Best Waterproof Binoculars

Welcome to my article about the best waterproof binoculars available on the market today!

Below I’ll go through the features, pros and cons of the best 9 models across a range of price points, so you can find the right pair for you.

But first, let’s discuss what the difference is between water-resistant and waterproof binoculars, and why waterproof binoculars are better almost every time.

Why Choose Waterproof Binoculars?

Fully waterproof binoculars are different from regular ones, thanks to the simple O-ring seal they contain.

This special seal doesn’t just prevent water from getting inside the binoculars, but it also keeps dust, dirt, and other small particles out as well.

This makes waterproof binoculars a much better choice for a variety of weather conditions, from heavy rain to dusty winds.

Another advantage of waterproof over water-resistant or weather-proof binoculars is that they have protection against submersion up to a certain depth, depending on the pair you buy.

Water-resistant models repel light moisture, like drizzling rain, while waterproof binoculars can be dropped into a puddle or stream without any damage to the internal materials.

The extra protection provided by those O-rings makes waterproof binoculars the better option for practically all activities.

Like other models, waterproof binoculars can be used for hiking, bird-watching, star-gazing, or hunting, but with the added bonus of being usable on wet adventures such as fishing or whale watching as well.

Even if they get soaked, they’ll still work perfectly fine, with no risk of internal water damage.

This means that you can spend less time worrying about your binoculars and more time enjoying your activity!

Best Waterproof Binoculars: Summary Table

Here is a summary table of the specifications of each waterproof binocular, so you can compare them side by side.

If you’re on mobile, scroll across the table with your finger!

The Best Waterproof Binoculars Under $200 Are:

• Nikon Trailblazer 10×25 ATB Binoculars (Most Affordable)
• Bushnell H2O 8×42 Binoculars
• Gllysion 12×50 Professional HD Binoculars (Best Overall)

The Nikon Trailblazer is the most affordable pair of waterproof binoculars in this article. At well under $100, they offer excellent value for money and are great for casual use.

The Gllysion is the best of this price range, and offer incredible image quality and clarity for their price. This is the pair I would recommend for someone looking for a good pair of waterproof binoculars without breaking the bank.

Nikon Trailblazer 10×25 ATB Binoculars

Most Affordable!

The Trailblazer binoculars by Nikon are extremely lightweight at just over half a pound, and are also the most affordable pair of binoculars in this article.

They feature BaK4 roof prisms and fully multi-coated optics, which work together to reduce reflection while increasing light transmission for crisp, clear images.

Other features include the 10mm eye relief, 2.5mm exit pupil, and the FOV of 342 feet at 1000 yards.

These binos are easy to adjust using the central focus knob.

The rubber-armored body increases grip and durability, plus they are nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging.

These are my top recommendation for anyone who uses binoculars on occasion and wants a decent pair without spending too much money.

Bushnell H2O 8×42 Binoculars

The Bushnell H2O binoculars have an incredibly durable, non-slip housing made of rubber armor.

When combined with the Soft Texture Grip, these binoculars stay firmly in your hand, even in the wettest weather.

I think the blue color is eye-catching as well, making a great-looking pair.

These binoculars feature O-ring seals and nitrogen purging, making them completely water- and fog-proof.

They also include a large center focus knob and twist-up eyecups.

The BaK4 roof prisms and multi-coated optics give you bright, clear images, even in low-light conditions.

Gllysion 12×50 Professional HD Binoculars

Best Overall!

These Gllysion 12×50 binoculars have a great low price but professional features that make them my most recommended pair for this price range.

These features include fully multi-coated lenses and 18mm BaK4 dielectric coated prisms, which create bright, clear images with amazing color reproduction and high contrast.

The body of these binoculars is made of ergonomic, lightweight polymer with rubber armoring for increased durability, plus they are waterproof and fog-proof.

Included with the binoculars is a universal smartphone adapter to capture images and videos of everything you see.

Despite the affordable price, these binoculars are clear, easy to use, and extremely durable. I recommend these for anyone who uses binoculars for a range of activities and wants a versatile, good quality pair without breaking the bank.

The Best Waterproof Binoculars Between $200 and $300 Are:

• Vortex Optics 10×32 Diamondback HD Binoculars
• Athlon Optics 8×42 Midas Binoculars
• ScoopX 10×42 Ultra HD Binoculars

Usually I summarise the best performing or best value binoculars of my list in this section, however for these three waterproof binoculars, that task is almost impossible.

This is because all three of the binoculars in this price range are superb – not only in performance and image clarity, but also in ease of use, durability, and cost to value ratio.

You can’t go wrong with any of these three, so the right one for you will come down to the specs that are best for the activity you intend to use the binoculars for, be it hiking, bird watching, whale watching, hunting or star gazing.

