Best Crossbow 2024

On the hunt for your first crossbow? The BARNETT Whitetail Hunter Crossbow is a great entry-level option for beginners.

Firstly… 

It comes with accessories like a rope cocking device, a lightweight quick-detach quiver, a 4.32mm multi-reticle scope, scope caps, lubrication wax, and two 22-inch Headhunter arrows. This was our first crossbow as beginners, and we liked that we didn’t have to buy the accessories separately, especially when we didn’t have much knowledge about which ones to get back then.  

It also arrived to us mostly assembled, and only a few tweaks were needed.

Next, let’s talk about its structure… 

This one is a tough crossbow. It has a beautiful Mossy Oak Bottomland camo pattern that really suits its rugged feel. The handle is comfortable and ergonomic, allowing good grip, and the butt stock is adjustable— good if you have long arms. 

One unique component of this crossbow is the Step-Through Riser, or STR, made from fiberglass composite. This type of riser integrates the foot stirrup into the riser itself, unlike in most crossbows. This design keeps the whole thing compact, lightweight, and easy to handle for hunters of any size. It also remains a very compact crossbow even when cocked. 

On top of that… 

Another main selling point of this crossbow, in our opinion, is the trigger— it’s very smooth, crisp, and feels nice. We’ve used this crossbow probably a hundred times already, and it’s always been super accurate, up to about 100 yards. 

For an entry-level crossbow, it has good velocity, with 375 FPS speed. Another thing we like is that it has string dampeners to minimize noise and vibrations, which beginner sets usually don’t have; these keep everything quiet when hunting.

With our Editor’s Choice, you’re also getting safety features such as the Anti-Dry Fire Trigger System, Soft Lok floating bristle arrow retainer, and finger safety reminders. 

But here’s the catch… 

We find the scope decent and usable; it has good optics, allowing you to shoot accurately at different ranges. However, the eye relief is quite long, so we had to unmount the scope and make some adjustments. Also, it has no illuminated reticle. We can still accurately shoot when it’s almost dark, but it’s not ideal for very low-light conditions.

If you’re looking for a good budget crossbow, then no need to look further than the Tactical Crusader Handheld Pistol Crossbow Gun. 

Now… 

Looking at this crossbow, it can be easy to underestimate it because of its toy-like appearance, but we’re telling you right now that would be a mistake. For one, it may have a mainly plastic construction, but the build quality is decent, and the body is hefty, which is nice considering the price. 

This brings us to… 

It’s a low-cost crossbow, so compared to high-end crossbows, you can’t expect top-grade craftsmanship, total accuracy, and all that from this. However, it’s great if you just need something for hunting small games like rabbits and squirrels, for self-defense or target practice. It does the job and functions well as long as it’s properly assembled. 

And it’s so easy to set up! The sights are mounted on a standard ⅜-inch dovetail rail, and it’s easy to add scopes or any accessories you want. Stringing it can be quite challenging, though, so you might want to ask your friend for some help.

Nevertheless… 

This crossbow is surprisingly powerful and fairly accurate. We were pleasantly surprised after we tested it on our bedroom door, and the bolt went deep into solid wood! With practice, we were able to shoot accurately up to 25 yards using this. Oh, and it comes with four bolts, which are quite well-made, to our surprise.

We know you’re curious about its durability. Well, we’ve had ours for about three years now, so we’d say it can definitely last you years; you just need to handle it properly and make sure to wax the string well to avoid friction that can cause the string to snap. Considering how much bang for your buck you’re getting from this crossbow, we gladly choose it as our Best Value awardee.

In our opinion, its small size is also an advantage in the woods, as it doesn’t make as much noise as bigger crossbows do.

However… 

The trigger pull is quite stiff, which can be annoying, but we personally consider it a safety feature itself. The instructions on the box could also be clearer.

The Ace Martial Arts Supply Cobra System Pistol Tactical Crossbow is a must-have survival crossbow for preppers. 

This crossbow has a rugged plastic body with a bow made from compressed molded fiberglass, resulting in a sturdy yet lightweight device. 

Like the Tactical Crusader Crossbow, this one also has a bit of a toy-like feel to it. Make no mistake, though— it’s powerful for its size. 

The mini crossbow includes a 4 x 20 crossbow scope, two strings, and 39 aluminum arrows with metal tips. It also has adjustable tactical sights on the front and rear, which greatly help in aiming. Out of the box, it’s already quite accurate; we just needed to tune the sights a little.

Because of its size, we use this mostly for hunting birds and very small game like fish and frogs. It’s a reliable crossbow and mostly accurate, with a maximum effective range of around 15-20 yards. It’s lethal within that range, so it’s also perfect for self-protection when out in the wild (or during an apocalypse…). 

Moreover… 

We really like the self-cocking mechanism in this; it’s super handy and makes the crossbow easy to reload, allowing you to take lots of shots in a short time.  

Our favorite features are probably the ones for safety, though. 

