I remember watching action movies with gun scenes, and wondering how the hell the main character could shoot so accurately.
Although these movies aren’t always realistic, it’s still possible for you to somewhat reach that kind of accuracy and precision when shooting.
One way to do this is by using a good red dot sight attachment.
If you’re a beginner, it would be best to go for a budget option if you want to try it out first.
In this article, I’ve listed the best red dot under 100 bucks on the market. These work well for both beginners and advanced shooters
Contents
The Best Red Dot Under 100 – Full Reviews
1. Tacticon Armament Predator V1 Red Dot Sight
BEST OVERALL
BUYING OPTIONS:
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The Tacticon Armament Predator is an excellent red dot sight made of aluminum alloy.
It’s sturdy, durable, waterproof, and fog-proof, everything I could ask for!
Its waterproof and fog-proof features prevent moisture and fog from interfering with your shooting.
This ensures that your glass remains CLEAR and your sight picture is unobstructed.
This product can be modified to have a red or green reticle, so you can choose what’s best for the situation, depending on the lighting conditions.
In my experience, I’ve found red to work best during the day and green in the dark! There are 5 different brightness settings in both green and red colors.
You also get freebies like extra batteries and a lens cleaner along with your purchase.
This optic is also highly flexible and will fit any Winchester, Remington, Colt, or Picatinny Rail Rifle.
Furthermore, windage and elevation adjustments are EASY and very much DOABLE.
You can quickly get the right zero point too! I found my zero in less than three minutes!
The Tacticon Armament Predator is rated one of the best cheap red dots under 100 on the market, so rest assured that this sight is worth it.
- Easy to install and use
- Economical price tag
- Reliable limited warranty
- Clear dots and lenses
- Sturdy construction
- High-quality material
- Accurate sight
- Difficult mounting
- The quality of the lens covers can be improved
2. OTW Red Dot Sight
BEST DURABILITY
BUYING OPTIONS:
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The OTW red dot sight has 5 brightness settings for both green and red dot settings, making it excellent for different light conditions.
You should be able to perform well in BOTH dark and bright light conditions. I like it for its ability to work without fuss and in various light conditions.
Regarding durability, the OTW has a solid construction that makes it DURABLE and suitable for rough situations.
Moreover, it has quick centering with a parallax-free design, making it easier for me to stick to the target.
Additionally, it’s fairly simple to mount this scope to a MIL-STD 1914 Picatinny 20mm weaver rail base, and you’ll also need a CR1632 battery.
- Well-built optic
- Clear sight when putting on your rifle
- Solid construction
- Diverse brightness levels
- Durable and affordable product
- Green dot variant isn't as good
- Old-fashioned red dot sight might not be your taste
3. MidTen Tactical Micro Red Dot Gun Sight
BEST FEATURES
BUYING OPTIONS:
» Check Price on Amazon «
The MidTen Tactical Micro is a LIGHTWEIGHT and DURABLE red dot for all rifles, and it’s definitely worth considering!
I love this budget red dot sight because it has a layer that can protect the inside parts from water, shock, and fog. The coating is also sealed with nitrogen, which adds to its protection from external forces. The product also has several layers that are scratch resistant, and it has an amber lens that improves image clarity.
The MidTen has a rubber cover to protect the lens from abrasion and dust too!
I feel comfortable with this reflex scope because the movement of my eye will be flexible, thanks to the parallax-free design. You can stay focused on the target and ensure that NO unnecessary distractions are affecting your shooting.
The wide sight picture and minimized reticle are my favorite things about this budget red dot sight.
The MidTen Tactical Micro has 11 brightness levels and can work exceptionally well in almost all light conditions.
You just need to add the CR2032 battery, and you’ll be good to go!
For more scope options, I also have a list of the best scopes under $500!
- Well-made optic
- Diverse brightness settings
- Economical price point
- Strong construction with some outside resistance
- Short lifetime battery
- The lens can be a bit too small for some people
4. Ozark Armament Rhino Tactical Green & Red Dot Sight for Rifles
BUYING OPTIONS:
» Check Price on Amazon «
A quick look at the specifications of the Ozark Armament Rhino:
- Objective lens: 28mm
- Magnification: none
- Reticle: 4 MOA Red/Green Dot
- Battery life: up to 3000 hours (on medium brightness setting)
- Mount height: 1.41 inches (from rail to the center of sight)
- Battery: CR2032
- Weight: 9.07oz with Mount
- W/E Click Value: ½ MOA
- Adjustable range: +/- 40 MOA
- Waterproof or fog proof: yes
This product is a great red dot sight under 100, especially for hunters like myself.
