A crossbow is a weapon based on a bow and consisting of a horizontal bow-like assembly mounted on a stock with a mechanical string holding and reverse mechanism. Not only that, they are the ultimate weapon for hunting and game.
There are two different type of crossbows which are the recurve and compound crossbow. The recurve type is easier to string and highly recommended for beginners. The type on the other hand is mostly the first choice of hunters as it comes with shorter limbs so you can fire your bolt from a tight spot or shoot heavier arrows at faster speed.
Apart from that, crossbows should be lightweight so you can easily transport them around when hunting. However, if weight is an issue, you are advised to get a padded bow shoulder sling for extra ease.
It also should come with a decent scope that is easy to be zeroed in and maintain its zero as well. Besides that, it have either an optical or red dot sight.
Optical sights are essential for long distance shots to improve your accuracy meanwhile red dot sights are ideal for close shots or if you want to group arrows together. Red dot sights are also suitable for beginners. Therefore, check out our best crossbow review below to make your right choice !
Top 10 Rated Crossbow Comparison Table
| Name of Product | Draw Weight | Firing velocity | Weight | Setup | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnett Outdoor Ghost 360 CRT | 165 lbs | 360 fps | 7 lbs | Easy | $$$ |
| Tenpoint Stealth FX4 Crossbow Package with ACUdraw | 185 lbs | 370 fps | 6.8 lbs | Moderate | $$$$ |
| Wicked Ridge Tenpoint Invader G3 Crossbow Package | 165 lbs | 330 fps | 6.6 lbs | Moderate | $$$ |
| Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow Package | 260 lbs | 380 fps | 5.9 lbs | Easy | $$$$ |
| Barnett BCX Buck Commander Extreme CRT Crossbow Package | 185 lbs | 365 fps | 7.9 lbs | Easy | $$$ |
| Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package | 150 lbs | 315 fps | 7.7 lbs | Moderate | $$$ |
| Centerpoint Sniper 370 Camo Crossbow Package | 185 lbs | 370 fps | 7.9 lbs | Moderate | $$$ |
| Arrow Precision Inferno Fury Crossbow | 175 lbs | 235 fps | 5 lbs | Easy | $$$ |
| SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package Review | 175 lbs | 240 fps | 4.85 lbs | Moderate | $$$ |
| Excalibur Crossbow Matrix SMF Grizzly Crossbow Review | 200 lbs | 305 fps | 6 lbs | Easy | $$$ |
- The draw weight is the force and energy that is needed when drawing, measured in lbs.
- The firing velocity is the speed of your bolt measured in feet per seconds.
- The weight is the mass of the product.
- The setup is rated from easy to hard.
Draw Weight
The draw weight of a crossbow defines the amount of pull force you need to put to draw the string to cock your tactical bow hence firing it. The higher the draw weight, the harder it is for you to cock your crossbow especially for small to average build hunters.
However, you can reduce this draw weight by getting a rope cocking device that in return will ensure smooth cocking. In other words, it will cut down the pulling force you need to exert drastically so you can manage to draw the string of your product.
Firing Velocity
The firing velocity is the speed of which the bolt travels with when fired. It is measured in fps, feet per second unit. With a higher speed, the bolt can travel faster and hit the target accurately with higher power.
The higher power in return will result in deeper penetration. Therefore, you are advised to get strong carbon bolts so the bolts won’t bend and be damaged when hitting your target with a high velocity.
Weight
The weight is the mass of the bow measured in pounds, lbs. Of course a lighter product is preferred so you can easily transport and carry it around when changing spots during hunting.
Also, you can easily maneuver your crossbow when aiming if it is not too heavy. You are advised to carry it with a case and padded shoulder sling so you can carry it whether light or heavy with ease and comfort.
Setup
The setup on the other hand is usually straightforward. Basically, you just have to mount the scope, quiver mount and limb assembly and you’re good to go. It is also important to frequently wax the string to extends its life and prevent it from snapping under high tension.
Apart from that, the sighting in of your scope is also included in the setup of your tactical bow. You need to sight it in and maintain its zero so you can get a better aim hence an accurate shot at any yardage.
Setup for different types of crossbows will be different.
Barnett Outdoor Ghost 360 CRT Review
This crossbow is patented by the carbon riser technology(CRT) making this bow 43% lighter so you can easily cock the string and take aim. Also, it will be easier to transport around when you are changing locations when hunting.
