Bushnell TRS-25 Review: Budget Red Dot Tested (2026)

I got the Bushnell TRS-25 three years ago after missing a fat gray squirrel with my iron sight.  I knew it was time for an upgrade. The TRS-25 has stayed on my Ruger 10/22 ever since, shrugging off thousands of rounds, a fall from my tailgate, and still helping me tag bushy tails as they dart through the trees.

Skip the TRS-25 and get the Sig Romeo5. Fifty bucks more gets you a sight that turns itself on when you pick up your rifle and remembers your brightness setting. The Bushnell can’t touch those features.

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25

15,621 Reviews

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope, 1x20mm, Black...

MidwayUSA (Check price) Amazon (Check price)

Recommended Accessories

• Monstrum Flip-Up Lens Cap Set - Amazon
• Bushnell AR Optics Transition 3X Magnifier - Amazon
• UTG Medium Profile Compact Riser Mount - Amazon

Keep reading to see how this Bushnell TRS-25 review stacks up in real-world testing.

Bushnell TRS-25 Review

Bushnell TRS-25 Product Specs

Bushnell TRS-25 Data Range Analysis Test Results

Testing conducted with Federal Premium .223 Remington ammunition and CCI .22 LR on M&P 15-22 and Mossberg 590 platforms.

Accuracy

The first time I mounted this sight on my AR-15, I was surprised how fast it zeroed. Five clicks at 25 yards and I was punching holes through the bullseye. The 3 MOA dot isn’t winning any precision competitions, but it’s perfect for ringing steel plates and putting rounds on target when speed matters.

I burned through 500 rounds of .223 testing this thing. My favorite drill was transitioning between three steel targets at 50 yards. The dot stayed crisp enough to keep all my hits on 8-inch plates, even when I pushed the pace.

One afternoon at the range, an older gentleman asked to try my setup after watching me run drills. He’d been struggling with his iron sights in the shade under the covered firing line. After three magazines through my rifle with the TRS-25, he ordered one from his phone right there at the bench.

Battery Life

Bushnell says you’ll get 3,000 hours from a CR2032 battery. I got about three months of weekly range trips running brightness level 7 before the dot started looking dim. Not terrible, but nothing special either.

Here’s the thing that’ll bite you: there’s no auto shutoff. I learned this lesson after a weekend deer hunt when I pulled my rifle out of the case Monday morning and found a dead battery. Now I keep two spares in my range bag and another in my truck’s glove box.

The battery compartment is easy to access without removing the sight. Takes about 30 seconds to swap batteries, which I’ve done more times than I care to admit.

Durability

This little red dot has hit the ground more times than I’m proud of. The worst was when my dog knocked my rifle off the tailgate while I was cleaning it. The sight bounced off the gravel driveway and rolled under my truck. I thought for sure I’d need to re-zero, but nope. Still dead on at the range that afternoon.

Rain doesn’t bother it either. Last November I sat in a ground blind during a downpour that lasted four hours. Water was dripping off everything, including the TRS-25.

The lens stayed clear and the electronics kept working.

The aluminum housing shows scratches and dings from three years of use, but those are just character marks. The important stuff inside keeps working no matter how ugly the outside gets.

Ease of Use

Installation took me longer to find my Allen wrench than to actually mount the sight. The Picatinny clamp tightens down solid with no wiggle room. I’ve never had it come loose, even on my 12-gauge.

The brightness dial clicks firmly between settings. I usually run it around 5 or 6 during daylight. Setting 3 works great at dawn when I’m waiting for squirrels to start moving. The highest settings are for bright sunny days, though even maxed out it struggles when the sun hits just right.

Zeroing is simple math.

Each click moves your impact half an inch at 100 yards. If you’re hitting two inches left at 25 yards, that’s eight clicks right. No guesswork needed.

Optical Quality

Let me be straight with you. The glass has a blue tint that makes everything look like you’re wearing cheap sunglasses. It doesn’t affect function, but if you’re used to premium glass, you’ll notice it immediately.

The dot itself stays reasonably sharp until you crank the brightness past 9. Then it starts to look fuzzy around the edges, like a streetlight through fog. I rarely need to go that bright anyway.

My biggest complaint is how the dot disappears in bright sunlight. During a prairie dog shoot last summer, I had to cup my hand over the front of the sight just to see the dot at noon. The Romeo5 I tried later that day didn’t have this problem at all.

Accessories

The rubber bikini covers that come with it are garbage. Mine tore within a month. Here’s what actually works:

• Monstrum Flip-Up Lens Cap Set: This features spring-loaded flip-up mechanisms that pop open effortlessly and snap securely to the outer lips of your red dot sight.
• Bushnell AR Optics Transition 3X Magnifier: Pairs perfectly with the TRS-25 for extending your effective range on AR platforms.
• UTG Medium Profile Compact Riser Mount: A rock-solid QD mount if you need to swap optics between firearms quickly.

