Top 5 Best Compound Crossbow 2023 [ Review & Ratings]

In a hurry and looking for the #1 Compound Crossbow? Then Yes,  After our thorough testing and research, we highly recommend the Ravin R20 as Best one.

Are Compound Crossbows Good for Money?

If you’re new to the world of crossbows and wondering how to start off your shooting career, it is likely that you have spent a great amount of money to purchase a model that best suited to your requirements.

At this stage, the last thing someone can wish upon themselves is buying an overpriced product whose features do not match their expectations and requirements is suitable for hunting experience?   

So what I have evaluated when I noticed the whole assembly start to come apart is the great value for what you get,  and as a new or seasoned enthusiast to Crossbow shooting, you would find two major design options to consider:

The Compound Crossbow and the Recurve Crossbow. While choosing one over the other may have multiple factors and reasons, such as the user’s budget range and nature of usage etc.

However, most users that opt for the Compound Crossbow over the Recurve have ended up satisfied and content with their choices compared to users that opt for Recurve Crossbows as their weapon of choice.  

This buying guide will provide you with an in-depth account of some of the Best Compound crossbows available in the market today. Lets Start it. 

 Highly Rated Compound Crossbows 2021 Comparison Table:

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
Ravin R20 -Best Compound Crossbow	Ravin R20 Crossbow	Ravin R20 Crossbow:	Brand: Ravin Draw Weight: 12 lbs Velocity: 430 FPS	Check On Amazon
Barnett Buck Commander Extreme:	Barnett Buck Commander Extreme:	Barnett Buck Commander Extreme	Brand: Barnett Draw Weight: 185 lbs Velocity: 365 FPS	Check On Amazon
CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow	CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow	CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow	Brand: Centerpoint Draw Weight: 185 lbs Velocity: 370 FPS	Check On Amazon
SA Sports Empire Beowulf Crossbow	SA Sports Empire Beowulf Crossbow	SA Sports Empire Beowulf Crossbow	Brand: Ravin Draw Weight: 12 lbs Velocity: 430 FPS	Check On Amazon
Barnett Recruit Tactical Compound Crossbow	Barnett Recruit Tactical Compound Crossbow	Barnett Recruit Tactical Compound Crossbow	Brand: Barnett Draw Weight: 130 lbs Velocity: 330 FPS	Check On Amazon

1. Ravin R20 – Best Compound Crossbows – (Editors Choice)

The R20 is one of the products that Ravin takes great pride in, as it provides rifle-like precision and the high-tech innovations that the maker has been striving to develop for years. It possesses innate technologies from Ravin and gives out the best outputs in terms of accuracy, speed, reliability, and power.

 R20 is constructed from high-quality cast polymer which prevents rusting and makes it lightweight and allows users to carry it around conveniently. 

It has a very compact design providing ease to hunters while aiming from cramped places. It almost gives the comfort and experience of using an actual rifle, thanks to its pistol grip.

The R20’s Frictionless Flight feature ensures the bolt doesn’t come into contact with the rail for superior accuracy.

Additionally, the string and cable would last longer, indicating you make a sound investment in this model. Configured with the HeliCoil technology for reduced noise and vibration, R20 is a well-balanced and trustworthy companion for hunting.

The package comes perfectly assembled and pre-tuned, so you don’t have to worry about assembling at all. Accessories that arrive with the crossbow are; an illuminated sight, 6 arrows, a sling, removable cocking handle and quiver. Optics Quality is good in both bright and low light conditions.
R20 is Ravin’s is the premium compound crossbow with innovative and promising technology. The Ravin R20’s velocity, efficiency and accuracy are absolutely exceptional. It’s no doubt a pricey crossbow, but it’s worth every single penny.

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2. Barnett Buck Commander Extreme Compound Crossbow

Barnett has been crafting high-performance crossbows for decades. Deeply committed to creating an efficient, reliable, powerful and easy to use crossbow, the company has achieved this with its Buck Commander Extreme compound crossbow.

The Buck Commander Extreme boasts a lightweight and easy to handle build. The light riser maintains stability and minimizes the overall weight while the aluminum flight track guarantees a quick and easy release without bringing any additional weight to the bow’s construction. The laminated-limbs with the Anti-Vibration mechanism help to reduce the noise and ensure silent shooting.

The sleek stock with real-tree pattern and classic black limbs give a trendy look to this crossbow and also enable you to blend in with the background. The Barnett Buck Commander Extreme shoots the arrows with thrilling speed and power to destroy any legal game you may encounter. Barnett also added a rope cocking tool that can easily pull the string back so that people of all skill levels can enjoy hunting with this crossbow.

In addition to its velocity and strength, BCX also comes with a trigger pull to shoot like a pistol. Thanks to its noise suppression technology, the shots are smooth and noiseless. This crossbow can be used in almost every climate as it has a built-in climate control storage that protects each shot even before the weather controls it.

