Red dot sights are quickly becoming some of the most popular optics in the firearm industry. Luckily the days when red dots were only available to the military are behind us. The drive for civilian red dots has quickly brought the overall price down to levels anyone can afford. These days a decent red dot will cost less than taking your family to the movies. The best budget red dot for the majority of people would be the Vortex Strikefire. The Vortex Strikefire combines durability with features, and doesn’t break the bank. Continue reading below to find the best red dot sight for the money.
Which is The Best Red Dot Sight For The Money?
1. Vortex Optics StrikeFire 2 Red Dot Sight
Notable Features:
- Affordable Price Point
- Very Durable Design
- Waterproof and Fogproof
- True 1x Magnification
- Lots of Premium Features
Check Price: Amazon
No conversation about budget optics would be complete without mentioning a Vortex product. Vortex Optics are known for making high quality products at a value price. It seems like Vortex makes a high quality product in just about every optic niche. Somehow they manage to offer more features than every other manufacturer in their price range. If you’re looking for an affordable red dot look no farther than the Vortex Strikefire 2. You can’t beat the Strikefire 2 without doubling your purchase price.
The Vortex Strikefire 2 has way more features than the price implies. This economical red dot is perfect for your AR 15 or any other full sized rifle. The Strikefire 2 uses a compact design and durable construction. The parrallax free design and unlimited eye relief allow you to rapidly fire without losing your target. The reinforced frame is designed so that it won’t take up a lot of room on your rifle. This will allow you to add a separate scope magnifier or night vision optic. The Strikefire is designed to be used in almost any environment. It has ten different intensity settings and can be used with night vision scopes. This durable scope is both waterproof and fogproof so it can be used almost anywhere. It doesn’t matter what rifle you have, you really can’t go wrong with the Vortex Strikefire.
2. Primary Arms 2 MOA Advanced Micro Red Dot
Notable Features:
- Affordably Priced
- 100% Waterproof and Shockproof
- Slim Package
- Easy to Use
Check Price: Amazon
The Primary Arms Red Dot sight is a very economically priced scope. It might not have all the features found on the Vortex Strikefire, but it’s strong enough to work well on any gun. Primary Arms is a relatively new manufacturer in the firearm industry. They have a large line of products that are all relatively affordable. If you are looking for a budget scope Primary Arms is an excellent place to start.
The Primary Arms Micro Red dot is an extremely affordable red dot. It falls into the price range of entry level red dots but performs well above the competition. Built on a very slim and rugged design the primary arms micro red dot is completely waterproof. You don’t have to worry about taking this scope out in the field it’s strong enough to take a few punches. This micro red dot has 12 brightness settings and can be used with any night vision scope. Where this red dot really shines is it’s battery life. It can last close to 1000 hours on a medium settings. Thats longer than most scopes that cost twice as much. Though not as clear as the Strikefire I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the optical clarity. If you’re looking for a budget optic this will make an excellent choice.
3. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
Notable Features:
- Value Priced
- Durable Design
- Easy to Use
- 100% Waterproof Fogproof and Shockproof
- Versatile Red Dot
Check Price: Amazon
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is one of my favorite red dot sights. It’s one of the smallest red dots on this list and perfect for just about any gun. From your full sized 1911 to your AR15 the TRS-25 red dot is an excellent choice. The low price and durability makes this scope perfect for many of the guns I shoot regularly. This little red dot is perfect for the 22LR rifle you shoot weekly or you’re hunting shotgun. These micro red dots can stand up to a lot of abuse and you can’t go wrong at this price point.
Bushnell’s TRS-25 red dot was built to last. This extremely reliable red dot was designed to be used in just about any weather. Built to be 100% waterproof, fogproof and shockproof it can withstand a lot of abuse. You won’t have to worry about this sight in the field. It’s the perfect red dot for any hunting gun and can even be mounted on your bow. With 12 brightness settings and unlimited eye relief the TRS-25 can be used just about anywhere. You’ll have a clear sight picture from morning to night.
4. Vortex Venom Red Dot Top Load 3 MOA Dot
Notable Features:
- Slim Compact Design
- Fit any Pistol or Rifle
- Clear Optics
- Top Load Battery Compartment
Check Price: Amazon
It’s a real shame that most people have never tried one of these micro red dots. They are designed to be used on just about any gun. Most people that choose this style sight use them on their competition pistols, or their AR15. You can even mount one onto your compact Glock’s rail system. They offer an extremely wide field of view without weighing down or throwing off the balance of your gun. Whichever gun you are trying to use, the Vortex Venom is an excellent option.
The Vortex Venom red dot sight is much like it’s also economically priced brother the Vortex Viper. The only major difference between these two sights is the automatic brightness mode. If you like to manually set your brightness save some money and go with the Viper. The Venom also includes 10 brightness levels and a multi coated lens. This creates for a very large clear field of view, that will allow you to quickly get on target. This is one of the smallest red dots on the market. It weighs close to 3 oz so it shouldn’t throw off the weight of any gun. The vortex Venom is an extremely durable red dot, but if it does break Vortex has one of the best warranties in the industry.
Which is The Best Red Dot For The Money?
Choosing a quality red dot doesn’t have to be difficult. They should be both durable and packed with all the features. You are also going to decide which size optic you need. Some red dots are even small enough to fit on your compact Glock. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get an extremely durable red dot. All of the red dots I review below combine lots of features with an extremely durable housing. The largest factor in most peoples minds is the price.
The best budget red dot for the majority of people is going to be the Vortex Strikefire 2. The extremely durable design combined with an affordable price makes this a must have sight if you’re on a budget. If you want an even cheaper option that combines the same level of durability without some of the features try the Primary Arms Red Dot or Bushnell TRS-25. Both of these sights will give you a whole lot of value for the price. The best budget pistol red dot is the Vortex Venom or the Fastfire III.