Bushnell TRS-25

By the Numbers

Accuracy

Richard Douglas 4/5

The sight holds zero reliably through hundreds of rounds and delivers consistent performance at close to medium range, though it’s not built for precision shooting beyond 75 yards.

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Battery Life

Richard Douglas 3/5

You’ll get decent runtime on mid-level brightness settings, but the lack of auto-shutoff will drain batteries if you’re forgetful like me.

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Durability

Richard Douglas 5/5

This thing takes a beating and keeps working—drops, rain, and temperature swings don’t phase it thanks to solid construction and waterproof seals.

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Ease of Use

Richard Douglas 5/5

Installation is quick, adjustments are intuitive, and the brightness settings cover every lighting scenario you’ll encounter in the field.

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Optical Quality

Richard Douglas 3/5

The glass is clear enough for fast target acquisition, but the blue tint and weak performance in bright sunlight hold it back from a higher rating.

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5

Overall

Richard Douglas 4/5

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See how I test & rate in my reviews. Learn more >

Summary

After three years of hard use, I can tell you exactly what the TRS-25 is and isn’t. It’s a working man’s red dot that does the basics right. Zero stays put, the housing takes abuse, and it gets you on target faster than iron sights ever will.

I’ve watched this sight bounce off concrete, sit in freezing rain, and bake in Texas summer heat. Through it all, the dot keeps glowing and the zero stays true. That reliability matters more than perfect glass or fancy features when you’re in the field.

The weak brightness in sunlight drives me crazy sometimes. Last month during a midday range session, I actually gave up and switched to iron sights because I couldn’t see the dot against the white target. The battery drain from forgetting to turn it off has cost me at least a dozen CR2032s over the years.

But here’s the thing. For around a hundred bucks, you’re getting a red dot that actually works. It won’t impress your buddies who run Aimpoints, but it’ll put rounds on target every time you pull the trigger. Sometimes that’s all you need.

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25

15,621 Reviews

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope, 1x20mm, Black...

MidwayUSA (Check price) Amazon (Check price)

Recommended Accessories

• Monstrum Flip-Up Lens Cap Set - Amazon
• Bushnell AR Optics Transition 3X Magnifier - Amazon
• UTG Medium Profile Compact Riser Mount - Amazon

How the Bushnell TRS-25 Compares Against Others

The TRS-25 feels outdated sitting next to these other options. Sure, it works and costs less than most, but ten dollars saves you from a lot of headaches.

I borrowed my buddy’s Romeo5 for a weekend hunt last year. The MOTAC feature blew my mind. Pick up the rifle, the dot turns on. Set it down, it goes to sleep. My TRS-25 felt like a flip phone next to a smartphone after that. The Romeo5’s 40,000 hour battery life means you can leave it on for literally years. Meanwhile, I’m swapping batteries in my TRS-25 every few months because I forgot to turn it off again.

The Vortex Crossfire has incredible warranty coverage. A guy at my range sent his back after backing over it with his truck. Vortex replaced it no questions asked. But at $150, you’re paying for that warranty more than better features. The glass is clearer than the TRS-25, but without auto shutoff, you’ll still kill batteries if you’re forgetful like me.

The Primary Arms SLx MD-25 Gen II is playing a different game entirely. My range buddy runs the ACSS version on his coyote rifle. That reticle has holdover dots that actually work. He was ringing steel at 300 yards with a red dot and magnifier combo while I was still trying to see my dot in the sunlight. The basic 2 MOA version gets crazy battery life with the AutoLive sensor. It knows when you’re moving the rifle and powers up instantly.

The weight difference is noticeable though. The Primary Arms feels chunky compared to the featherweight TRS-25. On my lightweight 10/22 build, those extra ounces matter. But on an AR-15, you won’t notice the difference.

To Summarize

After using the TRS-25 for three years and trying these other options, the choice is clear. The Romeo5 destroys the TRS-25 for just ten dollars more. That MOTAC technology alone saves you money on batteries and hassle in the field.

I actually bought a Romeo5 last month for my new AR pistol build. Setting them side by side really shows the difference. The Romeo5’s dot is crisper, the controls feel more solid, and I haven’t touched a battery since installing it. My TRS-25 is now relegated to my .22 rifle for plinking.

The Vortex warranty is tempting, but you’re paying extra for insurance you might never use. The Romeo5 has proven just as tough in my experience, and the smart features make it more practical for actual shooting.

