10 Best Red Dot Sights for Rifles & Pistols

Red dot sights are an effective way to enhance your rifle’s loadout and boost your aim and shot accuracy, but with countless options out there on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right device for your shooting style. There isn’t a simple answer for what the best red dot for AR-15 is, either, as it drastically depends on your preferences, budget, and shooting style, and even the average distance of your targets.

The best red dot will depend on your purpose as well, with the best red dot sight differing for law enforcement than for competitors than for hunters.

This guide helps you understand:

• Red Dot Sight Types
  • Reflex
  • Holographic
  • Prismatic
  • Night Vision
• The Best Red Dot Sight for Rifles & Pistols

Red Dot Sight Types

A high quality red dot product will immediately improve your shooting speed and accuracy, all while providing eye relief. If you’ve experienced strain from looking through a scope, the best red dot sights can dramatically improve your comfort.

The Best Red Dot Sight for Rifles & Pistols

The best red dot sights offer high battery life, high accuracy, and the ability to adjust to various lighting conditions. To help you narrow your search, we’ve put together a list of the top-rated and best-selling.

#1

Trijicon 700672 RMR Type 2 Matte Black 1x 3.25 MOA Illuminated Red LED Dot Reticle

This LED sight is a lightweight, easy-to-use piece with eight available brightness settings and a reticle that can be manually adjusted for higher accuracy or an auto-adjust mode for faster responses. With an impressive battery life and a bright dot, it’s an ideal all-round option for all types of sharpshooters.

#2

Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Night Vision Rifle 1x 2.5 MOA Illuminated Red Dot Sight Matte Black

The best red dot sight for night vision loadouts is easily the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. With 10 brightness settings, you can easily adjust the dot to suit your night vision equipment or transition into daylight. The easy-access battery compartment means you won’t need to re-zero after a battery change, saving you time and effort. Rugged, durable, and dependable, this unit is ideal for all situations.

#3

Holosun HE509T-RD X2 HE509T X2 Black Anodized 1x 2 MOA/32 MOA Red Dot & Circle Reticle

For pistols, consider the Holosun HE509T-RD X2. It’s an enclosed reflex optical sight with a dependable titanium housing that’s compact and durable. The Super LED offers an extensive 50k hours battery life. You’ll also be able to benefit from the multi-reticle system, solar failsafe, and shake awake RMR features. It’s also night-vision friendly, making it ideal for home defense or enforcement.

#4

Sightmark Mini Shot A-Spec Reflex Sight - red

For an all-in-one red dot sight that suits multiple applications, consider the Sightmark Mini Shot. With a wide field of view and 2 MOA red dot reticle, you’ll be able to view your targets for higher precision and accuracy clearly. The low profile mounts don’t take up extensive space on pistols, making it a comfortable addition. Thanks to the 10 reticle brightness settings, you can easily transition from night to daylight environments.

#5

Vortex Sparc AR Red Dot SPC-AR2

This Vortex Sparc AR will easily allow you to increase the precision and accuracy of your AR. The rugged construction resists damage while its lightweight design minimizes weight and bulk. The 50,000-hour battery life offers endless performance, and the 2 MOA dot allows for point-and-shoot capabilities in close and long range situations. Where this unit stands out is its unique integrated base, offering hassle-free installation.

#6

Sightmark Ultra Shot R-Spec Reflex Sight

This unit offers ultra-fast target acquisition and a long battery life up to 2000 hours. Enjoy ultimate eye strain relief thanks to the wide angle lens system, red/green reticle option, 10 brightness settings, and parallax correction. The Sightmark Ultra is shockproof and can handle recoil rated up to .50 BMG. With 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments up to 120 MOA of travel, you’ll be able to quickly adjust and take your shot with ease.

#7

Sightmark Mini Solar Red Dot

Want a red dot sight that offers continuous use? This unit powers up either from the battery or through solar power, offering an extensive 50,000 hours of battery life, give or take. The unique Eclipse Light Management System automatically adjusts the reticle brightness for you, saving battery and easily accommodating dark to light conditions. The low picatinny mount makes it ideal for use with shotguns and rifles like AR firearms.

#8

Sightmark MTS 1x30 Red Dot Sight

Looking for a simple, AR rifle-compatible red dot sight? Choose this 2 MOA red dot sight that allows for both eyes open shooting. Where this unit stands out is its height. Thanks to the rugged and compact aluminium alloy housing, this unit is easily 1” shorter than the competition. You have nine daylight reticle brightness settings and two night vision settings for use in all environments, and a Picatinny mount that’s easy to use.

#9

Steiner T1Xi Rifle Sight

Enjoy three reticle options for full customization and adaptability when you choose this Steiner rifle sight. Choose between a 60 MOA circle with a 2MOA dot, a 2MOA dot, or a 60 MOA circle. Like the Sightmark, this unit benefits from 9 daylight and 2 night vision reticle brightness settings. What makes this sight stand out is its nitrogen-filled design, which prevents fog disturbance from affecting its abilities.

#10

Steiner 8700-MPS Micro Pistol Sight, Flat Dark Earth

If you’re after rapid target acquisition, then choose the Steiner 8700 MPS. This durable but compact option fits easily on pistols to suit close-range conditions. Thanks to the overhang design, the lens is entirely protected to prevent cracks or scratches. It easily fits onto any Docter base plate and most sight adapters, making it an easy, dependable choice.