It’s time to find the best budget red dot sights, but more specifically, the best red dots sights for the money.
There are always lots of options, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top budget red dot scopes on the market today that will give you the best bang for your buck some people are on a strict budget, but still want the advantage of having a red dot sight equipped on their favorite firearm.
Top 5 Budget Red Dot Sights For The Money
- Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 – Best Entry Level Dot Sight
- Dagger Defense DDHB – Best AR Red Dot Sight For the Money Under $50
- UTG 3.8″ ITA Red/Green – Best Budget Red Dot Sight Under $30
- Field Sport Red and Green Reflex Sight – Best Budget Red Dot Sight For The Money For a Rimfire
- Ohuhu Red and Green Reflex Sight – Best Budget Red Dot Sight Under $20
We tested and reviewed several different budget red dot sights specifically for our AR rifles and we found these to be the best red dot sights for the money.
They maintained some quality and were all under $100. Read our reviews of each budget red dot sight below!
List of Top Red Dot Sights For The Money
In no way are these red dots the best red dot sights out there, but what they provide are some of the best value. These are budget AR red dot sights and are some of the best red dot sights that money can by.
About Red Dot Sights Red dot sights are non-magnifying reflector (reflex) sights for firearms and any other devices which require aiming. They offer extremely fast target acquisition and are very practical for hunting and target shooting as they allow the user to maintain a field of view.
Note that you won’t be able to shoot as accurately as you would be able to with a high magnification rifle scope however you will be able to shoot much faster. Everyone has seen red dots on military applications such as the M16 however they are becoming very popular with hunters and target shooters alike as they are affordable!
One of my greatest pastimes is using my rimfire AR with my nephew cleaning up gophers in the back 40.
Benefits of Using a Red Dot
- No magnification – so you don’t have to worry about parallax or eye relief
- Fast target acquisition – shooter is able to focus on field of view
- Affordable – you can pick up a great quality red dot under $200, and can even find some good budget red dot sights for under $100
- Tactical – these optics were built for the military and look great on ARs
- Wide range of applications – red dots can be used on anything from pistols, shotguns, and rifles (ARs)
Drawbacks of Using a Red Dot
- Battery-powered – however, some offer a very long life
- Distance – you won’t be able to shoot 500 yards due to lack of magnification power.
Why Pick a Budget Red Dot Sight?
Red dot sights are great, but sometimes our budgets restrict our options. And let’s be honest, a strict budget usually means that you aren’t able to get high-quality products, especially when it comes to finding the best red dot scopes. But nowadays it’s really common to find quality scopes for under $100.
Even under $50 at times, depending on the scope. Now, if you can afford more, I would recommend spending at least $200 on a red dot sight. The reason why is because it will last longer.
A red dot scope up to $200 is made better and will last longer, especially with constant use on a rifle like an AR. But if you truly can’t afford more than $100, there are some great deals out there and hopefully, our list of the best low-budget red dot sights will help make your decision.
Best Budget Red Dot Sights Reviews
1. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 – Best Budget Red Dot Sight For The Money
This guy is tough. It is 100 percent waterproof/shockproof / fog proof and the CR2032 battery is included and offers a long life if you remember to turn it off after use! My first experience with the TRS 25 was when I was turkey hunting with my 12-year-old son.
I bought him a 20 gauge shotgun and added the red dot to create a better experience. It worked – the little guy is hooked! Remember that this isn’t a $500 Aimpoint but this Bushnell TRS-25 is definitely worth the money.
It’s high quality and is very durable. What’s nice is that it’s so tiny, I could put it on any of my firearms, including a pistol. In my opinion, it is the best budget red dot sight that you can find for the money. For under $100, it’s a great buy.
2. Dagger Defense DDHB – Best AR Red Dot Sight For the Money Under $50
The Dagger Defense is another great budget red dot scope. For under $50, it’s a great deal to add to your AR, or any rifle for that matter. It’s also one of Amazon’s best sellers when it comes to budget red dot sights.
It’s advertised as a great red dot for an AR-15, AK47 or an M4, but honestly can be used for any rifle you need it for. If you are on a strict budget, but still want an inexpensive red dot sight, the DDHB is a good red dot for the money. I tested the Dagger out on my AR-10. Out of the box, it looked great.
The sight looked like it was made of high quality, and felt durable. It felt much more expensive than its price tag. The reticle was very bright with a great range and the brightness responded immediately when I would adjust the settings, a great sign in a budget red dot sight.
