By Robin Owens 9 days ago, Binoculars
What are the best infrared night vision binoculars?
If you want to find a pair of night vision binoculars that can be used in poor lighting conditions outdoors, take a look at the devices that have great light-gathering capabilities. They can zoom in distant subjects and deliver a high-quality image.
While there are plenty of night vision products, in this article, we will tell you about the best night vision binoculars available on the market. We have included options at different price ranges and shared our thoughts on some niche options.
When testing these binoculars, we were paying special attention to their weight and size. In these reviews, we have also indicated why some products are so comfortable to use. Almost all these options come with first-generation IR illuminators.
Thanks to it, they can be considered as budget devices but still deliver great image quality. If you want to purchase a portable model, take a look at the best lightweight monoculars.
Magnification: 3.5 - 7 x | Objective diameter: 31 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 38/126 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 2,7/9 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 10-30 mm | Weight: 1360 g
⊕ A budget option
⊕ 4-inch LCD monitor
⊕ Manual focus system
⊕ Great viewing range
⊖ Comes without batteries
⊖ Might seem heavy
This pair of binoculars meets the IPX4 waterproof standard and can be used in rainy or foggy weather. It a great choice for those, who explore rainforests.
The GlassOwl is portable and easy to carry around. It boasts stunning magnifying power and allows zooming in on a subject at the distance of 1300 ft.
If you try using this equipment in full darkness, you will appreciate its 850nm IR Illuminator that accounts for perfect image quality. With the 32GB storage, you won’t need to worry about free space to store your photos or videos.
If you are still unconvinced after reading this night vision binocular review, pay attention to the fact that the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty and money-back guarantee.
Magnification: 4-16x | Objective diameter: 65 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 67/220 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 15/49 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 10-30 mm | Weight: 793 g
⊕ Ultra HD sensor
⊕ Dual Wi-Fi streaming
⊕ Amazing image quality
⊕ Perfect clarity at night
The ATN BinoX is the best night vision binoculars that come with a built-in IR illuminator for better night vision. It’s a perfect option for those, who enjoy hunting, hiking or wildlife observation. The CPU allows transmitting HD videos by using two channels. With BinoX 4K, it’s easy to record videos to save them on the micro SD card. If you are a blogger, you will enjoy streaming videos to your mobile devices. The BinoX 4K is especially helpful when you need to detect an animal and measure the distance with the help of a laser rangefinder. The device comes with a battery that withstands more than 18 hours of use.
Magnification: 5x | Objective diameter: 50 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 266/872 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 2/6.6 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 25 mm | Weight: 1077 g
⊕ Amazing functionality
⊕ Great for moving objects
⊕ Amazing all-glass optics
⊕ Rubberized body, waterproof
⊖ Poor night time performance
⊖ No batteries
The Night Owl is a first-generation device that enjoys deserved popularity thanks to its 5x magnification capabilities, built-in IR illuminator and stunning performance. Besides, it has solid build and an ergonomic shape.
The columnated IR illuminator delivers decent performance at night and accounts for better image clarity. By using the central focusing wheel, you can adjust both lenses simultaneously.
The housing of this pair of night time binoculars is made of thermoplastic, which accounts for better protection. All in all, it is well worth its price.
Magnification: 2x | Objective diameter: 24 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 440/1443 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 0.9/3.2 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 12 mm | Weight: 399 g
⊕ Ergonomic shape
⊕ Doesn’t weigh too much
⊕ Instant power-up
⊕ Stunning image quality
⊖ Difficult to mount
⊖ Hardly worth its price
A 2x magnification and a 24mm objective lens make the Ghost Hunter an attractive option for those, who are looking for a pair of night vision binoculars.
If you are a hunter, you will enjoy using a built-in IR Illuminator to detect animals in poor light conditions. This pair of infrared binoculars also comes with an automatic switch that protects the IR illuminator when you use the device near a bright source of light. It helps save battery power.
The device delivers high-resolution and is easy to use. At it is quite portable, you won’t get tired while carrying it with you in a special case. The body is made of durable polymer material that makes it a great option for active use.
