Red dots are great at close-quarters engagements, but they kind of strugge at longer distances. You can fix that by adding a magnifier.
It doesn’t have to break the bank, either!
We tested a ton of affordable magnifiers (plus a few bonus picks) so you can get a real look at what you’re paying for and find the best red dot magnifier under $200.
By the end of this list, you’ll know the best one for your budget. Let’s go!
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best Value
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Best Budget
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Most Compact
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Best High-End Magnifier
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Best Mid-Tier
Table of Contents
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Red Dot Magnifiers Comparison Chart
| Magnification | Objective Lens Diameter | Field of View | Eye Relief | Picatinny Mount | Weight | Price | |
| Holosun HM3X | 3x | N/A | 7 degrees | 2.75″ | QD release | 10 oz | $199 |
| Vortex VMX-3T | 3x | 27 mm | 7.3 degrees | 2.2″ | Torx screws | 12 oz | $199 |
| Primary Arms 3X LER Gen 4 | 3x | N/A | ~7.2 degrees | 2.64″ | Not included | 8 oz | $99 |
| Sig Sauer Juliet3-Micro | 3x | 22 mm | 6.8 degrees | N/A | Thumb screw | 10 oz | $169 |
| Sig Sauer Juliet6 | 6x | 24 mm | 4 degrees | N/A | QD release | 15 oz | $455 |
| Vortex Micro3X | 3x | 22 mm | 7.3 degrees | 2.64″ | QD release | 10 oz | $299 |
How We Chose the Best Magnifiers
Input for this article came from the entire Pew Pew Tactical team, including writers, editors, and freelance contributors.
This article is the result of about two months of hard use and hundreds of rounds. We also update articles to include the latest and greatest, so there are some recent additions that w may not have put through the same testing protocol, but we’re psyched about nonetheless.
There are lots of other great magnifiers out there, and we’ve used many of them. The trick this time was keeping the price down. Got something else to recommend? Shout it out in the comments!
Best Red Dot Magnifiers
1. Holosun HM3X – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Clear glass
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Dust and water rated
Cons
- Factory mount isn't the strongest
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Objective Lens Diameter: N/A
- Field of View: 7 degrees
- Eye Relief: 2.75″
- Picatinny Mount: QD release
- Weight: 10 oz
Holosun basically did everything right with the HM3X. After using all of these magnifiers, I have to say that this is my go-to.
It features a QD mount and an IP67 rating — the only option we reviewed that was both dust and water-rated. It also boasts a 37-foot field of view at 100 yards and weighs just under 10 ounces.
The flip-to-side mechanism relies on simple tension, with no buttons to push.
Edge-to-edge clarity and color are also really good — far better than most of the others I tried.
If you want my top recommendation, Holosun wins.
Have you tested the Holosun HM3X? If so, rate it below.
2. Vortex VMX-3T – Best Value
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Excellent warranty
- Good field of view
Cons
- Mediocre glass clarity
- Push button mount isn't our favorite
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 27 mm
- Field of View: 7.3 degrees
- Eye Relief: 2.2″
- Picatinny Mount: Torx screws
- Weight: 12 oz
I think the part I like best about the Vortex is that the Vortex warranty always has my back. Outside of that, it felt a little dated because, well, this is an old optic that’s still hanging around in the Vortex product catalog.
Don’t get me wrong, the VMX-3T is still a good product, but it didn’t stand out in terms of performance anymore. Glass clarity is usable but not great, price is average, weight is a little heavy, eye relief is fine, field of view is good but only by a foot, and there’s no IP rating.
Plus, I really dislike the push-button style of mount. It’s secure but a little slow to operate.
Bottom line, it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a solid value.
3. Primary Arms 3X LER Gen 4 – Best Budget
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Long eye relief
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- No mount included
- No IPX rating
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Objective Lens Diameter: N/A
- Field of View: ~7.2 degrees
- Eye Relief: 2.64″
- Picatinny Mount: Not included
- Weight: 8 oz
LER stands for Long Eye Relief, and it’s true. The Primary Arms 3x LER has a roomy eye box.
