In this product review we walk you through everything you need to know in order to pick the best compact hunting binoculars for your specific needs and hunting situation. We’ll take a look at what makes a great pair of binoculars for hunting and what to avoid.

Also see How To Choose The Best Hunting Binoculars later in the article. What are the best compact hunting binoculars?

Quick Answer: The 7 Best-Rated Binoculars For Hunting – [2021]

1. Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile ARC Binoculars
2. Vanguard Endeavor ED II Binoculars
3. Celestron Granite Series Roof Prism Binoculars
4. Vortex Kaibab DH Binoculars
5. Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars
6. Vanguard Orros Compact Waterproof Binoculars
7. Bushnell Trophy Binoculars

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Best Lightweight Hunting Binoculars

	Best Hunting Binoculars	Best Hunting Binoculars Under $200	Best Hunting Binoculars Under $100
	Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile ARC Binoculars	Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars	Vanguard Orros Compact Waterproof Binoculars
Magnification:	12x	8x	8x or 10x
Objective lens:	50mm	42mm	25mm
Weight (ounces)	32.7	23.1	9.9
Warranty:	Lifetime	Lifetime	Lifetime
Comes With:	Carrying case, battery, neck strap, 3-volt CR 123 battery	Lens caps, rain guard, neck strap, carrying case	Soft case, neck strap, lens covers

Also see: Hunting Binoculars Comparison Table and YouTube Video Review

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Lightweight Hunting Binoculars Reviews

#1 Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile ARC Binoculars with Laser Rangefinder and Matrix Display

If you are an experienced hunter and are willing to invest money into a pair of superb binoculars to help you get the perfect shot, look no further. These are our favorite hunting binoculars hands down.

With the push of a button, the display will show you the exact distance to your target whether it is 10 yards away or 1,760 yards away. The versatility of these binoculars allows you to hunt short range or long range.

The Angle Range Compensation or ARC Bow Mode helps additionally by showing what the “shoots-like” horizontal distance is like, and the ARC Rifle Mode displays precise bullet-drop and holdover information.

Matrix Display Technology is relatively new and allows you to keep all your range displays on while not losing true color fidelity, contrast, clarity, or light transmission.

You can choose to view distance in either yards or meters. Diopter adjustments allow you to focus the right and left eye view independently, so you can perfect your view range. Additionally, these lenses employ XTR technology for superb light transmission, making sure you see your game animal perfectly.

These binoculars also have superior waterproof capabilities thanks to their RainGuard HD water repellent lens coating.

Many laser rangefinders don’t show up well on black targets in the far-off distance, but the Bushnell Fusion Rangefinder doesn’t have an issue.

It’s reliable up to 1000 yards for dark objects like black bears or black birds of prey. These binoculars offer crystal clear optics, fast readings, and accurate ranges.

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#2 Vanguard Endeavor ED II Binocular with Premium HOYA ED Glass

If you’re a more experienced outdoors person and are seeking a pair of binoculars with impeccable anti-reflection, high contrast, and stunning true color fidelity, the Vanguard Endeavor binoculars are an excellent option.

Although they are over the $300 mark, they are still well-priced, especially given the quality and features of this product. Perhaps the best hunting binoculars for the money, we chose the Vanguard Endeavor ED II as or #2 pick.

If you enjoy hunting at different times throughout the day, from dawn to dusk, these are great binoculars for you. The lenses are premium HOYA ED (extra low dispersion) glass, with a rating of more than 93% light transmission. Even in the lowest light, you will have brightness and clarity.

Vanguard’s patented O-Ring Seal guarantees that zero moisture, dust, or debris will enter your optics. Beyond their fantastic vision clarity, these have a locking diopter ring for each eye.

You can adjust your right and left eye individually, and lock them into place, so you don’t have to constantly reset the view upon each use.

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#3 Celestron Granite Series Roof Prism Binoculars

If you are conscientious about what your products are made of, you’ll love this product. They are eco-friendly and 100% lead and arsenic-free.

These are constructed with high-quality metal material for the focus knob, diopter ring, twist-up eyecups for life-long precision and movement.

Like the Endeavor binoculars, these have high index ED (extra low dispersion) glass, so you know these have superior color quality.

These are comfortable to grip, and the body is made of magnesium alloy – a lighter alternative to the commonly used aluminum. These offer unbeatable levels of color contrast.

Our main complaint with these binoculars are the eyecups – they can get loose after some usage. The edge sharpness could also be better. Otherwise, we love these.

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#4 Vortex Kaibab DH Binoculars

If you need a high-quality camouflage pair of binoculars, look no further than the green Vortex Kaibab DH. These are ideal for long distance hunting when you need to dissect the landscape in search of game animals.

With 20 times the magnification, you’ll be able to pick out prey from yards and yards away.

One of our favorite features is the “ArmorTek” patented coating – it repels oil and corrosive salts, which are found in fingerprints. This means your lenses will remain flawless, even when your thumb gets in the way of your view shot.

