By Robin Owens 19 days ago, Binoculars
Our choice of the best spotting scopes under 100 dollars.
While many people believe they have to spend over a thousand dollars to get their hands on a high-quality spotting scope, that is nothing more than a misconception. Even $100 can get you a scope that will cover most of your needs.
Hunters, target shooters and even bird watchers can increase the level of enjoyment they get from their hobby by getting one of the scopes reviewed below. All five options are easy to use, offer great optical performance and are available for under 100 dollars.
I’ve put together this list of the best spotting scopes under 100 USD as well as a handy buyer’s guide to help you understand what features you should be looking for in a budget scope, how to pick between them and ensure the chosen option is perfect for your needs.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 60mm | Field of view at 1000m: 39-19m metres | Closest focusing distance: N/A | Eye relief: 17-13.5 mm | Weight: 641 g
⊕ 780 yards max distance with high clarity
⊕ High-quality optics
⊕ Lens transfers the perfect amount of light
⊕ High-speed focus authentication
⊖ Eyepiece can’t be rotated
⊖ Not for long viewing sessions
This model offers an impressive zoom in the 20-60x range and a 45o angled eyepiece that offers incredible convenience and guarantees a comfortable spotting experience. With a field of view of 39-19m/1000m, enjoying the nature around you and seeking out animals has never been easier.
The integrated eyepiece is completely multi-coated and comes with a BAK-4 roof prism that enhances light transfer and produces a bright, detailed image regardless of the weather conditions.
The durable rubber armor ensures you can firmly grab the scope and that it won’t get easily damaged because of an accidental bump. The integrated retractable sunshade helps deal with glares, and if you attach Emarth to a tripod, you’ll be able to flip the lens sideways.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 60mm | Field of view at 1000m: 30-15 metres | Closest focusing distance: 7 metres | Eye relief: 18-15 mm | Weight: 1.5 kg
⊕ Impressive zoom functionality
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Comes with handy goodies
⊕ Convenient to control
⊖ Average hard case build quality
This spotting scope comes with reliable and affordable PRC optics and removable eyepiece and lens covers. If you’re not willing to spend 6 times the price of this model to only slightly improve the image quality, this might be the best spotting scope for 100 dollars for you.
The scope has an eye-relief of 1/2-3/4” at 20x, and no eye-relief at 60-times magnification, as it allows you to read bumper stickers even at a distance of 400 yards. The included tripod offers all the sturdiness you need and the provided hard case looks nice but isn't well-built.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 60mm | Field of view at 1000m: 39-19 metres | Closest focusing distance: 20 metres | Eye relief: 13-16 mm | Weight: 680 g
⊕ Perfect for target shooting-range
⊕ Rubber cover provides a solid grip
⊕ Fog-resistant
⊕ Broad viewing range
⊖ Some users might find focusing to be a bit challenging
This product has a 60mm multi-coated lens that provides a terrific spotting experience. The scope has a field of view of 39-19m/1000 and a zoom range of 20x to 60x. The eyepiece has a 45o angle, which gives you more comfort when picking your target.
This scope is a great choice for a shooting range as it enables you to check for bullet holes even at a distance of 350 yards. The cherry on top is the included table tripod and smartphone mounting kit.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 60mm | Field of view at 1000m: 43-22 metres | Closest focusing distance: 8.8 metres | Eye relief: 15-11 mm | Weight: 595 g
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Produces a clear picture
⊕ Simple focusing
⊕ Carrying case is great for portability
⊖ Limited field of view at bigger zoom levels
This model is often considered the best spotting scope under 100 dollars for bird watching, nature scouting, hunting, and simply enjoying the scenery. It’s incredibly lightweight and is delivered with both a soft case and a separate aluminum casing.
The lenses are fully-coated and produce top-notch clarity, while the big focus dial is the perfect tool for ensuring your target always stays in focus.
The rubberized eyecup is very convenient and can be folded, which is a lifesaver for eyeglass wearers. Finally, the armored body ensures the scope will endure any unforeseen extreme weather conditions.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80mm | Field of view at 1000yds: 98-62ft | Closest focusing distance: N/A | Eye relief: N/A | Weight: 1.2 kg
⊕ Solid resistance of the focus knob
⊕ Great image quality given its price
⊕ Solid tripod performance
⊕ Convenient loosening rod
⊖ Tripod would benefit from additional adjustability
This contender for the title of the best spotting scope under 100 dollars offers an impressive focusing knob and convenient usage. The eyepiece adjustment also works smoothly while the provided cover ensures the lenses stay protected when you’re not using the scope.
Another benefit of this option is the optics quality, which is great for this price range. The scope does a good job of picking up distant birds and can be used with a rifle for target practice. The provided tripod is also of decent quality, while the loosening rod is very simple to use.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Emarth 20-60x60AE
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Barska AD11284 Blackhawk
Professional |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Huicocy Spotting Scope
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → |
An angled model is typically more convenient since it allows you to adjust the eyepiece and set a better angle, but you still have to account for the optical difference between the two types. Straight scopes are better suited for watching objects on the same level as you are.
If you're located significantly above or below the target, you'll begin noticing chromatic aberration and worse image quality. Angled scopes are a lot better when it comes to dealing with height differences.
You can determine the zoom characteristics of long range spotting scopes under 100 dollars by simply checking out the numbers on them. Typically, you find something along the lines of "20x60" or "20-45x60." The first value shows the magnification power. If there's only one figure, then you're looking at a scope with a fixed zoom.
If there are two numbers divided by a hyphen, then it’s an adjustable model that supports all magnification ranges between the two values. The figure after “x” describes the lens size in millimeters. Larger lenses are typically better as they transfer more light and produce a higher quality image.
The eyepiece comes with a component called an “eye relief”, which is used to put some distance between your eyes and the lens. The larger the distance, the more comfortable it’ll feel to look through the scope and aim.
Reliable weather-resistance is necessary for any spotting scope if you want to avoid having a blurry or foggy image due to condensation. If you’re planning to use the spotting scope regardless of how bad the weather can get, you should prioritize getting one with solid weatherproofing instead of getting a model with more magnification (since you can’t have both in this price range).
If the scope doesn’t have proper weather sealing, some humidity can pass through and cause permanent damage to the lens.
The Huicocy Spotting Scope currently holds that title.
The Emarth 20-60x60AE is the best option on the value/price scale.
The majority of spotting scopes have adjustable magnification, for instance, 15-45x or 20-60x. This allows you to change the zoom level manually, just as you would with a digital camera. Typically, budget scopes have a max zoom value of 15x or 60x.
If the rest of the specs are up to par, then a 20-60x magnification value is more than enough to provide a convenient and enjoyable outdoor spotting experience.
