There are many people who have had their interest in astronomy take off simply because they looked in wonder at the night sky, though an old pair of binoculars. With a good quality pair of binoculars, you’ll be able to see in greater detail the Moon, planets and even deep-sky objects. This post highlights some of the best binoculars for stargazing you can buy, in a variety of price ranges.
At A Glance : The Best Binoculars For Stargazing In 2024
If you’re in a hurry here are five of the best binoculars for stargazing. They range from great quality budget binoculars, to the more advanced types with a price tag to match. You can read more of why these binoculars are so highly rated later in the article.
| Image | Name | Magnification | Objective Lens Diameter | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Celestron Cometron Binoculars | 7 x | 50 mm | Current Price * |
 | Gosky HD BAK4 Binoculars | 10 x | 42mm | Current Price ** |
 | Opticron Adventurer 10×50 Binocular | 10 x | 50mm | Current Price *** |
 | Celestron Skymaster Pro Binoculars | 20 x | 80mm | Current Price **** |
 | Nikon Action EX 10×50 CF Binoculars | 10 x | 50mm | Current Price ***** |
Buying a pair of binoculars is a great way to get into astronomy. Binoculars offer bright, sharp views of objects in the night sky, many of which you can’t see with the naked eye.
You can pick up good quality inexpensive binoculars which are easy to use and get great enjoyment from them for many years.
Buying binoculars though is not just a case of buying the largest pair with the highest magnification. It’s worth considering the size of your binoculars, especially if you’re looking for something easy to pack up for traveling or to suit a younger stargazer with small hands.
One of the most important factors in choosing a good pair of binoculars is its light gathering ability. The bigger your binoculars objective lens, the more light it lets in. This means that, coupled with magnification, you can see more faint objects.
Unfortunately, there can be a few down sides to this.
The bigger the binoculars the heavier they are, which means you may need a tripod. Absolutely fine, unless you want a lightweight pair for a quick look now and again. Also, if you have a very large magnification, it can reduce your field of view and brightness drops off.
For many, the best solution is to strike a balance between magnification and objective lens size (aperture). Binoculars can come in a variety of combinations of these two settings, but anything above 50mm aperture means they are going to be a bit heavy to hold steady for a long time.
The more popular models of binoculars for stargazing range from a 7x to 10x magnification with a 40 to 50mm aperture.
You can learn about the two different types of binoculars and other important information in the post The Best Binoculars For Stargazing – A Beginners Guide.
Details Of The Top Picks – Best Stargazing Binoculars
Gosky HD Roof Prism Binoculars
Opticron Adventurer T WP Binoculars
Celestron Skymaster Pro Binoculars
Celestron Cometron Binoculars
Celestron Cometron Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Celestron Cometron Binoculars / 71198 |
| Magnification / Aperture : | 7 x 50 |
| Binocular Type : | Porro Prism |
| Exit Pupil : | 7.1 mm |
| Eye Relief : | 13 mm |
| Prism Glass Type : | BK7 |
| Prism Coating : | Multi-coated |
| Material : | Aluminium |
| Weight : | 1.7 lbs (774g) |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.7 / 10 |
(Spec Table – Headings Guide Below)
For an inexpensive entry level pair of binoculars, the Celestron Cometron is hard to beat. Suitable for adults and youngsters alike, these lightweight Porro Prism type binoculars offer good optics at a great price.
A magnification of 7x means that even though it is not particularly powerful, you get a great field of view with these binoculars. To go with the wide field of view, an aperture of 50mm gives plenty of light gathering ability.
The lightweight construction of the ‘Cometron’ means these binoculars are easy to use if holding them for a while. The body components have a minimal rubber cover which is quite standard, although it does make the Cometron durable and comfortable to grip.
Note that the manufacturers state that this model is ‘water resistant’ not ‘waterproof’.
An exit pupil measurement of 7.1 mm is large, and this would suit a younger user who would benefit from their eyes being able to dilate more in the dark. Eye relief of 13mm is not great and anyone who has to wear glasses to see through binoculars may struggle with this.
The prism glass type on the Celestron Cometron is BK7 which, although not as good as BaK-4, give good optics. This is enhanced by the lens coatings. The Celestron Cometron’s lenses are multi-coated which is a real bonus at this price.
Conclusion
The Celestron Cometron 7×50 are a highly rated pair of binoculars. The binoculars small size and light weight means you can hold them comfortably when stargazing.
This makes them ideal for a young enthusiasts and adults alike. They could also be used during the day for sports and nature watching.
The only potential downside with these binoculars would be in the relatively small eye relief offered, which may be a problem for some eyeglasses wearers.
