The Best Binoculars Under $500

Specifications

• Weight: 24.5 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $425

Pros

• Great optical performance
• Edge-to-edge clarity
• Precise, textured focus wheel
• Thumb detents
• Tactile eyecups

Cons

• Only binocular in test that didn't include a case (does include microfiber bag)

Maven’s C.1 barely edged out the Vortex Viper HD for the top spot, but it was the last binocular standing during the low-light performance test. The company’s direct-to-consumer business model allows them to offer good glass, like their C Series ED glass, at a competitive price, since there’s no middle man. Glass in the C.1 10x42mm offers crisp detail and clarity with zero blurring around the edges, and its ability to resolve minute details (like the grooves in steel targets) helped place it at the top.

Controls on the C.1 are tactile and smooth. The large focus wheel turns with precision and doesn’t stray. The three-position eyecups provide plenty of adjustability, no matter your face structure, and set definitively into place. A polymer yet rugged frame keeps the weight relatively light (24.5 oz.) and makes them easy to use with one hand. This feature alone makes it a great option for treestand hunters, especially if you opt for the more nimble 8x42mm.

At $425, the Maven C.1 10x42mm punches above its weight. It’s certainly closer to the $500 mark but well worth the extra saving if you’re shopping in this ballpark. While its optical performance alone makes it one of the best values in this test, the C.1 was the only binocular that didn’t include an actual case or harness (it comes in a microfiber bag). However, its performance, controls, and excellent lifetime warranty compensate for this. Though coolness wasn’t a determining factor in the test, the C.1 certainly would have taken gold in that category too.

Specifications

• Weight: 24.5 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $490

Pros

• Great optical performance
• Precise focus
• Thumb detents
• Includes premium case
• Comfortable, tactile eyecups

Cons

• Tough diopter adjustment

The Vortex Viper HD was a close second to the Maven C.1. These two scored similarly in every category, but the Viper HD petered out just before the C.1 in the lowlight test. However, it’s worth noting that the Viper HD was the only 8x binocular in the test. It’s possible that the extra power in the 10x42mm might have taken the crown. Regardless, both of these binoculars offer excellent options at this price point.

Vortex’s Viper HD provided edge-to-edge clarity and minimal color flaring. Other than the C.1, the Viper HD ousted all other binoculars in the lowlight test, despite being the only 8x. Its resolution also performed in stride with the C.1 and provided good clarity even when I glassed into the sun.

Controls on the Viper HD were some of the best. The focus wheel turns precisely and without grit but could be a tad stiffer. The eyecups on the Viper HD were the most comfortable in the test and would provide hours of comfortable glassing. They’re also tactile and easy to adjust, yet they won’t collapse during use. The large thumb detents should fit a wide variety of hand sizes and provide comfortable viewing, though some users might find the barrels a bit slick.

For around $500, the Viper HD also includes a neck strap and GlassPak bino harness (an included case you’ll actually use). Coupled with Vortex’s VIP warranty, this binocular packs a ton of value in a reasonable price.

Specifications

• Weight: 28 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Fully Transferable Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $249

Pros

• Great value
• Comfortable, textured eyecups
• Sweet bino harness included

Cons

• Last in the low-light test
• Would benefit from textured barrels

While the Alpine HDs came in last during the low-light test, it still represents a great value at $250. For starters, the large, textured eyecups were some of the more comfortable in the test, and the oversized focus wheel turns without hesitation, though it could be a tad tighter.

During normal conditions, the Leupold BX-2 Alpine HDs provided crisp viewing and colors, but these quickly diminished during low light. However, if you’re looking to buy a new or youth hunter their first pair of binoculars, these are certainly up to that task. With Leupold’s fully transferable lifetime warranty, the accessible price, and an actual bino harness, it’s one of the best binoculars under $500.

Specifications

• Weight: 27.8 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Center Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $499

Pros

• Performed near the top in low-light conditions
• Locking center diopter easy to use
• Textured barrels
• Precise focus

Cons

• Eyecups stray unless in the “up” or “down” positions
• One of the heavier options in test

The Athlon Cronus G2 UHD was a clear third in the lowlight test, falling just behind the Viper HD. Like the Viper HD, the Cronus G2 demonstrated edge-to-edge clarity and minimal color flaring, though detail dropped in low-light settings. Still, it provided crisp images and vibrant colors that kept it in the test’s upper tier.

Controls and design for the Cronus G2 would have scored higher were it not for the eyecups, which only offer two true positions, with no real middle setting. Barrels on the Cronus G2 have an aggressive texturing that looks stylish and provides a firm grip, as opposed to the somewhat “slick” barreled options in the test.

