Best Thermal Scopes for Hog Hunting in 2026

Hog hunting is one of the strongest use cases for a thermal scope. Hogs are nocturnal, tend to move in packs, and can be difficult to find using standard optics once they get to brush, creek bottoms, crop fields, or feeders. A thermal scope is a massive advantage for hog hunters since it does not rely on light but on heat signatures.

However, the best thermal scope for hog hunting is not necessarily the most expensive 640-core model. It will depend on your location, shooting distance, preference for feeders or open fields, recording, battery runtime, rangefinding, and simplicity.

In many situations, a thermal scope with 384 cores is sufficient for hog hunting. Hogs are larger than coyotes and easier to distinguish through thermal. They are also typically hunted at shorter distances. Although a 640-core scope will give you more detail, it is not necessary in most situations.

What Makes a Thermal Scope Good for Hog Hunting?

Hog hunting is very different from coyote hunting. Hogs are larger, easier to distinguish, and often appear as a pack of heat signatures. As a result, there are things you need to consider when buying the right optic for hog hunting.

Field of view is crucial for hog hunting because hogs typically move in groups. If several hogs approach a feeder or cross a field, you need a thermal scope that will allow you to see all of them clearly. At the same time, you need enough magnification to take an accurate shot.

Base magnification is also important for hog hunting. 2x to 3x base magnification is optimal for hog hunting in general. 2x base magnification allows you to see clearly within 100 yards or even further while staying comfortable in the brush or around feeders.

Battery runtime is important because hog hunting involves waiting. There is nothing worse than a thermal scope that runs out of power after a couple of hours of watching.

Detection Range vs Real Hog Hunting Distance

Most thermal scope manufacturers specify detection range of their products. While the range is useful, it does not tell the whole story.

Detection means that the thermal scope can recognize the presence of heat. It does not mean that you can actually distinguish the animal, judge its size, or take an accurate shot. It also does not mean that you can distinguish individual hogs in a pack.

When it comes to hog hunting, practical shooting distance is much shorter than the advertised detection range. Your thermal scope might detect a heat signature at 1,400 yards, 1,800 yards, or even 2,600 yards, but in reality, most hunters only make decisions at much shorter distances.

That is why factors like image quality, field of view, base magnification, refresh rate, battery system, and zero stability matter more than the largest number in the specification.

Best Overall: AGM RattlerV2 35-384

The AGM RattlerV2 35-384 is arguably one of the best thermal scopes for hog hunting. It strikes a good balance between price, resolution, lens size, magnification, and battery runtime.

According to AGM, the RattlerV2 35-384 thermal scope features 384×288 sensor, 35mm germanium lens, 3x base magnification, 3x to 24x digital zoom, 50Hz refresh rate, and detection range up to 1,800 m/yd. In addition, it uses the manufacturer’s new battery system that provides up to 11.5 hours of continuous runtime.

These features make it a great option for hunters who want to use the same thermal scope for feeders, fields, and general night hunting. 384×288 sensor is enough for most hog hunting situations while 35mm lens and 3x base magnification provide more reach than smaller entry-level thermals.

Best for: hunters who want one practical thermal scope for hog hunting without spending extra money for 640 resolution.

Main tradeoff: it is a 384-core scope, so it cannot provide the same amount of detail as a 640-core optic in open fields and poor thermal conditions.

Best Budget/Value Pick: Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal

The Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal is one of the best budget thermals for hog hunters. It provides a 384-core sensor at a relatively low price.

According to the manufacturer, the Wraith Mini Thermal has a 384×288 thermal sensor, 35mm lens, 2x optical magnification, 1-8x digital zoom, 13-degree field of view, 1024×768 OLED display, and detection range up to 1,400 yards. Other specifications include multiple color palettes, reticle options, weapon profiles, and built-in recording with audio.

2x base magnification is beneficial for hog hunting near feeders and in closer fields. It provides a wider field of view than higher magnification scopes, making it easier to monitor multiple animals at once.

This thermal scope is not the best choice for long-distance hunting, but it makes sense for hunters who want to use thermal technology for close-range hog hunting without spending extra money.

Best for: hog hunting near feeders and in close fields.

Main tradeoff: battery runtime and long-range detection capabilities are inferior to those of higher-end thermals.

Best Compact Hog and Predator Scope: Bering Optics Super Hogster R 2.9-11.6×35

The Bering Optics Super Hogster R 2.9-11.6×35 is a compact thermal scope built for hog and predator hunting.

B&H lists it as featuring a 384×288 vanadium oxide core, 2.9x optical magnification, 4x digital magnification, 50Hz refresh rate, and 1280×960 LCOS display. Additionally, it is described as a great optic for feral hog and predator hunting at night and having a running-hog detection range of 1,100 yards.

The last parameter is crucial because this thermal scope is not just a general-purpose thermal device. It is specifically designed for hog and predator hunting. 2.9x base magnification is a decent compromise: it has more reach than 2x but does not make close-range hunting uncomfortable.

Best for: hunters who want a compact thermal scope for hog and predator hunting.

Main tradeoff: it is a 384-core scope and cannot provide long-range detail that you can get with a bigger and more expensive optic.

Best Premium 640 Pick: AGM RattlerV2 50-640

The AGM RattlerV2 50-640 is a great choice for hog hunters who want a scope with better image quality and more range.

According to AGM, the RattlerV2 50-640 has a 640×512 thermal sensor, 50mm germanium lens, 2.5x base magnification, detection range up to 2,600 m/yd, sub-20 mK sensitivity, and up to 9 hours of runtime with the rechargeable battery system.

640×512 sensor can be helpful when hunting in larger fields and separating animals from the background. 50mm lens increases the range, while 2.5x base magnification makes this scope practical for hog hunting rather than uncomfortable.

This is a scope that makes sense if you hunt regularly and need more than a 384-core optic can provide.

Best for: hog hunters who need 640 resolution and greater detection range.

Main tradeoff: it is much more expensive than thermals with 384 cores.

Best Premium Rangefinding Pick: Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50

The Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is a premium thermal riflescope for hunters who prefer 640 resolution and built-in rangefinding.

According to Pulsar, this scope has a 640×480 sensor, 12-micron pixel pitch, 50mm F/1.0 lens, 3x to 24x magnification, 50Hz refresh rate, 1024×768 AMOLED display, and detection distance of 2,300 meters / 2,515 yards for a deer-type object.

In terms of hog hunting, the primary advantage of the Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is the 640 sensor combined with a laser rangefinder. Built-in rangefinding is convenient for night-time hog hunting because distance is hard to estimate when using thermal scopes.

3x base magnification provides decent range, but for some hunters, it will be too tight. This scope is recommended for those who hunt larger fields and longer sightlines.

Best for: premium hog hunting setups where image quality and rangefinding matter.

Main tradeoff: higher price and tight 3x base magnification.

Best Smart-Feature Option: ATN ThOR 5 640 3-24x

The ATN ThOR 5 640 3-24x is a strong choice for hunters who prioritize thermal performance plus additional smart features.

According to ATN, this thermal scope has a 640×480 sensor, 12-micron 60fps platform, 3x to 24x magnification, and detection range up to 2,900 yards (depending on the configuration). Also, the platform includes a variety of advanced features like video recording, recoil-activated video, streaming, custom reticles, and ballistic tools.

Recording is helpful because many hunters record their night hunts for future reviews or sharing purposes. High refresh rate (60 fps) is important when hunting fast-moving animals like hogs.

The only disadvantage is the number of additional features and menus. Many hunters prefer simple buttons and menus and are not interested in the smart features of thermal scopes. ATN is recommended for those who actually want the advanced functionality.

Best for: hunters who want recording and smart features in their thermal scope.

Main tradeoff: more electronics and menus compared to simpler thermals.

What Resolution Do You Need for Hog Hunting?

A 256-core thermal scope might be sufficient for close-range hog hunting in fields and near feeders. However, if you want a more reliable solution, 384 cores are the minimum.

384×288 thermal scopes are generally the best value for hog hunting. They have enough resolution for most practical hog hunting distances, offer good battery runtime, and usually weigh less than premium thermals.

On the other hand, 640-core thermal scopes can be preferred by hog hunters who hunt larger fields, want more detail, and need better accuracy in separating animals from the background. A 640-core scope is not required for every hog hunter, but it is certainly a nice upgrade.

One technical detail worth considering is that not every 640-class thermal scope uses the same core. For example, the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is a 640×480 thermal scope, while some AGM 640 models use 640×512 sensors. The ATN ThOR 5 640 models are also specified as 640×480 scopes. In practice, this difference is not significant.

Field of View Is Crucial for Hog Hunting

If a group of hogs approaches a thermal scope user, field of view becomes extremely important. Tight high-magnification thermal scopes will make it harder to track multiple animals after the first shot.

A wider base magnification is beneficial for hog hunting near feeders, while more magnification and a larger lens can be used in open fields.

If you hunt within 100 yards, do not buy excessive magnification. However, if you typically use thermal scopes to search for hogs in large fields, a 35mm or 50mm lens with a 384 or 640 sensor will be a better idea.

Final Verdict

The best thermal scope for most hog hunters is the AGM RattlerV2 35-384. It combines a 384×288 sensor, 35mm germanium lens, 3x base magnification, 50Hz refresh rate, and a long-lasting rechargeable battery.

The best budget/value option is the Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal. It provides a 384×288 sensor with wide 2x base magnification.

The best compact hog and predator thermal scope is the Bering Optics Super Hogster R 2.9-11.6×35. This scope is made specifically for hog hunting.

The best premium 640 thermal scope is the AGM RattlerV2 50-640, while the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is the preferred choice among premium rangefinders. Finally, the ATN ThOR 5 640 3-24x is the best smart-feature thermal scope for hog hunting.

For hog hunting, it is better not to choose a thermal scope based on detection range. Focus on your terrain, actual shooting distance, field of view, base magnification, battery runtime, and image quality.