Best binoculars for stargazing 2024: Spot stars and galaxies

Ideally, the best binoculars for stargazing will have a high magnification (above 10x) and have large objective lenses (ideally 50mm+) to drink in all the faint, distant starlight. You can get away with lower specs, but the views won't be too different from what you can see with the naked eye. The best binoculars for kids won't have as much optical prowess, and the best binoculars overall are typically geared toward more general use.

We've thoroughly tested and reviewed the best models on the market to determine their quality, specs and real-world performance. In each option listed below, you can click through to read our full review where we have one.

One of the biggest advantages of binoculars over one of the best telescopes is their generalist use and portability. You can easily throw them in your bag and take them with you to view wildlife, spot aircraft at air shows or keep an eye on athletes on the field if the view from your seats isn't great.

As September 17-18th will see a partial lunar eclipse visible throughout most of North America, now is the perfect time to invest in a pair of stargazing binoculars to witness this amazing celestial event.

The quick list

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Best binoculars for stargazing we recommend in 2024: Fully tested by our experts with hands-on, real-world experience

Best binoculars for stargazing overall

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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

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Best generalist binoculars for stargazing

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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

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Best premium binoculars for stargazing

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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

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Best budget binoculars for stargazing

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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.

• Read our full Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 review

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Best compact binoculars for stargazing

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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

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Best image-stabilized binoculars for stargazing

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Design: At 2.2 lbs, they feel reassuringly weighty to grip when held in both hands, even before you press the image stabilization button. Even though they don't have the dimpled surface you get with other competing models to aid your grip, we found them comfortable to hold even in wet conditions during our Canon 10x42L IS WP review.

We did have a small gripe with the design of the eyepieces, though. To aid comfort, they have a spongy rubber surround which we found attracted rather a lot of dust and 'bits' that tend to stick to the rubber over time.

Performance: We found that they have most common image aberrations like color fringing and vignetting well under control, and they're also Canon's first waterproof binoculars, so you can happily use them for daytime observations in adverse weather as well as for stargazing.

They feature ultra-low dispersion (UD) lens elements to make single points of light clearer and display accurate colors — which is an obvious advantage for stargazing. The objective lenses also have Canon’s multi-layered anti-reflective lens coating (called ‘Super Spectra’) to eliminate lens flare and ghosting, and to improve color reproduction.

The 10x magnification and 6.5 degrees field of view are ideal for general astronomy — we enjoyed using them for stargazing at the Pleiades and Orion nebula, and for detailed moon observations. However, if you're looking to do more deep-sky observing then you'll want a device with more magnification — there are some good options on this list, like the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 or the Celestron SkyMaster 25x100.

Functionality: When it comes to image stabilization in binoculars, you can't go much better than the Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars. Particularly for stargazing and moon observations, you want as much of a wobble-free view as possible, so even though image stabilization never comes cheap, we think it's an extremely worthwhile feature. Although it's worth noting that the IS requires 2 x AA batteries to work, and they get eaten up pretty quickly in cold weather, so it's worth carrying a few spare packs with you.

• Read our full Canon 10x42L IS WP review

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Best mid-range binoculars for stargazing

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Design: True to Celestron's Nature name, the Nature DX 12x56 come in an attractive green design featuring a non-slip grip, making them easy to use in wet conditions or while wearing gloves. We really like that the eyepiece covers are attached, too. One of our main gripes about other models is when the eyecups come off too easily and get lost, so we appreciate this seemingly small but useful feature.

For extended stargazing sessions, you can mount them on a tripod for steady views of the night sky. We don't think a tripod is a must, as they're light enough to hold steady for most users, but to fine-tune your compositions or share the views with others, it's a nice option to be able to mount them.

Performance: When we tested them during our Celestron Nature DX 12x56 review, we found their focal length and magnification to be perfect qualities for stargazing handheld or casual birding and wildlife uses. We thought that viewing the moon felt like looking up at a shining streetlight, and we noticed that there was less chromatic aberration for nighttime observations than during the day. Plus, the 12x magnification gives just that bit extra reach than a pair of 10x42s do.

Functionality: Phase coatings and BaK-4 glass give flare-free, sharp results, although we'd have liked them to be a little sharper. Still, we can't complain for the price. The 16mm eye relief is comfortable for users who wear glasses, provided the glasses don't sit too far away from the eye. We think you'll be hard-pressed to find a pair of binoculars that offer all the features that these do, especially at such a reasonable price point.

Say you've outgrown your beginner binoculars and want to drop some cash on a better pair but don't have the budget for some of the premium models — you're going to want a pair with good build quality, bright images and improved optics with some fancy glass and coatings. If this sounds like you, we think the Celestron Nature DX 12x56 are ideal.

• Read our full Celestron Nature DX 12x56 review

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Best binoculars for long distance

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While we haven't published a full review yet here on LiveScience, we have tested them and reviewed the Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 over on our sister site.

Design: The one major design characteristic that makes them stand out from every other model on this list is their sheer size and weight — they're the biggest and heaviest in this guide by quite some margin. Measuring 10.1 x 5.1 x 15.28-inches / 256 x 130 x 388mm and weighing in at 8.75 lbs / 3.97kg, they are not for the faint of heart. Without question, you'll need to mount them on a tripod (and possibly add a counter-weighted arm) — not only due to their heavy weight but combine this with the powerful 25x magnification and you simply won't be able to physically hold them steady enough to get a decent view. Luckily, they have an attached tripod adapter.

We also noted that the rubber objective lens covers had a tendency to grow legs and dive off the tubes at the first opportunity — so make sure you take the extra effort not to lose them. The 15mm eye relief is good enough considering they'll be mounted on a tripod, although the 15mm is the shorted eye relief in this guide. If this is a dealbreaker, the Bushnell Match Pro ED 15x56 have a much more generous 18.5mm of eye relief — not the same 25x magnification, but they're still a great option for a bit of extra reach over the standard 10x or 12x.

Performance: The views you get when looking through these binoculars are astounding. The 25x magnification is great for picking out large star clusters — we enjoyed picking out Leo's triplets. However, to manage expectations, some of the best galaxies are just too far out to be able to spot even with big binoculars — you'll need one of the best telescopes for that.

We noticed they had the word 'waterproof' printed on them, however Celestron's online specs only state 'water-resistant', so we'd be wary of using them out in really wet weather. Besides, we can't imagine you'd be using dedicated astronomy binoculars on nights when there's cloud cover, so their questionable water-resistance level shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Functionality: We'd say using the Celestron SkyMaster 25x100s feels more like using two 100mm refractor telescopes with image-erecting prisms built-in, and separate non-removable eyepieces, each of which can rotate independently to provide razor-sharp focus.

Disappointingly, the packaging and accessories that come with it leave quite a lot to be desired. For the price and size, we'd expect some sort of solid, shock-resistant case, but you instead only get a thinly padded fabric cozy.

Still, for dedicated astronomers who want specialist binoculars to get up close and personal with the night sky, we think the Celestron 25x100s are the ones to beat in terms of magnification.

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Best stargazing binoculars: comparison

How we test the best binoculars for stargazing

Live Science tests a vast range of products, from binoculars for stargazing to student laptops. We put products through rigorous tests in test centers as well as in the real world to hold them against their manufacturer's claims.

Sometimes the opinions of independent experts are called in when needed, and we put products through their paces during our testing process. Factors like their ease of use and performance compared to competitors are all assessed. Price is also a big factor, and we look at a product's value for money, which affects the overall evaluation and rating we give it.

Through this combination of research, expert input, and extensive testing, Live Science is confident that it offers readers honest and authoritative buying advice.

Binocular questions answered

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