News

Sep 16, 2023

The Best Bow Sights for Hunting in 2023

Single-pin, multi-pin, slider, or fixed, it doesn’t matter. A quality bow sight is a crucial link between you and a successful archery hunt. With so many bow sights available on the market, picking

Single-pin, multi-pin, slider, or fixed, it doesn’t matter. A quality bow sight is a crucial link between you and a successful archery hunt.

With so many bow sights available on the market, picking the right one for you might be a little much to swallow. I get a chuckle these days with how many options there are given the fond memories I have of my first bow sight. These days, it would look like more of a joke than a bow sight. It was a rusty relic begging for attention.

Bow sights really are something else these days with the level of craftsmanship that’s put into them and the mind-blowing precision they can provide. From fiber optic pins to micro adjustments and built-in rangefinders, they are a work of art. It is undeniable that they have made us a more successful bowhunter of the modern day.

Finding a bow sight that checks all of the boxes can be an uphill climb. Lucky for you, we like to climb here at GearJunkie. We’ve broken down our top picks of bow sights for 2023. For a side-by-side spec comparison, have a look at our chart, and be sure to read our buyer’s guide to help you decide which bow sight is best for you

Black Gold Sights has been producing quality bow sights since 1991 and they have an impressive lineup. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, the best overall sight just might be the Black Gold Ascent Verdict ($279+).

The Ascent Verdict is Black Gold’s original mover sight and the platform from which many of its more advanced sights have been built. It comes in both three- and five-pin models.

It’s built with mostly standard adjustment screws, with the exception of the third-axis adjustment. It happens to have micro-adjustment capability. Each pin is a 0.019 Micro Groove, and the brightness of these pins is managed through Black Gold’s PhotoChromatic shell. This shell turns purple in the sun to mitigate pin brightness and avoid the starburst effect.

And let’s not forget about its famed “Dial of Death,” which allows the shooter to dial for longer yardages. This is accomplished with the aid of one of the 54 sight tapes included with the sight.

Something to keep in mind here is that Black Gold Sights are fully customizable, from the pin size and color to having micro adjust or not. You can build the exact sight you want for your specific needs. To top it off, it’s all covered by Black Gold’s unconditional warranty.

Ever since its start in the basement of an archery pro shop in Bozeman, Mont., Black Gold has always strived for quality and performance. The Ascent Verdict embodies this fully.

Budget is always a factor when purchasing hunting equipment. Dependability is also always a factor, though. The R3 bow sight ($99) from Redline offers the dependability that bowhunters need while leaving money for the gas tank.

The Redline R3 bow sight comes in both three- and five-pin models. It comes with precise micro-adjustability for windage and elevation and has first and second-axis adjustments. There are three mounting points, tool-free locking adjustments, and a rheostat light that comes with each sight. Each pin on the R3 is a 0.019 fiber-optic pin, and the weight of this sight is 7.5 ounces.

Simplicity is dependability, and that’s exactly what Redline had in mind when developing the R3 sight. It’s a bombproof option without the fluff or the steep price tag.

What do you get when you pair unwavering durability, pinpoint accuracy, and a clear sight picture? You get the HHA Tetra ($279+), the new standard in single-pin bow sights.

HHA has been a leader in the single-pin sight world for the past 17 years. They know what goes into a quality sight and what bowhunters need. Its Tetra is a prime example of this. It’s available in both left and right-handed models, and you have the option of either a 0.010″ or 0.019″ pin.

A mechanical rheostat controls the brightness of the pin. Tetra sights have dovetail (4″-8″) or classic bracket mounting options. And of course, you’ll have micro-adjust windage as well as second and third-axis adjustments.

The Tetra comes with HHA’s patented to-the-yard accuracy R.D.S. sight tapes. These will take you from 20 to 100 yards in a jiff.

And with the wheel forward design on the slider, hunters won’t have any interference from their quiver. All of this is operated off of HHA’s infinite adjustment bar, which ensures shooters the ability to reach out and touch the maximum distances possible with their setup.

HHA also incorporated a new left/right adjustment plate that sits in between the second axis adjustment and the slider to accommodate the newer inline riser mounting options coming out. Lastly, these sights are 100% made and sourced in the USA and come with a lifetime warranty.

The HHA Tetra is where versatility meets performance and durability: a one-stop shop for anyone looking for a single-pin bow sight.

If multiple pins are your flavor, but you still want the ability to reach out to those long distances, CBE has got your back. The CBE Trek Pro ($329+) is a Cadillac of a multi-pin slider sight.

CBE, Custom Bowhunting Equipment, is not a company that sacrifices quality. Its new Trek Pro is everything a bowhunter could want from a multi-pin slider.

The Trek Pro is actually offered in one-, three-, and five-pin models. Even if you did want a single pin, you could rock a Trek Pro.

