Best Reflex Sight 2021

Modern devices do almost everything for the people, helping in all spheres of their lives, hunting or competitive shooting are not exceptions. Reflex sights are widely used among shooters, because they operate well, providing easy and effective aiming.

Best Reflex Sight - Editor's Choice

The most popular red dot sights are reflex (or reflector), holographic, and prismatic, they all project the reticle but in different ways.

Why do we need a reflex sight?

Due to an LED projection (not laser), shooters see an aiming point onto a lens of the reflector sights. Usually, images are a little bit darker as the lens works like a mirror. One of the main reflex sight benefits is the capability to look through the sight from any positions that don’t influence the aiming point, making focusing much easier, excluding eye aligning, necessary for iron sights. Reflex sight is a good option for many weapons, appropriate for tactical uses, home defense, hunting, general, or an average rifle shooting.

TOP-15 Reflex Sight

ImageProductBrand
Trijicon MRO 1x25mm Reflex Sight w/2.0 MOA Dot ReticleTrijiconBUY
Burris FastFire III Red Dot Reflex SightBurrisBUY
Vortex Razor Red Dot Reflex SightVortexBUY
Burris FastFire II Red Dot Reflex SightBurrisBUY
Holosun HS510C Circle Dot Open Reflex SightHolosunBUY
Meprolight M21 Self-Powered Day & Night Reflex SightMeprolightBUY
Trijicon RMR Dual Illuminated Reflex SightTrijiconBUY
Swampfox Kingslayer 1x22 Micro Pistol Cut Reflex Dot SightSwampfoxBUY
Sightmark Wolverine CSR LQD Reflex SightSightmarkBUY
Trijicon 1x42 Reflex SightTrijiconBUY
Vism SPD Solar Reflex Red Dot SightVismBUY
Meprolight MOR Self-Powered Day-Night Reflex SightMeprolightBUY
Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex SightSightmarkBUY
Leapers Reflex Micro Dot SightLeapersBUY
SightMark Ultra Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex SightSightMarkBUY

#1 Trijicon MRO 1x25mm Reflex Sight w/2.0 MOA Dot Reticle

Trijicon MRO 1x25mm Reflex Sight w/2.0 MOA Dot Reticle

Trijicon offers Reflex Sights with the ambidextrous brightness control dials in 5 models, depending on the attachment types: there are MRO Low, 1/3 Co-Witness, Full Co-Witness mount, 1/3 Co-Witness Mount Quick Release, and sight without attachment. The dial of brightness in the middle “off” position and 8 discernible brightness settings make the mount fast and ergonomic.

What I liked:
  • Night vision compatible;
  • Maximized viewing area is provided by large aperture and tapered light path, even from non-standard shooting positions as well;
  • Convenient size and lightweight;
  • Fully protected hand adjusters always maintain zero;
  • Glass clarity;
  • 5 years Battery Life: continuous use at Day-Setting 3;
  • Waterproof: due to fully sealed hard-anodized, forged 7075-T6 body.
What I didn’t like:
  • Image shift;
  • Lens cap isn’t included;
  • Parallax.
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#2 Burris FastFire III Red Dot Reflex Sight

Burris FastFire III Red Dot Reflex Sight

Burris FastFire III Red Dot Reflex Sight has 3 manual brightness settings with an automatic sensor, fine-tuning regulations of windage and elevation (without any tools). There are 3 models of Burris FastFire III Red Dot Reflex Sight, which are available in black with 3-MOA or 8-MOA dot sizes. Shooters can aim with both open eyes due to 1x magnification, making target acquisition faster. The Reflex Sights come with a Picatinny railing option and all necessary accessories. These reflector sights are compatible with shotguns, AR-15 rifles, handguns, carbines, lever guns, using Burris mounting systems.

What I liked:
  • High-grade optical glass ensures clarity, brightness, and lasting durability;
  • Good accuracy because of parallax-free;
  • Compact and lightweight;
  • Battery access on the sight top, CR1632 battery included;
  • Water- and shockproof (against punishing recoil) design;
  • Forever warranty: repairing or replacement of damaged or defective optics without question.
What I didn’t like:
  • Battery cover sketchy;
  • California’s Proposition 65;
  • Needs a simple on-off dust cover.
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#3 Vortex Razor Red Dot Reflex Sight

Vortex Razor Red Dot Reflex Sight

Vortex Razor Reflex Sight consists of exterior anti-reflection premium wide-field lenses, a one-piece chassis with the scratch-, dirt- and oil-resistant ArmorTek coating with hard anodized finish, equipped with the option of brightness settings.