Weighing just 7 pounds, this product has a draw weight of 165 lbs. In other words, draw weight is the amount of weight an archer will pull while drawing the bow to its cocked and locked position . So, the higher the draw height, the more the energy you need to pull the bow to its locked position.
Furthermore, it comes with a 5-1 safety and trigger system that is introduced to ensure your wellbeing during hunting. So, after you cock the string of your crossbow it will automatically go into safe position.
This product has an anti-dry fire trigger feature. In other words, dry firing is releasing the taut string without a bolt or projectile in place. Consequently, this will damage your tactical bow as maximum stress is placed in the string. Hence, with this feature ,durability is maintained in the long run.
Moreover, this product comes with a premium illuminated scope which comes in both red and green color, rope cocking device which is an excellent addition that makes cocking the bow easy and smooth, 3-arrow quiver and 3 head hunter arrows to assist you when hunting.
Apart from that, it is well equipped with finger reminders and pass-through fire grip which comes in handy in terms of safety. It has custom composite laminated limbs to ensure the durability of the crossbow. Also, this product is easy to setup so you should follow carefully the direction on the user manual to ensure smooth and noiseless cocking and shooting
The setup is basically just attaching the limbs to the stock with a hex-head bolt, then attach the scope mount and quiver and you’re good to go. Not only that, this crossbow has two quiver mounts so it can be mounted in a line or across. However, it is a little difficult to align those mounts but you can learn by watching tutorial videos on Barnett’s website.
The scope power is 4×32. In other words, it has a magnification power of 4x so you can attempt shots at longer ranges as you can get an enlarged and magnified image of your target.
The bolt also travels with an excellent speed of 360 fps(feet per second) so you will have the maximum power to send your arrow flying straight to the target.
Suitable for :
- Carbon riser technology
- Anti dry-fire trigger
- Composite laminated limbs
Tenpoint Stealth FX4 Crossbow Package with ACUdraw
This crossbow product includes 3x pro-view scope, 3 Pro Elite carbon arrows with 100-gram bullet field points, a quick detach 3 arrow quiver, ACUdraw rope cocking device which is already installed, Bowjax noise dampening kit, allan wrenches to drive the bolts and screws and an owner’s instructional DVD to assist you during hunting.
Moreover, this product is a little complicated to use for the first time due to its many settings and features however you are assisted with an owner’s instructional DVD so you can set it up and use it with ease. So once you get used to it after thoroughly referring to the instructional DVD, you won’t face any problem.
Weighing just 6.8 pounds, this crossbow is lightweight so you can easily transport it and handle the shooting. Also, it shoots up to 370 fps(feet per second) which is the speed that the bolt travels with after the string is drawn. Higher speed is important so the bolt travels with enough energy and power to hit the target accurately.
Its sleek XLT bow and FSB stock combine to create one of the shortest and compact bow so you can fire the bolt accurately from a tight spot with maximum speed during hunting.
In terms of safety on the other hand, this product has a dry fire protection in which it prevents you from shooting the bow if there is no projectile hence not damaging your crossbow and minimizing the chance of you sustaining an injury.
Tenpoint’s crossbow also operates noiselessly with the Bowjax noise dampening kit. This noise dampening kit reduces the decibel level hence shortening the noise duration when used on the crossbow to prevent distracting your target with the extra noise. The string of this product is also easily cocked with the ACUdraw rope cocking device to ensure a smooth and easy shot.
Suitable for :
- ACU rope cocking device
- Bowjax noise dampening kit
- Sleek XLT bow assembly
Wicked Ridge Tenpoint Invader G3 Crossbow Package
This bow assembly consists of a newly designed, machined aluminium riser with strategically placed cutouts that reduce weight and increase the strength of your hunting bow so your shot will be at maximum speed and highly accurate.
Apart from that, it is equipped with a ACU-52 integrated, self-retracting rope-cocking system to ensure smooth and easy shot when you start cocking your string before drawing your bow. Also, the crossbow package includes a Tenpoint 3x Multi-Line Scope, 3 arrow quiver and 3 carbon arrows.
In terms of safety, this product comes with safety engineered fore-grip and wings to keep the shooter’s fore-grip hand safely below the bowstring release path.
It also has a dry-fire inhibitor(DFI) which prevents firing of the bow without a bolt. The safety mode is also automatically activated when you cock the crossbow hence you have to release it manually to fire a bolt.
