12 Best Budget Red Dots In 2024: [Hands-On Testing]

Over the years, red dot sights have become one of the most popular accessories for rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

While iron sights are tried and true and “don’t fail,” they aren’t kind to older eyes, and viewing the irons in poor lighting conditions can be….challenging.

Red dot sights add functionality to your firearm. They enable faster target acquisition and follow-up shots while improving performance in less-than-ideal conditions.

The strong demand for red dots has resulted in a thriving market for the devices, and many manufacturers have entered the race to earn your hard-earned dollars.

If cost isn’t a factor in your decision process, you generally get what you pay for with optics.

However, not everyone can afford to spend $500+ on gun accessories. We are here to help you decide which optics will perform at a high level but are available at price points that won’t leave you wondering if you can pay your bills this month.

Since getting my first Ruger 10/22 as a kid, I have been looking for ways to improve my experience shooting guns.

I have tried, experimented with, and shot with all types of optics during this quest, including every single one on this list.

Image	Product	Price
	Best Overall Budget Red Dot – Sig Romeo5	Check Price
	Best Budget Prism Scope – Swamp Fox Raider	Check Price
	Best “Budget” Red Dot – STNGR Axiom II	Check Price
	Honorable Mention – Holosun 403B	Check Price
	Honorable Mention – Primary Arms SLx Microdot 25 Gen 2	Check Price
	Honorable Mention – Riton X1 Tactix ARD	Check Price
	Best Budget Pistol Red Dot for Micro Compact Pistols – Holosun 407K X2	Check Price
	Best “Budget” Version Of Higher Priced Option – C&H Precision Weapons Comp	Check Price
	Honorable Mention – Swampfox Sentinel II	Check Price
	Honorable Mention – Crimson Trace RAD Pro	Check Price
	Honorable Mention – Vortex Venom	Check Price
	Red Dot Choice for Ruger 10/22 – Burris Fastfire 3	Check Price

Best Budget Red Dot Sights & Recommendations

We will start with red dots for your rifles and shotguns, followed by pistols. If you’re only interested in the pistol red dots, feel free to skip down!

Best Overall Budget Red Dot – Sig Romeo5

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Sig Romeo5 takes the spot as our best overall budget red dot. The Romeo5 has an almost perfect price, functionality, aesthetics, and performance confluence. It performs like a more expensive optic and is what most shooters need.

The Romeo5 has a rich feature set. It has a 2 MOA red dot with a 20mm objective window and unlimited eye relief. There are ten brightness settings, eight for daylight and two for use with night vision.

Controls on the Romeo5 are straightforward. There are simple +/- buttons on the top of the optic to control brightness, and the windage and elevation adjustments are covered by protective caps that can be used to turn the dials.

Adjustments are in 1 MOA increments, which is fine for zeroing your rifle or PCC to 100 yards.

The Romeo5 sports motion-activated illumination that helps conserve your battery and ensure your optic is on and ready for use when needed.

After a few minutes of inactivity, the Romeo5 shuts off but is ready again as soon as you grab your firearm.

The result is a battery life that is nothing to scoff at. The CR2032 battery delivers a 40,000+ hour battery life. It’s not infinite, but it won’t be dying on you the first time out…..or the following 100 times.

I firmly believe in the mantra, “You get what you pay for,” especially regarding optics.

The Sig Romeo5 is one of the few exceptions to this rule. The Romeo5 is an excellent optic regardless of the price.

These factors make the Sig Romeo5 our choice for the best overall budget red dot.

Best Budget Prism Scope – Swamp Fox Raider

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Swampfox Raider is our choice for the best budget prism “red dot” sight. The Raider is well-built with a fantastic reticle, solid battery life, and Shake N’ Wake technology.

Prism scopes sights have grown in popularity over the last few years and for good reason. They utilize technology different from traditional red dot sights and offer several advantages.

