6 Best Elk Hunting Binoculars of 2025

Using binoculars gives you the privilege to scout your target better from distance that hardly does with naked eyes. If you choose an appropriate model, it even allows you to watch targets in any light conditions with crystal clear vision.

Let our expert team help you! Below are the top 6 best elk hunting binoculars in the market:

Here are the best elk hunting binoculars (2025 Update):

• Best Overall: Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular
• Best For Glasses Wearer: Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars
• Best For Crisper Viewing: 12x42 Powerful Binoculars
• Compact & Sturdy: Hontry Binoculars for Adults and Kids
• Best For Low Light Conditions: Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars
• Best For Beginners: Celestron – Outland X 8x42 Binoculars

Best Overall: Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular

Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular

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Our Editor Choice’s Award for the best overall elk hunting binoculars goes to this Bushnell H2O, which took the highest score in our test.

This top-notch binocular features multi-coating optics with stunning HD clarity and BaK 4 prisms for superior light transmission with crisp clear pictures to work decently in harsh conditions, such as fog.

Also, it is built to last.

The entire body is crafted from waterproof materials with O ring sealed and nitrogen purged that’s been through in-depth testing to ensure the best durability.

Best For Glasses Wearer: Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars

Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars

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Larger eyepieces and longer eye relief is a perfect combo to make this hunting binocular the best choice for glasses wearers. With this model, you don’t have to remove your glasses as a general rule but still feel comfortable when getting close to the lens.

The lightweight and pocket-friendly design is another strength of Occer 12x25 Binoculars.

Thanks to its one-handed construction, you can easily master this binocular while observing elk. The optical FMS multilayer broadband green film lens covered with BAK4 prism texture allows you to see targets with an ultra-bright and clear images in most conditions.

But notice that as made of ABS plastic and rubber armor, it is just slightly water-resistant.

Best For Crisper Viewing: 12x42 Powerful Binoculars

12x42 Powerful Binoculars

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The 12x42 Powerful Binoculars is constructed with everything needed to make it the best for crispest viewing.

Start with the improvement in the eyepiece size. They feature 18mm in diameter which equals 2.25 times bigger on the picture size than the 12mm model.

This also helps it make full use of the 12x magnification to deliver the largest field of view in this list - up to 367ft/1000yds. And as a result, it allows you to see targets in a much larger picture with the clearest details.

Combining with a fully multi-coated lens and ultra-large 16.5mm BAK4 prism covering, it transmits light better for souped-up HD vision and crisp images.

Compact & Sturdy: Hontry Binoculars for Adults and Kids

Hontry Binoculars for Adults and Kids

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At under $30, this binocular from Hontry is the most compact and sturdy option for those hunters who just want a basic, budget-friendly model for elk observation.

Despite the rock bottom price point, its performance is really on-point, with 362ft@1000 yd. field of view, 10x magnification, and fully multi-coated optics. In different light conditions, we found that it can transmit light of nearly 97%, meaning that the images are truly crisp and bright with good contrast.

The best thing is the non-chromatic aberration issues.

Besides, the price also includes rugged construction rubber eye relief, which delivers extra comfort for spectacle wearers. Overall, this is highly valuable!

Best For Low Light Conditions: Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars

Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars

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Some elk hunters choose to start their hunt in dusk or dawn when the light is really dim. For them, this dielectric, fully multi-coated lens binocular will be the best companion.

It features 50mm objective lenses, 10x magnification, and 315 feet/1000 yards’ field of view for brighter clearer images to help you efficiently identify and observe your target. It works exceptionally well in extreme weather conditions thanks to the fog-proof and waterproof design.

A notable thing is its right eye diopter is specifically designed to accommodate focal differences in the user’s eyes, making it more versatile and flexible.

Best For Beginners: Celestron – Outland X 8x42 Binoculars

Celestron – Outland X 8x42 Binoculars

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A compact and user-friendly design, Celestron – Outland X 8x42 Binoculars are great for beginners.

It is super valuable with great clarity, weight-balanced construction, and a nice lens covers front and back that stay on. The waterproof and fog-proof design enhances its endurance against outdoor impacts and beginner’s abuse.

We particularly like the twist-up eyecups with big focus knobs as they’re very easy to use, quick to adjust, and accurate in focusing. No matter whether you’re with or without eyeglasses, these eyecups can be positioned in a blink with ease.

The BAK4 prisms and multi-coating optics are two other bonuses. They give you enhanced color fidelity with high contrast views and high resolution to watch targets better from distances.

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Magnification & Field of View (FOV)

Most binoculars mention magnification in their name and this is the vital feature you should keep eyes on as it determines the distance that you can see a target.

What do 9x42 binoculars mean?

• The number before x means the image appears 9 times bigger than what is actually seen by bare eyes. 9x42 and 9x50 binoculars have the same magnification.
• Remember that the bigger the magnification, the lower the scope of view, visibility, and image brightness. Not to say that just a bump or slight shake of a hand can get amplified. Turn out that it’s more struggling to track or watch your targets.
• Now, the field of view is the area that can be observed through the lens and this feature has a great co-relation to magnification.
• The higher the magnification, the narrower the FOV. To pick the right FOV, consider your hunting style. Small FOV is ideal for still or slow-moving objects while bigger FOV works great for fast-moving targets.
• In elk hunting, 8x to 10x of magnification ranges are ideal for both clear imaging and reasonable FOV to observe your target.

Objective Lens Diameter

• The most important thing when it comes to choosing the objective lens diameter is to capably work in low light conditions. The reason is elk hunters usually take action at dusk or dawn – when the light is low.
• A moderately big lens diameter will gather enough light from your target to allow for clearer and brighter vision.
• In general, a 42mm objective lens works great at dusk, dawn, night, or even in foggy and blurry conditions. It is the number coming behind x.
• One thing to note: The bigger the lens size, the heavier the binoculars.

Waterproof

• Binoculars for elk hunting should be waterproof because this tool will be used outdoors with high risks of exposure to rain or water splashing. This helps the binoculars themselves last longer as well as makes them easier to maintain after use.
• You should look for those models with built-in O-ring barriers. This additional component works as a barrier between lenses and outdoor impacts, like dust, water, and other residuals.

Which Brands Make The Best Elk Hunting Binoculars?

Bushnell

• Bushnell Corporation is a famous long-standing American firm specializing in hunting optics and other relating products. Started in 1948, the brand has had over 60 years’ experience in this industry and at the current, it still step-by-step perfects their products and services.

Celestron

• With decades of being a leader in the optics industry, Celestron sets itself apart by self-developing numerous revolutionary technologies and exciting products with patented innovations.

Vortex

• A bit younger, Vortex Optics is another worth-trying optic equipment brand. It was founded in 2004, in the USA and up to now, has had over 200 employees.

FAQs

Conclusion

We hope our review delivers the advice you need to find out the best elk hunting binoculars for the next trips. Once making the right choice, the times you do use binoculars in the hunting field will be more effective, bringing you higher opportunities to get more big rewards.