The majority of American pistol owners own their guns for home defense. If you’re one of those people, you may have considered what you’ll do if you need to take aim in the dark. Under those conditions, a good pair of night sights can make all the difference.
That’s why we’ve searched for the best night sights available online. Most of these are tritium sights since all but the very best fiber optic sights are dim in the dark.
A quick word on how we’ve laid this article out: because iron pistol sights need to match the manufacturer’s OEM fittings, we’ve sorted them by what type of pistol they’re designed for. Obviously, we’ve favored sights for Glock, since that’s the most popular manufacturer.
A lot of these sights are called “H3”. That doesn’t mean they’re the same model. It just refers to the standard 3-dot configuration of most tactical pistol sights.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at what we found.
12 Best Night Sights
1. Tritium Handgun
Tritium Handgun
$56.14 in stock
Features
- Fits Glock 17 / 17L, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 45 (Excluding M.O.S. models)
- Tritium night sights transition from standard white dot sights during the daylight, to glowing green dots in the the dark
- Utilizes quality Swiss tritium for maximum brightness and unmatched visibility in all shooting conditions 24/7
- Glows in the dark with no batteries or light sources needed
- Compact design maintains factory sight radius and fits standard holsters; Angled rear sight edge for emergency one–hand operation
These TRUGLO H3 sights are tritium powered and have a low profile for easy holstering.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white during the day
- Available for most Glock pistols
TRUGLO H3 for Glock pistols are tritium powered, with an estimated lifetime of 10 to 15 years. They’re CNC machined from steel, so they’re as tough as the rest of your pistol. They glow bright green at night and appear white in the daylight.
These sights have a lower profile than stock Glock iron sights. However, the front sight sits a little higher than the rear sights, so you’ll want to practice with them at the range to get used to your new sight picture. The front sight also has a sloped design, which keeps it from snagging on your holster.
These sights are more affordable than some higher-end night sights, but they’re more than good enough to get the job done. When you order them, make sure to select the correct version for your model of Glock. If you don’t, they won’t fit, and you’ll have to return them and order a new set.
Pros
- Durable steel construction
- Low profile
- Snag-resistant design
- Affordable
Cons
- Front sight sits a little high
This is an inexpensive set of night sights that fits on almost any Glock.
2. TRUGLO TFX
TRUGLO TFX
$118.38 in stock
Features
- Fits Glock 17 / 17L, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 45 (will NOT fit Glock M.O.S. models)
- Next-level TFX sight technology for professionals and shooters who demand maximum performance from their handguns; Provides ultimate reliability, accuracy, and brightness no matter how tough things get
- Contrasting colored front sight FOCUS-LOCK ring for even faster focus; Machined and assembled in the USA with quality Swiss tritium for maximum brightness
- TFX hermetically-sealed capsule design provides maximum protection and durability, plus a Fortress Finish provides a permanent protective coating; Impervious to oils, chemicals, cleaning solvents, and ultra-sonic cleaning processes
- Rear sight features a quick and accurate U-notch design and has an angled edge for emergeny one-handed operation; Evaluated and recommended by National Tactical Officers' Association (NTOA) field testers; Fits standard holsters; 12-year limited warranty
TRUGLO TFX provides extra visibility both at night and in full daylight.
Key Features
- Combination of tritium and fiber optic power
- Glows both day and night
- Orange ring on the front sight
- Available for most Glock pistols
TRUGLO TFX combines the nighttime visibility of tritium sights with the daytime performance of fiber optic sights. Each sight has a fiber optic core, with a tritium element behind it to give it a boost. The middle sight is surrounded by a bright orange ring for easy target acquisition.
They are CNC machined from solid blocks of steel, which makes them tough enough to stand up to any type of abuse. The fiber optic tubes are rugged clear polymer so they won’t break easily. They sit at the same height as stock Glock sights. The rear sight has a sharp forward angle, which makes it easy to rack in an emergency situation.
They cost a bit more than other TRUGLO models, due to the fact that they have two sources of illumination. While they perform very well at night and are highly visible in the daytime, they’re tough to see in intermediate light, when the fiber optics start to die and the tritium elements are obscured by the fiber optic elements.
Pros
- CNC machined steel
- Easy target acquisition
- Angled rear sight for easy racking
Cons
- Poor intermediate light visibility
- Pricey
These sights combine the benefits of both tritium and fiber optic sights.
