Best Binoculars for Stargazing & Astronomy (UK Guide 2026)
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Time to read 5 min
Table of contents
Why Binoculars Are a Great Way to Start Stargazing What Makes a Good Astronomy Binocular? Our Picks for Stargazing & Astronomy Best Starter Astronomy Binoculars: PRAKTICA Falcon 10x50mm — £39.99 Best for More Detail: PRAKTICA Falcon 12x50mm Multi Coated — £46.99 Best Premium Choice: Olympus 12x50 EXPS I — £236.99 What Can You Actually See With Binoculars? Do You Need a Tripod for Astronomy Binoculars? Frequently Asked Questions Related Articles
There's a good reason binoculars are the classic "first telescope" recommendation for anyone getting into astronomy: they're portable, need no setup, and a decent pair can genuinely show you lunar craters, Jupiter's moons, and even distant galaxies. If you're wondering which binoculars are best for stargazing, the short answer is that you need a bigger objective lens than you'd use for daytime birdwatching — and we'll explain exactly why below, along with our picks from Maplin's own range.
Why Binoculars Are a Great Way to Start Stargazing
A telescope requires a tripod, alignment, and a learning curve before you see anything at all. Binoculars work the moment you pick them up. They're wide-field, which makes it easy to find what you're looking for, and — because you're using both eyes — the view feels more natural and less fatiguing over a long session under the stars. Serious amateur astronomers often keep a pair of astronomy binoculars in the car even after they've bought a telescope, simply because they're the fastest way to get outside and start observing.
What Makes a Good Astronomy Binocular?
The two numbers on any pair of binoculars — for example 10x50 — tell you almost everything you need to know. The first is magnification; the second is the objective lens diameter in millimetres, which determines how much light the binoculars gather.
For daytime use, a smaller objective lens is rarely a problem because there's plenty of ambient light. At night, it's the single most important spec. A larger objective lens produces a brighter, more detailed image of faint objects — which is why astronomy binoculars are usually built around a 50mm objective rather than the 35-42mm range you'd choose for birdwatching.
There's a related spec worth knowing: exit pupil, calculated by dividing the objective lens size by the magnification (50 ÷ 10 = 5mm, for example). In the dark, your pupils naturally dilate to around 5-7mm to let in more light. Binoculars with an exit pupil in that range make the most of your eyes' natural night vision — which is exactly what a 10x50 or 12x50 pair delivers.
Our Picks for Stargazing & Astronomy
| Binoculars | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| PRAKTICA Falcon 10x50mm | £39.99 | Best starter astronomy binoculars |
| PRAKTICA Falcon 12x50mm (Multi Coated) | £46.99 | Best for more detail on faint objects |
| Olympus 12x50 EXPS I | £236.99 | Best premium choice for serious stargazing |
Best Starter Astronomy Binoculars: PRAKTICA Falcon 10x50mm — £39.99
View the PRAKTICA Falcon 10x50mm at Maplin
10x50 is the classic astronomy specification for good reason: the 50mm objective gathers plenty of light for lunar detail and star clusters, while 10x magnification is still steady enough to use handheld for short sessions. The porro prism design also delivers strong depth perception, which helps when picking out star fields against a dark sky. At £39.99, it's an easy, low-risk way to find out whether astronomy is for you before considering a telescope.
Pros: Bright 50mm objective, classic astronomy spec, excellent value
Cons: Handheld shake becomes noticeable on longer viewing sessions
Best for More Detail: PRAKTICA Falcon 12x50mm Multi Coated — £46.99
View the PRAKTICA Falcon 12x50mm Multi Coated at Maplin
Stepping up to 12x magnification brings noticeably more detail out of the Moon's surface and tighter star clusters, while keeping the same 50mm objective for brightness. The multi-coated optics improve light transmission and contrast, which matters when you're viewing genuinely faint, low-contrast objects against a night sky. At 12x, handheld viewing is more demanding, so this is the pair we'd pair with a simple tripod adapter for longer sessions.
Pros: More reach than 10x50, multi-coated optics improve contrast, still affordable
Cons: Benefits from a tripod for extended viewing
Best Premium Choice: Olympus 12x50 EXPS I — £236.99
View the Olympus 12x50 EXPS I at Maplin
The EXPS I was designed for serious nature observation, and that same combination of 12x magnification, a 50mm objective, and multi-coated lenses translates directly to astronomy use. Edge-to-edge sharpness and low-light performance are a clear step up from the entry-level Falcon range, which matters most when you're trying to resolve fine detail — Saturn's shape, or the fuzzy smudge of the Andromeda Galaxy — rather than just finding bright objects like the Moon.
Pros: Premium low-light performance, sharp edge-to-edge image, excellent build quality
Cons: Significant step up in price over the Falcon range
What Can You Actually See With Binoculars?
It's worth setting realistic expectations. With a 10x50 or 12x50 pair on a clear night, away from heavy light pollution, you can expect to see:
- The Moon — craters, mountain ranges and the terminator line in real detail
- Jupiter's four largest moons — visible as tiny points of light either side of the planet
- Saturn — visible as a distinctly non-round shape, though the rings themselves need a telescope to resolve clearly
- The Pleiades and other star clusters — noticeably more stars than the naked eye alone
- The Andromeda Galaxy — a faint, elongated smudge under dark skies, over two million light years away
Do You Need a Tripod for Astronomy Binoculars?
Not to get started — but if you find yourself using 12x magnification for more than a few minutes at a time, a simple tripod adapter makes a real difference to comfort and image steadiness, since it removes hand shake entirely. Take a look at our binocular accessories for tripod mounts and cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What magnification is best for stargazing?
10x to 12x, paired with a 50mm objective lens, is the sweet spot for astronomy. Higher magnification brings more detail but makes handheld viewing harder without a tripod.
Can you see planets with binoculars?
Yes, to an extent. Jupiter and Saturn are both visible as small discs, and Jupiter's four largest moons are easy to pick out. You won't resolve Saturn's rings in detail without a telescope, but you'll clearly see it isn't round.
Are 10x50 or 12x50 binoculars better for astronomy?
10x50 is easier to hold steady and a great starting point. 12x50 shows more detail but is best used with a tripod for longer sessions.
Do I need a telescope instead?
Not to start. Binoculars are portable, need no setup, and show genuine detail on the Moon, bright planets, and star clusters — many astronomers use them alongside a telescope rather than instead of one.
