If you are not happy with the factory crossbow scope and need some upgrades, this guide is for you.
Especially for most accurate crossbows, why buy a $200 chunk of glass for an $1800 crossbow?
We’ve done our due diligence and found the best crossbow scopes that are durable, easy to hold zero, crystal clear optic, and illuminated sight.
Besides that, you’ll dive deeper into different types of scope and how to choose a good one. But first:
Best Crossbow Scope for Low Light:
Best Crossbow Scope Reviews:
1. TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Elite Scope:
(Editor’s Choice)
TenPoint has been the household name for top crossbows for a long time now.
Because of that, it’s no surprise that their bestseller made it into our list - and as the editor’s choice, no less!
Excellent Image Clarity
Thanks to a bright and clear glass, the low light clarity is outstanding, making it one of the best crossbow scopes for the money out there.
The EVO-X is such a great buy because it offers better illumination control than other scopes out there.
It’s better than anything made for crossbows today, and it’s as bright in low light as you need it to be.
Compact and lightweight
We liked that it’s relatively compact at the width of 8.18” and has a weight of 1.2 pounds. It won’t add up too much weight to your crossbow set.
Easy To Use Reticle Design
This dedicated crossbow scope comes with an easy-to-use reticle that has an excellent fine line.
The reticle has five illuminated crosshairs calibrated for 10-yard increments from 20 to 60 yards.
Also, it comes with two non-illuminated chevrons at 70 and 80 yards.
Convenient
This scope is also rather convenient, thanks to flip-up scope caps and quick-detach scope rings.
They can protect your scope while hoisting your crossbow to a treestand.
Other notable features:
Drawback
What we didn’t like is that despite the good design, the reticle lines are too thin. That can make it more difficult to see even with illumination.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Hawke XB30 Crossbow Scope:
(Runner-Up Pick)
Hawke XB30 Pro is one of our top choices, and it offers some excellent features - making it our runner-up.
What makes this scope stand out is that it doesn’t require any adjustments once set.
The Hawke’s XB30 Pro comes with all the features, performance, and quality required for long target practice or hunting big or small games.
With it, you can hunt for another 30 minutes after sundown without any issues.
Exceptional image clarity
Thanks to 14 layers of lens coatings, the optic quality is amazing, giving you a distortion-free view in low light conditions,
It has 5 brightness settings of red or green and a 30mm mono-tube chassis, transmitting more light.
2 magnification ranges
As for the magnification, it comes with two power ranges: 1.5-6x and 2-8x.
Easy to use crosshair
The scope is relatively easy to use with the effective crosshair range from 20 to 100 yards with 10-yard increments, making the scope qualified for hunting and target shooting.
Cover almost crossbow speed
The XB30 has a wide span of speed adjustments, from 250 to 475 FPS, to cover most modern crossbows out there.
It has a compact size, too, with a width of 10” and a weight of only 15 ounces - but it could be lighter with better glass, though.
Drawback
Unfortunately, this is a made-in-China scope that only has a two-year warranty - which is a big flaw.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Second Focal Plane Crossbow Scope:
(Maximum Convenience)
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is one of our favorite scopes out there. It’s the absolute winner of our ‘maximum convenience’ category!
Durable crossbow scope
In terms of the optic quality, the first thing we can notice is the weather resistance.
The excellent clarity glass of the Crossfire II is fog proof and waterproof in harsh weather conditions.
Ideal for low light hunting
The scope features a 32mm objective lens and a full multi-coating to gather plenty of light for hunting in dim conditions.
With five brightness levels and a dual illumination with a red or green light, it’s ideal for low light settings.
The reticle zeroed in at 40 yards is the standard crosshair (not 20 yd as others).
However, each yardage line has captions, so no guesswork is required - although it’s pretty small.
Combine magnification and FPS setting
As for the magnification, it has a relatively wide range from 2 to 7x magnification.
We liked that it combines both the magnification power and the FPS setting, so it can easily match any crossbow.
Wide range of speed
Easy to set up, this scope has a wide span of speed adjustment from 250 to 470 FPS - so it can adapt to the high-end crossbow.
Quite bulky
With a width of 9.5”, it’s pretty small but still bulky since it weighs 14 ounces.
For target shooting, the scope is accurate up to a 100 yards distance.
Thanks to a neoprene scope cover, the crossbow is quite convenient, and the provided rings fit the popular Picatinny tail.
It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Downside
The downside is that it’s pretty expensive - plus, it comes with small yardage text.
Pros:
Cons:
4. UTG 4X32 1" Crossbow Scope:
(best budget crossbow scope)
UTG makes a lot of hunting accessories - and they do their job rather well.
Their 1” crossbow scope is one of the best on the market, and it’s an absolute winner of our budget-friendly category.
Medium optic
Since it’s affordable, it doesn’t have the best glass for optic quality - but the image is clear enough and the best at this price range.
