Hunting binoculars can often be very expensive, as some of them come with all sorts of features that are there to ensure you have the best hunting experience. The more expensive binoculars often come with a lifetime warranty as well, but today we’ll be looking at some of the more affordable options.
You definitely don’t need to spend too much on binoculars to get a pair that will do an excellent job in the field. You can get away with a solid set of binoculars for under $200 and even under $100 depending on what you’re looking for from them.
Picking the best and most affordable pair from all the available binoculars on the market isn’t easy, however, with our buyer’s guide, we hope we can help you make the best and most informed decision.
Table of Contents
In a hurry? Our best hunting binoculars for 2022 are:
- Bright, Multicoated Optics
- Roof Prism Design
- Smooth Central Focus Knob
These are the top 10 Best Hunting Binoculars Under $200
10x25 Trailblazer
When you think of Nikon, you’re probably thinking of their cameras; however, you shouldn’t be surprised to know that they’re sporting one of the best and most affordable binocular models on the market.
It boasts a slick design, very compact, and not robust at all. The binoculars easily fit in tight places and use up almost no extra space due to their design. The grip on this pair is very comfortable.
The field of view for this model is amazing. It’s probably one of the biggest reasons why they’re so popular among hunters. You might be thinking that the 10x zoom on these binoculars might be too much, but the objective’s diameter is only 25mm, so that zoom comes in handy.
You can get this pair of binoculars for under $100, but that’s not even the best part. This model comes with a lifetime warranty, which basically means you’re set for life with these binoculars.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than this!
Athlon Optics Neos Roof Prism HD Binoculars
The Neos by Athlon Optics is yet another affordable purchase that you can get for under $100.
These binoculars are very small and compact and can be carried with ease. However, something very important to note is that the design was not made with hunting in mind.
It’s a great set of binoculars for bird watching or animal spotting; however, there’s no camouflage on this pair. That’s something that can be easily solved, but you do have to spend some extra money on a camouflage mask.
This model boasts an 8x zoom feature, which is absolutely perfect for hunting. You don’t really need anything more than that as having a larger zoom makes it harder to keep your sight steady. The higher the zoom, the steadier your hands need to be to keep a clear picture, and we all know how exciting it can get when you’re on the hunt.
Just like the Nikon model, Athlon’s Neos binoculars come with a lifetime warranty. The Nikon model may be slightly more affordable, however, the Neos edges it out in terms of overall quality ever so slightly.
Bushnell Legend L-Series Binocular, Black, 10x42mm
Bushnell’s Green Roof Trophy binoculars were made specifically with hunters in mind, which is why they’re painted in such a specific shade of green. The binocular’s 42mm diameter lens is ideal for hunting, however, the 10x zoom might be a bit much, 8x would probably be optimal, but that’s just nitpicking. This is overall a great binocular for watching an animal’s trail.
The binoculars are very compact and light, they weigh around 25 ounces, which is perfect for when you’re in the field, they add almost no extra fatigue when you’re on a long walk in the fields.
The binoculars are fully waterproof, and the grip on them is very comfortable, and last but not least it has a fast-focus feature which is very useful for spotting game with better clarity.
Bushnell Green Roof Trophy Binoculars, 10x42
This pair of binoculars is very small and light, making it a great fit for any hunter in the field. It uses different magnification technology than the other binoculars on the list, and that’s very apparent from the moment you use them.
The 6x zoom is more than enough; in fact, it’s probably the ideal amount of zoom you need for hunting in the field. You’ll get a crystal clear picture and a minimal amount of distortion from any hand instability or shakiness. The 30mm objective might be a bit smaller than what you’re used to, but because of that, it’s a very compact pair.
The lens is multi-coated, and 100% waterproof, Leupold are well known for their high-quality binoculars, with this purchase you’re getting a premium pair of binoculars for a very low price.
And last but not least, it’s not just a good hunter’s binocular, it’s a powerful binocular in general, you can use it for any outdoor activity and not just field hunting!
Vortex Optics Crossfire Roof Prism Binoculars 8x42
This high-quality pair of binoculars comes from Vortex, who are well known for many of their well-designed binocular models. The Vortex Optics Crossfire is made specifically with hunters in mind.
The coloring of the mask comes in green and black, which is always good for when you’re in the woods as it provides great cover, you’ll never stick out. The zoom lens is 8x, which is probably the optimal amount of zoom you need for when you’re hunting. The objective diameter is 42mm, which is also perfect for a hunter’s binoculars.
The ideally placed focus wheel, as well as the sturdy grip, make it very easy to get a stable view with these binoculars. The binoculars are also waterproof and fog-resistant, which means you can use them on your hunt regardless of the waether conditions!
Celestron – Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars – Outdoor and Birding Binocular –...
