Spotting scopes are an important tool for birders, hunters, and nature enthusiasts. They allow you to get a closer look at your subject, and can help you identify birds, animals, and plants.
There are many different types and brands of spotting scopes on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one to choose. That's why we've created this list of the best spotting scopes, with ratings and reviews to help you make the right decision.
10 Best Spotting Scopes | June 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)
Last updated on June 12, 2023
11 minutes
OUR TOP PICKS
Top #1
Emarth 20-60x60AE 45 Degree Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod, Phone Adapter, Carry Bag, Scope for T...
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Top #2
Celestron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece Multi-coated Optics for Bird Watch...
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Top #3
CREATIVE XP Spotting Scopes for Hunting - Waterproof Scope w/Tripod & Phone Adapter for Target Shoot...
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Check below for our tips on purchasing the best Spotting Scopes:
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The 10 best Spotting Scopes
Top #1
Emarth 20-60x60AE 45 Degree Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod, Phone Adapter, Carry Bag, Scope for Target Shooting Bird Watching Hunting Wildlife
96%
Customer
Satisfaction
100%
Overall
Score
93%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
This spotting scope features a powerful zoom magnification range that adjusts from 20x to 60x, and has a field of view of 39-19m/1000m. It is also fully multi-coated for increased light transmission and delivers bright, clear images even in low-light conditions. The eyepiece is ergonomic and allows for more comfortable viewing. The construction is durable and the eyepiece retracts for protection from the sun.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is lightweight and easy to carry around.
The scope features a BAK4 prism and fully multicoated lens.
The focus knob is placed well.
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Top #2
Celestron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece Multi-coated Optics for Bird Watching, Wildlife, Scenery and Hunting Waterproof and...
96%
Customer
Satisfaction
94%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The Ultima 80 spotting scope has an 80mm objective lens and a 45 viewing angle. It includes essential items for better viewing, such as an extended tripod mounting plate, zoom eyepiece with an integrated T-adapter for digiscoping, carrying case, eyepiece lens cap, eyepiece port cover, soft carrying case, eyepiece pouch, lens cloth and instruction manual. The optics are multi-coated to improve the color and contrast of images and maximize brightness. The zoom eyepiece function allows you to bring your subject into razor-sharp focus before it moves away.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is good for bird watching.
The price is good.
It is good for spotting targets at 100 yards.
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Top #3
CREATIVE XP Spotting Scopes for Hunting - Waterproof Scope w/Tripod & Phone Adapter for Target Shooting & Bird Watching
94%
Customer
Satisfaction
93%
Overall
Score
90%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are the high definition glass, easy to use zoom and focus, waterproof and anti-fog design.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is solid.
The table top tripod is not the greatest quality, but it is functional.
It is identical on the outside to scopes like Svbony and Gosky.
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Top #4
SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scopes with Tripod,Hunting,25-75x70,Angled,Waterproof,Range Shooting Scope,with Phone Adapter,Compact, for Target Shooting,Birdin...
89%
Customer
Satisfaction
93%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The SV28 spotting scope is easy to focus and change magnification, has a large 70mm object lens that gathers more light, has an extendable sunshade to reduce glare, is waterproof and can avoid sudden environmental changes, is lightweight and portable, and includes a phone adapter.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is good for recreational use.
The scope is clear.
It is easy to set up.
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Top #5
Athlon Optics Talos 20-60x80 Spotter Scope , Black
93%
Customer
Satisfaction
92%
Overall
Score
88%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is a hunting scope and it has a sport type.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is clear and easy to see all the features.
The TALOS at 60x moon was crystal clear.
There were no aberrations or purple halo on the image.
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Top #6
SVBONY SV28 25-75x70 Spotting Scopes, HD Spotting Scope with Tripod, Long Range Spotter Scope with Phone Adapter for Bird Watching, Hunting, Target Sh...
88%
Customer
Satisfaction
92%
Overall
Score
88%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are the upgraded 21mm large eyepiece lens, 16-14mm long eyerelief is also suitable for people who wear glasses, 25-75x zoom, 70mm large objective lens, and high quality optical design.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The image quality is great.
The scope's range is brilliant.
It meets the requirements of the reviewer.
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Top #7
HUICOCY Spotting Scopes, 20-60x60mm Zoom 39-19m/1000m with FMC Lens, BAK4 45 Degree Angled Eyepiece, Fogproof Spotting Scope with Tripod, Phone Adapte...
88%
Customer
Satisfaction
91%
Overall
Score
87%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
This spotting scope has a wide range of magnification (20X-60X), a 45-degree angled eyepiece, and a multicoated 60mm green film objective lens. It also has BAK4 high transmission prims, which makes it easier to see in low light conditions.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is easy to use.
It is clear.
The clarity of the scope.
