Red dot sights and similar holographic sights are simple optics without magnification that gives players an aim point in the form of an illuminated reticle, mostly red or green dot. Designed to be used at closer ranges, they allow faster target acquisition and shot adjustment. While they aren’t the essential piece of airsoft equipment they also have some benefits. But before purchasing one, we recommend that you read our previous article to determine is red dot sight right type of airsoft optics for you.
In today’s article, we bring you a list of best affordable airsoft red dot sights together with a buying guide.
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Best Airsoft Red Dot Sights (Without Breaking The Bank)
As we said in our previous article you can use real steel optics on airsoft replicas but as they are really, really expensive I’m advising against it because in my humble opinion it doesn’t make sense to spend as much or even more money on optic as on the gun. So without further ado, we bring you the best airsoft red dot sights you can purchase without breaking the bank.
Primary Arms Classic Series Gen II Removable Microdot Red Dot Sight (MD-RBGII)
Although their products are made in China Primary Arms have rigorous quality control as their products are used on real firearms. The same goes for this red dot sight which is actually built for real steel rifles but with the price that is almost on par with mid-to-high-end airsoft optics. Primary Arms make some good, solid optics that can withstand most anything airsoft can put out so you can use this red dot sight even on GBB guns and you don’t have anything to worry about.
This well-build, durable, and waterproof red dot sight by Primary Arms is our number 1 choice, especially under the $100 range.
Primary Arms Classic Series Gen II Removable Microdot Red Dot Sight is a second-generation model that is still affordable for most players while retaining excellent quality and durability. For less than $100 this is a high-quality sight that comes with a removable Picatinny rail mount so you can attach it to your airsoft replica right out of the box. The mount is removable so you can use riser mounts instead. The zero of the dot is easily adjustable with the 1 MOA audible click adjustments. This parallax corrected red dot sight features the multi-coated anti-reflective lens and 11 brightness settings which can be adjusted with the knob on the right side of the optic. So it’s pretty effective during a bright day or at night and is even compatible with night vision equipment. The 2 MOA red dot is really crisp and the glass and electronic internals are covered by a durable waterproof and fog-proof aluminum housing.
Primary Arms Classic Series Microdot Red Dot Sight has long battery life. It is powered by a single Cr2032 battery, that is stored inside adjustment knob, with an estimated battery life of 1000 hours. Although it doesn’t offer dual illumination or different reticles like some other options, this red dot sight by Primary Arms is our number 1 choice, especially under $100 range. Some users reported that this optic doesn’t work in really low temperatures (below zero) which I can’t confirm as I never used it in such conditions.
Features:
- Durable aluminum body
- Removable Picatinny rail mount
- Fully multi-coated anti-reflective lenses
- Crisp 2 MOA red dot
- 11 Illumination settings for bright days and night vision compatible
- Waterproof to 6ft. with turret caps on
- Water-resistant with turret caps off
- Fog resistant
- Battery included (1x CR2032 Lithium 3v Battery)
- Approx. 1,000 hour battery life at medium setting
- Compatible with standard micro mounts and gives stated co-witness
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Absence of parallax shift past 33 yards
- Bikini lens cover included
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Lancer Tactical Red/Green Dot Sight with Riser Mount (CA-407B)
This sturdy and light non-magnified aluminum red dot sight from Lancer Tactical is a very good choice for the tactical optic. It is designed for fast and easy target acquisition. It is a mini tube sight that can be mounted on any Picatinny or Weaver rail systems but also comes with a 1″ riser mount that benefits players that are playing with a mask. It is parallax corrected to provide great eye relief and is powered by a single Cr2032 battery which is included in the package. This 1.6″ inch long red dot sight features both red and green dots that are available in six different brightness levels. The dot can be adjusted for windage and elevation via adjustment knobs. The objective lens diameter is 20mm. The dot is very clear and bright which is important because the brighter the dot, the easier it is to use the red dot sight during the day. This Lancer Tactical red dot sight provides very good value for the money.
Features:
- High-Grade Aluminum construction
- Red/Green Dot (Red or Green illumination)
- Adjustable 6 Level brightness intensity
- Non-Magnified
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Attaches to any Picatinny or Weaver rail systems
- Parallax corrected
- Unlimited Eye Relief
- Riser Mount included
- Battery included (1x CR2032 Lithium 3v Battery)
- 20mm Objective lens diameter
- 22mm Objective aperture
- Fast and easy target acquisition
- Length 1.6″ in.
- SKU: CA-407B
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You can purchase Lancer Tactical Red/Green Dot Sight with Riser Mount on Airsoft megastore or Airsoft station.
