The Best Value For Money Binoculars
For many people who haven't researched binoculars and who don't know much about them, there are two main methods that they use to choose their binoculars:
The most common way is to pick the largest magnification at the cheapest price because the common misconception is the bigger the magnification, the better the binocular. This is a fatal combination and what you end up with is a truly terrible pair of optics, little better (and in some cases worse) than a toy - so even though they were cheap, they still make very bad value for money.
On the other extreme and for those that can afford it, some people just pick the most expensive binoculars that they can find. At least in this case they are almost guaranteed of getting an excellent pair of binoculars. But are they great value for money? Here lies my problem when deciding on what makes a good value for money binocular. Take Bill Gates for example, even the most expensive pair of binoculars on earth, for him would be mere pocket change and as such I suppose yes, as long as they are also very high quality optics, for him they are good value for money. For the average working person the amount would seem excessive for the relatively small gain in performance to a good quality mid priced binocular. So "good value" is related to what you perceive to be a reasonable amount of money.
On this page below are listed the best value binoculars within the main price brackets and all you have to do is decide on your budget and then take a look at the best within that price range.
How are the Best Value Binoculars Chosen?
My definition of a good value for money binocular is one that gives you the most features, best quality components and the best image quality for the least amount of money possible.
All the binoculars that I now review are rated in a number of key areas: Body Construction Quality, Body Stats, Optical Components Quality, Optical Stats, Image Quality and Extras & Attention to Detail. These individual scores combine to give an overall score (for more information on this see the Best Rated Binoculars). So for a binocular to feature on this page and therefore be rated as being best value for money, they must have achieved an excellent score within their price particular category:
Best Value Mid Priced Binoculars
The binoculars below are all within the mid price category (approx: $130 - $300 / £130 - £300) and have scored at least 80% on the Best Binocular Reviews Ratings scale:
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Eden Quality 8x42 XP Binoculars |
A lightweight waterproof body covers some quality components like BAK-4 prisms with dielectric and phase-correction coatings that produce a high quality image.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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Vanguard 8x42 Spirit ED Binoculars |
These 8x42's combine very high quality optics that includes extra low dispersion glass, phase correction coatings on Bak-4 prisims with a tough, lightweight body that is 100% fog and waterproof and what you get is a great pair of binoculars ideal for birdwatching as well as everyday use.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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Vanguard 10x42 Spirit ED Binoculars |
Quality features like Fully Multi-Coated Extra Low dispersion Glass, phase corrected Bak-4 prisims encased in a lightweight and tough fog and waterproof body combine to ensure that this Vanguard binocular has an excellent performance to price ratio
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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Minox 10x42 BV BRW Binoculars |
Designed as Minox put it with an outstanding price to performance ratio, these binoculars with quality features like fully multi-coated lens elements, phase corrected prisms & a tough fully water & fogproof body do indeed offer plenty bang for your buck.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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 Discount Binoculars: These Minox 10x42 BV binoculars are available at a discount on Amazon.com, Binoculars.com and Eagle Optics in the US as well as Warehouse Express in the UK.
>> Check Prices |
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Kowa 8x25 BD Binoculars |
Very high quality compact roof prism binoculars that are fully fog and waterproof. They also feature fully multi-coated optics and phase correction coatings on the prisms that produce a excellent qaulity, bright image with a wide field of view.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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Barr & Stroud 8x42 Savannah ED Binoculars |
With high quality ED Glass lenses, Phase Coated Bak-4 Prisms and a very wide field of view these make an excellent choice as a birding, wildlife observation and general use binocular.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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Vanguard 10x42 Spirit Binoculars |
Very lightweight, tough, waterproof as well as fogproof 10x42 binoculars, with quality optics and at a great price. These Vanguard Spirit binoculars make ideal general use, wildlife observation and sports binoculars.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
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The binoculars above are in my opinion the very best value for money in this price category. It is important to remember that this is just a guide to help you make a shortlist and there are many other binoculars that I have reviewed that also give you plenty bang for your buck and may be in other peoples opinions even better value for money:
Best Value Mid-High Priced Binoculars
The binoculars below are all within the mid-high price category (approx: $300 - $500 / £300 - £500) and have scored at least 85% on the Best Binocular Reviews Ratings scale:
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Eagle Optics 8x42 Ranger ED Binoculars |
These impressive Eagle Optics binoculars are packed with quality features like ED glass & phase corrected Bak-4 prisms combined with a very comfortable and functional open bridge body design that is both water and fogproof. They also have a very wide field of view, which should really appeal to birders.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
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Vortex 8x42 Viper HD Binoculars |
High quality binoculars that includes optical features like extra-low dispersion glass (HD), fully multi-coated lenses, phase correction coatings on the roof prisms, encased in a tough yet lightweight, fog and waterproof body.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
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Vanguard 8.5x45 Endeavor ED Binoculars |
