9 Best Crossbows 2024

(Last Updated: August 13, 2020)

Crossbows are fun! I bet you already know that by now. The next exciting thing is getting your hands on a new crossbow. You know that remarkable feeling of exploring the outdoors with your new toy in hand.

It’s precision accuracy and short learning curve are a few of its impressive factors. In recent years, many crossbow manufacturers have come up with amazing designs to give their products the best balance, fit and feel. As you scout for a new crossbow, you need to select one that can load, and shoot right.

 

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  Price Name Our Rating
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Center Point Sniper 370 9.1
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Barnett Whitetail Hunter 9.6
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Barnett Whitetail Pro STR 9.7
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Leader Accessories Crossbow 8.7
Barnett Ghost 420 9.5
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Leader Accessories Crossbow Package 9.3
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Carbon Express Blade X-Force 9.3
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Wicked Ridge Invader G3 9.0

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Today, we want to help you pick the best crossbow in the market for a fair price. With our detailed review, we give you a comprehensive list of the best crossbows. We help you answer the question, “What are the best crossbows on the market?”

To get started, we provide you with information on the benefits of owning a crossbow for recreational shooting and tips on how to choose one. We are confident our detailed list of top crossbows will save you the legwork.

Why You Need a Crossbow For Exceptional Recreational Shooting?

Apart from its badass aesthetics, owning a crossbow will give you a first-row seat at the competitive nature of recreational sports.

With little to no experience whatsoever, you can catch up fast on the working of compact crossbows. The only requirement is your physical strength and love for outdoor sports.

Here are the reasons why you need a crossbow in your life:

  • Its lack of recoil is great for physically challenged individuals
  • It produces minimal noise which helps in avoiding noise violations
  • Easy to use with a user-friendly design
  • Once you cock the crossbow, you only need to use minimal effort to sustain it at full draw
  • You can decide to kneel or stand when using it
  • It works remarkably well for telescopic sights
  • Shoots faster than a traditional bow

How to Choose a Crossbow?

There are hundreds of crossbow companies in the market offering lucrative deals on their products. With so many to choose from, where do you start?

If it is your first time getting to know crossbow brands, do not worry, it can get overwhelming for any buyer. Sit back, relax and let us guide you on the factors to consider when selecting a crossbow.

Safety

You cannot overlook this one crucial factor. Ensure it has a mechanical safety that prevents the trigger from auto-engaging. A dry-fire inhibitor restricts the crossbow from firing in the absence of an arrow. Your crossbow should have a list of useful safety features.

Suitability

Read the features of the product to determine if it aligns with your sport of choice. This will depend on the sport, noise, and weight of the crossbow matters. If you are interested in multiple activities, search for the best all-around crossbow in the market.

Balance

The balance of the crossbow determines how comfortable it is to hold. Generally, there are two designs to choose from with varying weight distribution: reverse and forward draw crossbows.

The forward draw design has most of the weight away from the shooter making it difficult to hold it steady for long while in an upright position. In comparison, the reverse draw design has much of its weight near the shooter. This makes it easy to hold for extended periods in different positions.

Noise

Just because you are using it in the outdoors, does not mean it should be noisy. Buying one of the quietest crossbow designs should be one of your primary concerns. Some models come with dampening kits to reduce noise.

Recoil

Do not get distracted by the design and forget about the recoil. The one with the lowest recoil is your best bet. Too much recoil affects shooting precision.

Speed

You can get crossbows with speed ranging from 300 feet per second (fps) to above 450 fps. On average anything within 300 fps – 350 fps is good enough.

An increase in speed means additional modifications to the design. We are talking about heavier limbs, cams and enhanced power stroke. Before you start getting excited, this means more noise, difficulties during cocking and additional recoil.

Does that sound like a reasonable trade-off?

Manufacturer

There are numerous companies in the industry offering compelling designs. Before you make your purchase, do your due diligence and research on the credibility of the manufacturer. A look at crossbow reviews will help you identify credible companies.

To get your hands on the best crossbow, search for best crossbows reviews to familiarize yourself with the mechanics and construction of different crossbows.

Price

Last but not least, the price tag. The more features a product has, the higher the price. However, that does not mean you cannot get one at a fair price. You will be surprised to know that you can get a wide array of best crossbows under $400.

