12 Best Spotting Scopes for the Money in 2021

As a hunter, target shooter, bird watcher or an outdoor enthusiast engaged in any activity where enhanced vision is required, a spotting scope will be a fantastic investment for you.

But, finding the best spotting scope will be vital because if you are not careful you might end up with an expensive but substandard and useless model.

Spotting scopes will be basically smaller and more compact telescopes meant for use from a tripod or base and with excellent fog and waterproofing.

In this piece, we explain the important things to look for and also review some of the best spotting scopes for the money to make it easy to choose a good one.

12 Best Spotting Scopes for the Money – Review

• Magnification: 12-36x
• Objective Diameter: 50 millimeters
• Weight: 34.4 ounces

For an under $100 spotting scope, this Roxant model gives you one of the best values because besides from being a top-notch quality scope it also comes with a free tripod, carry case and lens caps.

The rubber armor construction is one of its highlight features, and it includes a large textured focus ring that is way more useful than the tiny separate knobs you get from other cheap scopes.

Also, this top-rated spotting scope has a rugged and non-slip molded grip and with an extendable eyepiece that you can use with or without glass and the built-in sunshade is also extendable for glare reduction.

With its high-definition and military grade optics, you can also be confident of always getting a clear and bright enough sight picture. And with the 12-36x magnification and 50 mm objective lens this spotting scope can work for everything from hunting to bird watching.

While a longer eye relief would have been much better, you should still be okay with what this scope provides once you get used to it.

• Magnification: 20-60x
• Objective Diameter: 60 millimeters
• Weight: 55.2 ounces
• Length: 13.8 inches

If you are looking for the comfort and ease of use of an angled eyepiece spotting scope but without the hefty price tag that comes with them, here is a great option for under $100.

This 45-degree angled eyepiece scope offers 20-60x magnification and a larger 60 mm objective lens. The larger objective lens combines with its fully multicoated lenses and BAK4 roof prism to deliver bright, clear and high-contrast images.

With the built-in retractable sunshade, you can shoot without ever having to worry about glare, and there is also a dual focus wheel for fast and easy focus adjustment.

And you can be confident of many years of service thanks to the high-quality rubber armor that also provides a non-slip and completely weatherproof design.

Given the magnification power, one would expect this scope to be ideal for long distances. But, for anything past 200 yards, the sight image will not be very good. However, given the price of the scope, this is not a deal breaker.

• Magnification: 15-40x
• Close Focus: 26.24 feet
• Objective Diameter: 50 millimeters
• Weight: 48 ounces
• Length: 9.5 inches

Spotting scopes do not come cheap, but this Barska model proves that you can still find one even when shopping on a super tight budget.

Besides being the cheapest among our spotting scopes review, it is also a well-built scope with a tough and shock-absorbing armor that ensures it will withstand regular use and serve you for many years. This armor also ensures you get a non-slip grip.

Also, this scope has some high-quality and fully coated optics that deliver a bright and clear enough sight picture and for the price, they are probably as good as it can get.

When compared to others on our list, this is also a relatively more lightweight and compact spotting scope that weighs 24-ounce only, and it will also come with a tripod and a soft carry case.

While it is true that beyond 150 yards the images seem to get blurry, this should not be a big concern because this is a short and medium distance 15-40x scope. Also, the tripod is not the sturdiest but for a free accessory it is okay.

• Magnification: 20-60x
• Close Focus: 26.2 feet
• Objective Diameter: 80 millimeters
• Weight: 56.96 ounces
• Length: 20 inches

Celestron’s Ultima 80 is a great all-around angled scope with 20-60x magnification power and a larger 80 mm objective lens that makes it ideal for a variety of applications.

Its 45-degree angled eyepiece provide a more comfortable view, and this scope uses fully multicoated lenses and BAK4 prism material to deliver high levels of light transmission for a bright and clear sight picture.

With the large focus dial, this scope is fast and easy to use, and you can easily bring your target into focus before it gets time to move away.

This spotting scope will also allow you to attach your DSLR camera to capture images as it also includes a T-mount adapter, and it is completely sealed and dry nitrogen-filled for a fogproof and waterproof performance.

The absence of a sunshade might put off some buyers, but for a high-quality under $300 scope, this should not be a significant concern as you can easily get cheap, compatible aftermarket sunshades.

