Are Expensive Binoculars Really Any Better Than a Cheaper Pair?

The short answer is yes, that isn't to say that all less expensive binoculars are of poor quality but, there are some very important features that affect the quality of a pair of binoculars. These factors cost the manufacturer money, costs that are passed down to you. I'll name a few of them.

Can you give a few examples?

First is the type of glass the lenses and prisms are made of. The type of glass used makes a huge difference in the quality of the image. The higher quality BAK-4 prisms cost more than the lower priced BK-7 prisms.

Prism Arrangement

The more compact roof prisms are more difficult to align, and have lower error tolerance so, they tend to cost a bit more than the larger offset porro prisms.

Coatings

The Type of coatings used on the lenses always raises the price and quality of a pair of binoculars, more thorough coatings on a greater number of surfaces produces a higher quality image, and raises the cost.

Specialized Features and Overall Manufacturing Quality

Anything: from enhanced durability due to extra rubber armoring, waterproofing due to being filled with nitrogen and sealed, other gadgets like rangefinders, image stabilization, cameras, internal compasses, even a better overall build quality. All these things raise the bottom line of a pair of expensive binoculars

All in all, you get what you pay for when it comes to buying sports optics, if you take care of your binoculars, they will have a much longer service life with which to pay for themselves.