The reticle is etched directly on the glass lens of the sight instead of projecting it like traditional red dots. The result is a sharper, crisper reticle.

Individuals with astigmatism benefit greatly from prisms as a result.

The reticle on the Swampfox Raider is one of the best reticles I have ever used with a red dot. The CQB Bullet Rifle Compensation Reticle is incredibly clear and crisp.

I have used red dots from many manufacturers over the years, and the Raider’s reticle is easily in the top two.

The illumination is solid, and you can adjust it for use both in bright light conditions, shadowed conditions, and indoors. The multiple illumination settings combined with the Shake N’Wake feature that turns the illumination off to conserve battery life when not in use make it a very functional optic.

The Raider performed well at the range every time I took it out. It held zero and did precisely what a modern red dot sight would do: increased my accuracy!

The Raider is an excellent value with many attractive features if you want a prism red dot sight.

Best “Budget” Red Dot – STNGR Axiom II

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The STNGR Axium II is a solid-performing red dot that anyone looking for a “budget” red dot must check out.

I was unsure about the Axium II when I heard about it. I haven’t always had the best experiences with inexpensive red dots on firearms. I have several of them that I keep on my kid’s airsoft guns, but the punishment they get on an airsoft gun in no way compares to use on a real firearm.

Let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised by the Axium II. This red dot is a versatile, affordable option that is a perfect choice for your budget AR build.

The Axium II sports a 2 MOA dot reticle that has impressive illumination. Eleven illumination settings, including nine daylight and two night vision compatible, let you adjust the illumination to match almost any condition.

The STNGR Axium II uses a CR2032 battery, which provides excellent battery life at 50,000 hours. The Axium II does lack shake-awake features like many of the other red dots on this list, but in my mind, that isn’t a deal killer.

At the range, the Axium II was easy to zero. The windage and elevation dials are covered by caps that can be used to adjust the dials, and getting a zero with the red dot was straightforward.

Additionally, the quick detach mount that came with the Axium II locked up nicely and tight but allowed me to remove the red dot from the gun quickly.

Overall, The STNGR Axium II is a great value pick, and I recommend it, especially if the Sig Romeo5 is out of your price range.

Honorable Mention – Holosun 403B

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Holosun’s 403B is yet another high-quality red dot from the folks at Holosun. A straightforward and reliable optic, the 403B provides shooters with a quality optic that will work, stand up to use, and give its owners hours of quality use.

If you re-read the review about the Romeo5 and replace every instance of Romeo5 with 403B, you’ll know precisely what type of red dot sight the Holosun 403B is and how similar the two red dots are.

The 403B is an incredibly well-performing red dot sight that is equally at home on an AR, pistol caliber carbine, or shotgun.

The Holosun 403B has Shake Awake technology that saves your battery when needed most and contributes to the 50,000-hour battery life. This means you can trust your 403B to wake up when something bumps in the night and you need to call on your optic to help you defend your home.

At the range, the 403B is a solid performer. It holds zero and fits in on any of your budget AR rifles and higher-priced options. The windage and elevation adjustments on the 403B are straightforward, with dials on the top and side and caps protecting the dials.

The 403B comes with two mounts. One is a lower 1/3 co-witness mount and a low mount, allowing you to mount the red dot in the best position.

Overall, it is a compelling choice in the budget red dot market. It is a durable, versatile red dot. Its solid battery life, shake-awake technology, and 12 brightness levels make for a quality feature set in a well-performing red dot.

Honorable Mention – Primary Arms SLx Microdot 25 Gen 2

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Primary Arms SLx Microdot 25 Gen 2 is one in a long line of quality optics from Primary Arms. Coming from Primary Arms, you can have faith that your red dot will be a well-made, solid-performing optic with features you would expect from a red dot in 2023.

The SLx has Auto Live battery-saving technology to help maintain the battery of your red dot when not in use and to ensure it is ready to rock and roll when called upon. It is always convenient to have your optic wake up when you grab your firearm and not fumble with buttons or switches to turn it on.

