Do you want your shots to have the highest accuracy? If so, you need to know exactly how far away your target is. That’s why you need to get the best rangefinder for hunting. It will help to improve your aim and increase your chances of success. But, choosing the best rangefinders for hunting can be a challenge as cheaper ones can be inaccurate and hard to use. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the top-rated models out there with our extensive reviews.
What makes the best rangefinder for hunting? For our article, we’ve looked at the max range, accuracy, magnification, dimensions, weight, and warranty, among other factors. They also have different features, such as unique functions that may be more suitable for some. Are you ready to learn more about these products? Stick with us, and by the end, you’ll know which one is the perfect rangefinder for you.
More features: water-resistant, multilayered optics, easy-to-read display, battery meter, continuous measurement mode
Here, we see a model that is perfect for hunting with a wide range of great features. Firstly, it has a compact design that will allow you to easily pack it away. It also has a low weight at just 6.5oz and lets you hold it steady.
When you look at rangefinders, you may be tempted by a high max range, but for hunting, the average number is more than enough. The 540 yards of the range here is excellent, and it’s highly accurate with +/- 1-yard measurements.
It’s not the greatest in low light, which could be important if you like hunting at either the start or end of the day. In most situations, the multilayered optics give you a clear view, which is aided by the easy-to-read display.
The rangefinder is simple to use, and it will allow you to set up your shot in no time at all. It also comes with the full range of accessories that will help you to keep it powered and carry it easily. The build quality here is very high for the price, and that is backed by a 2-year warranty. For most hunters, this is going to be the perfect tool to aid in accurate shooting.
More features: in-view liquid crystal display, carry case with belt loop, one-button operation
f you want to find the best rangefinder for golf and hunting, then this could well be it. It has a versatile design that can be used for any scenario where you want to get accurate measurements.
It has a long list of excellent qualities, and this all comes at a very impressive price. That ranks it up there as possibly the best rangefinder for hunting in terms of value for money. Also, its build-quality is great, and you get a 1-year warranty with the purchase.
The max range is 600 yards, and therefore, you should have no issues when it comes to hunting, golfing, or anything else. The only real downside is that sometimes interference can be an issue with the likes of branches affecting your measurements.
Still, those measurements are accurate within a yard, so you can rely on them. It’s one of the smallest rangefinders out there, which is perfect for those who are going to be tight for space. Despite it being on the budget end of the scale, this rangefinder holds its own among some of the more expensive models.
More features: multiple modes, textured rubber armor for non-slip grip, fully multi-coated lenses, comes with a neck lanyard, utility clip, compatible with tripod
In contrast to the previous option, this one comes at a premium price, but is it worth it? If it fits in with your budget, then we’d say yes. As soon as you use it, you can see that it’s an exceptional model and one that is made from the highest quality materials.
To confirm the quality of construction it has, the manufacturer backs it with an unconditional lifetime warranty, and that shows the level of confidence Ranger has in their model. With that extra quality, it is slightly heavier than other models but is still easy enough to carry at 11.8oz.
The range of this model is exceptional as it can give you accurate measurements at up to 1800 yards. That is way above what you’d need for most hunting trips, but it does help it to have excellent versatility, and you can use this for many different settings.
There are multiple modes available, and the features here are very good. Despite those extra functions, the instructions are very simple, and you’ll be a master of it in no time at all. It’s a stunning device and one that is perfect for those who don’t mind spending a little extra.
More features: through the lens display, multilayer optical lens, speed scan, comes with carry bag, lanyard, lens cloth, lithium CR2 3V battery
WOSPORTS has made this model that could well be the best rangefinder for bow hunting. It’s perfectly built for the hunting environment, and it will give you excellent results each time.
The accuracy that you have here is phenomenal. It has a max range of up to 1,200 yards, and it will be able to give you +/- 0.3-yard measurements. Thus, it allows you to perfect your hunting and ensure that your shot hits the target.
It comes with all of the accessories that you’d need, such as the carry bag, lanyard, lens cloth, and battery. You can start using it straight away, and that’s aided by it being easy to operate and simple instructions.
Those who don’t have the sharpest eyesight may see the writing on the finder to be a little too small, which is the only real downside here. Most people find it to be a brilliant rangefinder, and that is provided by the continuous scan mode that’ll allow you to get rapid measurements.
