We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Red dot magnifiers hold a peculiar spot in the world of optics because they\u2019ve lost some steam due to the popularity of low power variable optics<\/a> (LPVO). So why buy them?\u00a0<\/p>\n Magnifiers transition from 1x magnification up to 3x, 5x, or 6x with the flick of your wrist. The simple motion provides expedited flexibility between your 1x red dot and the magnifier you have on your rifle or shotgun. You receive all the benefits of a red dot and when you need magnification to hit a target, flip up your magnifier and take the shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n But it depends on personal preference. Some prefer the LPVO with 1x to 6x power magnification, whereas others like their red dot and magnifier. It boils down to what your need for the optic is and what your experience level is.\u00a0I\u2019ve tested five of the best red dot magnifiers to help you make a decision on which is right for you. <\/p>\n Ridgeline Defense hosted me at their\u00a0state-of-the-art range<\/a>\u00a0in Dalton, NH, to test the magnifiers. I kicked off my testing with 30 rounds of 5.56 with each magnifier to see if the hardware remained solid, if the alignment was maintained, and to evaluate the ease of the sight picture and eye relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n While running drills, I let my rifle, attached red dot, and magnifier bang against my kit during the sprints to the shooting line. I beat up these magnifiers to simulate expedited long-term wear and tear use.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another way I simulated long-term wear and tear was to carry all five red dot magnifiers in my GoRuck GR2 for months while I hiked the mountains of New Hampshire, worked shifts at the fire department, and did general daily back-and-forth travel.\u00a0<\/p>\n I used the magnifiers to shoot targets ranging from 25 to 300 yards. I could transition from target to target at longer ranges with the EOTech G45 and Sig Sauer Juliet 6 due to the 5x and 6x magnification. All the magnifiers I tested have good glass, so even with the 3x magnifiers, I could ring steel further out.\u00a0<\/p>\n I sprinted 25 yards, quickly IDed steel targets, and shot them two to six times. This evaluated the eye box and eye relief in a kinetic setting.\u00a0None of the magnifiers lost alignment during the shooting or flipped out of the line with the red dot sight during the sprints.\u00a0<\/p>\n The top performer in this test is Atibal\u2019s CM3. The thin housing grants a fast sight picture at close range, but thanks to the crystal clear glass, I could ring steel out to 300 yards with ease.<\/p>\n I put the magnifiers in a freezer set to 0 degrees for eight hours. Then I took the magnifiers outside, where it was humid and 86 degrees. Each magnifier developed a thick frost coating all the way around while in the freezer but that quickly melted. None of the magnifiers fogged up with the temperature transition and at most, had beads of condensation that were easily wiped away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Overall, I was impressed with the magnifiers keeping moisture out of the housing, not breaking under strain and heavy use, and the crystal clear views thanks to quality glass. I had to rank each one by getting picky about the details.\u00a0<\/p>\nHow We Tested the Best Red Dot Magnifiers<\/h2>\n
Durability<\/h3>\n
Shooting<\/h3>\n
Cold Plunge\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Best Red Dot Magnifiers: Reviews & Recommendations\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Best Overall: Atibal CM3 3x Compact (Micro)<\/a>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
![\"We](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/10\/11\/Atibal-CM3-3x-Compact-micro-Magnifier-.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")