If you’re in the market for a new compound bow, you might have noticed there are numerous brands and models on the market. You want to choose one that will deliver the best experience at the best price, but what makes a compound bow good? Which is the best compound bow?
Our Top Pick
If we had to pick just one for general use, we would recommend the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro. This compound bow excels at all aspects. Besides being competitively priced, it is also lightweight. It boasts 310, making it one of the fastest and accurate compound bow on the market today. This is going to be able to handle hunting, target practice, and anything else you want.
Best Compound Bow Reviews
Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro
When it comes to value, though, the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro hits the bullseye. It may not be the fastest, but it is our pick for the best compound bow for the buck.
Key Features
- Weight: 3.2 lbs.
- Draw length: 13-31 inches
- Speed: 310 FPS
- Brace height: 7 inches
- Axle length: 31 inches
- Draw weight: 5-70 lbs.
- Let off: 80 percent
The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro is ideal for both shooting and hunting. It offers excellent adjustability to cater to your development needs. With a draw length adjustment of 13 to 31 inches and draw weight adjustment of 5 to 70 pounds, the Infinite Edge Pro is an excellent option for younger archers.
That also makes it a compound bow you can grow old with. It fires arrows at up to 310 fps with excellent accuracy. It measures 31.5 inches from one axle to the other, delivering an 80 percent let off. With this, you’ll have an easier time holding full draw when the need arises.
Pros
- Great for kids, thanks to the lightweight.
- Smooth release
- Powerful and accurate
- Easy to maintain
- Great aesthetic appearance
- Valuable features like three-pin sight, string loop, peep, and arrow rest
Cons
- Arrow rest not of good quality
- Quite challenging to snap arrows into the quiver
The accessories that come with the Infinite Edge Pro leave a bit to be desired, but at this price point, that accessories are even included is impressive. This bow is a bargain with better-than-expected quality.
Southland Archery Supply (SAS) Rage 70 lb. Compound Bow
If you are working with a tight budget and want a compound bow that can get the job done, you might look at the SAS Rage. It is an excellent alternative to the Infinite Edge Pro and comes in as runner up. It may be a budget bow, but it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance and accuracy.
Key Features
- Weight: 4.4 lbs.
- Draw Length: 26-30 inches
- Draw Weight: 55-70 lbs.
- Speed: 270 FPS
- Axle Length: 35 inches
- Let Off: 70 percent
The SAS Rage comes with a lightweight riser that features cut-outs, together with a comfortable grip and compressed ABS limbs that make it sturdy and durable. This one boasts laudable quietness and accuracy. Southland archery compound bow has perfect draw length and weight.
It also has a heavy draw weight, ranging from 55 pounds to 70 pounds. If you are a novice, you would want to adjust the draw weight to 55 pounds. Unfortunately, the SAS rage is not ideal for children, thanks to its high-draw weight.
Nonetheless, it’s a great pick if you don’t mind the absence of various sophisticated features.
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Robust construction with aluminum
- Lightweight
- Highly customizable
- Lightweight
- Easy to draw and aim
Cons
- 270 FPS may be weak depending on the purpose
- Heavier compared to competitors
- Only right-handed version available
- Can be very loud
The SAS Rage is a great bow—for a particular demographic. If you aren’t a right-handed, adult male, chances are this isn’t the bow for you, and even then, you might find it a bit on the weak side for its weight.
Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Compound Bow
Here’s a compound bow that can be used by both beginners and pros, children and adults, male or female. You can credit that to its vast range of draw weight. The Bear Archery Cruzer G2 is also a great pick if you are looking for a compound that you can use straight from the box.
Key Features
- Weight: 3 lbs.
- Draw Weight: 5-70 lbs.
- Draw length: 12 – 30 inches
- Axle Length: 30 inches
- Speed: 315 FPS
- Let-off: 70 percent
- Available for both right- and left-hand users
The Bear Archery Cruzer G2 is made of aluminum. That makes it a lightweight yet durable compound bow. It’s easy to carry around and can withstand the harsh conditions of the wild.
