Written By John VanDerLaan
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Our team of experts have spent countless hours using some of the best crossbows available today with different crossbow scopes so that they could determine which were the best crossbow scope for each of the different situations.
They used these scopes to shoot crossbow targets and sight them in, then took them into their tree stands and ground blinds to put them through the paces in real hunting situations.
Here is what we found.
Best overall

vortex crossfire ii
Best rangefinding

garmin xero x1i
Best FOR Low Light

Hawke xb30
List Of The Best Crossbow Scopes
Best Crossbow Scopes: Reviews And Recommendations
Below you will find in-depth reviews of all the best crossbow scopes that our staff uses on a regular basis.
Best Overall: Vortex Crossfire II

After all of our staff had gone through the testing with each of the scopes on our list, there was one that consistently was on the top of each hunter’s list and that was the Vortex Crossfire II.
The first thing we loved about this scope was the illumination feature, which lights up the XBR-2 reticles in either red or blue, providing incredible clarity in low light situation.
The second thing we loved about it is the ease of setup and sighting it in. Once you sight in and set your zero at 40 yards, it provides perfect holdover reticles at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 yards.
This scope has an adjustable mag ring to fine tune the FPS(Feet Per Second) of your crossbow, so that it will work with any crossbow on the market.
It takes literally minutes to be perfectly sighted in.
The thing we love the most about this scope is the Vortex VIP Warranty. It is the best in the business.
Here it is direct from Vortex:
"VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customer. We will repair or replace your Vortex® product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you. If we cannot repair your product, we will replace it with a product in perfect working order of equal or better physical condition.
You see, it doesn't matter how it happened, whose fault it was or where you purchased it. If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all Vortex Optics riflescopes, prism scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods and monoculars.
- UNLIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
- FULLY TRANSFERABLE
- NO RECEIPT NEEDED"
We love a company that stands behind their product and puts their customers first.
Here is what this scope looks like mounted to one of our staff member's crossbow.
Features:
- Fully Multi Coated Glass
- 30mm Scope Tube
- Glass Etched Reticle
- O-ring Sealed For Waterproof Performance
- Nitrogen Purged For Fogproof Performance
- Rugged, Shockproof Construction
Specifications:
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
- Eye Relief: 2.7 inches
- Field of View: 57.5’ – 16.4’ @ 100 yards
- Length: 9.5 inches
- Weight: 14 oz
Here is a diagram showing the different parts of the Vortex Crossfire II crossbow scope.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Here is a great video showing all of the features of the Vortex Crossfire II Crossbow Scope.
Vortex makes some of the best optics on the planet and they do an amazing job of providing value and standing behind their products with their VIP Warranty.
After testing more than 20 crossbow scopes, our staff consistently chose the Vortex Crossfire II as their top pick for best crossbow scope. You can't beat the combination of high end features and a reasonable price, along with a no questions asked, lifetime warranty.
You will not find a better value in crossbow scopes.
Best For The Money: Hawke Sport Optics XB1
The Hawke XBI crossbow scope was also very highly rated by our staff, but not as high as the Vortex Crossfire II.
The biggest difference seemed to be shooting right at dusk. The Hawke XBI seemed to lose some clarity compared to the Vortex.
We had a couple of staff members that took the two of them out to a ground blind together so that they could compare them directly just after the sun went down.
The Vortex was noticeably clearer as it got darker, to the point where they could have shot a deer with the Vortex, but could hardly see it in the Hawke.
That being said, the Hawke XBI is a solid crossbow scope with high end features and a killer warranty.
Some of our guys prefer the Hawke scope reticle to the Vortex reticle. You can see the Hawke reticle below, and the Vortex reticle is above.
Another difference between the Vortex Crossfire II and The Hawke XBI is that the Hawke scope is zeroed in at 20 yards and the Vortex is zeroed in at 40 yards. This gives the Vortex the ability to handle a larger range of crossbow bolt speeds.
The Hawke claims to be able to adjust to speeds up to 425 FPS, but our tests seemed to max out at about 400 FPS. After that, the aimpoints were slightly off.
Keep in mind that the way these adjustable scopes work is by changing the magnification based on the speed of your crossbow, so you can't use a different magnification. It is set by the speed of your crossbow.
That is what makes the reticle work and be accurate from 20- 100 yards.
Features:
- 11 Layer Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- 1 inch Scope Tube
- Illuminated Reticle
- O-ring Sealed For Waterproof Performance
- Nitrogen Purged For Fogproof Performance
- Shockproof
Specifications:
- Magnification: 1.5-5x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36 mm
- Eye Relief: 3 inches
- Field of View: 75 - 22.5ft @100yds
- Length: 8.3 inches
- Weight: 13 oz
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Overall, the Hawke XB1 is a solid choice for the money, but it is not as good as our top pick, the Vortex Crossfire II.
RELATED: Best Crossbow Under $500
Best With Rangefinder: Garmin Xero X1i
I can remember thinking that there must be a better way to find yardages 40 years ago when I started bowhunting. Back then, we didn't have rangefinders of any kind. we would practice estimating yardages all the time, so that when a deer appeared, we would be able to accurately estimate how far away it was.
What a long way we have come since then!
The Garmin Xero X1i is the holy grail of crossbow scopes. This is the scope we all would have, if we could afford it.
We have a member of our staff that has one and swears by it, so we were all anxious to give it a try, and boy, were we impressed.
It is a crossbow scope with a built in laser rangefinder, but that's not all. It ranges your target and the correct aimpoint lights up automatically.
If your target is moving, it will continue to range the target as it moves away and switch aiming points based on the distance.
It is truly incredible.
It also automatically compensates for ambient light, getting lighter as ambient light fades, making it ideal for low light hunting.
Here is what it looks like when you are looking through the scope.
It is almost like cheating, which is why it is not legal in some states. Be sure to check your local laws regarding the use of electronic crossbow scopes for hunting before you invest in this scope.
The only downside that we could see is that it is expensive and probably out of reach for most hunters, but if you can afford it, you should buy this crossbow scope.
Here is a view of the reticle, once it has ranged the target.
Features:
- High Performance Optics For Crisp, Edge To Edge Clarity
- Automatic Brightness Adjustment Based On Ambient Light
- Laser Locate Feature Marks Where You Took Your Shot
- Uses Digital Aimpoints Calibrated To Your Crossbow
- Moveable Silent Range Button
- Illuminated Aimpoints
- Auto Calibrates Out To 80 Yards
- Rugged Construction
- Includes Lithium Batteries
Specifications:
- Magnification: 3.5x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
- Eye Relief: 2.4 inches
- Field of View: 26ft @100yds
- Length: 6.2 inches
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
Here you can see the Garmin Xero X1i scope mounted on a TenPoint crossbow. This is the setup that we used to test and rate this scope.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Here is a video showing all of the features of the Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope with built in rangefinder.
We love it when you can condense two pieces of hunting gear into one, similar to our favorite rangefinder binoculars, and Garmin does it perfectly with XeroX1i.
Our testing has proven that this is the best crossbow scope with a rangefinder. If you can afford this rangefinding crossbow scope, you should buy it.
You will not be disappointed.
Best Rangefinding Crossbow Scope For The Money: Burris Oracle X
If you are in the market for a crossbow scope with built in rangefinder and you can't afford the Garmin Xero X1i above, we've got you covered.
The Burris Oracle X is a top quality crossbow scope with rangefinder that is not nearly as expensive as the Garmin, however, you get what you pay for when it comes to high tech.
The Oracle X has a built in laser rangefinder with angle compensation, so your shot will be accurate every time.
The Oracle X is built upon the years of experience that Burris Optics has creating rangefinding rifle scopes.
We liked the option of using a wireless remote to activate the rangefinder, but we found that it was less cumbersome to use the button on the scope.
We tested the Oracle X on a Ravin R25 crossbow and it performed flawlessly.
The only downside that we found is that it is big and heavy. It is almost 12 inches long and weighs almost 2 pounds.
Our favorite thing about the Oracle X Crossbow Scope is the No Questions Asked Forever Warranty.
Here it is from Burris:
"All Burris Optics (with the exception of Thermal products) are covered by the Burris Forever Warranty™. We will repair or replace your Burris optic if it is damaged or defective. The warranty is automatically transferred to future owners.
- No repair or replacement charge
- No warranty card needed
- No receipt needed
- No questions asked
The Burris Forever Warranty does not cover loss, theft, deliberate damage or cosmetic damage that does not hinder the performance of the product."
Features:
- Built In Laser Rangefinder With Angle Compensation
- Manual Or Automatic Brightness Control
- Waterproof, Fogproof and Shockproof
- Wireless Remote
- Forever Warranty
Specifications:
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
- Eye Relief: 2.4 inches
- Field of View: 47 - 14ft @100yds
- Length: 11.9 inches
- Weight: 30.8 oz
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Here's a video showing all of the features of the Oracle X Rangefinding Crossbow Scope.
While still expensive, the Burris Oracle X is the best crossbow scope with built in rangefinder for the money.
Keep in mind that it is bulky and heavy, so it will add some weight to your setup.
Best For Low Light: Hawke XB30

With exceptional low light capabilities and suitable for crossbow speeds of 250 FPS - 450 FPS, the Hawke XB30 is one of our staff's favorite crossbow scopes for hunting.
Hawke uses the larger 30mm scope tube, compared with the 1" scope tube in the XB1, which we reviewed above. This allows more light into the XB30, making it perfect for low light hunting.
The XB30 also utilizes the XB30 Compact SR Reticle, which we love. It has aimpoints from 20-100 yards and also shows 5 yard increments and have windage bars and dots which compensate for 10 mph and 20 mph crosswinds.
You can see the reticle in the photo below.
The reticle is illuminated with either red or green and has 5 levels of brightness.
Keep in mind that these scopes that are adjusted to the speed of your bow do not have adjustable magnification.
The magnification is set by the speed of your crossbow. Some users think that the magnification is adjustable, but it is not.
The wide angle optics let in more light and provide a wide field of view, which is awesome for crossbow hunting.
Add in the Hawke Optics No Fault Lifetime Warranty and you have an amazing crossbow scope that will serve you well for years to come.
Features:
- 14 Layer Fully Multi Coated Glass
- Wide Angle Optics
- Waterproof, Fogproof and Shockproof
- 30mm Aluminum Mono-Tube Chassis
- Works With Crossbow Speed of 250 FPS - 450 FPS
- Illuminated Reticle
- Fast Focus Eyebell
- XB30 Compact SR Reticle
- Forever Warranty
Specifications:
- Magnification: 2-8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36 mm
- Eye Relief: 3 inches
- Field of View: 87.9 - 21.8ft @100yds
- Length: 9.3 inches
- Weight: 15.1 oz
What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you are deer hunting, you need a crossbow scope that performs well in low light hunting conditions.
Our testing has shown that the Hawke XB30 is the best Crossbow Scope for low light conditions.
Best For 400 FPS: TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Elite
The TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Elite crossbow scope is designed to accommodate today's fastest crossbows. It works with crossbows that shoot between 300 FPS and 500 FPS, making it an ideal choice for crossbows shooting 400 FPS.
It has the most adjustability of any of the scopes that we have tested. The target turrets are micro adjustable for windage and elevation out to 100 yards.
The reticle is interesting and we found that among our staff members, you either love it or hate it.
You can see the reticle below.
There are three illuminated crosshairs at 20, 40, 60 yards. Two illuminated dots at 30 and 50 yards and four non illuminated chevrons at 70, 80, 90 and 100 yards.
If you are shooting a super fast crossbow and you like the reticle, this is an amazing scope.
It has excellent low light performance thanks to a 30mm scope tube and fully multi coated optics.
Keep in mind that these variable power crossbow scopes are not like variable power rifle scopes. The magnification is set by the speed of your crossbow and cannot be changed.
Features:
- Variable Locking Speed Ring For Arrow Drop Compensation
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- Waterproof, Fogproof and Shockproof
- 30mm Scope Tube
- Works With Crossbow Speed of 300 FPS - 500 FPS
- Accurate Out To 100 Yards
- Customized, Glass Etched Reticle
- 5 Year Warranty
Specifications:
- Magnification: 2-8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36 mm
- Length: 8.5 inches
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Below you can see the EVO-X Marksman Elite mounted on a TenPoint Vapor 470. You can see how compact it is.
We tested this scope on a TenPoint crossbow, but it can be mounted on any crossbow that shoots between 300 and 500 FPS.
Best Illuminated: Ravin R170 100 Yard Illuminated Crossbow Scope
The Ravin R170 is the best scope made by Ravin. While it is an awesome crossbow scope, most of our staff members preferred the Hawke XB30 at this price point.
The differences between the two scopes are the reticle, most of our staffers like the XB30 reticle over the Ravin, and the XB30 features 14 layer fully multi coated glass, while the Ravin scope features only fully coated lenses.
Here is what the Ravin reticle looks like.
We do like the reminder to keep your fingers down. The number one injury associated with crossbow use is getting your fingers in the way of the string or limbs.
They both feature a 20-100 yard range and the Ravin is compatible with crossbows between 300 and 425 FPS, while the XB30 is compatible with crossbows between 250 and 450 FPS.
The illumination is adjustable and you can choose either red or green.
Features:
- Fully Coated Lenses
- Waterproof, Fogproof and Shockproof
- 30mm Scope Tube
- Works With Crossbow Speed of 300 FPS - 425 FPS
- Illuminated Reticle
Specifications:
- Magnification: 1.5-5x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36 mm
- Length: 8.75 inches
- Weight: 16 oz
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Ravin R170 is built to match the performance and speed of Ravin Crossbows. While it is a great scope, we preferred the Hawke XB30 at this price point because it offered more value and a more user friendly reticle.
Best Budget Crossbow Scope: TruGlo 4X32 Compact
When it comes to crossbow hunting optics, you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a cheap crossbow scope that will get the job done without breaking the bank, then the TruGlo Multi Reticle 4x32 compact is about the best you are going to find.
We put this scope to the test and it performed alright, but did not compare to the more expensive models we tested.
The scope features 4x magnification and is not adjustable, so the reticles will not be right on accurate for all crossbows, although they will be close for most midrange speed crossbows.
If you have a very slow crossbow or a very fast crossbow, then this scope is not for you.
The reticle can be used with or without illumination.
Here is what the reticle looks like.
As you can see, it is very basic.
You are supposed to be able to range a deer by putting it between the lines, but that is pretty rudimentary and not very reliable.
A quality rangefinder should be a part of every hunter's gear.
This scope features a 1 inch scope tube as opposed to a larger 30mm tube.
It is nitrogen filled and according to TruGlo, it is water resistant, but we have a staff member that had a problem with his scope fogging up in cold weather. It was replaced by TruGlo.
We put this scope to the test on a Barnett Whitetail Pro Crossbow.
You can see the setup in the photo below.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you are set on a budget crossbow scope, then this is the best you are going to find, but there are better options if you are open to other brands like Vortex Optics and Hawke Optics.
What To Consider When Choosing A Crossbow Scope
Speed Of Your Crossbow
Most of the top crossbow scopes today are ballistic compensating, which is another way of saying arrow drop compensation and it means that they use a fixed reticle that is zeroed in at one yardage, usually 20 yards, and then the other aim points are all perfect when the scope is set to the speed of your crossbow.
So these scopes do not really have adjustable magnification. The magnification is set by the speed of your crossbow.
Depending on the type of crossbow you have, the speed could range from 200 fps to over 500 fps.
The upside is that once you set your speed (measured in feet per second or FPS) and sight in at 20 yards, your crossbow will be sighted perfectly from 20 - 100 yards.
Keep in mind that shots at 100 yards are not recommended at game animals.
Click here for a guide on how far you can effectively shoot a crossbow.
Rangefinding Capability
Crossbow scopes with built in rangefinder have revolutionized crossbow hunting, eliminating the need for a separate rangefinder.
We love to use the rangefinding crossbow scopes, but they are expensive, probably out of range for the average hunter. Although, we never thought we would see hunters spending thousands on a crossbow either, so who knows, maybe scopes with a rangefinder will become commonplace among hunters.
Our advice is if you can afford it, go for it. You will not be disappointed and it will make shooting and hunting so much easier.
Just be sure to check your local laws and regulations, as they are not allowed in some areas of the country.
Optics Quality
The quality of the optics will determine the brightness, clarity and crispness of the images, as well as the level of performance in low light conditions.
The best quality optics utilize fully multi coated lenses. These will also be the most expensive optics.
Some of the scopes will feature fully coated lenses, which may be adequate, but there will be a noticable difference between the two
Magnification
Magnification refers to how large the image looks through the scope. 2x means the image would be twice as large as with the naked eye and 8x means the image is 8 times larger.
Keep in mind that too much magnification will make target acquisition difficult.
These numbers are slightly deceiving in the ballistic compensating scopes because they look like they have adjustable magnification, but they do not. The magnification is fixed by the speed of your crossbow.
Illumination
Illumination refers to the lighting up of the aiming points on the reticle. All of the crossbow scopes we recommend are illuminated and can be adjusted via a built in rheostat powered by a battery.
You can adjust the level of illumination to suit your taste, but we have found that the higher the illumination, the more difficult they are to use when hunting in low light.
Diameter Of The Scope Tube
Most crossbow scopes, or at least the good ones, have a 30mm scope tube. This is what we prefer, as it provides a brighter image and adds strength and stability to the scope.
It will also add a little more weight when compared to a smaller 1 inch scope tube, but it is well worth the tradeoff.
Field Of View
The field of view is the width that you can see at 100 yards when looking through the scope. It is measured in feet and basically, the wider, the better.
A wider field of view allows you to see more. It is easier to find game through the scope and also easier to plan a shot when you can see where the game is headed and what obstacles will be between you and your target.
RELATED: Best Place To Shoot A Deer With A Crossbow
Ease Of Set Up And Sight In
All of the crossbow scopes on our list are very easy to set up and sight in. Most will come with scope rings that will attach to the picatinny rail on your crossbow.
Once it is mounted, you should follow the manufacturer's directions for sighting in.
It is very simple and you will be hitting bullseyes from all yardages in minutes.
RELATED: What Is MOA? Minute Of Angle Explained
If you haven't shot a crossbow before, you can see our guide on how to shoot a crossbow by clicking here.
WeatherProof
Weatherproof is really kind of a generic term and we believe that any high end optics should be completely waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
In crossbow scopes, this is accomplished by being o-ring sealed, which prevents water from entering the scope. The scope should also be nitrogen purged, which prevents fogging and condensation inside the scope.
Without these features, your scope will not be weatherproof and it will provide disappointing performance in anything but perfect conditions.
Budget
Obviously, you need to consider your budget when looking for a scope, but we would advise you to buy the best crossbow scope you can afford.
It is true that you get what you pay for when it comes to hunting optics, but that being said, there are some great scopes that are very reasonable in price.
Our top pick is the Vortex Crossfire II and we chose that scope as our top pick because of the combination of high end features and reasonable price.
The fact of the matter is that if you take care of your scope, cleaning it and performing basic maintenance, it should last you for many hunting seasons.
Warranty
We love a company that stands behind their products and protects their customers with no questions asked, lifetime warranties.
You will see that our top picks above all feature these warranties, but as you make your way further down our list, some scopes will offer lesser warranties. These are often the lower priced options.
Final Thoughts
Our staff has put in countless hours testing, rating and reviewing all of these crossbow scopes on a myriad of different crossbows to find the best crossbow scope in each category.
Our overall top pick is the Vortex Crossfire II because of its combination of high end features, bright clear optics, reasonable price and forever warranty.
The best scope with built in rangefinder was hands down the Garmin Xero X1i, although it is priced out of range for a lot of hunters, it is an incredible scope that completely eliminates the need for a rangefinder.
If you are a bow hunter that chooses to use a crossbow, investing in a quality scope will have you shooting accurately and filling your freezer in no time.
RELATED: Best Crossbow For Women
FAQs
Can you use a rifle scope on a crossbow?
Technically you could use a rifle scope on a crossbow, but it would not make much sense to do so. You really need a multi reticle crossbow sight to shoot accurately at different distances.
What distance should I zero my crossbow scope?
You should zero your crossbow scope at 20 yards. If you are using a speed rated scope, this will automatically zero the other reticles at 30, 40 and 50 yards. Make sure that you sight in your crossbow with the broadheads that you are going to hunt with. Some broadheads will fly differently than others, affecting your accuracy.
Can you use a red dot on a crossbow?
Yes, you can use a red dot sight on a crossbow for short to medium ranges, however we prefer a multi reticle crossbow scope for hunting.
Can you bore sight a crossbow scope?
Technically, yes you can bore sight a crossbow scope. There are screw in, boresighting tips for crossbow bolts that will show you exactly where your bolt is aimed, but they are not much use beyond about 10 yards because of the amount of drop in the bolt over longer distances.
Do crossbows require special scopes?
Yes, crossbows require special scopes. Crossbow scopes are designed specifically for crossbows, providing reticles with multiple aiming points for different yardages. Unlike a rifle, where the bullet doesn’t drop much over 100 yards, a crossbow bolt drops significantly over that distance. If you were to use a regular scope, you would have no idea where to hold the one reticle at different yardages.
What do the lines mean on a crossbow scope?
The lines on a crossbow scope represent the aimpoint to use for specific yardages. They are usually set at 20, 30, 40 and fifty yards, although some go all the way out to 100 yards. Once you know the yardage to your target, you use the corresponding line for that yardage.
Is there a crossbow scope with a built in rangefinder?
Yes, there are crossbow scopes with built in rangefinders. These scopes show you the range of your target as you are aiming. The best rangefinding crossbow scope is the Garmin Xero X1i .