Category: Sports & Outdoors

Bows are used in the sport of archery. The compound bows have replaced traditional bows which are highly engineered with modern materials. Traditional bows can be said as beautiful artworks but they are not matched with the compound bows.

Difference between traditional and compound bows

All the bows use the mechanical energy applied to the limbs when the bow is drawn which makes the arrow to shoot faster than throwing an arrow. Traditional bows work in such a way that the harder the pull is the faster the arrow will travel. So it is hard to draw the 70lbs near the ears which means that the archer is resting 70lbs between his hands. This has changed in compound bows which contains big wheels at its ends so that the weight is let off which means for 70lbs, the archer needs to hold only 20lbs thereby making the archer to hold it longer and take careful aim and shoot.

The various parts of a compound bow are:

Riser – this is the bow’s chassis.
Limbs – This part is used store and release energy.
Cams – These are wheels that allow the archer to adjust the bow.
Bowstring – Pull it to adjust the other parts and release it to shoot the arrow.

In this article, let’s review the top 10 best compound bows that are priced under $500 in 2024

1. Genesis Original Bow

Genesis Original is pretty and is fully aluminium which makes it lightweight but sturdy. The bowstrings are sure to last longer as they are very smooth and wonderful. One important thing to be noticed about Genesis Original Bow is that it does not have a fixed draw length. The reason behind this feature is that this bow can be shared among friends and family. A person can shoot and quickly hand it over to his friend or family member of different height with zero adjustments. This is a big plus for Genesis in terms of its adaptability and comfort. The Original bow is very easy to use. The only time it takes is to unbox the equipment from its pack and once it is done, it is all good to go. The archer needs to know how to use the bow before starting to use it and even a novice user can get the hold of using Genesis Original bow within few attempts.

Thus, genesis Original compound bow is recommended for beginners and is easy to use and available for a cheaper price.

2. SAS Rage 70 Lbs 30’’ Compound bow

Once an archer is aware of the usage of compound bows, then he/she can opt for this SAS Rage compound bow which will allow the archer to customize the equipment in various modes that can be used in the archery field. SAS Rage is one of the simplest bows in its design and construction. It was mainly designed for hunting rather than archery. The bow is developed with only one intention: allow the user to customize the bow in their own way of taste and preference.

The manufacturer believes that they have given the base tool and it is in the creativity of the user to unfold the bow’s full capability and functionality.

The bow comes with fiberglass limbs which are durable and can withstand an unlimited number of shots. The riser is made of aluminum making it lightweight and making a smooth base in which the arrows are rested and provide clear aim and best shot for the archer. The bow comes with the camouflaged design because as mentioned before it was originally designed for use in hunting and this design would match that of the forest surroundings. The range consists of two cams to give the user to make a comfortable draw.

3. Compound Bow Package, M1,19”-30” Draw Length,19-70Lbs Draw Weight,320fps IBO

Top point archery is the manufacturer of this M1 compound bow package and this package contains a lot of accessories attached with it.

The package contains various components such as M1 compound bow, arrow quiver, bowstring wax, bow stand, limb dampers, bow release, rubber stabilizers, brush arrow rest, d-loop assembly, carbon arrows. The package comes with 2-year manufacturer warranty and with all these components, it is available at the cheaper price. The riser is laser cut which makes it strong. The cams are easy to adjust even kids can adjust it in 2 minutes. The bow is light and compact and the additional accessories provided are good for the money paid. The durability of the bow depends on how well the archer maintains it.

4. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package

Diamond archery infinite edge bow are manufactured by Bowtech, one of the famous bow manufacturers in the world. This bow is specially designed for beginners, kids, and females. The reason is that it has a wide variety of adjustable settings which is important while teaching kids and ladies. A typical Diamond Infinite Edge bow pack will contain the following items- Diamond bow, peep sight, D-loop, warranty card, user manual, arrow quiver, arrow rest. The bow has dual cams which are elliptical and smooth. The cable is also very smooth and is the perfect fit for beginner archers. The draw length can vary between 13” and 30” whereas the draw weight can range between 5 and 70 lbs. The shooting IBO speed of the bow is 310 fps. The FPS is not important during the early stages of archery and thus it need not be considered as a major feature. As the bow is designed only for beginners, it is lightweight in nature and comfortable to shoot. There is no noise or vibrations present in the bow because it may increase the weight. There is a string stopper in-built which will protect the bowstring from vibration once it is released. There is also zero-hand shock which is quite amazing. Normally archers feel a light vibration or shock in their hands after shooting the arrow but this bow does not pass shock or vibration and the reason being it is designed for kids and ladies.

