A red dot sight is an excellent piece of equipment that allows you to acquire your target quickly. In close combat shooting applications, nothing can beat the red dot sight. It enables you to shoot the target down within the lowest possible time accurately.
The advantage of the red dot over the traditional magnifying scope is it comes in a smaller size and lightweight construction. As a result, it won’t affect the recoil of the rifle during rapid shooting. They are also compatible with different types of firearms.
The market of the red dot sight is enormous. There are thousands of models available from different manufacturers. With such a wide variety of choices available, it becomes a little bit hard for the beginner to choose the suitable one. If you are searching for a red dot sight, then keep reading the piece of writing.
Today we let you know about some of the best cheap red dot sight available in the market currently.
The higher the price is, the better the product will – It’s a common misconception about the red dot sight. But it is not true at all. According to our research, most of the dot sights with high price tags come with almost has almost the same configuration as the mid or low-budget sights.
If you are searching for a decent red dot sight, then you can pick one from the below list. They have been chosen based on our in-depth research by considering all the essential aspects of the scope.
What is a Red Dot Sight, How Does It Work?
A red dot is a non-magnifying reflector sight for firearms. It is used for aiming correctly at the target. The red dot includes an illuminated dot which works as an Aimpoint. Usually, the red dots are much more accessible and flexible when compared to the traditional rifle scopes.
They perform very well for close-range shooting applications such as target practicing, competitive shooting, hunting, and much more. The red dot is also used on cameras and telescopes apart from firearms.
A red dot is a simple tool, but it has a pretty sophisticated operation. The red dot includes a spherical mirror as well as an LED inside it. The LED produces light, and the spherical optic reflects the emitted light. The spherical optic comes with a specialized coating that only emits red or green light. The red or green light on the products is the reticle or the Aimpoint of the sight.
1. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
Key Features:
- Waterproof, shockproof, and nitrogen purged.
- Comes with 11 brightness settings to use in different condition.
- Easy to mount and compatible with different firearms.
- Small, compact, and durable metal housing with a matte black finish.
- Unlimited eye relief to shot comfortably with two eyes.
The Bushnell is a popular name to the shooter and hunter because of its high-quality and precise products. The Bushnell Red Dot Sight is a masterpiece red dot sight from the manufacturer. One thing you will notice about the product is it is different from the other Red dot sights available in the market.
Though a red dot, it more looks like a scope in structure. The red dot comes with waterproof and shockproof construction for long-term use. It has O-ring sealed optics which stay dry inside even when immersed in water entirely.
As it is shockproof, it will withstand any bumps, bangs, and drops without breaking. Besides, the inside of the dot is nitrogen purged to ensure to resist humidity and rapid temperature change. Such properties make the red dot one of the best choices for heavy-duty uses.
The Bushnell Sight comes with 11 different brightness settings. It means you will be able to choose the perfect brightness level according to your shooting environment. Moreover, it has an easy-to-adjust knob to adjust the brightness quickly in any situation. It includes a multi-coated lens which ensures the proper light transmission to show you the bright and vivid view of the target.
The Bushnell Red Dot Sight is one of the most versatile red dots available in the market. The easy to mount red dot can work with almost any Picatinny rail. It is compatible with shotguns, pistols, rifles, muzzleloaders, and much more. Whether you are a beginner who needs it for practice, a competitive shooter, or a hunter, the red dot can get the job done for you with optimum performance.
2. CVLIFE 1X22X33 Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope
Key Features:
- Four reticle choices, including circle dot, cross, 3 MOA, and 10 MOA.
- Constructed with high-grade aluminum for proper durability.
- Anti-glare reflective coating on the lens for better brightness.
- Tubeless design to offer you a wide field view.
- Included Allen wrench to make the adjustments properly.
The CVLIFE 1X22X33 Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope is an affordable red dot sight that has been sold for more than thousands of times. It is a properly designed sight that comes with both a green and red dot. It has an aluminum alloy construction with a hard anodized matte black finish. Besides, the lens of the scope includes an anti-glare reflective coating for better clarity. Such construction ensures you a vibrant performance along with better durability.
The CVLIFE 1X22X33 Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope comes with different reticle options for optimum versatility. They offer you circle dot, cross, 3 MOA, and 10 MOA. The reticles are available for both green and red dot sight. You can choose any options depending on your shooting application and preferences. You can easily and quickly select the reticle type with the knob. The sight comes in tubeless construction which provides you a wide field view. Such properties make the sight one of the best red dot sights for shooting moving targets.
