Choosing the best compact binoculars for your next trip can be daunting, especially if you're new to binoculars in general or just starting a hobby that requires them. From birding to architecture, having a pair of binoculars can turn a neat experience into one that you'll remember forever, from watching piping plovers on the shores of Lake Michigan to getting up close and personal with the gold leaf ornament on the Carbide and Carbon Building in Chicago.
This list will cover all sorts of binoculars, from those that'll fit into your pocket to those that are a fashion statement in themselves. If you still can't decide after perusing this post, we've created an FAQ section to help you make an informed decision. Let's dive in!
Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 10×25 Waterproof Binoculars
Best value
Our favorite part of using the Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 10x25 Waterproof Binoculars is the fun and funky colorway options available; however, that's not to say they don't perform well in the field. You can easily slide them into your sling or daypack, and they will fit inside a larger coat or cargo pants pocket. The binoculars are waterproof and resistant to fogging up in foggy weather, which is handy for various weather conditions while traveling, especially when you can't easily seek shelter. The eyecups are comfortable without mashing together to get in the way of your vision. In testing, we found the clarity and practical distance to be great. The contrast is a little lacking, but not in a way that deters us from picking them up for a quick architecture tour of Chicago or a birdwatching session on the porch of our Airbnb. Our managing editor's friend used these on their safari in Tanzania and found them to be a great middle-of-the-road option if you don't need a ton of bells and whistles but want to invest in a long-lasting pair that will actually work well. They even spent hours on the roof of the Land Cruiser; when they were found at the end of the day, there was barely a scratch to be found. Three cheers for durability testing!
Why We Like It- The colorways are fun and vibrant
- The texture on the binoculars makes it easy to hang onto them
- The contrast isn't as punchy as other binoculars that we've tested
- You can't get every colorway in every magnification
POLDR 12X25 Small Pocket Binoculars
Best budget
A few things shocked us about the POLDR 12x25 Small Pocket Binoculars. First, the size; they're tiny! Seriously, these will fit into most standard pants pockets for compact travel. They'll take up less room in your bag, too, and won't weigh your cargo pants down as much, either. These are also the cheapest pair we tested by far—coming in at just $15 at the time of writing. The second thing that shocked us in testing is that the optical performance isn't bad. For the price, we weren't expecting much, and they don't perform as well as the more expensive options on this list. The clarity and contrast were fair, and the distance test was good, especially for the price. The lenses are pretty small, so not as much light gets in, making them challenging to use in low-light conditions. Still, if you're unsure whether you'll use binoculars and want to start with something more affordable, the POLDR model is a good place to begin.
Why We Like It- They're the cheapest binoculars on this list
- They'll fit into almost all travel pants pockets
- The clarity and contrast aren't as solid as those of higher-end models
- The materials aren't as durable as those of other binoculars that we've tested
Bushnell Powerview 2 10×25 Binoculars
Some might dig the vintage look of the Bushnell Powerview 2 10x25 Binoculars, but our favorite feature is that they'll fit into a large pocket and most small slings, making it easier to bring them on your trip without wasting space. At the time of writing, they're just over $30, too, which won't break the bank and offers an excellent value for your first pair as you venture into the world of binocs. Considering their price, we weren't too shocked that the binoculars only scored fair in the clarity and contrast tests. Still, the distance test was great, and they are pretty durable, especially when compared to other budget-friendly models on the market. For their price, portability, and performance, the Bushnell Powerview 2 10x25 is a solid choice for beginners.
Why We Like It- For the price, the magnification is solid
- They'll fit into large travel pants pockets and some coat pockets
- The clarity and contrast aren't as good as those of others on this list
- The materials aren't bare bones, but they won't survive big drops
Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10x26
The Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10x26 model feels like something a hobbyist birdwatcher would sling out in Central Park, but they'll work for much more than that. They're small enough to fit into a sling or daypack without issue and may also fit into a large coat pocket. In testing, they've proven to be quite durable, and they are also highly water-resistant. The eyecups are sturdy but have enough give to stay comfortable around your eyes, even after extended use. They don't work super well in low light, but for the price, we can't be too upset. In most lighting situations, the clarity, contrast, and distance performance are great. Our managing editor used these binoculars on her trip to Tanzania for a safari and found them to be a great balance of durable, effective, and just above a baseline budget if you're willing to spend a little more.
Why We Like It- They offer a solid combination of portability and image quality
- They're highly durable
- You'll likely want to find another travel case, as the one it comes with is pretty large
- The price is prohibitive for some travelers
Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 10×32 Binoculars
The Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 8x32 looks serious, and that's because the performance is seriously good! In addition to having stellar durability, the binoculars performed excellently in our clarity test, fantastically in our contrast test, and well in our distance test. The image quality renders nicely, but you'll have to stow these inside a sling or daypack, as they're too large to fit into most reasonably sized pockets. They aren't as visually appealing as others on this list, but we're willing to risk them not matching our vibe for the stellar performance on the trail, in the city, or on a sightseeing tour. They're waterproof, too, so you don't have to worry about the elements raining on your parade.
