Are you having a hard time searching for the best red dot sight for the AR-15? Read on, as we will share the features of the top-recommended options available in the market today. In addition, we will also share some important features you need to keep in mind for you to make a well-informed purchase.
Red dot sights are widely used where fast target acquisition is essential. They are a type of reflex sight that uses an illuminated red dot reticle.
Red dot sights are standard in the military. You can pair them with pistols, rifles, or shotguns.
They are recommended for beginners because they are very easy to use. It will help you hone your precision and accuracy skills. In addition, they are compatible with many firearms like the AR-15.
It is important to note that red dot sights come with an LED light that reflects on the glass inside the tube. Most of them come with different brightness adjustment settings. This allows you to use your rifle in almost any lighting condition.
However, if you do a quick search, you will find many red dot sights available in the market. Choosing one can be a daunting task because of the sheer number of features you need to keep in mind. This is why we created this guide to help you find a reliable red dot for your AR-15 rifle.
Best Red Dot Sight for AR15
The best red dot sight for the AR-15 should come be made of high-quality materials to provide you with a relentless performance across the entire visual spectrum. It should be fitted with clear glass to provide you with an unobstructed view.
The other important factor you need to keep in mind is the price. Higher-priced scopes are packed with many features compared to cheap scopes. However, the price should not be an obstacle if the scope fits your shooting requirements.
Let us look at the top-recommended red dot sights for the AR-15 rifle.
1Vortex Spitfire 3x Prism Scope – Best Overall
The best red dot sight for the AR-15 is the Vortex Spitfire 3x Prism Scope. This is because it is an AR optimized magnified optic. It is designed with the flat trajectory of the .55 grain 5.56x45mm cartridge in mind, which is widely used on the AR platform.
The exceptional feature of this scope is the illuminated reticle. This reticle includes five intensity settings, allowing you to use the scope in almost any lighting situation.
It is important to note that the scope is housed in a single piece chassis milled from solid aluminum alloy. This ensures that the scope maintains maneuverability and balance after mounting it on your rifle.
The other outstanding feature of this scope is that you can easily adjust the elevation and windage depending on your shooting needs. This helps to eliminate any guesswork in your shooting application.
We recommend this scope because the etched reticle ensures a consistent point of aim at all times. In addition, it also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Features
- It has been nitrogen gas purged to prevent internal fogging
- It includes O-ring seals to guard against moisture and dust
- It includes two Picatinny rails set atop of the scope at 45-degree angles
Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights – Best Value
The Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights is another excellent scope from Vortex. This red dot sight has a good price to performance ratio compared to other red dot sights available in the market today.
The unique feature of this scope is the high quality optics. The lenses are fully multi-coated lenses to provide you with crisp images with a wide field of view. In addition, the anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces allow you to use the scope effectively even in dimly lit conditions.
In addition, the 3 MOA reticle promotes rapid target acquisition. However, you can buy a 6 MOA red dot reticle for close range shooting applications.
The matte anodized finish is resistant to corrosion. In addition, it helps to camouflage your shooting position.
The O-ring seals prevent water droplets and other foreign materials from penetrating the scope. This ensures that you have an unobstructed view.
We recommend this scope because it provides reliable performance even in the harshest climatic conditions.
Features
- It comes with ten brightness levels allowing you to use it in any lighting situation
- The O-ring seals prevent water droplets from penetrating the scope
- It provides you with unlimited eye relief
Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Scope
The Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Scope is a reliable red dot scope that comes with many premium features to take your shooting game to the next level. This scope comes with a lifetime warranty, which will ensure your scope is repaired or replaced if it suffers any damage.
It is important to note that the scope has an excellent battery life that can last up to 3 years, even after continuous use. This makes it ideal for outdoor shooting applications.
The exceptional feature of this scope is the 10 different brightness settings, including night vision settings. This makes it an excellent choice for most shooting applications that take place in dimly lit conditions.
This scope comes with a 2 MOA reticle designed for precision shots. This means that it is excellent for shooting applications where fast target acquisition is necessary.