Moreover, this product is a little noisy but you can always use string noise dampening system to reduce the noise so you won’t scare your prey away when cocking your product due to it being too loud.
Furthermore, the scope needs light tapping between adjustments to get the movements complete for crosshairs. The scope also should be bright so you can view the crosshairs with ease and take aim during low light conditions.
Also, this product is easy to setup however, the cable slide and quiver mount settings and adjustments are a little confusing but you can watch videos on the Tenpoint website for clarified instruction.
Weighing just 6.6 lbs, this crossbow shoots with a speed of up to 330 fps that drives its bolt. This trigger speed is excellent hence resulting in a consistent and highly accurate shot when hunting. It can withstand a draw weight of 165 lbs which is the weight of force the archer must use when drawing the crossbow in its cocked position.
Suitable for :
- Dry-fire inhibitor feature
- Safety engineered fore-grip & wings
- ACU rope cocking system
Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow Package
This crossbow is of the recurve type which in other words, it has shorter limbs and is lighter compared to a normal standard crossbow. It has a 260 lbs draw weight which is a little high so you need to use extra force to cock and fire it compared to the crossbows with lower draw weight.
Moreover, this crossbow package includes a Tact-Zone scope(with 30mm rings), a cheekpiece, R.E.D.S suppressors, four-arrow quicker(with bracket) , four Diablo arrows, four 150 grain field points and a rope cocking device. The cheekpiece ensures your comfort as it properly aligns your eyes to the scope when you are aiming to shoot.
The scope has an illuminated multi-reticles that changes color from red to green and vice versa according to your preference. This feature comes in handy during low light conditions so you can get a highly visible view of your target.
Its quiver on the other hand is easily detachable so you can remove it anytime if you’re hunting on a tree stand for example. Not only that, this recurve crossbow is simple to put together in which you just have to set the scope and sight it in. If you are confused, you can visit the Excalibur website where you can refer to the DIY videos there to assist you.
Apart from that, this crossbow is a little loud when you cock the rope when drawing the string. To reduce the noise, the R.E.D.S bar under the pads of this product acts as a rubber damper for the string to bump when fired. These pads can be removed for replacement, however just make sure you adjust the string back properly.
Equipped with a Realtree Camo with Tact Zone, this product has a highly camouflaged rugged appearance so this crossbow can blend in with the terrain and surrounding to not give away your location and presence to your target. The bolt fired on the other hand travels at a great speed of 380 fps to make an accurate and consistent shot.
Suitable for :
- Recurve crossbow
- Realtree camo
- E.D.S suppressors
Barnett BCX Buck Commander Extreme CRT Crossbow Package
This crossbow comes with a mounting quiver, 3 arrows, a rope cocking device and a scope with power 3×32. The rope cocking device of this crossbow allows for integration of crank to further ease and ensure a smooth cocking process. The included cocking rope also makes the string easy to be pulled and cocked before firing.
Moreover, this product is assembled and sited in as it can be zeroed in easily and also maintain its zero after many rounds. The bow assembly is fairly straightforward while the quiver assembly is simple. The scope on the other hand is to be mounted like a rifle but you have to torque the screws to ensure accurate shooting without damaging your crossbow.
Apart from that, it is quiet however if you want your crossbow to produce zero noise, you should consider getting a noise dampening system. Also, it needs to be stored in a climate-controlled atmosphere while the string needs to be waxed every 10 shots so it won’t snap easily under tension thus ensuring the durability of your crossbow string.
The scope of this crossbow has an illuminated reticle in which you can adjust the dot color to either red or green or the no-light dots(black) according to your preference. This comes in handy during low light conditions. Weighing 7.9 lbs, this product is not too heavy thus easy to carry and compact in size which is great if you plan to hunt from treestands.
Furthermore, the draw weight of this crossbow is 185 lbs. In other words, you need to put in 185 lbs worth of energy to cock the rope and fire your bolt from this crossbow. It also has a finger guard and pass-through fore grip to ensure your safety when firing the crossbow.
The speed of this crossbow on the other hand is 365 feet per second. Hence, the bolt will travel in this speed to penetrate its target. This excellent speed results in a higher power of bolt and an accurate and consistent shot.
Suitable for :
- Finger guards & fore grips
- Climate-controlled storage
- Integration of crank
Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package
This military style stock provides high definition camouflage and a rugged appearance that will blend in with the surroundings and terrain so the animals you’re targeting for instance will not be aware of your presence.
