Quite a lot of shooters feel once they can get a premium, often expensive shotgun, all their shooting worries are over, and they can just pull up at the range and hit their targets effortlessly.
Well, that is far from the truth. While a premium shotgun is a good asset to own, you need more than that to hit better shots. A red dot sighting system on your shotgun is the magic wand that makes all your shooting dreams come true. It can even make a novice shooter look like a pro.
Red dot sights for shotguns may not be often talked about like their rifle counterparts. Still, with more and more people adopting shotguns, this topic cannot be neglected further.
If you have ever taken your time to aim only to see your shot go well off the mark when you pulled the trigger, you’ll understand the need for the additional help a red dot sight brings. This is more than just any red dot sight; it is about the best red dot sights and what they can do to your shooting.
Shotguns are usually short-range weapons that are most times used in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing targets. You need a red dot that can handle this perfectly. Sadly there are so many in the market that’ll make it difficult to get the right red dot. It is, for this reason, we set out to get the best red dot for a shotgun.
This guide will simplify your buying process and help you make the right decision. Follow us as we go through the best of them all.
Table of Contents
Best Red Dot for Shotgun
Here are our top picks for best red dot for shotguns. Here you will see the features of each red dot, what makes it special, and the drawbacks you should be wary of.
- Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight – Our top pick
- MidTen 2 MOA Micro Red Dot Sight
- Eotech 512 Holographic Sight
- Aimpoint Micro T-2 2MOA Red Dot Sight
- Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight
- Sightmark Ultra Shot Sight
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Bushnell Trophy | • Affordable • 3MOA reticle • Multiple brightness settings | View Price |
 | MidTen 2 | • Anodized finish • Both eye open shooting • 2MOA reticle | View Price |
 | EOTECH 512 | • Locked in zero • 2AA batteries • 20 brightness settings | View Price |
 | Aimpoint Micro | • Lightweight • Extended battery life • Flip-up covers protecting its lenses | View Price |
 | Vortex Optics | • Anti-glare body • Unlimited eye relief • Multiple | View Price |
 | Sightmark | • Protective casing • Integrated sunshadesf • Multiple reticles | View Price |
1. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
This red dot sight is our top pick. It was able to stand out among all the other red dot sights for shotguns we examined, and you’ll see why shortly.
Bushnell trophy TRS-25 is a popular red dot sight, one of the most popular in the industry. It is compact and lightweight, which fits the bill for most shooters as they prefer a red dot sight that is easy to carry around in their backpacks and even when fitted on their shotguns.
It uses a 3 MOA reticle and gives you a chance to choose between its 11 brightness settings covering different light conditions. Its magnification is just 1x and an objective lens of just 25mm, which is not the biggest when compared to similar red dot sights. Its small objective lens may limit your field of view.
Bushnell trophy TRS-25 comes with finger adjustable windage and elevation turrets. And a long-lasting battery that can last up to 5000 hours. It automatically switches off when you cover the lens, helping you to preserve your battery.
It is easy to mount on your shotgun, and being a low-rise mount, you won’t have issues moving it around. It is also a durable red dot sight being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
Pros
- Affordable
- 11 brightness settings
- Durable
- Shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof
- Long-lasting battery
- Finger adjustable turrets
- 3 MOA reticle
- Compact and Lightweight
- Unlimited eye relief
Cons
- Limited field of view
- Limited magnification range
2. MidTen 2 MOA Micro Red Dot Sight
Accuracy and precision are watchwords for this red dot sight. But that’s not all, it is also comfortable to use as you can look through it with your two eyes open. You do not need to close one eye to see through the red dot.
Made from aluminum with a matte black and anodized finish. This increases its durability by making it scratch-proof and shockproof. It is also nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed, which keeps water out and prevents fog from forming inside the lens. Its durability is one of the reasons it is highly rated by shooters and sitting in our list of best red dot sights for shotguns.
MidTen 2 MOA micro red dot has multi-coated lenses that are scratch-resistant, with awesome light transmission capabilities even in poor light conditions. Alongside its 2 MOA reticle, you’ll enjoy clear and crisp images.
You’ll love its unlimited eye relief that allows you to mount this sight anywhere on your shotgun without fear of injury due to recoil. Just like the above-mentioned red dot, this gives you the chance to choose between multi-intensity levels of brightness.
Pros
- Durable
- Unlimited eye relief
- Anodised finish
- Multi-coated lens
- Fogproof, waterproof, and shockproof
- Multiple brightness intensities to choose from
- Both eyes open shooting
- 2MOA reticle
Cons
- Quick draining battery
3. Eotech 512 Holographic Sight
As the name implies, this is a holographic red dot sight, different from the regular red dot sights available. It has a combination of a red ring and red dot that makes fast targeting and accuracy possible in your shooting. It works by using a powerful laser to project the dot on the holographic lens.
