Peep sights are little devices attached to bowstrings to help archers with their aim. Whether you have a recurve bow, a compound bow, or any other type of bow, choosing the correct peep sight can mean the difference between hitting and missing your target.
Bow peep sights are becoming increasingly popular because of their ability to help improve a shooter’s consistency and accuracy. However, with so many models available today, choosing the right peep sight can be a difficult task.
To ensure you make the correct decision, the following are reviews of some of the best peep sights available today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Bow Peep Sights
- OUR TOP PICK: G5 Outdoors Meta Pro Peep Hunter Sight copy
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Specialty Archery Pro Series 37 Degree Hooded Peep
- BEST FOR COMPOUND BOWS: TRUGLO Centra Peep Pro 3/16" Blue
Comparison of the Best Peep Sight For Bows
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What is a Peep Sight and What’s the Purpose of One
Bow peep sights can be simply defined as small pieces of kit which are curved in shape and attach to bowstrings. Commonly used as a rear peep sight, they help improve an archer’s aim and accuracy.
The purpose is similar to the anchoring technique used in archery. According to the technique, your anchor will be more consistent and precise if you have more points of reference in your anchor.
Similarly, if you only align the target and fore-sight on a bow, the drawn string or the rear of the bow might not be aligned. It might be slightly low or slightly high. However, from your perspective, you won’t be aware of the misalignment.
That is where the peep sight comes in. As mentioned above, this is a small aperture attached to the bowstring. It allows you to look through when the string is at full draw, enabling you to align the target, the foresight, and the string. This further ensures that your arrow always finds its mark.
What Makes a Great Peep Sight
Here are the main qualities to look for:
Diameter
The diameter of a peep sight can have a significant effect on your aim and precision. If you purchase a sight with a smaller diameter, you will need to make finer adjustments and alignments, which will consequently improve the accuracy of your aim.
However, a smaller sight allows less light through. If you want to shoot in low light conditions, then it is advisable to use a larger aperture.
Illuminated, Glowing, or Non-Reflective Peeps
If you plan on shooting in low light conditions, make sure you purchase a model which is equipped with illuminated or glowing apertures. However, if you’re going to be shooting in the sunshine, make sure you choose a peep with a non-reflective coating. This will protect you from any extra glare, so you don’t get distracted from your shot.
Rubber Tubing
Some peep sights are designed with rubber tubing. Commonly used for compound bows, the tubing pulls on the sight when the bow is drawn and spins it to the accurate angle.
What Size of Peep Sight Do I Need For My Bow
The size of your bow peep will depend on your sight housing. You need to be able to see through it correctly. The only sure way of knowing if the size is right is to try using it.
The peep size right for one person might not be right for the other. But generally speaking, smaller bow peeps are used when you need more accuracy, but it results in lesser light getting through to your eyes.
So, for better low light performance, go for products with larger diameters or maybe a medium one to compensate for both. Common sizes are 1/8-inch, 3/16-inch, and ¼-inch from smaller to bigger.
Review of the Best Bow Peep Sights
Now that we've covered a bit of background info, let's take a look at each model that made our list.
Best Overall and Best for Hunting:
G5 Outdoors Meta Pro Peep Hunter Sight
PROS
CONS
The best peep sight available today, the G5 Outdoors Meta Pro Peep Hunter Sight is manufactured with high-grade 7000 aluminum. This tubeless model has radical grooves in the side, enabling the bowstring to rotate the peep itself as you draw.
Thanks to its non-reflective coating, the unit protects you from any unnecessary glare from the sun or other light. With a patented convex interior, this model maximizes your field of view in low light situations, providing a perfect circle regardless of the angle you’re looking through.
Due to a convex string groove, the string comes in contact with lesser surface area, which significantly reduces string wear. With a fixed aperture, this model surely gives you an additional edge, especially during hunting or archery practice. This unit is also available in a wide range of colors, allowing you to match the color of the peep sight with your bow when setting it up.
Bottom Line
The G5 Outdoors Meta Pro Peep Hunter Sight is certainly the best model available for hunting. Designed with high-grade 7000 aluminum and a convex interior, this unit is durable, reliable, and helps you make accurate shots. However, you might face some difficulty if you wear glasses.
Product Specs
Diameter:
1/4"
Type:
Fletcher
Material:
Aluminum
Best for the Money:
Specialty Archery Pro Series 37 Degree Hooded Peep
PROS
CONS
A versatile model, the Specialty Archery Pro Series 37 Degree Hooded Peep offers excellent value for money. This unit is sculpted to reduce weight and improve bow performance. It is also 25% lighter on your string compared to the original Hooded Super Peep housing, thus increasing arrow speed.
This 37-degree peep is usually used on bows measuring 40” or shorter. The model also reduces glare on verifier and clarifier lenses, allowing you to make better, more accurate shots.
With an opening which measures 3/16’, the unit can accept all Specialty Archery 1/8” apertures, including verifiers, which sharpen pins and clarifiers, which sharpen target faces. However, it is advisable to use a dual aperture wrench to insert or remove any optional verifiers, apertures, and clarifiers.
