Binocular Chart

Best binoculars over $1,000: high-end models

The Nikon WX 10x50 IF has the widest field here at 472 ft at 1,000 yd, and the Steiner Commander 7x50 has the largest exit pupil at 7.1 mm.

Top picks

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Best binoculars over $1,000: high-end models
ModelSizeField of viewEye reliefClose focusWeightExit pupilAmazon
Swarovski EL 10x42 Longest eye relief 10x42 336 ft 20 mm 10.8 ft 29.6 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Swarovski SLC 15x56 15x56 234 ft 16 mm 12.8 ft 42.3 oz 3.7 mm Check price on Amazon
Swarovski CL Companion 8x30 8x30 420 ft 19 mm 9.8 ft 19 oz 3.8 mm Check price on Amazon
Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 10x42 363 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 24 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 Lightest 10x25 294 ft 17 mm 8.2 ft 12.3 oz 2.5 mm Check price on Amazon
Steiner Commander 7x50 Largest exit pupil 7x50 420 ft 66 ft 38 oz 7.1 mm Check price on Amazon
Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 18x56 194 ft 16.4 mm 19.8 ft 43.5 oz 3.1 mm Check price on Amazon
Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42 Closest focus 10x42 341 ft 16.6 mm 5 ft 24.3 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Nikon WX 10x50 IF Widest field of view 10x50 472 ft 15.3 mm 65.6 ft 88.4 oz 5 mm Check price on Amazon
Maven B.6 12x50 12x50 289 ft 17.5 mm 7.5 ft 30.7 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon

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How these binoculars were chosen

A model joins this list when its maker list price falls over $1,000. Each series appears once, in one size, with the models that carry an Amazon button first and the most popular first.

Every figure comes from the makers' documents. Exit pupil and brightness are calculated from the size, so they are marked as calculated wherever they appear.

Picks for every use and price are in the main best binoculars list.

The picks, most popular first

Longest eye relief

Swarovski EL 10x42

  • Field of view 336 ft
  • Eye relief 20 mm
  • Close focus 10.8 ft
  • Weight 29.6 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The EL 10x42 has the longest eye relief here at 20 mm, which suits eyeglass wearers by the RSPB's 16 mm figure. Its 336 ft field matches the size median and places 40 of 78. It weighs 29.6 oz, and close focus is 10.8 ft.

Check price on Amazon

Swarovski SLC 15x56

  • Field of view 234 ft
  • Eye relief 16 mm
  • Close focus 12.8 ft
  • Weight 42.3 oz
  • Maker list price over $2,000

The SLC 15x56 has a 234 ft field at 1,000 yd, level with the 234 ft median for its size, and weighs 42.3 oz. Eye relief is 16 mm. At 15x a tripod becomes necessary, by Celestron's figure, and the model accepts one. It sits over $2,000.

Check price on Amazon

Swarovski CL Companion 8x30

  • Field of view 420 ft
  • Eye relief 19 mm
  • Close focus 9.8 ft
  • Weight 19 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The CL Companion 8x30 gives 19 mm of eye relief, against a 15.4 mm median for its size, so eyeglass wearers keep the full view. It weighs 19 oz and focuses to 9.8 ft. The calculated exit pupil of 3.8 mm limits it at dusk, and it is rated to 4 m.

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Nikon Monarch HG 10x42

  • Field of view 363 ft
  • Eye relief 17 mm
  • Close focus 6.6 ft
  • Weight 24 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The Monarch HG 10x42 has a 363 ft field at 1,000 yd, which places 8 of 78 models in its size, against a 336 ft median. Eye relief is 17 mm and the weight is 24 oz. It carries ED glass. The calculated exit pupil of 4.2 mm is a middling figure for dusk.

Check price on Amazon

Lightest

Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25

  • Field of view 294 ft
  • Eye relief 17 mm
  • Close focus 8.2 ft
  • Weight 12.3 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The CL Pocket 10x25 is the lightest pick at 12.3 oz, with 17 mm of eye relief against a 14.6 mm median for its size. The maker names birding, travel, sports and hiking. The field is 294 ft and the calculated exit pupil is only 2.5 mm.

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Largest exit pupil

Steiner Commander 7x50

  • Field of view 420 ft
  • Close focus 66 ft
  • Weight 38 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The Commander 7x50 has a calculated exit pupil of 7.1 mm, the largest here, and a 420 ft field that places 2 of 20 in its size. The maker names marine use, and it is rated for submersion to 33 ft. Close focus is 66 ft and the weight is 38 oz.

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Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56

  • Field of view 194 ft
  • Eye relief 16.4 mm
  • Close focus 19.8 ft
  • Weight 43.5 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

At 18x, the Kaibab HD pulls a 194 ft field, level with the median for its size, and weighs 43.5 oz. The maker names hunting, and it accepts a tripod. Celestron says 15x and higher needs one. The calculated exit pupil is 3.1 mm and close focus is 19.8 ft.

