Your effort in aiming and hitting the target will go down the drain if you fail to choose the best crossbow scopes.
We bet many know this, but only some archers can choose the right partner to accompany them on the hunting trips.
Do not worry! We understand your confusion, and that is why we spent time researching and compiling the list below.
With our article, even beginners can opt for the right scopes to make the most of their crossbows. Scroll down to find out!
- Read more: How To Make A Crossbow From Scratch
Top 10 Best Crossbow Scope for The Money 2024
There are lots of crossbow scopes in the market but how can you identify the best in them?
Through this best crossbow scope review, we list out six scopes that are worth your money and at the same time, qualify with our standards.
1 Trijicon TR 23 AccuPoint
Trijicon is a popular name in producing battle sights for military, but do you know they also manufacture high-end scopes for hunting?
This TR 23 AccuPoint is one of the signature items of the company.
Judging from the outside, this accessory is built to last aircraft-grade aluminum and anodized finish. Feel free to use the scope even in harsh weather conditions without worrying about it being damaged.
The product of Trijicon also stands out with the extreme clarity it offers thanks to the superior lenses.
What’s more, the tritium illumination will automatically adjust to the lighting conditions to produce most real images as viewed by the naked eyes.
What you see through the scope is clear with perfect brightness and contrast.
What we appreciate is the illumination does not require a battery to operate. It saves you from the hassles of replacing the battery.
The specifications of this are 5-20×50, which are the magnification power and the objective lens size.
However, using a crossbow does not require too high magnification power. If the magnification is too powerful, it can even reduce your shooting accuracy.
There are three different reticles available, including a standard duplex crosshair, mil-dot crosshair, and a triangle post reticle. Feel free to choose the one that suits your eye best.
With such a powerful performance and ultimate durability, it is understandable that this Trijicon TR 23 comes with a sky-high price tag. It is worthy of an investment, but we recommend the item for rifle users rather than archers.
2 TenPoint Pro-View Crossbow Scope
Unlike the Trijicon above, this TenPoint pro-view is genuinely designed for archery purposes. Therefore, you will not risk wasting too much money on unnecessary magnification power or features.
The 3x magnification of this scope is adequate to work well on any crossbow. It does not interfere with your shooting performance while still allows you to see everything vividly Also, the optics are fully coated to improve overall durability.
We have only one word to describe the size of this scope: perfect. It measure 8.5 inches and weighs 7.2 ounces, which is lightweight and compact for you to bring along on hunting trips.
There is no need to worry about it taking up space in your bag or making your hands fatigued.
This quality scope also features crosshairs for 20, 30, and 40 yards with a 50-yard dots. The fourth dot is free standing, just below the 40-yard crosshair.
The multiple crosshairs work well in low, medium, and even bright light situations. Overall, they play a role in improving your accuracy in aiming and shooting the target.
The package will arrive with ⅞’’ scope mounting rings. Rest assured that it is straightforward to install the scope into your crossbow.
However, the rings look cheap and prone to breaking if you apply too much force while mounting.
With such a low price, you cannot expect more in a decent crossbow scope. The TenPoint is quality, lightweight, and durable for long-term use.
3 NIKW9 Prostaff P3 Crossbow Scope
The fact that the Prostaff P3 is fully coated makes it stands out from other competitors on the market.
For your concern, the fully-coated optics allow superior light transmission throughout the day. It means you can go on a hunt at dusk or dawn and still see everything clearly through the scope.
Similar to the TenPoint scope, this model comes with a fixed 3x magnification. Although 3x is optimal for crossbows, you may have to change your position multiple times until you find a suitable place. However, we do not find this a deal-breaker.
Speaking of durability, the Prostaff P3 is a brilliant choice as it is completely made of aircraft-grade aluminum. Even the turret caps are crafted from aluminum, so there is nothing left to worry about.
With such a sturdy finish, can you use the scope in all weather conditions? The answer is yes! It is both waterproof and fog proof, so feel free to hunt whenever you want.
Fortunately, we do not have to sacrifice the lightweight for the durable coat of the scope. Specifically, this Prostaff P3 unit weighs only 11 ounces, thus carrying it will be hassle-free. The detailed dimensions are 3.2×0.8×0.8 inches.
The unit comes with 1-MOA click-stop reticles, clearly marked elevation, and windage turrets, all of which allow you to adjust the reticles at ease.
After sighting in the scope, simply rest the elevation knobs to “zero” before making swift adjustments.
Other specifications include the eye relief of 3.4 inches, exit pupil of 10.7mm, and the field of view of 35.6 ft at 100 yards. You see, the scope offers everything you need for a great hunting experience.
