10 Best Compound Bows of 2021: Single Cam, Hybrid Cam & More
Photo: Bear Archery
Whether you are into archery or bow hunting, there is no doubt that compound bows are the best of this weapon type. They are advanced weapons that incorporate the use of cams (pulleys) to store most of the energy as opposed to the limbs.
When compared to recurve bows , they rely on less physical strength, which allows you to focus on long-range power and accuracy. Also, this bow allows for more customization by adding on arrow rests, sights, quivers, and other performance-enhancing accessories.
There are different variations of these weapons though, and we have reviewed 10 of the best compound bows to help you pick the most ideal piece that suits your needs. Take a look!
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10 Best Compound Bows – Review
- 1. Best Overall Compound Bow: Bear Archery Cruzer G2
- 2. Best Budget Compound Bow: Bear Archery Brave
- 3. Best Compound Bow for Beginners: Genesis Original Bow
- 4. Best Binary Cam Compound Bow: Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro
- 5. Best Compound Bow for Hunting: Predator Archery Raptor
- 6. Best Compound Bow Set: Compound Bow Topoint
- 7. Powerful Compound Bow: Leader Accessories Compound Bow
- 8. Best Compound Bow for Pre-Teens: CenterPoint Archery ABY1721
- 9. Compound Bow for Professional Archers: Southland Archery SAS Outrage
- 10. Versatile Compound Bow: Bear Archery Cruzer Lite
- How to Buy Best Compound Bows
- Conclusion
10 Best Compound Bows – Review
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1. Bear Archery Cruzer G2 (Best Overall) |
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2. Bear Archery Brave (Best Budget) |
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3. Genesis Original Bow (Best for Beginners) |
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4. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro (Best Binary Cam) |
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5. Predator Archery Raptor (Best for Hunting) |
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6. Compound Bow Topoint (Best Set) |
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7. Leader Accessories Compound Bow (Powerful) |
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8. CenterPoint Archery ABY1721 (Best for Pre-Teens) |
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9. Southland Archery SAS Outrage (For Professional Archers) |
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10. Bear Archery Cruzer Lite (Versatile) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Bear Archery Cruzer G2 (Best Overall) |
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2. Bear Archery Brave (Best Budget) |
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3. Genesis Original Bow (Best for Beginners) |
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4. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro (Best Binary Cam) |
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5. Predator Archery Raptor (Best for Hunting) |
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6. Compound Bow Topoint (Best Set) |
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7. Leader Accessories Compound Bow (Powerful) |
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8. CenterPoint Archery ABY1721 (Best for Pre-Teens) |
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9. Southland Archery SAS Outrage (For Professional Archers) |
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10. Bear Archery Cruzer Lite (Versatile) |
1. Best Overall Compound Bow: Bear Archery Cruzer G2
Photo: Bear Archery
- Draw Weight: 5 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 12 – 30 in.
- Axle Length: 30 in.
- Speed: 315 FPS
- Let-Off: 70%
Bear Archery’s Cruzer G2 is the best of the best in our compound bow review because it has a versatile, ready-to-hunt, lightweight, and fast design.
The product features a wide adjustment range on its draw weight and length, which can be set anywhere between 5 – 70 lbs. & 12 – 30 inches respectively. This makes it very versatile because it is engineered to be used by people of all ages and all skill levels.
Additionally, these adjustments are done using an Allen wrench, which is a much easier option as compared to using a bow press, and this can be done by all kinds of users.
Other than that, the bow comes as a ready-to-hunt unit because it includes six Trophy Ridge accessories. These are a 5-arrow quiver, a 4-pin sight, a peep sight , a whisker biscuit, a stabilizer , and a nock loop.
Despite having all these, the unit weighs only 3 lbs., which makes it easy to hold when hunting or practicing some shots. It also has a smooth drawing cycle with a forgiving 70% let-off when you get to full draw.
An advanced grip design is built on the riser to eliminate hand torque, and this allows you to shoot accurately at speeds of up to 315 feet per second. There are also multiple color options to choose from but the piece is quite costly. However, it is worth the money because you get a lot of features.
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2. Best Budget Compound Bow: Bear Archery Brave
Photo: Bear Archery
- Draw Weight: 15 – 25 lbs.