Bottom Line
All in all, the Specialty Archery Pro Series 37 Degree Hooded Peep certainly offers the best value for money. Designed to be 25% lighter than the original Hooded Super Peep housing, this model ensures that your arrow always finds its mark. However, it has more glare compared to other products.
Product Specs
Diameter:
1/8"
Type:
Fletcher
Material:
Aluminum
Best for Compound Bows:
TRUGLO Centra Peep Pro 3/16” Blue
PROS
CONS
One of the best peep sights available today, the TRUGLO Centra Peep Pro certainly deserves a place on our list. Manufactured with aluminum, the product is both lightweight and durable, allowing you to make accurate and precise shots.
Its angled design further allows you to align it perfectly. Thanks to its string grooves, this tubeless peep is able to support shorter axle-to-axle bows. However, the exact axle-to-axle measurements are not specified. With an aperture measuring 3/16” in diameter, this product ensures you get a perfect sight picture.
Bottom Line
The TRUGLO Centra Peep Pro is the best you can purchase for a compound bow. Designed with aluminum, the product ensures durability, longevity, and reliability. It also allows you to get a clear sight picture. However, the type and length of the bows, which can be used with the model is not stated.
Product Specs
Diameter:
1/4"
Type:
Tubeless
Material:
Blend
Honorable Mention:
TRUGLO Versa Interchangeable Peep Sight Insert Sets
PROS
CONS
A revolutionary peep sight, the TRUGLO Versa Interchangeable Peep Sight is certainly worthy of an honorable mention. With this model, you can easily adjust its color and size without the hassle of removing it from the string.
Equipped with an interchangeable insert, the unit allows you to customize both the size and color of the aperture. The included inserts measure 1/8”, 5/32”, and 3/16” while the insert colors include red, green, and black.
Manufactured with lightweight aluminum, this unit is precision CNC-machined, which ensures durability and reliability. With an angled design and a sight diameter measuring 1/4”, this model is ideal for axle-to-axle bows.
Bottom Line
The TRUGLO Versa Interchangeable Peep Sight is one of the best models available in the market today. Although the price might be a problem for some, its easy installation, longevity, and included additional sizes certainly make it worth mentioning.
Product Specs
Diameter:
1/4"
Type:
Tubeless
Material:
Aluminum
Editor's Pick:
RAD Super Deuce Peep Sight
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
You can purchase this bow peep in many sizes, which is perfect because every archer has a different comfort zone. The black color blends right in with the string. They stay in place and definitely help improve your aim. They are well made and last for many years.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This item is made from anodized aluminum, greatly increasing its lifespan and corrosion resistance properties. It is mounted at a 38-degree angle on the bowstring, which provides the shooter with a full round aperture to look through at full draw.
The groove around the circumference is designed to ensure that it stays in place and is not lost during dry-fire (firing without an arrow). This also ensures that you will maintain your correct alignment.
Bottom Line
Using a bow peep or not is really a matter of preference. Some people don’t shoot without it, and some only do it with it. But once you start using one, you are completely hooked, and the Deuce-38 is the best place to start. There are many size options, and it will last you a long time.
Product Specs
Diameter:
1/8"
Type:
Tubeless
Material:
Aluminum
6. Flameer Archery Hooded Peep Sight 45/37 Degree
PROS
CONS
Surely one of the best models available today, the Flameer Archery Hooded Peep Sight ranks as the runner-up on our list. This unit is manufactured with aluminum alloy, making it lightweight and durable. The aluminum further ensures that your bow is not harmed.
Fit for a compound bow, this unit comes with a housing aperture kit and an installation tool. Three inner cores and a hex wrench are also included.
With inside part sizes measuring 1/16, 3/16, and 1/8, the peep sight can be set at either 37 or 45 degrees. This model enables you to see better from your sight pins, allowing you to make accurate and precise shots. Furthermore, it is able to accept almost all apertures, verifiers, and clarifiers meant for this type of product.
Bottom Line
Falling close behind to the G5 Outdoors Meta Pro Peep Hunter Sight, this model is compatible with almost all apertures, verifiers, and clarifiers. Innovatively designed to be lightweight and durable, it ensures that your arrow finds its mark. However, the sight might be a bit difficult to use if you wear glasses.
Product Specs
Diameter:
1/8", 3/16", 1/16"
Type:
Fletcher
Material:
Aluminum Alloy
Archery Peep Sight Tips, Tricks, and Hacks For Success
Bow peeps are probably the smallest thing in your archery gear, but they can make a big difference in your accuracy. You just need to find the perfect combination of setting for you. Here are some tips that might help you get started.
Placement
Your product is meant to narrow your field of view so you can make a more precise shot. But that can only be done if you are able to comfortably see through it.
If at the time of finding the aim, you have to look for the peep and make sure it is in your eyesight, then you are going to lose consistency and accuracy. Pull the bowstring at full draw and then see where your eye naturally goes. That is where the peep should be; not too low that you have to bend and neither too high.
Size
Size is an important issue that we discussed earlier as well. The thing you have to remember is to find a middle point between light and accuracy. A 3/16-inch peep is usually sufficient for those looking for small peeps and has a smaller sight housing, and the ¼-inch one works for those that want more light.
