6 Best Red Dot Sights For AR15

By now, there are numerous red dot sights available in the market, and it becomes challenging to select the ones that are truly worth their price compared to a few highly-rated products.

We have spend years using different types of products, and here are 6 best red dot sights for AR15 based on accuracy, lens clarity, reticle type, build quality, durability and cost.

Remember, the most crucial aspect is choosing what works best for you, not solely relying on biased recommendations. We aim to educate and equip you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed choice. While we can't test every optic on the market, we regularly update our articles as time goes on.

Disclosure: When you purchase products through the affiliate links, you support the website and help us earn a commission.

Aimpoint Micro T2 - Best Durability

The Aimpoint Micro red dot sight stands out as the epitome of durability and weatherproofing for tactical shooting. It's crafted with an ultra-strong 7075 T6 aluminum housing and a robust hard anodized surface, this red dot sight is built to withstand the harshest conditions and recoil forces. Its exceptional ruggedness ensures reliability and longevity, making it a top choice for law enforcement, military personnel, and avid shooters.

When considering the hefty price tag of over $780 for the Aimpoint Micro red dot sight, several factors come into play to justify the investment. Firstly, its unparalleled durability guarantees that it will endure rigorous use and last for years, resulting in long-term savings. The weatherproof design, with a fully sealed housing and an IPX7 rating, ensures reliable performance in rainy, muddy, or even submerged conditions.

Moreover, the Aimpoint Micro offers a level of precision and dependability that enhances shooting accuracy. Its advanced optics, coupled with multiple brightness settings for different lighting conditions, provide optimal visibility and targeting. The red dot sight's shockproof construction retains zero, meaning it maintains sight alignment even during rapid-fire or intense recoil situations, allowing shooters to consistently hit their targets.

Specs

• Magnification - 1X
• Reticle - 2 MOA (most popular)
• Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
• Brightness Settings - 12 settings
• Battery Life - 50,000 hrs
• Construction - 7075 T6
• Eye Relief - Unlimited
• Submersion - IP7
• Body Dimension -3.1" X 1.8" X 1.9"
• Window Size - 1.26" X 0.91"
• Weight - 3.3 oz without mount

Holosun 515GM - Best Overall

The Holosun 515GM red dot sight is often regarded as the closest competitor to Aimpoint products in terms of durability. It offers several features that contribute to its exceptional ruggedness and long-lasting performance.

The Holosun 515GM for AR-15 is also designed to be highly resistant to water, dust, and other environmental elements. It often comes with an IPX7 or IP67 rating, indicating its ability to withstand submersion in water for a certain period without compromising its functionality. This weatherproofing feature allows users to rely on the sight in various weather conditions, including rain and extreme humidity.

Another notable aspect of the Holosun 515GM is its battery life. Many models in the Holosun lineup offer extended battery longevity, some even surpassing the industry standard. This extended battery life ensures that the sight remains operational for extended periods, reducing the need for frequent battery changes and providing increased reliability during critical situations.

Specs

• Magnification - 1X
• Reticle - 2 MOA + 65 MOA Ring
• Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
• Brightness Settings - 10 Days & 2 Night settings
• Battery Life - 50,000 hrs
• Construction - 7075 T6
• Eye Relief - Unlimited
• Submersion - IPX8
• Body Dimension - 2.73" X 1.53" X 1.61"
• Window Size - 1 X 22mm
• Weight - 3.74 oz without mount

Holosun AEMS - Best Compact Size

The Holosun AEMS (Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight) is a compact red dot sight that is a recent addition to Holosun's product lineup. Made from 7075 Aluminum, it features a multi-reticle system, a battery life of 50,000 hours, and weighs 3.9 ounces. The AEMS is smaller than its counterparts, such as the EOTech XP2 and the Holosun 512C, making it a more portable option. 

It offers three reticle options: a single 2 MOA red dot, a dot with a 65 MOA circle surrounding it, and a 65 MOA circle with no center dot. The scalarworks optic mount is the best aftermarket mount for the AEMS so far, if the user prefers a tall mount. The sight operates on a standard CR2032 battery and also has solar functionality. It also features the Shake Awake function, which activates the sight when movement is detected. 

Specs

• Magnification - 1X
• Reticle - 2 MOA + 65 MOA Ring
• Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
• Brightness Settings - 8 Days & 4 Night settings
• Battery Life - 50,000 hrs
• Construction - 7075 T6
• Eye Relief - Unlimited
• Submersion - IPX8
• Body Dimension - 2.2" X 1.54" X 1.7"
• Window Size - 1.1" X 0.87"
• Weight - 3.9 oz 

Holosun 510C - Best Open Emitter

The HoloSun Open Reflex optic is one of the best red dot sights for AR15, offering fast target acquisition with its large CQB 65 MOA reticle circle, perfect for precise close-range shooting. Its unique outer profile gives it a slick look, making it an excellent choice for fast action shooting with pistol caliber carbine and rifle setups.

One of its standout features is the near-infinite battery life, thanks to the solar failsafe technology. This feature ensures you stay in the fight longer without the need to change the battery. It also offers a multi-reticle system, allowing you to cycle through four different reticles at the push of a button, without needing to re-zero.

