Riflescopes magnify your targets and allow you to get a clearer view even from a distance.
As a result, you get enhanced precision, improved shooting accuracy, and an overall better experience.
The challenge that most people have with scopes is that they can’t find one that offers good functionalities without breaking the bank.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars just to upgrade your gear.
With the best AR 15 scope under 100 USD, you will have a better aim at distant targets and a more exciting experience overall.
Best AR 15 Scope Under $100 Reviews
1. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Scope
For many years, Bushnell is among the market leaders when it comes to rifle scopes.
Among its long list of offerings, the Trophy TRS-25 scope stands out.
This is thanks to the fact that it is a budget-friendly yet reliable short-ranged red dot sight.
What makes it a good choice is its fog-proof and waterproof build, which allows you to use it in any weather.
Let’s look at it in more detail to determine if this is the right scope for your AR-15.
Review
There is more to the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 than just a regular all-weather scope.
For one, it boasts a shockproof construction that guarantees maximum durability.
This rugged build keeps it well protected and allows it to withstand rough conditions, such as bangs and drops.
For more accurate target acquisition, you can adjust the scope’s brightness settings from 1 to 11, depending on your preferences.
In doing so, you can see the 3 MOA dot reticle more clearly and be able to mark your target better.
This will be very useful for you if you enjoy shooting in broad daylight.
However, keep in mind that a lower brightness will extend the battery life of the red dot, which runs on a CR2032 battery.
At mid-setting, you can expect this battery to last for more than 5,000 hours of service, which is still impressive.
For its budget-friendly price, the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is undoubtedly a good scope.
You will like that it has a weaver-style mount, which means you can pair it not only with rifles but also with shotguns, pistols, and muzzleloaders.
Another advantage of this scope is that it only weighs 3.6 ounces and measures 2.5 inches.
It will not add too much weight to your setup, so it won’t affect your overall performance negatively.
Pros:
- Waterproof and fog-proof
- Suitable for all-weather use
- Long battery life
- Adjustable brightness level
- Durable, shockproof construction
- Mounts easily on most Picatinny rails
Con:
- Possible manufacturing and quality assurance issues
2. CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Tactical Rifle Scope
CVLife specializes in making hunting accessories, including scopes and
The CVLife 2.5-10x40e, for example, is a brilliant scope that promises to give you the most bang for your buck.
Review
The CVLife 2.5-10x40e is a medium-ranged red and green illuminated scope with a high-strength aluminum body.
The material (aluminum) ensures the durability and easy maintenance of the product.
On its side is a mounted laser that will help enhance your precision during target acquisition.
The laser is solidly built and designed to last long. It runs on three LR1130 batteries, while a CR2032 powers the reticle.
The lens is a multi-coated green one, which enables clearer sight than the conventional blue ones.
It comes with knobs for the precise adjustments of the scope’s elevation and windage.
With these, you can be sure of your accuracy even when using the scope in windy weather.
The Kellner eyepiece helps to reduce image aberration to the minimum, thanks to its dioptric adjustment lens.
Aside from the side-mounted laser, another welcome addition is the 20mm scope mount, which lets you easily attach the scope to your rifle.
However, if you face any challenges mounting the scope, you can read our guide on that.
As an extra, CVLIFE includes a BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) in the design of the scope.
The BDC enhances the swiftness of the reticle adjustment while shooting targets between 100 and 500 yards.
The BDC feature can easily be used by changing the position of the dial with the markings of one to five, which indicates 100 to 500 yards, respectively.
You also get a cleaning cloth, an Allen key, and a lens cover.
The CVLife 2.5-10x40e weighs approximately 20.5 ounces and measures 8.5 by three by three inches.
As you can see, it is much heavier than the Bushnell scope, but this is because it combines two accessories into one.
With this mounted on your rifle, you get to enjoy the functionalities of a reliable scope and a trusted laser.
Pros:
- Produces clearer images
- Higher light transmittance
- Easy to attach to a rifle
- Solid and durable build
- Pairs well with Picatinny trail
- Beautiful matte black finish
Con:
- Windage and elevation adjustment defects
3. Crimson Trace CTS-25 Compact Sight
The first trick to becoming a better shooter is making sure your rifle is paired with a good enough scope.
For what it is worth, you can’t go wrong with the Crimson Trace’s CTS-25.
Since it could very well be the best AR 15 scope under 100 bucks, expect to find a long list of features from this compact sight.
Review
The CTS-25 is a compact and durable red dot sight with a 4.0 MOA LED reticle to help improve your rifle’s performance.
It is compatible with rifles and carbines, as well as firearms with an MT1913 Picatinny rail.
You will like that it comes with a removable raiser so that you have an additional mounting option on your rifle.
This means you can choose to use the raiser or not, depending on your current needs.
You can use it in rough conditions and in any weather, as the build resists shocks, bangs, water, fog, vibrations, and other impacts.
