The best monoculars are especially well suited to people who struggle with binocular vision and adjusting twin eyepieces. Monoculars offer a similarly huge range of applications that can make them useful for all sorts of people, from wildlife photographers to sports followers and birdwatchers.
Monoculars provide magnification for a single eye, as opposed to a pair of binoculars, which cater to both. This makes monoculars a lighter and smaller alternative but with the same degrees of magnification as binoculars. If you like the idea but need something with a higher magnification, take a look at the best spotting scopes.
As monoculars are both lighter and smaller when we compare them to regular binoculars, I wanted to look for a monocular that is lightweight, of good construction and that's able to withstand the abuse of the day-to-day activity of birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.
Magnification is a big factor, and I wanted to offer a wide range to suit everyone's preference. Budget is also an indicator, and within this buying guide, you will find a monocular to suit everyone's budget.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his photos have been used The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more. As well as being a pro sports photographer, he is also a big country sportsman who can be often found in or around the shooting field, sailing on the open sea, or taking part in other country pursuits, and quite often has either a pair of binoculars, a monocular or a scope in his hand.
The Quick List
An affordable, well-made optic that meets all the basic requirements you’d expect from a good monocular. Read more below...
Made to the most exacting standards, this Leica monocular is an investment, but every detail has been considered. Read more below...
The mid-priced Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 is a general-purpose monocular that's perfect for travels, weighing in at just 150g. Read more below...
This compact digital monocular is easy to use, provides night vision and is able to make recordings. Read more below...
For the casual bird watcher or nature lover, this monocular offers a clear and sharp picture with minimal fringing. Read more below...
When you’re out in the wilds and the weather’s turned, you can keep using this monocular without a care. Read more below...
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The reason this is bigger than the average monocular is that it has an optical zoom with up to 30x magnification. Read more below…
A tough rubber enclosure can take some hard knocks, while waterproofing and fogproofing handles bad weather. Read more below…
It’s made for maritime, with bonus features like a high-viz floating strap and a reticle tom help with navigation. Read more below…
It’s like a microscope and a telescope in the same package, letting you view nearby dust specks or the distant horizon. Read more below…
The best monoculars in 2024
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Best overall
✅ Compact and Durable: The monocular is compact and solidly built, designed to withstand regular use in the field.
✅ Affordable Price: The Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 offers good value for money, making it accessible for general monocular users.
❌ Slight Magenta Color Cast: The monocular produces a slight magenta tint in the images, which might affect color accuracy.
❌ Flimsy End Caps: The end caps feel rather flimsy, which could be a concern for long-term durability.
This affordable model covers all the basics that general monocular users are likely to care about most. It has a decent range of up to 100m, with nitrogen-filled optics to prevent condensation on the glass. It’s also compact yet solidly built, so it should withstand plenty of use in the field.
I do have some small complaints, like the slight magenta colour cast and what feel like rather flimsy end caps, but overall this is a great-value monocular that gets the job done.
Read more: Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 review
Best premium option
✅ Exceptional Build Quality: The Leica Monovid 8x20 is handcrafted with a strong yet lightweight aluminum housing, offering unparalleled build quality and style.
✅ Close-Up Lens Included: The included close-up lens allows for 8x magnification at distances as close as 25cm, adding versatility for detailed observations.
❌ High Price: The Leica Monovid 8x20 comes with a premium price tag, significantly more expensive than factory-made monoculars, which may put it out of reach for budget-conscious users.
❌ Insurance Consideration: Due to its high value, users might need to consider adding it to their list of insured items, reflecting its expensive nature.
When you buy a handcrafted Leica product you expect a build quality like no other, along with a splash of style and elegance – that's very much the case with the Monovid offering.
This monocular’s strong yet portably lightweight aluminum housing (just 112g in weight) is nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging, whatever climate it’s being used in. Meanwhile, the waterproofed construction allows observers to submerge it in water up to depths of almost 5 meters. That makes the Leica Monovid 8x20 much better than just being splash-resistant.
