Best monocular 2023: Discover the best devices on the market

A woman uses one of the best monocular devices to look over a vast landscape
(Image credit: Apexel)

The best monocular devices are excellent viewing choices for looking at anything from back garden wildlife to exploring constellations and nebulas in the night sky. While you might only consider binoculars or telescopes to enhance your viewing experience, the best monoculars can save on space and weight, and more often than not, they are easier to use. 

In essence, a monocular is just one-half of a pair of binoculars so are easier to transport due to their smaller size. They don't rely on a hinge either and can be easier to share between users thanks to their simple setup and easy-to-use design. 

If stargazing is your thing, there's no harm in looking at the best telescopes and telescope deals. In fact, we'd encourage it. The best binoculars and binocular deals are other options to consider as they can offer great night sky views as well as a good terrestrial viewing experience. However, a monocular is the most portable option and will likely even slip into your pocket.

While you're here, you can also consider some of the best headlamps or best flashlights and power them with one of the best power banks. But, this guide is all about the best monocular you can find, and you'll no doubt find one that takes your fancy below. 


Best monocular deal of the day:

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Best monocular deal March 2023

Apexel 36x telephoto (opens in new tab)

Apexel High Power 36X HD Telephoto Lens with Phone Tripod: was $65.98, now $58.98 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

A tiny saving, but right now we'll take any discount we can! This is essentially a tiny telescope with a fixed zoom of 36x, and it comes with a smartphone tripod to ensure your images are still and steady. Read more in the guide below.

Best monocular 2023

Best monoculars 2023 ranked

Product photo of the Opticron Explorer 8x42

An easily pocketable monocular for stargazing on the move (Image credit: Amazon)

Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42

Best super lightweight model for wide-angles, boasting great specifications for basic astronomy

Specifications

Magnification: 8x
Objective lens diameter: 42mm
Field of view: 7.8 degrees
Eye relief: 18 mm
Closest focusing distance: 6.6ft
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 9.2 oz
Dimensions: 120 x 40 x 43mm

Reasons to buy

+
Top quality optics 
+
Waterproof and fog-proof 
+
Pocketable 

Reasons to avoid

-
Ergonomically nicer than the binocular counterpart
-
Low stock

Opticron's compact and lightweight Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 is a great choice for a stargazing monocular. Its 42mm objective lens lets in plenty of light while keeping the unit small for hiking and backpacking, it is easily pocketable. The 8x magnification (a 10x model (opens in new tab) is also available) is similar to what you'd find on many binoculars and gives a great view of sections of the night sky. Also making it easier for beginners to seek out their subjects.

The Opticron BGA WP 8x42 is waterproof to 3m and nitrogen-filled, so fog and condensation-proof. It comes with a soft neoprene carry case with a rain guard, padded strap and rubber objective lens covers. There is 17mm of eye relief so suitable for glasses wearers.

The optics feature the latest multi-coating technology throughout the wide-field ED optics, so it displays plenty of contrast, clarity and a premium feel, despite the modest price tag.


Product photo of the Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 monocular

The Hawke Endurance lives up to it's name with its armored body, waterproof chassis, lens covers and protective case. (Image credit: Amazon)

Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 monocular

Best for ruggedness — this lightweight and waterproof monocular is ideal for observing in the wilderness

Specifications

Magnification: 10x
Objective lens diameter: 42 mm
Field of view: 5.8 degrees
Eye relief: 13 mm
Closest focusing distance: 6.6ft
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 11.5 oz
Dimensions: 5.6 x 3.1in/143 x 80mm

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent optics 
+
Astro-centric specifications 
+
Waterproof and fog-proof 

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive 
-
Large for a pocket 

This lightweight 10x42 11.5oz/32KG monocular is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the night sky while out and about. The minimum focusing distance is just seven feet, so it's perfect for backyard nature spotting too.

Despite its portability, Hawke hasn't scrimped on the glass. It's fitted with Hawke's System H5 optics, with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass to reduce color fringing and multi-coated lenses.

It's built to withstand the elements and comes with a waterproof chassis, high grip armoring, protective lens case, lanyard, lens covers and a built-in 1/4-inch tripod thread. It also comes with a no-fault lifetime warranty which is pretty impressive!