For someone like me with a really long length of pull, I dig it a lot.
At less than $100, this magnifier comes in cheap. That’s partially because it doesn’t come with a mount. I used the similarly affordable Primary Arms Flip to Side, priced at $50.
The lack of a mount is a blessing in disguise. No mount means you save some money on something you don’t want and can, instead, grab the one you do want. There are lots of options.
On top of it all, this magnifier offers a great field of view, and feels pretty light at 7.9 ounces. The only downside is the lack of an IPX rating. That said, it’s been durable in my use.
Overall, it’s a fantastic budget option.
4. Sig Sauer Juliet3-Micro – Most Compact
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Small form factor
- Generous eye box
- Priced well
Cons
- Push button mount isn't our favorite
- Okay field of view
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 22 mm
- Field of View: 6.8 degrees
- Eye Relief: N/A
- Picatinny Mount: Thumb screw
- Weight: 10 oz
This is one of the best options, and one I strongly recommend for a tiny form factor — the Sig Sauer Juliet3-Micro.
Though the field of view isn’t amazing, it isn’t bad; 6.8 degrees or about 35 feet at 100 yards. I’m a huge fan of Sig durability, and this one checks in at an IPX7 waterproof rating.
What really set it apart for me, though, was how easy it was to pick up visually.
The eye relief is average, but the eye box is large. Even with a camera, the Micro was almost always right there and easy to use.
The push-button mount isn’t something I love, but it’s good enough.
5. Sig Sauer Juliet6 – Best High-End Magnifier
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- High magnification
- IPX8 rated
- Forgiving eye box
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Specs
- Magnification: 6x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
- Field of View: 4 degrees
- Eye Relief: N/A
- Picatinny Mount: QD release
- Weight: 15 oz
The Juliet6 6x magnifier is way outside the price range of the other options listed, but Sig sent it along with the Juliet3 so I put it through testing. Want to know what I learned?
It’s big and heavy at almost 15 ounces, but the Juliet6 serves as the big sister of the Juliet3.
The field of view is not that great, running only 21 feet at 100 yards.
But it’s IPX8-rated and offers a QD mount. The unit feels great and is easy to flip over. It’s a really nice magnifier in general.
I would argue that if you’re looking at spending this money on a 6x magnifier you might be better off with a magnified optic, but you do you.
If you already have a red dot you like and don’t want to replace it with an LPVO, this is a great way to get the same amount of magnification.
5. Vortex Micro3X – Best Mid-Tier
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Very compact and lightweight
- Improved optical system
- User-friendly with a killer warranty
Cons
- Just exceeds our budget
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 22 mm
- Field of View: 7.3 degrees
- Eye Relief: 2.64″
- Picatinny Mount: QD release
- Weight: 10 oz
Here’s another one that exceeds our $200 budget, but we wanted to include it since it’s the newer version of the VMX-3T that we’ve liked for so long.
Compared to its predecessor (which is still available at a very attractive price), this one is noticeably smaller and lighter, a little bit more durable, and it offers better optical quality. Its cam system is also smoother to operate than the old push-to-swivel mechanism.
If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little, this could be a really nice upgrade that you can grow into.
How to Pick the Best Red Dot Magnifiers
If you know that you want a red dot and magnifier instead of iron sights or an LPVO, and you set a budget of $200, you’re well on your way to picking the best red dot magnifier for you.
There are a few other factors to consider, though, so let’s dig in.
Red Dots, Green Dots, Holographic Sights
Red dot magnifiers don’t work alone, they team up with your red dot, green dot, or holographic sight to boost accuracy at longer distances.
We’ve tested a bunch of AR-15 red dots, and you have some great options under $200.
Don’t like red? Try a green dot! Green is typically brighter so it performs better in extremely sunny environments, but it might be excessive indoors. If you have astigmatism that makes red dots look like a starburst, switching to a green dot might solve that.
Holographic sights are significantly more expensive, but they have their advantages. If you want to learn more about them, join us for a deep dive into the red dot vs. holographic sight debate!
