10 Best Compound Bow Reviews and Buyer’s Guide of 2022

Archery is a sport many find satisfaction in. However, you can have a hard time choosing the best compound bow for your needs when you’re starting. To help you out, we have compiled a list of the best compound bows for beginners or seasoned bowhunters.

Quick Recommendations

• • Best Compound Bow For The Money: Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro
  • Best Compound Bow For Beginners: Leader Accessories
  • Best For New Hunters: Bear Archery Cruzer G2
  • Best For Target Shooting: Gen-X Bow
  • Best Compound Bow For Hunting: Predator Archery Raptor
  • Fastest Compound Bow: PSE Archery Full Throttle
  • Best Cheap Compound Bow: SAS Rage
  • Best Midrange Compound Bow: Bear Archery Species RTH
  • Best Left-hand Compound Bow: Diamond Archery Edge SB-1
  • Best Value Compound Bow: Bear Archery BR33 Hybrid

Keep reading to learn more about our top choices:

10 Best Compound Bow Reviews

Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro – Best Compound Bow For The Money

The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro is one of the most flexible compound bows in the market today. You can use it as a hunting and targeting bow, and it does its job well. The bow features 70 lbs. draw weight, infinite draw settings, hostage arrow rest, a five-inch octane stabilizer, comfort wrist sling, and three-pin Tundra sight.

The three different adjustability settings in this compound make it a fantastic choice for women and young archers.

Another outstanding feature that makes this infinite edge bow stand out is its vibration-free performance and great accuracy. Its power is enough to take down any target in the game.

The package comes with top-tier accessories that are qualified for its price range. These accessories enhance your shooting experience both in bow hunting and target archery.

It’s suitable for right and left-handers and comes in three finish choices: black ops, mossy oak, and pink blaze.

In terms of flexibility, the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro is one of the most adjustable compound bows making it suitable for younger archers and adults of all experience levels. There are “A, B, and C” settings on the cam’s string posts to give you maximum flexibility.

It weighs a little over three lbs. making it easy to carry around during hunting. It’s also reasonably silent, thanks to the 5-inch stabilizer that reduces most of the vibrations. You don’t have to purchase additional accessories to cut down noise.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Leader Accessories – Best Compound Bow For Beginners (Youth & Female)

This compound bow by Leader Accessories is high-quality and suits right-handers. Its kit comes with a 5 pin bow sight, brush arrow rest with two brush replacements, peep sight, bow stabilizer, bow release, and much more.

At first glance, you’ll realize that this bow is solid and thus durable. Made from Gordon Composite, which is deep-deflection fiberglass composite, and CNC machine aluminum for the riser and cams, you can rest assured that this bow will offer high performance and enhanced comfort. It has an axle-to-axle length of 31 inches and a brace height of 7 inches. Its naked weight is shy of 4 lbs.

This tactical compound bow offers excellent versatility and flexibility. Its draw length can be adjusted from 19 inches to 30 inches thanks to the adjustable dual-cam system. It has a maximum draw weight of 70 lbs. that can be lowered to a minimum of 15 lbs. for smaller-framed archers and women.

Thanks to its substantial let-off of up to 80% and great accuracy, you can use this bow for hunting. The braided sling bow that comes in its packaging and soft-touch grip design all enhance accuracy and comfort.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Bear Archery Cruzer G2 – Best For New Hunters

Bear Cruzer is suitable for archers who are looking for highly versatile bows to handle all adventures. It’s ideal for archers of all ages and skill levels.

It offers a sturdy and durable built, and thus you can rest assured it’ll serve you for many years. The bow is a perfect pick for experienced and beginner hunters. It weighs three lbs. and is easy to use, which makes it even better for hunting.

With 5-70 lbs. of adjustable draw height, this bow can shoot at 315 fps with greater accuracy. The axle measurement of 32 inches and high brace height make it highly accurate and versatile. The 70% let-off makes it easier to hold when shooting at full draw. It’s important to mention that the Bear Kryptek Highlander is ideal for young shooters and smaller archers who are right-handed.

The bow comes fully assembled with a riser, cams, string suppressors, and limbs all in place. The package comes with a 5-arrow quiver, whisker biscuit, limbs, trophy ridge 4-pin sight, stabilizer, and sling.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Gen-X Bow – Best For Target Shooting

Are you in search of a hunting bow that’s versatile and easy to use? The Gen-X Bow is worth considering. Its accuracy makes it ideal for hunting and shooting games.

The bow is made in the US and thus has met the highest manufacturing standards. It’s made from aluminum, making it robust and lightweight. Weighing only 3.4 pounds, you can comfortably carry this hunting bow during your adventures.

It has a simple design, and the standard draw weight of the bow is 40 lbs., meaning it can propel your arrow at high speeds. You can adjust the draw height to 25 lbs. to allow you to shoot without a lot of hand torque.

The bow has a smooth draw circle that makes it easier to shoot with great accuracy. Its molded grip makes the bow comfortable to use.

You can use this bow successfully for hunting small game and target practice. It’s an excellent choice for beginners as it allows one to adjust draw weight and lengths.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Predator Archery Raptor – Best Compound Bow For Hunting

Although a relatively newer compound bow for hunting, the Predator Archery Raptor bow has already gained a name among pro and beginner archers thanks to its value for money. The bow is fast, accurate, and features solid construction.

Speaking of construction, this bow is well built, with its cams built from aluminum and limbs from fiberglass. The finish is nicely done, making it comparable to that of high-end compound bows.

Another outstanding feature is that the bow allows for customization of draw length (from 24.5 inches to 31 inches. You can also adjust the draw weight from 30 to 70 lbs. with ease. It has a 75% let-off and a peak speed of 315 ft. per second and shoots accurately.

In terms of accessories, the Predator Raptor Compound bow comes with a 5-pin sight, whisker biscuit-style rest, and a stabilizer, all of which have decent quality.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

PSE Archery Full Throttle – Fastest Compound Bow

Are you looking for a speed bow? Well, this compound bow can propel an arrow to a speed of 370 feet per second. This full-throttle compound bow has a hybrid cam system and pre-loaded limbs.

The bow was built for speed, and PSE made it smooth to draw bow compared to others, although it does call for some hand torque.

It has a narrow and skinny structure and thus can fit in the shooter’s hand, making it easier to pull repeated shots. Shooters used to thicker bows with more contoured grip may find it challenging to switch to this bow, but the improved accuracy will encourage them to make the switch.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

SAS Rage – Best Cheap Compound Bow

The SAS Rage riser is made out of solid aluminum, which makes it lightweight and solid. For archers, this is an ideal bow because of its high strength to weight ratio. As far as accessories are concerned, this riser comes with virtually all accessories you need. It has drilled holed to accept a wide variety of quivers and sights, meaning you can accessorize your bow to your liking.

Another outstanding feature of this riser is that it has waffle cut-outs, which decreases the overall weight of the bow while still not compromising its strength.

The bow weighs 4.4 pounds, which means it’s heavier than other options, although adult archers will find it lightweight. In terms of grip, the Rage has molded plastic and is not very large.

Overall, the SAS Rage is a suitable compound bow for anyone looking for a budget bow. It offers enough performance for beginner hunters and people who want to venture into bow hunting.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Bear Archery Species RTH – Best Midrange Compound Bow

Shopping for the best hunting compound can be a task as the market is flooded with a vast array of options. However, once you come across Bear Archery Species RTH, you’ll realize it’s a premium option with a wide array of features.

This isn’t a bow for youngsters or beginners as it’s heavier than other models. It’s ideal for hunting as it’s capable of projecting arrows at speeds of 320 fps through the single cam system. A single cam system is known to produce less noise than dual cam systems.

When it comes to design and material, the manufacturer didn’t take any shortcuts. The bow is mainly made from aluminum. Its riser has a unique alignment that ensures that improved stability and protects the limbs.

You can adjust its draw between 55 and 70 pounds, making it ideal for younger users. However, the bowl suits adult hunters more.

