Best Air Rifle Scopes – Top 10 Rated Scope for Air Rifles in 2023 Reviews

A good sight for an air rifle will help to visually bring the target closer and deliver an accurate strike. But since air rifles shoot special bullets and explosive balls, it means that you do not need a super high-tech nor the most powerful sight.

What you need is a sight that is specific for pneumatic weapons. Since such a weapon functions quite differently, the scope specs are going to be far from conventional.

Not sure which sight to get for your air rifle? No problem, we’ve gone through them all and bring you the best Air Rifle Scopes in this review. So, let’s go through them and find the perfect one for you…

Top 10 Best Air Rifle Scopes For Your Budget 2023 Reviews

1 SWFA SS 10×42 Tactical Riflescope

The SWFA SS 10×4 is well suited to air guns. If you are looking for a high-quality device that will easily perform your duties, then this scope is for you. It is waterproof, shockproof, and anti-misting – like most modern scopes.

What is more?

A lens with a diameter of 42 mm gives a good overview so that you can see the target clearly. Its magnification is fixed at 10 x, which is great for air rifles and pistols.

In conclusion, we can say that the SWFA SS 10×4 is very reliable and does its job very well. This can also be seen by the amount of positive feedback it has from previous buyers.

2 Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope

Next up we have one of the best sights for airguns on the market. It has everything you can dream of. Super reliable, high quality, and with the right settings, making an accurate shot with it is very simple.

There is also a precision 1/4 MOA finger click adjustment and elevation adjustments, which will improve your accuracy in windy conditions. And the sight is shock-resistant, so it easily withstands rifle recoil.

Built to last…

This scope is very rugged, and it will hold up to all forms of external abuse. It is also all-weather compatible. Not only is it waterproof, but it is also fog-resistant and can withstand harsh hot or cold temperatures.

In general, this scope is worth every penny you will spend on it. There simply seems to be no real negatives or reasons why you shouldn’t buy it.

3 UTG 4-16X44 30mm Scope

Let’s start with the amazing transparency of the lenses. It is designed for a very high-quality precision shooting as it has the best clarity. And at all of its magnification levels, you’ll get a clear shot.

As one of the best air rifle scopes, this has an amendment input mechanism, so even on a windy day, it will be easy to make an accurate shot. The sight is mounted on a really solid bar so that after installation and adjustment, it always remains in the same position. To ensure this, top-grade mounts are included with this scope.

Come rain, come shine…

To add, it is waterproof, and it is able to serve you in both rainy and snowy weather.

This scope features a 32 color mil-dot reticle which provides you with a good contrast for precision shooting at any target. And the front lens is protected from glare because the frame is extended to cover it.

This is one of the best and most purchased sights, which you can buy for pneumatics. Little wonder – it is so effective yet inexpensive.

4 Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn Riflescope

The Bushnell Banner has a magnification of x 4 to x 12. This scope is built in a monotube body and features a 40 mm lens. The entire glassware component of the optics is integrally treated with 16 layers for brightness and clarity. But, what makes this unique is that the coating allows you to use this scope in twilight conditions.

Durable and sturdy…

This best air rifle scope is nitrogen purged, giving it good resistance to fogging. And with its strong build, it will also handle moderate shocks with ease.

Its Multi-X Reticle is engraved for superior durability and will never fall out of place. It is specially made for very powerful air guns, which generate strong vibrations, and it will take shots without flinching.

Two translucent lens caps protect the optics while not in use to prolong their life.

5 Winchester 980814-001 Daisy Outdoor Riflescope

The Daisy Outdoor Riflescope is offered at a price to quality ratio that is really interesting. This best air rifle scope is inexpensive, but it delivers a brightness far superior to many of its more expensive competitors and a remarkable sharpness of the image.

While its design is naturally intended for air rifles, it has many features common to tactical scopes. Its 2 x to 7 x range is great to practice short-range recreational shooting. And it has variable power settings, so it is just right for various field applications.

Raindrops keep falling on my head…

The 32 mm diameter aluminum tube is waterproof and is anti-fog treated. This allows you to get great clarity at all times, and in all weather.

6 Hawke Sport Optics 4-12×40 Airmax AO Riflescope

Hawke puts British optical know-how into every scope they design and manufacture. Logically, the optical market is adapting to technological advances in the field of airguns to produce great results. So let’s check out the 4-12 x 40 scope from the Airmax range…

Hawke scopes provide quality for a reasonable price. And oriented towards the universe of PCP rifles with high power, you need not fear recoil when using the Airmax AO.

Perfect clarity…

Its 40mm lens, combined with a one-inch diameter monotube body ensures good light transmission. The lenses receive an integral 16-layer multi-layer treatment for perfect clarity and increased glass life.

Its magnification of 4 to 12 x covers shooting situations at close and mid-distances. While its AMX reticle engraved in the glass will support the most powerful carbines without the risk of premature deterioration. Even better, the bezel is purged with nitrogen to provide resistance to fogging.

Perfect for recreational shooting, this lens will give you a great day out with your air rifle.

7 Hawke Sidewinder TAC 30 6.5-20X42 Mildot Riflescope

This Hawke riflescope has a variable magnification of x 6.5 to 20, making it suitable for at all shooting distances. While the large lens diameter of 42 mm diameter provides a clear and bright image. And it remains clear even when the light conditions are not optimal.

Brighten up your day…

The multilayer treatment of the lenses also provides maximum clarity. There are also brightness adjustment settings that make it possible to get the best vision at all times.

Its engraved Mil-Dot reticle will be able to withstand the most powerful recoils without the risk of damage. And to ensure optimum compatibility, the lens is threaded.

