Get The Best View From Land Or Sea With The Very Best Binoculars

Spot birds, waves and more with this lightweight travel accessory.

Binoculars have long been a staple of tourist jokes, but they became part of the uniform for a reason. Being able to scout the trail ahead, check out the sites in detail, or see the local wildlife without bothering it has a lot of pluses. Here's what to look for to get the very best binoculars.

Skygenius 8x21 Compact Binoculars Lightweight for Concert Theater Opera
A small set is good for kids or someone who needs a free hand on rugged terrain. | Skygenius

Decide if you'd like full-size versions, better for wildlife spotting and other adventures, or portable ones you can tuck in your neck or pocket, ideal for events and trail scouting while hiking.

SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Binoculars for Adults Durable Full-Size Clear Binoculars for Bird Watching
When you have a lot of ground or sky to cover, you'll need the real deal. | SkyGenius

Regardless of your pick, look for the largest lens size possible: The larger the lens diameter, the more light can filter in.

Aurosports 10x25 Folding High Powered Compact Binoculars
Day or night, you can experience clear vision. | Aurosports

Make sure the controls are easy to work with as well, especially if the whole family will be sharing a set.

Powerful Binoculars with Clear Weak Light Vision - Lightweight
A strong HD picture isn't just for your TV. | Adorrgon

Check the coatings of lenses as well, as different coatings can give you different effects like better performance in low-light.

Gosky 10x42 Roof Prism Binoculars for Adults, HD Professional Binoculars for Bird Watching Travel Stargazing Hunting Concerts
Pair it with your phone's camera to get even better images. | Gosky

Don't forget the accessories, such as neck lanyards, carrying cases, and smartphone mounts for snapping photos from a distance.