Ready to level up your birdwatching game without emptying your wallet?
You’re in luck, because we’ve scoured the market to find the best binoculars that’ll give you the most bang for your buck.
Whether you’re just starting out needing to pick up your first pair of entry level binoculars or just looking to change up your gear without breaking the bank, we’ve got you covered.
Quality optics are essential for spotting our often elusive bird buds, but they don’t always have to cost an arm and a wing.
In this guide, we’re sharing our top budget binocular picks that combine affordability with impressive image quality, proving that you don’t need to sacrifice broad, bright views to get an excellent value in a quality pair of binoculars.
We wouldn’t necessarily call them the “best cheap binoculars” because that just sounds sort of, well, cheap. But, we’ll proudly call them the best budget binoculars at the best value for the money.
Factors to consider
You’re probably wondering why some binoculars cost as much as a weekend getaway while others are priced like, well, something a lot less extravagant. Well, binoculars are essentially a pair of telescopes fastened together and that sort of magnification just isn’t cheap.
Optical quality
For the best optical quality you need high quality glass that shows you bright, clear views with accurate color representation. Even in a more affordable pair, there are options with surprisingly good optics that provide exceptional views during not only sunny days but even provide impressive low light performance.
Lenses
Behind the stellar optical performance of the bright, crystal-clear views you get with pricier binoculars lies in the lenses and the coatings applied to them. Higher-quality glass is precision-engineered to reduce distortion and minimize the amount of light that gets scattered as it passes through.
High quality binoculars have lenses with multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings to reduce light reflections and increase light transmission. The highest level of lens coatings are fully coated with multiple layers and described as “fully multi-coated”. While this may sound a bit tricky, neither “fully coated” or “multi-coated” are synonymous with “fully multi-coated”.
Prisms
Binoculars come with two types of prisms—roof or Porro. The slick, streamlined ones have a roof prism and the more bulky a Porro prism. Porro prism binoculars are generally more budget-friendly than roof prism binoculars primarily because they’re more straightforward in their design and, thus, more affordable to manufacture.
Like lenses, the glass quality of prisms matters and they also have coatings to increase light transmittance. As you might have guessed, better glass and coatings increase the price. For prism glass, BAK4 is the best of the best. BK7 is the most commonly used and though it’s not considered as good as BAK4, it’s still very good at transmitting light. Less common is SK15, which falls between the other two in quality.
Objective lens diameter
The larger their objective lens, the more the binoculars are likely to cost. Bigger lenses mean more light gathering, and more light means bright images. But those larger lenses? They’re not cheap.
Materials and components
Like in any product manufacturing, the type of materials and components used and how (and where) they’re manufactured make a big difference in price. The same is true for binoculars.
For example, chassis materials ranging from polycarbonate plastic to lightweight aluminum to magnesium alloy all have different price points. As expected, the higher quality and more durable the material, the higher the cost. Plastic tends to be cheaper (and less sturdy) while metal alloys are pricier but offer better durability.
Other components like focus wheels, diopter adjustments, and eyecups can also affect the overall cost of binoculars. More advanced features such as rubber armor coating for better grip, waterproofing, and fog proofing also contribute to the final price tag and as well as including lens covers, neck straps, or carrying cases, or providing a warranty.
For more details on binocular specs, check out our guide to choosing the right ‘nocs here.
Our Top Binoculars Picks at a Glance
Best budget pocket binoculars: Hawke Endurance ED 8×25
Best budget lightweight binoculars: Maven C.2 7×28
Best budget compact binoculars: Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 8×32
Best budget binoculars under $100: Athlon Optics Neos G2 HD 8×42
Best value for money: Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8×32
Best budget full-sized binoculars: Nikon PROSTAFF 3S 8×42
Hawke Endurance ED 8×25
- Field of view: 356'
- Eye relief: 13 mm
- Close focus: 6.6'
- Fully multi-coated: Yes
- Fog and waterproof: Yes
- Weight: 0.68 lbs
Hawke brings something pretty special to the table. First off, the image clarity. We’re talking bright, sharp images that really pop, thanks to the ED glass. It’s like HD for your outdoor adventures.
And color fidelity? Check. You get those lush, natural colors without any weird tinting.
And, the build? Tough, but still compact and lightweight, making them a no-brainer to sling around your neck or stash in your pack for quick access.
Both the field of view and close focus distance are pretty decent, giving you a good view look at those critters near and far.
The eye relief could be better. It just might take a bit of adjusting to find that viewing sweet spot if you’re bespectacled.
For what you’re getting—quality, durability, and fantastic optical performance—it’s an incredible value.