What is great about the optic quality is that it’s:
4x magnification
The magnification is not the best out there - medium-range at best since it magnifies four times.
Principal in low light
Low light visibility is principal, and this scope comes with a red/green illuminated reticle. It is very bright, even too bright at dusk so that you can’t see the target behind the scope.
The scope is zeroed in at 20 yards, and it’s accurate for 20 to 50 yards distance - effective for hunting deer.
For 300 fps
It has five horizontal lines calibrated, and it’s suitable for 300 FPS crossbows - light, beginner crossbows.
If you have a heavier one, you will need to adjust the scope.
Too thick line
We didn't like that the line takes too much space, despite how easy the scope is to dial in and how accurate it is with the 3.8" eye relief.
Another potential downside of this scope is that it’s made in China and that there is no caption for yardage lines.
All in all, the scope is still very rugged and worth the money!
Pros:
Cons:
5. Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope:
(best crossbow scope with rangefinder)
Garmin is a well-known brand for various products - and crossbow scopes are one of them. It is the priciest product on our list, but the specs certainly justify the price.
Xero X1i is the best crossbow scope with a rangefinder because it’s so convenient.
Built-in rangefinder
You’ll never have to think about getting a rangefinder. All you need to do is find the range and shoot - and you will never need an additional one.
The rangefinder has two triggers - a rangefinder button and a cable to free your hand.
Long-range
Moreover, this scope has a massive range - up to 250 yards for large games and 500 yards for reflective targets.
Steady aim support
It has a relatively steady aim, and it even has a little circle to remind you to calm down to get an ethical shot. If the circle goes away to reveal a single dot - it’s a recommended, ethical shot.
Multi profiles
Thanks to the multi-bolt profile, you change the profile corresponding to the field tips or broadheads.
Crystal image quality
The optic quality offers crystal clear sight, and it has one-year battery life.
The optic quality offers crystal clear sight, which works perfectly in low-light situations with illuminated aim points.
Support up to 650 fps
Besides that, it’s simple to set up and supports speeds up to 650 fps. Even the current fastest crossbows have 500 fps speed only.
Toughness
It’s built to last, too - waterproof to the IPX7 standard, fog-proof, and compact-sized.
Downside
What we didn’t like is that it’s costly and kind of heavy at just under two pounds.
Also, it’s not great for ground blind shooting style, not for spot and stalk hunting styles.
Pros:
Cons:
Types Of Scopes For Crossbow:
Generally speaking, there are several types of scopes for crossbows.
Everyone has their preferences when it comes to hunting. It’s only natural that those preferences apply to crossbow scopes, as well.
So, let’s check out the three most popular types of scopes and their differences!
Multi-Reticle Scope
The multi-reticle scope is also known as a drop-compensating reticle scope.
It’s called this way because it features main horizontal reticles or dots to enable you to shoot at different locations accurately, without readjustments to elevation or wind.
Each horizontal mark that intersects with the vertical dot marks a distance where the weapon will shoot accurately.
Some multi-reticle scopes will even illuminate the reticle in red/green light to give you a better view.
Do note that multi-reticle scopes are calibrated at a fixed speed. So, if that speed doesn’t work for your crossbow, you will need to adjust it manually.
Variable-Power Scope
In essence, a variable-power scope is a multi-reticle scope, but it comes with more settings.
The most notable is the variable speed, enabling you to calibrate the scope’s rate to the speed of the arrows shooting out of the crossbow.
The speed of the scope is calibrated by selecting the distance on the reticle.
Many hunters prefer the distance shown in the 10-yard increments because it’s much easier to pick out the speed that way.
The feature allows the scope to be far more precise because the arrow speed is precisely calibrated.
That is why this type of scope has more advantages compared to the multi-reticle.
Red-Dot Scope
Red dot scopes are pretty popular because they are easy to use - they don’t magnify the picture. Instead, the scope gives you lots of red dots you can align with the prey.
Another advantage of the red dot scope is that it’s much lighter than other types of scopes.
On the other hand, the red dot scope comes with a specific flaw - power.
You will have to think about the electronics possibly failing or the batteries running low. So consider other options for your crossbow if that's an issue.
How To Choose a Top Crossbow Scope For the Money:
If you’re new to the crossbow world, finding just the proper scope for you could be tough.
Picking out a scope can take so much of your precious time if you don’t know what you should look for in the process.
Because of that, we have compiled a buying guide for your convenience.
Continue reading to find out all the things you need to keep an eye on when buying a crossbow scope!
Legal Aspects
You may not realize it, but hunting is a sport that has many rules and legal regulations.
So, you will need to make sure that you abide by those rules if you want to avoid getting a hefty fine to your name.
