Optics Mag is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Read more.

8 Best Mini Red Dot Sights in 2024 — Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated on

red dot mini_Boonchuay1970_Shutterstock

There are plenty of reasons that you would want a mini red dot sight for your weapon. Whether you’re looking for a compact sight for your handgun or something that you can throw on top of your traditional rifle scope, a mini red dot sight is a great choice.

But with so many options out there, it can be challenging to find the best possible one. That’s why we did the hard work for you and found the eight best mini red dot sights and reviewed them here.

We also developed a comprehensive buyer’s guide to walk you through everything that you need to know before you purchase a mini red dot sight.

scope crosshairs divider 2

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites Updated in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
MidTen 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight MidTen 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight
  • affordable
  • 2 MOA reticle
  • 11 brightness
  • Best Value
    Second place
    UniqueFire Mini Holographic Reflex Micro Red Dot Sight UniqueFire Mini Holographic Reflex Micro Red Dot Sight
  • Affordable
  • 3 MOA reticle
  • Easy to install
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    TRUGLO Ignite Mini Compact Red-Dot Sight TRUGLO Ignite Mini Compact Red-Dot Sight
  • 2 MOA reticle
  • 10 brightness
  • optimal fitment
  • Ade Advanced Optics rd3-012 Red Dot Mini Sight Ade Advanced Optics rd3-012 Red Dot Mini Sight
  • 6 MOA reticle
  • Multiple brightness
  • Easy to mount
  • TAC Vector Optics Micro Red Dot Sight TAC Vector Optics Micro Red Dot Sight
  • 10 brightness
  • Easy to mount
  • lifetime warranty
  • The 8 Best Mini Red Dot Sights

    1. MidTen 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight — Best Overall

    midten micro 2M_Amazon

    The MidTen 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight is the perfect combination of affordability and performance. First, it comes with a riser mount to ensure that it will clear any existing sights and give you an unobstructed view of your target.

    Even better, it has two different height options, which allows you to set your sight up for optimal viewing and performance. It has 11 different brightness settings for both optimal performance and battery longevity.

    Finally, if you’re looking for the ultimate precision, it’s hard to beat the 2 MOA reticle. While it can be a little hard to spot compared to larger options, there’s a good chance that you won’t blot out your target entirely.

    Pros
    • A great mix of performance and affordability
    • Riser mount ensures fitment on rifles
    • 11 brightness settings to choose from
    • Two height options
    • 2 MOA reticle is excellent for precision shots
    Cons
    • 2 MOA reticle can slow down acquisition time

    2. UniqueFire Mini Holographic Reflex Micro Red Dot Sight — Best Value

    uniquefire3MOA_Amazon

    If you’re looking for the best mini red dot sight for the money, it’s hard to beat the . Not only is it an affordable option, but it also is easy to install and has a 3 MOA reticle that is an excellent blend of precision and size.

    The two main drawbacks of this sight are the minimal brightness settings and the overall service life. This sight only has two settings, low and high, and it’s prone to break after repeated use.

    It’s a good option for the price point, and if you’re looking for a sight for a handgun that you won’t use that often, it’s not bad. However, if you plan on shooting regularly, you should invest in something of higher quality.

    Pros
    • Affordable option
    • The 3 MOA reticle is an excellent blend of precision and size
    • Easy to install and adjust
    Cons
    • Only two brightness settings
    • Not the longest service life

    3. TRUGLO Ignite Mini Compact Red-Dot Sight — Premium Choice

    truglo ignite 22mm_Amazon

    If you want a mini red dot sight that allows you to make any shot, you want the TRUGLO Ignite Mini Compact Red Dot Sight. There are 10 different brightness settings that you can toggle through, and the 2 MOA reticle is perfect for precision shots.

    Furthermore, this sight has an auto-off feature that ensures that you won’t kill your battery by forgetting to turn it off after a day at the range. Not that a short battery life is much of a concern with this sight — it can last up to five years of continuous use on the lowest setting.

    Finally, this sight includes a low and high mount so you can get the perfect fitment for your weapon. While this is a little more expensive up front, it has more than enough features to justify the added cost.

    Pros
    • 2 MOA reticle is excellent for precision shots
    • 10 brightness settings
    • The auto-off feature helps preserve the battery life
    • Includes low and high mounts for optimal fitment
    Cons
    • 2 MOA reticle can slow down target acquisition time
    • More expensive option

    4. Ade Advanced Optics rd3-012 Red Dot Mini Sight

    ade advance RD3_Amazon

    If you’re looking for a mini red dot sight that you can put on a handgun for lightning-fast target acquisition, it’s hard to beat the Ade Advanced Optics red dot sight. There are multiple brightness settings to choose from, and the 6 MOA red dot reticle is excellent for quickly putting your sight on target.

