Tested: The 9 Best AR-15 Red Dot Sights (2,000+ Rounds Downrange)

Testing Process:

• Time Spent: 7+ years of range time use on some of these optics (some are new & some were old
• Test Platforms: DDMK18, DDM4v11, Custom Build VLTOR UPPER
• Rounds Fired: ~3,500 rounds of 55gr only
• Primary Criteria: Parallax shift, battery life, "true" 1x clarity, mount quality 

6 red dot sights that are worth putting on your AR.

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Buy optic mounts - Best optic riser mounts

Holosun ARO EVO - Best Overall

This is the newest in my rotation. The EVO's ergonomics are a step up because the buttons are much more tactile with gloves on compared to older Holosun models. and The SPR mount it comes with is surprisingly sturdy for a T mount.

The 26 mm optical window, By contrast, many older/more compact micro red-dots stick to around a 20 mm objective size (or somewhere around 20-22 mm) for their window.

Since this is still new and a bit unproven long-term compared to the H1 or Romeo 5. I'm currently 400 rounds in, and zero is holding, but time will tell.

• Even though the H1 is technically 'outdated' by the T2, I’ve kept this unit on my go-to carbine for years. The key takeaway is that the glass has a slightly cooler (bluish) tint than the newer Holosuns

• "For adjustment caps micro-adjustment caps are easy to lose, and unlike the T2, the H1 lacks the protective 'shoulders' for the turrets." and you can't use a flat head screw driver to dial them.

Even though it can cost up to almost $900. Overall, this is a buy once cry once type of purchase, and I highly recommend it for serious shooters seeking a reliable, high-performance optic for their AR15.

• 2 MOA or 4 MOA dot
• 50K hrs
• 7075 T6 Aluminum
• 4.1 oz (Optic only
• 0.5 MOA / click
• Aimpoint Micro Footprint

Holosun 515GM - Best Value

The Holosun 515GM offers a budget-friendly alternative for those seeking a good AR15 red dot sight comparable to the Aimpoint Micro for just under $500. It has the same mil-spec grade construction as the renowned Aimpoint Micro.

Any Aimpoint micro mounts work with this optic for users who need different optic heights. 

Additionally, the HS515GM is equipped with a 65 MOA ring and a center dot, which facilitates quicker close-quarters combat target acquisition compared to a standalone 2 MOA dot. Users can also switch to a 2 MOA dot for reduced reticle obstruction by holding the "-" button for 3 seconds, and revert back in the same manner.

• 2 MOA + 65 MOA Ring (red or green)
• 50K hrs
• 7075 T6 Aluminum
• 3.74 oz 
• 0.5 MOA / click
• Aimpoint Micro Footprint

Holosun AEMS MAX - Largest Window

Holosun 510C - Best For Beginners

• The 'big window' makes it the fastest for target transition. However, I noticed in heavy rain, a single drop on the emitter projected multiple dots onto the glass (the 'open emitter' curse)."

• Definitely Not for 'sandy' environments. If debris gets in that open hood, it’s a pain to clean in the field.

At this price point, this is one of the hottest selling red dot sights that most new shooters are buying.

• 2 MOA + 65 MOA Ring (red or green)
• 50K hrs
• 4.94 oz
• Aluminum + Titanium Hood
  
• 0.5 MOA / click

Read in-depth 510C review here

Holosun AEMS - Best Compact Size

This is my favorite 'modern' dot. The glass-to-housing ratio is insane. When shooting with both eyes open, the housing almost disappears. I've found the flip-down clear covers are great for muddy range days you just flip them down and keep shooting.

The mount is proprietary. If you don't like the height, you have to spend hundreds of dollars on something like the Unity Tactical.

So far there isn't many options.

• 2 MOA (red or green)
• 50K hrs
• 3.9 oz 
• 7075 T6 forged aluminum
• 0.5 MOA / click

Sig Sauer ROMEO 5 GEN 2 - Best For The Money

• The Gen 2 fixes the 'boxy' look of the original. In my testing, the new housing offers a slightly better field of view. The 'Motac' sensor feels more refined and it didn't wake up just from me bumping the safe, but it was instant when I shouldered the rifle."

• The high mount it comes with is 'okay,' but if you’re serious, you’ll want to replace it with a Reptilia or Scalarworks mount for better rigidity

• 2 MOA
• 50K hrs
• 5.1 oz 
• 6061 T6 aluminum
• 0.5 MOA / click

Sig Sauer Romeo 5 review

How We Test Red Dots

To find the best AR-15 optics. I personally put at least 500 rounds through our top 6 picks (Aimpoint H1, Romeo 5 Gen 2, and the Holosun line) to verify Zero Retention under rapid fire without intentionally breaking them at first.

Stress Tests Include:

• The "Truck Gun" Test: Leaving optics in a hot vehicle to check for battery drain or seal failure.
• Zero Verification: Shooting 5-round groups, removing the optic, re-mounting it, and checking for a "Return to Zero."
• Low-Light Transition: Moving from high-noon sun into a darkened indoor range to test the speed of auto-brightness sensors.
• Mount Rigidity: Especially on 6061 aluminum bodies, thread must not strip near recommended torque specs

Dealing with Astigmatism: The "Phone Camera" Test

If your red dot looks like a "comet" or a blurry starburst, it might be your eyes, not the optic.

The Quick Test: Point your smartphone camera at the red dot and take a photo.

• If the dot is a perfect circle in the photo but a blur to your eyes, you have astigmatism.
• If it’s blurry in the photo, you have a dirty emitter or a defective lens.

Pro Tip: If you have severe astigmatism, skip red dots and look for a Prism Sight (like the Primary Arms SLx). Because Prism reticles are etched into the glass, they appear perfectly crisp even if you have a "football-shaped" cornea.

Accuracy Expectations

While a red dot is a "1x" optic, a 2 MOA dot covers 2 inches of your target at 100 yards.

• For Precision: We recommend zeroing with a 3x or 6x Magnifier. This allows you to place the dot on the exact center of the bullseye rather than covering it.
• Zero Distance: For most AR-15 users, we recommend the 36-yard zero, some may argue that the 50 maybe better, but this is all depended on your preference. and 36 yard provides the tightest grouping for targets between 25 and 200 yards.