Aim Sports Dual Illumination (Red/Green) Sight, Operator Edition (RT4-OE1)
Made by Aim Sports this is a non-magnified aluminum red dot reflex sight which gives you a wide range of visibility. It offers three different brightness levels and four different reticles (dot, cross, a bullseye, and a starburst) that are available in red or green color. Reticles can be changed by turning the knob at the back of the sight. With an aircraft-grade aluminum body, this sight is built to withstand intense recoil. It features an anti-reflection coated lens, fog proof and shock-resistant housing, and an integrated Picatinny/Weaver mounting system. It is parallax corrected and provides unlimited eye relief for quick target acquisition. It is powered by a single Cr2032 battery which is included in the package together with a protective lens cover when you’re not using the sight. It is a well-made, durable, and easy to use red dot sight and a good value for the money.
Features:
- Dual illuminated (red/green illumination) with adjustable brightness settings
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Adjustable 3 brightness levels
- Four different reticles (dot, cross, a bullseye, and a starburst)
- Non-Magnified
- Anti-reflection coating on the target side
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Water & Shock resistant
- Battery included (1x CR2032 Lithium 3v Battery)
- Parallax corrected
- Unlimited Eye Relief
- Attaches to any Picatinny or Weaver rail systems
- Excellent for rapid-fire and fast target acquisition
- Fog proof and shock-resistant housing
- Objective Aperture: 24 x 34
- Click value @ 100 yards: 1 MOA
- Dot size: 3 MOA
- Includes protective lens cover
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You can purchase Aim Sports Dual Illumination dot sight on Airsoft megastore, Evike or Airsoft station.
RioRand Tactical 4 Reticle Red Dot Open Reflex Sight with Weaver-Picatinny Rail Mount for 22mm (RR-RG-DS-TR)
This non-magnified red dot sight from RioRand is parallax corrected and offers unlimited eye relief. Powered by a single CR2032 battery, this aluminum tubeless open reflex sight is 3.25-inch long and it will fit any airsoft replica that has a 22mm Picatinny or Weaver rail. It features adjustable brightness (5 levels), coated lens, and four different reticles that are available in red or green color. Reticles are clear, and the selector switch can be easily used even with gloves. The red dot is good but the green dot is brighter and easier to see which makes it more usable during the day. The dot can be adjusted for windage and elevation with a locking screw and the sight comes with rubber cover to protect the lens when not in use.
While it doesn’t offer a superb quality or performance, it is a well-built red dot sight especially in its a price range. It’s easy to use, has a good battery life and with 5 levels of brightness, you can easily adjust it so it works just fine in regular daylight. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on red dot sight, this sight from RioRand is a good budget option.
Features:
- Aluminum body
- Non-Magnified
- Parallax corrected
- Unlimited eye-relief
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Built-in Picatinny mount base for easy sight remounting
- Dual illumination (green, red)
- Four different reticles (Circle dot, cross, 10 MOA, and 3 MOA)
- Dot size: 3 MOA
- 24-by-34-millimeter objective diameter
- One MOA click value
- Ruby lens coating
- Length 3.25-inch
- Integrated weaver-style mount
- Adjustable brightness (5 levels)
- Battery included (1x CR2032 Lithium 3v Battery)
- Tubeless Open Reflex Design
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You can purchase RioRand Tactical 4 Reticle Red Dot Open Reflex Sight on Amazon.
RioRand Tactical Reflex Red Green Dot Sight Scope w/ Dual High / Low Profile Rail Mounts
One more solid sight from RioRand, this one is a tube red dot sight that offers dual illumination so you can choose between red or green dot color. Powered by a single CR2032 battery, this aluminum RioRand sight has decent battery life. It will fit any airsoft replica that has a 20mm Picatinny or Weaver rail. It features both red and green dots, adjustable brightness settings (5 levels), and adjustable windage and elevation. Windage and elevation adjustments are located at the top and on the side of the sight. Comes with riser mount, which will benefit players that are playing with a mask, lens cover, and single CR2032 battery. This dust-proof, weatherproof, and shockproof is one more good budget option from RioRand. The same we said about RioRand’s reflex red dot sight applies here – while the red dot is good, it may be less visible during the day so in that case, it’s better to use the green dot which is brighter and easier to see.
It is a solid red dot sight, especially in its price range. The dot is not super clear and the riser isn’t exactly high-quality but this sight is easy to use, has a decent battery life and with 5 levels of brightness, you can easily adjust it so it works ok in regular daylight. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on red dot sight, this sight from RioRand is one more good budget option. Just don’t expect too much.
Features:
- Aluminum body
- Non-Magnified
- Unlimited eye-relief
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Build-in low profile mount for 20mm Picatinny or Weaver rails
- Dual illumination (green, red)
- Adjustable brightness (5 levels)
- Dot size: 5 MOA
- Aperture 22 mm
- Length 2.55″
- Dust-proof
- Weatherproof
- Shockproof
- Battery included (1x CR2032 Lithium 3v Battery)
- Riser Mount included
- Lens covers included
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You can purchase RioRand Tactical Reflex Red Green Dot Sight on Amazon.