    However, this sight is more on the expensive side, and while the larger MOA red dot sight is excellent for quickly getting on target, it can quickly blot out smaller targets.

    It’s an excellent choice for a pistol that you’ll be using for home defense, but if you’re looking for a sight that makes it easy to hit smaller targets, you’ll want a smaller MOA.

    Pros
    • Larger 6 MOA reticle is easy to spot
    • Multiple brightness settings to choose from
    • Easy to mount and use
    Cons
    • More expensive option
    • A larger 6 MOA reticle prevents precision shooting

    5. TAC Vector Optics Micro Red Dot Sight

    tac vector 3MOA_Amazon

    The TAC Vector Optics Micro Red Dot Sightis an expensive option that delivers. There are 10 different brightness levels to choose from, making it perfect for shooting in both low-light and extremely bright situations.

    Moreover, the optics are clear and crisp, and the 3 MOA reticle size is the perfect blend of precision and size. Additionally, this sight fits on a dovetail-, weaver-, or Picatinny-style rail system, making it compatible with most weapons, and it’s straightforward to use.

    While it’s more expensive up front, it does come with a lifetime warranty, so it’s the last micro red dot sight that you’ll need to purchase.

    Pros
    • The 3 MOA reticle is an excellent blend of precision and size
    • 10 brightness levels to choose from
    • Clear and crisp optics
    • Easy to mount and use
    • It has a lifetime warranty
    Cons
    • More expensive option

    6. CVLIFE Micro Red Dot Sight 2MOA Mini

    cvlife micro_Amazon

    The CVLife Micro Red Dot Sight is an expensive micro red dot sight, especially considering what you get. While most other sights have 10 or more brightness settings, this one only has six. Moreover, the 2 MOA reticle is excellent for precision shots, but it can definitely slow down target acquisition time.

    Another perk is the auto-shutoff feature and the anti-reflex coating that gives you a glare-free view. It truly is a good sight, but you can probably find a better one for a similar price.

    Pros
    • The auto-off feature extends the battery life
    • Anti-reflex coatings give you a glare-free view
    • The 2 MOA reticle is excellent for precision shots
    Cons
    • The 2 MOA reticle can slow down target acquisition time
    • Only six brightness settings
    • Expensive for what you get

    7. Military Gear ABB Tactical Mini Micro Reflex Dot Scope Sight

    MGS tactical_Amazon

    While this micro red dot sight might have military gear in the name, it’s certainly not a sight that you’d find on a military rifle. The reason is simple: It can’t handle much recoil. However, if you mount this sight on a lower recoil weapon, it can be a decent option.

    There are two different reticle colors to choose from, red and green, which makes it easy to acquire your reticle regardless of the background. Moreover, with multiple brightness settings, it’s easy to see no matter how bright it is out.

    It’s simple to mount and use, but keep in mind that too much recoil will break your sight.

    Pros
    • Two reticle color options: red and green
    • Multiple brightness settings
    • Easy to mount and use
    Cons
    • Cannot handle much recoil

    8. Valken RDA20 Mini Red Dot Sight

    valken RDA20_Amazon

    The Valken RDA20 Mini Red Dot Sight is an affordably priced sight that has two different color options for you to pick from, and it works surprisingly well for the price point.

    However, the optics themselves are not as crisp as they are on higher-end optics, and this sight can’t handle a ton of recoil. In fact, it’s actually a paintball/airsoft scope, so anything with a decent amount of recoil is sure to damage it.

    But if you have a low-recoil weapon or you’re looking for something for your airsoft rifle, this is a great choice.

    Pros
    • Affordably priced
    • Two color options to choose from
    • It works surprisingly well for the price point
    Cons
    • Not as crisp as higher-end optics
    • It cannot handle excessive recoil

    scope crosshairs divider 2

    Buyer’s Guide

    If you’ve never purchased a mini red dot sight before, you’re bound to have a few questions. Or perhaps you did buy a mini red dot sight once and had nothing but problems. Either way, this guide will answer any questions that you might have and help you find the perfect mini red dot sight.

    Why You Would Want a Micro Red Dot Sight

    There are plenty of reasons that you would want a micro red dot sight for your weapon. For starters, these sights give you unlimited eye relief and an unlimited field of view. If you’re not looking for magnification, these sights are a clear upgrade over iron sights, without any downsides.

