At a Glance: Best Holographic Sights
- OUR TOP PICK: EOTech EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight
- EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
- TOP RATED: EOTech HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight – with G33 Magnifier
Comparison of The Best Holographic Sights
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Our Top Pick | EOTech EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight |
| View Latest Price |
 Our Top Pick | EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight |
| View Latest Price |
 Our Top Pick | EOTech HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight – with G33 Magnifier |
| View Latest Price |
Holographic sights are now widely preferred to iron sights and their red dot counterparts. Here are the best holographic sights you can buy for your AR-15.
Adding a holographic sight to your AR-15 will greatly improve your shooting experience. While red dot sights have been popular for a long time, many shooters are now switching to more robust holographic sights thanks to their improved durability and performance at long range.
Red dot and holographic sights share a lot of common ground, but as you’ll come to see, holographic sights are better for an AR-15.
Our List of the Best Holographic Sights for AR-15s
Choosing the best holographic sight for your AR-15 isn’t an easy task. The amount of choice when trying to buy rifle sights can be pretty overwhelming, but there really is only one brand when it comes to holographic sights: The US military’s first choice, EOTech. Here are the best on the market right now.
EOTech EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight
The EOTech EXPS3 holographic weapon sight is an operator-grade sight that packs some of the best features that you’ll find in the market right now. Built to suit the appetite of special forces and military personnel, the EXPS3 is rugged, accurate, and built for convenience.
It has a 68 MOA circle with a 1 MOA dot in the center, plus 20 daylight settings and another 10 night-vision settings on top of that. The EXPS3 supports all Gen I – III night vision devices so you can shoot with precision in any light conditions.
The EXPS3 is also very compact and lightweight, so it won’t take up much space on your AR-15 rail, leaving you with enough space for a magnifier as well. It’s compatible with 1″ Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails and has a quick detach lever. The side button operation adds to the convenience, allowing you to quickly change the light settings without obscuring your field of view.
The sight is built to withstand the harshest conditions on earth and is water-resistant up to 33-feet. Smash it, submerge it, crush it. This thing will just keep on going. Battery life is a respectable 1,000 hours, which is about as good as you’ll be able to get with a holographic sight.
The sight has been designed to handle close-quarters, fast-moving targets, although, with the right magnification, it’ll also do well at medium range. This is one of the best holographic sights that money can buy for the serious precision shooter.
Pros
- Aluminum construction built to withstand even the most demanding environments
- 20 daylight settings, plus 10 night-vision settings
- Compact and lightweight
- Side button operation
- Good battery life
- Supports all Gen I – III+ night vision devices
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- High-priced
EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
The EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon scope is lightweight, affordable, and ideal for mounting on an AR-15 rifle. The EOTech 512 is more of an everyday holographic sight and won’t win any awards for thrills, still, if you’re looking for something that will offer precision and hold zero like a mathematician, then you can make far worse purchases.
The EOTech 512 is the most popular holographic sight from EOTech, as well as the most affordable. It has a 68 MOA circle and a 1 MOA dot, plus it offers up 20 brightness settings, which makes it reliable in most lighting conditions. The simplicity of switching reticle brightness makes it easy to switch from brightly lit environments to dimly lit ones and vice-versa, although the buttons are on the front of the sight, rather than the side, so you will obscure your field of view when changing the settings.
Being compact and lightweight, the EOTech 512 holographic weapon sight will suit most shooters. It’s robust enough to take a beating and is waterproof up to 10 feet. It’s compatible with 1-inch Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails.
The 512 comes packed with 1,000 hours of battery life with two AA batteries and can be purchased in a camo-style variant. Unfortunately, the 512 doesn’t support night vision mode, so if this is something that you require, then you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Pros
- EOTech’s most affordable holographic weapon sight
- Lightweight and compact
- 1,000 hours of battery life
- 20 brightness settings
- Waterproof up to 10ft
- Holds zero very well
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t support night vision mode
- Doesn’t have side button operation
EOTECH HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight – with G33 Magnifier
For those who want a steal of a combo, the EOTech HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight 518-2 with G33 Magnifier. The HHS III Holographic Sight has a 68 MOA circle with two vertically-aligned 1 MOA red dots in the center to allow for better estimation of range when shooting. Change quickly from close quarter to medium range targets with the included G33 Magnifier and Switch-to-Side mount.
- Easy-adjust side buttons
- Adjustable locking quick-detach lever fits both 1″ Weaver and MIL-STD-1913 rails
- Operates on 2 common AA Alkaline or Lithium batteries
- Comes with G33 magnifier
- Compatible with LBC
Rectical68 MOA ring w/ single 2 MOA dot. Very easy to place on the rifle, and looks great. It is definitely an EOtech sight, made in the USA. Pricey of course, but definitely worth it.
When the magnifier is flipped out during CQB, it does not obstruct my vision and I oftentimes forget it is even there. Itholds a true zero, and is neither affected by transitioning to my support side, or by the magnifier.