If you are looking for a good quality, very inexpensive binocular entry into the wonders of the night sky, you can’t do much better than Celestron’s Cometron
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Gosky HD Roof Prism Binoculars
Gosky HD Binocular Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Gosky HD Roof Prism Binoculars / 4331882459 |
| Magnification / Aperture : | 10 x 42 |
| Binocular Type : | Roof Prism |
| Exit Pupil : | 4.2 mm |
| Eye Relief : | 12 mm |
| Prism Glass Type : | BaK4 |
| Prism Coating : | Fully Multi-coated |
| Material : | Rubber |
| Weight : | 1.54 lbs (700g) |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.7 / 10 |
(Spec Table – Headings Guide Below)
Another pair of binoculars to be placed in the ‘great value for beginners’ bracket is the Gosky HD 10×42. As well as offering a host of accessories, these lightweight binoculars look good, have great optics for the price and are comfortable to hold.
The rubber-coated exterior gives these rain proof and fog proof Gosky binoculars a robust feel, good grip and an adequate protection should you knock them.
A 10x magnification means that you get as much detail (for example, from the moon) as you could expect without the image shaking around too much.
A 42mm aperture is a reasonable light gathering size which in this case is made even better by some very good optics. It also helps to keep the weight of these binoculars down to a comfortable level if holding for a while.
The exit pupil size of 4.2mm may have resulted in a slightly dull image, but this is more than compensated for by the excellent prism grade and very good lens coating.
Eye relief on this model is measured as 12mm which is ok for those who don’t wear eyeglasses. Being short or long sighted doesn’t necessarily mean you need to wear eyeglasses when looking through binoculars.
You will though have to adjust the focus, which may be a bit bothersome if sharing the binoculars with someone.
These great value Gosky binoculars have fully multicoated lenses which provide the highest light transmission and contrast. They also boast the BaK-4 prism glass type, giving a level of optical performance usually found in more expensive models.
As well as having a standard 1/4″ socket for a tripod mount adaptor these binoculars have some impressive accessories included in the price.
As well as rubber lens covers, cleaning cloth, neck strap and carrying case, a bonus smartphone adaptor is an impressive addition. This is compatible with almost all common smartphones.
Conclusion
The Gosky HD 10×42 model is another highly rated, great value pair of binoculars. The 10x magnification shows as much detail as you could expect with handheld binoculars.
The 42mm aperture could be described as on the low side for stargazing light gathering properties, but it’s surprisingly good optics more than compensate for this.
The fully multicoated BAK 4 roof prisms used in these Gosky binoculars are a real bonus and offer bright and contrast rich images.
These binoculars are lightweight so you can hold them comfortably when stargazing. Their versatility means they could also be used during the day for nature watching. This makes them ideal for a young enthusiasts and adults alike.
The only real issue with these binoculars is the lack of long eye relief. Those who need to wear eyeglasses when looking through binoculars (e.g., if you have an eye condition called astigmatism) you may be better placed looking for binoculars with a longer eye relief.
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Opticron Adventurer T WP Binoculars
Opticron Adventurer Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Opticron Adventurer T WP Binoculars / 30689 |
| Magnification / Aperture : | 10 x 50 |
| Binocular Type : | Porro Prism |
| Exit Pupil : | 5 mm |
| Eye Relief : | 18 mm |
| Prism Glass Type : | BaK4 |
| Prism Coating : | Fully Multi-coated |
| Material : | Aluminium |
| Weight : | 1.67 lbs (759g) |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.8 / 10 |
(Spec Table – Headings Guide Below)
A serious contender for best budget binoculars has to be the upgraded Opticron Adventurer binoculars. The T WP binoculars are arguably the best value for money stargazing binoculars you can buy.
The 10 x 50 model has a 5mm exit pupil size and an impressive 18mm long eye relief. This makes the Opticron Adventurer T WP an attractive proposition for those who need to wear eyeglasses when observing.
This model boasts the superior type BaK4 prisms, which give a higher level of image quality. The Opticron Adventurer T WP lenses are fully multi-coated providing a high degree of light transmission and contrast.
These excellent binoculars are waterproof (hence the ‘WP’ in the model’s name) which is remarkable for its price range.
The lightweight body is made of Aluminium alloy and has a leatherette look, rubber-armoured construction. This makes for a comfortable grip when observing.
It is also possible to use a tripod with these binoculars as there is a standard 1/4″ socket for a tripod mount adaptor
The Opticron Adventurer T WP 10 x 50 binoculars comes with both eyepiece and objective lens covers as well as a case, lanyard and cleaning cloth.
