The 10 Best Bow Sights of 2021
Photo: Truglo
A bow sight is an accuracy enhancing hunting gear that is mounted on bow risers to give you a pin-pointed line of sight to the target.
That said, these pieces are available in different types, with the most noticeable feature being the number of pins. This single feature changes the whole usage dynamic when it comes to newbies and experienced hunters.
We’ve listed all these types below so scroll through to read our detailed review of the best bow sights. At the end of it all, you should be able to pick the most ideal one for your needs.
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10 Best Bow Sights – Review
- 1. Best Overall Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge React Pro
- 2. Best Power Dot Bow Sight: Truglo Range-Rover Pro
- 3. Best Single-Pin Bow Sight: Truglo Range Rover
- 4. Best Ambidextrous Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge Volt
- 5. Best 3-Pin Bow Sight: Truglo Storm
- 6. Best Inexpensive Bow Sight: Topoint Archery Bow Sight
- 7. Best 4-Pin Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge Joker
- 8. Easily Adjustable Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge React H5
- 9. Micro-Adjustable Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge Fix
- 10. Durable Bow Sight: HHA Optimizer Sight 5519
- How to Buy the Best Bow Sights
- How to Sight in a Bow
- Conclusion
10 Best Bow Sights – Review
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1. Trophy Ridge React Pro (Best Overall) |
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2. Truglo Range-Rover Pro (Best Power Dot) |
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3. Truglo Range Rover (Best Single-Pin) |
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4. Trophy Ridge Volt (Best Ambidextrous) |
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5. Truglo Storm (Best 3-Pin) |
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6. Topoint Archery Bow Sight (Best Inexpensive) |
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7. Trophy Ridge Joker (Best 4-Pin) |
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8. Trophy Ridge React H5 (Easily Adjustable) |
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9. Trophy Ridge Fix (Micro-Adjustable) |
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10. HHA Optimizer Sight 5519 (Durable) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Trophy Ridge React Pro (Best Overall) |
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2. Truglo Range-Rover Pro (Best Power Dot) |
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3. Truglo Range Rover (Best Single-Pin) |
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4. Trophy Ridge Volt (Best Ambidextrous) |
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5. Truglo Storm (Best 3-Pin) |
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6. Topoint Archery Bow Sight (Best Inexpensive) |
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7. Trophy Ridge Joker (Best 4-Pin) |
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8. Trophy Ridge React H5 (Easily Adjustable) |
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9. Trophy Ridge Fix (Micro-Adjustable) |
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10. HHA Optimizer Sight 5519 (Durable) |
1. Best Overall Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge React Pro
Photo: Trophy
- No. of Pins: 5
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Right Hand
- Material: Aluminum
With the mathematical precision of React technology, Trophy Ridge’s React Pro leads the pack because it is easy to achieve spot-on accuracy.
This technology automatically adjusts all 5 pins after you set only 2 pins. While doing so, it delivers dead-center accuracy so that you can hit the optimal spot at any distance. That said, the unit features tool-less audible micro-click windage and elevation adjustment for easy use.
You can enhance the accuracy over long distances at severe angles by making adjustments on the third axis, which essentially tilts the ring back and forth. There is also a precision-installed bubble level helps you to keep the bow straight vertically.
Multiple mounting holes are built in to give a total of 4 mounting positions for comfortable use. Other features include bright 0.019-inch fiber optic yardage indicators on the pins for easy visibility, a glow-in-the-dark green ring, and a rheostat light to help you adjust pin brightness.
The only problem is that the piece does not have an ambidextrous design. You can either get a right-hand or left-hand sight .
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2. Best Power Dot Bow Sight: Truglo Range-Rover Pro
Photo: Truglo
- Hand Orientation: Both
- Material: Aluminum
If you prefer having a clearer field of view, Truglo’s Range-Rover Pro has an illuminated center power dot design that does not obstruct your sight. This dot is surrounded by a black reference circle so that the two enhance your long-distance accuracy.
