Astronomy binoculars are a great alternative to telescopes. They serve the same purpose but provide you with a unique viewing experience. Many seasoned stargazers have a pair of binoculars at their disposal to accompany their primary viewing equipment. These tools let you find celestial objects comfortably without having to lug bulky gear around.
There are a ton of great binoculars on the market. However, standard equipment that’s designed for wildlife just won’t do. Taking a closer look at the cosmos requires specialized gear that collects light adequately and provides optimal levels of magnification. The best astronomy binoculars can do that and more.
Why Use Binoculars for Stargazing?
You may be wondering why some astronomy buffs choose to use binoculars in the first place. Given their compact size, they can’t give you nearly as much viewing power as large telescopes, right?
Truth is, even the best binoculars on the market aren’t as comprehensive as a heavy-duty telescope. However, that’s not why people choose to use them. You see, binoculars offer one thing that no telescope can: portability.
Binoculars are significantly smaller than telescopes. Most can be flung around your neck with a strap or tossed into a backpack. Compare that to the 20-plus pounds that a giant optical tube weighs and it’s not hard to see why binoculars are the go-to for many astronomy enthusiasts. You can easily take binoculars out for an impromptu trip to a low-light area. There’s no need to pack up a large piece of gear or spend a ton of time setting your viewing equipment up. Just take the binoculars out, focus them, and take a look.
Beyond the portability, binoculars also give you a more natural viewing experience. When you’re taking a look at the cosmos through a telescope, you’re staring at a small image that’s been reflected and refracted. The field of view is narrow and you’re only using one pupil to see the image.
Binoculars offer a wider field of view that feels natural. More light is collected through the two optical barrels as well, producing a better image. Plus, you’re using both eyes, making it feel as if you’re right there in front of your target.
What Makes a Good Pair of Astronomy Binoculars?
Whether you want to view stars, planets, or far away nebulae, you’ll only be able to do so with a pair of high-quality binoculars. As we mentioned earlier, gear for bird watching isn’t going to serve you well when you’re wanting to look up at the night sky. To ensure that your new binoculars are fit for your needs, keep the following things in mind during your search.
Magnifying Power
Magnification is often the first thing people look at when they’re shopping for binoculars. While it is important, it’s not the only thing you should consider. Having a higher magnifying power isn’t always going to make a huge difference. Most people will do just fine with 10X magnification. This is more than enough to take a look at the moon and see star clusters up close.
Most celestial objects that you can view through binoculars are going to be quite large. Thus, a lower magnification level is going to provide you with a wide field of view that you can truly appreciate.
With that said, you can go higher if your goal is to look at long-distance objects. 20X magnification is great for viewing the rings of Jupiter or the Orion nebula. Typically, magnification power is represented in the first number of binocular specifications. Take, for example, 10×50 binoculars. The 10 means that the gear has 10x magnification.
Type of Prism Used
The reason that binoculars are so small is that they use prisms. Basically, prisms are complex glass components that manipulate light. They can increase the light path between the lenses and the eyepiece, effectively increasing magnification without having to change the size of the optical tube.
There are two different kinds of prisms that will work well for astronomy. These include a Porro prism and a Roof Prism. Porro prisms are the most accessible. They’re also known for producing sharp images with better contrast. This prism concentrates light strategically to ensure that you’re getting a highly visible bright image.
Roof prisms are great, too. High-end binoculars use roof prisms because it allows the gear to be smaller and more protected from the elements. You’ll often find waterproof binoculars using a roof prism. While they’re not as effective at concentrating light, modern roof prisms can minimize light loss to produce brighter images than ever before.
Size of Objective Lenses and Aperture
Like telescopes and cameras, the aperture of a pair of binoculars directly affects how much light is coming in. A larger aperture ensures that you’re getting a bright image with plenty of detail and contrast.
