The best monocular in 2026
Quick answer: the Vortex Solo 10x36 (around $130) is the best monocular for most people: 10x reach from a 36 mm objective, a belt or pack clip in the box, Vortex's VIP warranty, and 4.6/5 from 58 OpticsPlanet reviews. Shooters should take the Solo Tactical RT 8x36 (around $150): a steadier 8x view, the largest exit pupil here and an MRAD ranging reticle. For a pocket, the Solo 8x25 (around $70) is the cheapest pick, and the Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 adds ED glass and lens covers on a two-review record. The Leica Monovid 8x25 is the premium benchmark with a macro lens but no reviews yet, and the Barska 10x40 Blackhawk is a budget 10x40 with real complaints. See how to choose magnification and size.
This page covers daytime optical monoculars: half a binocular, for quick looks with one eye. If you want to see in the dark, that is a different product with an image tube or sensor; see our best night vision monocular picks. Every card names the exact listing we checked, and each Vortex Solo size has its own listing and its own review total, so no review count here is shared between sizes. Two models often named for this search are not carded: the Opticron Explorer WA ED-R, which our retailer lists only as a binocular, and Gosky's 12x50, which it does not sell as a monocular.
Monoculars compared
| Pick | Size | Field of view (1,000 yds) | Eye relief | Extra | OpticsPlanet rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Solo 10x36 | 10x36 | 325 ft | 15 mm | Utility clip | 4.6 (58) | around $130 |
| Vortex Solo RT 8x36 | 8x36 | 393 ft | 18 mm | MRAD ranging reticle, clip | 4.6 (80) | around $150 |
| Vortex Solo 8x25 | 8x25 | 378 ft | 15 mm | Lanyard and case only | 4.6 (31) | around $70 |
| Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 | 8x25 | 356 ft | 0.5 in (13 mm, Hawke) | ED glass, lens covers | 5.0 (2) | around $95 |
| Leica Monovid 8x25 | 8x25 | Not listed | Not listed | Macro lens, leather holster | No reviews | around $700 |
| Barska 10x40 Blackhawk | 10x40 | 344 or 315 ft (listing gives both) | 17.5 mm | Shortest close focus | 3.2 (5) | around $75 |
Specifications are from the retailer listing unless a card names the maker. Ratings are OpticsPlanet's, shown with the retailer's published review total; counts such as "51 of the 56" are out of the reviews the review page let us read, which was two fewer than the published total on every reviewed listing except the Hawke's. Prices are bands; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks
Best monocular overall: Vortex Solo 10x36 Monocular
10x36 · green · card: S136 · the listing sells this one configuration
around $130exact price on OpticsPlanet
The monocular most people should buy: enough magnification to read detail across a valley or a range, in a body that clips to a belt or a pack strap. The retailer lists 10x magnification, a 36 mm objective, a 325 ft field of view at 1,000 yards, 15 mm of eye relief and a 16.4 ft close focus, with fully multi-coated lenses, nitrogen purging and O-ring seals for waterproof and fogproof use, and rubber armor. Vortex's own page lists the same field of view, eye relief and close focus, puts a utility clip, a neck lanyard and a carry case in the box, and covers it with the VIP warranty: Vortex says it will repair or replace a damaged or defective product at no charge however it happened, excluding loss, theft, deliberate damage and cosmetic damage that does not affect performance. The retailer does not print an exit pupil; our arithmetic (36 mm divided by 10x) gives 3.6 mm, a daylight figure. Of the 56 reviews we could read, 51 give four or five stars and 3 say they would not recommend it. The costs are the ones reviewers repeat: three complain about the focus ring (stiff, too tight for one hand, or awkward to reach), one reviewer on a cruise found the view shaky at 10x at long range, and one owner found two pieces of debris inside the lens.
