Written By John VanDerLaan
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If you did a google search for the best hunting binoculars under $100, you undoubtedly found articles that were clearly not written by hunters, but by marketers trying to sell you binoculars.
We are real hunters and have used and tested each of these binoculars before we reviewed them.
Here's what we found...
If you are not sure what the terms and numbers mean, visit our Guide to Choosing Hunting Binoculars.
5 Best Binoculars For Hunting Under $100
1. Celestron Nature DX Roof Prism Binoculars
Editor's Choice
The Celestron Nature DX binoculars are almost in a class by themselves, offering many of the high end features of a much more expensive binocular, but at an affordable price, like fully multi coated lenses.
Features
- Optics: The Celestron Nature DX binoculars feature Fully Multi Coated Lenses and BAK-4 prisms which deliver high contrast and exceptional resolution for detailed, sharp images and the increased light transmission that is crucial for hunting situations.
- Durability: These binoculars are o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for 100% waterproof and fogproof use. This feature is usually found in much more expensive binoculars.
- User Friendly: Super lightweight and ergonomically designed rubberized body makes them easy to grip and comfortable for all day use.
- Convenience: Features twist eyecups for ease of use with or without eyeglasses or sunglasses. Comes with a carry case, harness and lens covers and lens cloth.
PROs
CONs
- Only comes with a limited lifetime warranty. If you spend a little more on binoculars you can get a no questions asked warranty.
Cheap binoculars are never going to match up to high end optics, but these come pretty close.
These binoculars were under $100 at the time this was written, they may be slightly more now because of the current inflationary economy.
Click here for the full Celestron Nature DX Binoculars Review
2. Bushnell H2O 8x42 Binoculars
Best Bushnell
The Bushnell H2O Binoculars offer some of the features of much more expensive binoculars like 100% waterproof and fogproof design.
RELATED: Best Rangefinder For Bow Hunting
Features
- Optics: The Bushnell H2O binoculars feature Multi Coated Optics and BAK-4 prisms which deliver crisp, clear images with improved light transmission
- Durability: These binoculars are o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for 100% waterproof and fogproof use. This feature is usually found in much more expensive binoculars.
- User Friendly: These Binos feature a rubber armored body and soft texture to provide a firm grip and absorb shock.
- Convenience: Twist eyecups for ease of use with or without eyeglasses. Comes with a carry case, neck strap and lens covers.
PROs
- At this price range, the images are exceptionally sharp, bright, and clear. You’ll be hard-pressed to find the same image quality among similarly priced binoculars.
- They feature multi coated optics.
- They work well in low light conditions.
- They have good field of view.
- They are lightweight, weighing in at 25 ounces.
- The large focus knob is extremely accessible, with lots of textured areas on the sides and on top, you can make sure that your grip won’t slip even when it’s raining.
- Completely waterproof and fogproof and can even survive being fully submerged in water.
- The adjustable long eye relief is ideal for those hunters that wear eyeglasses or sunglasses while hunting.
- The H20 comes with a neck strap and a carrying case.
- The biggest pro has to be the price. These binoculars have a lot of great features for under $100.
CONs
- As good as all that sounds above, the Bushnell H20 binoculars are still an entry level binocular and the image quality will not compare to the more expensive binoculars.
The Bushnell H20 are a compact binocular that will work well for hunters on a tight budget. They have a fair build quality with good glass for cheap binoculars.
Click here for the full Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binoculars Review.
3. Barska Blackhawk Binoculars
Staff Favorite
The Barska Blackhawk Binoculars binoculars are also 100% Waterproof and fogproof thanks to being o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged.
Features
- Optics: The Barska Blackhawk binoculars feature Fully Coated Lenses and BAK-4 prisms which deliver stunningly clear and bright images.
- Durability: These binoculars are o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for 100% waterproof and fogproof use. This feature is usually found in much more expensive binoculars.
- User Friendly: These Binoculars feature a diamond cut rubberized armored body for a firm grip protection from impacts.
- Convenience: Available in Mossy Oak Camo and comes with a carry case, neck strap and lens covers and lens cloth.
PROs
CONs
The Barska Blackhawk Binoculars are a good choice for binoculars if you are on a tight budget.
Just remember that they are cheap binoculars and they will not compare to the best binoculars available today.
Click here for the full Barska Blackhawk Binoculars Review.
4. Bushnell Powerview Binoculars
Best Cheap Binoculars
The Bushnell Powerview Binoculars are a good value for the price. The reason that these binoculars are so far down the list is because they are not waterproof and fogproof.
