Best AR-15 Scope

The AR-15, like other ARs, has some of the best iron sights in the wide and wonderful world of firearms, so a lot of users don’t even bother to buy a scope. For home defense, you might not even need one. But if you intend to use your AR for hunting, or for target shooting beyond about 50 yards, you’re going to want a scope.

That’s why we’ve set out to find the best AR-15 scope available. When making our choices, we tried to find the right balance of durability, zoom, eye relief, and price. We’ve also tried to consider mounting hardware, but many of the high-end manufacturers ship their scopes without any. In those cases, you’ll need to buy your own. We’ve noted this whenever it’s an issue.

We’ll start with reflex sights and other short-range gear, and work our way up to premium long-range optics. Let’s get started!

Best AR-15 Scopes

1. Leupold DeltaPoint

The Leupold DeltaPoint is ideal for short to medium-range shooting.

Key features

• 2 reticle styles available
• Motion sensor for automatic shutoff
• Push-button on/off switch

The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight is a high-quality reflex sight that’s available with 2 different reticles. For easier snap shooting at short ranges, there’s a 7.5 MOA delta, and there’s a 2.5 MOA dot for longer range shots. This sight has a shock-resistant anodized aluminum body, and a scratch-resistant diamond-coated lens.

The on/off function is controlled by an easy-to-reach push button on the back of the sight. There’s also a motion sensor, which will automatically turn the reticle off if the gun remains stationary for more than 5 minutes. The battery compartment slides open without the requirement for any tools but is still waterproof.

The only thing we didn’t like about this sight was the fact that it requires Leupold’s Delta Point Pro Cross mounting hardware, which would be fine, except none is included. As a result, you not only have to buy an aftermarket part, but you’re stuck with Leopold’s version.

This is a tough, reliable sight that won’t fail when you need it. It comes with Leupold’s full lifetime guarantee, so you’re covered for any defects whether they show up on day 1 or day 1,001. However, it’s on the expensive side.

Pros

• Shock resistant
• Waterproof
• Scratch-resistant lens
• Full lifetime guarantee

Cons

• Mounting hardware not included
• On the pricier side

If your biggest concern is speed and short-range performance, this is the best tactical scope for AR-15 use.

2. Meprolight

The Meprolight M21 is rugged and comes ready to mount.

Key features

• 5 reticles available
• No batteries required
• Comes with Picatinny rail mount
• 2 quick-release levers

The Meprolight M21 Self-Powered Reflex Sight was designed for military use and is currently the standard-issue sight of the Israeli military. It’s available with five different reticles: 4.5 MOA and 5.5 MOA dots, a bullseye, a triangle, and an X reticle. It’s durable and reliable enough for use in urban combat, so it’s guaranteed to be tough enough for home defense or target shooting.

This sight doesn’t require any batteries. It’s powered by a solar collector in bright light and uses a tritium power supply in low light conditions. The tritium supply lasts for about 10 years. When it finally runs out, Meprolight offers a replacement sight at a cost in exchange for your old sight.

It comes with a Picatinny rail mount that’s easy to install and remove, thanks to the two quick-release levers. By using two levers instead of one, it gives you better stability than standard quick-release setups.

This sight can be used on its own, or you can mount a standard optical sight in front of it for magnification. The only downside is the price, which is a bit steep. It’s worth every penny, though.

Pros

• Durable and reliable
• Easy to install and remove
• Works in all light conditions
• Can be paired with traditional optics

Cons

• Pricey

This is a high-quality reflex sight that never needs a new battery.

3. C-More Railway

The C-More Railway is easy to operate and easy to adjust.

Key features

• Takes a Duracell DL1/3N or Energizer 2L76 battery
• Push-button on/off switch
• Includes Picatinny rail mount

The C-More Railway Red Dot Sight is a simple reflex sight with a 30mm amber lens and a long base that mounts on a Picatinny rail. Because the base is far longer than necessary for the sight, it’s extremely stable, and can stand up to the recoil of dozens of full magazines without getting knocked off-center. The reticle itself is a simple, 2.5 MOA red dot.

There’s no quick-mount option on this sight like you’ll find on some others that come with pre-attached mounts. That said, it’s very easy to adjust once it’s mounted, with standard screws for drop and windage. It’s also easy to operate thanks to the push button on/off switch, which is located just beneath the lens.

Unfortunately, the C-More Railway has a plastic body instead of an aluminum one. We obviously didn’t test it by hitting it with a hammer or anything like that, but we’re concerned about its durability if it gets dropped or knocked against a doorframe. There’s also no battery included, which is an odd choice. You’ll need to supply your own Duracell DL1/3N or Energizer 2L76 battery to power it.

