The Takeaway:
1. Our Pick: Bushnell Falcon 133410 Binoculars
2. Runner-Up: Celestron Skymaster Giant Binoculars
3. Also Great: Olympus Trooper DPSI
A good pair of binoculars is a fundamental component of your hunting gear. They’re there for you when you don’t want to be burdened with the extra gear of a spotting scope, for when you need a quick look across the marsh to count the tines on that swamp buck coming out of the scrub brush, or for tracking that mule deer after you hit it and runs those final few yards.
While it is one of the most important pieces of your gear, a good pair of binoculars doesn’t need to cost you an arm and a leg.
So, to help you find the best binocular for the money, we’ve put together a list of some of the most functional and affordable binoculars out there.
We looked specifically for the best value-for-money binoculars but paid extra attention to choosing binoculars that are good out in the field with primary use for hunting. Each of these binoculars has what it takes to get you through the hunting season while leaving you with enough money left over for extra ammo, but our favorite is the Bushnell Falcon Binoculars.
Our Pick: Bushnell Falcon 133410 Binoculars
These binoculars have a magnification of 7x with an objective lens size of 35mm, making them a good pair of all-purpose binoculars useful for when you’re trekking through the gently rolling forests of the Midwest to the forested mountains of the West to even the dense and rugged hills of the Southeast.
An insta focus lever allows you to easily and quickly adjust the focus with just one finger. The focus is smooth but with just enough resistance to let you fine-tune the focus to bring in the details perfectly. The Porro prism and coated lenses provide a crisp view with clear outlines and true colors.
These binoculars also feature a 12mm eye relief with fold-down eyecups for those wearing eyeglasses or goggles while down at the shooting range. With close-focus viewing of 20 feet and a field of view (FOV) of 420 feet and a thousand yards, these binoculars are truly versatile and will quickly become your go-to binoculars.
A rubber armor coating helps to protect these binoculars from scratches while providing you with a more secure grip. At just over eight inches long and weighing just 21 ounces, these binoculars fit comfortably in your hands but won’t weigh you down while out in the field. They come with a carrying case and neck strap.
These binoculars pack a lot of value, and with a price that costs less than it does for a tank of gas, it’s pretty clear why we chose these as the best binoculars for the money.
Runner-Up: Celestron Skymaster Giant Binoculars 71009-AZ-DS
The Celestron SkyMaster 71009-AZ-DS are one of the most affordable giant binoculars available, providing you with great long-distance viewing with the crisp, clear optics that you need to track that elk on the next mountain ridge over.
These binoculars have a magnification of 15x and an enormous objective lens size of 70mm that lets in a ton of light, making these a great choice for hunting in the early morning or on hazy days.
However, these binoculars are also a great choice for casual viewing of the night sky, affording you a more intimate view of the moon and any near-earth objects.
Featuring BAK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics, these binoculars will provide sharp details and strong color contrast even when viewing at a distance. Despite being great for long-distance viewing and astronomical use, these binoculars have a decent close focus of 43 feet.
Their field of view (FOV) is 230 feet at one thousand yards, providing a wide of view to track a moving target but with plenty of details to keep you from losing sight of your target should it duck amongst the trees.
Between the great distance viewing, sharp, detailed views, and good close focus, these really are one of the best binoculars for money.
As these are giant binoculars and have a large objective lens size, they are a bit larger, at 11 inches long. They also are a bit heavier at three pounds, so while this isn’t too bad for casual use, for extended use, you may want to take advantage of the tripod adapter. Included are a nylon carrying case, lens caps, cleaning cloth, and neck strap.
Also Great: Olympus Trooper DPSI
Recommended For: Anyone who loves the great outdoors!
These binoculars have a magnification of 8x with an objective lens size of 40mm, which really makes them great for all-purpose uses, especially with their length of just over seven inches and weight of just over two pounds. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but once you’ve walked a mile or so out to that secret hunting spot only to take down a monster buck, a pair of heavy and bulky binoculars can really become a pain to have to lug back, getting in your way and slowing you down.
These binoculars have BK-7 Porro prism with optics featuring both a UV coating to help to protect your eyes and an anti-reflective coating to help reduce glare and provide brighter views. The lens elements are also aspherical to help eliminate distortion.
A large focus knob allows you to focus quickly and easily, while built-in dioptric correction adjusts the focus for individual eyesight. These binoculars also feature a rugged rubber armor housing to protect them and provide a sure grip.The close focus is 13.1 feet while the field of view (FOV) is 429 feet and one thousand yards, making these binoculars versatile and well-suited for various applications.
Other Products to Consider
Tasco Essentials Porro Prism 170150
There’s a lot of love about these binoculars. The 10x magnification and 50mm objective lens provide excellent power while letting in plenty of light to see in less than great lighting conditions. This comes in handy for those days that start off looking gorgeous but quickly turn hazy and overcast.
These binoculars also feature a zip focus that allows for nearly instant focusing so you can quickly get a detailed look and count the tines on that trophy buck. The Porro prism and fully multi-coated optics provide crisp outlines and sharp color contrast. These binoculars feature fold-down eyecups to allow for comfortable use while wearing eyeglass or goggles. The rubber armor coating provides weather resistance and lets you keep a strong grip on these even in wet conditions.
These binoculars are 15.5 inches long and weigh 26.4 ounces, making them a bit on the long side but light enough to comfortably take with you anywhere and use for extended periods of time. The field of view of 367 feet at one thousand yards provides a wide-angle view for tracking moving targets while still providing plenty of detail. Included is a carrying case and neck strap.
What Is The Best Binocular for the Money In 2024?
The best binocular for the money doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck with a cheap-o pair of binoculars from the department store shelf. These binoculars prove that affordability and quality can go hand in hand. Our pick for the best binoculars for the money is the Bushnell Falcon Binoculars.
They have a versatile magnification strength and objective lens size, and their lightweight and smaller size is even more reason to take these binoculars with you everywhere. Plus, at such a great price, you can pick up a few extra pairs, so you always have one in the truck, one in the house, and one for hunting.
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Sources and Official Brand Websites