4 Best Airsoft Red Dot Sights - [Also Work On Real Guns]
We have tested & used over 18 different types of optics based on durability, reticle designs, battery life and cost on real steel firearms, and we have also narrowed down the 4 best airsoft red dot sights for force on force non lethal training
Check them out below:
Holosun 510C - Best For Force On Force Training
Solar Fail Safe - Solar panel extends the battery life longer to keep you in the fight longer even when the battery dies, and it also acts like a fiber optic that turn light exposure into battery power
Large FOV - Works much better when wearing bulky airsoft safety glasses and mask and still get behind the optic
Faster Transition – Instantly place the dot on the target while shooting on the move or transitioning with both eyes open.
Quick Detach - Mount and de-mount the optic and swap it onto another airsoft gun on the field without any tools
Read Detailed Holosun 510C Review Here
Pros
- Additional hood protection like EOTECH
- Solar panel power when battery dies
- Multi reticle system for various applications
- Built in QD lever mount
Cons
Sig ROMEO 5 - Best Value
Why Use ROMEO5? - The Sig ROMEO5 1X20mm is an robust, compact and affordable red dot optic like the Aimpoint Micro. For only less than $150, users can getting an long lasting optic for airsoft games, and it can be used on real guns as well.
Motion Activated - The MOTAC powers up the optic upon any motion, and it shuts down when sitting idle to save battery and last as long as up to 40K hours
2 MOA dot size - Shoot targets with bbs, and also provides a fine dot for long range real steel firearm shooting accuracy
Uses Aimpoint Mount - Any aftermarket Aimpoint footprint mount will work
Check Out More ROMEO5 Pics And Review
Pros
Cons
- Reticle can be brighter for sunny day use
Vortex Strikefire II - 3rd Best
The Vortex Strikefire II is the best Aimpoint Comp alternative red dot sight for both airsoft and real steel firearms. It features a big 4 MOA dot for typical airsoft bb accuracy and it's slightly better for people with astigmatism to see.
Use Any 30mm Mount - Cantilever mount included, but any aftermarket mount will work. We recommend the LaRue Tactical LT150 QD mount.
Improved battery compartment - More reliable by having a stronger battery retention to hold it in place without getting loose.
Pros
- Very durable built for serious users
- Small profile
- Tons of variations to choose from
- Accepts clear front lens cover to protect against bbs
- Tighter battery grip (Type 2 models)
Cons
- Open emitter attracts dirt
Feyachi Reflex Sight - Most Affordable
The Feyachi reflex sight resembles the look of a red dot sight seen in popular FPS video games. Even though there aren't anything like this for real steel firearm use, the Feyachi reflex 33mm wide FOV sight is very popular for airsoft games and training without breaking the bank.
Very Simple Design - It's an open emitter design with sturdy picatinny rail mounting system to stay tight on an airsoft AEG or gas blowback rifle.
Mutli Reticle Selections - User can pick between Dot, Circle/Dot, Crosshair/Circle/Dot combination all in one sight based on personal preference
Super Clean Sight Picture - Thin lens frame is all the shooter sees without any field of view obstruction
Pros
- Very simple design for airsoft application
- Multi reticle options
- Much more robust reticle selection dial
- Affordable
Cons
- Can't be used on real firearm
- Not bright enough on max setting under sunlight
What To Look For
Red Dot VS Reflex Differences
Most red dot sights fall into the reflex optics category.
Reflex Sight works the same way as a red dot sight, but they are typically open emitter sights like Trijicon RMR, Holosun 510C where the LED emitter is exposed instead of a fully enclosed body design.
In outdoor airsoft training environment, open emitter red dot sight can attract debris that can block the emitter screen. It's worse if mud is splashed all over the optic.
Read more Open vs Closed emitter red dot sights
Effective Range
The effective range for these red dot sight is only as accurate as airsoft bb ballistics. The most effective zeroing range for an airsoft gun is 20 - 30 meters.
For the most part 6mm 0.25g BBs are much more accurate for airsoft guns shooting around 350 - 500 fps with a much stable flight path.
Airsoft users are NOT going to zero an airsoft gun the same way as a real gun because the BB's trajectory isn't consistent.
Dot Size Selection & Astigmatism
The bigger the dot, the easier it is to pick up to superimpose it on the target for fast engagement.
For airsoft users, a 2 - 6 MOA dot is recommended for all CQB training environment under bright daylight.
Show Me More: Large MOA Optics
Glass Quality
Most optics are made up of high quality glass that feature durable coating, optimal light emission angle, eye safety, and parallax-free.
For airsoft force on force training, we highly recommend to add clear lens protection against BBs.
Learn the 7 tips to combat sun glare when shooting in direct sunlight here
Long-Lasting Battery Life
50,000 hours of battery life is the industry standard for a red dot sight, and currently most red dot sights can last long with a single CR123A battery.
A long lasting battery life eliminates the need to replace the battery, and it can stay on in your airsoft range bag.
Unlimited Eye Relief & Parallax Free
The biggest benefit of a red dot is unlimited eye relief and parallax free, which allows the shooter focus on the target plane without:
- Aligning sights
- Eye box limitation
- Optic to eye distance
- Cheek weld position
For CQB airsoft targets, just place the parallax-free reticle on target to get an combat effective hit.
Faster Target Acquisition Speed
Whether you're on the move or transitioning through corners. A red dot sight is extremely fast for acquiring sight picture without using traditional iron sights with both eyes open.
It works the same way as on a real gun, but the bulky safety glass and mask may make it awkward to get behind the optic.
Drop Proof
For serious mil-sim airsofter players that may bump their gear in and out of the vehicle or drop their guns while running.
For the most part, you don't have to worry about the optics getting damaged. These optics even in the $150 range can survive more physical abuse than the airsoft gun itself.
Recoil Proof?
Airsoft guns don't simulate hard recoil at all like the real thing even when using gas blowback guns. So there is nothing to worry about here.
As the content creator of badassoptic.com, My background in the firearms industry and shooting sports gives me the experience to recommend tried and true products and keep away subpar ones.
