How I picked these

I prioritized: feeding reliability, material & build quality, platform compatibility (AR-15 vs AR-10 / SR-25 pattern), user-reported reliability, and price/value. For each entry below I cite the manufacturer / major retailer pages and recent reviews so you can verify specs and current pricing.

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Top 5 AR-15 Magazines (ranked)

1) Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4 GEN M3 (30-round) - Best overall

Why: The PMAG 30 Gen M3 is the standard for a reason... impact/crush-resistant polymer, anti-tilt follower, stainless spring, proven across commercial, LE and military use. It balances price, reliability, and compatibility. 

Pros: Extremely reliable; durable polymer; widely available; inexpensive in bulk.
Cons: Polymer critics prefer metal for long-term storage (but PMAGs are designed for longevity).
Typical cost (2025): $12–$16 each (street price; sales often lower). 

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2) Lancer L5AWM (30-round) — Best translucent / combat-oriented polymer mag

Why: Lancer’s L5 AWM series brought welded steel feed lips and a translucent body for ammo checks; strong performance and competitive pricing make it a common choice. 

Pros: Welded steel feed lips (less dimpling), translucent options, competitively priced.
Cons: Slightly higher MSRP than PMAGs in some SKUs; some colors/variants rotate in/out of stock.
Typical cost (2025): $13–$20 each depending on model/color. GunMag Warehouse

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3) DURAMAG (aluminum or stainless AR-15 30-round) — Best metal option

Why: DuraMag’s aluminum / stainless designs are excellent if you prefer metal magazines (minimal flex, good feed geometry). Favored by some precision shooters and units that want metal construction. 

Pros: Very stiff (no flex), durable finish options, good for long-term loaded storage.
Cons: Heavier than polymer; can be noisier; price varies by finish and material.
Typical cost (2025): $20–$35 depending on material and finish. 

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4) HEXMAG Series 2 (30-round) — Best mid-range polymer with grip texture

Why: Hexmag’s honeycomb texture (HEXTURE) and polymer formula make a very usable, budget-friendly mag that feeds reliably for most shooters. 

Pros: Good grip texture, economical, translucent/colored options.
Cons: Not as battle-proven as PMAG in some niche platforms; some users report occasional fitment quirks on oddball uppers.
Typical cost (2025): $9–$15 each. 

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5) ETS Gen-2 Nylon (30-round) — Best budget but capable option

Why: ETS magazines give strong value — nylon polymer construction, reliable springs/followers, and a very attractive price for range use and backups. 

Pros: Affordable, decent reliability straight from the box, often sold in multipacks.
Cons: Budget polymer — while good, they aren’t as bomb-proof as PMAG or Lancer for heavy combat use.
Typical cost (2025): $8–$14 each. 

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Top 5 AR-10 / SR-25 Magazines (ranked)

Note: AR-10 uses a different (SR-25/large-frame) magazine pattern — always confirm your lower/upper pattern before buying.

1) Magpul PMAG 25 / PMAG 25 M118 LR/SR GEN M3 (25-round) — Best overall AR-10 magazine

Why: Magpul’s SR-25/AR-10 PMAGs bring the same reliability to .308/7.62 platforms: polymer body, anti-tilt follower, and excellent feed geometry for common match and factory ammo. Widely recommended. 

Pros: Proven reliability; polymer light weight vs steel; windowed options for round count.
Cons: Slightly higher per-mag cost than some cheap polymer or steel options.
Typical cost (2025): $24–$30 each (25-round windowed variants ~$24.95 list).

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2) Lancer L7AWM (20-round) — Best AR-10 translucent / advanced warfighter mag

Why: Lancer’s L7 adapts L5 features to SR-25/AR-10 patterns: hardened steel feed lips, switchable drain floorplate, and excellent fitment. Great for tactical use and compatibility across many large-frame rifles. 

Pros: Strong feed lips, translucent bodies for ammo checks, switchable drain lock.
Cons: Pricier than basic steel mags.
Typical cost (2025): $45–$60 each (20-round variants commonly ~$45–$55). 

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3) DURAMAG SS (20-round stainless steel) — Best metal AR-10 magazine

Why: DuraMag’s SR-25 / AR-10 stainless steel magazines are popular with precision shooters — stainless construction, LipLock geometry, and finishes that hold up. Good option for long-term storage and heavy use. 

Pros: Extremely durable, reliable feeding, good finishes (T-360).
Cons: Heavier; some shooters prefer polymer for lighter carry.
Typical cost (2025): $25–$35 each for 20-round SS mags. 

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4) Magpul PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 (20-round) — Best lower-capacity/long-rounds mag

Why: For shooters using longer match bullets or who want a compact 20-round magazine, Magpul’s 20 LR/SR is a top choice — designed for SR-25/M110 pattern and more forgiving with longer COAL (cartridge overall length). 

Pros: Designed for long rounds; lightweight; reliable.
Cons: Lower capacity vs 25s/30s; price per round higher.
Typical cost (2025): $22–$30 each. 

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5) ProMag / economy high-capacity AR-10 mags (30–40+ rounds) — Best cheap capacity option (range fun)

Why: If you want cheap, high-capacity polymer AR-10 mags, some ProMag offerings and other economy brands exist. They’re inexpensive and offer big capacity, but reputation and fitment vary more than the big-brand options. Use for range fun, not duty. 

Pros: Cheap; high capacity options (30–40+).
Cons: Fitment and long-term reliability can be inconsistent; heavy when loaded.
Typical cost (2025): $15–$40 depending on capacity and brand. 

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Comparison Chart — Pros / Cons / Typical Cost

Prices are typical street ranges observed in 2025 (check current listings — sales and retailer stock change often). Each major product line’s page or major retailers were used for reference. 

AR-15 Magazines — at a glance

AR-10 / SR-25 Magazines — at a glance

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Buying tips & compatibility checklist

1. Confirm pattern — AR-15 mags (5.56/.223) do not fit AR-10 / SR-25 pattern rifles. Check your rifle’s magazine pattern (SR-25/DPMS/AR-10). 

2. Match ammo length for AR-10 mags — If you shoot long-COAL match bullets, prefer LR/SR-rated PMAGs or mags specifically rated for longer rounds. 

3. Buy at least one trusted brand for primary use (Magpul, Lancer, Duramag) and use cheaper mags for backups/range only if budget dictates. 

4. Test mags in your rifle — even top brands can have occasional fitment quirks with aftermarket lowers; always function-test new mags with the ammo you plan to use. 

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Final recommendation

For most shooters: stock up on Magpul PMAGs for AR-15 (30-round Gen M3) and AR-10 (25- or 20-round LR/SR variants) as your primary mags. Add Lancer mags if you want translucent bodies and hardened feed lips. Keep a couple of Duramag metal mags if you prefer metal construction or long-term stored loaded magazines. Use ETS/Hexmag/ProMag for inexpensive range spares when appropriate.