It’s time to get an optic for your gun. But getting something like an Aimpoint, a Trijicon, or an EOTech is going to be expensive.
So you think…”I’ll go cheaper.”
But then you hit the internet and start hearing that cheap optics are all garbage.
So you get the optics blues. You can’t sell any of your guns, that would be a travesty. And you find out selling a kidney isn’t exactly legal — so you just don’t know what to do.
Well, you’re in luck. Were going to separate fact from fiction in terms of internet forums, and create a non-exhaustive list of a few affordable, but high-quality optics you can pick up to outfit your rifle, pistol, or shotgun without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
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THE QUICK LIST
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Best Affordable Pistol Dot
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Best Budget LPVO
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Best Budget Red Dot
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Best Budget Long-Range Scope
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Best Budget Prism Sight
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Best Budget Hunting Scope
Cheap vs. Affordable
The internet notion that cheap optics are crap is rooted in some truth. For a long time, the optics world was dominated by a handful of companies and many other options were substandard imported goods.
However, manufacturing and design processes have gotten infinitely better, and the optics landscape now is nowhere near what it was even ten years ago.
Another problem is these internet commandos often lump anything that is under $1,000 or isn’t used by the military in the “crap” camp. This is where they are wrong.
There is a big difference between cheap and affordable. Affordable doesn’t mean bad; affordable is often a compromise that delivers an optic that works well and will last but without some of the features higher-end optics may have.
Best Affordable Optics
For those of you on a budget that don’t want to sacrifice quality, we have compiled a list of solid, affordable optics for various platforms to help you get pointed in the right direction for your next build.
1. Holosun HS407C-X2
Red dots on pistols is the new meta. Many people are making the switch from irons, and a ton of companies are ensuring they have optics-ready pistols for this growing market segment.
So naturally, if more people are shooting on pistol dots, more companies are going to make them, which means more competition. This competition has brought us a clear leader of the pack — Holosun.
Known for their affordable, feature-packed, and quality optics, Holosun is dominating the pistol dot market. This is partly thanks to the HS407C, which is their attractively priced entry-level pistol reflex sight.
But don’t let the price fool you, the 407C is packed with features like shake-awake technology that automatically turns the dot on once it senses movement and a solar failsafe to ensure your sight still works even if your battery doesn’t.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Aside from those awesome features, you get a whopping 50,000-hour battery life on medium brightness settings, along with clear glass and a 2 MOA dot that is available in either red or green.
For those looking for sight with a smaller footprint to fit their micro-compact guns, Holosun offers the 407K, which is available with a 6 MOA dot, and has all the same features with the exception of the solar failsafe.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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If you want a solid dot for your pistol at a solid price, look no further than the 407.
2. Sig Tango MSR 1-6x24mm
Like pistol dots, LPVOs (Low Power Variable Optics), have enjoyed widespread popularity in the last 10 years.
This is largely due to their flexibility of being able to be used as a close-range combat optic at 1 power (unmagnified) while being able to extend the shooter’s range by offering 6, 8, and even 10 times magnification.
Due to their nature, LPVOs are a natural fit for the AR platform, which means there is a huge market out there.
Fortunately, there are a ton of good options for budget LPVOs on the market. Scopes like the Vortex Strike Eagle, Burris RT-6, and Primary Arms SLx are all excellent, affordable options, but the reason we picked the Sig Tango MSR 1-6 is price.
While all of those scopes are relatively close in price, at $299-330, the Tango already comes with a good mount and throw lever. Not having to shell out another $40-100 for a scope mount can help open up some cash for other things like slings and magazines if you are on a budget.
The Tango 1-6 offers good class clarity that is on par with its competitors, as well as a decent eyebox and an illuminated reticle.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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These are great optics for those looking to toss something on a do-it-all AR build without digging too deep into their wallet.
3. Sig Romeo5
This is it, the undisputed king of budget optics and the savior of reasonably-priced AR builds nationwide — the Sig Romeo5.
Why is this little guy so popular, you ask? Well, you get a 2 MOA dot with good clarity, durable housing, shake-awake technology, and a decent mount — all for right around $100.
That’s right, the Romeo5 fluctuates between $99 and $130 most of the time, with it frequently going on sale. For a standard red dot to go on your AR, PCC, or anything else, the Romeo5 is just unbeatable at the price point.