More features: waterproof, fog-proof, fully multi-coated lens system, easy-grip rubber armor, high-contrast red OLED display
This Leupold is probably the best laser rangefinder for hunting in poor conditions. It is waterproof, and therefore you won’t have to worry about it breaking if it touches water. Along with that, it’s also fog-proof and has a non-slip surface.
It could also be considered the best rangefinder for long-range hunting with its max range of 1,600 yards that will be accurate to 1-yard. All of this information is going to be presented to you on a high-contrast OLED display. That display can sometimes get a little pixelated, but that’s a rare issue.
Most of the rangefinders that we see on our list are available in just one color, but here we have a few options, and they all look great. All of this comes in a fairly compact package, and a rangefinder itself is fairly light.
When you look through the optics, you find the image to have a high level of clarity, and also the display is easy to read. It’s an ideal option for those who like to get out there and hunt in any weather conditions.
More features: bright, crystal clear optics, rugged, rainproof housing, in-view LCD display, battery life indicator, carry case included
Here, we see another rangefinder that offers you great value for money. That makes it ideal for those more casual hunters or those who simply don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on their model.
This is possibly the best rangefinder for deer hunting in terms of staying camouflaged with its clever coloring. It also has rainproof housing that’ll help rank it up as the best rangefinder for rifle hunting in the rain.
For a model on the budget end of the scale, the optics here are fantastic with the HD clarity, allowing you to easily spot your target. Those optics with the in-view LCD display also ensure good performance in darker conditions.
There are certain areas where the specs aren’t quite as high, such as the max range and magnification, but with most features, it competes quite well. Added to that, it’s very simple to use, and you’ll be able to check that distance in no time.
More features: scan mode, adjustable eyepiece, convenient design, bright LCD display, one-button operation
In terms of design, this rangefinder certainly stands out from the crowd. It looks futuristic and is ideal for anyone looking for something a little different. Next, an impressive level of quality is added to that style.
Along with the 450-yard model, you also have the choice to opt for 500, 1600, or 2000-yard options. They all look great with a high level of quality, while also having a simple and user-friendly design.
If you wear glasses, then some rangefinders can be difficult to use, as they don’t have enough eye relief. These allow anyone to use them and have an adjustable eyepiece to focus on your target with ease.
The rangefinder features a bright LCD display that’ll allow you to read the right information effortlessly. Unfortunately, the optics can be a little dim in low light, but you’ll usually have no problem viewing during the day. A one-year warranty is included, but its build quality ensures that you are not likely to use that.
More features: high transmittance LCD display, multiple modes, anti-reflective coatings, IPX4 waterproof rating
If you usually find yourself out hunting in the early morning or as the sun goes down, then you need a rangefinder that can cope with that. The optics on this model are exceptional, and they will help it to perform extremely well in low light.
The images on the screen can be a little difficult to read at times, which can be a little annoying. Aside from that, it works very well, and you’ll be able to get your readings in a matter of seconds, allowing you to focus on taking that shot.
One of the standout features of this model is that it’s the lightest one that we found, and it’s also incredibly compact. That makes it ideal for those looking for the smallest rangefinder as something that can be easily carried.
The range is an impressive 1,200 yards with its accuracy within 3 yards. It works very quickly, and soon after you pick it up, you’re going to get the results you’re looking for. Also, there is a 5-year warranty on the electronics to give you peace of mind.
More features: continuous scan mode, water-resistant body, fully multi-coated lenses, comes with carry case, lanyard, CR2 battery, strap and microfiber cleaning cloth
If you have a rangefinder with a continuous scan mode, it means you’ll be able to quickly pick up distances on multiple objects. This model is ideal if you wanted to have multiple points of reference.
One area where this model does slightly fall down is in the field of view, which isn’t the greatest. That’s partly due to the magnification being an impressive 6x to allow you to get a close-up aim of your prey before firing your weapon.
You get plenty of accessories with this rangefinder, including a microfiber cloth, to keep those lenses clear. It also has a CR2 battery, lanyard, strap, and a carry case, and it’s everything you need to get started.
All of this comes at an exceptional price, helping to make it excellent value for money. The versatile design could be used for many different scenarios, such as the golf course, and it’s also simple and easy to use.
