The best night vision goggles, binoculars, and monoculars can be perfect for surveillance, security, and nocturnal wildlife
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The best night vision goggles can open up a whole new nocturnal world. Many can also capture images and videos, giving you the opportunity to record your night-time explorations and adventures.
But night vision goggles are not the only option for seeing in the dark. Actually, there are really three types of devices you can use for night-time viewing. They all do much the same thing but vary in their physical design (there is also a choice of tech under-the-hood, which we'll discuss in the FAQs at the end).
1. Night vision goggles are wearable, hands-free devices that use image enhancement and light amplification to see in the dark.
2. Night-vision binoculars are a combination of analog and digital viewing, with an optical lens and a digital LCD that allows you to see what the night-vision technology sees.
3. Night-vision monoculars are a lighter alternative to night-vision binoculars.
Security and surveillance is just one aspect of this kind of technology. Night vision goggles are also perfect for wildlife watching, especially species that are primarily nocturnal. If wildlife is your thing, we also have a guide to the best trail cameras.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his photos have been used by The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more.
As well as being a pro sports photographer he is also a big country sportsman who can be often found in or around the shooting field, sailing on the open sea, or taking part in other country pursuits, and quite often has either a pair of binoculars, a monocular or a scope in his hand.
We found the light, but slightly bulky, NightFox Corsac to be a good choice if you want night vision without spending a fortune. Read more below...
Best for all weathers
In our test, we appreciated the Sigweis's solid construction and felt the slightly bulky size reflected a sturdy build. Read more below...
For the price and the functions available, we found the NightFox Cub is a very capable digital night vision monocular that delivers good results. Read more below...
This best option for those wanting military-grade night vision, but the performance will cost you dear. Read more below...
If you're a beginner looking to buy for first set of night vision goggles, these are a great option at an affordable price. Read more below...
For those looking at big game, this is one of the best options out there to keep take of your target. Read more below...
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
✅ Full HD recording: Capable of recording high-quality footage, both in night vision and daytime modes.
✅ Spotting small animals: Able to identify smaller creatures like rabbits at considerable distances.
❌ Slightly bulky: May feel a bit heavy or cumbersome during use.
❌ Image softness beyond 180 meters: The quality of the image diminishes at longer distances.
I personally found the NightFox Corsac to be a great affordable option, despite its slightly bulky build, especially considering its reasonable price. What really stood out was its ability to record Full HD footage, whether in night vision mode or vibrant daytime color. It's not just for those seeking the unseen – it's useful for anyone.
During my own testing, I was able to see clearly up to 150 meters, although the image did become a little bit soft beyond 180 meters. Nevertheless, even at that distance, I was able to spot smaller animals like rabbits. Overall, I was quite impressed with its performance.
Read more: NightFox Corsac review
✅ Easy file transfer: Transfer files using either a Micro-USB cable or a microSD card reader.
✅ Solid construction: Sturdy build quality provides durability and a sense of reliability.
❌ Clunky file transfer: While transferring files is simple, the process may feel somewhat clunky.
❌ Weight consideration: Size and weight could be a drawback for users who prefer lightweight options.
During my testing, I found the solid construction of the Sigweis impressive, and the slightly bulky size gave a sense of sturdiness. I was pleased to discover that I could record Full HD footage in both night vision mode and color during the day for up to 2 hours and 38 minutes – a very useful amount of time.
With space for 9,999 3MP images, I never ran out of storage, and I doubt you would either. Using a Micro-USB cable or microSD card reader, transferring files was a breeze, if not slightly clunky.
If size and weight aren't a concern for you, I would confidently recommend the Sigweis over similarly priced alternatives. Its superb night vision capabilities, along with the ability to capture usable video footage and images, make it a standout choice. You'll definitely have something impressive to show off to all your friends.
Read more: Sigweis night vision binoculars review
✅ Effective range: Delivers good image quality up to around 100 meters (330 feet), which is useful for observing wildlife like deer.
✅ Adjustable settings: Features adjustable display brightness and sensitivity, enhancing usability in various conditions.
❌ Image quality beyond 100 meters: The image becomes fuzzy at longer distances.
❌ Limited recording rates and formats: Does not offer the highest recording rates or many format options compared to other models.
In my experience, the NightFox Cub proved to be an effective digital night vision monocular, especially considering its price and available functions. I found it to deliver good results up to around 100 meters (330 feet), with the image becoming a little fuzzy beyond that distance – though still perfectly usable for observing deer, for instance.
During my testing, I particularly appreciated the adjustable display brightness and sensitivity settings, as well as its portable size, which made it convenient to carry around at night.
In my review, I noted that, given its price point, the NightFox Cub may not offer the highest recording rates or choice of formats on the market. However, the quality is more than sufficient to share with friends and family. Considering its affordability, it's a great piece of equipment.
Read more: NightFox Cub review
✅ Generous field of view: Provides a broad, clear view of the surroundings.
✅ Auto-gated intensifiers: Protects the user's eyes from sudden lighting changes, such as gunfire or switched lights.
❌ Expensive: High-quality gear comes with a steep price tag.
❌ Export restrictions: Difficult to export from the USA without obtaining an export license, which retailers do not assist with.
If you've got a military budget – and you're in the USA – then this is the real deal. This is the same grade of photo amplifier used in military applications in a monocular with a generous field of view. It will work effectively in starlight or brighter at all distances and has an IR illuminator for near subjects. (You can take it out of the USA if you can fill in an export license, but retailers won't do that for you, even for friendly countries.)
Designed to be head or helmet-mounted, or hand-held, this surprisingly compact and not excessively weighty monocular has manual gain control so the magnifier tube can be adjusted for comfort. It also has diopter adjustment. The image uses white phosphors; not the traditional green that you might expect, but it makes for a clear image. Auto-gated intensifiers prevent damage to the eyes in rapidly changing lighting (think lights being switched or gunfire).
digital camera Gear of this grade really isn't cheap, but we do appreciate the full kit bag including a winged eye cup and carry case.