1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best super lightweight model
3. Best for ruggedness
4. Best premium monocular
5. Best for wildlife
6. Best for magnification
7. Best for use with a smartphone
8. Best for moon observations
9. Best for unsteady hands
10. Best monocular FAQ
11. How we test
The best monocular can be a handy and portable way to view wildlife, birds or the night sky. While they may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of optical equipment, they can have several benefits over the best binoculars and the best telescopes.
As what is essentially half of a pair of binoculars, a monocular is a small, lightweight option for viewing distant objects that is pocket-sized and even more travel-friendly than a pair of the best compact binoculars.
They're also simple to use and don't need the technical know-how required for setting up even the best beginner telescopes. This makes them perfect for travelers who want to quickly pull out an observation device when they spot something interesting in the distance. Our reviewers have tried and tested a range of different monocular options to bring you a list of the very best on the market, for different users and budgets.
If you're looking to purchase a new monocular at a reduced price, Amazon Prime Day, will return on July 16-17th with discounts on stargazing equipment across the board. You do need to be a Prime member to access the deals on offer, but there's a 30-day free trial that you can take advantage of; just remember to cancel before the 30 days are up or you'll be paying $14.99 a month going forward. We will keep you up to date with the best deals we find throughout the event, so make sure to check in regularly.
Jamie is a Contributing Writer for Space.com and put together this guide. He 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.
Jamie is the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners, and is a senior contributor at Forbes.
Quick list
Best super lightweight model
Despite its low price, the wide-field ED optics use the most recent multi-coating technology, which results in plenty of contrast, clarity and a premium feel.
Best for ruggedness
This lightweight and waterproof monocular is ideal for observing in the wilderness. This monocular is made to survive the elements and has a waterproof chassis and strong grip armoring.
Best premium monocular
Boasting a 42mm objective lens and a 10x magnification, Bushnell's ED Prime HD glass, with its multi-coated and anti-reflective optics, provides clear and detailed views at just 13.2 oz.
Best for wildlife
At 15x magnification, the Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 will give you a closer look at objects than your average monocular or pair of astronomy-centric binoculars.
Best for magnification
Apexel 36x is a fixed optical zoom monocular that doubles as a smartphone lens for taking photos and videos of the Moon.
Load the next 3 products ↴
Best for use with a smartphone
The Celestron Outland X 10x50 monocular has a smartphone mount and could be considered an ideal digiscoping companion for those who want to image the night sky, especially the Moon.
Best for moon observations
With a maximum of 25x magnification, this variable-magnification monocular is best suited to lunar viewing but can also focus on objects only 20 inches/50 cm away.
Best for unsteady hands
The Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 10X42 monocular is an easy-to-use monocular that instantly lends itself to rapid one-handed use.
For
- Quality rugged design
- Ease of use
- Nitrogen-filled waterproof construction
- Close focus to 1.8 m / 5.9 ft
Against
- Slightly heavier than some rivals
- The larger lens cover has a short strap
- The neck strap could be longer
Best monocular we recommend in 2024
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Best super lightweight model
✅ You want a great all-rounder: It's affordable, lets plenty of light through, is compact and lightweight, good for beginners and stargazers, can withstand tough conditions and has excellent ED optics.
❌ You want high magnification: For zooming in on fine details, you'd likely want an instrument that has a higher magnification. A 10x variant of this model is available.
🔎 Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 A great all-rounder that boasts fantastic quality optics in a compact package at an affordable price. Perfect for wide-field observations and comfortable and easy to use. ★★★★
For those who are new to stargazing, the Opticron Explorer WA ED-2 8x42 is a fantastic monocular. It can capture a lot of light from distant stars because of the 42mm objective lens, and the 8x magnification is perfect for reducing wobbles and improving focus on objects.
This monocular is very portable, waterproof to three meters and nitrogen-filled to minimize fogging while moving between warm and cold conditions, making it ideal for a whole host of outdoor activities. Additionally, a soft neoprene travel case with a cushioned strap, rain protection and rubber lens covers to prevent scratches on the glass is included.
Glasses-wearers will benefit from the generous 17mm eye relief, and it even comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Overall, this is a reasonably-priced monocular with a wide-field view that is ideal for newcomers to astronomy who want to get their first look at the night sky.
