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70+ Binoculars Ranked — The Best in the UK for Astronomy

Rank & ratings last updated on

Skymaster 8x56 DX and Bushnell Legacy WP 10x50, two of our recommended best binoculars
Skymaster 8x56 DX and Bushnell Legacy WP 10x50, two of our recommended binoculars. Pic by Zane Landers
For those who don’t have a lot to spend or aren’t sure whether they’re interested in astronomy, I believe binoculars are a great choice.
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Even if you already have a telescope, a good pair of binoculars can be a useful addition. A pair of 40–60 mm binoculars will offer a wide field of view, can be set up quickly, and are capable of showing open star clusters, bright nebulae, and galaxies. Smaller handheld binoculars can be used as a reference or for practice when trying to locate new objects in your telescope. All at a cost less than most telescope eyepieces.
Some prefer tripod-mounted, larger binoculars over telescopes because they are more comfortable to look through with two eyes and are 75% brighter than an equivalent aperture telescope. This factor is also why a pair of binoculars is superior to a cheap telescope with a small aperture and poor features for beginners, as a pair of bargain 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars will have superior image brightness to a 2-3” telescope.
Unlike cheap telescopes, you won’t have to worry about bad optics, a wobbly tripod, or low-quality, uncomfortable eyepieces with even the cheapest acceptable binoculars in our rankings.

Tips on Choosing Best Astronomical Binoculars

The second number in a pair of binoculars refers to its aperture in millimeters—e.g., 42 mm, 50 mm, 63 mm, etc.

The astronomy binoculars range from 35 mm to as large as 152 mm in aperture, though usually, they are between 35 mm and 80 mm. While larger is better for light-gathering power, anything larger than 100 mm resembles a pair of telescopes more than binoculars, often has interchangeable eyepieces, and will be very expensive. Also, a too-large pair means we're unable to hold them steady.

In general, I consider 42 mm to be the minimum for astronomical viewing for adults. 35mm will suffice, but in general, 42mm or larger is better, and anything smaller than 35mm is really for watching birds or sports teams—not astronomy.

For astronomical purposes without a tripod, the upper limit for handheld binoculars is probably 63 mm of aperture or less. Some people can hand-hold 10x or 11x70 binoculars. But it is not easy to do, and I would not recommend doing so without having a tripod in the event that there’s too much to handle.

50 mm of an aperture is a good general-purpose size. I find them large enough for basically anyone to use them handheld but small enough to be portable and still easy to manage.

The first number in a pair of binoculars’ specifications—e.g., 7x50 or 8x42—refers to the magnification, in this case, 7x or 8x.

In general, astronomy binoculars should have a magnification between 7x and 25x in order to provide a good balance between image detail, stability, sharpness, and field of view.

At higher magnifications, the view through binoculars appears larger, but the field of view will be narrower. This can make it more difficult to locate and observe celestial objects, as we'll see less of the sky at once. Additionally, higher magnifications generally belong to the domain of telescopes, as they are more sensitive to shaking from our hands or an inadequate mounting and bring out flaws in optical quality with many binoculars.

I consider 8x to be the limit for most children to hand-hold steadily, and 10x or 11x to be the limit for most adults. I've also seen people handling 12x, or even 15x or 16x binoculars, but in practice, it is usually hard to hold them steady.

For terrestrial use, you can amp up the magnification a little more, since daytime things are generally near the horizon (easier to hold steady) and are brighter and more familiar (thus taking less work for your eyes to see even if the image is jiggly).

Binoculars typically have eyepieces with apparent fields of view of 50 degrees (similar to a Plossl or Kellner telescope eyepiece) or greater. Wide-angle eyepieces can be more immersive but are harder to manufacture to a high standard of quality.

The apparent field of binoculars, combined with their magnification, dictates the true field of view, as with a telescope. A good pair of 7x or 10x binoculars has a true field of view of 6.5 degrees or greater. I've found that binoculars with a true field of less than 4 degrees are very hard to aim.