That said, it’s priced lower than most reflex sights, and is more than reliable enough to justify the price.

Pros

• Easy to adjust
• Long, stable base
• Inexpensive for a reflex sight

Cons

• Plastic body
• Battery not included

This is a stable reflex sight that costs less than some comparable setups.

4. AT3 LEOS

The AT3 LEOS With Integrated Laser Sight is an affordable combo unit.

Key features

• Combination red dot and laser sight
• Picatinny mount included
• Takes a CR123A battery

The AT3 LEOS With Integrated Laser Sight is a combination of a standard red dot sight and a laser sight, making it ideal for both home defense – laser – and shooting range – red dot – use. There are two versions available: a red laser and a green laser. The green laser costs a bit more but is more effective in well-lit situations that can make a red laser more difficult to see.

This sight features an anodized aluminum body that’s rugged enough to handle some abuse and includes a Picatinny mount out of the box. Unfortunately, the mount isn’t terribly stable and tends to start loosening up after you’ve run a couple of magazines through your AR.

This shouldn’t be a problem for home defense, where you’re unlikely to need multiple magazines. However, it can be annoying on the shooting range.

That said, we liked everything else about the AT3. It takes a CR123A battery, which is easy to find. Tool-free adjustment allows you to get it zeroed in no time at all, and it comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty on parts and workmanship. All of this comes in an inexpensive package.

Pros

• Anodized aluminum body
• Tool-free adjustment
• Comes with a lifetime warranty
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Comes loose under recoil

This is the best red dot AR scope available if you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck.

5. Xgazer Optics

The XGazer Optics is a durable sight that holds zero well.

Key features

• Adjustable brightness
• Includes Picatinny rail mount
• Takes a CR2032 battery

The XGazer Optics is the most affordable red dot sight on our list, but “most affordable” doesn’t mean “lowest quality”. On the contrary, there’s a lot to like about this sight.

To begin with, the anodized aluminum body is scratch resistant and extremely durable. You can drop it, bang it into a wall, or bump it on a tree, and it will keep on working. It has a built-in Picatinny rail mount that attaches securely to your AR with an Allen key tension screw.

It also features high contrast amber lenses that make target acquisition easier than ever. There’s a large knob on the side that allows you to adjust the dot brightness, so you’ll never have the sun come out from behind a cloud and make your dot disappear.

One thing that disappointed us was the fact that the windage and drop adjustment knobs require an Allen key for adjustment. In these days of removable knob covers and tool-free adjustment, this is a bit of a letdown. On the other hand, it holds zero extremely well, so you should only have to adjust it once.

XGazer offers a 30-day no questions asked guarantee. The worst that happens if you don’t like it is that you’ll get your money back. What do you have to lose?

Pros

• High contrast amber lenses
• Durable anodized aluminum body
• 30-day no questions asked return window
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Needs Allen keys for adjustment

This is a well-made red dot sight that’s affordable enough for any budget.

6. Primary Arms

The Primary Arms 3X is durable, waterproof, and designed specifically for ARs.

Key features

• Designed specifically for 5.56/.223 ammo
• 11 brightness settings
• Includes Picatinny rail mount
• 3X magnification
• Takes a CR2032 battery

The Primary Arms 3X Compact Prism Scope (Gen II) has an anodized aluminum body that’s resistant to dings and scratches. It’s nitrogen purged and waterproof, to guarantee reliability under virtually any circumstances.

It’s also designed specifically for the 5.56 NATO/.223 cartridge, so it should require less effort to zero than most scopes. What little adjustment you will have to do is easy, thanks to the tool-free adjustment knobs.

This scope comes with a Picatinny rail mount, and Primary Arms offers alternate mounts separately if you have a different style rail. The reticle has 11 brightness settings, so it works well in almost any light conditions. Unfortunately, it’s extremely small, which can make it hard to pick up at 3X magnification.

The 3X Compact Prism Scope accepts a CR2032 battery and comes with one already installed and ready to go. The pop-up lens covers keep the amber lenses protected until you’re ready to shoot. Since they’re attached to the scope, they’re impossible to use. Best of all is Primary Arms’ lifetime warranty, which covers not only materials and workmanship, but also damage due to regular wear and tear.

Pros

• Durable
• Easy to adjust
• Waterproof
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Tiny reticle

This is a quality AR 15 scope for a range day or medium-range hunting.

