It can be tough to find the best binoculars under $50. Many people think that quality binoculars can’t be bought on such a low budget. However, the truth this year is different as there are many models out there that have useful features aimed at those that don’t intend to use the binoculars professionally.
Yes, the more expensive models may have a clearer and deeper zoom allowing you to see objects from afar but the affordable ones aren’t far behind, either. This is because the manufacturers try to keep up and incorporate many of the extra options in the cheaper binoculars, as well.
So, if you are looking for the right binoculars for you and don’t want to spend more than $50 on them, in this guide we’ll show you the details and the top picks to keep an eye on. Enjoy!
Best Rated Binoculars Under $50 – Top Picks
BEST VALUE
USCAMEL Compact HD Binocular
– Magnification – 8x
– Lens – 42.00 millimeters
– Weight – 6.35 ounces
– Anti-glare optics
– Premium BAK4 prism
BEST OVERALL
Celestron Outland X 10×25 Binocular
– Magnification – 10x
– Fog and Water resistance
– Field of view – 3 °
– Diameter – 25 mm
– Multi-coated Optics
BEST PRICE
Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide Angle Binocular
– Magnification – 10x
– Diameter – 55 mm
– Eye Relief – 9 millimeters
– Field of view – 300 feet
– InstaFocus lever for quick focus
7 Best Binoculars Under $50 – A Quick Comparison
G4free 12×25 compact binoculars
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 4.4 x 1.77 x 4.4 in
Item Weight: 0.75 lb
Magnification Maximum: 10x
Objective Lens Diameter: 25 millimeters
USCAMEL 10×42 Compact Binoculars
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 6.18 x 2.17 x 5.04 in
Item Weight: 0.78 lb
Magnification Maximum: 10x
Objective Lens Diameter: 42 millimeters
Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Binocular
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 5.00 x 4.00 x 2.75 inches
Item Weight: 0.75 lbs
Magnification Maximum: 12x
Objective Lens Diameter: 25 millimeters
Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 3 in
Item Weight: 2 lbs
Magnification Maximum: 7
Objective Lens Diameter: 50 millimeters
Barska Lucid View 8×21
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.6 x 2 in
Item Weight: 1 lb
Magnification Maximum: 10
Objective Lens Diameter: 25
Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide Angle Binoculars
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.2 x 4.2 in
Item Weight: 1 lb
Magnification Maximum: 10
Objective Lens Diameter: 50
Celestron Outland X 10×25
Starting from:-
Item Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 6 in
Item Weight: 0.69 lb
Magnification Maximum: 10
Objective Lens Diameter: 25
Read more: Best 8×42 binoculars for birdwatching.
Best Cheap Binoculars Under $50 – Insights
Many buyers want to find binoculars that are cheap and still have the features they like. Nowadays, with the expansion of this market, this is possible. You should just know where to look and what to look out for.
To assist you, we collected the needed details on the best models here. So, keep on reading to discover more about them and see which one fits your preferences the most.
Celestron Outland X 10×25
This black model has an armor made out of rubber. Because of this, it is considered to be durable, flexible, and easy to carry around. For views in a high resolution and high contrast, it has multi-coated optics together with big knobs for focusing and precision. Moreover, the BaK-4 glass in the prism sharpens the colors, enhancing the whole image.
Aside from this, a minor con may be the fact that its size is medium. Therefore, people that like to have bigger binoculars with them may have troubles accepting it. For its category and price, it has some really useful features to keep an eye on.
Some of the most notable features and specifications are:
- Fog and Water resistance
- Case that’s moisture resistant
- Lifetime warranty
- Field of view (in degrees) – 3 °
- Diameter – 25 millimeters
- Magnification – 10x
- Weight – 311.84 grams
Read next: Olympus 8×40 DPSI Binocular Complete Review.
Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide Angle Binoculars
These Bushnell Falcon binoculars are suitable for all those that want a sharp image from afar without any pain in the eyes. Thanks to its 10x magnification, everything can be spotted from a close-focus distance of around 25 feet. The Porro prism provides options for auto focusing, as well.
Concerning its weight, it weighs only 27 ounces, making it easy to pack. And its durability can be measured through the rubber design and the finish made of abrasion-resistant materials.
It should be noted that after all, this is a cheap model, so it’s understandable why there are certain limitations to it. For one, the focus can appear a bit sloppy at times, giving a mediocre close-up performance.
Some of its features and specifications to consider are:
- Field of view – 300 feet
- Weight – 27 ounces
- Magnification – 10x
- Diameter – 55 millimeters
- Eye Relief – 9 millimeters
- Eyecups that roll down
- Diopter setting
- InstaFocus lever for quick focus
Read more on the best binoculars less than $1k.
Barska Lucid View 8×21
Not only is this model very lightweight, but it’s small and it can be even carried in a pocket. What makes it special is its 8x magnification, which picks up small details and produces a sharper image at a distance. The fact that the glasses and prisms are coated multiple times only contributes to the brighter image with more contrast.
However, the thing to have in mind if you go in nature with harsh weather conditions is that this model of binoculars isn’t waterproof.
Additional features and specifications are:
- Rubber armor
- Padlocks and security equipment
- Multi-coatings on glass elements
- Dimensions – 5 x 2.6 x 1.6 inches
- Field of view – 1000 yards
Check these 9 wide angle devices, they are perfect for bird watching.
Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars
A specific feature that these binoculars possess is the brightness and ability to clearly see details at night. With the big exit pupil and multi-coated elements made out of glass, the light is maximized. The objective lenses of 55 millimeters even allow people to examine the moon. And thanks to the wide field of view, a large portion of the night sky is visible through the lenses.
As the housing incorporates aluminum, the binoculars are long-lasting and easy to transport. For additional safety, rubber covers the whole exterior, allowing you to firmly grip them, as well.
When it comes to its size, this model is a bit bulkier than the compact ones and looks more like the regular-sized ones.
More precisely, here are some features and specifications:
- Magnification – 7x
- Field of view (in degrees) – 6.8 °
- Prism glass – BK-7
- Folding eyecup
- Waterproof
- Adaptable tripod
Read more reviews on the 7 best compact binoculars for hunting.
USCAMEL 10×42 Compact Binoculars
These are professional binoculars meant for various occasions like bird watching, stargazing, camping, sightseeing, concerts, and many others. What differentiates it from other models is that it can be kept inside your pocket because it’s small and light-weight. Also, it can be folded so that it doesn’t occupy a lot of space.
The high-quality optics and the BaK-4 prism enhance the brightness, making the view clearer. Moreover, both eyes can see the image because the knob for center focus and the lens for the right eye can be adjusted to fit your eyesight and the light.
However, have in mind that there is a slight downside. One of the eyepieces has a strap attached to it and that can be a bit irritating.
More detailed features and specifications are as follows:
- Magnification – 8x
- Diameter of the objective – 221 millimeters
- Weight – 6.35 ounces
- Anti-glare optics
- Money-back warranty
Read more reviews about similar device on the best 10×42 binoculars.
Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Binocular
While these binoculars can be utilized for getting a night vision, they don’t function in complete darkness. This is due to the fact that they have the HD LLL vision and not infrared. Therefore, their performance is maximized when they are used by day or when there is at least a faint light.
The option to focus the lenses automatically is present together with a diameter of 55 millimeters, which provide a clearer view. Connected to this, the lenses are fogproof and waterproof so that this model is suitable for observing in harsh weather conditions. Another thing to have in mind is that the bulkiness and the size of these binoculars are slightly bigger than the other budget models.
The specifications and features to keep an eye on are:
- Auto-focusing
- Magnification – 8x
- Weight – 0.75 lbs
- Horizon – 25 millimeters
- Brightness – 25.00
- Multi-purposeful
G4Free 12×25 Compact Binoculars
Last but not least, this is another affordable model that sports similar features as the previous ones. Even though it has small lenses of 25 millimeters, its magnification is 12 times. With it, you can zoom in more times than the average models.
One of the main reasons these binoculars are chosen by the users is the BaK-4 prism. It’s responsible for letting through all the light and producing quality views all the time. Also, the night vision option comes in handy. However, as with the previous one, it doesn’t work really well in absolute darkness.
Additional features and specifications that may be interesting are:
- Water resistance
- XMC technology accompanied by BaK-4 prism
- Exit pupil diameter – 2.08 millimeters
- Field range – 6.5 °
- Big eyepiece for improved visibility
- Magnification – 12x
Check these 6 best compact binoculars.
Buying Guide – What Should Consider
Buyers should be really careful while looking for the right binoculars. Because there are so many models out there, they should look carefully into certain aspects that differentiate them from the others. In the following paragraphs, we’ll present some of the most notable ones.
Focus
This is one of the most important things to have in mind. The focus is the one that determines the quality of your view. So, without it, all other features may not be as helpful as you would want them to.
But the focus can’t be easily tested. The options you have is to actually go to a store to try it or read through reviews online.
Water and Fog Resistance
Unless your chosen binoculars are waterproof or fogproof, the places you can explore with them will be limited. That’s why these features are among the top you should consider.
Some models are even dust resistant, which enhances the protection further. They stop dust and dirt from entering the lenses and ruining the view.
Weight and Portability
Some people prefer to have bulkier models that are bigger in size. However, they can be hard to carry around. This is why you should search for affordable compact binoculars. Not only are they portable, but they are also lightweight and easy to handle.
Important Facts About Cheap Binoculars
Depending on who you are as a person and which size of binoculars you prefer, there are certain models that can satisfy your needs. In general, they all possess useful features that contribute to a high-quality distant view.
Firstly, there’s the diameter. In the cheap models, it’s usually 25 millimeters, which is totally enough, especially if your model is a compact one. Then, a lot of attention goes out to the magnification. While some people believe that the larger it is the better, the truth is different. Moreover, big magnification means that the binoculars are larger in size. And this doesn’t go well with fans of smaller models.
Aside from this, the BaK-4 prism is present in many models because it enables brighter views.
In the bottom line for the binoculars under $50
All in all, it can be tough to find the right binoculars for you at a cheap price. That’s why we compiled the best affordable models in this guide. They were presented with their pros and cons as well as features and specifications so that they can be of help to you. So, we hope that after reading this you’ll find what you are looking for.
To find out more helpful binoculars guides, please check these out:-
- Best Marine Binoculars with Image Stabilization
- Binoculars under $2000
- Binoculars For Hunting
- Binoculars less than $400
- Binoculars under $200
- Binoculars under $500
- Binoculars under $300
Good luck and stay connect with Gear Odds for more products reviews.!