The same goes for the size of the objective lens. Larger lenses make it possible for light to flood the optical cones, resulting in better image quality. The diameter of objective lenses is measured in millimeters and can be found on the second number of binocular specifications. From our earlier example of 10×50 binoculars, the 50 indicates that the objective lenses are 50mm in diameter.
Exit Pupil
While the size of the lens and aperture affect how much light is coming in, the exit pupil affects what light is coming out. All of that focused light is concentrated into a small circular image, which is then taken in by your eye through the eyepieces.
The exit pupil should be between 5mm and 9mm in diameter, which is the same size as your pupils in low-light conditions. If the exit pupil is smaller, it could result in a darker image.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is the distance between the focused image and the final lens of the binocular eyepieces. This is particularly important for eyeglass wearers. As you can’t really get closer to the lens, eyeglass wearers need to get binoculars with a long eye relief. Alternatively, adjustable eyecups work wonders as well.
Build Quality
Next, let’s talk about build quality. Binoculars are supposed to be used outdoors. So, you won’t have a hard time finding the gear that’s built with tough materials. Stick to high-quality metals and thick treated glass. Your binoculars should be solid enough to hold up in the even to of accidental drops.
It’s always good to find equipment that’s dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof. These kinds of binoculars are specially treated to keep the internal optics intact even in the most rugged environments.
Focus and Eyepiece Adjustment
The biggest challenge that people face with astronomy binoculars is getting everything in focus. They’re often held in the hand. As a result, it’s easier for things to go out of whack. To make things easier, look for a simple focusing system. Most binoculars have a central focus knob that controls both eyepieces. Some high-end models also have a diopter knob to make up for differences between your eyes.
If you want the most user-friendly binoculars out there, go with something that has a built-in stabilizer. These binoculars will make up for any unexpected focusing issues. They typically have gyroscopes and liquid-filled prisms built right in.
Overall Size
Finally, it’s important to consider the size. There’s a fine balance between choosing optical equipment that’s large enough to let a lot of light in and small enough to carry on the go. Large binoculars do have their merits. They often come with better image quality and higher magnification. But, you’ll need to use a tripod adapter to use them comfortably.
Compact binoculars are ideal if portability is your priority. While not as powerful as large equipment, they have the added benefit of being lightweight and easy to use.
14 of the Best Astronomy Binoculars
Oberwerk 15×70 LW Binocular
Key Features:
- 15X magnification
- 50mm objective lenses
- Weighs 3 pounds
- Low-reflection lens coating
- Long eye relief
- Precision focus knob
- Diopter adjustment
- Comes with neck strap
Despite their large size, these binoculars from Oberwerk are quite comfortable to use. They only weigh approximately three pounds, making them easy to hold up. Alternatively, you can purchase a separate tripod adapter for prolonged comfort.
These binoculars have sizable optical cones and large-diameter objective lenses. As a result, they do a great job of collecting light and producing a crisp image. Thanks to the multiple coatings on the glass, you don’t have to worry about any extreme glare of unwanted reflection.
The binoculars are quite versatile in terms of viewing. It has 15X magnification and multiple adjustment points to get the right focus.
Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25×70 Binoculars
Key Features:
- 25X magnification
- 70mm objective lenses
- 0.51-inch eye relief
- Rubberized coating
- Multiple optical lens coatings
- Water-resistant body
- Rubber eyecups
You shouldn’t have any issues viewing low-light objects with these binoculars. They have large 70mm objective lenses and massive optical tubes. When you point the binoculars up at the night sky, the binoculars are flooded with light to produce a bright and crisp image. To enhance the picture even more, the lenses are coated with several glare-reducing layers.
The outside of the binoculars is built to be tough. The equipment is resistant to water damage. Plus, there’s a comfortable rubberized texture to improve grip. Rubber is also used on the eyecups for comfort and easy adjustments.