The main purpose of designing this bow is for practicing and to have fun. This is not suitable for hunting but it can be used if the settings of this bow are mastered by the archer.

5. iGlow 55 lb Black / Sliver / Camouflage Camo Archery Hunting Compound Bow 175 150 80 50 40 lbs Crossbow

iGlo archery hunting compound bow is a simple and elegant equipment that can be used by archers of all ages and all categories. The bow is lightweight ranging around 40 to 55 lbs which are adjustable as per the user. Since it is weightless, the speed is reduced up to 220 FPS. The draw length of the bow can range between 27” to 29” and The total length of the bow is 41”. The body of the bow is made of aluminum alloy and consists of fiberglass bottom for added comfort. Carbon arrows are recommended to use with this product. This is the best option to buy and give to a kid who is in his early stages of learning archery. The problem is that the package does not have a user manual so one has to depend on google to set the bow and use it. The pros are that this is one of the inexpensive compound bow available in the market with excellent structure and design and better performance.

6. iGlow 30-55 lbs Black / Green / Camouflage Camo Archery Hunting Compound Bow 175 150 70 55 40 30 lb Crossbow

This iGlo version of archery hunting compound bow is the updated version of the previously discussed bow. The changes that are done to this bow are it can hold to the speed of 295 FPS with its draw weight up to 30 – 55 lbs. Draw length ranges between 19” – 29”. The chassis is made of aluminum making it lightweight and contains fiberglass limbs for added comfort. Carbon arrows are the best fit for this type of compound bows. This bow is smaller than any other available compound bows and its performance is better and is worth the $xxx spent on it. It is a good bow for starters and is mainly used for hunting. The pack contains an arrow rest but arrows should be bought separately.

7. SAS Scorpii 55 Lb 29″ Compound Bow

The important specialty about the Southland Archery Supplies (SAS) Scorpii compound bow is that it has compressed ABS Limbs for the bow that keeps the bow away from damage for a long time. The draw length is adjustable between 19” to 29”. The speed of the bow is maintained at 260 feet per second. It can be used both for hunting and archery. The draw weight can be adjusted from 30 to 55 lbs. The bow is weightless weighing only 3 lbs. It is compact and small in size hence can be used for bow fishing as well. This bow is the perfect fit for starters but this is not suitable for users with long arms.

8. Leader Accessories Compound Bow Hunting Bow 50-70lbs 25″ – 31″ with Max Speed 310fps

This compound bow from Leader Accessories has draw weight between 50 to 70 lbs. The draw length is adjustable between 25” – 31”. The shooting speed is staggering with 310 FPS. The body has the aluminium riser and carbon and aluminium arrows are recommended for this compound bow. The pack also comes with peep sight and arrow rest though they can be bought separately as per the user needs. The draw length is very easy to adjust that novice users can also do it by just seeing the videos on the internet. It is as simple as removing screws and tightening them back. The bow is quiet without noise or vibrations, smooth and performs well.

9. High Five Scorcher Compound Bow Set 555

The design of the Scorcher compound bow is stunning that it makes anyone have a look at it. This bow is released for people aged 10 and above only. It has two-piece spider quiver with the draw weight of 16-30 pounds and draws length of 28.5”. It has adjustable aluminum cams. The sight is fiber optic and the sight needs to be changed if there is the change in the draw weight or draw length. There is a rubber stopper in the string. There are three finger rolls attached to the bow which can be used if the user does not want to take the trigger releases. This bow can also be used for bow fishing. It is compact and provides easy maneuvering. The accessories needed can be easily mounted on the bow and it is durable and fun to play.

10. Diamond Archery 2021 Edge SB-1 Compound Bow Package | 15-30″ Draw Length | 7-70 lb Adjustable Weight | Perfect for Hunting | Comes in Black & Breakup Country | Available in Right & Left Hand

As mentioned above, Diamond archery has a special place in the design of compound bows and the cutting-edge design of SB-1 bow is a masterpiece from the manufacturer. The bow satisfies all the requirements of an archer by being durable, versatile, and adjustable. It is applicable to all archers of all categories from novice to experts. The draw length can reach up to 15” which allows any archer to use the bow. The new Certified Bowtech Synchronized Binary System is the one that powers the accuracy behind the working of the bow. The 63 lbs of limb adjustment are present and EZ adjustment system makes the limb adjusts properly. The bow is lightweight and does not have much recoil. The limbs are plastic and at times they can cause problems which can be easily fixed. This bow is not only for beginners but suitable for experienced users as well. The bow comes with the price range of $350 – $400.

