In these tough economic times, very few of us can splurge $1000 on a pair of binoculars. For most of us, regular folks, a cheap pair of binocular that is easy on our pocket, is what we are looking for.
However, while we want to spend the least amount of money on binoculars, we also want a pair whose performance will be satisfactory. And purchasing the first under $50 binocular, you stumble upon is not the way to go.
This article will review eight binoculars that offer good optical performance at dirt cheap prices. We have also included a buying guide on how to identify the best binoculars under 50 dollars.
For our top pick, we went with the SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars. The latter has an impressively wide field of view and has a user-friendly focus adjustment system. For the best cheap compact binoculars, we went with the Celestron Outland. It also had an impressive field of view and multi-coated optics.
Check out all the options on our list to see what each model has to offer.
A Quick View Of Our Top Binocular Selections For 50 Dollars
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Please note that Prices and Availability Are Subject To Change /Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How To Find The Best Cheap Binoculars With Value
When shopping for a binocular at the under $50 price point, there are some things you should consider. Particularly since most binoculars found in this price segment tend to be cheaply made.
Magnification
Binoculars in this price point are not designed for long-range viewing. Most have a magnification of between 8x and 12x. This is sufficient for sports, birding, and some hunting. Anything beyond 12x, and you will have to cough up some extra money, let’s say binoculars which are for 200 dollars.
Also, binoculars with a high magnification tend to be bulkier, and if you want binoculars for hunting deer or sports, a bulky binocular will not do.
Weight
When it comes to weight at this price point, we can categorize binoculars into two, compact and full-sized. Full-sized binoculars weigh over 1 pound while compact binoculars weigh less than 1 pounds.
Compact binoculars are small and can easily fit inside your pocket. These are great for watching sports due to their lightweight and compact nature. Bulkier full-sized models make for excellent bird-watching binoculars as they tend to have larger objective lenses.
When it comes to weight, you need to pick a binocular that suits your needs. For bird watching, you may want a full-sized bino that is tripod adaptable.
Eye relief
This is important to glass wearers. A longer eye relief will allow you to hold the binocular at a safe distance from your glasses and still see the full picture. If you wear glasses, a longer eye relief of at least 9 millimeters is recommended. Obviously, the longer the eye relief, the better.
Field of view
The field of view is an essential factor to consider when buying a binocular at any price point. The field of view relates to how much you can see when looking through a binocular. A wider field of view means you can see more of the area you are viewing.
Weather-resistant
You are most likely going to be using your binoculars outdoors. For this reason, it is important to get binocular that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Most in this price point feature rubber armor that protects it from water.
Reviews Of The Best Binoculars Under 50 Dollars
SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars
You can also get a full-sized binocular at a cheaper price. And the Sky Genius 10×50 is one of the best full-sized binoculars in this cheaper price range. This pair of binoculars can be used for sightseeing, birding, or even hunting.
As its name suggests, this pair of binoculars has a 10x magnification and a 50 mm objective lens. This massive lens is coated with a multilayer coating that enhances light transmission.
With this combination, you get an impressive 367 ft at 1000 yards field of view. One of the best things about this binocular is the focusing mechanism. You can focus on the left eye using the central focus knob and the right using the right focus knob.
This means you can focus on each individual eye, which is better than a single focus area. This binocular is tripod adaptable and comes with a shock-absorbent material covering its exterior.
What we liked
- The binocular’s lenses are made using aspheric, which offers better magnification and image clarity
- The body is shockproof and is easy to grip
- Comes with a two-step adjusting system for making adjustments for each eye
- Has an impressive field of view of 367 ft at 1000 yards
- It comes with a lens cap for protection
What we did not like
- The 5 mm exit pupil distance is terrible for glass wearers
- Is a bit heavier than other similarly priced binoculars
Features
- 50 mm objective lens
- 10x magnification
- 367 ft at 1000 yards field of view
- 5 mm exit pupil distance
- Porro prism
- Tripod adaptable
Verdict
This full-sized binocular is cheap and offers satisfactory performance. The multilayer coating of the lenses is excellent for light transmission. The wide field of view is one of the binoculars’ best features.
Celestron – Outland X 10×25 Binoculars
The Celestron-outland X binocular has a small and compact form factor. It is designed for the everyday outdoor enthusiast, from sports fans to travelers. For its price, it has some pretty decent features.