  • Need a tripod? Have a look at our roundup of the Best tripods

Product photo of the Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42 monocular

The build quality of this monocular is exceptional, it will be fine in all weathers. (Image credit: B&H Photo)

Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42 monocular

The best premium choice for those after only the top image quality

Specifications

Magnification: 8x
Objective lens diameter: 42 mm
Field of view: 6.3 degrees
Eye relief: 19 mm
Closest focusing distance: 6.6ft
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 10.1 oz
Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.7 x 1.8”/136 x 43mm

Reasons to buy

+
Superb optics 
+
Excellent quality accessories 
+
Good for glasses wearers

Reasons to avoid

-
High price 
-
Lacks a tripod thread 
-
Relatively heavy 

The Bushnell boasts exceptional optics, impressive build quality and useful extras. The magnification of 10x, coupled with a 42mm objective lens, means you'll get crisp, detailed images, enhanced by Bushnell's ED Prime HD glass, multi-coated and anti-reflective optics. All of that for a mere 13.2 oz.

Its twist-up eyecups offer great eye relief for those who wear glasses, and there's even an easy-to-grip ridge on top of the smooth external focuser where your thumb would naturally rest for added comfort.

The Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42 stands out from its competition by shipping a top-quality padded oversized case (for ease) complete with a belt clip, a flip-style lens cap for the front, and a rear lens cap that attaches via a lanyard to prevent it from being misplaced.


Product photo of the Opticron Oregon 4 PC 8x42 monocular

The now discontinued Opticron Oregon 4 PC 8x42 monocular is the best option for spectacle wearers thanks to its long 22 mm eye relief. (Image credit: B&H Photo)

Opticron Oregon 4 PC 8x42 monocular

Best for spectacle wearers, this grab-and-go monocular is suited to wide-field observing

Specifications

Magnification: 8x
Objective lens diameter: 42 mm
Field of view: 7 degrees
Eye relief: 22 mm
Closest focusing distance: 5.9ft./1.8m
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 12.1 oz
Dimensions: 5.8x2.9x2”/147x74x52mm

Reasons to buy

+
 Wide view 
+
 Generous eye relief 
+
 External focuser 

Reasons to avoid

-
 No tripod adaptor 
-
 Lacks magnification 

The Opticron Oregon 4 PC 8x42 are Nitrogen-filled to eliminate fog, and are waterproof, making them the perfect option for those who need a hardy all-weather monocular. It has a 42mm objective lens allowing just enough light in for general astronomical use. The 8x magnification guarantees you get a good, stable view when sweeping across the night sky.

The roof prism design is all about wide-field viewing and top-quality optics. It has phase-corrected prism coatings and multi-coated optics to deliver clear, crisp views daily and in low light. The monocular incorporates an external focuser for easy single-handed operation, though it lacks a built-in 1/4-inch tripod adaptor. Spectacle wearers will appreciate its very generous 22mm eye relief.

The Opticron Oregon 4 PC 8x42 was discontinued in March 2022 so if you're thinking of getting one, don't delay. The product is still guaranteed for five years though, so don't let that put you off.


Product photo of the Apexel 36x super zoom monocular/smartphone lens

A tiny portable monocular you can attach to your phone to get closer to the action and take photos. (Image credit: Amazon)

Apexel 36x super zoom monocular/smartphone lens

Best for magnification the Apexel 36x is a fixed optical zoom lens for taking photos and videos of the Moon

Specifications

Magnification: 36x
Objective lens diameter: 36 mm
Field of view: 5.3 degrees
Eye relief: 20 mm
Closest focusing distance: 16.4 ft/5m
Waterproof: No
Fog-proof: No
Weight: 8.8 oz
Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 2.4”

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to use 
+
Clips on to a smartphone 
+
Can be bundled with tripod 

Reasons to avoid

-
Fixed zoom 
-
Lacks tripod thread 
-
Small field of view 

If you want to zoom in on anything, including the night sky, with your smartphone, the only accurate method (at least until periscope-style zoom lenses become common on cellphones) is to use a digital zoom. Using a digital zoom means the image is cropped, then rebuilt to its original size using algorithms or machine learning. It almost always results in a poor-quality image.

