8 Best Red Dots Sights for AR-15 – Reviews and Buying Guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Choosing the best Red Dots Sights is common among shooters who use weapons in combat-related target shooting competitions, hunting activities, or the real world of law enforcement and military training. The Red Dots Sights for AR15 has benefits. It also has some design aspects that are ineffective in specific firing scenarios. However, all is not lost. Most difficulties can be avoided thanks to advanced vision technologies. In addition, you can find reviews for best red dots sights for AR15 below.

However, there is a plethora of excellent and best AR red dot sight available today. There are so many that it can be challenging to choose the ideal one. Don’t worry; we’re here to assist you.

List of the Best AR-15 Red Dot Sights

The following list will assist you in making an informed decision. So let us go through them one by one. Moreover, you can also find pros and cons of best budget red dots AR15 below.

Vortex Optics Crossfire

Vortex Optics is renowned for its low-cost red dot optics, high quality. Their brand has developed fast in a short space of time, and today they are major competitive players in the optical sector. The Crossfire is a good deal and the best budget red dot for any AR-15.

The Crossfire includes two alternative mounts, which increases its total value. These optics are compatible with both a low cliff and a low mount with a one-third co-witness. If the optic fails, you can still utilize your iron sights through it.

The Crossfire has a completely multicoated lens, which enhances light transmission and produces a crisp, clear image. The Crossfire is a dependable yet straightforward device that is shock-, water-, and fog proof. Moreover, it is one of the Best AR15 Red dots sights.

Features and Specs 

  • Aluminum body for long-lasting durability
  • Measures 2.5 inches long and weighs 5.2 ounces.
  • A 12-hour auto-shutoff period.

Pros 

  • Co-witnesses with AR-height sights
  • The battery seems to last forever

Cons 

  • Some will be turned off by a small objective lens.

The Vortex Crossfire is the optical choice for people who are searching for a ready-to-go option. No need to buy a battery or a mount: just open, install and start shooting.

best ar red dot

 

TRS 25

The TRS 25 is one of the few red dot scopes that get the best budget red dot sight reviews as it costs less than $100 and is worthwhile to buy. The TRS 25 is manufactured by Bushnell, a firm recognized for producing high-quality, best cheap AR scopes. The TRS 25 is a tiny red dot for rifles and firearms. The AR-15 standard height sight is compatible with a large number of risers that enables it to coexist. The TRS 25 is simple to use and includes an inbuilt Picatinny rail mount.

The optic is waterproof and shockproof. The red dot is a 3-MOA dot, making it perfect for a rifle, and this allows you to see your target easily but still have a reticle that’s big enough to see with ease and speed. However, it is one of the best reflex sight. 

Features and Specs 

  • MOA reticle
  • 11 brightness settings 
  • 2.4 inches long and weighs 3.7 ounce 

Pros 

  • Affordable but high quality 
  • Great variety of brightness settings 
  • 100%shock-, water-, and Fog-proof. 

Cons 

  • Needs risers to co-witness 

The TRS 25 is a small, lightweight optic that is designed to be functional and valuable. It’s not a duty-grade optic, but it’s a solid choice for plinking, competition, and even home defence.

Red Dots Sights For AR-15

 

SIG Romeo 5

The SIG optics line has received a lot of accolades in a short time. The Romeo 5 and Romeo 5XDR are both good optics that cost less than $200 and can be used as best reflex sight. The basic Romeo 5 is the least expensive, while the 5XDR comes with two reticle options. The Romeo 5 is a compact red dot with a 20 mm objective lens powered by a single 40,000-hour battery. The optic offers ten brightness settings, two of which are night-vision compatible.

The Romeo 5 can get extremely bright, making it ideal for the most brilliant of days. With SIG MOTAC technology, you can have an instant optic without leaving the optic powered on. It turns on when it detects movement. It turns off when it is stationary. It is a reliable mechanism that never fails.  However, you can count it as one of best budget red dot.

Features and Specs 

  • 10 brightness settings 
  • lPX7 rating for complete water immersion 
  • Comes with standard-and low-rise mounts 

Pros 

  • Extremely long battery life 
  • MOTAC system is incredible 

Cons 

  • The XDR model costs just under $200.

The SIG Romeo 5 is the best reflex sight, optically less than 200 bucks you will acquire. It’s a cost-effective and reliable design with a variety of modern technology. The Romeo 5 has a great price to offer.

best cheap ar scope

Trijicon MRO

The Trijicon MRO is the best cheap red dot AR scope, but Trijicon is a big name in the game when it comes to bombproof optics. A circular lens on a small frame is the Trijicon MRO. This optic boasts a lens with a red dot with a 2 MOA objective of 25 mm. The MRO was designed and shown for the AR-15.

