Owning a pair of the best compact binoculars can be a gateway to viewing the night sky or getting closer to nature. Designed to be small, lightweight and pocket-sized, compact binoculars often offer lower magnifications and generally poorer image quality than some of their bigger rivals — but that's not to say there aren't some excellent quality compact binos on the market. Our list rounds up our favorites, encompassing a range of price points.
Why should you go for compact binoculars instead of regular ones? That's easy enough: Portability. Compact binoculars are way smaller than their standard-sized counterparts, which makes them perfect for travel. They'll slide into a small back or your pocket, being much more convenient to pull out whenever you need them.
Compact binoculars are much lighter too, making them more pleasant to carry around on a day trip or to pack in your rucksack for a vacation. You don't even have to sacrifice on quality: the best compact binoculars are still very capable of offering excellent optics, with performance that rivals many of the leading larger models.
Our expert reviewers have tried and tested these binoculars out in the field, considering factors like weatherproofing, size, weight and price when they give their rating. There are some great budget options in this guide, or you can check out our binoculars deals page for deals on some of the best binoculars and best binoculars for kids.
If your interests are more niche, you might want to look at our guide to the best night vision binoculars and best rangefinder binoculars, both great for wildlife watching and nighttime photography. If you're more into stargazing, check out our guides to the best telescopes and best telescopes for deep space.
Jase Parnell-Brookes is an award-winning photographer, educator and writer based in the UK. They won the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Masters Jase has spent a good chunk of two decades studying and working in photography and optics shooting and writing all over the world for big-name brands and media outlets. Now the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space.com their speciality is in low light optics and camera systems.
The quick list
Best overall
For casual skywatchers, the portable Olympus 8x25 WP II boasts an excellent optical system for clear views of the moon and bright targets with superb contrast.
Best for portability
These small and stylish binoculars bring a model from a quality brand into the affordable range. They are easy to tuck into a pocket at just 3.4 x 4.1-inches in size.
Best Value
These 10x binoculars perform better than their 8x counterpart due to their better twilight factor — 15.8 instead of 13.0 for better low-light results.
Best budget option
More than suitable for multi-purpose daytime use and some astronomy viewing, these pocket-sized binoculars are compact and well-made.
Best for glasses wearers
With a generous 18mm of eye relief, these binos from Opticron produce bright, contrasty images and are ideal for wildlife observation.
Best waterproof model
With Multi-coated optics and a waterproof and fog-proof design these compact binoculars from Bushnell feature BaK-4 glass and multi-coated optics.
Load the next 2 products ↴
Best styling
We love the design, colors, and light weight of these Pentax UD compact binoculars. They're fully multi-coated, too.
Best for travel
Tiny but still offer fantastic clarity and performance to compete with the big-name brands, they have plenty of grip for use in all weathers.
Best compact binoculars we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.
Best overall
✅ You're a keen wildlife observer: These would be a great purchase for anyone who loves to observe wildlife and taking in the surroundings while trekking.
❌ You want to do some stargazing: They lack the light-gathering capacity needed for skywatching, so we'd recommend opting for a more suitable option if that's your interest.
🔎 Olympus WP II 8x25: The Olympus 8x25 WP II's seamless housing and exquisite optical system offer small but clear views of bright targets with stunning contrast. ★★★★½
Making the top of our list of best compact binoculars are the Olympus WP II 8x25. They have fantastic optics, which means that no matter what you're looking at, you'll enjoy clear views with excellent contrast and high color fidelity.
It's worth noting though that the Olympus WP II 8x25 binoculars are much better suited for casual use than serious stargazing. Their 8x magnification isn't quite enough to see the stars in great detail, and their 25mm objective lenses won't gather quite enough light to get the best views. For everything else however, they perform solidly.
Weighing just 9oz (260g), the Olympus WP II 8x25 binos are incredibly light, and you'll barely notice them in your pocket. They still feel well made, however, feeling sturdy and robust in your hands. We appreciate that they have a rubber coating, making them pleasant to grip along with feeling secure in your hands.
Furthermore, the WP II binoculars are fog-proof, waterproof and filled with nitrogen, which makes them weatherproof against most inclement weather. We tested them ourselves in a number of challenging weather conditions and never had any problems.
The high-quality BaK-4 roof prism design with fully multi-coated lenses offers small but detailed views of bright night sky objects of at least +4.0 magnitude. The field of view measures 6.2 degrees, so to give you an idea of scale, you can fit about 12 moon widths in the view.
