coating material.
Eye Relief
An important feature for people that wear glasses. The eye relief of a binocular refers to the distance between your eye and the eyepiece when you are using the binocular. People wearing glasses should go for binoculars that have eye relief of at least 11mm.
Chassis Materials
The chassis of a binocular is the frame on which the whole optics is built. And the chassis material determines how durable a binocular will be. Common chassis materials include aluminum, magnesium and polycarbonate.
Aluminum is the most popular chassis material and is used for its strength, lightweight, corrosion resistance and affordable price. Magnesium is also very strong and is even lighter than aluminum. Polycarbonate has the advantage of being very temperature resistant and can handle extreme conditions better than the two metals.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the best binoculars under 1000 dollars and a comprehensive buying guide so you know what to look out for. We have reviewed many binoculars under $50, under $100, under $200, under $300, and also under $500. This provides you with high-quality binoculars across a wide range of budgets/prices.
But if you pay a bit extra and go for binoculars under $1000, the true color, absolute precision, high-definition image, and unmatched durability you’ll enjoy will make the binos totally worth the price. Choose one today and open yourself to a world of new possibilities!