The optics are available with a range of mounting that allows for various levels of AR-height views. It consists of 7075 aircraft-grade aluminium that is sturdy and reliable, and the glass is fully multicoated and very transparent. The MRO is highly long-lasting and can even be watered up to 100 feet, and still works. The optic also has eight brightness settings, two of which are suitable for night vision. However, you can count it as one of best budget red dot.

Features and Specs 

  • 25 mm objective lens, 2.6 inches long, and 4.1 ounces 
  • 5 daylight settings, 1 ultra-bright setting, 2 night-vision settings 
  • 2-MOA reticle 

Pros 

  • 5-year battery life 
  • Crisp and clear red dot 
  • Easy to co-witness with 

Cons 

  • Slight blue around the edges 

The MRO is a professional-level optic at mid-tier pricing. These optics are intended to be beaten, thrown around, used like hell, and like everything made by Trijicon. It will simply continue to function. The MRO is ideal for duty, home defence, hunting, and competition. However, undoubtedly it is one of the Best AR15 Red dots sights.

best ar red dot

 

Holosun HS510C

Holosun receives some criticism for being imported optics, but the community appreciates them because they work and are inexpensive. The HS510C has a rectangular, non-traditional window design, which makes two eye shootings more natural. A 65-MOA ring with a 2-MOA dot in the centre of the reticle. This versatile version offers both rapid and decisive shooting in short distances and leisurely, accurate shooting in a medium range. 

The HS510C’s primary power source is a solar panel, but it also has a CR2032 battery backup. In a medium setting, the battery may last up to 50,000 hours on its own. The HS510C is intended to last with aircraft-grade aluminium and titanium alloy to create a solid and sturdy construction. However, you can count it as one of best budget red dot.

Features and Specs 

  • Included QD mount 
  • Shake Awake motion sensing tech to power on the unit 
  • The reticle can be converted to dot or 65-MOA ring only 

Pros 

  • The solar panel makes the battery almost unnecessary 
  • Quick and easy to use when shooting 
  • Unbelievably strong for such an affordable price 

Cons 

  • A hefty 9.3 ounces 

If you need a duty optic on a budget, the HS510C is the optic for you. The HS510C is a powerful sight at an affordable price that can easily compete with the big guys.

 

Aimpoint Comp M4

The Aimpoint Comp M4 is, without a doubt, one of the best all-around red dots of all time. Aimpoint invented the red dot scope and has continuously improved on it. The Comp M4 is the optic of choice for the United States Army, and it has seen widespread use in the Global War on Terror. The CompM4 is an excellent red dot optic that can operate for 80,000 hours on a single battery.

The Aimpoint offers seven night-vision and nine daylight settings, as well as one extra-bright setting. This professional-grade optic generates one of the most distinctive red dots available. The glass is extremely clear, and the multicoated lenses provide excellent light transmission for a clear image. The sight is also incredibly well constructed, and it can be submerged 150 feet underwater and still function. However, you can count it as one of best budget red dot as well.

Features and Specs 

  • 6 different brightness settings for the 24-hour performance 
  • It can be used with a multitude of mounting solutions 
  • Uses a standard AA battery 

Pros 

  • One of the toughest optics ever 
  • Extremely long battery life 
  • Compatible with magnifiers and night vision 

Cons 

  • Expensive 

The Aimpoint Comp M4 is the optic for individuals who want a basic, rock-solid design they can rely on in every situation. The Comp M4 is a duty-grade optic designed for tactical use, but it can perform any task you throw at it.

 

Eotech EXPS3

In terms of popularity and use, the Eotech brand is perhaps second only to Aimpoint. Eotech optics are intended to be more versatile than Aimpoint optics at the expense of battery power. The EXPS3 is small and compact, except for the viewing glass.

Eotech products are well renowned for being used by Marine Special Operations Command snipers and SEAL Team 6. These optics are popular due to their durability, adaptability, and small size.

The EXPS3 has a holographic reticle that works better with magnifiers. The renowned Eotech reticle, with its 68-MOA ring and 1-MOA dot, allows for rapid and easy sighting for both short- and medium-range engagements. The EXPS3 has 20 daytime and 10 night-vision settings. Moreover, you can count it as one of best budget red dot as well.

Features and Specs 

  • 30 different settings 
  • Holographic reticle 
  • Auto-shutdown and low battery warning 

Pros 

  • Versatile for moderate and close-range shooting 
  • Night-vision compatible 
  • The small size means easy magnifier mounting 

Cons 

  • Low battery life The EXPS3 is an excellent optic for duty rifles as well as home defence setups. 

