5 Best Binoculars for Solar Eclipse in 2024

When the moon obscures the radiant face of the sun, a hushed awe envelops the world. If you’re one of those sky enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next solar spectacle, then you must have some Eclipse optics equipment and binos are one of them.

But finding suitable pairs is not an easy job – and it gets very hard for a newbie like you to choose the perfect eclipse magnification tool. But you don’t need to be worried as I am going to take you on an astronomical journey and find you the best binoculars for solar eclipse.

With our picked binos, you’ll be able to witness the universe’s most enchanting spectacle through a lens. Infant, I will also mention buying guides including important factors that will help you understand more about the eclipse viewing binoculars. So, let’s get started!

Related: Best Binoculars to See Saturn Rings

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Choosing Binoculars for Solar Eclipse

As I mentioned earlier, there are a few factors that must be considered carefully before purchasing eclipse binoculars to ensure that you don’t make any wrong decisions. In the section below, I am going to give you the list of those factors along with some logical reasoning of why you should consider them. After that buying guide, I will take you to review our top-picked binos.

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1- Optics’ Performance

I said earlier the eclipse-watching binoculars require advanced optics to provide a crisp and detailed view of the sun’s corona during the event. So, I recommend you choose binos with high-resolution optics that minimize chromatic aberration and deliver sharp images. 

Binos that are not good to give you high-resolution visuals, they are just crap. I don’t recommend you buy them as they will give you regrets rather than giving you clear visuals. Not only visual performance but also focus on buying binoculars that are equipped with specialized solar filters or coatings that protect your eyes and optics from harmful solar radiation.

2- Solar Filters and Safety Features

The safety of your eyes is of utmost importance when observing a solar eclipse. Always make sure to buy only those binos that come with some sort of solar protection coating that blocks unwanted radiation.  These solar filters or coatings block most of the intense light and harmful UV rays, allowing you to view the eclipse without risking your vision. 

3- Aperture Size

The aperture size of the binoculars plays a critical role in determining their light-gathering capability. Keep in mind that a larger aperture allows more light to enter the optics and you will end up getting brighter and clearer images. 

So, when choosing binoculars for solar eclipse viewing, consider binos that come with a larger aperture size. I recommend you go with Binos having an aperture or objective lens size of around 50mm or more. 

5- Field of View and Tracking Ability

A wider field of view is advantageous when observing the dynamic and rapidly changing solar eclipse phenomena. It is noteworthy that the binoculars with a wider field of view make it easier to track the sun’s movement across the sky. So I highly suggest you go with a wider field of view so that you get a perfect viewing experience.

6- Compatibility with Accessories

There are different accessories of binoculars that are available at different optical stores. I want you to utilize them as well. But to use them, your binoculars must be compatible with them. So, choose a binocular that is actually compatible with those additional accessories. 

Some eclipse-spotting binoculars offer options for attaching smartphone adapters or digital camera mounts, enabling you to capture stunning images or videos of the eclipse. Additionally, compatibility with tripod mounts is advantageous, especially for extended viewing sessions.

Reviews of Top-Picked Binoculars for Solar Eclipse

As I mentioned earlier, I want to give you information about some of the best options available out there so that you don’t regret the purchase. So, I have done some research and found some very good solar eclipse binoculars that would give you a clear view of the sun. So, without any more delay, let’s get into the review of our top-picked binos.

Our Top Picks

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1- Celestron – Outland X 10×50 Binoculars

These sun eclipse binoculars are a very good option for those who are casual outdoor enthusiasts because they are available at very affordable pricing and their magnification power is not too high. This is why I don’t recommend these pairs to those people who are passionate and want to enjoy very zoomed visuals of the Celestial objects.

They have 50mm of objective lens size which is decent and you’ll be able to get nice visuals in daylight conditions. But keep in mind that these Celestron binos are also available in lower objective lens sizes such as 42mm, but I don’t recommend you buy them as they won’t give you an optimal viewing experience.

These binos are very lightweight which will make it very convenient for you to observe the solar eclipse comfortably. As you know this event of sun eclipse happens only for less time, so having comfort while viewing the sun is very important. They have ideal eye relief which makes them stand out.

But you might think: what makes them comfortable for extended usage? Actually, they have long eye reliefs of 17.4mm and adjustable eyecups which make them very comfortable. Not to forget, their weight is also on the lower side, and the size is also compact which further ensures that you’ll feel comfortable while using them.

Usually, we notice that binos don’t come with additional accessories: and we buy them separately from the market which cost you additional money. But with these binos, you’ll get some free additional accessories that are very practical and useful. Some of those accessories are Objective lens caps, Rainguard, Neck straps, carrying cases, and Lens cloth.

2- Orion 15×70 Powerful Binoculars

Orion is a famous brand that manufactures astronomical tools – and these 15×70 binoculars are one of the finest products that they have ever produced. Although being an expert, I still feel that there are a few things that could have been better, but overall they are nice pairs available at very much affordable prices.

First things first, I love their magnification power of 15x which is neither too high nor too low. It won’t be wrong if I say that their zooming power is very balanced, and you’ll be able to enjoy zoomed visuals, but still, the visuals won’t be insatiable. 

