If you’re shopping for the best red dot for a shotgun, you’ve found the right place. Let’s get right into it!
Our Top Picks: Best Red Dots for Shotguns
Best Overall
Trijicon RM07-C-700679 RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight
Sturdy and reliable.
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Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight
Gets the job done without breaking the bank.
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Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot Sight
Top choice for shooters on a limited budget.
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Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight
Guarantees premium performance even in harsh weather conditions.
Shotguns are a great choice for home defense and bird hunting. Did you know most people shoot more accurately with a red dot on them? Yep, you read that right! They’ll get you on target quicker with less fuss about a consistent shoulder mount and cheek weld.
Already convinced that you need one?
Read on to see if you can go with a budget option since you’re not shooting far anyway. We’ll talk about shotgun red dot applications and pick the overall best red dot for a shotgun!
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks: Best Red Dots for Shotguns
- Comparison of the Best Red Dots for Shotguns
- How We Choose + Our Must-Have Features
- 6 Best Red Dots for Shotgun
- Best Overall: Trijicon RM07-C-700679 RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight
- Best Value: Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight
- Best on a Budget: Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 Red Dot Sight
- Best Red Dot Sight for Tactical Shotgun: Vortex Venom Red Dot
- Best Reflex Sight: Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight
- Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
- Red Dot Applications on Shotguns
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Comparison of the Best Red Dots for Shotguns
How We Choose + Our Must-Have Features
| Features | Trijicon RMR | Vortex Viper | Sig Romeo5 | Vortex Venom | Aimpoint PRO | Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 | Category Average |
| Overall Score | 4.02 | 3.45 | 4.12 | 3.28 | 3.47 | 4.08 | 3.82 |
| Ergonomics | 4.6 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 3.6 | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 3.1 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 5 | 2.3 | 5 | 1.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.33 |
| Value | 3.7 | 3.1 | 5 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 5 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 3.95 |
Optics
Lens and Optical Quality
A great lens is fog proof and can withstand daily wear and tear. It should also be protected with scratch-resistant coatings. It’s also important to check if it allows maximum light transmission. The more natural the sight picture, the easier it’ll be to focus on the target when aiming.
Dot Size
Choosing the dot size is critical as your accuracy and speed will depend on it. The best size for red dots on shotguns is 3 to 6 MOA. For medium-range shooting like sporting clays, we recommend a 2 MOA dot, and for competition shooting and home defense at shorter ranges, a 3 to 8 MOA dot size will give you the advantage of speed.
How do we rate it?
We rate the clarity, brightness, dot crispness, and field of view on a scale from 1 to 5. A higher score means the optics provide crystal-clear images under various lighting conditions, have minimal distortion, and offer a wide field of view.
Battery
Another feature to consider is the battery. Get a red dot that has a long battery life so it can last a long time even when leaving it on all the time. A red dot sight that turns on when the gun is picked up is ideal for home defense use, so you’re always ready for unexpected surprises.
How do we rate it?
We consider how long the battery lasts under typical use. A score of 5 means that the red dot offers an exceptionally long battery life. We also consider if the compartment offers convenient battery changes and if the battery is easily available on the market.
Ergonomics
Consider how the sight fits with your shotgun and its usability, including ease of installation, adjustments, and operation. A good sight should feel like an extension of the weapon.
How do we rate it?
Ergonomics are scored based on installation simplicity, ease of use, adjustability, and how well the sight integrates with the shotgun’s overall design.
Build Quality
If you want durability, we suggest you get red dot mounts that are made from steel or aluminum. It would also be a great plus if you could score a mount with a hard coat anodized finish for added durability.
Size, Weight, and Construction
Getting a small red dot sight is also recommended since it’s more suited for a shotgun than big red dot sights, leaving your field of view as clear as possible. A light and well-made unit will handle recoil and stay zeroed easily, staying tightly mounted on your gun even after a thousand rounds.
Mount
Last but not least, you’ve got to look for a mount that’s compatible with your sqqhotgun. Also, decide if you’d want your optic to sit low or high, then choose a red dot sight from there.
How do we rate it?
We assess the durability, material quality, and weather resistance. A higher score indicates a red dot that feels solid, is made from high-grade materials, and can confidently withstand harsh conditions and rough handling.