What I liked:
  • Unlimited Eye Relief improves accuracy and target acquisition quickness;
  • Parallax Free;
  • Comfortable to change battery;
  • Comes with a mount;
  • Red dot is easy to see and has various brightness settings;
  • Housing is waterproof and shock-resistant with a high recoil rating.
What I didn’t like:
  • Tighten Mounting Option Screws;
  • No motion activation;
  • Setting to change elevation needs a supplied hex key, manual knobs would be preferred.
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#4 Burris FastFire II Red Dot Reflex Sight

Burris FastFire II Red Dot Reflex Sight

The Burris FastFire 2 Red Dot Reflex Sight is a non-magnifying, lightweight (2 oz), fully mounted optics with multi-coated glass lenses and unlimited eye relief, in metal body construction with innovative circuitry. The 4MOA red dot reticle ensures maximum visibility independently of light conditions – from dim to bright. This Burris FastFire II Reflex Sight provides a wide field of view, an ability to aim with open eyes, as the aiming dot and target are aligned and in focus for accuracy. The Burris Reflex Sights are suitable for paintball guns, home defense, various types of hunting weapons, for semi-automatic handguns that withstand the abuse of slide mounting.

What I liked:
  • Robust: shrugs off recoil forces up to 1000 G’s;
  • The brightness is automatically adjusted by a target-directed light sensor;
  • Waterproof;
  • Built-in battery saver;
  • Picatinny and Weaver mount;
  • Parallax free at 50 yards;
  • One-year limited warranty.
What I didn’t like:
  • California’s Proposition 65;
  • Dot very small;
  • Have to remove from mount to change battery;
  • Sight adjustment tools can be easily lost.
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#5 Holosun HS510C Circle Dot Open Reflex Sight

Holosun HS510C Circle Dot Open Reflex Sight

The Holosun HS510C Multiple Reticle (3 reticles) Red Dot Sight has 32mm×24mm open lens, a streamlined body with a shock-resistant protective titanium alloy hood. This reflex sight gives a wide sight picture without vision obstruction with push-button controls. The Holosun HS510C Circle Dot Scope is waterproof (1m deep) and sturdy enough for even the heaviest calibers.

What I liked:
  • Motion Sensor with Shake Awake option, staying on till manually turn off;
  • Dual-power supplies: solar cell and high-capacity battery;
  • Quick-release mount;
  • Battery life up to 5 years with advanced LED technology;
  • Parallax free optical design, with unlimited eye relief;
  • CNC machined with T6061-T6 body.
What I didn’t like:
  • Made in China;
  • Auto brightness settings are a bit dim in daylight;
  • Battery change is slow.
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#6 Meprolight M21 Self-Powered Day & Night Reflex Sight

Meprolight M21 Self-Powered Day & Night Reflex Sight

Meprolight M21 Reflex Sight is designed for CQC with protected fiber optic for daytime light gathering and mini self-powered tritium light source for darkness (with an automatic transition between two light systems) to provide fast target acquisition any time. Meprolight Reflex Sight with an armored design for combat use has a large 30mm diameter lens with cutting-edge coatings ensures large FOV.

What I liked:
  • Night vision compatible;
  • Any time ready-to-go: no batteries or switches;
  • Self-illumination regulates environing light;
  • Parallax-free aiming;
  • Works well under all weather and temperature conditions;
  • Prompt-release Picatinny mount remains zero;
  • Sight is black and grey, without white or bright colored fiber optic tubes exposed;
  • Enhances speed and accuracy while shooting under pressure.
What I didn’t like:
  • An amber line is at the top ridge of the tent;
  • Heavy (14.2 oz);
  • The left upper quadrant of the bullseye is fuzzy;
  • Some vertical parallax;
  • Polarizer must be used with weapon light;
  • Reticle washout in certain cases.
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#7 Trijicon RMR Dual Illuminated Reflex Sight

Trijicon RMR Dual Illuminated Reflex Sight

Trijicon Triangle Reticle Reflex Sight body is made of forged 7075-T6 military-grade aluminum alloy, ensuring long-lasting sturdiness. RMR Dual Illuminated Reflex Sight has an option of LED illumination brightness and reticle contrast auto-adjustment in any light condition. True-Color multi-coated lens ensures a wide-band light transmission to minimize color alteration of the target area.

What I liked:
  • In sunlight the fiber optic sighting is awesome;
  • Trijicon Tritium-Phosphor Lamp will last for up to 15 years;
  • No batteries to worry about;
  • Nothing electronic to malfunction;
  • The aiming reticle illuminates in dim light conditions to acquire the target fast;
  • Simply adjustable elevation, no need for special tools (one MOA per one click);
  • The triangle aim point is quick to pick up.
What I didn’t like:
  • Doesn’t work indoors with weapon light, or white wall background;
  • The night illumination is low and requires waiting for the eyes to adapt to night vision.
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#8 Swampfox Kingslayer 1×22 Micro Pistol Cut Reflex Dot Sight

Swampfox Kingslayer 1x22 Micro Pistol Cut Reflex Dot Sight

The main features of Swampfox Kingslayer Reflex Sight are 22-mm lens diameter, 1x magnification, 3-MOA dot size (with range 45 MOA and total 90 MOA), 10 illumination positions, 3,000 hours of Max battery life, and settings of MOA (dial) and brightness with an up-&-down digital finger press.