Conclusion
The Opticron Adventurer T WP 10 x 50 binoculars are quite possibly the best binoculars for stargazing in their price range.
They are lightweight, comfortable to use, and the optics are excellent. (BAK-4 glass prisms with fully multi-coated lenses on all air glass surfaces)
A standout feature of this model is that it’s waterproof, something which is usually reserved for more expensive binoculars. The excellent long eye relief is also an important feature for those who wear eyeglasses.
If you are looking for a top-quality pair of binoculars for astronomy, on the budget end of the scale, then the Opticron Adventurer T WP 10 x 50 binoculars would be an excellent choice.
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Celestron Skymaster Pro Binoculars
Celestron Skymaster Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Celestron SkyMaster Pro Binoculars / 72031 |
| Magnification / Aperture : | 20 x 80 |
| Binocular Type : | Porro Prism |
| Exit Pupil : | 4mm |
| Eye Relief : | 15.5 mm |
| Prism Glass Type : | BaK4 |
| Prism Coating : | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Material : | Aluminium |
| Weight : | 5.07lb (2270g) |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.8 / 10 |
(Spec Table – Headings Guide Below)
The Celestron Skymaster 20 x 80 binoculars are for those who want to view the wonders of night sky that much closer. First thing to say about these very big binoculars is that you’re going to need a tripod to sit them on. They are just too big and heavy to hold steady for any length of time.
If you’re happy to use a tripod for your binoculars and are excited at the prospect of observing distant night sky objects much closer, then these binoculars come highly recommended.
This Celestron Skymaster model has a 20x magnification for long distance viewing and a huge 80mm objective lens, which has enough light gathering abilities for deep sky objects to be viewed.
High magnification binoculars mounted on a tripod can be more difficult to aim than hand-held ones. To combat this, these binoculars are provided with a detachable rail on which you can mount a red dot finder (not included), which makes target acquisition a whole lot easier.
The polycarbonate and aluminium housing provides durable protection as well as a high-quality appearance. These water resistant binoculars also have protective lens caps for both eyepieces and objective lenses.
This Celestron Skymaster model offers great optics, with the higher quality BaK4 prisms. These highly rated binoculars also benefit from multi-coating on every air-to-glass surface. This gives sharp, clear images, and increased contrast when viewing.
The rubber eyecups on this model are interchangeable as either standard or flared, which can be folded down for use with eyeglasses. Eye relief of 15.5mm makes for comfortable viewing although this may be a bit short if you need eyeglasses when observing.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to really go for it with a very big pair of binoculars that require a tripod, the Celestron Skymaster Pro 20×80 model is highly regarded. The great quality optics, durable build and stylish appearance of these binoculars make them an excellent choice.
The addition of a detachable rail on which you can mount a red dot finder is a real bonus, as this makes finding what you’re looking for much easier.
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Nikon Action Ex Binoculars
Nikon Action Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Nikon Action EX 10×50 CF Binocular / 7245 |
| Magnification / Aperture : | 10 x 50 |
| Binocular Type : | Porro Prism |
| Exit Pupil : | 5mm |
| Eye Relief : | 17 mm |
| Prism Glass Type : | BaK4 |
| Prism Coating : | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Material : | Polycarbonate |
| Weight : | 2.25 lb (1020g) |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.8 / 10 |
(Spec Table – Headings Guide Below)
An excellent pair of binoculars from a well-respected manufacturer, the Nikon Action Ex 10X50 is a high-quality choice which delivers exceptional performance.
These porro prism binoculars have a host of top features including being shockproof, waterproof and fog proof.
Comfortable in the hands, these well-made binoculars have a shock resistant non-slip rubber armour, for a firm grip and added peace of mind. The Nikon Action 10 x 50 binoculars are waterproof to a depth of 1 metre for 5 minutes and have a fog-proof Nitrogen gas filling, which prevents condensation forming on the inside of the binoculars.
The Nikon Action 10 x 50 features turn-and-slide rubber eyecups and boast 17.2 mm of eye relief, which makes these binoculars a great choice for eyeglasses wearers.
These Nikon binoculars employ the top quality BaK-4 prisms, with a dielectric, high-reflective multilayer coatings to deliver excellent sharpness, brighter colours and extreme low light performance.
At 2.25g the Nikon Action 10 x 50 binoculars are not particularly lightweight and may become difficult for some to hold steady after a while. There is the option to attach these binoculars to a tripod if required.
Conclusion
Nikon, with their world-renowned optics, have produced an excellent stargazing experience with the Action Ex 10 x 50 binoculars.