- Draw Length: 13.5 – 19.5 in.
- Axle Length: 26 in.
- Let-Off: 65%
The Bear Archery Brave is our best budget piece because it gives you decent features at a reasonable price. For instance, it comes as a ready-to-shoot bow due to the inclusion of a whisker biscuit arrow rest, a pin sight, a quiver with two Safetyglass arrows, and an armguard.
With a draw weight of 15 – 25 lbs. and a draw length of 13.5 – 19.5 inches, this piece is ideal for young kids who are at least 8 years of age. Therefore, if your kid wants to follow in your footsteps, the Brave has the perfect parameters plus a relatively high 65% let-off to make it easy to hold the arrow at full draw.
On top of this, it has a relatively short 26-inch axle length, which is the ideal size for the youngsters. You also get multiple color options to choose from but the product is only built for right-hand use. There is no left-hand option.
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3. Best Compound Bow for Beginners: Genesis Original Bow
Photo: Genesis
- Draw Weight: 10 – 20 lbs.
- Draw Length: 15 – 30 in.
- Axle Length: 35.5 in.
- Let-Off: 0%
With its single-cam technology, Genesis’ Original Bow is the ideal weapon for beginners because it is very easy to use. The technology has no tuning issues but maintains high accuracy. It also produces less noise & recoil.
That said, the unit is the official bow for the NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) for training purposes and is recommended for archers of all ages, body sizes & athletic abilities.
Aside from that, the product is durably built because it has a machined aluminum riser, strong composite limbs, aluminum cam & idler wheels, and sturdy bowstrings. This will ensure you get a long service life before requiring any replacements.
The riser is drilled and tapped to fit in more standard accessories and it has a molded grip that gives you a comfortable hold of the bow when in use.
On the downside, the piece has a zero let-off, which means it doesn’t get easier to hold the arrow at the maximum draw. Also, you don’t get any accessories with this unit (including arrows). If you want a complete set, we recommend the Genesis Original Kit .
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4. Best Binary Cam Compound Bow: Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro
Photo: Diamond Archery
- Draw Weight: 5 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 13 – 31 in.
- Axle Length: 31 in.
- Speed: 310 FPS
- Let-Off: 80%
If you are in the market for a binary cam compound bow, the Infinite Edge Pro from Diamond Archery is the best there is. It has a redesigned binary cam system that gives you a flawlessly smooth draw cycle.
In addition to this, it has an integrated stabilizer that balances it out so that you can make steady, accurate shots.
Other than that, the bow is extremely adjustable with a wide draw length range between 13 and 31 inches. It also has a wide draw weight adjustment range from 5 – 70 lbs. and these two enable you to advance in skill & age while using the same bow.
A high 80% let-off makes it easier to hold the arrow at full draw, especially at the highest setting of 70 lbs. This system gives you a maximum arrow speed of 310 feet per second, which is ideal for both hunting and recreation (archery). However, the bow is very costly and it doesn’t come with arrows.
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5. Best Compound Bow for Hunting: Predator Archery Raptor
Photo: Predator Archery
- Draw Weight: 30 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 24.5 – 31 in.
- Axle Length: 30 in.
- Speed: 315 FPS
- Let-Off: 75%
Predator Archery’s Raptor is built as the ultimate hunting compound bow because it is easily tunable and has several performance-enhancing accessories.
The unit features a split yoke tuning system that enables you to make precise adjustments to achieve a proper arrow flight. The limb pockets are also adjustable for quick & easy changes to the draw weight, which can be set anywhere from 30 – 70 lbs.
A 5-pin fiber optic sight (with light and level) comes pre-installed in the bow and this helps you to make adjustments easily to your target in case you miss. Additionally, you get a Truglo biscuit-style rest that holds your arrow steadily before you release the string.
Once shot, the arrow can reach a top speed of 315 feet per second, which is fast enough to pierce through skin and deep into the flesh. Overall, these features make the Raptor one of the best deer hunting compound bows. The issue though is that it does not come with arrows or a quiver in the set.
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6. Best Compound Bow Set: Compound Bow Topoint
Photo: Compound Bow
- Draw Weight: 19 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 19 – 30 in.
- Axle Length: 28 in.
