The Best Red Dot Sight for the AR-15 is the Sig Sauer Romeo 5 in our opinion based on our in-depth analysis.
What are the best red dot sights for AR-15? It is a question that many gun enthusiasts have asked themselves, and thankfully they don’t need to spend hours researching. We’ve done all the hard work of finding the best red dot sights for AR-15s on the market today.
These features include bullet drop compensation, interchangeable reticles, brightness settings, and more! Please note that we listed the best red dot sights according to budget (from low to high).
So, whatever your budget may be, there will be something here to meet you where you’re at.
Without further ado, these are the best red dot sights for AR-15 available in 2022:
• Bushnell AR Optics 1x25mm TRS-25 HiRise
Sig Sauer Romeo 5
The Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Red Dot Sight is a reflex sight, which uses a red dot illuminated by the target as an aiming point. The red dot is projected onto the target plane providing precise aim without having to align iron sights. Reflex sights are perfect for shotguns, handguns, and rifles.
This product from Sig Sauer provides shooters with a durable and efficient red dot sight that can be used on a multitude of firearms.
The Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Red Dot Sight has a durable housing, which is made of aluminum and features an anti-reflective matte black coating on the glass. It also comes with a standard weaver mount for Picatinny rails, which provides shooters with a multitude of firearm mounting options.
This product features a 2 MOA red dot, which is perfect for close to mid-range targets and ensures that shooters will never miss a target due to the dot being too large or too small. It also has unlimited eye relief, meaning the sight can be used by both right and left-handed shooters.
To conclude, this is an excellent red dot sight for shooters with a budget in mind. It has all of the features and benefits one would expect from a more expensive sight, such as unlimited eye relief and lightweight yet durable construction. The red dot is also small enough to ensure that the target won’t be missed while still large enough to allow for accurate alignment. Though some users have complained about this device not holding zero, those issues are rare and can usually be resolved
Bushnell AR Optics 1x25mm TRS-25 HiRise
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Bushnell is one of the leaders in providing quality optics to consumers at affordable prices. They are renoun for making high quality scopes and red dots sights that are very simple to use, yet provide a lot of value.
The Bushnell AR Optics 1x25mm TRS-25 HiRise comes with a 3 MOA dot and 11 brightness settings for all lighting conditions. This red dot sight is made out of an aircraft grade aluminum and features multi coated optics that allow you to see your target clearly even in harsh lighting conditions.
Bushnell AR Optics 1x25mm TRS-25 HiRise red dot sight is definitely one of the best red dot sights on the market for AR-15 rifles. It’s very affordable, while still maintaining a high quality build and excellent optics. If you are looking for an intuitive design with lots of value, then look no further than the Bushnell AR Optics 1x25mm TRS-25 HiRise red dot sight.
Vortex Strikefire II Sight
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Next up, we have an AR-15 red dot from the ever reliable Vortex.
The red dot of the Vortex Strike has 10 intensity levels which makes it suitable for any situation. You can use this red dot sight even in low light conditions because it will provide you a crisp and clear image as the reticle is fully fogproof.
Another highlight of the Vortex StrikeFire II red dot sight is that it has an extra high recoil resistance, making it suitable for shotguns or rifles with heavy caliber ammunition.
The adjustment buttons are easy to adjust without losing your target. It also doesn’t matter if you wear gloves. A winner red dot sight in every situation.
Burris FastFire 3
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Not only is the Burris FastFire III a solid red dot sight in general, but it is one of the best red dot sights for long-range shooting.
Why? Well, the glass is very clear and the resolution of the red dot itself is crisp as a winter morning.
One of my favorite features about this sight in particular that most other competing red dots do not have are additional windage and elevation adjustments in large increments that make it easier to sight in the red dot. Usually, with other red dots, if you need to adjust the windage or elevation even just an inch, you have to make such small adjustments that it takes much longer than necessary.
