Best Binoculars for Under $100 in 2021 — Reviews & Tips for Buying Budget Binoculars

Top Binoculars Under 100 in 2021 — Our Picks

Before we get to our reviews,  which include links to retailers who carry the products, here's a quick preview of which ones we chose based on quality, overall customer satisfaction and value for the money, along with the our rating.

COVID-19 Update: In order to assist your shopping, this table may include products and brands that are similar to the ones we reviewed if our featured item is not currently available for shipping on Amazon.

Leupold BX-1 Rogue Compact Binocular Review

Whether it’s at the game, in the field, at home, or anywhere else, the Leupold’s Rogue Compact Binoculars is what you need to be close to the action. This binocular comes with all the best features of the Rogue, packed into a palm-sized bundle. Its Porro prism design ensures better clarity and brightness.

Indeed, you will not be disappointed. It’s unbelievably small and lightweight but does not sacrifice any optical performance. 

The BaK4 prisms provide a totally round exit pupil, with a crisp, clear-cut image, and no edge distortion. The both waterproof and fogproof, plus Leupold guarantees them to perform for life.

These binoculars have their bodies crafted from strong aluminum alloy with rubber armoring. This not only enhances impact resistance but provides a positive grasp as well. The central focus dial is large enough to be easily found and used, even with gloved hands, while the diopter focus paddle gives you a precise focus, which compensates for the differences between your eyes.

The ergonomic design of the Rogue Compact ensures it is lightweight, slim, and fits perfectly in your hands. And, hey, when you buy this gadget, you get some cool pro gear accessories including lens cover, binoculars case, Go Afield shoulder strap, and a lens cloth.

The Rogue Compact is everything you could ask for in compact binoculars under $100. Its twist-up eyecups, coupled with generous eye relief will ensure comfort when with extended viewing. With its multi-coated lens system, you are sure of good contrast, clarity, and color fidelity. 

The bonus points of waterproofness and ruggedness offer you a lifetime of action in all conditions. It also comes with a lifetime warranty from Leupold.

Leupold BX-1 Rouge compact binoculars available in 8x25 or 10x25mm power.

SkyGenius Long Range Full-Size Binocular Review

If you are looking for high magnification binoculars on a budget, then look no further than the SkyGenius 10 x 50. With an enlargement power of 10x, this gadget can draw the object 10 times nearer.

The 50mm lens diameter lets more light in and allows you to get clearer details even in low-light conditions. It’s easy to use: Simply focus by tuning the right eye cup as well as the center wheel.

The lens has a corrective multi-layer coating that allow exceptional light transmission, with minimal distortion. In addition, they minimize chromatic aberration and provide a vivid, sharp, and clear image even with bright colors.

The model from SkyGenius has external slip-resistant rubber that absorbs shock, giving you a solid grip and excellent user experience making them some of the best full sized binoculars under $50. It comes with carrying back, 4 lens caps, strap and cleaning cloth.

Whether its bird watching, wildlife watching, sightseeing, or sporting events, these binoculars will give you the detail you need without shaking the image.

The 367 ft/1,000 yards visual angle is large enough for viewing fast moving objects. To crown it all of, these binoculars are for daily outdoor use — they ares waterproof, anti-slip, and fog-proof. 

What’s more, the external body is made from aluminum alloy and covered with resistant rubber, making them resistant to harsh weather conditions like fog or rain. 

Vortex Optics Raptor Porro Mid-Sized Binocular Review

Vortex Optics has taken the Porro prism performance seriously by designing the Raptor binoculars. This gadget delivers bright, clear images with outstanding color accuracy even in low light environments, thanks to its fully multi-coated lenses. 

The 32mm objective lenses and the 8.5x magnification give it a wide angle that promotes comfortable viewing for various facial structures, whether narrow or wide. The Raptor Porro comes with 390 feet/1000 yards|7.4 degrees field of view and is an excellent fit for every family member, kids and adults alike. It has a close focus of 15 feet.

These binoculars are backed by Vortex Optics lifetime guarantee.

The eyecups twist up to offer customizable eye relief as the right eye diopter accommodates for focal differences within your eyes.  This binocular features rubber armor which makes it durable and nitrogen purging that gives you improved fog proof and waterproof performance in severe weather conditions. 

The Vortex Raptor also available in 10X32 magnification.