Pros
- Easy adjust side buttons
- Comes with G33 magnifier
- water-resistant and fogproof
- Two dot reticle
- 20 brightness settings
Cons
- No night-vision support
- Still expensive
EOTech HHS I Holographic Hybrid Sight
For the medium-range shooter, the EOTech HHS I Holographic Hybrid Sight is an ideal choice as it comes with both the EOTech XPS3-4 holographic sight and a G33 magnifier. The magnifier has a horizontal adjustment meaning that you can easily put it to one side when not using it.
The XPS3-4 holographic sight has a 68 MOA circle with four 1 MOA dots aligned vertically. There are four dots so the shooter can better judge the range they’re shooting at making long-range shooting much more accurate.
The XPS3-4 sight supports all Gen I-III night vision devices and has 20 daylight settings, plus 10 additional night vision settings. Its rugged build means that it can withstand damage and be submerged up to 33ft underwater.
The 3X zoom G33 magnifier allows you to place shots with incredible accuracy at medium range, while the quick and easy switch-to-side mount allows you to change from close to medium quarters in a couple of seconds. The 1 MOA dots will stay at 1 MOA even when the sights are magnified thanks to the laser-hologram technology. Got to love that science.
Both the holographic sights and the G33 magnifier support 1″ Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails.
Pros
- Excellent-quality holographic sight and magnifier combo
- Four 1 MOA dots in the optic to allow for better ranged accuracy
- 3X magnification with G33 magnifier handles up to 600 yards effectively
- Gen I-III night vision device support
- 20 daylight brightness settings, plus 10 night vision settings
- 33ft underwater resistance
- Holds zero like a champ
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not necessary for close-quarters shooters
EOTech XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight
If you’re a shooter looking for a compact, lightweight, and simple holographic sight for your AR-15, then the EOTech XPS2 is an affordable solution. Unlike many other holographic sights, the XPS2 only has a single 1 MOA red dot in the optic window and no 68 MOA circle to go with it.
This is one of the shortest and lightest holographic sights on the market right now, which makes it ideal for those looking to attach additional magnifiers and rear iron sights. It supports 1″ Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails.
While this is a smaller holo sight, it’s by no means lacking in features. It has the same durable build as other EOTech products and can still work effectively even when the front glass on the optic is shattered.
The XPS2 supports 20 daylight brightness settings, although it doesn’t come with night-vision compatibility. The settings buttons are located on the front of the sight, which will come as a disappointment to some.
The XPS2 is designed to withstand harsh conditions and can be submerged up to 10ft underwater, which should be more than enough depth for anyone not in the Navy Seals. A solid 1,000 hours of battery life will also ensure that you’re not running out of steam halfway through an operation.
Pros
- One of the shortest and lightest holo sights on the market
- Solid aluminum construction
- 1 MOA red dot will be preferred by some
- Affordable
- 20 daylight settings
- 10 ft water resistance
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- No night-vision support
- No 68 MOA circle in the optic window
- No side-button operation
EOTech 552 Holographic Weapon Sight
For those looking for something that has been extensively field-tested by the U.S. military, including the Stryker Brigade and the 3rd Infantry, then the EOTech 552 Holographic Weapon Sight is the one for you. It has the standard 68 MOA circle with a 1 MOA red dot in the middle of the optic window.
What really makes the 552 stand out is the stunning 2,500 hours of battery life. Compared to most other holographic sights, this is a significant upgrade. The 552 takes two 1.5 V AA batteries, which means that it is a fair bit larger than other holographic sights. If you’re not concerned about having extra room for a magnifier, then this is a great option.
The 552 has the same aluminum construction we’ve come to expect from all EOTech holographic sights, plus it is water-resistant to a depth of 33ft. It supports all Gen I-III night vision devices and has 10 night vision settings, plus 20 daylight brightness settings.
The buttons on the sights are located at the front, rather than on the side, so you may obscure your field of view when changing the brightness settings. The sights are compatible with 1″ Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails.
Pros
- 2,500 hours of battery life
- Solid aluminum construction
- Water-resistant to a depth of 33ft
- Supports all Gen I-III night vision devices
- 20 daylight brightness settings, plus 10 night vision brightness settings
- Used by the U.S. military
- Lightweight
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Much less compact than other holographic sights
- No side button operation
What is a Holographic Sight?
A holographic sight works by using laser-hologram technology to superimpose a 3D hologram of a reticle in your field of vision. This means that the hologram you see floating isn’t real, but is a projection of a reticle.
The major benefit of this is that it’s not being sent into your eyes, but rather, it superimposes itself on your target, appearing to be far out in front of your rifle. This makes it easier to place the reticle on your target. The field of vision is also much bigger on a holographic sight and you can keep both eyes open while aiming.
In simple terms, the holographic scope for ar15 allows you to see an image of a reticle that isn’t really there. This actually allows for much faster target acquisition than iron sights or even red dot sights. Unlike a red dot, the holographic sight can function even when the glass on the front of the optic has been destroyed, making it much more durable.
