14 Best Red Dot Sights

Red Dot sights offer quick target acquisition and make the decision process from a tactical perspective, very easy and straightforward. With a Red Dot sight, you don’t need to focus on the tiny details, you see the big picture and can hit what you’re aiming at quickly and while maintaining enough accuracy for a hit on target.

The recent increase in buyers for red dot sights shows a few things in stark reality: the gun business is booming, and the value of the red dot sight is high. The popularity of this type of sight proves the simple, intuitive interface of the red dot and makes it clear that consumers want choices, quality, and results.

The right red dot sight can offer the type of accuracy and quick target acquisition that is desired without breaking the bank and without sacrificing the important things you may not even know you want.

This is our “Best Red Dot Sight” Review article to get you the information you need to make a good decision about the proper red dot sight for your firearm. This article will cover all you need to know to get the right red dot sight and will give you valuable information on how to make the best use of it.

14 Best Red Dot Sights

1. Aimpoint PRO

The Aimpoint is a great device and it’s also a bit bulkier than most of the other units on this list.

It offers a 2MOA red dot and is always on. The battery life is nearly 3 years and the quality is very nice.

Pros

• Robust build quality
• Always on
• Long Battery life/Good illumination

Cons

• A bit bulkier than other offerings
• Starting to get expensive for the field

Why It’s Recommended

Always on, always ready for you to make a quick tactical decision whether in a personal defense situation or a field hunting situation.

The 2MOA gives some flexibility for all different target types. Aimpoint has a good history and a lot of credibility.

The Aimpoint PRO offers a long battery life with very good illumination at all times.

2. Vortex Optics Spitfire

The Vortex Optics Spitfire is a very good-looking and versatile optic that utilizes a bunch of different technologies in a single device.

This is a quality company, with good credibility and it is built very well for the price point.

A true multi-use optic that harnesses the power of multiple technologies into a single device.

Pros

• Great Versatility
• 250-3000 hours of battery life

Cons

• Bulky
• Focusing is slightly slower than unmagnified optics at a distance

Why It’s Recommended

For those who need magnification and want multiple technologies available, this is a great option, especially since it is so well priced for the feature set that it has.

The unit is very well built for the price point and offers excellent variability on ranges from 0-500 yards.

The Vortex Optics Spitfire is about the perfect single optic for a budget piece for the AR-15. Maybe the best red dot sight for the AR15 platform under $400.

3. C-MORE Systems Railway

C-MORE is one of the original designers of this spectrum of devices/optics.

The durability is good, and the system is built to last with a bunch of innovative features as a standard offering.

Pros

• A great heads up display
• Very bright projection
• Good mounting options

Cons

• Slightly limited without another optic option

Why It’s Recommended

This is one of the original designs and producers that built the red dot industry and the electronic optic industry.

The quality is excellent for the money, and the quick reaction time that we expect with an electronic sight is what this does best.

The open FOV of the C-MORE and the quick target/reticle acquisition is a game-changer for those who need quick target decisions.

4. Aimpoint ACO

The Aimpoint ACO is well built and full of quality features. This allows a AR 15 user to easily find their target and generate a tactical decision very quickly with a fantastic lighted reticle and a durable build quality.

Pros

• Compact for a tube style optic
• Long battery life
• Good reputation
• Strong feature set

Cons

• Pricey

Why It’s Recommended

80,000 hours to 500,000 hours of battery life is just the tip of the iceberg, and while that is an optimistic number on a low setting, it is still impressive.

The build quality is very high and the Aimpoint brand name and credibility are excellent.

Built specifically for the AR 15. As far as red dot sight reviews go, the Aimpoint ACO receives some of the best reviews.

5. Sig Sauer Romeo5

The Sig Sauer may not be as robust as some of the other builds, but it does offer some very compelling features for a very low price point.

It offers a lot for the money is compact and avoids dangerous damage scenarios because of this.

Pros

• Motion activation red dot
• The good price point for the feature set
• Co-witness riser and integrated mount

Cons

• Somewhat limited use case

Why It’s Recommended

A good quality device that has the backing of a major firearm manufacturer. This is a no-nonsense Red dot sight that offers 10 illumination settings with a 2 MOA red dot.

Sig Sauer gives some good versatility on target for those in the lower end of the market with long life and reasonable durability.

6. AT3 Tactical RD-50

AT3 Tactical RD-50 is nicely finished but not necessarily the best build quality out there, that’s not really a knock if you read the earlier commentary on pricing.

That said, you get a lot for the money and if you’re exploring the market segment, this is a very good entry point that will help you understand the need for a better device, without getting a bad one to begin with.

