Best Crossbow Reviews 2021 – Breaking Down The Top Products

If you’re new to the world of buying a crossbow, or you haven’t been on the market for one recently, I’m sure you’ve noticed that it can be an intimidating process to find the right one for you. Modern crossbows have come a long way in the past few years alone, so where is one to start?

1. Your Budget:
We feel like the best first step anyone can take when looking for a new crossbow is starting with your budget. Of course this will narrow down the selection you will have available to you, but it will make the comparison between crossbows much easier.

2. What you will use it for:
Crossbows can usually be found with pull weights varying between 80 – 200 pounds. The amount of power you will need really depends on what you’re planning on hunting with your new crossbow. We’ve done some calculations for you, but before we get to them we have to go over some other important information.

The weight of the draw is important in determining the velocity and force your arrow will hit your target with; the more force, the bigger the target you can take down. However, the draw weight alone isn’t enough to tell you if the crossbow will be capable of bringing down your target. The math is actually a bit more complicated than that.

It ends up working out to be something like: on a compound crossbow, a 150 lb. draw weight with 13″ power stroke and a 400 grain arrow will equal out to be 302 feet per second. The velocity equals out to be 81 feet per pound. (This crossbow would be best used for taking out large and typically hostile game like Cape buffalo or grizzlys.) Whereas our second example is a little different: a compound crossbow with the same 150 lb. draw weight, but with a 9.5″ power-stroke and the same 400 grain arrow equals out to be 252 feet per second. The velocity tops out at 56 feet per pound. This crossbow would be better suited for smaller (but still decent sized) game like black bears or wild boar.

Recurve crossbows also have different capabilities that, typically, are lower than those of a compound crossbow of similar stats. Example: a recurve crossbow with a 150 lb. draw weight, a 12.5″ power stroke, and 400 grain arrow equals out to be 235 feet per second. The velocity falls much shorter than our first compound bow example at 49 feet per pound. (When compared to the 81 feet per pound, even though it has similar numbers to the compound crossbow.)
So, in short: yes, the draw weight does matter, but so does the size of the power stroke, as well as the build of the crossbow.

3. Type of crossbow:
While we touched briefly on this point above, it could probably use some further clarification. There are both recurve and compound crossbow; both have different capabilities (not unlike recurve and compound bows.)
In general, the recurve crossbow is a simpler type of crossbow because they don’t require the complicated string set-up that compound bows do. Compound bows typically have shorter limbs, making them easier to handle in tight spaces; they also require the complicated strings for the use of their wheel (which can be either round-wheel, or asymmetrical-wheel.)
Like we saw in the examples above, compound crossbows are capable of delivering more power (and bigger game) with almost identical draw weights, arrow-grains, and power strokes as recurves. The reason for this lies within their ability to produce higher speeds upon release.

4. The actual weight
The actual weight of the crossbow isn’t a pivotal consideration for most consumers, but it should be on the list of things to look at when purchasing a new crossbow. From a standpoint of preference: consider how much you will be walking, moving, climbing, or generally exerting energy while carrying it. If you feel like you won’t be doing much moving; a heavier crossbow may be an option for you. On the other hand, if you feel like moving will be a big part of it’s use, you may want to opt for a lighter model.
Typically, heavier models are easier to shoot and more accurate. This has to do with the bow’s weight acting as an additional stabilizer while the arrow is still within the crossbow’s guide rail. While this additional stability may only last for a millisecond, it ensures that your crossbow doesn’t “reposition” itself away from your intended target.