Best Night Vision Binoculars – Our Top Selections

Unlike some animals, humans do not have the ability to see in the dark. This is why we need objects like night vision binoculars to be able to move and orient ourselves in the dark.

Our intelligence has led us to correct this problem by using technology to our advantage. Thanks to this, human being can now see at night . Night vision binoculars offer you the same advantages as conventional binoculars, with the difference that they also allow you to use them at night .

Night vision binoculars extend your vision and allow you to capture finer details and better see distant targets. The most modern ones have changed the way hunters, police and nature watchers see the world. The penumbra is indeed a whole other universe where we test each of our senses.

All about night vision binoculars

In this comparison guide , we want to provide you with all the knowledge you need to select the night vision binoculars that suit you. But before sharing our findings let's take a look at how these special binoculars work.

How do night vision binoculars work?

Night vision binoculars are somewhat unique in their design. They not only provide a better view of objects at a distance, but also offer the ability to see in the dark .

These binoculars work like this: the little light from the moon and the stars combined with infrared lights penetrate the lenses of the binoculars. This proton-based light is converted into electrodes. Once amplified, these electrodes create small light flashes. 

As a result one million of these tiny flashes of light create an image that is now magnified and brighter than the original image.

Be aware that night vision binoculars work with batteries. Indeed, these devices have two main components: optics and electronics. The numerous lenses make it possible to capture the light and transmit it to the electronic part. It is in this second component that the protons are converted.

Why can't human beings see in the dark?

Everything is in genetics! By nature we are active during the day and sleeping at night, therefore we have not necessary developped the skills for a night life. This is why our eyes are not adapted to low light.

Biologically, our retina - part of the eye sensitive to light and which allows us to see - has more rods than cones. These cones make it possible to distinguish the colored lights while the sticks are used to discern the objects in the dark. Since our eyes contain 20 times more cones than sticks, we cannot see in the dark. 

This ratio is completely reversed in nocturnal animals, which allows them to see in the dark.

Green, the color associated with night vision

You have certainly seen in a film or in a series this scene where the special forces intervene at night by camouflaging themselves in the dark. And of course, the shots through the eyes of the actors are green. For once, fiction catches up with reality. 

We are currently unable to amplify light without losing its natural color. Green is a color which we perceive better. Therefore manufacturers had the idea to use a special phosphorus which emits green light on contact with the electrons. This is what explains the presence of this green color.

The criteria to take into account when purchasing night vision binoculars

What will your night vision binoculars be used for?

First, you need to identify the context in which you are going to use these binoculars. Hunting, security, reconnaissance, nature observation or just to be able to enjoy the night vision as a gadget. This will allow you to define your budget and select the right criteria to consider.

Less frequent or hobby uses mean you don't have to spend a lot of money compared to a professional use. If you are an airsoft enthusiast, you have no reason to invest $3000 in a pair of state-of-the-art night vision binoculars. However, if you are a park ranger, this cost can be justified.

Resistance and impermeability

Will these night vision binoculars withstand a fall? Are they waterproof in one way or another? If not, are they useful for hunting or for exploration? Examine the ins and outs and how your binoculars will be used to determine the important criteria to consider.

Be careful however, these systems are made of electronics and glass, two intrinsically fragile components. A high quality product will often be built to resist scratches, bumps and drops that can occur at night when using this type of device.

An aluminum body is a sign of better quality and robustness, just like glass lenses compared to plastic. High-end optics intended for professional use are often very resistant. Not as solid as a brick, but they are generally at least as solid as a standard scope.

The generation

Generation is the biggest factor to take into account. It is decisive because it determines the price and the quality of the optics. To date there are 4 generations

Generation 1

• Suitable for occasional observation
• Low detection range and low recognition range
• Requires an IR illuminator most of the time, to optimize the view
• Low battery life
• Up to 900 times less powerful than high-end devices.
• Perfect for airsoft
• Easy to find online
• An affordable gadget that can give you a taste of what night vision is and what it can do.

Generation 2

• Suitable for more serious tasks, including hunting and studying nocturnal animals
• The range of recognition and detection is considerably longer
• An attractive price compared to the quality
• A much clearer picture
• Rarely needed IR illuminators
• Long life expectancy
• The lowest quality of professional optics

Generation 3

• A good choice for hunters, especially those who hunt long distances.
• An ideal choice for security professionals who work mainly at night
• Offers one of the clearest image options on the market
• The current generation used by the US military
• Infrared (IR) illuminators are rarely, if ever, necessary
• Visibility range up to 300 meters
• Longest battery life
• Expensive and difficult to find

Generation 4

• Reserved for an elite whose night vision is essential and brings an undeniable added value
• Very expensive
• Difficult to find on the market, very few sellers

Most often you will find generation 2 night vision binoculars, more than enough for most uses.

Magnification

Night vision and magnification don't work very well together. Night vision binoculars never have the same magnification as standard binoculars.

Typically, after a 6x magnification, you will begin to notice significant defects in the clarity of the image on night vision binoculars. It is advisable not to exceed this value, and staying at a magnification of 4x will give you an optimal level of magnification and clarity of the image. In addition, higher magnification is more difficult to find, since most devices are between 3x and 5x. 

Night vision technology is simply not there yet to allow the use of high magnification.