Pros
- 10x reach with a 36 mm objective, tied with the Barska for the most magnification here
- Utility clip, lanyard and carry case in the box (retailer and Vortex)
- Vortex VIP warranty covers accidental damage, not only defects (Vortex)
- 51 of the 56 reviews we could read give four or five stars
Cons
- Three reviewers complain about the focus ring: stiff, too tight for one hand, or awkward to reach
- 10x magnifies hand shake: one owner notes shakiness at maximum range
- No lens caps in Vortex's box list
- Three of the 56 reviews we could read say they would not recommend it, citing focus, haze or debris
Best for: hiking, hunting, travel and range days, where you want to check something far away in a few seconds and carry the optic every day. Birders and anyone who glasses for long sessions should look at a compact binocular instead.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 10x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 36 mm |
| Field of view | 325 ft at 1,000 yds, 6.2 degrees (retailer and Vortex) |
| Eye relief | 15 mm (retailer and Vortex) |
| Close focus | 16.4 ft (retailer and Vortex) |
| Exit pupil | 3.6 mm (our arithmetic: 36 / 10; not printed by the retailer) |
| Weight | Under 10 oz (the retailer and Vortex print different figures, so we quote neither) |
| Optics | SD optical system, fully multi-coated (retailer) |
| Sealing | Nitrogen purged, O-ring sealed, waterproof and fogproof (retailer and Vortex) |
| In the box | Neck lanyard, utility clip, carry case (retailer and Vortex; the retailer calls it a soft carry case) |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP (Vortex) |
| Model on this card | S136, green (UPC 875874002357), the listing's only row |
“The view using the Solo is bright and clear with fairly good resolution.”
Lars, owner (VA) via OpticsPlanet, a birder who also uses binoculars
Best monocular for shooters (ranging reticle): Vortex Solo Tactical RT 8x36 Monocular with Ranging Reticle
8x36 · black · ranging reticle · card: SOL-3608-RT · the listing sells this one configuration
around $150exact price on OpticsPlanet
The Solo for shooters, and the one with the largest exit pupil on this page. It trades the 10x36's reach for 8x, which is steadier in the hand and pushes the exit pupil to 4.5 mm on the retailer's spec table, the largest here. The retailer lists a 393 ft field of view, 18 mm of eye relief, a 16.4 ft close focus, fully multi-coated lenses and waterproof, fogproof and shockproof construction. What sets it apart is the reticle: Vortex describes it as a ranging reticle with MRAD-based subtensions and silhouettes, for estimating distance to an object of known size. One owner bought it to practice ranging, and another carries it in a range bag for magnification on 25 and 50 yard targets, and a third calls it handier than spotting scopes. Vortex lists a utility clip, a neck lanyard and a soft case in the box. None of the 78 reviews we could read say they would not recommend it. The trade-offs: one owner, and an employee, could not hold it still enough to read the reticle scale without a rest, that owner's first unit arrived with dirt on an internal lens and was replaced, and one reviewer wanted more magnification for 300 to 400 yards.
Pros
- MRAD ranging reticle with silhouettes (Vortex)
- 4.5 mm exit pupil and 393 ft field of view, the largest listed on this page (retailer)
- 18 mm eye relief, the longest listed here (retailer and Vortex)
- None of the 78 reviews we could read say they would not recommend it
Cons
- Reading the reticle takes a steady rest: one owner could not hold it still enough by hand
- Costs more than the 10x36 for less magnification
- One owner's unit arrived with dirt on an internal lens (replaced)
- No lens caps in Vortex's box list
Best for: shooters, hunters and anyone who wants to estimate range with a reticle, or simply wants a steadier, brighter 8x view in the same size as the 10x36.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 36 mm |
| Reticle | Ranging reticle, MRAD-based subtensions with silhouettes (Vortex) |
| Field of view | 393 ft at 1,000 yds, 7.5 degrees (retailer and Vortex) |
| Eye relief | 18 mm (retailer and Vortex) |
| Close focus | 16.4 ft (retailer and Vortex) |
| Exit pupil | 4.5 mm (retailer) |
| Weight | Under 11 oz (the retailer and Vortex print different figures, so we quote neither) |
| Length | 5.4 in (retailer and Vortex) |
| Sealing | Nitrogen purged, O-ring sealed, waterproof, fogproof, shockproof (retailer) |
| In the box | Neck lanyard, utility clip, soft carry case (retailer and Vortex) |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP (Vortex) |
| Model on this card | SOL-3608-RT, black (UPC 875874003569), the listing's only row |
“Bought this for practicing ranging using milrads. Reticle is clear and easy to read.”