Bear in mind that there are versions that only include a high mount and ones that have both high and low mounts for co witnessing, so be sure to double-check.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Not sold yet? Check out our 4-year ongoing review of the Romeo5!
4. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24x50mm
Long-range shooting can be daunting to get into, especially if you don’t want to throw down stacks of cash.
Forums will tell you that you need to spend the price of a used car just to get a decent setup, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you have a gun and you want to stretch its legs out a bit, the Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24x50mm is worth taking a look at.
These scopes offer a hefty level of magnification, but more importantly, they feature a 30mm main tube and a 50mm objective. This means you are going to be bringing in enough light to make all of that magnification useable while also extending your ability to shoot during twilight hours.
Additionally, you get a well-thought-out illuminated reticle that is available in both MOA or MRAD configurations. While you may not win a PRS competition with this guy, the glass clarity is pretty good, given the price.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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To top everything off, you get Vortex’s amazing unconditional, transferrable, no-questions-asked VIP lifetime warranty. All of this comes in at a reasonable price of around $350-400.
5. Primary Arms SLx 3x MicroPrism
Primary Arms is another company that has come on strong in the last few years. Their notable products include their awesome LPVOs, their ACSS reticle designs, and their excellent prism scopes.
Prism scopes offer a fixed magnification in a compact package with more durability due to fewer moving parts. The reticles are etched, meaning if your batteries fail, you just lose illumination, but you still have a useable reticle. Oh, and they are great for people who have an astigmatism!
You could say that Primary Arms are the champions of prism scopes, and they are constantly developing and improving their lineup, with the SLx 3x MicroPrism being our current favorite.
These sights offer a good level of magnification that still allows for close-range work while helping you out at distance. At only 8 ounces, these compact and lightweight sights help keep your build streamlined.
The ACSS reticle is excellent, and they offer both 5.56/.308 reticles, and 7.62×39/.300 BLK reticles to ensure ranging targets is easy regardless of caliber. Both red and green illumination are available.
At $319, those looking for something a little more than a red dot but not as bulky as an LPVO might find what they are looking for in the SLx MicroPrism.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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You can check out our hands-on review here!
6. Burris Fullfield IV 2.5-10x42mm
So you got invited to go out hunting this season and need to get a decent rifle and scope setup on a budget, but one that ensures you won’t miss that important shot.
Enter the Burris Fullfield IV.
Burris has been making quality scopes since 1972, but they still fly under the radar for a lot of folks.
Their Fullfield lineup provides excellent glass clarity at an amazing price point. Multi-coated lenses also provide good color distinction when looking for animals amongst foliage.
We picked the 2.5-10x42mm because it has you covered for most standard hunting ranges. Scopes pull in more light when they are at lower magnification, so being able to dip down to 2.5 power can really help you grab that light during dawn and dusk hours.
This scope is available with a standard Plex reticle and both illuminated and non-illuminated Ballistic E3 reticles.
Although it is only a 1″ main tube, the 42mm objective, lower power, and edge-to-edge clarity still make this an excellent choice for hunters looking for a sleek setup on a budget.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Oh, and worth mentioning, Burris has their no-questions-asked, unlimited lifetime Forever Warranty. So if anything goes wrong, whether you are the first or fifth owner, they have you covered. Not bad for a scope coming in around $200.
7. Holosun HS510C
Once again, Holosun makes the list with their outstanding HS510C reflex sight.
Plain red dots are great and all, but sometimes you want a bigger viewing window and a more robust reticle.
The 510C has both of those. Its generous viewing window, combined with its circle-and-dot reticle, makes for a quick and easy-to-pick-up sight picture.
Don’t like being locked into one reticle option? Good news — the 510C allows users to cycle between the circle-and-dot, dot-only, or circle-only reticles, allowing for more flexibility.
Many people with astigmatisms have noted that the 510C reticle is notably crisper than many other sights, but as always, your mileage may vary.
Like many of the other Holosun products, the 510C boasts the same 50,000-hour battery life on the medium dot-only setting, shake-awake technology, and a solar failsafe.
An integrated quick-detach mount and a titanium protective hood ensure both easy mounting and long-term durability.
Coming in around the $300 dollar mark, give or take, the 510C is a great alternative for those who don’t want to shell out the big bucks for an EOTech.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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This one is a favorite among our staff, so be sure to check out our hands-on review!
