If you’re shopping for close-range to mid-range sights, you’ve undoubtedly come across a large number of reflex sights, and for good reason. Reflex sights are some of the most prevalent red dot sights commercially available today.
However, precisely because they are so popular perhaps, there are a ton of absolutely garbage reflex sights out there. We’ve done the digging and put in the range time to narrow it down, cut out the trash, and find the best models on the market. Here are the 8 best reflex sights – from high end to affordable.
Best Reflex Sights
- Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight
- Holosun HS510C
- Burris Fastfire III
- Sightmark Ultra Shot
- Ade Advanced Optics RD3-009-2
- AT3 Tactical ARO Compact Reflex Sight
- Bushnell Micro Reflex Sight
- CVLIFE Reflex Gun Sight
Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight
The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro is an exposed reflex sight for only a few hundred bucks, that comes from one of the most respected names in optics. The space-age alloy construction includes DiamondCoat materials on the frame and lens for unmatched durability.
The DeltaPoint Pro is even waterproof to 33 feet, not that you’ll need that at the range, but it sure couldn’t hurt for those situations you can’t plan for. The extra-wide window makes target acquisition easy and fast, even for a reflex sight.
Key Features:
- Ultra-strong alloy housing
- DiamondCoat bolsters lens strength and color resolution
- Parallax is nearly eliminated with Motion Sensing technology
Holosun HS510C
Holosun is known for its high-quality optics and this scope is no exception. The optical glass features multilayer coatings intended to give a crystal clear view. They also promote light transmission, giving a bright image.
One of the best things about this scope is that there are plenty of reticle options to choose from. You can use the 2 MOA dot, 65 MOA open circle, or a fast acquisition circle-dot reticle.
Key Features:
- Red dot sight still works if the batteries fail
- Solar Failsafe feature allows reticle’ brightness to adjust automatically
- Built in motion sensor activates LED
Burris Fastfire III
Another great scope that comes at a great price point is the Fastfire III from Burris. This scope is compatible with Picatinny rails and is super lightweight, making it a great addition to your favorite handgun. You can even adjust the elevation and windage without needing any tools.
Key Features:
- Automatic brightness adjustment for perfect lighting conditions
- Works with nearly all handguns that are optics-ready
- The red dot is clearly visible
Sightmark Ultra Shot
If you’re looking for a new sight for your gun that has both red and green dot illumination, this would be a great choice. At less than $300, you don’t have to worry about it breaking the bank. This scope is water-resistant, has digital switch controls, and it has a wide field of view. The shockproof scope can handle the recoil on many weapons.
Key Features:
- Battery lasts up to 1,000 hours
- Unlimited eye relief
- Multiple reticles available
Ade Advanced Optics RD3-009-2
The Ade Advanced Optics RD3 is a great value option for reflex sights. It has a super clear image thanks to the exacting standards used during the lens polish. 5 MOA accuracy, with 5 separate illumination levels give the perfect blend of accuracy and customization.
Key Features:
- Fully adjustable for windage and elevation
- 5 level illumination settings
AT3 Tactical ARO Compact Reflex Sight
Whether you need a sight for your pistol, shotgun, or rifle, this AT3 Tactical sight has your back. It comes with a lens cover, battery, low Picatinny mount, Allen wrench, instruction sheet, and lens cloth, everything you need to mount and adjust your sight.
Key Features:
- Large field of view
- Lifetime warranty
- Waterproof and shockproof
Bushnell Micro Reflex Sight
The Micro Reflex Sight from Bushnell is a great choice for your handgun or rifle. It is very lightweight, just weighing 2.2 ounces. If you want something that is light enough to carry around for hours, this scope would work well. The CR2032 battery gives this sight awesome battery life and allows you to take advantage of the red dot reticle.
Key Features:
- Compatible with both handguns and rifles
- Very lightweight, great for tactical situations
- Shockproof and waterproof
CVLIFE Reflex Gun Sight
For those looking for a sight that is really affordable, maybe even for a beginner, this sight from CVLIFE would be a good choice. It is really affordable, made from high-strength aluminum, and is built to last. The tubeless design gives a very wide field of view, which works well for fast-paced shooting, whether your target is stationary or moving.
Key Features:
- Four types of reticle are available
- Wide field of view
- Very affordable
What Is A Reflex Sight?
Simply put, a reflex sight is a type of red dot sight, maybe even the most common. When you tell people you are getting, a red dot sight, if they aren’t gun enthusiasts they probably immediately picture the average reflex sight. They are just that common.