The Cronus G2’s locking center diopter separated it from the rest of the binoculars in the test, which mostly consisted of right barrel diopters. The center locking diopter uses a push-button on top that the user can adjust without breaking position and with one hand. It’s convenient and smooth to operate. While the focus wheel possessed a tinge of sponginess, it still turned precisely and not too freely.

Compared to the other options, the Cronus G2 was one of the heftier binoculars in the test, and its overall length made it feel larger than most. Overall, the Cronus G2 performed near the top of the bunch and makes a strong case as one of the best binoculars under $500.

Specifications

• Weight: 26.72 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $499

Pros

• Comfortable eyecups
• Tight focus wheel
• Plenty of eye relief

Cons

• Underwhelming glass
• Most expensive "budget" binocular in test

Riton’s Primal 5 underperformed in every category, especially for the price. At $499 (most expensive in the test), it just made the cut. Its lowlight performance and resolution capabilities tapered off well before the top contenders. The Primal 5 only outperformed the true budget binoculars in the test but at nearly double the price. For these reasons, it scored low in the value category.

Color and brightness in the Primal 5 were decent, though I noticed some peripheral blurring. The right barrel diopter turns smoothly, which the user can adjust without breaking position. Similarly, the focus wheel is tight but spongy, which gave it a "Good" score in the controls category. The eyecups are also comfortable and won't collapse at various settings.

Don’t get me wrong, the Riton Primal 5 definitely outperformed those in the bottom of the test, but to say it’s worth twice as much seems like a stretch.

Specifications

• Weight: 23.36 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $249

Pros

• Comfortable eyecups
• Oversized focus wheel
• True "budget" binocular
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Edge blurring
• Spongey focus wheel

Of the true "budget" binoculars in the test, the Sig Sauer Canyon HD 10x42s performed spot-on for the $249 price tag. They were just the second binocular off the board during the lowlight test, beating only the Leupold BX-2 Alpine HDs. During normal glassing conditions, the Canyon HDs performed well and exhibited some chromatic aberration. Detail dropped quickly during low light conditions, and the peripherals blurred significantly. Compared to the other options in the test, it became apparent that these inhabit a different tier, despite their “HD” descriptor.

Even though it’s spongey, the oversized focus wheel makes it easy to adjust while glassing, even with gloves. The adjustable eyecups are definitive and some of the most comfortable in the test. The right-barrel diopter doesn’t lock, but it’s so stiff that you won’t need it to.

The Sig Canyon HDs also includes a lifetime warranty. It’s a solid option that includes tripod adaptability and decent glass. For $249, this binocular makes a great first-buy or backup option.

Specifications

• Weight: 25.6 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $380

Pros

• Includes rugged case
• Easy to use one-handed
• Precise focus

Cons

• Small, unforgiving eyecups
• Underwhelming low-light performance
• Diopter adjustment requires some force

The Hawke Frontier HD X performed in the middle of the pack, and its resolution and lowlight capabilities were underwhelming. It lost its lowlight vision capabilities well before the Maven C.1, Vortex Viper HD, and Athlon Cronus G2 UHD and just before the Riton Primal 5. It also runs $100-$150 cheaper than these options too. I noticed a significant glare in both barrels (that I didn’t with others), especially while glassing into the sun, perhaps a product of external coatings rather than an internal issue.

In the hand, this binocular felt good. The precise, tight focus made it easy to glass with one hand. The rubberized barrels weren’t slick but didn’t provide any texture, even with the few lines etched into them. They add to the binocular’s aesthetic appeal but don’t contribute much ergonomically.

While the eyecups twist with authority and have definite locking positions, they’re small and hard, which makes glassing uncomfortable. If you have a prominent brow, you might have a similar experience. If you’re on a strict budget, this binocular definitely warrants consideration. At $380, it provides decent glass, a hard case and straps, and a stellar lifetime warranty.

Specifications

• Weight: 26 oz.
• Single Bridge Design
• Right Barrel Diopter
• Tripod Adaptable
• Lifetime Warranty
• Price: $250

Optical performance for the Burris didn’t wow during the test, but it performed better than expected for a binocular that runs less than $300. Its low-light capabilities fell in the upper tier of the test, but the resolution and image quality were mediocre.

Aesthetics wise, the Burris Droptine scored some of the most unofficial style points in the test. But the black and tan coatings aren’t just for show. The textured barrels provide plenty of grip. While the eyecups were comfortable, they felt cheap and strayed easily. They also came with enough grease for all the binoculars in the test.

Still, Burris is known for their excellent lifetime warranty, which makes this very accessible price all the more appealing. With a rugged case and great price-to-performance ratio, the Burris Droptine is one of the best binoculars under $500.