Welcome to our review of the best 10×42 binoculars! We’ll get into the features, pros, and cons of our top models below, but first, I want to discuss how I came to write this article in the first place.
Table of Contents
Best 10×42 Binoculars – Introduction
I absolutely love viewing animals, landscapes, and rivers. I don’t know why, but there is something so relaxing about viewing our planet’s beauty.
However, viewing it through a terrible, blurry pair of binoculars is not relaxing at all!
To avoid having to use bad binoculars, I decided to do intensive research on binoculars to find the best 10×42 binoculars on the market. I found an amazing value pair of Vortex Optics binoculars in my price range, bought them, and I use them every time I go to look at a unique landscape.
This buying experience inspired me to write this article for people that are looking for an upgrade or simply need the best binoculars they can get for their money. Viewing nature is much more enjoyable when you know you are using the best binoculars and have a crystal clear image!
(I separated this article by price ranges. Each binoculars is the best value binoculars for its’ price range. This means you’re getting the best binoculars for your money!)
Here are the best 10×42 binoculars:
The Best 10x42 Binoculars:
1. Nikon Prostaff 7s Binocular 42mm Binoculars
Best budget 10x42 binoculars.
Overview:
- Focusing System Central Focus Magnification: 10 x
- Objective Diameter: 42 mm
- Angular Field of View (Real): 6.2 °
- Angular Field of View (Apparent): 56.9 °
- FOV at 1000 yds: 324 ft
- Exit Pupil: 4.2 mm
- Relative Brightness: 17.6
- Eye Relief: 15.5 mm
- Size (Length x Width): 6.4 x 5 in
- Weight: 22.7 oz
Pros:
- Fogproof
- Waterproof
- Sturdy and durable material
- Very clear image
- Smooth zoom
- Great lens
- High quality eyepieces
- Great for any use
- Reliable brand
Cons:
- Sometimes has a hard time focusing
Good For:
- Hunting- 3/6; These are the best budget binoculars for hunting we’ve found on the market.
- Birding- 2/6; These binoculars are a great choice for someone just looking to get into birding. However, more experienced birders should look at a pricier option.
- Viewing Wildlife- 3/6; These binoculars will give every casual wildlife viewer just what they’re looking for, but if you plan on viewing wildlife very frequently, some of the higher priced options provide a prettier image.
Don’t even get me started on how good these binoculars are for the money. The price point really justifies itself because of the fact that these are waterproof AND fogproof. Most all binoculars at this price point aren’t waterproof or fogproof.
Not to mention, the durable materials Nikon used to make these binoculars. These binoculars will last you a long time. If you drop them they will most likely survive because of their durable materials.
These binoculars are also lightweight. They have really high quality eyepieces as well. Not to mention, the lenses on these binoculars are very high quality and provide a much crisper image than the competing brand in this price range.
These binoculars are the best for any beginner just getting into it, or simply a person looking to save a few bucks.
In conclusion, the Nikon Prostaff 7s Binoculars (See on Amazon) are far better than any of 2020’s other 10×42 binoculars in this price range, as far as value for the money goes!
Also read: Best 8×42 Binocular Reviews
2. Vortex Optics Diamondback 10x42 Binoculars
Best value 10x42 binoculars overall.
Overview:
- Magnification: 10 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
- Eye Relief: 16 mm
- Exit Pupil: 4.2 mm Linear
- Field of View: 345 feet/1000 yards
- Angular Field of View: 6.6 degrees
- Close Focus: 5 feet
- Interpupillary Distance: 57-73 mm
- Dimensions: Height 5.9 inches Width 5.6 inches
- Weight: 24.4 ounces
Pros:
- LIFETIME warranty
- Very durable
- Lightweight
- Great lens
- Good field of view
- Best for the price
- Very clear image
- Really smooth zoom
- Very great value
- Focuses almost instantly
- Reliable brand
- Comes with case and accessories
Cons:
- No extreme cons
Good For:
- Hunting- 4/6; For casual hunters, these binoculars offer great value for the money.
- Birding- 4/6; These binoculars are all that the everyday birdwatcher could ever ask for. If you’ve decided to pick up the hobby of birding, these binoculars would make a great first pair that will last a lifetime.
- Viewing Wildlife- 4/6; With the light weight, great glass clarity, and simplicity of these binoculars, they make a great low-cost option for viewing wildlife. Unless you are a very frequent user, this pair would be a perfect fit.
I own these binoculars, and I have to say, these are the best binoculars I could ever ask for! These are the best in this price range, and quite frankly, this is the perfect price range for me.
When zooming in and out, it feels very smooth and focuses almost instantly! I could not ask for a better pair of binoculars as these are the best in this category for a number of reasons.
First of all, these binoculars have a LIFETIME warranty. Vortex must have a lot of confidence in their product to have that, eh? Not only do I love Vortex Optics as a whole, but these are my favorite pair of Vortex binoculars. The image is crystal clear and they never fog up.