It measures 31 inches long from one axle to the other, making it ideal for more experienced hunters. Overall, the Bear Archery Species RTH is a superb choice for professional hunters with a generous budget.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Diamond Archery Edge SB-1 – Best Left-hand Compound Bow

Diamond Archery is a famous brand in the bow niche and is known to make some of the finest compounds bows. Along with quality products, they also offer reasonable warranty periods and good customer services.

And now, they have taken the notch higher by introducing the Edge SB-1, which is available in four finish options: Blue Blaze, BlackOps, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, and Purple Blaze.

The Diamond Edge SB-1 is a mid-level bow that has fantastic draw length adjustment and commendable draw weight. Its performance makes it an ideal choice for all shooters.

The SB-1 has plenty of cut-outs to keep its weight to less than 4 lbs. and can fire an arrow to a speed of 320 fps.

In terms of comfort, a molded resin grip is sufficient for people with smaller hands. It features 15-30 inches of draw length adjustment and has an 80% let-off.

We can term this bow as an all-purpose compound bow that’s perfect for average archers looking for a practicing and hunting bow.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Bear Archery BR33 Hybrid – Best Value Compound Bow

The Bear Archery BR33 Hybrid is already a favorite bow for many hunters for the simple reason that it’s swift, clocking speeds of 330f. It has an 80% let-off, which eliminates the risk of dry fire when you’re holding the bow at full draw.

In terms of build, this compound bow comes with durable, lightweight aluminum built. The aluminum construction helps to deliver durability without adding weight to the bow. The robust nature of this bow will please you.

It has a draw length varying between 27 and 32 inches, which means different shooters can use it. The bow weighs 4.2 pounds, which means it can be used as a hunting bow by male hunters.

Overall, it is an excellent compound bow with innovative features and stable configurations.

Check Current Price and Rating on Amazon

Compound Bow Buyer’s Guide

A bow is as important to an archer as a running shoe is to an athlete. Compound bows make a great choice as they are one of the most technologically advanced archery bows. Even so, knowing which one to purchase isn’t always easy. Worry not; we are here for you.

Below is a comprehensive compound bow buying guide. We will dwell on all you need to know when buying a compound bow, from the types to expect in the market, parts of the bows, and the factors you need to consider when purchasing the best compound bow for your needs.

Types of Compound Bows

When buying a compound bow, one of the first things you will need to do is familiarize yourself with are the different types available in the market. It will help you know the kind that meets your needs best before you look into the nitty-gritty details of the bow.

Single Cam Compound Bow

It is the simplest type of compound bow you can find today, and it makes an excellent choice for beginners. The other terms used for this bow are solo cam or one cam.

This unit comprises a single power cam to flex the bow limbs and create the energy that propels the arrow forward. You mount the power cam on its lower limb while the upper limb holds an idler wheel. It makes shooting a lot easier. Because it is easy to use and maintain, this single-cam compound bow is increasingly becoming popular among archers.

Single cam compound bows deliver decent accuracy. Another advantage of this unit is its high precision compared to other bow types. In addition, single cams are easy to maintain and use with no synchronization challenges. They are also the quietest among compound bow types and are pretty reliable, making them perfect for beginners.

On the downside, single cams are the least powerful among other compound bows. It means that they are not as fast as the rest. Further, they at times have nock travel challenges which further reduces precision.

Twin Cam Compound Bow

Also known as the dual cam or two cam compound bows, this bow design aims to correct the nock travel challenges of the single-cam type. They are more suitable for archers with some degree of shooting archery experience and competition shooters.

As the name suggests, it features two cams to give higher draw weight for enhancing the propelling of the arrow. These cams can be elliptical or circular, but they must be the same type for a particular compound bow to ensure synchronization in the propulsion. However, the two cams in this bow work independently of each other.

Dual cam compound bows deliver more precise accuracy thanks to the two cams working in sync. In addition, there are more powerful than the single-cam, thus producing a higher arrow speed.

