The best binoculars
For the garden feeder, the coast path or the football. The binoculars worth giving, by budget and pocket size.
Binoculars are one of those presents that turn an ordinary walk into something more: the kestrel on the motorway verge, the seals off the headland, the woodpecker on the garden feeder.
The numbers tell you most of it. 10x42 means ten times closer through 42mm lenses; bigger lenses are brighter but heavier. We've picked full-size pairs for birdwatchers and compact ones for pockets and children.
What matters
- Magnification: 8x or 10x is steady; 12x shows more shake.
- Lens size: 42mm+ is brighter, 25mm is pocketable.
- Waterproofing, for British weather.
- Long eye relief if they wear glasses.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Nikon PROSTAFF P7 10x42 Binoculars
£229.00 RRP
Proper birdwatching binoculars from a great optics name: bright, sharp 10x42 glass, waterproof to a metre, and a coating that lets rain and fingerprints wipe straight off the lenses.
What owners say: Owners find them an excellent all-rounder with crystal clear, sharp views, light and sturdy, and well worth the price.
A closer look: Glasses wearers: twist the eyecups down and you'll still see the whole view. Set the right-eye dial (diopter) once, with the left eye shut, and the centre wheel does the rest from then on.
- 10x magnification, 42mm lenses
- Waterproof (1m for 10 minutes) and fog-free
- Water- and oil-repellent lens coating
- Long eye relief for glasses wearers
- Case and neck strap
Best for: Serious birdwatching
- Power
- 10x42
- Size
- Full-size
- Eye relief
- 15mm+ (good with glasses)
- Waterproof
- Yes (1m, 10 min)
- Comes with
- Case, strap
#2 of 5
Best value
Kylietech 12x42 Binoculars with Phone Adapter
£20–£30 Price range
Full-size 12x42 binoculars with BAK4 prisms for bright views, plus a phone adapter so you can snap the bird you've just spotted. Great value for a first proper pair.
What owners say: Owners find them excellent for bird watching and wildlife spotting, with clear views and a light build, and good value.
A closer look: At 12x, any hand shake shows, so rest your elbows on a wall or fence, or use a tripod for long watching. Check which lens is your phone's main camera before fitting the adapter.
- 12x magnification, 42mm lenses
- BAK4 prisms, fully multi-coated
- Phone adapter included
- Waterproof and fog-proof
- Tripod mountable
Best for: A first full-size pair
- Power
- 12x42
- Size
- Full-size
- Eye relief
- 15mm
- Waterproof
- Yes
- Comes with
- Phone adapter, case
#3 of 5
Best big lenses
usogood 12x50 Binoculars with Tripod and Phone Adapter
£30–£50 Price range
Big 50mm lenses gather more light for dawn and dusk, and the kit comes with a phone adapter and a small tripod for long watches of the garden feeder or the night sky.
What owners say: Owners find them great quality and value, with a clear, wide view, easy to use with glasses, and steady enough for photos.
A closer look: Close focus of 5m means they work in an ordinary garden, not just across fields. Set them on the tripod by the window and the birds on the feeder fill the view.
- 12x magnification, 50mm lenses
- Phone adapter and tripod included
- Focuses as close as 5m
- Waterproof, rubber armoured
- Twist-up eyecups
Best for: Low light and the garden
- Power
- 12x50
- Size
- Full-size
- Eye relief
- 15.7mm
- Waterproof
- Yes
- Comes with
- Tripod, phone adapter
#4 of 5
Best for kids
Hontry 10x25 Compact Binoculars
£20–£30 Price range
Palm-sized at 260g, and the eyepieces close up narrow enough to fit a child's face as well as an adult's, so the whole family can share them on walks.
What owners say: Owners find them sharp and light, ideal for birdwatching and walks, and good for children.
Heads up: They're splash-resistant rather than waterproof, so keep them in the bag when the rain sets in.
A closer look: Keep them in the car glove box for walks and days out: small binoculars that are always there get far more use than big ones left at home.
- 10x magnification, 25mm lenses
- 260g, palm-sized
- Fits children and adults (60–75mm)
- BAK4 prisms
- Bag, strap and cloth
Best for: Families and children
- Power
- 10x25
- Size
- Compact
- Eye relief
- 10mm
- Waterproof
- Water-repellent
- Comes with
- Bag, strap
#5 of 5
Most pocketable
Aurosports 10x25 Compact Binoculars
£20–£30 Price range
At 249g they fold small enough for a coat pocket, handy for cruises, concerts, football and dog walks as much as birdwatching.
What owners say: Owners find them surprisingly good, with strong magnification and wide views, and love that they fit a coat pocket.
A closer look: Fold the barrels together to fit your eyes' spacing, then focus with the centre wheel. The rubber grip helps on a wet deck or a windy clifftop.
- 10x magnification, 25mm lenses
- 249g, folds to pocket size
- BAK4 prisms, fully multi-coated
- Waterproof
- 2-year warranty
Best for: Pockets and travel
- Power
- 10x25
- Size
- Compact
- Eye relief
- 14.8mm
- Waterproof
- Yes
- Comes with
- Case
How they compare
| Feature | #1Nikon PROSTAFF P7 | #2Kylietech 12x42 | #3usogood 12x50 | #4Hontry 10x25 | #5Aurosports 10x25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best value | Best big lenses | Best for kids | Most pocketable | |
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Price | £229.00 RRP | £20–£30 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range |
| Power | 10x42 | 12x42 | 12x50 | 10x25 | 10x25 |
| Size | Full-size | Full-size | Full-size | Compact | Compact |
| Eye relief | 15mm+ (good with glasses) | 15mm | 15.7mm | 10mm | 14.8mm |
| Waterproof | Yes (1m, 10 min) | Yes | Yes | Water-repellent | Yes |
| Comes with | Case, strap | Phone adapter, case | Tripod, phone adapter | Bag, strap | Case |
| Best for | Serious birdwatching | A first full-size pair | Low light and the garden | Families and children | Pockets and travel |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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