Value
A red dot that’s easy on the wallet but skimps on important stuff like clarity or durability? That’s a no-go. But one that’s priced a bit higher yet packs in all the features you need—crisp optics, solid build, long battery life, and user-friendly design—that’s hitting the jackpot. We want you to score a reliable, high-performing red dot without blowing your budget.
How do we rate it?
We assess the overall worth, taking into account the price compared to the features and performance offered. A higher score indicates a red dot that offers an excellent balance of quality features at a price that represents good value for money.
Illumination
Different shooting environments require adjustable brightness settings to maintain a clear and visible reticle. So choose a red dot sight that offers versatile brightness adjustment, allowing you to adapt to various light conditions. A sight with multiple brightness levels and night vision compatibility will give you the advantage in the field and at the range.
How do we rate it?
We evaluate the brightness levels, daylight visibility, and reticle clarity. A score of 5 means excellent visibility in both bright sunlight and low light conditions, and a reticle that remains sharp and defined.
6 Best Red Dots for Shotgun
Best Overall: Trijicon RM07-C-700679 RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight
What’s in the box
- Trijicon RM07-C Sight
- Battery
| Factor | Trijicon RM07 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 4.6 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 3.6 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 3.1 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 5 | 4.33 |
| Value | 3.7 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 4.1 | 3.95 |
Trijicon produces solid optics, and one of their best red dots is the RM07 RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight.
The RMR Type 2’s housing is designed to absorb impact to prevent the lens from getting damaged. This beauty can also be mounted on most fixed or variable magnification optics from Trijicon.
This LED sight also features easy-to-access and easy-to-adjust illumination controls at the side. These buttons can also be locked to avoid accidental adjustments. Finally, the Trijicon RM07 RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight comes with a battery-saving feature that adjusts the aiming dot to ambient lighting conditions after 16.5 hours.
One downside is that changing the battery requires dismounting the optic.
Pros
- Lightweight (1.02 oz)
- Long battery life (35,040 hrs)
- Night vision compatible
- Comes with a warranty
- Compact and lightest among our picks
Cons
- Expensive
- No mount included
What Customers Say
“It was very easy to zero and is built like a tank! I suggest downloading an RMR zero target and using it, as it really saves you a lot of time and ammo. The adjustments are tight enough where they don’t need locking screws and I have used this on my CCW for a few months and have not had issues with the zero staying where it should be. Also, this model fixed the flickering issues (as I would expect for the price of this RMR). Don’t waste your time with something cheap that doesn’t function at last as this will! Even if it does cost as much as the Glock you put it on!!!”
Best Value: Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight
What’s in the box
- Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight
- Weaver/Picatinny Mount
- T-10 Torx Wrench
- CR 2032 Battery
| Factor | Vortex Viper | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 4.7 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 3 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 3 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 2.3 | 4.33 |
| Value | 3.1 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 4.6 | 3.95 |
Score: 3.45/5
No brand defines value and performance better than Vortex. So for our best value red dot for shotgun, we picked the Viper Red Dot Sight.
This low-profile red dot is great for co-witnessing with iron sights. It’s designed without any unnecessary hood that can distract you while shooting. It also features Vortex’s reliable anti-reflective coatings on all of its air-to-glass surfaces. Plus, it’s parallax-free and offers unlimited eye relief.
The Viper red dot sight can definitely withstand your shotgun’s heavy recoil because of its shockproof construction.
One minor downside, however, is that you need to remove the optic or the rear sight when adjusting its windage and elevation knobs. It would’ve been better if it was located at the top or on the side.
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Comes with a Weaver/Picatinny mount
- Easy to install
- Lightweight (1.1 oz)
Cons
- Bottom-loaded battery compartment
- Short battery life (2,000 hrs)
What Customers Say
“Mounted on a G-19 Gen 4 MOS. Perfect co-witness with a Suppressor height Truglo Tritium Pro MOS iron sights. The red dot is crisp and (the) lens is very clear. I am very considerate and I did not want to call Vortex and cry like a little girl for the correct mounting screw because it is not their fault (They did not make this red dot exclusively for the Glock MOS). I was too excited to mount it so I improvised like a real man should and used the screw for the MOS cover plate, and because it is too long, I mounted the red dot on the # 1 MOS Plate first so I can see how much is sticking out. I dremeled the screw flushed on the bottom of the plate. Once everything is flush, I Loctite the plate to the slide and the red dot to the plate. It is very secured.”