Let us introduce you to the top of the line crossbows that combine functionality and great design. Moreover, their price points make them more attractive.

 

The Best 8 Crossbows of 2024

 

1. Center Point Sniper 370

Obviously, you want value for your money. This means buying one of the quality crossbows great for recreational sports. In that case, you will definitely love this one from Center Point. So far, it clearly stacks up well against its competitors.

Why? It has a speed of 370 fps, 4 x 32 scope, string suppressors, anti-dry fire, fiberglass limbs, impressive frame design, a shoulder sling, and 185 pounds draw weight. It also comes with an interchangeable and adjustable foregrip. It is one of the affordable crossbows with great performance.

Pros

  • High speed
  • Solid aluminum build
  • Adjustable grip
  • Compact design
  • Quality accessories provided
  • Impressive safety features
  • Vibration free shots

Cons

  • Vague manual, especially for beginners
  • Relatively heavy front
  • Regular maintenance

Verdict

The manufacturer might not be one of the common names in the market, but they have delivered an outstanding design. From its quality build to high velocity, this should be a win in your books. It is no surprise that it has many great positive reviews online.

If you are searching for a good starter crossbow this should be it. The Center Point Sniper 370 is a great choice for anyone interested in a quality product with an easy to swallow price tag. It has decent performance and tactical build for durability.


 

2. Barnett Whitetail Hunter

With a firing velocity of 350 fps, this is one of the cheap crossbows available. That is enough to convince you, but there is more. It has an amazing precision combined with impressive power. It comes with trigger technology and Headhunter arrows.

Its composite stock increases its maneuverability. The Barnett 78128 offers a unique feel with its bristle retainer and 7/8 inch Picatinny rail design. It is evident the manufacturer took the time to integrate finger safety reminders and anti-dry fire into this compact design.

Pros

  • Safety features
  • High firing velocity
  • Compact construction
  • Lightweight design
  • Quality build
  • Great precision
  • Accessories provided
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • A little noisy compared to similar models
  • Not the best scope
  • Fixed Grips

Verdict

Just like any product, it has its downsides. However, its power, speed, and price make it one of the good crossbow for the money. It is great for beginners as well as experienced individuals. The company has been in the industry long enough to get enough credibility.

One of its striking features is its accuracy. If you are looking to save money, you should seriously consider Barnett 78128.


 

3. Barnett Whitetail Pro STR

Are you looking for one of the most powerful crossbow in the market? The Barnett Whitetail Pro STR is one of the impressive designs that will not break your bank. Barnet is an outstanding company that makes quality products, and this is no different.

You get a firing speed of 400 fps, 4×32 mm scope, Picatinny rails, string dampeners, bristle arrow retainer, and a rope-cocking device. It has a beautiful design that perfectly complements its compact construction.

Pros

  • Solid construction
  • High firing velocity
  • Great accuracy
  • Powerful
  • Safety features
  • Quiet shots

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Not the best for beginners

Verdict

Getting a crossbow that has power, speed, and great aesthetics is an amazing deal. That is exactly what you get with the Barnett Whitetail Pro. It is great for experienced individuals in need of a powerful tool.

It has great specs that only feature in crossbows above the $1000 price tag. You will love its innovative design that improves the weight distribution for better stability. Think of it as the best tactical crossbow with a list of outstanding features to make you fall in love with recreational shooting.


 

4. Leader Accessories Crossbow

This is one of the best starter crossbow available with great functionality. At a glance, it looks like a basic crossbow with less of the flair and intricate design details. However, it serves a good choice for a beginner.

It has a speed of 210 fps, 3-dot sight scope, an anti-dry fire system, and 160 pounds draw weight. For easy assembly, the instructions are clear and well simplified.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Easy assembly
  • Strong construction
  • Smooth shots
  • Accessories provided
  • Safety features

Cons

  • Low speed
  • Small in size
  • Not the best sight scope

Verdict

Out of everything else about this crossbow, affordability is what makes it stand out. For less than $150, you can get yourself this Leader Accessories Crossbow.

It is not at the top of the list when it comes to premium features, but it is one of the best deals on crossbows. If you are interested in high speed, you might have to skip this one.


