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The short answer
For most people, 8×42 is the right binocular. It gives a wider, brighter and steadier view, which makes it easier to find and follow birds and animals, especially in woods and at close to medium range. Choose 10×42 if you mostly watch distant subjects in open country: raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl or game across a valley. If you’re buying a premium pair, the Swarovski NL Pure comes in both sizes, as does the value-focused Nikon Monarch HG.
Our top picks
- Best 8×42: Swarovski NL Pure 8×42 — The widest, most immersive 8×42 view we know of. Check price on Amazon
- Best value 8×42: Nikon Monarch HG 8×42 — ED glass and a wide, flat field at a mid-range price. Check price on Amazon
- Best 10×42: Swarovski NL Pure 10×42 — More reach without giving up a generous field of view. Check price on Amazon
Our picks at a glance
| Factor | 8×42 | 10×42 | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 8 times | 10 times | Check price |
| Exit pupil | 5.25mm (brighter at dusk) | 4.2mm | Check price |
| Field of view | Wider | Narrower | Check price |
| Steadiness | Less visible hand shake | More visible hand shake | Check price |
| Best for | Woodland birding, general use, low light | Open country, distant subjects | Check price |
How we picked
This guide explains the optical trade-offs between the two most popular binocular sizes, based on how magnification, objective size and exit pupil interact. The product recommendations come from manufacturer specifications, owner reviews and published reviews from birding, hunting and optics outlets. We chose models sold in both 8×42 and 10×42 so you can pick the right magnification within the same family.
What the numbers mean
The first number is magnification: 8x makes a subject look eight times closer, and 10x makes it look ten times closer. The second number is the diameter of each front (objective) lens in millimeters. Both sizes here have 42mm objectives, so they gather roughly the same amount of light. The difference is how that light is spread out.
Divide the objective size by the magnification and you get the exit pupil: 5.25mm for 8×42 and 4.2mm for 10×42. In bright daylight your pupils are small, so both look equally bright. At dawn and dusk, your pupils open wider and the larger exit pupil of an 8×42 starts to look brighter. Our guide to the best low-light binoculars goes deeper on this.
Choose 8×42 if…
- You bird in woods or gardens. A wider field helps you find small, fast birds and keep them in view.
- You want the steadiest view. Lower magnification shows less hand shake, so details look calmer.
- You’re out at dawn and dusk. The larger exit pupil keeps the image brighter as the light fades.
- You want one do-everything binocular. 8×42 is the most versatile size for mixed use.
Choose 10×42 if…
- You watch distant subjects. Raptors, shorebirds and game across open ground show more detail at 10x.
- You glass open country. Western hunters often prefer 10x for picking apart hillsides.
- You have steady hands or brace often. Leaning on a post, using a forehead rest or a tripod helps.
- You already own an 8x. A 10x makes a good second binocular for distance work.
1. Swarovski NL Pure 8×42 — Best 8×42
If you’ve decided on 8x, the NL Pure 8×42 is the one to aspire to. Swarovski rates its field of view at 477 feet at 1,000 yards, unusually wide for this size, and the edges stay sharp. The slim, contoured barrels make it comfortable to hold for long periods. It’s our top pick in the best birding binoculars roundup.
Good to know: it’s among the priciest 8x42s on the market. Take time to set the eyecups correctly to get the full view.
Check the Swarovski NL Pure 8×42 on Amazon →
2. Nikon Monarch HG 8×42 — Best value 8×42
The Monarch HG gives you ED glass, a field-flattener lens and a light magnesium body at a mid-range price. Nikon rates the field at 435 feet at 1,000 yards. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone who wants excellent 8x glass without alpha pricing.
Good to know: it’s a mature design, first released in 2016, but still very competitive.
Check the Nikon Monarch HG 8×42 on Amazon →
3. Swarovski NL Pure 10×42 — Best 10×42
The NL Pure 10×42 keeps the line’s wide-field design, so it feels less like looking through a tube than most 10x binoculars. It’s an excellent choice for open-country birding and hunting observation. See our best hunting binoculars roundup for more 10x options.
Good to know: the listing we link is a bundle with Swarovski’s field bag and accessories.
Check the Swarovski NL Pure 10×42 on Amazon →
4. Nikon Monarch HG 10×42 — Best value 10×42
The 10x version of the Monarch HG brings the same ED glass and field flattener with more reach. It’s light enough to carry all day, which matters more as you hike farther to reach open country.
Good to know: as with any 10x, brace it when you can to get the steadiest view.
Check the Nikon Monarch HG 10×42 on Amazon →
Buying checklist
- Be honest about where you’ll use them. Woods and gardens favor 8x; open country favors 10x.
- Check field of view. Compare feet at 1,000 yards across models of the same magnification.
- Consider low light. If you’re often out at dawn and dusk, 8×42 or a larger 10×50 will look brighter than 10×42.
- Think about steadiness. If you have shaky hands, 8x is easier. A forehead rest or tripod adapter helps with 10x.
- Glasses wearers. Check eye relief and make sure the eyecups twist fully down.
- Buy within a family. Many lines, like the NL Pure and Monarch HG, come in both sizes, so you can add the other later.
Verdict
If you’re unsure, buy 8×42. It’s the more forgiving, more versatile choice and the size most experienced birders settle on. Choose 10×42 if you know you’ll mostly be looking at distant subjects in open country. Whichever you choose, good glass matters more than the last two steps of magnification. Our Razor UHD vs Monarch HG comparison is a good place to start.
Does the price tier change the answer?
Not much. Premium binoculars widen the field of view at both magnifications, so an alpha 10×42 can feel nearly as roomy as a budget 8×42. They also stay brighter at dusk, which narrows the low-light gap between the two sizes. But the basic trade-off stays the same at every price: 8x is wider, steadier and brighter; 10x shows more detail at distance.
The same is true of eye comfort. A better binocular feels more relaxed to look through for long periods at either magnification, so choose the size first and the quality tier second.
FAQ
Is 8×42 or 10×42 better for beginners?
8×42 is better for most beginners. Its wider field of view makes it easier to find subjects, and lower magnification shows less hand shake, so the view is steadier.
Can you see more detail with 10×42?
Yes. A 10×42 makes subjects look 25 percent larger than an 8×42, which helps with distant birds and animals. The trade-off is a narrower view and more visible hand shake.
Which is brighter, 8×42 or 10×42?
In bright daylight they look similar. At dawn and dusk, 8×42 usually looks brighter because its 5.25mm exit pupil is larger than the 4.2mm exit pupil of a 10×42.
What do birders use, 8x or 10x?
Most birders use 8x, especially in woodland. Birders who focus on shorebirds, raptors or open water often prefer 10x, and many enthusiasts own both.
Is 10×42 better for hunting?
For open-country hunting, 10×42 is a popular choice because it shows more detail at distance. Hunters in thick woods often prefer 8×42 for its wider, brighter view.