The glass is scratch-proof and stain-proof, so if you tend to be clumsy or rough with your hunting equipment, these are a solid option that won’t leave you worrying.

These have an apochromatic optical (APO) system – one of the highest levels of color correction available – combined with premium high density (HD) glass for brilliant clarity.

The lenses are extra-low dispersion glass, which allow for high definition vision. They also have dielectric prism coating that provide bright, clear, color-accurate images, as well as phase correction coating that enhances resolution and contrast.

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#5 Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars

If you are a more experienced outdoors person and are willing to spend slightly more money, the Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars are the next step up in quality and features.

The army green body is made of magnesium alloy to keep the binoculars lightweight, durable, and strong, regardless of what you come across in the field.

The wide field of view is ideal for more serious hunters; it helps you acquire a view of your target easier and faster, and allows you to track your subject without moving your head or binoculars very much.

And don’t worry about the edge sharpness – it hasn’t been compromised at all.

The Celestron TrailSeeker binoculars come with a main central focus, and a fine adjustment for the right eyepiece, so you can customize your view perfectly for your eye differences, or when you want advanced viewing for one eye.

Whether you are a beginner or advanced hunter, you’ll appreciate the quality and cost of these binoculars. We consider these the best hunting binoculars under $200.

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#6 Vanguard Orros Compact Waterproof Binoculars

If you are a beginner hunter or outdoors person, and are looking for good hunting binoculars on a budget, the Vanguard Orros are right up your alley.

These are by far, the best compact binoculars under $100. You can hold on to these all day without tiring your arms, and you won’t even notice the difference they make in your hunting bag.

We love how easy these are to use – they have an offset focus wheel, so you only need one hand to adjust your view, leaving your other hand free to aim at your target.

The objective lens diameter doesn’t capture a lot of light, so if you purchase these, make sure you go hunting during times of bright daylight.

If you do a lot of hunting at dusk or dawn, or are an experienced hunter that has been using binoculars for a while, we recommend investing a bit more and getting a pair with more advanced features.

These are great for the price and for novices, but they don’t stabilize and the magnification could be better. First-timers won’t notice a difference, but skilled huntsmen will.

Reminder: Keep your packaging. If you need to return the binoculars or claim your warranty, you will need it.

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#7 Bushnell Trophy Binoculars

These are another option for good hunting binoculars for beginners, especially if you struggle with arthritis or any other condition that causes joint pain. These standard-sized binoculars are developed with ergonomic design and a large focus knob, so they won’t cause you frustration or discomfort.

If you are looking for a pair of binoculars with the ability to camouflage, you’ve met your match. The Trophy binoculars come in green or “RealTree Xtra” – a natural pattern with neutral colors and branches, allowing you to blend in with your surroundings and surprise your prey.

We have to say, the binocular reviews on this product are wonderful. You won’t find a lower rating than 5 out of 5 or 4 out of 5 stars. If you are the type of individual that relies on consumer feedback and reviews, you can trust that the consensus is a bunch of happy consumers.

Overall, in addition to the Vanguard Orros, we rated the Bushnell Trophy Binoculars to be the best hunting binoculars under $100. They’re available in a few non-camo finishes too, so if you’re just looking for the best binoculars for the money the Bushnell Trophy is a definite candidate.

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Hunting Binoculars Comparison Table

Best Hunting Binoculars		Magnification	Objective Lens	Weight (ounces)	Comes With	Customer Ratings
Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile ARC Binoculars		12x	50 mm	32.7	Carrying case, battery, neck strap, 3-volt CR 123 battery	4.1 / 5.0
Vanguard Endeavor ED II Binoculars		8x	42 mm	23.1	Objective lens caps, rain guard, neck strap, harness strap, carrying case, lens cloth, instruction manual	3.9 / 5.0
Celestron Granite Series Roof Prism Binoculars		8x or 10x	25 mm	9.9	Soft case, neck strap, lens covers	4.4 / 5.0
Vortex Optics Kaibab HD Binoculars		20x	56 mm	43.5	Rain guard, tethered objective lens covers, neck strap, padded carrying case, quick-release tripod adapter	4.6 / 5.0
Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars		8x	42 mm	23.1	Objective lens caps, rain guard, neck strap, harness strap, carrying case, lens cloth, instruction manual If you are a more experienced outdoo	4.5 / 5.0
Vanguard Orros Compact Waterproof Binoculars		8x or 10x	25 mm	9.9	Soft case, neck strap, lens covers	4.2 / 5.0
Bushnell Trophy Binocular		10x	42mm	25.3	Mesh carrying case, lens covers, soft cloth lens cleaner, neck strap	4.5 / 5.0

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How to Choose the Best Lightweight Hunting Binoculars

• Magnification and Objective Lens
• Exit Pupil
• Lens Type
• Focus
• Prism Design
• Weight
• Protection
• Warranty
• Accessories

Ready to take your hunting to the next level? Consider purchasing a pair of good hunting binoculars. The best binoculars for hunting make it possible to see crystal clear images in dark shadows, lower your pack weight, and display highly accurate target ranges.