3. Trijicon Suppressor White
Trijicon Suppressor White
Features
- Fits: Glock 17, 17L, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39
- Professional installation recommended
- Finish: black. Rear Notch Width-0.15 inch
Trijicon H3 has a high profile for easy co-witness and suppressor clearance.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white in daylight
- Fit Glock 19 and compatible mounts
Trijicon H3 is powered by tritium cells that glow green at night. They’re surrounded by white rings for easy daytime use. These sights are extremely durable, with sapphire-coated lenses and rubberized mounts that stand up to drops and bangs.
These Trijicon sights are designed specifically to be used with a suppressor, or for co-witness with a reflex sight. As a result, they have a high profile, so you’ll need to practice on the range to get used to the sighting. You may also need a new holster, depending on how much clearance your holster offers.
Trijicon H3 Suppressor Sights are a bit pricey, but their toughness and ease of use make them a worthwhile purchase. They’re designed for the Glock 19, and other Glocks with similar mounts. Make sure your model is on their list before you hit the “Buy” button.
Pros
- High profile for co-witness
- Shock resistant
Cons
- Can be difficult to holster
- Pricey
These sights are ideal if your Glock has a suppressor or reflex sight.
4. Trijicon Suppressor Black
Trijicon Suppressor Black
Features
- INCREASED HEIGHT: Specically engineered to allow use with a suppressor or as backup iron sights for a slide-mounted red dot sight, such as the Trijicon RMR
- INSTANTLY VISIBLE SIGHT PICTURE IN NO-LIGHT AND LOW-LIGHT SITUATIONS: Tritium phosphor- lled glass lamp provides battery-free glow, allowing for a visible sight picture in all lighting situation
- ENHANCED PROTECTION FROM HEAVY RECOIL AND HARSH CLEANING SOLVENTS: Tritium gas lamps are contained within protective aluminum cylinders and have additional silicone rubber cushioning
- SAPPHIRE WINDOW: Each Trijicon tritium lamp is capped with a sapphire jewel which helps to evenly distribute the light from the tritium lamp as well as protect it from solvents and puncture
- FITS GLOCK MODELS: 17, 17L, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, and 39. Front Blade Height - 0.365 inch.(9.27mm). Rear Blade Height - 0.361 inch.(9.16mm)
Trijicon H3 Black Outline sights are designed for maximum night visibility.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear black in daylight
- Fit Glock 19 and compatible mounts
Trijicon H3 Black are nearly identical to their standard suppressor-sights, with one important difference: they have no white ring around them. This might seem minor, but it makes for a much clearer sighting experience at night. Of course, this comes at a cost: your daytime sighting will be much more difficult.
Other than that, they’re the same as the last sights we reviewed, including superior shock resistance, a high profile, and the ability to co-witness with red dot sights. They were also expensive.
While Trijicon H3 Black is a bit of a one-trick pony, they’re really, really good at that one trick. If you’re only ever going to use your pistol at night, consider these sights. Just make sure your Glock has Glock 19-style sight mounts, or you’ll end up needing to return them.
Pros
- High profile for co-witness
- Shock resistant
- Amazing night visibility
Cons
- Can be difficult to holster
- Poor day visibility
- Pricey
These sights are pinpoint accurate and will co-witness with most reflex sights.
5. Meprolight Glock
Meprolight Glock
$84.86 in stock
Features
- COMPATBILITY: Compatible with Glock 10MM/45ACP 20, 21, 29, 30, 36, 40, and 41 (S and SF)
- GETTING ON TARGET: The MEPRO TRU-DOT fixed Night Sights offer the most reliable illumination for day or night shooting. Premium grade tritium vials make your sights visible in lowlight and nighttime conditions. The Tritium vials are surrounded by white reflective material that maximize the intensity and brightness of the tritium source to ensure fast target acquisition. Both rear and front tritium source appear white during the day.
- ALWAYS ON: Tritium powered, No batteries, No light needed – Always producing light and always ready 24/7/365. Does not need to be charged with a light source unlike Phosphorus. 3 tritium colors available for the rear sight only: green/yellow/orange (for selected models) whereas only green tritium color is available on the front sight. Maintenance free, can be mounted directly with no modifications.
- HIGH DURABILITY: The MEPRO TRU-DOT sights are drop- and shockproof. Made of steel, they make an excellent upgrade to your pistol and gives you instinctive aiming under pressure. Trusted by law enforcement and military personnel over the world, these tritium Sights are reliable in any lighting or weather condition.