These binoculars have a very good grip on the side, I can grip them very easily and not worry about them falling out of my hands. One time, I slipped on some rocks and my binoculars fell out of my hands, but I looked at them, and there was not A SINGLE scratch on them!
Bottom line: These are a fantastic, well-rounded pair of binoculars. The other 10×42 binoculars in this price range aren’t even CLOSE to as valuable as the Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars (See on Amazon).
3. Nikon MONARCH 7 10x42 Binoculars
Best bang for the buck 10x42 binoculars for frequent users.
Overview:
- Focusing System: Central
- Magnification: 10 x
- Objective Diameter: 42 mm
- Angular Field of View (Real): 6.7 °
- Angular Field of View (Apparent): 60.7 °
- FOV at 1000 yds: 351 ft
- Close Focus Distance: 8.2 ft
- Exit Pupil: 4.2 mm
- Relative Brightness: 17.6
- Eye Relief: 16.4 mm
- Dimensions (Length x Width): 5.6 x 5.1 in
- Weight: 23.6 oz
Pros:
- Beautifully designed
- Very durable materials
- Easy to grip
- Good clarity
- Good zoom
- Crisp image
- Best in the price range
- Lets in a lot of light
- Very good quality
- Good close focus
- Good field of view
Cons:
- None
Good For:
- Hunting- 5/6; These binoculars offer the best bang for your buck on the market for hunting. If you plan to use your binoculars often, this pair is probably your best fit.
- Birding- 5/6; These binoculars are fantastic value for experienced and intermediate birders alike.
- Viewing Wildlife- 5/6; There are almost no better options than these binoculars for viewing wildlife.
These binoculars are fantastic. I mean, they are Nikon, so what do you expect?
For this steal of a price, they are some of the best 10×24 binoculars on the market! Also, they are beautifully designed with all the bells and whistles you will ever need. (If you don’t like bells and whistles, the binoculars can still easily be used without them.)
They have a very nice grip, so no need to worry about dropping them. Not to mention, they come with a stylish necklace that the binoculars attach to. Also, the image that these binoculars produce is absolutely stunning. They let a lot of light in, so the resulting image is vibrant and beautiful.
The Nikon’s close focus technology is quite innovative. They allowed me to see things in front of me very clearly, something I couldn’t do with the other binoculars in this price range. These binoculars are also lightweight, so it makes wearing them on your neck a pleasure.
In conclusion, I loved the Nikon MONARCH 7 10×42 Binoculars (See on Amazon). I recommend them 100% if you’re in this price range.
4. Zeiss 10x42 Terra ED Binoculars
Best bang for the buck 10x42 binoculars on a high budget.
Overview:
- Magnification: 10 x
- Effective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
- Exit Pupil Diameter: 4.2 mm
- Twilight Factor: 20,5
- Field of View at 1,000 yds: 345 ft
- Angular Field of View, Apparent: 66 wide angle
- Close Focus: 6.5 ft
- Eye Relief: 18 mm
Pros:
- LotuTec Technology
- Very Durable
- Nice design
- Smooth zoom
- Good clarity
- Comes with case and accessories
- Good rubbery feeling in hand
- Good eyepieces
- Great, crisp image
Cons:
- None
Good For:
- Hunting- 6/6; These binoculars are our pick for 2020’s best option for hunting in the upper price tiers.
- Birding- 6/6; These binoculars are absolutely incredible for birding, so if you’re an avid birder, this pair would be like heaven in your fingertips.
- Viewing Wildlife- 6/6; These binoculars are unbelievably good for viewing wildlife, so if you have a high budget and plans to view a lot of nature, these are your fit.
These binoculars are absolutely crazy. They are some of the best pairs of binoculars on the market, and for this price, they are insanely good. Using this pair of binoculars compared to other pairs feels like 1080p vs 240p, if you know what I mean.
If you are willing to shell out a few bucks, you will get the best binoculars in this price range, and they will probably be the best binoculars you have ever owned. I promise, once you use these, you will never want to go back. These just feel like high-quality binoculars, which is a totally amazing feeling to feel.
There aren’t many words I can say for these binoculars. They kind of speaks for themself, honestly.
If you want the BEST 10×42 binoculars in this rather high price range, the Zeiss 10×42 Conquest HD Binocular (See on Amazon) is your holy grail.
Conclusion
That wraps it up for my list of the best 10×42 binoculars. By choosing one of these binoculars on the list, you ensure that you’re getting the best value binoculars for the price you pay.
I hope you found this article helpful, and as always, make sure to share this with your friends and family!
About The Author:
Hi! I’m Will Scott, the author of this post. I’m an outdoor enthusiast with over 10 years experience. I love trying out new gear and reviewing it so that other adventurers can get the most out of their experiences. I hope you’ve found my website informative, educational and helpful.