Pros

• Cheap
• Co-witness riser and integrated mount

Cons

• Not the highest quality or the most robust feature set

Why It’s Recommended

Despite being exceptionally well built considering the price point, it is not on the same level as other more expensive options on this list.

It is still a viable option and offers enough for those exploring the red dot sight segment.

The co-witness ability is built into the base which allows a great transition from the line of sight. The AT3 Tactical RD-50 is cheap in terms of value for money.

7. EOTech G33

Exceptional production quality, and robust durability combined with the incredibly nice feature set, the EOTech G33.STS.BLK is an optic that can go from 0-250 yards in an instant.

EO-Tech is sort of like a Godfather in the market segment that encompasses electronic optics.

Pros

• A top tier producer
• One of the best all-in-one feature sets

Cons

• Pricey

Why It’s Recommended

Yes, this is a bit slower to grab the combination of eye relief and FOV through the optic. However, it is a brilliant design that makes for an incredible one-stop shop for those who need a multipurpose tool from their optic choice.

EO-Tech is one of the original producers and innovators in the market segment and as such, they offer a lot for the money.

The EOTech G33.STS.BLK is a significant price point but one that has a very well-balanced price to feature set.

8. Burris Fastfire III

Very simple to operate the Burris Fastfire III offers a very simple profile that gives you plenty of versatility. Especially on pistols or where you only need a red dot for certain applications on a rifle/carbine.

The great adjustment allows easy implementation. The battery access and low battery warning make this very customer-centric.

Pros

• Simple heads up display
• Lightweight and compact

Cons

• Not as durable as some other options

Why It’s Recommended

For those who want an ultra-fast, ultra-lightweight heads-up display with a 3MOA there are few options better than this.

The quality of the brand name and the quality of this unit are very high, though it is slightly less durable than some of the other options.

The Burris 300235 Fastfire is a bit less robust, materials-wise than some competitors, but the price is excellent, and the optic quality is very high.

9. EOTECH

Durable, with a quick, detached mount that allows for exceptional reliability and versatility between guns even.

The EO518 EOTECH is a top-tier device and they have had years of innovation and are one of the more credible options on the market.

Pros

• Sturdy and well built
• Great innovation from the company

Cons

• Pricey

Why It’s Recommended

The company is one of the oldest producers of this type of optic, and really knows what they are doing when it comes to producing high availability, high versatility heads up optics.

A 1MOA dot on a 68 MOA ring offers excellent contrast and the optic gives near-instant recognition on target. The EO518 EOTECH is a legitimately great piece of hardware.

10. Primary Arms SLX

A lifetime warranty on an electronic sight for under $250 USD means you get a lot of value for the money because they will have made a very good product to be able to service it for life.

Primary Arms has a great reputation in the AR market and even in the AR 15 optics market. Quality features for the low-cost outlay.

Pros

• Lifetime warranty
• True 2 eyes open sighting

Cons

• Entry-level

Why It’s Recommended

Even though the price is low the feature set is pretty good, and the lifetime warranty makes a ton of sense for those who aren’t committed to the red dot/electronic options yet but still can’t abide buying a poor product.

Primary Arms makes good equipment and has a very good optics program. Long battery life and good outside finish color for most tactical builds.

11. Leupold DeltaPoint

Leupold is a quality manufacturer and offers a great design for a heads-up type of electronic sight.

This is a very nice device and offers a triangle at 7.5MOA with a durable build. Although it may seem cheap at times due to the inclusion of polymer the finish quality is slightly less compelling compared to other offerings from the company or on this list.

Pros

• Great quality
• The mid-range price point for a nice feature set

Cons

• Despite the nice quality, this build can still feel a bit cheap

Why It’s Recommended

It’s lightweight, fast to fire, and made from a high-end producer. The Leupold Delta Point is a great “both-eyes-open” device that has a motion sensor to help with battery/power management.

The optical quality is top-notch with great abrasion resistance for durable long-term wear characteristics.

12. TRUGLO Tru-Tec

TRUGLO TRU-TEC is lightweight but perhaps a bit too cheaply made, and the question is about the long-term durability of the item.

That isn’t to take anything away from their nice feature set, because, for the money, this is an impressive offering.

Pros

• Cheap
• Good reviews
• Long battery life

Cons

• Not as high a quality as might be needed for most users
• More complex to adjust

Why It’s Recommended

A lower quality build than most units on this list but still a compelling offering from a company that does have some good innovation in the industry.

This is a solid choice for those who are wading into the market for red dot or electronic sights.