Despite the affordable price, the optics on this monocular really are excellent. It features extra-low dispersion (ED) glass to reduce chromatic aberration and ensure accurate color rendition. The optics are also multi-coated, which helps them to produce an image with good contrast and clarity. All this makes it feel like a more premium product than the price would suggest.
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| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Compact, lightweight and easily pocketable. |
| Performance | Top quality optics, durable |
| Functionality | 17mm eye relief. |
Best for ruggedness
✅ You want to travel with it: It's lightweight and portable (although not small enough to fit into a pocket), making it a great option for observing wildlife or the night sky when out and about.
❌ You wear glasses: The eye relief is only 13mm, so if you wear eyeglasses you'd be wise to choose a different option.
🔎 Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 monocular Fantastic quality glass in a small and lightweight package, making it perfect for on-the-go observations. It's designed to withstand various weather conditions and comes with great quality accessories. ★★★★
The Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 has a tough, durable design, making it perfect for travel. It's built to handle rough conditions while still providing high-quality performance. This monocular has special phase-corrected BaK-4 roof prisms, fully multi-coated lenses and extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. These features help capture more light and reduce color distortion, giving you a very clear and true-to-color image. Overall, we think it makes for a really great viewing experience.
With its waterproof optics, you can use this monocular worry-free even in rough weather. Plus, it's nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging. And with its rubber casing, lens covers and lanyard, you're less likely to accidentally drop or misplace it.
With more than 350 reviews on Amazon, users like the portability, value and ease of use, scoring this monocular 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.
The main drawback is that the eye relief is only 13mm, so it wouldn't be a good choice if you wear glasses. But anyone else is likely to enjoy the convenient twist-up eyecup.
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| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, but too large for a pocket. |
| Performance | Excellent optics. |
| Functionality | Astro-centric specifications. |
Best premium monocular
✅ You wear glasses: This model features twist-up eyecups which provide excellent eye relief if you wear glasses.
❌ You're on a budget: This is one of the more expensive products on our list, but you're getting excellent quality for that price.
🔎 Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42 monocular Known for its impressive build quality, outstanding optics and valuable extras, it sets itself apart from the competition. ★★★★
Bushnell, a well-known brand, has created a very high-quality monocular with the Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42. It has a black magnesium body with easy-to-grip sides and a sturdy built-in belt clip, so you can keep it handy while on the go.
This monocular is lightweight, weighing just 13.2 oz (374g), and it also includes a 1/4-20 tripod adapter if you want to mount it for extended viewing. Bushnell also includes a flip-style lens cap for both the front and rear lenses, which attaches to a lanyard to prevent it getting lost. Additionally, it comes with a high-quality padded case that has its own belt clip for safe storage when not in use.
The design is well thought-out, with a smooth focus knob that sits exactly where your index finger would naturally rest when operating the device one-handed. It's also fully waterproof with a Rainguard HD Hydrophobic Coating on the lenses to enable water to ball up and slip off quickly should you find yourself caught outside with it in the rain.
The optics on offer here are similarly impressive. It uses ED Prime fluorite glass and BaK-4 roof prisms to deliver clear and detailed views, and the optics are fully multi-coated and anti-reflective to ensure accurate color rendition and eliminate chromatic aberration. With a close focus of 6.6 ft (2.01m), you'll be able to zoom in on wildlife even in your backyard. While this is one of the priciest options on our list, we think the quality is worth every penny.
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| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Superb build quality. |
| Performance | Excellent optics. |
| Functionality | Good eye relief, remarkably lightweight given the optics. |
Best for wildlife
✅ You're a keen wildlife-watcher: If you have an invested interest in wildlife spotting and have the budget to put into a good monocular, this would be a fantastic option.
❌ You want something inexpensive: This model is definitely on the more expensive side, so if you're only a casual user then you'll want to look at another more budget-friendly monocular.
🔎 Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 monocular Though quite expensive, it provides an impressive 15x magnification, allowing you to see objects much closer than regular astronomy binoculars or monoculars. With its multi-coated extra-low dispersion glass, you can expect detailed and high-resolution images at long distances. ★★★★
The Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 monocular wasn't originally made for wildlife watching, but it's still an excellent option for it. It was originally designed for field surveillance and range estimation, but its high 15x magnification makes it great for observing nature and the sky.