A significant challenge of the dual cam is that there’s a risk that one cam may rotate ahead of the other. Such a scenario creates a problem with the string stretch, which results in nock travel challenges. Modern units address this challenge by having less stretchy strings to minimize the risk of the cams not being in sync.

Further, they are noisier than the single-cam options, even though advanced tech has made them less noisy. Another drawback of the dual cam option is it requires frequent synchronization of the two cams since they work independently. Syncing the two is necessary to eliminate or reduce nock travel issues.

Hybrid Cam Compound Bow

It is a blend of the single-cam and the dual cam and aims to eliminate the synchronization challenges of the dual cam compound bow. This unit is ideal for expert archers with more experience in archery.

The two cams of the unit have automatic synchronization; therefore, it needs minimal maintenance and less frequent tuning. While both the dual cam and hybrid systems have two cams, the latter only has one cam for control and the other acts as a power cam.

The cable from the lower cam goes to the upper limb in the hybrid cam units, while the upper cam connects with the lower cam instead of the limb. This is unlike the dual cam, where the upper limb connects with the lower cam, and the lower limb connects with the upper cam.

This set-up makes the lower cam the power cam, and the upper cam automatically follows the lower cam’s movements due to this automatic synchronization.

With this unit, you get an impressive speed and accuracy as you would with dual cams, but you have no synchronization challenges. Thus, there are fewer nock travel challenges. Further, the unit is easy to maintain and has more quiet operation.

On the downside, a hybrid cam compound bow is not entirely maintenance-free as it requires occasional tuning for excellent performance. It is also challenging to use for archers with no experience.

Binary Cam Compound Bow

This is the most technologically advanced compound bow. The unit aims to correct the challenges of the dual cam and the hybrid cam. Binary cam compound bows make an excellent choice for high-level hunters and competitive archers.

The unit features two active cams with cables from each connecting with the opposite cam. As such, the cable from the upper cam connects with the lower cam while that from the lower cam connects with the upper cam. The interconnection creates a mutual connection that makes both cam movements interdependent.

A binary cam delivers great power, high speed, and higher draw weight thanks to the two power cams. In addition, it aims to give high precision thanks to the unique configuration that balances the two cams and results in fewer nock travel problems.

Even so, binary cams are pretty noisy compared to the other compound bows. Their complex design also requires regular maintenance and tuning.

Parts of A Compound Bow

Another key secret to choosing the right compound bow for your hunting or shooting needs is understanding its various parts correctly. Here are the vital parts of a bow that work together and determine how smooth, efficient, precise, and accurate the unit is.

Cam System

The major types of cam systems are single and dual cam systems. As seen above, a single cam uses one cam while the latter features two identical cams on both ends of the bow. We have dwelled further on the advantages and disadvantages of each system above.

Bow Cables and String

A bowstring is what the archer uses when pulling back the bow. The string propels the bow forward upon release. In most cases, both single and dual cams use a single string. That of a single cam is extra-long, and the unit has one cable. On the other hand, a dual cam has two cables.

It is best to replace the bowstring and cables after a maximum of 3 years. Doing so keeps the compound bow optimal and helps deliver consistent performance.

The cable(s) run from one bow cam to the other. It is this part that moves these cams when pulling back the string. A cable guard prevents the cables from getting in the way of the arrow’s line of fire. The guard features a fiberglass rod, and it runs vertically to the unit’s riser.

A string vibration arrestor is found near the bowstring and attached to the riser. It helps absorb the weapon’s vibration during use to make it less noisy.

Riser

This is the center part of the bow that holds the grip. It also contains a bow’s arrow sight and shelf. In most cases, risers comprise aluminum, but the high-end bows use carbon fiberglass to reduce the unit’s weight. Other bow parts found on the riser include the stabilizer, quiver, and arrow rest.

Limbs

These are adjustable planks on either end of the bow and attached to the riser. It primarily stores the energy the compound bow generates when you pull back the string. They feature fiberglass material.

Limbs can be split or solid. The split type features two slim limbs interconnected with the riser, while the solid make only has one fiberglass piece. Slit limbs are more long-lasting and emit less hand shock than the solid type.