With the anti-glare reflective coating, the red dot offers you an optimum level of brightness to acquire your target easily. It also includes windage and elevation adjustments so that you can make accurate shots every time. You will receive an Allen wrench with the product to make every adjustment precisely.
3. Dagger Defense DDHB Red Dot Reflex Sight
Key Features:
- Sturdy aircraft grade aluminum construction.
- Include both red and green dot sight.
- Include locking screw to stabilize the sight adjustments.
- Four position reticles for different condition.
- Windage and elevation adjustment for accurate shooting.
- Fade adjustment feature to adjust the brightness level.
Searching for a budget AR15 red dot sight? Then Dagger Defense DDHB Red Dot Reflex Sight can be an excellent choice for you. Though available at a low cost, the product is very well-designed and includes all the required features to give you an efficient performance. It also has multiple adjustment features which can help you to make every shot count.
As we say, the Dagger Defense DDHB Red Dot Reflex Sight offers you windage and elevation adjustment. The product includes a hex wrench which you can use to adjust the elevation as you prefer. One thing you need to remember while using the feature is the elevation is for target adjustment; it will not move the reticle. The same thing is applicable for the windage adjustment. You can move the hex key to adjust the elevation and windage to move the target left or right. It will not affect the reticle.
There is also a rotary dial fade adjustment which allows you to choose the brightness intensity. It can also be used for radical color selection (green or red). The product also allows you to adjust the zero. You can adjust it with the included hex key.
One thing impressed as is the build quality of the Dagger Defense DDHB Red Dot Reflex Sight. It comes with aircraft-grade aluminum construction. As a result, the red dot sight can provide you a long-term performance without any damage. It comes in an ergonomic design which saves space on the rail for other accessories. Overall, it is an excellent product at a low price.
4. Ohuhu Red Dot and 4 Reticles Red Green Dot Gun Sight
Key Features:
- Tubeless to provide a wide field of view.
- Include different dot pattern for different shooting environment.
- A built-in base which suits most of the firearms.
- Unlimited eye-relief and parallax correction.
- Waterproof, shockproof, and ultralight properties.
The Ohuhu Red Dot Sight, 4 Reticles Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sightsisone is one of the best-selling items on our list. It has been sold thousands of times because of its reliable performance. The red dot has dual illumination, including the red dot and green dot.
You can choose the preferred one depending on the shooting environment. It comes with a tubeless design with a 33mm reflex lens aperture, which provides a broad field view. This design is perfect for rapid-firing on a moving target along with regular shooting.
The Ohuhu Red Dot Sight, 4 Reticles Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sights include four patterns of multi-reticle/variable dot. The reticles include a crosshair, a dot, and a circle along with stadia at four corners. The reticle patterns offer you enormous eye relief and parallax correction. They are also available for both the green and red dot. It also includes a built-in mount which works a wide variant of the rifles.
The Ohuhu Red Dot Sight, 4 Reticles Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sights has waterproof and fog proof properties to perform at any weather condition. It is also very lightweight so that you can comfortably move with the firearm when it is attached.
5. Ozark Armament Rhino Red Dot Sight
Features of Ozark Armament Rhino Red Dot Sight
- It has the co-witness capability right out of the box
- Has five brightness settings and also red and green settings
- It is water-proof and fog-proof
- Has a lithium-ion battery with a battery life of 3000 hours
This one is probably the most durable sight on our list. The company that made it had tested its durability by putting it under an insane amount of abuse and torture but it withstood all of that without a single scratch. Getting locking on your target is extremely fast with this sight as the rhino’s wide-field view and parallax-free glass make it easy to spot your target. The Rhino is completely sealed with nitrogen making it fog proof. Its sealed optics makes it so that no dust or moisture can get inside it.
Its reticle has 4 MOA accuracy, many of its users have pointed out the fact that they had gotten pinpoint accuracy with this sight. Sighting is made easy with this product no matter how many rounds you fire. You get a wide field of view which is extremely helpful while sighting the target. It’s perfect for short and medium-range shooting.
The Rhino has a strong construction and its housing is made out of durable aluminum. It even comes with a smooth matte-black finish. Its battery life is also impressive with 3000 hours of battery performance at medium brightness settings. It is red or green dot adjustable and has five brightness settings with its green and red settings. This allows the user to adjust the brightness to his/her surroundings no matter what time or lighting condition he/she is in.
