Hardly anyone forgets their first time using a thermal scope. So if you have saved up enough money and are searching for what product to buy, you have come to the right place. This article would be discussing the best 10 thermal scopes in the market currently.
Best Thermal Scope 2023
1. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro
Despite the aluminum frame, X-Sight Pro isn’t lightweight by any metric with its 2.1lbs weight. However, it’s rife with fantastic features and incredible functions. It offers a 4K UHD sensor with video recording, ballistic calculator, 18-hour runtime, and many more. The Obsidian core also has a recoil activated video capability for easier recording.
Features
- 3-14X magnification
- 120fps motion capture
- 600lp/mm resolution
- Rangefinder
- 3864×2218 thermal sensor
- iOS and Android streaming
- 64GB SD card
- E-Compass and Barometer
Pros
- Low-power operation
- Remarkable value
- Supports multiple profiles
- Clear thermal imaging
- Massive zoom ability
- Can stream and record simultaneously
Cons
- Heavy
- Bad after-sale service
Price: View on Amazon
2. Night Owl Optics NightShot
It’s the best budget thermal scope you’ll ever find with its remarkably low price despite offering 640×480 sensor resolution. Unfortunately, the built-in infrared illuminator isn’t the stealthiest, and the body is a plastic build. The thermal scope also lacks the bells and whistles you’ll find in higher-priced units.
Features
- Up to 30-calibre rifles
- Weatherproof
- 200-yards maximum range
- 3X zoom
- IR illuminator
- Four to seven-hour runtime
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to mount and use
- Compatible with most rifles and shotguns
- Can work with different mounts
- Lightweight
- Offers no unnecessary features
Cons
- Low battery performance
- Not for over 30-caliber bullets
Price: View on Amazon
3. Pulsar Digex N455
The scope can reach magnifications of between four to 16X and uses a 1280×720 HD thermal sensor. It offers IPX7waterproofing that allows you to use it in all weather conditions. You can also use it remotely, stream live video captures to YouTube, operates five profiles, and more.
Features
- Ten reticule types
- Picture-in-picture mode
- Scalable ballistic reticules
- Built-in audio and video recording
- IR illuminator
- 4lbs
Pros
- Allows instant start-up and remote firmware update
- Flexible mounting positioning
- Over 500m night-time range
- Compatible with iOS and Android remote control
- High-precision aiming
- Powerful sensors
- Familiar form factor
- Exceptional daylight performance
Cons
- Expensive and heavy
- The 16X zoom is fiddly
Price: View on Amazon
4. ATN Thor LT
The riflescope can operate for over ten hours per charge and offers a magnification that ranges from 4-8 times. It’s tube measures 30mm in diameter, and the lens is 25mm while weighing a mere 1.4lbs total. ATN Thor also packages it with plenty of accessories like a battery pack, thermal targets, and quick detach mount.
Features
- 640×480 thermal sensor
- 8.3×6.2 viewing field
- 10-hour runtime
- One-shot zero function
- 16-hour battery pack
Pros
- Easy to mount and unmount
- Plenty of extra accessories
- Low power consumption
- A lightweight and durable choice
- Reasonable price
- Superb accuracy and thermal resolution
- Up to three-year warranty
Cons
- Somewhat bare of extras
- The one-shot zero function has low performance
Price: View on Amazon
5. ATN Thor 4
Thor 4 is relatively expensive, but with its sheer number of features, it’s well worth such a price. Its zoom ranges from 1.25 to 5X, it has a complete ballistic calculator and can dual-stream video recordings.
Features
- Image stabilization
- 384×288 60Hz thermal sensor
- Mobile control with Android or iOS
- Range finder
- Recoil activated video recording
- 18-hour battery life
- Up to 16GB SD card
- 1280×720 HD display
Pros
- Long-lasting battery
- Quick detach and mount
- Offers a laser rangefinder
- Low power consumption
Cons
- Relatively low magnification
- Its range finder isn’t the most accurate
Price: View on Amazon
6. Trijicon IREAP
The Trijicon IREAP is one of the most expensive products we would be discussing in this article, and it is also one of the best. The scope has been around for a while, and we personally know a lot of skilled hunters who own this product. The Trijicon IREAP comes with a 480 x 640 thermal sensor which has a pretty light weight. Furthermore, the sensor of this product is a 12-micron technology sensor.
- 12-micron technology sensor
- 480 x 640 thermal sensor
Pros
- Thumb stick system controller
- Edge detection mode
- Stadiametric ranging
Cons
- Very expensive
Price: View on Amazon
7. Trijicon Teo IR-Thermal Hunter
Trijicon is a leader in this industry, and the company has another product to offer. This thermal scope in question is the Trijicon Teo IR-Thermal Hunter. And just like the Trijicon IREAP, the Trijicon Teo IR-Thermal Hunter sells at a very expensive price. The thermal sensor this device is equipped with is a 480 x 640 thermal sensor. We would also love to state that we love the device for featuring an enhanced target recognition.
- 8X digital zoom 12-micron technology
- 480 x 640 thermal sensor
Pros
- Digital contrast enhancement
- Enhanced target recognition
- Full digital video
Cons
- Very expensive
Price: View on Amazon
8. Flir ThermoSight R-Series RS64 2-16X
Here comes another very cool scope, the Flir ThermoSight R-Series RS64 2-16X. Just like the two thermal scopes discussed so far, this device also lies on the expensive side of the price spectrum. The Flir ThermoSight R-Series RS64 2-16X comes with a 480 x 640 Vox HD active matrix LCD display. And we would also love to state that this product comes with some waterproofing.
- 480 x 640 Vox HD active matrix LCD display
- 30 hertz frame rate
Pros
- Clear thermal imaging up to 355 yards
- IPX7 waterproofing
- Submersible
Cons
- Battery could be more powerful
- Very expensive
Price: View on Amazon
9. ATN OTS-HD 384 Thermal Smart HD Monoculars
The ATN OTS-HD 384 Thermal Smart HD Monoculars has a display of 720 x 1,280 pixels. And the best part is that this device has an Android as well as an iOS app.
- 288 x 384 thermal sensor
- 1280×720 HD display
Pros
- Android and iOS apps
- 3D gyroscope
- E-Compass
- Wi-Fi
Cons
- Expensive
Price: View on Amazon
10. Pulsar Helion XP Thermal Monocular
We could not ignore this product from Pulsar, the Pulsar Helion XP Thermal Monocular. The Pulsar Helion XP Thermal Monocular has been around for a while, and it ranks as one of the best-selling thermal scopes in the market.
The Pulsar Helion XP Thermal Monocular is great in so many aspects, but one of the aspects where this device stands out, is the aspect of its battery life. The thermal scope comes with a battery capable of powering for up to 8 hours, before requiring a recharge.
- 8 custom color palettes
- 50 hertz refresh rate
Pros
- Integrated accelerometer
- Stadiametric rangefinder
- Powerful battery
- Waterproof
- Dustproof
- Fogproof
Cons
- Expensive
Price: View on Amazon