The crossbow is a weapon design that was developed around the time of ancient china before black powder weapons were invented. The crossbow was a handheld device that allowed the user to shoot an arrow with more force than any standard bow. In today’s market, the price is not always a tell-tale sign of quality. The archery industry is proven to show that price is a factor in quality. In below we are the listing of the 10 Best Crossbows Under $500 in 2024.

Buyer’s Guide

There are three different ways to load your crossbow.

The first method is the manual cocking method. If you are looking at your crossbow, you should see a triangular-like shape toward the front of the bow. This is called a stirrup. Put the bottom of the stirrup on the ground and put your foot inside. Use the weight of your leg (and body) to hold this firmly on the ground. Then, grasp the string on either side of the stock of the crossbow. You want your thumbs to be as close to the stock on either side as you can manage. Use a slow and steady movement to pull the string back and lock it into place. Be careful of pulling the string back unevenly, as this reduces accuracy and will damage the string, arrow track, and even arrows with time. This is considered the most difficult method, as you will need to lift 150+ pounds of dead weight to load your bow.

The second method is the rope cocking method. This is one of the easiest ways to make it easier to cock your bow since you only need a simple rope to assist you. You may not even need to buy this, as some crossbows with higher draw weights come with a rope to assist in the package. With the rope method, you cut the force necessary to cock the rope back in half. Put your foot into the stirrup as you did while manually cocking. Use the cocking rope to pull the string back. Another benefit of this method is that you are less likely to lean to the right or left, thus, less likely to cause damage to your crossbow.

The third and final method is the crank cocking method. This is a little costly, with the equipment for this costing around $100-$150. However, this method is so easy that even a child could crank the bow back. Simply stick your foot through the stirrup and turn the crank to load your bow. Aside from the cost, the disadvantages of this method are the speed since it can take a full minute to load a bow and the weight of the crank mechanisms, which adds to the overall weight of your bow.

Choosing the Best Crossbow:

Choosing the best crossbow may be a seemingly difficult task. To find the best one for you, there are a couple factors to keep in mind.

1. Consider the draw weight of the crossbow

The benefit of a higher draw weight is a stronger force when your arrow shoots forward, making it more likely that you will kill your prey. For this reason, it is recommended that you choose a bow that has a minimum draw of 150 pounds if you want to kill anything. If you are just using your bow for target practice, then you can choose a lower weight bow. Remember, however, that you must dead weight the draw of the crossbow unless you use a mechanism to assist.

2. Consider the power stroke of the bow

The power stroke is simply the length that the string must be pulled to be cocked. This typically ranges between 10 inches and 14 inches. A higher power stroke will mean a more powerful shot, though this does not matter much if the crossbow was properly adjusted for its specific draw weight.

3. Consider the velocity of your arrow

The velocity is measure in feet per second or FPS. Velocity describes how quickly your arrow travels the first 20-30 yards after it is shot. After about 20 yards, the velocity of the arrow or bolt will dramatically decrease. For best results for hunting, choose a minimum velocity of 200 FPS. The velocity will be affected by the drawing height of the crossbow. Arrow weight is another major factor on what you FPS will calculate to. Remember that this will be affected by the type of arrows that you use and factor this into your decision.

4. Consider what material the limbs of your crossbow

High-quality crossbows demand lightweight but durable materials. Those on the lower end of the spectrum are typically made of wood or aluminum, though these are not strong enough to guarantee the crossbow won’t break with wear and tear. The best materials include fiberglass, carbon, or a combination of the two. These materials are strong enough to handle the physical stress of a powerful shot.

5. Consider the difference between a compound and a recurve crossbow

The difference of a recurve versus a compound bow lies in the mechanism that is used to draw back the strings. The compound crossbow is outfitted with a system of cams, or pullies. The recurve crossbow does not use any cams, but it uses one limb on each side of the shaft. This allows the compound bow to have more potential energy compared to the recurve bow. Compound bows are usually more expensive, as they provide more force per drawback. Recurve bows do not have as many mechanisms on it as the compound bow, make it a lighter and more versatile crossbow.

Conclusion

Choosing a crossbow is a big decision since it can affect accuracy during target practice and if you can bring the big game down. Be sure to make the above considerations and check out these best crossbow reviews to choose the crossbow to fit your needs.