This bow fires arrows at 310 fps. You can adjust it for draw lengths from 12 to 30 inches and draw weights from 5 to 70 pounds. Another remarkable feature of the Cruzer G2 is the unique grip design, which minimizes hand torque.
Hand torque is a situation where the bow tilts a little to the side when you’re holding it. Shooting an arrow in this situation increases the likelihood of missing your target. With the special grip design, you’ll shoot straight quite naturally, without the hand torque problem. If this bow is very complex then try a good recurve bow for hunting which is more simpler and straight forward.
It’s beginner-friendly. It is also versatile and can adapt to various situations you may encounter in your hunting expeditions. The Cruzer G2 also allows for customization. That makes it a bow that you can grow with, as you mature and as you advance your skills. This compound bow is in a perfect price range.
Pros
- Ideal for both novices and veterans
- Sturdy and fast
- Lightweight and durable
- Comes ready to use
- High-quality accessories
Cons
- Expensive compared to others in its class
- Doesn’t come with arrows
The Cruzer G2 is an excellent pick if you’re gifting it and don’t know the specifics of the receipting well enough to know, for instance, their ideal draw length.
Raptor Compound Hunting Bows Kit
The Raptor Hunting Compound bow does an impressive job not only at hunting but also at target practice and competitions. It is equipped with features that make it sturdy, fast, and accurate. The Raptor also can penetrate your target effectively, making it an excellent choice for game hunting.
Key Features
- Speed: 315 FPS
- Axle Length: 30 inches
- Draw weight: 30 – 70 lbs.
- Draw length: 24.5 – 31 inches
- Let-off: 75 percent
- Right-hand option only
- Built with aluminum and fiberglass
- Ready to shoot
A good compound bow should have a well-designed arrow rest and stabilizers to promote accuracy and effectiveness. The Raptor is equipped with a whisker biscuit arrow rest. The bow string length is perfect.
Whisker biscuit arrow rests are easy to use and dependable. They are ideal for sharpshooters. While they effectively hold the arrow in place, they also release it without any resistance.
The Raptor also comes with stabilizers. These help to minimize vibration, rotation, and the bow’s kick. With a minimum draw weight of 30 lbs., the Raptor may not be a good choice if you are a beginner. Nonetheless, you can use it for hunting in any weather condition.
The bow’s riser and cams are built with aluminum, and it has fiberglass limbs. The result is a robust, lightweight, and exceptionally durable compound bow.
Another remarkable feature of the Raptor is the 315 FPS speed. This rating makes it one of the fastest bows you can get for the price. With this speed, you get to enjoy impressive accuracy and effective penetration. You’ll be more likely to hit and take down your target.
Pros
- Versatile
- Sturdy and durable
- Exceptionally accurate
- Great value for money
Cons
- Available for right-hand users only
Aside from showing no love to lefties, there isn’t much not to like about this bow.
Genesis Original Compound Bow
If you’re looking for a compound bow for kids, the Genesis Original will meet your needs effectively. The Genesis is the official bow for the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). It excels in strength and reliability.
Key Features
- Weight: 3.5 lbs.
- Draw Weight: 10-20 lbs.
- Draw Length: 15-30 inches
- Axle Length: 35.5 inches
- Brace Height: 7 5/8 inches
With Genesis, you don’t need to waste time setting up and tuning the bow. You can shoot with it straight out of the box. The most remarkable thing about the Genesis compound bow is that it works well for beginners, adults, and children. It is designed to minimize the recoil and noise during shooting.
It has no fixed draw length, so your children will grow with it. This model can also help you save money in the long run as you won’t need to purchase a new bow as you advance your skills.
The Genesis bow is made of machined aluminum. That makes it lightweight to easily carry around and strong enough to withstand harsh conditions you may expose it to while hunting. Your child can also carry it quite effortlessly.
Another great attribute of this bow is that it features a molded grip for easy handling. It also comes with a lower mount stainless steel wire guard and a flipper arrow rest. The Genesis is drilled and tapped, allowing you to add more accessories to enrich your archery experience.
