The 3 Best Best Birding Binoculars on the Market in 2023

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We've narrowed down the best binoculars for every experience level and budget.

For many of us, there's nothing quite as meditative and relaxing as spending a day in the great outdoors, taking in all nature has to offer (you are Country Living readers, after all!). And the more time you spend soaking up that pastoral peacefulness, the easier it is to find yourself completely entranced by one of Mother Nature's daintiest but most fierce species: the bird.

So, it's no surprise you've found yourself here, researching the best way to spot and observe those winged beauties. It's no doubt that a good pair of binoculars will completely transform your bird watching experience, but if you've done the research and gotten completely overwhelmed, we totally understand. There are a lot of birding binoculars on the options, and the choices can range wildly in price, from under $100 to thousands. Not to mention the technical aspects of birding binoculars. There are plenty of terms you'll want to be familiar with when buying, whether you're shopping for yourself or finding a gift for a family member!

With all of this in mind, we reached out to Andrew Dreelin, a PhD candidate at Northern Illinois University and a Smithsonian Fellow who's currently doing research with the Smithsonian’s Great Plains Science Program on the Montana prairie, one of America’s last intact grasslands. Put in more basic terms: he uses birding binoculars almost every day, so, needless to say, he's an expert in what to look for.

Andrew took some time away from his research with the Smithsonian to give us all the intel on exactly what to look for when shopping for birding binoculars and to help us determine the best of the best on the market.

We get that these binoculars are a hefty investment, but there's absolutely no match for their quality. "With binoculars, you really do get what you pay for, so it’s worth aiming for the higher end of your budget, regardless of what it is," Dreelin says. So, if you can stretch your budget to splurge on these, then it's an investment that'll pay off.

The EL Binoculars come in four different magnification levels and objective lens sizes, though Amazon only lists the two most popular: 8.5x42 and 10x42. Looking at the 8.5x42 model, the shortest focusing distance is impressive, coming in at just over 10 feet. They also weight just shy of 30 ounces, making them one of the lightest binoculars on the market. In addition to being lightweight, the EL Binoculars also feature a wrap-around grip that users love. These binoculars are designed to be functional in a range of conditions, going from -13 degrees F up to 131 degrees F.

But the real beauty in these binoculars lies in their technical features. The EL includes SWAROVISION, a technology that allows these binoculars to bring the most high-definition view on the market. Before the EL was unveiled in the 1990s, Swarovski was primarily focused on binoculars designed for hunters, with a stiff focusing mechanism. The EL changed all of that. These binoculars were made to be easily handled with a swift focusing mechanism that can adjust in seconds.

Ironically, the EL binoculars have become almost as beloved in the hunting community as they have the birding community. But they still stand out as the best birding binoculars on the market since their inception nearly three decades ago.

Coming in at a mid-range price point, the ZEISS Conquest binoculars are great for the bird watcher who's ready to graduate from their beginner pair but not ready to stretch the budget to splurge on something over $1,000. They have quite a few noticeable upgrades on the Nikon Monarch M5.

For starters, the field of view in the Conquest binoculars is 384 feet, close competition for the Swarovski's 399. Their focusing distance is best out of the group, with an incredible 6.6 feet on the 8x42 model. The operating temperature ranges from -22 degrees F to 145 degrees F, also the best out of the group. They are water resistant up to a little over 13 feet, so you can rest assured that they can handle almost anything you put them through.

The truly defining feature for the Conquest binoculars is the hi-definition picture. While not as high-quality as the Swarovski, the Conquest was designed to be used in non-optimal conditions. The LotuTec® lens coating performs in all weather conditions, including rain. They also feature a 90% to-the-eye light transmission, making them easy to use on darker days and in the evening. The ZEISS T* coating helps with this, giving users high-contrast images even on the gloomiest of days.

While the Conquest binoculars aren't the heaviest of the group, they're not far behind. We'd still consider 28 ounces lightweight, but they do tip the scale a bit more than their cheaper Nikon counterpart. They also don't include a lot of information about their grip, so we can't speak to how easy they are to handle.

Not ready to invest more than a couple hundred dollars for a new pair of birding binoculars? The Nikon Monarch M5 gives plenty of the same features many more expensive models offer, but for an under-$300 price tag.