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Top #8
Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes
91%
Customer
Satisfaction
91%
Overall
Score
90%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
High-end optical technology. Precision craftsmanship. Ultra sleek functionality. Eye relief from 0.67 to 0.66 inches. Triplet Apochromatic lens combined with high density, extra low dispersion glass delivers unparalled resolution and color fidelity . XR Plus anti reflective coatings were applied to the lenses to yield maximum brightness for critical low light glassing . Smooth helical focus dials in razor sharp resolution . Locking collar allows you to rotate the scope to acquire the best viewing angle . Built in sunshade pulls out to reduce glare
Armortek coatings protect lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The image quality is good for close up birding.
The build quality is good.
The glass and resolution are excellent.
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Top #9
Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes
91%
Customer
Satisfaction
90%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The Viper HD 20-60x85 Angled Spotting Scope is packed with features for incredible glassing. The HD optical system comprised of premium components generates vivid high-definition images. XR anti-reflective coatings on exterior surfaces help obtain brighter views in low-light situations. The smooth helical focus helps dial in your image for ultra-sharp viewing. Maintains a trim profile for ultimate packability. A built-in sunshade pulls out to help reduce glare. A multi position eyecup provides proper eye relief while a locking collar allows the scope to rotate into different viewing positions
O-ring sealed and argon purged, the Viper delivers waterproof and fogproof performance.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The image clarity is amazing.
The glass is good but not as clear as expected.
It is new.
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Top #10
Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope
88%
Customer
Satisfaction
88%
Overall
Score
88%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The sellers product description mentions that this spotting scope has a 1/4 inch -20 tripod mounting shoe/tabletop tripod with window mount. This is an important feature because it means that the scope can be mounted on a variety of different objects, including tables and chairs. Additionally, the window mount allows for easy viewing of the target area.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The clarity of the product is sufficient for 100 yd range in good light.
A window mount is built in which I have not used but it is a bonus.
The case and bag are also a very nice feature.
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Spotting Scopes Buying Guide : What You Need To Know
*Our top pick for the best Spotting Scopes
Attributes Of High Quality Spotting Scopes
- A high quality spotting scope will have a large objective lens. This will allow for more light to enter the scope, giving you a brighter and clearer image.
- The body of a high quality spotting scope will be made from durable materials that can withstand rough use.
- A good quality spotting scope will have fully multi-coated optics. This means that all of the lenses in the scope have multiple layers of anti-reflective coating, which increases light transmission and gives you a sharper image.
How To Choose The Best Spotting Scopes
When shopping for a spotting scope, the first thing you need to decide is what power you need. A lower power scope is less expensive and lighter weight, but it won't let you see as much detail as a higher power scope. So if you're planning on doing a lot of long range shooting, you'll want to get a high power scope. But if you just want to be able to see game at shorter distances, a lower power scope will suffice.
The next thing to consider is the size of the objective lens. The larger the objective lens, the more light the scope will gather and the brighter the image will be. However, large objective lenses also make for heavier and more expensive scopes. So if you're planning on doing a lot of hiking or backpacking, you might want to sacrifice some light gathering ability for a smaller and lighter scope.
Another important consideration is the type of reticle you want in your scope. There are three basic types: crosshair, duplex, and Mil-Dot. Crosshair reticles are simple and easy to use, but they can be hard to see in low light conditions. Duplex reticles have thicker crosshairs at the center of the reticle that get thinner towards the edges. This makes them easier to see in low light, but can make it harder to judge distance. Mil-Dot reticles have dots spaced along the crosshairs that can be used for estimating distance. They're very popular with long range shooters, but can be challenging for beginners to learn how to use effectively.
Finally, you need to decide what kind of mount you want for your scope. The most common type is a tripod mount, which gives you the stability you need for long range shooting. However, tripod mounts are bulky and heavy, so they're not ideal for hunting or backpacking. A pistol grip mount is another option that's lighter weight and more compact, but it can be harder to keep steady when taking long shots. If you're not sure what kind of mount you need, talk to a salesperson or read online reviews before making your purchase.
What To Avoid When Looking For The Best Spotting Scopes
When choosing the best spotting scopes, there are a few things you will want to avoid. First, steer clear of any spotting scope that is not fully waterproof and fog proof. These scopes are not built to withstand the elements and will likely fail when you need them most. Second, avoid any scope that does not have a good reputation for optical quality. There are a lot of cheap spotting scopes on the market that simply do not offer good image quality. Stick with well-known brands that have a proven track record for delivering high-quality optics. Finally, avoid any scope that is not comfortable to use. A good spotting scope should be easy to hold and operate, even when wearing gloves. If a scope is difficult to use, you are likely to miss important shots or fail to take advantage of its full potential. By following these simple tips, you can be sure to choose the best spotting scope for your needs.