Best Holosun Optics 2026: Top Rifle & Pistol Red Dots Ranked (AEMS, 509T, ARO)

Holosun dominates the value optics market. From the enclosed AEMS for rifles to the titanium 509T for pistols, they offer premium features at prices that undercut Aimpoint and Trijicon by 50%. Solar Failsafe, Shake Awake, Multi-Reticle System, 50,000 hour battery life. All the features, none of the price gouging. This guide ranks every Holosun optic worth buying for rifles, pistols, and night vision.

By AB|Last reviewed January 2026

Quick Answer: Best Holosun Optics in 2026

Best Rifle Optic: Holosun AEMS ($380-$420) - Enclosed emitter, MRS, Solar Failsafe. The duty-grade Holosun for serious rifle use.

Best Pistol Optic: Holosun 509T X2 ($380-$430) - Titanium enclosed emitter. The toughest pistol optic Holosun makes.

Best Budget Rifle: Holosun ARO ($110-$135) - Shake Awake, 50K battery. Incredible value under $135.

Best Concealed Carry: Holosun EPS Carry ($320-$360) - Enclosed micro. No more pocket lint blocking your dot.

Best IR Laser: Holosun IRIS-GR4 ($600-$700) - Budget entry into NVG aiming with IR laser and illuminator.

Why Holosun Dominates the Optics Market

Holosun figured out the formula: take every premium feature from Aimpoint and Trijicon, manufacture at scale in China, and sell at half the price. The result is a brand that owns the value segment while pushing into duty-grade territory.

Holosun Advantages

+50,000 hour battery life (5+ years continuous)
+Solar Failsafe backup power
+Shake Awake auto on/off
+Multi-Reticle System (dot, circle, or both)
+50% less expensive than Aimpoint/Trijicon

Considerations

-Made in China (some users prefer US/European)
-Less proven track record than Aimpoint
-QC varies (most are great, occasional lemons)
-Glass quality slightly below premium brands
-Potential US import restrictions (buy now)

Best Holosun Rifle Optics

The AEMS leads for enclosed duty use, while the ARO dominates the budget segment. All feature Shake Awake and 50K+ hour battery life.

Best Holosun Rifle Optics

Top Holosun red dots for AR-15s and long guns. Enclosed emitters, solar failsafe, and Shake Awake at prices that undercut premium brands.

Holosun AEMS

Best Duty Rifle - Enclosed emitter protects from debris and weather

$380-$420

2 MOA / 65 MOAEnclosed

Pros

+Enclosed emitter blocks debris, rain, lint
+Double the glass surface vs micro dots
+MRS: 2 MOA dot or 65 MOA circle or both
+Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake
+50,000 hour battery life
+Glass flip-down lens covers included

Cons

−Heavier than open emitter alternatives
−Limited aftermarket mount options
−Premium price for Holosun

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 65 MOAType: Enclosed Red DotWeight: 3.9 oz

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Holosun ARO EVO

Best Mid-Tier - Larger window with solar backup at incredible value

$150-$180

2 MOASolar

Pros

+26mm housing = larger sight picture
+Solar Failsafe technology
+50,000 hour battery life
+Shake Awake
+Lower 1/3 co-witness mount included
+Exceptional value under $200

Cons

−Open emitter (debris can block dot)
−Slightly heavier than standard ARO
−No MRS (dot only)

Dot Size: 2 MOAType: Open Red DotWeight: 3.5 oz

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Holosun ARO

Best Budget - Incredible value with all essential features

$110-$135

2 MOABudget King

Pros

+Best value under $135
+Shake Awake technology
+50,000 hour battery life
+12 brightness settings + 2 NV
+Lower 1/3 co-witness mount included
+Waterproof to 1 meter

Cons

−No solar backup
−Open emitter (debris vulnerable)
−Basic feature set

Dot Size: 2 MOAType: Open Red DotWeight: 3.38 oz

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Holosun AEMS Core X2

Budget Enclosed - AEMS features at a lower price

$280-$320

2 MOA / 65 MOAEnclosed

Pros

+Enclosed emitter at lower price
+MRS: 2 MOA dot or 65 MOA circle
+Shake Awake
+50,000 hour battery life
+Lighter than full AEMS