JT, owner (CA) via OpticsPlanet
Best pocket monocular under $100: Vortex Solo 8x25 Compact Waterproof Monocular
8x25 · green · card: S825 · the listing sells this one configuration
around $70exact price on OpticsPlanet
The least expensive monocular on this page and a true pocket optic. The retailer and Vortex both list 8x magnification, a 25 mm objective, a 378 ft field of view, 15 mm of eye relief, a 16.4 ft close focus, 5.6 oz and 4.4 in long, with the same fully multi-coated, nitrogen purged, O-ring sealed build as the larger Solos, and the retailer prints a 3.13 mm exit pupil. Vortex's box list is a neck lanyard and a soft carry case: unlike the 36 mm Solos, no utility clip. One owner picked 8x over 10x for the wider view and less image shake, and reports it survived a rainstorm that soaked the pocket it was in. Of the 29 reviews we could read, 27 give four or five stars and 2 say they would not recommend it. The trade-offs: one owner's focus ring was frozen out of the box, another found it hard to adjust for a clear view and went back to binoculars for turkey hunting, one owner says the clarity is not pristine and the eyebox is tight, and the rain-soaked owner says the eye cup does not always stay extended and lists no lens caps as a con.
Pros
- The lowest price on this page
- 5.6 oz and 4.4 in long (retailer and Vortex)
- Wide 378 ft field of view for an 8x25 (retailer and Vortex)
- An owner reports it kept working after a rainstorm soaked the pocket it was in
Cons
- No utility clip in Vortex's box list, unlike the 36 mm Solos
- Two reviewers report focus trouble, one with a ring frozen out of the box
- A 25 mm objective: dimmer than the 36 mm Solos once the light fades
- Tight eyebox and an eye cup that does not always stay up, per two owners
Best for: travel, concerts, a jacket pocket or an admin pouch, when the lightest and cheapest Vortex matters more than reach. If you want 10x or a belt clip, step up to the 10x36.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 25 mm |
| Field of view | 378 ft at 1,000 yds, 7.2 degrees (retailer and Vortex) |
| Eye relief | 15 mm (retailer and Vortex) |
| Close focus | 16.4 ft (retailer and Vortex) |
| Exit pupil | 3.13 mm (retailer) |
| Weight | 5.6 oz (retailer and Vortex) |
| Length | 4.4 in (retailer and Vortex) |
| Sealing | Nitrogen purged, O-ring sealed, waterproof and fogproof (retailer and Vortex) |
| In the box | Neck lanyard, soft carry case (Vortex) |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP (Vortex) |
| Model on this card | S825, green (UPC 875874001923), the listing's only row |
“I got caught in a rainstorm that soaked both the inside & outside of the pocket that the monocular was in & it didn't have any problems after getting wet.”
Kevin, owner (MN) via OpticsPlanet
Best compact monocular with ED glass: Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 Monocular
8x25 · green · card: 36310 · the listing sells this one configuration
around $95exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pocket monocular with the better glass recipe. The retailer lists extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, fully multi-coated optics and phase corrected BaK-4 roof prisms, which Hawke's own page confirms, along with a 356 ft field of view, 5.3 oz and nitrogen purged, waterproof, shockproof and fogproof construction. At 5.3 oz it is a little lighter than the Solo 8x25. Stay-on lens covers and twist-up eye cups with position stops are on the retailer's feature list, and Hawke's box list includes objective and ocular covers, a carry case and a lanyard. Hawke gives a 16.4 ft close focus and a 3.1 mm exit pupil, and describes its cover as a no-fault lifetime warranty. The honest limit is evidence: the listing has two reviews, both five stars and both dated 2020 by the retailer. One praises a crisp, clear image; the other calls it optically superb for the price but wishes the focus were a little smoother. The retailer shows its price only after you add it to the cart; our band comes from the price in the listing's own page data.