In the provided cylindrical carry case, you also get a close-up lens offering 8x magnification at distances as close as 25cm. Despite being as compact as a tube of Smarties, the observer will be treated to fine detail through this monocular. What's more, the Monovid 8x20 is comfortable to use too, thanks to a rugged surface, 15mm eye relief, and handy central focusing knob.
You might be getting class-leading performance, but you'll need to pay top dollar for it. The Leica Monovid 8x20 is much more expensive compared to factory-made units, so much so you might want to add it to your list of insured items.
Read more: Leica Monovid 8x20 monocular review
Best for travel
✅ Wide-Angle Field of View: The monocular offers a wide-angle field of view, enhancing its versatility for general-purpose use.
✅ Ergonomic Design: A roughened rubber-coated surface ensures a firm grip, while the one-handed focusing mechanism allows for easy adjustments with a focus ring that provides just the right amount of resistance.
❌Mid-Level Magnification: The 8x magnification might be insufficient for those needing higher magnification, though a 10x option is available from the same manufacturer.
❌ Potentially Limited for Specialized Use: While excellent for general-purpose use, it may not meet the needs of those requiring specialized optics for more demanding applications.
The mid-priced Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 is an ideal general-purpose monocular that's perfect for travels, weighing in at just 150g. This well-made piece of kit provides a wide-angle field of view and a decent 8x magnification (if you need more magnification there’s also a 10x option in the same manufacturer’s range).
The good light transmission of this monocular offers bright and clear images, while the inclusion of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass reduces color fringing and provides exquisite detail when observing a variety of targets.
A roughened rubber-coated surface offers a firmer grip, and focusing is a one-handed affair thanks to a focus ring just in front of the eyecup. The focuser isn't too stiff and provides enough resistance for fine-tuning your sights.
A lens cloth, lens cover, lanyard, and carry case are all supplied with the Hawke Endurance ED 8x25, boasting a well-rounded package for a reasonable price.
For more details read our Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 review
Best budget option
✅ Day and Night Vision: The digital monocular supports both color viewing during the day and night vision with seven sensitivity levels, enhancing its versatility for different lighting conditions.
✅ Range: With a 150-meter range, it is well-suited for bird and wildlife watching.
❌ Bulkiness Compared to a Non-Digital Monocular: While pocket-sized, the inclusion of digital features may make it bulkier than traditional, non-digital monocular.
❌ Digital Zoom Quality: The 2x digital zoom might not match the quality of optical zoom, potentially affecting image clarity.
This pocket-sized digital monocular not only provides color viewing during the day, as you’d expect, but also supports night vision, with seven levels of sensitivity. The range is 150 meters, which is helpful for bird and wildlife watching.
When I tested it, I found the well-placed buttons enabled me to control the 3x optical zoom and 2x digital zoom with ease. There are also eight brightness levels, so I could adjust the view when the clouds came in and made the light dimmer.
You can also record as you watch – a 32GB microSD card is provided for storage.
Read more: Nightfox Cub review
Best for birdwatching
✅ Sharp and Clear Image: Provides a sharp and clear picture with minimal fringing, ensuring good image quality for casual use.
✅ Convenience: Its compact and convenient design makes it easy to carry and use on the go, ideal for spotting interesting subjects quickly.
❌ Limited Magnification: The magnification may not be as high as other options, which could be a drawback for users needing more zoom capability.
❌ Basic Features: While convenient, it lacks some advanced features found in higher-end models, making it less suitable for specialized or demanding applications.
Here’s a strong option for casual use, when you want to have something to hand in case you spot something interesting. I found the picture to be sharp and clear, with only a little fringing evident.
Its low price doesn’t mean it’s cheaply made. A textured body provides plenty of grip, while waterproofing and nitrogen purging to prevent condensation are also very welcome.
You can find better magnification and a wider field of view elsewhere, but this is hard to beat for sheer convenience.
Read more: Hawke Nature Trek 8x25 monocular review
Best waterproof option
✅ High-Quality Build: Features a rubber-coated exterior and overall excellent build quality, ensuring durability for outdoor enthusiasts.
