Are you interested in buying the best pocket binoculars?
Then you should read my article!
I’ll describe 5 pocket binoculars that are available on the market. You can find out about their technical specifications, designs, features, and functions. Compare these models and decide which one is the best for you, and learn about helpful tips about buying the most suitable model.
Things To Know Before Buying Pocket Binoculars
Where To Buy Them?
The best pocket size binoculars are offered at online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart. Amazon has the widest offer and cheap prices, it’s easy to compare models and you can read customer reviews. You can also buy them at local and specialized stores, or a brand’s official websites
Price Range
The pocket-size binoculars are priced between $20 and $8000 which depends on the material used in the production of the optic system and housing, included additional features such as compass or rangefinder, and other functions.
Lightweight And Compact
According to other pocket binoculars review, the dimensions must be compact and design should be foldable so they can fit into your pocket easily. Also, they should be lightweight enough for easy carrying throughout the day.
Magnification And Optic System
Besides the weight and dimensions, it’s desirable that they can magnify the view a lot so you can get closer images. Also, the optic system should be made from high-quality materials to ensure clear and bright vision.
Additional Features
User-friendly features are the neck strap and carrying case for protective transport. Also, it’s desirable if you get the compass for navigation or rangefinder that’s built-in the optic system. Also, it’s great if you can connect them to your smartphone to make awesome pictures.
The Best 10 Pocket Binoculars Reviews
The Best Folding Pocket Binoculars
Swarovski CL Pocket 8×25 Binoculars
Weight And Dimensions
These Swarovski CL pocket binoculars are 7.1” long, 6.1” wide and 3.2” high. They’re compact and easy to transport in your pocket or backpack. Their construction weighs only 1.55 pounds, so they’re easy to carry.
Foldable Design And Magnification
The design of these Swarovski pocket binoculars is foldable, which makes them even more convenient for transport because they can fit anywhere. The view can be 8x magnified when looking with 25 mm wide objective lenses.
Long Eye Relief And Twist-In Eyecups
For this Swarovski CL pocket 8×25 binoculars best price, you’ll get great user-friendly features such as 0.7” long eye relief and twist-in eyecups that allow you to use them with eyeglasses. Then high-contrast and sharp images ensured with high-quality optics.
Fully Multicoated And Close Focus Distance
Optic system of these Swarovski CL pocket 8×25 binocular has fully multicoated lenses that ensure high light transmission and great view during low light conditions. The minimum close focus distance is 8.2 feet.
Apparent Angular FOV, IPD, And Housing
The apparent angular field of view is 52 degrees. The interpupillary distance is between 1.9” and 2.9”. The housing of these Swarovski Optik CL Pocket 8×25 binoculars is made from aluminum and it’s coated with rubber for comfortable holding. It’s waterproof.
- all aluminum waterproof and foldable design
- 8x magnification with 25mm wide objective lenses
- 2 feet close focus distance
- 7” long eye relief
Swarovski CL Pocket 10×25 Version
These Swarovski 10×25 CL Pocket binoculars have roof prism optic system. Their view is up to 10x magnified with 25mm wide objective lenses. Swarovski pocket binoculars 10×25 version has 294 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards.
- 294 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards
- 10x magnification with 25 mm wide objective lenses
The Best Pocket Binoculars For Bird Watching
Zeiss 10×25 Terra ED Compact Pocket Binoculars
Dimensions And Weight
These Zeiss pocket binoculars are 8.5” long, 5.6” wide and 2.9” high. They’re compact enough to fit anywhere. Also, their design weighs only 1.55 pounds so they’re very easy to carry around. They’re also foldable.
Magnification And Multi-Coating
The view can be magnified for 10x with these 25mm wide objective lenses. The lenses are multi-coated with hydrophobic layers that allow you to easily clean water, oil and other dirt from lenses.
Bright Images And Temperature Range
Because of high magnification and MC lenses, the images are highly bright, sharp and detailed. Therefore, these are the best pocket binoculars for birding, hunting, hiking, and other activities. The temperature range is from -4°F up to 145°F.
Comfortable Waterproof Housing
The housing of these pocket binoculars for bird watching is made from metal, but it’s rubber-armored which gives you comfort when holding them. Also, they’re purged with dry gas which makes them waterproof and suitable for any weather conditions.
Twilight Factor, Long Eye Relief, FOV And Close Focus Distance
Twilight factor is 15.8, so these are great for clear vision during low light conditions at twilight. The eye relief is 0.63” long, which is great for the eyeglass wearers. The pupil distance is from 1.38” up to 2.83”. The close focus distance is 6 feet, and FOV (field of view) is 318 feet wide at 1000 yards.
- multi-coated lenses
- temperature range from -4°F-145°F
- 318 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards
- 6 feet close focus distance
- 63” long eye relief
Zeiss 10×25 Victory Pocket Binocular Version
These Zeiss Victory Pocket binoculars have LotuTec coating and asymmetrical fold. They’re more lightweight with a weight of 0.64 pounds. The temperature range is from -13°F up to 145°F. The interpupillary distance (IPD) is between 2.6” and 3.9”.
- -13°F-145°F temperature range
- IPD from 2.6” to 3.9”
- weighs 0.64 pounds
Zeiss Victory 8×25 Pocket Version
These Zeiss 8×25 victory pocket binoculars have up to 8x magnification when looking through 25mm wide objective lenses. Besides that, the temperature range of these Zeiss victory pocket 8×25 binoculars is from -13°F up to 145°F. IPD is from 2.6”-3.9”.