If you want to reach out past 100 yards, the Primary Arms ACSS changes everything. Those holdover dots turn a simple red dot into a legitimate aiming system. I watched a guy hit a 12-inch plate at 400 yards with one at a match. Try that with a plain dot and you’re just guessing. The AutoLive feature matches the Romeo5’s convenience too.

Sig Romeo 5

SIG SAUER ROMEO5 GEN I 1x20mm Waterproof Shooting Gun Sight | Durable...

Sportsman's Warehouse (Check price) Amazon (Check price)

Recommended Accessories

• American Defense AD-T1-L STD Mount - Amazon
• Sig Sauer Juliet3-Micro 3X Magnifier - Amazon

For most hunters and tactical shooters, I’d skip the TRS-25 and go straight to the Sig Romeo5 as it’s the best value in this comparison and delivers everything you need without compromise.

How I tested the Bushnell TRS-25

I started testing the TRS-25 two years ago when I mounted it on my Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22. That rifle became my test mule because .22 LR let me shoot hundreds of rounds without breaking the bank or beating up my shoulder.

The zeroing process told me a lot right away. At 25 yards off a sandbag rest, it took me exactly five clicks to center my groups. Each click moved my impact right where the manual said it would. No mushiness in the adjustments, no wandering zero after the first few shots.

Once I had it dialed in, I left those adjustment screws alone. No constant tweaking to chase perfect groups. I wanted to know if this sight would hold zero through actual use, not babied range sessions.

My accuracy testing was simple. Five shot groups at 25 and 50 yards, measured with calipers. The M&P shot Federal bulk pack ammo into 1.5 inch groups at 25 yards. Nothing spectacular, but the dot always sat where the bullets hit. At 50 yards, groups opened to about 3 inches. Good enough for squirrels and steel plates.

Then I got mean with it. I mounted the sight on my AR-15 and ran 500 rounds of Federal .223 through various drills. Steel plates, paper targets, even some clay pigeons on the berm. The zero never shifted.

The real durability test happened by accident. I had the rifle leaning against my truck when my dog jumped up to greet me. 

The rifle hit the gravel hard, sight first. I was sure I’d need to re-zero, but three shots at 25 yards proved me wrong. Still dead on.

After that, I deliberately dropped it from chest height onto concrete. Twice. Once mounted on the rifle, once by itself. Both times it held zero. The housing got scratched up, but the guts kept working.

Weather testing came naturally during hunting season. The sight sat in freezing rain during a November deer hunt. Temperature dropped to 28 degrees that morning, then warmed to 65 by afternoon. No fogging, no moisture inside. The next weekend brought steady rain during a hog hunt. Four hours of water dripping off everything, and the electronics never skipped a beat.

Battery testing was passive but educational. I left it on brightness 7 during a three month stretch when I was hitting the range every weekend. Roughly 3 to 4 hours of actual on time per week. The dot started dimming noticeably around week 12. Not quite the 3,000 hours advertised, but close enough for real world use.

The Mossberg 590 test was brutal. Twelve gauge buckshot recoil is violent compared to rifle rounds. I put 100 rounds through it over two range trips, checking zero every 25 rounds. The sight never budged, though my shoulder sure did.

For brightness testing, I shot at different times of day. Early morning in the woods, the lower settings worked great. Midday sun was a different story. Even on setting 11, the dot washed out against light colored targets. I actually had to shade the sight with my hand to pick up the dot during a noon range session in July.

Speed drills showed where this sight shines. Running steel challenge stages, my times dropped compared to iron sights. The dot made transitions between targets faster and more intuitive. No lining up posts and notches, just put the dot on steel and press the trigger.

Frequently asked questions

Why should you trust me

I’m Richard Douglas, and I’ve been breaking and fixing optics since before YouTube experts existed. Ten years ago, I was teaching Marines how to shoot at Camp Pendleton. These days, I run Scopes Field and test every optic that crosses my bench.

I learned the hard way that marketing specs don’t mean much. I dropped two grand on a “tactical” scope that fogged up during its first hunt. Another thousand dollar optic lost zero after 200 rounds of .308. Those expensive mistakes taught me what actually matters in the field.

My testing process is simple. Mount it, shoot it, drop it, dunk it, and see what breaks. Every optic gets at least 500 rounds of live fire testing. I check zero retention after every range session. If it can’t hold zero, nothing else matters.

I’ve consulted for Bushnell, Leupold, and Sightmark, helping them understand what shooters actually need versus what marketing thinks people want. My reviews have appeared in Guns & Ammo, Outdoor Life, and Field & Stream. But I don’t take free products or paid placements. Every optic I review is either purchased with my own money or returned after testing.

The goal of Scopes Field is simple. Give you the straight truth about what works and what doesn’t, so you don’t waste money like I did starting out. No affiliate links, no sponsored content, just honest testing backed by thousands of rounds downrange.