By Robin Owens 14 days ago, Binoculars
What are the best binoculars under 300 dollars?
Few people can spend a fortune on expensive binoculars with impressive specs. Typically, shoppers are looking for inexpensive models that can satisfy their needs. Online stores offer a huge selection of binoculars at various prices and you can easily get lost on the way.
However, how to choose the best binoculars under 300 dollars and not be disappointed with your purchase? How can you find binoculars that will allow you to enjoy crisp images at long distances, withstand even the most challenging weather conditions, and won't break your budget?
Below, you will find detailed descriptions of the best binoculars under $300 which will surely help you find the right pair for you. This list includes models to help you save money and get good equipment for your needs.
Besides, I have collected some helpful tips on what you should look out for when choosing the best binoculars for under $300 for you to make the right decision.
Magnification: 10 x | Objective diameter: 42 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 96/288 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 2.5/8.2 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 4.2 mm | Weight: 601 g
⊕ Great field of view
⊕ Water- and fog proof
⊕ Long-lasting design
⊕ Affordable
⊖ No attachment for a tripod
⊖ Poor viewing experience at long distances
These are one of the lightest cheap binoculars on this list. They consist of glass lenses with super-low dispersion. An advanced optical system delivers clear images with high contrast.
With Dielectric High-Reflective Multilayer Prism Coatings and top-quality ED Glass lenses, you get natural-looking images with realistic colors.
In addition to excellent optical performance, these binoculars boast a sturdy body and are very easy to use. These low price binoculars include a sturdy reinforced polycarbonate ATB chassis and are lightweight. Besides, they have reliable anti-slip protection in the form of rubberized armor with well-designed palm rests.
Magnification: 12 x | Objective diameter: 50 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 110/330 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 1.52/5 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 15 mm | Weight: 227 g
⊕ Ergonomic and smooth body ⊕Affordable
⊕ Small weight
⊕ Wide field of view
⊖ Lens caps are not fixed
⊖ Not for people with small faces
This option is undoubtedly one of the best binoculars under 300 USD. They boast incredible performance and reliable optics at a reasonable price.
These binoculars are great both for eyeglass wearers and those who don’t use glasses as their eyecups can be easily twisted up and down for more convenient experience. You can adjust the focus of both binocular barrels at the same time with the center focus wheel. Using the diopter, you can also modify the differences in the user's eyes.
These affordable binoculars are suitable for a variety of environmental conditions due to their reliable protection from moisture, dust, debris, etc.
The body is sealed with O-rings and filled with argon. Rubberized armor will prevent your optics from slipping. You can manage a large focusing knob easily, even with gloves on.
Magnification: 8 x | Objective diameter: 42 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 110/330 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 2.4/7.8 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 19.5 mm | Weight: 590 g
⊕ Great warranty
⊕ Suitable for all weather conditions
⊕ Clear and reliable
⊕ Crisp image
⊖ A bit overrated
The Monarch 5 includes anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics, phase-corrected and highly reflective dielectric-coated roof prisms. These cheap binoculars attract the attention of potential buyers with crisp, bright images with contrast and colors being on point.
Moreover, there is only a slight color fringing across the entire FOV.
The prisms and lenses have a special ED coating that delivers detailed and clear images.
These are some of the best inexpensive binoculars for outside activities as they have reliable fog and water protection. The binoculars are also shockproof and have a secure grip.
Magnification: 10 x | Objective diameter: 42 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 95/314 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 2/6.6 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 16 mm | Weight: 635 g
⊕ Very clear images
⊕ Solid build
⊕ Excellent performance
⊕ Weather-sealed
⊖ Tripod isn’t included
This is a great option if you need hunting or bird watching binoculars under $300 with ED Glass lenses. These binoculars have reliable shock protection thanks to the rubberized body coating.
Nitrogen filling and O-ring sealing ensure your device is protected from fog and water. Pay attention to this model if you wear eyeglasses. It has a very long eye relief with twist down eyecups for a cool visual experience.
The use of ED glass makes light waves direction and concentration more efficient and reduces chromatic aberration. As a result, you get a clear and detailed picture from a long distance. This model is a great choice for hikers, hikers, hunters and birdwatchers.
Magnification: 10 x | Objective diameter: 25 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 97/318 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 1.74/5.7 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 16 mm | Weight: 313 g
⊕ Portable
⊕ Durable body
⊕ Bright and crisp image
⊕ Decent option
⊖ Cumbersome accessories systems
⊖ Poor image resolution
This pair can be called the best compact binoculars under 300 bucks, as it has a smooth and comfortable focusing wheel for quick and easy use, as well as amazing design.
The body of the binoculars is filled with nitrogen and has a special protective O-ring. It makes the device weatherproof.
What's more, the binoculars are reliably protected from damage caused by dropping thanks to the rubberized armor. They are the best low cost binoculars in terms of compactness and wearer comfort. You can easily fold them to put them into your pocket or bag.