The optic works beautifully with magnification to create a real close-, moderate-, and long-range optic, making the EXPS3 the best version of Eotech’s optics. 

best budget red dot

 

Trijicon RMR Type 2

The Trijicon RMR is a little red dot sight and is the most miniature optic on this list. These small red dot sights are compatible with practically any gun on the market, from ARs to handguns. However, it is best used on ARs for close-range use, such as short-barreled AR pistols or SBRs.

The Trijicon RMR is the lightest optic available, and it is designed to a duty-grade standard. This tiny red dot sight allows for two-eyes-open shooting, providing a wide field of view and a clear red dot. This optic is also resistant to water, shock, and fog. The RMR can be used as the primary optic or backup to a gun with a magnified optic. In either case, the RMR is the greatest duty-grade micro red dot on the market, or if you prefer something light and compact, the RMR is the way to go. Moreover, you can count it as one of best reflex red dot sigh for AR as well.

Features and Specs 

  • 4-year battery life 
  • Top loading battery design 
  • It just weighs 1.17 ounces and measures 1.8 inches long.

Pros 

  • Super-light and small 
  • Tons of mounting options available 
  • Comes with automatic and manual brightness settings 

Cons 

  • Expensive for such a small optic 

The Trijicon RMR is an optic developed for individuals looking for a lightweight optic for a compact and lightweight rifle. The Trijicon RMR is a small red dot that excels in close-quarters work. It’s not the be-all and end-all optic, but it’s hard to beat for lightweight firearms.

red dot sight reviews

What Exactly Is a Red Dot Sight?

A red dot sight is an optic named after its conventional red reticle and is supposed to be simple, precise, and effective at near to intermediate ranges. However, some of these lenses now have green reticles, although the name “red dot” still includes these lenses.

Red dot sights are 1x, which means they don’t have internal magnification. As a result, red dots are typically designed for engagements with human-sized targets at distances of up to 300 yards. AR-15s with red dot sights are extremely popular. They take a basic infantry rifle and make it easier to aim and shoot accurately.

How to Choose Your Red Dot?

With so many distinct red dots on the market, deciding one is ideal for you might be difficult. Because the market is so vast, there are options at practically every price point. Red dot optics are intended for near to intermediate ranges, but other aspects are considered before purchasing. Let’s go through the most critical factors so you can go away prepared to make an informed purchase.

Size of the Red Dot Body

Best AR15 Red dots sights come in various sizes, and the red dot business has never settled on a standard measurement. However, most of the market classifies red dots into three sizes: small, compact, and full size. Tiny red dots are small enough to fit on a pistol and are frequently used on ultra-compact firearms, such as pistols. However, tiny red dots aren’t the most common optic found on ARs. These red dots are incredibly light and give an excellent alternative for close-quarters use, but they are often more challenging to utilize at moderate ranges.

Compact red dots are red dots with an objective lens of 20 to 25 mm. These compact optics are light and small, but they provide an authentic red dot optical experience. These little red dots are an excellent compromise between tiny size and high power. Most ranges are simple to use, but they have battery and intensity issues.

Full-sized red spots are usually 26 mm or larger. These red dots are intended for heavy-duty use and frequently include a full-sized battery for extended operating durations. These optics are also more versatile in terms of mounts and accessories. In addition, they are larger and heavier.

Reticle Size

While the reticle for a red dot is a simple dot, the size of the Best AR15 Red dots sights varies. The size of a reticle is measured in MOA, or minutes of angle, which is a term you’ll hear a lot when talking about rifles. At 100 yards, one MOA is 1.047 inches. For the sake of simplicity, we round that 1.047 inches down to 1 inch. So at 100 yards, a 1-MOA dot appears to cover one inch of the target. Red dot reticles typically have a range of 1-MOA to 9-MOA.

The smaller the reticle, the easier it is to aim precisely at extended distances. With a smaller dot, you’ll be able to see more of the target. Larger dots make it more difficult to identify targets at vast distances, but they are easier to find and get on target. However, because these dots cover more of the target, it can be more challenging to see the actual targets at greater ranges.

Durability

Look for terms like shockproof, waterproof, nitrogen purged, and submersible when studying Best AR15 Red dots sights. Cheap, shoddy Chinese red dot optics will not withstand bumps, bruising, a splash of water, or severe recoil. If you are looking for a duty optic, you should check to see if it has been proven. Of course, the stronger the optic, the higher the cost, but the last thing you want is for your optic to fail in a hurry.

Final Verdict

There are many red dot sights out there, but choosing which one to visit doesn’t have to be complicated. You should now have all of the information you need to select the best red dot sights for AR-15. Any of the possibilities on this list will serve you just as well as they have helped us; all you have to do is choose which one of the Best AR15 Red dots sight you like.

Read More:

Spread the love

Leave a Comment