Best Thermal Scopes


Hunter holding a thermal rifle scope.

Thermal rifle scopes have become increasingly popular over the past few years, as hunters look for ways to improve their accuracy and range during nighttime hunts. Not only are thermal rifle scopes extremely useful in low-light situations, but they provide better visibility in fog, rain, and snow. Our Experts show you the best thermal rifle scopes for different hunting applications taking into account features, price, and performance.

Best Overall Thermal Scope

Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro Thermal Riflescope

Pulsar Thermal Rifle Scope

The Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro Thermal Riflescope is a top-tier choice for shooters, boasting 5 shooting profiles, 10 reticle shapes, 1024x768 AMOLED display, and 640x480 microbolometer resolution. This thermal scope can detect heat signatures up to 2,000 yards away and its laser rangefinder has an impressive range of 875 yards.


  • Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Detection Range: 1800 m
  • Magnification: 16-Feb
  • Resolution: AMOLED 1024x768 pix


Best Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting

Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro Thermal Riflescope

Pulsar thermal rifle scope

The Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro Thermal Riflescope is the ideal thermal scope for hog hunting - boasting superior thermal imaging, extended detection range, durability, photo and video recording, Wi-Fi connectivity, and 10 reticle shapes in 9 colors.



  • Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Detection Range: 1800 m
  • Magnification: 2x-16x
  • Resolution: AMOLED 1024x768 


Best Thermal Scope for the Money

Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro Thermal Riflescope

Pulsar thermal rifle scope

The Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro offers exceptional value; with a 10-hour battery life, a 1900-yard detection range, and a lightweight magnesium alloy body, it is the ideal choice for any hunter. Additionally, the advanced AMOLED display and 384x288 microbolometer resolution deliver clear, high-resolution images.



  • Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Detection Range: 1900 yds
  • Magnification: 3-12x
  • Resolution: AMOLED 1024x768


Best Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting

ATN Thor LT 160 4-8x25 Thermal Riflescope

ATN thermal riflescope

The ATN Thor LT 160 4-8x25 is ideal for coyote hunting, with 30mm standard rings and an ergonomic 3" eye relief design. The lightweight, recoil-resistant frame is easy to mount and capable of withstanding high-caliber rifles. Equipped with One-Shot Zero technology and low power consumption, this thermal scope provides over 10 hours of continuous battery power, allowing quick and painless zeroing in.



  • Battery Life: 10+ hours
  • Detection Range: 625m/yd
  • Magnification: 4-8x
  • Resolution: 1280x720 HD Display


Best Price Point Thermal Scope

AGM Rattler TS25-384 Thermal Riflescope

AGM thermal riflescope

The AGM Rattler TS25-384 Thermal Riflescope offers reliable performance and great value. Features include 8x zoom, adjustable color palettes, EMMC storage, waterproof and shockproof design, and up to 4.5 hours of continuous working time. This scope boasts a high-sensitivity detector, image processing technology, and a 0.39-inch OLED display with 384 × 288 thermal resolution, delivering a crystal clear image.



  • Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hr
  • Detection Range: 1250m/yd
  • Magnification: 1.5x
  • Resolution: 384x288 thermal resolution


Best Thermal Monocular

Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro Monocular

Pulsar thermal monocular

The Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro Monocular offers a range of features such as three calibration modes, four operating modes, USB charging, updatable firmware, and a display-off function, amongst other features. This thermal monocular has an all-metal design, 8 color palettes, and an ergonomic and user-friendly interface, making it the best thermal monocular available.


  • Battery Life: 8 hr
  • Detection Range: 1800 m
  • Magnification: 2.5x-20x
  • Resolution: AMOLED HD 1024x768


Thermal rifle scopes are a great investment for anyone looking to increase their accuracy and success when night hunting. These incredibly versatile scopes can be used in a variety of situations and environments for different hunting applications. With the right thermal scope, you can make sure you hit your target every time. You can always compare thermal technology vs. night vision technology as well, to see which scopes are right for you. If you have any more questions, stop by your local SCHEELS and speak to a Hunting Expert today!