- Speed: 320 FPS
- Let-Off: 80%
If you want a complete compound bow set that contains all the extras you need for hunting or archery, this product is your best bet.
It comes with a 5-pin optical bow sight, a 6-piece arrow quiver, 18 carbon-mix arrows, a rubber stabilizer, a D-loop assembly, and 2 limb dampers, just to name a few. In total, you get around $200 worth of accessories, which is a very good deal.
The unit also stands out because it has the fastest shooting speed, which is 320 feet per second. This ensures you get a long arrow-travel distance with deeper penetration when it hits the target.
Aside from that, the bow has a very durable design that consists of an aluminum riser, CNC machined cam wheels, sturdy composite limbs, and a long-life hand-woven bowstring.
With a 19 – 70-lb draw weight, you get an 80% let-off, which minimizes the draw weight drastically when you pull the arrow to the far end for easy use. The only problem is that the product is available for right-hand use only.
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7. Powerful Compound Bow: Leader Accessories Compound Bow
Photo: Leader Accessories
- Draw Weight: 50 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 25 – 31 in.
- Axle Length: 31.5 in.
- Speed: 310 FPS
- Let-Off: 75 – 80%
With a top shooting speed of up to 310 feet per second, this weapon is quite powerful and this is made possible primarily by a 50 – 70-lb. draw weight, which creates a lot of tension on the string. To make the work easier for you, the unit has a 75 – 80% let-off that reduces the pulling force at full draw.
A sturdy aluminum riser holds all the parts in place and it combines with the limbs to form a 31.5-inch axle length, which is quite long. This helps to improve the bow’s overall accuracy.
The riser features a good grip, multiple cutouts for attaching accessories, and is available in multiple colors to suit different hunting needs. However, the bow is quite heavy (4.4 lbs.) and no arrows are included.
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8. Best Compound Bow for Pre-Teens: CenterPoint Archery ABY1721
Photo: CenterPoint Archery
- Draw Weight: 17 – 21 lbs.
- Draw Length: Up to 26 in.
- Axle Length: 33 in.
- Speed: 70 FPS
- Let-Off: 65%
Dubbed the youth compound bow, CenterPoint Archery’s ABY1721 is specifically designed for experienced pre-teens (age 9 – 12) because it has a moderate draw length, moderate draw weight, and safety accessories.
With a draw weight of 17 – 21 lbs. and a draw length of up to 26 inches, the unit helps these youngsters to develop proper archery skills as they mature into more experienced teens.
As for the safety accessories, you get an arm-guard and a finger tab, as well as two composite arrows, a two-piece quiver, a sight , and an arrow rest .
The bow has a relatively long 33-inch axle length that helps to improve accuracy while its 8-inch brace height gives more forgiveness during the shot.
A heavy-weight composite construction (limbs and riser) makes the bow very durable while all-weather strings allow you to hunt or practice during all seasons.
On the downside, this product has a low shooting speed of only 70 feet per second. Additionally, the riser lacks multiple cutouts for attaching any additional accessories.
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9. Compound Bow for Professional Archers: Southland Archery SAS Outrage
Photo: Southland Archery
- Draw Weight: 55 – 70 lbs.
- Draw Length: 26 – 30 in.
- Axle Length: 35 in.
- Speed: 270 FPS
- Let-Off: 70%
Archery is all about aiming precision and, according to GoHunt , a key factor that enhances this in a compound bow is its long axle length. Therefore, measuring 35 inches long, Southland Archery’s SAS Outrage is one of the most accurate compound bows, which makes it ideal for professional archers.
Aside from that, the unit has a draw weight of 55 – 70 lbs., which is perfect for these professionals. This is coupled with a 70% let-off, which makes it easier to use.
The bow’s riser has multiple cutouts for attaching any additional extras that you buy. This section is available in multiple color options, including camo, to suit different needs.
You also get a maximum shooting speed of 270 feet per second, which is enough for archery because the aiming distance is usually not very long. However, no arrows are included.
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10. Versatile Compound Bow: Bear Archery Cruzer Lite
Photo: Bear Archery
- Draw Weight: 5 – 45 lbs.
- Draw Length: 12 – 27 in.
- Axle Length: 27.13 in.