What’s in the box?

Well, a hard case, a sunshade, and lens caps are included in the box.

8 UTG 3-9X32 1″ Hunter Scope

UTG rifle scopes now hold a prominent place in the world of optics. For hunting as well as recreational shooting, this best rifle scope specialist has developed a complete range. Shown here is the UTG 3-9X32, a classic and economic model to mount on your air rifles.

Clear and bright…

The optical quality is excellent, and the image is clear and bright. And its variable magnification (3 x to 9 x) makes it possible to see the target with more detail. The lenses are multi-coated, so you get awesome clarity at all zoom levels. To complement the 9 x zoom, the lens is 32 mm for a wide field of view.

Featuring a machined monobloc body in quality aluminum, this scope is very durable. It is then given a special anti-fog treatment to make it suitable for use in all weather.

9 Mantis 3-9×32 mm Air Rifle Scope

You are looking for a rifle scope for air rifle, and you still do not know which to choose? The Mantis 3-9×32 mm could the right solution. This versatile and sophisticated scope will work just fine on your .22 LR airguns and rifles.

And to ensure a better user experience, this scope is lightweight. While its 3 x to 9 x magnification offers sufficient magnification to achieve accurate shots at medium and short distances.

Adjustable parallax and tactical turrets…

In addition to its versatile magnification, the Stoeger 3-9×40 bezel demonstrates stunning sophistication for its range of optics. We take, for example, the adjustable parallax or the tactical turrets.

It’s a great solution to equip your air rifle with this very effective scope by Mantis, a specialist in air blasting.

10 Aeon 3-12×50 AO Classic Rifle Scope

The Aeon air rifle scopes have earned a good reputation among shooters and hunters, especially thanks to the attractive price to quality ratio. This eye-catching optic is both sophisticated and comfortable to use. And will ride nicely on any rifle!

What do you get with this product?

The Aeon 3-12×50 classic rifle scope is both economical and super-equipped. It has many advantages in this respect: high magnification, wide lens, bright image, and graduated reticle. It will take its place on your precision rifle to improve performance and provide a high level of spot-on shooting.

This scope has a variable magnification from 3 x to 12 x, adjustable by a wheel. The best part, however, it the wide 50 mm diameter that allows for good penetration of light. This translates to good optical clarity and a nice bright image of the target.

Built to last…

To enhance the user experience, this scope weighs less than one pound. But this does not make it any less durable. It is manufactured with aluminum T-6061 of aeronautical quality so it can withstand all forms of shock and impact.

To protect the lenses, there are integrated flip-up protection covers to protect your lenses from shock and dirt.

Best Air Rifle Scopes Buying Guide – Common FAQs

What Magnification Is The Best For Pneumatics?

As a rule, the name of the scope itself uses a specific index, which denotes its magnification and the diameter of the lens itself. For example, 2 x 32 means that the sight has a two times (x) magnification and a lens diameter of 32 mm.

When the number features two digits with a dash, for example, 2-4 x 40, this means that you can change the magnification from two times to four times.

Larger magnifications for an air rifle can improve the accuracy of the shot, but there is a downside. The larger the magnification, the smaller the field of view, so especially if you hunt moving targets, keeping them in your sites is much more difficult.

It is recommended that you go for a magnification that will be most suitable for your typical firing distance. If you plan to shoot at a distance of 100-200 meters, then a 3 x or 4 x sight will be more than adequate. However, if you need to clearly see a half meter target at a distance of about one kilometer, then you will need a sight with a 10 x to x 16 multiple optical sight.

Of course, the presence of adjustable magnifications in optics makes the scope universal, but it is not needed for firing from pneumatics at shorter distances. Where possible, buy a scope whose magnification is fixed.

To conclude, a magnification of x 4 is the most common among lovers of pneumatics.

Which Lens Size Should I Choose For My Air Rifle?

The lens diameter is very important because it is the heart of the scope. If you plan to use your scope in bad weather conditions, a lens with a larger diameter will give you a better image than with smaller lenses. This is because it has a greater ability to capture more light.

But, for an air rifle, large lenses are not usually needed, because they add significant weight and there is a greater risk of damage to the glass from recoil. It is recommended to go for optics with a lens diameter of between 20 and 32 mm. These are average in size but produce quite good shooting results. You really don’t need anything much bigger, and it is a waste of money.

If you have poor eyesight, then make sure the scope has diopter correction so that you do not have to wear glasses when using it. This is a very good feature for shooters with vision problems.

Which Reticle Is Better To Choose?

There are normally two different options for the reticles found on air rifle scopes:

It is very difficult to identify the best reticle for pneumatics, since it depends on the personal preferences of the shooter and what he or she is shooting. However, most users prefer the Mil-Dot styled reticle with their air rifles.

So What’s The Best Air Rifle Scopes?

Even though these are the best scopes for air rifles currently available, it is unfair to actually call any of them the ‘best.’ It all depends on the price range, air rifle model, and personal preferences. But there are certain models – clear leaders, which are the most popular among buyers.

Putting into consideration the price to quality ratio, we believe the…

Hawke Sidewinder TAC Riflescope

…is the best of all. Designed for rugged activity, this scope can withstand heavy shock, impact, and recoils. It is dustproof and has a moisture-proof body made of aircraft-grade aluminum. Despite the low cost, this model is perfect for hunts in difficult weather conditions. Also suitable for use in low light conditions, this unit is an all in one. Highly recommended.

Of course, this is not all. If you need more information, it is best to go through our Q and A buying guide and cross-reference the scopes with your specific needs.