Binoculars are a great way to get into stargazing as they offer a practical and portable alternative to telescopes and a beautifully crisp night sky view.
In this guide, we’ve curated the best binoculars for astronomy beginners and seasoned astronomers alike. Whether you're hoping to see Jupiter when it reaches opposition this month or want to explore the craters of the moon in more detail, the best stargazing binoculars can take you there!
Selecting binoculars for stargazing requires focusing on specific features that enhance your viewing experience. Opt for models with objective lenses of 40-50mm or larger to gather ample light, which improves the visibility of stars, planets, and some deep-sky objects. Magnification between 7x and 10x is recommended for crisp, steady views without a tripod.
If, however, you want as much magnification as possible for deep-sky objects without using one of the best telescopes, the Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 is still $110 off and is fantastic for long-distance viewing.
The quick list
Best overall
An excellent pair of high magnification binoculars suited to astronomy and low light for fantastic views of the night sky. It's hard to beat their clarity and reach for this price.
Best generalist
Premium in almost every respect, if you want a fantastic generalist pair of binoculars, look no further than the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 binoculars. But exceptional optical quality like this comes at a price.
Best premium binos
Simply put, the Leica Noctivid 10x42s are some of the best binoculars we've ever tested, but also some of the most expensive. Their stylish design and impressive optical prowess make them hard to beat.
Best budget
Great as a starter pair of binoculars, their high magnification and large objective lenses drink in light for night sky observations for beginners.
Best compact
For all-round performance for a variety of uses at an affordable price, these are hard to beat. Excellent optical performance, high-quality build and lightweight design.
Best image-stabilized
Canon's first stabilized binoculars for shake-free observations of the night sky, but such high-powered tech comes at a premium price.
Best binoculars for stargazing we recommend in 2024
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Best binoculars for stargazing overall
✅ You want high magnification: 20x magnification is fantastic for getting highly detailed views of the night sky— we could spot Jupiter's moons with them.
✅ You want to use them in all weathers: They are waterproof and fog proof, so will keep up with you during all outdoor pursuits.
❌ You don't want large binoculars: They weigh 5 lbs / 2.27kg and have a pretty hefty footprint. If you're looking for portable binoculars, we'd recommend the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42.
❌ You want a pair for more generalist viewing: As dedicated astronomy binoculars, they aren't particularly well suited to general-use. We think the Celestron Nature DX 12x56 are better for general purpose.
🔎 Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80: An excellent pair of high magnification binoculars suited to astronomy and low light for fantastic views of the night sky. For the money it’s hard to beat their reach and clarity. ★★★★
Design: Stargazing binoculars don't come much more perfect than these. The Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 binoculars have huge magnification and massive objective lenses to get you closer to dimmer objects than almost any other binocular in our guide — the only binoculars that have higher reach are the Celestron SkyMaster 25x100.
They have a built-in standard tripod mount which may be of use for long-term stargazing to accommodate their heavier weight and size — something we made good use of during our Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 review. With 20x magnification and housing filled with dry nitrogen gas, they do not fog up in even the chilliest of foggy nights, damp conditions or moving between different temperature conditions — even if that is just your backpack to your favorite hilltop stargazing spot. They also have the ability to attach a red dot finder to bring objects into view quicker.
Performance: When it comes to views of the moon, in particular, they certainly have the 'wow' factor. Sharp views from edge to edge, and once focused, every crater and crevice along the lunar surface was sharp and detailed — we were astounded.
We could easily spot stars within constellations, search for galaxies like Messier 31 (the Andromeda galaxy) and were lucky enough to see Jupiter and four of its moons on a clear night: Europa, Io, Ganymede and Callisto. Although they one hundred percent did the job, we did find ourselves wishing they had more reach to get even further into the night sky to get a closer look at the objects we could only just make out.
Functionality: What sets these 'Pro' versions apart from their standard 20x80 counterparts is that they have Celestron’s proprietary XLT coating technology for clearer views of the cosmos, and the BaK-4 glass prisms give enhanced light transmission. We also found the focus wheel had sufficient grip and can be operated smoothly and precisely with plenty of room for fine-tuning adjustment where necessary.
For the price, you can't go wrong with the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80. They're not suited for more general observation, so wildlife observers may want to check out another pair of the best binoculars that are more suitable for all-round use.
While other models in this guide may be better in certain areas, such as more magnification, better portability or featuring image stabilization, we named the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80s best overall as they strike a perfect balance between impressive performance and quality optics at a reasonable price.
- Read our full Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Heavy at 5 lbs / 2.27kg — second heaviest on this list. |
| Performance | 20x magnification to view Jupiter's moons and the Andromeda galaxy. |
| Functionality | Features Celestron’s proprietary XLT coating technology. |
Best generalist binoculars for stargazing
✅ You want lightweight, portable binoculars: They weigh just 1.5lbs / 680g, making them one of the lightest on this list, second to the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42.
✅ You don't want to skimp on optics: They have quite possibly the best optical performance of all the binoculars we've ever tested.