Pros
- ED glass and phase corrected BaK-4 roof prisms (retailer and Hawke)
- 5.3 oz, the lightest weight we quote on this page (retailer and Hawke)
- Lens covers in the box, which the Vortex Solos do not list
- Hawke no-fault lifetime warranty (Hawke)
Cons
- Only two reviews, both from 2020: too few to judge durability
- One reviewer wishes the focus were smoother
- Close focus is 16.4 ft (Hawke), no closer than the Solos
- Costs more than the Solo 8x25, and the retailer hides the price until the cart
Best for: travel and backpacking when you want ED glass in a pocket 8x25, and you are comfortable buying on the spec sheet rather than a deep review record.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 25 mm |
| Field of view | 356 ft at 1,000 yds, 6.8 degrees (retailer and Hawke) |
| Eye relief | 0.5 in (retailer); 13 mm (Hawke) |
| Close focus | 16.4 ft (Hawke; not listed by the retailer) |
| Exit pupil | 3.1 mm (Hawke; not listed by the retailer) |
| Weight | 5.3 oz (retailer and Hawke) |
| Glass and prism | ED glass and phase corrected BaK-4 roof prisms (retailer and Hawke); fully multi-coated (retailer) |
| Sealing | Nitrogen purged, waterproof, shockproof, fogproof (retailer) |
| In the box | Carry case, lanyard, lens covers (retailer) |
| Warranty | No-fault lifetime (Hawke) |
| Model on this card | 36310, green (UPC 5054492363100), the listing's only row |
“The Monocular itself functions exactly as it is described, provides a crisp and clear image and is comfortable on the eye socket.”
Timothy, reviewer via OpticsPlanet
Premium benchmark: Leica Monovid 8x25 Monocular
8x25 · black · card: 40314 · the listing sells this one configuration
around $700exact price on OpticsPlanet
The luxury end of the category, carded as a benchmark rather than a recommendation, because the evidence is thin. The retailer marks it as a new product with no reviews, and its spec table lists only the basics: 8x magnification, a 25 mm objective and a 1.3 by 1.3 by 4.33 in body. It prints no field of view, eye relief, weight or waterproofing, and Leica's own product pages did not render any specification text for us to check, so we publish none. What the retailer does list is unusual: a detachable macro (close focus) lens in the box, which no other pick here includes, plus an eyepiece cover, a wrist strap and a leather holster, and it describes a leather finish in Leica's diamond pattern. Our arithmetic gives a 3.1 mm exit pupil (25 mm divided by 8x), the same as the other 8x25s. It costs several times as much as any other monocular on this page. Buy it for the name, the finish and the macro lens, knowing that no shopper at this retailer has reviewed it yet.