During our Olympus 8x25 WP II review, we were pleased to see no color fringing, and the adjustable eyecups offer a 15mm eye relief, making them suitable for use with glasses. If you're looking for versatile binoculars with excellent optics, these are a great option. However, if you're specifically interested in stargazing, there might be better choices available.
- Read our full Olympus 8x25 WP II review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, portable design. |
| Performance | Small, crystal clear views with good contrast. |
| Functionality | Low light-gathering prowess. |
Best for portability
✅ You want to travel with them: These binoculars are small and lightweight, so they're extremely easy to carry around with you.
❌ You want something for all weathers: They are not waterproof, so if you want to use them outside in the rain, consider another pair.
❌ You need to wear your glasses when using binoculars: The 10.3mm eye relief isn't very glasses-friendly.
🔎 Nikon Aculon T02 8x21: Despite minor flaws, their attractive design, high portability and good optics make them worth considering. ★★★★½
The Nikon Aculon T02 8x21 might have just missed out on the top spot on our list of the best compact binoculars, but these are still one of our favorite sets on the market. Budget friendly, seriously compact and packing in great optics to boot, there's a lot to love about these. And with a cheaper price tag than the Olympus WP II above, that alone might be enough to win you over.
They're a little lighter too: 6.9oz (196g) compared to 9oz (260g), so that's a considerable weight saving if you're conscious of your load. These are some of the lightest on the market, and they'll slip into any pocket or bag just as easily as your smartphone would.
The Nikon Aculon binoculars are surprisingly sturdy, and their body has a rugged build that feels tough enough to withstand the odd bump or rough handling. Being nitrogen-filled, you won't have to worry about fogging, and although they're not waterproof, they should hold up during a light rain shower.
We think their low cost and durability makes these binoculars a good choice for kids — you can even choose their body color from a few different bold options. But the quality of optics on display makes them a great choice for anyone.
During our Nikon Aculon T02 8x21 review, we were really impressed with the optics that render pin-sharp views of the moon with just a little chromatic aberration along the lunar limb. The focuser is very accurate and allows for minute movements to get your object of interest perfectly in focus, and they also have excellent color fidelity.
The Nikon Aculon binocular have a couple of design drawbacks. With only a 10.3mm eye relief, they're not great for people who wear glasses while using binoculars. Also, if you're into stargazing, they might not be the best choice because they don't gather enough light to see fainter celestial objects, and they don't have BaK-4 prisms like some other models.
- Read our full Nikon Aculon T02 8x21 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight and pocketable. |
| Performance | Good optics and accurate focuser. |
| Functionality | Not waterproof, bad for heavy downpours. |
Best value
✅ You want to do some stargazing: They give great low light results thanks to their higher twilight factor.
❌ You want the highest specs: Budget binoculars don't tend to have the best specs — if that's what you want, you're going to have to part with more cash.
🔎 Celestron UpClose G2 10x25: While they don't have the highest specs, with these binoculars you get partially multi-coated lenses and BK-7 glass roof prisms. Still, they are well-priced and come with the reassurance of a limited lifetime guarantee. ★★★★½
Coming in at less than $30, the Celestron UpClose G2 are nothing short of an absolute steal. Coming from Celestron, a brand synonymous with high-quality telescopes and binoculars, you know you're getting a good quality product — even at this low price point.
Measuring just 3 x 2.2 x 4.5 inches (76 x 51 x 114 mm), the UpClose G2 are nicely sleek and compact, meaning you can pop them in a pocket or bag to take just about everywhere. If you're a glasses-wearer, you'll appreciate that they have fold-down eyecups, too, making them much easier to use.
Even though they're small and affordable, these binoculars have a surprisingly high twilight factor of 15.8, meaning they work really well in low light. They're great for stargazing but also versatile enough for other any other kind of observation. With 10x magnification and a close focus of just 15 feet, they're perfect for wildlife spotting, for example. We'd suggest going for these binoculars instead of the UpClose G2 8x21, which have a lower twilight factor of 13.
The Celestron UpClose G2 binoculars don't have the best specs of the compact binoculars on this list, but given their price point they're practically unbeatable. The glass here is BK-7 rather than superior BaK-4 glass, and the lenses are partially multi-coated (as opposed to fully coated). But the trade-offs are expected for such a budget pair of binoculars, and even taking them into consideration, you're getting a set of binos that perform excellently.