Red Dot Magnifier Mounts
All of these magnifiers mount to a standard Picatinny rail. That means they’re compatible with your AR-15 upper receiver.
They do that in different ways, though.
Some use Torx screws. These are secure (especially if you use a dab of blue thread locker) and simple. You need a tool to mount, tighten, or remove them, though, so you won’t be doing any of those things on the fly.
We recommend using a paint pen to add witness marks so you know the screws haven’t started to back out.
Others use thumb screws. They still screw into place on your Picatinny rail, but you can tighten them by hand if you need to.
The most expensive mount is a quick-detach lever or QD release. These are still secure, but you can pop them on and off without tools. In addition to cost, they also add some weight and mass.
Red Dot Magnifier Alignment
Before you pull the trigger on buying a new magnifier, you want to know that its height will work with your red dot. Don’t worry about how tall the optics themselves are; focus on the height of the center of the window or lens.
Once you mount your magnifier, you can fine-tune this alignment the same way you’d zero an optic (only this time there’s no reticle).
Meet the Experts
This article comes to your from David Lane and Wyatt Sloan, Pew Pew Tactical editor.
David learned to shoot in the Boy Scouts and now spends most of his time working on or with firearms. Be it shooting, upgrading, building, tinkering, or writing about them – sharing his passion and knowledge of firearms with others is an everyday occurrence.
Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He has used his extensive experience with firearms at large to test guns for Pew Pew Tactical — evaluating them based on our standards and metrics.
Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, though, there aren’t a ton of differences between the Primary Arms, Holosun, Vortex, and Sig magnifiers on this list.
If you find one you like at a good price, get it!
Got a magnifier to recommend? Let us know in the comments. Looking for tried and true combinations? Check out our Best Red Dot & Magnifier Combos, or check out the Best Red Dots on their own!
Latest Updates
- May 2025: Removed the Primary Arms GLx 6x. Added the Vortex Micro3X. Added a comparison chat and updated supporting content.
- Feb. 2024: Replaced Primary Arms 6x with the updated GLx 6x model.
47 Leave a Reply
I have the Trijicon 3x magnifier and it’s excellent, brilliant glass and robust. Any reason why it didn’t feature?
Thanks for an excellent review, as always.
We have someone working on a review of the Trijicon as we speak. After we're done testing and depending on how that shakes out, we might revisit this list and add it. Thanks for reading!
Love my Romeo MSR and Juliet 3x magnifyer. Works very well on my Springfield Saint! Sighted the pair using my Pew Pew Tactical red dot target.
Perhaps a stupid question, but.... if I have a SIG Romeo5 red dot and pair it with a non-SIG magnifier, will I find that the focal center of the two optics will not align and I end up with a "football shaped" view through the optics pair? I there a way to adjust height such that the location of the red-dot aligns with the focal center of the magnifier? Are the heights standardized across manufacturers?
Probably be better off just using an LPVO. Less moving parts.
I am a little confused by the Vortex magnifier that is on this list. The Micro3x Magnifier has been out for a couple of years now as the upgrade/potential replacement to the VMX-3T. From the review that I have read it has much clearer glass and a wider field of view. It is more expensive but still within the window of this group of magnifiers. Why wasn't it chosen instead of the older design?
I have the Holosun 3x magnifier that I recently bought to pair with my Sig Romeo 7 (not the 7s) red dot. While I like the magnifier, I have a problem with the alignment. Out of e box, the Holosun sits too low to align with the Romeo 7. No problem, I'll just add the spacer that came with the magnifier, and all will be right, right? Um, no. With the spacer installed, the Holosun now sits higher than the red dot! Ugh! I searched online to see if Holosun has a thinner spacer available, but I couldn't find any such thing. Anyone knows of a solution for this problem, short of buying a new red dot? I thought of having a buddy make a custom spacer with his 3D printer, but don't know if plastic would be reliable for that.
Thanks for any advice!
Good list k was looking for some magnifiers.