Pros
- Detachable macro (close focus) lens in the box (retailer)
- Leather holster, eyepiece cover and wrist strap included (retailer)
- The slimmest body with published dimensions here, 1.3 in across (retailer)
Cons
- No reviews at the retailer, so no record of how it holds up
- The retailer lists no field of view, eye relief, weight or waterproofing
- By far the most expensive monocular on this page
- A 25 mm objective: no brighter than the other 8x25s
Best for: a buyer who wants a premium pocket optic with a macro lens for flowers, insects or museum pieces, and values the finish over a proven review record.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 25 mm |
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 1.3 x 4.33 in (retailer) |
| Exit pupil | 3.1 mm (our arithmetic: 25 / 8) |
| Close focus | Detachable macro (close focus) lens included; no distance listed (retailer) |
| Field of view, eye relief, weight, sealing | Not listed by the retailer |
| In the box | Eyepiece cover, wrist strap, leather holster, detachable macro lens (retailer) |
| Model on this card | 40314, black (UPC 4022243403147), the listing's only row |
Budget 10x40 (read the cons): Barska 10x40 Blackhawk Monocular
10x40 · green lens coating · card: AA12132 · the listing sells this one configuration
around $75exact price on OpticsPlanet
The cheapest way into a big objective, and the pick with the most warnings attached. The retailer and Barska's own page agree on 10x magnification, a 40 mm objective, a 4 mm exit pupil, 17.5 mm of eye relief, a 13 ft close focus (the shortest printed figure here), BK-7 roof prisms and multi-coated optics, and the retailer lists nitrogen-filled, waterproof and fogproof construction with rubber armor. After that the sources disagree. The retailer listing prints the field of view as both 344 ft and 315 ft at 1,000 yards, and Barska's own page says 315 ft. The retailer lists 4.8 oz and Barska 0.63 lb, so we quote no weight. The retailer lists a limited lifetime warranty and Barska a 3 year limited warranty. Of the 3 reviews we could read, two are five stars, one from a repeat buyer who relies on it for distance viewing. The third, one star, says the focus failed after about 20 uses on a trip to Alaska because parts came unglued inside, and could not be repaired.
Pros
- 40 mm objective and a 4 mm exit pupil for a budget price (retailer and Barska)
- 17.5 mm eye relief and a 13 ft close focus (retailer and Barska)
- A repeat buyer calls it their go to for distance viewing
Cons
- The lowest rating here, 3.2/5 from 5 reviews; one of the 3 we could read reports internal failure after about 20 uses
- BK-7 prism glass, where the Hawke lists BaK-4
- The listing prints two different fields of view, and its weight disagrees with Barska's
- Warranty terms differ between the retailer and Barska: confirm before you buy
Best for: a backyard or casual distance viewer on a tight budget who wants 10x and a 40 mm objective. For anything you depend on in the field, the Solo 10x36 costs more and has a far deeper review record.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 10x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 40 mm |
| Field of view | The retailer listing prints 344 ft and 315 ft at 1,000 yds; Barska's page says 315 ft |
| Eye relief | 17.5 mm (retailer and Barska) |
| Close focus | 13 ft (retailer and Barska) |
| Exit pupil | 4 mm (retailer and Barska) |
| Weight | Not quoted: the retailer and Barska disagree |
| Prism | BK-7 roof, multi-coated (retailer and Barska) |
| Sealing | Nitrogen-filled, waterproof, fogproof (retailer) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime (retailer); 3 year limited (Barska) |
| Model on this card | AA12132, green lens (UPC 790272984671), the listing's only row |
“This monocular has been my 'go to' for distance viewing.”
Lady K, reviewer (OR) via OpticsPlanet
How to choose magnification and size
A monocular's two numbers are its magnification and its objective lens in millimetres. Magnification decides how much detail you see and how much your hand shake shows; the objective decides size, weight and how bright the view stays as light fades. Divide the objective by the magnification and you get the exit pupil, the width of the beam of light that reaches your eye: the bigger it is, the better the view holds up at dawn and dusk.
| Pick | Magnification | Objective | Exit pupil | Weight | Close focus | Waterproofing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Solo 10x36 | 10x | 36 mm | 3.6 mm (our arithmetic) | Under 10 oz (sources differ) | 16.4 ft | Waterproof, fogproof, nitrogen purged | around $130 |
| Vortex Solo RT 8x36 | 8x | 36 mm | 4.5 mm | Under 11 oz (sources differ) | 16.4 ft | Waterproof, fogproof, nitrogen purged | around $150 |
| Vortex Solo 8x25 | 8x | 25 mm | 3.13 mm | 5.6 oz | 16.4 ft | Waterproof, fogproof, nitrogen purged | around $70 |
| Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 | 8x | 25 mm | 3.1 mm (Hawke) | 5.3 oz | 16.4 ft (Hawke) | Waterproof, fogproof, nitrogen purged | around $95 |
| Leica Monovid 8x25 | 8x | 25 mm | 3.1 mm (our arithmetic) | Not listed | Macro lens included, no distance listed | Not listed | around $700 |
| Barska 10x40 Blackhawk | 10x | 40 mm | 4 mm | Sources disagree | 13 ft | Waterproof, fogproof, nitrogen-filled | around $75 |
- 8x for most people, 10x if you can brace it. A monocular is held with one hand, so shake shows more than in a binocular. Reviewers of the Solo 8x25 and the RT 8x36 say they chose 8x for a steadier view, and a 10x36 owner notes shakiness at long range. Take 10x when you need to read detail far away and can lean on something.
