Head-to-head · US prices checked November 9, 2026
Of 11 decided criteria, the TOPDON TS004 wins 2 and the RIX Pocket K3 wins 9, on official specs.
2 criteria won · $409.99 $499.99, checked on November 9, 2026
9 criteria won · $799 $899, checked on November 9, 2026
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Short answer: the RIX Pocket K3 ($799 on sale) is the better thermal, with a 384 sensor rated <25 mK and a 5-year warranty. The TOPDON TS004 ($409.99 on sale) costs about half, runs about 11 hours on its built-in battery and is plenty for a yard or a barn.
The best stated value is marked "Edge". If either maker does not state a value, the criterion is left undecided.
| Criterion | TOPDON TS004 | RIX Pocket K3 |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated scoreEdge: the highest | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Checked priceEdge: the lowest | $409.99 | $799 |
| SensorEdge: the most pixels | 256×192, 12 µm | 384×288, 12 µm |
| NETD (sensitivity)Edge: the lowest | <40 mK | <25 mK |
| Objective lensEdge: the longest | 13 mm | 15 mm |
| Computed reachEdge: the longest | 650 m (711 yd) | 750 m (820 yd) |
| Horizontal field of viewEdge: the widest | 13.5° | 17.5° |
| Display | OLED 800×600 | OLED 800×600 |
| Battery lifeEdge: the longest | 11 h | 6 h |
| Swappable batteryEdge: yes | No | Yes |
| WeightEdge: the lightest | 330 g (11.6 oz) | 213 g (7.5 oz) |
| Laser rangefinder | No | No |
| Water protection | IP67 | IP67 |
| Recording storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Frame rate | 50 Hz | 50 Hz |
| WarrantyEdge: the longest | 1 year | 5 years |
Two pocket thermals at the low end of our list. The K3 has 2.25 times the pixels (384×288 against 256×192), a slightly longer 15 mm lens against 13 mm and a lower NETD (<25 mK against <40 mK), so it shows more detail at every distance and in damp air. Our formula gives the K3 750 m of reach against 650 m.
The TS004 is the stamina pick: about 11 hours on a built-in 5,000 mAh cell against about 6 hours per 18650 for the K3, which you can swap. Warranty is the other big gap: 1 year from TOPDON, 5 years from RIX on 384-resolution devices.
No absolute winner: the right choice depends on where and what you watch. Each verdict follows from the data above.
The TOPDON TS004 costs $389.01 less than the RIX Pocket K3, at prices checked on November 9, 2026.
Read the review ↗The RIX Pocket K3 scores 8.7/10 against 8.5/10 with our published formula.
Read the review ↗The RIX Pocket K3 has a 15 mm lens on 12 µm pixels, for a computed reach of 750 m against 650 m. More reach means you can tell a coyote from a dog farther out.
Read the review ↗The RIX Pocket K3 shows 17.5° across against 13.5°: a wider view sweeps a tree line faster and keeps a moving animal in frame.
Read the review ↗The RIX Pocket K3 weighs 213 g with its battery against 330 g for the TOPDON TS004.
Read the review ↗TOPDON states 11 hours for the TOPDON TS004, against 6 hours for the RIX Pocket K3.
Read the review ↗The RIX Pocket K3 comes with 5 years of warranty against 1 year for the TOPDON TS004.
Read the review ↗With our published overall formula, the RIX Pocket K3 scores higher (8.7 vs 8.5/10). The best pick still depends on where and what you hunt or watch: see the picks by profile on this page.
On November 9, 2026, the TOPDON TS004 was $409.99 (TOPDON US store) and the RIX Pocket K3 $799 (RIX Optics store).
The RIX Pocket K3: a 15 mm lens on 12 µm pixels gives a computed reach of 750 m against 650 m. The brands state 410 m and 780 m with their own target definitions.
The RIX Pocket K3: 213 g against 330 g with a battery fitted, from the makers' figures.