I am picky about the height of my red dots. The standard riser with the SLx Microdot was a height I liked out of the box, so I didn’t use the included spacers or low riser. That being said, it is nice to have the option to change the mounting of your red dot if you want or need to.

The glass on the SLx Microdot 25 Gen 2 is very clear. I experienced no significant distortions or issues with the optic in any way. However, I found the ACSS-CQB reticle to be cramped.

Compared to the reticle on the Swampfox Raider, I would take the Raider’s reticle every time.

The Primary Arms SLx Microdot 25 Gen 2 is a full-featured red dot with high-quality glass backed by a rock-solid warranty. If you want a red dot, ensure you get the SLx a look.

Check out our full review here for more information!

Honorable Mention – Riton X1 Tactix ARD

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Riton X1 Tactix ARD is a budget red dot sight designed to help all shooters put a solid performing red dot on their AR, shotgun, or pistol caliber carbine.

Priced very competitively, you might worry that the low price means cheap materials and construction, but that is not the case. Riton uses quality 6061-T6 aluminum to make the X1 Tactix ARD.

Riton combined the solid construction with their quality “Riton High Density” glass and Riton Performance Coating to help make a red dot that won’t leave those looking for a good deal wondering why their hard-earned dollars ended up buying a piece of junk.

At the range, the X1 Tactix ARD zeroed quickly, although the windage and elevation dial caps could not be used to adjust the dials, which was a missed opportunity by Riton. Much like the STNGR Axium II, the quick detach mount was an excellent addition to the whole package.

I was disappointed with the brightest setting on the X1 Tactix ARD. It wasn’t dim by any means, but compared to some other red dots on this list, I felt the brightness was lacking in full sun.

The Riton X1 Tactix ARD is a solid entry/budget-level red dot that you can count on.

Best Budget Pistol Red Dot for Micro Compact Pistols – Holosun 407K X2

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Our choice for the best budget red dot sight for micro-compact pistols is the Holosun 407K X2. The 407K X2 is a high-quality red dot that combines quality construction with impressive features, all in a small size, to give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Micro-compact pistols like the Sig P365, Taurus GX4, and Springfield Armory Hellcat have taken the concealed carry world by storm. This has given rise to the need for quality red dots in smaller packages.

The 407K X2 has a small footprint and is lightweight, making it ideal for micro-compact pistols. The small size combines with quality construction to make an optic designed for the rigors of daily concealed carry.

One thing that led me to select the 407K X2 as the best budget micro-compact red dot is how easy it is to acquire your reticle and sight picture. I have shot several smaller red dots over the years, and the 407K X2 made it the most natural to find the reticle.

I am a big proponent of green reticles. My eyes pick green up better than red, and many other shooters feel the same way. In the budget red dot realm, green is much less common than with more expensive red dots. This is a significant advantage for the 407K X2.

The 407K X2 offers a 50,000-hour battery life and has Shake Awake technology. This means your 407K X2 and, consequently, the firearm it is on is ready for use immediately.

For the price, is it hard to knock this optic. It should suit you well with all of your micro-compact needs.

Best “Budget” Version Of Higher Priced Option- C&H Precision Weapons Comp

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Trijicon is one of the heavy hitters in the firearms optics space. Its SRO red dot sight is a high-quality sight many shooters proudly put on their pistols. The cost you pay for that SRO is more than many people pay for their pistol.

C&H Precision Weapons’ Comp is a more affordable alternative to the high-priced SRO. C&H Precision Weapons (CHPWS) created a red dot sight with an impressive feature set, bringing it to the market at a much more affordable price than the SRO. The Comp bears more than a passing resemblance to the SRO.

It isn’t just in the looks department that the Comp resembles its more expensive competitor.  A 50,000-hour battery life, ten brightness settings, shake awake technology, and a large, easy-to-use window make this red dot a winner.

