The 10 Best Red Dot Sights
Special Honors
Trujicon ACOG TA3 You should be able to see your dot in any conditions with this model, as it uses fiber optics and tritium to illuminate the reticle. It also compensates for bullet drop up to 800 meters, making it ideal for long-range shooting. rainierarms.com
Aimpoint CompM5 Designed to provide eye relief to shooters who aim with both eyes open, this unit encourages users to remain focused on the target. Equally suitable for close combat as it is for long-distance encounters, it's a valuable addition to virtually any firearm. aimpoint.com
Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Made of lightweight aluminum, this unobtrusive model shouldn't slow you down or throw off your accuracy. It uses motion-sensor technology that turns off the dot after a period of inactivity, only to turn it back on once it senses movement of the sight. It's even waterproof up to 33 feet, so you can take it out in any conditions. milehighshooting.com
Editor's Notes
November 11, 2020:
In this update we removed the Vortex Optics Venom, the Dagger Defense DDHB, and the Trijicon MRO-C because of availability concerns. The three new additions to the list were all high-quality and very affordable choices that perform the basic functions of more expensive sights for a much lower price. Of these, the CVLife 20mm has become especially popular thanks to a reliable zero and an all-around sturdy build. The Feyachi Reflex has a particularly wide objective aperture, and a slim frame as well, allowing users a basically unobstructed view with which to easily locate their targets. Last but not least, the Tacticon Predator V2 is a stylish and weatherproof option that comes with a bonus mount, offering such value that we felt it deserved a place on our list.
August 30, 2019:
The selections on this list run the gamut from extremely inexpensive to high-end models. We included both because we recognize that not all shooters have the need for an incredibly high-tech model like the EOTech 512, and will get a similar amount of enjoyment and value out of a low-budget option like the Pinty Tactical. That said, there's no getting around the fact that the EOTech is a vastly superior unit, both in terms of performance and versatility. It's just that many people will never need that level of execution, so paying quite a bit extra for it is unnecessary.
You'll also find middle-of-the-road options like the Vortex Optics Venom on this list. Most enthusiasts should likely gravitate towards something like that, as it has all the bells and whistles a non-tactical shooter is likely to need, but at a price that's within reach.
Many of the units shown here can be used on rifles, shotguns, and handguns, but they're mostly geared towards close-quarters encounters. If you're strictly interested in long-range accuracy, a laser scope might be a better choice.