4 Excalibur Tact-Zone 2.5-6x32mm Illuminated Scope – Best Crossbow Scope on the Market
This scope comes as a standard accessory for the Matrix series of crossbows by the same manufacturer. But you can install Tact-Zone on other crossbows be it a lower spec at 275 fps to high spec crossbows reaching at most 415 fps in speed.
If you’re into hunting at far distances, Tact-Zone scope works best for you. Its lowest power is at 2.5 and could go higher up to 6x.
The field of view does not appear to be lacking at 6x, so you can see clearly at 20 feet with fast target acquisition. At 2.5x power, the field of view is estimated to be 45 feet.
Tact-Zone is also good in low light conditions. It has a high light transmission rate which gives you fantastically clear images with high resolution at various zoom levels.
The reticle is illuminated in either red or green and can be set at five intensity levels.
Target acquisition is rapid with this crossbow scope as it has half-inch click adjustments from 20 yards.
Sighting in doesn’t break a sweat because there are markers to display the numbers according to the yardage.
Installing the scope on your crossbow needs 1” rings, and they don’t come with this scope. You will have to buy it separately. Once you have the rings, mounting it poses no other difficulties.
Sighting in the Tact-Zone is hard at first because you need to fine-tune the compensation markers to your crossbow.
Set the velocity of the crossbow to the velocity wheel of the scope, and you’re done. The markers would stay accurate at 60 yards.
Like other Excalibur scopes, Tact-Zone is made out of aircraft-grade aluminum with its optics coated with nitrogen.
These two make up the fog proof, shockproof, and waterproof capabilities of this scope.
5Excalibur Twilight Dlx Scope Multirange Reticle – Best Versatility Crossbow Scope
Twilight DLX is no joke especially for hunters who desire to take their hunting performance to the extremes.
This one’s larger and bigger than other Excalibur scopes mentioned but this would be worth it to try out. Twilight DLX works best with crossbows at 300 to 400 fps. So, this can satisfy most crossbow models on the market.
The 44mm objective lens’ function is to gather as much light as possible which gives you a bright, clear, and balanced images through your scope.
Twilight DLX is exceptionally good in low light conditions with the help of the 30mm tube that makes up for unimpeded light transmission.
Moreover, the illuminated reticle which comes in either green or red assists considerably in low light conditions.
Though it has a maximum power of 6x, the field of view is generous. At 100 yards, the field of view at the same setting is at 50 feet. This leads to fast target acquisition.
One obvious drawback for Twilight DLX is its bulky appearance. With 12.9×2.9 dimensions and a weight of 1.4 pounds, this scope would fit tightly into the crossbow case. Just like other Excalibur scopes, you may need to buy 30mm rings separately.
Twilight DLX is easy to sight in and comes with two dials to adjust the windage and elevation. There’s a velocity dial that you can rotate depending on your crossbow’s specs so that the reticle lines are precise in 10-yard increments.
As a standard feature among the Excalibur scopes, the aircraft-grade aluminum, fully multi-coated optics through nitrogen allows the following functions (fog proof, shockproof, and waterproof) to take place.
6 Hawke 1.5-5x32mm IR SR Scope with Illuminated Circles – Best Crossbow Scope at Fast Speeds
If you’re looking for versatility, this scope works best for you.
It caters various crossbows as long as their speed range from 270 to 425 fps, making it a must-have if you are a fast shooter.
This Hawke scope’s magnification level can reach up to 5x while still retaining its field of view and light gathering capability.
The field of view at 100 yards starts from 22.5 to 75 feet. Then, the light transmission is high and enhances the image sighted through the scope which nullifies the dark surroundings.
Even in low light conditions, it will look like it’s still daytime through the help of coated optics and dual-color illumination. Reticles can either be red or green, and each color has five intensity levels that you can adjust through a rheostat.
Shooting accuracy is improved by the markers with increments of 10 yards starting from 20 until 100 yards.
Installing isn’t difficult, and the velocity can be adjusted with no tools required. Once you input the velocity, the magnification will automatically change.
Since both the magnification and velocity are adjusted at the same time, you may find it a hassle because once you select the speed, the magnification will also change.
This might be a conflict in your next hunting trip like when you need to zoom in, but you don’t want to alter the speed of your crossbow.
Installing the crossbow scope needs a separate purchase for the rings.
This Hawke scope is overall a tough one as its features like being made out of aluminum, and fully multi-coated optics deliver weatherproof capabilities.
7 BARSKA AC12176 Red Dot Optics
If you are searching for a red dot scope for your crossbow, look no further! This advanced BARSKA red and green dot scope will satisfy your expectations in an excellent scope for crossbows.
This BARSKA offers users everything they expect in a red dot. One of those is surely the quick target acquisition, allowing you to aim and shoot in seconds.
