Subscribe to our mailing list
Keep up to date with news, offers and more!
Last updated by Craig McInally 7 days ago
A quick search on Amazon for "kids binoculars" will throw up a vast range of cheap and brightly coloured options to choose from. However, these mass-produced plastic “toys” are often of dubious quality and really only suitable for toddlers as a plaything. If that’s what you’re looking for then they’re all much of a muchness so we’d recommend just going with the cheapest option or the colour your little one will like the most.
Our round-up is a list of bona fide optical binoculars that are ideally suited for little hands and aimed at inspiring a lifelong enthusiasm for bird watching and binoculars. These are some seriously good optics that might make you jealous!
So, read on to discover our top picks!
Perfect entry-level binoculars for kids - excellent optics, excellent value!
Our top pick for children are the Viking Otter Binoculars. A perfect entry-level Binocular combining quality BAK-4 prisms and rubber armouring. The fully coated optics provide a bright crisp image and a wide field of view make it easy to find birds. And the lightweight construction makes them more comfortable for children that need an easy to carry binocular. A neck strap, rainguard, lens caps and carry case are all included.
All in all a really excellent pair of compact binoculars
The biggest pair of compact binoculars in our round-up, the Avalon Mini HD boast 8x magnification and 32mm objective lens so are a solid choice if you're looking for something with a little more oomph. Avalon have done well to keep the size and weight of the Mini HD down - at well under 500g they are far lighter than a pair of full-size binoculars and comparable with some of the other compacts in our Top 10. They are nitrogen-filled so 100% waterproof and fog proof and equipped with high-quality BAK-4 prisms. The optical quality seriously impressed us and handled lower light conditions exceptionally well. All in all a really excellent pair of compact binoculars!
Excellent pair of compact binoculars combines high-quality optics with convenient size
This compact pair of binoculars from Viking really impressed us with their excellent optical clarity and value for money. The Viking Badger 8x25 weighs only 298g, but still feel sturdy and well-built. They look great, small and discreet, and provide great quality through the surprisingly powerful lens. They are still nitrogen filled and waterproof so can be used in all weather conditions, and the view is clear and bright through the 25mm lenses. We found the focus wheel to be smooth and precise, and the twist-up eyecups stayed in place. Overall, the compact Badgers are a lovely pair of binoculars (available in 8x25 and 10x25 options), which would be perfect for anyone who likes to enjoy bird watching without having to lug a full-size pair around. At around £75 mark you won’t get better compact binoculars than these!
Finally, we have the Avalon Discovery 8x21 Pocket Binoculars, another cost-effective model. Very lightweight and compact at only 167g with a rubber armoured design which means they’re great for use on the move, as they won’t be easily damaged. And with fully-coated optics, they are solid performers, too.
Affordable and all-purpose, the Celestron LandScout 10x25 binoculars are a great option for those who want to supplement their current binoculars with a compact pair, without spending a lot of money. From birdwatching to sporting events, they are something you can always carry with you, thanks to their roof prism design which allows for a smaller design.
Ideal for travelling light and providing great quality at an affordable price point, we are big fans of the Celestron Outland X 10x25. The lightweight and compact design means these are easy to carry in a pocket and for a 10x compact roof prism binocular we cannot fault the quality of image. They fit comfortably in the hand and the fingers of the left or right hand are well placed to focus. They are also usable with glasses thanks to the twist up eye cups for eye relief adjustment is ok but as these are compact it is not a brilliant field of view. Without glasses, however the clarity, field of view and brightness are, in my opinion, excellent for binoculars of this size which easily fit in a large coat pocket. These binoculars are small enough to take anywhere and our top choice under £50.
Keep up to date with news, offers and more!