Charting the stars is a fun and relaxing way to spend the night if you have the right equipment to do so. While you could get yourself a telescope, they can be expensive and bulky. Instead, you can opt for a pair of the best binoculars for stargazing to help you see the stars. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or someone interested in learning more about astronomy, you’ll need a good pair. The best night vision binoculars for stargazing are portable, durable, and have powerful magnification. They’re designed to allow you to see the sky and stunning stars clearly at night. If you want to test out a pair or would like to upgrade to a better pair for unparalleled views, we’ve compiled a list just for you!
Besides this list, we also have the list of the 13 best compact binoculars for bird watching, the 13 best binoculars for safari, and the 13 best digital camera binoculars. If you have the time, feel free to give them a read!
How To Choose The Best Binoculars For Stargazing
To choose the right pair of the best binoculars for stargazing, there are some key features that you need to pay special attention to, which include:
Magnification and objective lens
The best binoculars for stargazing will have a high magnification number so you can see the stars from the comfort of your balcony. The objective lens diameter, on the other hand, will determine how much light can be gathered to make those distant objects look bright and clear. So, the bigger the magnification and objective lens, the better the image quality from your binoculars.
Exit pupil
The exit pupil is the size of the focused light hitting your pupil when you look into the binoculars. The size of the exit pupil should be bigger than the diameter of your pupil. This way, more light from the image can hit your eyes and you can view the stars more sharply and clearly.
Field of view
Next is the field of view, which is the widest dimension you can see and is measured in feet over 1000 yards. A higher number means you’ll be able to see a wider area. If you’re looking for the best binoculars for astronomy, we recommend looking for a pair that has a wide field of view so you can explore the Milky Way better.
Eye relief
If you wear glasses, eye relief plays a critical part in using your binoculars. Eye relief is essentially the distance from the glass to your eye that provides a full image. With insufficient eye relief, you’ll only be able to see the center of the picture while the field is restricted. If you’re likely to wear glasses, then be sure to look for at least 14 to 15mm of eye relief.
Weight and tripod
Generally, the best binoculars for astronomy will be big and heavy. For that reason, it can be exhausting when you have no support, especially if you’re using them for a long time. Thus, many of them come with a tripod adapter. That said, before you make your purchase, make sure to always check the weight of the binoculars and see whether they come with a tripod adapter or not.
Can you look at stars with binoculars?
Yes, you totally can use binoculars to look at the stars and explore the Milky Way. By using the best binoculars with stargazing, you can zoom in and see the stars clearly at night. Just make sure to choose a pair with great optics performance!
Are 10×50 binoculars good for astronomy?
10×50 binoculars are great for stargazing while still being portable enough to use without a tripod. But if you have a tripod, feel free to use the best night vision binoculars for stargazing with higher magnification and larger objective lenses.
BARSKA 20×80 WP Cosmos Binoculars
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Considered by many as one of the best night vision binoculars for stargazing, the BARSKA 20×80 WP Cosmos Binoculars feature 80mm objective lenses that are designed to gather as much light as possible and provide you with a bright image at night. Their lenses are also fully multi-coated to ensure an exceptional viewing experience. That way, you can conveniently admire the stars for as long as you like.
Just like other best binoculars for stargazing, this device comes with BaK-4 prisms to ensure precise light reflections. Considering their huge lenses, it’s only normal for them to be heavy. That said, you might want to use a tripod so that there are no blurry images. That said, these binoculars come complete with a specifically-designed post that you can use with a tripod.
What We Love
Whether for stargazing or long-distance viewing, these binoculars are exceptional in every manner.
Pros:
- Huge objective lenses
- BaK-4 Porro prisms
- Individual eye focusing
- Tripod compatible
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Short eye relief
SkyGenius 10×50 Powerful Binoculars
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As the name suggests, the SkyGenius 10×50 Powerful Binoculars are the genius of the sky. They’re one of the best night vision binoculars for stargazing that you can buy out there at a very low price. They come with an ocular lens and are made of slip-proof materials so you can enjoy the stars even in humid or rainy conditions. Aside from that, they also have a very wide field of view, making it super easy to capture fast-moving subjects.
