If you have been looking to invest in a new pair of small binoculars to replace your full frame binoculars or an outdated pair of small binoculars, then pay close attention to the information below.
More and more people are getting excited at the idea of sliding a pair small, compact and easy to carry binoculars into a pocket every single time they step out into the wilderness.
Hopefully you will be able to use the information provided below to find your next binoculars without any headache or hassle whatsoever, selecting the right pieces of equipment for your specific needs.
Compact Binoculars Video Review - Watch Below
The Best Compact Binoculars Available
While it is really hard to say what is the "best" compact binocular because there are so many different needs and uses, we can say what our "favorites" are.
Nikon 7507 Premier LX-L
The Nikon Premier LX-L will be in our under $500 / £500 category. It is a 10x25 binocular that is just amazing.
The below table highlights the best compact binoculars currently available for sale.
Not only do these amazing binoculars weigh only 10.5 ounces and are 100% waterproof and fog proof, but they offer an amazing field of view of 282 feet at 1,000 yards.
They measure in at 4.3 x 4.4 inches, so they can easily fit in the palm of your hand, your pocket, or just about anywhere and go everywhere with you.
It also comes in an 8x20 model if you want something a bit smaller.
What I like most about them is they stand by their product. They have a $10 return policy where they will repair or replace it even if it's your fault, for just $10 plus shipping.
You're really getting a lot!
Zeiss Terra ED
These ones are going to fit into our mid-range category and come in around $300 give or take.
This is a 10x25 binocular as well and has a field of view of 97m at 1000m which is about 290 ft at 1000 yards.
They are completely waterproof and can operate well from -4 to 145 F, which should do quite well for you in almost any circumstances.
The best part it has amazing clarity in it's images. It uses a special hydrophobic multi-coating and guarantee 100% natural colors. It's perfect for bird watching, viewing nature, or just about anything else you might do in your day-to-day life.
They also come with a 2-year guarantee on their product which is pretty good. If something is going to go wrong, it will probably happen in those first two years.
Eschenbach Adventure D
Next up is the Eschenbach Adventure D 8x25 Compact Binocular
This fills out our list in the lower price range of $100-$200.
Like the others, it is waterproof and fogproof, so it's perfect to go just about anywhere with you.
We like it because it's a lower priced option and you can get it in either 8x or 10x options.
It comes with top quality BAK-4 prisms but is also powerful and lightweight. It has very clear images with little distortion which is great for bird watching.
It has an impressive 110m field of view which is about 329 feet and a weight of only 12.8 ounces.
Overall, you won't get the image quality or warranty of a $500 pair, but you'll get a good image, good quality, and a very fair price.
Some Other Really Good Compact Binoculars
Here is a list with some other options to help you with your shopping decision. We don't go into as much detail on this list, but it breaks down some of the important factors to consider when buying compact binoculars.
| Picture | Binoculars | Size | FOV | Weight | Rating | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture | Binoculars | Size | FOV | Weight | Rating | Cost |
| Nikon ACULON Compact Zoom Binoculars | 8-24x25 | 241 ft. | 12oz | 4.4 | $$ | |
| Celestron 71332 Nature DX | 8x42 | 388 ft. | 11oz | 4.6 | $ | |
| Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars | 10x25 | 285 ft. | 12oz | 4.7 | $$$ | |
| Leica Trinovid BCA Black Binoculars | 10x25 | 273 ft. | 9oz | 4.7 | $$$$ | |
| Leica Ultravid BR Compact Binocular | 10x25 | 273 ft. | 9oz | 4.8 | $$$$ | |
| Vortex Diamondback Binoculars | 8x28 | 360 ft | 14oz | 4.7 | $$$ | |
| Vortex Optics Viper Series Waterproof Binocular | 8x28 | 319 ft | 12oz | N/A | $$$ | |
| Carl Zeiss Victory Compact Binoculars | 10x25 | 285 ft | 9oz | 5 | $$$$ | |
| Pentax Papilio Binoculars | 6.5x21 | 393 ft | 10oz | 4.9 | $ | |
| Nikon Premier LX-L Binoculars | 8x20 | 356 ft | 10oz | 3.8 | $$$$ |
Table Legend:
- Size: Size of the binoculars e.g. Magnification x Lens Diameter
- Field of View (FOV): Measurement of what can be seen through the binoculars
- Weight: Weight of binoculars
- Rating: Rating provided by reviews on Amazon.com
- Cost: $$$$ = Very High Priced, $$$ = High Priced, $$ = Low Priced, $ = Cheap
Download My FULL Excel Sheet with over 200 Binoculars
I’ve compiled an Excel spreadsheet with all the binoculars that Amazon stock. I’m happy to share it with you. As it’s Excel you can slice and dice the data however you choose.
