You'll want a pair of the best rangefinder binoculars if you want to measure the specific distance between you and a subject. Our favorite models use laser rangefinders, which project an invisible, eye-safe laser beam onto a target and measure the time it takes for the laser to reflect back into the binoculars, then calculate the distance between you from that information. These binoculars make it easier to locate and track subjects with precision, something that only a few years ago was beyond the budget of ordinary consumers. For a higher price, you can get a more powerful laser, with the capacity to reach farther out and send back a measurable signal.
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best optics
3. Best technical capability
4. Best budget option
5. Best mid-range model
6. Best build quality
7. Best budget non-laser rangefinder
8. Rangefinder binoculars FAQs
9. How we test
While it may be tempting to get the pair with the furthest-reaching laser, consider what you'll be using the binoculars for and if that capacity is something you actually need. Even relatively modest lasers can reach well over a kilometer, which is more than good enough for most casual spotters. It might be that a set of the more generalist best binoculars, or even a pair of the best compact binoculars are more suitable for your needs.
If you want to know more about how rangefinder binoculars work, and whether they're right for you, we've answered some of your burning questions in our rangefinder binocular FAQ section at the bottom of the guide.
The quick list
Best for optical quality
Though they sit at an eye-watering price point, these rangefinders edge over the competition in terms of optical quality thanks to their fully multi-coated glass lenses and prisms.
Best for technical proficiency
The perfect combination of optical performance and technical capability. Their glass boasts 91% light transition so you get sharp images from edge to edge.
Best budget option
These are decent rangefinders at an affordable price point, we're happy to recommend them as a good budget pair for those in search of good quality optics that don't break the bank. They're waterproof to IP67 too.
Best mid-range model
If you're looking for a rangefinder from a well-known and trusted brand, give these a try. It has a limited range compared to others here, but it's still powerful enough for most users.
Best build quality
Zeiss is a prestige optics brand, so you won't be surprised to hear they offer great optical quality. The powerful laser rangefinder is more than adequate, and you can send the information from the binos onto the dedicated Zeiss app.
Best budget non-laser rangefinder
This is an affordable pair that offer good-quality optics. They have a reticle (like crosshairs on a rifle scope) that help you calculate the distance of your subject. Not particularly accurate, but robust and budget friendly.
Best rangefinder binoculars we recommend 2023
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Best optics
✅ You only want the best: These binoculars tower above the competition and the image is sharp from edge to edge, but you will have to dig deep into your pockets to invest.
✅ You're techy: They come with a dedicated app that shows ballistics and range corrections.
❌You need a longer laser: The laser range extends to 1370m which is the shortest range out of the other top pics in this guide.
🔎 Swarovski EL Range 10x42: The crème de la crème of rangefinder binoculars, but a huge investment.
There's a lot of competition for the title of best optical quality among the leading binocular brands. Still, Swarovski edges above the competition with this pair of rangefinding binoculars. All binoculars lose a portion of the light that travels through their objectives, but Swarovski believes that their high-end, fully multi-coated glass lenses and prisms transmit more and lose less light than most of the competition. This performance can significantly impact, especially during twilight, when every photon counts.
The binoculars include all the rangefinder tech you'd anticipate at their eye-watering high price point, with a dedicated ballistics app and range corrections for inclination. Although the laser rangefinder only measures up to 1370m, it has all the expected features.
We'd opt for the 10x42 Range rather than Swarovski's similarly priced 8x42, as it is slightly higher performing, only marginally heavier, and has a better twilight factor of 20.5 instead of 18.3 (the Twilight factor is the square root of the number you get when you multiply magnification by lens diameter).
- See our Best compact binoculars guide for more portable binos
Best technical capability
✅ You like tech: These are ideal for tech-savvy long-distance spotters. The slick app displays all the ballistic measurements you could ask for; you can customize how they are displayed (for example units of distance).
✅ You need measurements quickly: It takes just 0.3 seconds for the rangefinder to take a single measurement.
✅ You will be spotting in inclement weather: These rangefinders are nitrogen purged for use in all weather environments and they are waterproof to a distance of 16 ft/5m.
❌You have a small budget: These rangefinders cost almost $2500, an eye-watering cost if you won't be using them often.
🔎 Leica 10x42 Geovid 3200.COM: If you need rapid measurements, look no further, if you can afford to.
The Leica Geovid 3200.com utilizes some of the best optics available including best-in-class BaK-4 glass to boast 91% light transition. Users are treated to stunning, sharp and bright images from edge to edge. This, combined with sophisticated technology, Bluetooth integration, and a host of reliable and repeatable ballistic measurements you can customize in the app, makes these perfect for tech-savvy long-distance spotters. If you don't want to utilize the App capabilities, use a Kestrel weather meter instead.