Since they’re designed specifically to make it easy to see at night, don’t be surprised by these binoculars’ impressive optics performance. Moreover, they’re shock-resistant, so if you do accidentally drop them, there’s no need for you to panic and scream. You’ll also appreciate the rubber-covered eyepieces as they’re adjustable for different face shapes and sizes.
What We Love
For the price, they’re of high-quality and offer amazingly sharp views.
Pros:
- Slip-proof materials
- Amazing optics performance
- Wide field of view
- Shock-resistant
- Adjustable rubber eyepieces
Cons:
- Don’t work well in complete darkness
Orion 09327 Giant View 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars
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The Orion 09327 Giant View 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars are one of the best binoculars for stargazing currently available on the market. They feature a 70mm objective lens and 15x magnification. Therefore, these binoculars are great for light gathering and allow you to see the star cluster clearly at the night. Apart from that, they’re also equipped with BaK-4 prisms and lens with multi-coating.
Moreover, these binoculars are exceptional when it comes to all-weather performance as they’re fully waterproof. Although the eye relief isn’t long, it’s still enough to keep you comfortable even if you’re wearing glasses. If that’s not enough, know that these binos come complete with a high-quality hard case and dust caps!
What We Love
They’re very easy to use and allow you to see the stars clearly.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Tripod compatible
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- BaK-4 prisms
- Huge objective lenses
Cons:
- A bit heavy when compared to other best binoculars for astronomy
Vortex Optics Kaibab HD Binoculars
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There’s no doubt in mind that the Vortex Optics Kaibab HD Binoculars are a can’t-miss when you’re looking for the best binoculars for stargazing. Featuring a 20x magnification and an objective lens diameter of 56mm, you’ll definitely have a great time exploring the Milky Way. The images produced by this device also have rich and accurate colors that’ll please your eyes.
If you accidentally drop these binoculars, don’t panic. That’s because they’re covered with rubber armor that makes them super durable and anti-slip. Just like other best binoculars for astronomy, these binos are also waterproof and fog-proof. Best of all, purchasing this device means you’ll also get an additional tripod adaptor, a neck strap, a carry case, and a tethered objective lens cover.
What We Love
They’re a premium option with a powerful optics performance that’ll always get the job done.
Pros:
- Allows you to see the stars in detail
- Durable and rugged housing
- Waterproof and fog-proof
- Lightweight and portable design
- Come with tons of accessories
Cons:
- The quality of the tripod adapter can be improved
Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Pro High Power Astronomy Binoculars
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It might be confusing to choose the best binoculars for stargazing, but with the likes of the Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Pro High Power Astronomy Binoculars, you won’t be spending much time looking for the right pair. These binoculars are a standout. Featuring a huge objective lens of 80mm and a 20x magnification, they’re a pair of high-power binoculars that’ll provide you crystal-clear images of the stars in the sky.
Apart from that, these binos also come with a wide field of view and long eye relief, which make them worth the purchase. If you’re clumsy, worry not! That’s because the aluminum and polycarbonate body makes these binoculars robust and very durable. Of course, they’re fog-proof and waterproof too.
What We Love
The details that these binoculars provide are top-notch.
Pros:
- BaK-4 Porro prism
- Multi-coated lenses
- Huge objective lens
- Central focus allows quick adjustments
- Waterproof and fog-proof
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky
Orion 09463 Mini Giant 9×63 Astronomy Binoculars
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It’s time to explore the Milky Way with the Orion 09463 Mini Giant 9×63 Astronomy Binoculars! These binoculars come with a 63mm objective lens that’s super powerful and can capture as much light as possible. To pair with that, these binos also feature 9x magnification and you can zoom in on the stars easily. As one of the best binoculars for stargazing, they not only perform well at night but also during the day.