❌ You want image stabilization: Possibly their only achilles heel — they don't have image stabilization. If that's a non-negotiable feature, we'd recommend the Canon 10x42 IS WP.
❌ You're a beginner: If you're not experienced enough to invest on a high-end binocular, we think the more beginner-friendly Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 are better suited.
🔎 Nikon Monarch HG 10x42: High-quality optical glass elements, all of which are multicoated to improve light transmission, premium exterior finish for better handling and more reliable focusing, plus a whole host of excellent accessories that owners won't need to upgrade mean they'll last for years to come. ★★★★½
Design: The Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 are premium all over, with gold detailing and a narrow, slender design — we think they're some of the best-looking binos out there. They've avoided the hard, slippery finish you tend to get with cheaper binoculars and have produced a soft, plump rubber finish with texturing that helps the user get a good grip on them in all weathers, even while wearing gloves, which is ideal if you're using them on a chilly night.
We really loved the locking diopter ring (which also features on the Prostaff P7 series). Just lift and click the lock into place to retain the diopter setting to ensure that you won't knock it when taking them out of the bag. This is essential to get accurate and sharp views if you're moving around outside or passing them to others briefly to use.
Performance: For the best of the best when it comes to image quality, Nikon's top-of-the-line Monarch HG 10x42 fit the bill perfectly. They perform exceptionally well across various different parameters, and, although they cost a hefty chunk of cash, in exchange you get high-quality build and optical quality that is near perfect, in our opinion. Thanks to the Field Flattener System, the images are sharp across the entire field of view, and we found basically no chromatic aberration whatsoever.
We put them through their paces in our full Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 review and, frankly, were blown away. We actually found it hard to find and flaws — they scream quality and premium from top to bottom. Not only do each of the parts operate effectively but they also look and feel great in the hand.
Functionality: Although they may seem expensive to the average binocular user, they're actually incredible value for money when you consider what you're getting. Sharp images across the entire frame, color fringing is all but invisible (apart from the tiniest fraction around dark edges) thanks to Nikon’s Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and the multilayer coatings of each glass element amount to 92% or better light transmission, according to Nikon. They're also waterproof and fog-proof to aid use in all weathers and temperatures — the only thing we can think of to improve them would be to add image stabilization.
- Read our full Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Premium build and quality finish. |
| Performance | Possibly the best optics we've tested. |
| Functionality | Locking diopter ring keeps things sharp. |
Best premium binoculars for stargazing
✅ You wear glasses: Their 19mm of eye relief is the longest on this list, meaning you won't have to take your glasses off to use them comfortably.
✅ You want the best of the best: They're a fantastic option if you need the best optics available and have the money to spend on them.
❌ You want to mount them on a tripod: Curiously, they don't have a tripod adapter, so you can't use them with a tripod.
❌ You don't have a huge budget: They're premium in every aspect — if you're looking for a step up from your beginner pair, we'd recommend the Celestron Nature DX 12x56.
🔎 Leica Noctivid 10x42: Possibly our favorite ever binoculars, with supreme sharpness, excellent light transmission and absolutely stunning looks, but their massive price tag will render them inaccessible for many users. ★★★★★
Design: As the old adage goes; 'it's what's on the inside that counts', however, you're also getting an absolutely beautiful pair of binoculars with the Leica Noctivid 10x42. During our Leica 10x42 Noctivid review, we were totally enamoured with the olive green edition which blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings (great if you're observing wildlife). They also feature a slim design that is easy to slip into a large coat pocket or into the provided carry bag (4.88 x 6.06 x 2.68-inches / 124 x 154 x 68mm), yet they're still weighty enough in the hand to make them comfortable to hold at 1.9 lbs / 862g.
Performance: When it comes to optical performance, they're basically perfect. They might be one of the only binoculars we've tested where we were unable to discern any kind of chromatic aberration (color fringing) around contrasted subjects, nor any significant coma. They provide a massive 19mm of eye relief, which is fantastic for users who wear glasses and want to be comfortable using them without having to remove their glasses. 19mm is the longest eye relief on this list, although it's a hefty price to pay for it.
Functionality: They feature HDC Plus-multicoating and AquaDura lens coating for maximum light transmission and to repel water when you're out in the elements. They're waterproof down to 5 meters (16.5 ft) and are nitrogen-filled, so they won't fog up when moving between hot and cold locations.
If we had to find a fault, we were a bit stumped as to why there's no tripod mounting point. You could argue that 10x42 doesn't necessarily need to be mounted on a tripod, but for such a high price tag we'd have liked to have the option — especially when other 10x42s can.
If you're looking for an exceptional pair of binoculars in 'silly money' territory for serious observations at a premium price, the Leica 10x42 Noctivid are some of the best 10x42s we've ever tested, and, for our money, possibly our favorite pair ever. We loved them so much that we even gave them full marks during our review. The only reason we haven't given them the title of 'Best Overall' here is due to their exceptionally high price which is out of reach for the majority of users.