Type
There are two styles of bow peeps. One has a narrow tube with it that is connected to the cables of the bow at one end and the bowstring to the other. When you draw your string to full length, it will automatically make the peep go in a straight and perfectly aligned line. Non-tube peeps are just simple peeps that go on to your string.
Comparison Overview
A peep sight is not the only way to make your aim more accurate and consistent. There are other small products that you can use instead, but they are more commonly used with rifles. We have already discussed peep sights in detail, so let’s look at the different aspects of these other sights.
Ghost Ring vs Peep Sight
A ghost ring is a newer version of the older products used on rifles, but the ghost ring is somewhat larger. Let’s see how it compares with a peep sight.
Design
A ghost ring is similar to a peep ring in its function and size, but it is different in its design. From the side of the ring that faces you, it is very thin so as not to obscure your sight. From the side away from you, it is thicker so that you locate it easily.
Size
The different available sizes for ghost rings are similar to those of the peep sight.
Use
Ghost rings are used mostly on handguns, rifles, and shotguns, etc. They will probably not fit on a bowstring.
3/16 vs ¼ Peep Sight
A 3/16-inch sight is similar in design to bow peeps. Everything that we learned about bow peeps applied to this. It is just a more general form of it.
Size
The 3/16 sight has a 3/16 inch diameter, which is one of the many that a normal peep sight might have. These products also have diameters of ¼, 1/8 inches, and others.
Light Performance
This peep is used when you are not worried about light as much as you are about accuracy. Its small diameter will ensure that you get the aim every time but will not gather a lot of light.
Peep Sight vs Open Sight
As the name suggests, open sights have an open notch. The front sight will have some distance between its sides and the edges of the notch, making light bars. These light bars tell shooters whether the sight is aligned perfectly or not.
Location
An open sight is used when the rear side is further away from the shooter. This is a rear sight and is placed perpendicular to the line of sight. It is mostly only used on rifles.
Accuracy
Usually, an open sight has a much lower accuracy than peep sight. Because of the open notch, you get all the light, but you have to do more practice for your aim.
How to Zero a Peep Sight
Here are the steps you must follow for zeroing a peep sight:
1. Set Your 20-Yard Pin
Stand at the 20 yard (18.3 M) mark from the target. Make sure your body is perpendicular to the target and draw back an arrow with your bow. Place the peep sight near your eye, allow the aperture to blur. At this point the target will still be mostly out of focus. While focusing on the front bead, bring it into focus and then center it on your target.
Look through the sight at the top pin and release the arrow. One important rule to remember during sighting is to always follow your arrows. Repeat this step with a few more arrows. This is done to find a shooting position that is repeatable.
Next, adjust the windage and elevation to further increase accuracy.
2. Set Your 30-Yard Pin
Once you feel that your 20-yard top pin is accurate, move back to the 30-yard mark from your target. Look through the site at the second pin and shoot a few more arrows at the target. Make the same adjustments you made while zeroing in at 20 yards.
From this point onwards, you don’t need to adjust the entire sight when shooting your arrows from longer distances. You only need to adjust the single pins, but the process remains the same.
How to Install a Peep Sight
You can easily install a peep sight by following these steps:
1. Determine Location
Fully draw your bow with closed eyes and settle onto your anchor points. Open the eye you will use to aim through the peep sight and mark the string at that point.
2. Attach Your Peep Sight
Press your bow and separate the strands evenly at the point where it will be attached. Unpress the bow and check its location and alignment.
3. Tie in the Peep Sight
Once the sight is oriented and attached at the proper location, install stop knots below and above the peep. You can do this on a bow press, with a small amount of tension taken off the bowstring.
Make sure you don’t tie the actual peep sight to the string. If you do this, the peep will lose its forward orientation once the string stretches and will require further adjustment. If you install knots below and above the model, you’ll be able to realign it just by pressing the bow and correcting the alignment.
For a better idea, you can look at this video and follow along.
How to Tie in a Peep Sight
When tying a peep sight, you have to be sure that you don’t accidentally break your bowstring. So instead of blindly doing a hit and trial method, follow these steps.
- First, you need to cut the string with a bow press
- Put the peep sight between the lines or the string
- Take a serving string and pass it through the bowstring opening that you have made
- Tie a square knot
- Wrap the string six times around the bowstring, keeping some part of the string loose
- Hold the point of the knot and the end of the string tight and start wrapping the loose part of the string around.
- Start pulling the end of the string outward until it is tight
- Take the end and run it through the opening in the bowstring
- Then make two rounds around the peep sight circumference
- Now, run it through the other end of the bowstring opening.
- Repeat the process of six wraps around the bowstring you did before on this side
- After you tighten the sting on this side as well, cut the ends and take a lighter to burn the ends.
If these steps seem confusing, you can take help from the video mentioned below:
Conclusion
A peep sight can significantly improve your accuracy and precision. However, with so many options available today, choosing the best one is often a difficult task. For us, the best model is the G5 Outdoors Meta Pro Peep Hunter Sight, but make sure you read the above-mentioned reviews before making your decision!