Nikon 8248 ACULON A211 Mid-Size Binocular Review

Perfect for landscape viewing, the Nikon ACULON A211 features a 10x powerful magnification and 50mm objective lenses fabricated with Nikon’s unique lead and arsenic-free Eco-Glass™.

Its BaK4 Porro prism system, together with the aspherical multicoated eco-glass lenses delivers high-quality images in various lighting environments, making them effective from dawn to dusk.

This pair of binoculars comes with turn-and-side rubber eyecups for easy positioning of the eyes to allow comfortable viewing, even during extended periods of use. The ergonomic design ensures easy portability. The fast and smooth central focus knob allows for easy focus and simple operation.

With durable rubber-armored coating, the ACULON A211 is built to withstand virtually any condition you bring them into, making them one of the best compact binoculars under $100.  Regardless of the weather conditions, you are assured of a non-slip grip.

If you need a different magnification, there are other models (not all of them under $100) in the this series including:

• ACULON A211 7x35
• ACULON A211 8X42
• ACULON A211 10x42
• ACULON A211 7x50
• ACULON A211 16x50

Regardless of which model you pick, you get Nikon's lifetime limited warranty.

Vortex Optics Vanquish Reverse Porro Compact Binocular Review

Whether you like traveling, hunting, or watching wildlife in your backyard, the Vanquish Reverse Porro from Vortex Optics will give you excellent viewing for a variety of subjects.

One of Vortex’s smallest, and lightest binoculars, the compact 8x26 Porro prism-designed Vanquish has fully multi-coated lenses to give you increased light resolution and transmission, making sure you receive the crisp, clear images you want.

Made from aluminum and fully rubber armored, this binocular is durable and offers a non-slip grip. It has a field of view of 352 feet/1000 yards (6.7 degrees) and a close focus of 7.6 feet. You can adjust the twist and lock eyecups to your own liking.

For your own peace of mind, this gadget is O-ring sealed to prevent moisture, dust and debris from getting inside. It’s also nitrogen purged to prevent fogging — whatever the temperature is.

To make things even better, the Vanquish binoculars come with Vortex’s guarantee of a lifetime of fog proof and waterproof performance.

At 4.7 x 4.4 inches, with a mere 12.7 ounces in weight, most people would agree that this portable glass set is the perfect companion. Vanquish binoculars com with a Vortex’s Rainguard Eyepiece Cover, a comfort neck strap and carrying case.

The Vortex Vanquish is also available in 10x26 power for slightly higher price (but still less than $100 when we last checked.

Wingspan Optics Voyager Compact Binocular Review

Looking for pocket size, lightweight binoculars under $100 that do not compromise on brightness, clarity, and detail?  The Wingspan Optics compact 8x32 binocular is your best bet.

Whether you are a sports fanatic, birdwatcher, nature lover, or you simply enjoy star gazing at night, this device has a powerful 8X magnification to deliver the spectacular detail you crave.

The extra-wide field of view of 362 feet /1000 yards makes this one of the best binoculars in its category. Imagine being able to view a complete field of action, then zooming in on your target to get glaring detail at an entire 1000 yards out.

Watch as feather tips flutter in the wind, or as dew drops glimmer on the field. Simply find your prey with wide view then zoom in.

These pocket-size binoculars come with nitrogen packed lenses and a sealed body that makes them fog proof and waterproof. Its ergo-comfort, non-slip grip lets you watch birds, concerts, or outdoor games for hours without the fear of damage. 

Comes with neck strap, nylon mesh carrying case, eyepiece and lens protection covers and microfiber lens cleaning cloth.

For your own peace of mind, this pair of compact binoculars comes with a lifetime warranty, including a 30-day money back guarantee. What’s more, the 14.8mm eye relief makes this the perfect pair of binoculars for glass wearing users. 

Indeed, you will want to take them everywhere!

Celestron Outland X Waterproof & Fogproof Compact Binocular Review

You can also check out the Celestron Factory Outlet Store

Bushnell H2O Waterproof Roof Prism Compact Binocular Review

As the name suggests, the Bushnell H2O Waterproof series of binoculars are completely fog proof and waterproof. They are built to last even in tough outdoor conditions.

Whether you are going kayaking, boating, or visiting high humidity surroundings such as rainforests, this gadget is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to ensure the inside remains dry as the water stays out (even if completely submerged under water). 

The non-slip rubber armor on this pair of binoculars absorbs shock while ensuring safe grip and handling. It has 8 x magnifications, 42mm objective diameter and 17mm eye relief.

