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8 Best Binoculars for Eyeglass Wearers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

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Alpen Optics SHASTA PEAK

Have you ever tried looking through a pair of binoculars while wearing your glasses, and you couldn’t experience eye relief for the optimum field of view? That’s why finding binoculars that you can use while wearing your glasses is a huge advantage.

This review list highlights eight of the best binoculars for eyeglass wearers with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Don’t skip the buyer’s guide at the end of the article, which assists you in refining your search for binoculars that are ideal for you.


A Quick Look at Our Favorites (Updated 2024) 

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Celestron 71007 SkyMaster Binoculars Celestron 71007 SkyMaster Binoculars
  • Easy to grip
  • 12x magnification
  • 60mm objective lens
  • Best Value
    Second place
    SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars
  • Affordable
  • 50mm lens
  • 10x magnification
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Swarovski EL Binocular Swarovski EL Binocular
  • 42mm lens
  • Large field of view
  • Sharp, colorful images
  • Gosky Roof Prism Binocular Gosky Roof Prism Binocular
  • Roof prism
  • Outer protection
  • Multi-coated lens
  • Wingspan Optics WideViews Binoculars Wingspan Optics WideViews Binoculars
  • Fog proof
  • Waterproof
  • Twist-up eyecups
  • The 8 Best Binoculars for Eyeglass Wearers 

    1. Celestron 71007 SkyMaster Binoculars — Best Overall

    Celestron

    The Celestron is a Porro prism pair of binoculars that magnifies objects 12 times and offers a greater depth of field with a wider view. The 60mm objective lens is great for low-light conditions, such as at dawn and dusk, or for viewing the night sky. These are a fixed lens, so they will not zoom from one magnification to another.

    The lenses are multi-coated for higher light transmission, and the body is water resistant for extra protection from the elements. They are easy to grip due to the rubber coating, even if you are wearing gloves. For those who wear eyeglasses, you fold down the rubber eyecups, which makes it easier to view your subject.

    The Celestron’s weigh 2.45 pounds and come with a tripod adapter to help reduce shake when viewing at full magnification. On the downside, the focus is somewhat slow and difficult to adjust. But once you get your focus where you want it, it stays in place. These binoculars come with a carrying case and feature a limited lifetime warranty.

    Pros
    • 12x magnification
    • 60mm objective lens
    • Water resistant
    • Easy to grip
    • Eyecups fold down
    • Tripod adapter
    • Limited lifetime warranty
    Cons
    • Heavy
    • Focus difficult to adjust

    2. SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars — Best Value

    SkyGenius

    These binoculars by SkyGenius offer many great features at an affordable price, which is why they are the best binoculars for eyeglass wearers for the money. They have 10 times magnification and a 50mm lens, which is ideal for sporting events and outdoor activities. We found that they can be used in low-light situations and for gazing at the stars.

    They are easy to carry and use because they only weigh 1.75 pounds, and both eyepieces calibrate separately to help with a sharper view. The rubber eyecups fold over to allow better viewing when wearing your glasses. You can adapt these to a tripod, and the center focus knob is smooth to operate. The rubber coating protects the binoculars from the elements and offers a firm grip.

    These binoculars are fixed at 10x, so if you want to view a closer object, you cannot adjust the magnification. These are lower quality and not as durable, which is why they sit in the number-two spot. On the upside, there is a warranty on this product, and they come with a soft case and neck strap.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • 10x magnification
    • 50mm lens
    • Lightweight
    • Foldable eyecups
    • Tripod adaptable
    • Rubber coated
    • Warranty
    Cons
    • Lower quality
    • Durability

    3. Swarovski EL Binocular — Premium Choice

    Swarovski

    For a pair of roof prism binoculars that offers high-quality features, the Swarovski is a great option. They are pricey binoculars, which are why they are number three on the reviews list. These are ideal for hunting and viewing wildlife with the 8.5 magnification and 42mm lens. The images are sharp and full of color, thanks to the prism coating and field flattener features.

