This category happens to be the most popular budget for serious hunters and optic users.
Laying down a grand on a pair of glasses might seem absurd to some. But, to the hunter who needs precision for serious glassing, this is the budget with the best quality for the value.
Save up, look up, and tag it up this hunting season!
Best Hunting Binoculars Under $1000
This high end category is more like the premium end of the mid-range binoculars – it’s not quite worth selling off an organ for, but it’s plenty good enough for a lot of hunters wanting a high-class optic.
Many hunters who are looking for a long-term binocular will pay within this price range. Why? Quality, durability, and brilliant glass is the name of the game, and this is exactly what we used as a standard to filter out the top binoculars for this high budget category.
So, if you’re a serious hunter who knows his optics and can really appreciate the differences between $100 and $900 glasses, this reveal is for you.
| Product | Prism Type | Glass | Eye Relief/ Exit Pupil | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Meopta MeoPro 10X42 HD | Roof Prism System | Schott Glass | 17mm/4.2mm | View on Amazon |
 | Steiner HX 8X42 | Roof Prism System | BAK-4 Glass | 17 mm/ 5.6 mm | View on Amazon |
 | Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 | Schmidt-Pechan | Schott HD | 17 mm/ 4.2 mm | View on Amazon |
 | Swarovski CL Companion Pocket 10X25 | Schmidt-Pechan Prism System | Swarovski Glass | 17 mm/ 2.5 mm | View on Amazon |
 | Vortex Razor HD 12X50 | Roof Prism System | BAK-4 | 15.5 mm/ 4.2 mm | View on Amazon |
 | Leupold BX-3 Mojave 10X50 | Roof Prism System | BAK-4 | 17 mm/ 5 mm | View on Amazon |
Our 5 Top Binos Less Than $1000 (+ 1 Honorable Mention)
Meopta MeoPro 10X42 HD Binoculars
Finally, Meopta takes a number one spot in our optics reviews with the MeoPro 10X42 HD. This binocular is almost $800, but it has the quality of a bino twice its price – and I’m not exaggerating.
It has ED glass that produces High Definition effects, MeoBright coatings, and multi-position eyecups while being fully weatherproof on a light weight magnesium alloy chassis.
And, if you’re circumspect about the glass, maybe this tidbit will allay you… their glass source is none other than Schott AG. No Chinese-made BAK4 prisms here! To find out more about this underdog brand, the full review is only one page away…
Steiner HX 8X42
Yes, another well-known optics brand has entered the ring and has taken second place with its HX 8X42 binocular.
This reliable and durable bino has all the techs and specs that every hunter wants to read about in the best hunting binocular reviews – submersible under water, fully fog-proof, and built with Steiner’s exemplary Makrolon housing chassis.
Needless to say, this Steiner was built and made for the hunter. If you want to read more about its Nano-Protection, excellent luminosity factor, ClicLoc System, and even the Fast-Close-Focus Technology, the review is ready and waiting…
Zeiss Conquest HD 10×42
There’s no way a Zeiss doesn’t make it into the top 3 of this budget category.
As one of the most bought-out Zeiss binoculars in the market, it has every right to be featured as a premium and high quality binocular. It literally has everything you could want in a bino priced under $1000: stunning glass, superb coatings, and a prism system that’s fit for any lighting challenges you dare hunt in.
It’s refreshing to see Zeiss come down a notch in price to cater to most hunters who can’t stretch the dollar into the triple zero digit range. As a high quality bino that technically shouldn’t be in this price category, it’s a steal!
Swarovski CL Companion Pocket 10X25
I’ve thrown in the CL Companion Pocket 10X25 binocular because it’s a Swarovski that comes in at less than $1000!
Optically, it’s every part an equal to its siblings with SwaroBright, Schmidt-Pechan prisms, locking mechanisms, and submersible to 13 feet!
This 10X25 CL is the best-of-the-best when it comes to compact optics, not only is it small enough to fit into your pocket but also to keep you glassing in comfort for hours on end.
If Swarovski glass is on your shopping list, you better check out our review of this sweet little pocket rocket!
Vortex Razor HD 12X50
The Vortex Razor HD 12X50 technically disqualifies from this price bracket because it has a $1300 price tag, but since I can tell you that it won’t make the high-end list, I’m giving it a mention here – besides, you can get if for barely over $1000 on sale so I think that is close enough to fit this price range.
It’s loaded with an APO system, Plasma Tech, XR Plus Fully Multi-Coated lenses, and a whole mouthful more, including a True Open Hinge design and lightweight magnesium chassis.
Now, if you don’t know what all of that means and how it is going to benefit your hunt, you will have to check out the detailed review of the Razor HD.
Honorable Mention
The open-bridge Leupold BX-3 Mojave 10X50 binocular has everything you expect to see, but what I think you’ll be really impressed with is the 64 layer, cold mirror prism coatings! That alone should have you curious and reading our review of the Mojave which you can find here. (Plus, this baby comes in way underprice being closer to $400 than $1000).
What to Look for in a Binocular in this Price Range
This price range is the ideal category for buying a binocular – if you know what you’re looking for. High-powered might seem to be the way to go, but in this quality range, you’ll have much further distance with premium glass versus a cheaper, high-powered bino with mediocre or poor glass. Tip number one: always look for quality glass!
Some binos are too overpriced with little quality, and the quality of other binos in this range almost seem too good to be true. So, what do you look for? Let us give you a jump start in narrowing down on the vitals.
- Quality glass: This should include premium glass elements. Ex. ED, HD, etc. Look for world-renown glass sources.
- Quality coatings: This should include layered, weatherproof, debris-proof, and scratch-proof coatings. Additionally, look for any corrective or mirror coatings for roof-type prism binos.
- High-end focus system: Top dollar focus systems should include IF or dual focus systems.
- Tripod adaptable: Expensive can mean high-powered. Mount for those times the 10X mag proves to be too much.
- Quality Warranties: Protect your investment with the best available warranty.
Premium Prices Without Selling a Kidney!
We all know those types of optics that are worth selling off an organ or two for, but you can keep your kidneys intact with these high quality binos. You’re looking at high-class, premium, and luxury features for the best value in the market, and we’re not just saying that either.
Without spending a penny over a grand, you’ll be surprised to find that most hunters are willing to drop down several hundred bucks for a dependable optic. Yes – several hundred bucks. Sometimes you gotta give some to get some! You might be pleasantly surprised that you get more quality than what you anticipated for the price.
