7 Best AR-15 Lasers [Hands-On]: Budget to Pro

Want the quickest target acquisition in low light?

You need an AR-15-mounted laser.

We tested the most popular green and red lasers for brightness, zero hold, overall build, worth-it-ness, and more.

By the end of this post, you'll know the best laser for your budget and purpose...from range plinking to professional nighttime activities.

How We Chose The Best AR-15 Lasers

All of the lasers on this list were hands-on tested.

We compared them for brightness by mounting them all on one 7" AR-15 and recorded the laser indoors against a white backdrop at 15 yards.

We zeroed the lasers against our optic at the same 15 yards.

We then fired 100 rounds and checked for a return to zero at the same 15 yard position.

Each model was also evaluated based on its price-to-performance ratio. We subsequently separated the article into three different categories based on price brackets.

Best Budget AR-15 Lasers

1. Ade Advanced Red Laser - Budget-Friendly Red Laser

Budget Friendly Pick

Ade Advanced Red Laser

$39

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$39 at Amazon

Specs

• Output: <5mw red laser
• Battery: Internal, USB charging
• Weight: 1.13 oz
• Length: 1.79"
• Width: 1.06"

Let's start off with something affordable like the Ade Advanced that can double for use on both pistols and AR-15s.

It's tiny and doesn't add much weight to a rifle.

The side button takes some thought to activate...so you're not going to inadvertently activate it.

This model is not really quick to turn on and off. The first click turns on a constant laser, while a second click makes it strobe.

Something I wish it didn't do since it takes another click to turn it off...and a strobing laser is pretty useless to me.

So, how does it hold up shooting?

I attached five of the lasers to my 7-inch piston AR pistol, zeroed it to my holographic sight at 15 yards, and brought it to the range.

I chose my super short piston upper for its increased recoil that will test the zero holds of the lasers. I shot 100 full-power rounds.

Then brought it back to see the deviation from the center dot..

It's hard to see, but the Ade Advanced red laser is very slightly lower than the center reticle. This is a great zero hold in my book.

The brightness is decent, too, in this picture before all the lasers were zeroed to one dot at 15 yards.

I thought this little optic would suck...but besides the button strobe "feature," it's pretty good for a starter rifle or pistol laser.

There's also the green laser version for a little more.

2. Pinty Green Laser - Affordable Green Laser

Affordable Green Laser Pick

Pinty Green Laser

$24

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$24 at Amazon

Specs

• Output: <5mw green laser
• Battery: 1x CR123A
• Weight: 4.5 oz
• Length: 4.72"
• Width: 1.54"

Now, what's this fascination with green lasers?

Well, the color green is supposedly six times easier for the human eye to pick up.

We tested the Pinty Green Laser because it was the most affordable one and had great reviews — even though we had never heard of the name prior to testing.

The size and mounting style leave something to be desired, but I'll let the results speak for themselves.

It's large, has knobs for windage and elevation adjustment, and has either a button endcap or pressure pad.

The adjustment knobs are marked and actually have a nice audible click with a "correct" amount of resistance I'd expected in something more expensive.

However, I was still worried it would lose zero after sending some rounds downrange.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was only slightly more of a shift (upwards this time) than the Ade.

Plus, it was the brightest laser of the bunch and more visible than its more well-known competitor, the Ozark Armament.

A decent pick at around $25 if you want something that actually seems more expensive and holds zero.

I reached out to Pinty after testing and secured you guys a 15% off coupon "PEWPEW" to use at their site.

3. Ozark Armament Green Laser

Not Recommended

Ozark Armament Green Laser

$39

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$39 at Amazon

Specs

• Output: 532nm 5mw green laser
• Battery: 1x CR123A

I had high hopes for the Ozark Armament since I liked their budget option in my Best AR-15 Lights.

You can see that it's quite a bit chunkier than the Pinty...but along the same lines in design.

It also comes with the same accessories as the Pinty that seem to be made from the same place.

However...the windage and elevation adjustments were not marked and felt really spongy. If they were on the Pinty at a $20 price point, I wouldn't complain.

The brightness we've already seen is slightly less bright than the Pinty, but overall, it is much more visible than the red lasers.

How about zero?

Not that great...you can see it shifted to the 10 o'clock position a good deal away from the center dot.

If you're ok with this form factor of laser, avoid the Ozark and go with the Pinty.

Best Mid-Tier AR-15 Lasers

4. Streamlight TLR-8A - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Streamlight TLR-8A

$218

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$218 at Amazon

Optics Planet (see price)

Primary Arms (see price)

Specs

• Output: 640-660nm red laser, 500-lumen white LED light
• Battery: 1x CR123A
• Weight: 2.64 oz
• Length: 2.15"
• Width: 1.18"

Streamlight is my go-to brand for handgun lights. We tested the TLR-8 light/laser combo out in Best Handgun Lights.

It should be noted that Streamlight has discontinued the TLR-8 in favor of the TLR-8A. The only difference between the two is the placement of the buttons, with the 8A using rear-mount buttons instead of side buttons.