Magnification: 5x | Objective diameter: 14 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 166/544 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 10/32 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 17 mm | Weight: 1300 g
⊕ Rugged design
⊕ Great for long distances
⊕ Pro-level protection
⊕ Perfect image clarity
⊖ Too heavy
⊖ Overpriced
The Armasight Discovery 5x SD is one of the best long-range night-vision devices that I have tested. It boasts an ergonomic shape and delivers amazing performance.
With its help, you can see even the most distant objects without experiencing any signs of eye strain. It comes with image intensifier tubes and can be used in a hand-held mode or mounted onto a tripod.
The IR illuminator is easy-to-remove and allows seeing distant subjects at night. There are extra protection circuits that add to the reliability of the device.
The Armasight Discovery 5x SD has a waterproof and shock-resistant body. As this pair of IR binoculars isn’t heavy, you can take it with you on any trip. It is a great option for hunters, law enforcement officers and wildlife lovers.
Magnification: 4-16x | Objective diameter: 65 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 70/230 met. /ft | Closest focusing distance: 3/10 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 10-30 mm | Weight: 816 g
⊕ Perfect night vision clarity
⊕ Astounding image quality
⊕ Portable
⊖ No external battery
This device comes with an adjustable zoom feature that delivers 4-16x magnification. The image quality is quite high; sharpness is on the top-notch level as well.
Thanks to the eye relief, your eyes won’t get tired even if you use this pair for a long time. The device has a unique design and is pretty lightweight so you can take it with you everywhere.
Its built-in gyroscope accounts for better image stabilization. If you enjoy hiking, you will find its e-compass quite handy as well. There is a special rangefinder that helps determine the distance from an object.
Thanks to the E-Zoom option, you can zoom in on a subject without losing it from view. Another advantage of this pair of long range night vision binoculars is that it supports Wi-Fi streaming. Whether capturing the beauty of the night or exploring the outdoors, this pair of long-range night vision binoculars serves as an excellent companion, almost like the best camera for night photography with its multifaceted features.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
CreativeXP
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
ATN Binox 4K
Smart HD |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Night Owl Pro
Cheap |
CHECK PRICE → |
If you intend to use your binoculars in low light, it’s better to choose a device with infra-red illuminators. They are capable of gathering light of the invisible part of the light spectrum, amplifying it and delivering a stunning image. Before making a purchase, check whether the device of your choice works well in ambient light.
These illuminators act as a covert light source, allowing night vision devices to capture detailed images in total darkness. When evaluating night vision binoculars, the presence and effectiveness of IR illuminators significantly impact performance. The range and strength of IR illuminators vary among models, influencing the binoculars' effective viewing distance in the dark.
These terms are used to describe the zooming capabilities of a device and the width of the area that you can see. If you need to see a distant subject under poor light conditions clearly, choose a pair of binoculars that has advanced magnification capabilities.
When you are using your device to zoom in on a subject, it’s always better to have a wider viewing range as it offers a better field of view. Beware, that with high magnification your field of view becomes narrower.
Besides high magnifying power, the best night vision binoculars allow focusing on a subject manually. This is vital when you need to achieve better image quality. Manufacturers offer plenty of options that deliver impressive image clarity.
You can benefit from using the night vision binoculars with a focusing wheel that allows controlling both barrels simultaneously. Some binoculars are equipped with diopter rings that are perfect if you need to adjust barrels separately.
Before making your choice, think carefully about what you need to use your binoculars for. As we have indicated, some devices come with a narrower detection range so, if you need it to be wider, make sure to select a newer model.
Night vision binoculars and other similar devices have been designed to be used at night. Thanks to their light amplifying capabilities, you can see any object even in full darkness. Some manufacturers offer day and night vision binoculars, however, if you purchase a model that has been designed for nighttime use only and use it during a day, it might cause permanent damage to your equipment.
Most night vision binoculars have a viewing range of about 400 to 800 feet.
An IR illuminator is capable of projecting out infrared light that can’t be seen with a human eye unless you use special equipment. If your pair of binoculars has this feature, it will be easier to see objects clearly.
Such devices are useful for people, who work in a wide range of areas. You can purchase night vision binoculars for hunting, wildlife observation, camping and other activities. They are quite useful for birdwatchers, fishermen, photographers and extreme sports enthusiasts. Night vision binoculars are also irreplaceable when it comes to home security tasks.
