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Best Bows for Easy Draw and Release

  1. Diamond Razor Edge Bow
  2. New Bear Archery Species RTH Compound Bow 7
  3. Hoyt Carbon Element RKT Bow
  4. Mission Venture Compound Bow
  5. BowTech Invasion CPX Bow
  6. Darton Serpent Crossbow
  7. Maximus Ergo 175 Crossbow
  8. Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR Bow
  9. Barnett HyperTac 420 | Lightweight & Ultra-Compact Cross Bow
  10. RealTree 39-4002 Crossbow and 10 Arrow Bow
  11. PSE Mustang Recurve Bow
  12. Bear Archery Supermag 48 Recurve Bow
  13. Ragim Impala Deluxe Take-Down Recurve Bow
  14. Martin Mamba Recurve Bow
  15. PSE Coyote Recurve Bow
  16. Fred Bear Montana Longbow
  17. PSE Legacy Longbow
  18. Martin Archery L-100 Longbow
  19. PSE Wolverine Longbow
  20. PSE Sequoia Longbow
  21. Bear Brave 3 Youth Compound Bow Package
  22. Titan Recurve Youth Bow
  23. PSE Razorback Jr. Recurve Bow
  24. Martin Tiger Youth Bow
  25. Barnett Tomcat Youth Bow
  26. Buyer's Guide

The most common bows for hunting and target shooting fall into one of four types: longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows. Because of their size, longbows are relatively difficult to draw, but you can generate a lot of power. Recurve and compound bows can be loaded quickly and a skilled archer can attain a high rate of fire. While crossbows are known for their accuracy, the loading process takes some time and practice. Also, crossbows have more moving parts than recurve bows so they usually require more maintenance. Any of the best bows in 2022 has their own set of strengths and weaknesses, so the correct choice for you will be based on how you intend to use it. Read on to find our favorite bows of this year along with a buyer's guide.

Comparing the Best Bows of 2022

Diamond Razor Edge Bow - Best Bow Overall

Diamond's Razor Edge Compound Bow is a single cam design. This design technology gives you a quieter bow with fewer maintenance requirements. The machined aluminum risers and noise dampening InVelvet coating ensures smooth operation. The modular and rotating mod adjustment systems allow you to make easy corrections to maximize accuracy. This is a well made bow that combines ease of use and accuracy.

New Bear Archery Species RTH Compound Bow 7 - Runner Up

Measuring 32" from axle to axle, Bear's Carnage compound Bow offers a compact design. However, the smooth draw and reliability means it will not short change you with its performance. Pre-Load Quad Limbs gives this bow added power. The lightweight skeleton cam allows it to have a total weight of only 4 lbs. The Carnage bow gives you power and performance in a compact package.

best Hoyt Carbon Element RKT Bow

Hoyt Carbon Element RKT Bow - Honorable Mention

The trademarked RKT cam with ErgoDraw technology gives Hoyt's Carbon Element Compound bow a very smooth draw. A smooth draw is important because it makes it easier to use and helps you make more accurate shots. The 5 layer laminated XTS PRO ARC limbs give you strength and reliability you need. At 32" from axel to axel you get big performance with a bow that is easy to handle. Hoyt has combined trademarked technology with solid design principles to produce an effective compound bow.

best Mission Venture Compound Bow

Mission Venture Compound Bow - Consider

Mission's Venture compound bow features the Voyager single cam design. Like other single cam bows, this one allows you to spend less time on maintenance than with comparable dual cam bows. At 30.25" from axle to axle, this is the most compact bow on the list. However, its draw weight is a manageable 35-70 lbs. Extra string suppression and a roller guard makes this bow very quiet, so it will not scare game away.

best BowTech Invasion CPX Bow

BowTech Invasion CPX Bow - Best Compound Bow

The Invasion CPX from BowTech uses a technology it calls the OverDrive Binary Cam System. This design can increase your rate of fire while at the same time reducing unwanted noise and vibrations. When you combine the draw weight 50, 60, 70, 80 with an axle to axle measurement of 31-1/32" you get a bow that easy to handle. Accuracy is the bottom line in archery. BowTech's invasion delivers accuracy you need to make the most of every shot.

best Darton Serpent Crossbow

Darton Serpent Crossbow - Best Crossbow

At only 22" from tip to tip Darton's Serpent Crossbow offers a compact design. The draw weight is 170 lbs. but its smooth operations means you may decide you do not need a cocking aid. A quiet crossbow can be almost as important as an accurate one. Keeping this in mind the Serpent offers an integrated riser and string suppressor as well as a barrel dampener. These features do you good job of minimizing noise and vibration.

best Maximus Ergo 175 Crossbow

Maximus Ergo 175 Crossbow - Best Crossbow

The ergonomic features of the Maximus Ergo 175 make it a user-friendly crossbow. It has a 150 lb. draw weight and a rope cocking aid if you need it. Features like the handshake grip, 90 degree butt plate make the Maximus Ergo a natural and comfortable fit. It also has a patented Max-Lite grade trigger with an pull of 2.5 lbs. The ambidextrous safety is accessible for both right and left handed hunters.

Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR Bow - Best Crossbow

The aluminum trigger guard and the machined aluminum barrel of PSE's Crossfire crossbow help make it a strong and lightweight tool. Safety features like the reliable arrow hold down and ambidextrous safety lever make this crossbow a good selection for new hunters. A molded stock with a thumbhole grip gives you a comfortable and secure hold. You can get considerable accuracy with the Viper 4x32 multi-reticle scope. It attaches to the crossbow's fixed mount metal scope rail.

Barnett HyperTac 420 | Lightweight & Ultra-Compact Cross Bow - Best Crossbow

Horton's Team Realtree Ultra-Lite Express Crossbow has features that make it an easy to use and reliable crossbow. The aircraft grade aluminum riser and forged aluminum stirrup provide light weight performance. Hunters can adjust the Over-molded fore end to suit their individual preferences. The SIMS sound stumper arms dampen the sounds so you can take shots with less chance of scaring game away. This is a hunter friendly crossbow that is easy to carry and use to use.

RealTree 39-4002 Crossbow and 10 Arrow Bow - Best Crossbow

The Diamond 12 Strykezone 350 Treestand crossbow has a very light draw weight of 135 lbs. Add to this an axle to ale measurement of only 19.5" and you have a very manageable crossbow. safety is a top priority with this crossbow which is reflected in the decision to have an Auto-Flip magnetic safety as well as a Cease-Fire loading safety. The Strykezone's kill switch trigger is smooth and fast. Hunters will appreciate the light touch that helps improve accuracy

PSE Mustang Recurve Bow - Best Recurve Bow

The Mustang recurve bow from PSE has all the features that make this type of bow a good choice to bring into the woods. The simplicity and reliability of the bow makes it well-suited for new archers. Its relatively compact size at 60" it is compact enough for easy carrying. However, its shape efficiently transfers energy to the arrow for better velocity. It has an easy three-piece takedown for convenient storage. The handle and limbs are made from durable woods so you will have this bow for a long time.

best Bear Archery Supermag 48 Recurve Bow

Bear Archery Supermag 48 Recurve Bow - Best Recurve Bow

At only 48", Bear's Supermag 48 Recurve Bow is one of the most compact bows around. This makes it a user-friendly choice for trips to the range or into the woods. When you are in the woods the Supermag's accuracy will not disappoint. The maple construction with black fiberglass backing means it is as sturdy as it is good looking. With Fast Flight string on the bow you get smooth, efficient operation so you can take more shots.

best Ragim Impala Deluxe Take-Down Recurve Bow

Ragim Impala Deluxe Take-Down Recurve Bow - Best Recurve Bow

A walnut laminated riser and a laminated walnut grip make Ragim's Impala recurve bow a handsome tool. This bow looks good, but it also delivers on performance. Brass bushings and pins ensure smooth operation between the clear glass limbs and the riser. You can also improve your accuracy by adding a sight to the brass insert that is provided. With features like easy draw weights and quality construction the Impala is an all-around good bow.

Martin Mamba Recurve Bow - Best Recurve Bow

The 58" Mamba recurve bow from Martin is their most compact choice. At less than 2 lbs., it is a light and easy bow to handle in the woods. This makes it a good choice for experienced as well as new archers. The riser is made from Bubinga and Shedua and the limbs are hard Maple for sturdiness and strength. This is a bow that combines, compactness, quality and reliability.

best PSE Coyote Recurve Bow

PSE Coyote Recurve Bow - Best Recurve Bow

The PSE Coyote recurve bow has a number of features that make it a good shooting bow that can appeal to archers of different skill level. Wood limbs and a machined aluminum riser give you the sturdiness you want without adding unnecessary weight. The take-down design makes it a convenient bow to carry and store. A dacron bowstring will give you reliable performance arrow after arrow. The comfortable plastic grip helps you stabilize and aim the Coyote with consistent accuracy.

Fred Bear Montana Longbow - Best Long Bow

The Montana Longbow from Fred Bear offers a Reflex/Deflex design. It reduces hand shock so fatigue is decreased and accuracy is increased. The leather grip and arrow shelf gives you durability you can count on. This bow is available in both right handed and left handed models.