Most notably, the Monarch M5 comes with Nikon's ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass. This feature eliminates most distortion, giving a high-quality view that rivals that of models that are over twice the price. We also love that users can get an incredible 8.2 foot focusing distance, even better than the highest-priced Swarovski model.

In terms of comfort, the Monarch M5 delivers, with quick-and-easy focus and easily adjustable eye cups that can be used with glasses. The rubber body doesn't grip as well as more expensive models, but it does provide enough that the binoculars should feel safe in your hands.

Impressively, the Monarch M5 comes in at an even lower weight than our highest priced model, at just 22.2 ounces. It also comes in two other magnification levels: 10 and 12.

While this Nikon option makes a great choice for a beginner, there's a good chance you'll want to upgrade in a few years to binoculars that have a more hi-definition picture quality. The field of vision is also more limited with the Monarch M5. It comes in at around 350 feet, whereas the Swarovski model is just about 400 feet. Information on the Nikon's weather-proofing is vague, but they are waterproof up to 3.3 ft. for 10 minutes. So while they aren't as durable as binoculars at a higher price, they should withstand a bit of wear and tear. But, if you're looking for a pair of binoculars that get's you started on your bird watching journey, then this pair is perfect.

Before getting into what the best magnification is for binoculars, we'll want to take a deeper look at what magnification actually is. "Essentially, the magnification determines how many times the image you’re looking at is magnified, usually by 8 or 10 times," Dreelin says. "In crude terms, it’s how much 'zoom' you have."

When you're researching birding binoculars, you'll often spot two numbers following a product's name. The first of these numbers is the magnification, while the second is the objective lens size. While the magnification lens is used for getting a closer look at an object, the objective lens determines you field of view.

"There’s a trade-offs between these features — the larger the magnification, the smaller the field of view gets," Dreelin told us. "This means you have to be a little more precise when raising your binoculars to a bird at larger magnifications."

As for the best magnification and objective lens size, that's pretty dependent on your personal preferences, according to Dreelin. "There’s not one right answer for magnification — it all comes down to personal preference and what balance of magnification vs. field of view resonates with the user," he says. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Generally though, birders pick between an 8x or a 10x magnification."

It might be easy for a novice bird watcher to think that they'll have no need for binoculars that can with stand the elements, but Dreelin cautions against this mentality, no matter your experience level. "Even if you don’t go out in harsh weather, I advise getting binoculars that are waterproof and can stand up to the elements," he says. "Heat, humidity, and salt corrosion can all wear on binoculars."

Even if you don't plan on getting out in inclement weather anytime soon to study birds, Dreelin advises that it's always good for a birder to stay on top of weather patterns. "Weather plays a major part in shaping how birds move and behave, so I’m always looking at the latest weather to inform my birding, especially during migration" he says. "I highly recommend checking out BirdCast — it’s a great website for learning how weather affects migration patterns in real-time."

While we've done the research above and listed the top birding binoculars on the market in 2023, you might find that there are a few other factors you want to take a more in depth look at before investing in a new pair.

"Comfort is key," Dreelin told us. "If your binoculars feel uncomfortable, it’s going to detract from your experience in the field." There are a few key features you'll want to look at when it comes to how comfortable a pair of birding binoculars are. First, the eye cups and the grip. "I’m constantly lifting my binoculars up and down, as well as tracking certain individuals for long periods of time. So for me, I really want the eye cups feel comfortable on my face, and I also want the grip on the barrels to feel right in my hands." Avoid any binoculars that have a super smooth exterior, as you'll be more likely to drop those. You'll also want to look for adequate padding around the eye cups. Dreelin also warns against buying binoculars that are too hefty. You definitely don't want to go in for the day early because your arms got tired!

In addition to comfort, you'll also want to be aware of each brand's warranty on their binoculars. "A good pair of binoculars is an investment that should last many years. Even without an accident, some wear and tear is inevitable," Dreelin shares. "Knowing that there’s a good warranty so that I can have a part replaced or a problem repaired is a huge comfort."

But, before you start overthinking it too much, just remember: the main purpose here is to enjoy nature and observe her beauty! "Regardless of your budget or your brand, the most important thing is to get a pair of binoculars, go outside, and start looking at birds," Dreelin says. "Binoculars are amazing tools that help us connect with nature on so many levels, so take advantage and have some great experiences with the magical world of birds!"

Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.

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