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The best binoculars for birdwatching, according to Consumer Reports

A narrow field of view means missing the bird right beside it. Consumer Reports tested binoculars for optics, comfort and value

Amar Preciado / Pexels

A narrow field of view can mean missing the bird sitting just outside the frame, no matter how sharp the lenses are at bringing distant objects closer. Weight, ergonomics, focus distance and glass quality all vary considerably across price points, and an expensive option isn't always the best fit for how someone actually plans to use a pair.

Consumer Reports evaluated binoculars for optical quality, ergonomics, field of view and value, with two testers comparing notes across every pair.

Nikon Monarch M7 8x42

The Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 costs $536.95 and earned Consumer Reports' Top Pick distinction for excelling across nearly every category tested. CR found it offered a broader field of view than any other pair in this lineup at 8.3 degrees, which let one tester spot a well-hidden woodpecker that had gone unnoticed even through the pricier Leica binoculars moments........

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