    Another perk of a micro red dot sight compared to a regular-sized red dot is a lower profile. This is great during tactical situations and allows your weapon to fit in more holsters.

    However, if you’re upgrading your sights, you should first figure out what you want, whether it’s a laser sight, holographic sight, or traditional reflex sight.

    But don’t settle for iron sights just because you don’t know any different or you think that an upgraded set of sights is out of your price range. There are plenty of top-notch options to fit any budget, and most of them are upgrades over stock iron sights.

    It’s All About the Brightness

    pistol sight IIII_Renee Heetfeld_Shutterstock
    Image Credit: Renee Heetfeld, Shutterstock

    When you’re getting any kind of red dot sight, you need to check out how bright it can get. Unlike traditional scopes, which excel with plenty of light and struggle in dimmer situations, red dot sights have the exact opposite problem.

    On extremely bright days, the light can flood out the reticle, making it impossible to see. That’s where having an extremely bright reticle comes in handy. However, if you have that same bright reticle during low-light situations, you’ll run into two problems.

    First, the reticle will blur, making it harder to take a precision shot. Second, it’s going to needlessly drain the battery life. While the longest-lasting batteries can keep a red dot sight illuminated for 5 years of continuous use, that’s only on the lowest brightness settings. When you crank them up to max brightness, even the longest batteries only last a few hours.

    What MOA Size Do You Need?

    red dot scope 3_Ambrosia Studios_Shutterstock
    Image Credit: Ambrosia Studios, Shutterstock

    When you’re picking a red dot sight, one of the most important decisions that you need to make is the reticle’s size. These measurements are measured by the MOA, but in short, the larger the number, the larger the dot.

    While a larger dot is easier to see if you’re looking to shoot small targets, they can blot out the entire target. However, if precision isn’t as important because you’re shooting larger targets, a larger MOA size can help you line up your shot faster.

    A good rule of thumb is that for extra precision, you should go with a 1 or 2 MOA reticle, and if you’re using your sight exclusively for home defense or other close-range applications, a 5 or 6 MOA is better. If you’re somewhere in between, a 3 or 4 MOA reticle gives you the best of both worlds.

    Mounting Your Sight

    Before you make any purchases, it’s imperative to ensure that you can mount your new sight to your weapon. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shooting a pistol, a rifle, or a shotgun, it all comes down to the rails.

    The three most common mounting rails are Picatinny, weaver, and dovetail, but there are over 11 potential options. Once you’ve determined what kind of mounting system is on your weapon, you can look into whether the sight you want fits.

    Sighting in Your Sight

    pistol_gun_iron_sight_pixabay
    Image Credit: 356322435, Pixabay

    It doesn’t matter what micro red dot sight you choose; if you want to hit anything, you’ll need to sight it in. The good news is that if you head to the range, sighting in your new micro red dot is easy.

    It’s going to come down to what you’re sighting in your new red dot for, but usually, you don’t sight in a micro red dot sight at 100 yards. Instead, you’ll sight in for a shorter distance, usually 20-30 yards.

    The most significant difference that you need to be aware of when you’re sighting in a new sight for a shorter distance is the change in MOA adjustments. These are standardized at 100 yards, so if you’re sighting it in at 20 yards, everything will move five times as much.

    Just make smaller adjustments and be patient, and you’ll have your new micro red dot sight sighted in no time!

    What Color Reticle Do You Want?

    ed dot scope 2_Coollao_Wikimedia
    Mira Optrônica (Image Credit: Coollao, Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 International)

    Most of the time, this comes down to personal preference — until it doesn’t. Red dots are by far the most common, and you’re not going to find a red dot sight that doesn’t have a red dot.

    However, you’ll often find a red dot sight that allows you to change the reticle color. This might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re trying to line your target up with something that has a red background, you might struggle to see your reticle.

    When that happens, having the ability to change your reticle color with the click of a button is ideal. Common alternate colors include green, blue, or both.

    scope crosshairs divider 2

    Conclusion

    Finding the best mini red dot sight doesn’t need to be a complicated process if you know what you’re looking for. Hopefully, this reviews guide gave you the confidence to purchase your next mini red dot sight and upgrade your weapon, especially it’s the MidTen 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight. Or, with the UniqueFire Mini Holographic Reflex Micro Red Dot Sight, you don’t need to spend a ton of money to do it!

    You might also like some of our top trending posts:


    Featured Image Credit: Boonchuay1970, Shutterstock

    About the Author Robert Sparks

    Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.