✅ Lightweight and Portable: At just 320g, it is easy to carry, adding to its convenience for field use.
❌ Limited Magnification: The 8x magnification might be insufficient for users needing higher zoom levels for more detailed observations.
❌ Tripod Mounting Issue: The existing tripod thread position is less supportive than desired, requiring the purchase of a separate ball and socket head for secure mounting.
Looking for a great waterproof monocular? The Hawke Endurance 8x42 has a multi-coated lens, a rubber-coated exterior, and a wide field of view – and can be used in the wet as well as the wilds, as its Endurance name suggests. The overall build is of excellent quality and will last wilderness enthusiasts for many observing sessions to come.
The 8x magnification gives you a great all-purpose view of what's in the bushes, or on the horizon. Observations are a suitably bright image that boasts clarity thanks to the light-gathering prowess of the multi-coated 42mm objective and the phase-corrected glass prisms, BAK-4 prisms.
Due to its light weight of 320g, the monocular is easily carried. The focusing knob is smooth to operate and can be fine-tuned enough to ensure that images are critically sharp. Our only criticism is that if you're looking to mount the monocular to a tripod, you'll need to purchase a ball and socket head: the position of the existing thread isn't as supportive as we'd hoped.
Read more: Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 review
Best mini scope
✅ Twist-Up Eyecup: Features a twist-up eyecup for enhanced viewing comfort, accommodating various eye relief preferences.
✅ Variable Magnification: Offers zoom capability up to 30x magnification, providing flexibility for detailed observations.
❌ Color Fringing: Some color fringing can occur at high magnifications, particularly at points of high contrast, potentially affecting image quality.
❌ Increased Bulk and Weight: The zoom feature adds size and weight compared to traditional monoculars, which may affect portability and ease of use.
This is technically more a spotting scope than a monocular: it offers zoom rather than a fixed view, with a consequent increase in bulk. But it’s still smaller than a traditional spotting scope, so let’s not overthink it. A mini tripod is provided if you find it too awkward to handhold for long, although I found it fitted in my palm quite comfortably when I tested it.
Your reward for the added size and weight is up to 30x magnification, controlled with a rear zoom ring, plus a twist-up eyecup for comfortable viewing. I enjoyed being able to locate my subject at the standard 10x setting, then zoom in quickly for a really good view, although I did see some colour fringing in points of high contrast while zoomed in.
Read more: Celestron Outland X 10-30x50 Monocular review
Best rugged option
✅ Sharp and Clear Image: Provides a sharp and clear view with minimal fringing in high-contrast areas and only slight focus fall-off at the edges.
✅ Rugged Design: Features a durable, rubberized exterior that can withstand significant wear and tear, giving it a sci-fi-esque, tough appearance.
❌ Edge Focus Fall-Off: Although minimal, the slight fall-off of focus at the edges might be noticeable to some users, particularly in detailed observations.
❌ Bulky Appearance: The rugged design might make the monocular appear bulkier or less sleek compared to more streamlined models.
This monocular is so rugged it’s almost like a prop from a sci-fi movie – which may just add to your enjoyment in using it. The rubberized exterior means it should cope with plenty of knocks, and the end caps are both tethered so that you can’t lose them. It’s also waterproof and fogproof.
I was happy with the view during testing: the image is sharp and clear, with no obvious fringing in high-contrast areas and only a little fall-off of focus at the edges. The twist-up eyecup makes it easier to find a comfortable viewing position.
Read more: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 monocular review
Best for ocean activities
✅ Rangefinder Reticle: Features a rangefinder reticle to help estimate distances, which is useful for navigation and determining your distance from objects of known size (e.g., a lighthouse).
✅ High-Visibility Floatable Strap: Comes with a high-visibility, floatable strap that minimizes the risk of losing the monocular if it falls overboard.
❌ Limited to Maritime Use: The specialized features, while useful at sea, may not be as relevant or beneficial for users who intend to use the monocular in other environments.