Once I sighted in the scope, the red dot stayed center at 25 yards throughout the entire review. Holding zero is ALWAYS important and something you have to test when buying a budget red dot sight. Also to note, I spent around 5 hours testing other sights, and accidentally left the Dagger on the whole time! To my surprise, the scope stayed bright and never faded that entire time on its battery.
Also, something to mention, the customer support is great. I had a small issue with the crosshair-shaped reticle after about 10 days or so 9of course, for all I know it could have been an issue the entire time as I hadn’t used the crosshair reticle yet). I was really happy because they sent me a new one and didn’t require me to send the other one back! Overall, the Dagger is a great budget red dot sight, and for the money, it’s worth every penny.
3. UTG 3.8″ ITA Red/Green Red Dot Sight – Best Budget Red Dot Sight Under $30
The UTG ITA is a great entry-level red dot scope and a great choice for your first optic on an AR. It detaches quickly to any Picatinny or Weaver-style rail and comes with a riser adapter and a CR1620 battery.
I tested this UTG on one of my AR-15s and it has stood up to the test, surprisingly. For under $30 this sight has done all that I can ask and continues to perform every time. One main issue with some of the entry-level red dots is battery life – remember to turn it off!
With that being said, the UTG has a great battery life and will last you a while. I put around 300 rounds through the AR throughout the test and it held zero. Even after I removed it and remounted it several times and even dropped it on the ground, it still held zero perfectly. This is a very durable scope for its price. I always expect cheap products and low quality with something under $30, but this passed all of my tests! Truly one of the best budget red dot sights you can find.
4. Field Sport Red and Green Reflex Sight – Best Budget Red Dot Sight For The Money For a Rimfire
Out of the box, it seemed heavy-duty and throughout the test, it stayed that way. A very well-made budget red dot sight. The glass is high quality and the sight itself has really good eye relief. I was very satisfied with how well it withstood my abuse. I also have to mention how well it held zero.
After a few hundred rounds, it still performed great and that’s all I can ask for. The battery life is amazing. After all, it doesn’t take much juice to keep the dot glowing, but always make sure you have a spare battery, just in case. I tested the Field Sports Reflex Sight on my .22LR. If you are looking for an inexpensive red dot with value, the Field Sport is a great option.
5. Ohuhu Red and Green Reflex Sight – Best Budget Red Dot Sight Under $20
Any scope under $100 raises red flags, but when we get into the $20 dollar range, it should usually be avoided. To my surprise, this isn’t the case for the Ohuhu red dot scope. I’ve used a lot of different inexpensive red dot sights, and this is one of the best budget red dots under $50.
What’s crazy is it’s under $20, which makes this a great buy. Right out of the box it felt like it was made with good quality for the price. The first thing I noticed was how bright it is. Even at mid-range, the red dot illuminated nicely. There are four different red dot shapes and it is easy to switch from one shape to another.
What I like is that you aren’t forced to use the ‘red’ dot. There is a green color dot as well, which can be easier on the eyes depending on the situation. The adjustments were surprisingly responsive and easy to use as well. Target acquisition is of course easy (as is the case with most red dot sights). My 12 yr old even did great.
The glass is clean and clear and the reticle (all 4) were sharp didn’t distract from the target. The Ohuhu Reflex Sight is a great scope if you are on a tight budget. Seriously, any scope under $20 is a steal, especially if it’s a good one, which this one is.
Final Thoughts – Best Budget Red Dot Sights
Red dot sights are becoming more and more popular. Technology has come so far that it has allowed even amateur hunters and shooters to purchase an AR Red Dot. They were originally built for the army and other tactical uses but are now available to everyday hunters!
If you have the budget (or are willing to save up for it), then buy the Aimpoint PRO Patrol Optic. This is one of the best AR 15 optics on the market. With insane battery life and built-to-last construction, this red dot may actually outlast the shooter. This scope is still a fantastic purchase for the money. However, not all of us have the budget for the Aimpoint.
In that case, any of the budget red dot scopes above are great choices for you and your AR. But if I had to choose one, the Bushnell TRS-25 is probably the best budget red dot scope for the money. Make sure to check out my post on how to sight in your rifle scope here. Stay safe and happy shooting.
- The Venom Red Dot Sight-3 MOA promotes rapid target acquisition while providing a precise point of aim; getting shots down range and on target fast....
- High quality, fully multi-coated lenses offer a clean, wide field of view. Power and dot intensity controls are conveniently located on the left side...