TRUGLO TRU-TEC is very lightweight and has a long battery life that makes the illumination an ever-present focal point.

13. Trijicon RMR Type 2

Trijicon is one of the original producers that basically built this industry along with EO-Tech and a handful of others.

This is a proven design with a great reputation and unmatched durability meaning you can actually get in the mix and count on it in the most extreme scenarios imaginable.

Pros

• One of the originals
• Made for and used by military and elite law enforcement
• Super durable
• Tried and true technology

Cons

• The technology is getting older as newer companies come into the market with different innovation

Why It’s Recommended

Of all the heads-up-display type electronic sights this has the best long-term proven history. Along with the best reputation for being in legitimate use scenarios; and for durability, it is unmatched.

That said, the Trijicon is not as innovative as it once was, but still commands a good, lofty price point because it is a stellar performer.

14. Feyachi Reflex

Feyachi is a cheap sight but it’s almost comical how much you get for how little you pay.

If you really want to know if you have an inkling of interest in electronic sights you might grab one of these, prefaced by the concept that you know it’s meant as a novelty.

Once you see what it can do, you’ll realize that by spending some real money on a proper electronic sight, you will get much more value from it.

It’s a lot of value for the money, but ultimately in electronic optics, you get what you pay for, so tread lightly.

Pros

• Cheap

Cons

• Cheap quality
• No real feature set
• Not durable
• A novelty really

Why It’s Recommended

We seem to take a negative approach to this one, but it should be noted, we recommend it to help get more shooters to understand the reason why electronic optics are so useful.

We believe this may enhance the shooter’s ability to gather information and understand the market segment.

Note: No one will promise this is a great experience with the Feyachi, simply that it is a good entry point for those who really want to know what you can do with even a base-level device.

Given it’s so cheap and limited in its operation, the Feyachi still accomplishes quite a bit for the time and money you’ll invest in it.

Advantages of Red Dot Sights

Cowitnessing is when you can either use the iron sights or use the Red dot/electronic sight. Cowitnessing is allowed due to the open nature of the architecture, as the sights are unimpeded generally by the electronic sight.

Predictability of performance is a nice thing to have; electronic sights are very consistent and predictable. Battery life is massive nowadays in the newest models; the proven reliable technologies have matured, and your level of risk is minuscule to get into the game.

Two eyes open shooting and an easily identifiable target with a marker to make snap decisions more accurate and quicker.

Projection Type and Electronic vs Battery Powered Sights

Projection type essentially comes down to two concepts: electronically projected and illuminated by tritium/other.

There are combination sights.

Let’s talk about some of the basics:

Holographic sights are non-magnifying glass gun sights that have a holographic image superimposed upon a piece of glass through a sandwiched glass laminate arrangement and allow a user to see this image as an outline on top of a target in the optic.

Reflex sights are reflecting glass optics that superimpose an image or reticle onto the field of view as it appears in the optic.

A battery-powered sight will contain a battery to feed a laser or other projection device which will provide the light source for the projected image whether it be a red dot a reticle or another image. Battery life and conservation of power/power management have been improved dramatically since the first generation of these devices.

A tritium-based reticle is lit by a live nuclear radioactive isotope that provides light for the reticle/image. It is less effective in low-light situations than a battery-based device.

Reticle Style

First and foremost, is the fact that some items project image/reticle in green and some in red, this can have a drastic impact on how you use your device due to your own personal preference and the human eye.

Greenlight tends to be more easily identifiable in high brightness applications, as the human eye is evolved to pick up on that spectrum of light color.

There are many different reticle types, some of the most popular are as follows:

• straight red dot and green dot
• bullseye; which features a circle around a dot
• cross; which is like a standard old scope crosshair
• Star; which is a combination of a bullseye with extensions to show the crosshair’s legs also.
• Mil-dot; which references adjustments for point of aim to point of impact
• Triangle; which places a triangle’s uppermost tip directly beneath your point of impact

There are also other variants, but they change based on the maker, generally, and the application.

The style of the reticle may also incorporate a difference in sizing like a 2 MOA or a 4 MOA size. MOA is the minute of angle, which roughly equates to 1 inch at 100 yards. So a 2MOA is equivalent to 2” at 100 yards 4MOA is 4 inches at 100 yards, and so on.

This grows as you move out further. A 1 MOA at 1000yards is going to be 10 inches. Not that you’ll be shooting with an electronic or red dot sight at 1000 yards, but for comparative purposes, the sizing grows the further out you go to accommodate for the angular direction.