Porro prisms and roof prisms are the two different designs used in binoculars to invert the image so that it is right-side-up and left-to-right correct.

Porro prisms are a traditional design that uses two prisms arranged at a right angle to each other to deflect and invert the image. They are named after the Italian optician Ignazio Porro, who patented the design in the 19th century. Porro prism binoculars are characterised by a distinctive zig-zag shape, with the objective lenses offset from the eyepieces.

Roof prisms, on the other hand, use a single prism with a roof-shaped cross-section to invert the image. They are generally more compact and lightweight than Porro prism binoculars and are often used in compact or travel-sized binoculars.

One advantage of Porro prisms for astronomy binoculars is that they tend to have a wider field of view compared to roof prisms of the same magnification and objective lens size. This makes them more convenient for observing celestial objects, as they allow us to see more of the sky at once. Additionally, Porro prisms may offer better image quality and contrast due to their less complex optical design, especially when comparing two binoculars at the same price point.

However, I'm not saying that the choice between Porro and roof prisms in binoculars is always a simple matter of one being inherently better than the other. Both designs have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice, if you ask me, depends on your specific needs and preferences.

BK-7 (soda-lime glass) and BaK-4 (barium crown) are the two commonly seen types of glass used in the prisms of binoculars. 

BK-7 glass is a type of borosilicate crown glass that is commonly used in the prisms of lower-cost binoculars. It is relatively inexpensive and has good transmission properties, but it is not as dense as some other types of glass and may not offer the same level of performance in terms of image quality and clarity. BaK-4 glass, on the other hand, is a higher-quality glass that is denser and more optically pure than BK-7 glass. It is often used in the prisms of higher-end binoculars because it offers better image quality and clarity.

In astronomy binoculars, the quality of the prisms can be an important factor because it affects the overall image quality and clarity of the instrument. BaK-4 prisms are what I recommend as a better choice for astronomy binoculars because they offer better image quality and clarity compared to BK-7 prisms. Many cheap binoculars use BK-7 prisms, which are also undersized and vignette the aperture of the objective lenses, bringing down performance.

ED glass is sometimes used in binoculars to provide additional chromatic aberration control, similar to a high-quality apochromatic refractor telescope. However, at the low and usually fixed magnifications offered by all but the largest astronomy binoculars, I believe you are unlikely to benefit much from spending additional money on ED glass alone; other features are more important.

Binoculars I'd Recommend Avoiding

Zoom binoculars tend to have lower image quality compared to fixed-magnification binoculars. This is because the additional moving parts and lenses required for the zoom feature can introduce distortions and aberrations into the image.

Additionally, zoom binoculars often have a narrower field of view and less light-gathering ability than fixed-magnification binoculars, which can make it more difficult to locate and observe objects. The high magnifications offered are rarely of any use, being too shaky to use handheld, and if you’re bothering with a steady mount and tripod, a telescope is a better choice.

Another issue with zoom binoculars is that they are generally less durable and more prone to failure than fixed-magnification binoculars. The additional moving parts in zoom binoculars can be prone to wear and tear and may require more frequent repairs or maintenance.

“Ruby-coated lenses” are often used to block out certain wavelengths of light to hide shoddy optical quality in binoculars. This reduces light-gathering ability and is also a general indication of a low-quality unit to begin with. Avoid any binoculars with such claims, even for non-astronomical use.

“Perma focus”, “insta-focus”, and other similarly advertised binoculars are an attempt to sell low-quality units that lack a focus mechanism as somehow advantageous. They are essentially a scam; avoid them. Look for binoculars with center-focusing and diopters for maximum ease of focus.

