9 Best AR-15 Lasers

The AR-15’s iron sights are great for slinging lead at the range. But in a home defense situation, you need every split-second advantage you can manage. That’s where a laser sight comes in.

A laser is terrible for long-range accuracy, but it’s the fastest, easiest way to put a round on target at short ranges – for example, from one side of a room to the other. In light of that, we’ve put a lot of emphasis on reliability in our reviews of the best AR-15 laser sights.

We’ve also looked at ease of installation, battery life, brightness, and the granddaddy of them all: extra features. Some of these sights also have an integrated LED light, which is helpful in a nighttime home invasion. If you also use your AR for long-range shooting, you may prefer one of the options that are paired with a reflex sight.

9 Best AR-15 Lasers

1. Streamlight TLR-4

The Streamlight TLR-4 LED/Laser Combo is a high quality combo that stays zeroed once you have it set.

Key Features

• 125 lumen LED
• Red laser
• Takes 1 CR2 battery
• Mounts on most styles of rail

The Streamlight TLR-4 LED/Laser Combo sits just between most of the combos on our list and the high priced TLR-2 G. While the TLR-4 is still more expensive than most LED/laser combos, it’s less than half the price of the TLR-2 G. The difference here is threefold: it has a red laser instead of a green one, a 125 lumen LED instead of a 300 lumen, and the body isn’t quite as durable.

That’s not to say that it’s flimsy. It’s just a tad shy of being truly military-grade. That said, it’s still more than tough enough to stand up to home defense use. It mounts one-handed on virtually rail system, just like the TLR-2, and it stays zeroed even after running dozens of full .223 magazines through it. All in all, a solid sight.

Pros

• One-handed mounting and unmounting
• Easy to zero
• Stays zeroed under recoil

Cons

• LED is not very bright
• Expensive

This AR 15 LED/laser combo is a good compromise between the TLR-2 G and budget models.

2. DefendTek

The DT-M2 is a solid entry-level combo unit for nighttime home defense.

Key Features

• 300 lumen LED light
• Red dot laser
• Strobe and steady light modes
• Picatinny rail mount
• Rechargeable light battery
• AG3 battery for laser

The DefendTek DT-M2 is a combination of a 300 lumen LED light and a red dot laser. The LED has two modes: steady and strobe, and is powered by a rechargeable battery. The laser is powered by a non-rechargeable AG3 battery.

The laser is stacked on top of the light, which puts it a bit further off center and makes it harder to zero. The challenge is compounded by finicky adjustment screws that take some serious effort to get just right. The Picatinny mount has a quick release/quick attach feature, which means you won’t need any special tools for mounting.

The light is extremely bright, more than enough to blind and disorient any intruder unlucky enough to be on the business end of your AR. All of this comes in an affordable package, making it attractive for a first-time purchase.

Pros

• Combo unit
• Easy to mount
• Affordable

Cons

• Difficult to zero

This AR 15 sight is accurate enough to put around on target, and the LED will blind anyone on the receiving end.

3. Feyachi

The Feyachi Laser Sight is a budget AR laser that’s easy to use and reasonably accurate.

Key Features

• Red dot laser
• Mounts on both Weaver and Picatinny rails
• Top Weaver rail for more accessories
• Includes batteries and Allen keys
• Takes 3 AG9 batteries

The Feyachi Laser Sight is a red dot that mounts on Weaver or Picatinny rail systems. The top of the sight has a small weaver rail, so you can mount a flashlight on top of it if you so desire. It takes 3 AG9 batteries, which are included with your purchase.

The windage/elevation knob is easy to operate with the Allen key, which is also included. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too easy to adjust. After several shots, you’ll notice that the laser has drifted off center. For this reason, you’ll end up having to re-zero it after each trip to the range.

All of this is acceptable due to both the low price and the ease of operation. There’s a single, large button on the back of the laser for turning it on and off.

Pros

• Easy to zero
• Easy to use on/off button
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Drifts after several shots

This is an entry-level AR 15 sight, but it’s reliable enough to get the job done.

4. Streamlight TLR-2 G

The Streamlight TLR-2 G is a top-tier AR 15 laser/LED combo that’s as reliable as they come.

Key Features

• 300 lumen light
• Green laser
• Anodized aluminum body
• Fits Picatinny, Beretta, 99/TSW, and Glock rails
• Takes 2 CR123A batteries

The Streamlight TLR-2 G is by far the most expensive AR laser on our list, but the high quality justifies the cost. To begin with, it has an anodized aluminum body that’s engineered to military specifications for durability. It’s also a combo kit, with a 300 lumen light.

Unlike most combos, the laser is actually located inside the light, which means that when you zero it in, the light and laser are centered on the same spot.

This laser mounts on a Picatinny rail right out of the box. If you want to switch it between multiple firearms, it comes with spacers for mounting on Beretta, 99/TSW, and Glock polymer rail systems. No matter where you mount it, the one-handed, tool-free mounting system makes it easy to use.

This laser is easy to zero, requiring only a standard screwdriver for horizontal and vertical adjustments. It takes 2 CR123A batteries, which last for 9 hours if you’re just using the laser, or for 1.25 hours if you’re using both the laser and the light.

Pros

• One-handed mounting and unmounting
• Durable
• Easy to zero
• Stays zeroed under recoil

Cons

• Very expensive

This is the best laser light combo for AR-15 users, provided you’re willing to pay for it.

5. Tacticon

The Tacticon Armament Laser/LED Combo is easy to use and takes rechargeable batteries.

Key Features

• 300 lumen LED
• Green laser
• Rechargeable batteries
• Includes Allen key
• Mounts on Weaver and Picatinny rails

It features a green dot laser stacked on top of a 300 lumen LED. 300 lumens isn’t excessively bright, but it’s more than enough to blind a home intruder while you determine whether they’re a threat or whether they’re just your drunk brother in law.

