The Top Rated Red Dot Sights for 2016
Looking for a red dot sight for your AR-15 or AK? We’ve put together a list of the best red dot sights for 2016 that give you the best bang for your buck.
In a hurry? No problem. Here’s our picks for the top rated red dot sights:
- Bushnell TRS-25
- Vortex Optics Strikefire 2
- SightMark Ultra Shot Plus
- Vortex Venom
- Vortex Sparc 2 Red Dot Sight
Keep in mind that we’re not putting these in any particular order since each red dot sight is different and each has it’s own perfect application depending on the end user.
We will say that all of these red dot sights are reasonably affordable with all of them coming in at under $200. If you think that you need to drop a ton of cash on an Eotech to get a great red dot sight, then this article isn’t for you.
Let’s break down each of these red dot sights to see what they’re made of.
Bushnell TRS-25
If you’re looking for a great budget red dot sight for not a lot of money, then this is the one. It has an amber tinted front lens with a very clear red dot. Also, the build quality on the TRS-25 is exceptional, not like the Chinese cheapo junk you’d find for the same price elsewhere.
Some people may not like the amber tint, but it is functional. It’s there for additional contrast and if you use this sight, you’d know that it is actually pretty helpful.
If you want more detail and a full review on this red dot sight, check out our full review of the Bushnell TRS-25 here.
Vortex Optics Strikefire II
The Vortex Optics Strikefire 2 is another solid choice, especially if you want a red dot sight with a cantilever mount. You can co-witness this sight with your front sights for a great fast target acquisition combo.
It’s no surprise why we’ve got a couple Vortex products on this list, they’re absolutely stellar for the money.
Sightmark Ultra Shot Plus
This is a nice red dot sight at a very nice price. Nope, it’s not mil-spec, but it does get the job done and hold up after many rounds downrange. If you do want the mil-spec version, it’s not much more money for a little bit better build quality.
It’s got multiple reticles for you to choose from and it’s also parallax corrected. Overall, it’s a very well reviewed red dot sight for a great price.
Vortex Venom
Here’s another Vortex red dot sight, this time at a little bit smaller profile. It’s great for everything from your AR to a shotgun and even a Glock pistol. This little red dot sight has adjustable brightness and a very durable coating on the lens to prevent scratches, dust and dirt from messing up your sight. It’s also one of my favorites on this list.
Vortex Sparc 2 Red Dot Sight
Talk about a quality made red dot that is easy to look through. This red dot sight is definitely one of our favorites at Gun Laser Guide.
You can adjust the height of it to use as a co-witness or not. Also, it’s got great battery life and a very nice anti-reflective coating to reduce glare.
The great thing about red dot sights is that they allow you to get on target super fast. The Vortex Sparc 2 is definitely meant for both eyes open shooters and it’s got a really nice contrast to it so that you can lock onto target quickly. This red dot sight is also under $200 and it ships free if you click the link above.
What Makes a Top Rated Red Dot Sight?
All of the previously mentioned red dot sights are highly regarded and are definitely top rated because of their price to value ratio. Here are some features that most of them have in common:
- anti-reflective coating
- high-contrast finish
- solid construction that won’t fall apart on you after thousands of rounds
- affordable – even Eotechs can’t beat these values
- trusted user reviews – all of these have 4 stars or better on Amazon
We hope that this guide gave you a quick look at some of the best red dot sights that are available to you in 2016.