The 6 Best Binoculars for Stargazing between $50-$1000
While stargazing is great under any circumstances, there’s something special about using equipment to enhance your view. Using a telescope or binoculars will unlock wonders further in the solar system and deep space, and can encourage a love of the universe for yourself or someone you love. That’s why I’ve put together so many guides for the best stargazing equipment, including the best binoculars for stargazing at each price point.
Below you’ll find a round-up of the best astronomy binoculars from each of the lists I’ve previously written; this is the ‘greatest hits’ list, if you want to think of it that way.
So whether you’re looking for your first pair of binoculars for stargazing or are ready to upgrade, below you’ll find the best of the best at each price point from $50 to $1000.
Note: Lens and binocular prices have been very volatile in the past two years due to supply chain issues. Note that prices might vary widely from the prices I reported when this post was last updated.
This post was originally published in April 2022, and was updated most recently in February 2023.
The Best Binoculars for Stargazing
Before jumping into each pair of binoculars and what makes them great, I thought it might help to show a table of all six that I recommend. These are binoculars with great specs and power, are good for stargazing, and are highly rated and popular with fellow astronomy fans and amateur astronomers.
| Price Bracket | Product | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50 | Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars | Link |
| Under $100 | Celestron SkyMaster 12×60 Binocular | Link |
| Under $200 | Nikon Aculon 10-22×50 | Link |
| Under $300 | Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars | Link |
| Under $500 | Nikon MONARCH 5 10×42 Binocular | Link |
| Under $1000 | Meopta MeoPro European 10×42 Binoculars | Link |
Read on to learn more about each of these fantastic astronomy binoculars at each price point.
Under $50: Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars
Celestron is a well-established company, and their binoculars almost always appear in top lists of astronomy gear. Their Cometron 7×50 is no exception and is one of the best binoculars under $50 in the market.
The Cometron 7×50 is an excellent companion to take your first steps into stargazing. These binoculars feature multi-coated Porro prisms to reduce glare and reflection and grant a clear view of the night sky. Their objective lenses are 50 mm and have an excellent light-gathering ability. The only downside is that the glasses are BK7 instead of BAK-4, but it shouldn’t interfere that much in your session, especially if you’re a beginner.
The most important thing here is: Can you see more stars than with the naked eye? You bet. Design-wise, they are lightweight and easy to hold. In fact, these binoculars could be suitable for kids as well.
For other options, check my list of all the other best binoculars for stargazing under $50.
Under $100: Celestron SkyMaster 12×60 Binocular
You can’t go wrong with the Celestron SkyMaster 12×60 Binoculars since they truly are one of the best binoculars under $100. Celestron has especially designed and engineered this larger Sky Master model to meet the special demands of extended astronomical viewing sessions. So, not only are these binoculars affordable but also of extremely high quality for stargazers.
The large 60mm objective lenses and powerful 12x magnification ensure a clear, crisp view of the star-studded sky, while their multicoated lenses and BaK-4 prisms deliver excellent light transmission even when you’re viewing in the dimmest conditions.
Here are other options for the best budget astronomy binoculars between $50-$100.
Under $200: Nikon 8252 Aculon A211 10-22×50
While the name is a mouthful, the Nikon 8252 Aculon A211 10-22×50 is a multi-purpose binocular that provides excellent performance for everything from astronomy to birding.
They feature 50 mm objective lenses, BaK4 Porro prism, and fully multi-coated optics, which provide outstanding image resolution even in low light conditions. They have a lightweight, contoured body, making them easy to hold, and a textured center focus knob to easily adjust magnification.
You’ll find a tripod adapter within the package if you prefer to engage in a hands-free view session. The only downside to this binocular is their field of view of only 3.9 degrees and that they might be shaky at full zoom.
Here’s my list of the rest of the best binoculars for stargazing between $100-$200.
Under $300: Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars
A favorite of keen birders, the Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars are the best astronomy binoculars under $300 in part thanks to their great price. The ergonomics on this product are also fantastic. The binoculars feature a lightweight magnesium chassis, preserving the strength of a metal chassis while reducing the weight by as much as 35%.
Thanks to the ED Glass and ESP Dielectric Coating, Midas provides unbelievable clarity and brightness of image – the stars pop into view with ease. The ED glass prevents chromatic fringe and minimizes glare and ghost images. The ESP Dielectric Coating reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes, bringing you a bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.
See the other astronomy binoculars I recommend between $200-$300.
Under $500: Nikon MONARCH 5 10×42 Binocular
With superior quality, these Nikon Monarchs are close to being the best binoculars under $500. The binoculars feature conventional Schmidt-Pechan prisms with phase coatings for crisp and clear views, especially in low light at dawn or dusk. They also incorporate the ED Glass to correct chromatic aberration.
The construction is sturdy and very durable, with built-in lens covers that stargazers can flip off during use. Designed with the typical Monarch look, the binoculars have rubber armor and a high-quality composite interior. The black armor is grippy and makes them very secure in your hands, whereas the composite body makes them compact and lightweight.
For other options, here are the binoculars for stargazing between $300-$500 that I recommend.
Under $1000: Meopta MeoPro European 10×42 Binoculars
The Meopta MeoPro European 10×42 binocular is one of the best binoculars under $1000.
Although the Meopta MEOPRO has a bulky look, nobody will see it in the dark and its ergonomic rubber armor and rugged, lightweight magnesium chassis make it super comfortable to hold.
The lenses are completely multi-coated with Meopta’s lens coatings that deliver an outstanding 99.7% light transmission per lens surface. It also comes with objective lenses that eliminate color aberrations and provide vivid images with exceptional brightness.
See the rest of the astronomy binoculars between $500-$1000 that I recommend.
Have any questions about these best binoculars for stargazing at each price point? Let me know in the comments!
Valerie Stimac
Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many different perspectives. Join her on this journey to explore space right here on earth.
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