Looking to get the best crossbow for the money? The best advice we can give is to start with something that feels comfortable and use it for target practice. Crossbows are very different depending on the manufacturer, but you won’t get as much use out of a premium crossbow if you don’t know how to use it.
With that said, the best crossbow for your needs will feel right when you hold it in your hands, and you’ll be able to cock, load, aim, and shoot with ease.
Crossbow price range
When you want to get the right crossbow, it can be tempting to spend more thinking that you’re getting a higher-quality bow. In some cases, premium crossbows are worth it, but it’s also about finding a bow that you can afford and does what you need. In addition to having the budget, you also need to know the best brands and features that make the types of crossbows that professional hunters use.
Here is a quick pricing guide:
- Crossbows for $100 or less: These are likely lower quality, starter crossbows. These tend to be noisy recurve crossbows that probably won’t hold up in the field.
- Crossbows for $200: These are better quality, and if you’re willing to go up to $250, you can find some well-made recurve bows in this price range. They are typically a little bit clunkier and noisy, but they work well for someone who is just starting with this hobby.
- Crossbows for $300 to $500: In this low to mid-range, you’ll find some great recurve bows that have attachments, better grips, and a more silent operation. We believe that you should select a bow of this range or above if you plan on using your crossbow to hunt.
- Crossbows for $700: Here is where you start to see some compound bows and higher-quality recurve bows. You’ll find a variety of premium, fast-shooting crossbows with scope attachments and broadheads included.
- Crossbows for $1000 or more: These are the premium recurve and compact bows that are often military-grade and typically come with higher speeds, longer power strokes, and higher overall performance. These bows are typically over 350 FPS / 118 FP KE rating and can take down any type of game. Most can also hunt larger prey as well.
If you are just starting out, you may only want to spend around $300 and get an entry level crossbow that you can use as you train and improve in skill. These are not the most silent crossbows, but they get the job done with lightweight bodies and durable construction.
A military stock and grip is often standard with these affordable bows. It’s also good to try out a starter bow so you know if you want to pursue the hobby without a high financial investment.
How to save money buying crossbows
Entry level crossbows typically start around $250, although you can find some cheaper models around $200. These crossbows won’t have all the same attachments, durability, and quietness as a precision-engineered crossbow, but that doesn’t matter when you are just starting out. If you plan on getting some target practice in, these can sometimes be suitable, but you will want to upgrade once you learn the basics.
Most compound bows are going to be out of range for those who are shopping under $300. Since these are designed for high impact shooting, they have more engineered parts and generally use high-quality materials like carbon in their construction. You can use these bows for target practice and hunting small game, and there are some in this price range that even work for real hunting scenarios if you add on scope attachments and cocking devices.
The best way to save money on a crossbow is to look for the highest FPS that’s easiest of use, including anything that you may need to help with cocking. For example, if you don’t have a lot of tensile strength or just want to ensure accuracy, then you should look for a starter crossbow with a cocking mechanism to help you load.
For a beginner who wants to learn the basics but also have a decent crossbow to use in the field, we recommend looking in the $500 range. There are many crossbows for under $500 that are well suited for training or as a backup crossbow for your hunting trips.
Purchasing an affordable, premium crossbow
These are crossbows over $700 ranging all the way up to $2,000 or more. When you talk about high FPS, top FP KE, and highly precise firing, you need a premium crossbow. There are recurve bows with premium features, but the compact crossbows are better if you want fast, high velocity hunting.
When looking at a premium crossbow, you want to check that the manufacturer is a top-quality brand. We’ve named a few in our brands list that have a long history of engineering high-quality crossbows with the highest FPS that also provide scope options and cocking devices.
These are some factors to consider when you’re ready to spend top dollar on a crossbow:
- Weight: You typically want a crossbow under 7 pounds.
- Power stroke: Longer power strokes offer more velocity, but they’re not always necessary. Consider a crossbow with a 13” power stroke or higher.
- Performance: Opt for a crossbow with 400 FPS / 140 FP KE or higher if you plan to pay the premium price.
- Attachments: Scope, cocking device, and safety slide technology work the best.
- Material: Crossbows made from carbon are the most lightweight.
In addition, the design of the crossbow is also important. You should always buy a crossbow that is the right size for you. You may not be able to cock and shoot a high-powered crossbow at first, which is why recurve crossbows are cheaper and easier to start with.
It’s important to always buy the best you can afford for crossbow hunting. You should think about the long-term usage of the bow as well. While lower cost crossbows have immediate advantages, they may not last as long as others.
The best cheap crossbows: Our editor’s picks
These crossbows are the best devices under $500 that also present you with the best overall features, so you can have these higher quality crossbows at affordable prices.
Karnage Apocalypse Crossbow Package
At under $250,the Karnage Apocalypse Crossbow Package is a strong contender for the best budget crossbow available. This crossbow presents you with the ability to shoot bolts at speeds measuring up to 370 FPS, and it comes with 3 K20 carbon bolts.
When you purchase the the Karnage Apocalypse Crossbow, it also comes with bolts, arrows, a quiver, a detachable sling, wax, and a cocking rope. Not only that, but the crossbow also includes a scope with a focusing eyepiece, which is beneficial for hunters that are more comfortable with shooting from farther distances.
This device is recommended for both beginners and experienced shooters, since it comes in a package and contains a wide variety of features.
Pros:
- 14 inches wide at full draw
- Has a draw weight of 175 lbs.
- The stock has 3 inches of adjustability with an adjustable cheek piece
- Contains an adjustable force end grip that’s mounted on a rail system
- Includes a dual mount string recoil suppressor system
Cons:
Weighs more than the other crossbows listed, at 7.5 lbs.
Carbon Express X-Force Piledriver 390
This crossbow is highly recommended for you if you are interested in shopping for crossbows that have a large amount of features while also maintaining a lower price. This crossbow has the fastest shooting speed out of all of the crossbows listed, at 390 FPS which alone would be worth the price tag.
The Carbon Express X-Force Piledriver 390 is also lightweight, contains an adjustable butt stock, and includes a foregrip that can be placed in multiple positions for your convenience.
This crossbow includes anti-dry fire technology, and has durable compression molded limbs, which are all beneficial features for both experienced as well as beginner shooters.
This crossbow device’s package also include a quiet crank cocking wrench, a quick detachable quiver that is capable of fitting up to three arrows, three piledriver crossbolts that measure 20 inches, rail lubricant, three practice points, and a scope.
Pros:
- Contains an aluminum rail for advanced accuracy
- Comes with a Crank Xbow Kit
Cons:
- Some people think that a 3.5-pound trigger pull is not adequate