Vortex Micro 3x all day. Compact design, no push button to flip (buttons should disqualify magnifiers from "best" lists) great optic and fantastic warranty. Not on the list because?
what didn't you like about the PA 3x micro? was it not included because the eye relief isn't as good?
I do not follow your talk about magnifying the red dot. First you say, "red dots DO NOT increase in size with a magnifier". Then you say, "Magnifiers magnify the dot and the target". This sounds contradictory. Perhaps you meant they don't increase is size relative to the target with magnification. Then you say, "If your 2 MOA dot is covering their nipple at 100 yards, it will cover their nipple and no more at 400-yards. " That doesn't sound right either. If you stand far enough away the dot will cover your whole body. Then you say, "The claim is that a 2 MOA dot will cover 2 inches at 100 yards, 4 inches at 200 yards, etc. But this is totally and completely false." I don't understand that. A 2 MOA is 2" at 100 yards and 4" at 200 yards. That's just what MOA is. Perhaps you meant if it covers a nipple at 1x it will cover no more than a nipple at 4x magnification??
Sometimes you need to think backwards. Things further away appear smaller. What they have said is not only does the object appear smaller but the red dot does as well.
Re: red vs green dot.
It is very common for guys to be color blind in the red. I know I am slightly colorblind in the red.
Yesterday at the range I saw a guy using a SightMark T-3 Magnifier with their quick disconnect (LQD) Flip to Side Mount. Yes, I know, people go "Sightmark Ugggghhh no way!"
I asked him about it, he had it mounted behind a Sig Romeo 5 red dot. He sort of raved about it a bit and said "here, give it a try." and took it off his rifle and handed it to me. I snapped it in place on my rifle behind the red dot I was using (also a Sig Romeo 5), adjusted the focus a bit, and was impressed some for such a budget level price optic.
Eye box matched that of my Sig Juliet 3 Micro, almost, a little different but not bad at all. Clarity was good. It was a lot better than any of the PA magnifiers I've tried, and view was on par with the Vortex VMX-3T.
So its $99.00'ish if someone wants another decent budget option.
To add:
The sightmark is 10.6 ounces which is a little more than some of the magnifiers in this article. I found the advertised eye relief spec to be accurate for me. The glass seemed surprisingly nice, and crystal clear, considering the price. The eye box was not as good as the Sig but still wasn't bad and was better than the PA magnifiers I've tried.
Help me out, David. When you talk about IP ratings, are you referring to the "ingress protection" code as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under international standard IEC 60529, which classifies and provides a guideline for the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water? It's been so long since I shopped optics I was not aware they came with an IP code.
Holosun seems like it could be great, BUT, they must use a bottle of threadlock on each bolt so if you want to add riser or flip the mount 180, you’ll strip and ruin the bolt. Pretty piss poor
For a 3x magnifier, the Sig Juliet 3 Micro is probably the best and best bang for the buck and the best way to go for most budget people. I love mine, but I got mine for free as a present.
I've tried some of the others: The PA magnifiers I absolutely hate, they are still using that basic Chinese design that I-Tac imports from China and its a piece of junk for long term reliability and durability plus the eye box is not good and not forgiving. The Holosun isn't bad at all, its nice, I liked the mount and the clarity. The Vortex, meh .... nothing to crow about, its ok and overall average but still a solid choice if you are inclined towards Vortex.
But out of all of them I prefer the Sig Juliet 3 Micro. I wish it had a mount like the Holosun though but the push button doesn't really bother me and the color and clarity for me was on par with the Holosun (although the Holosun did seem to have a very slight more depth of color look for me). The Juliet 3 eye box was a little more comfortable for me than the Holosun eyebox.
Which of these can be easily converted to flip the other way for a left-hander?
you should take a look at the new SLx 3x Prism by Primary Arms.
I've never used a 3x magnifier before, but I'm thinking about putting one behind my 512. Question to those who have used magnifiers: when engaged, are you closing one eye and lining up behind this like a scope, or are you still keeping both eyes open like on a HWS or red dot?
I’ve had my HMX-3 behind a 510C for about a year and love it. It’s on a PSA KS47 and I’ve tried both ways as you describe. Either way works for me and I really have no preference although both eyes open is better for SA obviously.
