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Bird Spotting Scopes

10 Best Bird Spotting Scopes 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7 score

Nikon Prostaff 5 Proscope 82mm Angled Body with 20-60x Zoom, Black

Nikon Prostaff 5 Proscope 82mm Angled Body with 20-60x Zoom, Black

Nikon

9.7 score

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The Nikon Prostaff 5 Proscope 82mm is a solid choice for birdwatchers looking for a reliable spotting scope. With an 82mm objective lens, it strikes a good balance between size and brightness, allowing for bright and high-contrast images, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The multicoated optics enhance color accuracy, which is essential for identifying bird species in the field. Its magnification range of 20 to 60x provides versatility, allowing users to zoom in on distant subjects effectively.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Magnification
Great magnification range from 20-60x with excellent low-light performance, allowing for detailed viewing even after sunset.
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens cover is easy to lose, and a more secure pinch-type cover would be preferable.
Field of View
Amazingly clear to the edges with no blue fringing and a wide field-of-view, making it exceptionally powerful and versatile for various distances.
Weight and Portability
Despite its weight, the scope is very clear on birds and wildlife when mounted on a heavy tripod.
#2
9.4 score

Celestron – Hummingbird 56mm Angled Spotting Scope – Ultra Portable Micro Spotting Scope – 9-27x Zoom Eyepiece – Fully Multi-Coated and ED Glass Optics – Rubber Armored – Tripod Adaptable

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Celestron – Hummingbird 56mm Angled Spotting Scope – Ultra Portable Micro Spotting Scope – 9-27x Zoom Eyepiece – Fully Multi-Coated and ED Glass Optics – Rubber Armored – Tripod Adaptable

Celestron

9.4 score

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The Celestron Hummingbird 56mm Angled Spotting Scope is designed with birdwatchers in mind, offering a compact and lightweight option for those who enjoy spotting wildlife on the go. With a magnification range of 9-27x and a 56mm objective lens diameter, it strikes a good balance between power and brightness, making it suitable for various lighting conditions. The fully multi-coated ED glass optics enhance image clarity and color fidelity, which is crucial for identifying different bird species.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Magnification
While the included zoom eyepiece shows softness and chromatic aberration at higher magnifications, switching to a 1.25" astronomical eyepiece significantly improves image quality.
Eye Relief
Eye relief could be better, especially for glasses wearers.
Weight and Portability
Compact and lightweight, making it perfect for birding on the go.
#3
9.2 score

Vortex 20-60x85 Razor HD Spotting Scope

Vortex 20-60x85 Razor HD Spotting Scope

Vortex

9.2 score

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The Vortex 20-60x85 Razor HD Spotting Scope is a high-quality option for bird-spotting enthusiasts. It offers impressive magnification (20-60x) and an 85mm objective lens diameter, providing clear and bright images even in low light conditions. The HD extra-low dispersion glass ensures excellent clarity, color accuracy, and resolution, making it easier to spot and identify birds accurately. Additionally, the exterior lenses are protected by the ArmorTek coating, which is scratch-resistant and repels oil and dirt, enhancing durability and longevity.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Magnification
Thrilled with the combination of the Vortex scope and Manfrotto tripod and gimbal head; a powerful setup with some shake at high magnification but manageable.
Eye Relief
Comfortable view through the eyepiece even for those wearing glasses, with no issues using the lens cap.
Lens Coatings
Excellent for olympic-style recurve archery with great light return and no color distortions, making it easy to distinguish target colors.

Top 10 Best Bird Spotting Scopes 2025 in the United States

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MD.LIFE

Monocular Telescope 80x100 High Power with Smartphone Adapter Tripod,Larger Vision Monoculars for Adults with BAK4 Prism & FMC Lens, Suitable for Bird Watching Hunting Hiking Camping Wildlife-Green

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#1

Winner

9.7 score

Slide 1

Nikon

Nikon Prostaff 5 Proscope 82mm Angled Body with 20-60x Zoom, Black

Magnification: 20 to 60x
Objective Lens Diameter: 82mm
Lens Coatings: multicoated
Waterproof and Fogproof: Yes
Weight and Portability: 4.1 pounds

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Chosen by 1440 this week

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MD.LIFE

Monocular Telescope 80x100 High Power with Smartphone Adapter Tripod,Larger Vision Monoculars for Adults with BAK4 Prism & FMC Lens, Suitable for Bird Watching Hunting Hiking Camping Wildlife-Green

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30% OFF
#2

9.4 score

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Celestron

Celestron – Hummingbird 56mm Angled Spotting Scope – Ultra Portable Micro Spotting Scope – 9-27x Zoom Eyepiece – Fully Multi-Coated and ED Glass Optics – Rubber Armored – Tripod Adaptable

Magnification: 9-27x
Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
Lens Coatings: Fully multi-coated ED glass
Waterproof and Fogproof: Yes
Weight and Portability: 1.4 pounds, 11 x 7 x 5