As the name would suggest, Celestron is a well-known brand, known mostly for their telescopes and telescope accessories, however, the Nature DX model has nothing to do with stars.
Celestron’s Nature DX Binoculars are meant to give you a crystal clear view when you’re in the field.
The binoculars are made of very durable metal, and the green color they’re painted in makes you blend in with the scenery. If you’re wearing any accessories like glasses, these binoculars won’t give you any trouble as they are easily adjustable.
There are a bunch of different zoom/diameter models fo these binoculars, in our review we’re looking at the 8x zoom with 42mm diameter ones. We find that those parameters are generally the best when it comes to hunting and are very good for other field activities, such as bird-watching.
This model is waterproof and fog proof, which means you can use it in all sorts of weather conditions. The packaging itself also comes with some cool accessories that can come in handy when you’re in the field.
Bushnell Legend L-Series Binocular, Black, 10x42mm
Bushnell’s Legend L-Series is probably one of the more popular models around the $200 price range. They’re a top choice for hunters due to the quality of the build, the compact design, and overall great performance.
The Legend L-Series uses ED Prime Glass, which gives you a crystal clear picture, with amazing colors and contrast. This special type of glass allows for this model to give you high-quality details in low-light circumstances, and when you’re out in the deep woods, you’re likely to find yourself in a spot like that.
Rainguard HD is another feature that the L-Series boasts, the technology that the Rainguard brings is meant to give you high-detailed pictures even in rainy weather. Neither water nor rain will stop these binoculars from doing their job.
Although we prefer the 8x zoom on our hunting binoculars, the 10x zoom is definitely still a very viable option. In fact, once you get used to it, you won’t notice any drawbacks to it. The 42mm diameter is lager enough to provide you with all the clarity you need when you’re out in the field.
Nikon 16003 PROSTAFF 7S 10x42 Inches All-Terrain Binocular (Black)
Nikon’s Prostaff 7s is a vastly improved of the previously mentioned Nikon mode. It’s slightly more expensive, though. These binoculars provide you with a very high-quality visual field, rich with colors and contrast due to their fully multi-coated lens, as we as their phase-correction coated roof prisms. It’s a model ideal for both hunters on the field, or simply bird-watching or spotting wildlife.
As soon as you get your hands on these binoculars, you’ll be able to tell just how good they are. They’re made from high-quality, durable, material which makes it able to endure rough-handling and accidental drops from relatively high places.
This lightweight pair of binoculars weighs only 1.4lbs. When you’re on the field, you definitely don’t want any extra weight on you, so that’s another thing these binoculars have going for them.
Vanguard Spirit XF Binoculars, Black, 10x42
Vanguard are well known for their high-quality optics and optical accessory products. Their tripods are especially well-liked. They’re not centered around hunting equipment or accessories. However, these binoculars are great for hunting.
The size and weight of the Vanguard Spirit XF are what makes them ideal for hunters. They’re small and compact binoculars that can be used in various situations and weather conditions. They’re 100% waterproof as well as fog-proof binoculars that provide excellent colors as well as great clarity.
Like most of the premium binoculars, this model comes with fully coated lenses. The zoom on the Spirit XF is a 10x zoom, which is a bit more than what we think is ideal for hunters. However, it’s not detrimental to the hunting experience at all.
Thanks to the awesome grip this model boasts, you’ll be able to get a good hold on these binoculars and keep them still without any trouble, even on the 10x zoom.
The only thing that could be better for hunters is if the coloring of the mask was in camo instead of black, as to fit in with the scenery. For some hunters, that’s very important, as the fields they hunt in requires them to blend in as not to scare away any prey.
Nikon 8252 Aculon A211 10-22x50 Zoom Binocular (Black)
This model is a great multi-purpose binocular. However, it might not be the best fit for every hunter. A lot of the options and features on these binoculars are unnecessary for most hunters. If you’re a hunter who might find it useful to have that extra bit of zoom, this model might be for you.
The minimum zoom for these binoculars is a bit higher than the optimal 8x zoom that hunters most commonly use. This model goes from 10x to 22x zoom. These binoculars offer a great and clear picture and can be used in any weather conditions.
They’re equipped with a strong grip that remains comfortable even during the wettest of weather. The binocular itself is very durable, so even if they suffer a relatively rough fall, they’re unlikely to break.
As with most of their binoculars, Nikon offers a lifetime warranty. They’ll replace your binoculars with no questions asked.
Summary
There’s no doubt you’ll be able to find decent hunting binoculars in the price range of under $200. The different models in this review are all good. In the end, it mostly boils down to personal preference.
Some of the binoculars are specially made for specific tasks, while others are just that good.
We hope that with this buyer’s guide, we’ll help you make an educated decision on your search for hunting binoculars.