One of the best features of the Rhino is that it can be installed on any tactical rifle no matter the model. It is engineered in a way that it works perfectly well on whatever firearm it is attached to. Windage and elevation are easily adjustable making it easy for you to get an accurate zero.
6. AT3 Tactical RD-50 PRO Red Dot Sight
Key Features:
- Eleven red dot brightness settings for different shooting conditions.
- Exceptional battery life with up to 50,000 hours backup.
- Fully waterproof and shockproof sealed housing.
- Sturdy construction with a scratch-resistant matte black finish.
- Include PRO-MOUNT Riser and RD-ARMOR Optic Cover.
The AT3 Tactical RD-50 PRO Red Dot Sight is an adequately designed red dot sight which can accompany you in various types of shooting applications. The product comes with a sturdy metal construction which ensures you a long-term performance. Moreover, it has waterproof sealed housing so that you can use it in wet weather. It is also shockproof to resist any damage while handling roughly. It has a matte black finish which gives it a stealth look along with resistance against scratches. The red dot sight also includes PRO-MOUNT Riser, which you usually require to buy additionally.
This AT3 Red Dot Sight allows you accurate and both eyes shooting with unlimited eye relief. It has 11 red dot brightness settings which provide you optimum visibility at any light condition. Moreover, the red dot comes with a high-quality, multi-coated, scratch-resistant amber lens to enhance image clarity. The crisp 2MOA dot sight provides you a clear crystal and bright view of the target and also doesn’t wash out on sunny days. The red dot offers you a parallax-free performance as well as it holds zero accurately.
The AT3 Tactical RD-50 PRO Sight comes with a genuine Renata CR2032 lithium battery. The battery can offer you up to 50,000 hours of battery life at the lowest brightness settings. Another astonishing thing about the dot sight is it comes with all the required equipment such as an optic cover, rubber bikini cover, lens cloth, and Allen wrench. The red dot sight is one of the best-rated dot sights on our list, and you can go for it without any prior hesitation.
7. Primary Arms Silver Series Advanced Push-Button Microdot Red Dot Sight
Pros:
- Twelve different brightness settings for various shooting conditions.
- Fully multi-coated lenses for better target view.
- Compatible with night vision products.
- Solid aluminum housing with an anodized matte black finish.
- Fifty thousand hours of battery back up on medium brightness settings.
The Primary Arms is a well-known arms and equipment manufacturer who is providing high-quality and affordable red dot for the past few years. The Primary Arms Silver Series Advanced Push-Button Microdot Red Dot Sight is one of the best-selling products of the manufacturer. It comes with several rich features to give you an impressive performance.
The Primary Arms Silver Series Advanced Push-Button Microdot Red Dot features a 2 MOA dot which means it will appear to cover roughly 2 inches of the target at 100 yards. Such settings ensure you a perfect composition of speed and accuracy. Moreover, the magnifier can be attached behind the microdot unit. As a result, you will get a sight picture that will be more like the typically magnified scopes.
The red dot sight comes with 12illumintion settings. This means you can make the slightest brightness customizations to match your shooting environment. Another impressive thing about the red dot is it is compatible with the night dot, which means you can also use it at night. It has a properly coated lens which prepares a clear view of the target. The 2MOA crisp red dot allows you to aim to your goal and acquire them very quickly.
The Primary Arms Silver Series Red Dot has a durable and hard coat anodized 6061 aluminum housing which ensures you a long-term performance. Moreover, it has a single CR2032 powerful Battery which can give you an estimated 50000 hours of battery life on medium illumination settings. Overall, the Primary Arms Silver Series Advanced Push-Button Microdot Red Dot is a trustworthy red dot sight.
8. Ade Advanced Optics Crusader 8 Reticle Green Red Dot Sight
Pros:
- 8 Kinds of Reticle 5 different adjustable brightness settings.
- Quick detach pica tinny/Weaver mounting system.
- Unlimited eye relief for comfortable shooting.
- Built-in rechargeable battery for hassle-free use.
- Low battery power consumption for extended shooting sessions.
The Ade Advanced Optics Crusader 8 Reticle Green and Red Dot Reflex Sight comes with a lot of versatile features to give you a reliable performance. The product includes both red dot and green dot sight for different shooting applications. It has an aluminum battery which makes it lightweight and highly durable for long-term use. The most impressive thing is it comes with a rechargeable battery. So, you are free from the hassle of changing the battery. It includes a charging port to charge the battery without removing it.
