By Robin Owens 14 days ago, Binoculars
Top-rated spotting scopes for birding.
While binoculars are a terrific companion for birdwatching due to how comfortable they are to wear on your neck, their magnification power is still rather limited. For instance, most birding models come with a zoom of about 8x-10x.
Such power is more than enough in most situations, until you find yourself very far from a bird, like on the other bank of a huge lake. By using binoculars, all you’ll see is an “average-sized grey bird”. You can avoid such a problem by simply purchasing a bird spotting scope.
Finding a scope that was designed specifically for birdwatchers isn’t an easy task, since most of the models are made with other purposes in mind, like hunting or stargazing. Thankfully, you can read this useful overview that will help you find the best spotting scope for birding on any budget.
Magnification: 30-60X | Objective diameter: 85mm | Field of view at 1000m: 99-69 feet | Closest focusing distance: 10.8 feet | Eye relief: Not Listed | Weight: 60 ounces
⊕ Reasonable price
⊕ Comes with an eyepiece
⊕ 100% weatherproof
⊕ Digiscope adaptable
⊖ Primarily designed for birders
This bird spotting scope comes with multicoated optics, is completely weather-resistant and has an impressive close focus distance of 10.8ft. This product is digiscope adaptable, enhanced with LotuTec coatings and supplied with an HD objective lens system.
The Conquest Gavia 75 is equally efficient at birdwatching and wildlife observation. Besides, the broad zoom range is exactly what you need for long-distance viewing. Other than being a terrific tool for birding, this Zeiss model can also be a fantastic find for hunters due to its low price and the fact that it comes with an eyepiece.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 82mm | Field of view at 1000m: 111 ft | Closest focusing distance: 16.4 ft | Eye relief: 16.1mm | Weight: 57.8 oz
⊕ Straight and angled body designs
⊕ Slide-out lens hood
⊕ “Field flattener” lens
⊖ Somewhat unresponsive focusing controls
⊖ Possible shaking when trying to focus
⊖ Loose lens cap
Not only is this model revered for its all-roundness, but it’s also often mentioned among the best spotting scopes for birding due to its attractive price, multi-coated optics and highly efficient light transmission.
As a result, you get to enjoy a bright picture with crisp, realistic colors. The applied coating is also extremely efficient at dealing with flares and ghosting, which can be a problem in backlit conditions.
The focusing ring of this scope works at different speeds to provide you precise controls: subtle focus adjustments when viewing faraway birds and coarser shifts for closer subjects. Thanks to the smooth movement of the ring, you can lock on the subject quicker and with higher sharpness.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80mm | Field of view at 1000m: 108ft | Closest focusing distance: 16.4 ft | Eye relief: 17.1mm | Weight: 1610.3 g
⊕ Has a big 80mm objective lens
⊕ Straight angle body design
⊕ High image clarity and color fidelity
⊖ The eyepiece has to be bought separately
If you’re serious about birdwatching, then getting the best spotting scope for birding is a must, and it’s hard to beat Swarovski when it comes to image clarity. Not only does this model provide a consistently sharp picture, but it’s also highly durable, making it a worthwhile investment.
You can choose between straight and angled barrels, which is a level of versatility that is rarely found in optics for birding. This Swarovski scope uses state-of-the-art technology that provides stunning results, which can only be fully appreciated by birdwatchers that take their hobby or job seriously.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 82mm | Field of view at 1000m: 110 ft | Closest focusing distance: 6ft | Eye relief: 19mm | Weight: 1,810g
⊕ Stylish design
⊕ The body feels sturdy and durable
⊕ Small size
⊖ Image quality drops when viewed at 40x and above
⊖ Magnification eyepiece feels a bit stiff initially but eases with use
The Endeavor HD is a solid mid-range option that is supplied with a professional set of features while being offered at a much more reasonable price compared to other birding scopes on this list. Both the body and the optics are of high quality, making this Vanguard product one of the best offers on the market if you’re looking for a versatile scope.
That said, the Endeavor HD has its own share of downsides. As you increase the magnification, everything is increased in size, not just the image you’re looking at. Small imperfections and barely noticeable flaws become much more apparent when using a scope like this. Tolerances are more crucial than in binoculars, meaning you have to be perfect at adjusting the scope if you want to get everything right.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80mm | Field of view at 1000m: - | Closest focusing distance: 16.4 ft | Eye relief: - | Weight: 1520.0 g
⊕ Waterproof housing
⊕ Fog-proof lens
⊕ An angled eyepiece
⊖ The high price
It’s impossible to omit Kowa when talking about the best spotting scope for birding, and this 88mm angular model is a terrific example of why that is the case.
It offers outstanding performance, rugged design and sophisticated optics that make the TSN-880 an excellent scope for nighttime birding, hunting, basic nature, animal observation or target shooting. Moreover, the huge 88mm objective lens makes this model suitable for casual star watching.
Magnification: 16-48X| Objective diameter: 50mm | Field of view at 1000m: 125-60 feet | Closest focusing distance: 25ft | Eye relief: 16mm | Weight: 31.4 ounces
⊕ Small size
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Comes with two tripod mounts
⊖ High price
⊖ Quality control problems
The Bushnell Trophy 16-48x50 is a terrific choice if you’re looking for bird watching scopes that offer great clarity at long ranges. The overall quality of this product is highly impressive, however, the quality control department of the manufacturer does let defective devices through now and then. The high price is also a bit of a drawback, but that’s to be expected given how popular this brand is.
