Best Budget Red Dot: We have reviewed some of the top-rated red dots under $200, $100, and $50 to find you the Best Budget Red Dot for AR15.
If you are in a hurry: Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is the Best Red Dot for AR15 under 200.
- Matte black featuring a 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness...
- Waterproof construction: O ring sealed optics stay dry...
- Shockproof construction: Built to withstand bumps, bangs,...
Last update on 2023-03-09 / Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now let us move to our in-depth reviews.
Best Budget Red Dot for AR15 Reviews
Here is a list of the 6 Best Red Dots for AR15 under $200, $100, and $50.
- Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 – Best Overall
- Tacticon Predator V1 – Best Under $100
- CVLife Red Dot Sight – Best Under $50
- Dagger Defense – Best Holographic
- Feyachi RS-28 – Best Reflex Sight
- Ohuhu Red Dot – Best Cheap
Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight

We have used various Bushnell products over the years. One feature, which we found common was ‘quality’. And, Bushnell TRS-25 Sight lives up to the Bushnell brand name. It has many features similar to Burris Fastfire III but at less than half the price.
Whether you are an avid hunter or a beginner, Bushnell TRS-25 is likely to be the perfect fit for your AR15. It is the Best Red Dot Sight for AR15 under $200 that we have ever used. Bushnell Trophy TRS is highly acclaimed. After learning about it, you would realize why.
First is the user experience. Each feature contributes to a great experience while you are shooting.
Another is fast target acquisition even in low-light conditions. The front lens has an amber tint for a bright contrast. It helps with fast target acquisition and accuracy. It is really helpful as it allows hunters to see the target even in fading light.
Bushnell TRS-25 provides a 3 MOA dot reticle that outperforms even a premium 2 MOA dot 3x the cost. Due to its parallax-free design, the red reticle follows eye movement and stays fixed on the target. This eliminates the need for centering.
It comes with 11 intensity levels for brightness settings. Higher the intensity, the higher the brightness level of the MOA dot. But the MOA dot may appear blurry if the brightness is set too high. It uses a CR2032 battery. Bushnell claims up to 3,000 hours of battery life. During our review, we were able to log around 300 hours of battery life on level 1 brightness.
Tacticon Predator V1 Red Dot Sight

Tacticon Armament Predator V1 is one of the most accurate red dots on the market. It is positioned somewhat in the middle of the market. But it would be nearly impossible to find a better red dot sight for the money.
Tacticon Predator V1 is extremely durable. It is crafted from high-quality aluminum. It is waterproof as well as fog-proof. As it is sealed using O-rings, it prevents water or fog from getting inside the tube. It ensures clear images even in tough weather conditions.
You can fully adjust for elevation and windage. This reflects well on the high ratings that this red dot sight has received from many reviewers. We took it for some range use. We easily sighted in at 50 and 100 yards to get an accurate zero.
The 3 MOA dot supports 5 different brightness settings. It can be used as a red or green dot sight with five different brightness levels.
Tacticon Predator V1 is the Best Red Dot Under 100. It will fit your AR-15 perfectly. It universally fits all Weaver and Picatinny Rail sections. It comes with a lifetime warranty, 1 lithium-ion battery, and an extra battery for up to 1 year of battery life.
CVLife Red Dot Sight

CVLife is one of the Best Red Dot Sights Under 50 for AR15. It comes with features comparable with most premium red dots but at a reasonable price. Whether you are experienced or a beginner, it is likely to live up to the expectations of most hunters.
The CVLife red dot is just over 80mm long, making it ideal for AR15. It comes with a 33mm lens. It is so lightweight that it doesn’t appear to add any weight. In fact, it is one of the top-rated AR15 holographic sights out there.
CVLife scope offers 4 popular reticle types with unlimited eye relief: Circle dot, Cross, 10 MOA and 3 MOA dot.
It comes with a corrected parallax. Like most other red dots, it includes screws and wrenches to allow for full elevation and windage adjustments.
In fact, the Allen wrench comes included in the box. Lastly, this scope is crafted from high-quality aluminum alloy. And, it comes with an integrated 20mm mount for most 20mm Weaver, Picatinny, and RIS rails. It comes with 2 x CR2032 batteries for long battery life.
Dagger Defense Tactical Red Dot Sight

Dagger Defence DDHB is a mid-market red dot with many premium features. Like most budget red dots in this price range, it offers both red and green dots. DDHB uses aircraft-grade high-quality aluminum. Also, it comes with locking screws for easy adjustability.
Like most competing red dots, it comes with a decent size 33mm outside lens. The rotary knob is used for MOA adjustments. It also serves as the battery compartment. DDHB has fantastic battery life.
At about 8 ounces, you can consider it very lightweight as well as easily portable. It is reported to fit standard specification Weaver or Picatinny style top rails. The ergonomic design helps save space on the intended device and leaves a great amount of room for other accessories on your rifle.
Thanks to the design and the sturdy build, it mounts AR15 well. You can use it as a substitute for the Best Holographic Sight Under $200.
Besides the red dot, the packaging includes one battery, two Allen wrenches, an instruction manual, and a cleaning cloth for the lens.
Feyachi RS-28 Reflex Sight