When it comes to crossbow scopes, the story is the same:
Some states in the USA do not allow you to have a magnifying unit, only a standard one, such as Alabama and North Dakota, among others.
For the complete list, check out the full regulations.
Optical Quality
It should go without saying, but optical quality is the number-one principal thing you need to pay attention to when it comes to crossbow scopes.
The scope you need should outdo the built-in one in the sense of having better glass and coating.
Moreover, the scope should be clear, with no parallax whatsoever.
The reason behind that is that most crossbow hunters are people of age - and the scope should cater to their eyes.
Low Light Visibility
The scope should offer good visibility even at 30 minutes before dawn and after dusk.
Furthermore, on particularly cloudy, rainy hunting days, especially in hardwood forests, it gets rather dark.
That is why you will require a scope that offers perfect illumination even in the lowest light conditions.
In challenging lighting, the scope will either prove itself worthy or worthless, so be careful what you pick out here.
We advise you to pick a scope with a larger objective lens since they transmit more light.
Magnification
Our official advice is that you pick a scope that magnifies at least eight times.
However, the best option would be to find one that magnifies 11 times!
Yardage
Discussing range depends on the type of use you are looking for, but there are two options:
For hunting
So, if you are looking for a scope for hunting, you should look for a unit that goes from 0 to 50 yards.
There is truly no need for variable range, magnification, or FOV.
For target shooting or fun
When it comes to target shooting, you should find a scope that works perfectly at a range from 51 to 100 yards.
After all, it’s for practicing, and you should gain some decent shooting skills before you finally take to the woods!
Size
The overall size is usually related to the weight, and each ounce matters when it comes to the crossbow itself.
The crossbow is heavy enough as it is, and adding a heavy scope can make carrying the crossbow simply unbearable.
Generally speaking, the scope weighs between 1-2 pounds, but it depends on the model.
However, if the extra weight is an issue, consider buying a red dot scope since they are lighter. It weighs as little as 3.8 ounces!
Durable & Easy To Use
Durability is extremely important because no hunter wants to invest in a new scope once or twice per season.
That is why you should look at the materials used to make the scope, to make sure it’s going to last you a good bit.
Moreover, the scope should be easy to use since you don’t want to lose a day or two trying to zero in.
The operations should be simple, and the instruction manual should be clear and straight to the point to make the whole thing more accessible.
Windage & Elevation Adjustment
Windage and elevation turrets are a principal features if you are looking for a crossbow scope for hunting.
Wind gusts can make hunting almost impossible because the accuracy is shot with strong wind.
The settings will help you achieve good results despite challenging weather.
Eye Relief
For those ew in the crossbow world, eye relief is a term used for the optics for rifles and crossbows, along with binoculars and telescopes.
So, the eye relief is the largest distance between the surface that allows the user to get the full view through the scope, unobstructed.
This distance is measured in inches - and at the very least, you will need to look for an eye relief of 3+ inches.
Short eye relief is somewhere between two and three inches, and if it’s too close, it can be dangerous.
Here’s why?
Because once the crossbow is fired, it will inevitably recoil. Since your face is so close because of the scope, it will drive the scope right into your face and cause discomfort and even bruising.
Warranty
Warranty is something nobody thinks about until it’s necessary.
But we advise you to think ahead of time and check out the warranty on the scope.
At the very least, the unit should come with a five-year warranty, but the lifetime warranty is the best option.
FAQs:
Well, to be honest, the market for crossbow scopes is not nearly as large as rifle scopes. Using rifles for hunting is far more popular than crossbows.
Even more so, many crossbows users are satisfied with the built-in scopes. Only some hunters require something better from their crossbow.
Generally speaking, yes, you can attach a rifle scope to your crossbow if you want, as far as they use a Picatinny or Weaver rail.
Besides that, you can add an HHA optimizer, jack plate to attach the scope.
You should first find a bench or something similar to climb up a bit; it will be easier to zero in the crossbow.
The target you’ll set should be no more than 20 yards from where you’re standing.
To zero in means to zero the top-most dot for a specific distance, in this case - 20 yards or less.
They represent different distances for shooting. Each line represents dead on distances of 10, 20, 30 yards - and so on.
Taking into account that the speed of the shot is calibrated, this will allow you to shoot more accurately. Also, it will enable you to deliver more ethical shots.
Generally speaking, that depends on the type of scope since the range can vary a lot from scope to scope. So, the effective range is the one for delivering an ethical shot.
Giving a non-ethical shot is cruel and completely unnecessary - and we advise you against it.
Bottom Line:
To conclude, there are many great scopes for crossbows out there, but only one is the best. And that would have to be the TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Elite Scope:
It offers better illumination control than any other model out there, so you can see even if it’s pitch black out there. It’s compact, doesn’t weigh too much, and it’s very accurate!
All in all, the TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Crossbow Elite Scope is the best crossbow scope - without a doubt.