A carbon dovetail bar mounts the sight with several position options. A sight light is included with each sight, as are the laser-engraved aluminum sight tapes that CBE is known for.

CBE gives the option of either 0.010” or 0.019” blade pins and interchangeable fluorescent peep alignment rings (green, red, yellow, or gray) to achieve the best sight picture for you. Micro adjustment exists for windage as well as the blade pins.

When everything is set, hit the windage and elevation lockdowns, and they’re not going anywhere. Every Trek Pro also comes with first, second, and third axis adjustments to ensure the ultimate performance in accuracy.

Another cool feature of the Trek Pro is the Dead Stop, which is basically a zero stop. That, paired with the Rapid Drive, will allow a hunter to quickly move their sight back to zero without having to do a whole lot of looking at all.

CBE also added a dual indicator to help aid in where exactly your 20 and 40 pins are falling throughout the sight tape — an all-around helpful feature.

Versatility is the first word that comes to mind when I think of multi-pin slider sights. The CBE Trek Pro is ready for any mountain you throw its way.

Technology is a train that is constantly in motion and isn’t stopping for anyone. The Garmin Xero A1i Pro ($1,300) is the most technologically advanced bow sight ever created.

As the predecessor to the original Garmin Xero sight, this new A1i Pro is everything that was in a much more refined and efficient package. This is a digital bow sight with a built-in rangefinder.

At full draw and with the press of a button located on the grip of the bow, the sight will range an object and then display the proper pin to use with exact yardage accuracy. Powered by AAA lithium batteries, you’ll have a full year of battery life with the included power supply.

Within the sight housing, there is a glass lens where your LED pins will show up. Pins can be either red or green, and you can change the brightness and diameter of said pins as well. Windage, elevation, and reticle adjustments are all micro-adjustable. And there is a quick detach feature for ease during travel.

Among the mountain of cool things this sight does, one of the coolest has got to be its auto pin calibration. Shoot two different distances, and the sight will auto-calibrate your pin stack if you desire. That’s all it takes to sight this in. On top of that, the Garmin allows you to have multiple arrow profiles. This means that you can have different arrow setups for different situations and never have to resight your bow sight for each of them. The A1i stores it all internally.

It’s wicked accurate, full of helpful features, and makes sighting in a bow easier than ever. The Garmin A1i Pro is the next level of hunting sights and going full steam ahead. Check out our full review of the A1i Pro and be sure to double-check its legality in your state.

We just couldn’t end this article without mentioning the Axcel Landslyde Carbon Pro Slider ($410+). It’s as good as bow sights come and then some.

The Landslyde Carbon Pro is built like a tank in the USA, with serious functionality in mind. Of course, you have first, second, and third axis adjustments, but you also have both a windage adjustment lock and an elevation adjustment lock.

Each sight comes with eight double-sided metal tapes and 16 scales (40 total on its website). This sight uses Axcel’s own Fire Pins, which are CNC machined pins that are highly resistant to bending or breaking. And the advanced carbon composite bar has a hefty weight-to-strength ratio.

Axcel is pretty big on customization as it wants its sights to match you and your style to a T. Choose between 0.019″ or 0.010″ for your pin size in colors green, blue, yellow, or red.

You’ll also get the option of either the AV-31 scope for more of a tournament feel or AV41 scope with a broader field of view. And there are tons of add-on possibilities like lenses and sun shields that are all sold separately.

One of the most notable features of the Axcel Landslyde has got to be its Rapid Adjust Knob and Quick Release on the slider. It allows the hunter to push the Rapid Adjust Knob, which activates the Quick Release for rapid up and down movement. You can also choose to turn the knob for precise adjustments.

It’s no secret that the hunting woods can be a merciless place. Axcel knows this all too well, and its products reflect that.

The new Canyon Pounder from Option Archery is a sight we haven’t gotten in our hands yet, but given its reputation thus far, this is 100% worth mentioning in this article.

The head of the ship over at Option Archery is Dan Evans. Dan is an absolute diehard bowhunter with an exceptional taste for elk hunting. He’s also the former owner of Trophy Taker. In other words, this fella knows a thing or two about what bowhunters need out of their gear.

Dan’s new Canyon Pounder sight is a multi-pin slider made with precision and practicality in mind. You’ll have the choice between 3, 4, and 5-pin models as well as standard extension, direct, bridge-lock, and Picatinny mounting options. Pins are .019” fibers. Every sight comes with an allen wrench set, waterproof sight tapes (aluminum speed-specific taps available), and set-up instructions.

One of the standout features of the Canyon Pounder is its ability to “flip” between a multi-pin and a single-pin. Part of the sight housing actually flips out taking with it all but one pin. That single pin is always in the center of the main housing too. Which aids in an overall better sight picture as well as accuracy. And like all high-end sights should, this has second and third-axis adjustments.

And unlike other multi-pin sliders with one sight tape, the Canyon Pounder actually has two. One is a reference for the centered single pin and another is a reference for the bottom pin. Using the bottom pin with the slider will allow you to dial for a farther distance, but you won’t get the clarity you get from the centered single pin. All of this operates on a helix drive rod that provides ½ movement with one turn.

From what we can tell, the Canyon Pounder from Option Archery is a hardcore bowhunter’s dream. It’s got everything you’d need and a bit more.

Dependability, efficiency, ease of use, and accuracy — the Trophy Ridge React Pro ($279+) checks all of the boxes.

This sight has four mounting positions and can be purchased in three-, five-, and seven-pin models. The React Pro comes with a precision-installed bubble level, third axis adjustment, and a built-in rheostat light for those first and last light conditions. Along with its ultra-bright fiber optic pins and solid construction, the real gem of this sight comes with the sight-in-process.

The React Pro comes equipped with Trophy Ridge’s React technology. This technology allows the user to simply sight in two pins — and that’s it. After sighting in your top pin, pick another pin to sight below that.

By moving that pin into position, all of the other pins will automatically follow suit, giving you the proper pin gapping throughout the whole sight housing. Oh, and this is all done without the need for tools with micro adjustment. So, no need to bring that trusty Allen wrench along when sighting in.

Trophy Ridge knows bowhunting and wants you to be successful. If you’re looking for a bow sight that is as easy as they come to get set up without sacrificing quality, the React Pro should be on your radar.

Multi-pin fixed bow sights make up the bulk of bow sights used by bowhunters today. They offer quick yardage acquisition and a set-it-and-forget-it feel. The Hunter MRT 7 Pin ($274+) from Spot Hogg is sure to impress in this category.

Spot Hogg is very well known for creating absolutely bombproof bow sights, and the Hunter MRT falls right in line with that. It’s a no-frills bow sight made with the hard-working hunter in mind.

It comes in both left- and right-handed models, both of which offer micro-adjustability for windage and elevation. The Hunter MRT has three-, five-, and seven-pin models available. All are made of Solid 6061 aluminum construction.

You’ll also get the choice between 0.010″, 0.019″, and 0.029″ pin sizes. Of course, like all fixed pins from Spot Hogg, these travel along a vertical line within the sight housing to help keep all of the pins in line. It also aids in setting third-axis adjustments.

On that note, you’ve got micro second and third-axis adjustments on the Hunter. It also comes with a self-locking gang micro-adjust feature for sighting in.

Spott Hogg also offers some customization options. For instance, a hunter could choose to have two 0.019″ on the top and a 0.010″ pin on the bottom for a three-pin. They could also pick whatever pin color configuration they’d like. Each sight also comes with multiple sight rings to help dial the hunter’s view through their peep sight.

With a lifetime warranty, made in the USA, and not a lot of moving parts, the Spot Hogg Hunter MRT is the perfect recipe for anyone looking to snag a simple but highly rugged bow sight.

Only a few years deep in their journey, Dialed Archery is turning heads with their Arxos ($500) sight. It’s new, innovative, and looks smokin’.

The Arxos is a single-pin slider sight made from solid 6061 aluminum with a cerakote finish. It’s got adjustable second and third-axis along with micro windage and macro horizontal adjustment. Dialed Archery offers the Arxos in either a dovetail mount or a Picatinny mount. You’ll also have the option of either a .010” or .019” pin size.

Between the “Void Dial” and “Angled Elevation System” you’ll actually be able to clear longer distances with the Arxos. Unlike most sliders that have a fully vertical track, the Arxos has an angled track. This creates more arrow clearance without giving up functionality. In fact, it adds to it. With that bowhunters will be able to choose whether they want their sight tape on the inside or outside of the sight frame.

This sight screams customization. You’ll have the choice between a list of different Void Dial color options and overall sight color options too. And while I said this is a single-pin sight, Dialed Archery also offers a vertical 3-pin model as well. With those pins, the sight level is not located at the bottom of the housing, which is standard. It’s at the top, which gives a more clear sight picture.

Bowhunters looking for a sight that is as effective as it is aesthetically pleasing will appreciate the Arxos from Dialed Archery.

Well, we bow hunt … a lot. Luckily, we have the opportunity to have multiple sights on hand to test in varying hunting scenarios and extremely differing conditions. We test bow sights in the mountains and on the plains. They hone in on targets in broad daylight and in the dwindling glimmer of last light.

Rain? Yup. Snow? Definitely. Brutal heat? We’ve cooked them and then some. Our goal is to get them into the field the same way you will, so you can be confident in the stances we take.