The only downside is that the scope does not have brightness memory.
Features
- It comes with 10 different brightness settings
- It is made of high quality materials
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
Vortex Optics Strikefire II Red Dot Sight
The Vortex Optics Strikefire II Red Dot Sight is packed with many features that promise to help with accuracy. It is ideal for home defense or close range shooting applications.
The rugged construction of this scope ensures that it will last for a long time. The sturdy construction also ensures it can withstand powerful recoil and impact.
This red dot sight is powered by a CR2 battery, which allows you to have a backup when hunting. This scope comes with different brightness settings, allowing you to use the scope in any lighting situation. It also comes with two night vision setting. This means that you can use the scope for hog hunting.
The other outstanding feature is the unlimited eye relief. This means that you can easily aim at targets with both eyes open.
We recommend this scope because it is very easy to use and navigate between targets. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Features
- It is compact and lightweight
- It offers you 10 different brightness levels
- It provides unlimited eye relief
Aimpoint Carbine Optic (ACO)
If you are in the market for a budget friendly red dot scope, the Aimpoint Carbine Optic (ACO) is the best choice for you. It is important to note that this red dot sight does not compromise on quality.
This scope comes with 9 different brightness settings, which ensure accurate sight. This means that you will be able to use it in almost any lighting situation.
The single piece tube is made of 30 mm aluminum alloy. This scope weighs only 7 pounds. It allows you to use it for a long time because it will not weigh you down.
This red dot uses an AA battery, which lasts for just one year. This is a concise life when compared to the other competitors within the same price range.
We recommend this scope for hunting, fun shooting, and self-defense. This is because it offers you a more precise shot.
Features
- It has a 2 MOA red dot for fast target acquisition
- It features a 30 mm aluminum alloy
- It comes with 9 different brightness settings
- It uses an AA battery which lasts for just one year
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Red Dot Sight for AR15
Red dot sights are widely used for close range shooting applications. However, choosing one can be a challenge because there are many options to choose from. It is important to note that each scope comes with different features and this makes it hard for some enthusiasts to narrow down their search.
In this section, we will share some of the important features you need to keep in mind when buying a red dot sight for the AR-15 rifle. The main aim of this section is to help you make a satisfactory purchase.
Here are the factors:
- Price – It is important to buy a scope that fits within your budget. Most scopes priced under 500 dollars are packed with many features to ensure you do not miss any target. Cheap scopes are made from cheap materials that will not last for a long time. However, the price should not be an obstacle, if the scope fits your shooting requirements.
- Eye Relief – We recommend buying a red dot scope with unlimited eye relief. This helps to protect you from the recoil bumps produced. In addition, it helps to reduce eyestrain especially if you want to use your rifle for a long time.
- Weatherproofing – It is important to purchase a red dot sight with weatherproof construction. This ensures that you can use the red dot sight effectively even in the harshest climatic conditions.
- Durability – It is important to buy a scope that is made of high quality materials for strength and rigidity. This will ensure that your scope lasts for a long time even after repeated use. Durable scopes can also withstand powerful impact and recoil produced by the AR-15 rifle. We recommend buying a scope with a waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof construction.
- Versatility – If you have a large arsenal, it is important to invest in a versatile red dot sight that is ideal for both hunting and tactical shooting applications.
- High Quality Glass – When buying any scope, it is important to buy a red dot sight fitted with a clear glass to provide you with clear images that are color accurate. This is important if you do not want to miss any shot. The scope should also include coatings to maximize brightness.
Conclusion
In today’s buying guide, we have reviewed the best red dot sights for the AR-15 rifle. These scopes will provide you with reliable performance where fast target acquisition is essential.
It is important to buy red dot sights from trusted brands. Trusted brands like Vortex come with an excellent warranty that lasts a lifetime.
The best overall sight is the Vortex Optics Spitfire 3x Prism Scope. The second best is the Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights. They are compatible with the AR platform for a wide range of shooting applications.
These scopes are reasonably priced and they provide reliable performance even after continuous use.
We hope that this guide helped you to find the best red dot scope for the money.