Limbs can also be parallel instead of assuming the standard D-shape of a bow. This variety has a more quiet operation and produces less recoil upon release. It is more common in modern hunting compound bows.

Other vital parts of a bow include the arrow rest, peep sight, wrist sling, and a stabilizer.

Factors To Look At When Buying A Compound Bow

Eye Dominance

Also known as ocular dominance, this is the initial and one of the most crucial things to consider. Eye dominance refers to the eye your brain supposes to see clearer. It is often the eye on the same side of the body as the hand you write with.

Knowing your dominant eye is vital as your brain aligns with this eye during shooting. If your dominant eye is the left-sided one, you shoot left-handed and vice versa.

Draw Length

It refers to the distance from the bowstring to the grip at full draw. It should neither be too short nor too long.

A short draw length contributes to inaccurate shots by increasing the bow torque. It also makes your shots less consistent as you have no specific reference spot when aiming. On the other hand, a long draw length requires you to tilt your head back to see through the peep sight effectively. It contributes to poor shooting, leading to less accurate shots and increasing the bow’s tension and torque.

To determine your ideal draw length, measure your wingspan. You first need to stand straight with your arms stretching out so that your body forms a T-shape. Next, measure the distance between your middle finger on one hand to that on the other, and the distance you get is the wingspan. Your ideal draw length is the wingspan divided by 2.5.

For an entry-level archer, it is best to ask the seller to correctly determine your perfect draw length and adjust the bow as per your suitable draw length.

Draw Weight

Heavier draw weights produce higher shooting speeds. However, it would be best not to go for the heaviest draws as extreme heaviness when shooting reduces focus and increases shaking. Thus, it results in less accurate shots.

The best draw weight for you is one you can hold for half a minute without trembling. Most modern compound bows are adjustable with the draw weight. They allow you to start with low weight as you build resilience and improve.

Bow Weight

The most crucial thing to consider here is your level of expertise as an archer. A lightweight bow is more suitable for beginners as it is easier to handle and carry for long durations. However, it generates more vibrations; thus, it is noisier.

Find a balance between the weight you can carry for a long distance and the level of noise produced. With time and more experience, you may choose heavier bows as you will have better shooting skills and have built resilience to carry to heavier bow.

Speed

The speed of a bow is the number of feet per second (fps) it travels upon shooting. The unit’s draw weight often influences it. The more significant the draw weight when shooting, the further and faster arrow is likely to travel.

Besides draw weight, the IBO speed of a compound bow is also affected by the arrow’s weight, the strength of the archer, and external factors such as weather conditions.

Noise Level

During shoots, noise in bows comes from some of the energy stored in the bow being released as vibrations. The quieter the bow, the better.

Most modern compound bows incorporate technology to reduce the amount of energy lost, thus reducing the noise levels. Even so, they still produce a certain degree of noise, with the single-cam compound bows being the least noisy. You can also buy vibration dampeners that absorb shock making the unit less noisy.

Quality of Finish

The quality of the compound bow’s fit and finish may depend on the unit’s price. Pay attention to the materials used on the limbs pockets. While some feature plastic, others use aluminum which is a better choice.

Other quality features to look at include; the quality of the finishes; they should be smooth, uniform, and clean.

Conclusion

Buying a compound bow is a big step in your archery journey, and you want to get it right. Choosing the type to work with will significantly help you narrow down your options. In addition, it also helps to familiarize yourself with compound bow terminologies to make a more informed decision.

Bear in mind that there is no one size fits all. We believe that our complete compound bow reviews and buying guide will help you make a decision to cherish for a lifetime. Once you buy the most suitable unit, remember always to use the right arrow for the bow.

All the above compound bows are high-quality and suitable for competitive shooters and hunters alike. If you’re looking for your first compound bow or an upgrade to your basic bow, all the above options fit the bill. According to the advice of our experts, we highly recommended you buy Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro, Bear Archery Cruzer G2, and Predator Archery Raptor Compound Hunting Bow.