The best birding binoculars for glasses wearers

This guide aims to help you to identify the features of the best birding binoculars for someone who wears glasses. There are many models of binoculars on the market that can offer you enough distance between your eye and the ocular lens to ensure that you benefit from the widest field of view in great focus.

Here are our top picks of the binoculars that are most suitable for people who wear eye glasses.

Summary of The Best birding binoculars for glasses wearers

How can I choose the best bird watching binoculars for glasses wearers?

There is a wide range of binoculars for bird watching that you can wear comfortably with glasses. Here, we will look at how to choose the best binoculars from this range if you wear spectacles while viewing through optics.

What we judged our reviews on

When there are so many different types of birding binoculars available, how should you identify a pair to ensure you are getting the best binoculars for your budget? Let’s look at what to consider as you choose birding binoculars to use with spectacles or sunglasses.

EYE RELIEF

The most important thing to consider when buying binoculars to wear with glasses is eye relief.

Eye relief distance measures the gap between your eye and the lens closest to your eye.

People who don’t wear glasses will be looking for an eye relief of 9-13mm.

For those people who do wear glasses, choose a measurement between 14-18mm, depending on the thickness and the distance of the glasses from the eye.

When you have binoculars with the correct measurement of eye relief, your eye is in the correct position in relation to the lenses. This ensures that you benefit from the widest field of view.

We explain clearly and in more detail all about eye relief and why it is so important in this article:

All about eye relief: choosing binoculars and spotting scopes for glasses wearers

So apart from eye relief, what else do we look for when shopping for binoculars for bird watching?

APPROPRIATE MAGNIFICATION

Experts recommend a magnification power of 8x or 10x for most bird watchers. Either of these two strengths of binoculars allows for a wide enough field of view, combined with sufficient magnification for general birding.

8x are adequate for most people, and suggested for beginner birders.

10x will give more magnification and a brighter image. Due to the increased magnification, the field of view narrows in comparison to 8x. They also are more difficult to hold steady, because of their greater power.

For further discussion of which magnification may be best for your needs, please refer to this article that weighs up the pros and cons of these two commonly recommended strengths of birding binoculars: 8x vs 10x binoculars: which magnification is better for bird watching?

EFFECTIVE OBJECTIVE LENS SIZE

Look for an objective lens diameter that is big enough to give you a bright image in high resolution, without being too large, which would give a shaky, unstable view.

42mm is a good size. It lets in enough light and is still relatively compact. It combines well with the widely recommended 8x or 10x magnification. This is why models of 8×42 and 10×42 binoculars are popular among birders.

EASE OF USE

Your best pair of birding binoculars will fit your hands well and feel comfortable when viewing, as well as being lightweight enough to be used for longer periods of time.

Image quality

A few significant features really help to boost image quality in binoculars.

Fully multi coated optics reduce reflection and assist the transmission of light through the objective lens. This kind of coated lens is worth paying for because it produces a brighter, clearer image.

The best birding binoculars also incorporate extra low dispersion glass (ED glass). The ED glass gives more brightness and clarity, as well as a more accurate rendition of the color spectrum. It also reduces chromatic aberration.

WIDE FIELD OF VIEW

Select birding binoculars with as wide a field of view as possible. This allows you to spot a bird more easily because you can see more of the distant landscape.

This width makes it simpler not only to spot the bird in the first place, but to also track it with the binoculars as it flies.

CLOSE FOCUS DISTANCE

Hopefully not all of the birds that you see will be really far away, so being able to focus easily on birds nearby is also important. The close focus distance tells you the minimum distance that the binoculars will focus on clearly.

DURABILITY

Birding binoculars should be able to cope with all different kinds of climate. Waterproofing and fog proofing is highly recommended as a minimum requirement.

This can be identified in specifications as being an argon or nitrogen purged unit, with O-ring seals to keep the gases in.

To learn more about how this prolongs the life and effectiveness of your binoculars, please find more details in this article: Do I need waterproof or fogproof binoculars?

Many binoculars feature design points that add to their durability. These include rubber armoring, rubber eye cups, and a rubberized coating.