- Holographics use laser-hologram tech to produce the hologram of a reticle
- This hologram is still present when you smash the front glass of the sights
- The hologram of the reticle appears to be in front of the glass on your sights
- It generally offers a larger window aperture than other sights.
Why are Holographic Sights so Popular?
Holographic sights have become increasingly popular over the last few years. The U.S. military is fond of using them, and so are shooters around the country, thanks to their well-rounded accuracy, robust build, and the fact that you don’t need to perfectly align your head with the sights to get an accurate shot. In short, holographic sights will transform your rifle into a more formidable weapon.
Holographic Sights vs Red Dot Sights
While the two appear to share a lot in common, holographic and red dot sights are actually very different. A red dot sight, bounces an LED light back into your eye so that you can see a small dot. A holographic sight uses laser-hologram technology to produce a 3D hologram image of a reticle that is superimposed in the shooter’s field of vision, appearing to be in front of the glass on your scope.
A quick look inside a holographic sight shows that it is much more complex than its red dot cousin.
ACCURACY
What’s more, a red dot sight is usually 2 MOA (minute of angle), which means that the dot covers 2-inches of the target per 100 yards. This means that if your target is 400 yards away, then your red dot is covering 8-inches of the target, which makes it difficult to see properly at a distance. This becomes a real issue when attaching a magnifier to your sights.
A holographic sight works at 1 MOA no matter what the distance. Even if you magnify your sights by 5-times, you’ll still only have a 1 MOA reticle on your target. This makes the holographic sight vastly superior at placing accurate long-range shots.
DURABILITY
A holographic sight will work even when the front glass has been totally shattered, whereas a red dot will stop functioning when the front glass is broken. People have set fire to their holographic sights, fired birdshot at them, and smashed them with hammers and they still don’t break. A red dot sight, on the other hand, will usually not take nearly as much damage.
| Holographic sight | Red dot sight |
| Faster target acquisition | Distracting LED beam |
| Better accuracy at long-range | Poor long-range accuracy |
| More durable | Less durable |
| More expensive | Cheaper |
| Battery life up to 1,000 hours | Battery life up to 50,000 hours |
| Larger field of view | Smaller field of view |
Overall, whether you decide to choose a holographic sight or a red dot sight for your AR-15 is down to your needs and preferences, but you can see that there are many benefits to choosing the former.
How to Choose the Best Holographic Sight
For the longest time, there was only one company making true holographic sights: EOTech. Now, there is also Vortex and some other smaller newcomers to the market. Eotech has contracts with the U.S. military, plus they have more time in the industry than the newcomers, so you might prefer their products over the competition.
Window aperture
Holographic sights allow you to keep both of your eyes open, which is a huge advantage. Having a larger window to look through will allow you to take full advantage of this, so we recommend choosing a sight with the widest possible window aperture.
Construction
The construction of your holographic sight is very important as it will determine how resistant the sights are to recoil. When you’re repeatedly firing your rifle, your sights may be put off zero from repeated recoil. Purchasing sights that can withstand this, as well as temperature changes, exposure to water, and more, is essential.
Battery life
Your holographic sight is only good if it’s, you know, on. Unfortunately, the laser technology that powers holographic sights uses a lot of energy, which means holographic sights have substantially less battery life than red dot sights. Most holographic sights have between 600-1000 hours of battery life. Obviously, you want the longest battery life possible to prevent your sight from dying on you.
Brightness settings
A big advantage of holographic sights is that they tend to work well in various light settings. That being said, you want to make sure that your sights have a wide array of brightness settings. Too bright and your sight will wash out your target, but too dim and you won’t be able to see the reticle clearly enough.
Reticle
Depending on what you’re planning on using your rifle for most of the time will determine what kind of reticle you want. Most holographic sights come with a circle with a dot in the middle, others just have the dot. In general, a sight with a dot and circle reticle will hold up well for short-range and medium-range targets, while you may opt for a dot alone for long-range targets.
Most holographic sights have red reticles, although green reticles are becoming increasingly popular. Green reticles are easier for the eye to pick up, but they don’t fare so well when you’re moving through different light settings.
Consider your specific needs and before landing on the reticle that you want.
Conclusion – What is The Best Holographic Sight?
All things considered, the best holographic sight for an AR-15 that we’d recommend is the EOTech HHS III Hybrid Sight with the G33 Magnifier. This is the most expensive option on the list, but it’s also the best. If you’re planning on shooting medium-range, then you’ll need a magnifier to get consistent results, and the G33 is one of the industry’s best.
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, then opt for the EOTech HHS II Hybrid Sight combo, which offers a similar punch but for a more affordable price. Both of these combos offer great holographic sights with a G33 Magnifier.
If you’re going to buy a decent holo sight, then you’re already making a big investment, so you might as well get something that won’t let you down in the field.
