Best Crossbows Under $1000 – Reviews & Ratings

Are you Looking for the best crossbow under 1000? Though you can choose from different models but most challenging task particularly for entry-level users is to find the best crossbow for hunting practice.

Needless to say, not everybody can afford to throw away thousands of dollars on it. Fortunately, there are many products in the market that can be used effectively as an alternative to high-end ones.

Not only are they under budget but they provide the same level of satisfaction with their performance and features.

Therefore, our team has ensured that you don’t experience the unfortunate consequences of purchasing the wrong crossbow as a beginner, so for your ease, we’ve put together reviews and our team has done extensive research and compiled a list of the Crossbows under 1000 dollars.

In this article, we will provide you with an in-depth analysis of these crossbows 2022 and a comprehensive buying guide. Let’s get going!

But Before moving towards

Best Crossbow Under $1000 2022- Comparison Table

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
TenPoint Turbo GT:	TenPoint Turbo GT:	Steel Series Rival 700	Draw Weight: 175 Pounds Power Stroke:12.6 Inches Brand: Tenpoint	Check On Amazon
EXCALIBUR Micro 355:	EXCALIBUR Micro 355:	EXCALIBUR Micro 355	Draw Weight: 280 Pounds Power Stroke:10 Inches Brand: Excalibur	Check On Amazon
Barnett Whitetail Hunter II:	Barnett Whitetail Hunter II:	Barnett Whitetail Hunter II	Draw Weight: 160 Pounds Power Stroke:16.125 Inches Brand: Branett	Check On Amazon
Barnett Ghost 410 CRT:	Barnett Ghost 410 CRT:	Barnett Ghost 410 CRT:	Draw Weight: 185 Pounds Power Stroke:15.375 Inches Brand: Barnett	Check On Amazon
Wicked Ridge RDX 400:	Wicked Ridge RDX 400	Wicked Ridge RDX 400	Draw Weight: 175 Pounds Power Stroke:15 Inches Brand: Wicked Ridge	Check On Amazon
Carbon Express Intercept Axon:	Carbon Express Intercept Axon:	Carbon Express Intercept Axon	Draw Weight: 175 Pounds Power Stroke:13.5 Inches Brand: Carbon Express	Check On Amazon

Best Crossbow Under $1000 2022 Reviews

• TenPoint Turbo GT: Powerful crossbow 
• EXCALIBUR Micro 355: Fast & Lightweight
• Barnett Whitetail Hunter II: Best Hunting Crossbow
• Barnett Ghost 410 CRT: Best Hunting Crossbow
• Wicked Ridge RDX 400
• Carbon Express Intercept Axon

1- TenPoint Turbo GT: – Editors Choice

If you are looking for a really compact yet powerful crossbow for under $1,000, then the TenPoint Turbo GT is definitely your best bet. The winner of 2016 Game & Fish Reader’s Choice Award comes loaded with features that make it a great choice for serious hunters.

The built of Turbo GT is unquestionably durable and compact. This well-constructed crossbow has a high definition camouflage pattern which does not fade or peel over time and the limbs are double-laminated for added durability.

It features an adjustable stock that offers rifle-like stability, and an adjustable butt plate to meet the requirements of the shooter.

To minimize weight, improve handling and balance, the stock uses strategically positioned cutouts in both the foregrip and the butt stock.

The limb pocket and suspension mechanism protects the limbs from direct contact with the riser, limiting noise and vibration while the barrel prevents pinching of the finger, ensuring accuracy when drawing the crossbow manually. Another attractive aspect of this product is its narrow width, and you can carry it around conveniently, as the crossbow does not take up a lot of space.

It’s a kind of crossbow that you can totally rely on for game hunting, the speed is fast enough to bring down the moving target and accurate enough to strike at the right spot.

It provides three different cocking aid options, i.e. integrated rope cocking system, crank cocking handle or a standard rope cocking tool. The safety measures include foregrip and glass-reinforced wings to secure the hunter’s arm from the release path and aT3 trigger that includes dry-fire inhibitor auto-engaging safety.