The more unusual Perger-Porro prism design gives these rangefinders an excellent ergonomic shape but also a wide field of view (342 feet at 1000 yards). The comfortable weight of 2.1 lb is typical of good-quality rangefinders, but you can tripod mount them with an adapter.
As time is often of the essence, a single measurement takes only 0.3 seconds, and the onboard weather sensors give you real-time air pressure and temperature information. They are nitrogen-purged for use in all-weather environments and are watertight to a depth of 16 ft/5 m.
The Geovid 3200.com is both rugged and sleek, and with a 30-year warranty, it is a testament to how many years of viewing enjoyment you'll get with these rangefinders.
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Best budget rangefinders
✅ You like getting good value for money: Historically we have been a bit wary of Bushnell as we've found some of their products to be a bit too budget, but these are good quality at a decent price point.
❌You're looking for a lightweight model: Though it's not much heavier than other models on this list, you can still save a couple of ounces by purchasing a different model.
🔎 Bushnell Fusion X 10x42: If you can find them in stock, snap them up if you're on a budget — they're great value for money.
Bushnell is well known for providing some decent binoculars at affordable prices, but some models are a touch fragile and would be better avoided. The Bushnell Fusion X 10x42 laser rangefinders certainly fall into the former category and we're happy to recommend them as a good budget pair.
The ActivSync display cleverly modifies the overlay information's color based on light levels. It shows red overlays on dark subjects and black overlays against bright daytime backgrounds. They're waterproof to IP67, so they are absolutely fine to use in all types of weather.
They provide good range-finding capability and accuracy with good quality optics for less than half the cost of several competing entry-level devices. In good conditions and with a reflective subject, the laser should reach up to a mile and be accurate within a single yard.
- For more generalist observing we've rounded up the Best binoculars on the market
Best mid-range model
✅ You like reputable brands: Nikon has been a leading manufacturer of optical instruments since 1917 so you know the products can be trusted, which is good as the warranty policy isn't the best.
❌ You need an exceptionally long laser: Though the 1750m range is more than enough for most users, choose something else if you need it to go further.
🔎 Nikon Laserforce 10x42: A great mid-range pair from a trusted brand, the 1750m range will be enough for most users.
These Nikon Laserforce 10x42 laser rangefinder binoculars come at a price that puts this well-known and trusted optical brand within reach of many hoping to get a quality mid-range pair. Although some trade-offs exist, such as the laser rangefinder's relatively limited range, it's still powerful enough for many real-world situations.
They are rubberized, water and fog-proof with nitrogen-purged internals to avoid mold and rot. Nikon's warranty policy is quite complex, offering a lifetime warranty on optical components and a seven-year warranty on non-optical components. Strangely though, only one year on electronic components which is odd as without these parts, all you're left with is a pair of heavy and expensive regular binoculars.
The ID (incline/decline) system compensates for angles up to 89 degrees. As you'd expect from Nikon, the optics are top-notch, with fully multi-coated lenses and prisms, and even include ultra-low dispersion (ED) glass to correct chromatic aberrations that would otherwise cause color fringing.
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Rangefinders with the best build quality
✅ You will be using them in inclement weather: Zeiss developed and utilizes LotuTec which is a coating that means a clear and unhindered view in all weather conditions.
❌ You're sticking to a budget: These rangefinders are a significant investment and cost nearly $3000. In reality, they are reserved for professional spotters.
🔎 Zeiss Victory 10x54: Outperforming many other laser rangefinders — a reflection of the top-quality engineering that's gone into them.
Zeiss has long been a go-to brand for binoculars and makes some of the best quality optics on the planet. Combine this with a powerful laser rangefinder, and it becomes a very handy tool for use in the field, but it comes at a price.
Zeiss Victory binoculars use fluorite lenses coated with their multi-layer T-coating to maximize light transmission, which on paper is 95%. The eyepieces also include a second coating called LocuTec that deters moisture and dust. This laser rangefinder outperforms many other laser rangefinders regarding distance and speed, sending data via Bluetooth to a dedicated Zeiss smartphone app to calculate corrections for critical tilt and environmental factors.
The Victory 10x54 is a quality piece of kit at a price that reflects the advanced technology and the top level of engineering that has gone into it. Victory rangefinders are available in four configurations, with either 42 or 54mm objective lenses and 8x or 10x magnification. We think the 10x54s are the best pick of the range.
- Keep everything steady with one of the Best travel tripods
Best budget non-laser rangefinder
✅ You have a tight budget: These don't have any of the bells and whistles that the laser rangefinders do, but sitting at the $100 price point, they are definitely one of the cheapest solutions.
❌ You don't like mental math: These are manual rangefinders, which means no laser to bounce back and tell you how far a