The Best 3x Magnifiers: Ultimate Guide

Many shooters don’t like to mess too much with their scope during shooting since this can screw up your zero and all-over accuracy. And investing in a good 1-3x magnifier is a solid solution to enhance the ability of your scope. Luckily, we’ve put together this review of the best 3x magnifiers on the market.

Best Budget Pick	UTG 3X Magnifier	Affordable 45-feet at 100 yards Shock, fog, and waterproof Doesn’t lock into place for flip-to-side	$84 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier	Affordable and clear image Convenient push lever Good eye relief Only 38-foot field of view	$200 Shop NowClick to read my review
Top Pick	Trijicon 3X Magnifier w/ Adjustable Height Quick Release	Excellent optical clarity Military-grade and durable components Ambidextrous and ergonomic design Harder to get the dot more precise as distance grows	$350 Shop NowClick to read my review
	EoTech G33.STSTAN	Holographic lens Switch to Side without levers Shorter and lighter than previous models Very expensive	$505 Shop NowClick to read my review

What are 3x Magnifiers?

3x gun magnifiers are devices that attach to your firearm and help you to see your target more clearly. They enlarge both the dot and the target for easier viewing, making it easier to hit your mark. If your 2 MOA dot covers their nipple at 100 yards, it will only cover their nipple at 400 yards.

There are different types of 3x gun magnifiers available, each with its own set of features.

Types of Gun Magnifiers

There are three main types of 3x gun magnifiers: red dot, holographic, and reflex.

Red Dot Magnifiers

Red dot magnifiers use a red dot sight to help you aim your gun. These sights project a red dot onto your target, making it easier to hit your mark. Red dot magnifiers are typically lightweight and easy to use.

Holographic Magnifiers

These magnifiers use a holographic sight that projects a three-dimensional image of your target, making it easier to hit your mark. They are typically more expensive than red dot magnifiers.

Reflex Magnifiers

Reflex magnifiers use a reflex sight that projects an image of your target onto a mirror, making it easier to hit your mark. They are typically the most expensive type of 3x gun magnifier.

Do You Need a Magnifier?

Having a magnifier with a 1X to 3X range is, quite often, the average power most shooters need. 3X will comfortably bring you to mid-range shooting, and it’s most ideal for hunting and target practice. With the ability to toggle back and forth between the two powers, your shooting time won’t be delayed, and you won’t have to touch your scope.

Since the magnifier is there to enhance your pricey optic, try to avoid looking for the least expensive magnifier out there — you’ll probably regret it and have to spend more money in the future. A single investment will be well worth it, and you’ll only improve your shooting.

If you have trouble seeing your target, if you need to shoot at a distance, or if you simply want to improve your accuracy, a 3x magnifier can be a valuable tool.

Popular Articles

Smith & Wesson SD9 VE: Hands-On Review

DPMS LR-308 Review: Modern AR Basics

Best 9mm Ammo in 2024 for Self-Defense & Targets

Best Concealed Carry Insurance in 2024

9mm Glock Models [Ultimate Guide]

Handgun Calibers [Ultimate Guide]

Rifle Calibers [Ultimate Guide]

Buyer’s Guide to the Best 3x Magnifiers

Before choosing the best 3x magnifier for your needs, it’s important to understand the different types and features that are available. This buyer’s guide will help you choose the right 3x magnifier for your gun.

Brand

Why settle for a low-quality brand that can’t deliver what you need? There are many different brands of 3x magnifiers available, each with their own set of features. The reputation of a well-known company is more valuable than anything else. Brands with distinctive qualities tend to sell better than similar ones. Make sure to invest in brands that offer reliable accessories.

Field of View

The field of view is the area you can see through the magnifier. A wider field of view allows you to see more of your target, while a narrower field allows you to see less. The field of view that you need will depend on your intended use.

Weight

The weight of the magnifier is another important consideration. A heavier magnifier will be more difficult to carry around, but it will also be more stable. Choose a weight that you are comfortable with and that will be appropriate for your needs.

Eye Relief

When choosing a 3x magnifier, you’ll also want to consider eye relief. This is the distance between your eye and the lens of the magnifier. A longer eye relief will be more comfortable to use but may not offer as clear of an image.

Reticle

Finally, you’ll want to think about the reticle. This is the crosshair or dot you’ll see when looking through the magnifier. The reticle helps you to aim your gun more accurately.

The Best 3x Magnifiers

UTG 3X Magnifier

Materials — The UTG 3X Magnifier is composed of precision machined materials with a hard anodized finish for resisting all types of weather and regular shooting conditions. The magnifier is filled with nitrogen to stay fog and moisture proof, and it is also shock proof.

You can transition between 1x and 3x to enhance the performance of their dot reticle. Simply utilize the flip-to-side feature for transition. The objective lens is 25 mm, and the field of view is 45 feet at 100 yards. Windage and elevation are also easy to adjust with a simple key tool. This 3x magnifier has a Picatinny rail mount and a thumb lever for quick detachment.

Performance — The UTG brand offers a lot of great accessories that have been featured within our reviews, and their 3X Magnifier is a viable option for those on a tight budget or are looking for something that would be compatible with similar quality scopes. Surprisingly, this model offers one of the larger fields of view at 100 yards.