What I liked:
  • Sharp reticle;
  • Shockproof (up to 800Gs);
  • Scratch-resistant, anti-fog, hydrophobic lens coatings;
  • Waterproof (1 m in deep/ IPX7);
  • Parallax free at 100 yards;
  • Lightweight, 1.3oz with mount;
  • Easily pick-up the green circle with a dot.
What I didn’t like:
  • Buttons are difficult to use with gloves;
  • Screws appear to be a little weak; The middle level is missing in the brightness adjustment;
  • Hardly set from circle to single dot;
  • The optic shuts itself off after 4 hours, and the batteries will not last very long if left on for hours every day.
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#9 Sightmark Wolverine CSR LQD Reflex Sight

Sightmark Wolverine CSR LQD Reflex Sight

Sightmark Wolverine CSR LQD Reflex Sights, powered by a single AA battery, with illuminated reticle, unlimited eye relief, digital switch brightness adjustments (with protected caps), having locking, fast detach mount, fit to shotguns and short-barreled rifles. The CSR LQD Reflex Sights consists of a rubber-armored single-piece 6061-T6 aluminum body, lens with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating. This reflex sight operates at a wide temperature range, consuming low power.

What I liked:
  • Night vision compatible;
  • Lightweight and compact;
  • Fogproof due to the nitrogen purged technology;
  • Regulable mount height for co-witness or lower profile;
  • IP67 waterproof and submersible to 1m/3ft;
  • Shock and dust resistant;
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty.
What I didn’t like:
  • Bulky and obstructs the view;
  • The viewing window is too small and the reticle starbursts.
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#10 Trijicon 1×42 Reflex Sight

Trijicon 1x42 Reflex Sight

Rugged Trijicon reflex sight is produced from cast A356-T6 aluminum, shines bright with tritium and fiber optic illumination at any ambient lighting conditions, operates without batteries or external power sources.

What I liked:
  • Prompt target acquisition and pinpoint accuracy;
  • Realistic color and large sight picture;
  • Both open eyes aiming while shooting;
  • Made in the USA.
What I didn’t like:
  • No single clear dot reticle;
  • No anti-reflective coating on the lens;
  • Low tritium brightness;
  • Poor indoor and overcast dot visibility.
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#11 Vism SPD Solar Reflex Red Dot Sight

Vism SPD Solar Reflex Red Dot Sight

Vism SPD Solar Reflex Sight has unlimited eye relief and 2 MOA Red Dot with 5 levels of brightness. The SPD Solar Reflex Sight operates from a dual power source: the top-mounted solar cell (at enough sunlight Red Dot turns on automatically) or AA battery (included) is necessary for optics usage indoors or at night. The brightness level can be adjusted up or down while powering by the battery. The Red Dot centerline is at 1.5in AR15 elevation.

What I liked:
  • Locking prompt release Picatinny mount;
  • Good solar panel;
  • Easy to set-up;
  • Not heavy;
  • Safe LED for the eyes.
What I didn’t like:
  • Optic fogs up and can stay fogged for 3 days later;
  • The covers are a bit flimsy.
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#12 Meprolight MOR Self-Powered Day-Night Reflex Sight

Meprolight MOR Self-Powered Day-Night Reflex Sight

Meprolight MOR Reflex Sight with 30-mm diameter lens and wide FOV for quick target acquisition can be used for passive reflex any time, and active reflex at special situations with an extra bright LED dot. This red dot optic includes a function of laser designators: red is to sight urban or close quarters, an IR for covert operations.

What I liked:
  • Works under harsh weather and temperature conditions;
  • Completely integrated day and night sighting;
  • Fits different adapters;
  • Operates well at low light;
  • Reticle and clarity;
  • Lightweight and versatile;
  • Remote Switch;
  • Repeatable zero even after changing platforms.
What I didn’t like:
  • Pricey;
  • Weak unpowered amber dot.
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#13 Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight

Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight

Sightmark produced Reflex Sights of durable lightweight aluminum-alloy shell, steel protective shield and lens with scratch-resistant coating, featuring 3 MOA red dot reticle, ambidextrous digital switch for brightness adjustments, 10 reticle brightness levels, height, and windage click regulations.

