Best Monoculars of 2025

"As a bird watcher, I've found the monocular incredibly simple to use, especially with my eye issues. It works well without double vision, making it much easier to track birds. It's compact enough to carry around, and I appreciate the decent case it comes with. I'm eager to explore the smartphone attachment as well!"

"I've had this monocular for a couple of years, and it's held up remarkably well. I've dropped it a few times, but it still performs like new. It's not the lightest option, but it fits in my pocket. The focus knob is just right—easy to turn but secure. The smartphone mount is more secure than others I've tried, allowing me to take clear photos."

"I just received this monocular and found it super easy to set up. I have an iPhone X, and it's essential to align it with the top camera for the best results. It has a nice weight to it, and with the right technique, I can take great photos. I was impressed with the quality for the price, and I think it will last a long time."

"I was amazed by the great quality from Vortex. This monocular brings images right to you while allowing me to see the bigger picture. It fits perfectly in my hand, reducing shake, and works well with or without glasses. The separate adjustments for focus are fantastic, making it adjustable for my vision needs. Plus, the carrying case is excellent!"

"Initially, I was skeptical about spending over $100 for a monocular, but this one is worth every penny! The optics are exceptionally clear, and I can easily spot objects over 50 yards away with minimal shake. The only downside is that the focus dials are a bit stiff, but I prefer that for stability. Overall, I consider this a family heirloom now!"

"I really appreciate the good quality optics and the improved performance in low light compared to my previous model. The reticle for ranging distances is helpful, and I can adjust the clarity easily. However, I did have an issue with the ocular extender cracking upon first use, but I can still manage without it. Despite that, it's a compact and useful piece of equipment at a great price!"

"I purchased the Explorer for my elk and deer hunt in Utah. It worked great in rugged, high altitudes, and its lightweight design was a big plus. The 50mm primary gathered enough light for scanning distant meadows and ridges. Although they don't compete with Swarovskis in clarity, their portability made them the go-to choice for my group. I also had some tips on usage, like holding the focus ring down for comfort, and I had to reinforce the belt strap before heading out."

"I really enjoy this monocular. It's easy to use and incredibly powerful for the price. I was able to read a Washington DC license plate from about 300 yards away on an overcast day, which is impressive. The adjustment knob is user-friendly, and it's comfortable to hold with one hand. However, I was surprised that it arrived without any packing material, which made me a bit nervous during shipping."

"While I love most of the features of this monocular, the optics aren't as sharp as I hoped. The 12x power highlights this weakness, especially when focusing on details like birds. That said, it feels solid in my hand, and the focus knob is easy to use one-handed. I've decided to keep it for quick backyard viewing, even if I use my higher-end optics for serious wildlife observation."

"I was looking for a small monocular for football games and concerts. After checking reviews on Amazon, the Grip Scope stood out, and I’m really glad I purchased it. It’s the perfect size and weight, making it easy to hold steady. The retractable eyepiece design is great for me as a glasses wearer. The manufacturer’s description was accurate and informative. I highly recommend the Grip Scope for its great quality at a reasonable price!"

"The Roxant monocular has become a valuable part of my survival gear. It allows me to see details clearly from a distance, which is crucial for identifying activity in an area before entering. However, I do find the included bag a bit inadequate since it lacks padding. To solve this, I made a protective case from cardboard. Overall, I’m thrilled with the performance and clarity of this monocular, especially for its price!"

"I bought the Roxant Grip Scope for outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. I appreciate the monocular's compactness compared to binoculars. It feels rugged and provides a clear image, and I found the information pamphlet about its features helpful. However, after dropping it, the inner lenses popped out, which was disappointing, but the optics are otherwise high quality. I just need to be more careful!"

"I brought this monocular on the Kanya game drive and found it lightweight, small, and durable. It met all my needs for the trip, with good resolution and color. Although it was harder to find targets compared to binoculars, I still prefer the lighter size."

"As an avid birdwatcher, I appreciate that I can easily hold the monocular with one hand while focusing with the other. It has a nice weight and is sturdy enough for outdoor use. Overall, I'm really pleased with my purchase!"

"I recently bought this monocular and I'm absolutely thrilled! It's lightweight, compact, and powerful. The magnification and image clarity are impressive, allowing me to spot details I couldn't see with my naked eye. Plus, it's durable and fits perfectly in my hand!"

