Are you in search of the best Solar Eclipse binoculars? If you’ve ever witnessed a solar eclipse, you are likely aware of the hassle that comes with using solar eclipse glasses. During a solar eclipse, it’s important to protect your eyes from harmful infrared and ultraviolet (UV) light as well as the strong sunlight.
However, solar eclipse glasses do have some problems. They are easy to break, and they don’t make things bigger. This is where solar binoculars come in handy. Their objective lenses have built-in solar filters that make sure only safe amounts of sunlight get in. At the moment, Lunt and Celestron are two well-known brands that make solar binoculars. Below we have mentioned the best Solar Eclipse binoculars.
What to Look for in Solar Eclipse Binoculars?
When choosing binoculars to watch a solar eclipse, safety and optical quality should be your top priorities. Here are some important things to think about when choosing binoculars for a solar eclipse:
🌞 Safety should be your top priority when it comes to solar filters. Don’t look directly at the sun unless you have the right filters. Make sure that the binoculars you choose have solar filters built in or that they can easily fit solar filters that are made for viewing the sun. These filters should protect your eyes from UV and infrared light as well as harmful solar radiation.
🔍 Magnification and Objective Lens Diameter: Binoculars are usually described with two numbers, like 10×50. The first number is the magnification power, and the second number is the diameter of the objective lenses in millimeters. For viewing a solar eclipse, you should use a magnification between 8x and 12x. A larger objective lens diameter, like 50mm, can let in more light and make for a better image.
🌟 Quality optics: Buy binoculars from well-known brands that are known for their good optics. High-quality optics will give you images that are sharper and clearer, which can make it easier to see the eclipse.
Best Solar Eclipse Binoculars Comparison Table
Check out the table below to find the best binoculars for viewing a solar eclipse. Compare the features, magnification, quality of the lenses, and other things to make sure you get the right pair so you can see this celestial event clearly and safely.
| Features | Objective Lens Diameter | Magnification Maximum | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunt SUNoculars Mini 6×30 | 30 Millimeters | 6 x | 9.6 ounces |
| Celestron EclipSmart 12×50 | 50 Millimeters | 12 x | 2 pounds |
| Celestron EclipSmart 20×50 | 50 Millimeters | 20 x | 2 pounds |
| Celestron EclipSmart 10×25 | 25 Millimeters | 10 x | 0.72 lbs |
| Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 | 25 Millimeters | 10 x | 0.72 lbs |
Lunt SUNoculars Mini 6×30
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Lightweight,Portable |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 30 Millimeters |
| Magnification Maximum | 6 x |
| Dimensions | 10.2 x 7.28 x 2.72 inches |
| Weight | 9.6 ounces |
| Check Price |
Even though the yellow, red, or blue SUNoculars are sold almost as a fun and colorful toy for kids (with the caveat that they need to be watched by an adult), they are a useful and cheap accessory for people who want to see the eclipse. Each eyecup can be moved to change the focus, and they also fit in your pocket, making them easy to take with you.
The Lunt SUNoculars Mini are so small and light that they only weight 5.6oz/157g. They come in a blister pack without any extras, but they are durable enough to last in a jacket pocket. For now, this is one of the best Solar Eclipse Binoculars you can buy right now.
Pros
- High-quality solar filters for safe solar observation.
- Compact and portable.
- Good for general sky and solar viewing.
Cons
- Lower magnification compared to some other models.
- Limited to solar observation only.
Celestron EclipSmart 12×50
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Portable, Lightweight |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 50 Millimeters |
| Magnification Maximum | 12 x |
| Dimensions | 7.83 x 2.56 x 7.32 inches |
| Weight | 2 pounds |
| Check Price |
The Celestron EclipSmart 12×50 is a tempting choice if you want as much magnification as possible to find sunspots on the surface of the sun. With 12x magnification and solar filters permanently attached to the 50mm objective lenses, these Porro prism binoculars give a bright, blue-white view of the sun with just a hint of blue and yellow color fringing.
Sunspots and even split sunspots are easy to find in places with a lot going on, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The main problem is that it’s hard to hold the Celestron EclipSmart 12×50 steady enough to use it during an eclipse or just to look at sunspots. Overall, this is one of the best Solar Eclipse Binoculars you can buy right now.
Pros
- Higher magnification for detailed solar viewing.
- Suitable for both solar and general astronomical observations.
- Larger objective lenses for brighter images.
Cons
- Bulkier and less portable compared to smaller binoculars.
- May require additional solar filters for safety.