What I liked:
  • Parallax free lens;
  • Water-resistant and dustproof;
  • Long-lasting battery life;
  • Price is less than other similar style Red Dot optics;
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty.
What I didn’t like:
  • Only 1 (red dot) sight option.
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#14 Leapers Reflex Micro Dot Sight

Leapers Reflex Micro Dot Sight

Leapers used 6061-T6 precision-machined Aluminum with a black matte anodize for Reflex Micro Dot Sight with Green illumination. This 4 MOA Single Dot optic is designed with six Power Intensity adjustments to adapt to the various light or weather conditions. The Leapers developed a function of 1-click illumination memory for the Reflex Sight, standing for saving the last power intensity setting that was utilized before turning the sight off. The Leapers Reflex Sight operates with CR2032 batteries, has unlimited eye relief, low profile Picatinny mounting base, which is compatible with Doctor Footprint.

What I liked:
  • Shock-, fog- and rain-resistance due to the built sight on True Strength Platform;
  • 1 MOA per Click setting;
  • Easy to install and use;
  • Low profile and widescreen.
What I didn’t like:
  • Glass came loose almost immediately;
  • Poor finish;
  • Have to remove the sight from the mount to change the battery.
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#15 SightMark Ultra Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight

SightMark Ultra Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight

SightMark Ultra Shot M-Spec FMS Reflex Sight is a wide-angle lens system with unlimited eye relief, patented integrated sunshade, night vision brightness modes, and parallax correction (beyond 10 yards). The reflex sight features an interlocking setting system, 12-hour automatic shut-off, and turning on-and-off activation for motion sensing.

What I liked:
  • Low battery indicator;
  • Advanced scratch-resistant AR coated lens system;
  • Retractable hood;
  • Circle-dot reticle;
  • Bright and well-made;
  • Deactivated after 5 minutes no movement;
  • Crisp and sharp with astigmatism;
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty.
What I didn’t like:
  • Blurry reticle;
  • No standard QD mount;
  • No quick attachment.
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FAQ

How does a reflex sight work?
Reflector sights work with help of an image-forming curved mirror or a lens, in the focus of which ones are a luminous or reflective overlay image or reticle, creating an optical parallel beam of rays or radiation to project a virtual image of the reticle. So the viewer can see both the field of view and the infinity image at the same time. The reticle is placed with the device in alignment, regardless of the viewer’s eye position, eliminating most sighting errors (such as parallax and others), which can be in the simple sighting apparatus.
Are reflex sights accurate?
Reflector sights work faster and more accurately than iron ones. Comparatively, with a standard variable optic, they feature 0 magnification. The reflex 1x optics are usually more lightweight and shorter than standard scopes. Reflex sights are mostly useful for close and mid-range shooting.
What is the difference between a red dot sight and a reflex sight?
Reflex sights are a type of red dot sight. The red dot allows it easier to acquire the target and to aim with both open eyes, as there is no eye relief. The Reflex sight is different from the red dot sight by its lower cost.
Do reflex sights work at night?
In low light conditions while shooting a red dot can be seen better than a night vision scope.
In complete darkness, it is necessary to combine reflex sights, compatible with a night vision device (NVD), which senses radiation on a wavelength, invisible for the human eye, ensuring a visible green image.
Do the Navy SEALs use reflex sights?
Since 2000 the U.S. military has implemented a red dot sight on the battlefield, the Aimpoint CompM2 (the “M68 Close Combat Optic”). Among the Marines, Navy Seals, and U.S. Army self-illuminating Trijicon scopes and sights approved as the most sophisticated and reliable combat optics into field use.
Which is better reflex or holographic sight?
Reflector sight shows more colors than the holographic sights. A reflex sight differs from a holographic reticle by shapes versatility such as circular shapes, points, crosshairs, etc. The reflex sights have a clean-looking sight, meanwhile, the holographic sight has a huge body along with the pattern, blocking your vision. Reflex for handguns with vertical recoil, holographic for horizontal.

Conclusion

All manufacturers promise that their reflex sights will help the shooter quickly and easily to project on to the target. Apart from reliable optics brands such as: Trijicon, Vortex, Sightmark, Swampfox, there is Holosun (HS510C Circle Dot Open Reflex Sight) that can be denoted among the reviewed goods’ list for its reasonable price with good features (motion sensor with Shake Awake option and dual-power supplies). There are exposed and tube-style reflex sights, the first one allows scope easier and faster. Some of the benefits that reviewers often note are green illumination color, night vision compatibility, parallax-free, quick release mount, and warranty.

Best Picks

  • Trijicon MRO 1x25mm Reflex Sight with 1 x magnification and 25 mm objective lens diameter ensure fast target acquisition and can be mounted on carbines, rifles, and shotguns. A crisp red dot is produced by LED electronics on the advanced lens coatings.
  • Vortex Razor Red Dot Reflex Sight has an XR fully multi-coated proprietary lens for excellent brightness, wide field of view, high edge-to-edge resolution, and always clearly seen red dot reticles.

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