The competent engineers of Barnett have also given special consideration to the safety mechanism of the crossbow so that it can be used safely by beginners and even seasoned hunters. The safety switch and the anti-dry firing mechanism effectively prevent misfires while the finger reminders and foregrip work well in protecting the fingers from the string.

Along with the instructions manual, which will guide you how to assemble the compound crossbow, all the required tools are also supplied with the package. The crossbow also comes with a lighted scope, a compact quiver to hold your arrows and three bolts so that you can start shooting immediately.

The Barnett Buck Commander is a pretty good option for those longing for a simple but efficient hunting gear. Surprisingly, it is exceptionally quiet and low-maintenance for a compound crossbow.

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3. CenterPoint Sniper 370: Budget Compound Crossbow

CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow won the ‘Great Buy’ award by Outdoor Life Magazine. For the first time buyers and novice hunters, it is one of the best budget crossbows in the market because of its great performance and affordable price.

The build quality plays a pivotal role in ensuring its superior performance. It is a compact crossbow featuring a robust shoot-through riser and aluminum rail. The quad limbs are equipped with an accurate CNC-machined cam system for high performance and strength. The camouflage pattern is one of the best features of Sniper 370, allowing the deer hunter to blend in with surroundings while crossbow hunting.

It is the quietest and deadliest crossbows, providing precise and reliable shots in the 40-yards range with remarkable high velocity. The high optic quality allows hunters to hunt in any type of weather and time. The 185 pounds weight of this is little on the higher end but the smart design, adjustable stock, and foregrip make it comfortable to use and easy to carry around.

This crossbow makes sure that you do not get hurt while using its multilevel and auto safety system. This crossbow is also fitted with rubber-coated foot stirrup and string suppressors to minimize vibration and noise while improving accuracy. The package comes with a bolt keeping quiver, shoulder sling, and a rope-cocking for comfortable cocking. This machine has an impressive 5-year warranty so that you can get the most out of your hunting experience.

The three bolts that come with the CenterPoint sniper 370 crossbow package do not do justice to the crossbow’s performance, so you might have to spend a couple of extra bucks for a replacement.  All in all, it is one of the best bows for the money for novice archers.

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4. SA Sports Empire Beowulf – Valuable Compound Crossbow:

The SA Sports Empire Beowulf crossbow seems to be a real deal with all the required characteristics for meaningful hunting. This crossbow has incredible performance in terms of accuracy, just like any expensive crossbow, but it comes at a price that does not totally knock your budget.

The narrow Compound Bow contributes to better maneuvering during hunting, particularly in tight areas. As opposed to its rivals, this budget crossbow is very light because of the material used in its construction.

It has a synthetic barrel and a stock and the components are made of lightweight machined aluminum to make it survive an accidental fall.

The rope cocking mechanism tends to make the draw weight lighter and easier to manage, whereas the picatinny rails are very handy for carrying accessories such as quiver and scope. Empire Beowulf is very efficient and easy to control because of its compact structure.

The Arrow drawing system in this Bow is easier because of its cam framework which also allows the bolts to travel faster.
The grip is firm and flexible for better positioning and the goal is to help make more precise and accurate shots.

The placement and design of the limbs guarantee that there is minimal noise and vibration so that your prey can’t run away. The sight that comes with this compound crossbow is very powerful but has very low light-gathering capability. It works magnificently under poor weather conditions as long as the light conditions are okay.

The SAS Empire Beowulf comes with outstanding safety features to keep you and your loved ones safe. In addition to the Dry-Fire Inhibitor Function, it also has an automatic and ambidextrous safety switch. To minimize the risk of slipping on hilly terrain, you can change the grip to your comfort level.

It’s a very powerful and reliable machine with a long-lasting build. Beowulf only comes with a 1-year warranty, so it’s best to take proper care of your crossbow.

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5. Barnett Recruit Tactical: Top Selling Crossbow

BARNETT is one of the most widely known crossbow labels amongst professional hunters and recreational shooters. And, the Recruit Tactical is one of their best budget crossbows for newbies and small-framed hunters.

Barnett is famous for using new designs and materials to bring high-quality crossbows in the market. It is a compact and lightweight crossbow with an adjustable stock to fit any height and body structure.

Barnett has done an absolutely fine job by using composite limbs and stocks for this black beauty. It includes quad limbs for great strength and an ergonomically built pistol grip for improved handling and shooting. for further details check out BARNETT crossbow review for complete information. 

The bow is centered on a pulley system that lets you cock the string without troubles. The draw weight of 130 lbs. is perfect for hunters and shooters who just couldn’t apply a great deal of force and strength. Barnett Recruit Tactical can effectively take down the target with its outstanding accuracy and precision. It also offers an anti-vibration system to improve performance and noise-free shooting.

It uses the TriggerTech feature for frictionless release of the trigger, which uses a roller between the trigger components to avoid friction. This important innovation will provide you a timely and crisp release every time. Consumer safety is also a major concern for manufacturers; Recruit Tactical comes with an anti-dry fire technology to prevent accidental fire. The foregrip is also pass-thru with finger reminders, serving to secure the fingers from the cable and string.