This laser mounts on both Weaver and Picatinny rails, and features a tool-free mounting system that operates with a simple dial. Zeroing it in is simple with the included Allen key. The on/off switch is a wired pressure switch that adheres to your foregrip. Simply press down with your thumb, and it lights up.

The only thing we didn’t like about this combo was the battery compartment. While the rechargeable batteries themselves are a nice feature, the compartment is held shut with a tiny screw that’s easy to cross thread if you’re not careful.

Pros

• Easy to mount/unmount
• Pressure on/off switch
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Batteries are hard to change

This AR 15 laser/LED combo is a solid balance of price and quality.

6. CVLIFE Reflex

The CVLIFE Reflex Sight With Green Laser is easy to use and effective at all ranges.

Key Features

• Four reticle reflex sight
• Red laser
• Button and pressure switch controls
• Mounts on Weaver or Picatinny rails
• Takes 2 CR2032 batteries

The CVLIFE Reflex Sight With Green Laser features a reflex sight with four different reticle settings, and a green laser. Both of them are operated by a single on/off button, or by a pressure switch that mounts on your foregrip. The sight mounts on either Weaver or Picatinny rails, and stays solidly in place even under recoil.

Both the reflex sight and the laser can be zeroed separately. However, the quality of the two is vastly different. You can run magazine after magazine through your AR and the reflex sight will still be dead center. By comparison, the laser starts to drift after unloading a single 30-round magazine.

The sight and laser each take a single CR2032 battery, but the instructions do a poor job of explaining how to insert them, or even how to zero the unit. Still, it’s a good value at a low price.

Pros

• Laser and reflex sight zero separately
• Easy to zero
• Affordable

Cons

• Poor instructions
• Laser doesn’t stay zeroed

This AR 15 sight marries the short range performance of a laser with the long range performance of a reflex sight.

7. TACTICON

The Tacticon Armament is a basic budget laser that’s good enough for home defense.

Key Features

• Red laser
• Mounts on Weaver or Picatinny rails
• Takes 3 AG3 batteries
• Top Weaver rail for extra accessories

The Tacticon Armament Laser Sight is a basic red laser sight that mounts on Weaver or Picatinny rails with equal ease. It has a removable Weaver rail on top, so you can mount a flashlight on it if desired. It operates with a simple push-button, and accepts three AG3 batteries.

This is an inexpensive laser, and you get what you pay for. While it’s easy to zero, the laser will drift after you’ve put several rounds through it, making it ill-suited for range use. The battery contacts are also a bit loose, so it can flicker when you fire your AR. That said, it’s reliable enough if your gun is for home defense.

Pros

• Comes with extra batteries
• Easy to zero
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Doesn’t stay zeroed under recoil
• Can flicker when fired

This isn’t the best laser on the market, but it’s good quality for the price.

8. Crimson Trace CMR

The Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master is well-designed for use on its own or with a standard sight.

Key Features

• Green laser
• Mounts on Weaver or Picatinny rails
• Includes a universal rail adapter kit
• Takes a single 1/3N battery
• Low profile

The Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master is a low profile green laser that mounts on Weaver or Picatinny rails out of the box. If you want to use it with other firearms, you can use the universal rail adapter kit to mount it on virtually any rail system.

The 1/3N battery is difficult to find, but you don’t need to go hunting for one; Crimson Trace provides free batteries for the life of the product.

Because of the low profile, the Crimson Trace is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to use their AR for hunting or sport shooting as well as home defense. Most traditional sights will see over the top of it just fine. It’s also easy to zero, and stays zeroed even after running several magazines through your gun.

While the price for this laser is fairly steep, you get a reliable, durable product that will work perfectly when you need it most.

Pros

• Can be used with a traditional sight
• Easy to zero
• Stays zeroed under recoil
• Free batteries for life

Cons

• Expensive

This is a high quality laser that can easily be used in conjunction with traditional optics.

9. OTW

The OTW is easy to operate and inexpensive.

Key Features

• Red laser
• Mounts on Picatinny rails
• Takes 3 LR44 batteries
• Includes Allen keys

The OTW Red Dot Gun Sight is a basic red laser that doesn’t have a lot of frills. It’s powered by three LR44 batteries, and mounts on Picatinny rails only. The on/off switch consists of two large tabs on either side of the laser, so it’s easy to operate either left or right-handed.

This laser is very easy to zero in, and comes with the Allen keys that are needed for the job. Unfortunately, like many other budget lasers, it just doesn’t stay zeroed after you’ve run a full magazine through your AR. It performs well enough for a home defense situation, but can get frustrating if you try to use it at the shooting range all afternoon.

Pros

• Easy to zero
• Large on/off switch
• Very inexpensive

Cons

• Doesn’t stay zeroed under recoil

This is a budget red dot sight that works as advertised, but isn’t suited for long sessions on the shooting range.

Bottom Line

As you might have noticed, a lot of these sights are marketed for use on a pistol. That should come as no surprise. Pistols are by far the most popular type of firearm for close-range home defense, which is where laser sights really come into their own.

Rest assured, all of these lasers will mount on your AR, provided it’s equipped with a Picatinny rail. Most of them will also mount to a Weaver rail.

The most important thing to do when you buy your AR laser sight is to zero it in at the range. Do this at short range – no longer than 10 yards – and you’ll have it well-tuned for any home defense situation. If your laser is paired with a reflex sight, feel free to zero the reflex at whatever range you like. It won’t affect your laser.

Check out the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for our detailed reviews of AR15 accessories including, the best slings, scopes, cases and bipods.