This not only protects the body of the binoculars but makes them easier to grip. In turn, this lessens the likelihood of dropping the optics and potentially damaging them.

Other features to look for are coated lenses, which guard against scratching to the delicate lenses. Many binoculars include rubber or plastic lens caps for further protection to the lenses.

Reviews: best birding binoculars for glasses wearers

If you’re considering investing in some quality optics but don’t know which type will best suit your needs when wearing glasses, we have a recommended list of the top picks of birding binoculars for people who wear glasses. This includes binoculars for a variety of budgets.

Best overall birding binoculars for glasses wearers

Vanguard Endeavor ED 8x42mm binoculars Overview

The Vanguard binoculars offer one of the best options with long eye relief for glasses wearers to make sure you get a good view of the entire range possible.

Size

A compact body with the roof prism design and extendable eye cups for people who do not wear glasses.

Field of view

Field of view is 367ft at 1000 yards. Close focus distance is 7.5ft.

Ease of use

Focussing is simple with the central operating dial, so can be adjusted with either hand. The diopter on the right side can be locked. This helps because it is less likely to get changed accidentally and need to be tweaked.

Durability

Weatherproofed construction with O-ring sealed lenses filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging and maintain waterproofing. The ergonomics lend them a good feel in the hand.

Image quality

The extra low dispersion glass (ED glass) and fully multi-coated optics reduce glare and internal reflection, contributing to the overall quality of the image. Color contrast is good.

Best birding binoculars for glasses wearers if money is no object

Carl Zeiss Victory SF 8×42 binoculars Overview

As well as the impressive field of view, superior image clarity and color vibrancy even in dim light that you’d expect from such a premium quality instrument, you have peace of mind with a lifetime warranty, scratch-resistant lenses and a rugged but easy-to-hold build.

Image quality

Exceptional optics should always give you the best possible viewing experience. If you really want to feel you’re getting up close and personal with the bird life, these Zeiss bird watching binoculars offer views of an spectacular immediacy.

The razor sharp image you get with this pair of binoculars pops with vibrant, true-to-life color, from the center right up to the outer edge. A 92% rate of light transmission boosts the image quality and contrast in low light.

Field of view

The field of view covers a wide but natural-feeling area, while the close focus distance is less than five feet.

Ease of use

Attention to detail extends from the comfortable alignment and fit of the eye cups to the optimized shape and balance of the instrument in the hand. Speed and ease of focus is equally impressive, always with a smooth and intuitive feel.

All of these seemingly small advantages add up to a fatigue-free lengthy viewing session, taking you to twilight and beyond.

Best value birding binoculars for glasses wearers

Celestron Nature DX 8X42 binoculars Overview

Our pick for the best value binoculars boast an impressive range of features within a competitive lower price range. They are perfect for beginning birding.

Field of view

Field of view is 388 ft @ 1000 yds, making it easy to locate your subject at a distance. The close focus feature gives clear images as near as 6.5 feet.

It is easy to adjust the focus wheel with just one hand, allowing the other to hold the binoculars steady.

Eye relief

If you wear eyeglasses when using binoculars for bird watching this pair is ideal. At 17.5mm the eye relief distance is fairly long. Durable, twistable eye cups allow you to adjust the eye relief easily.

You can also change the width of the instrument using the central hinge to suit the width of your face and how far apart your eyes are.

Image quality

The quality of glass is high. The prisms are phase coated BaK-4, which also increases contrast, and the optics are fully multi-coated. This translates to bright images even in lower light.

Ease of use

Though the design seems simple, the rubberized grip is comfortable and durable.

Celestron’s listed weight seems impressively light for all the included features, it’s best to take this with a pinch of salt – they weighed in a little heavier than 22.2oz when actually tested.

Despite this, the overall feel of the binocular is reassuringly higher than its actual price point. If there is one drawback, it is that you may experience a small amount of glare in strong light – looking into the sun, for instance – but overall it is not a problem.

Extras

As well as the binoculars themselves, you get a neck strap, lens cloth, eyepiece rain cover and objective lens caps. The included carry case doesn’t appear all that well padded, so you might want to upgrade this.

Similarly, it’s worth paying out for a more comfortable neck strap than the flimsy one that is provided.

