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Updated on:
February 11, 2021
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If you are on a budget but you are after a great pair of compact binoculars, not all is lost, you can find some high optical quality binoculars for under 100 on the UK market with a little research.
Binoculars do differ in a range of features, from different sized binoculars too binoculars with multi-coated optics or higher magnification, so you must choose the right pair of binoculars for you and you're entry-level.
To make it easier for you, we have rounded up the best budget binoculars for under £100 on the market and reviewed them to help you narrow down the top pair of binoculars for you.
Nikon is well-known in the budget binoculars industry for creating some high-quality optics.
These Nikon Sportstar binoculars, in particular, have 10 x magnification and a 25mm lens diameter. Fully multi-coated lenses are also included with these binoculars for better light transmission, as well as a wide field of view and a focusing distance of 3.5m.
In terms of design, the roof binoculars have turn and slide rubber eyecups and waterproof to up to 2m. They are also fog resistant with a nitrogen gas design to stop the optics from clouding up and have a central focusing wheel for adjusting the binoculars.
Rubber housing is included to protect the lens of the binoculars and they likewise fold up for better portability when doing activities such as a bird observation.
If you are looking for some high-quality optics with great magnification and a durable waterproof design, these Nikon Sportstar pair could be right for you.
This design is great because of its wide viewing angle and compact fold-up system, which allows you to store the binoculars in your pocket when moving around and take them out quickly when you spot a subject you want to magnify.
Drawbacks of these Nikon binoculars are its design which is said to have loose eye caps, the case of the binoculars is further said to have low durability too.
If you are looking for a more unique pair of binoculars it could be worth checking out this model by RUDOOM.
Main specs of these best budget model are there army green design with a 10 x 50 magnification that has a 20mm eye relief and 6.8mm exit pupil. The Bak 4 prism design of these optics also allows for a wide field of view from the multi-coating lenses and a lighting compass for a sense of direction when observing.
Best design points of these 10x magnification model from RUDOOM is there nitrogen design for fog-resistant optics and water-resistant sealing. The model further has rubber housing fold-down eyecups included too.
Accessories added with this model are; a foam strap, cleaning cloth, carrying bag, caps, manual and tripod adaptability.
These RUDOOM marine binoculars are a great choice if you are after the best magnification level for a low price and high-quality durable specs such as a lighting compass and rubber housing.
This model, in particular, is also the best for people who wear glasses thanks to its generous eye relief and adjustable diopter on each objective lens which allows you to use these marine binoculars without glasses if you want.
Downfalls of this RUDOOM model are its heavyweight which might be impractical to use for long period activities such as bird watching.
The Olympus pair of binoculars feature an 8x40 magnification and weigh 715 grams for travel.
Main features of these Porro prism binoculars are there 5mm exit pupil and 12mm eye relief. The binoculars additionally have a wide field of view too and use aspherical lenses plus multi-coat lenses to reduce chromatic aberration and sharpen the image seen through the Porro prism binoculars.
Design-wise the objective lenses distance allows for a stereoscopic view and has a close focusing distance of 6m. It's outside is further rubber coated for top durability and it has ergonomic controls included for easy use.
Overall, this pair of binoculars by Olympus are great value for money thanks to higher magnification and crystal clear prism design which combined with its multi-coat lenses, allows for a clear image no matter the low-light.
We also like these binoculars because of there high build quality which has great specs such as rubber armouring and a strong grip design.
Negatives of this Olympus pair of binoculars have to be their heavyweight which may be tiring to use during long activities such as bird watching. The binoculars are additionally said to have a narrow strap too which can be uncomfortable to wear.
This Nikon Sportstar binocular comes with an 8x25 magnification and has multi-layer coated lenses for better quality light in the optics.
Important specs of these binoculars are its roof prism design which has a wide field of view, turn and slide rubber eyecups and a close focus distance of 2.5m. The glass of the objective lenses is additionally eco-friendly and has an exit pupil of 3.5mm.
Design-wise, the Nikon magnification binoculars have a waterproof seal of up to 2m and a nitrogen-filled design with o-rings that makes the binoculars fog resistant. This model can fold-up to a compact size after use and weighs only 300g too.
The Nikon Sportstar 8x25 binocular set-up is one of the top binoculars on our list if you are looking for compact-sized binoculars with close focusing and high quality coated lenses.