There’s a safety mechanism behind the trigger guard, which automatically gets engaged once the crossbow is cocked. An arrow-retaining clip prevents the string from firing on its own. We were really surprised to see these kinds of features, as they’re typically found in more expensive ones. As we’ve said, this isn’t a toy; it’s lethal, so we appreciate the safety features.

Also, we’ve used this for backyard target shooting many times, and it’s very quiet, so you don’t have to worry about your neighbors freaking out. It’s very fun to use, as well.

Still… 

We wish it came with a quiver attachment for the arrows, but considering the price, power, and functionality, you’re still getting good value for your money with our Top Pick.

If you’re looking specifically for a hunting crossbow, the Killer Instinct Lethal 405 Crossbow Pro Package is definitely worth checking out. 

The speed, power, and accuracy of this crossbow pleasantly surprised us. We did have to dial the included scope a bit, but it has always been extremely accurate ever since then. We always take this with us when deer hunting, and we can take out a deer or other large game from 60 yards and up using this!

This bad boy is the fastest crossbow out of all the ones we’ve tried for this review, boasting a speed of 405 FPS. The trigger is great and shoots smooth, with an integrated Anti-Dry Fire for added safety. We also find the optics on the scope excellent and never have issues in low-light conditions.  

What’s more… 

This crossbow is equipped with the Dead Silent Kit, which includes strings and limb suppressors to reduce noise and vibrations for quiet and smooth shots, as well as improved stealth when hunting. 

The ergonomics of this crossbow are also noteworthy. It features an AR-style buttstock and the X-Lok foregrip, which is easily adjustable on the Picatinny rail mount, giving you multiple holding options. We like how we can grab it from the bottom or the side; that comfort level helps us get accurate shots. 

There’s a little drawback, though… 

We wouldn’t say it’s the most lightweight crossbow we’ve used; it’s quite heavy, actually. Still, we think its incredible speed, accuracy, and power more than make up for its less-than-ideal weight.

For small-framed hunters or anyone who needs a lightweight, small, and super compact crossbow, the BARNETT Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow checks all of those boxes— and more. 

This compound crossbow consists of a polymer stock and rail with a magnesium riser, making it ultra-lightweight and a breeze to carry no matter your size. It also has an axle length of 16.125 inches and weighs only 6.4 pounds, contributing to its slim, easy-to-handle profile. 

We find this a well-made versatile crossbow. It’s great for hunters of any skill level— it’s easy to assemble (it took us about fifteen minutes, but probably faster with better instructions) and easy to use. With a 150-pound draw weight, it’s not hard to cock using the supplied rope cocking device. 

At the same time… 

It’s also precise and powerful enough to impress longtime archers and hunters, including us. We’ve shot about ten deers and five turkeys with this crossbow. Like most BARNETT crossbows we’ve tried, the trigger on this is superb, too; there’s no creep, and it really helps us to shoot accurately consistently.

And it’s very nice to look at! It features Realtree Xtra® camo pattern, enabling the crossbow to blend well in various environments for safe and stealthy hunting all year round.

Like our Editor’s Choice from the same brand, you’re also getting a complete accessory package and plenty of safety features with this crossbow. 

But here’s the thing… 

In our opinion, the quiver is quite awkward to use; we wish we could mount it perpendicular to the crossbow instead, but the design doesn’t allow it. The crossbow also makes a little noise when you switch from fire to safe mode, so it’s not completely silent, but it’s quiet enough for our needs.

The EK Archery RX Adder Automatic Self-Loading Repeating Crossbow is an innovatively designed and well-constructed device that’s perfect for anyone looking for a tactical weapon. 

We really like the design of this crossbow; the limbs are manufactured from durable fiberglass, and the handle has an ergonomic shape and anti-slip texture. There’s also the AR15-style stock that you can adjust to your height (even our kids had an easy time handling it— with supervision, of course) and a Picatinny rail for any accessories you want to add. 

It looks cool and intimidating, which is how you want your self-defense weapon to look. And whether you’re a beginner or an experienced archer, you’ll have fun shooting with this crossbow. The cool thing about this is that it has an automatic self-loading mechanism, allowing you to fire up to five shots within seconds! 

Pretty awesome, right?  

That’s great in dangerous situations where you don’t want to waste time loading your crossbow repeatedly. 

We also tested it using a crossbow target and in the woods— the velocity is fantastic! The bolts went through everything, including trees, and we were able to hit the bullseye at about 30 yards. This is definitely powerful and deadly, especially at close range. 

Overall, this is a beautiful, top-of-the-line crossbow, and no one would want to mess with you when you have this. Accessories include a red-dot sight, a sling, a stringer, a spare string, and five Adder bolts.

Just a heads up… 

All those nice features don’t come cheap— this is quite a costly crossbow. However, if you have some extra money to spare, this is a worthwhile investment and would be invaluable in times of danger or emergencies.

For those of you just starting out with crossbows, we got another excellent entry-level option for you: the Snake Eye Tactical Cobra System Self-Cocking Pistol Crossbow.