When timing counts, the scope will be of great help. Also, it is ideal for CQB situations.
There are four reticle patterns available, all of which are extremely clear and crispy. Unlike other optics, the reticles of this scope even work well and provide clear images in low-power settings.
This red dot sight also features an adjustable rheostat, which allows users to adjust the brightness to five different levels based on the surrounding lighting conditions. This will be of great help in extreme lighting, for example, too bright light.
Coming equipped with this scope is a ⅝ mount that will fit a rifle’s standard Picatinny Rails. Also, there are some accessories included such as flip-up scope caps, lens cloth, and battery.
Overall, this scope is versatile for many purposes, but it will be ideal for close or mid-range use.
8 Sightmark Photon XT
The Sightmark Photon XT boasts several incredible features that any shooter would dream of. Check out the details below.
The very first thing to mention is the built-in, high-power infrared illuminator of this product. It improves our visibility in low ambient light conditions or even total darkness at up to 120 yards.
Although it is categorized as a night vision scope, the Photon can also work well in the day thanks to the use of the CMOS array.
It is also equipped with a light filter on the lens cap to improve image clarity in the daytime.
This unit comes with sturdy construction to handle the toughest conditions without breaking down. The metal and glass-nylon composite body can withstand up to 1000Gs of recoil.
Also, it is weatherproof, waterproof, and even shockproof. You can set your mind at rest to use the scope for a long time.
The Photon XT stands out with its versatility thanks to six reticle styles, including red, white, and green.
It does not stop there! This model can be your partner on the hunt, allowing you to locate and shoot your target quickly and precisely.
In addition, you can also use the model for observational purposes. How convenient!
Last but not least, the Photon XT is equipped with video recording capabilities, which enables users to capture everything they see and output the video to watch later. This is such an innovation that few competitors have to offer.
Our only complaint is that the model does not arrive with scope rings. You have to buy them separately, which costs you some more bucks.
9 UTG 4X32 1’’ Crossbow Scope
This UTG 4X32 1’’ is one of the most precise scopes at its price range. Are you curious about what it got to offer?
The scope comes with a 32mm objective lens and 4x fixed magnification. It also features a generous and comfortable eye relief of 3.8 inches for a better viewing experience.
Everything is bright and clear through the scope, which is impressive considering its rock-bottom price.
You can configure the illumination to either red or green to your liking, and each color has five brightness settings.
Otherwise, you can turn off the illumination for a black reticle, which is recommended for daytime use.
Lining up your target is no longer difficult, and you can do it in a matter of seconds!
The manufacturer ensures this model can withstand different weather conditions by making it fog proof, rainproof, and shockproof.
We tried dropping the scope from a tree stand a few times but it survives intact. Impressive!
The scope operates on a CR1620 battery, which is included in the package. However, you may want to prepare one or two spare items if you hunt for a long time in low light conditions. Note that the cold weather also decreases the runtime of the scope.
The only minus is the scope does not support anything higher than 300 FPS. This may put off those who prefer to shoot the targets from farther away.
On the whole, the UTG 4X32 is the best for the money. It offers everything a hunter needs, from durability, technology, and affordability.
10 Pinty 3-9X40 Red Green Rangefinder Illuminated Optical Rifle Scope
As its name might already suggest, this model comes with adjustable magnification from 3X to 9X.
The powerful magnification makes it suitable for both rifle and crossbow users. However, for our archers, we only recommend the 3X settings.
Similar to the UTG model, this Pinty unit offers green and red illumination for quick target acquisition and a great viewing experience.
There are five brightness levels available, and you can choose a suitable model based on the environment.
Durability is what we cannot underestimate when it comes to Pinty’s scopes. This unit is no exception, with O-ring sealing and nitrogen-filled reticle ensuring waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Set your mind at rest to bring the crossbow scope along in your hunting trip.
The accessories include two 1’’ scope rings, which allow hassle-free installment of the scope into any 20mm Picatinny or Weaver mount rails. The scope also comes with lens covers to prevent any damages.
During our tests, we had some issues with the crosshair coming loose and detached.
We contacted the customer support, and they gave us really useful advice. We appreciate the thoughtful customer service of Pinty.
Different Types Of Crossbow Scopes
Red Dot
As its name might already suggest, a red dot scope offers no magnification but a lot of illuminated red dots for you to aim at the target. Without the magnification, the red dot offers a large field of view and hassle-free centering.
Also, this kind of crossbow scope allows users to aim and fire quickly but accurately. Few can beat the red dot when it comes to timing.
Due to its ultimate ease-of-use, the red dot scope suits beginners and amateur archers best. It is ideal for a variety of purposes, including target shooting, hunting, as well as in the military. Firearm applications aside, people also recommend red dot scopes for cameras and telescopes.