It is possible to find higher magnifications with digital night vision, but this is not a real magnification. Instead of enlarging the target, you enlarge the image. This means that the resolution decreases as you “zoom in”. However, digital night vision can go up to 12x or 24x.

Weight and dimensions

Night vision binoculars are already big enough because the technology used is not the least cumbersome. You will also notice a large increase in size depending on the desired enlargement. This is necessary to present a semblance of a clear image.

Brands offering small and light models should be carefully scrutinized and analyzed because these factors can be synonymous with blurring and obscurity. Generation 1 devices with a plastic body are also of lower quality because a small fall can mean a quick end.

Field of View

With normal binoculars, you can potentially see hundreds of meters away. A pair of high-end binoculars can allow you to see little things from an impressive distance therefore if you are expecting to have the same rendering with night vision binoculars, you will be disappointed.

Night vision binoculars are not necessarily meant to scan long distances, but to zoom in on what you can already see with the naked eye. On clear nights, with the full moon, you will be able to see a target of the size of a man 300 meters away, but you will not be able to see the details.

Other important features to consider

Versatility

The most important feature you should consider is the possibility of attaching an IR (Infra-Red) illuminator. Remember that night vision binoculars are quite large, so carrying them by hand and trying to use an illuminator can be difficult. 

We also suggest that you make sure that you can attach a harness system to the binoculars. Indeed, it's priceless to have a chest harness when your binoculars get heavy or when you need to move around a bit.

In addition, the possibility of putting on a tripod can be useful for prolonged use. This relieves the user and provides a much more stable platform.

Weather resistance

Night vision technology is quite fragile, so a water and weather resistant outer shell is good to take.

In addition, automatic brightness control provides comfortable viewing for long periods of time and helps adjust the image as the weather changes.

Power supply

Night vision binoculars are powered by batteries and, like most night vision devices, they tend to empty after 50 to 100 hours of use. For a longer lifespan and less risk of battery problems, opt for a lithium battery.

Some companies produce rechargeable and extended battery kits which are great for extended sessions, but also very expensive. Most of the time, these energy sources are specific to the device or the company and can cost several hundred dollars.

Attention, it is preferable not to opt for a model with integrated battery . At first glance it sounds nice, but the night vision binoculars discharge quickly and waiting for a charge can take hours, so it's much easier to change the batteries or an external battery.

Comparison of the best binoculars for night vision

SOLOMARK 7x Night Vision Binoculars

The Solomark 7x night vision binoculars offer a good level of technology for the price offered. It comes with an infrared illuminator which allows to see up to 400 meters, plus a sufficiently large 4 inch screen. Other key features are a 7x magnification and a 31mm lens, as well as a 1/3 inch CMOS sensor. 

A 4 GB microSD card is provided in the package, which is not common for this type of product. These night vision binoculars allow you to capture videos in HD quality 1280 × 720 pixels at 30 frames per second. The binoculars come with an AV cable and a USB cable for connection to a TV or PC. This model uses eight ordinary AA batteries.

Sightmark Ghost Hunter

Sightmark offers these night vision binoculars for a very unusual use, which many would probably never consider: ghost hunting and paranormal investigation. The Ghost Hunter is a practical, hands-free model, equipped with a head strap, so that you can free your hands for other uses.

The Ghost Hunter binoculars offer high quality images with a 30 degree field of view and an integrated IR illuminator. As most expeditions are made at night without any ambient light source, additional lighting is essential to see well.

These night vision binoculars aren't just for ghost hunters. The head harness is also ideal for hikers and regular hunters. It is a durable model that does not sacrifice any functionality, although it should be noted that the 1x magnification is a little lower than the other models.

Night Owl Explorer Pro 5X

The Night Owl Explorer Pro 5x offers up to 5x magnification, which means you are sure to see distant objects with clarity. Equipped with an IR projecting infrared light, this feature will make it easier to illuminate the darkest corners of nature. Perfect for hunting so that your prey cannot escape into the shade. 

The lenses are coated with metal oxides and fluorides to improve the image quality, even on very distant targets.

Luna Optics Premium Binoculars Night Vision 3X Black

The quotation “Premium” of the name of these binoculars is not mentioned by chance - Luna Optics has developed a model which offers all the necessary advantages, including a 3x magnification and a light frame. Unlike some models, Luna Optics has a comfortable, adjustable padded eyecup made of soft rubber that feels soft when placed against your eyes.

These high-end night vision binoculars are weather resistant and have an IR illuminator that will keep your field of vision lit even in very low light conditions. This brand offers a high quality image that surpasses most of what is done on the market thanks to intensification tubes which increase the ambient lighting almost 900 times.

For greater ease of use, the two barrels focus individually, thus ensuring that the image retains its clarity whatever the conditions are.

Bestguarder 7x31mm Night Vision Binoculars

It's easy to be intimidated by the Bestguarders digital night vision binoculars, but if you take the time to use them, you will be amazed at the value for money of this model.

One of the best features of these binoculars is the large digital screen, which brings to life a resolution image of 320 × 240. View objects at 7x magnification and double digital zoom. The infrared illuminator provides sufficient lighting, even for the darkest situations, so you don't miss your target if you are a hunter.

Want to record what you see? These binoculars are also ideal for capturing high quality videos and images for sharing with your loved ones.