"I just received my 10x36 Vortex monocular, and I'm really impressed! It's a great little unit for a quick look, particularly with its Vortex quality and VIP warranty. The clarity is impressive, and it even performs well in low light conditions."

"As a first-time monocular user, I chose the 10x36 model. It feels sturdy with a hard rubber grip and good fit. However, I miss the protective caps for maintaining the glass and avoiding fingerprints. The focus can be tricky at distances beyond 100 meters, but overall, I'm satisfied with the optical experience."

"After using this monocular during a safari in Africa, I found it to be compact, light, and easy to use. The clarity of the glass is impressive, and it fits perfectly in my truck without taking up much space. The focus is a bit sensitive, but it works well overall!"

"This is my first vortex product, and I totally understand the hype. Very little color fringing and the 8x36 configuration is BRIGHT. The eyecups are great, and it's built very well. With the no-fault warranty, these are definitely a winner. I got them on sale for about $70, which is a steal, but they're also a great buy at regular price. They are very portable, clear, and the focusing is precise. The focus wheel is a bit stiff, but it's negligible overall. If you're looking for a great monocular, buy these!"

"I've had my monocular for years, using it everywhere from the swamps of Florida to the mountains of Tennessee. The only issue was when my young child pulled the rubber cap off the eye relief adjuster. I just stuck it back on, and it’s stayed put. The side clip is super convenient, and I even managed to mount the case on my kidney straps. It's light and easier to deal with than binoculars. Just a tip: holding a lot of magnification steady with one hand can be tricky. I suggest 6x-12x power for a monocular, and I personally stick to 8x for moving around."

"I love this monocular! I got it for my kayak trips and hiking outings. The image quality is crystal clear, and it’s just a lot of fun to use. I compared it to my Bushnell binoculars (10x42), and the Solo 8x36 was very close in clarity and brightness. I also checked it against the Vortex 8x25, but it just didn’t have the brightness. I’m glad I chose the 8x36; it was worth the extra $50. The focusing wheel is a bit firm, but I've adapted to it. Overall, I am very happy with my choice!"

“I bought this monocular for my 10-year-old grandson, who loves exploring. He absolutely adores this handy device! It’s the best gift I could have chosen for him. He uses it all the time and has enjoyed seeing close-ups of mountains and birds. I highly recommend this monocular over clumsy binoculars. It’s lightweight, sturdy, and comes with a handy case. My grandson is always happy with it, and I foresee many adventures ahead.”

“I took this monocular on my trips to Montana and Africa, and it worked exceptionally well for spotting wildlife. The clarity was impressive, and I appreciated its portability. It was easy to carry around, making it a fantastic addition to my travel gear.”

“This product is just what I needed for birdwatching. It's lightweight and easy to carry, fitting perfectly in my bag. The focus is very clear, allowing me to view birds in my yard from a distance of 10 to 30 feet. I’m really satisfied with my purchase!”

"I am very pleased with the Vortex Solo 8x25. It's lightweight, yet feels ruggedly built. The clear optics make it perfect for quick spotting. The only downside is the strap; I ended up making my own. Overall, I highly recommend it for its price."

"After years of searching, I finally found the monocular I needed. It's excellent for quick access, especially in the backcountry. I took it on a hike and had a great experience. The second one I ordered came with a better case, which gives me hope that feedback is being considered."

"I bought this for a friend who needed a good optic for tracking her dogs. The image quality is vastly improved compared to her previous monocular. It's compact and easy to carry. While the focus is a bit stiff, I believe it will loosen with use. Overall, it's a quality tool that I would recommend."

"I found this monocular to be a great bargain. It works extremely well for observing birds and wildlife around my home. With its 10X power, I can see details like individual leaves from a quarter mile away. It’s compact enough to fit in my pocket, making it easy to use whenever I want to enjoy nature."

"Using the Tasco Essentials 10x monocular has been a good experience for me. I mainly observe aircraft, and it performs well in spotting low-flying planes. The optics are clear and the focus mechanism is effective. I appreciate being able to operate it with one hand, although it may require a steady hand if you're used to binoculars."

"For its price, this monocular is truly impressive. I use it to spot bus schedules from a distance, and it has exceeded my expectations with clear images. I've been using it daily for a week, and I'm really satisfied with the performance."