Around or Under £75

Celestron SkyMaster 12x60
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Rank 1
4.3/5
The Celestron SkyMaster 12x60s are a versatile pair that sit comfortably between the realms of the more portable 50mm binoculars and the larger, more powerful alternatives. They can be wielded by hand, yet offer a viewing experience that’s a cut above smaller 50 mm aperture binoculars. Its high-quality BAK-4 prisms, coupled with an excellent price-to-performance ratio, make the Celestron SkyMaster 12x60s a very appealing choice.
Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA
Rank 2
4.3/5
The Opticron Oregon 10x50s are endowed with BAK-4 prisms, a feature that is renowned for enhancing the clarity and sharpness of images. The 6.5-degree true field of these binoculars ensures that you can soak in the splendour of the cosmos. In addition, they provide a generous 16 mm of eye relief, which is a boon for those who wear glasses. What’s more, Opticron stands firmly behind their product with an included 5-year warranty. All in all, this is a phenomenal choice for those looking for optical brilliance in their stargazing endeavours.
Celestron Cometron 7×50
Rank 3
4.2/5
The Celestron Cometron 7x50s are a steal for those on a budget, combining affordability with a commendable performance. Celestron’s Cometron 7x50s with cheap BK7 prisms and a 6.8-degree true field of view are surprisingly affordable and one of the best astronomy binoculars for the money, and in fact, the first pair of binoculars I ever owned.

Obviously, for less than the price of a somewhat-decent telescope eyepiece or a Telrad, you can’t expect perfection. The cheap BK-7 prisms vignette the aperture somewhat, and the coatings are simple (also reducing the effective aperture), making them more like a 40 mm pair. Also, the edge of the field of view isn’t the sharpest.

The field of view is also slightly narrower at 6.8 degrees, meaning the eyepieces only have a 47-degree apparent field. The eyepieces can also “rock” out of alignment for whatever reason if you press your eyes up against them, which is annoying but easily fixed.

The binoculars are also not entirely waterproof—not much of an issue for astronomy, but it may be an inconvenience if you plan on using them for other things. They do, however, have a decent rubber coating on the housing, which makes them at least water-resistant.

All the drawbacks become nonexistent when you look at how cheap this astronomical binocular is.

Lastly, there’s a chance your binoculars may be delivered out of collimation (i.e., the prisms are knocked out of alignment), which is very difficult to fix. Thankfully, Celestron will quickly and easily replace your binoculars free of charge if this is a problem.

All this being said, the Cometron 7x50s deliver about 75% of the views that a really expensive pair will, for next to nothing. I highly recommend them even if you buy another pair of binoculars since they’re so cheap that they can serve as a spare or backup.

RankBinocularRating
Rank 4Pentax Jupiter 10x504.2
Rank 5Visionary 7x50 Classic4.1
Rank 6Opticron 30189 Oregon WA 10x504
Rank 7Bresser 7x50 Porro4
Rank 8Bresser Travel Binoculars 7x504
Rank 9Bresser Hunter 7x504
Rank 10Praktica Falcon 7x503.9
Rank 11Bushnell PowerView 10x503.9
Rank 12Opticron Oregon WA 8x403.9
Rank 13Pentax Jupiter 8x403.9
Rank 14Tasco 10x503.9
Rank 15Bushnell Falcon 10x503.9
Rank 16Celestron UpClose 10×503.9
Rank 17Pentax Jupiter 12x503.9
Rank 18Celestron UpClose G2 8x403.8
Rank 19Celestron UpClose G2 7x353.8
Rank 20Bushnell Falcon 7x353.8
Rank 21BARSKA Crush Series 10x423.7
Rank 22Celestron LandScout 7x35mm Porro3.5
Rank 23Bushnell PowerView 20x503.4
Rank 24Celestron UpClose 20x503.4
Rank 25Pentax Jupiter 16x503.3
Rank 26Visionary Black 7x503.3
Rank 27Visionary YELLOW 7x50 3.3
Rank 28Konus Konusvue 7X503.3
Rank 29Konus 7x50 Sporty Fix Focus3.3
Rank 30Celestron UpClose G2 10-30x50 Zoom3.3
Rank 31Celestron Outland X 8x253.2
Rank 32Celestron UpClose G2 10x253.1
Rank 33Celestron Up-Close G2 8x21 Roof3.1
Rank 34Celestron LandScout 10x25 Roof3
Rank 35Celestron Kids 4x302.5