What I don’t like about this bow is that it is not equipped with compound bow sights. Another major disadvantage is that you can’t adjust the mounting to suit your personal needs. Nonetheless, the Genesis Original Bow is a great pick for children and a best beginner compound bow.
Pros
- The NASP official bow
- Lightweight
- Comes ready to use
- Competitively priced
- Allows for both right-hand and left-hand use
- Adjustable draw weight
Cons
- You have to purchase arrows and sight separately
While this is probably our top pick for kids, adults may find it a bit lacking due to its lack of versatility and sight.
Leader Accessories 30-55 LBS Complete Compound Bow
Here’s another one that you can use straight from the box. The Leader Accessories Complete Compound Bow doesn’t require any assembly. You simply need to put on the bow rest and arrow sight, and you’re good to go.
Key Features
- Draw Weight: 30 – 55 lbs.
- Draw Length: 19 – 29 inches
- Brace Height: 7 inches
- Axle Length: 28 inches
- Speed: 296 FPS
- Let Off: 70 percent
- Complete set of archery kits
- Right-hand shooting only
The Leader Accessories bow is another option that offers excellent value. The bow’s riser is made of aluminum with cut-outs to minimize weight. However, you may still find the bow heavy if you have to hold it for a prolonged period.
It is ideal for adult beginners. The 30 – 55 pounds adjustable draw weight can be too heavy for kids. This compound bow can fire arrows at speeds as high as 296 FPS. That makes it a great option if you’re looking for a hunting bows.
With circular-shaped cams, the Leader Accessories is one of the smoothest compound bows to draw. The bow’s draw length ranges from 19 to 29 inches. You can easily adjust it to suit your size.
One thing I don’t like about this is that the string is quite loud as This can undermine your success when it comes to game hunting. You may need to add a stabilizer or best compound bow string to minimize the noise.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great price for the quality
- Sturdy construction and parts
- Adaptable for bow fishing
- Sensitive release aid
- Drop-away arrow rest
Cons
- Stabilizer not included
- Quiver not included
- A high string noise level
- Can be very heavy for kids to draw
Essentially a beginner’s bow for adults, the Leader Accessories bow is a great choice if you’re not so sure you want to stick with archery or don’t use your bow often.
PSE Carbon Air Stealth Compound Bow
Featuring Evolve Cam System, the PSE Carbon Air Stealth compound hunting bows with compound bow draw is of the most outstanding carbon bows you can get. The Evolve Cams are impressively efficient with a speed rating of 342 FPS and a 90 percent let-off. It will be a great pick if you are planning to hunt from a stand.
Key Features
- Weight: 3.2 lbs.
- Draw Weight: 30 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 24 – 29.5 inches
- Brace height: 5.9 inches
- Axle Length: 33 inches
- Let-Off: 80 – 90 percent
- Speed: up to 342 FPS
The Carbon Air Stealth has an aluminum riser and hardware made of titanium. This lightweight-combo makes it one of the lightest bows on the market.
Weighing a little over three pounds, you can lug this baby around all day without significant strain. Another remarkable attribute of the lightweight bow is the 90 percent let-off. It concentrates all the energy behind the arrow when it doesn’t need to move heavy limbs.
What I don’t like about the Carbon Air Stealth is that the great let-off comes with a lot of vibration. That makes the bow somewhat uncomfortable to shoot. It is also one of the most expensive models.
Nonetheless, it is worth the price, thanks to its valuable features and efficiency.
Pros
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Powerful with amazing let-off
- Very fast and accurate
Cons
- Expensive
- High vibrations
- Quite loud for hunting
While exceptionally lightweight, the Carbon Air Stealth may not offer stable or quiet enough shots for hunting purposes.
Bear Archery Cruzer 70 LBS
Looking for a light, quiet, and flexible compound bow designed for women? Then you might want to look at what Bear Archery Cruzer H has to offer.
Key Features
- Weight: 3.6 lbs.