Our Hunting Binoculars Buying Guide will help you find the perfect pair for your budget, desired features, and hunting proficiency. Whether you’re looking for the best binoculars for bowhunting, or long gun hunting, the information you need is here.

Many of our readers are looking for a pair of good hunting binoculars on a budget. Whether your budget is a little or a lot, the knowledge to make the best decision can be found here.

If it’s your first time purchasing a pair of binoculars, don’t be overwhelmed by all the features and number specifications.  These traits are easy to break down, and they tell you important information that will ultimately help you find the best pair for your hunting needs.

Magnification and Objective Lens

The first digits to pay attention to are the magnification and objective lens. These numbers will be displayed like such: 10 x 50.

The first number indicates magnification. In the example above, objects will appear 10 times closer. Be aware, the higher the magnification number, the narrower your field of view will be, and the dimmer the image will appear. Magnification 10 x or higher should be used with a tripod to steady your view.

The second number is for the objective lens. The larger the objective lens, the more light it can gather. This number is particularly important to pay attention to if you hunt during times of low-light, like dawn or dusk; you’ll want a large objective lens for more light. However, a larger lens means a heavier lens, and therefore, a heavier pair of binoculars to carry around.

Exit Pupil

The diameter of the exit pupil indicates the brightness of the object in view. The exit pupil can be calculated by taking the objective lens and dividing it by the magnification.

For example, in the previous example the exit pupil would be 50/10 = 5mm. The larger the diameter is, the brighter the view field is. This is important to consider if you tend to hunt in dark environments where light will be important.

Lens Type

Never buy binoculars with plastic lenses – they offer poor image quality. Glass lenses are superior, and come with a range of coatings. Multiple-layer coatings are generally the best, as they offer all the features you could possibly want.

Focus

Some binoculars offer custom focus, while others don’t have this capability. If you are looking to buy your very first pair of binoculars, having the ability to focus or not will likely not make a big difference to you.

If you’re a seasoned hunter and experienced with binoculars, you’ll want to get a pair with focus. Most have a center-focus mechanism and diopter corrector, which allows for one eye to have a stronger or weaker focus than the other eye. Less commonly, binoculars will have individual eye focus.

Prism Design

Binoculars use Porro prisms to make objects appear 3-dimensional. Not all prism design is equal – BK-7 prisms are less expensive and deliver lower image quality, while BAK-4 prisms display better quality images that are lighter and sharper. Binoculars with BAK-4 prism design are generally more expensive.

Weight

This feature is self-explanatory. High-magnification and large-lens binoculars weigh more than your average pair of binoculars. It’s always good to make sure heavier binoculars have tripod mounting capabilities. If you tend to hike far distances while hunting, consider lighter options.

Protection

Depending on the type of weather and environment you like to hunt in, protection coatings and features might be very important for the longevity of your binoculars. Most of the binoculars we are reviewing are both fog-proof and waterproof. Remember – waterproof does not mean you should submerge your binoculars under water – it just means they can get wet in rain and won’t be destroyed.

 

The best fog-proofing for binoculars is when they are nitrogen or argon gas purged. It helps prevent internal fogging in a wide range of temperatures.

Warranty

All the binoculars we are reviewing today come with a lifetime warranty. Make sure to register or follow whatever steps are necessary to claim this warranty later down the road. Some companies require you to keep both the receipt and the packaging of the product.

Accessories

All the binoculars we are reviewing come with basic essential accessories, like a neck strap, carrying case, and lens covers. Some come with additional accessories like a lens cleaning cloth, rain guard, and others that you may want to factor in to your buying decision.

Binoculars generally don’t come with their own tripod stand, but many have adapting capacities if you want to purchase one.

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Thanks for reading The 7 Best Compact Hunting Binoculars. We hope this article has helped you to discover the best choice for a pair of binoculars for hunting to meet your needs and preferences.  You might also be interested in our related and informative deer hunting article entitled, Deer Hunting Regions of the United States.

You might also be interested in these related review articles:

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HUNTING GEAR  HUNTING BOWS | CROSSBOWS | HUNTING ARROWS | TREE STANDS | HUNTING BOOTS | HUNTING BACKPACKS | HUNTING RIFLE SCOPES | HUNTING BINOCULARS | LASER RANGEFINDERS | HUNTING HEADLAMPS | TRAIL CAMERAS | HUNTING GPS | BOW SIGHTS | SPOTTING SCOPES | HUNTING BLINDS

Hunting Binoculars Video Review

How We Researched

To come up with the top hunting binoculars, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw, EVO along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The author, Casey Fiedler is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He has successfully guided hunting parties across remote wilderness areas. 

To help narrow down the selection he used his personal experience along with recommendations from fellow hunters and hunting outfitters.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources