Price is a critical factor of consideration in your scope wish list. It is important to note that most of the low-price scopes tend to compromise on quality.
Many brands claim quality performance however, some of the low-priced scopes might not be able to match the potential and precision of your air rifle. This is why it is hard to find the best air rifle scopes under $100 without breaking a sweat.
Knowing and understanding how hard this can get led me to compile a list of ten air rifle scopes that are not just affordable but offer quality and accuracy. This article will also offer you a comprehensive air rifle scopes buyer’s guide.
After considering the specifications you need in a rifle scope, then you can choose a rifle scope that best suits your budget.
Best Air Rifle Scopes Under $100
1) Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
This Bushnell red dot features nitrogen-purged fog-proofing to prevent it from fogging up when the humidity or temperatures rapidly change. This ensures that you can always clearly see the red dot and your target. It is also O-ring sealed making it waterproof even when fully immersed in water.
The TRS-25 has adjustable brightness settings from 1 to 11, which illuminate the 3 MOA dot reticle inside for better target acquisition.
The red dot’s battery life is prolonged by choosing lower brightness settings. The tool is easy to mount on most Picatinny rails and is compatible with pistols, shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders.
Key Features
- Shockproof construction ensures maximum durability
- It has a matte black finish
- Waterproof and fog-proof construction
- Parallax – 50
2) CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope
The CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e is built with a special design, with a bullet drop compensator that allows quick adjustments of the reticle for shooting targets at specific distances.
It features multi-coated green lenses which provide much higher light transmittance compared to normal blue lenses. This translates to a clearer image.
The special 2-in-1 design has the scope and gun sight laser built together to ensure precise shooting. It is made of high-strength aircraft aluminum which ensures maximum durability. Included are 0.79” (20mm) mounts.
Key Features
- It has a black matte finish
- Magnification: 2.5x-10x
- Net Weight: 20.5oz (approx.)
- Tube diameter: 1.57”
- Objective Diameter: 40mm
- Field of View: 100 yards of 34.86′ @2.5x – 11.53′ @10
- Eye Relief: 4’’ @ 2.5x – 3’’@ 10x
- Exit Pupil: 0.52’’ @ 2.5x – 0.17’’ @ 10x
- Reticle Type: Mil-dot
3) UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope
This UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope features a 1 Inch tube with emerald coating for maximum light transmission. It comes with premium zero lockable & resettable turrets with 1/4 MOA Per Click Adjustment as well as a range estimating mil-dot reticle for optimal aiming and shooting performance.
The scope has an adjustable objective from 3 yards to infinity and features red/green dual illumination that allows for versatile applications. This red dot can switch from red to green when the light comes on.
It is easy to fix on a Picatinny 21 mm rail and is perfect for Airsoft assault rifles. It is completely sealed and Nitrogen filled for rain and fog proofing.
Key Features
- It offers a large field of view
- Shockproof performance
- It has a great eye relief
- Has high-quality flip-open lens caps
- Comes with a 2″ sunshade and quick-detachable rings
- 2 lithium metal batteries included
4) CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope 6-24×50
This CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope is designed for durability and great performance. It features well-designed and constructed turrets that allow for crisp, consistent, and precise windage and elevation adjustments.
It is easy and quick to adjust and the caps can be removed to reset the zero. The scope fits all standard 20mm Picatinny or Weaver rails.
The scope’s eyepiece dioptric adjustment lens eliminates most of the image aberration while the adjustable ocular provides a clear image for nearsighted or farsighted users without glasses.
The adjustable objective (AO) lens can be moved by the parallax dial at the end of the scope. This adjustment allows for a sharper target image, elimination of parallax, and range estimation.
Key Features
- Magnification: 6-24x
- Objective Diameter: 50mm
- Field Of View: 28 ft. @ 100 yards
- Click Value: 1/8 inch @ 100 yards
- Precise Hand-Turn 1/8-inch @100 Yards Click Adjustments
5) Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope
This Simmons riflescope offers stunning on-game performance, reliability, and value thanks to its fully-coated optics and a complete set of 3/8″ dovetail mounting rings. It features SureGrip adjustments which make for easy adjustment, even while wearing gloves.
The quick target acquisition eyepiece delivers a constant 3.5 inches of eye relief through the entire magnification range.
With Simmons’ patented true zero adjustment system and QTA quick target acquisition eyepiece, this scope delivers unparalleled performance. It comes complete with a set of Rimfire rings that allow quick and easy mounting.
The scope is designed with waterproof and shockproof materials and is completely sealed for maximum fog-proof performance. The HydroShield lens coating helps maintain a clear sight picture, regardless of weather conditions.
Key Features
- It has a black matte finish
- High-quality optical glass and fully-coated optics
- Weight: 10.8 ounces
- Field of View: 31.4/10.5 ft. @ 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
- Exit Pupil: 10.7 – 3.6 Millimeters
- Parallax settings: 50 yds.
- Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Adjustment (Range): 60/60
- Truplex Reticle
6) Pinty 3-9X40 Red Green Rangefinder Rifle Scope
The Pinty 3-9X40 Red Green Rangefinder riflescope offers 3 to 9 times magnification with a 40mm object lens, and an adjustable elevation and windage for improved shooting accuracy.
It has 5 brightness adjustments that help to achieve ultimate reticle clarity, both day and night.
The scope has green and red illuminations and a superior eyepiece for easy target acquisition. The rangefinder reticle provides fast, simple aiming points for various shot distances while the two 1’’ complementary scope rings allow easy mounting onto any 20mm Picatinny or Weaver mount rails.
Key Features
- Waterproof and fog-proof performance
- Magnification: 3x-9x
- Objective diameter: 40mm
- Eye relief: 3.3-2.7″
- Windage & elevation click value: 1/4 MOA 1/4″@ 100yards
- Exit pupil: 13.3mm-4.4mm
- Field of view: 25′-14’@100yards
- Tube diameter: 25.4
7) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope features quality optics with stunning HD clarity. It has a Multi-X reticle that ensures a classic sight picture. The second focal plane (SFP), the Multi-X crosshair reticle allows easy target acquisition even at dusk and dawn.
The scope features fully multi-coated (FMC) optics and waterproof construction that prevents fogging, and ensures a crisp, clear image.
It is perfect for hunting during the low-light conditions of dusk and dawn. The scope’s fast-focus eyepiece allows you to quickly adjust the reticle to your eye, for easy focusing.
Key Features
- 100 percent quality materials are used and tested extensively
- 100% waterproof/fog-proof performance
- It offers 3.3 inches of eye relief
- It has a 40-millimeter objective lens
- Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses ensure clarity and brightness
- Multi X reticle present
- 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
- Fast-focus eyepiece included
8) Monstrum 3-9×32 AO Rifle Scope
Monstrum 3-9×32 AO Rifle Scope is made of Aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum body that is sealed and nitrogen-charged for water and fog resistance. It has a functionally designed Rangefinder reticle that allows faster range estimation and holdover correction.
This reticle can be viewed in red or green illumination or black without illumination, and multiple brightness for a suitable sight picture regardless of lighting or environment.
The riflescope has crystal clear optics with 3-9x magnification perfect for close to mid-range shooting. Its adjustable objective (AO) lens can be moved by the parallax dial at the end of the scope for a sharper target image, elimination of parallax, and range estimation.
Key Features
- Adjustable 3-9 times magnification
- Multi-layer lens coating for scratch resistance
- Has 14 MOA/click windage/elevation adjustments with capped turrets
- Adjustable objective lens
9) Simmons .22 Mag TruPlexReticle Riflescope
This Simmons 22 Mag 4x32mm Rifle Scope features a one-piece tube construction that provides lighter handling, more strength, and durability. The scope features a Truplex Reticle and RF Mounting Rings. It is made with a Quick Target Acquisition (QTA) eyepiece that offers plenty of eye relief to make target acquisition easy.
The riflescope also features SureGrip adjustment that allows you to easily adjust the settings, even while wearing gloves. A complete set of mounting rings is included for easy mounting.
Key Features
- It features fully coated high-quality optics
- Waterproof, fog proof, shockproof, and recoil proof
- Quick target acquisition eyepiece
- Great eye relief
10) BARSKA 3-12×50 IR Euro-30 Pro Riflescope
The BARSKA 3-12×50 IR Euro-30 Pro Riflescope combines European design features with world-class engineering to offer the best performance for big-game hunting and target practice.
This scope has 11 brightness adjustments and a fast-focus eyeball. It features a convenient zoom adjustment ring with a thumb lever and finger-adjustable windage and elevation.
The Barska scope features a 30mm tube and a large objective lens size with fully coated optics for bright clear images even in low light. It also comes with the European 4A Illuminated Dot Reticle with adjustable brightness for easy range and elevation estimation.
Key Features
- Made of a quality construction
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- It has 3-12x magnification
- It has 1/4 MOA click adjustments for precision accuracy
- It has a 50mm Objective Lens
- It is parallax-free at 100 yards
Choosing the Best Air Rifle Scopes under $100
Body
The best choice of an air rifle scope is one with strong and durable construction. It should be made of high quality and durable materials, and should preferably be waterproof and fog proof.
Weight
A small and compact scope that is lightweight is easy to move around from one point to another, especially when hunting. It is also easy to pack when traveling. Heavy scopes however can be more durable and contain more inbuilt features. You should consider your needs when deciding on the size and weight of your scope.
Magnification
Magnification can make a huge difference in your hunting and shooting results. The magnification power of your scope should match your needs in the field.
Eye relief
High-power rifles tend to have heavy recoil. Having adequate eye relief (at least 3 inches) ensures ease of use and protects your eyes and eyebrows from the recoil.
Lens coating
If you need the most precise image, you can’t miss considering the lens coating. The layer determines the amount of light reflected by the lens and the light transmission in the lens. This coating helps in the reduction of glares caused by the incoming light, which later reduces reflection. There are different types of coating which are;
- Coated- has at least a single layer of coating
- Fully-coated- every lens has an anti-reflective coating on its surface
- Fully multicoated- it has multiple layers on every lens of the riflescope
- Multi-coated- at least one of the riflescopes has the anti-glare coating
Reticle
The reticle (or crosshair) is important in target aiming. It determines the point where the bullet will land. Thin reticles offer a high level of precision but are difficult to use in low-light conditions. Thick crosshairs on the other hand have lower accuracy but are perfect for low-light use.
Final Thoughts
You have been planning to go on a hunting spree for the past few weeks and maybe you thought you’d have received money before the time comes.
But then things happened and the cheque bounced or the client failed to pay on time. Well, such financial constraints should not stop you from going on that mission.
These are affordable scopes that will help you enjoy a good performance in the field without leaving a hole in your pocket. You should choose the best scope that can meet your hunting needs.
See also; Top 7 Best Monstrum Scopes Review