Best monocular for birdwatching
Six real birding monoculars, and when one makes more sense than binoculars.
Last updated: October 2026
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How we choose: we have not tested these by hand. Picks come from makers' published specs, independent reviews and what UK birders actually carry. Every pick was checked on Amazon UK on 22 October 2026. Prices move, so check on the day.
Quick picks
Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 Our pickBest overallCheck priceOpticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42Widest viewCheck priceOpticron Trailfinder HD 8x36Best with glassesCheck priceOpticron T4 Trailfinder 8x25Best pocketCheck priceMonocular or binoculars?
A monocular is half a pair of binoculars. It weighs half as much and costs less for the same glass. The catch is that you look with one eye. That is more tiring for long spells, harder to hold steady and makes it harder to find a bird quickly.
A monocular suits you if you walk, run, cycle or travel light and want an optic that lives in a pocket, or you have sight in one eye only. Buy binoculars if it is your only optic, or you spend hours in hides. See our binoculars guide.
Skip the "80x100" and "phone telescope" monoculars on marketplaces. The numbers are not real and the view is dim and blurred.
Birding monoculars compared
Makers' published figures. Field of view is metres wide at 1,000m. Prices are Amazon UK on 22 October 2026.
| Model | Spec | Weight | Close focus | Field of view | Eye relief | Waterproof | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawke Endurance ED | 8x42 | 320g | 2m | 129m | 18mm | Yes, nitrogen | Around £109 |
| Opticron Explorer WA ED-R | 8x42 | 330g | 1.9m | 131m | 17mm | Yes, nitrogen | Around £139 |
| Opticron Trailfinder HD | 8x36 | 292g | 4.7m | 131m | 21mm | IPX6 splashproof | Around £95 |
| Hawke Nature-Trek | 10x42 | 320g | 2m | 101m | 13mm | Yes, nitrogen | Around £85 |
| Opticron T4 Trailfinder WP | 8x25 | 131g | 1.5m | 119m | 17mm | Yes | Around £50 |
| Hawke Endurance ED | 8x25 | 150g | 5m | 119m | 13mm | Yes, nitrogen | Around £76 |
The six picks
Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 MonocularOur pick
Around £109ED glass in a 320g body. 129m view, 2m close focus and 18mm eye relief, so it works with glasses. Sealed and nitrogen filled. This is the one to buy if you want a monocular that can stand in for binoculars on a walk.
Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 Monocular
Around £139The widest view here at 131m with ED glass and 1.9m close focus. Opticron is a British firm with a long UK warranty. Costs about £30 more than the Hawke for a slightly wider view.
Opticron Trailfinder HD 8x36
Around £9521mm of eye relief, the most here, so it is the best with glasses. Wide 131m view and 292g. It is splashproof to IPX6 rather than fully waterproof, and 4.7m close focus is long.
Hawke Nature-Trek 10x42 Monocular
Around £85More reach for open country. Waterproof, 2m close focus and 320g. The 101m view is narrow and shake is harder to control with one hand at 10x, so brace it on a wall or post.
Opticron T4 Trailfinder WP 8x25
Around £50Only 131g, so it goes in any pocket. Waterproof, 1.5m close focus and 17mm eye relief, which is long for something this small. Dim at dusk, as any 25mm optic is.
Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 Monocular
Around £76ED glass in a 150g pocket body. Sharper and cleaner than the Opticron T4, but close focus is 5m and eye relief 13mm, so it is less useful for insects or with glasses.
How to use a monocular for birding
- Use your stronger eye. Keep the other eye open if you can. It is less tiring.
- Find the bird with your eyes first, then lift the monocular without looking away.
- Brace your elbow on your chest, or the monocular against a post or tree.
- Use the wrist strap. A dropped monocular rolls a long way down a hill.
Ready for binoculars? Start with binoculars under £100 or 8x42 vs 10x42.
Frequently asked questions
Is a monocular good for birdwatching?
Yes, as a light second optic. A good 8x42 monocular shows birds as well as one side of an 8x42 binocular at half the weight. For long sessions and fast birds, binoculars are easier because you use both eyes.
What magnification monocular is best for birds?
8x. It gives a wider, steadier view that makes birds easier to find with one eye. 10x adds reach but shake is worse when you hold an optic in one hand.
What is the best monocular for birdwatching in the UK?
Our pick is the Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 Monocular, around £109 on Amazon UK in October 2026. It has ED glass, a 129m view, 2m close focus, 18mm eye relief and weighs 320g.
Are high-power monoculars like 80x100 any good?
No. Listings that claim 40x, 80x or more in a handheld monocular use numbers that do not match the optics. The view is dim and shake makes it unusable. Stick to 8x or 10x from a known maker.
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