There is no denying the effect of a scope on the accuracy of a crossbow. A scope allows you to dial in your aim, adjust arc and gives a larger sight area. Some hunters argue that a crossbow is only as good as its scope, so it should be a high priority on your list of upgrades to your kit. Most crossbows come supplied with a scope that is ok to start with but it is recommended that you upgrade the scope when you can afford to. The supplied scopes are fine for target practice but if you plan on hunting with your crossbow a scope with better clarity and multiple reticles is a good idea
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Top 5 Crossbow Scopes Table
The Best Scopes for Crossbows – Comparison Table Updated!
Awarded | Product | Specs | Reticle | Magnification/Objective Diameter | Our Rating | Buy Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Crossbow Scope on the Market |   1. Nikon Bolt XR Crossbow Scope | Length 8.1″ Weight 11.2oz Tube Diameter 25.4mm |  | Magnification 3X Objective Diameter 32mm Eye Relief 3.4″ | 5/5 | |
Best Crossbow Scope for the Money |   2. Excalibur Tact-Zone Illuminated Scope | Length 13″ Weight 12oz Tube Diameter 30mm |  | Magnification 2.5-5X Objective Diameter 32mm Eye Relief 3.2″ | 5/5 | |
Best Illuminated Crossbow Scope |   3. Hawke IR SR Illuminated Scope | Length 8.3″ Weight 13oz Tube Diameter 25.4mm |  | Magnification 1.5-5X Objective Diameter 32mm Eye Relief 3.2-3″ | 4.5/5 | |
Best Budget Crossbow Scope |   4. UTG Crossbow Scope, Pro 5-Step RGB Reticle | Length 8.1″ Weight 12.3oz Tube Diameter 25.4mm |  | Magnification 4X Objective Diameter 32mm Eye Relief 3.8″ | 4/5 | |
Best Red Dot Crossbow Scope |   5. TRUGLO Red-Dot Sight | Length 3.82″ Weight 7oz Tube Diameter 30mm |  | Magnification 1X Objective Diameter 30mm Eye Relief Unlimited | 4/5 |
The Crossbow Scope Reviews in Detail
The guide below is for the top crossbow scope reviews.
On to the Crossbow Scope Reviews….
Overall Top Rated Crossbow Scope
Nikon Bolt XR Crossbow Scope
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: This crossbow scope is amazing! The lens gives a crystal clear view allowing you to see your target more clearly, it’s waterproof, fog proof and shockproof so it can handle anything your hunt may bring
The Lowdown
Durability
Being waterproof, fogproof and shockproof this scope is very durable and will last a lifetime
Optic Quality
The Nikon Bolt XR has a large ocular eye piece that gives a bright clear view and quick focusing
Value for money
The price is really good for a scope of this quality so you can be sure you’re getting good value for money
Targeting
I’ve never had a problem sighting in this scope and find it always hits the intended target
Pros
- Quick focus eye piece
- Shockproof, waterproof and fog proof
- Amazing clarity
- The BDC is very accurate
Cons
- Not the best in low light
- Higher priced than some other scopes
Nikon Bolt XR Crossbow Scope Review
With excellent quality and middle-range price, this offering from Nikon is the best rated crossbow scope on the market. With a lightweight design that easily mounts in weaver rings, this scope offers quick adjustment and precise accuracy.
The eyepiece is waterproof, fogproof and shockproof and has a quick focus. Nikon claims that the scope transmits 92% of available light so there is superior brightness and contrast. The scope has 3 to 32x magnification and a 32mm lens.
An excellent feature of this scope is how easy it is to adjust. The “zero-reset turrets” allow you to sight in at 20 yards and then adjust from there with knob rotation. From here, you can set ranges and move between them quickly. For a non-illuminated reticle, this is a sighting system that works very well.
This scope allows for outstanding accuracy even at medium to long distance. Nikon is so confident that they have a “60-yard challenge” of accuracy. One user reported hitting an acorn-sized target with his crossbow at this 60-yard mark.
Because of its features, ease of use, quick and clear sight picture and deadly accuracy, the Bolt XR is the top rated crossbow scope.
Personally, I like the simplicity of non-illuminated scopes, and the Nikon is the best in this category. Nikon put all of their attention to detail and craft into this crossbow scope and it shows, making it the best crossbow scope on the market.
Best Value Crossbow Scope
Excalibur Tact-Zone Illuminated Scope
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: A brilliant scope from Excalibur, it works great in low light conditions and has a great price. The accuracy is great and easy to sight in, you won’t be disappointed buying this scope
The Lowdown
Durability
This scope is really well made and being waterproof and fogproof it offer good protection from the elements
Optic Quality
It has great clear optics as you’d expect from a high end crossbow scope
Value for money
Around the same price as the Nikon it offer good value for money as it’s an excellent scope
Targeting
Once sighted in the scope will give you tight grouping of your bolts
Pros
- Great in low light
- great clarity and light transmission
- Easy to sight in
Cons
- No speed indicators below 300 FPS
Best Illuminated Crossbow Scope
Hawke IR SR Illuminated Scope
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: I really like the illumination of this scope and how accurate it is over long distances, most people comment on how good it is for grouping shots
The Lowdown
Durability
It’s a well made scope that can take some knocks.