- 8x magnification with 25mm wide objective lenses
- -13°F up to 145°F temperature range
Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×32 Version
These binoculars have 8x magnification when looking through 32 mm wide objective lenses. Twilight factor is 16, while their FOV is 443 feet wide at 1000 yards. The operating temperature range is from -5°F up to 140°F.
- 443 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards
- 8x magnification with 32mm wide objective lenses
Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25 Binoculars
The magnification of the view is up to 8x with 25mm wide objective lenses. The twilight factor is 14.1. The FOV is 390 feet wide at 1000 yards. They’re 9.5” long, 6.7” wide and 4” high, and the design is foldable.
- 1 twilight factor
- 390 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards
The Best Compact Binoculars
Leica Ultravid BR 8×20 Binoculars
Dimensions And Weight
These Leica pocket binoculars have all-aluminum housing which is durable and long-lasting. They’re 4.4” long, 3.7” wide and 1.5” high which makes them compact and suitable for transport. The weight is only 8.5 ounces, so they’re easy to carry.
Magnification And Diopter Compensation
The objective lenses are 20mm wide, and you can see the image that’s up to 8x magnified. The eye relief is 0.6” long, therefore these are suitable for people who wear eyeglasses. The diopter compensation is +- 3.5.
Roof Prism System
Optics has a roof prism system which is high-quality made and ensures high brightness and many details in the images. The model is fully multicoated (FMC) because all lenses have multiple layers.
AquaDura Layers And Close Focus Distance
The AquaDura layers protect lenses from damages while ensuring better efficiency in catching the light, which results in even more bright images. You can adjust the focus with center wheels. The close focus distance is 6 feet.
Twilight Factor And FOV
The twilight factor is 12.7. The linear field of view (FOV) is 341 feet wide at 1000 yards. The housing isn’t only compact, but waterproof. Therefore you can use these binoculars under any weather conditions.
- 6” long eye relief
- AquaDura FMC lenses
- 341 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards
The Best Vintage Pocket Binoculars
Nikon 7×157392 Anniversary Edition Binoculars
Design From 1917
These are vintage Nikon pocket binoculars that introduced the old design from 1917 for Nikon’s anniversary. They look great with the satin silver and black composite exterior finish. Besides that, they’re very compact and lightweight.
Weight And Dimensions
The design weighs only 4.9 ounces, so they’re very easy to carry during the day. They’re 5” long, 2.9” wide and 1.8” high, so you can put them in the pocket, backpack, purse, suitcase and other.
Optic System And Focus Adjustments
An optic system is made from Porro prisms that ensure high-contrasting images. Also, the prism is made from BaK4 high index glass type that makes the image even sharper and more detailed. The image can be focused on the central wheel.
FOV, Close Focus Distance And Magnification
Field of view (FOV) is 420 feet wide at 1000 yards away. The close focus distance is 6.5 feet, which means you can observe in detail objects that are near your binoculars. The image can be magnified up to 7x when looking through objective lenses that are 15mm wide.
High Light Transmission
Lenses are multicoated, and these layers are catching a lot of light and allow high light transmission. That means you can get a clear vision even during low light conditions at twilight.
- 5” long, 2.9” wide and 1.8” high
- 420 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards
- 7x magnification with 15mm wide lenses
- Porro prism with BaK4 glass type
The Best Binoculars For Night Vision
Bushnell Powerview 12×25 Binoculars
Magnification And Objective Lenses Diameter
The view with these Bushnell pocket binoculars can be magnified up to 12x when looking through objective lenses that are 25 mm wide. It’s one of the highest magnification from the list, therefore these are great for hunting, or other outdoor activity.
High Light Transmission And Prism System
Because all lenses are coated with many layers, the optic system has high light transmission, so this model is ideal if you need binoculars for night vision. The roof prism system ensures highly bright, clear and detailed images.
Dimensions And Housing
Design is available in black and camo colors. Housing is made from metal, but it’s also coated with rubber so they’re comfortable to hold. The length is 9”, width is 6.8” and height is 3”. They’re foldable and compact, so you can put them in a backpack or pocket.
The Lightest Model
Weight is 0.16 ounces, therefore this model is one of the lightest from the list. You won’t even feel like you’re carrying them all day long. The rubber coating also absorbs the shock during the fall and prevents any damages to happen.
Focus Adjustments And Package Content
The center wheel is used for focus adjustments. In the package, you’ll also get the neck strap for even easier carrying. And you’ll get the carrying case that additionally protects them during the transport.
- 9” long, 6.8” wide and 3” high
- 16 ounces weight
- 12x magnification with 25 mm wide objective lenses
- high light transmission
- roof prism system
Conclusion: Which Two Best Pocket Binoculars You Should Buy?
I think you should buy these two best pocket binoculars: Zeiss 10×25 Terra ED model and Bushnell Powerview 12×25 model. These pocket binoculars have the highest power of magnification, so they’re ideal for nature observings. Zeiss has waterproof all-aluminum housing and wide thermal range, while Bushnell is the lightest with the highest light transmission.
If you’re interested in reading more about small binoculars available on the market, read this article. In case you need binoculars for extreme weather conditions, read this review on the best thermal binoculars. Also, I recommend you to check out my post about best binoculars if you want to learn more about differnet types of binoculars.