We like these binoculars too because of there durability thanks to their nitrogen fog proof design and water-resistance of up to 2m, meaning you can feel comfortable taking these Nikon binoculars on some adventures.
Downfalls of these binoculars have to be their eyepieces which are reported to need adjusting often and come loose easily. The image seen on the binocular is additionally said to be blurry around the edges too.
The Opticron adventurer binoculars have a roof prism design and feature fully multi-coating lenses with an 8 x 42 diameter lens.
Feature-wise, the Opticron binoculars have long eye relief pieces and a wide field of view. They also feature rubber housing and a nitrogen waterproof build for taking out on adventures.
In terms of weight, these pair of binoculars weigh around 700g and have Bak 4 prisms for the top range of colour and clarity. Accessories included with these binoculars are; a lanyard, rain guard, lens cover, cleaning cloth and guarantee card.
To conclude, these Opticron binoculars under 100 are perfect for small hobbies such as bird observation or astronomy spot.
The design of the model is very sturdy and is built to be very comfortable to use thanks to its long relief eyepieces, making them suitable to be used with people who wear glasses.
Drawbacks of these Opticron binoculars are its eye rims which are reported to be too loose and need adjusting constantly during use.
To round up our best range of binoculars under 100, the best binoculars on our list have to be the Nikon Sportstar EX 10x25DCF thanks to their high magnification and close focusing distance which allows you to see subjects up close and far with no clarity issues, making the model great value for its price.
We also rate these Nikon binoculars as our number one due to there robust waterproof and fog proof design with easy to use controls such as its centre focusing wheel which makes focusing the objective lenses easy and quick.
The only issue to consider with this model are there loose eyepieces which could easily be replaced with tighter fitting options.
As a runner up, we would also recommend the RUDOOM 10X50 Marine Binoculars due to their great field of view and high 10x magnification, this model is also very durable with clear image quality.
The only reason we placed these binoculars second on our list is due to their very heavyweight which might not be practical for holding during long periods.
When looking for your best range of binoculars under your budget, you might find the choice on the market overwhelming, and it can become difficult to determine which binoculars have the best features and which don't.
You also might be wondering if there are any tips as a beginner for using a binocular properly when you are out on the field.
We have put together a little buying guide below to help you out and answer all your questions.
There are some essential feature to make sure your binoculars have, from a good level of zoom to coated optics and a water-resistant design, if you want to be using your best binoculars outside and get a clear image, some of these features are essential.
We have listed out the most important features for you to watch out for when hunting for your best budget model below.
Before taking your binoculars out on to the field, if you are a beginner you might benefit from learning some tips and tricks so as you can get the most out of your binoculars and achieve the best image out of them.
We have put together a few tips for you to consider below -
What kind of objective lens do I need for bird watching?
This depends on your magnification but an objective diameter of 50 or 42mm is great for ensuring enough brightness is let in your image without ruing your field of view.
Is there an average price for budget bincoulars?
Not really, for most bincoulars under 100 they tend to be in the £70-£80 range depending on the quality and magnification of the model you buy, high price models towards the end of your budget will often come with more accessories such as a harness and carry case too.
Can I use my binoculars in low light?
Yes, as long as your objective lens/aperture is big enough you can you use your bincoulars well darker situations. You may struggle with a smaller aperture such as 32mm or 25mm.
What are the prisms on a binocular?
Porro prisms bincoulars have tubes coming offset from the eyepieces to form a prism angle. Roof prisms bincoulars on the other hand have two straight tubes which tend to make them smaller and more lightweight.
Can I see stars with a budget binocular?
Yes absolutely, your model should have 10x magnification and you will be able to see stars with some details here and there easily!
What are some of the best binocular brands on the market?
Some notable binocular brands on the market are; Pentax, Canon, Nikon, Zeiss and Celestron.
Are these binoculars water-resistant?
Yes, even the most budget models tend to have a water-resistant design which allows you to use the binoculars during all kinds of weather conditions.
Is eye relief important on bincoulars?
Eye relief is very important on binoculars as it stops your eyes from getting tired during long periods of looking through the bincoulars. This distance is also essential if you wear glasses and want more comfort.
Our number one binoculars within our budget are the Nikon Sportstar EX 10x25DCF due to their easy clear focusing system and robust design which allows you take this model out on all kinds of adventures and will last for a long period.
We also suggested having a look at the RUDOOM 10X50 Marine Binoculars because of their high magnifying capacity and large aperture which allows this model to be used well in lower lighting conditions.
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