Celestron EclipSmart 20×50
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Portable, Lightweight |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 50 Millimeters |
| Magnification Maximum | 20 x |
| Dimensions | 7.83 x 2.56 x 7.32 inches |
| Weight | 2 pounds |
| Check Price |
Many people find it hard to hold steady binoculars with a magnification of 10x or more, which is certainly the case here. Even though this 20×50 model is almost the same as the 10×42 and 12×50 ones, it is just too heavy to hold steady. Also, the small field of view makes it hard to find the sun quickly. Still, this is one of the best Solar Eclipse Binoculars you can buy right now.
This is why the tripod jack in the middle of these Porro prism binoculars is so useful. When the Celestron EclipSmart 20×50 is steady on a tripod, you can get great close-ups of sunspots on the surface of the sun against a blueish-white background. We also didn’t see much blue or yellow around the sun. The Celestron EclipSmart 20×50 is impressive when it’s on a tripod.
Pros
- High magnification for detailed solar observation.
- Larger objective lenses for bright images.
- Suitable for both solar and celestial viewing.
Cons
- Bulkier and heavier than smaller binoculars.
- May require additional solar filters for safety.
Celestron EclipSmart 10×25
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Compact Design |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 25 Millimeters |
| Magnification Maximum | 10 x |
| Dimensions | 5.7 x 3.7 x 2.7 inches |
| Weight | 0.72 lbs |
| Check Price |
If all you want to do during an eclipse is keep track of where the moon is on the sun and not look for sunspots, the Celestron EclipSmart 10x25mm roof solar binoculars are for you. The footprint of these roof prism binoculars isn’t much bigger than that of a smartphone. They have 10x magnification, but their lenses are only 25mm.
This means that they show a small, bluish-white image of the sun that isn’t very bright. However, their wide field of view makes it easy to find the sun quickly. In our test, we could almost see a few sunspots, but not nearly as many or as clearly as we could with larger, brighter, higher-magnification solar eclipse binoculars. Thus, this is one of the best Solar Eclipse Binoculars you can buy right now.
Pros
- Compact and highly portable.
- Suitable for both solar and general use.
- Decent magnification for solar observations.
Cons
- Smaller objective lenses may result in slightly dimmer images.
- Limited to lower magnification compared to some other models.
Celestron EclipSmart 10×42
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Compact Design |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 25 Millimeters |
| Magnification Maximum | 10 x |
| Dimensions | 5.7 x 3.7 x 2.7 inches |
| Weight | 0.72 lbs |
| Check Price |
These binoculars are good for watching the progress of an eclipse and looking at the sun’s surface because they are light enough to hold steady and have good magnification. The Celestron EclipSmart 10x42mm is cheap and has just the right amount of magnification to get amazing close-ups of sunspots while still being easy to hold steady.
It’s the perfect balance for those who want something impressive but not too big and bulky. Importantly, it’s easy to find and focus on the sun, and the view is nice, bright, and clear. However, we did see a blue and a yellow line around the limb, which are signs of color fringing. Overall, this is one of the best Solar Eclipse Binoculars you can buy right now.
Pros
- Balanced size and portability.
- Suitable for both solar and general astronomical observations.
- Decent magnification and larger objective lenses.
Cons
- Not as high in magnification as some other models.
- May require additional solar filters for safety during eclipses.
How to Use Solar Eclipse Binoculars Safely?
To keep your eyes from getting hurt by direct sunlight, which can cause permanent damage or even blindness, it’s important to use solar eclipse binoculars safely. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to safely use binoculars to look at a solar eclipse:
🔍 How to Pick the Best Binoculars: Make sure you have solar eclipse binoculars that are made to look at the sun. Most of the sun’s harmful rays are blocked by special filters or lenses in these binoculars.
🔍 Check the Eyepieces: Before you use your binoculars to look at the solar eclipse, check them for damage, scratches, or other problems with the solar filters. If you find problems, you shouldn’t use them.
🔍 Get ready for the Solar Eclipse: Find out when, where, and what time the solar eclipse you want to see will happen. Being in the right place at the right time is very important.
🔍 Find a Safe Place to Watch: Choose a place that is safe and comfortable to watch the eclipse. Think about things like the weather, how easy it is to get to, and how long the eclipse will last.
FAQs
Binoculars made for viewing a solar eclipse safely are called “solar eclipse binoculars.” During an eclipse, the sun’s rays can hurt your eyes. These glasses have built-in filters or attachments that protect your eyes from this.
Solar eclipse binoculars work by blocking most of the sun’s bright light with filters. This lets you watch the eclipse safely. These filters are made to protect your eyes from the sun, which can hurt them if you look at it directly.
