Jase Parnell-Brookes has reviewed a huge range of skywatching optics, including thebest telescopes, binoculars and image-stabilized binoculars. As our trusted authority and expert tester, when they recommend a product and you're in the market for it, their opinions and recommendations are worth paying attention to.
In theirNikon Stabilized 12x25 binoculars review, Jase reckoned they were without doubt the best compact image-stabilized (IS) binoculars they had ever tested. Right now they have $73 off and are at the best price we've seen since Black Friday 2025.
Get the Nikon S 12x25 binoculars,available for just $627 at Best Buy.
Jase awarded them with a perfect 5-star rating, which was mostly thanks to their excellent stabilization, their unobtrusive controls and incredibly small form factor. They also earned a place on ourbest binoculars guideas the best compact IS binoculars. This Best Buy deal is worthy of your attention if you're in the market for an incredibly versatile pair of binoculars that deliver still views in a compact body.
Save $73
Nikon Stabilized 12x25 Binoculars :was $699.95now $626.95at Best BuySave $73on these pocket-sized image-stabilized (IS) binoculars from Nikon. They offer a strong 12x magnification and are portable enough to just slip into your pocket. In our review, we noted that the compact size and amazing IS system delivered amazing stargazing performance and earned them a perfect five-star review.
Read ourNikon Stabilized 12x25 Binoculars review.
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Reviewed by
Jase Parnell-Brookes
Jase Parnell-Brookes is the Managing Editor for e-commerce forSpaceandLive Science. Previously the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space, Jase has been an editor and contributing expert across awide range of publicationssince 2010. Based in the UK, they are also an award-winning photographer and educator winning theGold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19and named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. Since joining Space.com, they have reviewed a huge range of skywatching optics, including telescopes, binoculars and image-stabilized binoculars.
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Theseimage-stabilized (IS) binocularspunch well above their weight. Tipping the scales at a feathery 13.9 oz (395 g), they pack effortlessly into any bag, giving you rock-steady views wherever you roam. While the compact objective lenses yield a slightly dimmer view than the naked eye, they still deliver fantastic, crisp performance for casual stargazing.
In their testing, Jase managed to see theAndromeda galaxy (M31)with averted vision and theOrion nebula (M42),so these are worth taking out with you at night for a better look at the stars and some of the brighter deep sky objects.
They are also relatively cheap in the image-stabilized world where models can easily go for $1000 and up, depending on the model. Jase was happy to recommend these over another compact IS model, theCanon 8x20 IS binoculars, and they are actually lighter and smaller too. With their silky smooth steadying and clear views, they highly recommended them for anyone looking to get image-stabilized binoculars but doesn't want to spend big bucks.
Key features:12x magnification, 25mm objective lens diameter, 4.5-degree angular field of view, 12.3mm eye relief, 13.9 oz (395 g) weight.
Product launched:November 2024
Price history:The Nikon Stabilized 12x25 binoculars usually retail for $699.95 on Amazon. This deal from Best Buy beats the Amazon price easily and, at just $626.95, is the best price we've seen since Black Friday 2025.
Price comparison:Best Buy:$626.95|Newegg:$629.95|Amazon:$699.95
Reviews consensus:Space:★★★★★| Digital Camera World:★★★★
Featured in guides:Best binoculars,Best compact binoculars
✅ Buy it if:You are looking for an affordable way into image-stabilized binoculars and need a pair that you can slip into your pocket.
❌ Don't buy it if:You need really high magnification or bigger objective lenses. For more powerful image-stabilized binoculars, try theCanon IS 15x50 binoculars.
Check out our other guides to thebest telescopes,binoculars,cameras,star projectors,drones,legoand much more.
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Deals writer
Paul is a deals writer forSpace.comand writes across the stable of Sports and Knowledge brands at Future. He has previously worked in cycling media and authored numerous articles on Bike Perfect, Cycling News and Cycling Weekly. Paul is an award-winning photographer having won Mountain Photographer of the Year with Trail Magazine and has a passionate interest in all things photography. Paul will be found most weekends with his camera in hand either at cycling events, on a mountain summit or chasing the aurora borealis forecasts.
With contributions from
- Jase Parnell-BrookesManaging Editor, e-commerce
