Best Spotting Scopes of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Spotting scopes are essential tools for birdwatching, hunting, and other outdoor activities that require a clear and magnified view of distant objects. These scopes are designed to provide sharp and bright images, even in low light conditions, and come with a range of magnification options and lens sizes. Whether you're a professional wildlife observer or a beginner, a spotting scope can help you spot and identify birds, animals, and landscapes with ease. With their rugged construction and waterproof features, spotting scopes are also ideal for use in harsh outdoor environments.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Svbony SV406P ED 20-60X80mm Spotting Scope Cover #TOP 1
Svbony SV406P ED 20-60X80mm Spotting Scope
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Svbony SV28 25-75X70 Spotting Scope Cover #TOP 2
Svbony SV28 25-75X70 Spotting Scope
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Hawke Nature-Trek 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Review Cover #TOP 3
Hawke Nature-Trek 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Review
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Spotting Scopes

#TOP 1

Svbony SV406P ED 20-60X80mm Spotting Scope

EUF9355B
Green
Svbony SV406P ED 20-60X80mm Spotting Scope Cover
Svbony SV406P ED Spotting Scopes, 20-60X80mm 1.25” Zoom Spotting Scopes with Dual Focus FMC BAK4, Spotting Scope for Birders Birding Wildlife Casual Astronomy Photography

The Svbony SV406P Spotting Scope is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate detail. Its ED glass ensures you enjoy clear and sharp images, making it ideal for bird watching or casual astronomy. The 20-60X removable zoom eyepiece allows you to adjust your view for comfort, enhancing your experience. With an 80mm objective lens, this scope excels in low-light conditions, providing brighter images even in dim environments. The dual focus design offers precise control, allowing you to lock in on the finest details effortlessly.

What We Like
Clear, detailed imaging
Versatile zoom eyepiece
Excellent light gathering ability
Precise dual focus control
#TOP 2

Svbony SV28 25-75X70 Spotting Scope

EUF9308B-W2546A
25-75x70
Svbony SV28 25-75X70 Spotting Scope Cover
Svbony SV28 Spotting Scope with Tripod Phone Adapter 25-75X70, HD Zoom BAK4 Prism FMC Optics Lens Angled Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting, Bird Watching, Wildlife

The Svbony SV28 Scope offers impressive 25x to 75x zoom magnification with a 70 mm objective lens, allowing you to get up close to nature. Its HD optics, featuring a BAK4 prism and multi-coated lens, ensure clear images even in low light, perfect for bird watching or target shooting. The scope has a wide field of view, making it easy for you to track moving subjects. Additionally, the IP65 waterproof design protects against moisture and debris, ensuring reliable performance in various environments.

What We Like
High zoom magnification range
Clear images in low light
Wide field of view
Waterproof and durable
#TOP 3

Hawke Nature-Trek 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Review

Hawke
55201
Green
20-60x80
Hawke Nature-Trek 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Review Cover
Hawke Nature-Trek 20-60x80 Spotting Scope

The Hawke Nature-Trek Spotting Scope is designed with practicality in mind. It is nitrogen purged, ensuring it remains free from internal fogging, which allows you to maintain a clear view in varying weather conditions. The waterproof feature means you can use it in the rain without worry. Additionally, it is fog proof, making it ideal for early morning or late evening observations when moisture can be a concern. With fully multi-coated optics, you will benefit from sharp images, enhancing your overall viewing experience.

What We Like
High-quality image clarity
Weather-resistant design
Easy to focus from distance
Lightweight and portable
#TOP 4

Celestron 100mm Ultima Spotting Scope

52252
gray
Ultima 100 - 45°
Celestron 100mm Ultima Spotting Scope Cover
Celestron 52252 100 mm Ultima Spotting Scope 45 Degrees, Grey

The Celestron Ultima Scope is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring a 100mm objective lens and a 45° viewing angle, perfect for nature observation and long-distance viewing. You will find the included essentials, such as a tripod mounting plate and a zoom eyepiece, invaluable for enhancing your viewing experience. The multi-coated optics ensure brighter and sharper images, even in low light conditions, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of distant subjects. With a large focus dial, you can quickly adjust to razor-sharp focus, making it easier to capture stunning details.

What We Like
Large objective lens
Multi-coated optics
Sharp zoom eyepiece
Included carrying case

Svbony SV28PLUS 20-60x60mm Spotting Scope

EUF9308L
green
20-60x60mm
Svbony SV28PLUS 20-60x60mm Spotting Scope Cover
Svbony SV28PLUS 20-60x60mm Spotting Scope, BAK4 FMC Lens Waterproof Fogproof Angled Scope with Tripod, Spotter Scopes with Phone Adapter Bag, for Birdwatching Target Shooting Observation Wildlife

The Svbony SV28PLUS Scope offers impressive variable magnification from 20x to 60x, making it ideal for activities such as birdwatching and target shooting. With its ergonomic 45-degree angled eyepiece, you can enjoy comfortable viewing for extended periods. The fully multi-coated lenses and BAK4 prism enhance light transmission, ensuring bright and clear images, even in low light. Additionally, its waterproof and anti-fog features protect your lens from moisture, allowing you to use it in various weather conditions without worry.

What We Like
High variable magnification range
Comfortable ergonomic design
Bright, clear images
Waterproof and anti-fog
#TOP 6

Svbony SV401 High Power Spotting Scope

EUF9346G-F9140A
army green
Tripod: 138cm
Svbony SV401 High Power Spotting Scope Cover
Svbony SV401 20-60x80mm HD Spotting Scope, with Dual Tripod and Carry Bag, High Power Scope with FMC Optics Lens, IPX6 Waterproof Fogproof Angled Spotter Scope for Target Shooting Archery Birdwatching

The Svbony SV401 Scope offers 20-60x magnification, allowing you to easily zoom in on your target, whether for shooting, archery, or birdwatching. It comes with a dual tripod, which includes both a desk tripod and a camera tripod, providing stability for observations from various angles. With an 80mm large objective lens, you can expect bright and clear images, even from a distance of up to 93 feet. The FMC coating on the optics ensures that you enjoy strong colours and contrast, enhancing your overall viewing experience.