More features: two modes, dust, fog and waterproof, comes with carry pouch, CR2 battery, rope, carabiner, cleaning cloth, automatic power off
If you want to find the best rangefinder for coyote hunting, then you’ll need to get one that is quick to use and able to deliver accurate results. This is a great example of a rangefinder that offers everything you might need.
It’s also ideal for those looking for bow hunting rangefinders that work well in difficult conditions. The waterproofing is brilliant, and you don’t have to worry about it getting wet. On top of that, it is also resistant to dust and doesn’t fog up.
With the user-friendly design and excellent max range, this is one of the most versatile rangefinders on the market. It works equally well as an archery rangefinder, a model for a rifle, or one for a golf course. It works perfectly in any setting.
At just 6.3oz, it’s very easy to carry, and the high-grip design aids that. If you like hunting from a higher plane, then it’s a good idea to get a rangefinder like this that has angle compensation that’ll allow you to get a true reading of how far away your target is leaving. However, the customer support here is quite poor.
As we’ve already seen here, there is a wide range of rangefinders available that all have different qualities. It can be hard to know which of these key features are relevant to you, but that’s where we want to help. We’ll look at all aspects of these rangefinders in detail to give you all the info you need while also answering some FAQs. If you have any doubts in the future, you can easily refer back to this section.
There are a few reasons why using a rangefinder is going to improve your hunting trip.
Prevents guessing – No matter how good you are at determining distance, you’re not going to be as accurate as a rangefinder. It takes the guesswork out of it and allows for a much higher level of accuracy.
Stops you getting too close – Without knowing the distance, you can get a little too close to your prey. A rangefinder will prevent you from doing this.
Improve your skills – Testing yourself against a rangefinder is going to allow you to improve your skills of finding the right distance and improving your skills as a hunter.
Avoid obstacles – A rangefinder is going to help you avoid the obstacles in your way and ensure that you are taking accurate shots.
Fast results – Quite simply, using a rangefinder is going to make your life a lot easier. You are going to get an accurate reading in a matter of seconds and allow you to shoot with confidence.
While looking at different features is great, it’s important that any rangefinder fits within your budget, which is why we’ve looked at a wide price range here. Once you know your budget, it’s a good idea to work out which specs look appealing to you. As we go through this buying guide, make a note of which features relate to you, and by the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what you need.
The max range of a rangefinder is often far above that you’d need to kill your prey. The Vortex Optics Ranger has an amazing max range at 1,800 yards, but you’ll rarely need to use that. The TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder is a lot less at 540 yards, but that’s likely all you’ll need.
It’s also good to know the difference between the reflective and non-reflective range. Lasers work by determining the time that light gets reflected back into it. On non-reflective targets, such as deer, trees, or rocks, the max range figure is often going to be less.
The reason that you want to use a rangefinder is that it’s going to be accurate. Most of them are going to be accurate to within a yard. When you see a figure such as “+/- 1 yard”, this means that the actual distance at the max range could be up to one yard under or over the figure on screen but never more than that.
Often, the higher the range on one of these models, the less accurate it is going to be. That isn’t always the case, as seen with the WOSPORTS 1200 Yards Hunting Rangefinder, which has a max range of up to 1,200 yards and accuracy of +/- 0.3 yards.
The lens diameter will dictate how much light is going to come into the rangefinder. Also, to have a large field of view, you need to have a large diameter. How important these are will depend on what you’re looking for. Having a wide field of view often isn’t that useful for hunting as you’ll be focusing on a specific target.
If you often hunt in low-light conditions, you may need a wider diameter that lets plenty of light in. If that’s not important to you, you’d be happier with a more compact rangefinder and one that can give you a sharp image in normal conditions.
As with the lens diameter, the importance of this is going to depend on several factors. It’s nice to have a close up of your prey, but for a lot of people, having intense magnification often isn’t required. Most models have a similar level.
Anything at 4x or above should be more than enough for your needs. If you want a little bit extra, then the 6x you can have on the likes of the Leupold RX-1600i TBR Laser Rangefinder, and this model will allow you to focus on your prey and get a measurement quickly as well.