We haven't reviewed the 10x25 yet, but we have reviewed the Celestron UpClose G2 10x50, which we loved for astronomy.
- Discover the cosmos using one of the Best stargazing apps
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Compact with fold-up eyecups. |
| Performance | Good in low-light conditions. |
| Functionality | Economy BK-7 glass but 10x magnification. |
Best budget option
✅ You're a casual viewer: For a decent grab-and-go pair that will serve you well for casual day and nighttime viewing, these are a good option.
❌ You're a serious skywatcher: If you want to take your stargazing to the next level, you'll likely outgrow them quickly.
🔎 Nikon Travelite EX 8x25: These pocket-sized binoculars are compact, well-made and lightweight, making them a handy accessory, but due to their small 25mm aperture, we couldn't see much celestial detail. ★★★★
If you're a casual binocular user or looking for your first pair of binoculars, the Nikon Travelite 8x25 binos are a fantastic option. They're a quality compact pair from Nikon, and you get a travel case included when you buy them, which is a great addition to protect them when not in use.
Give their small size, the Travelite 8x25 binoculars have a surprisingly wide field of view, and in our Travelite EX 8x25 review, we praised the eye relief they offer, which makes them great for glasses-wearers. The eyecups feature O-ring seals, which are nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging, and there's also waterproofing up to a depth of two meters for five minutes — so if you're using them near a body of water, you don't need to stress too much about accidentally dropping them in (though of course try not to!).
If you're looking for a pair of binoculars for stargazing, the Travelite 8x25 are up to the job, as long as you're realistic about what you want to see in the night sky. Their 25mm objective lens diameter isn't wide enough to let in lots of light for deep sky viewing, so don't expect to be able to see objects like Saturn's rings — you'll want to look for a bigger set of binoculars for that. But the 6.2-degree field of view is wide enough to see all three stars in Orion's belt or to get a good look at the craters of the moon, so if you're a casual stargazer, you'll be able to get plenty of use here.
- Read our full Nikon Travelite EX 8x25 binoculars review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sturdy and durable, with a rubberized coating. |
| Performance | Very good contrast when observing bright objects. |
| Functionality | Lacks great light-gathering power but has decent night-sky views. |
Best for glasses wearers
✅ You wear glasses: They have a generous 18mm of eye relief.
✅ You're a keen wildlife observer: They're very highly-rated for birdwatching or for using on safari.
❌ You want the most lightweight option: If youre concerned about weight, there are lighter options on this list.
❌ You're on a budget: They're quite expensive for compact binoculars.
🔎 Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x32: They have generous eye relief for users who wear glasses, and produce bright, contrasty images, although sharpness does drop off at the edges of the frame. ★★★★
For users who need to wear glasses all the time, the eye relief on a pair of binoculars is a very important specification, as it determines how comfortable they will be to use when you're using them while wearing glasses.
Generally, an eye relief of around 16mm and over is suitable for people who wear glasses, and the Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x32 binoculars have a very generous 18mm. They're actually the only pair of binos on this list that have over 16mm.
Comfort for glasses-wearers is one thing, but we also recommend the Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x32 for their optical quality, too. This is a seriously impressive pair of binoculars for the price point, offering bright, sharp images that deliver impressive contrast.
Their 32mm objective lens diameter is amongst the largest on this list too, so if you're using them in low light — to view the night sky, perhaps — they'll let in a bit more light than most. They're a decent choice for stargazing, then, as long as you don't expect to see too much detail: The 8x magnification isn't useful for much more than glancing at the stars or observing the moon.
We also appreciate that the Opticron binoculars come with a textured body, meaning you can get a great grip on them. If you have large hands, getting a comfortable grip might be a little difficult but that's true of most compact binoculars. You can easily slip these into your pocket, making them a fantastic companion for any vacation you have coming up. The only drawback is that they are the most expensive on this list by a fair way.
- Unearth distant celestial objects by reading our guide to the Best telescopes for deep space
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Nicely textured and feels good in the hand. |
| Performance | Bright and sharp images. |
| Functionality | Very generous eye relief. |
Best waterproof model
✅ You want to use them in all weathers: These binos are hardy, water- and fog-proof, so you can rely on them in any weather.
❌ You wear glasses: The eye relief on these binos isn't the best, so if you wear glasses, there are better options.
❌ You want something pocketable: While they're fine for tossing into your bag, they're probably a little large to fit into your pocket.