- 25 mm for the pocket, 36 to 40 mm for the pack. The 8x25s here weigh 5.3 to 5.6 oz where a weight is published; the 36 mm Solos weigh 9 to 11 oz, whichever source you read. The larger objectives buy a wider exit pupil (4.5 mm on the RT, 4 mm on the Barska) and a view that dims later in the evening.
- Check close focus if you look at near things. The Solos and the Hawke focus no closer than 16.4 ft. The Barska lists 13 ft, and only the Leica ships a macro lens for looking at flowers or insects.
- Glasses wearers: read the eye relief. The RT's 18 mm and the Barska's 17.5 mm are the longest listed here; the other Solos list 15 mm and the Hawke 13 mm on Hawke's page.
- Monocular or compact binocular. If you will watch for minutes at a time, follow birds or want depth, two eyes win on comfort and steadiness; our best compact binoculars page covers pocket binoculars, and our monocular vs binocular guide explains the trade-off.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We started from the most reviewed monoculars in the retailer's Vortex monocular category, then looked for each model commonly recommended for this search and carded only the ones the retailer sells as a monocular. For each listing we read the offer the card links to, the full spec table, the star rating of every review the review page would show, and the text of every review rated three stars or lower or marked as not recommending the product. We checked specifications against the maker's own page where we could read it (Vortex, Hawke and Barska) and say on the card where the two disagree; Leica's pages did not render their specifications, so the Leica card carries only the retailer's figures. Exit pupils we calculated ourselves are labelled as our arithmetic. Claims we found only in secondary research were left out unless we could confirm them on the maker's page. Our scores are our opinion; ratings are shown attributed to the retailer that collected them. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best monocular?
For most people, the Vortex Solo 10x36. It has a 36 mm objective and 10x magnification, a utility clip in the box and Vortex's VIP warranty, and OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.6/5 across 58 reviews. Shooters who want a ranging reticle should pick the Solo Tactical RT 8x36, and the Solo 8x25 is the pocket option.
Is 8x or 10x better for a monocular?
It depends on how steady you can hold it. 10x shows more detail but magnifies hand shake, and a monocular is held with one hand against one eye. 8x gives a wider, steadier view: reviewers of the Solo 8x25 and the Solo RT 8x36 say they chose 8x for exactly that reason, and a 10x36 owner notes shakiness at long range. For 10x, brace against a tree, a pole or your chest.
Should I buy a monocular or a compact binocular?
Buy a monocular when size, weight and one-handed speed matter most, for example on a belt or pack strap for quick checks. Buy a compact binocular if you will watch for minutes at a time, follow birds or want depth in the view: using both eyes is more comfortable and easier to hold steady.
Can I use a daytime monocular at night?
Not for real night viewing. The optical monoculars on this page only gather available light, and their exit pupils (3.1 to 4.5 mm) are smaller than a dark-adapted eye, so they dim quickly after sunset. Seeing in the dark needs a night vision or thermal monocular, which is a different product.
How does a ranging reticle in a monocular work?
The Vortex Solo Tactical RT 8x36 has a reticle with MRAD-based subtensions and silhouettes. You read how many milliradians an object of known size covers and calculate the distance from that. It needs a steady view: one owner of the RT could not hold it still enough to read the scale without a rest.
More for looking far: best 8x42 binoculars · best binoculars for hunting · best budget binoculars · how we evaluate.