What we’re not 100% on board with is that the flip-to-side feature doesn’t lock into place, so it can be pushed around if you’re not paying attention. We’re also not fans of the tooling required to adjust the windage and elevation. It’s not uncommon, but it is a bit inconvenient for an accessory that is supposed to make shooting more convenient.

What we say — The UTG 3X Magnifier is the best option for those who can’t break $100 on one. For a budget piece, this is one of the best magnifiers on the market that you’ll get the most life and quality use out of.

Popular Articles

Smith & Wesson SD9 VE: Hands-On Review

DPMS LR-308 Review: Modern AR Basics

Best 9mm Ammo in 2024 for Self-Defense & Targets

Best Concealed Carry Insurance in 2024

9mm Glock Models [Ultimate Guide]

Handgun Calibers [Ultimate Guide]

Rifle Calibers [Ultimate Guide]

Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier

Materials — The Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier is constructed of machined aluminum, anodized in a hard, black finish. So, it’s resistant to rust and regular wear and tear. The internal components are purged with nitrogen for a moisture/ fog proof protection, and it is intended to stay locked in place on your Picatinny rail.

Use a convenient push lever to activate the flip mount. The objective lens is 30 mm and is fully multicoated for a crystal clear image. It offers a view of about 38 feet and 100 yards. There is even an eye relief of 3.25 inches.

Performance — The Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier is, by all means, one of the best on the market. However, it doesn’t have anything unique to set it apart from many others. The one special feature it does have is the push lever for activating the flip mount, which we’ll admit seems to be a little more convenient that other levers.

Will this save you any time on the field? No, but it does leave less room for fumbling with your fingers. Other than that, the quality of the lens is totally fine, and it stays well put in place on your rail. As we said, there’s nothing too eye-catching — it’s just an excellent 3X magnifier.

What we say — The Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier is the best choice for those who may already own a Vortex scope or simply like the Vortex brand. If you also prefer their style of push lever, then this one is for you. The price tag won’t make your wallet cry either.

Trijicon 3X Magnifier w/ Adjustable Height Quick Release

Material — This Trijicon optic is a sealed reflex sight designed for rifles, carbines, and shotguns, making it possible to acquire targets quickly. With this setup, the user may keep both eyes open and be fully aware of their surroundings, making it ideal for beginners, too.

Because of its broad aperture and streamlined light path, this compact optic is ideal for rapid target engagement, even when firing from an unusual position. It is also equipped with ambidextrous brightness settings, sub-flush adjustments, superior lens coatings, and a fully sealed, waterproof, complex anodized forged 7075-T6 housing, making it the ideal micro-reflex sight.

Performance — This magnifier’s reworked objective lens generates a precise 2.0 MOA center dot surrounded by a 68 MOA segmented circle reticle. Both left- and right-handed users can adjust the reticle’s brightness and select between a full reticle and a center dot.

Its redesigned objective lens creates a 2.0 MOA central dot and a 68 MOA circular reticle with finer reticle segments. And compared to other optics of the same type, it enables a 44% bigger viewing area — which is very convenient if you’re using your firearm in large spaces. It’s also ambidextrous, allowing you to easily adjust the light’s intensity without removing your hands from the gun.

What we say — The 3x magnifier comes with a multi-position, military-grade, flip-to-side fast-release levered mount that allows for quick and simple attachment and detachment of the optic from the host platform. You may also flip this attachment over the top of the backup iron sights found on most modern sports rifles.

Also, the riser plate and additional screws that come with each magnifier make it possible to line the optic with either a 1/3rd or Full Co-Witness MRO HD mount. It’s very useful and versatile, making it ideal for active shooters who want to practice shooting in different positions.

EoTech G33.STSTAN

Materials — The EoTech G33.STSTAN 3X magnifier is by far one of the most advanced and modern magnifiers available to gunowners. The holographic objective lens is unique to the EoTech brand, and allows the shooter to have clear visibility during any time of day and some low light situations without having to rely on reticle illumination.

This is a third-generation model, offering a shorter height (with the ability to elevate 7mm), lighter weight, and greater eye relief than previous models. The switch-to-side feature only requires the user to push the magnifier until it locks into place – no buttons or levers to mess with. Of course, it comes with a standard Picatinny rail mount, and a quick detach lever.

Performance — Almost everyone wishes they could have an EoTech on their firearm. The higher prices associated with the brand definitely turn away many buyers, but it comes with the unique holographic lens that vastly improves your ability to shoot accurately in all types of weather and lighting. We love that the Switch to Side feature doesn’t require any levers, but it still locks into place. With it being a third generation model, the EoTech G33.STSTAN magnifier has a highly improved quality that should never fail you.

What we say — The EoTech G33.STSTAN is the best 3X Magnifier for buyers trying to avoid those other costly EoTech products that break the $1000 mark. It’s worth going for.

Our Favorite 3x Magnifier

Our favorite 3X magnifier was, without a doubt, the Trijicon 3X Magnifier w/ Adjustable Height Quick Release. It’s sturdy, precise, and versatile to use. It also features rapid target engagement even when you’re in an unusual position, so it’s convenient to use for beginners and experienced shooters.

For our budget pick, we choose the UTG 3X Magnifier. Despite its affordable price, it has all the features you need for a reliable 3x magnifier. It’s also durable and offers a large field of view.

You might also like to read:

• The 4 Best EOTech Magnifiers [2022]
• Best Red Dot Magnifiers
• Vortex VMX-3T 3x Magnifier — Review