🔎 Bushnell H20 8x25: Impressive specifications for a very reasonable price, including multi-coating (though not fully multi-coated) and BaK-4 roof prisms. ★★★½
Considering their affordable price, we're seriously impressed by the specs on the Bushnell H20 8x25 compact binoculars. They feature BaK-4 roof prisms and partial multi-coating, giving these binos clear and sharp views, and their 6.9-degree field of view offers up a more than decent viewing experience.
Importantly, the Bushnell H20 are easy and comfortable to use. We love that their center focus knob is easy to grip and make adjustments with, even while wearing gloves on a particularly chilly winter day.
While they're not exactly pocket-sized at 127 x 101.6 x 69.5mm, these binoculars are still compact and easy to toss into your backpack for outdoor camping trips. They're waterproof and nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging, and Bushnell provides a manufacturer's guarantee for added peace of mind.
We're a fan of the rubberized, textured coating that protects against bumps and improves grip, too. However, it's worth noting that the Bushnell H20 8x25 binoculars might not be a great choice for glasses wearers: With only a 12mm eye relief, they aren't very comfortable to use with spectacles, so it might be worth looking for another pair with a deeper relief.
- Save money with these Bushnell binoculars deals
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Hardy and waterproof. |
| Performance | Multi-coated and BAK4 glass. |
| Functionality | Eye relief a bit short for glasses. |
Best styling
✅ You want something small: These binos are tiny and lightweight, so they're a great option for traveling.
❌ You want high magnification: While they aren't bad in terms of magnification, there are certainly better options out there if that's what you're after.
🔎 Pentax UD 9x21: If you're struggling to choose between the easier-to-hold 8x magnification or 10x magnification for closer views (especially noticeable on the moon and planets), then here's a compromise — these binoculars offer the best of both worlds with 9x magnification. ★★★½
The Pentax UD 9x21 binoculars offer a great middle ground between 8x magnification, which tends to be easier to hold, and 10x magnification, which offers a more detailed view of the moon and planets. The 9x magnification on these binoculars gives users the best of both worlds, and they come with high-quality optics that are fully multi-coated as well.
If you're looking for super lightweight binoculars, the Pentax UD are a perfect choice. They weigh just 195g: The plastic frame instead of metal helps keep the weight down, and rubber armor has been replaced with two small thumb rests. They're very easy to carry around, and you'll barely notice they're in your pocket.
Their construction does mean that the Pentax UD 9x21 are perhaps not as tough and hard-wearing as some other options on this list, so they're not be the best choice of you're thinking of buying compact binoculars for a child. Give their size, however, we're impressed with their performance.
The Pentax UD 9x21 binoculars provide a six-degree field of view, which we think is decent, but it's not as wide as some other compact binoculars. There's also a 10x21 version, though we suggest going for the 9x21 because it has better eye relief and comes with multi-coated lenses, which make the images clearer.
We like the focus ring on these binoculars, however: It's very user-friendly, with just two turns covering the entire focus range. It's also worth noting that, even though they're so compact, they still come with a tripod mount allowing you to fix them in place if you wish. It's a great option if you want to share specific views with a group or with younger users — but you'll need to purchase an adapter separately if you want to use it.
Making the Pentax UD 9x21 stand out from the crowd is the range of bold colors the binoculars are available in: You can pick them up in orange, lime green and hot pink. It makes a welcome change from plain old black binoculars if you want to inject a bit of fun into your viewing!
- Complement your binoculars with one of the Best telescopes
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight plastic build with fun colors. |
| Performance | Large and accurate focus wheel. |
| Functionality | Includes a tripod mount. |
Best for travel
✅ You want to take them everywhere: They are incredibly small and lightweight, perfect for taking hiking or on camping trips.
❌ You wear glasses: They have short eye relief, so not ideal if you wear glasses.
❌ You want to use them in all weathers: Although they do claim to be waterproof, we weren't convinced. They'd be fine for light rain but do so at your own risk.
🔎 Occer 12x25: Surprisingly, these binoculars offer good quality views considering their tiny design. They are ideal for keeping in your pocket and the perfect size for children and small hands. ★★★½
Occer may not be as well known a brand as the likes of Nikon, Olympus or Celestron, but they've made a strong first impression on us in the binoculars scene. The Occer 12x35 compact binoculars are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a travel-friendly pair: They're only 110x50mm in size, making them easy to fit in just about any pocket.