Magnification: 12 x | Objective diameter: 42 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 341/1118 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 1.8/5.9 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 19.5 mm | Weight: 695 g
⊕ Tough body
⊕ Low Dispersion glass
⊕ Great construction
⊖ Color accuracy issues
⊖ Costs too much
Perfectly balanced frames, multi-coated lenses, and ED glass are the main strengths of these cheap binoculars. Looking through these optics you get a contrast, bright, and clear image. Moreover, they are compact and lightweight.
You can enjoy a high-contrast and crisp picture thanks to the dielectric coated Schmidt-Pechan prism system. These binoculars are resistant to scratches, dust, water, and fog, so you can use them in all weather conditions.
With this model, you get a double-layered microfiber storage bag, lens caps, and neoprene neckstrap. Another advantage is the manufacturer's lifetime warranty.
Magnification: 10 x | Objective diameter: 42 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 125/410 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 2/6.6 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 26 mm | Weight: 286 g
⊕ Weigh next to nothing
⊕ Small
⊕ Weather-sealed
⊕ Well-balanced
⊖ Too small lens
If you are looking for the best binoculars under 300 dollars capable of delivering crisp, vibrant images with accurate color reproduction, then this option is worth your attention.
Thanks to 10x magnification, you get a detailed picture even from a long distance. This is a good option for sports fans and wildlife watching.
The body of these low price binoculars is sealed with an O-ring, reliably protected from water. In addition, the binoculars are covered with nitrile butadiene rubber coating for extra durability. You can be sure that various chemicals such as fuel or oil won’t damage your optics.
Magnification: 8 x | Objective diameter: 42 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 130/426 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 1.9/6.5 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 18 mm | Weight: 666 g
⊕ Solid build
⊕ Minor astigmatism
⊕ Reasonable coma
⊕ Amazing field of view
⊖ Poor image resolution
⊖ Short focus distance
This is one of the best binoculars for $300 that allows you to get clear and bright images even in poor light conditions. This model boasts great color resolution, high details, and contrast due to the super-low dispersion glass. It also produces minimal chromatic aberration.
The lenses have a special hydrophobic and oleophobic coating to provide reliable protection against fog, water, and fingerprints. This gives you a good visual experience as the water droplets are transformed into smaller ones and they don’t interfere with the image.
These best waterproof binoculars under 300 USD have a locking eyepiece diopter to hold the dominant right eye settings securely. The special locking mechanism allows you not to worry that your settings will change by accident.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Vortex Optics Diamondback
HD optics |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Nikon Monarch 5
High-Eyepoint |
CHECK PRICE → |
Each model includes two numbers in its description. The first one stands for magnification. This means that the best hunting binoculars under 300 dollars with numbers 8x42 have a magnification of 8. Thus, you can magnify an image through the binoculars eight times.
The higher the magnification, the more detailed and larger image you get. However, this gives you a less apparent depth of focus and a narrower field of view. However, there are may be some problems with holding such binoculars. That’s why, the best option is a model with 7-10x magnification.
Field of view denotes the width of the visible scene. It is specified in feet at 1000 yards. It will be easier for you to see the objects you want through binoculars with a wider field of view. However, binoculars under $300 and more expensive options with a wide field of view have some drawbacks. Too wide field of view causes distortion at the edges of the picture.
Eye relief shows the distance behind the ocular lenses at which you get a focused image. This parameter is especially important for those, who wear glasses, because they cannot keep their eyes to the lens very close.
Therefore, longer eye relief is more suitable for them. If you wear eyeglasses, you should choose binoculars with an eye relief of 15mm or larger to see the full image. Remember, the field of view decreases when you increase the eye relief.
In general, there are 2 prism types – roof prisms or Porro prisms. Note that Porro prisms are cheaper and deliver a slightly better image. However, roof prisms are more durable and have water protection.
A roof prism has a shallower depth of field and the picture looks less clear. At the same time, more compact design, impressive technical specifications, better water resistance and magnification range easily compensate for this disadvantage. But models with roof prisms are rather expensive.
If you need binoculars for a wide range of activities, then the magnification from 7 to 10x is just for you. If you are going to use binoculars in the theater, then choose models with 3-5x power. A 7x option is a good choice for watching sports events. If you are searching for the best binoculars for hunting under 300 USD, then the magnification must be at least 10.
The most convenient exit pupil is 7mm. 7x50 models have it. Although 5mm exit pupil is even more suitable, especially for people over 40. Their pupil size doesn’t exceed 5mm at night, therefore 10x50 binoculars are a better option.
You can usually buy good binoculars at a price ranging from $100 to $500. Models from well-known manufacturers such as Zeiss, Swarovski, and Nikon cost more. You can spend up to $3,000 on top-class binoculars. You may find it difficult to imagine why their price is so high.
If you want to see any object at a great distance, then you cannot do without good binoculars. Binoculars with an exit pupil of 7mm will deliver you a great picture at dusk or in low light. When choosing the best binoculars under 300 bucks, you should pay attention to the weight and usability.
