Top your AR-15 with a quality red dot, and you can increase your shooting accuracy almost instantly. However, because the standard red dot doesn’t offer magnification, they limit you to close-range shooting.
If you want to extend the effective range of your red dot, the easiest way to do it is to add a magnifier to your rifle/red dot combo.
The best red dot magnifiers mount just behind your red dot and allow for co-witnessing with your reflex optic. With the right mount, you can smoothly flip your magnifier out of the way for CQB.
There are plenty of magnifiers on the market today. However, it can be difficult to determine which magnifiers are worth the investment and which should be left on the showroom shelf. If you’re new to the world of red dot magnifiers, we’re here to help. We’ve done the research (both on the range and on the internet) to bring you this list of the most practical and reliable red dots in the industry. We know not everyone has a ton of cash to invest in their optics, so we made sure to include quality options for every budget.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for the details, here are our best picks for Red Dot Magnifier:
- Aimpoint 3X-C Magnifier
- Vortex Optics VMX-3T Magnifier
- Bushnell Optics 3x Magnifier
- Feyachi M36 1.5-5x Magnifier
- EOTech G33 Magnifier
Table of Contents
What is a Red Dot Magnifier?
A red dot magnifier is an optic that mounts behind a red dot or holographic sight and provides a magnified image of your target. Typically, the magnifier is used to “co-witness” with the red dot. Often magnifiers are mounted so they can be flipped out of the way when magnification isn’t needed. They can also be positioned and locked into place when necessary.
Red dot magnifiers provide versatility for hunters, tactical shooters, and 3-Gun competitors. These handy optics allow you to adapt to changing situations in the field. For CQB encounters, you can simply use your red dot without the magnifier. If you need enhanced accuracy on targets at longer ranges, you simply flip and lock the magnifier into place.
Fixed power 3x magnifiers (which increase the sight picture to three times its actual size) are the most popular. However, there are versions that offer 4x, 5x, and even 6x magnification. Less common options provide a zoom range of magnification for even more versatility.
How to Choose a Red Dot Magnifier?
With so many options available, finding the best magnifier for your personal needs can be difficult. The first step is to determine if the magnifier is compatible with your rifle and rail system. Adding another optic to your setup increases weight, takes up space, and can throw off the balance and maneuverability of your weapon.
You also need to make sure the magnifier works with your red dot sight. Some red dots have reticles or glass that don’t work well with magnification.
While some magnifiers are designed to partner with a specific red dot model, others are more generic. If you aren’t sure if your red dot is compatible with a specific magnifier, you can always contact the manufacturer to be sure. It’s usually smart to do this before you invest in an expensive optic.
Durability is also an important characteristic to consider. Because a magnifier will spend much of its life hanging off our rifle at a 45-degree angle, it is likely to get thumped around pretty harshly. Look for a magnifier that is built to last. An optic with a hard-anodized finish, o-ring seals, and either aluminum or steel construction will be durable enough to handle pretty much any abuse you are Mother Nature can dish out.
Best Red Dot Magnifier on the Market Reviews
Here are just a few of our favorite red dot magnifiers. This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are plenty of other quality options on the market. However, because space and attention spans are limited, we’ve purposely kept the list short.
1 Aimpoint 3X-C Magnifier
Aimpoint is a trusted name in military-grade optics, and their 3X-C magnifier does not disappoint. This magnifier has an extra-tough construction that utilizes rugged aircraft-grade aluminum and shock-absorbent rubber housing. This model is tough enough to handle some of the most demanding conditions on the face of the planet.
In addition to its durable construction, the Aimpoint 3X-C has impeccable image quality. It offers crisp clarity, vibrant color fidelity, and a bright sight picture, even in low light.
The Aimpoint 3X-C also features a variable dioptric setting that allows you to adjust the angle of the optic to optimize clarity for your individual needs.
Is It Worth It?
The Aimpoint 3X-C magnifier is versatile, rugged, and offers a bright, razor-sharp sight picture.
Here are the optic’s key features:
- Shock-absorbent rubber housing.
- Can be used as a handheld device.
- Crisp, clear images.
- Variable dioptric setting.
Mounting and Accessories
The Aimpoint 3X-C mounts directly to a Weaver or Picatinny rail mount base. You can also add an Aimpoint Flip to Side Mount for extra versatility.
2 Vortex Optics VMX-3T Magnifier
Vortex has made quite a name for themselves in the optics industry, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find one of their red dot magnifiers on this list of top picks. The VMX-3T offers a bright, clear sight picture thanks to its fully coated optics. These special coatings are designed to maximize light transmission while reducing glare. They also offer a layer of protection from surface scratches.
The VMX-3T is built for rough use and harsh environments. It is crafted from sturdy machined aluminum with a hard-coat anodized finish. The housing is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed to ensure fogproof, waterproof, shockproof performance.