Besides high-powered lenses, these binoculars are also equipped with high-quality BaK-4 prisms. We’re sure you’ll also be impressed by the fact that the lenses have multi-coating anti-reflection layers on them for clearer and brighter images. Furthermore, the eye relief is long, so people who wear glasses can also use this device comfortably. Best of all, these binoculars come complete with a soft case, neck strap, and lens cap.
What We Love
Great all-around pick that provides bright, clear, and crisp images.
Pros:
- Powerful anti-reflective lenses
- BaK-4 prisms
- Long eye relief
- Come complete with many accessories
- Wide field of view
Cons:
- Take a while to adjust and focus
Orion 09351 UltraView 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars
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Just like the name suggests, the Orion 09351 UltraView 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars feature 50mm objective lenses that are capable of delivering a wide viewing angle. Besides the powerful lenses, they also come with 10x magnification that allows you to zoom in and see the stunning stars in detail. Similar to other best night vision binoculars for stargazing, they also have BaK-4 Porro prism.
Another great feature of these binoculars is that they boast a long eye relief of 22mm. Along with the twist-lock eyecups, you can comfortably use this device while wearing your spectacles. We also like their tough and durable body, which is the main reason why they’re suitable for outdoor use. Made of cast-metal alloy with rubber accents, you’ll not only have a secure grip over them but they’ll also be resistant to any impact.
What We Love
Although not as powerful as other best binoculars for stargazing, they have really good light transmissions.
Pros:
- BaK-4 Porro prisms Long eye relief
- Great light transmissions
- Anti-slip grip
- Very durable construction
- Come with many accessories
Cons:
- No waterproofing
Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars
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Next on this list is the Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars. As one of the best binoculars for stargazing these binoculars have 70mm objective lenses that allow you to zoom in on the stars with 15x magnification. Similar to other best night vision binoculars for stargazing, they also feature fully multi-coated lenses along with BaK-4 Porro prisms to help deliver a phenomenal stargazing experience.
With such an affordable price, they’re proof that you don’t need to break your wallet to purchase a great pair of binoculars. They’re capable of providing you images with high contrast. With an eye relief of 18mm, you can even use them while wearing your eyeglasses. Since they have a water-resistant construction, you can also use these binoculars in different weather conditions. Plus, the rubber-armored body will contribute a lot to ensure their outdoor usage.
What We Love
They’re an affordable model that has a high-end performance.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- BaK-4 Porro prisms
- High contrast
- Great eye relief
- Rubber-armored body
Cons:
- No waterproofing
Orion 09332 Scenix Binoculars
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Although they might not be as popular as other big brands, the Orion 09332 Scenix Binoculars are still an excellent device to use for peering up at the stars. They feature large lenses that boast a 7x magnification along with 50mm objective lenses for better light filtration. Apart from that, there are also high-quality BaK-4 Porro prisms and multi-coated lenses for crisper images.
One of the major benefits of these binoculars is that they’re extremely lightweight and portable. Thus, you can easily carry them around wherever you go. Their lens design also provides a pristine and clear image of the stars and filters light evenly for a sharp image. We also fancy the robust and durable metal casing that reduces the chance of them getting scratched or broken if they’re dropped accidentally.
What We Love
Arguably the best pick for people with a budget of 100USD.
Pros:
- High-quality BaK-4 Porro prisms
- Multi-coated lenses
- Lightweight and portable
- Perform well in low-light conditions
- Durable metal casing
Cons:
- Flimsy protective lens caps
Celestron Echelon 20×70 Binoculars
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Featuring large objective lenses, the Celestron Echelon 20×70 Binoculars are the best night vision binoculars for stargazing that work exceptionally well in low-light situations. These binoculars are a top choice to explore the stars. They have an exit pupil of 3.5mm, which delivers a substantial amount of light so you can make out small details. Thanks to that, these binoculars are ideal for observing small items at long distances.