Final Thoughts
Choosing an optic is always a little tricky, especially when choosing affordable optics. You just need to remember to identify your needs first and determine if an affordable optic can fill that role.
Sometimes it won’t be possible, but unless you need a weapon for duty use, it’s most likely it will work just fine. Remember cheap and affordable aren’t the same!
Do you have any experience with any of the optics we listed? Are there any go-to affordable optics that you like? Let us know in the comments below! Need to outfit your build some more? Check out our article on the 6 Best Budget Weapon Lights!
48 Leave a Reply
I have enjoyed this review. I am running 2 Leupold VX Freedom LVPOs 30mm tubes 1.5x4x20 illuminated 1 is a Milling reticle 1 is a MOA reticle. My midrange is not a variable, Leupold FX 6X42 with their LR Reticle, great no frills scope. My long range scope is a Leupold VX 6, 2x12x44. My red dot is a Burris FF3 in their AR mount that COs with my BUIS. No shake awake
Ruger ReadyDot - costs $100, mounts on the Ruger Max 9 (and other guns), and co-witnesses with the iron sights. No battery, no electronics, all fiber-optics.
I shot a Max 9 with a ReadyDot mounted on it. I found that if I lined up the ready dot with the green dot on the front sight, and then lined up both dots with the rear sight, I hit the target every time at about 20 yards. Lining up all three items (the two dots and the rear sight) greatly improves the accuracy and lets you home right in on the target.
I shot another red dot once, on a different gun. It was basically a red dot in a "big" sight window. I couldn't figure out exactly where to put the dot in the sight window in order to hit the target.
What about Bushnell TRS 26?
Gus, for my money the old Bushnell TRS-25 was the original king of cheap, functional optics. The TRS-26 is a solid follow-up and a good sight, but the Romeo5 is a bit cheaper in most cases and the shake-awake makes it beat out the TRS for me.
Leapers has come a long way in 20 years. David Ding, is a former SWAT operator and has high standards for himself and his products. They have a wide range of optics and reticles... But does anyone have patrol/duty experience with Leapers' optics?
I have used Burris optics and mounts on most of my personal guns and HIGHLY recommended their Signature rings for my customers! I have never had a Burris product that had to be returned for warranty. The Signature rings will NEVER damage a scope tube, and they hold like a crocodile. I use them on almost every custom gun I build! Never have to lap rings! The P.E.P.R mount is also an extremely fine mount. For the dollar spent, Burris Quality is very high!
Their warranty is awesome, but like you, I have never had to use it due to their quality. Burris makes some fine products and I probably could have filled half of the list with stuff from them.
One correction, the Holosun HS407K X2 is only available in 6 MOA (not available in 2 MOA). Great article nonetheless.
Great catch, Mark! Sometimes the reticle/model number combos meld together when it comes to Holosun. It is like trying to keep the Mercedes-Benz lineup memorized.
Not even an honorable mention of Primary Arms? They offer great value/ bang for bucks. I have prism and traditional scopes and very happy with them
William, we have the SLx 3X MicroPrism listed. We definitely love us some Primary Arms gear here at Pew Pew!
While I agree the chinesium Sig is good for the money, you guys totally forgot the JAPANESE made Brownells MPO 1-6x LVPO. $300 with a mount, it's literally the best LVPO optic for the money I've ever seen. Sure, it's got a pretty rudimentary reticle but it's truly daylight bright, as compared to the Sig, the glass is excellent and it has improved eye box and eye relief over the Sig. It seems to be considerably sturdier than the Sig, has better caps and turrets, etc. I have both and although I like the reticle better on the Sig, if I could do it over, I'd get two of the Brownells. For the kind of shooting one typically does with an AR and an LVPO, the "donut of death" reticle is fine.
As mentioned in the article, it was tough to pick just one LPVO for that slot. There are so many solid budget options out there, including the Brownells. I am not a huge fan of that reticle personally, but it would be pretty hot on something like an AUG for me. Definitely a solid piece of glass!
The Romeo 5 XDR is also a good choice, slightly more than the 5, but with a selectable circle-dot reticle.
Garey, the XDR is absolutely a great choice and I love the multi-reticle. We picked the basic Romeo5 just because it is so dang cheap and always on sale. They are awesome for those ultra shoestring budget builds.
Keep your Chinese crap. In case you have not been paying attention, they are not our friends. If we don't end up going at it with them, our kids will. Buy American and if that's not an option, then buy from a friendly country.