Feyachi RS-28 comes with many top-rated features. It provides 4 MOA reticle configurations and 5 brightness settings.
The available patterns are:
- Dot
- Circle with Dot
- Crosshair with Dot
- Combination of Crosshair, Circle, and Dot.
These reticle patterns paired with the 33mm lens provide a wide FOV. Feyachi RS-28 offers unlimited eye relief for high precision while aiming. You can easily sight it in by aiming at a target 50 to 100 yards away. Each click adjusts the point of impact by 1 MOA.
It comes with a highly secure rail mounting system for mounting to your AR 15. It weighs only 4.1 ounces. It is one of the most lightweight red dot sights for AR 15. Although it is ultralight, it doesn’t compromise on durability. It is sturdy and built to last. It is both waterproof and shockproof.
Feyachi Reflex Sight runs on a convenient 3v lithium battery. A rubber lens cap and a battery come included in the box. Although the battery life is amazing, you can order replacement batteries very cheaply. Some budget red dots compromise quality for the price. But this is the Best Budget Reflex Sight for AR15 under $200. It is a great bargain, thanks to its price tag.
Ohuhu Red Dot Sight

When purchasing a cheap red dot, “you get what you pay for”. But, we honestly feel it does not apply to the Ohuhu Red Dot. It is a high-quality red dot that doesn’t break the bank.
The functional design is very helpful. But it may not be suitable for certain gun types. The tubeless shape includes a 33mm reflex lens that provides a wider field of view. It comes with screws for making elevation and windage adjustments.
Construction and build quality contribute to the durability of this red dot. It is ultralight, shockproof as well as waterproof.
It features a built-in mount that fits the standard 20mm rail mounts. There is also a 0.15-inch metal bar for Weaver and Picatinny rails. There is no need to re-zero or re-configure this red dot sight while remounting. Ohuhu Gun Sight provides unlimited eye relief.
Ohuhu Gun Sight comes with 4 different reticle patterns and 4 MOA dot sizes. It runs on 3v lithium battery power. The battery comes included. It has an amazing battery life but always keep a spare on you.
There are many features that make Ohuhu Gun Sight a high-quality red dot. It is a great value, especially for those looking to buy the best cheap red dot for AR15.
How to Buy the Best AR15 Red Dot Sight
A red dot sight is a magnifying and targeting device that pairs with firearms to improve aim and precision. Red dots assist and by applying an aim point in the form of an MOA dot on a selected area or a pinpointed target.
Red dot sights provide more help and support than most people generally assume. Although they are primarily a tool and accessory for firearms, red dots can be paired with cameras and telescopes as well.
Basically, the red or green dot sights are geared around aiming and scoping. They are a highly beneficial accessory for many products than just firearms. Red dots are a necessary add-on to improve one’s skill at shooting. A red dot can help you with fast and accurate target acquisition.
Speed and Accuracy
Compared to many other sights that can be attached to a gun or a camera, red dots offer a better experience. For example, they are far simpler to use when compared to iron sights. Similarly, they are more easily available.
Red dots may differentiate depending on the brand and specifications, but they all have one feature in common. When contrasted with iron sights, red dots offer increased speed for precise aiming. The way red dots operate and move to locate the intended target is amazing, especially in locating fast-moving targets.
Versatility
Red dot sights also seem to have great reusability. Most red and green dots are versatile and can be connected to different equipment such as rifles, handguns, and shotguns. All these guns can benefit when paired with an MOA red dot sight, helping shooters greatly improve their range, accuracy, and speed.
Red dots prove to be a helpful tool and aid for experienced as well as new hunters. Most beginners who use budget red dot sights have reported rapid accuracy improvements in a short span of time.
Experienced hunters will tell you that it takes perseverance and time to improve one’s focus. But red dot scopes can help you focus on targets easily and accurately, thus helping you shorten the learning curve.
Ease of Use
Most rifles are compatible with a range of sights, scopes, and red dots. Obviously, you need to choose which of these can help you get a good sight and view of your intended target.
You may think you need an expensive scope for your rifle, but maybe you just really need a simple scope or a red dot sight. With the addition of a red dot optic, any shooting experience can be easily improved. Red Dots come with low magnification power, making them safer for inexperienced users.
The Best Red Dot Sights are a highly helpful accessory for different guns in many different ways. They are not only used by the first time or inexperienced shooters to practice and build up accuracy. The red dots can help experience shooters focus better as well.
Features
All red dot optics are beneficial for improving shooting speed and accuracy. Still, it is important to understand their features to help differentiate among the different ones on the market.
Size and fitment should be the first thing to consider when buying a red dot sight. So it is important to consider one which would fit your selected firearm. Also, you should check whether your chosen scope is night vision compatible. It would allow you to see the dot even while using your night vision scope for AR15.
Another feature to consider when purchasing a red dot sight would be the battery life and power. Most electronic red dot sights are battery-powered, and the red dot reticle appears black when out of power. The MOA dot size also varies. For example, the 2 MOA dot covers around 2 inches at 100 yards.
Build quality and durability should also be considered when shopping for a red dot sight. As red dot scopes are mostly used outdoors during hunting, they should be able to withstand even rough conditions.
Final Thoughts
All these red dot sights we reviewed are marvelous in their own ways. But the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is the Best Budget Red Dot for AR15 as per our reviews.
For one, this red dot sight allows for fast and accurate target acquisition. But it also allows 5 MOA dot brightness settings. You can use it effectively during dawn, dusk, or the middle of the night. Yet, you can easily use it even on a bright sunny day if you increase the brightness setting.
Thanks to its unlimited eye relief, Bushnell TRS-25 sight can be used even with both eyes open. It also helps in improving the hunter’s awareness of the surrounding environment.
Bushnell claims up to 3,000 hours of battery life. We were able to log around 300 hours on the original battery and around 1,000 hours on Sony Lithium 2032 3V battery.
We hope you like our pick of the Best Budget Red Dot Sights for AR15 Under $200. If you have any questions about our reviews, then feel free to contact us. We will be happy to answer your queries.
If you have any other suggestions then let us know via the comments section. We will try to include it in our next update.
Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Marty Prokop