The best binoculars for bird watching should provide you with the best experience in terms of field of view, stability and magnification. Choosing the right binoculars to observe wildlife will depend on your available budget. The best birding binoculars may not be cheap. They may not be compact, either. Your task is to find the right combination of power, price and portability.
How To Choose the Best Binoculars for Bird Watching
Here are the main things to look for when shopping around for binoculars to use for bird watching.
– Big Objective Lenses
The ideal binoculars for bird watching need relatively bigger objective lenses.This will allow you to find and frame the birds with ease. A wide visual area will also allow you to track these birds while flying, without losing them from sight.
– Size – The More Compact, the Merrier
At the same time, they need to be fairly easy to walk around with for longer time. Since birding trips may require a lot of walking and perhaps some crawling through bushes, you should try to buy the smallest binoculars you can, without compromising on the specifications that make it possible to watch fast moving items such as birds.
– Speed of Focus
Bird watching also requires fast focusing capabilities. You can’t expect for those birds to wait for you to adjust your diopter and to find your focus. This is why speed should be one of your top priorities when shopping around and performing comparisons of birding binoculars.
As better focusing speed comes at a price, you should decide upon your available budget to start with, and only after that look for binoculars that fit into your price range.
– Waterproof, Weatherproof & Other Features
If you are a kayaking enthusiast, you’ll have to get a pair of waterproof binoculars to watch those birds directly from your kayak. If you want to watch night birds such as owls, you’ll have to shop for a night vision scope.
Top Birding Binoculars for 2020
Assuming that you already know your priorities and your must-have requirements, let’s see some of the best birding binoculars available on the market.
Quick Comparison of Our Top Binoculars for Birding
| Image | Model | Magnification | Objective Lens Size (mm) | Weight | Price & Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Vortex Optics Diamondback 10x28 Binoculars | 10x | 28 | 230 g | Check price |
  | Celestron 71332 Nature DX 8x42 Binocular | 8x | 42 | 800 g | Check price |
  | Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 | 10x | 25 | 265 g | Check price |
  | Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular | 10x | 28 | 700 g | Check Price |
  | Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB Waterproof Black Binoculars | 8x | 25 | 340 g | Check price |
Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×28 Binoculars
The Vortex Optics Diamondback binoculars are compact and relatively lightweight. Their short hinge design allows you to find the perfect adjustment for a non-slip, firm grip. The ultra-wide field of view enables you to cover a big area.
The binoculars weigh 1.55 pounds, being therefore a good choice for those who enjoy spending a lot of time on their legs. While they may not really fit inside of your pockets, the good news is that these compact binoculars come with a semi-hard fitted case and with a neck strap. The rubber armor and the argon purging make this gadget waterproof and fog-proof. You won’t have to worry about being caught in extreme weather conditions wearing your binoculars around your neck.
The best thing about Diamondback binocular is their high-quality optical system. The dielectric, coated lenses are excellent in low light conditions, this being one of the main reasons why I’ve included the Vortex Optics Diamondback on my list of the best compact binoculars for birding and wildlife observation. When you are out there in the forest, it gets dark much faster than in open space conditions. It’s always good to have a reliable pair of binoculars to count on. According to many user reviews, these binoculars are brighter, clearer, better at focusing and easier to handle than many other renowned brands such as Nikon and Bushnell.
Buy the Vortex Optics Diamondback Binoculars 10×42 here
Celestron 71332 Nature DX 8×42 Binocular
Compact, rugged and waterproof, the Celestron Nature DX binocular has been designed with the outdoor lover in mind. It features high-quality multi-coated lenses for enhanced luminosity even in dim light conditions. At 1.75 pounds, it is rather a mid-size binocular than a compact one, but its durability recommends it as one of the best options for outdoor trips and mountain hiking.
The binocular comes with a detailed instructions manual, a neck strap and a carrying case, as well as with lens caps and eyepiece rainguard. The waterproof rubber casing and the lens caps will prove useful for kayaking adventures, as they would protect your device from the inevitable water splashes. This is also what recommends these binoculars for bird watching.
You need to keep in mind that and combination between the 8x magnification and the 42mm lens will result in a shaky and bumpy image. You may need a fair amount of practice to get used to holding these binoculars still.
Cheaper than the Vortex Viper or Zeiss Conquest HD, the Celestron Nature DX will offer you a great bird viewing experience at a fair price. Nonetheless, you should keep in mind that the relatively lower price comes with some limitations in terms of image quality. If you want top notch image clarity and sharpness, take a look into more expensive binocular brands and models.
Buy the Celestron Nature DX Binoculars 8×42 here
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular
If you can’t stand chromatic aberrations, you should consider getting a binocular with lenses made from ED glass. The ED prime glass is only one of the specifications that recommend the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD binocular as the best compact binoculars for travel and hiking. The ultra wide band anti-reflex lens coating offers an excellent image brightness and it makes the binocular quite effective even in low light conditions. The wide field of view enables you to cover a larger surface area. This can prove to be very useful for birding and stargazing purposes.
Weighing 1.54 pounds, the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD isn’t too different from other binoculars in its class. However, some user reviews find it better in terms of value for money. Other reviews believe that the image is brighter and sharper than in case of some expensive binocular brands. The truth is that you can’t compare this device with one that costs about ten times more, as this wouldn’t be a fair comparison
Unfortunately, the objective lens covers need to be completely removed each time you want to use your binoculars. This means you need to take good care where you keep them, as you can easily lose them during your bird watching trips.