Weighing just 7.7 lbs, this crossbow fires its bolt with a velocity of 315 feet per second resulting in a powerful and highly accurate shot. The draw weight of this product on the other hand is 150 lbs which is still bearable as you don’t need too much energy to draw the string of your product.
Apart from that, this package includes 3 arrows, a quick-detach quiver, bolts and a premium red dot sight scope. The arrows come with field points suitable for target practice. For hunting, you should purchase separately stronger carbon arrows for better hunting performance.
Moreover, this product has a picatinny/weaver rail divided foregrip for comfortable handle placement when handling it. It also has finger guards in which your front hand grip has flared edges on both ends to prevent any injuries on your fingers when firing.
In terms of safety also, the safety mode is automatically activated when you cock the string of your crossbow. A cocking device however is not provided with the purchase of this package so you are advised to get one to ensure smooth and efficient cocking.
Furthermore, the red dot sight of the scope can also be changed to green and hence proves that it has an illuminated reticle which comes in handy during low light conditions.
The quiver on the other hand is good enough however the bracket mounting it is weak and will break eventually so you need to be gentle when handling it or you can just get another high quality quiver to ensure its durability. It is also not noisy when the bolt is fired.
Not only that, this crossbow is easy to setup and sight in despite having poor instructions. However for further clarification, you should refer to the Barnett website for tutorial videos. It is also climate-controlled stored while waxing the string every 10 shots is highly recommended to maximize the life of your string.
Suitable for :
- Climate-controlled storage
- Red dot sight
- Military style stock
Centerpoint Sniper 370 Camo Crossbow Package
This crossbow package includes a 4×32 scope, 3 carbon bolts, quiver, rope cocking device and a shoulder string. Having a weight of 7.9 lbs, this product is not too heavy and has a compact size as it is narrower than most other crossbows hence it is easier to navigate with through the woods when hunting.
Moreover, this product is relatively easy to assemble and its settings easy to understand. However if you have doubts, you can either refer to the user manual or watch tutorial videos on the Centerpoint’s website. On the other hand, it is fully adjustable with a tactical stock and firearm.
It fires its projectiles with a speed of 370 feet per second which results in higher power and energy thus hitting your target accurately due to its excellent speed. Not only that, the draw weight of this product is 185 lbs which is the amount of force and energy you need to put in to draw the string of this crossbow.
In terms of safety, this product has an anti- dry fire feature in which it won’t be fired without the presence of a projectile on it. It also has an auto safety trigger where the safety mode is activated when the crossbow is cocked. All these safety measures are essential to prevent ill-intentioned shots when hunting.
Furthermore, this product is equipped with quad limbs with CNC machined cam system to improve the accuracy of your shot and integrated string suppressors for a quiet, vibration-free shot. Nevertheless to fully remove noise when handling this crossbow, it is essential for you to get a noise dampening package.
Besides that, the scope comes with simple crosshairs(distance markers) in which you can select the reticle brightness with red or green dots. The scope is not high-end however it performs well and worth your investment.
Suitable for :
- Tactical stock & firearm
- Anti dry-fire feature
- Precision CNC machined cam system
Arrow Precision Inferno Fury Crossbow
Weighing just 5 lbs, this product is extremely lightweight and compact-sized with fully dipped camo pattern, aluminium rail and barrel with compression fiberglass limbs that results in a strong and solid crossbow with a rugged appearance.
This crossbow is a recurve type crossbow which is easier to string and quieter compared to a compound crossbow. This product comes fully equipped with 4 bolts, quick detach quiver with 4 arrows, 3 dot red multi-range sight, padded sling, rope cocker with free extra strings, assembly hardware and an adjustable weaver style scope mount to assist you in hunting.
Moreover, it is simple to assemble and sight in a short period of time as long as you follow the instructions step by step. Therefore, this product is highly recommended for beginners as the settings and adjustments are not too complicated.
In terms of safety, this product has an anti dry-fire mechanism that prevents it from firing without a bolt in place which is important to prevent damage on your crossbow and inflict injury on yourself. There is a thumb guard as well so you can position your fingers carefully and safely for added protection.
Apart from that, it is a little noisy when you cock the crossbow and start to fire so you are advised to get a noise dampening system to minimize the noise. You should also wax the string frequently to prevent the string from snapping over high tension thus extending the life of the string.