Cons

−No solar failsafe
−Fewer brightness settings than AEMS
−Less refined controls

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 65 MOAType: Enclosed Red DotWeight: 3.8 oz

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Holosun DRS-TH

Thermal Fusion - Heat signature overlay for detection

$1,599

ThermalPremium

Pros

+Thermal overlay highlights heat signatures
+Multiple fusion modes (white hot, black hot, outline)
+Internal recording capability
+50 FPS refresh rate
+Digital zoom (1x/3x/5x)
+IP67 rated

Cons

−Very heavy (18.5 oz)
−Thermal runtime ~10 hours
−Premium pricing
−Complex controls vs basic red dot

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 65 MOAType: Thermal FusionWeight: 18.5 oz

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Best Holosun Pistol Optics

Holosun owns the pistol optic market. The 509T X2 is the duty choice, the EPS Carry dominates concealed carry, and the 507C offers the best value.

Best Holosun Pistol Optics

Holosun dominates the pistol optic market. From the titanium 509T to the micro EPS Carry, there's a Holosun for every handgun.

Holosun 509T X2

Best Duty Pistol - Titanium enclosed for maximum durability

$380-$430

TitaniumEnclosed

Pros

+Titanium housing shrugs off abuse
+Fully enclosed emitter
+MRS: 2 MOA dot or 32 MOA circle
+Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake
+50,000 hour battery life
+Side-loading battery (no re-zero)

Cons

−Requires specific 509T footprint
−Premium pricing
−Heavier than open emitter alternatives

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 32 MOAType: Enclosed Pistol OpticWeight: 1.72 oz

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Holosun 507C X2

Best Value Full-Size - RMR footprint with all the features

$280-$320

RMR FootprintSolar

Pros

+RMR footprint = tons of holster options
+MRS: 2 MOA dot or 32 MOA circle
+Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake
+50,000 hour battery life
+Side-loading battery
+Excellent value vs Trijicon RMR

Cons

−Open emitter (pocket lint can block dot)
−Less durable than 509T
−Some prefer dot-only reticle

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 32 MOAType: Open Pistol OpticWeight: 1.5 oz

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Holosun EPS Carry

Best Concealed Carry - Enclosed micro for subcompact guns

$320-$360

MicroEnclosed

Pros

+Enclosed emitter blocks lint and debris
+Ultra-lightweight (1.0 oz)
+Fits K-footprint slides (Shield RMSc)
+Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake
+50,000 hour battery life
+Clear glass, crisp dot

Cons

−Smaller window than 507C/509T
−EPS-specific footprint limits holster options
−Some report starburst at high brightness

Dot Size: 2 MOA or 6 MOAType: Enclosed MicroWeight: 1.0 oz

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Holosun 507K X2

Budget Micro - Open emitter micro at lower price

$260-$300

MicroOpen

Pros

+MRS: 2 MOA dot or 32 MOA circle
+Shield RMSc/K footprint
+Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake
+50,000 hour battery life
+Lower price than EPS Carry
+Lighter than enclosed options

Cons

−Open emitter (lint vulnerable for carry guns)
−Smaller window
−Less durable than enclosed

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 32 MOAType: Open MicroWeight: 1.0 oz

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Holosun 509T (Gen 1)

Value Enclosed - Gen 1 at discount pricing

$350-$400

TitaniumEnclosed

Pros

+Titanium enclosed housing
+MRS: 2 MOA dot or 32 MOA circle
+Solar Failsafe + Shake Awake
+Often discounted vs X2
+50,000 hour battery life

Cons

−Older generation (X2 has improvements)
−Less refined button layout
−Being phased out for X2

Dot Size: 2 MOA / 32 MOAType: Enclosed Pistol OpticWeight: 1.72 oz

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Enclosed vs Open Emitter: Which Should You Choose?

This is the most important decision when buying a Holosun. Enclosed emitters (509T, EPS, AEMS) seal the LED inside the housing, protecting it from debris, lint, rain, and snow. Open emitters (507C, 507K, ARO) leave the LED exposed.