If the offered magnification range seems underwhelming to you, then you should look at its bigger cousin, the Trophy Xtreme 20-60x65. The price difference isn’t noticeable, but you should be prepared for carrying around some extra weight.
Magnification: 11-33X | Objective diameter: 50mm | Field of view at 1000m: 191-96 feet/| Closest focusing distance: 6.6 feet | Eye relief: 19-16 mm | Weight: 25 ounces
⊕ Attractive price
⊕ Dual focus
⊕ Able to focus at close range
⊕ Completely weatherproof
⊖ Doesn’t have interchangeable eyepieces
While Razor products deserve to be counted among the best birding scopes due to their small and lightweight body, they do have one serious flaw. They don’t have interchangeable eyepieces despite being priced as a premium product. That being said, this series features several other models, making it easy for you to find a scope that has the magnification range you need.
The Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60 is probably the model that deserves your attention the most. It offers all the features a birdwatcher needs without having any useless gimmicks or a ridiculous price tag.
Magnification: 20x-60x | Objective diameter: 80mm | Field of view at 1000m: 105-53ft | Closest focusing distance: 105-53 ft | Eye relief: 18mm | Weight: 3.56 pounds
⊕ Sturdy and reliable
⊕ Intuitive and responsive usage
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ High-quality lenses
⊖ The objective lens requires sunshade
⊖ Subpar weight distribution
⊖ Seems larger and heavier at first sight
The Ultima is a 20-60x80mm straight birding scope that is supplied with multicoated optics and has a magnification range of 20-60x. This product also includes a T-adapter, T-mounting ring, eyepiece cover and case, objective cover, cleaning cloth and a user manual.
The 80mm aperture produces an image that offers about 50% higher brightness than the previous models in this series, which allows you to enjoy crisper colors and highly-detailed images. The convenient eyecup and responsive focusing knob are well implemented and demand minimum effort to achieve the needed magnification level.
Magnification: 25-75x | Objective diameter: 100mm | Field of view at 1000m: 88-44/ft | Closest focusing distance: 32ft| Eye relief: 17.5mm | Weight: 4.85 lbs
⊕ Multi-coated optical elements
⊕ BAK-4 prisms
⊕ Completely waterproof and fog-proof
⊖ Costs quite a lot
The Barska is a 25-75x 100m model that just might be the best spotting scope for birding if you need a super clear view of a faraway subject. Whether you’re observing seabirds, hiking in the mountains or hunting, you’ll be blown away by the performance offered by this scope.
Moreover, the huge 100-millimeter objective lens is great at transmitting light and providing a terrific image even in poor lighting conditions during dusk or dawn.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Nikon Monarch FIELDSCOPE
For hunting |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Swarovski 49618
Professional |
CHECK PRICE → |
Binoculars have been the go-to choice for most birdwatchers for decades now. However, when it comes to observing faraway shorebirds sitting on a mudflat or a majestic hawk flying hundreds of feet above you, the improved magnification power of a spotting scope is infinitely superior.
I have taken it upon myself to try out a variety of scopes to ensure this list features only the best products the market has to offer. Regardless if you’re looking for your first birding spotting scope or want to replace an old one with a better model, you can find a plethora of suitable options above, no matter how small or big your budget is.
Consider the level of magnification you need. Spotting scopes typically offer zoom capabilities, so choose a scope with variable magnification for flexibility. Common ranges are 15-45x or 20-60x.
A larger objective lens (e.g., 80mm) allows more light to enter the scope, providing brighter and clearer images. However, it also makes the scope heavier.
High-quality lenses are essential for sharp and clear images. Look for scopes with fully multi-coated lenses to minimize glare and improve image brightness.
Choose between roof and porro prisms. Porro prisms often provide better image quality and depth perception but can be bulkier.
Look for scopes with waterproof and fogproof features, as birdwatching often takes place in various weather conditions.
Choose between angled and straight eyepiece models. Angled scopes are more comfortable for extended viewing and are often preferred for group birding, while straight scopes are easier to use for lower objects.
Adjustable eyecups and sufficient eye relief are essential for comfortable viewing, especially for those who wear glasses.
The quality of a spotting scope for birding is determined by a large number of factors including sharpness, brightness, magnification power and eye relief. When it comes to zoom, the sweet spot for a scope designed for birdwatching is somewhere within the 15-60x range.
When all is said and done, picking a scope boils down to your personal taste and needs, and the optimal method of buying one is selecting a couple of models that offer the most attractive specs and then going to a store to test how they feel and work in your own hands. However, even if you don’t have such an opportunity, don’t get discouraged, as all of the options reviewed above offer the features necessary for viewing distant birds in full detail and with crisp colors.
The majority of scopes have an adjustable zoom, for instance, 20-60x or 16-48x. This means you can change the magnification at any time, as you would with a digital camera, so that you can easily adapt to the situation and always have the bird you’re observing in focus.
A typical birding telescope has a zoom of 300-500x, which isn’t ideal for small and mid-distance viewing. However, you can also buy models with replaceable eyepieces, so if you can find a compatible eyepiece with a 30x or 60x zoom, then such a telescope can easily be used for birdwatching
It’s impossible to say that one device is strictly better than the other. Binoculars typically offer a superior field of view, allowing you to see a larger scene and find the needed subject faster. On the other hand, a scope has better magnification and provides a more highly detailed image.
If you’re using binoculars, then you should pick between 8x and 10x models, while giving preference to the latter due to them being better suited for long distances. However, if you’re going with a scope, then the topic of magnification becomes less important, as most spotting scopes for birding have an adjustable zoom.