Their appearance may be basic rather than outstanding, but Celestron have created one of the best binoculars for entry-level birding that surpass competitors for their quality and price.

Best 8×42 birding binoculars for glasses wearers

Nikon Monarch 7 8X42 binoculars Overview

Incorporating a high-quality build with durability, comfort and attention to detail, these lightweight binoculars from the all-star Nikon Monarch range combine excellent image clarity with a wide field of view ideally suited to birding.

Image quality

Given that you may be doing lots of birding at the two points in the day when the birds are most active but natural light is at its dimmest – sunrise and sunset – you will be happy with the brightness of the images offered by Nikon Monarch 7.

Conversely, it also is able to minimize glare when used in very strong light.

This benefit is enhanced by Nikon’s use of premium extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. ED glass is a significant upgrade as it boosts the sharpness and vibrancy of the colors, lessening any chromatic aberration.

In practice, this means birders are able to appreciate the full spectrum of color without rainbow-type halos around the subject.

Eye relief

Eye relief is relatively long, at a fraction over 17mm, which is worth noting for glasses wearers. As you would expect, the eye cups are adjustable to suit your own comfort.

Durability and ease of use

Needless to say, the rubber-armored Nikon Monarch 7 has an exceptional build quality and durability. The lenses are fully multi coated, fog proof and waterproof – pretty standard for a roof prism binocular in this price range.

We are impressed with the comfort factor offered by the body of these bird watching binoculars. Considering it has a 42mm objective lens, the binoculars weigh in surprisingly light.

They feel well balanced in the hand and comfortable to grip, which will also help to keep your images stable, as will the smooth-moving focus wheel.

It requires one and a half turns of the wheel to get from close focus to infinity. Being able to achieve this whole range within one single revolution, however, is easier and more speedy.

But while the Monarch 7 focus adjustment is at the maximum of what we recommend for bird watching binoculars, it does mean you can really pinpoint the appropriate focus to a fine degree.

Size

In comparison to the Monarch 5 in the same configuration, the Monarch 7 is slightly more compact and lighter. We would say overall it has the edge on the Monarch 5 for bird watching.

Not only does the non-slip grip on the Monarch 7 feel natural and easy to maintain for longer periods, but the wide, adjustable strap that comes with it is also comfortable, saving you the cost of changing this for another.

Extras

The included carry case feels suitably soft and well padded on the inside. The flip-down objective lens covers are made from a flexible rubber and designed to mesh neatly within the inside of the barrel. The fit is not all that snug, though, with the result that they have a habit of slipping off so beware of this.

Best 10×42 birding binoculars for glasses wearers

Carl Zeiss Conquest HD 10×42 binoculars Overview

A generous eye relief of 18mm makes life easy for glasses wearers. The eyecups are soft and comfortable to use if you do not wear glasses.

Top of the range optical components ensure that the light transmission through the binoculars is excellent. This achieves a bright, clear image that is hard to beat.

Size

At a size of 10×42, these binoculars have great ergonomics. As you would expect from this price range, they feel light and well balanced in the hand, which makes them very comfortable to use over long periods.

Field of view

Field of view is wide, with 377ft at 1,000 yards. A close focus distance of 6.6ft will allow good views of those creatures that come closer to you.

Ease of use

The central focussing system is easy to use with one finger. With a slight slant to the eye cups, they fit comfortably against the face.

Durability

The non-slip coating feels easy to grip for all weathers. As you would expect from this premium manufacturer, the design is sturdy and robust while still looking classically stylish.

Image quality

Very sharp and bright high-definition pictures thanks to the multi-coatings on the lenses and prisms. This gives up to 90% boosted light transmission.

Refining your choice for birding binoculars to use with glasses

Which of our recommended models do you think will best suit you for the style and thickness of glasses that you wear?

Will you be using the binoculars with sunglasses? Do any of these sound more appealing than others?

If you are in an older age group, you may be interested in learning about what exit pupil is and how your eyes change with age. We explain in this article. What does exit pupil mean in binoculars?

All of our top picks of birding binoculars, including the best in this post, can be found here: What are the best binoculars for birding?