I use Vortex Viper 10x42s. I'm very happy with them, though they are pricier than the range you mentioned. Here are a couple things to keep in mind.
If you go with 10x, any shakiness in your hold is going to be magnified that much more. My current pair is an upgrade from my old Tasco 7x35s, so the increase in magnification was wonderful, but I do have to change my stance at times to get more stable.
If you want to try out a pair locally, see if you can use them in the field. You may find that some things you read about in the description and comments will bother you more, others less. If you're really accurate with your finding when you bring the binos up to your eyes, then a smaller field of view might not be a big deal. On the other hand, even a little chromatic aberration can cause trouble when you're trying to figure out just what color those legs are.
My suggestion: When you're out on a field trip with other birders, ask if you can look through their pair, preferably at a bird you've seen using your current pair.
Good luck,
Bill
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