- Speed: 290 FPS
- Let-Off: 70%
Bear Archery’s Cruzer Lite is characterized by a highly adjustable 12 – 27-inch draw length and 5 – 45-lb. draw weight, which makes it very versatile. This is because such settings enable your child to use the bow from a young age up to the expert level while making small tweaks along the way.
All these adjustments are easily done using an Allen wrench, which eliminates the need for a bow press.
That said, the unit comes ready to hunt straight out of the box because it includes a whisker biscuit arrow rest, a stabilizer, a peep sight, a sight, and a nock loop. The only extra item that you need is a set of arrows.
The bow weighs a mere 3.2 lbs. and this will not wear you down during hunting or archery. You also get a top speed of 290 feet per second, which is quite fast, and an advanced grip design on the riser that eliminates hand torque so that you can shoot more accurately at these speeds.
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How to Buy Best Compound Bows
Photo: Compound Bow
1. Type
Single Cam
These contain one power cam on the lower limb and an idle wheel on the upper limb. It presents a simple design that has no synchronization issues, making it ideal for beginners.
Twin Cam
Twin cam bows consist of two power cams of the same shape (round or elliptical), which work together for perfect synchronization. However, since the cams work independently of each other, you might get sync issues if one turns more than the other.
If used properly though, you won’t experience any nock travel, which means better accuracy. This makes them ideal for hunting or recreation.
Hybrid Cam
This is an improved version of the twin-cam. It has a power cam and a control cam, with the cable from the lower power cam connected to the top limb and the cable from the upper control cam connected to the power cam.
As such, the upper cam always follows the movement of the lower cam, which eliminates synchronization issues for maximum precision. Such a system is better for hunting and archery.
Binary Cam
Binary cam bows are the top-spec option. They consist of two active cams that are connected as slaves to each other. This helps to eliminate any faults on the limbs so that you can fire high-speed shots very accurately. As such, these are the ideal bows to use for hunting and archery.
More Details: Types of Compound Bows
2. Purpose
Although compound bows are very versatile weapons, some are specifically suited for hunting and others for recreation (archery).
For instance, Predator Archery’s Raptor can be easily tuned and has performance-enhancing accessories that make it ideal for hunting. However, for archery, accuracy is key and you should look for features like a stabilizer and long axle to help you take the shot very steadily.
3. Weight
Weight is an important factor to consider if you want to go hunting because you will be carrying the bow plus other accessories and hunting gear for long periods. If too heavy, this will wear you down faster. This is why we recommend units like Bear Archery’s Cruzer G2 , which weighs only 3 lbs.
There is another factor to consider about weight: draw weight. This is the force required to pull the string to full draw. Measured in pounds, the higher this rating is, the harder it is to draw.
Therefore, bows with a 50 – 70 poundage rating should be left to muscular adults. For kids, any rating below 25 lbs. is good enough.
4. Length
Considering draw length, this is the distance from the grip to the string at full draw. This is usually given in a range and it should fit your body size. To get your draw length, spread out your arms then measure the distance from tip to tip. Divide this by 2.5 and the result is your draw length.
Draw Length = (Length of Arm Span) / 2.5
Use the resulting value to get a bow whose range covers your draw length.
5. Speed
For hunting, speed is an important factor to check because it determines how far you can shoot the arrow and how much penetrating power it has when it hits the game. Generally, any speed above 250 feet per second is good enough but the higher the better.
6. Let-Off
Measured as a percentage, this is a measure of the relaxation you get after you pull the string to full draw. For instance, a 70-lb bow with 80% let-off means you will be pulling 14 lbs. at the maximum draw. This reduced fatigue so that you remain ready to shoot for long period. That said, the higher the let-off, the better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bear Archery’s Cruzer G2 is the best overall compound bow because it can be used by all ages & sizes and weighs only 3 lbs. It also comes as a ready to hunt unit with multiple accessories and shoots arrows at a fast speed of up to 315 feet per second.
However, if you are a beginner, we recommend Genesis’ Original Bow as the best compound bow to start with because it features single-cam technology, which makes it easy to use.
For hunting though, be sure to check out Predator Archery’s Raptor . It is easily tunable for precision adjustment and comes with performance-enhancing accessories for improved accuracy.