- 12-year guarantee for tritium illumination.
Meprolight is tritium powered and come in three color combinations.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white in daylight
- Fits Glock 30 and compatible mounts
Meprolight is designed with the same profile as stock Glock 30 and compatible sights. As a result, you can install them without having to get used to a new sight picture on your pistol. They’re tritium powered, which means they’ll last for at least 10 years, and they appear white during the daytime.
At night, they glow in one of three available color combinations: green, orange rear sights and a green front sight, or yellow rear sights and a green front sight. The front slight has a slanted edge so it won’t snag on your holster when you go to draw it.
This is an affordable set of sights, but they’re not as bright as some more expensive night sights. They’re also made of polymer instead of steel, which means you’ll need to be careful about accidentally striking anything with it.
Pros
- Standard factory profile
- Available in 3 color combinations
- Snag-resistant
- Affordable
Cons
- Not as bright as higher-end night sights
- Polymer construction
This is an inexpensive, well-designed set of Glock night-sights.
6. Trijicon Smith & Wesson
rijicon Smith & Wesson
$103.21 in stock
Features
- WHITE RINGS: Bright & Tough Night Sights feature a white ring around the glowing dots for daylight visibility
- TRITIUM-PHOSPHOR LAMP: Tritium-filled glass lamp provides superior illumination in no light or low light settings
- SAPPHIRE WINDOW: Each Trijicon tritium lamp is capped with a sapphire jewel which helps to evenly distribute the light from the tritium lamp as well as protect it from solvents and puncture
- PROTECTIVE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS: Contains and protects the tritium gas filled lamps from heavy recoil and harsh cleaning solvents
- FITS SMITH & WESSON MODELS: M&P SHIELD .40, .45, & 9mm
Trijicon M&P is tough as nails and bright enough for use in most light conditions.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white in daylight
- Fits Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Trijicon M&P are CNC machined from solid steel, which makes them even more durable than your slide. They’re designed to fit on the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, glow bright green at night, and appear white in the daylight. The brightness on these sights is second to none, which makes for top-tier twilight visibility.
The tritium cells are housed in aluminum tubes, which are mounted in rubber shock mounts to stand up to serious abuse. They’re also reasonably priced – not cheap, but not as expensive as a lot of Trijicon gear – and they come with a lifetime warranty.
The only thing we didn’t like about these sights is that their sight picture is ever so slightly higher than stock M&P Shield. After a trip to the shooting range, you’ll be used to it.
Pros
- Durable
- Very bright
- Shock resistant
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- Sighted higher than stock M&P sights
These are the best night-sights on the market for Smith & Wesson pistols.
7. TRUGLO Tritium
TRUGLO Tritium
Features
- Fits Springfield XD Series (XD, XDS, XDE, XDM excluding 5.25" Comp Series)
- Tritium night sights transition from standard white dot sights during the daylight, to glowing green dots in the the dark
- Utilizes quality Swiss tritium for maximum brightness and unmatched visibility in all shooting conditions 24/7
- Glows in the dark with no batteries or light sources needed
- Compact design maintains factory sight radius and fits standard holsters; Angled rear sight edge for emergency one–hand operation
TRUGLO Tritium H3 night sights are tough and snag-resistant.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white in daylight
- Fits most Springfield pistols
TRUGLO Tritium H3 is tritium powered so you won’t need to worry about leaving them in the daylight to charge. They fit most Springfield pistols, with the exception of the 5 ¼-inch Comp Series. The dots glow green at night and show up as bright white in daylight.
These sights are CNC machined from steel so you won’t have any durability issues. The front sight is slanted for snag resistance, and both the front and rear sights sit at the same height as Springfield factory sights, which means you can keep your holster.
TRUGLO Tritium H3 sights are very affordable, but they aren’t as bright as some higher-quality sights. We’re guessing they used less tritium to make the price competitive. As always, you get what you pay for. That said, they come with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty so you can get replacements if they go dark sooner than they ought to.
Pros
- Durable
- Snag-resistant
- Same height as stock sights
- Affordable
- 12-year warranty
Cons
- Not as bright as they could be
These are a good budget option for Springfield pistol night sights.
