Best Crossbows 2025 — Hunting Weapons Guide

There are two types of crossbows, and a variety of key features to evaluate before buying which include physical weight, overall length, speed, axle-to-axle width, type of cocking mechanism, and price point.

Recurve Crossbows

Recurve crossbows typically have a curvature at the end of the limbs that points forward. The recurve crossbow will not be as compact due to its wider axle-to-axle measurement. It has a longer draw length than other types of crossbows thus its increased speed. The convenience of this style of crossbow is that most models do not need a bow press or special device to change the strings. The main drawback: Recurve bows often generate more noise.

Compound Crossbows

Compound crossbows are more common. They have a pulley-style system made of cams at each end of the limbs connected by strings and cables. As the string is drawn back by a rope pull or an integrated cocking system, the cables bend the limbs inward under pressure. The limbs are typically shorter and more compact from axle-to-axle than recurve limbs and are easier to use in limited space such as a blind or treestand.

The benefit of a compound crossbow is its increased speed and typically higher draw weight, resulting in a flatter and more precise shot. The primary disadvantage is that a compound crossbow tends to be heavier and requires use of a bow press, along with more complex maintenance requirements.

Speed

Crossbow speed is measured by feet per second (fps). The faster the speed, the flatter and further the distance the arrow will travel, maintaining a higher kinetic energy. Typically, 300 fps speed is enough for most hunting, and all of the crossbows I tested were hunting bows that range between 330fps and 470fps.

Axle-to-Axle

The axle-to-axle measurement is the distance from the center of the axle on one cam to the center of the axle on the other cam; often it is expressed in cocked and uncocked measurements. The shorter this measurement, the more maneuverability a hunter will have in blinds and stands.

Weight and Length

The overall weight and length of a crossbow are both important specs, especially for shorter or smaller hunters. A heavier and longer bow may offer more stability and balanced weight distribution, but it might be difficult for some users to maneuver.

Kinetic Energy

The kinetic energy (KE) a crossbow produces is essential to achieving effective penetration with a broadhead to ensure a swift and humane harvest of game animals. Understanding your KE and the precision of your shot placement is vital for determining the effectiveness of your shot, especially at longer distances.

Kinetic energy is derived from the combination of an arrow’s weight and speed, calculated by the formula: arrow speed x arrow speed x arrow weight, divided by 450,240, which yields the kinetic energy in foot-pounds.

I didn’t share the kinetic energy for each of the crossbows here because, in most cases, the arrow weight and actual bow speed is going to vary per a hunter’s personal preference of brand and weight of arrow and broadhead.

To give a better understanding, my Ravin R470 shoots a 500-grain arrow, including broadhead, at a speed of 473 feet per second (fps) confirmed by a chronograph. To calculate the kinetic energy of my hunting crossbow setup, one must multiply 473 fps by 473 fps, then multiply that result by 500 grains, and divide by 450,240. The result is 248.45 foot-pounds, representing the kinetic energy of the arrow shot from my R470. This amount of energy is more than sufficient for the penetration of the 500-grain arrow and broadhead to effectively take any game animal that is legal to hunt.

Note: As the arrow travels further from the point of release, it decelerates, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy.

Draw Weight, Noise/Vibration, and Trigger Pulls

Draw weight refers to the pounds required to draw the strings back, using a cocking rope or integrated crank, into the cocked position. A higher draw weight equals more speed and higher kinetic energy, which is vital for hunting, but it also increases the wear and tear on the strings.

Consider the noise and vibration associated with crossbows, both of which cannot be eliminated due to the mechanical nature of the crossbow. Noise results from the sudden release of energy in the limbs, and the recoil is from the abrupt halt of the strings and cables. Remember: All crossbows will make noise and have recoil; therefore, most manufacturers incorporate limb and string dampeners to help reduce the noise produced by the crossbow.

More experienced archers will want to factor in trigger pull. A smooth trigger with minimal creep will result in consistent shots without affecting the aiming point. To ensure safety from personal injury or damage to the crossbow, anti-fire mechanisms are beneficial, guarding against unintentional dry firing of the crossbow.

All of the bows in this collection, except for one, the Ballista BAT, incorporate a dry-firing mechanism. Other safety features, like a finger guard and a foot stirrup for stability during cocking, are worthwhile attributes to look for in your selection of a crossbow.

Restrictions or Bans

Not all states allow crossbow hunting, and some have restrictions. California doesn’t ban crossbows but restricts their use during archery season, not recognizing crossbows as archery equipment. Oregon bans crossbows entirely, while some states only allow the use of crossbows during archery season by the elderly meeting a specific age requirement or physically challenged hunters by special permit.

Other states choose to allow crossbow hunting only during specific seasons, like rifle season. Archery permits are required in most states to hunt with a crossbow, regardless of the season, whereas others just require a permit for the season being hunted, archery or rifle. Meeting the criteria for specialty permits in the states where it is required often require a doctor’s certification or a state disability exemption.

There currently isn’t one source that covers the requirements or bans of all the states, so you will have to do the research and use a reliable source when researching crossbow regulations for the state in which you wish to hunt. I recommend checking the state’s Department of Natural Resources or the state’s Fish and Wildlife agency.

Invest in Your Success

The cost of a crossbow varies significantly with prices that start around $275 and reach upwards of $3,500. The most important consideration is choosing a crossbow that fits your needs, then factor in budget. Consider whether you want a lightweight option that’s easy to carry, under 7.5 pounds, or if you require a mechanism for easy cocking/de-cocking with minimal effort and strength, or an adjustable stock allowing a shorter or longer length of pull, and eye relief of the scope allowing others to use the crossbow as well.

Over the past few years, I have witnessed an increase in the use of electronic range-finding scopes paired with bow packages, similar to the Barnett Crossbow model I recommend above. The advantage of utilizing an electronic range-finding scope is that it eliminates the need for additional movement and the time required to use a handheld range finder when the game animal is within shooting range.

Typically, it requires just a single press of the ranging button or a rocker button located near the crossbow trigger for quick acquisition and ranging for the shot. The range-finding scope also illuminates the reticle for the precise shot. The cons of using an electronic range-finding scope include its cost and significant battery consumption, requiring the hunter to carry additional batteries in the field.

Technological advancements

Over the last decade, innovations and advancements introduced by leading companies have impacted design. Ten Point Crossbows, which pioneered the ACUDraw integrated gear-assisted cocking device, has significantly helped crossbows evolve. These systems allow anyone to be able to cock and de-cock a crossbow safely with ease. The pull-cord style cocking made it difficult, and often impossible, for some archers to cock their crossbows because of the enormous amount strength it took to cock the bow. Prior to the ACUSlide, most crossbows had to be shot to decock the crossbow.

The evolution of a faster, lighter, and more compact crossbow design influenced the industry when Ravin Crossbows introduced the R9 Crossbow in 2017, which featured Helicoil Technology and free-floating arrow technology. In 2019, Ravin further raised the bar for industry standards by unveiling a new bullpup-style bow that was shorter (as short as 26 inches), lighter (weighing 6.5 pounds), and more compact (5.75 inches axle-to-axle), achieving speeds of 400-450 fps. By 2021, Ravin made history by introducing the first crossbow in production to break the 500-fps speed threshold.

Ravin remains at the forefront of cutting-edge crossbow technology, alongside industry leading brands such as TenPoint Crossbow Technologies, Barnett Crossbows, and Excalibur Crossbows, driving the entire crossbow industry to adopt advanced technology across all brands and capturing the attention and interest of hunters like myself.