The best thing about this monocular is its optics. With 15x magnification, it brings objects much closer than regular binoculars. The multi-coated lenses and extra-low dispersion glass provide very clear images, making it perfect for detailed views of the moon.
However, this increased level of magnification comes with some drawbacks. Despite the substantial 50mm objective lens, this monocular may not provide as bright an image at night compared to, for example, an 8x magnification. Additionally, maintaining a steady hand is crucial to avoid a shaky image, but Vortex has thoughtfully included a screw thread for convenient tripod mounting, ensuring stable views.
The Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 is built tough, perfect for wildlife observation, especially outdoors with its waterproof design. It's got rubber armor on the outside for a good grip and comes with a rain/dust hood to protect the lens.
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| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Small exit pupil. |
| Performance | Not good in darkness. |
| Functionality | 15x magnification. |
Best for magnification
✅ You're a content creator: This monocular is designed to attach to a smartphone, so would be best suited to those who create content with their smartphone.
❌ You want flexibility: This monocular has a fixed zoom, so it wouldn't be ideal for viewing moving objects where you may need to zoom in or out.
🔎 Apexel 36x super zoom monocular/smartphone lens: Think of it as a small telescope with a fixed zoom of 36x. When it comes to zooming in, using a clip-on lens with superior optics, such as this monocular made of BaK-4 glass with roof prisms, is a far superior option compared to digital zoom. ★★★½
The Apexel 36x super zoom is a multi-purpose lens that can be used as both a monocular and a telephoto lens for your smartphone camera. It's also one of the most affordable options on our list.
We were impressed by the optics of the Apexel 36x super zoom. It features BaK-4 glass, roof prisms, and multi-coated lenses that minimize ghosting, reflections and lens flare. However, it's worth noting that the fixed 36x magnification, while good for capturing images of the Moon, won't completely fill the field of view, covering about 5.3 degrees.
Apexel offers a solution to the limitations of smartphone cameras that often suffer from degraded image quality with digital zoom. Their compact telescope attachment easily clips onto your smartphone lens, enabling you to capture high-quality photos and videos of distant objects. This proves endlessly useful for content creators, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone interested in shooting sports, concerts or celestial bodies like the moon.
You can buy it with a tripod in a bundle, but we found that the tripod isn't very sturdy, so you might want to use your own. It doesn't have a built-in tripod thread but includes a metal adapter ring for one, and it also comes with a small rubber eyepiece that can be used as a monocular. If you like taking photos with your smartphone, this is a handy and versatile tool.
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| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Clips onto a smartphone. |
| Performance | Easy to use. |
| Functionality | Fixed zoom. |
Best for use with a smartphone
✅ You shoot with your smartphone: This monocular includes a smartphone attachment.
❌ You want lightweight and portable: It's fairly heavy weighing 14.6oz / 414g — so if you want one for portability, there are better options.
🔎 Celestron Outland X 10x50 monocular: This could be considered an ideal digiscoping companion with its astronomy-centric optics. For discovering and studying open star clusters, the Moon and the Milky Way, the 50mm objectives with 10x magnification are ideal. ★★★½
The Celestron Outland X 10x50 isn't just a monocular; it can also be used with a camera for digiscoping. This allows you to attach a camera to it and take pictures through its eyepiece, offering an alternative to using a separate zoom lens. Additionally, it comes with a smartphone mount, which is perfect for digiscoping with your phone.
This particular monocular has a 50mm objective lens and a 10x magnification, which makes it a great choice for observing the night sky. That level of magnification is ideal for studying open star clusters and getting great, detailed views of the moon.
Better yet, the Celestron Outland X 10x50 sports excellent-quality optics. It has BAK-4 glass prisms and multi-coated optics that offer sharp, clear views and minimized reflections.
It also has a decent eye relief of 16.8mm, making it a comfortable monocular choice for people who wear glasses.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Relatively heavy. |
| Performance | Ideal for digiscoping. |
| Functionality | Fog and waterproof. |
Best for moon observations
✅ You want something affordable: If you want to view the Moon on a budget, this monocular would be ideal.
❌ You don't want to use a tripod: While they're certainly light enough to handhold, higher magnifications will require a tripod to prevent shaky views.