A far better option is a clip-on lens like this BaK-4 glass, roof prism-based monocular for its superior optics. It is essentially a tiny telescope with a fixed zoom of 36x. The Apexel 36x superzoom can be hand-held but is best on a tripod. You fit a clip around your smartphone's existing lens before attaching it to the Apexel 36x super zoom to align them.

It's not perfect, you first need to remove your smartphone's case, and there's no tripod thread built-in. Instead, a metal tripod ring adaptor is supplied. In any case, the tripod it is bundled with is quite flimsy. Supply your own tripod, and the Apexel 36x superzoom can be a good setup for taking basic images of the Moon (though don't expect it to fill the field of view). You can use it as a monocular by attaching a small rubber eyepiece, but remember; this does restrict the field of view.


Product photo of the Outland X 10x50 monocular

The Celestron Outland X 10x50 monocular acts as an excellent digiscope in any weather (Image credit: B&H Photo)

Celestron Outland X 10x50 monocular

Best for using with a smartphone, the Celestron Outland X is astronomy-centric making this a digiscoping option

Specifications

Magnification: 10x
Objective lens diameter: 50 mm
Field of view: 5.6 degrees
Eye relief: 16.8 mm
Closest focusing distance: 8.2ft./2.5m
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 14.6 oz
Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.7 x 1.8”/136 x 43mm

Reasons to buy

+
Includes smartphone adapter 
+
Large objective lens 
+
Twist-up eyecups 

Reasons to avoid

-
Relatively heavy 
-
Smartphone adapter is fiddly 

Attaching a cell phone to a telescope, so the phone's camera peers down the barrel to see a magnified view is called digiscoping. The camera can produce excellent images of distant ducks during the daytime and the sky at night.

The Celestron Outland X 10x50 has a smartphone mount and could be considered an ideal digiscoping companion with its astronomy-centric optics. The 10x magnification and 50mm objective lenses are well-suited to searching for and studying open star clusters, the Moon, and the Milky Way.

The Celestron Outland is packed inside durable housing around BAK-4 prisms and features multi-coated optics. There is also plenty of eye relief, so it can be used easily by anyone who wears glasses. It is also waterproof and filled with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging.

It is provided with the smartphone adapter, a protective case, cleaning cloth and eyepiece covers for added protection.


Product photo of the Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 monocular

The moon looks excellent, but this monocular is best for watching wildlife. (Image credit: Amazon)

Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 monocular

Best for wildlife, the Vortex Recon R/T has massive magnification on this wildlife-centric monocular

Specifications

Magnification: 15x
Objective lens diameter: 50 mm
Field of view: 4.1º
Eye relief: 16mm
Closest focusing distance: 12ft/3.66m
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 15.2 oz
Dimensions: 7 x 2”/178 x 51 mm

Reasons to buy

+
Carry clip 
+
15x magnification 
+
Tripod thread 

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive 
-
Small exit pupil 
-
Not good in darkness 

It is always tempting to go for the most enormous magnification possible when looking at a new optical instrument, but this isn't always the best choice. Higher magnification means more weight and the need for larger objective lenses to maintain a bright view and the ability to use at night. It's also much more challenging to get a steady image (as the magnification also magnifies any movement). Moderate magnification factors of around 8x are preferred.

The 15x magnification of the incredibly expensive Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 will give you a closer look at objects than your average pair of astronomy-centric binoculars or monoculars. However, at night, that extra magnification creates a narrow exit pupil, which reduces the image's brightness, despite the Vortex Recon R/T 15x50's large 50mm objective lens. 

So what is the Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 for in terms of night-sky viewing? The Moon. With its multi-coated extra-low dispersion glass, you can expect detailed and high-resolution images at long distances. It comes with a hand strap and a carry clip that you can use to attach the monocular to a belt or bag.


