13 Best 10×42 Binoculars You Can Buy In 2022 Reviews & Guide

Are you interested in buying 10×42 binoculars?

And you want to learn more about models that are available on the market?

Then you should read this article!

I’ll describe 5 best 10×42 binoculars that are currently available on the market. Read about their technical specifications, functions, structure and other features and compare them. It will be easy to decide which one suits you the most. Also, you can read the important information that will help you while buying 10×42 binoculars.

Things You Should Know Before Buying 10×42 Binoculars

Where To Buy?

This type of binoculars can be bought at local and specialized stores, as well as on the Internet at official websites from brands or online retailers. I recommend online retailers such as Amazon because they have the widest offer and cheap prices. It’s easy to compare different models and there are available other customers ‘ reviews.

Price Range For 10×42 Binoculars

The price will depend on the materials used in the optic system and chassis construction, brand, additional features such as waterproof or thermal design. In general, 10×42 binoculars can be found within a wide price range from $50 up to $4000.

Type Of The Prism System

There are two main types: roof prism and Porro prism. The roof prism is used in more expensive models that are more durable and powerful. However, Porro prism is more common in cheaper devices. Although not so powerful, Porro prisms are more lightweight and their images show better contrast.

Waterproof And Fogproof Design

When buying binoculars that you want to use in nature, they should have waterproof and fog proof construction. If not, the humidity will get inside the system of binoculars, and make the lens foggy so you won’t see anything.

Thermal Range And Night Vision

Although it doesn’t seem important, the environmental temperature impacts the effectiveness of the binoculars. If you want to have high-efficient images during all weather conditions, it’s great to have a model that operates within a wide temperature range. Also, an anti-reflective lens with the high light transmission is desirable if you want to have clear images during low-light conditions.

The Best 10×42 Binoculars Review

The Best Bird Watching Binoculars

Vortex Diamondback 10×42 Binoculars

Roof Prism Binoculars

This Vortex Diamondback 10×42 model provides you with 10x magnification when looking through a 42mm objective lens. This model uses a roof prism system for lengthening the light path between the objective lens and the eyepiece. In that way, prism increases the magnification without increasing the length of binoculars.

Waterproof And Fogproof

Unlike Porro prism binoculars, roof prism models are waterproof, durable and more powerful. This Vortex Diamondback HD 10×42 model is waterproof and fog proof because it has an O-ring seals and argon gas purging. Argon gas reacts with the oxygen and removes it, together with the moisture and other contaminants from the air.

Bak4 Glass Prism And Field Of View (FOV)

The lenses of this Vortex binoculars 10×42 model are multi-coated and have phase-corrected Bak4 prisms. Bak4 is a glass designation by a German manufacturer that has a higher refractive index then Bk7 glass. The field of view (FOV) when looking up to 1000 yards away is 345 feet wide or 6.6 degrees when expressed as an angle.

Sharp Images At Close Distance

The close focus of this Vortex Diamondback 10×42 binoculars is 5 feet, which means that you can see a sharp picture when looking for subjects at short distances. With the Vortex 10×42 model, you’ll get the rainguard, tethered objective lens covers, neck strap, and carrying case.

User-Friendly Lifetime Warranty

Except for additional accessories that make it easy to carry and protect this Diamondback 10×42 model, you’ll also get an unconditional lifetime warranty. That’s a very user-friendly feature. So you can give the Diamondback binoculars 10×42 to the customer service for free repair anytime.

Vortex Crossfire 10×42 Version

This Vortex crossfire 10×42 binoculars have 8 feet close focus, so they aren’t as good for looking at short distance subjects as the previous model. The FOV is 325 feet at 1000 yards or 6.2 degrees. The advantage is its rubber-armored structure that ensures a non-slip grip. The model has twist-up eyecups, center focus wheel, and right eye diopter.

Vortex Razor 10×42 Version

This Vortex Razor HD 10×42 binoculars are ideal for extreme terrain, and they’re the most powerful version of Vortex binoculars. The lenses of this Vortex Razor binoculars 10×42 version have 362 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards or 6.9 degrees and HD low dispersion glass. Lenses have anti-reflective coatings with cutting edge plasma technology that ensures the highest image brightness when there isn’t enough light.

