Best Scope For AR 15 Under $100 | Budget-Friendly Guide

Scopes are available in so many different designs, types, styles, and distinctions that making a choice may be difficult. However, there is no reason to worry. Several good scopes are available for AR-15s, so this guide explains how to select the best scope for AR-15 under $100.

In the sub-$100 market, it can be a game of chance, but you shouldn't gamble your hard-earned cash on some random scope buy. 

Irrespective of how much you spend, you can have buyer's remorse.  There is no point in wasting money.

Our AR-15 scope lineup for under $100 features some time-honored favorites and some features we consider priority for a budget scope.

This article will discuss the best AR 15 scopes under 100 dollars and describe their advantages and features.

Best Scope For AR 15 Under $100: Top 10 Choices In 2022

The turrets of this scope are also adjustable and easy to use. Furthermore, these turrets can be locked, and also feature a zero-reset feature, which will help you keep your zero even after making numerous adjustments. A feature like this is unheard of at this price point.

There are hashmarks along the elevation and windage crosshairs so you can have multiple aiming points and range your target accurately with the range mil-dot reticle.  There is dual illumination in red and green, as with many of the best scopes in this lineup, but it is highly visible without it as well.  It is much easier and more convenient to control brightness with the side dial than on the eyepiece.  

If you receive your BugBuster, you'll be delighted to know you can mount it and head out to the range immediately.  It comes with a 2-inch sunshade, flip-open caps, and heavy-duty, medium height QD rings.

You can be assured that the UTG series of scopes are covered by Leapers Lifetime Warranty if there are any quality control issues.

The UTG Bugbuster scope is not only inexpensive, but it also offers high-quality performance and durability that makes it worth every penny. It deserves to be on the list of the best  scope for AR 15 under $100.

Features at a Glance

Although the aluminum construction is lightweight, it is durable and sturdy which gives you confidence to use it in the toughest conditions.

The capped adjustment turrets provide precise elevation and windage adjustments. Fully multicoated lenses further improve optical clarity.

The 3.85 inch eye relief is adequate for most shooters.

You might be hesitant to purchase a AR-15 scope under $100 because you might think that a cheap scope means inferior quality. Sig Sauer is a well known optics brand and it gives you a lifetime guarantee on this scope, so they're obviously confident that they've produced a quality budget rifle scope.

The Sig Sauer Buckmaster 3-12x44 BDC scope is high up on our list of best AR-15 scopes under 100 dollars and comes highly recommended.

Features at a Glance

Despite its price, the Bushnell Trophy red dot rifle scope offers a lot of features. One of the features of the scope is its 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness settings. Moreover, the Trophy red dot rifle scope also provides outstanding clarity and reduces any glare caused by the sun. It allows you to adapt and adjust to any lighting or environment condition.

The red-dot sight makes it easy to aim and shoot a target up to 100 yards away.

The scope's adjustment dial also makes adjusting it easy. Each dial equates to 0.5 MOA. Additionally, Bushnell Trophy's mount rings allow for easy mounting of the scope. This means it is compatible with several pistols, rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, etc. If you want to use this red dot on an AR15 rifle with a flattop receiver, you'll need a Hi-Riser Block to raise the sight.  Once that's mounted, you'll also be able to co-witness your red dot with your iron sights.

Bushnell Trophy red dot scopes are perfect for those who want to get better at shooting and for those searching for a versatile scope. It's arguably one of the best cheap scopes you can get for your AR-15.

Features at a Glance

Despite its low price, it includes 1" medium rings and lens caps, and overall it is compact, weighing less than one pound. This compact yet functional design is built using 6061 aircraft grade aluminum, is nitrogen-purged and water-resistant and has a detachable throw lever.

It's important to know that a low-priced rifle scope is backed by a warranty if it develops a defect. Monstrum's 2-7x32 scope provides that peace of mind with a 1-year warranty, so you don't have to worry if you're unlucky enough to purchase a defective scope.

The Monstrum 2-7x32 AR15 scope is an excellent, lightweight option for beginner shooters and we'd highly recommend it.

Features at a Glance

One of my favorite features of the CVLIFE red & green illuminated scope is its laser feature. It provides fast target acquisition and high accuracy at a distance of 100 yards. Two LR44 batteries are needed to operate the laser. It is also possible to use a CR2032 battery if all the batteries have been used up.

In addition, this AR-15 rifle scope also has an illuminated Mil-Dot reticle that can be adjusted to 5 different brightness levels. Designed specifically for .223 caliber 55 grain bullets, these lasers can also be used with other bullet types.

By installing these, you can hunt regardless of the light conditions. The scope can also be used for hunting big and small game, varmints, and even for target shooting and tactical purposes.