Features
- Optics: The Bushnell Powerview binoculars feature Fully Multi Coated Lenses and BK-7 prisms which perform well, but are not preferred over BAK-4 roof prisms
- Durability: These binoculars have a rugged, shock absorbing rubber armor coating over an aluminum alloy chassis that will protect the binoculars in the field. However, they are not waterproof and fogproof.
- User Friendly: They are standard size binoculars, and fit very well in your hands. They’re also very lightweight, weighing in at just 21.1 ounces.
- Convenience: They have a very generous eye relief at 17.5mm, which you will appreciate if you wear glasses.
PROs
- They are inexpensive, coming at less than $100
- The Field of View is pretty good, making it easy to acquire your target, even when it is moving.
- The rubber armor coating will protect against damage in the field.
- They fit well in your hands and are very lightweight, making them perfect for your all day hunts.
- They are tripod adaptable.
- Very long adjustable eye relief, making them perfect for hunters that wear eyeglasses or sunglasses.
CONs
- They are not waterproof and fogproof.
I would suggest that you spend a little more money on a pair of binoculars, but if you have your mind set on cheap binoculars, these are a good option.
Click here for the full Bushnell Powerview Binoculars Review.
5. Nikon Aculon Binoculars
Best Porro Prism
The Nikon Aculon Binoculars feature a porro prism instead of a roof prism, making them larger and heavier than the other cheap binos in this price point. Most of the binoculars that we test and use have roof prisms not porro prisms.
Features
- Optics: The Nikon Aculon binoculars feature Multi Coated Eco-Glass Lenses and Bak-4 Porro style prisms making them larger and heavier.
- Durability: These binoculars have a rubber armored coating to ensure a firm grip. However, they are not waterproof and fogproof.
- User Friendly: Turn-and-Slide Rubber Eyecups allow for comfortable use and a large, smooth central focus knob allows easy focusing.
- Convenience: Even though they are heavier than other on our list, the ACULON A211 binoculars are designed to be as light as possible along with excellent ergonomics.
PROs
- Durable: The ACULON A211 is light in weight, yet sturdy. These binoculars are waterproof, fog-proof and scratch resistant. They can perform well under a wide range of temperatures and environment they are brought into.
- Convenient: Rubber armoring on these binoculars gives a shock resistant, comfortable and firm grip. These binoculars can be easily mounted with the help of a tripod adapter, delivering a steady image. Rubber eyecups on the ACULON A211 can be twisted up or down providing a custom fit. It has a smooth focus
knob that is ergonomically placed to allow easy adjustment. It has a zoom lever mounted on the eyepiece which provides quick magnification. - Optics: Lenses on these binoculars are light in weight and made of Eco-Glass owing to arsenic-free and lead-free composition. Multiple layer prism coatings on the lens enhance the brightness of the image.
CONs
- The image is not as clear as more expensive binoculars when zoomed in.
- I did experience some chromatic aberration along the outside edges.
- Low light performance is not very good.
Click here for the full Nikon Aculon Binoculars Review.
Best Binoculars Under $100 Comparison Chart.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Celestron Nature Dx Binoculars | PrismType: Roof Prism Glass: BAK-4 Waterproof: Yes Fogproof: Yes | |
| Bushnell H2O Binoculars | PrismType: Roof Prism Glass: BAK-4 Waterproof: Yes Fogproof: Yes | |
| Barska Blackhawk Binoculars | PrismType: Roof Prism Glass: BAK-4 Waterproof: Yes Fogproof: Yes | |
| Bushnell Powerview Binoculars | PrismType: Roof Prism Glass: BK-7 Waterproof: No Fogproof: No | |
| Nikon Aculon Binoculars | PrismType: Porro Prism Glass: BAK-4 Waterproof: No Fogproof: No |
RELATED: Best Hunting Binoculars Under $200
Final Thoughts
When searching for quality binoculars for hunting under $100, you have to be very careful because there are a lot of junk binoculars on the market today.
The good news is that there are some really good affordable binoculars available with fully multi coated optics, high glass quality, and water and fog proof.
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As you can see above, the quality drops off quickly between our number one choice and our number five choice.
After all of our testing, the Celestron Nature DX stood head and shoulders above the rest.
We hope that you have found our testing helpful. We pride ourselves on recommending hunting gear that we actually use and would recommend to a friend or family member.