Maven C.2 7×28
- Field of view: 341'
- Eye relief: 16 mm
- Close focus: 9.8'
- Fully multi-coated: Yes
- Fog and waterproof: Yes
- Weight: 0.78 lbs
From focusing in on sporting events to spotting wildlife, these Maven’s are one of the best compact options on the market.
The ergonomics are worth mentioning. They fit snugly in your hands, and the balance is just right, making them feel like an extension of your eyes rather than an additional piece of equipment.
The eyecups, with their comfortable twist-up mechanism, make for easy viewing, even for those of us who wear glasses. Plus, they’re incredibly light at comfortably under a pound.
The quick focus mechanism is smooth and intuitive enough so that you won’t find yourself missing out on views because you were fiddling with the focus wheel.
And once you settle into a view, the image quality is sharp, with vibrant colors and incredible detail.
Plus, the build quality feels really sturdy and reliable. That build combined with impressive performance at, like, a super good price, make these Maven’s a solid choice.
Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 8×32
- Field of view: 426'
- Eye relief: 16 mm
- Close focus: 5'
- Fully multi-coated: Yes
- Fog and waterproof: Yes
- Weight: 0.99 lbs
The Vortex Diamondback HD’s strike a perfect balance between affordability and performance. The fully multi-coated lenses help bring out the finest details and vibrant, true to life colors.
Their great optics are supported by an impressive field of view that’s perfect for bird watching and an equally impressive close focus for when you want to take a closer look nearby.
A sturdy build with rubber armor provides durability and a solid grip, while argon purging and O-ring seals ensure your binoculars stay protected and your view stays clear.
And, for those of us who wear glasses, the generous 16 mm eye relief means you can use these binoculars comfortably and adjustable eyecups make viewing more comfortable whether you’re wearing glasses or not.
The Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 8×32 binoculars offer a fantastic combination of portability, durability, and optical quality at a wildly reasonable price, but if you’re looking for something at an even lower price point (and even lighter!), check out the Vortex Vanquish 8×26.
Athlon Optics Neos G2 HD 8×42
- Field of view: 367'
- Close focus: 13.1'
- Eye relief: 17 mm
- Coatings: Fully multi-coated
- Fog and waterproof: Yes
- Weight: 1.3 lbs
We give them two enthusiastic thumbs up for their high density BAK-4 prisms and fully multi coated optics that help deliver bright, clear, and color-true views.
They’re a bit on the hefty side, but did we mention they COST LESS THAN $100?! An absolute steal for the quality and performance.
Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8×32
- Field of view: 410'
- Eye relief: 15.6 mm
- Close focus: 6.5'
- Fully multi-coated: Yes
- Fog and waterproof: Yes
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
The Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8×32 stands out as one of the best compact models available. For starters, the image quality here is top-notch, thanks to its ED glass and fully broadband multi-coated lenses that produce detailed and bright images.
They’re lightweight at just over a pound, with a compact size that doesn’t compromise on durability thanks to their rubber-coated magnesium alloy frame, waterproof design, and nitrogen purging.
Plus, that rubber coating combined with their smooth focus wheel and adjustable twist-up eyecups make them extremely comfortable for bird watching
While their close focus and field of view specs don’t necessarily stand out on our list, both are still very impressive. There’s a short enough close focus to see what’s going on nearby, but a field of view and magnification that takes you far away.
Considering these binoculars somehow balance producing vibrant, detailed views within a well-built mini(-ish) machine that’s easy and comfortable to operate all for a super reasonable price – they’re a killer value.
But if you want to save a bit more and stay in the Celestron family, check out the Nature DX 8×42. They don’t tend to feel as great in your hands, but the image quality is impressive and they’re about half the price.
Nikon PROSTAFF 3S 8×42
When it comes to optics, this full-sized pair really delivers. The lenses are fully multi-coated to boost light transmission, giving you bright, sharp views even in the dim light of dawn or dusk—prime time for bird activity. The 8x magnification hits the sweet spot, balancing a stable view with a broad field of vision to easily track those speedy flyers.
The smooth focus knob means you can snap into focus fast, essential for catching those fleeting moments in nature. And whether you wear glasses or not, the adjustable eyecups and more than sufficient eye relief make sure you’re spotting birds in comfort.
Plus, these binoculars are surprisingly lightweight for their optical prowess, so your arms won’t tire, even after hours of birding.
If you’re looking for reliable, user-friendly binoculars that punch above their weight in optical quality, the Nikon PROSTAFF P3 8x42s are a fantastic pick. They combine top-notch performance with a price that’s easy on your wallet.