- Draw Weight: 5-70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 12-30 inches
- Brace Height: 6.5 inches
- Axle Length: 32 inches
- Speed: 310
- Let-off: 75 percent
With the Cruzer H, you’ll avoid the challenges that come with fixed draw weights and lengths. This compound bow allows you to adjust these attributes to suit your shooting ability. You can also acquire this bow for your son or daughter if you don’t want to get them a new bow every year as they grow.
This bow can grow with them. It also features an advanced grip design, which promotes accuracy. Adding to the accuracy is the absence of hand torque. The grip is exceptionally comfortable, making it gentle on your hands.
Another remarkable thing about this bow is that you may not need to purchase additional accessories once you purchase it. It comes ready to use, with stabilizer, arrow rest, peep sight, and a D-loop.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Smooth draw cycle ideal for women of all ages
- Comes with valuable accessories
- Minimum adjustable weight of 5lbs. makes it excellent for kids
- It comes with a quiver, offset spring suppressors, Whisker Biscuit arrow-rest, wrist strap, and Trophy Ridge sight.
Cons
- Reasonably priced for its features and accessories
- May be difficult to set up for a beginner
The Cruzer H takes our pick as the best compound hunting bows for women. It’s also a great choice for children, but they may need help with setup.
Siege SAS 55 LBs 29-inch Compound Bow
With 29-inches draw length, the Siege SAS is one of the options if you’re just getting started with bow shooting. The Siege SAS is designed to offer both aesthetics and cutting-edge functionality at an affordable price.
Key Features
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Draw Weight: 40-55 lbs.
- Draw Length: 29 inches
- Axle Length: 41.5 inches
- Let-Off: 70 percent
- Speed: 206 FPS
This compound bow features a strong piece of a layered limb that delivers a draw weight of up to 55 pounds. You’ll need about 40 to 55 pounds to draw the bow. That means whether you’re a veteran with strong muscles or you’re just getting started with bow hunting, you can use the SAS Siege comfortably and effectively.
The bow fires arrows at speeds of up to 206 FPS, which is also great for beginners. It also features a five-pin bow sight mounted on its riser. With this feature, you can easily tell where the arrow will hit.
The sights are designed to handle 50 to 60 yards. That makes it ideal for both trophy hunting and competitive archery. The SAS Siege also has back-pivoting limb pockets, which play a great role in holding and protecting the bow’s innovative limbs.
Despite its great attributes, it’s not without some shortcomings. For example, the arrow rest is made of poor quality plastic, and it can rip the fletching off your arrows. To avoid this problem, you should consider investing in arrows with feathers.
Pros
- Great price for a beginner compound bow
- Stylish design
- Compressed ABS Limbs for improved lifespan
- Adjustable bow sight
Cons
- Poor quality accessories
- Right-hand only
This bow is another great option for beginners—so long as you are right handed and have the budget for better accessories.
PSE Prophecy 70 Lbs. Skullworks
If you are looking for the fastest compound bow, you might want to look at PSE Prophecy 70-Pound Skullworks has to offer. With this compound bow, you get power, speed, and value in one package.
Check out this video introduction:
Key Features
- Weight: 4.1 lbs
- Speed: 340 FPS
- Draw Length: 25-33 inches
- Draw Weight: 60-70lbs
- Brace Height: 6 inches
- Axle Length: 32 inches
- Let Off: 75 percent
Designed to fire arrows at 340 FPS, the PSE Prophecy 70-Pound Skullworks is one of the fastest compound bows you can get on the market today. This speed is attributed to PSE past-parallel limb technology, which facilitates a powerful release of arrows.
It’s single cam configuration also enriches its power. This compound bow is made of aircraft grade aluminum. That makes it sturdy to stand beatings in the wild and lightweight to carry around for prolonged periods.
For increased performance, the PSE Prophecy utilizes the PSE’s Raptor grip, which is an exceptionally sturdy fit for virtually all sizes of hands. This bow is also equipped with a Planar Flex riser as well as the Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity design.
What I don’t like about this bow is that while it is one of the fastest single cam bows, it is neither the sturdiest nor the most affordable. There are much better options, but you may have to pay more for them.
Pros
- Equipped with valuable accessories like Aries Sight, Flextech Stabilizer, Peep Sight, Nock Loop, and PSE Neoprene Sling.
- Exceptionally accurate
- Smooth draw
- 60-pound draw weight is manageable for every hunter – novice or veteran
- Versatile – ideal for hunting all sizes of game.
Cons
- Has some kick
- Not a great choice for beginners
If you want a quick-draw bow, this is the one, and we feel it offers the best all-around value, but treat it with care—this is not the most durable bow on the market.
Now that we shared our top picks, let’s look at how we picked them.
What to Consider When Buying a Compound Bow
Ranging from the type to price, there are several factors to consider when choosing a compound bow, including:
- Type of compound bow
- Your dominant eye
- Arrow speed
- Adjustability
- Technical aspects like axle length, draw length, brace height, and draw weight
- Your budget
Type of Compound Bow
There are four types of compound bows. They’re categorized based on their cam configuration. The cam is an integral component of any compound bow design since it plays a significant role in the storage of draw weight in the limbs of the bow.
Here are the compound bow types:
- Single Cam – Also referred to as solocam or one-cam bows, single cam bows feature a circular idler wheel at the top. They have an elliptical-shaped power cam at the bottom. The best thing about single cam compound bows is that they are easy to use.
They also produce less noise, making them a great choice for game hunting. However, they can be quite tricky to tune or tweak.
- Twin Cam – A twin cam compound bow is equipped with two cams on both ends. The cams may be circular or elliptical. These types of compound bows are characterized by excellent accuracy, great velocity, and level nock travel. Their major downside is their intricate design, which results in the need for frequent tweaking and maintenance.
- Binary Cams – Binary cam compound bows feature a cutting-edge three-groove twin-cam design. The bottom and top cams are slaved to each other rather than on the bow’s limbs. This type of bow is characterized by exceptionally high velocity and level nock travel.
Like the twin cam, however, the binary cam features a complicated design that may need frequent tuning and maintenance.
- Hybrid Cams – Hybrid cam compound bows are equipped double asymmetrically-elliptical cams. They have a control cam at the top and a power cam at the bottom. The best thing about hybrid cams is that they are easy to tune and require minimal maintenance.
Their major downside is that they are characterized by reduced nock travel.
Dominant Eye
You can learn to shoot with your non-dominant hand – left hand if you’re right eye dominant. However, working with your dominant eye will generally deliver better results.
How do you determine your dominant eye?
Stretch your arm and aim your index finger at an object about 10 feet away. Then close your left eye. If your finger remains pointing at the object, you are right–eye dominant.
Next, open your eyes and close your right eye. If you’re indeed right-eye dominant, your finger will now be pointing to the object’s right side. If the contrary happens, then you are left-eye dominant.
You should go for a compound bow that matches your dominant eye as your brain will usually seek important information from that eye.
Arrow Speed
It is crucial to consider the arrow speed your desired compound bow produces. This point is especially important if you are a hunter. Today’s compound bows are designed to shoot bows at about 222 feet per second (fps) to 300 fps.
To choose the perfect bow for your needs, you should understand the significance of arrow speed. A faster bow, for example, shoots flatter making it easier for you to aim within ranges below 40 yards.
That means, if you’re a hunter, you don’t have to rely so much on guesswork when it comes to estimating distance. A faster bow can also penetrate the target shooting object effectively. Penetration is important when it comes it to hunting large game. It will help you take down an animal effectively and humanely.
Another great attribute of faster bows is that they close the gap between you and your target much faster. Conversely, slower bows usually are easier to draw.
They’re also more comfortable to shoot, which can translate to better accuracy during the shot. Slower bows are typically quieter compared to their fast counterparts.
Technical Aspects
There are several technical considerations to make when choosing a compound bow as well. These aspects can drastically affect the performance your bow offers for your preferred task.
- Axle length – This is the overall length of the compound bow. If you’re a beginner in bow hunting, a bow with a long axle length would be your ideal option. These bows are easier to shoot.