The velocity at which the bolt fired from this crossbow travels at 235 feet per second hence providing the bolt with a large amount of speed and energy to hit the target. However, it can only shoot accurately and consistently at close ranges and is not suitable for precision shooting.
Furthermore, the bolts included in the package is of low quality so to improve your hunting performance, you are encouraged to purchase new bolts with higher quality to further improve the accuracy of your shot.
Suitable for :
- Recurve crossbow
- Fully dipped camo pattern
- Weaver style scope mount
- Anti dry-fire mechanism
SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package Review
This crossbow package includes a recurve type crossbow, premium 4×32 multi reticle scope, quick detach quiver with 4 arrows, padded shoulder sling, adjustable weaver style scope mount, aluminium bolts and assembly tools. Scope mount with weaver style is easily detachable and can be installed on different firearms with ease.
Moreover, it has a fully dipped camouflage pattern which is essential so it can blend in with the surroundings thus preventing your live target from noticing your firearm. Also, it has an ambidextrous auto safety feature that allows for proper use of safety while shooting with either your left or right hand.
Weighing 4.85 lbs, this product consists of compression fiberglass limbs that are extremely lightweight thus easy to transport around when hunting. The bolt in which fired by this crossbow travels at a speed of 240 feet per second resulting in a fast and highly accurate shot.
Furthermore, this product is a little noisy when fired so it is good if you can get a noise dampening system to attach on it to further reduce the unwanted noise. Also, make sure that the parts of your crossbow are solid and tightly attached to prevent it from unraveling easily in the middle of your hunting session.
Apart from that, it comes with a rope cocking device which basically consists of a cocking cord with handles. You are advised to frequently lubricate(wax) these cords and strings so they will last longer and not snap due to excessive stress.
The draw weight of this product on the other hand is 175 lbs which is the amount of energy needed to draw the string of the crossbow before firing. However, the cocking device helps cut down the drawing force drastically and reduce the pull weight by almost half so you can easily manage to draw the strings.
The aluminium bolts included are not of good quality as it easily bends. Hence, you are advised to get strong carbon bolts to hit your target with deeper penetration without bending or breaking for serious hunting.
Also, the scope of this product is a little hard to sight in and maintain its zero, however the crossbow assembly is fairly straightforward so you should watch videos on how to zero in a scope for further clarification.
Suitable for :
- Recurve crossbow
- Fully dipped camo pattern
- Limb compression fiberglass
Excalibur Crossbow Matrix SMF Grizzly Crossbow
Weighing just 6 lbs, this crossbow is lightweight thus easy to carry around when hunting. Apart from being lightweight, it has a well-balanced and compact design so it can fit narrow spaces and terrain or even a treestand when hunting.
Besides that, travels fast, with a speed of 305 feet per second. In other words, the bolt fired travels at a speed of 305 fps to hit your aimed target.
This crossbow is a recurve type crossbow. It stores more energy and delivers energy more efficiently than a standard compound bow, thus giving a greater amount of energy and speed to the bolt fired.
Apart from that, this product is easy to assemble. It comes with the assembly tools you need, an instructional booklet and a DVD that guides you step by step in to fix up this crossbow. You basically just have to mount the scope, quiver mount and limb assembly and you’re good to go.
Moreover, this package comes with an already strung recurve crossbow, a scope, 4 bolts and an attachable quiver mount to improve your hunting experience. Not only that, it is designed with a ‘mossy oak’ pattern that provides an excellent camouflage so your crossbow can blend in with the terrain.
The scope of this product is easy to sight in and adjust so you can get a good aim thus an accurate shot. On the other hand, there are finger reminders and guards on this product to provide you a safe and convenient place to steady your hands when firing your crossbow.
Furthermore, it has a draw weight of 200 lbs hence you have to put that much force to draw the string holding your bolt when firing. Nevertheless, this product comes with a rope cocking device to ensure smooth cocking and also making it easier for you to draw the string because this device reduces the draw weight drastically.
Suitable for :
- Recurve crossbow
- Rope cocking device
- ‘mossy oak’ camo pattern
Conclusion
Hence, you need to wisely choose the best crossbow well suited to your needs and type of hunting. Essential factors such as draw weight, firing velocity, weight and setup should be taken into consideration.
I hope my review assists you in making the best choice.