Thanks for sharing! Click HERE to download the Excel file.
Why Would you Want Compact Binoculars in the First Place?
There are any different number of reasons why you would want to have the best small binoculars on your person at all times, including but not limited to:
- Having the instant ability to zoom in on just about anything at a moment’s notice
- To be able to eliminate much of the extra weight that you would have to pack into the woods on a regular basis
- To be able to unobtrusively observe anything through the lenses of your binoculars
- To squirrel away your binoculars into sporting events, concerts, or other “nosebleed” situations where they may not be as welcome as you had hoped
Obviously, the list included above is nowhere near as complete and comprehensive as all of the different reasons to purchase the best small binoculars you can find – but it’s certainly a great place to start.
The odds are pretty fantastic that if you have already decided to find some pocket binoculars that you already have a number of uses lined up in your mind, so hopefully the rest of this quick guide can provide you with the information you need to make the right selection
What Sets Compact Binoculars Apart from all Others?
Most people believe that the best small binoculars out there are exactly like their full framed brethren, but miniaturized. And while that is exactly what the truly top-of-the-line pocket binocular solutions are, you have to understand that there are a lot of small binoculars out there that fall well short of this ideal.
The first thing that you want to look for in top-of-the-line compact binoculars is the quality of the glass used throughout.
Too terribly often, pocket binoculars are priced at ridiculously low levels – which all but forces the manufacturer to use lower-level glass that just cannot produce the same kind of stunning image quality that you could expect from a “more expensive” full framed unit.
Secondly, you need to make sure that you are purchasing a pair of small binoculars that can hang with your adventures without ever becoming compromised along the way.
Whenever you step out into the woods, there is a pretty high chance that you are going to suffer some bumps, bruises, and even a couple of spills.
It’s vital that you know that your compact binoculars are built to high levels of durability and reliability so that they never become compromised when you need them most.
Thirdly, it’s important that you always try to invest in the best small binoculars you can find from a well-known and reputable brand.
Sure, there are major advancements in the world of binoculars happening on a daily basis, but you should always trust your optical equipment purchases to names that have been around the block for a while – names that have built a reputation in the optical community for producing products that you can rely on.
When is it Disadvantageous to Have Small Compact Binoculars Instead of Full Frame Ones?
There are certainly some circumstances where you will absolutely love having the best mini binoculars on your person, but there are also some circumstances where you wouldn’t want to have a pair of mini binoculars – but would instead want a full framed unit (or maybe even a spotting scope).
Some of the circumstances involved stationary “viewing angles”, say a blind that has been built in a cornfield, stationed at the end of a shooting range, or anywhere else where you could have packed in a full framed pair of binoculars without any extra effort whatsoever.
How do You Make Sure that You are Purchasing the Best Compact Binoculars out there?
Though you are probably going to find a number of different ways to purchase the best small binoculars available, the smartest way is to always trust your investment to companies and products that are produced by the best manufacturers into binoculars world.
Obviously, this is going to cost a bit more than it would if you were willing to go with any “off brand” solution of available – and there may even be circumstances where you just need a cheap pair of mini binoculars that you can knock around with.
At the same time, understand that you almost always get what you pay for when it comes to the world of optics, and you cannot trust important optics situations with low-quality pieces of equipment.
Closing Thoughts
Finding the best pocket binoculars can be more than a little bit of an appeal battle, but hopefully you find the information provided above to be useful in your search.
There are definitely a lot of quality products out there on the market right now, even if you have to go through a bit of digging to secure them.
The best compact binoculars are the ones that fit your budget, provide crystal clear visual capabilities, and are a perfect match to the applications that you have in mind for your new binoculars.
Pay close attention to any reviews you find out there on the market, but make sure that you are always allowing your own usage ideas to influence your decision.