6 Best Binoculars Under $500 of 2024

$500 is not a small number. With this amount, you could find some great binoculars for a wide range of purposes: from hunting, sightseeing to birdwatching and stargazing.

Here are the best binoculars under 500 (Nov 2024 Update):

• Best For Safari: Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5
• Highest Image Quality: Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars
• Best For Bird Watching: Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7
• Best For Hiking: Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42mm Hunting Binoculars
• Best For Hunting: Maven C1 10X42mm ED Binoculars
• Best For Alaska Cruise: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular

Best For Safari: Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5

Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5

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When it comes to safaris, you’ll need a pair of binoculars that not only have a wide field of view but also be lightweight and easy-to-use. Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 meets all of those requirements.

Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 is one of the most lightweight pairs of 10x42 binoculars on the market. It is only 1.35 lbs and has a compact design that will fit neatly into your palm. The binoculars have many convenient features, including Turn-and-Slide rubber eyecups, an extended eye relief distance, a smooth central focus knob, and flip-down lens caps. It is also waterproof, fog proof for extreme weather conditions. You'll be ready for every hunting trip.

The field of view is not so wide, just medium - 288 feet at 1000 yards, but that is enough for fast-tracking the prey. The lenses are made with Nikon's premium ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass and are fully multicoated for more light transmission, providing you with a sharper, clearer and more brilliant view.

Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 doesn’t come with an eye right diopter, which is a big minus for eyeglass wearers.

Highest Image Quality: Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars

Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars

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Vortex Optics Viper HD has a high-density optical system that delivers an exceptional resolution, crystal clear, and edge to edge image. The lenses are coated with XR anti-reflective that helps reflect more light and give a bright image, even in dark environments.

The prism system is 10x42 - 10-time magnification power and 42 mm of objective lenses, pretty standard specs.

There is a right-eye diopter for you to adjust the focus to each eye differently. This feature helps nearsighted/farsighted people to use the binoculars without wearing eyeglasses. You can also wear eyeglasses using Vortex Optics Viper HD as the eye relief is long enough and the twist-up eyecups for customizing the eye relief are comfortable.

Vortex Optics Viper HD has a rubber armor chassis with thumb indents, offering you a firm and easy grip.

Argon purging, O-ring seals, and scratch-resistant armortek protects the binoculars from water, fog, scratches, oil, and dirt.

Best For Bird Watching: Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7

Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7

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Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7 has an exceptionally wide field of view - 419 feet/1000 yards (8 degrees), making it much easier to find subjects. The lenses are dielectric high-reflective multilayer-coated for high-contrast images and accurate color reproduction.

The stabilizing feature helps the view stable without using a tripod. All these make MONARCH 8x42 perfect for birdwatching. You will see every feather crystal clear with the binoculars.

The durable rubber-armored coating helps you to hold the binoculars firmly and comfortably. Nitrogen-filled housing for fog proof and waterproof. And rugged construction for durability even in extreme weather conditions.

Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7 and Vortex Optics Viper HD are two premium choices on my list. You'll have nothing to complain about both. However, MONARCH 8x42 doesn't come with a right eye diopter, and has a lower magnification power than Vortex Optics Viper HD.

Best For Hiking: Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42mm Hunting Binoculars

Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42mm Hunting Binoculars

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Upland Optics Perception HD is built to survive in the most extreme weather: Waterproof, Fogproof, and a Durable Rubber Body. But in a lightweight and compact design - 1.44 lbs.

The prism system is 10x42 - standard prism for general purposes. The lenses are made with Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass for clear and sharp images.

The binoculars come with Soft Carry Case, Flip Down Lens Protectors, Lens Cloth, and Neck Strap. You will be ready for all the trips.

However, a big con of Upland Optics Perception HD is that it has a very narrow field of view - just 113 feet at 1000 yards.

Best For Hunting: Maven C1 10X42mm ED Binoculars

Maven C1 10X42mm ED Binoculars

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Maven C1 10X42mm is a solid pair of binoculars. It has a well-balanced lightweight polymer frame. The lenses are scratch-resistant coated, and 100% waterproof, fog-proof. Moreover, Maven offers you an unconditional lifetime warranty for all their products. You are assured of the durability of Maven C1 10X42.

The lenses are made with extra low-dispersion (ED) glass and are fully multi-coated for a sharper, clearer and brighter view. The field of view is wide - 314 feet at 1000 yards. And the eye relief distance is enough for eyeglass wearers to use comfortably.

Maven C1 10X42 is a high-quality pair of binoculars with an affordable price (compared with other binoculars on this list) - A worthy choice for all-purpose.

Best For Alaska Cruise: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular

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Extreme weather like Alaska's cold, hoarfrost, heavy rains might harm your binoculars badly. For those conditions, Bushnell Legend Ultra HD can perform properly and safely. It has a magnesium chassis that is 100% waterproof and fog-proof. The lenses have a Rain guard HD water repellent coating that keeps water, fog, snow, sleet, and oily fingerprints from wrecking your vision. Even in the heaviest fog, you won't miss any precious moment.

The prism system is quite standard, 10x42 - 10 magnification power and 42mm diameter of the objective lenses. The field of view is wide - 330 feet at 1000 yards (6.4 degrees). The images are great since the lenses are made with ED Prime Glass and Ultra Wide Band Coatings.

Just a minor drawback is that the eye relief distance is quite short - 15.2 mm. However, this range is enough for eyeglass wearer to use the binoculars comfortably.

How To Choose The Best Binoculars Under $500?

$500 is not a small number. So you will want to do some investigation before choosing your binoculars. Follow are some important specs you need to know

• The prism system - '10x42mm', '8x42mm': The first number is the magnification power, for example, 10 means that you’ll the image 10 times closer through the binoculars. The latter number is the diameter of the objective lenses - the bigger it is, the more light that can go through the lenses, and the brighter the image is.

• Eye relief: It is the longest distance from the last surface of the binoculars to the user’s eyes. Within this distance, you can get the full viewing angle.

• Field of View - degrees and feet: It is the maximum distance from left to right of the scene that you can see at 1000 yards through the binoculars. It can be measured by degrees, which is the same as when measured by feet.

• Additional Features: Eyecups (for more comfortable), Right eye diopter (for near/far-sighted people), Waterproof and shockproof.

Base on your purpose and personal preferences to determine suitable ranges of specs, and find the binoculars have specs fit in these ranges.

Which Brands Make The Best Binoculars Under $500?

Vortex Optics

• 30 years in the optics industry, Vortex is always one of the most stylish brands. They are an American owned, Veteran owned, and Family owned company. They produce lines of scopes, including riflescopes, red dots, and binoculars. They are also well known for the great customer service - an unconditional and unlimited VIP Warranty that can cover a very wide range of problems.

Upland Optics

• Upland Optics was founded by hunters and for hunters. Their binoculars are made to be reliable tools for serious hunters when they are deep in the wilderness. Upland Optics has some exceptional hunting binoculars that you need to have a look at.

Nikon

• No need to introduce Nikon since they are one of the biggest optics and imaging brands in the world. They headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and make from binoculars, lenses, to cameras, even microscopes and rifle scopes. You are assured of the best quality when it comes to Nikkon’s products.

FAQs

Conclusion

Above are my full review of the best binoculars under 500. Hope that the information in this article will help you find the suitable binoculars for you.