The Best Compact Binoculars of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tested easy-to-carry binos

By Andrew McKean

Updated On Apr 9, 2024 2:09 PM EDT

18 Minute Read

Best Overall

Swarovski EL Range 10×32

Best Ultra Compact

Maven B.7 8×25

Best Budget

Nikon PROSTAFF P3 10×30

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While Western hunters will insist they need a hand-filling 10×42 binocular or even tripod-mounted 15×56 models for most of their hunting and glassing requirements, they’re wrong. A compact 8×32 binocular, with good glass and glare-cutting coatings, has nearly the same optical horsepower of older 10x42s. Also, their smaller frame weighs less, boasts a wider field of view, tucks into standard-size binocular pouches, and is easier to hold steady in high winds or when deployed with a single hand.

The optics industry is recognizing the relatively underserved market for mid-size and compact binoculars, and this year at least a half-dozen models are coming to market, some featuring built-in rangefinders, others optimized for mid-range glassing, and others so small that they’ll tuck into a shirt pocket. Some are configured for treestands and turkey hunting. Still others are great picks for a travel binocular.

Here are eight models, most of them new for this year, but a couple are classics, which I field tested over several weeks this winter and early spring in an effort to introduce you to the best compact binoculars available. 

Best Overall: Swarovski EL Range 10×32

Best Ultra Compact: Maven B.7 8×25

Best Budget: Nikon PROSTAFF P3 10×30

Best Turkey-Vest Binocular: Leupold BX-1 Rogue 8×25

Best Pocket Binocular: Athlon Midas UHD 10×25

Best Travel Binocular: Steiner T1028 10×28

Best All-Around: Hawke Frontier ED X 8×32

Best Classic: Leica Trinovid 7×35

How I Tested the Best Compact Binoculars

The testing lineup.Andrew McKeanWe put all submissions through the same criteria. First, we measure optical resolution, using the diminishing black-and-white lines of a 1951 Air Force Resolution Target to score the optical performance of each submission. We also measure the low-light performance of each binocular by mounting them to tripods and focusing them as a group at 200 yards at a black-and-white resolution target at twilight, all in order to measure the brightness of the glass. This is an important consideration for hunters, since game animals move more in the early morning and late evening than at any other time.

The binocular that can “see” the longest into the gathering darkness gets top marks. The model that loses its night-vision earliest gets the lowest score. Binoculars in the middle receive weighted scores somewhere between those two poles. We average the results over three nights to arrive at our adjusted score.

We break our 10-point scoring into four general categories: