I get asked all the time which brand of rifle scope is better than the next, and it’s often framed as whether Leupold is better than Vortex, largely because those are among the highest-profile optics brands. The answer is, it depends. It depends on which particular product you’re comparing. In general, Leupold’s VX-3HD line has better glass, more precise controls, and more durability than Vortex’s lower-end scopes, in the Crossfire II, Diamondback, and Strike Eagle lines. But Vortex’s higher-end scopes, those in the Razor HD line, deliver performance every bit as good or even better than Leupold’s VX-3 line. On the other hand, Leupold’s upper-end product lines—the Mark 5HD, Mark 6, and Mark 8—are among the best rifle scopes on the market, with prices to match.