7. Trijicon ACOG

The Trijicon ACOG With Dual Illumination Green ASCC Reticle is a beast of a scope that’s accurate enough to hit a dime at 100 yards or more.

Key features

• 4X magnification
• Doesn’t require batteries
• Includes Picatinny rail mount

The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 Scope With Dual Illumination Green ASCC Reticle is a high-quality scope with an anodized aluminum body that will take whatever you can dish out. The diamond-coated optics are scratch-resistant, clear, and accurate enough to hit virtually any target with pinpoint accuracy.

This scope will mount to any Picatinny rail and has large slotted screws for easy installation. Once you’ve mounted it, you won’t need to use any more tools; the windage and drop adjustment knobs are both operated by hand. The 4x magnification isn’t exceptionally high, but the 32 MOA aperture gives you more visibility than most scopes at that magnification.

The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 features fiber-optic lighting for well-lit scenarios and runs on a 10-year tritium power supply for dimmer applications. It’s extremely stable. Once you’ve got it mounted, it’s going nowhere, no matter how many rounds you run through it.

We’re not gonna lie – you could buy a few guns for what you’ll spend on this sight, but you’ll never need to buy another sight again. Trijicon’s lifetime manufacturer’s warranty guarantees it.

Pros

• Tool-free adjustment
• Diamond-coated optics
• Anodized aluminum body
• Extremely accurate and stable
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• Very expensive

This is one of the highest quality AR-15 hunting scopes that money can buy.

8. Elcan SpecterDR

The Elcan SpecterDR is a dual-purpose scope for reflex or zoomed-in use.

Key features

• Works as both a reflex sight and a 4x sight
• 5 brightness settings
• Pre-set for 5.56/.223 ballistic drop
• Includes a Picatinny rail mount
• Takes a DL 1/3 N battery

The Elcan SpecterDR is a military-grade scope. As a matter of fact, it’s so high quality that the manufacturer is banned by law from shipping it outside the US. This should give you an idea of how the state of the art it is. It has a tough aluminum and carbon fiber body, and diamond coated optics for maximum durability.

The tube is nitrogen purged and sealed for weather resistance and accuracy under any conditions. Elcan also includes a built-in Picatinny rail mount that’s strong enough to stand up to hundreds of rounds worth of recoil without needing to be tightened.

What makes this sight unique is the throw switch on the side that switches it between a 1x reflex sight and a 4x red dot scope. Whether you’re in a home defense situation or shooting a buck from 250 yards, the SpecterDR will get the job done. The DL 1/3 N battery is included and is easy to change.

The reticle includes marks for various ranges, which are set for standard 5.56 NATO/.223 rounds. Your mileage may vary depending on your barrel length and exact load, but you’ll be within a few inches at any reasonable range.

While adjusting for drop is easy, adjusting for windage is more of a challenge; you’ll need a screwdriver. At 1.45 pounds, the SpecterDR is heavier than almost any scope on the market and has a price tag to match.

Pros

• Tough enough for military use
• Waterproof
• Extremely accurate
• Tool-free drop adjustment

Cons

• Heavy
• Requires a screwdriver for windage adjustment
• Very expensive

If you want a military-grade scope, this is the best one on the market.

9. Nikon ProStaff

The Nikon ProStaff is tough, waterproof, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Key features

• ¼ MOA adjustment knobs
• 3-9x zoom
• 40mm objective lens

The Nikon ProStaff Riflescope has a tough anodized aluminum body and a nitrogen-purged body with waterproof rubber O-ring seals. This makes it rugged enough to take into the woods on a hunting trip, even in miserable weather. And speaking of weather, the multi-coated optics gather plenty of light so you won’t suffer a loss of visibility on a cloudy day.

It has taken some flak for not standing up well to hunting rifle recoil. However, that’s not an issue on an AR-15. The .223 has significantly less recoil than a .308, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, and any other traditional .30 caliber hunting cartridge. It will stay zeroed just fine on a .223, even after running several magazines through your gun.

Reticle adjustment is easy, with two tool-free, ¼ MOA knobs. Both knobs have removable covers to keep them protected when they’re not in use. The ProStaff comes with Nikon’s no-fault lifetime guarantee. Not only does this cover defects in manufacturing or workmanship, but it also covers any damage that isn’t due to obvious, intentional abuse.

Like a lot of scopes, you’ll need to buy your own mounting hardware, in this case, 1-inch zee rings. That’s well worth doing since it’s hard to find a quality scope at a price this low.

