If you’re just getting started with bird watching, you may want a lightweight pair of basic binoculars. If you’ve been birding for a while and prefer lightweight field glasses for longer bird watching sessions, there are excellent binoculars available for that too! Here, you can read about the best binoculars for birding, explore some tips and advice on birding, and get a few strategies.
Table of Contents
Our Favorite Lightweight Birdwatching Binoculars in 2024
The great thing about bird watching is your ability to customize your experience—which binoculars, how you approach it, and if you go solo or in a group. Birding has one goal: look at birds.
The rest is up to you! So, if you’re in the market for some new lightweight birdwatching binoculars and want to get into bird watching, take a look at this list to see what fits your needs the best!
Top Lightweight Birdwatching Binoculars
These are a couple of the top birding binoculars listed by:
- The most lightweight
- The best for the price
- The most extensive range of features
All of the items listed are all relatively lightweight for binoculars, but the most lightweight generally weigh-in under a pound.
If you’re looking for an extended session with more technical binoculars, you can also invest in a tripod!
Most Lightweight Binoculars for Bird Watching
- [ Professional Roof Prism Binoculars ] Skygenius mini binoculars are designed with 8X power...
- [ Pocket Binoculars Mini Size ] The lightest compact binoculars for only 175g, as lightweight as the...
- [ HD Vision with Quality Optics ] The binoculars lens are made with Bk7 Roof Prism and FMC...
Skygenius 8×21 Small Binoculars
- Weight: 0.5 pounds
- Magnification: 8 X
- Objective diameter: 21mm
- Eyepiece diameter:13mm
- Angle of field: 6 degrees
- View of field: 369 ft/1,000Yds & 131m/1000m
- Exit pupil diameter: 5.2mm
- Eye relief: 16mm
- Mini focus length: 2m
- Prism: BK7
- Coated: Multi FCM green optical coated
- Focus system: Center focus
These are great if you are just starting out! They could even get you started before you invest much time and money into your new hobby. Wandering around with them is a great way to learn the functions as well! Really, you could be any experience level birder and simply tote these around in case you want a spontaneous birding session.
- 10 magnification with 25mm objective lens provides high definition without a color-changed or...
- Fully multi-coated optics provide for a brighter view and sharp images. All glass surfaces have...
- Lightweight, small, compact binoculars. The foldable design and only 0.6lb lightweight make them can...
Hontry 10×25 Compact Binoculars
- Weight: 0.6 pounds
- Size: 4.33*3.94*1.97 Inches
- Magnification: 10x
- Objective diameter: 25 mm
- Eye Relief: 10 mm
- Exit Pupil: 2.5 mm
- Angular Field of View: 6.5 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 362ft at 1000 yds
- Minimal pupil distance: 60 mm
- Maximum pupil distance: 75 mm
- Night Vision: Low night vision
- Type of Prism: Porro prisms
- Prism: BaK-4 & Fully multi-coated
- Focus: Manual
- Eye-cups: Adjustable
- Material: Rubber
- Waterproof: Splash-proof
- Shockproof: 45cm/ 1.48ft Drop Test
These are a step up from basic binoculars but are just as portable. They weigh half of what your average pair of binoculars usually does. They are also incredibly small and could even fit inside a pocket or little purse. These are great for when you’re on the go!
- Bushnell products come standard with a reputation for excellence and 65-plus years of innovative...
- 100% waterproof, O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable
- BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics offer crisp clear images with improved light transmission
Bushnell 10×25 H2O Compact Binoculars
- Weight: 0.63 pounds
- Multi-coated optics for excellent light transmission.
- 100% waterproof, O-ring sealed, and nitrogen purged for reliable, fog-free performance.
- BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics offer crisp clear images with improved light transmission.
- Non-slip rubber armor and Soft Texture Grip absorbs shock and provides a firm grip.
- Large center-focus knob for easy adjustments; Twist-up eyecups.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
These are a little pricier, but still extremely lightweight and compact. The most notable feature is that they’re waterproof, so they are great for rainy days or hiking. The waterproof feature is also great in case you drop them or if you’re around a body of water when bird watching!
Best Lightweight Birding Binoculars for the Price
- 【HIGH-POWERED LARGE EYEPIECE BINOCULARS】 This binoculars for adults has 12x magnification, 25mm...
- 【ADJUSTABLE EYE CUPS FIT EYEGLASS WEARERS OR NOT】The binocs can be pull down the rubber...
- 【FMC BROADBAND COATING TECHNOLOGY】The lightweight cruise binoculars is cover with BAK4 prism...
Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars
- Weight: 0.65 pounds
- Objective lens diameter: 25mm
- Eyepiece diameter: 15mm
- Near focal distance: 5m
- Exit pupil distance: 20mm
- Objective lens coating: FMC broadband
- Focus system: Center & Right eye
- Angle of field: 7.5°
- Weight of binoculars: 0.65 pounds
- Waterproof grade: Life waterproof
These are a really inexpensive pair, considering their features. Not only are they lightweight, but they also have night vision capability! The night vision feature is perfect for watching birds at night, as you can see birds you wouldn’t ordinarily find during the day. This feature, alone, could enrich your experience, and perhaps you would enjoy your hobby even more!
- 【Powerful 12x42 Binoculars, but Lightweight Enough, only 1.1 pounds】 Adorrgon 12x42mm binoculars...
- 【Clear Low Light Vision】Advanced Fully Multi-coated Binoculars with large 16.5mm BAK4 prism lens...
- 【18.5mm Large Eyepieces & HD Vision , Larger Image, Brighter View】 2.25 times the image size of...
Adorggon 12 x 42 Powerful Binoculars
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Magnification: 12x
These are a great choice if you like the technical aspects (such as refining aperture) that provide an incredibly clear view, that some birders swear by. This pair is a little heavier, but it’s the features that add to the weight – so it really depends what you’re after. The clarity of a birding session and the range this pair could provide you would pay off!