You won’t have a hard time with this crossbow, even if it’s your first time using one.  

It has an 80 lbs. draw weight and a nice foot stirrup, so you don’t need Superman-level strength to cock it. This crossbow also has a safety feature, the foregrip with a finger guard. 

Additionally… 

We were surprised at how accurate it can be after you dial in the sights. It’s capable of firing bolts up to 225 FPS— great for hunting small game like turkeys and frogs. It delivers quite a punch and buries our bolts to our target at about 20 yards.

The craftsmanship is also pretty good for the price. It’s very quiet and stealthy, making it ideal to use in situations where you need to be discreet. And it comes with a pack of arrows! Along with the adjustable sight, easy-cocking stock, and weaver rails for customization, you’re also getting three broadhead hunting bolts and three aluminum bolts, so we’d say this is a great deal. 

It does have its flaws, though… 

…which shouldn’t be surprising, given the price point. The aluminum bolts are a bit bendy, but the broadhead ones are quite good-quality, so we’re not complaining. The string that comes with it is also the type to get frayed easily, but as long as you make sure to wax it well, you’re good.

One of the most popular crossbows among hunting enthusiasts is the Ravin R26 Predator 26-Inch Crossbow— and for good reasons. 

Measuring an overall 26 inches in length and an axle-to-axle width of 5.75 inches when cocked, this crossbow is slim, short, and ultra-compact. Plus, it’s lightweight, weighing only 6.5 pounds, making it easy to maneuver even in confined spaces like hunting blinds.

It only requires 12 pounds of draw weight and uses the Versa-Draw cocking system, a fully integrated, ambidextrous cocking system, so it’s very easy to cock, whether sitting or standing— no need for cocking ropes!

Don’t be deceived by its size, though… 

This crossbow has a kinetic energy of 142 ft. lbs. and a power stroke of 9.5 inches, enabling it to launch arrows with 400 FPS speed, way more than that of many larger crossbows. It’s also equipped with great technology, like the Trac-Trigger firing system and a HeliCoil system that increases accuracy and speed.  

It’s super accurate out to 80 yards, and we find it very versatile. It’s great for hunting large game like hogs, whitetails, elks, and bears, but since it’s capable of long-range shooting, it’s also awesome for small game hunting.

You won’t find this lacking in safety features, either. It has an Anti-Dry Fire and auto safety feature, with the foregrip designed in a way that places your fingers away from the string to keep them protected.

And it’s made to last long! The materials used are durable and it features the Frictionless Flight system, which reduces string friction and extends the string’s life. We also like that the quiver can be attached within seconds, either on the left or right side, depending on your preference.

With that said, we’re going to say it already… 

This is one expensive crossbow. However, this crossbow is built to last and is designed to be that one crossbow you can depend on for all your hunting needs when out in the woods. 

It also comes already fully assembled and complete with pretty much everything you’ll need for your crossbow: a 100-yard illuminated scope with caps, level cams that rotate 360 degrees, a quiver, an accessories bracket, and six Ravi 400-grain arrows with field tips. No need to make separate purchases! 

If you have the budget for this state-of-the-art crossbow, we highly recommend investing in it – we promise it’s worth every penny.

And for the last spot, we have the CenterPoint Tyro 4X Recurve Crossbow Package, which we’ll recommend for both beginners and experienced hunters. 

First off, we dig the traditional look and feel of this crossbow; add the camo design to the mix, and this makes for one badass-looking bow. 

It features a lightweight, ambidextrous stock that’s adjustable for a custom fit and makes it easy to shoulder for hunters of different sizes, compression molded fiberglass limbs, an auto-safety cocking mechanism, and a small compartment under the foregrip for storing small accessories, which is nice. 

The assembly was easy and pretty straightforward; it took us only about 15 minutes as the instructions were clear (with lots of safety warnings). It comes with everything you need to assemble the crossbow except for a Phillips screwdriver. You only need to fine-tune the scope a bit, and it’s ready to use! 

This, to us, feels more like a rifle than a conventional crossbow, which isn’t exactly a bad thing; in fact, it’s fun to shoot. It may not sound that impressive on paper, as it has low speed, but it has enough knock-down power to kill a whitetail or turkey. With this, the bolts fly right into our targets without dropping— very impressive, considering it’s one of the budget crossbows on our list. 

In addition to that… 

It’s also quite accurate at the 25-40 yard range, with the red-dot sight being very helpful in hitting targets. We’ve put ours in tough conditions, and we’re surprised at how sturdy it is, too. Each crossbow includes a rope cocker, a quiver, rail lube, and four 16-inch aluminum arrows, but we find that 20-inch ones also work. 

But for all that… 

We didn’t like the quality of the provided bolts. They’re decent for beginners just starting out with target shooting, but for serious hunters, it’s best to get better-quality ones, which is what we did. Nonetheless, it’s still a nice affordable starter kit that feels a bit pricier than it really is.