Unlike most other red dot sights, this particular sight uses 1 MOA dot, which allows you to reach better accuracy when aiming. One of the best red dot sights you can use for tactical shooting, the eotech 512 holographic red dot sight is also comfortable to use. It also has a 68 MOA ring. There’s a powerful lighting system in the optic coupled with the 20 different brightness levels that makes the dot visible even in poor light conditions.
It is compact and rugged, able to withstand a lot pressure. It uses weaver-style MIL-STD 1913 rails.
When it comes to its adjustment options, you can adjust its windage and elevation using an adjusting tool. It is not finger adjustable but this may also be an advantage as your set zero is locked in after removing the tool from the turret. It is also parallax-free.
It has an elongated body that houses two AA batteries that will power the red dot for up to 2000 hours. This is another red dot with unlimited eye relief.
Pros
- Unlimited eye relief
- Parallax free
- Two AA batteries for longer use
- 20 brightness settings to choose from
- Designed for tactical shooting
- Locked in zero
Cons
- Bulky
4. Aimpoint Micro T-2 2MOA Red Dot Sight
The micro in the name is no coincidence. Aimpoint Micro T-2 is small, lightweight, but highly effective. If you want a red dot sight that you can trust but will not take up enough space in your bag.
This T-2 red dot is non-magnifying as it has 1x magnification. It uses the traditional tube design and has parallax-free optics, which enables you to enjoy seamless aiming and shooting. Its multi-coated lens not only protects the surface from scratches but ensures good light transmission through the tube for clear image quality. The front and rear lenses are also protected with flip-up lenses.
The T-2 sight uses an advanced objective lens and system. Made from quality materials that ensure high durability and dependability. You can use the scope for a long time without having to change it within a short time. It also allows you to use it in diverse weather conditions, including wet environments. This makes it shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof.
One of its greatest pulls is its extended battery life. You can use it continuously for over 50,000 hours. There are also elevation and windage turrets to adjust for better accuracy.
There are 12 intensity settings to choose from and an additional setting that can be used in bright sunlight. It can also work in low-light conditions.
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Compact design
- Waterproof, shockproof, fogproof
- Flip-up covers to protect its lenses
- Extended battery life
- Can be used in all light conditions
Cons
- Not affordable
5. Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight
Premium, state of the art, are some of the words you can use to describe this beast of a red dot sight. It is, however an expensive option. Maybe too expensive for some people. But there is no denying its quality and features.
I love the Vortex Crossfire Red Dot that brings about a simple point of aim that is hard to get with other red dot sights. The many features usually mean you hardly have enough battery life remaining after using it for a short time. This scope has a battery-saving feature that can give you over 50,000 hours of usage on low brightness intensity.
There are 11 illumination settings to choose from. This way you don’t get stranded in low light or too bright conditions. You can also choose between low and skeletonized lower 1/3 co-witness options.
Enough of performance; let’s look at its durability. The sight is O-ring sealed to keep dust and moisture from entering inside and damaging or causing poor image. Its body is anodized and covered with a hard coat to give it an anti-glare matte finish, so you do not spook your target when shooting.
It also has an unlimited eye relief that allows you to place it anywhere on your shotgun.
Pros
- Unlimited eye relief
- O-ring sealed
- Anti-glare body
- Long-lasting battery
- Lightweight
- 11 illumination settings
Cons
- Expensive
6. Sightmark Ultra Shot Sight
Sightmark ultra shot sight is a budget red dot sight perfect for shotguns. It is the sight for casual shooters as it may not give you the desired results when you’re dealing with nail-biting shooting scenarios.
You can easily mount this red dot as the mount is weaver style easily detachable mounts. There is a shield protecting the primary housing. This housing is an alloy based on cast aluminum.
It uses a single CR123 battery that can last up to 1,000 hours of continuous use; this depends on the illumination setting used. You can also choose between red and green dot options. This is particularly useful as different light conditions may require varying dot colors for clarity. You can also choose between 4 reticle options available in this sight.
It uses an internal adjustment locking system that keeps your zero locked in even after a heavy recoil. The motion sensor that turns and offs the dot helps to preserve the battery life for longer use.
One cheeky little feature you’ll love is its integrated sunshade that reduces glare.
Pros
- Easily detachable mounts
- Protective casing
- Affordable
- Varying dot colors
- Integrated sunshades
- Multiple reticles
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
Finally
You can select any of the listed red dot sights for your shotgun and watch how your shooting improves. You’ll be able to hit your targets consistently without stress.
