The Best Bow Sights for Hunting in 2023

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.

For a more in-depth look, read our full review of the Canyon Pounder.

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.