Are you trying to find hunting crossbows among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling hunting crossbows on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 11 hours of research and did 37 hunting crossbows tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best hunting crossbows you can buy today
- BARNETT WHITETAIL HUNTER CROSSBOW STR WITHOUT CRANK DEVICE: Ultra-compact compound crossbow with complete hunting accessory package. The lightweight crossbow has a manageable profile that hunters of all sizes can handle and shoots 375 feet per second
- EFFICIENT: Crossbow is equipped with Step-Through Riser (STR) technology that reduces the length of the crossbow and has an overall weight of just 6.6 lbs., creating an easily controllable profile that hunters of all skills and sizes can manage
- SAFETY FEATURES: Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System, Finger Safety reminders, TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology
- INCLUDES: 4.32mm Multi-Reticle Scope, Two 22" Headhunter Arrows, Lightweight Quiver, Rope Cocking Device, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled. Color is Mossy Oak Bottomland
- The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- QUICK AND DEADLY: Tough and agile mechanism helps you hit small, quick game as well as larger, tougher animals
- ADJUSTABLE DESIGN: 6-position adjustable butt-stock comfortably fits a variety of users while the aluminum barrel stock is designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- POWER AND SPEED IN 1: Fires at a rate up to 405 feet-per-second and generates up to 134 foot-pounds on a hit, blending accuracy and striking power
- STEALTHY: Built-in Dead Silent limb and string suppressors reduce noise and prevent prey from noticing you as you track them
- AMMO INCLUDED: 3 premium Hyper carbon crossbolts are included, complete with a 5-bolt quiver
- BARNETT TS380 HIGH-SPEED CROSSBOW WITH CRANK DEVICE: High-speed crossbow with complete hunting accessory package. Crossbow is designed to accommodate to any shooter's stature. Features an integrated cock cranking device and shoots 380 feet per second
- ADAPTABLE: Offers an adjustable length-of-pull butt stock and pass-through foregrip which makes the swift crossbow easy and comfortable for almost any shooter to shoulder
- SAFETY FEATURES: Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Technology, TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology, Finger Safety Reminders
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE: Includes 4x32mm Multi-Reticle Scope, Lightweight Side-Mount Quiver, Two 20" Headhunter Arrows, an Integrated Crank Cocking Device, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled. The color is Digital Gray
- BARNETT: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- Measures 10” wide cocked and 14” wide uncocked
- Delivers intensely powerful performance in a compact platform
- 12. 7” power stroke delivers hard hitting power at 400 feet per second
- Anti-dry fire mechanism helps prevents dry firing
- This ready-to-hunt crossbow package includes 3 Bear X TrueX arrows, illuminated scope, 4-arrow quiver, cocking rope, and rail lube / string wax
- BARNETT WILDCAT CAMO RECURVE CROSSBOW: Recurve crossbow with complete hunting accessory package. The Wildcat offers a classic, easy-to-use design and features a full camo wrap, anti-dry fire trigger system, and shoots 260 feet per second
- VERSATILE: The recurve bow was created with first-time crossbow users in mind. The Wildcat is lightweight and sturdy, making it easily maneuverable by beginners and includes a quiver and two aluminum arrows so you can get practicing right away
- SAFETY FEATURES: Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System, Finger Safety Reminders.
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE: Includes 4x32mm Multi-Reticle Scope, Lightweight Side-Mount Quiver, Two 20" Aluminum Arrows, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled. Cocking device not included. Color is Brown Tear
- BARNETT: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- HIGH PERFORMANCE 385 FPS - 14.75-inch axle-to-axle at full draw and 185-pound draw weight
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE STOCK AND FOREGRIP - For a customized fit to shoulder with confidence
- QUAD LIMBS WITH PRECISION-MACHINED CAM SYSTEM - Delivers power and accuracy
- MACHINED RAIL WITH SHOOT-THROUGH RISER
- INTEGRATED STRING SUPPRESSORS AND LIMB DAMPENERS - for a quiet, vibration-free shot
- DURABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN - Aluminum and composite, easy to carry and maneuver in the field
- HARD HITTING: Knock down staggering, strong beasts with a heart-pounding speed of 405 feet per second and 134 foot-pounds of kinetic energy when triggered
- QUIET PERFORMANCE: Custom rubber shock absorbers reduce noise and vibration for increased stealth and performance
- LIGHTWEIGHT FRAME: Ultra-light composite stock is comfortable and easy to maneuver
- X-LOK FOREGRIP: Adjustable full-length Picatinny rail offers custom comfort with multiple holding options
- BUNDLED ITEMS: 1 Lethal 405 crossbow, 1 Lumix non-illuminated scope, 1 rope cocker, string suppressors, 3-bolt quiver, 3 bolts with field tips, and 1 stick of rail tube
- Ultra-fast speeds up to 380 fps with a 380 gr carbon bolt
- Lightweight and compact riser design 6.7lbs – easy to shoot and store
- 14" wide cocked and 18" wide uncocked
- Anti-dry fire trigger/auto safety mechanism
- PACKAGE INCLUDES: 4 x 32mm Scope with Red/Blue Illuminated Reticle, 3-Bolt Quiver, Three 20 Carbon Bolts, Cocking Rope, Shoulder Sling, and String / Rail Lubrication Wax