This red dot, however, has a very simple and easy-to-use adjustment for elevation and windage. You simply flip up the adjustment cover on either side of the sight (they are spring-loaded), twist either knob until you reach your desired distance (you can see how much you are adjusting by looking at how many dots you’ve lined up with the little index on either knob), and then push the adjustment cover back down. The spring-loaded mechanism will keep it locked in place until you adjust it again.
This red dot is also very easy to sight in, which is great because there aren’t many tools needed. All you need is a firearm, the red dot sight itself, and somewhere to shoot (obviously). I sighted mine in at 50 yards with no problems whatsoever. I had it zeroed within ten rounds or so of shooting.
After sighting in my rifle, I was able to hit targets at 100 yards dead center in the bullseye. There is a little bit of parallax error (the red dot will look like it’s below the crosshair), but that is very easy to ignore for long-range shooting, which this sight excels at.
Overall this red dot is a great value for all that it includes. It has a very nice and bright red dot, large and easy-to-use windage and elevation adjustments, crisp glass with minimal parallax error, and the ability to mount it on almost any rail system. I highly recommend this sight for shooters of all experience levels.
Holosun HS510C
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Holosun HS510C is a high quality, durable and accurate red dot reflex sight with unlimited eye relief. The reticle can be illuminated in either a 65 MOA ring or a 2 MOA dot. It has a parallax-free optical system with a single reticle aiming point.
The HS510C is easily mounted on standard Picatinny rail systems and can be used as a primary sighting system for shotguns, pistols and rifles or as an auxiliary sight for magnified optics. It comes with both high-quality flip open lens covers and a top Weaver mount for 1913 Picatinny rails.
The product delivers bright, crisp dot intensity settings. The 2 MOA red dot is ideal for target acquisition and initial aiming at short to medium ranges while the additional 65 MOA ring allows for better accuracy at longer ranges.
The HS510C features the same durable aluminum alloy housing as our SHS series making it lightweight and shockproof, and it comes with a removable hood that reduces glare.
The HS510C has been tested to the extremes, making it the ideal red dot sight for harsh environments such as salt water spray (100% waterproof & submersible up to 1 metre), vibration (20G 4-hour continuous survivability test) and extreme temperature change (from -22°F to +158°F).
The HS510C is equipped with an ultra-clear, anti-reflective coated glass lens that provides long term durability for any environment. The multi-coated broadband lenses are large-aperture and high transmittance, delivering a bright and clear sight picture. Like the SHS series, the HS510C sight’s housing is sealed to be shockproof and can withstand recoil of various firearms.
All things considered, easily one of the best red dot sights for an AR-15.
Aimpoint Comp M5
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The Aimpoint M5 red dot reflex sight is a product of top-notch quality. The optic uses 1 AAA battery and can last for 5 years. Provided that the brightness is not on the most intense setting (10 brightness settings available in total).
This is also unfortunately the single negative aspect of this sight. You cannot use rechargeable batteries. While the Aimpoint CompM5 sight is an outstanding product, it’s just not good for professional soldiers as rechargeable batteries are a much better fit for their demanding profession.
Aimpoint has become one of the best brands for red dot sights for an AR-15 or any weapon, because of their durability in the most unfavorable conditions and their functionality.
From my personal experience, this sight is best at close ranges and around 100 yards.
The Trijicon RMR Type 2
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The Trijicon RMR Type 2 is an excellent red dot sight for many different types of guns. It’s got a great battery life, it’s durable, and it looks really nice on basically any rifle you put it on.
The RMR Type 2 is great for those who plan on using their rifle as a self defense weapon (or law enforcement) because of its size and durability, as well as those who may be hunting or who might find themselves in a survival situation. For one, this is an optic that can take some very serious abuse without breaking or failing, so it’s good for those who may not have access to tools but really need to zero their rifle. Also, the RMR Type 2 is very lightweight and slim, so you won’t really notice it mounted on your rifle or shotgun.
Also, the battery life on this sight is phenomenal. You can leave it on without problems for several days, weeks at a time, which means you don’t have to worry about turning it off or setting an alarm to remind you to turn it back on. It’s very good for those who are out in the woods hunting because you could just leave this optic turned on and forget about it.
