The AR in AR 15 stands for Armalite Rifle, but it might as well stand for America's rifle. It's the most common rifle in the country, and it often has a flat top upper designed to be used with optics. There are lots and lots of optics out there for the AR 15, but we've gathered our ten favorites here for you.

SIG Sauer Whiskey5 2-10X



The Sig Sauer Whiskey5 42mm 2x10 Optic

SIG Sauer has made huge strides in the optic industry, and there are lots of optics I could choose for this article. In fact, I could've picked 10 SIGs and had a great article. However, I picked the Whiskey5
in 2010X if you are like me and hunt with your AR 15. The magnification is perfect for both brush hunting and moderate ranges. The Levelplex system ensures extreme precision when mounting your optic. The turrets are fingertip adjustable, the magnification ring is insanely smooth, and the optic is built to last with field worthy durability.  

Meprolight Foresight



The Metroplex Foresight 33x20mm 1x Optic

This is a personal favorite and one of the most high-tech scopes on the planet. It connects to your smartphone and allows you to save ten different profiles. If you have a 300 Blackout AR, you can set two profiles and two zeroes, one for subsonic ammunition and one for supersonic. You can change profiles, and therefore zeroes, on the fly. You can also save five reticles from 20 choices to each profile. The heads up display includes a rifle leveler and a compass. In the future, the optic can be updated to add extra features as well. The Foresight
is the world's first augmented reality sight.  

Holosun HE510C



The Holosun GR Elite 510C

Holosun is an excellent brand if you want all the features of a modern tactical optic, but without the heavy price tag. They've carved out a great niche as well made, but affordable optics. The HE510C
is an open-top optic with a square-shaped viewing window for unparalleled peripheral vision. The HE510C comes with two reticles, a 2 MOA dot, or a 2 MOA dot inside a 65 MOA circle. This is a dual fuel optic that's powered by both a solar panel and a single CR2032 battery.  

Eotech XPS3



The Eotech XPS3 30x23mm 1x Optic

Eotech optics are in use by Police, Military, and Special Operation forces worldwide. From Green Berets to Marine Raiders, the XPS3
is the optic of choice for a good reason. It works extremely well for both close-quarter shooting and ranges up to 200 yards. Pair it with a magnifier, and you'll go even further. Eotech invented the open-top, holographic red dot design, and it's renowned for its durability, ease of use, and small size. The XPS3
is a serious optic made for serious applications, and is perfect for duty and home defense use.  

Crimson Trace CTS1000



The Crimson Trace C1000

Got an AR you want a budget optic for? Or maybe something like an AR 15 pistol you are looking to keep nice and light? Well, the CTS1000
is perfect for both. It's a compact red dot sight and is priced to move. It's reliable, uses a simple battery sipping 2 MOA dot, and comes with an AR height mount and free batteries for life. Crimson Trace is more than just lasers these days, and the CTS1000
is an awesome budget optic that's designed to last.  

Burris AR-332



The Burris AR-332 32mm 3x Optic

Want an optic that makes use of the AR 15's effective ranges? Then the AR 332
is for you. It's perfect for close quarter's use, and will make it possible to reach out to 600 yards on a man-sized target. This is a compact, fixed power prism scope with a 3X magnification. It's equipped with a reticle designed around the AR 15 and the 5.56 round. It allows for quick and accurate engagements out to 600 yards and takes all the guesswork out of bullet drop at those ranges. It's also incredibly affordable.  

Athlon Talos BTR 1-4X24mm



The Athlon Talos BTR 24mm 1-4x Optic

Low powered variable optics are all the rage these days, and the Athlon Talos BTR 1-4X24
is a great example of a budget model LPVO. At 1X, the Talos
is used like a red dot, and as the distance to your target increases, you crank up the magnification and your own effective range. The Athlon Talos
has an illuminated Mil-Dot reticle for eye-catching and low light performance, and for making shots across the entire spectrum of the AR 15's effective range. Did I mention it's one of the best built, most affordable LPVOs out there?  

Steiner 1-8x24



The Steiner 24mm 1-8x Optic

If you want a low powered variable optic that's a step up in both magnification and quality, the Steiner 1-8X
is a clear choice. The compact and lightweight scope gives you excellent performance at every magnification range. It features a G2B Mil-Dot reticle that's also illuminated. The 1-8X power magnification makes it not only easy to hit your target, but also to identify it. From deer at 300 yards to tiny targets on paper at 500 yards, the Steiner 1-8X
will get you there. It's an excellent duty option, and Steiner is a proven company with a long track record of success and great optics.  

The Bushnell TRS 25



The Bushnell TRS 25 1x25mm Optic

The TRS 25
is the ultimate budget optic. It's as cheap as you can get before you get into low-grade junky optics. The TRS 25
from Bushnell has become a favorite of the optic's industry. It's a compact 25mm red dot that comes with an AR height riser with a 3 MOA red dot reticle. The TRS 25
is reliable enough for home defense, close-range hunting, and just plinking for fun. Bushnell backs the optic with an awesome warranty, and for the price, it's unbeatable.  

Trijicon ACOG 4x32



The Trijicon ACOG 32mm 4x Optic

Am I biased about the ACOG
? Yep, after five years of being a Marine and using one on every rifle I was issued outside of boot camp, I can say it's the strongest optic I've ever encountered. This fixed four power optic is equipped with an illuminated reticle powered by solar. This optic is equipped with a bullet drop compensator designed around the AR 15 and the 5.56 caliber round. It's a brilliant design and has been proven effective by generations of Marines. The ACOG
is my all-time favorite optic, but the price is rather high, so keep that in mind.  

Topped Out

So here are our top ten optics for the AR 15. I tried to sprinkle in some for every use, and at every price range. Hopefully, you found the right one for you. If not, we have hundreds of optics in our accessories section, so give it a peruse. Shop All Optics