Best AR-15 Foregrips: Vertical & Angled [Hands-On][2023]

One of the greatest things about the AR platform is its customizability. There’s an accessory or replacement part out there for just about any change you could possibly want to make to your AR.

Today we’re going to focus on one particular upgrade: foregrips. 

Adding a foregrip is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade your AR, and it makes a huge difference. For less than $40 (and often half that) and just a few minutes, you can significantly improve the ergonomics and controllability of your weapon, which in turn helps your accuracy. 

So to help you get those benefits, let’s take a look at some of the best AR foregrips currently on the market. But first, let’s go over the most popular foregrip types. 

VERTICAL VS. ANGLED GRIPS

Most AR foregrips fall into one of two categories, vertical or angled foregrips.

Vertical grips protrude straight out from the bottom of the handguard at a more or less perpendicular angle. These are the most popular type of grip for an AR. 

Vertical foregrips are great for angling around corners and help keep your hand far from the handguard, which can get dangerously hot when you’re shooting consistently over an extended period. Angled grips can also ensure that your arm gets tired less quickly when you hold the gun up for a while.

However, most shooters aren’t really shooting in a way that they get the most out of their vertical foregrips. Most of us are willing and able to take breaks to let our handguards cool down, and our arms rest. Any tactical situation we do find ourselves in, like with a home intruder, will be over quickly.

Angled grips run more alongside the handguard and position your hand at a shallow angle. Angled grips don’t provide as much control over the gun as a vertical grip, but they’re very ergonomic, holding your hand in a very natural position. 

They also take up more space on the rail, but since they protrude from the gun less, so they’re less likely to snag on your clothes, gear, or other surrounding objects.

In addition, some states, like California, have quasi-bans against vertical grips because they’re scary looking or whatever. Specifically, California has them as one of the “evil features” that turn your normal AR into an “assault rifle.” Regardless of the reason, it’s something to keep in mind to ensure you’re following the letter of the law. Angled grips, on the other hand, are permitted just about everywhere.

There are other types of foregrips, like hand stops, finger stops, and bipod foregrips, but we’re just focusing on the big two today. 

DO YOU NEED A FOREGRIP?

Really, it’s up to you. Some people love them, some people hate them. If you’ve never tried one, I’d say give it a shot – but you’re going to get killed in the streets if you don’t have one. Personally, I like them because it gives me a place for my hand that keeps me locked in the same place every time.

Consistency goes a long way, and a foregrip can help a lot. 

Most foregrips can also be used as barricade stops or rests to give you some extra help when trying to brace yourself. 

The bottom line is if you think you need one, get one. If you think you won’t get much out of it, save your money and buy more ammo.

BEST AR-15 FOREGRIPS

Daniel Defense Vertical Foregrip

Our first vertical foregrip recommendation is the Daniel Defense Vertical Grip. AR foregrips are a very affordable upgrade and pretty straightforward as a product, but if ever there were such a thing as a high-end, luxury foregrip, this one would be it. 

It’s a bit more expensive than our other recommendations (though still sub-$40), but for your extra money, you get a couple of nice features that you don’t get from other grips.

Each is constructed primarily from the injection-molded, glass-infused polymer in either Black, Tornado (blue-gray), or Mil Spec+ (brown). However, they also have soft-touch rubber overmolding for a more comfortable, secure grip, even in wet conditions. 

Another cool feature is that the bottom of the grip screws off, allowing for the storage of items inside the grip. Of course, it’s not exactly a huge storage space, but it’s definitely enough room for, say, a spare battery for your optic. It’s also double o-ring sealed, so it’s even watertight. 

The main version is Picatinny rail compatible, though there’s also a shorter M-LOK version, which measures 3.31 inches and 1.7 ounces compared to the Picatinny version’s 4.5-inch height and 2.4-ounce weight. Aside from the size and attachment system differences, both versions are more or less the same. 

Magpul M-LOK MVG

We can’t write a post on AR upgrades without including something from Magpul. It’s just impossible. So our first Magpul foregrip recommendation (yes, there’s another one coming) is the Magpul M-LOK MVG Vertical Grip. 

This vertical foregrip has a relatively simple design and may seem like nothing too special at first, but it actually stands out from other foregrips in that it was specifically designed for use with the “thumb break method” of shooting. As such, it’s relatively short in length (3 inches long) and has a tapered, rounded top. 

It’s also great as a traditional vertical grip, though. It’s got a slender shape and is textured along the right and left sides and ridged along the front and back to ensure a secure grip regardless of conditions.

It’s also incredibly lightweight, especially for a vertical foregrip, at just 1.4 ounces.

Finally, it comes in four different colors to suit your style, including Black, Flat Dark Earth, Stealth Gray, and Olive Drab Green.

The main disadvantage, which isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, is that this grip only uses Magpul’s M-LOK mounting system. If you already use the M-LOK system, that’s great. If you use a Picatinny system, there’s really not a great solution for using this grip. 