8. Trijicon Springfield
Trijicon Springfield
Features
- WHITE RINGS: Bright & Tough Night Sights feature a white ring around the glowing dots for daylight visibility
- TRITIUM-PHOSPHOR LAMP: Tritium-filled glass lamp provides superior illumination in no light or low light settings
- SAPPHIRE WINDOW: Each Trijicon tritium lamp is capped with a sapphire jewel which helps to evenly distribute the light from the tritium lamp as well as protect it from solvents and puncture
- PROTECTIVE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS: Contains and protects the tritium gas filled lamps from heavy recoil and harsh cleaning solvents.Front Blade Height:0.15 inch
- FITS SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODELS: XD, XD(M), XD Mod.2 and XD-S
Trijicon H3 provides excellent visibility in both daytime and darkness.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white in daylight
- Fits Springfield XD-line pistols
Trijicon H3 night sights are powered by tritium for longevity and ease of use. These cells are mounted in an aluminum casing, with scratch-resistant sapphire coated lenses. These assemblies are mounted in rubber sleeves, which makes them resistant to even the most violent shocks.
The housing itself is milled from steel for maximum durability, and the dots sit at the same height as stock Springfield sights, so you won’t need to adjust to a new sight picture. The front sight is slanted so it won’t snag on your holster.
These sights come at a steep price, but it’s well worth it for the bright dots and durability. The only thing we’d change is the gap on the rear sight, which is wider than necessary.
Pros
- Durable steel construction
- Same height as stock sights
- Shock resistant
- Snag-resistant design
Cons
- Pricey
- Wide rear gap
This is a high-quality set of night sights that will keep you on target.
9. Trijicon H&K Usp
Features
- WHITE RINGS: Bright & Tough Night Sights feature a white ring around the glowing dots for daylight visibility
- TRITIUM-PHOSPHOR LAMP: Tritium-filled glass lamp provides superior illumination in no light or low light settings
- SAPPHIRE WINDOW: Each Trijicon tritium lamp is capped with a sapphire jewel which helps to evenly distribute the light from the tritium lamp as well as protect it from solvents and puncture
- PROTECTIVE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS: Contains and protects the tritium gas filled lamps from heavy recoil and harsh cleaning solvents
- FITS: H&K USP model
Trijicon H3 night sights are bright, they stay bright, and they’re accurate.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Appear white in the daytime
- Fits H&K USP pistols
Trijicon H3 provides bright green light at night for excellent visibility. In the daytime, they fade to white, and function just like standard sights. They’re the same height as H&K USP stock sights, which means you won’t need to practice adjusting to a new sight picture. Just install them, and you’re ready to go.
These sights are tritium powered so you won’t need to charge them. The tritium cells are mounted in aluminum sleeves, which in turn are surrounded by rubber gaskets to protect them from shock and recoil. The lenses are sapphire coated, which makes them scratch-resistant. The sight frames themselves are solid steel so you won’t need to worry about durability.
The only downside to Trijicon H3 sights is the price, but they’re a great value considering the high quality.
Pros
- Durable and shock-resistant
- Same sight picture as stock sights
- Snag-resistant
Cons
- Pricey
These are rugged, well-designed sights for your H&K pistol.
10. Trijicon HD
Features
- HIGH VISIBILITY COLORED FRONT SIGHT POST: Glow-in-the-dark photoluminescent paint aids visibility and quicker target acquisition in transitional light
- SUBDUED REAR SIGHT: Angled and serrated surface to reduce glare, and black painted rings to enhance focus on front sight
- "U" NOTCH REAR SIGHT: Specifically designed rear notch enhances front sight acquisition
- TRITIUM-PHOSPHOR LAMP: Tritium-filled glass lamp provides superior illumination in no light or low light settings
- FITS: Colt 1991 Series
The Trijicon HD is bright and has a high visibility orange front sight
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Rear sights are black in the daytime, the front sight is bright orange
- Fits Colt 1911
The Trijicon HD sight is made specifically for the Colt 1911. Since 1911 has been around for a long time, it’s undergone some changes. They changed the sight mount in 1988, and this sight was made to fit newer models. If you have an old-school 1911, you’ll need a different sight.
This tritium-powered sight lights up bright green at night. In the daytime, the rear sights are black, but the front sight remains neon orange. Line it up in the notch in the rear sight, and you’ll be right on target. This makes for easy target acquisition under all light conditions.