Check price on Amazon

Closest focus

Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42

  • Field of view 341 ft
  • Eye relief 16.6 mm
  • Close focus 5 ft
  • Weight 24.3 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42 focuses down to 5 ft, against a 7.5 ft median for its size. Its 341 ft field is the 6.5 degrees Audubon asks of bird binoculars, and eye relief is 16.6 mm. The field places 26 of 78, and the weight is 24.3 oz.

Check price on Amazon

Widest field of view

Nikon WX 10x50 IF

  • Field of view 472 ft
  • Eye relief 15.3 mm
  • Close focus 65.6 ft
  • Weight 88.4 oz
  • Maker list price over $2,000

The WX 10x50 IF has a 472 ft field, the widest here and first of 36 in its size, with a median of 315 ft. It has ED glass and individual focus, and the maker names astronomy and marine use. It weighs 88.4 oz, close focus is 65.6 ft, and it sits over $2,000.

Check price on Amazon

Maven B.6 12x50

  • Field of view 289 ft
  • Eye relief 17.5 mm
  • Close focus 7.5 ft
  • Weight 30.7 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

This 12x50 offers 17.5 mm of eye relief and a 289 ft field that places 7 of 33 in its size. It weighs 30.7 oz, carries ED glass and is rated IPX7 for 1 m for 30 min. At 12x it is harder to hold steady, but it accepts a tripod.

Check price on Amazon

By the numbers

Binoculars compared
10
Median field of view
339 ft
Field of view range
194 to 472 ft
Median weight
30.2 oz
Median eye relief
17 mm
With 16 mm eye relief or more
8 of 9
With an Amazon listing
10 of 10

Field of view of each pick, widest first, from the makers' figures.

Eye relief and field of view at this price

The field of view across this list runs from 194 to 472 ft, with a median of 339 ft. The median eye relief is 17 mm, and 8 of 9 models with a printed figure give 16 mm or more.

The RSPB shop says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm of eye relief. Swarovski Optik puts high-quality binoculars at 14 to 19 mm. The Swarovski EL 10x42 gives 20 mm, past both.

Audubon says bird binoculars should have a field of at least 6.5 degrees. The Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42 meets that exactly at 341 ft. For more on the numbers, read about eye relief explained.

Power, tripods and dusk light

Nikon defines exit pupil as the objective diameter divided by magnification, and says a larger one gives a brighter view in dim light. The 10x42 models here work out to 4.2 mm. Use the exit pupil calculator for any other size.

Celestron says a tripod is not required at 8x to 12x but becomes necessary at 15x and higher. The Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 and Swarovski SLC 15x56 both sit in that range, and both accept a tripod.

The British Astronomical Association says anything above 10x is hard to hold and should be mounted. That applies to the Maven model at 12x as well.

Weighing the picks

The median weight is 30.2 oz, but the spread is wide. The Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 weighs 12.3 oz and the Nikon WX 10x50 IF weighs 88.4 oz. The median close focus is 10.3 ft, and the Leupold reaches 5 ft.

Of the 10 models, 3 carry ED glass, and roof is the most common prism. If you wear glasses, compare the binoculars for glasses wearers. For a 10x42 choice, the 10x42 size page sets four of these models against the rest of the size.

What this list leaves out

Each series appears once, so the Nikon Monarch HG is shown in 10x42 although it also comes in 8x42, and in 8x30 and 10x30. Prices are maker list price bands only, and the Nikon WX and Swarovski SLC sit over $2,000.

Models priced lower are on the $500 to $1,000 list. To see every model together, read best binoculars compared.

The short answer

Pick the Nikon WX 10x50 IF for the widest field at 472 ft, and accept its 88.4 oz weight. The Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 suits a pocket at 12.3 oz. For eyeglass wearers, the Swarovski EL 10x42 gives 20 mm of eye relief.

More binocular lists

Questions and answers

Which model over $1,000 has the widest field of view?

The Nikon WX 10x50 IF has the widest field at 472 ft at 1,000 yd. That is first among 40 models of its size, with a size median of 315 ft.

Which model suits eyeglass wearers best?

The Swarovski EL 10x42 has the longest eye relief here at 20 mm. The RSPB shop says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm, and 8 of 9 models with a printed figure meet it.

Which model is the lightest?

The Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 is the lightest at 12.3 oz. The median weight for this list is 30.2 oz.

Do the 15x and 18x models need a tripod?

Celestron says a tripod becomes necessary at 15x and higher. The Swarovski SLC 15x56 and Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 both accept one.

Which model brings in the most light at dusk?

The Steiner Commander 7x50 has the largest calculated exit pupil at 7.1 mm. Nikon says a larger exit pupil gives a brighter view in dim light.