Best Night Vision Binoculars

Night vision binoculars have myriad uses. Having the right bino is a must not only for hunters but for anyone interested in a tactical advantage after dark. Of course, not all night vision binos are created equally, and that can make choosing them tough. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of the best night vision binos on the market to help you decide which one is best suited to your needs.

Types of Night Vision Binoculars

There are technically a few types of night vision include scopes, binoculars, monoculars, and goggles. It’s also important to understand that night vision technology and thermal imaging aren’t the same thing. Basically, night vision functions by using ambient light that’s available from things like the moon and stars. Thermal works by detecting heat signatures which is why objects that retain the day’s heat, such as rocks, can glow like a living thing when you’re looking through thermal. Night vision is older tech and is generally—but not always—more affordably priced than thermal. Proponents of night vision say it’s far superior for actual target identification, and that’s accurate.

Author’s Choice of Best Night Vision Binoculars:

In the tables below you can find details on the best night vision binoculars on the market today. We’ve broken it down into categories:

• Best budget priced: ATN Binox 4K 4-16X
• Best overall: AGM Global Vision NVG-40 3APW
• Best hunting: TNVC Ruggedized Night Vision
• Best low light: Armasight BNVD-51 Gen 3 Bravo

Best Night Vision Binosculars

Best Budget ATN Binox 4K 4-16X		Check Best Price
Best Overall AGM Global Vision NVG-40 3APW		Check Best Price
Best Hunting TNVC Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle/Binocular		Check Best Price
Best Low Light Armasight BNVD-51 Gen 3 Bravo Night Vision Goggle		Check Best Price

Comparisons of the Best Night Vision Binoculars

To begin with this list of the best night vision binoculars, I have broken them out into 4 categories of the best budget, best overall, best hunting, and best low light. So, let’s get started.

ATN Binox 4K 4-16X Review

It’s likely not a surprise that ATN is listed as the best budget priced night vision binos, but what might be news to you is that the manufacturer has upped their game. ATN’s quality and overall performance has improved in recent years. The ATN Binox 4K 4-16X is a sub-$1k set of binos compatible with day and nighttime use. They’re a bit heavier than most, weighing over two pounds, but that isn’t a real problem for scouting.

The Binox 4K 4-16X bino is feature rich and includes a laser rangefinder, full HD video capabilities, and Ballistic Information Technology. The clarity of these binos is sufficient for target identification although you do sacrifice longer distance visual clarity with the lower price point. These binos have a built-in infrared illuminator as well to allow even greater performance when it’s truly dark out. 

These binos run off an internal battery source that you charge by plugging into a USB C. Battery life is approximately 15 hours depending on settings used and the temperature it’s being operated in. Field of view at 1000 yards is 220 feet and the objective lens is 40mm. These binos from ATN are a fantastic entre into the world of night vision binos.

Binox 4K 4-16X Pros and Cons

AGM Global Vision NVG-40 3APW Review

These night vision binos from AGM Global Vision are the kind you invest in when you’re dead serious about having high-quality gear on hand. The NVG-40 3APW bino is exceptionally good quality and is designed for superior performance in basically every possible way. These are dual channel night vision binos and are available with either a Gen 2+ or Gen 3 image intensifier tube. They’re headset compatible if you’d prefer to wear them as goggles but perfectly functional and easy to manage as binos. 

Features of the AGM NVG-40 3APW night vision bino includes a redundant dual tube design, stereoscopic vision, and a built-in infrared illuminator and flood lens. They have a bright light cutoff which is a fantastic feature and there are LED indicators for low battery or excessive light. Focus range is 0.25m to infinity. Clarity is excellent, as is field of view, and this is a pleasantly lightweight and easy to manipulate bino.

A few specifications you might want to know include a forty degree field of view, 25mm eye relief, and 1x magnification. They have a listed operating range of -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit which covers the stateside temps you’re likely to encounter. With a single CR123A battery they have a 20+ hour battery life, and changing the battery is fast and easy. If you’re ready to get serious about night vision, these are probably the binos for you.

AGM Global Vision NVG-40 3APW Pros and Cons

TNVC Ruggedized Night Vision Binocular Review

TNVC (Tactical Night Vision Company) designs and manufactures some top-tier products and their Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle/Binocular just proves it. This night vision is made to order so it takes a bit longer to get your night vision from TNVC, but it’s well worth the wait. This specific Ruggedized model has an L-3 filmed green tube, PVS-14 objective lens, and black housing.

The TNVC Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle/Binocular is made—as its model name suggests—for outstanding durability. That’s exactly what you want in the field when you’re out chasing feral hogs or bobcats. TNVC makes their binos tough in many ways, but one specific way is by using solid billet 7075 for the optic pods and bridge, which are the most common breaking points on night vision (and usually covered by polymer by other manufacturers). These binos have an anodized black finish but are also available with coyote or flat dark earth. TNVC covers them with a limited lifetime warranty.

The features on these Ruggedized binos are awesome. For example, they’re submersible waterproof to 66 feet, have an automatic brightness control, and have a dovetail mount interface. In fact, if you want to “build your own” night vision binos, TNVC offers just the housing. These binos have a battery life of more than 30 hours and all controls are logically laid out and easy to operate.

TNVC Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle Pros and Cons

BNVD-51 Gen 3 Bravo Review

Because night vision works by utilizing ambient light, you’re reliant on those sources to keep your binos going. It’s a good idea to get night vision binos that are capable of drawing exceptional functionality even from the lowest levels of available light, and that’s what Armasight does. The Armasight BNVD-51 Gen 3 Bravo Night Vision Goggle can be used as a handheld bino or mounted to a helmet and it’s specifically designed for stellar performance in true low ambient light situations.

The Armasight BNVD-51 Gen 3 is dual-channel night vision that’s available with green or white phosphor image intensifier tubes. It’s water resistant, articulated, and has adjustable brightness levels. According to Armasight these binos can function in “complete darkness”—we’ll say your mileage may vary, but these are extremely well made. Clarity is excellent, field of view is great, and functionality is across-the-board superior. And if the ambient light suddenly exceeds optimal levels, these binos will automatically shut down the intensifier tubes to preserve the night vision.

Other features of these night vision binos include a bayonet/interface horn shoe, dovetail interface shoe, and demist shields. They also have sacrificial windows and a three-year limited warranty (with registration of the product). These night vision binos also offer a 51-degree field of view which is pretty impressive. Armasight states these binos are designed to meet the needs of military and law enforcement for tracking, stalking, and target identification. They’re lightweight and easy to handle as well.

Armasight BNVD-51 Gen 3 Pros and Cons

The Bottom Line

Getting your hands on quality night vision binos isn’t just about having fun, it’s a real investment. It’s true that good night vision has far greater applications than the tactical uses we tend to see in the movies, and that means odds are high you can benefit from having well-made night vision around. Binos are great because they’re handheld—and some can be helmet-mounted—and allow you to scan areas as you move. As with all gun-related gear, simply take the time to figure out the specific purpose of the piece of gear you need, and go from there.