The price of the Comp is not “budget” compared to the other optics on this list, but it is when compared to optics like the Trijicon SRO. If you are in the market for a quality red dot for your pistol and willing to spend a few more dollars, you should check out C&H Precision Weapons’ Comp.

Honorable Mention – Swampfox Sentinel II

Specifications

Pros & Cons

If you need a tough red dot, the Swampfox Sentinel II is it. The Swampfox Sentinel II is a solid optic that feels made to be carried daily, especially if combined with the Swampfox Ironsides Shield.

As soon as I got the Sentinel II out of the box, I was struck by the fact that despite the small size of the optic, it felt like it could be run hard and was up for many challenges. It did not disappoint.

I took the Sentinel to the range and put it through its paces and never once had an issue with it.

The Sentinel is more than just a tough nut; it has a rich feature set. It has a 3 MOA reticle that comes in red or green and has ten brightness settings to help you get the most out of it.

The Sentinel’s 50,000-hour battery life is excellent, and it also has shake awake technology. The 3 MOA dot is crisp, and the clear glass enables the shooter to engage their target effectively.

This is Swampfox’s second reticle on this list, which is no mistake. Swampfox is working hard to produce quality optics for the shooting community and deserves a look if you are in the market for an optic.

Honorable Mention – Crimson Trace RAD Pro

Specifications

Pros & Cons

I had difficulty not naming the Crimson Trace RAD Pro the top pistol red dot. I like this red dot. The clarity of the glass is excellent. The fit and finish is excellent. The dot is bright. Plus, it delivers a ton of versatility.

The size of the RAD Pro is perfect for a Glock 19 or Glock 17-sized pistol. Using 7075 series aluminum means the RAD Pro is 30% stronger than a red dot made using 6061 series aluminum.

The recoil on a gun is not a gentle experience for an optic, so any added strength is always appreciated. Of course, this doesn’t even consider the bumps and knocks a red dot sight on a concealed carry pistol can expect to experience.

The battery life on the RAD Pro is a respectable but unspectacular 20,000 hours. It has ten brightness levels to help the sight work well in low-light and full-daylight conditions.

The RAD Pro quickly zeroed and held zero at the range, as you would expect from a red dot made by a quality manufacturer like Crimson Trace.

The RAD Pro was one of the quicker red dots to acquire and get on target with. It pointed very well, and I became very confident that if the RAD Pro were on my firearm in a self-defense situation, I would be able to get my sights on the target quickly and efficiently.

My one complaint with the RAD Pro is that it uses the CT RAD footprint instead of the more common RMR or RMSc standards found on my aftermarket Glock slides and Taurus GX4.

If you are in the market for a quality red dot for a full-sized pistol like a Glock 17, you should give the Crimson Trace RAD Pro a long, hard look, and I’d suggest you take one home with you.

Honorable Mention – Vortex Venom

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Vortex Venom is a great choice for a Glock 19 or similar-sized pistol. The feature set of the Venom is compelling with a quality housing, lightweight design, large window, and Vortex’s track record for standing by its products with its best-in-the-industry warranty.

The Venom sports a crisp 3 MOA red dot, and the ten brightness settings ensure the reticle is visible in all lighting conditions. Unfortunately, the battery life of the Venom falls short of some of the other optics, with a battery life of around 3,000 hours.

The large window on the Venom is one of its best-selling points. During my time with the Venom, I was able to find the reticle and acquire and engage my targets quickly. One of our most important jobs as a shooter is to place our rounds on target, and the Venom helped me do that.

The Venom is a solid red dot but lacks some features you’ll find on others. However, it sits at a reasonable price point for a quality red dot. Give the Vortex Venom a look if you want a red dot sight for your Glock 19-sized or larger pistol.

Red Dot Choice for Ruger 10/22 – Burris Fastfire 3

Specifications

Pros & Cons

My favorite red dot for the Ruger 10/22 is the Burris Fastfire 3. This is a compact red dot whose size fits nicely on the 10/22 and provides excellent functionality without breaking the bank.