❌ Potential Overkill for Casual Users: The maritime-specific features might be excessive for casual users who do not need distance measurement or a floatable strap.
This looks very similar Hawke’s own ED 8x42 monocular, but is specially adapted for use at sea, offering extra features that make it useful for maritime use.
You get waterproofing and fog-proofing to protect the scope on the high seas. And as with marine binoculars, you get supplied a high-visibility floatable strap – minimizing its loss should it get swept overboard. Just as useful this monocular has a rangefinder ‘reticle’ - which you can use to help work out your distance and help you navigate.
You do this by using the visible scale in the scope to measure an object of known size (a lighthouse, say) and thereby calculate how far you are away from it.
Read more: Hawke Endurance ED Marine 7x42 Compass review
Best 2-in-1 device
✅ Convenient for Birdwatching: The 8x magnification is suitable for birdwatching, while the close-focus capability adds flexibility for other detailed observations.
✅ Dual Functionality: Combines the capabilities of both a telescope and a microscope in one device, offering versatility for various types of observation.
❌ Limited Magnification: The 8x magnification might be considered routine and may not meet the needs of users seeking higher magnification for more detailed distant views.
❌ Specialized Use: While versatile, the ability to focus at such a wide range of distances might be seen as overkill for users who primarily need a monocular for a specific type of observation.
This device really stands out by being able to focus at virtually any distance, like a telescope and a microscope in one. The minimum focus distance is 30cm, at which point I could see specks of dust or the grain in a piece of paper. At the other extreme you can focus to infinity.
This isn’t the same thing as magnification, of course, which is a more routine 8x, but having one device you can use to birdwatch and examine close detail is very cool.
Read more: Opticron 8x20 Gallery Scope review
How to choose the best monocular
Monoculars vs binoculars: which are better?
A monocular is designed to provide magnification for a single eye, as opposed to a pair of binoculars, which cater to both. This makes monoculars the lighter and smaller alternative to binoculars but with the same degrees of magnification as binoculars.
Monoculars are a great observation tool to have with you always, either in your pocket or around your neck, and stopping for the occasional observation of wildlife or surroundings. However, if you are stationary, such as being placed in a hide, or want to observe wildlife for extended lengths of time then binoculars can give a better, more three-dimensional view.
Monoculars are also a sensible choice if you have one eye with much better vision than the other.
You will find that while monoculars offer the same magnification as binoculars, due to being a smaller device are often cheaper than binoculars.
What do the numbers mean, such as 7x42?
There are three key measurements to take into account when choosing a monocular. These ones usually advertised are the magnification and lens size - which are often in the product's name (eg: Opticron 8x42 Explorer). The other measurement is the exit pupil size - which you get by dividing the lens size by the magnification.
So the Opticron 8x42 Explorer has a magnification of 8x, and a lens diameter of 42mm. You might might be tempted to go with a monocular with the biggest magnification. But this limits your field of view, which can make things harder to spot or follow, and is harder to hold steady. With higher magnifications, you are more likely to need a tripod or built in.
A larger lens will make the image brighter and clearer, especially in low light, but will also make the binoculars bigger and heavier (and probably more expensive). This means that for your hobby or subject, it's worth thinking about what the best combination of magnification of objective lens size will work for you.
To work out how bright the view is - and its suitability for use in dull lighting – you need to divide the second number by the first - this gives you what is the "exit pupil size". For a pair of 8x42 monocular, the exit pupil is 5.25. Look for an exit pupil of five or greater if you need to use them in low light.
How we test monoculars
The best monoculars within this guide have all been field-tested for their image quality, portability, robustness, and suitability for specific tasks, such as wildlife observation and marine use.
Optical quality is tested in all weather conditions, on a sunny day we test for clarity in the optics and sharpness of the images produced, along with any image fringing. On an overcast day, we check for lens brightness and eye relief. We also check construction and weather resistance by testing the monoculars in this guide in the toughest conditions to make sure you're getting the best advice possible.