Furthermore, the BaK-4 prisms will provide excellent contrast and sharpness, whole the air-to-glass surfaces are covered in Celestron’s XLT optical coating for additional contrast and resolution. They’re made of aluminum alloy for strength and keep the weight down so you can carry them around comfortably. These binoculars also have rubber armor covers for durability and prevent them from slipping out of your hand in wet conditions.
What We Love
Considering their ability to perform stellarly in low-light conditions, these binoculars are totally worth investing in.
Pros:
- Huge objective lenses
- Work well in the dark
- BaK-4 prisms
- XLT optical coating
- Rubber-armored body
Cons:
- Very expensive compared to other best binoculars for astronomy
Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars
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Another pair of best binoculars for stargazing worth purchasing on this list is the Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars. These amazing binoculars come with a powerful 10x magnification and 42mm objective lens for better visibility, especially in the dark. One of the main reasons why they’re really popular is that they’re built with a roof prism that makes them more compact.
Another interesting feature worth noting is that the glass is made out of a multi-layer green coat. This feature will help to boost the binoculars’ performance and make them a little bit tougher. That’s not all, as you’ll also love the fact that they come complete with a smartphone mount. This allows you to easily set up the binoculars without constantly looking through the viewfinder.
What We Love
They’re a very popular and affordable choice that allows you to see the stars with excellent details.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Work well in low-light situations
- Compact design
- Fully multi-coated green film lenses
- Come with a smartphone mount
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The quality of the smartphone mount can be improved
Celestron SkyMaster 25×100 Astro Binoculars
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Even the most discerning user will have nothing bad to say about the Celestron SkyMaster 25×100 Astro Binoculars. With a powerful 25x magnification and huge 100mm objective lenses, they’re easily one of the best binoculars for stargazing. If you don’t have a telescope, there’s no problem. With these binoculars, you can easily admire the beautiful stars. They also come with fully multi-coated optics for clear viewing with high light transmissions. That way, you can achieve a sharp focus even at a high magnification level.
Since their objective lenses are huge, these binoculars are pretty bulky and heavy. However, their high-quality BaK-4 Porro prism design makes this device a must-have. Furthermore, they also have an ample eye relief length and a wide field of view that are capable of giving you both comfort and great optics performance. Buy yourself these best binoculars for astronomy and you’ll be able to see the star cluster with amazing details!
What We Love
Their optics performance for stargazing is among the best.
Pros:
- Offer great image clarity even in low-light situations
- Durable rubber armoring
- Long eye relief
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Multi-coated lenses
- BaK-4 Porro prisms
Cons:
- Quite big and bulky
Nikon MONARCH 5 20×56 Binoculars
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Nothing can possibly go wrong with one of the best binoculars for stargazing from Nikon. On this list are the Nikon 7583 MONARCH 5 20×56 Binoculars. With a 56mm objective lens and an ED glass lens, they’re literally very hard to beat. Featuring unrivaled optics performance, this device is a beast when it comes to stargazing. The large objective lens can trap plenty of light, which then enables sharp and high contrast viewing even in the darkest hour.
Even though they’re heavier than other regular binoculars out there, they still come with the comfort of long eye relief and deliver a wide and clear field of view. Not to mention, these binoculars come complete with a tripod adapter so you don’t have to always hold them when stargazing. Apart from that, there’s also a central focus knob that works perfectly and with a waterproof body, you can take them with you just about anywhere.
What We Love
This pair has received tons of positive reviews and even the most discerning users think it’s worth your money.
Pros:
- Come with a tripod adapter
- Long eye relief
- Great for stargazing
- Unrivaled optics performance
- Work super well in the dark
- Lifetime repair and replacement warranty
Cons:
- Cost much more than other best binoculars for astronomy
