Check out our top picks for the 7 best budget red dot sights. These sights are much higher quality in terms the price you pay for compared to products from few years ago.
Click here to see our full selections here
Budget Red Dots
Top Picks
Holosun 510C
Sig ROMEO 5
Swampfox Kraken
Holosun 507C
Holosun 507K
Burris FastFire 3
HoloSun 507C X2 - Best For Pistol
The Holosun 507C red dot sight sight can do everything the Trijicon RMR can, and it's much cheaper. It features a couple new things that the RMR doesn't have.
Side Battery Access - Access the battery from the side. No sight removal is required nor re-zeroing
Solar Power & Motion Sensor – The ShakeAwake technology saves battery when the optic is in idle. It kicks in even if the battery dies
Lockout Mode - No more accidental brightness adjustment when concealed carry
Same RMR Mounting Footprint - It shares the RMR mounting footprint
The new Holosun 507C with ACSS Vulcan reticle can re-centering the reticle even faster if lost in the window.
To learn more here
Multi-Reticle System - Cycle through the following reticle options for various applications:
- 2 MOA Center dot
- 32 MOA circle
- 32 MOA circle + 2 MOA Dot
Read Detailed 507C X2 Review Here
Holosun 507K X2 - Best For Sub Compact Guns
The Holosun 507K X2 is so much smaller to go on any micro compact handguns. The price is still in the budget red dots range, but the quality is much more than people have expected.
Activates via motion sensor - It features the Holosun ShakeAwake technology just like the Holosun 507C to save battery
Snag free holster draw performance - The rugged exterior housing can withstand wear against clothing, so no snag hazard when drawing out of any IWB or OWB holsters.
Recoil proven - The sight can handle +P ammo without any issue. No worry of optic turning off or battery compartment getting loose.
Simple battery change without hassle - The 50k hrs long lasting CR1632 battery (On setting 6) can be accessed from the side tray instead of the bottom, which eliminates the need to remove the sight for a battery change.
Read 507K X2 Detailed Review Here
Holosun 510C - Best For The Money
Check out the affordability and popularity of the Holosun 510C reflex sight, a fan-favorite for its high-performance features. This sight offers a similar experience to an EOTech, with a wide field of view for precise target acquisition during practice or competition.
Its raised optic height is optimized for comfortable use on most AR15 rifles, making it a go-to choice for many shooters
Large Lens Window For Faster Shooting - This parallax-free red dot sight is easy to aim with both eyes open while shooting on the move or transitioning
Versatile Reticle System - Use the large CQB 65 MOA reticle circle for range estimation and it's perfect for fast close-range holdover
Solar Fail Safe - Solar panel kicks on if the battery dies in the field
Unleash Versatile Shooting Capabilities - The simple QD lever mount of this sight allows you to easily mount it on a wide range of firearms, beyond just the AR15. Experience unparalleled versatility in your shooting gear and tackle any challenge with ease.
Read in-depth 510C review here
Vortex Venom - Lowest Profile Sight
Why we picked Vortex - The Vortex Venom sits low on handguns and the lens is much more durable for hard use even it doesn't look like it.
Low Profile - Compact size red dot sits low on the slide and it works for holsters made for high retention.
Clean Dot - 6 MOA size reticle works the best for people with astigmatism, and it appears much rounder and less starburst when crank up the brightness
Super Strong Low Profile Sight - Weighing only 1.1 oz built with rugged aluminum housing, enlarged lens window with multi-coated material to increase light transmission
Large Field of View For Better Situational Awareness - Unlimited eye relief for rapid target acquisition along with parallax-free red dot that makes you shoot faster and more accurate on the clock
Read Detailed Vortex Venom Review Here
Swampfox Justice - Tapered FOV
The Swampfox Justice features an unique tapered FOV window profile while using the same RMR footprint. It fits on most RMR milled slides and optic mounts.
Shake Awake - Optic stays on for up to 4+ years, and it features motion sensor technology to save even more battery juice
Track The Dot Better - Slightly more window room to find the dot
Top Loading Battery - It's the same user friendly battery compartment design as the Trijicon SRO
Burris Fastfire III - Lightest Weight
The FastFire III is a lightweight budget red dot sight that works very well with rimfire pistols, shotguns and pistol caliber carbines. It's small, durable and it offers a 8 MOA large reticle for shooters with severe astigmatism.
Light & Tough For Speed Advantage - Increase get-on-target speed, and use it as the primary or backup offset optic
Compatible With Very Optics Ready Handgun - Shooting pistols with a red dot sight is popular, hit targets more accurately with your handgun with this compact size optic and win your next shooting match
Swampfox Kraken - Best Value Enclosed Optic
The new Swampfox Kraken features an enclosed emitter design to keep dirt and moisture away from the optic's internal. It looks and feels like an Aimpoint ACRO but at 1/3rd the price.
Full Weatherproof - Nothing will get inside the enclosed optic body
Works With RMR Mounting - Just stack the Kraken on top of existing RMR adapter and go
Various Applications - Mount it on pistols, shotguns and rifles
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.