Of course, you only wear made in the USA running shoes?
I agree we should shop judiciously but the boat has sailed on buying certain products "made in the USA." It's a fantasy internet pose that can't be accomplished in many product areas. A joke.
Where is your phone made?
"I’ve got different standards for my home defense or go to war guns than I do for my fun and competition guns, but that’s a story for another article."
Dude, write us that article.
ACOG, AImpoint and Vortex Razor on my home defense and SHTF guns. Quality chinesium has it's place on several builds too. I personally wouldn't worry one bit about a Holosun equipped carbine not being able to take the abuse.
I would've like to have something close to the $100 range. Maybe even sub $100. Most of those sights were at the price point that was close enough to just buy the big name brands.
Actually, you'll find that most of the "big name brands" are also selling made in china stuff at those price points. To get truly American or Japanese made optics, you have to spend $$.
I'm looking to be able to hit 1000 yds
What do you think of Sightmark,such as the 20× magnification and up?
I've never used a Sightmark, I haven't heard great things though. For 1k shooting, I would go with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x or the 6-24x. You can get them for $290-350 fairly commonly.
You need an optic that reliably tracks for shooting a click. The number of X on the mag ring is not the important part. I’ll take a fixed 10x with mil/mil for $1,500 before I would consider a Sightmark 1.25-80X at any price. If it’s $40, then that will be $40 bucks wasted.
Please tell me you're joking.
What would you suggest for a 6.5 creedmoor.
Depends on what you want to do with it, personally, I'm using a Vortex Diamondback Tactical MOA/MOA 4-16x and I LOVE it.
Same here. On a Ruger American Predator 6.5 Cdmr.
Leupold sucks I prefer upper end Bushnell optics
Yup I have 2 that are 30 years old and still "sucking". Oh and the 3 younger ones do also. ?????
Nice article. Coming from an actual user makes all the difference. Well done
where is the Bushnell TRS-25?
Save your money for a quality optic, this thread sucks
Because every budget fun gun needs a high buck optic? Did you even read the article? The author clearly stated that this list is his choices for plinking and competition guns, not go-to-war and home defense. Pull your self-righteous head out of your self-loving anus for a minute.
Would these work with a Henry 22?
You'll likely have to get the scope mount from Henry. Then make sure you get the right rings/mount.
PA was recently running a free shipping promo on your entire order if you buy one of their optics. Not sure if it's still applicable but if so it's a good time to buy.
Great Article.....I was actually looking for my First Mid/semi long range scope for a AR 5.56 I have just finished building....And I was taking a Hard look at the Primary Arms FFP 4-14x....Glass seems clear, first focal plane , illuminated reticle...Not made in USA...But the price is making this old school guy bend a little
Mainly because of a friend that owns the local tactical shop recommendation and the price....And I trust his opinon!!!
And I seen several Primary Arms optics on the range , with more showing up?!?
See below
You're welcome Sam!!
Nikon makes some pretty darn good scopes at or below the $200 mark (Bushmaster II and the new Prostaff models). Vortex and Burris do too (Crossfire II and the MTac). Redfield and Cabela's have some very nice glass without breaking the bank. All depends on what your needs / requirements are. Plinking, target shooting, competition, hunting or just getting started fun. I've shot better with one of my $200 Nikon's on a old Rem. 700 .223 than the person sitting next to me with his $3500 Steiner scope and $4500 custom Cooper rifle.
I have a Nikon Tactical rimfire $200 retail /picked up for $120 mounted on my Thompson Center T/CR22. Awesome setup! Real fun tack driver. 10 rd rotary mag as on the Ruger 10/22. Puts 10 in the red at 50yds all day long. Love that gun and so does everyone who has ever tried it.
Vortex? Sparc AR, & Venom. Both sub $230 msrp. Own two of each.
Or Bushnell TRS-25.
Also have a Redfield Counterstrike. Not sure if they still make it but it's decent for a sub $200 optic. Red & green dots with a built in red laser sight. Though I've found to use the laser your buis need to be offset with lopro attachment on top rail of handguard.
Nice! I haven't heard of the Redfield one yet but might try it out when we update this article.
You forgot the lucid optics brand
Thanks for the rec Bobby, I haven't had the chance to try any of their stuff out yet.
These articles are great for us guys Tha haven't been to the range in a while