The lenses on this pair of binoculars are multi-coated for starters so that you can expect high contrasts and high-resolution views. In addition to this, the lenses are made from Bak 4 glass, which guarantees improved color fidelity.
Rubber armor protects the binoculars’ internal parts from harsh weather. This armor also means you can use it in almost any kind of weather. The outland is waterproof, fog-proof, and is nitrogen purged.
The twist-up eyecups are friendly on both glass wearers and non-eyeglass wearers. Also included in the package is a neck strap and a carrying case.
What we liked
- The lenses are multi-coated for enhanced contrasts and high resolution
- Has an impressive field of view of 330 ft at 1000 yards
- Comes with a carrying case and neck strap for easy carrying
- The binoculars are waterproof and fog proof
- The twist-up eyecups are easy to adjust for glass wearers
What we did not like
- Not enough light enters the binoculars, translating to somewhat of dark images
- The right eyepiece focus seems to go out of focus easily
Features
- 10x magnification
- 25 mm objective lens
- 330 ft at 1000 yards field of view
- 19.7 ft close focus distance
- 10 mm exit pupil distance
- Multi-Coated lenses
Verdict
This is the best compact binoculars; it features an impressive field of view and a decent enough exit pupil distance for glass wearers.
Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars
The Occer 12×25 compact binoculars offer some spectacular features at its price point. Firstly you get a 12x magnification paired with a 25mm objective lens.
The objective lens may appear a bit small, but what you get is an impressively large field of view. At 273 ft at 1000 yards, the field of view is sufficient for most applications.
To enhance light transmission, both the objective lens and the eyepiece lens are fully coated. Furthermore, the eyepiece is quite large and measures 15mm. With this eyepiece, you can see a large and clear image.
The exterior is made from ABS plastic and reinforced with rubber. This creates a tough exterior that is sure to survive daily abuses.
What we liked
- Has an impressive field of view of 273 ft at 1000 yards
- The binocular is covered by a non-slip rubber that is tough and makes it easy to grip
- Comes with a larger eyepiece than most other similarly priced binoculars
- The 20 mm exit eye pupil allows glass wearers to use the binocular comfortably
- Both the objective and eyepiece lenses are coated with a green and blue film for improved light transmission
What we did not like
- It is claimed that it can low light and at night but is actually not good for night vision
- It is not waterproof and can only withstand small water drops
Features
- 12x magnification
- 25mm objective lens
- 20 mm exit pupil distance
- Porro prism
- 273 ft at 1000 yards field of view
- 5 m near focal distance
Verdict
This pair of binocular is small and lightweight. More importantly, it has a tough exterior, which makes it ideal for anyone who has kids. You can use it for sports, birding, and even hunting.
Hontry Binoculars For Adults And Kids, 10×25
Small enough to fit inside your pocket but good enough to get you up close and personal to the action. This is how best to describe the Hontry 10×25 binoculars for adults and kids.
The 10x magnification paired with the 25 mm objective lens translates to an impressive 362 ft at 1000 yards field of view. Thus you do not need to change positions to get a clear picture of your target.
One of the most remarkable things about these compact binoculars is the lenses. The latter are multi-coated with multiple layers of coating. The result is a bright and clear picture quality free of blur.
The binocular is designed for easy gripping. On either side are textured grip areas. The rubber armor that is used on its exterior provides sufficient protection.
What we liked
- Is small enough to fit inside your pocket
- Has a decent 10 millimeters eye relief for eyeglass wearers
- The lenses are coated with multiple layers of coating for improved light transmission
- Has an impressive field of view of 362 ft at 1000 yards
- Weighing 454 grams, it is one of the most lightweight out there
What we did not like
- Since it is extremely small and lightweight, it can be challenging to keep it steady
- The eyepieces are not wide enough to accommodate the distance between your eyes
Features
- 10x magnification
- 25mm objective lens
- 10 millimeters eye relief
- 362 ft at 1000 yards field of view
- 0.6 pounds of weight
- Splash-proof exterior
Verdict
This might be a tad too small for some people’s liking. However, if you are looking for a cheap option for your kids, this is it. It is the best cheap compact binoculars on the list, mainly due to its multilayer-coated lenses.