Product photo of the Orion 10-25x42 Zoom Waterproof Monocular

The Orion monocular has an adjustable magnification zoom from 10-25x. (Image credit: Amazon)

Orion 10-25x42 monocular

Best for Moon observations, this zoom monocular can be used with a tripod

Specifications

Magnification: 10-25x
Objective lens diameter: 42 mm
Field of view: 3.3 degrees (10x)/2.4 degrees (25x)
Eye relief: 14 mm
Closest focusing distance: 3.3 ft./1 m
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 10.5 oz
Dimensions: 6.9 x 12.6”/175 x 320 mm

Reasons to buy

+
Very short near focus 
+
Lots of magnification 
+
Tripod adapter socket 

Reasons to avoid

-
Narrow field of view 
-
Tripod needed at high magnifications 
-
Some chromatic distortion 

Slightly more expensive than the Olivon 8-24x40 (below) comes the Orion 10-25x42, another variable zoom monocular that offers 10x through 25x magnification and a slightly larger objective lens of 42mm to allow more light through.

As such, it's another option for impressive lunar viewing, with just a touch more magnification than its lighter rival. Since it doesn't have quite as wide an angle of view, it can focus on subjects just 20 inches/50cm away while offering 25x magnification. The 42mm objective aperture lens makes it versatile for daytime, low light or nighttime use. You shouldn't have any problems getting a closer look at the moon craters.

The Orion 10-25x42 is rugged. It's waterproof with a rubberized design and features multi-coated optics. It ships with a soft nylon case (complete with a belt loop) and a wrist strap. Perfect for taking on adventures and leaving the binos at home.

  • Need something small and stable for your monocular? Check out our guide to the Best travel tripods

Product photo of the Olivon 8-24x40 Close Focus Zoom Monocular

The close focus of this monocular is just 1.6m, get closer to small animals and insects and enjoy pleasant views of the moon (Image credit: Amazon)

Olivon 8-24x40 zoom monocular

Incredibly lightweight, this zoom monocular is handy for examining craters on the Moon

Specifications

Magnification: 8x-24x
Objective lens diameter: 40 mm
Field of view: 4.8 degrees (8x)/2.3 degrees (24x)
Eye relief: 15 mm
Closest focusing distance: 4.9 ft./1.5 m
Waterproof: Yes
Fog-proof: Yes
Weight: 7 oz
Dimensions: 2.2 x 1.9 x 1.9 inch/55 x 50 x 50 mm

Reasons to buy

+
Very light 
+
Choice of magnifications 
+
Tripod adapter socket 

Reasons to avoid

-
Only works for lunar viewing 
-
Narrow field of view 
-
Tripod needed at high magnifications 

This is an affordable zoom monocular capable of magnification from 8-24x, an ideal alternative to zoom binoculars or larger scopes for when you want to pack lightly, especially as it's small and light enough to take out and about on a lanyard and pouch (both are supplied). It is capable of both observation and basic photography and its magnification is excellent for observing the Moon's craters and lava seas, 

The BK-7 prism-based monocular with a push-pull zoom arrangement comes with a built-in 1.4-inch tripod adaptor to stabilize it, an easy-grip rubberized coating and multi-coated optics. There are monoculars with better optics in this guide, but this is an affordable option that can also be used as a simple digiscoping tool. When used for wildlife spotting, the Olivon 8-24x40 offers a close focus from 60-inch/1.6m. It also comes with a huge 10-year manufacturer guarantee.


Best monocular 2023: What to look for

To use a monocular for astronomy, you'll want to look at 40-50mm objective lenses with 7-15x magnification — anything smaller is better suited to wildlife spotting. Some monoculars have built-in image capture while others offer smartphone mounts for super-easy 'digiscoping' and a built-in tripod mount. Since you're going to be using them outside it's sensible to choose a monocular that has waterproofing and fog-proofing, too, especially as you'll likely be pulling it out of a warm bag or pocket to use in colder air. Here at Space.com, we've cast our eye over the market for the best monoculars and rounded up our favorites for all kinds of astronomy. 

How we test the best monocular 2023

To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best monocular to buy here at Space.com, we make sure to put every monocular through a rigorous review to test each instrument thoroughly. Each monocular is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as an optical instrument and performs in the field.

Each monocular 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 monocular and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.

We look at how easy it is to set up, and whether it comes with appropriate accessories. We suggest if a particular monocular would benefit from any additional equipment 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 monoculars, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.

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Jamie Carter
Contributing Writer

Jamie is an experienced science, technology and travel journalist and stargazer who writes about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy and space exploration. He is the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com (opens in new tab) and author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners (opens in new tab), and is a senior contributor at Forbes. His special skill is turning tech-babble into plain English.

With contributions from