    The field of view makes it easy for those who wear eyeglasses to benefit from the edge-to-edge sharpness as well. The outer coating provides an ideal grip, while the focusing wheel is also non-slip and operates easily with reliable results. It comes with the objective lens and eyepiece covers for extra protection when not in use.

    On the downside, they weigh 4.25 pounds, which may be too heavy for those who pack them for long distances. But they come with a limited lifetime warranty for the optics and a 10-year warranty for other parts.

    Pros
    • 5 fixed magnification
    • 42mm lens
    • Sharp, colorful images
    • Large field of view
    • Non-slip grip
    • Lens and eyepiece covers
    • Lifetime warranty on optics
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Heavy

    4. Gosky Roof Prism Binocular

    Gosky

    These compact roof prism binoculars have 10 times magnification with a 42mm lens, which allows you to view wildlife and sporting events with ease. The green film lens is multi-coated to allow in extra light while displaying colorful images. The wide field of view is great for viewing landscapes, and you can twist down the eyecups when wearing your glasses.

    Since they are waterproof and shock-proof with an easy-grip surface, you can use them in different types of weather conditions without fear of damage. The Gosky is a fixed lens with a smooth focus wheel and a weight of 1.54 pounds.

    The smartphone adapter allows you to capture and record images through the binoculars, though we found that it is difficult to take photos while holding the binoculars steady. The use of a tripod would solve this issue. On the upside, there is a lifetime warranty and a full money-back guarantee.

    Pros
    Cons
    • Cumbersome phone adapter

    5. Wingspan Optics WideViews Binoculars

    Wingspan Optics

    The Wingspan roof prism binoculars offer many great features that make them ideal for birdwatching. The lens is 42mm with 8 times magnification, and the body is waterproof and fog proof, so you can use them all year round.

    The prisms are phase-correction coated to create sharper images, while the lenses are multi-coated to bring in extra light. These are ideal for people who wear glasses because of the twist-up eyecups and the wide field of view. They weigh 1.6 pounds and come with a mesh carrying case, protection covers, and a neck strap.

    On the downside, two focusing knobs take extra time to get a clear view, and birds or other wildlife may be gone by the time they are in focus. However, you can mount these binoculars to a tripod, and they also come with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Pros
    • 42mm lens
    • Waterproof and fog proof
    • Sharp, clear images
    • Twist-up eyecups
    • Wide field of view
    • Warranty
    • Money-back guarantee
    Cons
    • Two focus knobs

    6. Bushnell NatureView Porro Prism Binoculars

    Bushnell

    The Porro prism Bushnell offers 6 times magnification with a 30mm lens, which we found is ideal for bird watching or in the theater. The optics are multi-coated, and the BaK-4 prism glass produces bright and clear images. They are waterproof and fog proof, so you can even use them on rainy days.

    The outer rubber coating protects them if dropped, as well as providing a good grip if your hands are wet. The focus knob is also textured to prevent slippage and make it easier to get a precise adjustment. You can twist up the eyecups to accommodate your glasses, as well as provide eye relief.

    Covers are included, but they are not attached, which makes them easy to lose, and the Bushnell does not come with a case. They are lightweight, but we found that it can be difficult to adjust the focus for people with smaller hands.

    Pros
    • Bright and clear images
    • Rubber coated
    • Textured focus knob
    • Twist-up eyecups
    • Lightweight
    • Waterproof and fog proof
    Cons
    • Large in size

    7. Opticron 30738 Savanna R PC Binocular

    Opticron

    These compact roof prism binoculars by Opticron are ideal for viewing birds or other wildlife. They offer 8 times magnification with a 42mm lens and a wide field of view, so you can see more area at a time even with your glasses on.