Overall, the Trijicon RMR Type 2 is a great optic for those who want a lightweight red dot sight that will be able to take any abuse you throw at it and have nearly no trouble with battery.
Meprolight MEPRO Mor Pro
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The Meprolight MEPRO Mor Pro is a relatively low-profile red dot sight designed to be mounted on handguns as well as rifles. It offers easy installation and the same durability as other Meprolight sights , making it a reliable addition to many weapons.
The Meprolight MEPRO Mor Pro provides the user with accurate shots every time. This sight is designed to offer a point of aim that matches up with the user’s natural point of aim, which results in reliable performance and less stress for them while shooting. The Meprolight MEPRO Mor Pro has been tested extensively and can withstand a drop from a height of one meter onto a steel plate without breaking or cracking.
It must be said, though, that this beast is much more expensive than the other red dots in this list. So, I would suggest making the investment only for heavy recreational shooting enthusiasts. For hobbyists, there are other great dots available for a much better price.
Key factors to consider when buying a red dot sight for an AR-15
These are some key factors you should consider before ordering your red dot sight:
- Material: Most red dot sights are made out of either aluminum or polymer. The best material from a manufacturing perspective is aluminum since it is stronger and lighter than polymer at the same time. For tactical applications, aluminum is best because of its resistance to abuse. Polymer materials may be better suited for hunting and range training since they are not as fragile as aluminum. The best material from a performance perspective is polymer because it dissipates heat faster than aluminum, allowing for quicker target acquisition.
- Lenses: Lenses are one of the most important components in any optical sight because they determine both optical quality and service life. Polymer lenses have the best impact resistance, dissipate heat faster than glass lenses, and are more impact resistant than glass lenses. However, they do not allow as much light transmission as glass lenses which leads to a brighter window but a slightly darker aiming point when compared to glass lenses of the same color. Glass has best optical clarity due to its lower level refractive index, best light transmission over polymers by far and best overall optical quality. However, if they are not treated properly, they can shatter almost immediately upon contact with any hard object because of their low impact resistance and high fragility compared to polymer lenses.
- Weight: Weight does not have to be taken into account when choosing between red dot sights that are made out of metal, but if you are choosing between different types of polymer, lighter materials are best. Polymer is best suited for hunting applications since it is not as fragile as aluminum and dissipates heat faster than metal so that the red dot sight can be used more efficiently at range since the dot does not become larger due to heat buildup from extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best red dot scope for the money?
When it comes down to striking the perfect balance between quality and affordability in the realm of red dot scopes, it’s about seeking out the precision, durability, and user-friendly design that won’t break the bank. In this competitive market, there are plenty of options, but you’ll want to pay extra attention to details like where the item is made and the specific features each scope offers.
What is the best red dot for $200 AR-15?
The AR-15 platform is incredibly versatile, and considerate selection of a red dot sight can transform your shooting experience dramatically. With countless options floating around in the market in the $200 range, it will come down to your specific needs and preferences. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but you can be assured that you have a variety of high-performing, highly-rated options at your disposal.
What is the best optic for AR-15 under $300?
For optimal long-distance performance, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24×50 AO, SFP tops the list of the best rifle scopes under $300. If you are specifically looking for something well-suited to your AR-15, then the Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm is regarded as the best choice for its price range. For hunting enthusiasts, the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm provides excellent clarity and durability for an under $300 optics. Lastly, if low-light conditions are your major concern, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle 3-9x40mm has been hailed as the best low light scope under $300.
Where is the best spot for a red dot on an AR15?
Placing your red dot sight in the correct place on your AR-15 can significantly enhance your aim and overall shooting experience. The sight should be positioned in such a way that it offers the best view of your target while being comfortable and convenient to use. This position can vary from person to person, but in general, you’ll want to mount your sight towards the front of your gun for optimal performance. Remember, it’s all about what feels right and works best for you.