- BARNETT WHITETAIL HUNTER II CROSSBOW: High-performance compound crossbow in RealTree Extra with complete hunting accessory package. The lightweight crossbow is ultra-compact, shooting 350 feet per second
- EFFICIENT: Crossbow is equipped with an axle-to-axle length of 16.125" overall weight of just 6.4 lbs., creating an easily controllable profile that hunters of all skills and sizes can manage
- SAFETY FEATURES : Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System, TriggerTech 3lb zero creep Frictionless Release Technology
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE: Bow dimensions are 34.25"L x 18.25"W. Package includes two Headhunter 20" Arrows, Multi-Reticle Scope 4X32mm, Rope Cocking Device, Lightweight Side Mount Quiver, Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled
- BARNETT: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- Easy Assembly Self-Cocking Crossbow
- 80 Lb Draw Weight
- 225 Fps W/ Plastic Bolts
- 185+ Fps With Aluminum Bolt
- Fiberglass Limb
- BARNETT EXPLORER XP400 CROSSBOW PACKAGE: Compound crossbow with complete hunting accessory package in Strike. Explorer XP400 is fully customizable and provides power and performance in one affordable package, all while shooting 400 feet per second
- ADAPTABLE: Compound crossbow is completely customizable with an adjustable butt stock and cheek rest for an incredibly comfortable fit and overall shooting experience. The XP400 features dual laminated limbs which makes it durable
- SAFETY FEATURES: Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System, TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE: Includes 4x32mm Multi-Reticle Scope, Lightweight Side-Mount Quiver, Two 20" Carbon Arrows, a Rope Cocking Device, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled. The color is Strike
- BARNETT: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- BARNETT BLACKCAT RECURVE CROSSBOW: Recurve crossbow with complete hunting accessory package. The Blackcat features a stealth design, is wrapped in Black Strike Camo, and can shoot 260 feet per second -making this bow both quiet and quick
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY: The recurve crossbow offers a straightforward, easy-to-use design, making it a great option for new crossbow users. The Blackcat also makes safety a priority by featuring finger safety reminders and an anti-dry fire trigger
- SAFETY FEATURES: Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System, Finger Safety Reminders. Specs: 260 Feet Per Second, Weight of 4. 8 Lbs, Axle to axle width of 22", Length: 35. 5"
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE: Includes Red Dot Sight, Lightweight Quiver, Two 20" Aluminum Arrows, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled. Cocking device not included. Color is Black Strike
- BARNETT: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- Barnett Whitetail Pro STR Without Crank Device: Ultra-compact compound crossbow with complete hunting accessory package; The lightweight crossbow has a manageable profile that hunters of all sizes can handle and shoots 400 feet per second
- Safety Features: Equipped with Nock Sensor and Anti-Dry Fire Trigger System to eliminate Dry Fires; Finger Guards & Finger Safety Reminders; Be sure to wax strings every 10 shots
- Includes: 4.32mm Multi-Reticle Scope, Two 22" Headhunter Arrows, Lightweight Quiver, Rope Cocking Device, and Lubrication Wax; Ships mostly assembled. Allows for Intergration of Barnett Crank Cocking Device
- Specs: Draw Weight: 187 pounds. Kinetic Energy: 140 Ft. lbs; Power Stroke 16.375"; Overall weight: 6.9 pounds; Dimensions: 36.5" L x 20"W; Axle to Axle 17.625"; Color is TruBark Camo
- Barnett: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- Bundle Includes: Killer Instinct Lethal 405 FPS Crossbow, Killer Instinct Crossbows Slayer Crossbow Case, and Fixed-Blade Steel Tip 100-Grain Hunting Broadheads (3-Pack)
- Hard Hitting: Fast shooting 405 feet per second power
- Quiet Performance: Custom rubber shock absorbers reduce noise and vibration for increased stealth and performance
- Lightweight Performance: Ultra-light composite stock is comfortable and easy-to-maneuver
- X-Lock Foregrip: Adjustable on full length picatinny rail offers custom comfort with multiple holding options
- BARNETT EXPLORER XP380 CROSSBOW PACKAGE: Compound crossbow with complete hunting accessory package in Black Strike Camo. Explorer XP380 features a pass-through foregrip, adjustable butt stock, and reaches menacing speeds of up to 380 feet per second
- TOUGH: Crossbow was created to provide power and performance in an affordable package. Explorer XP380 features laminated limbs for extra durability and is covered in Strike black camo, making a complete package that looks good and shoots better
- SAFETY FEATURES: Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System, TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE: Includes 4x32mm Multi-Reticle Scope, Lightweight Side-Mount Quiver, Two 20" Carbon Arrows, a Rope Cocking Device, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled. Color is Black Strike
- BARNETT: The most trusted name in crossbows since 1962
- Ultra-Compact Compound Crossbow with Adjustable Stock will fit most hunters. The lightweight crossbow has a manageable profile with Adjustable Stock that hunters of all sizes can handle and shoots 340 FPS
- It has an overall weight of just 6.7 lbs., creating an easily controllable profile that hunters of all skills and sizes can manage
- Advanced Anti-dry Fire Safety Trigger Mechanism with less than 3.5 lbs. Trigger Pull
- Aluminum Die Casting Riser and Compression Fiberglass Limbs for Durability and Precision
- INCLUDES: 4.32mm Scope, 3 x 20" Bolts, Lightweight Quiver, Rope Cocking Device, and Lubrication Wax. Ships mostly assembled.