But it's not just their size that impresses. We've been pleasantly surprised by the optical quality on offer here, and in our Occer 12x25 compact binoculars review, we commented on their brightness and sharpness. They even had less chromatic aberration than some better-known competitors. At this price point, they're seriously impressive — they're only let down somewhat by poor quality packaging, but that's not exactly a dealbreaker.
The Occer 12x25 compact binoculars probably aren't the best choice if you're looking to primarily use them for stargazing, however. You'll perhaps get decent enough views of the Moon, even seeing details of its craters, but beyond that you'll find these binos don't let in enough light for serious astronomy.
Unfortunately, these binoculars don't include lens caps for the objectives or covers for the eyepieces. This might make it challenging to protect them, especially if you're carrying them in a pocket with keys or other items that could scratch the lenses. Also, we found that the eyecups fold down too easily when you apply pressure while using them — we wish they were more sturdy.
But for the price, they would make a good pair for general uses like sport or nature observation and would also be a great choice as an affordable kid's pair.
- Read our full Occer 12x25 compact binoculars review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lots of texture provides grip. |
| Performance | Bright and colorful views. |
| Functionality | Short eye relief. |
Compact Binoculars FAQ
Which compact binoculars are the best?
We think the Olympus 8x25 WP II are the best compact binoculars overall, but that might not be the case for everyone. The main things to consider when shopping for compact binoculars are the binocular numbers. Magnification — usually 8x or 10x and sometimes referred to as power— and the diameter of the objective (front) lenses. Because compact binoculars are small and light, it's easier to hold them still and so you don't need to worry about higher magnification causing unusable wobble, negating the need for a tripod. Remember though, lower-power binoculars will give a brighter image, making faint objects such as nebulas more visible.
- Related: How to hold binoculars steady
What size binocular lens should I buy?
Overall, it's best to go for the largest lens diameter you can get. Bigger lenses mean more light-gathering power and thus better views for you. Compact binoculars tend to have objectives in the 20-25 mm range; even the largest of compact models will collect only a quarter as much light as a pair of conventional 50 mm binoculars. We don't recommend compact binoculars with a zoom feature, as this is simply asking too much of the smaller objective lenses on this type of instrument.
What type of compact binoculars should I get?
Compact binoculars are usually roof prism types, as this arrangement provides straight tubes and lends itself to foldability. It is rare to find conventional Porro prism compact binoculars, but some use the reverse-Porro arrangement, resulting in objective lenses closer together than the eyepieces. Check what type of glass the prisms are made from; the best you can get is BaK-4, while budget binoculars often use BK-7 or K9 (these two are more or less equivalent).
What's the difference between multi-coated or fully coated optics?
Lenses will be described as coated, multi-coated, or fully multi-coated. The best will be fully multi-coated with phase coating on the prisms. The best will also be nitrogen-filled to eliminate the risk of internal fogging. Some compact binoculars are waterproof or water-resistant, which is always a good idea for use in all weather and gives the user extra peace of mind.
Which brand of binoculars are best?
We've named a pair of Olympus binoculars as our best overall, but the Nikon Aculon T02 came a very close second. Sometimes the comfort of a trusted, known brand that offers a warranty is worth paying that little bit extra for. That said, you will see a couple of models in this guide that are lesser known but that we've reviewed and would recommend as good-value-for-money.
When shopping online, you may come across lots of lesser-known brands offering what seem to be unmissable bargains but, as ever, beware. Products are not always described accurately, particularly when sold by traders on third-party websites, and we advise treating claims with suspicion. Ask yourself if you believe these very cheap binoculars have all the features they claim or whether some of the claims might be lost in translation.
How we test the best compact binoculars
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best compact binoculars to buy here at Space.com, we make sure to put every binocular through a rigorous review to test each instrument fully. Each telescope is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as an optical instrument and how it performs in the field.
Each pair of binoculars is carefully tested by our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each binocular and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use. For example, comparing a pair of 25x100 mammoth binoculars to a compact pair of 8x25s wouldn't be appropriate though each binocular might be the best pick in their own class.
We look at how easy they are to operate, whether the length of eye relief can be adjusted for spectacles wearers (the longer the better) if a binocular comes with appropriate accessories (lens caps, neck strap, cleaning cloths) or carry bags and also make suggestions if a particular set of binos would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best viewing experience possible.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on binoculars, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
Today's best deals
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