Most reflex sights work by using a few mirrors to make a projection of the dot onto the lens, making it visible for you. There are generally two main types of reflex sights, exposed reflex, and tubed reflex sights. There are exceptions to this, and you can find the rare 2 in 1 reflex, where you will have an offset exposed reflex attached to a tubed.
What Are The Benefits Of A Reflex Sight Over Other Types?
The primary benefit to using a reflex sight is the nearly infinite eye relief. When using an exposed reflex sight the user can position their head nearly anywhere and still get an accurate picture of where their weapon is aimed. This is somewhat diminished when using a tubed reflex sight, though still somewhat applicable. Other notable benefits include insanely fast initial target acquisition and even faster reacquisition after firing. This is due to no small part to being able to aim and fire the weapon with both eyes open.
Why Should You Even Use A Sight?
Even if you don’t need any magnification, a reflex sight can be a crucial component of a successful shot. It provides a much easier aiming process than lining up the front and rear iron sights, as well as faster. Reflex sights help you acquire your target almost instantaneously, even in intense situations.
They help to boost your situational awareness as well, by allowing you to keep both eyes open when firing. The nearly unlimited eye relief lets you keep the firearm away from your face, and eliminates the blinders that aiming down sights can sometimes put on.
How Should You Pick A Reflex Sight?
There are a handful of criteria I personally use when I’m picking out a reflex sight, and while they may not be the same for everyone they should certainly give you a place to start shopping. I look at what I need it for, primarily. More often than not this will tell me the answer to the next question: exposed or tubed?
If I’m going with an exposed reflex, it really just comes down to finding the sight that does what I need at a price that’s fair. If I’m looking at a potential tube reflex, it will need a final magnification decision as well. Do I need it, and if so, how much?
Purpose Or Use
In many cases, reflex sights are good for just about any need that should pop up in the close to medium range. Since they let you shoot with both eyes open and have a super-fast target acquisition, they are an ideal close-quarters sight. They also make great mid-range sights when you want to keep your field of vision clear.
Reflex sights are great for weapons that you take to neutralize homestead pests or carry for personal defense. Anything inside 20 yards you won’t need any magnification, but if you plan on engaging threats at 50+ yards you may want to grab a 2x or similar so that you have a bit more magnification.
Exposed Reflex
An exposed reflex sight has only one mirror to project the dot for the user. They have an open design, with a small clear window that the user looks through. Exposed reflex sights often have nearly unlimited eye relief and are extremely comfortable and intuitive to use.
This type of reflex sight also has an incredibly fast target acquisition speed, faster than any other type of sight, which is a deciding factor in close-quarter engagements. The only major downside to an exposed reflex sight is the inability to get any type of magnification on them.
Tubed Reflex
Tubed reflex sights look exactly how they sound. They consist of two separate lenses at either end of a tube, with the dot being projected from the rear to the front. The function variability on tubed reflex sights is also enhanced compared to exposed reflex models.
Tubed reflex sights can be found in a wider variety of shapes and configurations, and if the user desires small degrees of magnification the tubed will certainly be more helpful than the exposed reflex. It is worth noting that the tubed reflex sights are often found to be more precise and accurate than other current optics.
Magnification Needs
This will largely depend on your planned usage, but the degree of versatility you desire should also be weighed. Many people want to get a solid reflex sight for home defense and consider that more than other uses that may actually see more use.
On the other hand, if you know for sure that you will only need it for close-range protection, getting an exposed reflex with 1x magnification can mean you get more sight for your money since you won’t need magnifying optics.
Battery Life
This is either going to be a huge deal for you, dealbreakingly huge, or you really won’t care about it. There are some sights that may have a low power mode or an off switch on some higher-end models, but not all of them.
Pay attention to the battery usage and the battery level of the ones in the sight. There is no worse time to find out the batteries in your sight are dead than in the middle of the night after waking up to the sound of breaking glass.
You may be able to find reflex sights that utilize ambient light, however, they will have their own benefits and drawbacks though as well. While they will not need batteries in order to operate, so there is no chance of dead batteries at the worst possible time. The downside, however, is that they will never be as bright and clear as battery units, even in bright daylight.
Wrap Up
Depending on what you’re looking to do with it, there are options on our list for everyone. Whether you need magnification or not, whether you’re looking for exposed or tubed, consider what your needs are before your wants, and you’ll be able to make a great choice.