Vortex Optics 10×32 Diamondback HD Binoculars

The Diamondback HD binoculars from Vortex Optics are extremely well-built, with a light aluminum body and rubber armor for a durable, non-slip grip.

They include a central focus knob, adjustable barrels, and twist-up eyecups, plus they are tripod adaptable to give your hands a break.

These 10×32 binoculars are O-ring sealed and argon purged for fantastic performance in all types of weather.

The fully multi-coated lenses also include an anti-reflective coating on the outside surfaces and Armortek coatings for extra protection.

Dielectric prism coatings give you bright, clear images.

These binoculars are also the lightest pair in this entire article, making them great for long-haul adventures as they won’t weigh you down or be difficult to carry.

Athlon Optics 8×42 Midas Binoculars

The Midas binoculars feature a high-strength, lightweight magnesium chassis with rubber armor for increased durability and a non-slip texture grip.

They are O-ring sealed and argon purged, so they are perfect even for the worst weather.

The extra-low dispersion glass gives you sharp, clear images with no chromatic aberration.

The advanced fully multi-coated lenses combined with the ESP dielectric coating on the prisms give you brighter images with true-to-life colors.

Other features include adjustable eyecups and long eye relief.

In addition, the Athlon Midas’ have the widest FOV out of all the binoculars in this article, making them great for hunting, hiking, and other activities where it’s beneficial to see a large amount of area in front of you.

ScoopX 10×42 Ultra HD Binoculars

ScoopX may not be a prominent name when it comes to binoculars but their Ultra HD model is still worth considering.

It features a magnesium chassis with a textured grip, advanced fully multi-coated lenses, BaK4 prisms with dielectric and phase coatings, 24mm eyepieces, nitrogen purging, and IPX7 waterproofing.

These binoculars come with some cool extras, like the universal smartphone adapter for photos and videos.

The case and x-shaped harness combo make it easy to carry the binoculars at all times, making them a great option for hikes.

The Best Waterproof Binoculars Over $300 Are:

• Nikon 7577 Monarch 5 10×42 Binoculars (Tie for Best High-Tier Waterproof Binocular!)
• Nikon 7548 Monarch 7 8×42 Binocular (Tie for Best High-Tier Waterproof Binocular!)
• Swarovski Optik 15×56 SLC Binoculars (Most luxurious Option)

Nikon make some excellent binoculars, and the Monarch 5 and Monarch 7 are no exception.

These two models tie for my top place as the best high-tier waterproof binoculars. They’re both priced roughly the same and provide crystal clear images even in low light conditions.

Of course, the Swarovski is the most luxurious of this article. Coming in at well over $2000, I only recommend this pair for those who use binoculars all the time, have experience with lower quality pairs, and now want to upgrade to a superior model that will last them a lifetime.

Nikon 7577 Monarch 5 10×42 Binoculars

The Monarch 5 is an upgrade of previous versions, using extra-low dispersion eco-glass for the fully multi-coated lenses, providing amazing light transmission and sharp, clear images.

This model is also lighter than older models by almost an ounce.

Other great features include the turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, a smooth central focus knob, a rubber-armored body, long eye relief, and both water- and fog-proofing for all-weather use.

The only issue is the flip-down lens caps, which are a bit loose-fitting.

Nikon 7548 Monarch 7 8×42 Binocular

The Nikon Monarch 7 is a high-end model with great features to give you crisp clear views.

The ED glass has an anti-reflective multi-coating, while the roof prisms include phase correction for crisp, clear details on everything you see.

All of the optics also feature Dielectric High-Reflective Multilayer coatings for high-contrast images and fantastic color reproduction.

These binoculars have a wide FOV of 330 feet at 1000 yards, a durable rubber-armored coating on the body, and are nitrogen-filled for improved fog- and waterproofing.

Swarovski Optik 15×56 SLC Binoculars

Most Luxurious!

Though they are quite expensive, the fantastic image quality and sharp views of the Swarovski Optik make them well worth the cost.

The high-definition optical system combined with the Field Flattener lenses offers increased peripheral definition and color fidelity while reducing color fringing, even during low light conditions.

These binoculars also have an internal balanced weight, making them easy to hold for hours on end.

The Optik’s also feature a wide FOV for their magnification level, snap-on lens covers, a rotating strap connector, and rugged materials.

The only draw back with these binoculars is that they’re quite heavy, so I don’t recommend them if your adventure requires you to pack light.

I recommend this pair of waterproof binoculars only for those who use binoculars at least weekly, and want to invest in a high quality pair that will perform well for many years to come.

Best Waterproof Binoculars: Conclusion

As you can see, there are a wide range of waterproof binoculars available on the market, ranging from the very affordable to the very expensive.

I hope this article has helped you identify the right model for your next adventure!

If you enjoyed this article, make sure you check out our article about the Best Binoculars Under $50 too!