£75-£150 Range

Best Value
Bushnell Legacy WP 10x50
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Rank 1
4.8/5
The waterproof Legacy WP 10x50s, the other pair of 50 mm binoculars I currently own, feature a wide 6.5-degree true field, BaK-4 prisms, and comfortable twist-up eyecups with sharp views right out to the edges of the field. The Bushnell Legacy WP 10x50s are a great package of features and performance for amateur astronomers and nature enthusiasts alike.

The prisms on the Legacy WP 10x50s are BAK-4 glass, which means a sharper, brighter field compared to BK-7. They are still very slightly undersized/noncircular and vignette about 5% of the aperture, which is in effect invisible. As is stated in the name, the Legacy WP 10x50s are fully waterproof and, I think, somewhat fogging-resistant—a nice bonus. All glass surfaces in the binoculars are also fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission.

The Legacy WP 10x50s have a field of view of 6.5 degrees, and given the 10x magnification, this means the apparent field is a nice, wide 65 degrees. The eyepieces have 20 mm of eye relief if you wear glasses for astigmatism (you don’t need them otherwise) and twist-up eyecups, as well as eyepiece caps that stay attached to the neck strap.

Downsides? Well, for one, the magnification. The 10x binoculars are really the limit for handheld use, and the weight of the Legacy WP 10x50s doesn’t help with steadying them. Children and some adults will have trouble holding them steady for long periods.

If you can hold them steady, the Bushnell Legacy WP 10x50s are great binoculars for stargazing. Mine has travelled with me halfway around the globe to dark locations and is great for daytime spotting too.

Nikon Aculon 10x50
Rank 2
4.4/5
The Nikon Aculon 10x50s are a sturdy, durable, and highly capable pair of binoculars, though they command a premium price. Built to last, these binoculars achieve a 6.5-degree field of view and are equipped with BAK-4 prisms. However, it is worth noting that they might not be as comfortable or as affordable as some of the other 10x50 options available on the market.
Opticron Oregon 15x70
Rank 3
4.3/5
The Opticron Oregon 15x70s are like doppelgangers to the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70s, mirroring their features down to the last detail, including the BAK-4 prisms. Just like the Celestron counterpart, these binoculars deliver a captivating view of the night sky. However, it is important to be cognisant of the same caveats that come with the SkyMaster 15x70s. The Opticron Oregon 15x70s are ideal for those looking for an alternative brand while maintaining the same set of features and performance as the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70s.
Nikon Aculon 12x50
Rank 4
4.1/5
The Nikon Aculon 12x50s offer a tantalising 12x magnification, allowing you to get even closer to celestial objects. Equipped with BAK-4 prisms, the views are, of course, quite sharp. However, these binoculars have a narrower field of view, and their increased magnification makes them somewhat harder to hold steady in your hands. They are best used in a setting where you can stabilise them with a tripod or monopod.
Gosky 10x42
Rank 5
4.1/5
A nice pair of BaK4 roof prism 10x42s with a phone adapter thrown in.
Nikon Aculon 7x50
Rank 6
4/5
The Nikon Aculon 7x50s take an interesting turn in that they have a narrower field of view than their 10x50 counterparts, despite having lower magnification. This can create a feeling that is almost claustrophobic for some users, as the night sky feels more constrained. They still feature the high-quality BAK-4 prisms, which ensure that the images are sharp. However, if a wide field of view is high on your priority list, it might be worth exploring other options.
Nikon 8245 ACULON A211 8x42
Rank 7
4/5
Negligibly more compact than the 50mm units, the Aculon 8x42s are decent quality if a bit expensive and bulky for what you get, since they still use Porro prisms unlike most 42mm binoculars, which have more compact roof prisms.
Nikon ACULON 10x42
Rank 8
4/5
The Aculon 10x42s are essentially identical to the Aculon 8x42s but with 10x magnification and the same bulky Porro prisms.
RankBinocularRating
Rank 9Barska Waterproof Blackhawk 10x423.9
Rank 10Celestron SkyMaster 25x703.9
Rank 11Barska Waterproof Blackhawk 12x423.9
Rank 12Nikon 8244 ACULON A211 7x353.9
Rank 13Celestron Ultima 8x323.9
Rank 14Celestron Outland X 10x42 Binoculars3.9
Rank 15Bushnell PowerView 12x503.9
Rank 16Celestron SkyMaster 15-35x70 Zoom3