Turbo GT is a ready to hunt package, it comes with a 3X Scope, Quiver with three Elite carbon arrows and a mounting bracket. It is an easy to assemble crossbow, all the required material and instructions are provided with the kit.
All in all, TenPoint Turbo GT is perfect for hunters who are looking for a compact hunting gear with great accuracy and simple cocking system.

Specifications:

2- EXCALIBUR Micro 355: Fast & Lightweight

Excalibur is well known for its robust, accurate, and reliable crossbow designs for decades. The latest Excalibur Micro 355 is one of their top-rated recurves bows that focus on delivering outstanding performance with its amazing power to weight ratio.

Micro 355’s most distinguishing characteristic is its lightweight which is accomplished by the use of skeletonized stock. The stock is long enough to accommodate shooters with long arms and necks, and there’s sufficient Picatinny rail to mount scope and other accessories.

The recurve configuration is the defining feature of the Excalibur; no bulky cams and pulleys are attached with it. The Realtree Xtra high-quality finish contributes immensely to the bow’s elegance and durability.

The recurve crossbows are relatively easy to maintain but have considerably heavier draw weight due to lack of cam system. Luckily, the cocking aid helps to cock the crossbow with minimal effort.

The smaller length and compact construction help to carry and move it inside and out of the vehicle and tree stand comfortably. Moreover, the Micro 355 crossbow contains the R.E.D.S string suppressors to help reduce the sound and vibrations usually involved with the recurve crossbows.

Furthermore, the rubber grip inserts help in better handling of the crossbow while taking aim. Excalibur has its own safety system for preventing dry-fire known as the Guardian. To save space, this system is actually installed within the scope mount. Additionally, the Guardian system makes it incredibly easy to de-cock your gear without even using an arrow.

The Micro 355 comes loaded with just about every accessory you may require while hunting. In addition to the Tact-Zone scope and R.E.D.S string suppressors, you also get four micro bolts with 4 field points and an attached quiver. Some other handy attachments also include ambidextrous cheekpiece, a rope cocking aid, a product manual for your Micro 355 as well as the equipment you need to mount your crossbow.

With a compact yet strong Micro 355 you would not have any trouble shooting the biggest game. The sturdy exterior and powerful design makes it the best crossbow under 1000.

Specifications:

3- Barnett Whitetail Hunter II: Lightweight and Compact 

Barnett is one of the world’s most renowned brands for manufacturing modern crossbows with high-quality materials and design for fast and accurate shooting.

Barnett Whitetail Hunter II combines precision, charm, and a cost into a package offering something for everyone. It is a cheap but good crossbow in this category.

Thanks to its lightweight and compact design it is an ideal hunting companion for hunters of all skill sets and sizes, particularly those with smaller frames.

Although there is a belief that lighter crossbows cannot deliver the maximum speed, the Whitetail Hunter II will circumvent the perception by providing an incredible speed of 350 fps. The lightweight also makes it easy to move long distances and keep your aim focused until you are ready to shoot.

The Barnett Whitetail is an extremely durable compound crossbow with complete stainless steel construction so that even during rains you can keep hunting. The Whitetail Hunter II pattern is Realtree Xtra, which provides a better level of flexibility, guaranteeing hunters can stalk game throughout the year while maintaining excellent camouflage.

Another innovative technological feature of the Whitetail Hunter II is the implementation of a Frictionless release technology offering a smooth and lighter triggering experience. Furthermore, safety is also assured by providing knock sensors, foregrip, and anti-dry fire system. Also for a more comfortable hunting experience, you can make the requisite changes on its butt-side.

The powerful and accurate Whitetail Hunter II comes with a rope cocking tool, lightweight quiver, multi-reticle scope, two Headhunter arrows, and lubricating wax. The wax is very essential to keep your crossbow to safeguard it for a long time.

Thanks to its cocking support, impressive quality, and lightweight, it is the best crossbow for women and small framed hunters, providing extreme precision for an exciting hunting experience.

Specifications:

4- Barnett Ghost 410 CRT: Best Value for Money

No doubt, Barnett has been crafting high-performance hunting gear for decades. Deeply committed to creating an efficient, reliable, powerful and easy to use crossbow, Barnett has spared no effort in producing Ghost 410 to give the user an outstanding hunting experience and earned the title for best crossbow under 1000.

