How we pick our products
Welcome to our big compound bow test 2023. Here we present all the compound bows we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best compound bow for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a compound bow.
Summary
- The compound bow is one of the most modern bows on the market. Its unique construction ensures a clean and very good shooting behaviour. Subject to the archer’s discretion, of course.
- A striking feature of the compound bow is its two rollers. One at the top of the bow and one at the bottom. They are important for cocking the compound bow.
- Archery has a long tradition. People have been using bows and arrows for 14,000 years. In the past, mainly for hunting. Archery has been an Olympic sport since 1972. Archery can be practised by young and old.
The Best Compound Bow: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a compound bow
Who is a compound bow suitable for?
However, it is recommended that absolute beginners practice with simpler bows first. Archery requires good body tension and strong muscles. These can be built up better with other bows.
Furthermore, a compound bow has to be adjusted correctly, which might be too complicated for many beginners. However, for those who already have experience in archery, a compound bow is recommended.
A lot of fun is guaranteed with a compound bow and the right technique.
What does a compound bow cost?
What variations are there in compound bows?
There are different cams, strings with extras, the material of the bow. Furthermore, there are additional upgrades. For example, a target sight, a silencer, stabilisers, etc.
Be careful, the more special your compound bow becomes, the more expensive it will be.
What are the alternatives to a compound bow?
However, if you look at the technique of the compound bow and are looking for an alternative, there is the compound crossbow. In terms of price, it is in the same league as the compound bow.
| Type | Price range |
|---|---|
| Compound bow | 100€ to 1700€ |
| Recurve bow | 50€ to 1200€ |
| Compound crossbow | 100€ to 1800€ |
Decision section: What types of compound bows are there and which is the right one for you?
What distinguishes a compound bow and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
The compound bow is characterised by its unique technique. Characteristics of this are the two cams at the top and bottom. This application allows a strong tension of the bowstring with little effort.
This technique is based on the shaft wheel and the law of leverage. The shaft wheel is a machine that is created from a large wheel and a small shaft. This makes it possible to achieve the same small effort with a large end result.
The law of the lever is a principle from physics. The central variable here is torque. This is also found in the compound bow.
The main disadvantage is that there is a lot of technology involved, which pushes the actual archery to the back. Nevertheless, you have to be able to shoot a compound bow yourself.
What distinguishes a recurve bow and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
The recurve bow gets its name from the limbs at the top and bottom of the bow.
These point away from the archer when relaxed and are bent back towards the archer when cocked. Recurve is English and means bent back.
The recurve bow is relatively light and can therefore be carried around easily. Due to its relatively simple handling, the bow is well suited for beginners.
However, it is also popular with experienced professionals, as it is really about archery and there are usually no technical aids.
However, unlike the compound bow, the recurve bow is not as strong and therefore shoots weaker and not as far.
What distinguishes a compound crossbow and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The compound crossbow is based on the concept of the compound bow. It therefore contains the same technology, including the cams, which are based on the shaft wheel and the law of leverage.
A great advantage of the crossbow is that after tensioning the string, it is held without force. Due to the compound technique, the material of the arrows is not too decisive for their flight behaviour.
The disadvantage of the compound crossbow, as with all crossbows, is the difficulty of cocking. Usually a cocking aid is used to relieve the strain on the back. In this case, the crossbow points to the ground and is held in place with the aid of one’s own foot using the device provided for this purpose.
The actual cocking aid is a strap which is clamped into the actual string with the help of hooks. By pulling on two handles, one can tension the crossbow with half the force.
Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate a Compund bow
Now we want to clarify what you should look for when buying. We will do this on the basis of the following criteria:
- Accessories
- Sight
- Power
- Price
In the following, we will go into more detail on the criteria mentioned and explain how you can recognise and evaluate differences.
Accessories
First of all, you should check what is included in the compound bow.
Are there any arrows included? Does the bow have different camwheels that allow for variation in shooting? What about spare parts?
If all these accessories are available, you don’t have to buy more later. This is easy on the wallet and does not require a longer break from archery.
Sight
For those who are a little more advanced, a sight might be appealing. Here, you can aim with a rear sight and a front sight, just like with a rifle, or only with an aiming point.
The sight is used in compound archery for more precise aiming even at long distances. Of course, there are different variants, some better and some worse in terms of magnification and aiming.
Another extra to the sight is a small lens in the bowstring, which shows the magnified image of the sight more sharply.
Power
Archery has a lot to do with strength. The more you draw a bow, the stronger and further you can shoot.
Now, the maximum possible force varies from bow to bow. This is due to the different rollers at the top and bottom of the compound bow. These tension the string differently depending on their size.
Furthermore, the elasticity of the string is also very important. Different tendons mean different power possibilities.
Price
A point not to be neglected in the purchase criteria is the price.
On the one hand, your bow should have a good price-performance ratio and at the same time correspond to your progress and plans.
The most expensive bow is not recommended for a beginner and the cheapest bow is not recommended for a professional.
Do you want to participate in competitions or do you just want to do some recreational archery?
For a competitor, professional equipment is recommended, while for a recreational archer, an advanced bow should be perfectly adequate.
Facts worth knowing about compound bows
How do I set up a compound bow correctly?
Bow and arrow are a system that must be perfectly matched to achieve the best possible results. Therefore, a correct adjustment of the compound bow is of great importance.
The main point here is the arrow rest. It should be orthogonal to the bowstring in the relaxed state. Two commercially available spirit levels help here.
Attach one to a clamped arrow (string relaxed) and one to the bowstring. If the bow is now straight and both spirit levels indicate a zero point, then the arrow rest is at a 90° angle to the string. That is exactly our aim.
Further adjustment possibilities can be found on the internet.
What accessories are available?
There are also useful accessories for archery.
On the one hand, a target serves for targeted shooting. You have a clear target in front of your eyes and can see exactly how accurately you are shooting. In addition, a quiver makes it easy to store arrows on the body. You have the arrows quickly at hand and they don’t just lie around everywhere.
Archery exerts great forces on the string. If the bowstring constantly slips along the arm, this can lead to abrasions. To counteract this, there are various arm protectors.
When the string is released, it also has a strong effect on the fingers. That is why there are so-called finger tabs to protect the fingers used or even an entire glove for the whole hand.
If you want to protect your fingers completely, you can use so-called release aids. Here you use an intermediate piece for finger and tendon, which makes it easier to release the tendon.
Which accessories make sense depends on your level of performance and personal preferences and should therefore be perfectly adapted to you.
Image source: 123rf.com / Tom Tietz
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