While you wouldn’t normally bring a red dot to a hunt, the Rhino will surprise you!
When the Ozark Armament Rhino was made, durability was the FIRST priority. This optic is designed with a rugged design to withstand the harshest conditions.
To help protect the scope, 2 flip-down covers are built in this package. This scope easily mounts on most rifles with its comfortable cantilever mount.
Thanks to the customization, you may select between red and green reticles easily, making it great in multiple lighting conditions.
- Accurate point and clear sights
- Affordable price
- Attractive lifetime guarantee
- Diverse brightness settings
- Some people experienced issues with the red dot sight
5. Dagger Defense DDHB Red Dot
BUYING OPTIONS:
» Check Price on Amazon «
The Dagger Defense DDHB provides some great functions and allows reticle customization with an economical package.
Along with reticle customization, the scope offers the selection between a red dot and a green one. It also gives 4 different shaped reticles.
This optic is also rated as one of the best CHEAP red dots under 100 that are durable and highly customizable.
Thanks to its aluminum construction, you don’t have to worry about this scope breaking down when it comes to tough circumstances.
As long as you take care of this product well, you should be able to use it for a long time with no issues. Mine lasted for years!
Furthermore, this product’s small shape leaves a wide space on your mount, which is great if you plan on adding other attachments to your rifle.
- Well-made red dot
- Affordable price point
- Good-quality material
- Solid construction
- Easy to install
- Clear and crisp image when aiming
- Great lifetime guarantee
- Some buyers complained that the dots were faulty
6. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
BUYING OPTIONS:
» Best Price on Cabelas «
» Check Price on Brownells «
» Check Price on Amazon «
Rated as a BEST-SELLING product on Amazon, the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is an excellent sight for hunters and casual shooters in the firing range.
You can easily hit multiple targets in rapid succession, and it has a 25mm objective lens, 11 brightness settings, and unlimited eye relief.
When you open the box, you will have various height options suitable for AR rifles and other rifles, and you have low-profile mounts as well.
Because of this, I’ve found it useful on both pistol and rifle mounts!
The Bushnell TRS-25 is highly recognized as the best red dot under 100 on the market.
I’m not surprised. It’s good, and it brings more prestige to the Bushnell brand.
- Gives great value for its quality and reliability
- 11 brightness settings
- Easy to use and control
- Simple design
- Solid construction
- Long battery life
- Performs well in all weather conditions
- Lack of elevation movement
- The dot might be too big for your liking
- The glass can be a bit dark for some
7. Sightmark SM26008 Ultra Shot Plus
BUYING OPTIONS:
» Best Price on OpticsPlanet «
» Check Price on Cabelas «
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The Sightmark SM26008 is a wonderful product that’s different from the conventional red dot optic shape.
It sort of reminds me of an EOTech holographic sight!
The Sightmark does not use a tube-based design; it has a square-shaped window for viewing.
I agree with users that this red dot is quicker to sight with than the traditional tube design, but this can depend on your personal preferences.
When you use both eyes, you can boost peripheral vision, which provides you with a full field of view.
The Ultra Shot Plus is a great choice if you’re using shotguns, AR-15, AK, PCC, and other weapons. I use it on my AR and it hasn’t done me wrong!
This sight is well-built for all sorts of abuse, and it’s also great for home defense situations. It’s easy to use and to get it zeroed.
You’ll be able to strike papers like a champ!
This scope comes with a QD mount, which makes it versatile and compatible with any basic Picatinny rail.
The product also automatically turns off after one hour of idle use to preserve its battery life.
The batteries can last 2000 hours, which is excellent and convenient, especially for hunters out in the wild.
- Well-made optic
- Easy to set up and use
- Long-lasting batteries
- Several functions
- Little sight with a reasonable price tag
- Clear optics
- Turning it on can be difficult
Shooting Tips for Red Dot Sights
Like with any product, you should know how to use red dot sights properly.
You want to ensure that you’re on the right path when you practice with them so you can keep them well-maintained for a long time.
It would be best if you’re already comfortable using your own rifle before attaching red dot sights.
Take time to practice a lot, which will ensure that you’ll end up with the best results with a newly attached sight.
It will also keep you safe on the range in the process.
Red dots are meant for aiming and shooting. However, you should master finding targets quickly without taking the time to aim down your sights.
Train by firing at multiple targets every time the timer buzzes.
Confidence is KEY, but avoid becoming overconfident just because of a couple of good shooting sessions.
Once you acquire a good skill set of shooting and aiming with a red dot sight, keep learning and practicing until you eliminate your downsides completely.
How Does a Red Dot Sight Work?
