The Best Budget Binoculars for Birding for the Backyard Bird Watcher

The best tool you can buy to become a great backyard bird watcher is, surprisingly, not a feeder and not a birdhouse. It’s actually a pair of binoculars! While the best binoculars for bird watching are usually pretty expensive, you don’t need to spend a lot of money for birding in your garden. There are many worthy candidates competing for the best budget binoculars for birding and you’ll find the top 10 on this article.

How We Define The Best Budget Binoculars For Birding

The words “best” and “budget” are open to many interpretations, and in order to make a fair comparison we had to set some very specific criteria.

For us, budget means under or right at 150 dollars. While this is not pocket money for every backyard bird watcher, it’s usually achievable for a piece of equipment that will last you several years. There are cheaper options, of course, and in some cases it’s worth checking some more spendy options when on sale (check out Black Friday or Prime day offers for example for the best binoculars for the money). But if you want a budget binocular for watching birds this summer you don’t need to spend a fortune.

The rest of the criteria we use are quite straightforward:

• We wanted binoculars for birding that have great optics and a relatively large range. However, since you will be watching birds in your backyard we looked for binoculars that had a field of vision around 1000 yards.
• They have to be weatherproof, fog proof and durable.
• They need to be comfortable. Anything too heavy or difficult to handle risks you making sudden movements that scare away the birds.
• Ease of use: Anything that takes longer than a few seconds to focus is a no-no even for a budget binocular. You want to be quick to see those elusive Indigo Buntings in your backyard!

As they are, after all, the best budget binoculars for bird watching with emphasis on the budget, there are always going to be trade offs. It’s important to purchase from a store that allows you to test them at home and have a good returns policy.

The Best Budget Binoculars For Bird Watching

Nikon Prostaff 3S 8×42

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1,919 Reviews

PROSTAFF 3S 10×42

• Multilayer-coated kenses for brighter images
• High-reflectivity silver-alloy mirror coatings for a bright and clear view
• Turn-and-slide rubber multi-click eyecups
• Water Proof and Fogproof

The Nikon Prostaff 3S is a very solid piece of hardware for the amateur backyard bird watcher, and will come useful in bird watching day trips as well. They are very lightweight and are best in class in terms of clarity, brightness and color definition. They are small and have very good grip, and are weatherproof and won’t fog when the weather is humid. If you wear glasses, you will find the eye relief design really comfortable and you can adjust the distance between the eyes and the position of the eyecups with a turn and slider rubber mechanism. The field of view of 367ft is very adequate at 1000 yards, which should be enough to watch any feeder, birdhouse or favourite bird spot in your garden. They are one of the best budget compact binoculars for birding at this price range.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD E-Series 10x 42

144 Reviews

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD E-Series 10x 42mm Binoculars, Black

• 10 x 42Millimeter
• Legend E Series
• 340ft field of view

We think the Bushnell Legend are one of the best budget binoculars for birding particularly if you want something able to see birds in low light conditions. If you want to observe birds that come at dawn or dusk, this one is the perfect choice. It has very good clarity and contrast, and the colors are vivid and bright. Do you want enjoy hummingbirds feeding at dawn at their colorful best? This pair of binoculars will help you do that. They are significantly heavier and possibly less comfortable than the Prostaff ones, but the tradeoff is worth it for the low light zoom quality. They also perform admirably in wet weather with a patented permanent water-repellent coating that makes water and snow beat up tightly to avoid scattering the light.

Celestron Nature DX 8×42

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3,904 Reviews

Celestron – Nature DX 8×42 Binoculars – Outdoor and Birding Binocular – Fully Multi-coated with BaK-4 Prisms – Rubber Armored – Fog & Waterproof Binoculars – Top Pick Optics

• THE PERFECT BINOCULARS FOR EVERY ADVENTURE: The views through Nature DX rival those of more expensive binoculars, at a price to fit your budget. Nature DX 8×42 reveals image detail you won’t find with other entry-level binoculars.
• TOP-RATED GLASS OPTICS WITH IMPRESSIVE SPECS: Fully multi-coated lenses boost contrast and resolution while phase-coated BaK-4 glass prisms maximize light transmission. These binoculars feature a comfortable 8x magnification and a 6.5-ft close focus.
• DURABLE, WATERPROOF BODY: A rubber-armored, polycarbonate housing protects your binoculars from damage and stands up to the toughest weather conditions. They’re also fully waterproof and nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging of the lenses.
• UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand in California since 1960. Purchasing from an Authorized Dealer on Amazon gives you a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty & US-based expert tech support.
• BONUS ACCESSORIES: Take this binocular with you anywhere. We’ve included a compact carrying case, objective lens caps, an eyepiece rainguard, a neck strap, a lens cloth, and an instruction manual.