Usually, when you use higher magnification binos, the visuals get shaky or insatiable due to the slight movement of your hands. But 15x magnification power is not too much and you’ll be able to get perfectly stable visuals without any noticing shakiness in the visuals.

Let’s talk about their ease of usability. They have 18mm of eye relief which is very long and make these binos stand out in this guide. So in terms of comfortability, they get full marks. You’ll be able to use them while wearing glasses, and you won’t get any issues at all. 

As I said earlier, there are a few things that are bad – and one of those things is their heavy weight. Carrying them or using them for an extended duration won’t be comfortable. In fact, their bulkier size will make you feel annoyed and irritated. This is what I felt while using them.

However, the good thing is that these binos are adaptable to tripod stands which will allow them to be used for an extended duration without getting tired. All you will have to do is to fit these high-resolution eclipse binoculars with a tripod stand and enjoy the steady, and stable visuals comfortably.

3- Celestron – SkyMaster Pro 20×80 Binoculars

I personally love these premium eclipse binoculars because of the fact that they offer excellent visual performance. Their lenses are made with high-class glass material which does not provide any sort of glasses and chromatic aberration. 

Not to forget, the lenses of these binoculars are also coated with  XLT coatings which ensures that you’ll get perfectly brighter, and sharper visuals even in lowlight conditions. Due to this coating, no light wastage happens, and you’ll observe excellent clarity in the visuals. The color balance and resolution are top-notch.

Let’s talk about their ease of usability, and guess what, they will fulfill all of your needs as well. You won’t find yourself getting tired. Although their weight is a bit high, their rubberized coating present on the body increases gripping and lets you feel that the binos are in your control.

Moreover, eye relief is also ideal which further confirms that you’ll be able to use them even if you wear glasses due to weak vision. The durability is something that you must check when buying binos – and these binos are very strong making them the best binoculars for solar eclipse observation

Even if you use them in harsh conditions, they won’t cause any sort of issue at all. Their performance in harsh conditions, or in rainy weather will impress you. Although if you are aiming to buy them for the solar eclipse, then using them in the rain does not have any massive advantage, but still, it’s peace of mind that your binos are waterproof.

4- Barska Gladiator Zoom Binoculars

I’m really excited about these binoculars because they work great even when it’s not very bright outside. You can totally enjoy using them even in low light. And guess what? They’re just as awesome as the Celestron binos that I reviewed earlier.

These special eclipse binoculars have BAK-4 prisms and the lenses have this cool anti-reflective stuff on them so that the pictures you see are super clear and don’t have weird colors. Although, I did notice that sometimes the stuff on the sides of what you’re looking at isn’t super clear. But it does not make all the images blurry. So, don’t worry about that.

But when I tried these binoculars out, I was super comfy and didn’t have any problems. The secret? They’ve got these really nice eyecups you can adjust and a long eye relief thing that makes it feel good when you’re watching the Solar eclipse.

There are a few bad things as well. Here’s the one thing – these binos are a bit on the bigger side. So, if you’re all about those small-sized ones, these might not be your jam. They can get a bit tiring to hold ’cause they’re not very compact.

Now, if you’re wondering whether these binoculars are tough and dependable, let me tell you, they’re like superheroes. They’re made from strong armored stuff that can take a beating and keep on going, no matter what kind of harsh situations you use them in.

5- Celestron – SkyMaster 20X80 Binoculars

You might think me crazy as I have included three products from the Celestron brand. Trust me, Celestron is the only brand that produces reliable pairs for long-range viewing, and I don’t see any other brand close to it. Although Orion and Barska have also started to focus on this segment of the market, they are lagging behind due to multiple reasons.

These Celestron binos have 20x magnification which is ideal for observing the solar eclipse. I did use these binos for the sake of testing and did not notice any shakiness in the visuals. So, they are suitable options for eclipse observation, and you can use them for an extended duration.

These Celestron binoculars are very reliable, and you’ll be able to use them harshly. However, I don’t recommend you to use them harshly, as it can reduce the lifetime of your binos. They are made with good and strong material, which makes them robust.

They are also equipped with some additional accessories that make it easier for you to use them efficiently. One standout feature is the ease of focusing. Unlike my previous 20x80s, where adjustments were made collectively, the 25×100 allows you to fine-tune each eye lens individually, which I find to be a more convenient and satisfying experience.

Keep in mind that these binos also come with a carry case. What’s worth mentioning is the versatility of the bag. Not only can you carry it using the shoulder strap, but you will also be able to remove the strap and utilize the plastic hoops on the back to carry the binoculars as a backpack. The size of these binos is big so it is another very practical feature.

The only drawback I’ve found is that the large lens covers are not attached to the binoculars, making them potentially easy to misplace. However, this minor issue is overshadowed by the incredible performance.

Conclusion

In this guide, I have given you some of the best options available in the market: and believe that you’ll be able to pick one for yourself. Keep in mind to analyze, and understand the important factors that I have mentioned earlier as they will help you make a wise decision. With the hope of goodness, I am signing off! See you with another useful guide.