Binoculars
8x42 or 10x42, for glasses, under $300. The most important purchase you will make.
Guide in testing
Backyard birding, tested
See every bird that visits.
We test binoculars, feeder cameras and feeders in real backyards, then tell you which one to buy and who should skip it.
Used outdoors, by hand
Every pick is tested at real feeders for weeks before we recommend it.
Named testers
Every review names the birder who tested it, with their own photos.
Specs we checked
Field of view, eye relief and weight from our own measurements, not the box.
Start with the right gear
Spotting Scopes
For shorebirds, raptors and anything past binocular range. Tripods included.
Guide in testing
Feeder Cameras
Smart feeders that photograph and identify every visitor. Which apps actually work.
Guide in testing
Feeders
Squirrel-proof, hummingbird, suet and window feeders that last more than a season.
Guide in testing
Bird Food
Black oil sunflower, nyjer, suet and nectar. What each bird eats and what to skip.
Guide in testing
Field Guides
The books and apps worth carrying, for beginners and for life-listers.
Guide in testing
On the test bench now
Our first tests are underway
We only publish a verdict once the gear has spent real time at the feeder. These are the first three guides we are testing for.
Coming first
- The best birding binoculars under $3008x42 and 10x42 models, including picks for glasses wearers.
- Smart bird feeder cameras, through a full winterPhoto quality, bird ID accuracy, battery life and the apps behind them.
- Squirrel-proof feeders that actually keep squirrels outCaged, weight-activated and baffled designs against real squirrels.
Binocular Finder
Binoculars that fit your eyes, hands and budget.
Filter every birding binocular we track by price, weight and eye relief. Glasses wearers: tick one box and we hide everything under 16mm.
Budget
Under $150 $150 - $300 $300 - $600 $600+
Magnification and fit
8x 10x I wear glasses Waterproof only
ModelField of viewEye reliefWeight
-- ft- mm- oz
The Binocular Finder opens with our first binocular reviews. Every figure in it will be one we measured.
Bring them to your feeder
Northern Cardinal
- Food
- Black oil sunflower, safflower
- Feeder
- Platform or hopper
- Season
- Year-round
American Goldfinch
- Food
- Nyjer, sunflower hearts
- Feeder
- Tube or finch sock
- Season
- Year-round in most of the US
Black-capped Chickadee
- Food
- Sunflower, suet, peanuts
- Feeder
- Tube, hopper or suet cage
- Season
- Year-round
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Food
- Nectar, 1 part sugar to 4 parts water
- Feeder
- Saucer nectar feeder
- Season
- Spring to early fall