As for myself, bowhunting is something I think about every single day and I’m lucky to spend a good majority of my year with a bow in my hand. From the alpine to the desert, I’ve fortunately stalked and ambushed big game animals successfully with a bow and arrow. It’s my passion and I have a deep appreciation for the level of difficulty that goes into a successful archery hunt. Gear that compromises that success is gear I won’t waste my time with.

Perhaps the biggest question for bowhunters looking for a new sight is whether to get a single-pin or a multi-pin version. Each of them has its own pros and potential cons in the field. We’re going to break that down for you here. With any luck, you’ll know exactly what to set your sights on after the fact.

As I mentioned above, multi-pin bow sights are without a doubt the most common bow sights used among bowhunters. There are several reasons for that. The first is they are a set-it-and-forget-it system. With the exception of using a multi-pin slider, your pins are what they are.

This leads me to another benefit: Quick yardage pin acquisition is easier with a multi-pin. When a hunter draws their bow back, they know what their pins are, and there is no “hold on, let me dial,” especially after an animal decides to move.

Lastly, multi-pin bow sights also shed light on arrow trajectory. For instance, if you are aiming with your 40-yard pin, but while doing that, your 20-yard pin is sitting on a branch at the halfway point, you’ve likely got a deflection in your future and need to adjust.

On the flip side, multi-pin sights don’t offer the best of sight pictures. There’s just a lot going on in there, which can muddy your view.

With that in mind, having a plethora of pins inside the housing also has a way of confusing folks. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard say “used the wrong pin” after a miss.

Furthermore, these are a set-it-and-forget-it system, but unless you’re using a slider, you won’t be stretching the distance too much in practice. There is great value in practicing long-range shooting, as it makes one even more accurate at the shorter ranges.

While single pins might not be as prevalent in the mountains as multi-pins, there is 100% value in running one pin versus multiple for bowhunting. The first that comes to mind is more of a clear-sight picture. There is no clutter and no such thing as using the wrong pin accidentally in those high-intensity bowhunting situations. You’ve got one pin to worry about, and that’s it.

And with that one pin, you’re going to get exact yardage accuracy. A single-pin sight operates off of a sight tape, so the hunter can dial exact yardage and not have to worry about pin gapping (example: aiming between 30-40 pin for a 35-yard shot).

Single pins are also incredibly easy to sight in. Unlike having to go through sighting in each and every pin on a multi-pin, single pins only require one to sight in two different yardages — a close shot and a farther shot. From that info, you’ll be able to get your sight tape, and it’s off to the races from there.

It’s not all roses and sugar plums with single-pin sights. And really, this all comes down to one disadvantage that affects a few different things. The disadvantage is time. Single-pin sights are a time sucker because they take longer to adjust for yardage.

So, when that elk decides to move last minute while you’re at full draw, you’ll either have to let down and readjust or try to compensate and risk your precision. It’s a sticky situation either way.

This can also cause one to take an even longer amount of time coming to full draw. When things heat up quickly, you need to act quickly, and a single pin doesn’t lend to that in the least. Even if you’ve got all of the ranges memorized in front of you, you’ll still have to adjust your sight to wherever that animal steps out.

And when you do have to adjust your sight, this is more movement you’re throwing into the mix. Bowhunting is a game of inches, and the less movement, the better on our part. Having to move and adjust your sight is a hunter risking getting busted, as well as risking precious time doing so.

Choosing between a single-pin and multi-pin bow sight all comes down to comfort and personal preference with a sprinkle of your own hunting style. I know folks that just prefer not to monkey around with remembering which pin to use in the heat of the moment, so they shoot a single.

A popular tactic for ambush hunting from a tree or ground blind. And then I know folks that are diehard spot and stalk hunters, and they feel they need those multiple pins in order to act quickly when that opportunity finally arises.

Whatever it is, pick one, run with it, and know how to use it — because the most important thing of all is being able to put the arrow where it needs to go, right behind the pin.

The one that fits your style the best. With that said we stand behind our top pick of the Black Gold Ascent Verdict.

60 yards with most bow sights is very attainable. However, there are many that can now reach out past 100 yards

Having the brightest pins is not always favorable. You want pins that are just right. Sights like the Garmin Xero A1i allow you to change pin brightness digitally. And then sights like the Black Gold Ascent Verdict have features (photochromatic shell) that will naturally manage how much light the pin fibers are collecting.

You should sight your bow at the distances you are comfortable shooting as well as the distances that reflect your hunting environment. A common multi-pin configuration though would start at 20 yards and escalate 10 yards at a time from there. 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 would be an example of a 5-pin sight configuration.

The distance that is too far to shoot a deer with a bow is the distance at which you begin to lose confidence and accuracy. This is going to vary from hunter to hunter. For some it might be 40 yards. For others, it might be 70 yards. Environmental factors also come into play here like how much the wind is gusting and rain, as well as how alert the deer is.