If you look at the tree while standing on the same level, the bottom of it is going to be a lot closer to you than the top. For hunting, this same factor can mess with your measurements if the animal you’re trying to hunt is at a lower or higher plane. You also have to take gravity into account, which is the enemy of any hunter.
To deal with all of this, you need angle compensation, which the AOFAR HX-1200T Rangefinder for Hunting has to allow you to make incredibly accurate shots.
There are many different functions that we see on these rangefinders, such as the aforementioned angle compensation.
One of the most useful functions is a continuous scan mode that’ll allow you to quickly pick up multiple distances.
Other functions include adaptable brightness, a selection of measurement options, and a line of sight mode. All of these can be useful in different situations and allow you to hunt with ease. These types of functions can be the difference between budget and premium models.
Not all lasers are made the same. Some are more powerful than others, and you have different classes of lasers, ranging from 1 to 4. Commercial rangefinders won’t go above 2 as anything above this is going to be damaging for the eyes.
The Vortex Optics Ranger Laser Rangefinder is a premium level rangefinder but still only has a laser class of “1M”, which is safe for the eyes, but above the minimum class. For a high-class hunting rangefinder, you won’t need anything more than that.
One common factor of rangefinders for hunting is that they are light and compact. Just how compact you need them to be will depend on how you pack your hunting gear and what else you need to carry. If you want the lightest rangefinder available, then the Sig Sauer Kilo 1000 5x20mm Laser Rangefinder can be the perfect fit at just 5.3oz.
It’s worth noting that with more expensive rangefinders, you will often get a higher level of build quality, features, and often a bigger battery. This can end up meaning that the higher-level models can be slightly heavier and bigger than others.
The hunting environment can be challenging, and a high level of durability is often required. The importance of this will depend on how you hunt as some will only go out in fair weather and won’t trek out too far to a hunting spot.
If you need a higher level of durability, then the Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector Cam will be a great option.
Waterproofing is a key feature to look for as a lot of rangefinders don’t have a good level of water protection.
One way to have confidence in the durability of a rangefinder is a warranty. We see this with the Sig Sauer Kilo 1000 5x20mm Laser Rangefinder that gives you 5-years of protection on the internal electronics.
As far as warranties go, you can’t get better than the Vortex Optics Ranger 1800, which has an unconditional lifetime warranty. That gives you peace of mind should anything go wrong, which is unlikely due to the excellent craftsmanship and construction it features.
It’s always nice to get some accessories to go along with your rangefinder, and they can help you to keep it safe, such as a carry case that will protect it. The AOFAR HX-1200T Rangefinder for Hunting comes with a case as well as many other useful accessories.
It’s also a good idea to check if your rangefinder will come with a battery or if you’d need to buy one separately. Other great accessories include a start guide, carrying strap, cleaning cloth, and a lanyard to make it as easy to use as possible.
Rangefinders come in a variety of different price levels. For a premium model, you can expect to pay around $350. We see this with the Leupold RX-1600i TBR Laser Rangefinder and the Vortex Optics Ranger Laser Rangefinder that both have excellent quality.
At the mid-range level between $100 and $150, you can expect to have a number of great options, including the Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector Cam that boasts crystal clear optics and durable construction.
Under $100, there are still some brilliant models that offer fantastic value for money. The TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder is a wonderful model for those looking to spend a little less.
As most rangefinders work via the reflection of a laser, they can be affected by interference. This is usually the objects such as branches rather than whether conditions. In reality, dark and gloomy positions actually allow the rangefinder to be more accurate.
Whether you can change the measurement or not is going to depend on the model. If it does have that feature, then you can usually change it by simply pressing a few buttons. If you’re unsure how to do that, then you can always consult with your manual and find out how it can be done.
All of the top-rated rangefinders that we have looked at here have a fantastic level of quality. If we were to choose the best one, however, it would be the TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder, as it has a wide variety of great features, impressive accuracy, and compact design at an incredible price.
If you’re on a tighter budget, then the Simmons Hunting Laser Rangefinder can be a perfect option that also comes with some useful accessories. Looking for the maximum distance? If so, the Vortex Optics Ranger 1800, with its high-quality construction, is going to be ideal for your needs.
It’s vital that you get one that is going to suit your requirements while also matching the budget you have. Once you’ve chosen the best rangefinder for hunting, then you’ll be able to head out there and take those shots more accurately than ever.