The included CR2032 battery is designed to last for one year.
Located at the scope’s side, you can easily access the battery compartment for hassle-free replacements.
To make target acquisition easier, this sight has a 1x magnification. It produces a clear image of the target as well as what’s behind it.
Altering the brightness level is also easy because of the large adjustment buttons.
All in all, it is easy to see why this is a great product, especially for its price.
Pros:
- Adjustable brightness level
- Usable in any weather and environment
- Enhances rifle’s performance
- Highly compatible
- Offers great value for money
Con:
- No markings on the lens and buttons
4. Pinty 2.5-10×40 Tactical Rifle Scope
Compared to basic models, Pinty’s red and green illuminated mil-dot rifle scope comes with a red laser.
You’ll like that it has a 100-yard field of view combined with the laser’s 100-yard range.
Review
This riflescope offers rifle users a magnification of 2.5×10 and has an objective of 40mm.
The objective lens is green and multi-coated, which helps improve the transmission of light and enables clearer sight.
The green and red illuminated reticle offers five adjustable brightness levels suitable for different environments and times.
The lower brightness levels are ideal to use in dark conditions, while the higher ones are for bright environments.
This is just one of the ways the scope ensures better precision, though.
We are sure you will also appreciate that its entire construction is of solid aluminum alloy.
You will also find that it is easy and quick to mount, especially on Picatinny or Weaver rails.
It is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed, enabling its waterproof and fog-proof performance and ensuring consistent performance even in harsh or cold weather.
The construction also includes elevation and windage adjustments for better precision.
The Kellner eyepiece comes with a dioptric adjustment lens, which will improve image quality.
This scope undoubtedly has excellent qualities, especially considering it is less than a hundred bucks.
Apart from the CR2032 battery, other inclusions are three CX189 batteries, adjustment tools, a
Pros:
- Adaptable to diverse lighting conditions
- Excellent image quality
- Windage and elevation adjustments
- Strong and durable
- Complete package
Con:
- Doesn’t lighten up enough
5. Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope
What usually distinguishes Simmons scopes from the rest are the amazing features packed into their solid bodies.
For instance, this awesome model boasts quick target acquisition and a good grip of adjustment buttons.
Review
The Simmons 3-9x32mm riflescope is a feature-rich ruggedly-constructed device with optimum performance and unmatched reliability.
You will like that it has fully coated optics for bright and sharp images.
Plus, the quick target acquisition eyepiece offers amazing eye relief and makes it easy and fast to aim at your targets.
The lens features HydroShield coating, which provides clear sight images irrespective of the weather conditions.
The Truplex reticle is waterproof, resistant, and shockproof, which explains its ruggedness and durability.
Another great feature of this .22 riflescope is the parallax correction, ranging from 50 yards to infinity.
The adjustment buttons have a grip rubber surface that helps to use them easily under any conditions.
As a plus, it comes with a complete set of optics rings that enables easy mounting on your rifle.
Pros:
- Delivers sharp and bright images
- Easy adjustment of knobs
- Provides quick target acquisition
- No problems with mounting
- Suitable for all-weather use
Con:
- May arrive with faulty or defective adjustment knobs
Choosing the Best Ar 15 Scope for your Rifle
Choosing the best scope for your AR-15 rifle could be a challenge, and that is understandable.
There are many things you have to put into consideration if you want to buy the right model.
Here are the most important ones:
Range
One of the most important things to consider is the range you want to be shooting.
Decide if that is short-range (below 100 yards), medium-range (above 100 to 500 yards), or long-range (over 500 yards).
Think you’ll enjoy long-range? Let’s get you started with this guide on long-range rifle shooting.
Compatibility
Next is to check for the products that will be compatible with your rifle.
This way, you can be sure that you will have better accuracy and better performance.
Will the scope be easy to mount on your rifle? Is it the right weight and length you are comfortable using?
Durability
Of course, you should also consider the durability of the product.
You don’t want a scope that will lose precision after a hundred rounds or finds its way into the garbage in just a matter of weeks.
Which Is the Best AR 15 Scope Under $100 for your Rifle?
If we are to choose a rifle for short-ranged shooting, the best one on this list is Bushnell’s Trophy TRS-25.
It comes from a brand that has proven its products’ quality over the years and performs well with AR-15 rifles.
You will find that it excels not just in its performance but also in how long you can expect it to last.
Best of all, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg but instead prove to be way more than what it’s worth.
For a medium-range scope, you won’t go wrong with the CVLife 2.5-10x49e Tactical Rifle Scope.
It works exceptionally well within a range of 500 yards, and you’ll find the red and green illuminated lens will enhance your aim.
The built-in laser is also accurate, without offset or parallax errors.
Indeed, it would be hard to find a scope with such quality at this price range.
What do you think about the Trijicon Ten Mile scope?
Trijicon makes a great product the only issue is the price point. The Trijicon sells for $2600 – $2700 Depending on what model you choose.