A tool-less zero-in adjustment dial is built-in for smooth, quick, and precise yardage adjustment. As for windage, this is micro-adjustable using an audible click knob.
The unit features over 80 multi-colored yardage tapes to calibrate to any yardage. You also get a push-button for the dot’s brightness adjustment and a glowing ring around the 1.8-inch diameter aperture for easy visibility in the dark.
More features include a lens cover and an ambidextrous design for easy use by both left and right-handed shooters. On the downside, you don’t get a rheostat light and the sight lacks third axis adjustment for enhancing accuracy over long distances.
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3. Best Single-Pin Bow Sight: Truglo Range Rover
Photo: Truglo
- No. of Pins: 1
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Right Hand
- Material: Aluminum
Truglo’s Range Rover is characterized by a non-obstructive field of view but this is in the form of a single pin design. This pin rises from the bottom of the ring, which helps to align it with the bubble level.
A tool-less zero-in adjustment dial with over 80 colored yardage tapes is built-in for easy windage setting. That said, the bracket is designed to move very smoothly for easy one-hand adjustment.
You also get laser marks for accurate windage and elevation adjustment plus compatibility with a 1.87-inch scope lens for better long-range accuracy due to the zooming function. When tuning the unit, an adjustable end-of-travel stop enables you to customize the maximum yardage setting.
The ring glows for better nighttime visibility while a rheostat LED-light is included to help you set the pin’s brightness. However, the piece is not ambidextrous and it lacks third axis adjustment.
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4. Best Ambidextrous Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge Volt
Photo: Trophy
- No. of Pins: 5
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
- Material: Ballistix Copolymer
This bow sight has a reversible mount design that allows it to be mounted on either left-hand or right-hand bows. Its frame also has 3 mounting positions, in which some are offset to enable you to customize how you fix it to your bow for comfortable use.
Aside from that, the unit is built using Ballistix copolymer material that is 25% lighter than aluminum while still maintaining the strength of this metal. The material is also soft to touch and minimizes vibration.
5 pins are used for accurate spotting at any distance and these have bright fiber optic lights for easy visibility. The unit’s windage and elevation are adjustable for more accurate shooting but this requires an Allen key to change the settings.
You also get laser-etched elevation, windage, and pin markings for accurate adjustment while a precision-installed bubble level helps you to keep the bow straight vertically. Other features a green accent ring lighting and a rheostat light.
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5. Best 3-Pin Bow Sight: Truglo Storm
Photo: Truglo
- No. of Pins: 3
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
- Material: Aluminum, Composite
Truglo’s Storm is characterized by 3 durable metal pins that are fiber-wrapped and very bright for easy low-light visibility. The pins light up in different colors (green, red, and yellow), which makes it easier to determine the sighting distance visually.
An enlarged 2-inch aperture houses these pins plus the bubble and this gives you a large field of view for easy spotting. This part has a glow-in-the-dark ring that improves visibility in the dark.
The sight is made of CNC machined aluminum plus composite material for high strength and durability. It also has a versatile mounting system that can be adjusted to accommodate right and left-handed shooters.
On the downside, the unit does not have a rheostat light but this can be found in the more premium 5-pin model .
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6. Best Inexpensive Bow Sight: Topoint Archery Bow Sight
Photo: Topoint
- No. of Pins: 3
- Pin Size: 0.029 inches
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
- Material: Aluminum
If you are looking to save as much when buying a bow sight, Topoint Archery’s piece is the most affordable one in this review. Despite this, it has a durable 6061-T6 machined aluminum construction.
The unit is also fitted with 3 colored pins (1 red, 2 green) that have wide 0.029-inch diameter fiber optics for maximum brightness.
You also get a bubble level with 2 vertical bars to help you keep your bow straight, markings for elevation/windage adjustment, and a versatile ambidextrous design.
However, the sight requires an Allen key for windage/elevation adjustment and it does not come with a rheostat light.