- Read our full Leica 10x42 Noctivid review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Beautiful green color, weighty in the hand. |
| Performance | No visible chromatic aberration or coma distortion present. |
| Functionality | Lacks a tripod mounting point. |
Best budget binoculars for stargazing
✅ You're buying your first pair: They're a fantastic starter pair of binoculars that don't break the bank.
✅ You wear glasses: Their 17mm eye relief makes them comfortable for users who wear glasses.
❌ You want lightweight binoculars: They're quite heavy and cumbersome — the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 are better for portability.
❌ You want the best optical performance: If you're ready to drop some cash on some serious optical prowess, the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 is one of the best optics we've used.
🔎 Celestron SkyMaster 12x60: Great astro specialists that can zoom in on distant subjects, budget-friendly and simple to use, it's hard to find anything to dislike about them. ★★★★
Design: As expected from binoculars with 60mm objectives, they're quite physically large, made more obvious by their porro prism design — although that does mean extra clarity and optical prowess thanks to the BaK-4 prism and multi-coated lenses. Although they're not the biggest or heaviest model on this list, they are quite cumbersome and would be tricky to travel with — we'd recommend mounting them on a tripod to get the most out of their performance.
During our Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 review, we noticed they were perfectly capable of handling the odd bump thanks to their protective rubber armor, but we did find that the lens caps tended to fall off easily — which makes them easy to lose if you knock them without realizing.
Performance: For stargazing, we thought they performed pretty well, especially considering the price and overall specs. We were able to see three of Jupiter’s moons and get a closer look at Orion’s sword. They're not powerful enough to make out the individual parts that make up Orion’s sword, and we certainly couldn't see M42 well enough. Still, sharpness throughout the frame was good, and we could only make out a little coma and softness towards the edges. For the price, we really can't complain.
Functionality: Overall, it's pretty hard to find anything to dislike about them. The hinge and focusing wheel are smooth and easy to operate, and the 17mm eye relief is great for anyone who wears glasses. If we're being picky, we'd have liked the eyecups to be a twist-down design rather than flip-down, but that's only a tiny niggle that doesn't affect their overall usability and performance.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Quite chunky and hard to travel with. |
| Performance | Excellent nighttime views. |
| Functionality | Flip down eyecups could be improved. |
- Read our full Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 review
Best compact binoculars for stargazing
✅ You want to take them on long-distance travels: They're the most portable and lightweight pair of binoculars on this list at 21.2 oz / 601g.
✅ You want quality optics on a budget: We were surprisingly impressed at how good the optics are for the price.
❌ You want to use them for long periods but you wear glasses: While the 15.7mm eye relief is fine for short periods, users who wear glasses will be more comfortable with the 17mm of the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 or the 16mm in the Celestron Nature DX 12x56.
❌ You want the best of the best: If you have the budget to spend on a serious pair of binos, we'd recommend the Leica Noctivid 10x42.
🔎 Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42: For a good set of intermediate binoculars with fantastic optical performance, excellent general build quality and one or two premium features, then for 200 bucks or less the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 binoculars are for you. ★★★★½
Design: Striking a perfect balance between beginners who want a budget-friendly option and advanced observers who use binoculars day-in and day-out and are happy to invest in the best quality pair, we think the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 have excellent build quality, a premium feel and great optical performance all for under $200 — not to mention, they're the most lightweight pair on this list.
We tested the P7s out in our thorough Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 review and noted that it was rare to find a pair of binoculars that are both affordable and well-built. Overall, we were very impressed and most of the faults we found with them were more down to personal preference. The rubber coating wraps around the entire body to keep all the moving parts shielded from weather and dust. We also appreciated the locking diopter wheel to prevent any accidental defocusing while we were using them.
Performance: We had no trouble observing details from treelines 45 minutes after dusk, so although they aren't specialized for astronomy use, they'll still do the job with their bright 42mm objectives. We comfortably hiked with these binos around our neck for over three hours and could've easily gone several more thanks to the comfortable neck strap and lightweight, portable design of the P7s.
We were surprised at just how good they are, despite the fact they don't have any of the special glass elements that higher-end binoculars have, like extra-low dispersion glass or field flatteners. We typically see these features on the more expensive models to reduce color fringing and coma distortion, but we found the Prostaff P7's views looked sharp without it.
Functionality: Every part of these binos is well made and high quality with a stealthy near-black appearance. They are fully waterproofed down to 3.3 feet (1 meter) and nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging, which is ideal for outdoor pursuits where you might get caught out in adverse weather or transition between warm and cold temperatures.
The 4.2mm exit pupil was a little smaller than we'd have liked, with the viewing circle on the small to medium side, but we didn't think it detracted from using them. Unsurprisingly, they have those pesky detachable lens caps that have a habit of getting lost easily, but attached lens caps are typically a perk associated with the more expensive models.
- Read our full Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Texturized rubber layer protects them from the elements. |
| Performance | Optics are sharp despite lacking extra-low dispersion glass. |
| Functionality | Really portable design and lightweight for long-distance travel. |