The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most versatile firearms on the market, and it needs a red dot capable of being just as versatile. The Burris Fastfire 3 is the red dot.

I don’t use my 10/22 as a self-defense or home-defense weapon. Instead, it is a utility gun for taking care of small critters that threaten my chickens and orchards or just for a fun afternoon of shooting.

The quality glass helps me quickly identify my target and make ethical shots when needed.

Burris’ reputation for making quality optics combined with the Burris forever warranty gives me the confidence to use the Fastfire 3 all around the farm without worrying about the optic not being up to the task.

The battery life on the Fastfire 3 isn’t as long as on some other red dots, but that isn’t a concern for my uses. The 5,000-hour battery life is plenty, especially with the 8-hour auto-off feature. The Fastfire 3 does not shake awake like some other red dots, but on my 10/22, I don’t need it.

Not every gun needs every bell and whistle to make it functional. The Fastfire 3 is an excellent example of a solid red dot that does what it intends to do without trying to do everything. If you have a use case similar to how I use the Fastfire 3 and my Ruger 10/22, I suggest you give the Fastfire 3 a look.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

One of the keys to selecting the best red dot is getting your hands on them, using them, and seeing what you like and don’t like about each optic.

We at Gun Made know that isn’t a realistic option for everyone, so we endeavored to do it for you. To this end, we have shot these red dots on various firearms in different weather conditions, both inside and outside, and at targets near and far.

This is a curated list based on our experiences and feedback from others. We hope you can use our experiences to help make your decision easier when selecting your red dot.

Ammo Used

A special thanks goes out to Hornady for providing the ammunition we used when testing many of these red dots.

Hornady supports Gun Made and the 2nd Amendment community, so we always show our appreciation when we can.

How To Choose A Budget Red Dot

Reticle Types

A simple dot may be precisely what you are looking for, but you may also want something like a larger circle surrounding the dot to acquire your target quicker.

Many types of reticle shapes and colors are available in the market, so you must decide what you want before purchasing.

Above is a perfect example of different colors and reticle styles. Some optics, like the MRS (multi-reticle system) options from Holosun, even allow you to change which reticle directly from the controls on the optic.

Reticle Size

MOA stands for Minute of Angle, which is a unit of angular measurement. MOA is a term that describes the size of an object at a specific and known distance (typically 100 yards).

For example, many reticles have a 3 MOA dot. This would mean the reticle covers up three inches of your target at 100 yards. A 6 MOA dot would cover six inches of your target.

Other Features to Consider

Aside from the reticles, red dots have a variety of features that help differentiate them. Be sure to compare battery life, brightness levels, automatic on/off features, and window sizes. These are just some of the features you must consider when purchasing a red dot sight.

If we were to go into detail on all of these features, the length of this article would double, and I don’t think any of us want that! If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments, and we’ll try to answer them.

FAQs

Conclusion

Selecting a red dot for your pistol, rifle, shotgun, or pistol-caliber carbine can be daunting. Knowing which manufacturers are making quality products and which are trying to turn a quick dime can feel like a full-time job.

Selecting any red dot off this list will get you a quality product, but several red dots did stand out above the rest. Sig Sauer’s Romeo5 is our best overall budget red dot.

It offers a quality feature set at a price point that is hard to believe. Holosun’s 403B and Swampfox’s Raider Prism Sight are closely behind.

For the best budget pistol red dot, Holosun’s 407K X2 was our top choice. Offerings from CHPWS, Swampfox, and Crimson Trace also stood out for various reasons.

Once you get your red dot, do not assume you are ready to join the next competition you can find.

Training is a must. Get to the range and train with your red dot. If you don’t, you are, at best, just another wanna-be, and at worst, can wind up some bad guys loot drop.

Do you agree or disagree with our list? Have questions? Check us out on our social media pages or drop a comment below.