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7. Best 4-Pin Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge Joker
Photo: Trophy
- No. of Pins: 4
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
- Material: Aluminum, Composite
Trophy Ridge’s Joker is unique because it has 4 pins. These horizontal fiber optic pins are very bright and are surrounded by a green hood accent ring for quick target acquisition.
The piece is built using aluminum and composite materials for maximum strength with minimal weight. Its frame has 2 mounting positions plus a reversible design that allows you to mount in on either side of your bow for left- or right-hand use.
Other features include a precision-installed bubble level that helps you to align shots accurately and a rheostat light to help you adjust the pin brightness.
On the downside, the unit lacks second and third axis adjustment to enhance long-range accuracy. Adjusting its windage and elevation is also not tool-free.
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8. Easily Adjustable Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge React H5
Photo: Trophy
- No. of Pins: 5
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Right Hand
- Material: Ballistix Copolymer
With 5 illuminated pins, Trophy Ridge’s React H5 has an easy adjustment mechanism that allows you to set all of them simultaneously. Also called React technology, this ensures you accurately set the last 3 pins automatically after adjusting the first two.
The piece is also adjustable on the second axis for enhanced accuracy over long distances. This is in addition to its tool-less windage and elevation micro-click adjustment for fine-tuning the precision level.
Aside from that, the sight is made using Ballistix copolymer, which is lighter than aluminum and absorbs more vibrations.
3 mounting positions allow you to customize the sight’s installation on your bow while a precision-installed bubble level helps you to keep the bow straight before shooting.
The only problems are that the product is not ambidextrous and it is not adjustable on the third axis for better long-range accuracy.
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9. Micro-Adjustable Bow Sight: Trophy Ridge Fix
Photo: Trophy
- No. of Pins: 5
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Right Hand
- Material: Aluminum
This bow sight offers very dependable precision in the form of tool-less micro-adjustable windage and elevation settings. As such, you get to make very precise calibrations for perfect accuracy.
A second axis adjustment further helps to enhance accuracy by moving the aperture left and right. This makes it more precise over long distances.
The adjustment tool for the second axis and pins is stored onboard for easy retrieval. This same tool (Allen key) is also used to tie the windage and elevation locking nuts.
More features include a sturdy aluminum frame with 4 mounting positions for customized installation, a green hood accent ring, and 5 bright fiber optic pins for easy sighting, and a rheostat light.
On the downside, the unit is not ambidextrous and it lacks third axis adjustment for better long-range accuracy.
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10. Durable Bow Sight: HHA Optimizer Sight 5519
Photo: HHA
- No. of Pins: 1
- Pin Size: 0.019 inches
- Hand Orientation: Right Hand
- Material: Aluminum
Last on the list is this durable bow sight that is made entirely using 100% CNC machined aluminum, which is very sturdy.
Other than that, the product has a 1-5/8-inch sight housing with a single vertical armor pin. This pin contains 5 inches of wrapped fiber optic for bright sighting. On top of this, it is surrounded by a green hood accent ring for easy target acquisition.
More features include tool-free windage micro-adjustment with a multi-colored yardage tape for accurate yardage setting, a bubble level with two vertical lines, and a mechanical rheostat for adjusting the pin’s brightness. The only problem is that this piece is very expensive.
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How to Buy the Best Bow Sights
Photo: Truglo
1. Types of Bow Sights
Fixed Pin
Fixed pin sights contain anywhere from 3-5 pins. These pins are actually movable when making adjustments but the reason why this type is fixed is that once set, they should not be moved on the go.
This makes it very easy to use, which ideal for beginners, intermediate and expert users. The more the pins, the better because you get more preset yardages.
That said, we recommend setting the pins at 10-yard increments and you should set this before heading out to hunt because this can take some time.
The major flaw with this design is that the pins can block the field of view.
Moveable
Moveable bow sights are the ones that have a single pin or dot. This does not clutter the field of view but you have to adjust it after every shot for accurate shooting at different yardages. As such, the type is ideal for intermediate or professional hunters because it is quite complex to use.
