The 7 Best Binoculars For Theater

This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in December of 2018. Have your seats ever been so far back that you can't make out the details in the costumes or set, much less the expressions on the actors' faces? Next time you go to the opera or take in a Broadway show, make sure you have a pair of these theater binoculars with you. Many are designed with a wide field of view specifically for performance arts, so you can take in the whole stage. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Levenhuk Broadway 325F

Elegant yet relatively understated, the Levenhuk Broadway 325F (about $23) will fit in at every event, from black-tie affairs to casual plays. They feature a convenient red LED light, so you can read the playbill in the dark without disturbing your neighbors.

Deliver 3x magnification
Small enough to fit in a handbag
Include black and gold chain

2. Bushnell Xtra-Wide

The Bushnell Xtra-Wide (appx. $49) offer 4-times magnification to get you up close, and a large field of view that lets you see the entire stage. The fold-down eyecups make them easy to use for viewers with and without glasses, and they are focus-free, which means no wheels to turn.

Case and strap included
Coated optics for good brightness
Ideal for sporting events too

3. ESSLNB Compact

The objective lenses on the ESSLNB Compact (about $30) are a full 5 millimeters larger than many other options, which means they'll deliver a brighter view in low-light conditions. Their 4-times magnification is greater than other models, too, but not too large for theater and opera.

Wide field of view
Simple central-knob focusing
Removable gold chain

4. Aomekie Mini

Take in all the detail that the show has to offer with the Aomekie Mini (around $20), which come with a carrying bag and cleaning cloth to help keep them in tip-top shape. Their 3x magnification means the shaking of your hand has a smaller effect on your view of the stage.

5 styles to choose from
Feel solid and well made
Easy to sharpen the focus

5. LaScala Optics Iolanta

The LaScala Optics Iolanta (appx. $87) feature a simple, yet classic, look that will complement any evening wear, and the handle bolsters the genteel impression that these opera glasses convey. They'll show you details you couldn't see without them, even if your seats are close.

Solid and well built
3-times magnification
Field of view is narrow

6. Pentax Papilio II

The Pentax Papilio II (about $119) feature 6.5-times magnification, which pushes the limit of what is recommended for theater. But if you don't mind moving them around to capture the action and details on stage, they might be a good choice for you.

Edge-to-edge sharpness
Coated optics for clear viewing
Not ideal in very low light

7. Wingspan Feather

If you want to get closer than you can with typical opera glasses, consider the Wingspan Feather (appx. $94), which offer 8-times magnification. Because they are designed for bird watching, they include features that sharpen the image and bring out colors and details.

Wide field of view
Compact and folding design
May be too powerful for small venues

Last updated by Joseph Perry

An avid reader and outdoors enthusiast, Joe earned his doctorate in literary studies before making the lateral leap from academia to technical writing. He now lives and works in the inter-mountain West where he creates technical and marketing content, including white papers, solution briefs, and courseware for some of the world’s largest information technology companies. With more than 14 years of experience in the field, he has learned more than he ever thought he would know about such enterprise IT topics as cloud computing, storage, databases, business software, and networking. When he’s not writing about business computing, he can be found outdoors, probably hiking with his family and dog.

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