🔎 Orion 10-25x42 monocular You'll have no trouble getting a closer and clearer look at the details of the Moon's craters with this monocular. The 42mm objective aperture lens makes it versatile, allowing you to use it during the day, in low-light conditions or at night-time. ★★★½
The Orion 10-25x42 is a zoom monocular that's great for many uses because you can adjust its magnification. Its bigger 42mm objective lens allows more light to come in through the eyepiece, giving you brighter and clearer views, day or night.
With its magnification range from 10x to 25x and excellent light-gathering abilities, this monocular is perfect for observing nature, wildlife and even celestial objects. It's especially handy for moon watching, allowing you to see the craters on the lunar surface in fine detail. At 25x magnification, you can focus on objects as close as 20 inches (50cm) away.
The Orion 10-25x42 is a great, rugged monocular to take on the road. It's waterproof, and the rubberized body makes it pleasant to grip.
It also comes with a wrist strap so you don't have to fear dropping it while on your adventures, and a nylon case to keep it safe while not in use.
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| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Waterproof with a rubberized design. |
| Performance | Excellent for lunar viewing. |
| Functionality | Narrow FOV. |
Best for unstable hands
✅ Simple operation is important: One focusing wheel and lens caps are easy to navigate with one hand.
✅ You want affordable quality: It is priced well for its class and performs great in most situations.
❌ Small details irritate you: The lens cap and monocular straps are both a little on the small side for us.
❌ You need the best: There are better monoculars out there, but they are more costly.
🔎 Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 10X42: perfect for throwing in your pocket and going for a hike, it is well balanced, providing enough power to use for distant subjects whilst simultaneously being easy enough to use at the side of a football pitch to watch sports.★★★★
In our Opticron Oregon 4 Oasis 10x42 monocular review our tester noted that this reasonably priced monocular provides good-quality views. Suitable for birdwatching or watching sports, it has sharp optics, is good in low light (we tried it out inside a cathedral) and has a rugged construction, enabling it to cope with most situations.
For those with unstable hands, it's very easy to use and the external focusing wheel makes spotting those elusive, quick-moving subjects easy, even with sturdy gloves. Dramatically reducing shake and wobble we felt confident the 10x magnification of the monocular is well suited to those, even with arm and hand trembles. Our tester noted there was no problem with movement brought about through vibration or unsteady hands, but it's worth noting that there are no fixings for a monopod.
The Opticron Oregon 4 Oasis 10x42 monocular has BaK-4 glass and phase-corrected prism coatings, which denote an extra level of quality above the more generic BK-7 glass normally featured in devices at this price point, as well as phase-corrected layers applied to all air-to-glass surfaces.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Roof prism design. BaK-4 fully coated optics. Nitrogen-filled waterproof construction. |
| Performance | Excellent light-gathering ability. Sharp optics thanks to superior glass quality. Close focusing down to 1.8 m / 5.9 ft. |
| Functionality | Non-slip rubber armor. Objective lens cap attachment cord is too short. Heavier than some other monoculars in its class. |
Best monocular Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best monocular for stargazing?
If you're after a monocular for stargazing, we'd recommend either the Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 or the Celestron Outland X 10x50. Their larger, 50mm objective lenses mean more light can pass through the eyepiece, which is perfect for skywatching in low light environments.
Which monocular features are important?
There are a few important features to consider when choosing a monocular. First, as you'll be taking it outside plenty, try to find one with good water- and fog-proofing. The cold air exposure after it's been stashed in your bag or pocket will mean fogging up can be an issue.
If you're after a high-tech option that can take photos, you can find models with built-in image capture features, while others come with smartphone mounts or built-in tripod mounts for 'digiscoping'.
What is the best monocular for birdwatching?
If birdwatching is your passion, you can't do much better than the Vortex Recon R/T 15x50 monocular. Its impressive 15x magnification means you can zoom into really distant subjects, and the wide 50mm objective lens enables you to see even in twilight. The Orion 10-25x42 and Olivon 8-24x40 zoom monoculars are also great options with flexible zoom amounts.
How we test the best monocular
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.
Best for moon observations
With a maximum of 25x magnification, this variable-magnification monocular is best suited to lunar viewing but can also focus on objects only 20 inches/50 cm away.
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