Best Crossbow Scope Reviewed in 2023

Have you been shooting and not hitting your target? If you have been missing a lot, you will need to hit the range, but if you are still off sight with your aim, you will need more. With the best crossbow scope, you can focus and see your target better for a cleaner kill. We have brought in the world of crossbow scopes closer for your understanding.

Table of Contents

Top 7 Best Crossbow Scopes: Comparison Chart

Brand	Magnification & Optics	Eye Relief	Length	Weight
Vortex Optics	2-7×32	2.7 inches	9.5 inches	14 ounces
UTG	4×32	3.8 inches	8 inches	12.3 ounces
MA3TY	1.5-5×32	n/a	8.84 inches	23.7 ounces
TRUGLO	4×32	4 inches	n/a	7 ounces
Hawke	1.5-5×32	3 icnhes	8.3 inches	12 ounces
TenPoint	3×32	n/a	8.5 inches	7.2 ounces
Ravin	1.5-5x	n/a	8.75 inches	n/a

Why Bother with a Scope?

If you want a precise and easy shoot on your target, then a scope is the accessory you need to add to your hunting weapon. Additionally, it helps you deliver a quick and clean kill on your target so that the trophy does not suffer. They come in various types and with different features and functions. To get the best value for your money and your weapon, we advise you to choose a sight that will suit your specific needs and fit the piece nicely.

Are Crossbows and Their Sights Legal First of All?

Before you rush to the store to grab the best scopes for a crossbow, ensure you have gone through your local regulations manual.

While each state has different rules regarding crossbows, you can read the larger rule and regulations for archers.

US crossbow regulations

While this may seem like an overstatement, we urge that you keep to your state’s laws on crossbows during archery season as they may overlap with the aforementioned rules.

If you use a banned scope, for instance, electronic on vertical bows, then an illuminated crossbow scope or red dot, you will get an over the moon ticket that may discourage further archery, and we don’t want that.

Buying Guide

For you to choose the best crossbow scope for the money, ensure you can answer the following questions:

What will I use my sights for? Sports, hunting, general shooting, or all three.
What is the average range of my targets? 20, 20-60, or over 60 yards.
What are my magnification preferences, reticle, the field of view, or other technical specifications?
Which brands to pay attention to?

If you have sufficiently answered these questions, then you can pick one sufficiently.

Scope Types Overview

There are numerous types of scopes for crossbows available on the market. We have reviewed the most popular below:

Red Dot Type

The red dot scope for crossbows is built with precision and simplicity in mind. It does not have any magnification, reticles with ballistic calibration, or any other fancy features but rather has a red dot that points the spot that your arrow will hit.

The biggest benefit that you can get from a red dot is its lack of parallax error. With a red dot, the round will hit where the red spot is at. With other sights, you will see the crosshair or a black circle around the rim when you look through the optic. You do not get this with a red dot, which makes them highly recommendable for shooting out of a tree stand or stalking. You get a tough and simple aiming system that ensures you hit the spot each time you shoot.

Magnified Types

The first rule of shooting for hunting is to hit what you can see. With magnification sights, you get the power to see more and better. And what’s a better target to hit than a bigger one? While a higher magnification will certainly not help you shoot better, you will be able to identify the trophy better, understand the bush you intend to shoot through, and pick out the game better when in thick bush.

While the maximum range of a crossbow is 75 yards, a magnified crossbow will bring the trophy closer to your sights and help you maintain the same yard but with a greater focus.

Ballistic-calibrated Sights

Ballistically calibrated sights have reticle designs that predict the flight path of an arrow. If you have a vertical bow with multi-pin sights, you will notice that they have ballistic calibrated; different pins reach different distances. Ballistically calibrated crossbows reticles work similarly, only you cannot adjust the parameters as designed for or you’ll shoot off. Memorize the crosshairs of each range and get to more practicing at the range.

Alternative Sight Options

The increased demand in scopes has driven the quality and innovation in the industry further. You can now get crossbow scopes that are purpose-driven and specific for crossbows.

If you do not find one that you prefer and are not interested in a red dot, we recommend a rimfire or muzzleloading scope without a BDC.

We further advise that you avoid the cheap .22LR sights as they break easy and collect water inside.

Considerations for Choosing the Best Crossbow Sight

When you have finally made up your mind on adding a scope to your bow, there are a few factors to consider for you to pick the best crossbow scope available on the market.

Sight’s Size

Buy a crossbow scope that is lightweight, small, and proportional to your bow. While a large one can have a wider field of view, you can maximize this with the lenses to ensure you get the same functionality but with a small size.

Small-sized sights are more comfortable to carry and deliver a greater grip on your bow.

Optics and Magnification

Most buyers focus on the magnification aspect of the lens and forget to check on the optical quality. No matter how good the magnification is, it is useless if one cannot see clearly whatever is being focused on.

Multicoated lenses make for the best crossbow scope for low light and let you see your target more clearly. A nitrogen-filled one will protect the lens from getting clouded by morning dew and fog, which means you can use it anytime and with any weather hence better working and efficiency.

A good sight should compensate for range and this, most of them come with a reticle. These are convenient markers that make it easier for you to make an accurate shot no matter the distance and elevation. When you aim for a target, it is vital that you can have it within your field of view at all times. A wider lens gives you a larger field of view and will, therefore, let you shoot and hit small game. You can get crossbow scopes with rangefinder if you want a more straightforward and precise target setting.

Durability and User-Friendliness

While many hunters go for an easy to mount sight, you should consider its ease of use. If you can adjust and calibrate it easy, you get a better aim at your target with different elevations and wind speed. These crossbow scopes have small dials for adjustment and, as they turn, will have an audible “click” for tracking your adjustments.

Do not focus on the accuracy and ease of use so much that you forget on its durability. Ensure that the parts, especially the mounting rings, are firmly attached and resistant to wear and tear and a sturdy casing that will protect breakage if it drops or bangs against other surfaces.

Read more crossbow scope reviews to gain further insights into the working of crossbow sights.

Other Considerations

While the above factors will get you a good crossbow sight, you should further look at your purchase. These include:

Your budget: You have to check with your budget first. Pricier ones will have better features and better performance, while cheap crossbow scopes are more standard and do not have advanced settings.
The purpose of buying: If you are buying one for the shooting range, you will need a red dot or reticle. For hunting game, a red dot or laser will be the most ideal at hitting precise targets.
The sight’s ability: It is highly inefficient to need numerous tries to sight in your target when you’re tracking it. A good quality scope will let you sight in your target faster and easier.
Waterproof, fog proof, shockproof features: If you’re shooting in different weathers, these features will let you shoot and hit your target better and efficiently. If you shoot at night, you might want to consider an illuminated crossbow scope.
The durability of the material: Sights made from aluminum alloy can last for up to ten years, while other materials will last less.

Every archer has different crossbow sights that they prefer to use. We recommend that you pick one that will increase your efficiency and make you aim for your target better and deliver a clean and quick kill.

Buying Tips for Bow Sights

Here are collated additional tips from the several crossbow scope reviews:

Find those that offer warranties, support, and rebates to help you in the future.
Take advantage of the return policy if it is not as good.
Shop around to get as many demonstrations and trials on scopes before buying them.
Learn to recognize features like finishes, glass quality, and other marks of quality.

Final Word

There are some things to take into account when picking the top crossbow scopes. We tried to describe the key and most important factors when choosing and buying equipment in our guide. Keep in mind that too much economy will not help you pick a really good scope. At the same time, in order to buy the ideal option for you, you just need to decide on the main parameters for your best crossbow scope 2023.