What We Like
High magnification range
Includes dual tripods
Large objective lens
FMC coating for clarity
#TOP 7

Svbony SV410 ED 9-27x56 Spotting Scope

EUF9363B
grey
9-27x56
Svbony SV410 ED 9-27x56 Spotting Scope Cover
Svbony SV410 ED Spotting Scope 9-27x56, Mini Hummingbird Scope Compact Portable, ED Glass FMC Lens Angled Telescope Monocular Stay-on Case for Bird Watching, Travel, Landscape, Hunting

The Svbony SV410 Spotting Scope is an ultra-compact device, weighing just 550g, making it easy to carry and perfect for your travels. It boasts Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass, which virtually eliminates chromatic aberration, ensuring you see images with exceptional resolution and contrast. With its advanced fully multi-coated (FMC) lens, you can enjoy maximum light transmission, resulting in a bright and crisp view. Additionally, the scope can focus down to a remarkable 2m, allowing you to observe intricate details in the micro world that are often missed.

What We Like
Ultra-lightweight and compact
Excellent image clarity
Bright and crisp visuals
Impressive close focus capability
#TOP 8

Svbony SV13 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope with Tripod

EUF9314AB-F9140A
Silver
Tripod: 138cm
Svbony SV13 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope with Tripod Cover
Svbony SV13 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope, with Camera Tripod, HD Porro Prism FMC Lens Spotter Scope, IPX7 Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope with Carry Bag Phone Holder, for Bird Watching Target Shooting

The Svbony SV13 Spotting Scope offers impressive 20-60x magnification, allowing you to zoom in on targets effortlessly—ideal for bird watching, target shooting, and hunting. Its large 80mm objective lens significantly enhances light collection, ensuring you can observe intricate details even in low light conditions. The fully multi-coated optics produce sharp images with vibrant colours and contrast, providing an exceptional viewing experience. Additionally, the scope is IPX7 waterproof and fogproof, making it durable and reliable in various weather conditions, so you can focus on your outdoor adventures without worry.

What We Like
High magnification for detailed views
Excellent light collection ability
Crisp and vibrant image quality
Waterproof and fogproof design
#TOP 9

Celestron 52238 Mini Mak 70mm Spotting Scope

52238
Black
Celestron 52238 Mini Mak 70mm Spotting Scope Cover
Celestron 52238 Mini Mak 70mm Angled Spotting Scope – Maksutov Spotting Scope – Great for Long Range Viewing – 25–75x Zoom Eyepiece – Multi-Coated Optics – Rubber Armored – Tabletop Tripod Included

The Celestron Mini Mak 70mm is an incredibly versatile spotting scope, perfect for a range of activities. Its Maksutov-Cassegrain design ensures portability, allowing you to easily take it on any adventure. With a magnification range from 25x to 75x, it outperforms many larger scopes, providing exceptional detail for long-range viewing. You can also enhance your experience by using a variety of 1.25” mount eyepieces for even greater magnification options. This compact scope truly offers convenience without compromising on power.

What We Like
Highly versatile design
Powerful magnification range
Accepts various eyepieces
Compact and portable
Includes useful accessories
#TOP 10

Svbony SV41Pro Mini Mak Spotting Scope

EUF9334H
Green
Svbony SV41Pro Mini Mak Spotting Scope Cover
Svbony SV41Pro Mini Mak Spotting Scope, 28-84X80mm Angled Maksutov Spotting Scope, FMC 1.25" Detachable Eyepiece Compatible with SC001 Camera for Aldult Target Shooting Archery Astronomy

The Svbony SV41Pro Scope features an impressive 80mm objective lens, which enhances light gathering for brighter, clearer images—ideal for medium and long-distance shooting. Its FMC coating captures shooting details effectively, improving the light transmittance and detail visibility. With a 1.25" detachable eyepiece, you can easily connect a WIFI camera to record and share your observations, catering to various archery needs. The central focusing wheel allows for quick and straightforward adjustments, ensuring you can focus rapidly on your target.

What We Like
Bright, clear images
Excellent light transmittance
Compatible with WIFI camera
Quick focusing adjustments
Variable magnification options
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How far can you see with a 20-60X60 spotting scope?

How far can you see with a 60x spotting scope? A spotting scope of such magnitude is the $90 Emarth 20-60X60. Its optical strengths actually lie in the 20-40X range, but to get you to 100 yards, it's perfect.

2. What is a good spotting scope for the money?

When it comes to value, the Athlon Optics Talos proves one of the best spotting scopes for the money. This is not a spotting scope that you'll see a mosquito's wings from 200 yards, but it's an affordable option that works admirably for target shooting and hunting.

3. Is a spotting scope worth it?

If you're hunting large game out West or in wide-open areas, spotting scopes are great for setting up and getting a long-distance shot in. For wooded and confined areas or you're doing spot & stalk hunting that requires more movement on the hunter's part, a pair of high-quality binoculars will suit their needs more.

Editor's Notes

During our spotting scope research, we found 120 spotting scope products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 30,153 customer reviews through our big data system to write the spotting scopes list. We found that most customers choose spotting scopes with an average price of £198.23.

The spotting scopes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of spotting scopes, including Svbony, Hawke, Celestron. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 757 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.