The Ghost 410 has a lightweight and compact construction that will not cause arm fatigue so you can take it to your destination easily. The riser is designed from a lightweight carbon material to give stability and balance.

It features CNC machined aluminum flight track and custom composite laminated limbs. Ghost 410 has moved most of the weight to the shoulder to make sure the crossbow provides a well-balanced structure while you are aiming for the target.

This sleek, stylish, black crossbow is focused on delivering incredibly smooth and efficient performance. It is capable of delivering 410 FPS of blazing speed accompanied by a heavy draw weight, so you can easily pierce through any kind of moving target. It also produces high kinetic energy making it an incredibly powerful crossbow.

To ensure a consistent output and accommodate the heavy draw weight of the bow, a rope cocking system is also included.

Each aspect of this product has been engineered to provide efficient and seamless performance to the hunter. The crossbow kit includes an accurate scope which can also be conveniently adjusted for precise groupings and long-range shots.

The mountable rope cocking system ensures that each draw is quick and effortless, and the provided sling makes it easy and comfortable to transport it while hunting. The ready to shoot package also includes three arrows and a handy quiver.

The trigger on this crossbow is slightly heavy but for overall accuracy, it does have a crisp break. The Barnett Ghost contains an automatic anti-dry fire system that prevents the risk of accidental shooting altogether.

It also includes finger guards and pass-thru foregrip for a safe and convenient holding. In addition, the safety switch is programmed to automatically activate and can only disengage when the arrow is positioned properly.

Considering its power and speed, this crossbow is worth much more than its price. It’s so fast that the arrow will knock off your target well before it has any chance to react or run away.

Specifications:

5- Wicked Ridge RDX 400:Under budget Hunting Crossbow 

With the popularity and market for reverse-draw crossbows ramping up over the past few years, TenPoint has been at the front-line for introducing some of the best crossbows with this technology. And Wicked Ridge is one of the first flagship reverse-draw and best mid-range crossbow by Tenpoint.

Wicked Ridge RDX comes with a unique reverse draw-design that is very beneficial in hunting.

Reverse draw design provides a very well-balanced design and eliminates the frontal heaviness so that shooters can comfortably hold the crossbow with a steady hand.

Furthermore, in reverse-draw technology, the riser elongates the power stroke and produces more speed with little draw weight leading to a smoother and vibration-free shot.

The machined aluminum riser along with the limb pockets prevents the direct contact of the riser with the limb to reduce noise while shooting.

The string stop mechanism, which is attached to the barrel, eliminates vibration and noise for an excellent hunting experience. The Wicked Ridge has a bullpup design that provides additional stability when taking aim and provides a consistent break after each shot.

The nylon-filament brush increases the grip of the crossbow and reduces the noise level that can be particularly useful while game hunting.

It comes in an all-inclusive kit with TenPoint sight, Three arrows, a quiver, and a string stop mechanism. Cocking aid tools can also be bought separately, including ACUdraw Crank and Rope Sled devices. The crossbow includes a safety trigger and a Dry-Fire-Inhibitor (DFI) as a safety feature against accidental fire.

The RDX 400 crossbow, with its lightweight, affordable price, and impressive performance due to its reverse bow technology might prove to be an ideal candidate for you.

This lightweight Wicked Ridge RDX 400 crossbow with its reverse bow technology provides blazing speed and impressive performance in an affordable price range.

Specifications:

6- Carbon Express Intercept Axon: Best Tactical Crossbow

With a tight budget of $1,000, the Intercept Axon is a superb crossbow that shoots with power and high precision. It has an AR-inspired Military design and it is the only entirely customizable crossbow available on the market.

The black Intercept Axon is a heavy crossbow, but the weight is compensated by the fact that the bow is extremely powerful.

Despite the weight, the bow is much compact and smaller than many others on the market, so you can easily maneuver it around the woods. This crossbow is remarkable in terms of durability and reliability; designed using the same modular components being used AR black weapons.

With the aid of Picatinny rail, this crossbow is built to handle AR-15 accessories, making it easy to embellish your crossbow with a range of attachments.

The limbs are carbon-infused to enhance robustness along with the CNC-machined risers, and premium alloy cam sets. The stock is also adjustable so that the buttstock can be extended or retracted to accommodate the hunter's build.

