Quick Answer
- Choose a monocular if you want something tiny for quick looks — in a pocket, a glovebox or a hiking pack — and you won't look through it for long.
- Choose binoculars if you'll watch birds or animals for minutes at a time, follow moving subjects, or want the clearest, most comfortable view.
- On a budget? A good monocular is the cheapest way into quality glass. A compact binocular costs more but is much nicer to use.
The Difference in One Table
| Monocular | Compact binoculars | Full-size binoculars | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example | Vortex Solo 8×36 Monocular | Vortex Diamondback HD 8×28 | Vortex Viper HD 8×42 |
| Eyes | One | Both | Both |
| Size | Pocket-size | Jacket-pocket size | Neck strap or harness |
| Long viewing | Tiring | Comfortable | Most comfortable |
| Low light | Fair | Fair | Best |
| Our price | $119.99 | $159.99 | $489.99 |
Why Two Eyes See Better
- Comfort. With a monocular you squint or cover one eye. After a few minutes that gets tiring. With binoculars both eyes stay relaxed and open.
- A clearer picture. Your brain combines the image from both eyes, so the view looks more detailed and has better contrast than the same glass seen with one eye.
- Depth. Two eyes give a sense of depth — it's easier to see which branch a bird is on, or whether an animal is in front of or behind a tree.
- Steadiness. Two hands and the binocular resting against your brow hold the image steadier than one hand holding a monocular.
When a Monocular Makes Sense
- Size and weight come first — ultralight hiking, running, cycling, travel. The Vortex Solo 8×36 Monocular weighs 9.7 oz and is about 5 inches long.
- Quick checks — reading a trail sign, checking a far-off animal, looking at a house number from the car.
- A backup that lives in the truck or pack, so you're never without glass.
- Glasses wearers: look for long eye relief so you can see the full view with your glasses on — the Solo 8x36 has 18 mm.
8x or 10x? For a monocular, 8x is usually the better choice. You hold it with one hand, so higher power shows more shake. 8x also gives a wider view, which makes it easier to find what you're looking for.
When Binoculars Are Worth It
- Bird watching — you'll look for long periods and follow quick movement. See Optics for Birding.
- Hunting — glassing a hillside for minutes at a time with one eye isn't practical.
- Dawn, dusk and dark woods — larger binoculars gather more light than a small monocular.
If you want binoculars nearly as small as a monocular, look at compacts: the Vortex Diamondback HD 8×28 ($159.99), or the Swarovski CL Pocket 8×25 ($1,049), which folds small enough for a jacket pocket.
Our Picks
- Pocket monocular: Vortex Solo 8×25 Monocular — $69.99.
- Brighter monocular: Vortex Solo 8×36 Monocular — $119.99.
- Small binocular, small price: Vortex Diamondback HD 8×28 — $159.99.
- One binocular for everything: Vortex Viper HD 8×42 — $489.99.
See all monoculars and binoculars.