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13% OFF
#3

9.2 score

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Vortex

Vortex 20-60x85 Razor HD Spotting Scope

Magnification: 20-60x
Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
Lens Coatings: ArmorTek, fully multi-coated XR
Waterproof and Fogproof: 100% waterproof, fogproof, dustproof, shockproof
Weight and Portability: 65.7 ounces, 15.5 x 7.6 x 6.8

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#4

8.9 score

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Vortex

Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scope 16-48x65 Angled, Green

Magnification: 16-48x
Objective Lens Diameter: 65mm
Lens Coatings: multi anti-reflective coatings
Waterproof and Fogproof: Yes
Weight and Portability: 3.1 pounds

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#5

8.6 score

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Vortex

Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope 20-60x85 Angled

Magnification: 20-60x85
Objective Lens Diameter: 85 mm
Lens Coatings: XR anti-reflective
Waterproof and Fogproof: Yes
Weight and Portability: 2.2 kg

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#6

8.3 score

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Vortex

Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (16-48x65 Straight)

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#7

8.0 score

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Swarovski

Swarovski ATS 80 HD W/ 20-60X (86614)

Magnification: 20-60x
Objective Lens Diameter: 80 mm
Lens Coatings: HD lenses with fluoride
Waterproof and Fogproof: Yes
Weight and Portability: 5.6 lbs, 18.8x6.2x4.6 in

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#8

7.7 score

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Nexiview

Nexiview 25-75x80 HD Spotting Scope with 64in Tripod and Upgraded Phone Adapter, Clear Image with BAK4 Prism Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting, Bird Watching, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing（Green）

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35% OFF
#9

7.4 score

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Swarovski

Swarovski Optik ATS-65 HD Spotting Scope with 20x60 Eyepiece (Angled, 65mm)

Magnification: 20x to 60x
Objective Lens Diameter: 65mm
Waterproof and Fogproof: Yes
Weight and Portability: 36 oz, 12.79 in

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#10

7.1 score

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WOZEL

WOZEL 25-75X80 Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting - HD Spotter Scope with Tripod Carrying Bag & Smartphone Holder - BAK4 Waterproof Spotting Scope for Bird Watching Hunting Wildlife Viewing

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Buying Guide for the Best Bird Spotting Scopes

Choosing the right bird-spotting scope can greatly enhance your bird-watching experience. The right scope will allow you to see birds in great detail, even from a distance. When selecting a bird-spotting scope, it's important to consider several key specifications that will affect the scope's performance and suitability for your needs. Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision and ensure you get the best scope for your bird-watching adventures.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the scope can make the bird appear. This is usually represented by a number followed by an 'x', such as 20x or 60x. Higher magnification allows you to see more detail, but it can also make the image shakier and reduce the field of view. For general bird-watching, a magnification range of 20x to 40x is often sufficient. If you need to see birds at very long distances, you might opt for higher magnification, but be prepared to use a tripod for stability.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. A larger objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, which can result in a brighter and clearer image, especially in low-light conditions. Common sizes range from 50mm to 80mm. If you often bird-watch in dim light or want the best possible image quality, go for a larger objective lens. However, larger lenses also make the scope heavier and bulkier, so consider how much weight you're willing to carry.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a certain distance, usually measured in feet at 1,000 yards. A wider field of view makes it easier to locate and follow birds, especially those that move quickly. Scopes with lower magnification typically offer a wider field of view. If you prioritize ease of tracking birds, choose a scope with a wider FOV. However, if you need to see fine details, you might opt for a narrower FOV with higher magnification.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance from the eyepiece to your eye where you can still see the full field of view. This is particularly important for people who wear glasses. Longer eye relief (15mm or more) is more comfortable and allows you to see the entire image without straining. If you wear glasses, look for scopes with longer eye relief to ensure a comfortable viewing experience. If you don't wear glasses, eye relief may be less critical, but it's still a factor in overall comfort.
Lens CoatingsLens coatings are applied to the glass surfaces to reduce glare and improve light transmission, resulting in clearer and brighter images. Coatings can range from single-layer to multi-layer (fully multi-coated) applications. Fully multi-coated lenses provide the best image quality by maximizing light transmission and reducing reflections. If you want the clearest and brightest images, opt for scopes with fully multi-coated lenses. For casual bird-watching, single or multi-coated lenses may suffice.
Waterproof and FogproofWaterproof and fogproof features protect the scope from moisture and internal fogging, which can be crucial in various weather conditions. These scopes are typically sealed with O-rings and filled with nitrogen or argon gas. If you plan to bird-watch in different environments and weather conditions, choosing a waterproof and fogproof scope will ensure durability and consistent performance. If you only bird-watch in fair weather, this feature might be less critical.
Weight and PortabilityWeight and portability are important considerations, especially if you plan to carry the scope for long periods or over long distances. Heavier scopes can be more stable and offer better image quality, but they can also be cumbersome. Lighter scopes are easier to carry but may compromise on some features. Consider how you will use the scope and balance the need for portability with the desired performance. If you hike a lot, a lighter scope might be more practical.

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