• Magnification: 20-60x
• Close Focus: 20 feet
• Objective Diameter: 60 millimeters
• Weight: 37 ounces
• Length: 14 inches

Target shooters will often use their spotting scope from a bench , and so this straight model by Redfield will be a perfect choice as it also comes with a compact tabletop tripod.

The solid polycarbonate construction helps to cement its position as one of the best spotting scopes for target shooting as it ensures it can handle rough handling and the abuse that comes with the job.

With the rubber armor, this scope is also more resistant to shock, and it also includes a rubber textured surface that will provide an excellent grip.

The sight picture that you get is also guaranteed to be bright and clear enough as this scope uses fully multicoated optics and BAK4 prism that ensure maximum light transmission.

There is also a retractable lens shade and deeply knurled focus knob on the scope, and it also comes with a see-through carry case and covers for both objective lens and eyepiece.

Clarity seems to dip significantly at the maximum magnification setting, but this is not a unique problem as it is typical of most budget models, and hence should not stop you from buying this scope given its many other impressive features.

Under $500

6. Bushnell Trophy Xtreme 886520 – Compact and Lightweight Spotting Scope

• Magnification: 12-36x
• Close Focus: 12 feet
• Objective Diameter: 50 millimeters
• Weight: 21.5 ounces
• Length: 8.7 inches

At 8.7 inches long and with a weight of just 21.5 ounces, Bushnell's Trophy Xtreme is our most compact and lightest scope and hence will be perfect for carrying around.

Besides being our best compact spotting scope, it also offers a magnification power of 12-36x which will be ideal for both short and long range and with a 50 mm objective lens diameter.

With the larger objective diameter and premium fully multicoated optics, this scope will always deliver an excellent sight picture as they will ensure maximum light transmission.

Bushnell also makes this scope with a shock-absorbing rubber armor that will allow it to handle any abuse you throw at it, and it is also 100% water and fogproof.

When you buy this scope, you will also get a compact tripod and both compact soft-side case and waterproof hard side case.

The quality of the included tripod is not the best, but it still works well enough and designed to offer long term service.

• Magnification: 20-60x
• Close Focus: 22 feet
• Objective Diameter: 80 millimeters
• Weight: 47.1 ounces
• Length: 14.8 inches

There are many things that will make this Vortex scope one of the best spotting scopes under $500 not only on our list but also on the market. But its heavyweight performance and the fact that it comes in a compact and relatively lightweight design is one of the key ones.

The scope also has fully multicoated lenses that will combine with the built-in retractable sunshade to deliver maximum light transmission and ensure you get a clear sight picture.

Also, this spotting scope includes a twist and lock collar that is very handy as it will make it possible to move the scope for a variety of glassing positions. And its adjustable eyecup will twist up and down to ensure maximum comfort when using it.

The smooth and easy to use focus wheel is also a convenient feature and there is also a powerful zoom eyepiece. And with the O-ring sealing and nitrogen-purging, this scope will deliver 100% water and fogproof performance.

The focus knob feels a bit cheap, but it still works good enough and the fact that this is a Vortex scope should give you some confidence that it will last long enough.

• Magnification: 30-90x
• Close Focus: 32.80 feet
• Objective Diameter: 100 millimeters
• Weight: 97 ounces

This Visionking scope is our best value spotting scope because given its features and performance it is hard to get a better model for under $500.

It is an ideal scope for hunting, bird watching and a variety of other applications such as target shooting thanks to is wider 30-90x magnification and larger 100 mm objective lens.

The lenses are also fully multicoated to deliver maximum light transmission for bright and clear images and there are also 2-speed dual focus controls that will be very useful when focusing.

This scope will deliver a longer eye relief than most others in its price range, and it also features a retractable sunshade for a glare-free view, twist-up eyecups, and straightforward operations.

Also, this is dry nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed scope that delivers 100% fogproof and waterproof performance and will come with a soft case and tripod but can also be mounted on any standard camera tripod.

When compared to others on our list, this scope is a bit heavy but given that it is still under 100 ounces, it should still be easy to handle and carry around.