The Vortex VMX-3T also features a built-in flip mount. The mount allows for either lower ⅓ or absolute co-witness. Perfect for your AR-15 or other modern sporting rifles, this optic has a generous 3.25 inches of eye relief and an impressive field of view (38.2 feet at 100 yards).
Is It Worth It?
Perfect for a casual day at the range or for serious field use, the Vortex VMX-3T has tons to offer. It is also reasonably priced, although it performs like a much more expensive magnifier.
- 3.25 inches of eye relief.
- Wide FOV.
- Built-in flip mount.
- Sturdy construction.
- Fully coated optics that perform well in low light, bright light, and everything in between.
Mounting and Accessories
The Vortex VMX-3T has a built-in flip mount that easily attaches to a Picatinny rail.
3 Bushnell Optics 3x Magnifier
The Bushnell 3x Magnifier has one of the best customer ratings on the market today. Not only is this one of the best-rated models on our list, but it is also one of the most affordable.
Insanely durable, the Bushnell 3x Magnifier is crafted from sturdy, aircraft-grade aluminum. The main housing is o-ring sealed to keep the optics inside dry, even when the magnifier is completely submerged in water. The construction is also reliably fogproof and shockproof.
Ideal for both right- and left-handed shooters, the Bushnell 3x Magnifier features a swing action mount that can easily be maneuvered with either hand. This feature allows you to flip the magnifier out of the way when you don’t need it, providing a seamless transition from 1x to 3x.
Is It Worth It?
Perfect for shooters on a budget, the Bushnell 3x Magnifier is priced well under $200. However, it provides plenty of performance for the money. Here are the optic’s most notable features:
- Affordable price tag.
- Fully multi-coated optics.
- Solid construction.
- Fogproof, waterproof, and shockproof.
- Fast-focus eyepiece.
- Comes with an ambidextrous flip mount.
Mounting and Accessories
The Bushnell 3x Magnifier comes with an ambidextrous flip mount that easily attaches to a Picatinny rail.
4 Feyachi M36 1.5-5x Magnifier
If you need a little more versatility than the standard fixed 3x magnification, the Feyachi M36 may be just what you’re looking for. With a generous magnification range of 1.5x to 5x, this magnifier works just as well for CQB as it does for long-range shooting. It even conveniently flips out of the way when you need to use your red dot without magnification.
The Feyachi M36 offers a generous 2.2 to 3.6 inches of eye relief. While the image quality isn’t as crisp or clear as higher-end models, the M36 is made with multi-coated lenses that provide better-than-average brightness, clarity, and resolution. This magnifier is also priced under $100, making it a smart choice for shooters on a tight budget.
Is It Worth It?
The Feyachi M36 is the cheapest optic on our list. While it certainly doesn’t perform like an expensive magnifier, it performs well enough for most tasks. If you just don’t have a ton of cash to invest in a quality magnifier, the Feyachi M36 is a better-than-decent compromise.
- Multi-coated optics.
- Generous 1.5-5x magnification.
- Comes with a flip-to-side Picatinny rail mount.
Mounting and Accessories
The Feyachi M36 comes with a flip-to-side Picatinny rail mount that allows you to shoot without magnification or switch to 1.5-5x with a simple flip to the side.
5 EOTech G33 Magnifier
EOTech is the undisputed leader in holo sight technology, and its magnifier is the perfect partner for its sights. This compact, lightweight model offers 3x magnification and a massive field of view. It also features a handy Switch-to-Side (STS) mount. This useful design allows you to quickly and easily flip the magnifier to the side of your firearm when it isn’t needed. The STS mount also allows you to quickly engage the magnifier when necessary.
This battle-tested optic is used by the US military, so you know it is tough, reliable, and sturdy enough to handle rough use and harsh environments. It is also backed by EOTech’s ten-year Prestige Warranty.
Is It Worth It?
If you already have an EOTech holo sight, adding an EOTech magnifier just makes sense. EOTech sets the bar for holographic sight technology, and this company’s products are ultra-reliable and tough as nails. If you’re already running an EOTech model 518, 558, or EXPS sight on your AR-15, there just isn’t a better magnifier than the G33 to go with it.
- Pairs perfectly with EOTech holo sights.
- Compact, lightweight design.
- Durable construction.
- Generous FOV.
- Switch-to-Side Mount
- Backed by a Ten-Year Warranty.
Mounting and Accessories
The EOTech G33 comes with a Weaver-style quick-release mount.
Final Thoughts
Whether you use a red dot for hunting, 3 Gun competition, home defense, or tactical shooting, a top-notch magnifier can make you a more accurate and effective shooter. A magnifier with a flip mount also increases the versatility of your weapon, allowing you to quickly transition from magnification to no magnification with a simple flip of the hand.
Any of the models on our list of the best red dot magnifiers work in tandem with a quality red dot, allowing you to identify targets and hit them with precision, especially at distances beyond 100 yards.
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