This Crossbow is perfect when it comes to safety. The trigger pull is steady, light, and crisp, and for every shot, the automatic safety mechanism works smoothly. Some other safety mechanisms include the Dry-fire inhibitor to prevent accidental shots and finger guard flange to provide additional protection to the hunter. Furthermore, the rubber-like exterior is quite helpful for reducing noise and vibrations while hunting.

Intercept Axon has blazing fast speed and offers maximum customization, the stock has cavities to mount and hold multiple extras such as strings, cables, lights, knives, and so forth.

The crossbow comes with all the necessary items such as; a proper rope cocker, arrow quiver and side bracket, three cross bolts, waxing lube for rail, three practice points, and an illuminated scope.
All in all, the power, speed, and precision make it a pure pleasure to hunt with the Carbon Express Intercept Axon.

Specifications:

Some FAQs

Why is it bad to dry fire a crossbow?

When you stretch and release the string without any arrow, the bowstring will intensely vibrate and bounce back on the crossbow due to the intense force generated. This process can affect the bow’s accuracy, and could potentially damage it.

Can I keep my crossbow cocked?

It's recommended to keep your crossbow cocked for a maximum of four hours while hunting. Then give it a rest for about half an hour, as having the crossbow cocked and loaded for longer duration can cause stress on the firing mechanism, cables and limbs; increasing the likelihood of limb damage.

What is an Arrow Track of a crossbow?

Often known as the flight track or bolt channel, the arrow track is a groove on which the arrow rests and moves when shot. Higher precision design of the arrow track ensures a more accurate arrow flight because this guides and directs the arrow.

What size bolts and arrows do I need for my crossbow?

Almost all crossbows come with a manufacturer’s recommendation on the length of the arrows you should be using with it. While buying new arrows for the crossbow always make sure they’re the same length as specified in the manual.

Buying 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. Fortunately, the market has a wide variety of options for every budget and skill level. There are a variety of crossbows that comes under the title of Best crossbow Under 1000.

You just don't have to spend thousands of dollars on hunting gear if you are an entry-level hunter or just pursuing hunting for fun. There are a number of factors to consider while buying for the hunting gadget. Let’s take a look!

• Types of Crossbow

You can choose from several types, such as:

• Compound:

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, which is ideal for novice hunters.

Certain other mechanisms make the front of the crossbow a little heavier and make it difficult to aim. Often the firing can be a little loud and string is prone to damage so you need to always carry an extra string.

• Recurve:

Recurve crossbows are much lighter than the compound bows, and even if you carry the bow for extended hours you are less likely to feel any strain. The recurve bows make less and are also very easy to manage because of the simple and direct mechanism.
On the downside, recurve bows are incredibly hard to cock, because it demands that you move the weight to the cocked position.

• Reverse Limb:

Reverse limbs are new to sports; created by reversing the limbs of the traditional compound crossbow. These bows have a distinctive look and perform more effectively while retaining a fairly low shooting noise.

This modification further stabilizes the crossbow and improves overall balance while shooting. Also, the power stroke is also much better in reverse limb bows.

Factors to consider while buying the Best Crossbow Under 1000:

We have provided you an in-depth account of various available options. Here are some factors for the ladies to look out for while buying Crossbows.

• 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 bearable 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 budget and most expensive crossbow, 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, safety mechanisms vary from brand to brand. Several companies are paying a little consideration while others have sophisticated safety systems and sensors.

Final Verdict

Selecting the best crossbow with a significant amount of money in hand is an easy task, the real challenge starts when you have a very limited budget. Therefore, you need to choose the bow that can provide you the bang for your buck.

We have tried our best to compile a list of best crossbows under 1000, along with their features, specifications, pros, and cons. Out of all these crossbows, we highly recommend the award winner TenPoint Turbo GT for its outstanding speed and impressive performance. It has a durable and compact built and the kit comes with almost everything you need to start shooting right away. This crossbow is packed with many other fantastic features you can only appreciate once you get the opportunity to use it.

Another very interesting and affordable model is the Carbon Express Intercept Axon. Having AR-style design for those fascinated by military-style combat weapons, the Intercept Axon is the best crossbow under 1000 which shoots with superior power and high precision.

Watson R