Optic Quality
The optics are good, it performs well in low light too which is a good element
Value for money
It’s a bit pricey but a good scope so it balances out
Targeting
No issues with the sighting of this scope, it’s relatively easy to sight in and keeps your shots on target
Pros
- Great magnification
- Nice illuminated reticle
- Accurate at 100 yards
Cons
- Can be hard to adjust
- Speed and magnification selector are the same
Hawke IR SR Illuminated Scope Review
If you’re in the market for a scope with an illuminated reticle, this crossbow scope from Hawke is second to none.
For less than $200, this scope is more expensive than the Nikon, but for the price you are getting battery-powered illumination so that this scope can be used any time from dawn until dusk.
The reticle is lighted in red and green, with aim points every 10 yards from 20 to 100 yards. This means that the scope can be sighted in at 20 yards and then fired to 100 yards without the need to adjust the sight. The aim points are accurate too, the arrow will connect with the points at the desired yardage.
This scope has a speed selector so that it can be matched to any bow from 275fps to 425fps, meaning that it can be changed from one bow to another.
While this scope has very nice features and performance, I find it difficult to recommend it over the Nikon. The Nikon’s bright, clear picture and meticulous engineering and cheaper price mean that it is what I would go for over the Hawke scope.
Best Cheap Crossbow Scope
UTG Crossbow Scope, Pro 5-Step RGB Reticle
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: Overall a great product with some top features, users who are looking for a sturdy product to last a long time will benefit from this model
The Lowdown
Durability
It feels hefty and well built nothing feels cheap on this scope and it is well built
Optic Quality
Good quality optics for the price, the view is clear and bright
Value for money
A great price for a good scope, it’s the cheapest on this list by far but it still offers great quality
Targeting
I never had a problem with aim on this scope, it was a little more off than the other listed here but not by much
Pros
- Great optics for the price
- The price is unbelievable
Cons
- A little off target at 70 yards plus
UTG Crossbow Scope, Pro 5-Step RGB Reticle
This scope offers balance between performance and price, making it the best value crossbow scope.
This is a 32x magnification scope, so it is the same level of magnification as the Nikon. It has a wide parallax and lighted illumination which makes the sight picture crisp and bright.
This scope has multiple reticles. Each reticle is lighted and set for 10 yard increments up to 50 yards. The reticles hold to the distances very well too and make it easy to adjust your aim. I found that when sighted in the accuracy is very precise for the different reticle distances.
For the price, this scope offers excellent value and features. It has a very durable feel and solid construction and the reticle rivals that of more expensive scopes.
Best Red Dot Crossbow Scope
TRUGLO Red-Dot Sight
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: A brilliant red dot crossbow scope perfect for hunting up close and personal. There aren’t too many red dot crossbow scopes on the market but if there were this would still be top
The Lowdown
Durability
Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof this red dot scope is very durable and has great build quality
Optic Quality
The sight through this scope is really clear and easy to see your targets
Value for money
A fantastic low price for a scope that does exactly what you need it to do
Targeting
It has a wide field of view and unlimited eye relief making it easy to see you target and ultimately hit it
Pros
- Great wide field of view
- Shock resistant to 1000 grams
- Integrated weaver-style mounting system
- Stays zeroed in well
Cons
- Battery runs out quick (take spares)
TRUGLO Red-Dot Crossbow Sight Review
If I know that I will be hunting at shorter distances I prefer to use a red dot on my crossbow. Optics magnify and make a far target easier to hit, but a red dot allows quick targeting at short distances from an open perspective.
If you’re looking for a red dot, it doesn’t get much better than the Truglo Red-Dot.
The Truglo red dot offers simplicity and durability. It is shockproof and fog-proof and has a wide field of view. The Truglo also has a special reticle that allows for quick targeting.
Like the Nikon, this sight transmits light extremely well, so the sight picture is bright and clear. There is also the ability to change windage elevation with quick adjustments.
The Truglo is the best scope for the red dot category, but can also be used on handguns, muzzleloaders and rifles, meaning it’s an excellent addition to your rifle cabinet too.
See it in Action
Image | Model | Type | Magnification | Price range | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Optic | 3-32X | Med $$ | 9.6out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 1.5-5X32 | High $$$$ | 9.6out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 4X32 | Med $$ | 9.5out of 10 | |
 | Red Dot | 1X30 | Low $ | 8.8out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 4X32 | Med $$$ | 9out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 4X32 | Med $$ | 8.2out of 10 | |
 | Red Dot | 1X30 | Low $ | 8.2out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 2-4X32 | Med $$$ | 9.2out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 4X32 | Low $ | 8.4out of 10 | |
 | Optic | 4X32 | Low $ | 8.6out of 10 |
Types of Crossbow Scopes
It is important to differentiate between the common types of scopes on the market, these being the optic scope and the red dot.
A red dot scope is generally smaller than an optical scope, requires a battery, and transmits a simple light reticle into the scope. A red dot typically does not have magnification, but the lighted reticle is easier to see and gives an upgrade to regular sights.
Optic sights are what you will often see on hunting rifles and offer magnification and clarity over distance. A difference between rifle and crossbow scopes is that a crossbow scope will have multiple reticles so you can track the arc of an arrow based on yards or meters. This is a helpful feature that makes crossbow-specific scopes a necessary purchase instead of a rifle scope.
These are the best scopes for crossbows. After sighting these scopes in, they all offer excellent accuracy and clarity. However, the range of options and prices means that these four are examples of the best crossbow scopes to tailor to your personal hunting and shooting needs.
