Birdwatching Gear

Everything you need to start birdwatching — and nothing you don’t. A practical kit for backyard and beyond.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy birdwatching. These are the features to insist on in an affordable first pair — and two pairs that have them.

What the numbers mean, what actually matters for birding, and the binoculars we’d recommend at different budgets.