PSE Legacy Longbow - Best Long Bow

The 68" legacy longbow from PSE is powerful bow that can achieve arrow velocities greater than many other longbows. This bow is constructed from a combination of Cherry, Black Walnut and Maple which gives it a distinct look as well as durability. Fiberglass is incorporated into the construction for added strength. The legacy uses the Reflex/Deflex design to suppress the shock associated with a big, powerful bow.

best Martin Archery L-100 Longbow

Martin Archery L-100 Longbow - Best Long Bow

You do not need a lot of extras to have an accurate and reliable bow. Martin's L-100 Longbow has a durable and basic design that is a good choice for archers new to longbows. At 62" it is a little shorter than many longbows so it can be can be a good fit with archers with a smaller stature. With a Walnut riser and fiberglass and hardwood limbs this bow will hold up for a long time.

best PSE Wolverine Longbow

PSE Wolverine Longbow - Best Long Bow

The PSE Wolverine Longbow is the shortest bow on the list. At 60" it is a good choice for smaller people or people with small hands. the relatively easy draw weights of 25, 30 and 35 lbs. are also well-suited for smaller people and novices. It is made from Rosewood and Walnut with Maple limbs for strength and durability.

best PSE Sequoia Longbow

PSE Sequoia Longbow - Best Long Bow

PSE's Sequoia longbow boasts a riser made from Cherry and Walnut. These two woods give you a handsome bow that is strong and durable. The Bamboo and fiberglass limbs is a combination that provides you consistent performance for hunting and target shooting. You can choose draw weights of 45, 50 and 55 lbs.

Bear Brave 3 Youth Compound Bow Package - Best Youth Bow

Bear's Brave 3 Youth Bow is designed with with kids in mind. It is only 26" from axle to axle and has a draw weight of between 15" to 20", so they are easier for small hands to operate. This bow comes with an arm guard, fingers tab and arrow rest. The compact design and safety features make this a good bow for young people to practice their archery skills.

Titan Recurve Youth Bow - Best Youth Bow

The fiberglass construction of the Titan's recurve youth bow ensures it has the strength to hold up to the demanding use of young archers. This bow is fairly compact at 60" so it is manageable for inexperienced and small archers. Young archers will benefit from the 30 lb. draw weight and 28" draw length as they are developing their skills. The molded poly handle grip and arrow shelf allow both right handed and left handed archers to shoot this bow.

PSE Razorback Jr. Recurve Bow - Best Youth Bow

PSE's Razorback Jr. is one of the most compact youth bows with a length of only 54", so it is easy for young archers to manage. In addition to the compact size it offers short draw lengths so archers can concentrate on the fundamentals of accuracy. You can choose from a range of draw weights from 15 to 30 lbs. depending on skill level. The Razorback Jr.'s durable construction means it will hold up to many hours of practice.

Martin Tiger Youth Bow - Best Youth Bow

The Tiger youth bow from Martin is designed to be a young archer's starter bow. With either a 10 or a 20 lb. draw weight it is easy for a young archer to use. The T-Pro single cam and parallel limbs allow for quicker shots and minimal hand shock. Depending on your level of experience you can choose a 14-24" draw length.

best Barnett Tomcat Youth Bow

Barnett Tomcat Youth Bow - Best Youth Bow

The Tomcat from Barnett is a bow with a soft touch that makes it a good choice for kids. Since they are new to the sport this bow starts them off with easy draw weights and draw lengths. As their skill level increases the draw weights and draw lengths can be increased. Features like the soft-touch-touch rollers and the rounded cams make this a good choice for young archers who need to concentrate on the fundamentals.

Buyer's Guide

Archery gear has become highly sleek and modern over the years. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist at archery, picking out the best bow from the whole universe of options available out there is a painstaking process. This comprehensive guide will help single out the best design elements and cutting-edge features you should look for in your bow set. Let’s get hunting, shall we?

Get to Know the Types of Bows

The first step of finding your true fit is to know exactly what kind of a bow you should go for. There are four broad types of bows that you can opt for. So, let’s unravel them bit by bit to help you grab the best bow and arrow for you.

Beginner-Friendly: Recurve Bow

With its simple design, recurve bow will kickstart your archery journey. The beginner-friendly option is composed of a riser, string, and two limbs. Recurve shoots faster, and a simplistic interface allows novice users to release the arrows with ease. Plus, it requires relatively less adjustment and maintenance than others.