The large center-focus knob provides easy adjustment, while the twist-up eyecups make them perfect for both glass and non-glass wearers.

It is made with 100% quality materials that are tested and used extensively. The multi-coated optics, coupled with Bak-4 prisms offer crisp fine images with enhanced light transmission. 

With a price under $100, you get a binocular with quality optics and stunning HD clarity, and a beautiful design together with durability that will last.

Bushnell’s H20 collection has other waterproof and fog proof models, with varying magnifications, as well as some with Porro Prisms instead of Roof Prisms.

• Bushnell H2O 8x42 with Roof Prism
• Bushnell H2O 10x42 with Roof Prism
• Bushnell H2O 12x42 with Porro Prism
• Bushnell H2O 7x50 with Porro Prism
• Bushnell H2O 10x42 with Porro Prism

And, hey, you get a limited lifetime warranty when you buy any one of them!

Celestron 71008 SkyMaster Full Size Binocular Review

The Celestron Skymaster series of binoculars are a great value for your money. With the Skymaster 25x70, you get great performance and a high field of view of 141 feet / 1000 yards that is perfect for both astronomical viewing and terrestrial use, particularly over long distances.

Like all SkyMaster models, the Celestron 71008 features exceptional grade BaK-4 prisms, coupled with multi-coated optics for improved contrast. With its powerful 25x magnification and large 70mm objective lens, this model gives topmost image brightness even in dim light and long-range conditions.

Indeed, this pair of binoculars offers serious wide aperture light gathering in a reasonably lightweight and affordable package. 

It has an eye relief of 0.51 which makes it perfect for eyeglass wearer users. The protective rubber covering provides ultra-firm grip.

The greatest bonus with this model is that you can enjoy hours of hands-free viewing sessions by simply mounting your binocular on a tripod. The armored, rugged body offers protection and a firm gripping surface. Don’t worry about the changing weather conditions; the water-resistant exterior means it can take those unexpected rainstorms.

Comes with objective lens caps, carrying case, neck strap, rainguard, microfiber lens cloth, tripod adapter, and instruction manual.

If you need something either less or more powerful, there are other options in the SkyMaster line from Celestron: 

• 71007 SkyMaster 12x60 
• 71009 SkyMaster 15x70 
• 71018 SkyMaster 20x80 
• 71017 SkyMaster 25x100 

When we last looked, all five models were either under, or very close to the $100 price point and come with Celestron's limited lifetime guarantee.

May also be available at the Celestron Factory Outlet Store

Bushnell Falcon Wide Angle Full Size Binocular Review

The powerful magnification found in the Bushnell Falcon 10x50 is something you would not expect to get in binoculars of its price range — just under $40 when we last checked.

This device gives you a 10x magnification and a 50mm objective lens. Together with the autofocussing Porro prism found inside, you get large and clear images that are 10x larger than normal. 

With its larger objective lens, you are sure of getting a better experience with a huge field of view of 300 ft at 1000 yds, and brighter images. You will be able to see the bird in excellent clarity and even follow it as it moves and jumps from one branch to the next.

This pair of binoculars has an eye relief of 9mm. While this might not be huge, it is still acceptable and can work for most prescription eyewear. 

They are perfect for wildlife observation, birding, hunting, stadium sports, and many other outdoor activities.

The rubber fold-down eyecups are designed for your comfort and also to bar extraneous light. Eye glass wearers simply need to roll down the eyecups to bring the eyes near the binoculars lens, which in turn improves the field of view. This is also great for sunny days when wearing sunglasses.

Bushnell is the leading brand in high-performance binoculars so they are a trusted choice if you just looking for a cheap pair.

NOTE: This is an older model, with limited availability, however that means a lower price. You may also find it at the Bushnell Factory Outlet Store.

Best Binoculars Under $100 — 2021 Buying Guide

Uses of Binoculars

Binoculars Types — Overview

Video: The optical quality of a binocular can be divided into several categories

Tutorial: Optical Quality 101 | Courtesy of Eagle Optics

Video: When buying a binocular, you’ll want to know the optical device’s magnification

Tutorial: Understanding Binoculars - Magnification and Stability | Courtesy of Eagle Optics

Video: Features, advantages and benefits of Roof and Porro prism binoculars

What's the difference between Roof and Porro prism Binoculars? | Courtesy of Vortex Optics

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