If you are a birder or going on a birding safari, or even a hiker, you might wonder which binoculars are the best compact binoculars for bird watching.
Table of Contents
Today, I will review 13 different compact binoculars for you, so let’s go!
But first: why would you get a compact binocular for birdwatching?
To find out which type of binoculars you need, you need to think about the situation in which you will use the binoculars.
If you want a pair of binoculars to go fishing, for example, while just sitting on a chair, you might as well get a regular pair of binoculars..
But if you are going for a hike/safari/theater/birdwatching, it is handier to be able to have your binoculars fit in a handbag or backpack and thus get a pair of compact binoculars.
What To Look For And Considerations When Getting A Compact Binocular For Birdwatching?
1. Compact and lightweight.
An ideal compact binocular for bird watching is lightweight and easy/quick to use.
2. Magnification factor
You don’t really need an extremely large magnification factor for this, binoculars that have a magnification factor of 8x-10x are sufficient.
These are suitable for almost everyone because you can stabilize them more easily. When you have doubts, opt for an 8x magnification.
Having one with a wide view angle is useful, so that the bird that you are watching, doesn’t quickly disappear from your view.
3. Lighting Conditions
When choosing a compact binocular for birdwatching, pay close attention to the lighting conditions.
For more intense use in various climates, it is sensible to buy pressure-tight binoculars with a special (nitrogen) gas filling, as this prevents condensation on the lenses.
If you want to watch birds at night, you need to choose a high twilight factor and a large exit pupil of 5,2, for example. The higher this latter number, the better the device performs in low light.
4. How to carry the binoculars
Something extra that you could definitely use is a carrying strap for your binoculars when you take it on a hiking trip or on a boat. Trust me: that is not a luxury thing at all 😉
Are they easily positioned in your hands, do they feel comfortable to you, and do they focus easily?
Also, make sure to not see black borders around the eye view.
10 Best Compact Binoculars For Bird Watching – A Quick oversight
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This is a pretty decent pair of binoculars for a reasonable price, but it can get a little bit too heavy if you are birding for a longer time on end. See full review.
These binoculars have excellent sharpness, but the locking mechanism to prevent the diopter setting from being inadvertently changed is difficult. See full review
the long eye relief makes it easier to use with glasses
perfect for birdwatching!
extremely good sharpness and contrast
ideal for astronomical observations
you could read a newspaper from 5 meters away with these binoculars
the price/quality ratio is superb
Cons
the lens protectors seem to come off quite easily, beware of losing them
there seems to be a black border that you can’t get rid of
the shoulder strap is not handy
the eyecup design is quite hard
My Final Conclusion:
I think that these compact binoculars would be perfect for birdwatching, but I would not purchase them for hiking because of easily losing the eye protectors.
Product Number 3: Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Binoculars
Stars:
Technical details:
Objective Lens Diameter: 50 Millimeters
Magnification Maximum: 12x magnification
field of view: 273’/5,2°
eye relief: 15,0
prism type: roof prism, HD
dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 5 inches
weight: 29.5 Ounces
best to use: hunting, birding, hiking, outdoor sports
Ergonomic eyecups, keeping side light, wind, dust, and glare from your eyesight
terrific modern design
they are very compact and handy to use
The adaptive lens technology ensures the best view under the sun. It gives a clear image without a shimmer from water, sand, snow, or sky. Also fog proof.
waterproof
binoculars are very easy to adjust
quite sturdy
Cons
the best quality means a higher price 😉
the average eye relief makes these binoculars not have 5 stars
there is a problem with the straps to the pouch: you have to share the strap between the binoculars & the pouch
My Final Conclusion:
This is a little more expensive pair of binoculars, but it is worthwhile if you are birdwatching or hiking in different weather circumstances and it has a nice form of technology!
Product number 6: Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars for Adults and Kids
Stars:
Technical details:
Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
Magnification Maximum: 8 x
field of view: 8,1°
Field of view at 1000 yards: 426 ft
prism type: Compact BAK4 Roof Prisms
Near focus: 6,5ft
Eye relief: 17,2
Interpupillary distance: 57-74mm
dimensions: 5.2 x 3.3 x 5.7 inches
weight: 1.56 Pounds
best to use: Hiking and Outdoors, Birding, Hunting and Shooting or Sports
the camouflage print makes it ideal for birdwatching and hunting
overall image sharpness, image-edge sharpness, and brightness are excellent
The rubber covering on these binoculars is ribbed for a secure grip in wet conditions
excellent price/quality score
Cons
The interpupillary distance adjustment (width), and the main focus are somewhat stiffer
The locking mechanism to prevent the diopter setting from being inadvertently changed is difficult on these binoculars
The twist-up eyecups on the Bushnells have a limited range, and no detents and the right eyecup rises noticeably higher than the left, so attention has to be paid to their respective levels.