Pros

• Tool-free adjustment
• Durable
• Waterproof
• No-fault lifetime guarantee
• Affordable

Cons

• 1” mounting hardware not included

This is a well-engineered waterproof scope at a very reasonable price.

10. Vortex Optics

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is extremely rugged and accurate.

Key features

• ¼ MOA adjustment
• 6-18x zoom
• 44mm objective lens

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is a tough scope with a lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum body. The nitrogen purged, waterproof tube provides a clear image under all weather conditions, and the scope gathers plenty of light with the multi-coated, 44mm objective lens. It adjusts from 6x to 18x zoom.

This scope is designed for hunting rifles. It stands up to the recoil of all types of .30 caliber rounds, so your .223 caliber AR won’t knock it off zero no matter how many rounds you run through it.

Getting it zeroed is easy, with tool-free adjustment, and the adjustment dial caps make it impossible to accidentally turn one a quarter turn. Each click of the dial adjusts ¼ MOA, so you’ll be able to drive tacks at 200 yards if that’s what you want to do.

The Vortex Crossfire II comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty on materials and workmanship. It’s relatively affordable, especially considering the quality. That said, you’ll need 1” zee rings to mount it, and they’re not included.

Pros

• Aircraft-grade aluminum body
• Tool-free adjustment
• Nitrogen purged and waterproof
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Affordable

Cons

• 1” mounting hardware not included

This is another affordable AR 15 scope with great visibility.

11. Leupold

The Leupold Mark MOD comes pre-calibrated for 5.56/.223 cartridges.

Key features

• 3-9x magnification
• 40mm objective lens
• ¼ MOA adjustment
• Pre-calibrated for 5.56/.223 cartridges

The Leupold Mark MOD Riflescope has a polymer and aluminum body that provides a good balance between durability and weight. The lenses are sealed with rubber O-rings, making it waterproof. Furthermore, it’s purged with argon/krypton, which is less sensitive to temperature changes than nitrogen and provides better accuracy in extremely warm or cold conditions.

This scope provides anywhere from 3x to 9x magnification. You may have to adjust the windage after mounting it, but the tool-free, ¼ MOA dials make this easy. Provided your AR is chambered for a standard 5.56mm NATO/.223 cartridge, you shouldn’t have to adjust for ballistic drop at all. Just adjust for windage, and you’ll be able to put 10 out of 10 in the 10-ring at any reasonable AR range.

The Mark MOD Riflescope is made in the USA, so you’ll pay more for it than you would for some comparable Chinese-made scopes. You’ll also need to provide your own 1” mounting hardware. On the other hand, your scope will come with Leupold’s lifetime warranty.

Pros

• Polymer and aluminum body
• Tool-free adjustment
• Waterproof
• Argon/krypton purged
• Made in the USA
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• On the pricier side
• 1” mounting hardware not included

This is a well-engineered AR 15 scope that’s ideal for shooting in less than ideal conditions.

12. SWFA SS

The SWFA SS is a quality scope with easy focus adjustment.

Key features

• 0.343 MOA adjustment
• 10x magnification
• 42mm objective lens

The SWFA SS has an aluminum body with a scratch-resistant matte finish. The 42mm lenses are clear and bright, although they’re not multi-coated, so you’ll need to be careful not to scratch them. That said, the tube is waterproof and nitrogen purged so rain and fog won’t cause you any issues with the scope itself.

This scope has a large knob on the back for focus adjustment, which makes it very easy to operate. The zoom is fixed at 10x, with tool-free windage and drop adjustment knobs that are spring-loaded to keep them from accidentally twisting.

This is an affordable scope that gets the job done. But we can’t help but feel disappointed by the adjustments, which are all made in 0.1 milliradians (0.343 MOA) intervals, instead of using a standard MOA measurement. You’ll also need to provide your own 30mm mounting hardware. That said, this is an affordable AR 15 scope, and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Pros

• Large rear focus adjustment
• Tool-free adjustment
• Waterproof
• Affordable

Cons

• 30mm scope mount not included
• Uses milliradians instead of MOA

This is a solid 10x scope that gets the job done at a reasonable price.

13. Primary Arms Gen III

The Primary Arms SFP (Gen III) has an illuminated reticle and pop-up lens caps.

Key features

• 1-6x magnification
• 24mm objective lens
• ½ MOA adjustment
• Illuminated reticle
• Takes CR2032 battery

The Primary Arms SFP Tactical Rifle Scope (Gen III) has an anodized aluminum tube that’s sturdy enough to take a beating out in the field. Combine that with the coated, scratch-resistant optics and waterproof construction, and you’ve got a solid deep woods scope for your AR.