- The Venom also has an auto-brightness mode that uses an ambient light sensor to control dot intensity if the shooter prefers. Parallax Free
- 1 MOA wind age and elevation adjustments are super sleek and make sighting in a breeze. The top load system makes changing the CR1632 battery a...
- The Venom Red Dot will fit well on your rifle or shotgun giving you optimal flexibility.O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust and debris from...
- The Strikefire II Red/Green Dot is a rugged, reliable red dot sight that is at home in a variety of shooting applications. It allows the shooter to...
- Fully multi-coated lenses provide a clean and bright, unobscured point of view. Unlimited eye relief allows for rapid target acquisition. Max...
- The single-piece chasis is compact and lightweight but still delivers shockproof performance withstanding both recoil and impact. Nitrogen purging and...
- An offset cantilever mount is provided; allowing you to move the sight forward to be used in conjunction with a magnifier and backup iron sights all...
- With aesthetics and functionality in mind, the power controls are at the rear of the Strikefire for easy access. The Strikefire II runs off a CR2...
- 2 MOA Red-Dot provides 10 illumination settings (8 daylight plus 2 NV) for visibility in all light conditions
- MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers up when it senses motion and powers down when it does not. Provides for optimum operational safety and...
- Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides industry-standard mounting options for a wide range of applications
- Dependable waterproof (IPX-7 rated for complete water immersion up to 1 meter) and fog-proof performance
- Includes a M1913 Picatinny low mount riser and a co-witness 1.41in riser mount
- The fastest, most accurate, ultra-compact micro reflex sight – the ROMEOZero has been optimized for everyday concealed carry and guns with slim...
- The sight features a ruggedized, textured polymer body and the SpectraCoat HD Polymer lens system with 10 times the impact resistance over traditional...
- Stippling pattern on the housing matches P365 and P365XL grip pattern, for an integrated look; 8 vivid, user-configurable daytime illumination levels
- MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination System) that powers up when it senses motion and powers down when it does not; Parallax free
- Highly efficient, point source LED emitter for a crisp dot that is 8 times more efficient than conventional red dots
- INCLUDES: Holosun HS407C-X2 Red Dot Sight | Coin Battery CR1632 | T10 L Key | Lens Cloth | User Manual | Warranty
- Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness settings; Mounts easily on most picatinny rails and is compatible with pistols, shotguns,...
- Waterproof construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry inside, even when totally immersed in water. Parallax - 50
- Shockproof construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs, drops and the rough and tumble environment of the field
- Nitrogen purged fog proofing: Nitrogen inside the scope ensures interior optical surfaces won’t fog due to humidity or rapid temperature change
- Holosun HS510C open Reflex sight
- 1x, 30mm diag, 2 MOA Red dot + 65
- Moa ring reticle, matte black, Absolute co-witness mount
- Incredibly compact and lightweight at only 2.05 ounces while offering Steiner quality glass and a robust feature set; Features include 8 brightness...
- Enhanced side wall produces best-in-class shock rating for battle-proven durability
- 1X magnification offers a wide field of view for both eyes open operation and complete situational awareness; 3.3 MOA red dot
- The MPS is designed to fit an ACRO footprint and is compatible with most optic-ready pistols using ACRO baseplate adapters
- Completely enclosed LED is water tight, making it reliable in the harshest weather and environmental conditions
- LARGE, UNOBSTRUCTIVE FIELD OF VIEW: Parallax-free and compatible with suppressor-height iron sights
- CLEAR, CRISP DOT: Fine-tuned, illuminated reticle, coupled with exceptionally clear front lens, offers a clear sight picture with a crisp 5.0 MOA Red...
- EASY, ADJUSTABLE WINDAGE & ELEVATION: Tool-less design makes zeroing hassle-free
- RED DOT PISTOL READY: Designed to fit on many of the most popular red-dot-ready brands on the market (mount not included)
- SAME FOOTPRINT AS RMR: Mounts easily using the same base as the Trijicon RMR (mount not included)
- The Venom Red Dot Sight-3 MOA promotes rapid target acquistion while providing a precise point of aim; getting shots down range and on target fast....
- High quality, fully multi-coated lens offers a clean, wide field of view. Power and dot intensity controls are conveniently located on the left side...
- The Venom also has an auto-brightness mode that uses an ambient light sensor to control dot intensity if the shooter prefers.
- 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments are super sleek and make sighting in a breeze. The top load system makes chaging the CR1632 battery a breeze,...
- Venom Red Dot will fit well on your rifle or shotgun giving you optimal flexibility. Vortex Optics hat included, hat color may vary.