There are M-LOK to Picatinny adapters out there, but there isn’t one that I’m crazy about (though if there’s one you love, please let me know in the comments). Plus, by the time you buy an adapter, you’ve more or less doubled the amount of money you’re spending.

So, if you use a Picatinny rail (or the less common KeyMod rail), you’ll probably want to opt for a different grip altogether. 

Bravo Company BCMGunfighter Mod 3 

Our third and final recommendation for vertical foregrips is the Bravo Company BCMGunfighter Mod 3. 

This grip is only available in Black and Flat Dark Earth Colors, but it is available in versions compatible with Picatinny and M-LOK rails, as well as the often-overlooked KeyMod rail, so it works for virtually any rail. 

And speaking of mounting, this grip is actually reversible. Mount it, so the grip is at a forward angle, and it helps keep the grip more rigid while also providing a more ergonomic angle for your wrist. Mount it so the grip is at a backward angle, and it gives you increased control over the firearm.

Whichever direction you go with, the sides are aggressively textured, and the front and rear are ridged to provide you with a secure grip and greater control.  

Finally, let’s talk about size. The BCMGunfighter Mod 3 has a low-profile length. At 1.9 ounces, this is the heaviest of the foregrips I recommend here, but it’s far from heavy. This higher weight can be primarily contributed to the thick polymer and anchor and bolt system, which provides a more secure attachment to your handguard.

Magpul M-LOK AFG Angled Fore Grip

Magpul had already made a couple of different iterations of the AFG before this one, but the M-LOK AFG Angled Fore Grip streamlined those previous versions into the best so far. 

It has a very minimalist style that doesn’t add a lot of bulk to your handguard. It’s 0.75 inches shorter than the previous AFG, the AFG-2, giving you even more mounting options. It also brings the weight down to just 1.2 ounces.

At the same time, it’s more ergonomic than ever, with a comfortable curve and a natural angle that help reduce fatigue and promote control over your weapon. There’s also a pretty minimal barrier stop integrated into the front.

Plus, it comes in four different colors (Black, Flat Dark Earth, Stealth Gray, and Olive Drab Green) to match almost any AR build! Whichever color you opt for, Magpul’s durable polymer will take a lot of abuse. 

However, like our first Magpul rec, this one only comes in an M-LOK compatible version. So, if you’re using a Picatinny rail, you’ll want to opt for a different grip, or, if you’re really stuck on Magpul, go with the original AFG or the AFG-2.

Strike Industries LINK-CFG

While most foregrips are made from polymer, the Strike Industries LINK Curved Fore Grip stands out because it's made from 6061T6 aluminum. This allows the foregrip to be even more durable without adding a ton of weight. 

Sure, the LINK is heavier than the M-LOK AFG, but only by a half-ounce, so it’s not exactly heavy, either. 

An added coating over the aluminum provides additional protection and comes in five different colors: Black, Red, Blue, FDE, and Clear, which allows the aluminum’s natural color to show through. 

The LINK is also very comfortable. It has a natural curve to it that allows for a multitude of comfortable hand positions, and the inside of the grip is serrated to help with grip security.

The bumpers on either end allow you to easily put forward or reverse force on the grip. The bumpers also allow you to use the handguard as either a handstop or barricade stop as well. The front face of the grip is ridged to make the LINK-CFG more effective when using it as a brace. 

The SI LINK-CFG is compatible with both M-LOK and KeyMod rails, but not Picatinny, which unfortunately leaves the same problem for Picatinny users as the Magpul M-LOK AFG. 

Bravo Company BCMGunfighter KAG Angled Grip 

Last up we have another polymer angled foregrip, the Bravo Company BCMGunfighter KAG Angled Grip, which, unlike the other angled foregrips we’ve discussed, is available in both KeyMod and Picatinny versions. 

This grip is really more of a hybrid between a vertical grip and an angled grip, though it technically falls into the angled grip category. 

Instead of a true vertical grip, the BCMGunfighter KAG has a hooked, oversized handstop which actually allows you to provide downward pressure like you would with a vertical grip, giving you greater control and reduced felt recoil.

This allows you greater control like you’d get with a vertical grip while also allowing the BCMGunfighter KAG to take up less rail space, though it’s not quite on par with vertical grips on either feature.

Despite that, it’s still a relatively low profile grip, measuring just 1.5 inches tall. 

The biggest downside is that it doesn’t have a forward stop like the other angled foregrips we’ve discussed. How much that matters to you is up to you to decide.

Once again, this grip is available in a few different colors to match whatever your AR looks like: Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, and Wolf Gray. 

LOOSE ROUNDS

All of the AR foregrips that I recommend here are great options. However, the right foregrip for you really just depends on your personal preferences and what’s most comfortable for you, so you may need to try a few out before you find the right one. 

Still not sure where to start? I think the Magpul M-LOK AFG is a great first purchase. It’s a very popular handgun that suits most people, so the odds are really good that you’ll like it too. And if you don’t, you’re not out a ton of money. You should even be able to resell it fairly easily to recoup some of the cost!