Also, I really appreciate the free 20mm and 11mm mounts that come with the scope. It allows you to mount a CVLIFE red and green illuminated scope to your AR-15.

This is an excellent scope in general. In addition to being compact, it offers significant magnification. A great buy.

Features at a Glance

I also like the fact that this scope has a magnification level of 4-12x. As a result, the scope can be applied to several different purposes, including hunting and tactical use.

My favorite feature of the MidTen scope is its illuminated reticle. An illuminated reticle is quite useful in a variety of situations and is easier to use than other reticle types.

There are two reticles on the scope, red and green, each with 5 brightness levels. Perfectly framed, the reticle comes in several variations. It includes the Holographic, Reflex Sight, Red/Green Circle Dot and 3-MOA. Additionally, all of them are illuminated, so hunters and shooters easily sight and shoot their targets even in low-light conditions. The holographic sight offers even more precision and accuracy.

The fact that it is able to hold zero, as well as the fact that the elevation and windage knobs are easy to operate, is yet another reason we recommend this scope. In addition to those two features, the eyepiece with it's eye relief ranging from 3-3.4 inches is also a contributing factor to its ranking as one of the best AR-15 scopes under $100 for professionals and new shooters who want to watch their budget.

The Midten 4-12x50 scope is one of the best AR-15 scopes under 100 dollars and is one of the firm favorites of budget conscious scope buyers. It is a little bulky, but lightweight and sturdy which is why we highly recommend it.

Features at a Glance

As a result of its airtight construction and nitrogen-purging technology, it is waterproof and fog-proof. The material can also withstand all types of environmental conditions, so it won't break too easily.

I also like that the scope has high magnification levels. Featuring 3-9x zoom levels, the scope can be used for many purposes, including aiming at quick animales and hunting.

The scope itself comes with a set of excellent lenses that produce a crisp, clear sight picture, as well as excellent light transmission. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn riflescope's multicoated 40mm objective lens still provides good low-light performance. You wouldn't expect anything less from a scope with the words "Dusk & Dawn" as part of it's name.

Due to its fast-focus eyepiece, the scope allows fast sighting and target acquisition. Furthermore, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn rifle scope features a safe and comfortable 6-inch eye relief.

With a budget friendly AR-15 scope under 100 dollars you'd expect a drawback & this scope's is the fact that it lacks any parallax adjustment feature. Apart from this, you'll find a great scope in the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn riflescope which is why it's on our list of best AR-15 scopes under $100.

Features at a Glance

Our standout feature is the objective lens. The multi-coated layered component is specifically designed to enhance the transmission of light and prevent scratches.

You'll appreciate the versatility offered by the Monstrum 3-9x32 Rifle Scope. Its magnification ranges from 3x to 9x and its objective lens is 32mm in diameter. The 3x magnification will ensure you have a great experience if you enjoy close-range or free-hand shooting. There's still time to choose a 9x magnification setting for enhanced visual experience if you'd like to try long-range shooting.

There is no First Focal Plane reticle on the Monstrum 3-9x32 Rifle Scope, so if you are looking for this feature, please take note.

Nonetheless, the rangefinder reticle is made of glass. As a result, you'll be able to use it for long-range targeting and range estimation. Dial-controlled illumination lets you choose between red and green. 

Depending on the lighting conditions, the brightness intensity can be adjusted. The 3V CR1632 battery model will last more than 8 hours if you use a low brightness setting.

An eye relief of 3.5-3.8 inches is provided by the Monstrum 3-9x32 Rifle Scope.It is designed to offer different magnification options, so the specification comes in the form of a range. In the end, it's a decent eye relief and a significant factor for rifles with heavy recoil.

A lens cloth and cover are also included as additional accessories. These devices are designed to offer better protection, especially when detached from the rifle, which we thought was a nice touch. 

Features at a Glance

The 4x magnification is perfect for a scope intended to support long-distance shooting. The Bullet Drop Compensator reticle makes it ideal for such a task. It's an essential feature, since you can't hit the bullseye without knowing how much your bullet will drop at a particular range. 

After zeroing the rifle at 200 yards, any point that falls within your crosshair will tell you what the bullet will do at 300 yards, 400 yards, etc.

An adjustable brightness provides all-day use with the Ozark Armament 4X Magnified Optic Scope. Considering some scopes will only perform well when the light conditions are favorable, this is amazing. So if you prefer hunting or shooting under cover of darkness or in low-light conditions, you won't feel limited.

The reticle is illuminated, and it also comes with multiple color settings. You can choose from blue, green, or red, and they’ll all be very visible even during daytime.