It’s safe to assume that you already know what a red dot sight is, given that you’re reading this article right now.
But just to make it clear, here’s what you need to know about how red dots work:
A red dot sight is an optic that you attach to a gun, and it works as an aid to improve rapid target acquisition and shot accuracy.
These attachments are one of the best ones you should invest in if you want to truly improve your shot accuracy.
If you’re a hunter, mastering the best red dot sights in your arsenal can make things easier for you out in the wild.
I’ve found it easy to keep a bead on elusive targets and hit multiple targets in one area.
For those who practice at the shooting range, this is a fun attachment that will probably deliver better results compared to using iron sights.
It’s EASY to use and lets you hit steel, cardboard and paper easily.
Some budget red dot sights can even go up against the best holo sights, and that’s saying something!
Should You Use Red Dot Sights for Your Guns?
If you’re using a rifle, I highly recommend using a red dot reflex sight. These will improve your accuracy compared to using the stock iron sights.
Of course, there are various models and styles, along with different performance points and costs.
You’ll have to do the homework beforehand and list down your preferences and needs before purchasing the best budget red dot sights.
For more information, you can also check my Comparison Guide Between Red Dots vs. Scopes.
Choosing the Best Red Dot Sight Under 100
To help you choose the best red dot sight for you, there are a bunch of factors to consider.
Make sure to take these into account before making a purchase. I did, and they helped me narrow down and refine my choices.
Brightness
With red dots, it’s a common misconception to think that just because you can see the reticle, it’s already good enough.
After all, what’s the point of multiple brightness settings when all I need is just one that’s good enough for me to see?
Keeping your sight at the highest setting, assuming you use the highest one, will drain your battery before you know it.
In some cases, it might be quite pointless since the reticle may also be blurred!
Having multiple brightness settings allows you to adjust accordingly depending on how much light is available.
Reticle and Adjustable Size
Scopes have various reticle sizes, and some even have adjustable sizes.
Don’t forget to consider how much room your rifle can accommodate after placing this attachment.
Once you check if you have enough space, you can safely go for bigger reticles if that’s what you prefer.
Some products also use crosshairs instead of dots in the sight picture, so that’s also something to keep in mind.
Furthermore, when choosing a red dot reflex sight, don’t worry too much about its sharpness.
These dots aren’t supposed to be crystal clear compared to reflex sights!
These are only meant for you to acquire your targets easier and act as a guide. As long as you can put a dot on your target, your sight does its job.
Power and Battery Life
Some users disregard this point when looking for a high-quality red dot sight.
You can get lighted reticles that don’t use power, and you can also use red dot sights that receive energy from batteries.
Additionally, it would be best to take care of your batteries and extend their lifespan as much as you can.
If not, these can suddenly drain out while you’re out on the field or in the wild, which is something you should definitely avoid.
I’ve had my sights go out on a nighttime hunt, and I was only lucky that I had emergency iron sights on my gun.
The best practice is not forgetting to turn off your red dot sight when not in use.
Not all red dots, even the best cheap red dots under 100 dollars, have an auto-turn-off feature.
Remember to make it a habit to turn off your red dot sights after target shooting sessions.
Model
The tube-design red dot sight is a traditional type that the older generation of shooters is familiar with.
Today, modern hunters are accustomed to using open designs when they’re out for a hunt.
A lot of the newer generation red dots use sturdy and reliable materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and any other material that’s sturdy and durable enough for harsh conditions.
But if you’re looking for even more durable models, you might want to consider getting holo sights over red dots.
You can check out this guide I made to learn more about the different rifle scope manufacturers.
Budget
Of course, you should only consider getting what you can afford and what is suitable for your situation.
If you’re a beginner, you can settle for any budget red dot sight above.
If you’re more experienced and just need some backup optics, the red dots above will serve you just as well.
Higher prices don’t always mean better quality, but you should still be wary of a low price point and be well-informed if the cheap red dot reflex sight you buy will be reliable.
If you’re looking for affordable scopes, I also have a buying guide on $100 AR-15 scopes.
Warranty
Lastly, of course, if you run into problems, you can always turn to the company’s warranty program if they have one.
Warranties, especially lifetime warranties, are good ways to tell if a company promises a high-quality product.
Conclusion
Before the hunting season begins, it would be best to already acquire the best red dot sight for you.
After figuring out your needs and preferences, looking at this article as a guide will make things much easier for you to acquire a reliable red dot sight for your shooting needs.
Happy hunting and shooting!
FINAL TIP: For those with AR15 rifles and not on a tight budget, you can check out our review of the best red dots for AR15.