Conversely, shorter bows are somewhat more challenging to shoot. You’ll need to put more effort into practicing to use them. Nonetheless, short bows are usually a favorite for hunters who hunt from tree stands.
- Draw length – This is the distance from the grip to the bowstring when the bow is fully drawn. It’s advisable to go for relatively short draw length. Excessive draw length can undermine your speed and accuracy.
- Brace Height – This is the distance from the grip to the bowstring when the bow is not drawn. If you want a faster bow, you should go for a lower brace height. However, you may have a hard time shooting with this option.
A higher brace height may be slower, but it is much easier to shoot with. It’s advisable to try several different braces heights and choose one that works for you best.
- Draw weight – This is the amount of effort you need to get your bow to full draw. It’s expressed in pounds. If you prefer a faster bow, then a bow with a higher draw weight would be your ideal choice. You should invest in a compound bow you can pull back slowly and smoothly without strain.
The chart below can help you determine the ideal draw weight for you based on your age, gender, and skills.
| Person | Weight (Pounds) | Draw Weight (Pounds) |
| Children | 50-70 | 10-15 |
| Children | 70-100 | 15-25 |
| Adults | 100-130 | 30-40 |
| Adults | 130-150 | 40-50 |
| Men (Target) | 150-180 | 40-55 |
| Men (Bowhunting or 3D hunting) | 150-180 | 50-65 |
| Muscular builds | At least 180lbs | 60-70 |
- Overall Bow Weight – This is an important consideration if you are looking to use your compound bow for hunting. While lighter bows usually are easier to carry around, they can be louder as they vibrate more.
Conversely, heavier bows are generally cumbersome to carry around. However, they are relatively quiet as they are effective in absorbing vibration. It’s up to you to choose what works for you best.
Type of Fletch
The fletch is the feather at the arrow’s end. It may be hand-made or machine manufactured. They’re available in a selection of plastic vanes or parabolic feathers. Plastic vanes are typically more durable.
Feathers, on the other hand, can get splayed and some parts may get lost during the shooting. You’ll need to invest in a large quiver to ensure the arrows stay apart. You don’t want the feather fletches to catch together and get damaged before you even use your arrows.
If you’re a beginner archer with little experience on taking care of your arrows, you would be better off with plastic vane fletchers. You should realize, however, that feathers fly faster and more accurately.
Adjustability
As is the case when choosing a crossbow, something else to look out for when evaluating compound bow reviews is the adjustability of the bow. If you’re a fully grown adult, you don’t need a bow with a wide adjustable range. Once you’ve got your general draw weight, there’s a good chance you won’t tune it a lot.
Conversely, if you are still growing, you should choose a compound bow that is designed to grow with you. For example, you can get a compound bow that adjusts in draw length from 13 inches to 30 inches and from 5 pounds to 70 pounds draw weight.
Your Budget
Compound bows vary in price, ranging from $50 to over $1,500. Your budget will determine the type and quality of compound bow you get. Usually, higher-priced compound bows are designed to be more durable and to achieve higher arrow speeds.
Conversely, low-priced options frequently feature cheap, poor-quality components. These components are more prone to breaking from the stress the bows are exposed to during the draw and release process. Therefore, if you’re looking to use your compound bow regularly, it would be a good idea to avoid the very cheap models.
These are some of the crucial things you’ll need to look out for when shopping for a compound bow. If you follow this guide, there’s a high chance you’ll have a great experience from your chosen compound bow. Now that you know how to select the right compound bow for your needs, let’s explore some of the top-rated options available on the market today.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing a compound bow can be an involving process. When looking for your compound bow, focus on determining how your desired bow will suit your personal needs.
There are numerous options available on the market to choose from. Whether you want the best bow for the money, a bow designed for women, a versatile bow that is ideal for everyone, or otherwise, we hope these compound bow reviews will help you find just what you’re looking for. If you are looking for a good crossbow then check this article on our crossbow reviews.
Great Aiden, you have included the best info in your article. I am left handed, I think Diamond Archery best for me. thanks for your suggestion