The first thing to admire about the Celestron Nature DX is the great color saturation and the optical performance. Bright and sharp images and a wide field of view of 388 feet at 1000 yards makes birding a breeze. They are also waterproof and fog-proof, so perfect binoculars for bird watching in less than ideal weather. They are not the most comfortable budget binoculars binoculars at this price range, but they are lightweight and resilient. As a bonus, they come with everything you may need in terms of accessories: compact carrying case, lens caps, an eyepiece rainguard, neck strap, and lens cloth. The limited lifetime warranty is also great if you are thinking of buying this as a gift for a bird watching fan.

Athlon Optics Neos G2 HD Binocular

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182 Reviews

Athlon Optics 8×42 Neos G2 HD Binoculars with Eye Relief for Adults and Kids, High-Powered Binoculars for Hunting, Birdwatching, and More

• High-Definition View: These high-definition binoculars have advanced fully multi-coated lenses, ultra-clear brightness, and true color representation
• Top-Tier Viewing Experience: Athlon Optics Neos provides ED glass and high-quality BaK-4 prisms for a sharper image and an ESP dielectric coating and phase correction for accurate color reproduction
• Fog-Proof & Durable: Composite chassis is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged for 100% waterproofing and fog-proofing; tough XPL lens coating prevents scratches and dirt buildup
• Versatile Use: Use these binoculars for hunting, birdwatching, stargazing, or as travel accessories
• Built for the Outdoors: Athlon is a proud US sports optics product company; we are devoted to delivering superior quality optic products and outdoor accessories at a competitive price

Looking for the best budget binoculars for birding at under 100 dollars? The Athlon Optics Neos G2 HD Binocular are the best binoculars for the money. Waterproof, comfortably large and solid, this pair of budget binoculars will be perfect for somebody with larger hands and a low budget. They make for great beginner bird watching equipment but they may feel a bit sluggish in terms of handling and close-focus capacity. However, the image quality is there: bright, clear and true to color. The warranty is extensive and lifetime, which is great for a pair of binoculars at this price. The long eye relief works great for glass wearers as it allows for full visibility of the field of view. The field of view stands at 367 feet wide at 1000 yards. Fog proof, water-proof and with the possibility of buying a slightly different closer focus version (10×42 instead of 8×42) that works great for sporting events for a bit more money.

Nikon Aculon A30 10×25

9 Reviews

Nikon 6492 Aculon A30 10×25 Binocular Spotting Scopes, Black

• Featuring multicoated eco-glass lenses, this is a quality optic at an affordable price that you can take with you on any outdoor Adventure
• Aculon A30 10×25 binoculars are an extremely portable binocular that weighs in at less than 10-ounces
• Nikon is contributing to technology in numerous fields

Nikon is a brand trusted by many a backyard bird watcher, and the Nikon Aculon A30 10×25 doesn’t disappoint. They are one of the best binoculars for the money at under $100, but they don’t sacrifice performance to achieve that price. The optics are delightful, with multi-layer coated lenses. They are foldable and lightweight and easy to bring with you on trips or just have handy to watch birds from your window. The 25mm objective lens and the 10x magnification makes them a great option for most amateur birders, but they are definitely fair weather binoculars: no weatherproof, no fog-proof and no zoom function. However, it’s definitely worth sacrificing those features to have budget access to Nikon optics unless you intend to use them in the wild where water damage could be a real issue.

OLYMPUS 8-16X40 Zoom DPS

6,728 Reviews

OLYMPUS 8-16X40 Zoom DPS I Binocular

• Maximum image brightness
• Large centre focus knob for fast and easy focusing
• Sure grip rubber coating
• The binoculars measure 5.8 x 18.2 x 15.2 cm and weight 0.79 kg
• Zoom capability of 8 ‑ 16x

Small, portable and affordable, the OLYMPUS 8-16X40 Zoom DPS has a very traditional porro prism design and an extra wide 65 degrees field of view which makes it a great option for bird watching in open areas. You can adjust the focus via an intuitive central knob, which makes it very beginner friendly. It is not waterproof or lightweight, which may pose a problem but if they are one of the best budget binoculars for birding in your backyard. The focus distance starts at around 32.8 feet and the zoom goes up to 16x which is more than reasonable for bird watching at this price range. The anti-reflective lens coating offers great image brightness and the rubberised casing offers great grip.

Bushnell All Purpose Binoculars, Black, 10 x 42mm

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732 Reviews

Bushnell All Purpose Binoculars, Black, 10 x 42mm

• High-quality bk-7 Prisms
• Nitrogen-purged construction resists fogging
• Includes nylon shell case with attached webbing strap
• Long Eye relief
• Center focus

The Bushnell All Purpose are one of the best binoculars for the money, in this case very little money. They are a traditional roof prism build with a large eye relief that makes them comfortable for glass wearers. They are not the most lightweight option or the smallest, but they are easy to carry around and the lens quality is much better than you’d expect for this price. Unusually for budget binoculars on this price range, this model features nitrogen purged construction which makes them fog-proof in humid conditions and perfect for outdoors use. They don’t have the quality feeling of other, more expensive porro prism binos, but they are worth checking out if you are price-conscious and want a slim, comfortable design.

