Best Crossbows, Compared
Five hunting crossbows compared from their makers' specs (speed, weight, length, draw weight and how you cock them), compound vs. recurve, what suits a beginner, and the rules to check first.
The best crossbow for most hunters is one you can cock easily every time, carry all day and shoot accurately at your longest ethical distance; when you compare speeds, look at the arrow weight each maker tested with. Five crossbows are compared below from their makers’ own pages, from a ready-to-hunt package to a compact 420 fps bow and two recurves. Before you buy, confirm that your state allows crossbows in the season you plan to hunt.
Crossbows Compared
| Crossbow | Type | Speed | Weight and length | Draw weight and cocking | From the maker | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnett XP370 | Compound | Up to 370 fps (380-grain arrow) | 12 lb (Barnett’s product weight); 35.5-38 in long, 13 in axle to axle cocked | 165 lb draw; rope cocking device included | 115 ft-lb kinetic energy; 13.6 in power stroke; TriggerTech trigger; adjustable butt stock; ships with two carbon arrows, red dot sight and quiver | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| CenterPoint Hellion 400 | Compound | Up to 400 fps | 8.13 lb; 33 in long | 185 lb draw | CNC-machined aluminum rails and cams; one of CenterPoint’s slimmest profiles | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| Barnett HyperTAC 420 | Compact compound | Up to 420 fps (380-grain arrow) | 7.6 lb; 32 in long, 9.2 in axle to axle cocked | 210 lb draw; rope cocking device included | 149 ft-lb kinetic energy; 15.5 in power stroke; shoots .204 HyperFlite arrows; 1.5-5x32 illuminated scope; TriggerTech trigger | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| Excalibur Mag AIR | Recurve | 305 fps | 4.9 lb bare, 6.7 lb with accessories; 31 in long | 136 lb draw effort; rope aid | Excalibur pitches it for youth to adult and for beginners and pros; limited lifetime warranty | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| Excalibur RevX | Recurve | 400 fps | 7 lb bare, 9 lb with accessories; 33 in long | 16 lb draw effort with its integrated crank | The crank cocks and de-cocks the bow, which Excalibur describes as its easiest system yet | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
How we put this together. Five crossbows from three makers, compound and recurve, compared on what each maker states on its own product page, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not shot them side by side; accuracy, trigger feel and noise are things a spec sheet cannot show. Makers measure speed with a stated arrow weight (Barnett uses a 380-grain arrow), so a heavier hunting arrow will fly slower than the headline figure. TenPoint and Ravin are missing because we could not read their product specs. There are no prices here: the Amazon link searches for the exact model, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.
Excalibur lists draw effort, which it defines as the resistance while cocking, and for the RevX that figure is with its built-in crank; Barnett and CenterPoint list draw weight, so the figures in that column are not all the same measure. The HyperTAC 420 is the fastest and the shortest of the compounds, and the Mag AIR the lightest of the five. The RevX is the one with a cocking crank built in, and the only one whose page says it de-cocks as easily as it cocks.
Compound or Recurve?
A compound crossbow has cams at the ends of its limbs (CenterPoint machines the Hellion’s from aluminum); a recurve crossbow has none: Excalibur sells the Mag AIR on its “dead-simple recurve reliability”. Our profiles of the compound crossbow and the recurve crossbow go further into each, and the reverse-draw crossbow is a third layout.
The Best Crossbow for a Beginner
What makes a crossbow easy for a new hunter is mostly how it cocks and what comes in the box:
- Cocking. A cocking aid takes most of the effort out of drawing the string: Excalibur says its cranks and rope cockers bring draw effort as low as 12 lb, and lists 16 lb for the RevX’s built-in crank. See our guide to cocking devices.
- Weight and length. You will carry the bow far more than you shoot it. The Mag AIR, at 4.9 lb bare and 31 in, is the lightest here.
- A complete package. The XP370 ships with arrows, a red dot sight, a rope cocker and a quiver, so there is nothing else to match before you start practicing.
Whatever you choose, use the bolts the maker specifies; our page on crossbow bolts explains why the minimum arrow weight matters. Keep your fingers below the rail and never dry-fire a crossbow, as our crossbow profile explains.
Rules to Check First
Crossbow legality varies widely by state and season, as our crossbow profile notes. Confirm the current rules with your state wildlife agency before you hunt, including any minimum draw weight. For how a crossbow compares with a vertical bow, see crossbow vs. compound bow, and to sight one in, our crossbow scope comparison.
Questions About Crossbows
What is the best crossbow for a beginner? One that is easy to cock, light enough to carry and ready to shoot out of the box. Of the five here, the Mag AIR is the lightest and is pitched by Excalibur for beginners, and the XP370 comes as a complete package.
How fast should a hunting crossbow be? Every bow here is rated at 305 fps or more. Faster bows can deliver more energy downrange, as Excalibur notes, but what matters as much is that you can place the arrow where you aim.
Is a crossbow legal for deer hunting? It depends on your state and the season. Check your wildlife agency’s regulations before you hunt.
Recommended Gear on Amazon
- Crossbow rope cocking device - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Crossbow rail lube - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Crossbow target - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
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