Vortex Viper 10×42 Version

Like the previous version, these Vortex Viper HD 10×42 binoculars have XR anti-reflective lens coating that ensures a bright image at low light conditions. Other great features of this Vortex Viper binoculars 10×42 version are right eye diopter, center focus wheels, and twist-up eyecups. The best feature of Vortex viper 10×42 binoculars is the armortek that protects exterior lenses from oil, dirt, and scratches.

The Best Long Distance Binoculars

Nikon Porstaff 3S 10×42 Binoculars

Non-Slip And Comfortable-To-Hold Chassis

This Nikon Prostaff 10×42 binoculars have 10x magnification when looking through a 42 mm objective. They’re full size and compact, and ideal for hunting. The exterior chassis of binoculars are coated with rubber and won’t slip from your hands. The ergonomic thumb indents ensure comfortable carrying.

FOV Width And Anti-Reflective Lens

With this Nikon 10×42 binoculars, you can see 367 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards. The angular FOV is 7° and the close focusing distance is 9.8 feet. Also, lenses have XR anti-reflective coating that ensures the receiving of bright images during low light conditions.

Diopter And Center Focus Wheel

Another great user-friendly feature of this Nikon Prostaff 10×42 model is the right-eye diopter that is designed to compensate for differences between your own two eyes by adjusting the focus of the right barrel only. First, you adjust the focus with the center focus wheel until you get a sharp image, and then you do additional adjustments with the diopter.

Waterproof And Fogproof

The twist-up eyecups are also great user-friendly addition that ensures that binoculars fit comfortably on your face. Like the previous model, this Nikon Prostaff 3s 10×42 version is waterproof and fog proof because of O-ring seals and argon purging.

Armortek Lenses Protection And Included Harness Case

The exterior lenses have armortek protection that enables damages from scratching, oil or dirt. You can carry this binocular with yourself anywhere you go, especially because you’ll also get the harness case with them for protected and comfortable carry.

Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×42 Version

These Nikon Prostaff 7S 10×42 binoculars provide high-resolution images with accurate color reproduction because they have a phase-correction coated roof prism system and multilayer coating on lenses. The FOV is shorter and 324 feet wide at 1000 yards or 6.2 degrees.

Nikon Aculon A211 10×42 Version

These Nikon Aculon A211 10×42 binoculars have multicoating eco-glass lenses for bright and clear images. The rubber eyecups and chassis makes it comfortable for use. The center focus wheel and diopter ensure easy adjustment of focus. This Nikon Aculon 10×42 version is lightweight and ergonomic.

Nikon 7577 Monarch 5 10×42 Binocular Version

These Nikon Monarch 5 10×42 binoculars have extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for sharper and brighter FOV. Eco-glass multicoated lenses provide high light transmission across the entire visible light spectrum. This Monarch 5 10×42 model also has flip-down lens caps, turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, and waterproof and fog proof rubber armored chassis. Besides this Nikon Monarch binoculars 10×42, you can also buy Nikon Monarch 3 and Nikon Monarch 7 10×42 models.

The Best Thermal Binoculars

Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 Binoculars

Operating In Wide Temperature Range

These Zeiss binoculars 10×42 model is one of the best thermal binoculars because they have a functional temperature range from -4°F up to 145.4°F.  Therefore, they are functional during extreme winters and summers, and great for outdoor birdwatching or other activities.

LotuTec/T* Coating On Lenses

Additional user-friendly feature of this Zeis Conquest 10×42 model is the LotuTec/T* coating on exterior lenses that other models here listed don’t have. This coating ensures that you can use these binoculars during any weather conditions. Water simply rolls off the lenses and dirt can be easily removed.

Waterproof Durable Ergonomic Design

Besides coating, the system has nitrogen filling which makes this Zeiss Conquest HD 10×42 binoculars completely waterproof and fog proof. The device is designed and manufactured with traditional German quality, but except being durable, they’re also comfortable to use because of ergonomic design.

Easy Focus Adjustment

Binoculars are designed for people that wear eyeglasses and for people who don’t wear them. You can easily adjust the focus whit rotating the lockable right-eye diopter and center focus wheel. They also have lockable eyecups.