Correct Placement/Positioning

The eye relief of the Red Dot sights on a whole is open. This means that you need to think about how you are placing the sight. It’s meant to project a dot/image onto a target so that you can make a trigger pull decision instantaneously.

If you must take the time to get your eye relief adjusted by finding a distance for positioning your head, you will not be able to make a near-instantaneous decision on pulling the trigger. You should be working to use a red dot or similar sighting device as a “two-eyes-open” sight.

In order to do this, you will probably be positioning it further forward than you are used to mounting a scope or set of sights. That is not true of more magnified telescopic type red dots, but it is for reflex, holographic, and other open fields of view sights.

An important note: Eye relief and FOV (Field of View) are not the same things, but they are correlated to the usage of these types of sights.

Field of View

Field of View is roughly equivalent to the amount of the target that you can see in relation to the breadth of the red-dot-sight you have. For scopes, this is the sight you have looking through a scope to be. For two eyes open shooting, this may be more of a moot discussion.

Eye Relief

Eye Relief is the amount of distance between the viewing start point and your eye, and a device tube’s optics means how close is your eye going to be to the start of the ocular lens in order to properly use the optic.

Red dots (and substantially similar sight types that are covered under this umbrella as in this article) are going to be unaffected by eye relief, as they are made for both eyes to open and offer a generally open architecture. There are some small variances to this rule (tubed red dots), but generally, these types of sights can be moved further down the length of the firearm because of this architecture.

Pricing

It’s not a horrible idea to buy cheap red dot/electronic sights, but it’s not a great idea either. The only real reason to buy a cheap unit is to test your desire to actually use one in the long term and to determine which features you want when you do drop more money on a unit.

You might also consider buying cheaper devices for inexpensive guns if you are spoiled by the experience of using one.

Otherwise, it makes little sense to buy a cheaper unit, because these units, while they may enjoy good reviews and have a great feature set, are less accurate, less robust, less useful than any of the moderately or high-priced models.

The technology that makes up an Electronic sight is still expensive, it is not yet a cheap commodity. Therefore, you will not see premium quality units for cheap as you might see with slings or even glass-based optics.

A good general rule of thumb is at the $190+ mark in USD. This level of cost (while not foolproof) generally separates the good quality, longer-lasting units from the novelty items that are not a very good decision to buy. You truly do get what you pay for, for the most part when buying red dot/electronic sights.

The types of concerns you have with the cheaper units are as follows:

• Bad battery life/expensive batteries/drains batteries
• Plastic optics that scratch easily
• Weak housings that allow misalignments to occur
• Lack of ruggedization
• Cheap, non-calibrated adjustment
• Poor quality altogether
• Lack of legitimate mounts to keep your zero
• Poor fit and finish/attention to detail
• Bad material choices that lead to easily breaking the unit
• Not made well enough to withstand environmental aspects/normal use

Note: we cover a few lower-priced items in this article, and they are “high quality” in a relative sense, but the quality level is relative to the others in their pricing tier, not comparative to the total spectrum of competitors. We almost unreservedly would not buy a unit that was lower than the $250 range and even then, we would be very selective.

This is mostly due to the quality of the materials and the longevity of the components used in the manufacture of the units. We will admit however, it may make the most sense to experiment with a lower-priced unit to determine if you really do want to make the bigger purchase later.

Types of Red Dot Sights

We are using an umbrella term for the “Red Dot Sight” moniker. It actually refers to all types of electronic sights. For the purpose of this discussion, we will cover Holographic sights; True Red dot sights; and Reflex sights.

They are very different technologies and each of them has its own function as their own umbrella term, as there is a lot of variation on the market.

Most of this will be explained in this article; at least enough to educate you on making a purchase. The umbrella term for the purposes of this article, “Red Dot Sight” will be used basically interchangeably with the term “Electronic” sight.

That is only for the purposes of staying congruent, as not all “Electronic” sights are actually electronic. Don’t worry, we will help you make sense of all of this.

Bottom Line

It’s pretty hard to choose the best red dot sight because most of the measures of a fine option are subjective or material to the individual only.

There are some best practices with manufacturing and a bevy of features and details that are commonplace among the best sights. Choosing the penultimate sight will rely upon a combination of what you’ve learned, what you want to accomplish, and what you have on a normal activity list for this sight.

What we think we have done, however, is to give you the tools needed to determine the best fit for your individual needs.

In the end, this is all we can hope for because shooting sports have become something of a customization and individualization exercise of late.

This is a great trend for the industry because it allows for more passionate, loyal fans to join and benefit from the sporting aspects of shooting.

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