Best binoculars for long distance viewing 2024 (2024)

If you're looking for the best binoculars for long distance viewing, you're in the right place. Based on the reviews conducted by our experts, we've rounded up the best models for all skill levels and budgets and given you our top recommendations.

What makes binoculars suitable for long distance observing? Ultimately, it's the magnification. The higher the magnification, the further you can see with them — but the higher magnification does bring its own issues like stability and added weight, so it's important to weigh these factors up when choosing the best binoculars for long-distance viewing.

Our expert reviewers have tested the following binoculars in the real world using their knowledge and experience to provide thorough, unbiased reviews. They take into account factors like build quality, performance and functionality to give a rounded take on the pros and cons of each pair of binoculars and whether they're worth your money.

If long-distance viewing isn't your thing, check out the best compact binoculars for more travel-friendly options or our general best binoculars guide. If you're buying for your child, take a look at our best binoculars for kids guide.

The quick list

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Best binoculars for long distance viewing we recommend in 2024

Best overall

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Everything about the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 binoculars screams quality. They use a porro prism design to let more light into the already very large 80mm objectives, and they boast a waterproof rubber covering, Celstron's own XLT multi-coated optics, and attached objective lens caps (which may sound like a small thing, but lens caps often get lost!).

They also come with a mount for a red dot finder, which will prove endlessly useful for stargazing. Obviously, you'll have to supply one yourself, but the ability to do so adds to Celestron's already impressive reputation for stargazing optics.

The optics are nothing short of stunning. We observed Pleiades (M45), the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) during our Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 Binocular review, and were treated to bright, contrasty images that were pin-sharp across the entire frame (except at the far extremities).

There's no sugarcoating it, they are very heavy. In fact, they're the second heaviest pair in this guide (only being beaten by the 25x100 variant). They're certainly hefty and well-built, but this poses two issues — first unless you put in some shifts at the gym, you'll get arm aches very quickly, and second, the weight coupled with the 20x magnification makes it very difficult to hold them still so you can get a steady view. To overcome this, we'd recommend using them on a good full-size tripod to get the best out of them. That said, they're certainly a lot easier to transport than a telescope.

For amateur astronomers who want to invest in a quality pair of stargazing binoculars that will last for years to come, this is the pair to beat.

• Read our full Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 Binocular review

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Best for beginners

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For beginners looking for a high-quality pair of first binoculars that won't break the bank, the Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 are ideal. They're an excellent choice for amateur astronomy, bird watching and nature spotting.

The large 60mm objectives let loads of light in, making them fantastic for low-light observation and skywatching, plus their generous eye relief means users who wear glasses can comfortably use them without having to take their glasses off. The 12x magnification produces detailed views, especially when paired with a tripod — something we'd strongly recommend as they're quite heavy.

During our Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 review, we could easily make out Jupiter and the four Galilean moons: Io; Europa; Ganymede and Callisto. You can't get up close enough to see loads of detail, you certainly get a much better view than you would with the naked eye.

Though they aren't fogproof (which is to be expected at this price range), we regularly transported them between temperatures of 68°F/20°C (indoors) and 24.8°F/-4°C (outside) without any fogging issues, so unless you're taking them to more extreme climates, they'll be absolutely fine for beginner use around where you live.

We noticed a tiny bit of chromatic aberration (which, again, is to be expected for the price), but it wasn't distracting and we only saw a small amount. We found the colors to be accurate with no strange tinges, and the views in the center of the frame were nice and sharp — but with a falloff towards the edges.

Overall, we'd have no trouble recommending them to beginners who want a good-quality pair of binoculars for long-distance viewing, although you may want to upgrade as your interest in binoculars advances.

• Read our full Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 review

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Best all-rounder

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While they're not the best pair of binos to have ever lived, we think they tick all the boxes and are a fantastic all-rounder pair that, although they aren't the most affordable option on this list, don't break the bank.

Their rubber armoring protects them from the elements, meaning they are waterproof and fogproof. They're durably built, so they can endure the occasional knock or bump (although we didn't like to test this!) and have good grip so they won't slip out of your hands in wet conditions. They're also one of the lightest pairs on this list — although you may want to mount them to a tripod for prolonged use. They have good eye relief, so you won't have to take your glasses off to use them.

During our Celestron Nature DX 12x56 review, we noted that one of the great features of these binos is the close focus. You can focus to just under 10 feet, meaning you can easily use them from the comfort of your conservatory or window to observe the wildlife in your back garden — no need to trek to prime wildlife locations.

The image quality is good for casual users, although professionals may want to opt for the Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 — not quite as wide objective lenses, but the Extra Dispersion glass means sharper images.

• Read our Celestron Nature DX 12x56 review

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Best for durability

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For stargazing and wildlife spotting, the Nikon Action EX 12x50 binoculars excel. Their 50mm objective lenses let in enough light for stargazing at night and offer bright views at dawn and dusk. When we pointed them skywards during our Nikon Action EX 12x50 binoculars review, we could easily make out Jupiter's four big moons: Ganymede, Europa, Callisto, and Io. We were treated to immersive and contrast-heavy views, with only a small amount of sharpness drop-off towards the edge of the frame.

