The Best Night Vision Goggles For Nighttime Exploration

Buying Guide

If you’re an international spy who needs a new pair of night vision goggles to work under the cover of darkness, you’ve come to the right place. Not involved in espionage? No worries — night vision goggles are a great accessory for nighttime games, hunting and more.

Owls, foxes and other nocturnal mammals have stellar night vision, but their abilities don’t translate to humans. Luckily, night vision goggles can help you see clearly in the dark for hundreds of yards.

Night vision goggles work in a few different ways. Some goggles use a tactic called image enhancement. This grabs tiny amounts of ambient light from a source (like a person or a deer) to give you a nighttime view.  

You’re probably familiar with the way image enhancement looks in night goggles. It’s the classic green shade often featured in movies and TV shows when a character is sneaking around in the dark. 

Other goggles use thermal imaging to create night vision. Thermal imaging captures portions of the infrared light spectrum that we can’t normally see at night, then picks up on heat and uses it to create a grayish or blue image.

However, night vision goggles have come a long way from image enhancement and thermal imaging. Decades of research and development in night vision goggles have made the view clearer than ever.

Now, they can amplify much smaller amounts of light for a more detailed view, and it helps you become more aware of your surroundings. Color night vision goggles are becoming the norm.

Newer goggles can deliver crystal-clear views from a much greater distance than their predecessors. Some can help you see up to 1,000 feet away.

Some night vision goggles can also take photographs and record videos. Look for binoculars that have a microSD card slot to store any visuals you want to keep. They offer 7x magnification in darkness and 2x Digital Zoom create clear videos and photos that you’ll want to keep around. 

Many night vision goggles provide monocular vision. That means you’ll only see out of one eye when you’re using the goggles.

Other models let you see in the dark through both eyes. Binocular-style goggles are great for taking video or doing quiet outdoor activities like bird watching. Monocular styles often come with headgear for hands-free use.

You don’t want to ruin your new investment when faced with a sudden downpour. Look for a model that has a rugged, water-resistant design, as this will make a great addition to any outdoor adventure. Some night vision goggles also have a tough rubber exterior to protect against drops. 

Night vision goggles are amazing tools. If you’re having trouble deciding which goggles are best for you, our Tips & Advice will send you in the right direction.

• How will you use your goggles? If you’re looking for a pair that you can use while you’re hunting, you’ll want a hands-free design with a long focus range. Some models can be adjusted to fit perfectly on your head, and you can keep your rifle or other supplies at the ready. If you want something that has more bells and whistles to capture exciting moments at night, a feature-rich pair might be up your alley.
• How often will you use your goggles? If you’re only going to trek around in the dark occasionally, a budget choice might be best. If you’re serious about hunting, fishing or camping, investing in the pricier model might be worth it.
• Do you prefer a monocular set of night vision goggles or a binocular set? Monocular sets tend to be lightweight and easy to carry. They frequently come with a headset or lanyard for easy viewing. Binocular night vision goggles are heftier but have more accurate depth perception.
• Modern night vision goggles have fun features like photography and video recording. Some also have an image capture option. Consider a model that has a high-resolution camera for both photographs and video, with an anti-glare coating on each lens for clearer images.
• Taking care of your goggles is essential for their performance and longevity. Humidity can damage the goggles and create image distortion. If your goggles don’t already have built-in water resistance or weatherproofing, you’ll need to buy a case to protect them. Water can also sneak in if you replace your batteries in a damp area. A weather-proof battery case will keep your batteries dry as you change them out.
• To clean your goggles’ lenses, use compressed air to knock out any debris. Then, you can use a disposable lens cleaning cloth from Nikon or other camera companies to gently wipe away smudges. And, make sure to always use your lens cover when you’re not using your goggles.