The pop-up lens caps keep your lenses dry up until you’re ready to take your shot, and stay attached so they don’t get lost. The tool-free windage and drop dials adjust in ½ MOA increments, which is less fine than most scopes on the market, even most of the cheaper ones.

This scope adjusts from 1x to 6x magnification. However, the 24mm objective lens doesn’t gather enough light to be useful above 4x. At 5x or 6x, you’ll be looking at a dim, blurry image. Fortunately, 4x is more than enough for hunting at any reasonable AR range.

The illuminated reticles are a nice touch, and function like something between a standard reticle and a red dot sight. The SFP takes a CR2032 battery, which is easy to find at most drug stores. It comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, and is very reasonably priced, as long as you don’t mind buying your own 30mm mounting hardware.

Pros

• Durable
• Waterproof
• Pop-up lens caps
• Tool-free adjustment
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Affordable

Cons

• Too small for higher magnifications
• Only ½ MOA adjustment increments
• 30mm mounting hardware not included

This is an affordable, easy to use AR 15 scope for lower magnifications.

14. Trijicon VCOG

The Trijicon VCOG is the scope any hunter should buy if money is no object.

Key features

• 16 reticle options
• Comes pre-calibrated for a variety of calibers
• ¼ MOA adjustment
• 1-6x magnification
• 24mm objective lens
• Takes 1 AA battery

We’ll just say it. The Trijicon VCOG Riflescope is an absolute monster of a scope. It comes pre-calibrated for .223, with the option for .308 if you also want one for your hunting rifle. It has a total of 16 reticle options, all of which are illuminated by a AA battery. It can be zoomed from 1x to 6x magnification.

The tube is engineered from durable anodized aluminum, and the 24mm objective lens is diamond coated for scratch resistance and maximum light capture. Even at full magnification, your image will be as clear and bright as if you were standing right in front of it. The tube is also waterproof, and argon purged for maximum accuracy in extreme temperatures.

The VCOG is adjustable in ¼ MOA increments and has tool-free dials for ease of use. It also comes with a Picatinny rail, which has a quick release for easy mounting and unmounting. This is by far the most expensive scope we’ve reviewed, but its image quality is unparalleled if you’ve got money to burn.

Pros

• Extremely durable
• Waterproof
• Tool-free adjustment
• Very bright imaging
• Illuminated crosshairs
• Picatinny rail mount included

Cons

• Very expensive

This isn’t just the Cadillac of AR scopes, it’s the Rolls-Royce of all rifle scopes.

15. Bushnell AR Optics

The Bushnell BTR-1 BDC was designed specifically for ARs.

Key features

• 1-4x magnification
• 24mm objective lens
• 0.1 millirad (0.343 MOA) adjustments
• Illuminated reticle
• Takes 1 CR2032 battery

The Bushnell BTR-1 BDC Riflescope comes pre-calibrated for 5.56 NATO/.223 cartridges. As a result, you won’t have to do much adjustment for ballistic drop, only for windage. Adjustment is easy, thanks to the large, tool-free adjustment knobs. However, they adjust in millirads, not MOA, which can be frustrating if you’re used to adjusting in MOA.

The multi-coated optics are scratch-resistant and gather plenty of light even at full 4x magnification. Throw in an illuminated reticle, and you’ve got an AR scope that’s ideal for the low-light conditions you’ll encounter during an early morning deer hunt.

This is a very affordable AR hunting scope, especially considering the quality. The only thing it doesn’t come with is 30mm mounting hardware, which you’ll need to buy separately.

Pros

• Pre-calibrated for 5.56/.223
• Multi-coated optics
• Tool-free adjustment
• Affordable

Cons

• 30mm mounting hardware not included
• Uses milliradians instead of MOA

This is a quality AR scope with an illuminated reticle and good low-light performance.

Bottom Line

The nice thing about the AR-15 is that it’s incredibly modular. No matter what kind of rail system you want, odds are that you’ve already got it. The downside of the AR-15 is that every single one is unique, so it’s hard to make an AR-15 scope that’s the best for everyone.

When making your decision, you’ll need to consider what you actually use your AR for. If it’s a home defense gun, a reflex or laser sight is going to be your best choice, since speed and short-range performance is a must in those situations. If it’s for hunting or target shooting, consider a traditional optical scope, since those are more accurate at the range.

Check out the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert AR15 reviews including slings, lasers, cases and bipods!