Night Vision
If you often join hunting trips at night, do not miss out on a quality night vision for your crossbow. The scope will emit infrared light, which is invisible to the human eyes and the animal eyes but visible to the device.
Mount the scope on your crossbow and you can see everything clearly even in pitch dark forests. Typically, the night vision scope features an IR, or infrared, or illuminator.
As stated above, a night vision scope is an indispensable item to hit your target in low light conditions.
However, do note that you are not allowed to hunt after dark in certain areas. Make sure to check the local laws to avoid any violations.
Optic Scope
We bet you are familiar with the optic scopes featuring different magnification levels. Thanks to the scope, you can zero in on a target and shoot with maximum accuracy.
There is a series of reticles for you to track the arc of your bolt. High-quality optic scopes also indicate the trajectory at many distances.
The optic scope deserves our praises for ultimate precision, even if you shoot from long distances. In archery competitions where accuracy is the number one priority, do not forget to bring along an optic scope.
Understanding Crossbow Scope Specifications
Size
The length of the scope is measured from the leading edge of the objective lens to the back edge of the eyepiece.
Typically, the longer scope will have higher magnification. However, that does not mean longer is better.
This is because, with a crossbow, you will not need too high magnification. Also, long scopes tend to be bulky and adds weight to your crossbow, making it tiresome to hold for a long time.
In terms of the weight, the desirable scope is compact and lightweight so that you find it effortless to carry it along.
Heavy scopes may prevent us from aiming the target precisely as it throws off the balance of the bow.
Magnification Power
When you search for a crossbow scope, you often come across all the numbers like 4x, 6x, and 8x. What do these indicate?
Well, the numbers before the x indicate the magnification power of the scope, or to be more specific, how many times the reproduced images are magnified compared to what you see in real life.
If there is a range listed before the x, it means the scope has adjustable magnification power. For example, you can adjust the magnification from 2 to 4 times with a 2-4×32 optic scope.
Bear in mind that, unlike rifles, the crossbow works less effectively at long ranges. Thus, a powerful scope such as 4x or 6x is not practical. Such magnification power may affect your performance negatively.
Objective Lens Size
You may also see a number after the x, which refers to the objective lens size measured in millimeters. This figure determines the amount of light that reaches your eyes when you view through the scope.
Typically, a large objective lens will produce more vivid images with better clarity and brightness, especially in low light conditions.
The best crossbow scopes often come with an objective lens measuring 32 millimeters. Smaller ones will give darker images, while bigger ones may hinder bolt positioning.
Field Of View (FOV)
This specification indicates the field of vision you can see while using the scope. Our field of view with naked eyes is about 210 degrees in the horizontal range and 150 degrees in the vertical range.
A large field of view allows you to follow a moving target at ease. However, it does not necessarily mean that a larger FOV performs better than a smaller one.
Whichever size you should go for depends on your target. If you are hunting feral hogs or whitetail deer, a large FOV is recommended. Meanwhile, a small FOV would be suitable for hunting groundhogs and prairie dogs.
Two factors are determining the field of vision of your crossbow scope. The first is the construction of the eyepiece, and the second is the magnification level. The higher magnification, the narrower field of view.
Eye Relief
You can find the number indicating eye relief measured in inches. This aspect refers to the required distance between your eyes and the eyepiece to see the full FOV. The ideal eye relief depends on your crossbows.
How To Sight In A Crossbow Scope
Sighting in a crossbow scope is straightforward, but it may take some time to practice. Once you are familiar with the steps, you can even do it with your eyes closed! Now take a look at our detailed guides:
Step 1: Determine the level position to shoot from
Assuming that you have installed your scope into the crossbow correctly. Now establish the desired shooting position.
You can choose a large boulder or a fallen tree to shoot from, but we recommend using a bipod or tripod for a stable platform.
Step 2: Determine the distance between the crossbow scope and your eye
Your eye should be far enough from the scope to avoid physical injuries in the event of heavy recoil. Meanwhile, it needs to be close enough so you can see everything clearly from the scope.
Step 3: Align the reticle
Aligning the reticle to elevation and windage is essential to improve your shooting accuracy. If you fail at this step, the arrow will probably miss the target to one side or the other.
Step 4: Set the MOA
MOA is short for Minute of Angle. It includes a set of calculations that you can rely on to sight your scope more precisely over long distances.
Step 5: Practice
Now take your time to practice sighting in your crossbow scope over and again. Note down what is working for you and what is not to gradually get the hang of archery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
We have walked you through the top 9 best crossbow scopes on the market. Although each product differs in detail, they are all of the high quality and worth every penny you spend.