Nikon 7239 Action 7×50 EX Extreme All-Terain Binocular
Key Features:
- 7X magnification
- 50mm objective lenses
- Fogproof and waterproof
- 17.1mm eye relief
- 7.1mm exit pupil
- Wide field of view
These binoculars come from the famed optics company Nikon. Like the brand’s cameras, these binoculars do not disappoint. They have sizable objective lenses that help to improve light concentration. While the magnification is a bit weaker than some other options on the market, the enhanced image quality you get from the increased light and multiple lens coatings make up for it.
One thing that we appreciate about these binoculars is the build quality. Nikon managed to create rugged binoculars that hold up well to whatever nature throws at them. They’re waterproof and fogproof, ensuring that you can use them in any environment.
Celestron – Cometron 7×50 Binoculars
Key Features:
- 7X magnification
- 50mm objective lenses
- Large exit pupil
- 13mm eye relief
- Wide field of view
- Aluminum exterior
Check out these binoculars from Celestron. This particular model is designed with simplicity in mind, making it a great option for beginners. The binoculars have moderate magnification power. This widens up the field of view while also allowing you to get up close and personal with the stars.
Taking a look at the night sky in low-light situations is no problem thanks to the sizable objective lenses. The large diameter helps to collect and concentrate light efficiently. Furthermore, the large aperture and multi-coated improve the image even further.
Celestron – Outland X 8×42 Binoculars
Key Features:
- 8X magnification
- BAK 4 glass prism
- 18mm eye relief
- Multi-coated lens
- Includes case, dust caps, and tripod adapter
Also from Celestron are the Outland X binoculars. They’re great for birding and astronomy. The magnification level isn’t the most powerful. However, these binoculars do have large objective lenses for producing bright images. Plus, the lenses are coated to improve clarity and color.
Whether you wear glasses or not, you will be able to look through the binoculars comfortably. The eye relief is fully adjustable. At its longest, it can be 18mm to accommodate even the thickest glasses. There’s also a sizable focus knob to help you lock onto objects in seconds.
Orion 51464 20×80 Astronomy Binoculars
Key Features:
- 20X magnification
- 80mm objective lenses
- BAK 4 Porro prism
- 17mm eye relief
- Multi-coated lens
- Includes case, dust caps, and tripod adapter
With massive objective lenses, these binoculars offer a wide-angle view of the night sky without having to worry about muddiness or a lack of light. The optical cones are quite large, ensuring that as much light as possible is funneled into the binoculars.
High-quality Porro prisms are used on each barrel. They improve light concentration further and enhance the overall clarity of the final image. The prisms work in tandem with the multiple coating to bring the cosmos to life through the binoculars.
Barska Blueline Jumbo Binoculars
Key Features:
- Up to 40X magnification
- 100mm objective lenses
- Up to 23.6mm eye relief
- Metal body
- Waterproof construction
- Includes two adjustable eyepieces
These binoculars from Barska have a distinct design that’s made for long-distance viewing. The unit operates very similarly to that of a traditional telescope. It’s meant to be mounted on a tripod. Thanks to the angled eyepieces, you can look down at the binoculars to enjoy the view comfortably.
Two eyepieces are included. With the most powerful accessory, you’re getting 40X magnification. That high magnification power is perfect for taking a look at deep sky objects.
Barska Waterproof Cosmos Binoculars
Key Features:
- Up to 40X magnification
- 100mm objective lenses
- Waterproof
- Coated lenses for improved optical quality
- Reinforced housing
- Can be used with a tripod
Also from Barska are these astronomical binoculars. They’re quite large compared to some other models on this list. However, that size provides you with impressive magnifying power. The biggest model gives you 40X magnification for long-range viewing.
The objective lens for that particular set of binoculars is 100mm in diameter. Barska also offers a smaller 80mm unit if you’d like something a bit smaller. Like most high-end binoculars, these feature coated optics and durable construction.