£150-£250 Range

Best Performance
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15×70
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Rank 1
4.5/5
The Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70s represent a fine upgrade over the regular SkyMaster 15x70s, bringing with them an augmented level of quality. Boasting BAK-4 prisms, which are revered for their optical excellence, these binoculars offer a crisper, more expansive view of the night sky. One of the standout features is that the SkyMaster Pro 15x70s don’t suffer from the quality control issues that plague their cheaper counterparts. The result is a sharper and wider field of view that immerses you into the celestial wonders. For enthusiasts who are looking for a step-up in performance and reliability, the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70s are a stellar choice.
Celestron SkyMaster DX 9×63
Rank 2
4.3/5
Featuring the same BAK-4 prisms and sharp optics as the SkyMaster DX 8×56, the SkyMaster DX 9x63s are still usable handheld, though considerably chunkier than smaller binoculars. These are ideal for observers under dark skies due to their large exit pupil but are not too unwieldy for daytime terrestrial use either.
Pentax SP 10×50 WP
Rank 3
4.3/5
Another durable, high-quality option for 10×50 binoculars, albeit with a narrower true field of only 5 degrees.
Nikon ProStaff 10×50
Rank 4
4.3/5
The Nikon ProStaff 10x50s are compact thanks to their roof prism design and have plenty of eye relief, though their true field of view is only 5.6 degrees.

Celestron SkyMaster 20×80
Rank 5
4.3/5
Sporting a colossal 80mm aperture capable of gathering far more light than smaller binoculars, the SkyMaster 20x80s inevitably necessitate the utilisation of a tripod for steady views, both on account of their weight and 20x magnification. Furthermore, the minimum focal distance for these binoculars rests at a rather distant 108 feet, which translates into an inability to focus on proximate terrestrial objects. Thus, it becomes apparent that the Celestron SkyMaster 20×80 binoculars are singularly tailored for astronomical pursuits. The SkyMaster 20x80s may very well represent the upper limit in size that one may wish to venture, especially when considering cost-effectiveness in juxtaposition with telescopes boasting comparable or superior faculties. We’d recommend checking out our Binoculars vs. Telescopes article before considering these monster binoculars.
RankBinocularRating
Rank 6Celestron Nature DX ED 10×504.2
Rank 7Celestron Nature DX ED 10×424.2
Rank 8Celestron Nature DX ED 8×424.2
Rank 9Celestron Nature DX 10×424.2
Rank 10Celestron Nature DX 8×424.2
Rank 11Celestron Nature DX ED 12×504.2
Rank 12Nikon Action 12×50 EX Extreme4.1
Rank 13Nikon Prostaff 10×424.1
Rank 14SVBONY SV407 2.1×424.1
Rank 15Celestron Oceana 7×504
Rank 16Barska Deep Sea 7×504
Rank 17Nikon Aculon 16×503.9
Rank 18Nikon 8252 Aculon A211 10-22×50 Zoom3.9
Rank 19Bushnell Legacy WP 10-22×50 Zoom3.9
Rank 20Celestron Nature DX 8×323.5
Rank 21BARSKA Gladiator 20-140×80 Zoom3

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