Ohuhu Red Green Dot Gun Sight Scope Reflex Sight with 4 Reticles (OH-RG-SC)
This is the cheapest red dot sight on our list. And actually a pretty solid one. Look, don’t expect miracles. It’s under $20. But with such low price, it’s a solid performer. It comes with four different reticles which can be adjusted with reticle selector knob on the backside of the sight. It also features dual illumination so you can choose between red or green dot, Allen head screw type windage and elevation click adjustments, and unlimited eye-relief. Ohuhu red dot sight is parallax corrected and has a 33mm reflex lens aperture that provides a wide field of view.
This one has some problems. The reticle is actually a little blurry, dot color and size adjustment knob on top of the sight is actually a little rough and it doesn’t hold zero too well. But it is waterproof, shockproof, compact, and lightweight sight with decent battery life, and some nice customization options. If you’re a hardcore airsoft player this sight will probably not satisfy you. But if you’re a beginner or casual player, this budget sight from Ohuhu is a good choice.
Features:
- Four different reticles
- Four different dot sizes
- Parallax corrected
- Unlimited eye-relief
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Non-Magnified
- Built-in mount for standard bases
- Dual illumination (green, red)
- Aperture 33mm
- Length 82mm
- Waterproof
- Shockproof
- Battery included (1x CR2032 Lithium 3v Battery)
- Rubber lens Cap Cove included
- Cleaning cloth included
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Best Airsoft Red Dot Sights (If Price Is Not The Problem)
And as we said before, there are also some much better and serious real steel options than the sights mentioned above but they are also much more expensive. But if the price is not the problem and you’re interested in getting something much more serious, you can check some of the following options.
Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II – 2 MOA Dot
EOTECH Holographic Weapon Sight
Airsoft Red Dot Sight Buying Guide
When buying a red dot sight there are a couple of things you should look for. To make things easier for you, we bring you this buying guide. First, you’ll want a red dot sight with a solid construction but that is not too heavy or big, a nice bright dot that can be adjusted for windage and elevation and one that has a limited parallax.
Construction
While recoil on airsoft replicas isn’t the problem for red dot sights like in real firearms, you’ll still want a red dot sight with solid construction to avoid damage from drops and bumps. There are a lot of flimsy, low-grade options out there and you don’t want that kind of sight. Get one with a durable and rugged body. Also, check the knobs, lens and buttons. Knobs and buttons shouldn’t be loose and make sure that elevation and windage knobs are working without problems.
Dimensions and weight
As we said in our previous article, there are different types of red dot sights, and they come in different sizes and weights. Bigger sights can be bulkier but also tougher while small sights can be more agile and weight less but are also more fragile. You don’t want something too heavy or too big which doesn’t mean that smaller and lighter sights are better by default. You should pick a sight you are comfortable with – a sight that doesn’t add noticeable weight to your replica and a sight that is not too big to obscure the view.
Battery life
Red dot and holo sights are powered by batteries. When purchasing a red dot sight check the battery life as you don’t want to switch batteries often, especially when you are on the battlefield. Some manufacturers provide rechargeable batteries for their sights and if you are a frequent player who uses red dot sight a lot, maybe this is the best option for you. If you use every now and then, then you can get a sight with disposable batteries.
Dot quality and brightness
The dot is of course maybe the most important thing on this device. You don’t want a blurred dot or one that is not bright enough. You want your dot to be super clear and crisp. Also, the brighter the reticle, the easier it is to use the red dot sight during the day. Most red dot sights are highly visible in indoor environments.
Lens
Lenses on red dot sights come in different sizes ranging from 32mm, 33mm, 43mm, etc. The wider your lens is, the wider is FOV or Field Of View. Get a sight with a multi-coated and anti-reflective lens.
Features and accessories
Besides everything we mentioned, there are a couple of extra useful features you should look for when buying red dot sight. Many sights provide dual illumination (red and green) and multiple brightness settings so you can easily adjust it to serve your needs. If the red dot is not visible enough in some conditions just change it to a green dot. If the dot is not bright enough, just adjust the brightness level. Some sights have multiple pattern options for your reticle besides the dot, like circles, or crosshairs. Some have a rechargeable battery, lens covers, and so on. Some are waterproof and shockproof.
Like with any other product, make sure you get a device that gives you the most for your money.
Warranty
Maybe you don’t care much about the warranty but your red dot sight can easily stop working or even get damaged. Many of them are really cheap, but if you get some more expensive option then it would be a shame if it stops working and you have to spend your hard-earned money to purchase a new one. So pick a sight from the manufacturer that offers a decent warranty and other benefits like refunds against damages, replacements, and repairs.
Summary
As you can see there are a couple of pretty good and affordable red dot sights. While red dot sights aren’t the essential piece of airsoft equipment they can help you on the battlefield as they give you faster target acquisition than using iron sights. Also, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a decent red dot sight. While there are some much better real steel options than sights mentioned in this article they are much more expensive, and some of them can cost almost 10x more than your airsoft replica. But if you’re really interested in getting something much more serious, you can check Vortex Crossfire, Trijicon ACOG, or EOTECH Holographic Weapon Sight.
We hope that you found this article helpful and if you have some additional questions feel free to contact us via the contact form or send us an email and we’ll be glad to help you.