Scenario	Recommendation	Why
Concealed Carry	Enclosed (EPS Carry)	Pocket lint will block open emitters
Duty Pistol	Enclosed (509T)	Rain, mud, blood - enclosed handles it all
Duty Rifle	Enclosed (AEMS)	Debris protection for hard use
Range/Competition	Either (507C, ARO)	Clean environment, save money
Budget Build	Open (ARO)	Best value, just keep it clean

Bottom Line: If the gun might save your life, get enclosed. If it's a range toy, open is fine.

Holosun IR Lasers

The IRIS series brings civilian-legal IR lasers at prices that don't require a second mortgage. Great entry into night vision aiming.

Holosun IR Lasers

Holosun's IRIS series brings civilian-legal IR lasers at reasonable prices. Great for getting into night vision without spending $3K+.

IRIS-GR4

IR laser and illuminator in one package. The best budget entry into NVG aiming.

Type: IR Laser/Illuminator
Wavelength: 850nm
Power: Class IIIa

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IRIS-GR3

Compact IR laser for tight handguard setups. Slimmer profile than GR4.

Type: IR Laser
Wavelength: 850nm
Power: Class IIIa

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the best Holosun for AR-15?

The Holosun AEMS ($380-$420) is the best Holosun for AR-15 in 2026. It features an enclosed emitter that blocks debris and rain, double the glass surface of micro dots, Multi-Reticle System (2 MOA dot or 65 MOA circle), Solar Failsafe, Shake Awake, and 50,000 hour battery life. For budget builds, the Holosun ARO ($110-$135) offers incredible value with Shake Awake and 50K battery.

▶What is the best Holosun pistol optic?

The Holosun 509T X2 ($380-$430) is the best Holosun pistol optic for duty use. Its titanium enclosed emitter makes it the toughest pistol optic Holosun offers. For concealed carry, the EPS Carry ($320-$360) is ideal with its enclosed emitter and micro size. For budget builds, the 507C X2 ($280-$320) offers the best value with RMR footprint compatibility.

▶Is Holosun as good as Aimpoint?

Holosun offers 90% of Aimpoint quality at 50% of the price. Aimpoint has legendary durability proven over decades of military use, but Holosun closes the gap with features like Solar Failsafe and Multi-Reticle System that Aimpoint lacks. For most civilian shooters, Holosun is the better value. For military, LEO, or hard-use duty guns, Aimpoint T2 is still the gold standard.

▶Should I get enclosed or open emitter Holosun?

Get enclosed emitter (509T, EPS Carry, AEMS) for carry guns and duty rifles. Pocket lint, rain, and debris can block open emitter dots at the worst possible moment. Get open emitter (507C, 507K, ARO) for range guns, competition, or budget builds where the emitter stays clean. The price difference is worth it for any gun you might need to save your life.

▶What does Shake Awake do on Holosun?

Shake Awake automatically powers off the dot after a period of inactivity (10 min to 12 hours, configurable) and instantly wakes when it detects motion. Combined with 50,000 hour battery life, you can leave your Holosun on indefinitely. The dot is always ready when you pick up the gun, but the battery lasts 5+ years. It's one of Holosun's best features.

▶What is the Multi-Reticle System (MRS)?

The Multi-Reticle System lets you switch between a 2 MOA dot, a 32/65 MOA circle, or both together. The circle aids fast target acquisition in CQB while the dot provides precision at distance. Use the dot for accuracy, the circle for speed, or both for balance. Not all Holosun optics have MRS - the ARO is dot-only, for example.

▶What's the difference between Holosun 407K and 507K?

The 507K has the Multi-Reticle System (2 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, or both) while the 407K is dot-only (6 MOA or 2 MOA depending on variant). Both share the same K-footprint for micro pistols like P365 and Hellcat, same Solar Failsafe, Shake Awake, and 50K battery life. The 507K costs about $40-50 more. Get the 507K if you want reticle options, 407K if you only need a simple dot.

▶Which red dot do Navy SEALs use?

Navy SEALs primarily use the Aimpoint T2 and Aimpoint CompM5 for rifle optics, and the Aimpoint ACRO P-2 for pistols. EOTech EXPS3 is also common for CQB. Holosun is not issued to SOCOM units, but many operators buy Holosun personally for training guns due to the value. For duty use where lives depend on gear, Aimpoint's decade-plus track record wins over Holosun's features.

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