The Barnett Recruit compound crossbow arrives with everything to start shooting right away. The kit provides a Red-Dot optic, rope cocking tool, arrow quiver, three arrows, and lube wax. On all their crossbows Barnett offers a limited 3-year warranty. Barnett’s customer service is very professional when it comes to resolving the problem you may find with your crossbow.

A valued member of the famous Recruit Series, this crossbow is a must-have for the most tactical of hunters who are about to enter the upcoming hunting season.

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Final Verdict

The editor’s choice is the RAVIN R20 for an overall best compound crossbow. You can freely Check out the best Ravin Crossbow review for the Complete information. It is an outstanding crossbow with unmatched power and top-notch accuracy. If you’re willing to invest in some high-end crossbow with superior performance, the Ravin R20 Sniper will not disappoint you.

Barnett Recruit Tactical is the best budget compound crossbow. It is a complete package with ultra-power and spectacular features yet reasonably priced weapons from a highly trusted brand.

For the Value for Money category, we recommend none other than Barnett Buck Commander Extreme. It is powerful, durable and fast enough to bring down any big game.

Our Favorite Compound Crossbow Buyer Guide  

The type of crossbow you use for hunting purposes will determine how effectively you will perform during the season and whether you are going to enjoy your hunting experience or not. A compound crossbow is an ideal mix of the most commonly used vertical bow, the compound and the technologically advanced rifles.

A compound crossbow optimizes the stored energy by using cams or pulleys and drawing up the string to let-off that energy. Since cams and pulleys take over the operation it substantially decreases the draw weight. It also helps to make cocking smooth and simple.

The decades-old debate of whether to use compound or recurve crossbow still confuses the new entrants. Let’s have a look at some of the advantages of using a compound crossbow!

1. Less Draw Weight:

Since a compound crossbow uses its limbs, cams, pulleys and cables to produce its power, it thus needs less draw weight to attain the same arrow speed of a similar recurve crossbow.

     2. Compact Design:

Some Compound crossbows are as much as 50% narrower than the recurve crossbow. This feature not only aids in crossbow handling but also makes crossbow manoeuvring and transporting easy.

     3. Greater Variety:

There are tons of choices for compound crossbow available in the market. You can select from a range of different brands, in terms of speed, draw weight and certain features. If you are tight on budget, there are still plenty of compounds for you to buy.

Factors to consider while Buying the Compound Crossbow

We have provided you an in-depth account of various available options. Here are some factors to look out for if you want to buy The Best Compound Crossbow 2020:

Velocity:

Velocity is directly linked with the amount of power with which the bolt will hit the target. It is recommended to go for options that propel the bolt faster so that you can achieve the kill with a single hit. A crossbow demonstrating 300 fps or more would be ideal.

 Draw Weight:

The draw weight is the amount of power that is applied to draw back the arrow to take a shot. Higher draw weights ensure increased range and higher velocity. However, it can also add up to fatigue and affect your accuracy. It is therefore recommended to consider options with nominal draw weights.   

Weight of the Bow:

Hunting expeditions can require long durations of movement. The weight of the bow can have a significant impact on the overall hunting experience as it can increase fatigue levels. However, since heavier bows are more stable than lighter ones, it is recommended to find the perfect middle ground so that both hunting experience and shot stability are not compromised.

Budget Considerations:

The budget remains one of the top considerations while purchasing crossbows. While there can be tradeoffs between expensive and budget crossbows, beginners can opt for cost-effective options and opt for better options later on as they progress.

Safety System:

When it comes to shooting with crossbows, the safety feature is a major consideration. Crossbows should be able to disconnect the safety lock before shooting the arrow after loading.

However, Crossbow safety rules, tips and feature mechanisms vary from brand to brand. Several companies are paying a little consideration while others have sophisticated safety systems and sensors.

FAQs

Compound vs. Crossbow which is better?

Crossbows are the modern version of traditional compounds. Owing to its similarity with rifles, modern-day hunters favour crossbows to compound, and it is also very easy to aim and shoot.

What are compound crossbow limbs made up of?

The limbs of a compound crossbow sometimes called prods, are generally made from wood, steel, aluminium, and fibreglass or some composite materials.

What is the mechanism of the compound crossbow?

The compound crossbow has a string hooked to the pulleys that have one or two wires connected to the opposite limbs. The string allows the pulleys to turn as it is pulled backwards. This forces the pulleys to pull out the cables, which then in return allows the limbs to flex and hence store energy.

Watson R

Master of Modern Bowhunting, Watson knows archery equipment forward and backward. An accomplished bowhunter in his own right, his successes in the field demonstrates to novices that bowhunting isn’t something to be kept behind closed doors. Making it more accessible to beginners and advanced bowhunters alike; Watson has become an expert in the construction and use of longbows, compound bows, crossbows, archery and bowhunting gear; he now shares his knowledge openly.