Best on a Budget: Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 Red Dot Sight
What’s in the box
- Sig Romeo5 Red Dot Sight
| Factor | Sig Romeo5 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 3.6 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 3.5 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 3 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 5 | 4.33 |
| Value | 5 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 4.6 | 3.95 |
Score: 4.12/5
Who said you can’t find a decent and reliable red dot for a hundred-ish bucks? Well, the Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo 5 proves them wrong.
This compact red dot sight features a 2-MOA reticle with 10 illumination settings, giving you flexibility while shooting in any lighting condition. It’s also equipped with a Motion Activated Illumination that shuts down when the sight is not in use. This extends your optic’s battery life up to 40,000 hours!
Be sure to check out our hands-on Sig Romeo5 review for more details if you’re interested.
Not only is the Romeo 5 great for shotguns, but it’s also reliable on MSR rifles and full-sized handguns.
Pros
- Longest battery life among our picks (40,000 hrs)
- Quick battery replacement
- Affordable
- Comes with an M1913 Picatinny low-mount riser
- Motion-activated, great for home defense
- Lightweight (5.1 oz)
Cons
- It has a slight parallax
- The outer lens is reflective when viewed from a certain angle
What Customers Say
“Absolutely love this thing! Mounted on my Marlin 1895gs chambered in 45-70 govt with an American Defense T1 quick-release mount. Holds up to the recoil and honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better optic and mount. The setup was zeroed in 4 rounds and after that, I felt like I couldn’t miss! I keyholed rounds between 50 and 100 yards all day. This sight didn’t miss a beat and I will be buying more. I love Sig optics and they have yet to let me down and this one is worth every penny!!!”
Ryan
Best Red Dot Sight for Tactical Shotgun: Vortex Venom Red Dot
What’s in the box
- Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight
- Picatinny Mount
- T-15 Torx Wrench
- CR 1632 Battery
| Factor | Vortex Venom | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 4.7 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 3 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 3.5 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 1.5 | 4.33 |
| Value | 2.8 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 4.2 | 3.95 |
Score: 3.28/5
If you’re into tactical shooting, our next pick is a perfect choice. The Venom has a better and clearer edge-to-edge resolution than the Viper. For more details on the difference between the Venom and the Viper, check out this article.
The Venom red dot comes in various designs, giving you plenty of options. It’s suitable for long guns in extreme weather conditions, perfect for “rainy days,” or climates where it may be exposed to fair amounts of shock.
You can easily improve your precision shooting with the Venom because you can choose from more than one reticle. And unlike the Viper, adjusting the windage and elevation knobs are more convenient with the Venom.
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Comes with a Picatinny mount
- Lightweight and compact (1.05 oz)
Cons
- Low-quality battery cover
- Shortest battery life among our picks (1,000 hrs)
What Customers Say
“Almost perfect. The GOOD: This is the best combination between price and accuracy. An all-around great red dot. I mounted it on my Glock 40 GEN4 MOS and it’s sublime! The BAD: I just don’t understand why Vortex would put such an inferior battery cover on this sight? It is hard to open and harder to close when the battery is in. You really can’t close it without scratching the cover since the slot where to put the screwdriver in is super shallow. Really Vortex?? I ordered a replacement as soon as I got the battery in because the cover will not last another battery exchange. IN SUMMARY: Would I buy this sight again? You bet! Any day!!! It is fantastic and much better than their Viper sight too.”
Farm Force
Best Reflex Sight: Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight
What’s in the box
- Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic
- 1/3N Battery
| Factor | Aimpoint PRO | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 2.4 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 4 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 4 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 4.5 | 4.33 |
| Value | 2.7 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 3.2 | 3.95 |
Score: 3.47/5
The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) comes with an efficient circuit that lets you leave the power on for as long as three years.
Its premium housing also provides increased protection against impact damage and scratches to the lenses. Its optical system also features reflex collimator technology with a LED dot for easier target acquisition and aiming.
The Aimpoint PRO comes in a compact design, making it compatible with a wide range of rifles and other types of firearms. Plus, it’s equipped with a transparent rear lens cover that protects the lens from scratches during heavy use.
Pros
- Iron sight co-witnessing compatible
- Long battery life (30,000 hrs)
- Night vision compatible
Cons
- Lack of a brightness adjustment feature
- A bit heavy (7.8 oz)
What Customers Say
“One of the best red dots on the market for this price. The mount is high quality and was able to co-witness on my Vltor CASV handguard (the one that dog legs onto the upper receiver), by removing the spacer. The lowest settings can really be fine-tuned for use with NV, and the 4 upper settings should get you through most lighting situations. It’s an awesome value.”