The Complex Variant: Longbow

Quite similar to recurve bow, longbows are bigger and elongated in shape. Longbows can be at times as big as a 5-foot man and therefore, they aren’t really popular these days. This type of bow is nowadays mostly seen in historical shows or in a collection of archery enthusiasts.

The Modern Type: Compound Bow

A compound bow is the most desirable archery gear among users these days, and rightfully so. This type of bow not only offers accuracy and a range of shots but also gives you that uber-cool satisfaction of holding sci-fi-like gear in your hands. This hybrid model featuring additional accessories like cables, cams, and pulley enhances the force and velocity as you shoot the target.

The maintenance for compound bows is extensive, and it costs more than other types. However, when it comes to the overall user experience, they offer an unparalleled shooting experience.

Extreme Precision: Crossbow

This type is more advanced, and unlike the common bow types, you can shoot this one with just one hand. This highly sophisticated, particularly lightweight bow set has a trigger through which you can release the bolts (arrow). It is a powerful and expensive bow to own. While you can master it quite easily due to the lesser involvement of sophisticated aiming techniques, this bow type has some associated laws that the archers should always be aware of.

How to Decide Which Bow Would Be Perfect for You?

Now that you know about the various bow types, it will be easier to make a decision. Essentially, the popular choice among the archery enthusiast is either a recurve bow or a compound bow. No matter which bow you choose, keep the following factors in mind.

Affordability

Buying bows and venturing into this activity is an expensive affair. Therefore, set a budget and do not stray. If you are an archery beginner, a low-cost recurve would be a good starter to experiment with and explore. If you can shell out some extra bucks in favor of accuracy, precision, appearance, and overall quality, then you’ll enjoy buying a compound bow. Keep in mind that recurve bow pricing starts at around $120, whereas compound bows are a tad bit more expensive with beginner-friendly models retailing at almost $350 to $500.

Efficiency

Aside from the technique, shooting arrows require power accuracy and efficiency. When it comes to reliable and persistent accuracy, compound arrows fare better in comparison to recurve bows. Therefore, if you are into big hunting games, compound bows would be your best bet. When it comes to beginner-level users who are into target practice and small hunts, recurve bows are ideal. In terms of quietness, compound bows are superior.

The Learning Curve

For an inexperienced archer, the learning curve for the compound bow is a bit steep in comparison to recurve bow. We always recommend that beginners should gradually transition from recurve bows to compound bows. But, if you already know your shooting skills well, then compound bows are the best pick for you.

What Should Be the Weight of the Bow?

When you are in search of the best bow out there, you must determine the optimum bow weight and length. The perfect bow weight depends on the archer’s weight and physical abilities. It is measured by calculating the archer's wingspan from one hand to another. Most archers excessively draw weight which affects their shooting accuracy. Opt for a lightweight bow rather than a heavier one to achieve excessive poundage. The optimum draw weight an adult person can easily pull off ranges between 45 - 55 lbs.

Essential Factors to Consider When Buying the Perfect Bow

Here are some of the basic features that will make or break your shooting experience.

Let-Off

The let-off feature of the bow implies the difference in the maximum potential of full draw weight. The let-off is expressed in percentages. The perfect let-off range depends on the archer’s preferences. However, bows with low let-off ranges give fast shooting velocity.

Bow Length

This is an essential feature to look for in your bow. Nowadays archers opt for a 36-inch long axle to axle measurement, which is relatively short. The lightweight bows are easier to maneuver and draw. However, longer bows bring accuracy to your shooting. We recommend that users should strike a balance in bow length.

Brace Height

Brace height is essential for shooting accuracy and velocity. It is expressed as the distance between the nock and the grip of the bow. An extremely short brace gives speed acceleration but may affect the accuracy, whereas long brace height impacts the release velocity.

Therefore, experts suggest that 7 inches is a standard brace height to go for.

Best Bows FAQs

Q. What should be the optimum bow speed?

A. The ideal bow speed for hunting big game should be between 280 to 290 fps.

Q. Does my bow need maintenance?

A. Yes, your bow needs regular maintenance and upkeep for long-term usage. Here are a few effective maintenance tips:

  • Store your bow and arrows in a temperature-controlled environment. Avoid leaving your bow in high temperatures, as the strings will lose their elasticity.
  • Regular inspection after shooting and practice will help you identify any wear and tear over time.
  • Apply wax on fraying strings for accurate shots.

Q.Which bow type would be perfect for hunting?

A. Compound bows are perfect companions for hunting because they offer shooting accuracy, fast speed, and minimal noise. This bow has great flexibility to include additional support, such as sights, release aids, stabilizers, and slings.

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