The Best Binoculars For Hunting: Top Picks & Recommendations
Wes Littlefield 10.24.24
For the first several years of hunting, I didn’t understand hunting binoculars were a thing. I primarily hunted thickets and the edge of small fields, where 200 yards was a long shot. So I used cheap-o-depot binoculars and hated them.
Then, I expanded my view, literally. I began hunting different environments and quickly realized that my cheap hunting binoculars couldn’t cut it. So, I opted for a higher-quality pair and was blown away by the difference.
Getting the best binoculars for hunting is well worth it, but blowing your budget on expensive glass is easy, so I also found some options without breaking the bank.
Here’s what I look for in the best hunting binoculars:
- Quality
- Durability
- Clarity
- Price
Vortex Crossfire HD 8×42 – Best Binoculars For Hunting Overall
The Vortex Crossfire HD binoculars are the best binoculars for hunting I’ve ever owned. I love how clear they are because I can pick out deer in low-light conditions from farther away than I ever thought possible. They’ve also lasted me several hunting seasons, so I know they’re durable because I’m not easy on my gear.
I’ve owned multiple Vortex products and have been very impressed with the quality, especially since they’re made in China. The biggest drawback to these binos is that they’re made in China. I’d much rather support American-made products, but Austria, Germany, and Portugal produce the best optics in the world.
However, this drawback is easy to overlook because of the price, and these Vortex binoculars aren’t your typical cheap Chinese optics.
As I said, I’ve had multiple hunting seasons with them, spotting deer, ducks, elk, coyotes, hogs, and any other creature I think is worth getting a closer look at, but once hunting season is over, they take a beating and rattle around in the console of my truck. Thankfully, they came with a lifetime warranty and carrying case that has helped protect them.
I originally purchased these binos for my first elk hunt, and they performed up to my standard as a new elk hunter (I brought home elk meat!). Thanks to the clear glass, I located dozens of elk across valleys and in thickets before spotting the one I eventually brought home. While it’s not the clearest glass I’ve ever looked through (that’s coming up), it’s still clear enough to get the job done.
Considering all the benefits, I would expect these binoculars to be well over $500, but they’re actually around $200, which is why I originally bought them. I couldn’t find a better pair of hunting binos within that price range.
Nikon Prostaff P3 10×42 – Best Budget-Friendly Binoculars
If you’re not a Vortex fan or think they’re still a little too pricey, don’t overlook the Nikon Prostaff P3 10×42 binos. Nikon is known for its high-quality glass in the photography space, and Nikon has brought that knowledge into hunting binoculars.
These binos are pretty compact but still offer the performance we hunters need. I love that they’re waterproof and fogproof, so you don’t have to worry about the rain or the glass fogging up on those brisk mornings.
The Nikon Prostaff P3s have also been designed with durability in mind. The engineers understand that binos get dropped occasionally, especially in the field, so they created these to be drop-resistant.
Another feature that I like is the broad range of these binoculars. If you’re a bow hunter and a rifle hunter, you don’t have to purchase two pairs of binoculars because these have a close minimum focus distance (about 10 feet for the bow hunters) and are still good for seeing farther out (several hundred yards for the rifle hunters).
I can’t lie and tell you that these are the best binos ever (you can always pay 10x more for better features), but they’re tough to beat for the price. So, for budget-conscious hunters, the Nikon Prostaff P3s are worth giving a shot this hunting season.
Swarovski NL Pure 10×52 – Best Hunting Binoculars When Price Isn’t A Factor
Now it’s time for all the hunters who live by the motto, “Buy nice or buy twice.” The Swarovski NL Pure 10×52 binos are the best hunting binoculars that money can buy. They’re crystal clear, durable, and use high-quality components.
But all that comes at an incredible price of over $3,400.
The glass is so clear that you forget you’re looking through binoculars. You can see the tiny details you’ve been unable to see with the cheaper binos, and it’s like looking into an entirely new world!
The colors are more vibrant, and you swear you saw that fly buzzing around the deer, smiling and waving at you! Okay, the fly might be a bit of an over-exaggeration, but you get my point. This glass is ridiculously clear, even in low-light conditions.
Thanks to the wasp waist design, the NL Pure binos are also comfortable to hold. Your hands will forget you’re holding them up to your eyes. And yes, at this price point, they’re submersible, so you don’t have to sweat ruining these expensive binoculars on a rainy hunt as you hold them up or mount them to a tripod all day.
The Swarovski NL Pure 10×52 binoculars are the best hunting binos money can buy, so if you have money burning a hole in your wallet, you won’t be disappointed with these hunting binoculars.
Parting Shots: Best Binoculars For Hunting
Getting the best binoculars for hunting will take your outdoor experience to the next level. I couldn’t believe everything I was missing while using the cheapest pair I could find. Now that I’ve upgraded, I’m never going back!
I love my Vortex Crossfire HD binoculars because they’re durable, have quality components, are clear, and are priced well, so my wife couldn’t object to my purchasing decision. However, if money were no option, I’d also own a pair of Swarovski NL Pure 10×52 binos.