The Ade Advanced Optics Crusader 8 Reticle Green and Red Dot Reflex Sight has eight different kinds of the reticle. Such a wide variety of reticle choices makes this one of the versatile red dots available in the market. There are also five different brightness settings. As a result, it will enable you to adjust the brightness according to the shooting condition. It also has windage and elevation adjustment features so that you can shoot much precisely.
The dot sight has a properly coated lens to provide you a clear view of the target. It also offers you unlimited eye relief for shooting comfortably using both eyes. It has a quick detach mounting system for more straightforward attaching and removing. The convenient dot sight can be easily mounted on a wide variety of firearms which comes with a Weaver/pica tinny mount.
The Ade Advanced Optics Crusader 8 Reticle Green and Red Dot Reflex Sight requires low power for operation. As a result, you will get longer battery life for long-term shooting. It is also water-resistant and shock-resistant to perform decently at different weathers.
How to Choose the Best Red Dot Sight Under 100 Dollars
As we say, the red dot is a simple product, but it comes with intricate and confusing apparatuses. If you have no previous knowledge about the red dot sights, then we will recommend you to read the below-buying guide. It will help you to choose the right product according to your preferences. Check the below features and aspects while buying the red dot to end up with a better product.
Reticle Pattern
Reticle’s pattern is one of the crucial things that you need to consider while choosing the red dot. There is an extensive variant of reticle patterns available. Different types of reticles perform well at different conditions. Try to go for a reticle pattern that suits your shooting application best. Besides, choose a dot that comes with multiple reticle patterns so that you can change your shooting condition accordingly.
Choosing the proper reticle size is also essential. If you use a thin reticle, then it will help you to shoot accurately. On the other hand, choosing the thick reticle will make it much comfortable to shoot, but the shoot will be less accurate.
Design
The red dot can come in two different designs. They are either open design or tube design. Usually, most of the red dot available in the market comes in an open design. The tube design is less weighty and has a smaller footprint. They typically don’t include the components which you usually don’t need. As they are lightweight, they don’t affect the recoil of the gun.
The closed design red dot sights are more like a traditional rifle scope. All the equipment is housed in a metal or aluminum housing. They usually provide you a better view of the target. However, due to their weight and bulkiness, some of the professionals don’t like them that much.
Battery
The red dot sight can come with different types of cells. Usually, they are equipped with a lithium-ion coin battery which is not rechargeable. They can provide you a long-term performance of around 20,000 to 50,000 hours. There are also some red dot sights that come with rechargeable batteries. Try to go for a dot sight with extended battery life so that you can use it hassle-freely.
High-quality optics
The optics or the lens of the red dot sight is the main component of the product. You will see the target through the lens. Try to go for a dot sight that comes with a high-quality optic. The optic should include a proper coating to offer you the right level of light transmission. The optic should also be scratch-resistant so that you can use it for an extended period.
Flexibility
Are you going to use the red dot in different firearms at the same time? If so, then flexibility is also important for you. Try to go for a red dot that is compatible with different types of firearms, including the handgun, shotgun, rifles, and muzzleloader. The red dot sight should be easy to mount and detach so that you can change it rapidly as required.
Brightness settings
You will require a different level of brightness at different shooting conditions. Make sure that the red dot you buying comes with adjustable brightness settings. It will allow you to change the light level depending on your shooting environment.
Construction
The construction of the red dot sight is also vital for long-term performance. The building of the red dot needs to be durable as well as lightweight at the same time. Try to go for a red dot sight that comes with high-quality aluminum construction.
Tips on Using a Red Dot Sight
Here are some tips which will be helpful for you to get the best out of your red dot sight.
- Try to focus on the target with both eyes.
- Bring the firearm up to your cheek instead of bringing down your head.
- Ignore the dot as it will slow you down. Instead, focus on the full view.
- Practice frequently with different sized targets to be much efficient.
- Study the brightness of the dot sight to find out the point of impact.
Summary
In the above, we have discussed some of the Great red dot sight available in the market currently. We also provide you an effective buying guide so that you can easily find the red dot with your preferred features.
So, now it should be simpler for you to select the right red dot for your sight. However, if you are still in confusion and want us to suggest one for you, then we will recommend you the Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight.
With all the decent features and sturdy construction, it will provide you a long-term performance without any issue. You can go for it without any further confusion. We ensure you that you will not be disappointed with the red dot sight.
Outdoorsman, hunter, writer, photographer, inventor and owner of Sage & Braker. Pics taken by yours truly unless otherwise noted.