- COMPACT & MANEUVERABLE: At 27.75-inches long and 10-inches axle-to-axle (cocked), the weight of the AX405 crossbow is centered over the shooter’s hand by way of a balanced shoot-through stock and riser design and reverse limb system.
- POWERFUL BOLT SPEED: This configuration empowers the most efficient part of the AX405 210-pound split limbs to deliver bolt speeds in excess of 400 feet-per-second, from just 13-inches of power stroke.
- PROPRIETARY CAM SYSTEM: Links by cables that run parallel to each other eliminate cam-lean, limb torque and is further enhanced by an exclusive cable brace that engages the riser to aid in the limitation of flex away from the center of the crossbow.
- UNMATCHED EFFICIENCY: Unlike the one-piece aluminum rail concepts of conventional crossbow designs that rob speed, efficiency and bolt life, the stock of the AX405 eliminates the rail and utilizes dual carbon guide rods along the length of the stock.
- ENHANCED SPEED & ACCURACY: When combined with the shoot through riser and a roller rest on the bow’s front end, the features create a free-floating arrow system that mitigates contact, friction and torque along the arrow’s entire path.
- MANEUVERABLE - At a stable and easily shouldered 30.5-inches long and less than 12-inches axle-to-axle (cocked), the weight of the AX440 is centered over the shooter’s hand by way of a balanced shoot-through stock and riser design and reverse limb system.
- GREATER EFFICIENCY - This configuration empowers the most efficient part of the split limb system from just 15 inches of power stroke to launch bolts at 440 feet-per-second. When combined, the proprietary cam system’s features center the string to move along the same plane throughout the entire power stroke.
- PREMIUM PERFORMANCE - Unlike the 1-piece aluminum rail concept of conventional crossbow designs that rob speed, efficiency and bolt life, the stock of the AX440 eliminates the rail and utilizes dual carbon guide rods along the entire length of the stock.
- HIGHER SPEED OUTPUT - When combined with a shoot through riser and a tunable roller rest these features create a free-floating arrow system that minimizes contact, friction and torque along the arrow’s entire path.
- EXTREME ACCURACY - The AX440 also puts to work the proven small diameter 19-inch (.166 I.D.) bolt system to produce extreme accuracy, durability, penetration and safety.
- UNPRECEDENTED SAFETY - The interaction between the bolt’s premium aluminum capture nock system and the bow’s string creates an audible sound to note full connection and preparation to interface with the trigger system for unprecedented safety.
- Delivers top-of-the-line speed at 380 FPS with a draw weight of 185 lbs. at an incredible value
- Easy to maneuver in the field with an overall weight of 7.5 lbs.
- 13 ¼” power stroke delivers lethal power
- Anti-dry fire inhibitor, dual string suppressor system, and picatinny style scope mount rail
- 4x32 multi cross-hair reticle with functioning eye piece, 5-arrow quiver, three carbon bolts with field points, cocking rope, and rail lube/string wax
How to choose a good hunting crossbows
Does the idea of finding a fantastic hunting crossbows make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in hunting crossbows. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top hunting crossbows products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top hunting crossbows on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top hunting crossbows brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top hunting crossbows based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the hunting crossbows were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good hunting crossbows, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your hunting crossbows.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting hunting crossbows for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our hunting crossbows. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what hunting crossbows should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on hunting crossbows.