• Magnification: 20-60x
• Close Focus: 21.3 feet
• Objective Diameter: 82 millimeters
• Weight: 66.7 ounces
• Length: 17 inches

With the relatively larger field of view (330 to 156 feet at 1000 yards) and long-range visibility, this Vanguard scope will be an excellent choice for bird watchers and nature lovers that love sightseeing.

Its 20-60x magnification is quite good and one of the features that make this one of the best long-range spotting scopes. The scope delivers exceptional image quality and detail even when focusing at long range objects thanks to the extra-low dispersion glass.

This spotting scope also provides stacked dual focus controls for separate fine and coarse controls, and it includes a detachable angled eyepiece with soft and comfortable rubber eyecup.

With this scope, you also get a longer eye relief, and it is guaranteed to last as it features durable rubber armored magnesium body and also includes a built-in sun shield for a glare-free view.

The included case might not provide a perfect fit or at least not as tight as some users might prefer, but it will still offer more than enough protection for the scope. Also, 63.8-ounce is a little on the heavy side it is still light enough to allow you to carry the scope around.

• Magnification: 15-45x
• Close Focus: 16 feet
• Objective Diameter: 65 millimeters
• Weight: 52 ounces
• Length: 15.8 inches

Viper HD by Vortex is designed to offer one of the best performances that you can get for an under $1,000 spotting scope and it uses several features to achieve this.

This scope has a premium-quality build with a rubber armor and you can be sure it will stand harsh conditions and abuse for a long time. It is also O-ring sealed and argon-purged to deliver 100% fogproof and waterproof performance, and the lenses also have protective armortek coatings.

Its features include extra-low dispersion glass that combines with the anti-reflective coatings to deliver a bright, crisp and sharp sight picture.

Maximum focusing precision is also guaranteed by the dual focus wheel that includes both fine and course adjustments. And the eyecup will twist up and down to ensure you get comfortable viewing whether you are wearing glasses or not.

There is also a built-in sunshade on the scope that will not only minimize glare but will also help to shield the objective lens from the rain and snow.

Although this spotting scope will not come with a tripod, this should not stop you from buying it as you can easily get one, and the design of the scope allows it to work with a variety of tripods.

• Magnification: 27-60x
• Close Focus: 16.4 feet
• Objective Diameter: 85 millimeters
• Weight: 65.6 ounces
• Length: 15.5 inches

Sometimes it does not hurt to spend more cash on your spotting scope as it means you can end up with a feature-rich and high-end model like Razor HD by Vortex.

This amazing scope uses high-density extra-low dispersion glass that combines with the triplet apochromatic lens to deliver the best image resolution and color fidelity.

There is also smooth helical focus dials that help to deliver a sharp resolution while also keeping the scope trim for easy carrying. And with the multi-position eyecup, you will always get a large enough eye relief whether you are wearing glasses or not.

With the locking collar, you can easily rotate the scope for the best viewing angle, and there is also a built-in sunshade to minimize glare.

Durability is also ensured by the tough rubber armor on the scope's body, and it is also argon purged and O-ring sealed to ensure 100% water and fogproof performance.

Given that this scope is the priciest among of spotting scopes, you should be ready to pay some extra bucks to get it, but it is worth every coin you pay and will give you great value for money. And the heavier 65.6-ounce weight is a reflection of the superior build quality.

• Magnification: 25-60x
• Close Focus: 11.8 feet
• Objective Diameter: 80 millimeters
• Weight: 58.5 ounces
• Length: 14 inches

Because smartphones are part of everything that most of us do nowadays, it will be great to have a spotting scope like this one with a smartphone digiscoping feature.

But besides its smartphone mounting bracket, this cope also has some high-quality extra-low dispersion lenses that are also fully multicoated to deliver the best sight picture.

Its lightweight magnesium alloy body also makes it easy to handle and carry around, and so it will also work for hunters as they can easily carry it together with other hunting essentials.

With a field of view of up to 125.7 feet, the view field that this scope provides is one of the largest in its class. And it also comes with retractable lens shade that protects the objective lens from the sun and rain.

The spotting scope is also designed to offer complete water and fogproof performance and when you buy it, you also get a tiltable and adjustable tripod and both soft and hard carry cases.

While there is not a lot of mounting instructions, for most users this should not be a deal breaker as everything is straightforward, and you can easily figure things out by watching a few online videos.

How to Buy the Best Spotting Scopes