Aurosports 10×25 Folding High Powered Compact Binoculars
The Aurosports 10×25 folding binocular has many similarities with the Hontry Binoculars for Adults and Kids, 10×25. Both offer almost the same features, but the Aurosport has some exciting features.
As you may have already guessed, this is a pocket-sized bino. And despite its miniature size, it packs fully multi-coated optics. This is a feature that is rare at this price point. Also, it is waterproof, meaning you can use it in the rain.
One of the perks of having fully-multi coated optics on this small bino is that it works relatively well in low light. The prisms are Bak4, and the lenses feature an FMC green film. This means you get a clear view from far away.
The exterior features anti-slip rubber armor. Apart from offering sufficient grip, this anti-slip rubber armor also means the binocular is shockproof.
What we liked
- Small enough to fit inside your pocket
- Costs relatively cheap compared to other budget options on the list
- These binoculars can withstand harsh weather conditions
- Feature fully multi-coated optics
- Works relatively well in low light
What we did not like
- The neck strap is a bit hard to put on
- The instructions manual that accompanies it is not so clear
Features
- 10x magnification
- 25mm objective lens
- 0.75 pounds weight
- Porro prism
- Fully-multi coated optics
- 362 ft at 1000 yards field of view
Verdict
This is also one of the best budget compact binoculars and can be used by both adults and kids. Its wide field of view and fully-multi coated optics are the standout features of this pocket-sized bino.
Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide Angle Binoculars
The Falcon series of binoculars from Bushnell offers decent features at an economical price point. One of our favorite models in this series is the Falcon 10×50 wide-angle. This is a full-sized Porro prism binoculars
Optics wise these binoculars performed incredibly well considering the price. The 10x magnification and 50 mm objective lens guarantee a 300 ft at 1000 yards field of view.
As for the eye relief, it is a decent 9 mm. This is not the best, but it is still sufficient for glass wearers. The lenses are coated to provide a sharp and clear image quality.
When it comes to the external components, you get an abrasion-resistant rubber armor. This helps protect the binocular and also provides a good grip.
What we liked
- Has a decent enough eye relief
- The field of view is also sufficient for most applications
- The optics performed great for the price
- The binoculars are reasonably well built with an abrasion-resistant rubber armor
- They offer good value for money
What we did not like
- Cannot attach to a tripod
- The case and carry strap are of low quality
Features
- 50 mm objective lens
- 10 x magnification
- 9-millimeter eye relief
- 300 ft at 1000 yards field of view
- 25 ft close focusing distance
Verdict
For the price, you will not be disappointed. It may not have the optical performance of pricier Bushnell models, but this is to be expected at the cheaper price tag.
OMZER 10×42 Compact Binoculars
Perhaps the best affordable binoculars for all-around use, the Omzer 10×42 binocular, are neither too small nor too large. Its 42 mm objective lens is what we have come to expect from most average-sized binoculars.
In terms of performance, the fully-multi coated green film lenses do an excellent job of providing you with a clear and bright image quality. Also, you get a decent performance in low light.
The adjustable eye relief of this binocular is another that earns it a spot on our list. This adjustable eye relief makes it a suitable option for glass wearers. Also, it does not cause fatigue when used for lengthy periods.
A textured rubber covers the binoculars and gives an excellent grip. This rubber armor also makes it waterproof and shockproof.
What we liked
- Has an adjustable eye relief which is suitable for glass wearers
- Comes with fully multi-coated optics
- Has a decent field of view of 307 ft at 1000 yards
- The binocular is both water and fog proof
- It is well-sized for everyday use
What we did not like
- The focusing system on this binocular is not easy to use
- The fine eye adjustment right is not tight enough and tends to move
Features
- Porro prism design
- 10x magnification
- 42 mm objective lens
- 307 ft at 1000 yards field of view
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof construction
Verdict
This is an average-sized binocular that will fit well with most people’s needs. It has excellent features for the price.
Conclusion
Binoculars priced under $50 may not offer any of the sophisticated features as some of their pricier counterparts, but they provide great value for money. All the models we have reviewed above performed excellently for their price.
About The Author:
Lake Streeter, A Gun enthusiast, and loves to hunt in the middle of the wood. Always check the latest hunting gears out in the market and try to share his honest opinion with the audience in Tarheel3Gun.