That said, with an experienced user, adjustment is not that difficult. This is usually simplified by the rear white tape, which helps you to mark the distance in yards then use it whenever required. Essentially, this gives you a blank canvas for you to calibrate.
Pendulum
Also called tree stand sights, these are not very common because they are built to help shooting downhill by compensating for the dropping angles. The pin is the one that swings out to compensate for the odd angles, resulting in better accuracy.
They require quite a lot of practice to get right but once you get it, you will find it to be very useful for tree stand hunting.
Competition
Competition sights are not meant for hunting. They are used for sports like archery and have enhanced accuracy features to help you hit the target spot on. These features include micro-click adjustments, multiple axis adjustment, threaded receivers to vary the aiming points, etc.
They are usually very expensive and this is why they are not ideal for hunting.
Buying Guide: Because fixed pin bow sights can be used by all kinds of hunters, they are the best type, which is why we recommend Trophy Ridge’s React Pro .
2. No. of Pins
Some bow sights have a single pin while others have multiple (3-5). Single pin units offer a clearer field of view because there is less clutter filling the aperture. However, this design is quite challenging to adjust on the go.
On the other hand, with multi-pin units, you preset the pins to different yardages so that you don’t have to do it on the fly. The only problem is that many pins can block your field of view ahead.
As you can see, each has its strengths and weaknesses. Selection should be based on personal preference but generally, single pins are better for pros while multi-pins are ideal for beginners.
That said, if you want a single pin sight, we highly recommend Truglo’s Range Rover . However, if you want a multi-pin unit, the 5-pin Trophy Ridge’s React Pro is worth checking out.
3. Accuracy
A bow’s accuracy is primarily determined by its adjustability. For the best accuracy, ensure the windage and elevation are micro-adjustable for easy fine-tuning. You should also look for second and third axis adjustment that enhance accuracy for long-range shooting.
4. Hand Orientation
Everyone has a dominant hand and as such, you need to buy a bow sight that fits your hand orientation for comfortable use.
An even better option is to buy an ambidextrous unit, which has a reversible mounting system for installation on either side of your bow. For this, be sure to check out Trophy Ridge’s Volt .
5. Durability
Durability is primarily determined by the construction material. Aluminum is the most commonly used material and this ensures the unit is very sturdy.
Shooting does cause vibrations and some sights are built to absorb this to prevent damages. These are made using Ballistix copolymer, which is also lighter than aluminum. However, the material is not as strong as aluminum.
How to Sight in a Bow
Photo: Truglo
Sighting-in is basically adjusting the sight body to sharpen your accuracy. This is done in the following steps:
- Begin practicing at a short distance, say 10 yards from the target/bullseye. Use about 4 arrows and mark them using the respective numbers. This is important because one of them might not be well balanced. You will know this if it goes way off from the others.
- Throw the arrows and if you are not hitting the right spot, you need to move the sight to follow the direction of the arrow. Ensure you tweak the settings precisely by making small windage and elevation adjustments until the pin is spot on the target.
- Once you hit the right spot, move further away by around 10 yards then repeat step 2 above to set the next pin. However, if your bow sight only has a single pin, mark this distance on the yardage tape then back to step 2.
- With pin 1 and 2 set, don’t touch the sight body again. Instead, adjust the distance between the pins individually to set the 30, 40, and 50-yard pins.
- As for single pin sights, mark these distances on the yardage tape once you hit the target accurately.
Because your shooting form can change over time, we recommend that you continue practicing over several days while making small adjustments until you get the best results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bow sights fall into different categories but if you want the best overall, we recommend Trophy Ridge’s React Pro .
This is because it features React technology for auto setting and third axis adjustment for enhancing long-range accuracy. Being a fixed pin type, it is also very easy to use, which makes it ideal for all users at different experience levels.
However, if you are looking for a single-pin sight, Truglo’s Range Rover is the best one. It has a wide non-obstructed view, tool-less adjustment, and smooth one-hand movement.
If you want an illuminated power-dot though, check out Truglo’s Range-Rover Pro because it is highly precise, especially on long-range shooting.