Why We Like It- The clarity is top-tier, and the contrast is punchy
- They're water and fog-proof
- They're a bit larger than some will want to use for travel
- The colorways are limited and not very vibrant
Pentax Papilio II
We try not to be biased, but the Pentax Papilio II was our favorite pair of binoculars in the first round of testing. Sure, the performance was good, but they look super fun, too. Regarding clarity and contrast, both landed fantastic scores in testing. The distance test wasn't perfect, but you'll get close enough to see ornate details on buildings, birds in distant trees, and freighters on the water. They're highly durable, too, and the front element design looks neat to onlookers. The best part? These binoculars are closer to the average than the top of the price scale, so you get excellent image quality at a price that won't break the bank. What else would you expect from a brand with a reputation like Pentax (or its parent company, Ricoh)?
Why We Like It- They feel clearer than human vision should
- The front element is unique and fun-looking
- They're a bit too thick to fit into most pockets
- For the size, we wish there was a smidge more magnification
Others We Considered
We liked both the Nikon ProStaff P3 8×42 Waterproof Binocular and Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42mm Roof Binoculars, but felt they were too large to recommend for travel purposes. Still, they’re a solid choice if you have extra space.
Why You Should Trust Us
Though we aren’t experts in binoculars or optics, we have extensive experience with photography and videography, which has helped inform our thoughts on glass quality and what looks good through the binoculars. Additionally, as travel experts, we know what’s easy to pack, what’s too large, and hacks to help make your trip run more smoothly. Jumble all that together, and you’ve made it to our travel binocular guide!
How We Tested It
Detroit’s stunning Fisher Building, completed in 1928 and designed by famed architect Albert Kahn, is roughly 4.9 miles as the crow flies from Pack Hacker HQ. It peeks out from behind a few other buildings, and we decided to use it as our subject for testing all of the binoculars in this post. We used the details on the closer buildings, the distant Fisher Building, and various other objects in and around the frame to help us with this process.
Test 1: We tested the clarity of each pair of binoculars. Generally, how clear is the image once you’ve found focus?
Test 2: We tested for contrast, too. Essentially, we determined how punchy the image was, which also affects its colors.
Test 3: We called this the distance test, but that isn’t really fair, as not all the binoculars had the same magnification rating. This test essentially evaluates how well these binoculars will perform for travel purposes, ranging from birdwatching to examining architectural details.
Test 4: The durability test was less challenging to produce, as our tester was able to get their hands on the materials up close and evaluate them with our gear expertise in mind.
Test 5: Packability is essential for travel binoculars because you need to be able to get them where they’re going, so we reported how you’ll need to fit them inside your packout.
Test 6: After all the scientific tests, we decided that we needed a fun one. The two-word aesthetic test assigns a fun phrase to every pair of binoculars on this list to help you get a better idea of its vibe.
| Model | Clarity Test | Contrast Test | Distance Test | Durability | Packability | Two-Word Aesthetic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10×26 | Great | Great | Great | High | Sling or Daypack | Ninja Birdwatcher |
| Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 10×25 Waterproof Binoculars | Great | Fair | Great | High | Sling or Daypack | Vintage Safari |
| POLDR 12X25 Small Pocket Binoculars | Fair | Fair | Good | Low | Front Pocket | Cheap Baby |
| Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 8×32 | Excellent | Top Quality | Good | High | Sling or Daypack | I’m Serious |
| Pentax Papilio | Top Quality | Top Quality | Good | High | Sling or Daypack | Spy Kids |
| Bushnell Powerview 2 10×25 Binoculars | Fair | Fair | Great | Medium | Large Pocket | 1990s Dad |
What should I look for in compact binoculars?
First things first, you’ll want to ask yourself how you prefer to carry your binoculars. Once you know where you want to stow them, you know how large they can be. Second, ask how far away you want to see. If you’re looking at things that aren’t miles away, you won’t need binoculars with a ton of magnification. Most units will have an identifier consisting of two numbers: the magnification power followed by the lens size (for example, 10×25 is 10x magnification with a 25 mm lens). A higher magnification number will let you see further, and a larger lens will let in more light, creating a brighter image. This also makes binoculars bigger. Field of View, or FOV, also plays a role in all this. FOV is how much of the scene a pair of binoculars can capture in a single point of view, like how wide your vision feels when you look around.
Are expensive binoculars worth it?
This question comes down to your use case. Have you owned binoculars before? If so, do you use them? Do you have multiple use cases in mind? If you haven’t purchased binoculars before and are just getting into a hobby that requires them, we recommend starting with a budget-friendly or mid-range option, so you don’t invest a lot of money before finding out if you like them. This is similar to moving to a new city. You’re better off finding an affordable place to rent first to determine if you like the area before buying an expensive house there. Once you get the lay of the land and know what kind of binoculars you want, you can upgrade your digs.
Should I bring binoculars traveling?
For certain kinds of trips, absolutely. Are you interested in birds, architecture, or hiking? Binoculars can make all of those hobbies more enjoyable. Still, they take up space and can be heavy, so it’s not always the best choice for a trip that won’t necessarily necessitate their use. They’re great for a road trip or when traveling with checked luggage, as you have more space to utilize. If you opt for a smaller set of binoculars, you can bring them on more trips.
Hopefully, by this point, you have a better idea about the kind of binoculars that you want to get and a few models to compare and contrast before making a purchase. Enjoy the trip, and take a moment to look around now and then!