Additional advantages include an extra lens hood for protection against direct drop impact, and a quick detach mount for easy field adjustments. However, it's worth noting that the open emitter may attract dirt and debris, and there's no mount riser adapter if a taller height is needed. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Holosun Open Reflex optic remains a top choice for AR15 users seeking a reliable, high-performance optic for plinking and competition use.

Specs

• Magnification - 1X
• Reticle - 2 MOA + 65 MOA Ring
• Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
• Brightness Settings - 10 Daylight & 2 Night vision
• Battery Life - 50,000 hrs / 20,000 hrs circle dot
• Construction - Titanium hood
• Eye Relief - Unlimited
• Submersion - IP67
• Body Dimension -3.3" X 1.68" X 1.78"
• Window Size - 1.26" X 0.91"
• Weight - 4.94 oz

Trijicon MRO - Best Field Of View

The Trijicon MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic) is not only a high-performance red dot sight for AR15 but also offers a significant pricing advantage compared to the Aimpoint Micro. It's built with robust 7075 T6 aluminum construction just like the Aimpoint Micro, however, what makes it stand out is the unique tapered field of view (FOV) design that eliminates the tube effect, which makes the field of view much larger. In addition, the top turret design clears up field of view on the left and right of the optic.

If you're looking for a reliable, high-performance red dot sight for your AR15 like the Aimpoint Micro, the Trijicon MRO is a fantastic option to consider.

Specs

• Magnification - 1X
• Reticle - 2 MOA
• Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
• Brightness Settings - 8 Days
• Battery Life - 50,000 hrs
• Construction - 7075 T6
• Eye Relief - Unlimited
• Submersion - IPX8
• Body Dimension - 2.6" X 1.7" X 2"
• Window Size - 1X25
• Weight - 4.1 oz without mount

Sig Sauer ROMEO 5 - Best For The Money

The Sig Sauer ROMEO 5 is a compact, durable red dot sight, perfect for AR15 casual shooters. Its standout feature is the MOTAC system, which extends battery life by activating only when in motion. With a 2 MOA red dot reticle, 8 daylight and 2-night vision settings, it offers clear and precise aim. Lightweight and compatible with aftermarket Aimpoint Micro mounts, it's versatile and comfortable to use. Waterproof and fog-proof, it performs reliably in all conditions. 

One of the standout features of the ROMEO 5 is its MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) system, which extends battery life by powering down the sight when it's not in use and instantly activating it when motion is detected. This means you can expect up to 40,000 hours of battery life from a single CR2032 battery, ensuring your sight is always ready when you need it.

This sight is lightweight, weighing just 5.1 ounces, making it an excellent choice for those who value mobility and comfort. It also comes with a low mount and is compatible with any aftermarket Aimpoint Micro mounts, offering flexibility in how you set up your firearm.

Specs

• Magnification - 1X
• Reticle - 2 MOA Dot
• Adjustment - 0.5 MOA / Click
• Mount Footprint - Aimpoint Micro
• Brightness - 8 DL&2 NV (Features MOTAC motion-activated illumination )
• Battery Life - CR2032, 40000 hours with motion activation
• Construction - 6061 T6 housing + Anodized
• Submersion - IPX7
• Body Dimension - 62.7mm X 38.1mm X 38.6mm
• Window Size - 1X20mm
• Weight - 5.1 oz

AR15 Red Dot Sight Buyer's FAQ

With the overwhelming number of AR15 red dot options available, narrowing down your choices can be hard. The first step is to determine your price range. Buying high quality is always recommended, but it doesn't have to be your first option especially for first time AR15 owners.

Reticles

Red dot sights offer various reticle options, and the best one for you ultimately depends on personal preference. Here are some common reticle types:

• Single Red Dot: A simple, single dot reticle, which can range from 1-6 MOA (Minutes of Angle). 1 and 2 MOA reticles are the best for AR15 applications. 1 MOA is the most precise for long range aim, and 2 MOA is slightly bigger and it's the most popular.
• Circle Red Dot: This reticle features a circle around the center dot, allowing for faster target acquisition but slightly less precision. For AR15 tactical shooting, it's not recommended.
• Multi Red Dot: These reticles consist of multiple dots, often used for range estimation. Such as Holosun's 65 MOA ring reticle that is similar to EOTech's 68 MOA ring

Quality Considerations

For tactical shooting, any red dot sights made with 7075 T6 aluminum with IPX7 or above are highly recommended. In fact, many red dot sights on the market follow this standard.

The same goes for competition rifles where retaining the zero and offer clear glass is very important to hit targets accurately.

Battery Life

For modern red dot sights, the industry standard battery life is 50,000 hours or more. Lower quality red dot sight will die if left on, and they will quit working on the range and cost you a shooting competition match or combat capability.

When you need your AR15, the dot must be on. Therefore buying a red dot sight with 50,000 hours battery life is highly recommended. Motion sensor is great to save battery, but it can lead to issues. Products like the Aimpoint Micro is still one of our top choices.

Mount Heights

There are absolute, lower third and night vision height red dot sight mount heights available. The best optic height is the height where the shooter can comfortably get behind the optic without straining their necks. Every shooter has a different face profile where the cheek and eye distances can vary.

So a tall mount allows for better situational awareness, better rifle presentation, better aim and better accuracy when shooting in improvised positions.