The Best Night Vision Goggles of 2021

The Night Owl Pro 5x Night Vision Goggles are fairly hefty binoculars that offer 5x magnification with a range of up to 200 feet. They utilize a built-in infrared illuminator to provide extra illumination when there isn’t enough ambient light, which is often, given their relatively basic Gen 1 specifications.

Functionally, these are best for casual use when you don’t mind carrying around a slightly larger pair of binoculars. The 5x magnification is helpful, but it still presents you with a fairly large field of view. They won’t bring faraway objects super close—just close enough for easy identification—though the clarity will be hampered by the optics.

The JStoon Night Vision Goggles are very highly rated, but their basic specifications and price make them a better fit for casual use when you just want to be able to see better in the dark. They won’t provide a massive boost over what your eyes can do with ambient light, but they’re highly sensitive to infrared, which can be supplemented by the built-in IR emitter.

These are more like an IR-sensitive camcorder than a proper pair of night vision goggles, but they’ll let you effectively see objects in front of you in dim lighting. Your subjects will likely be able to see the IR light being used, but for spotting animals or seeing your way around in the darkness, these are a fun choice.

If you want proper, military-grade night vision goggles, these Gen 3 NVGs are the way to go. They offer Gen 2+/Gen 3 night vision in a rugged, adaptable, and ergonomic design meant for tactical use. They feature advanced features such as automatic brightness control for changing conditions.

Reviewers raved about these goggles’ quality and durability, with performance on par to the kind of NVGs many of them had used in the military. They’re some of the highest-end night vision goggles we’ve found on the civilian market, and they’re a great investment if you’re looking for proper tactical goggles.

While goggles and binoculars are useful, a night vision monocular can get the job done just as well in a more compact, affordable package with similar performance. This Bushnell model offers a wide range of features—5x magnification, 500-foot range, IR-sensitive sensor, and the ability to stream right to your phone—at a very affordable price.

If you want a high-end night vision option without the higher-end price, weight, or bulk, then this is a fantastic alternative.

Another monocular-style night vision product, the Luna Optics Monocular features a 12-megapixel camera sensor that is IR sensitive, allowing you to see (and record) objects at night. This particular model also features all-glass optics. providing 5x optical magnification, a color LCD screen, and the ability to record video.

Reviewers were really taken aback by the quality of the night vision given the price, while others called out the Luna Optics’ compact size. If you want high-quality night vision in a small, relatively affordable package, this is a great choice—especially if you want to record what you see.