    The phase-corrected coating produces bright and clear images, and the binoculars are lightweight at 15.2 ounces and dual-hinged, which makes it easier to use for those with smaller hands. On the downside, the focus adjustment is near the eyepieces, which makes it awkward at times to adjust. They are a pricier pair of binoculars, but they come with a limited lifetime warranty.

    Pros
    • Compact
    • Lightweight
    • Wide field of view
    • Bright and clear images
    • Dual-hinged
    • Limited lifetime warranty
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Focus adjustment

    8. Alpen Optics 396SP Roof Prism Binocular

    Alpen Optics Corp

    The Alpen Optics is a roof prism binocular with 10 times magnification and a 42mm lens. The glass is BaK4, which provides clear images, and the multi-coated optics make those images bright. They are waterproof and nitrogen filled, so you can use them in any condition without worries of ruining them.

    The eyecups twist up to offer a greater field of view with your glasses on, and they come with a nylon case, lens covers, and a cleaning cloth. They are lightweight at 1.7 pounds but are bulkier and larger than other models. The focus adjustment is easy to turn but somewhat touchy and difficult to get into focus.

    Pros
    • Roof prism
    • 10x magnification
    • Bak4 glass
    • Multi-coated optics
    • Waterproof
    • Twist-up eyecups
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Bulky
    • Focus adjustment

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Binoculars for Eyeglass Wearers

    Let’s discuss considerations that you need to remember when looking for the best binoculars for people with glasses. Knowing what features to look for will save you time and money while making the experience less frustrating. This buyer’s guide goes over those features and considerations.

    Features

    Magnification: This is one of the biggest factors to look at when buying binoculars because it is related to the size of the view field. Magnification from 8x to 10x provides stable images, and when you increase the magnification, the images become less stable with narrower fields. Keep in mind that you can find higher magnifications with a wider field on certain models.

    Field of view: This is what you see when looking through the binoculars. With a large field of view, you can see more area and feel less restricted and more relaxed. The ideal eye relief is 14mm to 15mm for an average eyeglass wearer; you can go higher, but for the best results, do not go lower.

    Eyecup: You want eyecups that are retractable or adjustable so you can move them out of the way. Otherwise, you won’t see a large area through the eyepiece.

    Roof or Porro Prism System: A roof prism is smaller and easier to hold because the glass inside is in line with one another. In Porro systems, the glass is offset from each other, which adds a wider field of view.

    Other positive features: Finding binoculars that are waterproof and fog proof are good if you use them throughout the year; that way, you aren’t limiting their use to only nice days. Multi-coated optics and prisms will give you a clearer picture and increase the amount of light going into the lens so you can use them at dawn or dusk.

    Quality

    Finding binoculars that are well made and will last for many years saves you time and money. Higher quality binoculars offer more features and give you better images while also being easy to use.

    Price

    Usually, the price of a product relates to the quality, though you can find decent binoculars without spending too much money. It’s better to invest more money up front for a good pair than having to spend more money later if you buy a poor quality that breaks or doesn’t have good images.

    Warranty

    When you are spending a fair amount on an item, it is nice to have a warranty in place. Many companies offer lifetime warranties on their binoculars to give you peace of mind that if there is a malfunction, it can be replaced. Just know what the warranty covers before you buy to prevent further frustration.

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    Conclusion

    Finding the right binoculars when you wear glasses can be difficult considering how many different binoculars are on the market. Our reviews list features the top eight to help narrow down your search and make it easier to find the ideal pair.

    Our top pick for the best binoculars for people with glasses is the Porro prism Celestron, with a 12x magnification that has multi-coated optics to yield sharp and bright images while wearing your glasses. SkyGenius is the best value because they have 10x magnification with a large objective lens for a greater field of view, all at an affordable price. If the price isn’t a concern, the Swarovski binocular offers high-quality features, as well as 20mm eye relief with one of the largest field of view.

    We hope that our reviews list helps you find binoculars you can use while wearing your eyeglasses, ones that are comfortable and offer clear and bright images, no matter the time of day.

    About the Author Robert Sparks

    Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.