Celestron UpClose G2 8×21 Roof Binocular

One of your children wants to become a backyard bird watcher. Or you want to see your hummingbird feeder visitors in more detail but you don’t want to spend money. The Celestron UpClose G2 is cheaper than fast food, and still will provide you with many hours of amusement. This pair of very very affordable roof prism binos have multi-coated optics for better image quality, a lightweight aluminum body and an ergonomic and user-friendly water-resistant body. Not the best but definitely the best use of less than 20 dollars you are going to find. Also, pretty practical for sports watching!

Opticron Oregon 8×32

29 Reviews

Opticron Oregon 4 PC 8×32 Binocular

• Package Dimensions: 19.1 H x 7.7 L x 17.0 W (centimetres)
• Package Weight: 0.774 kilograms
• Long eye relief eyepieces for spectacle wearers with twist-type retractable eyecups
• Country of Origin : China

While just slightly above the 150 dollars budget, the Opticron Oregon 8×32 is well worth the very slight extra expense and this is why it made it to our list of the best budget binoculars for birding. They are a great pair of entry level bird watching binoculars that feel and perform like many more expensive pairs. The long eye relief eyepieces are great for glasses wearers, and the eyecups are retractable. They are fog-resistant thanks to the nitrogen purged construction. The close focus is surprisingly good, which allows you to see insects and other small creatures magnified. But at the same time, the field of view is very wide at 1000 yards and clear and sharp to the edges. If you like roof prism binoculars consider this one.

SkyGenius 10×50

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13,132 Reviews

SkyGenius 10 x 50 Binoculars for Adults Full-Size, Binoculars for Bird Watching Sightseeing Wildlife Watching with Low Light Night Vision

• [Professional Powerful Binoculars] SkyGenius 10×50 Binoculars Designed with 10X power magnification, 50mm large objective lens, and 367ft/1000yds large field of view are ideal for fast-moving subjects such as bird watching, driving, sports events.
• [Weak Light Vision with Quality Optics] Design of Aspherical lenses and multi-layer coating guarantee excellent light transmission and well improve image brightness, contrast, and quality. birding binoculars can be used at night, but not in complete darkness
• [Durable, Solid, and Anti-slip Grip] Binoculars adopted durable structure with odorless rubber armor for shock-resistance and Anti-slip grip, making them not only in decent appearance of more wear-resistant but also perfect for outdoor activities such as climbing, hiking
• [Easy to Focus] Corrective optical coating is great for color fidelity and minimizes distortion. Diopter System adjusting the imbalance vision of both eyes. The smooth and large center focus knob makes it simple to operate and easy to focus (Adaptable to a tripod). Note: Product list: 1 * Binocular, 1 * Bag, 1 * Strap, 1 * Cleaning cloth, 4 * lens caps, but not including tripod and adapter.
• [Adjustable Eye Cups] The rubber covered eyepiece can be twisted up and down for different people adjusting a proper eye relief. The eyeglass wearers can adjust the eye relief through rising eye cups and feel more comfortable

The SkyGenius 10×50 are professional level binos for a really low price. They can be used for long-range observation but also work great in the shorter ranges of your garden. The lens diameter is 50mm which is extremely high for this price range and allows for very good light gathering even in challenging conditions such as dawn or dusk. They are pretty large, but they have support for a tripod which makes it perfect for birdwatching a feeder for hours. Coated lenses provide true-to-color magnification and a great field of view of 367ft at 1000 ft distance. They however have one big issue: they don’t have eye-relief distance so if you need glasses this aren’t best budget binoculars for birdwatching for you. Which is a shame because the tripod and large lenses makes them really comfortable for casual, patient bird stalking.

How To Choose The Perfect Pair Of Binoculars

Binoculars are a very personal thing, so it’s worth doing your research. The best budget binoculars for birding will be different for different people, and even if the lens quality is similar you must also find a pair that fits on your hand well and it’s easy to grip and adjust. If you need to fiddle to get the right zoom and focus, you may lose the bird or, even worse, scare them with your movements. Fog-proofing is very useful if you are trying to see your heated hummingbird feeder visitors in winter, but not necessary if all your bird watching is done in dry conditions. If you intend to use your binoculars on wilder environments or near water, make sure they are waterproof and built to last.

Foldable vs non-foldable binoculars? It’s a matter of personal preference. If you want the best budget compact binoculars for birding, a foldable binocular will save space but sometimes more traditional designs offer more value for money. If you intend to spend long amounts of time bird watching look for a model that is lightweight, has a comfortable strap and possibly supports a tripod.

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