Vanguard's top of the range Endeavor ED binoculars feature Large 45mm objective lenses, extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and are 100% waterproof and fogproof: Ideal Wildlife and Birding Binoculars.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
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Swift 8.5x44 Audubon ED Binoculars |
With uncompromising quality, this top of the range Swift Audubon model is designed with nature and bird watching specifically in mind. Just like the other models in the Audubon range they come with a tough exterior that is shockproof, waterproof and fogproof, high quality BaK4 prisms, fully multi-coated optics, but also include extra low dispersion glass (ED), to give an even clearer, sharper images.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
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Swift 8.5x44 Audubon Binoculars |
Swift Sport Optics were designed by birders for birders and subsequently been rated "Best Buy" by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Better View Desired, and the English publication "British Birds." Their 8.5x44 optical formula is in their opinion, the perfect ratio for the ultimate birdwatching binoculars. Combine this with BaK 4 prisms and fully multi-coated optics, a tough exterior that is shockproof, waterproof and fogproof and you start to think that they could be right.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
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Swift 8.5x44 Audubon Binoculars |
Swift Sport Optics have added this roof prism version of their excellent Audubon binocular range. The have the same renowned 8.5x44 optical formula, BaK4 prisms, twist-up eyecups, and lightweight rubber armored body as the porro prism Audubons, but are smaller and lighter in this format. Fully multi-coated optics and BaK4 prisms for high resolution viewing, excellent 19mm eye relief and a left diopter adjustment operated from the center focus knob for a more convenient quick focus.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
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The binoculars above are in my opinion the very best value for money within this price category. It is important to remember that this is just a guide to help you make a shortlist and there are many other binoculars that I have reviewed that also give you plenty bang for your buck and may be in other peoples opinions even better value for money:
Best Value High Priced Binoculars
The binoculars below are all within the high price category (approx: $500-$1200 / £500-£1200) and have scored at least 87% on the Best Binocular Reviews Ratings scale:
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Minox 8x43 HG Binoculars |
Fully Waterproof & Fogproof binoculars featuring Minox's Quick-Close-Focus mechanism, Fully Multi-Coated optics, Phase coated Bak-4 Roof Prisims and a host of other top of the range features. In short very high quality binoculars manufactured in Germany at a very good price.
Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars
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Kowa 10x33 Genesis XD Binoculars |
High-End mid sized roof prism binoculars featuring Prominar XD Lenses (extra low dispersion glass), fully multi-coated lenses and phase corrected Schmidt-Pechan prisms to ensure excellent optical performance.
This Kowa Genisis binocular is also fully waterproof, fog-proof and lightweight, with a durable and tough rubber coated armour exterior.
Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars
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The binoculars above are in my opinion the very best value for money within this price category. It is important to remember that this is just a guide to help you make a shortlist and there are many other binoculars that I have reviewed that also give you plenty bang for your buck and may be in other peoples opinions even better value for money:
Best Value Expensive Binoculars
The binoculars below are all within the expensive price category (> $1200 / > £1200) and have scored at least 92% on the Best Binocular Reviews Ratings scale:
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Nikon 10x42 EDG Binoculars |
Designed to compete with the best binoculars in the world, the 10x42 Nikon EDG binocular comes with Nikon's fantastic ED glass lenses and advanced multilayer coating and phase correction roof prisms that produce stunning clear images with a powerful 10x magnification, a tough, waterproof and fog-proof body and so much more.
Price: (6/6) Expensive Binoculars
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Kowa 10.5x44 Genesis XD Binoculars |
Designed to compete with the very best this Kowa Genesis XD44 binocular utilizes optical technology taken from their popular range of TSN Spotting Scopes including the excellent Prominar XD lens to make a binocular that produces images of the highest quality. Combined with a tough waterproof body, these make excellent binoculars for nature viewing, outdoor sports and general use.
Price: (6/6) Expensive Binoculars
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Discount Binoculars: A discount of between 7% and 12% is being offered on these Kowa Genesis XD44 Binoculars at Amazon.com Binoculars.com and Eagle Optics in the USA
>> Check Prices |
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The binoculars above are in my opinion the very best value for money within this price category. It is important to remember that this is just a guide to help you make a shortlist and there are many other binoculars that I have reviewed that also give you plenty bang for your buck and may be in other peoples opinions even better value for money:
Best Value Low Cost Binoculars
The binoculars below are all within the low cost price category ($50 - $130 / £50 - £130) and have scored at least 70% on the Best Binocular Reviews Ratings scale:
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Kowa 8x30 YF Binoculars |
This 8x30 Kowa YF Series binocular is great low cost mid-sized porro prism binocular with fully multi-coated optics that produce an excellent quality image.
The body is tough, fully waterproof, fog proof and very lightweight.
Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars
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Barr & Stroud 10x42 Sierra Binoculars |
Featuring excellent quality phase coated BaK-4 roof prisms, combined with fully multi-coated lenses and a tough waterproof exterior and all at a very reasonable price. These Barr & Stroud 10x42 Sierra binoculars really are excellent value for money.
Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars
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The binoculars above are in my opinion the very best value for money within this price category. It is important to remember that this is just a guide to help you make a shortlist and there are many other binoculars that I have reviewed that also give you plenty bang for your buck and may be in other peoples opinions even better value for money:
