Last updated on May 10th, 2023 at 12:00 am
Monoculars are lighter, thus easier to carry and use, and more affordable for bird watching than binoculars. Some monoculars are so compact that they are more convenient to hold than a small handheld camcorder.
The best compact monoculars for bird watching include the Bushnell Legend 10×42 mm Ultra HD, Gosky Piper 12×55 mm HD, Opticron WP Mono 8×32 mm LE, and Vortex Optics Solo R/T 8×36 mm. Your criteria will boil down to the magnification, objective lens diameter, and optics quality.
Editor’s Note: We wrote a similar guide on why compact binoculars are great for birding.
1. Adasion 12×56 Millimeters HD Monocular Telescope
The Adasion 12×56 millimeters HD Monocular Telescope (Model MW6) is a compact design measuring 2.9 x 2.58 x 6.67 inches and weighing 0.99 pounds.
This bestselling monocular is available on Amazon.com and has the following features:
- 56 millimeters objective lens diameter
- 12x magnification (plus camera zoom)
- 12 millimeters BAK4 prism lens for HD
- 21 millimeters ocular lens and eyepiece
- Manual focus and reflex finderscope
- Dielectric and phase coating for clarity
- Power and smartphone adapters
- Hand strap and compact tripod
- 325 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- Nitrogen-filled, IPX7 waterproof design
The IPX7 standard makes this Adasion compact monocular waterproof at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The nitrogen-filled design makes the model fog and dustproof. The universal phone adapter works with all the major brands, including Apple, Google, and Samsung.
The 21 millimeters ocular lens and 3 eyepiece positions provide sufficient eye relief, including for those with eyeglasses.
However, the 56 millimeters objective lens has an exit pupil of only 4.6 millimeters at the fixed 12x magnification.
(Exit pupil = objective lens diameter / magnification)
4.6 millimeters may be an issue if you are bird watching in low-light conditions, despite the HD quality of the optics offered by this monocular.
Plus, 12x magnification might be a tad too much for those unfamiliar with monoculars or binoculars, as the view is rarely steady while scanning or tracking.
Whatever choice you make in this list, also consider a good birding field bag as you’ll need something to pack the monocular in.
2. Aurosports 10-30×40 Millimeters Zoom Monocular
The Aurosports 10-30x40mm Zoom Monocular (available on Amazon.com) is one of the most affordable compact options at your discretion.
This lightweight monoscope weighs only 0.35 pounds and measures 2.6 x 2.6 x 7.3 inches.
The entry-level model has the following specifications:
- 40 millimeters objective lens diameter
- 10x magnification with up to 30x zoom
- BAK4 prism system and 20mm ocular lens
- Reflex finderscope and manual focus
- 10x: 231 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- 30x: 110 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
The package doesn’t include a phone adapter or tripod, albeit there’s a port to mount it on the latter. The box comes with the following accessories:
- Eyecups
- Hand strap
- Carrying case
- Cleaning cloth
- User Manual
While the Aurosports compact monocular is well-crafted with a magnesium-aluminum alloy, the design isn’t exactly waterproof as per any established standard.
The 30x zoom feature works, but you will have to deal with shaky images unless you mount it on a tripod and don’t scan.
This Aurosports monocular isn’t for birders already familiar with binoculars and spotting scopes.
It’s an entry-level, inexpensive monocular, compact and light, that is appropriate for beginners, especially kids or teenagers.
3. Bushnell Legend 10×42 Millimeters Ultra HD Monocular
The Bushnell Legend 10×42 Millimeters Ultra HD Monocular (available on Amazon.com) is one of the most compact models with a few exceptional features.
This monocle measures only 1.5 x 1.5 x 5.4 inches, weighing 0.83 pounds.
Here are the main features:
- 42 millimeters optical lens diameter
- 10x magnification and manual focus
- Mil-hash reticle in the finderscope
- 4.2 millimeters of exit pupil
- 15.2 millimeters of eye relief
- PC-3 phase-coated BAK4 prism
- Multi-coated ED prime glass
- 340 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- 6.6 feet of close focus
- 100% waterproof and fogproof
The box doesn’t have a phone adapter or similar accessories, but you get the following:
- 1/4-20 adapter for tripods
- Picatinny rail mount
- Strap and carry case
- Twist-up eyecups
Very few brands make compact monoculars at this price with features like extra-low dispersion glass for super-resolution and clarity, including colors and details.
The PC-3 coating is another significant attribute because it enhances both contrast and resolution.
Bushnell’s waterproofing is rated as per the IPX7 standard.
The nitrogen-purged fog proofing with an o-ring seal ensures impeccable protection against moisture and fogging.
While Bushnell monoculars fare much better than other brands’ compact monoculars in optimizing the images in available light, the exit pupil is still insufficient for bird watching in darker or overcast settings.
If you like bird watching in the twilight hours or in various light conditions, you may consider the Bushnell Equinox 5x32mm Night Vision Monocular (available on Amazon.com).
The exit pupil is 6.4 millimeters, and you get an infrared illuminator and video recording in the Bushnell Equinox night vision monocle.
Editor’s Note: To understand how far you can see with this type of monocular, we wrote How Far Can You See With Night Vision Monoculars?
4. Carson CloseUp 6×18 Millimeters Monocular
The Carson CloseUp 6×18 Millimeters Monocular (Model CF-618) from Amazon is one of the lightest and smallest monoculars you will find.
The dimensions are 2.1 x 1.8 x 3.8 inches, and the monocular weighs just over 0.1 pounds.
But it is a close-focus monocular designed only for short distances.
Bird watching isn’t limited to daytime viewing in the wild.
Some birders like to watch the various wild species visiting their backyard feeders and trotting around the garden or perched nearby.
You don’t need an enormous magnification or an expensive monocle for such experiences.
The 18 millimeters lens and 6x magnification of this Carson monocular aren’t for bird watching in the wild.
But the 427 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards is what you might need when you’re trying to track a fast-moving wild bird in your backyard or neighborhood.
Additionally, the Carson CloseUp monocle is among the most inexpensive compact monoculars available.
You can use it as a backup for a close-focus and wide field of view.
You may also give this compact monocular to a child or an elderly who loves backyard bird watching at home.
5. Celestron Nature 10×25 Millimeters Monocular
The Celestron Nature 10×25 Monocular (available on Amazon.com) is exclusively for outdoor bird watching during the day.
The monocle is literally palm-sized, measuring around 3 x 3 x 6 inches and weighing only 0.37 lbs, but it won’t work well in low light.
Here are the features of the Celestron Nature 10×25 Monocular:
- 25 millimeters objective lens diameter
- 10x magnification and BAK4 prism
- 304 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- 18 feet of close focus distance
- 14 millimeters of eye relief
- Waterproof and fogproof monocle
- Multi-coated lens for sharp images
- One-hand adjustable focus diopter
- Grooved rubber grip and twist eyecups
- Belt case and cleaning cloth included
This Celestron Nature monocular model (71210) isn’t compatible with tripods, but you may not need one since the monocle is so light and small.
The compact monocle is also among the most affordable models from a company like Celestron, one of the leading brands in the optics niche.
Celestron has an even cheaper monocle for beginners that’s more compact, the UpClose G2 10×25 Monocular (available on Amazon.com).
It’s only 4.5 inches long and weighs around 0.25 pounds.
But you must give up on or downgrade a few features, such as settling for water-resistant instead of waterproof.
6. Feemic 8×42 Millimeters Monocular Telescope
The Feemic 8×42 Millimeters Monocular Telescope from Amazon is a reliable compact monocle at an affordable cost.
Feemic is not Bushnell, Gosky, or Opticron, but the 2 x 3 x 5.7 inches monocular weighing 0.56 pounds is practical for many.
The barrel is even smaller without the diopter, only 1.5 x 1.9 inches.
Here are the specifications of this compact Feemic monocular:
- 42 millimeters objective lens diameter
- 8x magnification and manual focus
- 16.5 millimeters ocular lens diameter
- BAK4 prism and multi-coated lens
- Up to 99.9% light transmittance
- 360 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- Fogproof, waterproof, and metal design
- Rubber coated for slip and shockproofing
The package doesn’t include any adaptor or tripod, which is unsurprising for the low price. But you get the following in the box:
- Lens cover
- Cleaning cloth
- Hand strap and pouch
- Instruction book or manual
The 8×42 millimeters configuration is more suitable for bird watching in low light due to an exit pupil of 5.4 millimeters.
The eyecups are adjustable, and the rubber stripes on the body ensure a pretty solid grip, even in adverse weather.
7. Gosky Piper 12×55 Millimeters HD Monocular Telescope
The Gosky Piper 12×55 Millimeters Monocular Telescope from Amazon is compact, but it isn’t palm or pocket-sized.
Measuring 3.25 x 2.12 x 6.95 inches, the Gosky monocle weighs 0.99 lbs, which is among the heavier options on this list.
However, Gosky makes up for that with its specifications:
- Large 55 millimeters fully multi-coated (FMC) objective lens
- 20 millimeters ocular lens diameter and multilayer eyepiece
- Large BAK4 prism to enhance natural light transmittance
- 12x magnification with 352 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- IPX7-rated waterproofing and nitrogen-purged fog proofing
- Dustproof and shockproof, with 18 millimeters of eye relief
- Up to 4.6 millimeters of exit pupil for different light conditions
- The box includes the lens caps, case, strap, smartphone mount, and other supplies you’ll need.
Gosky is one of the best-known brands in the optics industry, not only for its monoculars but also the binoculars, spotting scopes, and tripods.
There’s no second-guessing Gosky’s optics quality, and this Piper 12×55 millimeters compact monocular is no exception.
The large objective lens and ocular or eyepiece diameter are precisely why many people like to use monoculars.
Bins with such specs tend to be bulky and somewhat inconvenient, but the 12x magnification, in this case, is only for those familiar with scopes to avert any wobbliness.
8. Opticron WP Mono 8×32 Millimeters LE (Black)
The Opticron Waterproof 8×32 Millimeters LE Black Monocular (available on Amazon.com) is one of the best compact monocles at a relatively affordable price, especially since the brand is known for its high-end optics products.
Its dimensions are 2.2 x 1.9 x 5.2 inches and weigh only 0.60 pounds.
Here are the key specs:
- 32 millimeters objective lens diameter
- 21.5 millimeters ocular lens diameter
- 8x magnification with BAK4 prism
- Multi-coated lenses and prisms
- 393 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- 16 millimeters or 0.6 inches of eye relief
- 16.4 feet or 5 meters of close focus
- 2-stage twist and retractable eyecups
- Armored polycarbonate construction
- Nitrogen-filled fogproof and waterproof
The only complaint you may have with this compact monocular is its exit pupil, which is barely 4 millimeters, not ideal in low light.
Otherwise, the optics quality is exceptional.
You can enjoy the same optics quality in the slightly larger Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8×42 millimeters Monocular (available on Amazon.com).
The width and height are almost identical.
The Explorer is 5.43 inches long or deep, so you’ll have a 0.23 inches longer monocular with a larger objective lens diameter.
The exit pupil jumps from 4 millimeters to 5.4 millimeters, albeit there is a little spike in the price as well.
9. Pankoo 16×52 Millimeters Monocular Telescope
There are times when magnification must trump every other factor, even if the view while bird watching is a little shaky or unsteady.
The Pankoo 16×52 Millimeters Monocular Telescope (available on Amazon.com) is a fitting high-power monocle for such circumstances.
The compact monocular weighs only 0.5 pounds and measures 2.55 x 2.55 x 6.6 inches.
Pankoo’s bestselling monocle isn’t as fancy as a Bushnell, Gosky, or Opticron, but it serves the purpose if you need an affordable and compact monocular for bird watching.
The exit pupil isn’t sufficient for low light, but you also won’t have an issue on a bright day.
If you want a high magnification and a larger objective lens than the 42 or 50-millimeter pieces, this Pankoo is likely to be a nice fit for your adventures.
10. Vortex Optics Solo R/T 8×36 Millimeters Monocular
The Vortex Optics Solo R/T 8x36mm Monocular (available on Amazon.com) is another compact option.
This SOL-3608-RT model features last on this list because the options are sorted alphabetically.
It’s only 5.4 inches long and weighs 0.63 lbs, and has different magnifications and diameters of the objective lenses with the same overall configuration, such as:
- 8×25 millimeters
- 10×25 millimeters
- 10×36 millimeters
The 36-millimeter objective lens diameter with 8x magnification may be most suited for birders, especially those yet to master the skills of maneuvering monoculars or binoculars while tracking wild birds.
The other configurations mentioned aren’t effective for bird-watching.
The Vortex Solo monocular has the following specs:
- 393 feet of field of view at 1,000 yards
- Manual focus with 16.4 feet of close-up
- 18 millimeters of eye relief and ranging reticle
- Multi-coated and anti-reflective lens
- Fogproof and waterproof construction
- Flared eyecups and handy utility clip