Welcome to my article about the best binoculars under $50!
Binoculars can range greatly in price, from some that cost $5 to others that cost $5000.
You may think that the more expensive options work better, however this isn’t always the case. There are a number of binoculars available that provide great image quality without breaking the bank.
Sometimes it’s even preferable to opt for a more affordable pair. You may only use your binoculars once or twice a year, or perhaps want them for an extreme hiking or boating trip where they’re likely to be scuffed and damaged.
Whatever the reason, I’m sure you’ll find a great pair for your next adventure below, without having to worry about your budget or the price tag.
Below I’ll go through the features, pros and cons of the top binoculars under $50 available today so that you can pinpoint the right one for your needs.
But first, a quick summary of the binoculars and a comparison table so you can compare their specs side by side.
Table of Contents
The Best Binoculars Under $50 Are:
- Tqyuit 20×50 Binoculars
- Pankoo 10×50 Binoculars
- Binoteck 10×42 Binoculars (Best Overall)
- Healsun 12×42 Binoculars
- Hontry 10×25 Binoculars (Most Affordable)
- Adorrgon 12×42 Binoculars
- Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars (Best For Low Light Conditions)
- Bushnell H2O 8×25 Binoculars
Out of the list above, the Binoteck 10×42 binoculars are the best on the market today. Not only are these incredibly affordable, but they offer a great field of view and are incredibly light weight, making them the perfect option for pretty much any activity from hiking to bird watching to sport spectating.
The most affordable pair of binoculars is the Hontry 10×25. These are a great no-frills option and perfect for casual use or even sharing with the kids. They are also exceptionally lightweight, making them great to travel with too.
Finally, a special mention to the Celestron Cometrons. These binoculars have large objective lenses that allow as much light as possible to enter through the binoculars, making them an excellent choice for low light conditions such as sunrise/sunset hiking or star gazing.
Best Binoculars Under $50 Comparison Table
Reviews Of The 8 Best Binoculars Under $50
Tqyuit 20×50 Binoculars
The Tqyuit 20×50 binoculars include Bak4 Prisms and fully multi-coated film lenses, which work together to give you high light transmission and amazing resolution for brighter, sharper images.
Of course, the large 50mm objective lenses limit the field of view to about 183 feet at 1000 yards.
This does let you focus on specific objects, making these great binoculars for bird watching, but it limits the amount of area you can see in front of you at any one time, so they’re not great for hunting or concerts.
These binoculars feature twist-up eyecups, a non-slip rubber armor coating, O-ring seals, and a central focus wheel.
PROS
- Non-slip design
- Waterproof
- Fully multi-coated film lenses
CONS
- Low field of view
Pankoo 10×50 Binoculars
Despite their low price, the Pankoo 10×50 binoculars are quite durable, with a metal frame and a rubber finish that offers a shock-absorbing, non-slip grip.
The multi-coated aspherical lenses provide crisp, clear images and work well in low-light conditions.
These binoculars are easy to use, thanks to the central focus knob and right diopter.
The 10x magnification and 50mm objective lenses offer a field of view of 168 feet at 1000 yards, so similar to the Tqyuit pair above, they’re not great for activities that require you to see a lot of area at once.
PROS
- Shock resistant
- Tripod interface
- Easy to use
CONS
- Low field of view
Binoteck 10×42 Binoculars
Best Overall!
Cheap binoculars don’t need to be cheaply made, as the Binoteck 10×42 model proves.
It includes Bak4 prisms with fully multi-coated lenses for amazing brightness, clarity, and sharp images.
These binoculars are lightweight at about a pound, yet extremely durable, thanks to the quality build and shock-resistant rubber finish that offers a firm grip.
The Binoteck binoculars are easy to focus using the central focus knob and right eyepiece ring, plus they include twist-up eyecups for those with glasses.
Lens caps, a case, and a strap are included, though the strap isn’t the best quality.
