Top 10 Pocket Binoculars under 500€ (2018)

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the top 10 pocket binoculars in the price range under 500€. Before we start with the descriptions of the certain binoculars regarding this topic first, a word or two about pocket binoculars. These binoculars are very small and compact. The user can easily store them in a pocket or basically in any place which is bigger or the same as the size of the pocket. These small optical products can be used for birdwatching, traveling, safari or any other outdoor observations.

1. Leica Trinovid 8×20 BCA

Leica is one of the most famous names in the field of sports and hunting optics in the entire world. Whenever we are talking about a product from Leica we know that discussion will go on about quality, prestige, and reliability. Leica Trinovid 8×20 BCA the number one and basically the winner on our list offers outstanding rubber covering on the entire housing of the product. In the price range below 500€, this product is the best on the list. Leica Trinovid 8×20 BCA offers great optical performance in the price class. When talking about the pocket binoculars, Leica knows the drill. This small and compact optical instrument weights only around 250g and has suitable overall size. It is designed with a double bridge which is highly useful and desirable. When you decide to go for a Leica product you know that the company will arm you with all the necessary accessories there are. Everything from cleaning solutions, instruction manuals, warranty cards, various test and quality certificates, etc. Despite the quality and the illustrious name, the product has some deficiencies that need to be noted. The field of view of this product is only 90 m/1000 m big. Additionally, eyepieces only have two positions. This indirectly means that the eyepieces offer insufficient support to the observer.

Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA — Leica Trinovid 8×20 BCA

2. Nikon High-Grade Light 8×20 DCF

Nikon High-Grade Light 8×20 DCF offers very good optical performance. Number two on our list is designed with a modern and robust look and will attract even the most demanding users of pocket binoculars. Nikon 8×20 DCF has a very solid closest focusing distance of 2.4 m which classifies this pocket binocular in a very favorable position regarding this attribute of products on our list. This optical product offers 10 years of warranty which is actually a more than decent feature of this binocular. In terms of pocket binoculars, this product actually embodies this term if we take its weight (270 g) and overall size in the account. Considering the high ranking of Nikon the field of view is not of its very best assets but its still very solid in this price range. Additionally, this product is designed with a very decent rubber covering.

Nikon High Grade Light 8x20 DCF — Nikon High Grade Light 8×20 DCF

3. Noblex Compact 8×21

Noblex (Docter) as they are called from the 2018 year on is producing the Compact 8×21 pocket binocular for some time now. Optically this binocular is very perfected in terms of field of view (131 m/1000 m). This product doesn’t just physically look very robust but it actually stands as such. This optics is nicely covered with rubber on all essential parts. During our test, we concluded that Noblex Compact 8×21 is very comfortable to use and offers a great experience when observing an object. Noblex offers extra good warranty services for 30 years. The product is designed with a double bridge. The weight, overall size, and old-fashioned look are the downsides of this product.

Noblex Compact 8x21 — Noblex Compact 8×21

4. Bresser Montana 8×25

Bresser Montana 8×25 is a good optical quality pocket binocular for a highly reasonable price. It comes with a great packaging but that’s not all regarding the positive features of this binocular. This Bresser binocular has 2.5 m of closest focusing distance which is good in this price range. If in terms of optics this product is evaluated very good, unfortunately, we cannot say the same regarding the physical appearance of this product. The appearance of this product is somewhat dryly. Physical build is good, but the appearance is a bit oldfashioned. This optical device weights almost 400 g which makes it more of a compact rather than pocket binocular. The overall size of the product follows this pattern.

Bresser Montana 8x25 — Bresser Montana 8×25

5. Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25

Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25 is the number 5 on our list. It might come as a surprise to see a Zeiss product on the list so early but in deep research lead us to this conclusion. Even so, Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25 has some amazing features which cannot be disregarded so likely. First of all, you get a Zeiss binocular with good rubber covering. The optical product is designed with a double bridge which adds to the usability of this product. One of the downsides of this product is the origin of manufacture because this one is made in China. Another minus is the closest focusing distance of 1.9 m. Zeiss Terra ED looks very modern and appealing.

Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8x25 — Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25

6. Steiner Wildlife XP 8×24

Steiner Wildlife XP 8×24 offers phenomenal physical appearance and awesome percentage of rubber covering. What especially calls attention to this binocular are the foldable winged eyecups which offer great sun protection and are usable for both non-glasses and glasses wearers. Steiner Wildlife XP 8×24 has an intriguing focus adjustment knob which looks appealing on this product. Field of view is 114 m/1000 m which means that this binocular has some space for improvement in this department. In terms of pocket binoculars, we cannot really assert that this product is the prime example of being a conventional pocket binocular due to its weight and length.

Steiner Wildlife XP 8x24 — Steiner Wildlife XP 8×24

7. Kowa BD 8×25

Kowa BD 8×25 is a modern and appealing looking but not very light pocket binocular. Generally, we have to say that we are very encouraged by the quality of Kowa optical products. Binocular is made in Japan additionally, Kowa covers 10 years of warranty for this product. BD 8×25 is not extremely heavy but on the other hand, it is not the lightest amongst our assortment. Kowa BD 8×25 has only 1.8 m of closest focusing distance which is not the best. What else do we miss with this small and compact binocular? Percentage of rubber covering is very low.

8. Hawke Sapphire ED 8×25

Light, small and compact are the features which decorate the Hawke Sapphire ED 8×25 binocular. Even though that the product is made in China it offers very solid optical experience, especially in this price class. With 119 m/1000 m of the field of view, Hawke fares well against other binoculars in this price range. Perhaps the only two real but deserving bad points of this binocular would be the closest focusing distance and a bit of an old-fashioned design.

Hawke Sapphire ED 8x25 — Hawke Sapphire ED 8×25

9. Minox BD 8×24

Minox BD 8×24 is the next on our list of the top 10 pocket binoculars under the price range of 500€. This small optical product offers very minimalistic and highly appealing design. The overall size is very adequate for a binocular of this type. Another favorable factor is the packaging of Minox BD 8×24. The case in which the binocular is stored looks very usable and elegant. In terms of negativity, this product has a bit of a poor field of view with 91 m/1000 m. Relatively, the weight of this product is not one of it’s best assets (300 g). Another lackluster is the 1.6 m long closest focusing distance.

10. Meopta MeoSport 8×25

The Number 10 on our roster is the Meopta MeoSport 8×25. These Czech Republic made binoculars can boast with a very favorable price in the range up to 500€. These Meosport 8×25 binoculars are made in Europe which is, of course, a plus of its own. The product is nicely encased with rubber which adds to the robustness. The overall design is very appealing and modern. Meopta Meosport 8×25 has a very good closest focusing distance of 3 m. In this price range, some of the competitors have a bit better field of view (Meopta – 110 m/1000 m). On our top 10 repertoires, this pocket binocular is the heaviest amongst them as it weighs 400 g. Frankly, this really doesn’t harmonize with the word pocket.