Good For Twilight Observing

The model has HD lenses that offer light transmission of 90%. Therefore, you can get bright and clear images in very low light conditions which are user-friendly for those who like to observe nature during the twilight. Lenses are multicoated. The binoculars are 4.7” wide and 6.5” high. They weigh only 1.75 pounds.

Zeiss Terra ED 10×42 Version

This Zeiss Terra ED 10×42 binoculars have a temperature range from 24°F to 140°F which isn’t so wide in comparison to the previous model. The chassis is glass fiber reinforced, but still lightweight. The SCHOTT ED glass ensures high optical precision.

The Best Night Vision Binoculars

Swarovski Optik EL 10×42 Binoculars

Swarovision Technology For High-Resolution Image

This Swarowski 10×41 EL model has the company’s signature Swarovision technology that ensures optimal image resolution over the entire FOV. The technology uses field flattening lenses that produced diamond-bright image resolution to the finest detail, without edge distortion.

Great For Low-Light Conditions

Except that, this Swarovski binoculars EL 10×42 have HD lenses that minimize color fringing and in that way make the images you receive even sharper. This combination of field flattener and high-definition (HD) lenses ensures a great vision even in the low light conditions.

Long Eye Relief

Another user-friendly feature of this Swarovski binoculars 10×42 model is the long eye relief of the exit pupil that makes this model ideal for people that wear eyeglasses. In that way, you can remove eyeglasses and adjust the focus to see sharp images in the entire FOV.

Improved Viewing Comfort And Easy-To-Clean Lenses

The chassis of the Swarovski EL 10×42 model is ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The rubber eyecaps make them comfortable for leaning on the face. Additionally, the lenses are easy to clean because of the non-stick multilayer coating.

Dimensions And Weight

Binoculars have 10x magnification when looking through a 42mm wide objective. The binoculars are 6.3” long, 4.8” wide and 6.3” high. They weigh only 1.85 pounds, and although they have durable construction, they’re lightweight and easy to carry.

The Best Binoculars For Hunting

Bushnell 10×42 H20 Binoculars

Exit Pupil And FOV

These Bushnell 10×42 powerview binoculars have high-quality HD optics that ensure high-resolution images so they’re ideal for hunting. They also have eye relief with 0.165” long exit pupil. The FOV is 305 feet wide at 1000 yards away.

Waterproof Chassis

They’re designed with durable materials and they’re nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed so the construction of this Bushnell binoculars 10×42 is completely waterproof and fog proof. You can use them in any weather conditions in nature.

BaK4 Glass Prism

Besides having HD lenses, these Bushnell 10×42 waterproof binoculars are high-quality models because they have BaK4 glass prisms that have a higher refractive index than the Bk7 glass system, so it offers better light transmission and clear images.

Comfortable And Firm Chassis

The chassis of this device has rubber armor that ensures comfortable holding and prevents binoculars to slip from your hands. The structure is also shock absorbing and ensures a firm grip.

Additional Features

The eye relief is 0.7” long, while the close focusing distance is 12 feet. The center has a focus wheel for easy adjustments. It also features twist-up eyecups for increase viewing comfort All parts are covered with a limited lifetime warranty.

Bushnell Trophy Binoculars 10×42 Version

This version is ideal for hunting in nature because it has fully multicoated optics that ensure bright and razor-sharp images. The chassis has a Dura-Grip rubber coating with the thumb grips for comfortable holding. The center wheel ensures a fast focus system.

Conclusion: Which Two Best 10×42 Binoculars You Should Buy?

In my opinion, the best two models from the list are the Zeiss Conquest HD and Swarovski 10×42 binoculars. The Zeiss model has a unique LotuTec/T* coating and operates in a wide temperature range. The Swarovski model has an optic system made with Swarovision technology which ensures diamond-sharp images over entire FOV and it features long eye relief.

In case you want to learn more about the best binoculars on the market, and read additional information for buying guide, read my post with a list of best binoculars. If you want to know more about the brands I’ve mentioned on this list, I recommend you to read this review on the best Nikon binoculars. Also, you can read the review on the best Bushnell binoculars to learn about other models from the brand.