My Final Conclusion
I would definitely buy these binoculars, as they give a sharp image that I am looking for
Product number 10: ZEISS Terra ED Binoculars
Stars:
Technical details:
Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
Magnification Maximum: 8 x
field of view: 442 ft. @ 1,000 yds.
prism type: unknown
Near focus: unknown
Exit pupil diameter: 4mm
eye relief: 16,5 mm
dimensions: 4.6 x 4.9-inches
weight: 18 oz. / 510 g
best to use: hunting, outdoor sports, and birding
comes with: rain guard, objective lens covers, a case, and a neck strap
Made from: SCHOTT ED – glass with a hydrophobic multi-coating
These binoculars might be a little too heavy for hunting but seems perfect for birdwatching.
Product number 11: Maven C1 12X42mm ED Binoculars
Stars:
Technical details:
Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
Magnification Maximum: 10x
field of view: FOV is 262ft @ 1000y
eye relief: 15mm
Prism type: Schmidt-Pechan
close focus view: 1.8 M or about 6 ft
Exit pupil: 3,5 mm
The angle of field: 6.5 degrees
dimensions: 5 x 2.1 x 5.7 inches
weight: 1.54 lbs
best to use: hunting, outdoor sports, hiking, and birdwatching
comes with: 4 protection lens caps: bottoms with elastic straps over the bottom of the binoculars and tops you attach to the supplied well-cushioned shoulder strap
can be submerged in 3 feet of water for 5 minutes without leaking
Crystal clear optics
Lightweight yet sturdy
very good image quality
construction, ergonomics and armoring are good
Cons
Made in China
price/quality seems somewhat off balance
not enough purchases to get a decent general review
My Final Conclusion:
For this price, I would hesitate in buying these binoculars, as not many people have reviewed it yet.
Some FAQs on the best compact binoculars for bird watching
I have gathered more questions that you might have on compact binoculars for bird watching and answered all for you in this paragraph.
Is 8x42 or 10x42 better for birdwatching?
If you plan to use the binoculars for more than just birdwatching, binoculars with 8x magnification are the most popular choice. With 8x binoculars you have a much larger field of view than binoculars with 10x magnification or more, this makes bird watching a lot easier.
Other things to look out for when purchasing compact binoculars for birdwatching?
It is a lot easier to have compact binoculars for birdwatching that are lightweight, have a wide view, and have an ergonomic strap so that your arms don't get tired quickly when birding for hours on end.
Wich type of binoculars are best for birdwatching?
Most birders have a preference for binoculars with a wider view of 8X for birdwatching, as you can more easily follow the birds while they are flying.
Are these type of binoculars suitable for stargazing?
There is no short answer to this, as lots of these are suitable to watch the stars, but in some, cheaper ones, that isn't always the case. So you need to check out each review on these compact binoculars.
Or you can ask the seller of certain binoculars this question to be sure!
I hope to have informed you enough about the 13 best compact binoculars for bird watching.
If you have any more questions, please leave a comment below in the comment section.
As I love to watch and photograph birds myself, I would love to see your pictures as well, so you can share them as well on my Facebook group if you like.
4 thoughts on “The 13 Best Compact Binoculars For Bird Watching”
Thanks for this helpful guide on the best compact binoculars for bird watching. For starters, it’s helpful to know that compact binoculars make a great choice because they are portable enough to keep nearby in a handbag or backpack. I have a larger set that I use at home, but they would be too cumbersome to keep on me at all times. Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons of these choices – I found a couple that look perfect!
To find out which type of binoculars you need, you need to think about the situation in which you will use the binoculars. If you want a pair of binoculars to go fishing, for example, while just sitting on a chair, you might as well get a regular pair of binoculars.. But if you are going for a hike/safari/theaterr/birdwatching, it is handier to be able to have your binoculars fit in a handbag or backpack and thus get a pair of compact binoculars.
Thanks for this helpful guide on the best compact binoculars for bird watching. For starters, it’s helpful to know that compact binoculars make a great choice because they are portable enough to keep nearby in a handbag or backpack. I have a larger set that I use at home, but they would be too cumbersome to keep on me at all times. Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons of these choices – I found a couple that look perfect!
Hi Aly!
You are very welcome and I hope you will find a suitable binocular for birdwatching soon!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
To find out which type of binoculars you need, you need to think about the situation in which you will use the binoculars.
If you want a pair of binoculars to go fishing, for example, while just sitting on a chair, you might as well get a regular pair of binoculars..
But if you are going for a hike/safari/theaterr/birdwatching, it is handier to be able to have your binoculars fit in a handbag or backpack and thus get a pair of compact binoculars.
Hi Liam,
Yes,that is exactly what I mean when I wrote this article, thank you for the confirmation 🙂
Kind regards,
Lizzy