 

5. Barnett Ghost 420

Now, this is a sneak peek at innovation. Barnett does not want to play around this time. This is definitely one of their top rated crossbows. We are talking about laminated limbs, finger reminders, Carbon riser technology, anti-dry fire (ADF) mechanism, single bolt construction, aluminum flight track, and Pass-through foregrip.

Its frictionless release technology enhances accuracy. It has a plethora of magnificent features that make it the top range. The ADF and lock sensor protect the shooter from accidental discharge. It has one of the best-illuminated scope and a high firing velocity of 420 fps.

Pros

  • High speed
  • Powerful
  • Compact construction
  • Less noise
  • Beautiful Camo design
  • High accuracy
  • Lightweight
  • Amazing scope

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Not good for beginners
  • Lacks a crank cocking device

Verdict

The price point might be the only reason why you might have second thoughts about the Barnett Ghost 420. Everything else checks out perfectly. It is a powerful crossbow with amazing technology to let you enjoy your outdoor adventures.

It is one of the best crossbows with high performance. Nothing beats its great maneuverability and high speed. It is great if you are looking for power and precision and do not mind loosening your purse strings a bit.


 

6. Leader Accessories Crossbow Package

Leader accessories want to help you save money. This crossbow package falls under the “best crossbows for the money category. For less than $250, you get to have a functional crossbow for your recreational shooting.

Sounds like a superb deal for anyone interested in taking up a new sport. It has a 285 fps speed, 175 pounds draw weight, 3-dot sight scope, and a cocking rope. You also get an accessory package with 4 aluminum arrows, padded sling, and quiver.

Pros

  • Economical
  • Accessories provided
  • Easy assembly
  • Impressive green Camo design
  • Decent speed
  • Great for beginners

Cons

  • Considerably low velocity
  • Incomplete instructions
  • A bit heavy
  • Long cocking rope

Verdict

In terms of crossbow comparisons, the Leader Accessories Crossbow 175 lbs are a great money saver. There is nothing fancy about this crossbow, but it does get the job done. Functionality is better than a great external appearance with zero practicality.

It is best if you are a beginner looking for some decent performance. Clearly, not top range quality, but definitely a good quality for its price tag.


 

7. Carbon Express Blade X-Force

Are you trying to figure out, “what’s the best crossbow? The Carbon Express Blade X-Force is the ultimate answer. Functionality and affordability bundled into one remarkable crossbow.

You get a superior design with 320 fps, aluminum rail, 4 x 32 scope, adjustable stock and grip, and an anti-dry fire system. Its lightweight gives it less recoil, which improves accuracy.

Pros

  • Economical
  • Decent speed
  • Great design
  • Low recoil
  • Fast loading
  • Adjustable grip
  • Hunt kit

Cons

  • Missing crank cocking device
  • No carrying case

Verdict

This crossbow has enough features to make a perfect choice for novice shooters. Its unique design provides faster arrow speeds with high precision.

You can adjust the grip to improve your aim. It comes with a hunt kit to ease you into the shooting game.


 

9. Wicked Ridge Invader G3

TenPoint, the manufacturer of the Wicked Ridge Invader G3 want to make their crossbow the lightest of all crossbows. It has a compact design with a firing velocity of 330 fps.

Compared to most crossbows, it is lighter and faster. It weighs 6.3 pounds, has a multi-line scope, and good precision. Despite your shooting expertise, you will find its performance, power, and quality impressive.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Great build
  • High speed
  • Safety features
  • Reasonably quiet
  • Accessories provided

Cons

  • Non-illuminated scope
  • Missing cocking device

Verdict

When reviewing the best crossbows, comfort and safety are important factors. The Wicked Ridge Invader G3 has safety features and is comfortable to hold with good stability.
It provides enough power to boost your shooting adventures. The price, design, and quality make it an amazing choice for anyone interested in a great product.


 

Conclusion

From our detailed list, you can identify one or two designs that fit the profile of a best-selling crossbow. Our aim is to help you figure out how to choose a crossbow and make an informed decision on your purchase.

By now, you know exactly what to look for based on your experience. Each of the crossbows we have listed is perfect for a great shooting adventure. We want you to have fun, choose one that is comfortable to handle and within your budget.

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