PROS
- Twist-up eyecups
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Excellent value for money
- Quality build
- Clear image
- Great for a range of activities
CONS
- Low-quality strap
Healsun 12×42 Binoculars
Those looking for inexpensive, compact, lightweight binoculars may want to check out this pair from Healsun.
They weigh only 1.1 pounds, though they are still quite durable and easy to use, making them perfect for hiking or long periods of bird watching.
These binoculars also include great features, like the fully multi-coated lenses, Bak4 roof prism, wide FOV of 367 at 1000 yards, and adjustable eyecups.
There are some handy accessories as well, including the smartphone mount that works with a wide variety of phone brands and models.
A detachable neck strap, storage case, rubber lens covers, and a cleaning cloth are also part of the package.
PROS
- Portable
- Good FOV
- Smartphone adapter included
- Lightweight
CONS
- Tricky adjustments
Hontry 10×25 Binoculars
Most Affordable and Lightweight!
The Hontry 10×25 are designed to work well for both kids and adults, so are a great option for the whole family.
They are compact, lightweight at only 0.6 pounds, and are quite durable. This is due to the sturdy body and rubber waterproof coating.
The ergonomic design and non-slip grip make them easy to hold onto.
Other great features include the fully multi-coated optics, Bak4 prism, adjustable eyecups, and wide FOV.
The eye relief is a bit short at 10mm, which isn’t great for eyeglass wearers.
Even though this article is all about affordable binoculars under $50, this Hontry pair are the most affordable of the lot! I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a versatile, easy to use pair of binoculars that are also extremely budget friendly.
PROS
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Rugged construction
- Extremely affordable
- Great for kids and adults
- Versatile
CONS
- Small eye relief
Adorrgon 12×42 Binoculars
The Adorrgon 12×42 binoculars include some unique accessories you’ll rarely find with models this cheap.
As well as a carry case and lens caps, they also come with a handy tabletop tripod with 360-degree rotation and non-slip rubber feet and a universal smartphone adapter for taking some fantastic photos.
This model also has great features, like the wide FOV, fully multi-coated lenses, Bak4 prism, and the smooth central focus knob.
The eyecups aren’t adjustable but there are 18.5mm eyepieces to make up for this, offering great HD vision, even in low light conditions.
PROS
- Clear low light vision
- Tabletop tripod
- Universal tripod adapter
CONS
- Fixed eyecups
Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars
Best Option for Low Light Conditions!
The Celestron Cometron is a great option for those looking for star-gazing binoculars on a budget.
The 7x magnification and 50mm lenses offer a wide FOV of 357 feet at 1000 yards, plus the large lenses have amazing light-gathering ability to keep those celestial bodies perfectly clear.
Other fantastic features include the multi-coated optics for brighter images and higher resolution, large exit pupils for low light conditions, and the durable aluminum housing that is water-resistant and strong, yet lightweight.
A carry case, lens covers, and a lens cloth are also included.
PROS
- Aluminum housing
- Wide FOV
- Nitrogen filled
- Great for low light conditions
- Best option for star gazing
CONS
- Low magnification
Bushnell H2O 8×25 Binoculars
Bushnell binoculars are highly rated, so finding a pair at such a cheap price is not easy to do, especially with such great features.
These H20 binoculars are durable, with non-slip, shockproof rubber armor, O-ring seals for waterproofing, and nitrogen purging for fog-proofing. This makes them a great choice for all types of weather.
These binoculars also feature BaK4 prisms, multi-coated optics, twist-up eyecups, and a large central focus knob for quick adjustments.
The lightweight H20 binoculars also fold for a compact, travel-friendly pair.
PROS
- Water- and fog-proof
- Shock-absorbing armor
- Folding abilities makes them super compact
CONS
- Diopter is difficult to turn
Best Binoculars Under $50: Conclusion
As you can see, there are a range of binoculars available on the market for under $50 that perform just as well as their more expensive counterparts.
I hope this article has given you an idea of which model will be best for your next adventure.
Here are some similar articles you may also enjoy:
Best Binoculars for Whale Watching
Best Binoculars for Long Distance
Best Binoculars for Hiking
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.