On the high end of the budget range, these binoculars nevertheless provide value for money with their excellent optics, quality of build and great features.
The many great reviews of this offering from Nikon are testament to its quality. In all, a great choice for stargazing binoculars.
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Binocular Specifications – Headings Guide
Magnification / Aperture
Magnification and Aperture are expressed as two numbers, for example 7x 42, 10x 50 or several other variations. The first number is the magnification, or how much closer something looks than it really is. So, for example binoculars with a 10x magnification will make objects look 10 times closer.
Aperture is the second number and is the diameter of the objective lens (the large lenses at the end of the binoculars). The larger the objective lens the more light the binoculars can capture, making fainter objects more visible. This is expressed in millimetres, so a 10x 50 pair of binoculars has a 10x magnification with a 50mm aperture.
Binocular Type
Binoculars come in two different styles, either Porro Prism or Roof Prism types. Binoculars contain prisms to correct the image orientation produced by the lens. Without them the image would be upside down! The main difference between the two is in how the prisms are set in the binocular.
Porro prism binoculars (named after their inventor) are the most popular for stargazing. They have the familiar zig-zag shape which offsets the light path from the objective lens and out through the eyepiece. Roof prism binoculars are more modern with a streamlined appearance. The prism settings allow light to follow a path through the objective lens to the eyepiece without offsetting the light path.
Exit Pupil
‘Exit pupil’ is the circle of light that you can see when you hold binoculars at arm’s length and look through the objective lens. When it’s dark your pupils dilate to allow more light to enter your eyes. The column of light (the exit pupil) goes through the binoculars to where you see it and should ideally fit inside the pupil of your eye.
As you reach your 30’s your pupil size when looking at the night sky is around 7mm. As you get older the amount your pupils are able to dilate becomes smaller by around a millimetre every ten years. In theory an exit pupil with a larger measurement than what the pupil of your eye can dilate, is wasted light. Even so, it may be more beneficial to aim for a relatively high exit pupil.
You can calculate the exit pupil size of a pair of binoculars by dividing the aperture by the magnification. For example, binoculars with a 42mm aperture and 10 times magnification would be 42 ÷ 10 = 4.2. So, in this case the exit pupil would be 4.2mm.
Eye Relief
‘Eye relief’ is a term which relates to the distance in millimetres, between the eyepiece lens and your eye, where the image is seen completely. If the eye is too close, dark shadows appear around the outer edges of the image. If your eye is too far away, then the field of view is reduced, and the image appears smaller. For comfortable viewing, the eye relief of binoculars should be around 14mm
If you wear eyeglasses, you may need binoculars with a longer eye relief. If you have an eye condition called Astigmatism, where light entering your eye can’t focus on a common focal point, you will need to wear your glasses when using binoculars. Recommended long eye relief is 17mm.
If you wear glasses to correct far or near sightedness, you may not actually need to use your eyeglasses when looking through your binoculars at all. This is because the focusing mechanism of the binoculars will allow an adjustment, correcting your vision.
Prism Grade
There are two main types of prisms that are commonly used in the manufacture of binoculars. These are BK-7 or BaK-4.
BK-7 prisms are the most widely used for less expensive binoculars. They are regarded as having a slightly lower quality of the two, although still have great light transmission and only a small number of imperfections. Clarity is more important with higher magnifications, so BK-7 prisms work best with binoculars of 8x magnification and below.
BaK-4 prisms provide a slightly higher level of image quality and so generally are found in more expensive binoculars.
Prism Coating
Prism coatings are important as they reduce the loss of light through reflection resulting in a better image viewed. There are five types of optical coatings for binoculars – Coated, Fully Coated, Multi-coated, Fully Multi-coated and Phase Correction Coating.
- Coated…An anti-reflective light transmission coating is applied to one or more of the lens surfaces.
- Fully Coated…Binoculars have a thin anti-reflective light transmission coating on all air-to-glass surfaces.
- Multi-Coated…Multiple layers of coatings on one or more of the lens surfaces.
- Fully-Multi Coated…Binoculars have multiple coatings on every lens surface which provides the highest light transmission and contrast.
- Phase Correction Coating…This is used for ‘Roof Prism’ binoculars. The optical construction of the prism means that the waves of light, which were lined up perfectly when they entered the binocular, exit the prism slightly out of phase. Phase coating is composed of a thin layer of dielectric material and this in effect delays the rays of light enough for them to come back into phase. This produces better brightness, contrast and clarity.
As you might expect, the better the coatings, the more expensive the binoculars.
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