We also found them to be heavy, particularly if you're going to be using them for longer periods. However, this is the case for most of the binoculars on this list, so our best compact binoculars guide would be your best bet if you're looking for something lightweight.

The extra magnification in long-distance binoculars also makes it trickier to hold them still, which is why it's worth steadying yourself however you can — we recommend mounting them on a tripod. We also thought they had decent 16mm eye relief, so they are suitable for anyone who wears glasses.

But overall, we thought they were very built and produced detailed and bright images. When sweeping across the sky, we were treated to clear and crisp observations with a wide field of view. They're waterproof and ruggedly built, and you can be sure they'll last you through many observation sessions over years to come.

• Read our Nikon Action EX 12x50 binoculars review

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Best for magnification

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If you want something a bit more welly than the other options on this list, here's one for you. These juggernaut binoculars from Celestron have a whopping 25x magnification and 100mm objective lenses, making them the perfect pair of long-distance binoculars if you're into astronomy.

During our Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 review, we described the whole setup as feeling like you're looking through two 100mm telescopes with image-erecting prisms built-in, and separate non-removable eyepieces. We thought the images were astounding, and we were easily able to pick out galaxy clusters with them.

They are water-resistant, although they don't have a rubber coating to make them confidently waterproof — that said, if you're using them for astronomy then you're very unlikely to be using them in the rain anyway.

The one potential dealbreaker of these binoculars is going to be their size and weight. They weigh 8.75 lbs (3.97kg) and are 15.28 inches (388mm) long, meaning you'll realistically only be able to use them when they're mounted to a tripod. Not only because you'll get arm ache after a very short time no matter how many sessions you put in at the gym, but their high 25x magnification means you won't be able to hold them still enough to get a steady image.

We were a little disappointed that they didn't come with a shockproof hard case to protect them—they were only in a thinly padded fabric cozy. But overall, we think they're the best large binoculars for astronomy, and with proper care, they will have you star-hopping for decades to come.

• Read our full Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 review

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Best budget pair

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For high magnification on a budget, these Bushnell PowerView 2 20x80 binoculars are highly recommended. They have 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, and 71% of buyers give them the full 5 stars.

However, as you'd expect, some sacrifices have been made in order to keep the cost low. Bushnell states that they 'combine a tough design with modern styling, allowing them to excel in both indoor and outdoor applications' — however, they aren't waterproof or fogproof, which could hamper them somewhat for outdoor use in inclement weather. They also have short eye relief, so they wouldn't be ideal for anyone who wears glasses, and although the build quality is good, the materials aren't the same quality you'd get from the more expensive models.

But for general use, whether wildlife watching, stargazing, or zooming in on the action from the cheap seats, they're a fantastic option that doesn't break the bank. They're also tripod compatible, which is useful given their higher magnification for getting a steady image.

They're lightweight enough to pop into your rucksack and carry around with you on hikes or camping trips, and they'd be great for traveling with the whole family. They're not the most mind-blowing pair of binos you've ever seen, but they're very good for the price.

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Best mid-range pair

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If you're looking for excellent optics and fantastic clarity without totally breaking the bank, the Vortex Diamondback HD 12x50 are definitely worth considering.

They seem to hit the mark perfectly between optical prowess, price and handling — making them extremely popular with users. On Amazon, they're rated 4.7 out of 5 stars with a massive 85% of users giving them the full 5 stars. That's pretty good going.

We're yet to review this particular pair, although we did review the Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD, which we were incredibly impressed with. Users have praised the Diamondbacks for their exceptional clarity and contrast in the images—something that is hard to find at this price. But for long-distance viewing, we'd recommend the Diamondback 12x50 for that extra little bit of magnification.

They're not immune to wobble, but they're really lightweight at just 28.9 oz / 820g, making them one of the most lightweight pairs on this list. Some users have noticed a tiny amount of chromatic aberration around some contrast-high objects like Jupiter and Saturn, but it's certainly not severe enough to ruin the overall experience.

They're incredibly well-built and durable, but should the unthinkable happen, Vortex also offers a lifetime warranty, which provides peace of mind when you're out using them.

• Read our full Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binocular review

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How we test

How we test the best binoculars for long distance viewing

To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best binoculars for long-distance viewing, here at Space.com, we rigorously review every binocular to fully test each instrument. Each binocular is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design to how well it functions as an optical instrument and its performance in the field.

Either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors test each pair of binoculars carefully to ensure a personal, fair, and hands-on review of each model and judge it based on price, destined use and class.

For example, comparing a pair of 25x100 mammoth binoculars to a compact pair of 8x25s wouldn’t be appropriate though each binocular might be the best pick in their own class.

We look at how easy they are to operate, whether eye relief can be adjusted for spectacles wearers, if a binocular comes with appropriate accessories or carry bags and suggest if a particular set of binos would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best viewing experience possible.

With complete editorial independence, Space.com is here to ensure you get the best buying advice on binoculars, whether you should purchase an instrument or not. This makes our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.

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