Chad J. Sullivan
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
What’s in the box
- Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
- CR2032 Battery
- Lens wipe
| Factor | Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 3.3 | 3.88 |
| Build Quality | 3 | 3.35 |
| Optics | 4 | 3.68 |
| Battery | 5 | 4.33 |
| Value | 5 | 3.92 |
| Illumination | 4.2 | 3.95 |
Score: 4.08/5
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 red dot takes pride in its excellent light transmission and glare reduction properties. Its adjustment knobs also come with thick and durable water gaskets. These knobs are also tight enough and hold well even after doing a lot of heavy shooting.
Its 3 MOA red dot reticle features 10 adjustable brightness settings that let you acquire targets quickly and save your battery by setting the illumination to low.
The TRS-25 is also ready to mount on most Picatinny rails and it comes in a precision-engineered housing that can survive daily abuse and harsh environments.
Pros
- Lightweight (3.6 oz)
- Affordable
- Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof
Cons
- Short battery life (5,000 hours)
What Customers Say
“I’ve run these on several different rifles. Never had a single issue with one. They keep zero, hold up well to the recoil of even 30 cal rifles, aren’t affected by rain, and stay solid on the gun. I like the variable red dot brightness and ease of adjustments. This is like a poor man’s Aimpoint. I’d go so far as to say that if you’re on a budget, I’d even be willing to put it on a combat or duty rifle. Mine have held up through thousands of rounds, several rifle courses, and many competitions. Well worth the money and weight. Highly recommended. I am comfortable staking my life on this product.”
John Scout
“This red dot seems to be very well made, and it was super easy to install. I went to the range this past weekend, and it was super easy to get zeroed in, and it stayed accurate after shooting a box of 20 rounds. I used a boresighter as well, so I did not put any more money downrange than I needed to. I used about 5 rounds after using the boresighter to get it zeroed, and the rest was just for fun. I do wish it had an auto-off feature though. Just make sure you turn it off after use, do not allow the battery to drain. I also recommend getting a riser mount for your sight. It raises the sight enough to make it comfortable to see through. It was hard to use without this riser. You can see the riser in the picture. Have a great day!”
BuggedOut
Red Dot Applications on Shotguns
Home Defense
Shotguns alone are great home defense weapons. And red dots make them more deadly and damaging on targets at close ranges, increasing your success rate against armed intruders.
Hunting
Aside from being an efficient home defense weapon, shotguns are also great for hunting birds. It gives you more flexibility in shooting positions and it lets you shoot more accurately than bead sights up to 60 yards.
Open Division Match
An Open Division is the only competition shooting contest that allows red dots on shotguns. Red dot-mounted shotguns give competitive shooters the ability to align their sight easily and focus on their targets while shooting.
FAQs
Are red dots good for shotguns?
Yes, red dots help you aim and engage targets quickly and with precision.
Is a reflex sight good for a shotgun?
Yes, a reflex sight lets you acquire targets quickly and lets you shoot with both eyes open, improving both your speed and accuracy.
What MOA dot is best for a shotgun?
The best MOA dot size for a shotgun ranges from 3 to 6 MOA. These dot sizes balance precision and target acquisition speed. Read our tips above on which is best for home defense, turkey hunting, and skeet shooting.
What is a good optic for a tactical shotgun?
For a tactical shotgun, we recommend the Vortex Venom Red Dot. It’s a combination of value and precision. Plus, it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum and comes with a lifetime warranty. We reviewed this reliable optic in detail above so check it out.
Should I put a red dot on my turkey gun?
Yes, mounting a red dot on your turkey gun allows you to quickly find a gobbler even after changing your position or point of aim. See our favorite picks above.
What is the best MOA for turkey hunting?
A 3 to 4 MOA dot is great for turkey hunting. It covers just enough area to give you precision and is still easy to see in all conditions.
Conclusion
Red dot sights are perfect on shotguns. Aside from helping you acquire targets quickly and get a clean kill, you won’t have to worry about losing your red dot anywhere from thick forests or bright fields.
If you’re looking for a cleaning kit for your shotgun, this article should help.
Last update on 2024-09-04 / Images from Amazon Product API