It's small enough for handguns and has a really small form factor on an AR-15.

It's easier to use than the larger TLR-2, which allows you to switch between laser-only, light-only, or combo.

The 500-lumen light is very usable but a little yellow, and the red laser is very visible.

It held better than all other models. You can't even see a difference since the dot still matches up exactly with the reticle.

This is my recommendation if you don't want to run an additional light and want something that stays zeroed.

If you want something with a little more brightness at a larger size, check out Streamlight's TLR-2, which is 800 lumens and has a red or green laser variety.

What do you think of the TLR? Rate it below!

5. Crimson Trace CMR-206 - Best PCC Laser

Best PCC Laser

Crimson Trace CMR-206 Green Laser

$169

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$169 at OpticsPlanet

Amazon (see price)

Sportsman's Guide (see price)

Specs

• Output: 5mw green laser
• Battery: 1x 1/3N 3V
• Weight: 4 oz
• Length: 1"
• Width: 1"

The CMR-206 from Crimson Trace has some great bang-for-the-buck features.

It's tiny and well-built...and lives on my night competition PCC (pistol caliber carbine).

It is equally at home on an AR-15 rail as it is a pistol.

Check it out in action during one of my recent night matches:

Brightness isn't as bright as the Pinty, and it has a slightly more cyan tinge to it. But can reach out to 30+ yards for metal target hits fine.

Plus, zero is good at moving a smidge upwards.

For its size...it's my favorite and will continue to live on my competition PCC gun.

6. Holosun LS117 - High-End Laser Option

High End Laser Option

Holosun LS117 Laser Sight with QD Mount

$179

at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$179 at Optics Planet

GunMagWarehouse (see price)

Brownells (see price)

Specs

• Output: 5mw (high, 1mw (low) red or green laser
• Battery: 1x CR123A
• Weight: 6.7 oz
• Length: 3.43"
• Width: 1.77"

One higher-end standalone laser sight is the Holosun LS117 series, which bridges the gap between consumer and professional-use products.

I've always liked Holosun products. They were top dog in our Best Red Dots Under $200.

Their laser sight is available in IR (infrared for night vision, red, or green) and has a nice, small profile to fit on the front of your rifle.

We opted for the green for more power.

It also has a QD (quick-disconnect) attachment and can take a standard pressure pad...so you can control your lights and lasers without shifting your grip.

We moved it between our MPX and APC9, and zero held for each gun.

What we recommend is if you want a more serious laser sight without going to the DBAL or others with IR.

7. Viridian HS1 - Best Integrated Laser

Best Integrated Laser

Viridian HS1

$129

at AR15 Discounts

Prices accurate at time of writing

$129 at AR15 Discounts

Optics Planet (see price)

Viridian (see price)

Specs

• Output: 5mw green laser
• Battery: 1x 1/3N 3V

Viridian has a cool product called the HS1, which combines a long gun hand stop with a laser. A button to activate the laser is built into the housing, and a little bit of pressure activates it.

The HS1 mounts directly to M-LOK rails, so you can add it to your setup right at the place where you normally grip the gun. This improves your ergonomics while allowing you to place back pressure on the gun, securing it in your shoulder pocket.

The laser is surprisingly bright for such a compact package, plus it can be adjusted for windage and elevation.

Best High-End AR-15 Lasers

8. Steiner DBAL - Best IR Laser

Best IR Laser Combo

Steiner DBAL-A3 Green Laser

$1552

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1552 at OpticsPlanet

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Specs

• Output: <5mw visible green laser, 0.7mw IR laser, <4.0mw IR illuminator
• Battery: 1x CR123A
• Weight: 7.7 oz
• Length: 3.7"
• Width: 2.8"

This time, we are going full pro with a Steiner DBAL.

This bad boy combines a green laser with an IR laser and an IR illuminator, which is essential when combined with night vision.

The essential windage adjustments (IR and laser are slaved together) plus fire and different power modes.

Check out the power on their green laser...

Plus, it never shifted zero over the hundreds of rounds we put through it in the desert.

The front end of business...

It's not for everyone, but it's my pick if you go the night vision route but still want a (very) visible laser.

I now run it on my primary night vision loadout with a Unity Tactical Axon which uses the visible laser override to let me have two modes...one with green laser and white light, and another with IR laser and IR illumination.

Learn more about it in our Best Night Vision Goggles overview.

Final Thoughts

If you want to quickly acquire targets in the dark, a laser sight or light/laser combo might be the ticket for you. There are a lot of solid options, and keep in mind that these are just a few that are available on the market.

How did we do? Are you getting your first laser for your AR-15 or handgun? Once you do, check out our Best Pistol Lights and Best AR-15 Lights to complete your nighttime dominance.

Latest Updates

May 20, 2024: Replaced the discontinued TLR-8 with TLR-8A. Added supplemental data to each product with more information, and changed the organization of this article.