The writer needs to have a conversation with the website designer. The writer says that the Vortex 3x, “doesn’t win any prizes”. And then the web designer slapped the “Best 3X Magnifier” badge on the Vortex picture.
Thanks for a good review. What I’d like to know is, what is an IP rating?
What is an IP rating? IP (or "Ingress Protection") ratings are defined in international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529:1992, European IEC 60509:1989). They are used to define levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies (tools, dirt etc) and moisture.
For me, the Sig Juliet 3 ( non micro ) with the flip to side quick release mount hits the sweet spot. I agree hat 3x is probably perfect for a flip to side magnifier, and I got mine at $269.00 delivered, so it is not too far over the limit price wise. I use it behind my Sig Romeo 5XDR red dots, though it also works behind the Primary Arms SLx ACSS CQB 25mm Microdot very well. I love the fact that many of the newer sights and magnifiers include the adjustment plates for 1/3 and absolute co-witness, which really helps to get the magnifier and sight aligned perfectly.
Sight Mark T-3 Magnifier is a good durable flip magnifier paired with a Holosun HS403B
I want to get the Vortex but flipping to the left just seems backward -- both for vision impairment and resting position - sticking into your abdomen. You can switch it but then the release is front right instead of left back. I'm newer so I might be missing something.
I was thinking the same thing. As a right hander, I would want it on the opposite side of where my cheek rests.
I have the Vortex 3x Micro and you can make it flip to the left or the right. You just take the magnifier off the mount and flip it.
Please update with thought on the Holosun 3x magnifier and the newly released Vortex Micro 3x
Both are on our list!
Holosun has really fantastic glass and lines up perfectly (not surprising) with the Holosun 510c. The flip is pretty stiff at first. Still breaking that in.
Do you have a suggestion for QD mount that'll work with the Vortex magnifier?
I’ll stick with my EOTech. On a budget definitely the vortex though.
How could you leave out the $170 Samson 3X magnifier which is a better magnifier than even the $450 Aimpoint 3X? Also, Holosun has a $200 3X magnifier out although reviews of it are nonexistent.
Any thoughts on the sig Juliet?
Great magnifier, very pricey though. Personally, I didn't see much difference between it and the offerings from PA.
Another great data and information filled review. Your perspective is appreciated.
Any chance we will see an update review to include some of the competitors, up and down the price scale?
Thanks! And I will try!
Since this article was published, PA has come out with the "Primary Arms Advanced 3X Long Eye Relief Magnifier"....it's better than the vortex (glass, eye relief, FOV, and weight), and is cheaper at $169. I think it's even better than the original Aimpoint 3X. I still think the Eotech flip-mount is the best one made (easier than any of the others to use).
Concerning the UTG you didn't explain why you think the mount suck or what the body design issues were. Out of the box the mount works like one of the others but you don't mention why it sucks more, AND it actually flips the correct way for a right handed shooter that uses both eyes as one should with a red dot sight.
Vortex made a huge design flaw in choosing the Eotech mount pattern instead of just making it a 30mm tube. The only quick detach mounts available for the Eotech pattern are from Larue Tactical and Eotech themselves. Both are very expensive and from what I read the Larue doesn't line up well. With the Primary Arms option you have a wider selection of quick detach mounts, including ADM's excellent swing off mount. Also, the newest Primary Arms magnifier increases the field of view, eye relief, and has a much smaller footprint. For me, the ability to remove the magnifier quickly and run just the red dot optic is extremely important for this setup. Otherwise, might as well go with a 1-6 optic if you are willing to deal with the added weight and footprint 100% of the time.
If you dont wish to spend the money on a vortex or even the pa + mount check out the AT3 3x magnifer
Their red dots are pretty darn good as well
True it is pretty darn good, but their mount flips the wrong way for a right handed both eye open shooter. You can flip it around but then it gets a little awkward.
Really can’t go wrong with any Vortex item. Good for working weapons also.
Exactly, Monte!