What are the effects of moisture and dust on the sighting system? The tool has been tightly sealed, so you do not have to worry about dust. In order to deal with moisture, it's been nitrogen-purged. Therefore, if you were afraid the fog issue might hurt your system if you moved from warm to cold environments, don't worry. 

Ozark Armament is a trusted brand. Our faith in them stems from the fact that they offered us a gold premium lifetime warranty.

Features at a Glance

This rifle scope also has a fixed magnification level of 3x, making it perfect for shooting short- to mid-range targets as well as hunting varmints. The scope's accuracy and precision remains constant up to a distance of 500 yards.

A combination of airtight rings and nitrogen-purging ensures that the scope is waterproof and fogproof. Furthermore, the rifle scope is designed to withstand bumps, shocks, and the like in many different conditions and environments.

Its clear and crisp pictures are another feature I appreciate about this rifle scope. Because it has a 30mm objective lens, it is able to filter in a lot of light, resulting in an image that is clear. Also, its multicoated optics enable a more efficient transmission of light.

A black reticle and red and green crosshairs are featured on the Monstrum prism scope. As a result, you can adjust brightness levels depending on the situation.

Backwards adjustment knobs might take some getting used to and some might find the 3.5 inch eye relief a bit short, but overall this is a great AR-15 scope for under 100 dollars.

Features at a Glance

What To Look For In The Best AR-15 Scope Under $100

Are there any good AR-15 optics under $100? There are many variations of low-priced scopes for your AR-15, such as style, type, design, brand, and so forth. For beginners, finding a quality rifle scope might be difficult due to all these factors. This is exactly why we wrote this article. This guide will help you determine which optics are right for you by listing all the factors you need to consider.

How Durable Is It

For your scope to last a long time, you must ensure that it is made of high-quality materials. You should choose a waterproof and shockproof scope. Additionally, a scope with a lens cap and fog-proofing is best.

Type of Reticle

Different reticles are available for AR-15 scopes, which can be customized to suit multiple purposes and preferences. In addition to the illuminated reticle, you can find the BDC reticle, the duplex reticle, and the mil-dot reticle. Additionally, you can choose from red or green dots, or you can choose a simple triplex reticle.

Since illuminated reticles are more useful in low-light situations, most users prefer using them. Furthermore, their excellent light transmission allows them to improve lighting conditions. In night-hunting, red dot scopes are also popular because they are easy to use and are suitable for beginners.

In addition to this, reticles have a choice of first or second focal plane.

Magnification

When you are planning to use an AR-15 scope as a tactical rifle scope, the magnification range is an important factor to consider.

A scope's magnification level and diameter of its objective lens are indicated by two numbers. Users tend to look at the objective lens size of rifle scopes when purchasing rifle scopes for their AR-15. Larger objective lenses provide a crisper and clearer sight picture.

The magnification can be either fixed or variable. A fixed magnification scope only offers a certain amount of magnification, as suggested by its name. As such, it cannot be used in all situations and is limited in its usefulness. However, this scope has the advantage of being more durable since it has fewer parts.

By allowing for variable magnifications, targets can be acquired and shot at more quickly. Since they have additional parts, they are more fragile and require extra care.

It's Weight and Size

The size and weight of your scope depends on how you plan to use it. The compact scope is the best choice if you intend to use it for short to mid-range shots or during hunting. No matter how big or small your scope is, make sure it will fit on your AR-15 flat top platform.

How Adjustable Is It

You should look for scopes that have easy-to-adjust knobs if you want a hassle-free experience. It is important that the windage and elevation knobs and turrets are easy to use, as well as of the right size to allow efficient target acquisition.

It's Parallax

Parallax refers to the image distortion caused when you use a high-powered rifle scope. For accurate aiming and shooting, it is essential to have a scope with a good parallax adjustment.

It's Eye Relief

The eye relief refers to how far you place the ocular from your eye so you won't get injured while hunting or shooting.

Eye reliefs that are larger have the advantage of not straining the eyes, as well as ensuring a safe distance from any injuries. It is also possible to purchase scopes with adjustable eye relief, which are also popular.

Conclusion

It is a combination of many factor that makes the perfect scope under 100 dollars, including its features, brand, and so on. The scope you choose also depends on the situations you plan to use it in and your needs.

In this guide, you'll learn all you need to know about AR-15 scopes, as well as the considerations you should keep in mind when buying one. It's ultimately up to you to decide what scope is right for you. We hope that this guide made your decision easier. We want to know if our guide has helped you to pick the best scope for your AR-15 under $100.

Take a look at our article where we show you how to build an AR-15 varmint gun.

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