ESSLNB Giant Binoculars Astronomy 13-39X70
Key Features:
- Up to 39X magnification
- 70mm objective lenses
- Adjustable magnification power
- Wide field of view
- Adjustable eye relief
- Central focus knob
- Comes with smartphone and tripod adapter
These giant binoculars are perfect for taking a look at the night sky. They have large-diameter lenses and plenty of magnification. Best of all, the magnification level is completely adjustable. With a turn of a knob, you can go from viewing birds in the sky to zooming towards distance celestial objects.
If you don’t want to take a look through the binoculars with your own eyes, you’re in luck. This model comes with a smartphone adapter for astrophotography. Simply use the tripod adapter to set the binoculars up, snap your smartphone in, and start snapping away.
Celestron – SkyMaster 25X100 Astro Binoculars
Key Features:
- Up to 25X magnification
- 100mm objective lenses
- Bak 4 Porro prism
- Diopter adjustments
- 15mm eye relief
- Resistant to water damage
- Comes with carrying case, tripod adapter, and neck strap
The SkyMaster binoculars are the most powerful in Celestron’s lineup. The high-powered binoculars offer 25X magnification power, which is great for viewing planets and star clusters. Even more important is the amount of light that the binoculars let through.
Thanks to the massive lenses and aperture, the cosmos will look true to life in any environment. The Porro prism concentrates light effectively to improve transmission and provide you with a brighter image.
Levenhuk Bruno Plus 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars
Key Features:
- 15X magnification
- 70mm objective lenses
- Waterproof housing
- Adjustable eyepieces
- Porro prisms
- Diopter adjustments
While these binoculars look simple, they’re housing a lot of high-quality features. The thing we like most is the adjustable eyepieces. Both eyepieces feature 5-element optics. They can be fine-tuned to perfect the image and get rid of several types of distortion.
Light is perfected from the moment they enter the binoculars, too. Green multi-coat finishes are used on the lenses to reduce glare, improve contrast, and enhance color saturation. This results in a crisper image that looks great regardless of the lighting conditions.
Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars
Key Features:
- 10X magnification
- 42mm objective lenses
- Shock-absorbing rubber coating
- Roof prism
- Compact size
- Weighs less than 2 pounds
- Comes with a smartphone mount, neck strap, and case
Looking for a set of binoculars that you can take with you anywhere? Take a peek at this pair from Gosky. They feature a durable body that’s covered in a rubber coating. Not only does the coating improve grip, but it absorbs the blow in the event of accidental drops. Plus, the material seals the housing, making it waterproof and fogproof.
When it comes to performance, the binoculars do quite well. They use roof prisms to concentrate light while keeping the overall size down. There’s also coated opticals, a blue film eyepiece, and more.
Orion 09332 Scenix Wide Field Binoculars
Key Features:
- 7X magnification
- 50mm objective lenses
- Wide field of view
- Metal body with protective rubber
- Large focus knob
- Only weighs 1.8 pounds
The Scenix binoculars from Orion are all about versatility. They’re compact, very lightweight, and easy to carry around with you. The binoculars can serve you well in both daytime and nighttime viewing. With up to 7X magnification, you can get a good look at the moon and some star constellations without needing a tripod.
The body of the astronomy binoculars is built to be tough. They’re made entirely out of metal. There’s also a nice rubber coating to provide some shock absorption and extra grip.
Canon 18×50 Image Stabilization Binoculars
Key Features:
- 18X magnification
- Image stabilization feature
- Wide field of view
- Coated lenses for better clarity and color
- Resistant to shocks and water damage
- 15mm eye relief
- Small exit pupil of 2.8mm
- Field flattener built-in
With these Canon binoculars, you can get a true-to-life image of the cosmos. It has a built-in field flattener to reduce distortion. Pair that with the wide field of view and it will feel like you’re looking at your target while you’re floating in space.
The binoculars also have a powerful image stabilization system. It’s powered by simple AA batteries. It sits between the objective lenses and the Porro prism. Anytime a slight bump or vibration moves the binoculars, the system will automatically bend the light as a response. This allows you to view your target comfortably without distortion issues.
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