These sights are milled from high-quality steel and are very durable. The sight picture is slightly lower than stock sights, so a trip to the range is a good idea if you want to get used to your new setup. The Trijicon HD is expensive, but it’s well worth the money.
Pros
- Easy target acquisition
- Fits almost all 1911s manufactured after 1988
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
- The sight picture is slightly low
This is a bright night-sight that fits most Colt 1911 models.
11. Meprolight 10mm and 45ACP
The Meprolight 10mm and 45ACP is a tritium sight that works on your AR.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- Works as a front post in the daylight
- It fits AR15, M16, and compatible AR-style rifles
The Meprolight Tru Dot Night Sight is a carbon copy of the M16 A1 front sight. It screws into any AR that’s based on the A1 or A2 frame, and works the same as a standard iron sight, except for the bright green dot in the middle. It’s tritium powered, so no power source or charging is required.
The anodized aluminum body is durable enough to stand up to any abuse you dish out. It’s also very affordable, even compared to most pistol sights. The downside? You’ll need a night rear sight to get the most out of your purchase.
One thing we would have liked more is if they’d made this sight square instead of round. The M16 A1 was upgraded to the A2 in part to improve it, and it’s disappointing that Meprolight chose to go with the older, less accurate design.
Pros
- Anodized aluminum construction
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Poor profile for daytime shooting
- Front sight only
This one is an affordable way to upgrade your AR for night shooting.
12. Steiner eOptics DBAL
Features
- PRECISE AIMING LASER FROM STEINER – Rely on Steiner’s eOptics DBAL-D2 Dual Beam Aiming Laser that features a 2 to 30 degree adjustable illumination beam.
- DISTANCE ILLUMINATION – With significantly enhanced performance, this aiming laser offers an eye-safe means of illuminating distances greater than 1,000 meters.
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE – Rely on the precise adjustability of windage and elevation for accurate reliability in any conditions.
- RELIABLE IR ILLUMINATOR – With co-aligned visible and IR aiming lasers, the DBAL-D2 is the choice of military and law enforcement units around the globe.
- WARRANTY - Covers defects in materials and workmanship for 2 years from date of purchase. Warranty covers all night vision devices, laser aim solutions, beacons and lights. Valid in USA and CAN only.
The Steiner eOptics is durable and effective.
Key Features
- Tritium powered
- It Fits AR15, M16, and compatible AR-style rifles
The Steiner eOptics is an amazing dual-beam laser to make your AR as accurate in the dark as it is in the daytime.
While this is an expensive sight, we’re not disappointed by the distance this bad boy can get, it’s bright enough to see in full darkness, but they don’t really show up in twilight conditions. That said, they get the job done.
Pros
- Anodized aluminum frame
- Inexpensive
Cons
- None
If you have the money to spend the Steiner eOptics is the best option on the market for night shooting.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are plenty of companies making quality night sights. While we tended to be biased towards Trijicon, that’s mostly because they have more selection, and service more pistol models than some of the other manufacturers, who focus on the most popular types of pistol.
The most important thing to consider when choosing night sights is whether or not they’re designed for your pistol. It doesn’t matter how much you like a set of sights for the Colt 1911. If you own a Glock, they’re not going to fit. You’ll need to find a pair of Glock sights.
That said, we hope you found some sights that work for your pistol and are also appealing to you on their own merits. We certainly like to think that our list represents the best of what’s out there. No matter what you end up choosing, we hope this article was helpful and informative.
Check out all the other gun accessory articles put together by our expert team here at Guns & Safety Reviews;
- Pistol Lights
- Glock-Sights
- Laser Bore Sighters
- Red Dot Magnifiers
- Shotgun Lights
- Red-Dot-Sights
- Shot Timers
- Rifle Cases
- 308 Scopes
- Rifle Bench Rests
- Rifle Scopes Under $200
The Review
Best Night Sights
Read through our reviews of the best night sights to learn more about the top brands on the market today.
Review Breakdown
-
Tritium Handgun
-
TRUGLO TFX
-
Trijicon Suppressor White
-
Trijicon Suppressor Black
-
Meprolight Glock
-
rijicon Smith & Wesson
-
TRUGLO Tritium
-
Trijicon Springfield
-
Trijicon H&K Usp
-
Trijicon HD
-
Meprolight 10mm and 45ACP
-
Steiner Model 9001 eOptics
Best Night Sights DEALS
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